bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Proximity to the US–Mexico border: a key to explaining geographic variation in US methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin purity
Authors: Cunningham James K. , Maxwell Jane Carlisle , Campollo Octavio , Cunningham Kathryn I. , Liu Lon‐Mu , Lin Hui‐Lin 
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACTAims Although illicit drug purity is a widely discussed health risk, research explaining its geographic variation within a country is rare. This study examines whether proximity to the US–Mexico border, the United States' primary drug import portal, is associated with geographic variation in US methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine purity.Design Distances (proximity) between the US–Mexico border and locations of methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin seizures/acquisitions (n = 239 070) recorded in STRIDE (System to Retrieve Information from Drug Evidence) were calculated for the period of 1990–2004. The association of drug purity with these distances and other variables, including time and seizure/acquisition size, was examined using hierarchical multivariate linear modeling (HMLM).Setting Coterminous United States.Findings Methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin purity generally decreased with distance from the US–Mexico border. Heroin purity, however, after initially declining with distance, turned upwards—a U‐shaped association. During 2000–04, methamphetamine purity also had a U‐shaped association with distance. For each of the three drugs, temporal changes in the purity of small acquisitions (<10 g) were typically more dynamic in areas closer to the US–Mexico border.Conclusions Geographic variance in methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin purity throughout the coterminous United States was associated with US–Mexico border proximity. The U‐shaped associations between border‐distance and purity for heroin and methamphetamine may be due to imports of those drugs via the eastern United States and southeast Canada, respectively. That said, areas closer to the US–Mexico border generally had relatively high illicit drug purity, as well as more dynamic change in the purity of small (‘retail level’) drug amounts.
Case studies of tobacco dependence treatment in Brazil, England, India, South Africa and Uruguay
Authors: Raw Martin , McNeill Ann , Murray Rachael 
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACTAims  The aims of this study are to describe the tobacco dependence treatment systems in five countries at different stages of development of their systems, and from different income levels and regions of the world, and to draw some lessons from their experiences that might be useful to other countries.Methods and data sourses  Data were drawn from an earlier survey of treatment services led by M.R. and A.M., from Party reports to the Secretariat of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, and from correspondents in the five countries. These data were entered onto a standard template by the authors, discussed with the correspondents to ensure they were accurate and to help us interpret them, and then the templates were used as a basis to write prose descriptions of the countries' treatment systems, with additional summary data presented in tables.Results  Two of the middle‐income countries have based their treatment on specialist support and both consequently have very low population coverage for treatment. Two countries have integrated broad‐reach approaches, such as brief advice with intensive specialist support; these countries are focusing currently upon monitoring performance and guaranteeing quality. Cost is a significant barrier to improving treatment coverage and highlights the importance of using existing infrastucture as much as possible.Conclusions  Perhaps not surprisingly the greatest challenges appear to be faced by large, lower‐income countries that have prioritized more intensive but low‐reach approaches to treatment, rather than developing basic infrastructure, including brief advice in primary care and quitlines.
Losses disguised as wins in modern multi‐line video slot machines
Authors: Dixon Mike J. , Harrigan Kevin A. , Sandhu Rajwant , Collins Karen , Fugelsang Jonathan A. 
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACTAims  Players can wager on multiple lines of modern slot machines. When they spin and fail to gain any credits, the machine goes into a state of relative quiet. By contrast, when they spin and win, these spins are accompanied by reinforcing sights and sounds. Such reinforcement also occurs when the amount won is less than the spin wager. We sought to show that these ‘losses disguised as wins’, or LDWs, would be as arousing as wins, and more arousing than regular losses.Measurement and participants  We measured skin conductance response (SCR) amplitudes and heart‐rate changes following wins, LDWs and losses for 40 novices playing a multi‐line slot machine.Findings  SCR amplitudes were similar for wins and LDWs—both were significantly larger than for regular losses.Conclusions  For novice players, the reinforcing sights and sounds of the slot machine triggered arousal on wins, where the number of credits gained was greater than the spin wager, but also on ‘losses disguised as wins’ where the amount ‘won’ was less than the spin wager. Despite the fact that players lost money on these spins, these outcomes were more arousing than regular losses where no credits were gained. Although these findings involve novice players, the heightened arousal associated with these losses may have implications for the development of problem gambling, as arousal has been viewed as a key reinforcer in gambling behaviour.
Sun‐downing and integration for the advancement of science and therapeutics: the National Institute on Substance Use Disorders (NISUD)
Authors: Grabowski John 
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACTThe National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the most prominent funding source for scientific research in the world. It is also a complex and diverse organization, having multiple institutes, centers and offices. NIH emphasizes the need for innovation and collaboration in research to discover critical knowledge, enhance health and prevent disease. Advancement in science requires not only sophisticated methods, but also logical organization. Here, an overview of ‘behavioral research’ (writ large) at NIH is presented, focusing upon the common trinity of ‘alcohol, tobacco/nicotine and other drugs’ and programmatic overlap across entities. Consideration is also given to the origins of institutes and their historical movement across organizational boundaries. Specific issues, concerns and advantages of integration of the National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse are addressed. It is concluded that advances in understanding, treating and preventing substance use disorders would best be served by (1) review and integration of all related research throughout NIH, (2) logical placement of leadership for this activity in a single institute, here entitled the National Institute on Substance Use Disorders, and (3) close collaboration of this institute with its complementary partner, the National Institute on Mental Health. Thus, NIH can establish an organizational structure and collaborations reflecting the realities of the scientific and disease/health domains. This would make a prominent statement to the world scientific and health communities regarding NIH recognition of the need for innovation (scientific and organizational) and focus upon these myriad interrelated and costly problems.
Dilated intercellular space in chronic laryngitis and gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease: at baseline and post‐lansoprazole therapy
Authors: Vaezi M. F. , Slaughter J. C. , Smith B. S. , Washington M. K. , Jerome W. G. , Garrett C. G. , Hagaman D. , Goutte M. 
Published: August 2010

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2010; 32: 916–924SummaryBackground  Dilation of intercellular spaces is reported to be an early morphological marker in gastro‐oesophageal reflux. It remains unknown if this marker is useful in diagnosing reflux‐related chronic laryngitis.Aim  To determine histopathology and electron microscopic changes in oesophageal and laryngeal epithelium in chronic laryngitis.Methods  In this prospective blinded study, we enrolled 53 participants: 15 controls, 20 patients with GERD and 18 patients with chronic laryngitis. The latter two groups were subsequently treated with lansoprazole 30 mg bid for 12‐weeks. Baseline and postacid suppressive therapy biopsies were obtained from distal oesophagus and laryngeal postcricoid areas. Biopsy specimens were evaluated for histopathology and dilated intercellular space changes.Results  There was no significant increase in oesophageal or laryngeal epithelium intercellular spaces among GERD or laryngitis patients compared with controls at baseline or postacid suppressive therapy. Only patients with GERD had significantly (P = 0.03) higher proportion of moderate‐to‐severe oesophageal spongiosis and basal cell hyperplasia, which normalized postacid suppressive therapy.Conclusions  There was no increase in the width of intercellular spaces in the oesophagus or larynx in GERD or chronic laryngitis at baseline or postacid suppressive therapy. Our findings question the uniform presence of dilated intercellular space in patients with GERD.
A comparison of the respiratory effects of oxycodone versus morphine: a randomised, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled investigation*
Authors: Chang S. H. , Maney K. M. , Phillips J. P. , Langford R. M. , Mehta V. 
Published: August 2010

SummaryOxycodone’s respiratory profile (particularly the extent of respiratory depression in comparison to morphine) remains to be fully characterised in the peri‐operative period. We randomly assigned ASA 1‐2 adults for elective surgery under general anaesthesia to receive saline, morphine 0.1 mg.kg−1, or oxycodone 0.05 mg.kg−1, 0.1 mg.kg−1, or 0.2 mg.kg−1. Results were obtained from six patients in the saline group, 12 patients in the groups receiving morphine 0.1 mg.kg−1, oxycodone 0.05 mg.kg−1and 0.1 mg.kg−1, and from 10 patients who received oxycodone 0.2 mg.kg−1. Patients were breathing spontaneously and minute ventilation monitored with a wet wedge spirometer for 30 min. All active groups demonstrated significant respiratory depression compared to saline (p < 0.0001 for all groups). The mean (SD) reduction in minute volume from baseline was 22.6% (10.4%) for the morphine 0.1 group and 53.3% (27.2%), 74.4% (12.9%) and 88.6% (13.5%) for the oxycodone 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2 groups, respectively, with significant dose dependent differences between oxycodone groups (p = 0.0007). The extent and speed of onset of oxycodone induced respiratory depression was dose dependent and greater than an equivalent dose of morphine.
Serum total tryptase levels are increased in patients with active chronic urticaria
Authors: Ferrer M. , Nuñez‐Córdoba J. M. , Luquin E. , Grattan C. E. , De la Borbolla J. M. , Sanz M. L. , Schwartz L. B. 
Published: August 2010

SummaryBackground
We have demonstrated previously mast cell histamine release upon incubation with chronic urticaria (CU) sera, presumably by degranulation.Objective
To explore total and mature tryptase in order to assess whether any increase in total tryptase levels is due in part to mast cell degranulation or to mast cell burden. We also wanted to explore differences between the autoimmune groups called idiopathic (serum unable to activate basophils), and to correlate total and mature tryptase levels with different urticaria features.Methods
We measured total and mature tryptase serum levels in 81 CU patients, 16 atopic donors and 21 healthy control sera. We assessed autoimmunity by measuring the CD63 expression in normal basophil donors upon incubation with CU sera.Results
We found significantly higher levels of total tryptase in the sera of CU patients (6.6 ±4.1 μg/L) than in sera from healthy non‐atopic subjects (4.4 ±2.8 μg/L) and from atopic subjects (4.5 ±1.7 μg/L). Mature tryptase levels were undetectable (<1 ng/mL). Total tryptase levels in the autoimmune urticaria group were significantly higher (9.8 ±5.4 μg/L) than the idiopathic urticaria group (4.4 ±2.2 μg/L). A significant difference in total tryptase was found between symptomatic patients (7.3 ±4.1 μg/L) compared with asymptomatic ones (5.7 ±4.1 μg/L) at the time of venesection. No difference was found in mature tryptase levels either.Conclusion
Total elevated tryptase levels are not accompanied by an elevated mature tryptase levels, as might be expected if the serum levels reflected mast cell degranulation. Cite this as: M. Ferrer, J. M. Nuñez‐Córdoba, E. Luquin, C. E. Grattan, J. M. De la Borbolla, M. L. Sanz, L. B. Schwartz, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2010 (40) 1760–1766.
Use of bioluminescence imaging to track neutrophil migration and its inhibition in experimental colitis
Authors: Murphy C T , Moloney G , Hall L J , Quinlan A , Faivre E , Casey P , Shanahan F , Melgar S , Nally K 
Published: August 2010

SummaryInflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with neutrophil infiltration into the mucosa and crypt abscesses. The chemokine interleukin (IL)-8 [murine homologues (KC) and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2] and its receptor CXCR2 are required for neutrophil recruitment; thus, blocking this engagement is a potential therapeutic strategy. In the present study, we developed a preclinical model of neutrophil migration suitable for investigating the biology of and testing new drugs that target neutrophil trafficking. Peritoneal exudate neutrophils from transgenic β-actin-luciferase mice were isolated 12 h after intraperitoneal injection with thioglycollate, and were assessed phenotypically and functionally. Exudate cells were injected intravenously into recipients with dextran sodium sulphate (DSS)-induced colitis followed by bioluminescence imaging of whole-body and ex vivo organs at 2, 4 and 16–22 h post-transfer. Anti-KC antibody or an isotype control were administered at 20 µg/mouse 1 h before transfer, followed by whole-body and organ imaging 4 h post-transfer. The peritoneal exudate consisted of 80% neutrophils, 39% of which were CXCR2+. In vitro migration towards KC was inhibited by anti-KC. Ex vivo bioluminescent imaging showed that neutrophil trafficking into the colon of DSS recipients was inhibited by anti-KC 4 h post-cell transfer. In conclusion, this study describes a new approach for investigating neutrophil trafficking that can be used in preclinical studies to evaluate potential inhibitors of neutrophil recruitment.
The T helper type 17/regulatory T cell imbalance in patients with acute Kawasaki disease
Authors: Jia S , Li C , Wang G , Yang J , Zu Y 
Published: August 2010

Summary
The study is designed to investigate the changes and roles of T helper type 17/regulatory T cells (Th17/Treg) in the immunological pathogenesis of Kawasaki disease (KD). In addition, we explore the alteration and significance of Th17 cells in patients with intravenous immune globulin-resistant KD. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to evaluate the mRNA levels of interleukin (IL)-17A/F, retinoic acid-related orphan receptor (ROR)-γt and forkhead box P3 (FoxP3) in CD4-positive cells. The proportions of Th17 cells and CD4+CD25+FoxP3high Tregs were analysed by flow cytometry. Plasma cytokine [IL-17A, IL-6, IL-23 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β] concentrations were measured by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Our data demonstrate that Th17 proportions and expression levels of cytokines (IL-17, IL-6 and IL-23) and transcription factors (IL-17A/F, ROR-γt) were up-regulated significantly, while Treg proportions and expression levels of Treg transcription factor (FoxP3) were down-regulated significantly in children with acute KD (P &lt; 0·01). Compared with the sensitive group, the Th17 proportions were up-regulated significantly during the acute phase in immune globulin-resistant KD (P &lt; 0·01). The plasma IL-17A, IL-6 and IL-23 concentrations in patients with KD were significantly higher compared with the concentrations in normal controls (NC) and infectious disease (ID). Plasma TGF-β concentrations were markedly lower in the KD group than the NC and ID groups (P &lt; 0·05). These results suggest that Th17/Treg cells imbalance exists in the patients with KD. Th17/T cells imbalance may be important factors causing disturbed immunological function and resulting in immunoglobulin-resistant KD.
A prospective study of the associations between 25‐hydroxy‐vitamin D, sarcopenia progression and physical activity in older adults
Authors: Scott David , Blizzard Leigh , Fell James , Ding Changhai , Winzenberg Tania , Jones Graeme 
Published: August 2010

SummaryObjective  Low 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels may be associated with both sarcopenia (the age‐related decline in muscle mass and function) and low physical activity (PA). Our objective was to describe prospective associations between 25OHD, muscle parameters, and PA in community‐dwelling older adults.Design  Prospective, population‐based study with a mean follow‐up of 2·6 ± 0·4 years.Patients  Six hundred and eighty‐six community‐dwelling older adults (49% women; mean ± SD 62 ± 7 years old).Measurements  Appendicular lean mass percentage (%ALM) and body fat assessed by Dual‐energy X‐ray Absorptiometry, leg strength by dynamometer, leg muscle quality (LMQ), PA assessed by pedometer, self‐reported sun exposure by questionnaire, and serum 25OHD measured by radioimmunoassay.Results  Participants with 25OHD ≤50 nm had lower mean %ALM, leg strength, LMQ and PA (all P < 0·05). As a continuous function, baseline 25OHD was a positive independent predictor of change in leg strength (β = 5·74 kg, 95% CI 0·65, 10·82) and LMQ (β = 0·49 kg/kg, 95% CI 0·17, 0·82). Also, change in 25OHD was positively predicted by baseline %ALM (β = 2·03 pm/p.a., 95% CI 0·44, 3·62) leg strength (β = 0·30 pm/p.a., 95% CI 0·06, 0·53), LMQ (β = 4·48 pm/p.a., 95% CI 0·36, 8·61) and PA (β = 2·63 pm/p.a., 95% CI 0·35, 4·92) after adjustment for sun exposure and body fat.Conclusions  25OHD may be important for the maintenance of muscle function, and higher skeletal muscle mass and function as well as general PA levels may also be beneficial for 25OHD status, in community‐dwelling older adults.
Interactions among gender, age, hypertension and C‐reactive protein in coronary vasospasm
Authors: Hung Ming‐Yow , Hsu Kuang‐Hung , Hung Ming‐Jui , Cheng Chi‐Wen , Cherng Wen‐Jin 
Published: August 2010

Eur J Clin Invest 2010; 40 (12): 1094–1103AbstractBackground  Coronary vasospasm (CVsp) has been reported to be an inflammatory disease, reflected by elevated high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP). We investigated the interactions among gender, age, hypertension and hs‐CRP in patients with CVsp.Materials and methods  We retrospectively examined 722 Taiwanese patients with or without CVsp during an 8‐year period. None of the patients had obstructive coronary artery disease. Serum hs‐CRP levels were examined in a subset of 375 patients to evaluate the interactions of hs‐CRP with gender, age, smoking and hypertension in the development of CVsp.Results  In women, only the highest hs‐CRP tertile (> 3 mg L−1) was independently associated with CVsp. In men, age > 58 years and the highest hs‐CRP tertile were independently associated with CVsp. In women, elevated risk was only demonstrated in patients ≤ 58 years of age with hs‐CRP levels in the highest tertile. In men, a positively monotonic trend was demonstrated between hs‐CRP levels and CVsp in those > 58 years of age. The odds ratios of CVsp in both women and men with hs‐CRP in the highest tertile reduced from 6·01 to 1·48 and 6·35–2·69 respectively, if they had hypertension.Conclusion  The relationship between hs‐CRP and CVsp differed between men and women. Our findings that there is a non‐threshold model in men and a threshold model in women provide evidence that more smokers in men (life‐style) and age (induction time) contribute to the natural history of CVsp development. The negative effect of hypertension on CVsp suggests that the pathogenesis of CVsp differs from that of coronary atherosclerosis.
Value of exercise echocardiography for predicting mortality in elderly patients
Authors: Bouzas‐Mosquera Alberto , Peteiro Jesús , Broullón Francisco J. , Álvarez‐García Nemesio , Méndez Elizabet , Pérez Alberto , Mosquera Victor X. , Castro‐Beiras Alfonso 
Published: August 2010

Eur J Clin Invest 2010; 40 (12): 1122–1130AbstractBackground  Elderly patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease are often referred for pharmacological stress testing. Data on the value of exercise echocardiography (ExEcho) for predicting outcome (particularly all‐cause mortality) in these patients are scarce.Methods  Peak treadmill ExEcho was performed in 2159 patients ≥ 70 years of age with known or suspected coronary artery disease. Left ventricular wall motion was evaluated at baseline and with exercise, and the increase in wall motion score index from rest to peak exercise (ΔWMSI) was calculated. Ischaemia was diagnosed when new or worsening wall motion abnormalities developed with exercise. The end points were all‐cause mortality and major cardiac events (cardiac death or myocardial infarction).Results  Ischaemia developed in 844 patients (38·6%) during exercise. Over a mean follow‐up of 3·5 ± 3·1 years, 439 deaths occurred. The cumulative 5‐year mortality rate was 29·3% in patients with ischaemia versus 16·8% in those without ischaemia (P < 0·001). After covariate adjustment, ΔWMSI remained an independent predictor of mortality [hazard ratio (HR) 2·37, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·66–3·39, P < 0·001] and major cardiac events (HR 3·48, 95% CI 2·11–5·74, P < 0·001). These results remained significant even in patients with chronotropic incompetence. When added to a model with clinical, resting echocardiographic and exercise electrocardiogram variables, ExEcho results provided incremental value for the prediction of both end points (P < 0·001).Conclusions  ExEcho is feasible in elderly patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease and provides useful information for risk stratification in these patients.
Evaluation seedling biomass and its components as selection criteria for improving salt tolerance in Buffel grass genotypes
Authors: Griffa S. , Ribotta A. , López Colomba E. , Tommasino E. , Carloni E. , Luna C. , Grunberg K. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractDamage produced by salt stress (300 mm NaCl) under hydroponic greenhouse conditions in seedlings of eight Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris L. Syn. Pennisetum ciliare Link) genotypes was estimated through different component characters of total fresh weight damage (DTFW). Coefficient of genetic determination (CGD) was estimated for each character as well as their direct and indirect contribution to damage to total fresh weight, considered as biomass production loss. Americana and Biloela were the most salt‐tolerant cultivars, whereas sexual line and Texas 4464 were the genotypes most susceptible to salt stress. Damage to fresh weight of aerial part (DFWA) was the only component with a direct effect on DTFW and with a high CGD. Therefore, DFWA could be used in breeding programmes as an indirect selection criterion for tolerance and better productivity.
Transcriptional profiling of Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes for adult age estimation
Authors: Cook P. E. , Sinkins S. P. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThe age distribution of female mosquitoes in the field is a critical component of vectorial capacity because of the extrinsic incubation period of mosquito‐borne pathogens. However this parameter has not been well characterized in malaria vectors because of methodological difficulties; transcriptional profiling provides a potential new approach for age determination. In Anopheles gambiae, microarrays were used to examine global gene expression over adult life. Nine genes were selected from the 2714 gene transcripts that displayed age‐related transcription patterns, and quantitative reverse transcription PCR used to select the four best performing genes. The resulting age estimation assay was able to predict female age from lab‐reared samples with sufficient accuracy to provide a potentially useful tool for studies of malaria epidemiology and control.