bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
How confident should we be that smoking cessation treatments work?
Authors: Hughes John R. 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTAim To determine (i) the concordance among recent meta‐analyses about which treatments for smoking cessation are efficacious; (ii) the similarity of odds ratios (ORs) across meta‐analyses; and (iii) among the validated treatments, the proportion of studies that found higher quit rates.Methods Computerized literature search for meta‐analyses during the last 5 years in PubMed and PsychInfo. Data were extracted from summary tables of overall effect of validated treatments.Results Fourteen meta‐analyses agreed 100% on the presence/absence of efficacy of 17 proven treatments. The ORs differed by <0.5 in 72/76 of the comparisons of meta‐analyses. Among 37 comparisons in 33 comparisons, >85% of the studies reported numerical superiority for the active treatment.Conclusions The efficacy of treatments for smoking cessation are extremely reliable. This argues for inclusion of treatment as an essential feature of tobacco control and clinical practice and argues for reimbursement of smoking cessation treatments on a par with other medical and behavioral disorders.
Unplanned attempts to quit smoking: missed opportunities for health promotion?
Authors: Murray Rachael L. , Lewis Sarah A. , Coleman Timothy , Britton John , McNeill Ann 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTObjectives  To investigate the occurrence, determinants and reported success of unplanned and planned attempts to quit smoking, and sources of support used in these attempts.Design  Cross‐sectional questionnaire survey of 3512 current and ex‐smokers.Setting  Twenty‐four general practices in Nottinghamshire, UK.Participants  Individuals who reported making a quit attempt within the last 6 months.Measurements  Occurrence, triggers for, support used and success of planned and unplanned quit attempts.Results  A total of 1805 (51.4%) participants returned completed questionnaires, reporting 394 quit attempts made within the previous 6 months of which 37% were unplanned. Males were significantly more likely to make an unplanned quit attempt [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.60, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04–2.46], but the occurrence of unplanned quit attempts did not differ significantly by socio‐economic group or amount smoked. The most common triggers for unplanned quit attempts were advice from a general practitioner or health professional (27.9%) and health problems (24.5%). 5.4% and 4.1% of unplanned quit attempts used National Health Service cessation services on a one to one and group basis, respectively, and more than half (51.7%) were made without any support. Nevertheless, unplanned attempts were more likely to be reported to be successful (adjusted OR 2.01, 95% CI 1.23–3.27, P < 0.01).Conclusions  Unplanned quit attempts are common among smokers in all socio‐demographic groups, are triggered commonly by advice from a health professional and are more likely to succeed; however, the majority of these unplanned attempts are unsupported. It is important to develop methods of providing behavioural and/or pharmacological support for these attempts, and determine whether these increase cessation rates still further.
Changes in per capita alcohol sales during the partial privatization of British Columbia's retail alcohol monopoly 2003–2008: a multi‐level local area analysis
Authors: Stockwell Tim , Zhao Jinhui , Macdonald Scott , Pakula Basia , Gruenewald Paul , Holder Harold 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTAim To investigate the independent effects on liquor sales of an increase in (a) the density of liquor outlets and (b) the proportion of liquor stores in private rather than government ownership in British Columbia between 2003/4 and 2007/8.Design The British Columbia Liquor Distribution Branch provided data on litres of ethanol sold through different types of outlets in 89 local health areas of the province by beverage type. Multi‐level regression models were used to examine the relationship between per capita alcohol sales and outlet densities for different types of liquor outlet after adjusting for potential confounding social, economic and demographic factors as well as spatial and temporal autocorrelation.Setting Liquor outlets in 89 local health areas of British Columbia, Canada.Findings The number of private stores per 10 000 residents was associated significantly and positively with per capita sales of ethanol in beer, coolers, spirits and wine, while the reverse held for government liquor stores. Significant positive effects were also identified for the number of bars and restaurants per head of population. The percentage of liquor stores in private versus government ownership was also associated significantly with per capita alcohol sales when controlling for density of liquor stores and of on‐premise outlets (P < 0.01).Conclusion The trend towards privatisation of liquor outlets between 2003/04 and 2007/08 in British Columbia has contributed to increased per capita sales of alcohol and hence possibly also to increased alcohol‐related harm.
Interventions with injection drug users in Ukraine
Authors: Booth Robert E. , Lehman Wayne E. K. , Dvoryak Sergey , Brewster John T. , Sinitsyna Larisa 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTAims  To assess the effectiveness of a brief human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing and counseling intervention compared to a more time‐consuming and expensive street‐based intervention with injection drug users (IDUs).Design  Cross‐over experimental design in which 900 IDUs were recruited, followed by a ‘wash‐out’ period with no recruitment, a reversal of intervention assignment areas and an additional recruitment of 900 IDUs with baseline and 6‐month follow‐up assessments.Setting  Kiev, Odessa and Makeevka/Donesk Ukraine.Participants  A total of 1798 IDUs.Measurements  HIV testing and audio computer‐assisted self‐interview (ACASI) data on socio‐demographics, drug use and injection and sex‐related risk behaviors.Findings  Participants in both conditions reduced their injection and sex risks significantly; however, there was little difference in outcomes between conditions. IDUs who knew they were HIV‐infected at baseline were significantly more likely to practice safe sex than those unaware or HIV‐negative; those who first learned that they were infected at baseline changed their safe sex practices significantly more than those who already knew that they were infected at baseline and those who were HIV‐negative. Younger IDUs and those injecting for a shorter period of time reported higher injection and sex risk behaviors following interventions.Conclusions  Awareness of HIV infection by street‐recruited drug injectors is associated with reduced sex risks. Additional interventions are required for younger IDUs and those injecting for shorter periods of time.
‘I have no interest in drinking’: a cross‐national comparison of reasons why men and women abstain from alcohol use
Authors: Bernards Sharon , Graham Kathryn , Kuendig Hervé , Hettige Siri , Obot Isidore 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTAims  To examine country differences in reasons for abstaining including the association of reasons with country abstaining rate and drinking pattern.Participants  Samples of men and women from eight countries participating in the GENACIS (Gender Alcohol and Culture: an International Study) project.Methods  Surveys were conducted with 3338 life‐time abstainers and 3105 former drinkers. Respondents selected all applicable reasons for not drinking from a provided list. Analyses included two‐level hierarchical linear modelling (HLM) regression.Findings  Reasons for abstaining differed significantly for life‐time abstainers compared to former drinkers, by gender and age, and by country‐level abstaining rate and frequency of drinking. Life‐time abstainers were more likely than former drinkers to endorse ‘no interest’, ‘religion’ and ‘upbringing’ and more reasons overall. Gender differences, especially among former drinkers, suggested that norms restricting drinking may influence reasons that women abstain (‘no interest’, ‘not liking taste’) while drinking experiences may be more important considerations for men (‘afraid of alcohol problems’, ‘bad effect on activities’). Younger age was associated with normative reasons (‘no interest’, ‘taste’, ‘waste of money’) and possibly bad experiences (‘afraid of problems’). Reasons such as ‘religion’, ‘waste of money’ and ‘afraid of alcohol problems’ were associated with higher country‐level rates of abstaining. Higher endorsement of ‘drinking is bad for health’ and ‘taste’ were associated with a country pattern of less frequent drinking while ‘not liking effects’ was associated with higher drinking frequency.Conclusions  Reasons for abstaining depend on type of abstainer, gender, age and country drinking norms and patterns.
Subtypes of major depression in substance dependence
Authors: Niciu Mark J. , Chan Grace , Gelernter Joel , Arias Albert J. , Douglas Kara , Weiss Roger , Anton Raymond F. , Farrer Lindsay , Cubells Joseph F. , Kranzler Henry R. 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTAims  This study evaluated features that differentiate subtypes of major depressive episode (MDE) in the context of substance dependence (SD).Design  Secondary data analysis using pooled data from family‐based and case–control genetic studies of SD.Setting  Community recruitment through academic medical centers.Participants  A total of 1929 unrelated subjects with alcohol and/or drug dependence.Measurements  Demographics, diagnostic criteria for psychiatric and substance use disorders and related clinical features were obtained using the Semi‐Structured Assessment for Drug Dependence and Alcoholism. We compared four groups: no life‐time MDE (no MDE), independent MDE only (I‐MDE), substance‐induced MDE only (SI‐MDE) and both types of MDE.Findings  Psychiatric measures were better predictors of MDE subtype than substance‐related or socio‐demographic ones. Subjects with both types of MDE reported more life‐time depressive symptoms and comorbid anxiety disorders and were more likely to have attempted suicide than subjects with I‐MDE or SI‐MDE. Subjects with both types of MDE, like those with I‐MDE, were also more likely than subjects with SI‐MDE to be alcohol‐dependent only than either drug‐dependent only or both alcohol‐ and drug‐dependent.Conclusions  SD individuals with both types of MDE have greater psychiatric severity than those with I‐MDE only or SI‐MDE only. These and other features that distinguish among the MDE subtypes have important diagnostic and potential therapeutic implications.
Dexamethasone administration inhibits skeletal muscle expression of the androgen receptor and IGF‐1 – implications for steroid‐induced myopathy
Authors: Inder Warrick J. , Jang Christina , Obeyesekere Varuni R. , Alford Frank P. 
Published: August 2009

SummaryContext  Glucocorticoids are a well‐recognized cause of muscle weakness. The early effects of glucocorticoids on skeletal muscle (SkM) androgen and IGF‐1 pathways have not been previously investigated in human subjects.Objective  To determine if administration of the potent glucocorticoid dexamethasone down‐regulates SkM androgen receptor and the IGF‐1 signalling pathway.Methods and subjects  Twenty‐four subjects (12 men and 12 women), including 12 with type 2 diabetes and 12 nondiabetics were enrolled. Venous blood sampling and biopsy of vastus lateralis were performed before and after administration of oral dexamethasone 4 mg/day for 4 days.Main outcome measures  Changes in plasma testosterone and IGF‐1, SkM androgen receptor mRNA, SkM IGF‐1mRNA and SkM IGF‐1 receptor mRNA by quantitative RT‐PCR after dexamethasone.Results  Relative expression of SkM androgen receptor was similar in male (1·63 ± 0·37) vs. female (1·57 ± 0·30) subjects, despite the significant difference in plasma testosterone levels. Plasma IGF‐1 and SkM expression of IGF‐1 and IGF‐1 receptor were also similar between males and females. Following dexamethasone, there was a significant down‐regulation of SkM androgen receptor (1·60 ± 0·23 vs. 1·11 ± 0·16, P < 0·05) and IGF‐1 (1·72 ± 0·29 vs. 1·06 ± 0·14, P < 0·05) mRNA, but no change in expression of the IGF‐1 receptor. Plasma testosterone fell significantly in both sexes (male: 15·0 ± 1·3 vs. 11·3 ± 1·2 nmol/l, P < 0·01, female: 1·8 ± 0·5 vs. 0·5 ± 0·1 nmol/l, P < 0·05).Conclusions  Exogenous steroid excess results in relative androgen deficiency at two levels, reduced circulating testosterone and SkM androgen receptor mRNA, along with reduced SkM IGF‐1 mRNA. These defects may contribute to the development of steroid‐induced myopathy.
Polymorphisms of the UCP2 gene are associated with proliferative diabetic retinopathy in patients with diabetes mellitus
Authors: Crispim Daisy , Fagundes Nelson J. R. , Dos Santos Kátia G. , Rheinheimer Jakeline , Bouças Ana P. , De Souza Bianca M. , Macedo Gabriel S. , Leiria Leonardo B. , Gross Jorge L. , Canani Luís H. 
Published: August 2009

SummaryBackground and objective  Uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) plays a role in controlling reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by mitochondria. As ROS overproduction is related to diabetic retinopathy (DR), UCP2 gene polymorphisms might be involved in the development of this complication. We investigated whether the −866G/A (rs659366), Ala55Val (rs660339) and 45 bp insertion/deletion (Ins/Del) polymorphisms in the UCP2 gene might be associated with proliferative DR (PDR).Design and methods  In this case–control study, we analysed 501 type 2 diabetic patients (242 patients with PDR and 259 subjects without any degree of DR) and 196 type 1 diabetic patients (85 cases with PDR and 111 without DR). Haplotypes constructed from the combination of the three UCP2 polymorphisms were inferred using a Bayesian statistical method.Results  In the type 2 diabetic group, multivariate analyses confirmed that the haplotype [A Val Ins] was an independent risk factor for PDR when present in one [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2·12; P = 0·006], at least one (aOR = 2·75; P = 0·00001), or two copies (aOR = 5·30; P = 0·00001), suggesting an additive model of inheritance. Nevertheless, in type 1 diabetic patients, the association of this haplotype with PDR was confirmed only when it was present in at least one (aOR = 2·68; P = 0·014) or two copies (aOR = 6·02; P = 0·005).Conclusions  The haplotype [A Val Ins] seems to be an important risk factor associated with PDR in both type 2 and 1 diabetic groups.
Increased oxidized low density lipoprotein associated with high ceruloplasmin activity in patients with active acromegaly
Authors: Boero L. , Cuniberti L. , Magnani N. , Manavela M. , Yapur V. , Bustos M. , Gómez Rosso L. , Meroño T. , Marziali L. , Viale L. , Evelson P. , Negri G. , Brites F. 
Published: August 2009

SummaryObjective  Active acromegaly is associated with increased mortality from cardiovascular causes. Several studies have shown increased atherogenic risk factors and biomarkers of inflammation and atherosclerosis in association with growth hormone excess. The aim of this study was to evaluate oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL) levels and some modulators of LDL oxidative modification in patients with acromegaly.Design  Open transversal study.Patients  Fifteen patients with active acromegaly and 15 controls were studied.Measurements  We evaluated the levels of oxLDL, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), ceruloplasmin, bilirubin, uric acid and total reactive antioxidant potential, and the activities of ceruloplasmin, myeloperoxidase, superoxide distmutase, paraoxonase 1, and platelet activating factor acethylhydrolase. Statistical analysis was performed including body mass index as a covariate or as a fixed variable.Results  Patients with acromegaly showed significantly higher levels of oxLDL (120 ± 19 vs. 86 ± 20 U/l, P < 0·001) and endothelin (P < 0·05), increased ceruloplasmin activity (P < 0·01) and a trend towards higher values in TBARS concentration (P = 0·07) in comparison to healthy controls. OxLDL was positively associated with GH, IGF‐I and its binding protein 3 (r = 0·63, P < 0·001; r = 0·53, P < 0·01; and r = 0·56, P < 0·01; respectively). OxLDL showed direct associations with endothelin‐1 (r = 0·53, P < 0·01) and ceruloplasmin activity (r = 0·43, P < 0·05). The other parameters evaluated were similar in both groups.Conclusions  The increase in plasma oxLDL levels, a direct marker of the plaque formation, could constitute a link between atherosclerosis and active acromegaly. LDL oxidation would not be the consequence of diminished antioxidant defences, but of an enhancement in prooxidant factors like ceruloplasmin.
Macrophage interleukin‐6 and tumour necrosis factor‐α are induced by coronavirus fixation to Toll‐like receptor 2/heparan sulphate receptors but not carcinoembryonic cell adhesion antigen 1a
Authors: Jacques Alexandre , Bleau Christian , Turbide Claire , Beauchemin Nicole , Lamontagne Lucie 
Published: August 2009

SummaryA rapid antiviral immune response may be related to viral interaction with the host cell leading to activation of macrophages via pattern recognition receptors (PPRs) or specific viral receptors. Carcinoembryonic cell adhesion antigen 1a (CEACAM1a) is the specific receptor for the mouse hepatitis virus (MHV), a coronavirus known to induce acute viral hepatitis in mice. The objective of this study was to understand the mechanisms responsible for the secretion of high‐pathogenic MHV3‐induced inflammatory cytokines. We report that the induction of the pro‐inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)‐6 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α in peritoneal macrophages does not depend on CEACAM1a, as demonstrated in cells isolated from Ceacam1a−/− mice. The induction of IL‐6 and TNF‐α production was related rather to the fixation of the spike (S) protein of MHV3 on Toll‐like receptor 2 (TLR2) in regions enriched in heparan sulphate and did not rely on viral replication, as demonstrated with denatured S protein and UV‐inactivated virus. High levels of IL‐6 and TNF‐α were produced in livers from infected C57BL/6 mice but not in livers from Tlr2−/− mice. The histopathological observations were correlated with the levels of those inflammatory cytokines. Depending on mouse strain, the viral fixation to heparan sulfate/TLR2 stimulated differently the p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor (NF)‐κB in the induction of IL‐6 and TNF‐α. These results suggest that TLR2 and heparan sulphate receptors can act as new viral PPRs involved in inflammatory responses.
Hypoxia skews dendritic cells to a T helper type 2‐stimulating phenotype and promotes tumour cell migration by dendritic cell‐derived osteopontin
Authors: Yang Meixiang , Ma Chunhong , Liu Shuxun , Sun Jintang , Shao Qianqian , Gao Wenjuan , Zhang Yan , Li Zewu , Xie Qi , Dong Zhaogang , Qu Xun 
Published: August 2009

SummaryIt is well recognized that tissue microenvironments are involved in regulating the development and function of dendritic cells (DC). Oxygen supply, which varies in different tissues, has been accepted as an important microenvironmental factor in regulating the biological functions of several immune cells and as being involved in tumour progression and metastasis. However, little is known about the effect of hypoxia on the biological functions of DC and the effect of these hypoxia‐conditioned DC on tumour metastasis. In this study, we analysed the transcriptional profiles of human monocyte‐derived immature DC (imDC) and mature DC (mDC) cultured under normoxia and hypoxia by microarray, and found a body of potential targets regulating the functions of DC during hypoxia. In addition, the phagocytic ability of hypoxic imDC markedly decreased compared with that of normoxic imDC. Importantly, hypoxic DC poorly induced the proliferation of allogeneic T cells, but polarized allogeneic CD4+ naive T cells into a T helper type 2 (Th2) response. Moreover, hypoxic DC secreted large amounts of osteopontin, which were responsible for the enhanced migration of tumour cells. Therefore, our study provides new insights into the biological functions of DC under hypoxic conditions and one of mechanisms underlying tumour immune escape during hypoxia.
Role of pathogenic T cells and autoantibodies in relapse and progression of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein‐induced autoimmune encephalomyelitis in LEW.1AV1 rats
Authors: Matsumoto Yoh , Park Il‐Kwon , Hiraki Keiko , Ohtani Shin , Kohyama Kuniko 
Published: August 2009

SummaryAccumulating evidence suggests that T cells and autoantibodies reactive with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) play a critical role in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). In the present study, we have tried to elucidate the pathomechanisms of development and progression of the disease by analysing T cells and autoantibodies in MOG‐induced rat experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), which exhibits various clinical subtypes mimicking MS. Analysis using overlapping peptides revealed that encephalitogenic epitopes resided in peptide 7 (P7, residue 91–108) and P8 (residue 103–125) of MOG. Immunization with MOGP7 and MOGP8 induced relapsing–remitting or secondary progressive EAE. T cells taken from MOG‐immunized and MOGP7‐immunized rats responded to MOG and MOGP7 and sera from MOG‐immunized rats reacted to MOG and MOGP1. Significant epitope spreading was not observed at either T‐cell or antibody levels. Interestingly, sera from MOGP7‐immunized rats with clinical signs did not react to MOG and MOG peptides throughout the observation period, suggesting that disease development and relapse in MOGP7‐induced EAE occur without autoantibodies. However, MOGP7 immunization with adoptive transfer of anti‐MOG antibodies aggravated the clinical course of EAE only slightly. Analysis of antibodies against conformational epitope (cme) suggests that anti‐MOGcme may play a role in the pathogenicity of anti‐MOG antibodies. Collectively, these findings demonstrated that relapse of a certain type of MOG‐induced EAE occurs without autoantibodies but that autoantibodies may play a role in disease progression. Relapses and the progression of MS‐mimicking EAE are differently immunoregulated so immunotherapy should be designed appropriately on the basis of precise information.