Portland VA Medical Center

Smooth Muscle Cell MAPK14 Promotes Vascular Calcification During Hyperlipidemic Aging

Vascular calcification is a hallmark of vascular aging that is accelerated by hyperlipidemia and contributes to adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Although vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are key mediators of vascular calcification, the signaling pathways linking aging-associa...

Examining the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) Moderate Risk Cannabis Use Threshold Among a Sample of U.S. Military Veterans with Chronic Pain Who Report Medical Cannabis Use

BACKGROUND: The Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) is widely used for substance use screening. However, its established risk cutoffs may not be appropriate for people who use cannabis for medical reasons. This study sought to determine an optimal m...