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Biomedical subjects

P Bokos

Publications and source records attributed to P Bokos.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1993

Medical maintenance: a pilot study.

In a one year study, 130 methadone maintained subjects with a six month history of good treatment performance were assigned randomly to an experimental condition of one monthly non-random urine screen, one monthly counseling session, one monthly doctor visit, two times per month methadone pick up, a quarterly true random urine screen and participation in a diversion control program or to a control condition of staying under standard conditions for six months and then being transferred to the experimental condition for six months. Results of urine screens and scores on the Addiction Severity Index (ASI) at entrance and six month intervals showed no differences between groups. Three out of four subjects completed the year in good standing. Subject satisfaction was such that the IRB judged that return to standard conditions would be a hardship. Experimental conditions were cheaper such that resources freed up could be applied to the HIV epidemic.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Coordinate and independent effects of heroin, cocaine, and alcohol abuse on T-cell E-rosette formation and antigenic marker expression.

Simultaneous and independent use of cocaine and alcohol by heroin addicts was shown to variably modulate the ability of their T cells to form E-rosettes with sheep erythrocytes (E). As reported previously, the percentages of E-rosette-forming T cells of both active and total types were depressed in association with heroin addiction. We show here that the kinetic curve of the rate of E-rosette formation is also depressed by heroin use and that the use of cocaine but not alcohol by heroin addicts reverses depression of E-rosette formation by heroin. The percentages of E-rosette-forming T cells from the bloods of heroin addicts who used both alcohol and cocaine, as well as the kinetic rate curves of E-rosette formation, were intermediate between the essentially normal levels found for heroin addicts who used cocaine and the severely depressed levels evident for users of heroin alone or heroin plus alcohol. Modulation of the levels of E-rosette formation by alcohol used in conjunction with cocaine and/or heroin was variably dose dependent. Polydrug effects evident by analyses of E-rosette formation were not seen when the percentages of lymphocytes reactive with LYT-3 (anti-E-receptor, 9.6 epitope) and OKT-3 (anti-total T cell) monoclonal antibodies were assessed cytofluorometrically, although the data suggested that subnormal percentages of LYT-3+ T cells were present when heroin addicts also used cocaine. These findings are relevant to basic understanding of T-cell physiology from a neuroimmunological perspective and also suggest ways that addictive drugs may modulate the immunocompetence of drug addicts.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Alteration of T and null lymphocyte frequencies in the peripheral blood of human opiate addicts: in vivo evidence for opiate receptor sites on T lymphocytes.

Street opiate addiction produces a significant depression in the absolute number of total T lymphocytes in peripheral blood as measured by the ability of the lymphocytes to rosette sheep red blood cells (SRBC). Associated with the decrease in T cells, there is an increase in the absolute number of null lymphocytes but no significant changes in B lymphocytes or total white blood cell count. The T cell values for 2 different populations of addicts (n = 12 and 32) are 31.8% and 23.1%, whereas the null cell values are 51.1% and 57.6%, respectively. The values for comparable control populations (n = 18 and 10) are: T% = 70.7% and 67.4%, and null % = 9.2% and 14.5%. Self-reported use of marihuana does not significantly alter the distribution of cell populations. A 1- to 3-hr incubation of addicted-derived lymphocytes with 10(-6) to 10(-7) M Naloxone reverses both T cell depression and null cell increase by allowing the null cells to express SRBC receptors. Cyclic AMP and dibutyryl cyclic AMP can also convert the null cells to T cells. The conversion of null to T lymphocytes has additionally been measured by monitoring the increase in PHA-stimulated growth in 72-hr cultures as determined by tritiated thymidine incorporation into DNA. These results support the hypothesis that opiates can alter T lymphocyte number and function in vivo, and that this alteration may produce a significant degeneration in the immune competence of street opiate addicts.

B-Lymphocytes↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Interventions/Wilmer: a continuum of care for substance abusers in the criminal justice system.

This article describes a 300-bed substance abuse treatment program that is part of a continuum of care focused on preventing drug and criminal recidivism in substance abusing criminals incarcerated in Dallas County, Texas. It is the product of a joint effort of the judiciary, the Dallas County Supervision and Corrections Department, the State of Texas Criminal Justice Division, and Interventions Co., a not-for-profit treatment provider. The program is rooted in over 25 years of treatment experience and incorporates therapeutic community (TC) technology combined with 12-Step programming, behavior modification, job training (having a job is required for graduation), educational, and medical/psychiatric elements. Treatment is conceived as part of a continuum of care to provide substantial and sustained support for the inmate in the difficult process of adapting to the community post incarceration. Treatment plans are individualized and are based on an extended workup in which the individual's status in a number of domains is assessed. Specialized services, such as transportation and childcare, facilitate recovery. Once in the community, urine monitoring, groups, and counseling continue. The program is beginning its fourth year of operation and approximately 600 inmates have started the program. A formal evaluation is in process.

Adult↗