Examining the Association between Medical Marijuana Legalization and Criminal Behaviors: Evidence from a U.S. Representative Sample.

Background: Medical marijuana legalization (MML) has been widely implemented in the past decade. However, the debates regarding the consequences of MML persist, especially criminal behaviors. Objectives: We examined the association between MML and criminal behaviors among adults in the United States. The criminal behaviors measured three past-year offenses: whether the adult (1) have sold illegal drugs, (2) have stolen anything worth > $50 USD, or (3) have attacked someone. Methods: Using the 2015-2020 National Survey of Drug Use and Health, we included 214,505 adults in our primary analysis for 2015-2019 and 27,170 adults in 2020 for supplemental analysis (age > = 18). Weighted multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine the association between MML and three criminal behaviors. Results: In our primary analysis, we observed no statistically significant association between MML and the three outcomes of criminal behavior. Nevertheless, our supplemental analysis of the 2020 data showed MML was associated with increasing odds of the three criminal behaviors (have sold illegal drugs: AOR [adjusted odds ratio] = 1.7; have stolen anything worth > $50 USD: AOR = 1.9; have attacked someone: AOR = 1.8; all p < 0.05). Conclusion: Surveys from 2015 to 2019 did not suggest MML as a risk factor for higher incidence of criminal behaviors. However, 2020 data showed statistically significant association between MML and selected criminal behaviors. Issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the U.S. economic downturn, could potentially explain this discrepancy. Further research efforts may be warranted.

Measuring intramolecular connectivity in long RNA molecules using two-dimensional DNA patch-probe arrays.

We describe a simple method to infer intramolecular connections in a population of long RNA molecules in vitro. First we add DNA oligonucleotide "patches" that perturb the RNA connections, then we use a microarray containing a complete set of DNA oligonucleotide "probes" to record where perturbations occur. The pattern of perturbations reveals couplings between different regions of the RNA sequence, from which we infer connections as well as their prevalences in the population. We validate this patch-probe method using the 1,058-nucleotide RNA genome of satellite tobacco mosaic virus (STMV), which has previously been shown to have multiple long-range connections. Our results not only indicate long duplexes that agree with previous structures but also reveal the prevalence of competing connections. Together, these results suggest that globally-folded and locally-folded structures coexist in solution. We show that the prevalence of connections changes when pseudouridine, an important component of natural and synthetic RNA molecules, is substituted for uridine in STMV RNA.

Associations of Smoking and Alcohol Consumption with Loneliness, Depression, and Loss of Interest Among Chinese Older Males and Females.

As China experiences a rapidly aging population, the prevalence of Chinese older adults suffering from mental health issues also increases. Because cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption are two major public health concerns in China, we examined smoking and alcohol consumption status with loneliness, depression, and loss of interest among Chinese older adults. Panel data were extracted from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey, and older adults were selected as the final study sample (age ≥ 65) from two different time points (the 2011-2012 and 2014 waves). We analyzed Chinese older men and women with the adoption of panel logistic regression models to study mental health measurements of loneliness, depression, and loss of interest. Among males, compared with non-alcohol users, former alcohol users had higher odds of reporting depression (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.91; p < 0.05), while current alcohol users did not. Current and former smoking statuses were positively associated with depression (all p < 0.05). However, only current smoking status was positively associated with loss of interest (p < 0.05). Among females, former alcohol consumption was positively associated with loneliness, and current alcohol consumption was positively associated with depression. Health practitioners should evaluate the roles of smoking and alcohol consumption on Chinese older adults' mental health measurements in the long term.

Recurrent and reversible bilateral palmar blue discoloration following administration of liposomal daunorubicin-cytarabine (Vyxeos®) for acute myeloid leukemia with myelodysplasia-related changes.

INTRODUCTION: With novel treatment strategies for acute myeloid leukemia becoming more readily utilized in the clinical practice setting, new data on potential treatment-related adverse events also has become available. CASE REPORT: We present a patient case on a previously unreported potential adverse event related to liposomal daunorubicin-cytarabine administration. The patient experienced bilateral discoloration of the palms of his hands that resolved after completion of the treatment cycle, only to recur at cycle two of therapy.Management and outcome: No intervention was required as the condition resolved within a week of onset. DISCUSSION: With newer therapeutic modalities becoming more used in the clinical setting, it is important to understand the potential risks of treatment-related adverse events that come with them. To our knowledge this is the first case reporting blue-skin discoloration related to liposomal daunorubicin-cytarabine.

Associations of staple food consumption and types of cooking oil with waist circumference and body mass index in older Chinese men and women: a panel analysis.

BACKGROUND: The dietary landscape has changed rapidly in China in the past few decades. This research investigates the associations of older adults' choices and consumption of staple foods and cooking oils with obesity-related measurements. METHODS: Panel data were extracted from the Chinese Longitudinal Health Longevity Survey from 3253 older participants with 6506 observations. Ordinary least squares and ordered logistic regression models were estimated with the outcomes of obesity determined by waist circumference (WC) and body mass index (BMI), respectively. RESULTS: Older men who consumed wheat had wider WCs (ß=2.84 [95% confidence interval {CI} 1.55 to 4.13], p<0.01) and higher BMIs (adjusted odds ratio 1.74 [95% CI 1.40 to 2.17], p<0.01) than those who preferred rice. Female participants who used animal-based cooking oil had lower WCs and BMIs than their counterparts who consumed vegetable-based cooking oil. Increased consumption of staple foods was associated with increased rates of obesity in both sexes. CONCLUSION: Dieticians and nutritionists should design appropriate dietary plans to help reduce obesity and chronic diseases among older Chinese adults. Further clinical trials are needed to continue investigating this topic.

Tracking and Analyzing the Brownian Motion of Nano-objects Inside Hollow Core Fibers.

Tracking and analyzing the individual diffusion of nanoscale objects such as proteins and viruses is an important methodology in life science. Here, we show a sensor that combines the efficiency of light line illumination with the advantages of fluidic confinement. Tracking of freely diffusing nano-objects inside water-filled hollow core fibers with core diameters of tens of micrometers using elastically scattered light from the core mode allows retrieving information about the Brownian motion and the size of each particle of the investigated ensemble individually using standard tracking algorithms and the mean squared displacement analysis. Specifically, we successfully measure the diameter of every gold nanosphere in an ensemble that consists of several hundreds of 40 nm particles, with an individual precision below 17% (±8 nm). In addition, we confirm the relevance of our approach with respect to bioanalytics by analyzing 70 nm λ-phages. Overall these features, together with the strongly reduced demand for memory space, principally allows us to record thousands of frames and to achieve high frame rates for high precision tracking of nanoscale objects.

Trends and sociodemographic factors of e-cigarette use among adult daily smokers in South Korea.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have identified the sociodemographic factors associated with e-cigarette use among adolescents in South Korea. However, literature regarding e-cigarette use among adult smokers remains limited in South Korea. METHODS: Applying four waves (2013-2016) of The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (n = 3227), sociodemographic factors were included in the multivariable logistic regression model to study their relationships with e-cigarette use among adult daily smokers. RESULTS: E-cigarette use increased from approximately 21.2% to 34.6% from 2013 to 2016, respectively. Females had lower odds of e-cigarette use (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.76; 95% CI, 0.58-0.99, P < .05) compared with males. Older age was negatively associated with e-cigarette use experience (all Ps < .01). Daily smokers with high school education or above all had higher odds of using e-cigarettes compared those with elementary school education (all Ps < .05). CONCLUSION: As this study examined the trends of e-cigarette use and factors associated with e-cigarette use among adult daily smokers in South Korea, further research is needed to investigate the long-term effect of e-cigarette use on smoking cessation in South Korea as well as other Asian countries.

Living Arrangements and Sleep-Related Outcomes Among Older Adults in China : A Panel Analytic Approach.

It has been discussed previously that older adults' living arrangements are associated with mortality. This study investigated the relationships between older adults' living arrangements and sleep-related outcomes in China. The nationally representative sample included 4,731 participants who participated on two different occasions, with a total of 9,462 observations (2012 and 2014 waves). Panel logistic regression and panel ordinary least squares regression models were estimated with outcomes of sleep quality and average hours of sleep daily, respectively. Approximately 62% of individuals reported good quality of sleep. We observed that older adults who lived with family members had 17% greater odds of reporting good quality of sleep (adjusted odds ratio = 1.17, 95% confidence interval [1.03, 1.34], p < .05) and reported longer sleep duration daily (ß = .334, standard error = .069, p < .01), compared with those who lived alone. Social support is needed to strengthen the residential relationship, especially with family members.

Chinese residents' educational disparity and social insurance coverage.

PURPOSE: The Chinese society has embraced rapid social reforms since the late twentieth century, including educational and healthcare systems. The Chinese Central Government launched an ambitious health reform program in 2009 to improve service quality and provide affordable health services, regardless of individual socio-economic status. Currently, the Chinese social health insurance includes Urban Employee Basic Medical Insurance, Urban Resident Basic Medical Insurance, and New Cooperative Medical Insurance for rural residents. The purpose of this paper is to measure the association between individual education level and China's social health insurance scheme following the reform. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: Using the latest (2011) China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) data and multivariable logistic regression models with cross-sectional design ( n=11,960), the odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) are reported. FINDINGS: The authors found that education is associated with all social health insurance schemes in China after the reform ( p<0.001). Residents with higher educational attainments, such as technical school (OR: 6.64, 95% CI: 5.44-8.13) or university and above (OR: 9.86, 95% CI: 8.14-11.96), are associated with UEBMI, compared with lower-educated individuals. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The Chinese Central Government announced a plan to combine all social health insurance schemes by 2020, except UEBMI, a plan with the most comprehensive financial package. Further research is needed to investigate potential disparities after unification. Policy makers should continue to evaluate China's universal health coverage and social disparity. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: This study is the first to investigate the association between residents' educational attainment and three social health insurance schemes following the 2009 health reform. The authors suggest that educational attainment is still associated with each social health insurance coverage after the ambitious health reform.

Investigating adolescents' sweetened beverage consumption and Western fast food restaurant visits in China, 2006-2011.

Background China has undergone rapid Westernization and established dramatic social reforms since the early 21st century. However, health issues led to challenges in the lives of the Chinese residents. Western fast food and sweetened beverages, two food options associated with chronic diseases and obesity, have played key roles to alter adolescents' dietary patterns. This study aims to examine the association between adolescents' visits to Western fast food restaurants and sweetened beverage consumption. Methods Applying three waves of the China Health and Nutrition Study (CHNS) between 2006 and 2011 (n = 1063), we used generalized Poisson regression (GPR) to investigate the association between adolescents' Western fast food restaurant visits and sweetened beverage consumption, as the popularity of fast food and sweetened beverages has skyrocketed among adolescents in contemporary China. A linear-by-linear association test was used as a trend test to study general patterns between sweetened beverage consumption and Western fast food restaurant visits. We adjusted all models with sweetened beverage consumption frequency, four food preferences (fast food, salty snacks, fruits and vegetables), school status, gross household income, provinces, rural/urban regions, age and gender. Results From the results of the trend test, frequent sweetened beverage consumption was highly associated with more Western fast food restaurant visits among Chinese adolescents in the three waves (p < 0.001). Furthermore, we observed that adolescents, who had less than monthly sweetened beverage consumption or did not drink them at all, had much less likelihood of visiting Western fast food restaurants (p < 0.05), compared with those daily consumers. Conclusion Adolescents' sweetened beverage consumption was highly associated with Western fast food restaurant visits in contemporary China. Further actions are needed from the Chinese central government to create a healthier dietary environment for adolescents.

Residents' educational attainment and preventive care utilization in China.

Purpose China launched a comprehensive health reform in 2009 to improve healthcare quality. Because preventive care utilization in China has not been frequently discussed, the purpose of this paper is to focus on the association between education level and preventive care before and after the initiation of the reform. Education has been referred to as the best health outcome indicator and China's educational reform has been progressive, such as the health reform. Design/methodology/approach The authors analyzed data from four China Health and Nutrition Surveys (CHNS): 2004 ( n=9,617); 2006 ( n=9,527); 2009 ( n=9,873); and 2011 ( n=9,430). Variables were selected based on Andersen's healthcare utilization model (predisposing, enabling and need factors). Multivariable logistic regression models, odds ratios (ORs) and 95 percent confidence intervals (95 percent CI) were conducted and reported. Findings In the adjusted multivariable logistic regression models, the authors found that general education was associated ( p<0.05) with access to preventive care in 2004, 2009 and 2011, but not in 2006. Individuals with higher education had higher ORs for utilizing preventive care, compared with lower education (primary school education or none). Practical implications Policy implications include providing educational protocols regarding preventive care's significance to residents educated at lower level schools, especially younger individuals. Originality/value To the authors' knowledge, this is the first comparative assessment on education level and preventive care utilization before and after the implementation of the Chinese health reform.

Growing concerns and controversies to Taiwan's National Health Insurance-what are the lessons from mainland China, South Korea and Singapore?

It has been over 20 years since Taiwan's implementation of its National Health Insurance (NHI) program. Under this program, the health insurance coverage rate has reached approximately 99% of the population. Despite guaranteeing the residents of Taiwan equal access regardless of socioeconomic status and background, critical problems and controversies persist, and they continue to challenge the NHI. We analyze the primary issues facing the NHI program with emphasis on financial and consumer behavioral aspects. Furthermore, we apply models from mainland China, South Korea and Singapore to discuss what Taiwan could learn from the systems employed by these countries to modify the NHI. Targeting the needs of the NHI, we have three policy recommendations: separating the NHI scheme into different target populations, strengthening the NHI referral system and regulating the access of overseas citizens to health services while in Taiwan. After two decades in existence, problems persist and there is a continuing need to improve Taiwan's NHI. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Beverage Intake, Smoking Behavior, and Alcohol Consumption in Contemporary China-A Cross-Sectional Analysis from the 2011 China Health and Nutrition Survey.

Chinese residents enjoy various types of beverages in their daily life. With the rapid Westernization of contemporary China, several adverse health concerns-such as diabetes linked to sweetened beverages-have emerged. Until now, no research that examines associations between beverage consumption and smoking/drinking behaviors has been made available, despite the large Chinese populations partaking in such activities. We conducted a cross-sectional study to explore the association between beverage intake frequencies and smoking/drinking behaviors in 12,634 adult respondents who participated in the latest wave (2011) of the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS). Further, we applied Tukey's Honest Significance test for pairwise comparisons. We defined the consumption categories as daily (at least one serving per day), weekly (less than one serving per day, at least one serving per week), monthly (less than one serving per week, at least one serving per month), and less than monthly or none-for sweetened beverage, water, tea, and coffee consumptions. The data showed that both tea and sweetened beverages are associated with smoking/drinking behaviors. Compared to respondents who consume tea and sweetened beverages daily, the odds of smoking behaviors are lower for those who consume such beverages less frequently. Further policy implications are discussed, including higher taxes on sweetened beverages and lessons from other countries.