bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Death matters: understanding heroin/opiate overdose risk and testing potential to prevent deaths
Authors: Strang John 
Published: June 2015

AbstractAimsTo describe work undertaken over a 20‐year period, investigating overdose characteristics among survivors, effects of acute heroin administration, clustering of risk of overdose fatality and potential interventions to reduce this fatal outcome.MethodsPrivileged‐access interviewers obtained data from non‐treatment as well as treatment samples; experimental study of drop in oxygen saturation following heroin/opiate injection; investigation of clusterings of death following prison release and treatment termination; and study of target populations as intervention work‐force, including family as well as peers, and action research built into pilot implementation.ResultsOverdose has been experienced by about half of heroin/opiate misusers, with even higher proportions having witnessed an overdose, and with high levels of willingness to intervene. Heroin/opiates are associated with the majority of drug‐related deaths, despite relative scarcity of use. Heroin injection causes a rapid drop in oxygen saturation, recovering only slowly over the next half hour. Deaths from drug overdose are greatly more likely on prison release and post‐discharge from detoxification and other in‐patient or residential settings. High levels of declared willingness to intervene are matched by active interventions. Both drug‐using peers and family members show ability to improve knowledge and gain confidence from training. Audit study of take‐home schemes finds approximately 10% of dispensed naloxone is used in real‐life emergency situations.ConclusionsOverdose is experienced by most users, with heroin/opiates contributing disproportionately to drug overdose deaths. High‐risk times (e.g. after prison release) are now clearly identified. Peers and family are a willing potential intervention work‐force, but are rarely trained or given pre‐supply of naloxone. Large‐scale naloxone provision (e.g. national across Scotland and Wales) is now being delivered, while large‐scale randomized trials (e.g. N‐ALIVE prison‐release trial) are finally under way. Better naloxone products and better‐organized provision are needed. The area does not need more debate; it now needs proper implementation alongside good scientific study.
The National Treatment Outcomes Research Study (NTORS) and its influence on addiction treatment policy in the United Kingdom
Authors: Gossop Michael 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThis paper describes the political origins of the National Treatment Outcomes Research Study (NTORS) and the outputs and impacts of the study. NTORS was designed to meet the request of the Health Secretary and of a Government Task Force for evidence about the effectiveness of the national addiction treatment services. NTORS was a prospective cohort study which investigated outcomes over a 5‐year period of drug users admitted to four major treatment modalities: in‐patient treatment, residential rehabilitation, methadone reduction and methadone maintenance programmes. The study investigated treatments delivered under day‐to‐day operating conditions. Outcomes showed substantial reductions in illicit drug use and reduced injecting risk behaviours. These changes were accompanied by improved psychological and physical health and by reductions in criminal behaviour. However, not all outcomes were so positive. There was a continuing mortality rate in the cohort of about 1% per year, and many clients continued to drink heavily throughout the 5‐year follow‐up. NTORS findings informed and influenced UK addiction treatment policy both at the time and subsequently. The findings were influential in supporting an immediate increase in funding for treatment, and Government Ministers have repeatedly cited NTORS as evidence of the effectiveness of addiction treatment. One finding that received political attention was that of the cost savings provided by treatment through reductions in crime. This important finding led to an unanticipated consequence of NTORS; namely, the greater focus on crime reduction that has increasingly been promoted as a political and social priority for drug misuse treatment.
Griffith Edwards, the Addiction Research Unit and research on the criminal justice system
Authors: Farrell Michael , Marsden John , Strang John 
Published: June 2015

AbstractBackgroundThis paper reviews the early work of Griffith Edwards and his colleagues on alcohol in the criminal justice system and outlines the direction of research in this area in the Addiction Research Unit in the 1960s and 1970s. The paper outlines the link between that work and work undertaken in the more recent past in this area.MethodsThe key papers of the authors are reviewed and the impact of this work on policy and practice is discussed.ConclusionsThere is a rich seam of work on deprived and incarcerated populations that has been under way at the Addiction Research Unit and subsequently the National Addiction Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, London. Griffith Edwards initiated this work that explores the risks and problems experienced by people moving between the health and criminal justice system, and demonstrated the need for better care and continuity across this system
Linking science to policy: the role of international collaboration and problem‐focused integrative reviews
Authors: Babor Thomas F. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThis paper traces the modern history of alcohol and drug policy research through a series of four monographs that were written collaboratively by international groups of career scientists. The books promoted the view, supported by a considerable amount of evidence, that alcohol and drug problems can be reduced, if not prevented, through organized policy action by governments and public health organizations. The books used a problem‐focused integrative approach to align research more effectively with public policy. A common thread that runs throughout the monographs is the influence of Professor Griffith Edwards.
Poor association of allergen‐specific antibody, T‐ and B‐cell responses revealed with recombinant allergens and a CFSE dilution‐based assay
Authors: Eckl‐Dorna J. , Campana R. , Valenta R. , Niederberger V. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractBackgroundThe adaptive immunity underlying allergy comprises two components, the allergen‐specific antibody (i.e. IgE, IgG) and the T‐cell response. These two components are responsible for different disease manifestations and can be targeted by different therapeutic approaches. Here, we investigated the association of allergen‐specific antibody and T‐ as well as B‐cell responses in pollen‐allergic patients using recombinant (r) major birch pollen allergen rBet v 1 and major timothy grass pollen allergen rPhl p 5 as defined antigens.MethodsAllergen‐specific IgE and IgG antibody responses were determined by ELISA, and allergen‐specific T‐ and B‐cell responses were measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cells using a carboxyfluorescein‐diacetate‐succinimidylester (CFSE) dilution assay.ResultsCFSE staining in combination with T‐cell‐ and B‐cell‐specific gating allowed discriminating between allergen‐specific T‐cell and B‐cell responses. Interestingly, we identified patients where mainly T cells and others where mainly B cells proliferated in response to allergen stimulation. No association between the level of allergen‐specific Ig responses and B‐ or T‐cell proliferation was observed.ConclusionPurified recombinant allergens in conjunction with CFSE staining allow the dissection of allergen‐specific B‐ and T‐cell responses. The dissociation of allergen‐specific antibody, and B‐ and T‐cell responses may explain the occurrence of selective IgE‐ and T‐cell‐mediated manifestations of allergic inflammation and may be important for the development of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies selectively targeting B cells and T cells.
Short‐stay transurethral prostate surgery: A randomized controlled trial comparing transurethral resection in saline bipolar transurethral vaporization of the prostate with monopolar transurethral resection
Authors: Yee Chi‐hang , Wong Joseph Hon‐ming , Chiu Peter Ka‐fung , Chan Chi‐kwok , Lee Wai‐man , Tsu James Hok‐leung , Teoh Jeremy Yuen‐chun , Ng Chi‐fai 
Published: June 2015

AbstractObjectivesThe aim of the present study was to establish the safety and efficacy profile of transurethral resection in saline (TURis) bipolar vaporization of the prostate relative to monopolar transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) and to test the hospital stay efficiency after TURis vaporization.Materials and Methodsin this multicenter, double‐blinded, prospective, randomized controlled trial, men aged 50–75 years old were randomized into two arms: TURis bipolar vaporization and monopolar TURP. Intraoperative details, perioperative parameters, and postoperative functional outcomes were assessed after intervention. Follow‐up with symptom score assessment, prostate volume measurement, and uroflowmetry were performed at 3 and 6 months.ResultsEighty‐four patients (mean age, 65.0 ± 5.6 years) were randomized into each study arm. TURis bipolar vaporization had a longer operative time than monopolar TURP (51.6 ± 24.5 vs 38.5 ± 20.3 min, P < 0.001). Postoperatively, the TURis group had a shorter catheter time (33.6 ± 23.7 vs 40.8 ± 29.4 h, P = 0.013) and a shorter length of hospital stay (43.14 ± 18.79 vs 52.33 ± 30.58 h, P = 0.013). The postoperative dysuria score was higher in the TURis vaporization arm. There was no statistically significant difference between the two arms in terms of hemoglobin change and postoperative complication. No significant difference was observed in quality of life score at 3 and 6 months.ConclusionsTURis bipolar vaporization of the prostate is a safe and comparable alternative to monopolar TURP. It leads to a reduction in both catheter time and length of hospital stay.
Current status of randomized controlled trials for laparoscopic gastric surgery for gastric cancer inChina
Authors: Li Guoxin , Hu Yanfeng , Liu Hao 
Published: June 2015

AbstractChina alone accounts for nearly 42% of all new gastric cancer cases worldwide, and gastric cancer is the third leading cause of cancer deaths inChina nowadays. Without mass screening programs, unfortunately over 80% of allChinese patients have been diagnosed as advanced diseases. As in otherAsian countries, especiallyJapan andKorea, laparoscopic gastrectomy for the treatment of gastric cancer has gained increasingly popularity inChina during the past decade. Whether laparoscopic surgery can be safely and effectively performed in the treatment of gastric cancer remains controversial, particularly with regard to curative intent in advanced diseases. Given the high incidence of these cancers, and their advanced stage at diagnosis,China has a significant interest in determining the safety and effectiveness of laparoscopic gastrectomy. A well‐designed randomized controlled trial (RCT) is considered the only feasible way to provide conclusive evidence. To date,China has not played a significant role in terms of conductingRCTconcerning laparoscopic surgery for gastric cancer. However, an effort has been made by theChinese researchers, with the great help from our colleagues in neighboring countries such asKorea andJapan, through the establishment of theChinese Laparoscopic Gastrointestinal Surgery Study Group. In this review, we present the current status ofRCTfor laparoscopic gastric surgery for gastric cancer inChina, including published and ongoing registeredRCT.
Identification of matrine as a promising novel drug for hepatic steatosis and glucose intolerance with HSP72 as an upstream target
Authors: Zeng Xiao‐Yi , Wang Hao , Bai Fang , Zhou Xiu , Li Song‐Pei , Ren Lu‐Ping , Sun Ruo‐Qiong , Xue Charlie C L , Jiang Hua‐Liang , Hu Li‐Hong , Ye Ji‐Ming 
Published: June 2015

Background and PurposeMatrine is a small molecule drug used in humans for the treatment of chronic viral infections and tumours in the liver with little adverse effects. The present study investigated its therapeutic efficacy for insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis in high‐fat‐fed mice.Experimental ApproachC57BL/J6 mice were fed a chow or high‐fat diet for 10 weeks and then treated with matrine or metformin for 4 weeks. The effects on lipid metabolism and glucose tolerance were evaluated.Key ResultsOur results first showed that matrine reduced glucose intolerance and plasma insulin level, hepatic triglyceride content and adiposity in high‐fat‐fed mice without affecting caloric intake. This reduction in hepatosteatosis was attributed to suppressed lipid synthesis and increased fatty acid oxidation. In contrast to metformin, matrine neither suppressed mitochondrial respiration nor activated AMPK in the liver. A computational docking simulation revealed HSP90, a negative regulator of HSP72, as a potential binding target of matrine. Consistent with the simulation results, matrine, but not metformin, increased the hepatic protein level of HSP72 and this effect was inversely correlated with both liver triglyceride level and glucose intolerance.Conclusions and ImplicationsTaken together, these results indicate that matrine may be used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and hepatic steatosis, and the molecular action of this hepatoprotective drug involves the activation of HSP72 in the liver.
Design, Synthesis, and Antitumor Activity of (E,Z)‐1‐(dihydrobenzofuran‐5‐yl)‐3‐phenyl‐2‐(1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl)‐2‐propen‐1‐ones
Authors: Li Wan , Yang Zi‐Hui , Hu Ai‐Xi , Yan Xiao‐Wei , Ding Na , Ye Jiao 
Published: June 2015

A series of (E,Z)‐1‐(dihydrobenzofuran‐5‐yl)‐3‐phenyl‐2‐(1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl)‐2‐propen‐1‐ones (C1–C35) were designed and synthesized, and the structures of compounds (Z)‐C27 and (Z)‐C29 were confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The antitumor activities of these novel compounds against cervical cancer (HeLa), lung cancer (A549), and breast cancer (MCF‐7) cell lines were evaluated in vitro. Majority of the title compounds exhibited strong antitumor activities and were much more promising than the positive control Taxol, which were also accompanied by lower cytotoxicity to normal cells. In particular, compounds (E,Z)‐C24 exhibited the most consistent potent activities against three neoplastic cells with IC50 values ranging from 3.2 to 7.1 μm. Further researches demonstrated that compounds (E,Z)‐C24 could induce cell apoptosis and arrest cell cycle at the G2/M and S phases. Meanwhile, the structure–activity relationship between the configurations and cytotoxicity of the compounds was also investigated.
OHIP‐TMDs: a patient‐reported outcome measure for temporomandibular disorders
Authors: Yule Pamela L. , Durham Justin , Playford Hannah , Moufti Mohammed Adel , Steele Jimmy , Steen Nick , Wassell Robert W. , Ohrbach Richard 
Published: June 2015

AbstractObjectivesThis research aims to assess the test–retest reliability, the face, content and known groups validity, and responsiveness to change, of OHIP‐TMDs, a 22‐item TMDs‐specific version of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP).MethodsTest–retest reliability – A group of patients with TMDs (n = 20) was administered OHIP‐TMDs twice before initial consultation with a 2‐week interval. Face and content validity – Content validity index assessments were undertaken with professionals and patients. Known groups validity – Participants (n = 76) with confirmed Axis 1 RDC/TMD diagnoses completed OHIP‐TMDs prior to TMDs treatment. Their responses were compared, using inferential statistics, with those of age‐ and gender‐matched controls. Responsiveness to change – Using the same 76 participants, a comparison was made of OHIP‐TMDs with OHIP‐49 (order of administration randomized) both at baseline and 3 months after starting treatment.ResultsOHIP‐TMDs showed good test–retest reliability ICC [2,1] 0.805 (95% CI: 0.565, 0.918); good face and content validity; significant differences (P < 0.001) between controls and participants demonstrating known groups validity. Its responsiveness to change was similar to OHIP‐49.ConclusionsOHIP‐TMDs is an appropriate biopsychosocial, patient‐centred, outcome measure for assessing QOL in patients with TMDs. It is less than half the length of OHIP‐49 and contains proportionately more items relevant to TMDs.
Trends in income‐related inequality in untreated caries among children in the United States: findings from NHANES I, NHANES III, and NHANES 1999–2004
Authors: Capurro Diego Alberto , Iafolla Timothy , Kingman Albert , Chattopadhyay Amit , Garcia Isabel 
Published: June 2015

AbstractObjectiveThe goal of this analysis was to describe income‐related inequality in untreated caries among children in the United States over time.MethodsThe analysis focuses on children ages 2–12 years in three nationally representative U.S. surveys: the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1971–1974, NHANES 1988–1994, and NHANES 1999–2004. The outcome of interest is untreated dental caries. Various methods are employed to measure absolute and relative inequality within each survey such as pair‐wise comparisons, measures of association (odds ratios), and three summary measures of overall inequality: the slope index of inequality, the relative index of inequality, and the concentration index. Inequality trends are then assessed by comparing these estimates across the three surveys.ResultsInequality was present in each of the three surveys analyzed. Whether measured on an absolute or relative scale, untreated caries disproportionately affected those with lower income. Trend analysis shows that, despite population‐wide reductions in untreated caries between NHANES I and NHANES III, overall absolute inequality slightly increased, while overall relative inequality significantly increased. Between NHANES III and NHANES 1999–2004, both absolute and relative inequality tended to decrease; however, these changes were not statistically significant.ConclusionsSocioeconomic inequality in oral health is an important measure of progress in overall population health and a key input to inform health policies. This analysis shows the presence of socioeconomic inequality in oral health in the American child population, as well as changes in its magnitude over time. Further research is needed to determine the factors related to these changes and their relative contribution to inequality trends.
Pre‐augmentation soft tissue expansion: an overview
Authors: Asa'ad Farah , Rasperini Giulio , Pagni Giorgio , Rios Hector F. , Giannì Aldo B. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractObjectivesThe aim of this study was to explore the development of soft tissue expanders, their different types and their potential applications prior to bone augmentation and implant placement.Material and MethodsA review of pertinent literature was performed using PubMed to comprehend the dynamics of soft tissue expanders and determine the current position of their pre‐augmentation applications.ResultsThere is promising, albeit preliminary information regarding the benefits of pre‐augmentation soft tissue expansion. Findings cannot be generalised due to relatively small sample size.ConclusionsFurther clinical trials with larger sample sizes and long‐term follow‐up are needed before soft tissue expanders can be confidently applied in everyday clinical practice.
Designing Multi‐Attribute Procurement Mechanisms for Assortment Planning
Authors: Li Zhaolin , Shao Lusheng , Sun Daewon 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACTThis research investigates how to design procurement mechanisms for assortment planning. We consider that a retailer buys directly from a manufacturer who possesses private information about the per‐unit variable cost and per‐variety setup cost. We first develop a screening model to assist the retailer in integrating assortment planning into supply chain contracting processes when only one manufacturer is available. We demonstrate that the screening mechanism is optimal among all feasible procurement strategies. When there are multiple competing manufacturers, we propose a supply contract auctioning mechanism and evaluate its performance. In this mechanism, the retailer announces a contract menu and the manufacturer that bids the highest upfront fee paid to the retailer wins the auction. The winner then chooses and executes a contract from the contract menu. We show that when the retailer uses the optimal screening contract menu as the object of the auction, it achieves the optimal procurement outcome if the screening contract menu does not pay rent to any manufacturer type. This finding sheds light on the connection between screening and auction mechanisms when there exists multi‐dimensional private information.
Effect of BMP4 preceded by retinoic acid and co‐culturing ovarian somatic cells on differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells into oocyte‐like cells
Authors: Bahmanpour Soghra , Zarei Fard Nehleh , Talaei‐Khozani Tahereh , Hosseini Ahmad , Esmaeilpour Tahereh 
Published: June 2015

Bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) and retinoic acid (RA) signaling are the key regulators for germ cell and meiosis induction, respectively. Gonadal tissue also provides an appropriate microenvironment for oocyte differentiation in vivo. The current study aimed to determine whether mimicking in vivo niche is more efficient for oocyte differentiation from embryonic stem (ES) cells. Here, differentiation of mouse ES cells toward oocyte‐like cells using embryoid body (EB) and monolayer protocols was induced in the presence (+BMP4) or absence (‐BMP4) of BMP4. On day 5, each group was co‐cultured with ovarian somatic cells in the presence or absence of RA (+RA or –RA) for an additional 14 days. Our results showed a significant increase in expression of meiotic markers in the +BMP4 condition in EB differentiation protocol. Further differentiation with ovarian somatic cells led to a subpopulation of oocyte‐like cell formation. Compared to the controls, the +RA condition resulted in a significant elevation of the meiotic gene expression in contrast to Oct4 that significantly decreased in both protocols. In the cells pre‐treated with BMP4 and then exposed to RA in the monolayer differentiation protocol, the gene expression levels of germ cell, Mvh, and maturation markers, Cx37, Zp2, and Gdf9, were also upregulated significantly. Therefore, it can be concluded that +BMP4 and +RA along with ovarian somatic cell co‐culture improved the rate of in vitro oocyte differentiation.