bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The impact of a supervised injecting facility on ambulance call‐outs in Sydney, Australia
Authors: Salmon Allison M. , Van Beek Ingrid , Amin Janaki , Kaldor John , Maher Lisa 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACTAims  Supervised injecting facilities (SIFs) are effective in reducing the harms associated with injecting drug use among their clientele, but do SIFs ease the burden on ambulance services of attending to overdoses in the community? This study addresses this question, which is yet to be answered, in the growing body of international evidence supporting SIFs efficacy.Design  Ecological study of patterns in ambulance attendances at opioid‐related overdoses, before and after the opening of a SIF in Sydney, Australia.Setting  A SIF opened as a pilot in Sydney's ‘red light’ district with the aim of accommodating a high throughput of injecting drug users (IDUs) for supervised injecting episodes, recovery and the management of overdoses.Measurements  A total of 20 409 ambulance attendances at opioid‐related overdoses before and after the opening of the Sydney SIF. Average monthly ambulance attendances at suspected opioid‐related overdoses, before (36 months) and after (60 months) the opening of the Sydney Medically Supervised Injecting Centre (MSIC), in the vicinity of the centre and in the rest of New South Wales (NSW).Results  The burden on ambulance services of attending to opioid‐related overdoses declined significantly in the vicinity of the Sydney SIF after it opened, compared to the rest of NSW. This effect was greatest during operating hours and in the immediate MSIC area, suggesting that SIFs may be most effective in reducing the impact of opioid‐related overdose in their immediate vicinity.Conclusions  By providing environments in which IDUs receive supervised injection and overdose management and education SIF can reduce the demand for ambulance services, thereby freeing them to attend other medical emergencies within the community.
How much alcohol do you buy? A comparison of self‐reported alcohol purchases with actual sales
Authors: Ramstedt Mats 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACTBackground  Unrecorded alcohol has increased in the Nordic countries during recent years, above all in terms of cross‐border trade. This implies that trends and levels of per capita consumption would look different without estimates of this source of alcohol, estimates that in Sweden and other countries are made through surveys.Aim  The overall aim is to analyse the validity of Swedish survey estimates of alcohol bought in the cross‐border trade and possibly to develop weights that can be applied to such estimates.Data and method  The analysis consists of comparing self‐reported purchases of spirits, wine, cider/alcopops and beer at retail monopoly (Systembolaget) during 2008 (n = 18 000) with actual sales during the same period overall and monthly.Findings  Of the recorded amount of purchases at Systembolaget, 87% was reported in the survey, compared with the 40–60% usually found for self‐reported consumption. Significant differences across beverages were revealed, showing a lower coverage rate for beer and spirits and a higher coverage rate for wine and cider. Changes in purchases of all beverages were captured fairly well, at least changes taking place from one month to another.Conclusions  Self‐reported alcohol purchases achieve a higher coverage rate than found typically in studies based on self‐reported use of alcohol. If adjustments are to be made to correct for underreporting in self‐reported data on alcohol purchases, different weights should be applied to different beverages. Furthermore, at least major changes in how much alcohol is purchased in the population can be monitored using well‐designed population surveys.
How ideology shapes the evidence and the policy: what do we know about cannabis use and what should we do?
Authors: Macleod John , Hickman Matthew 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACTIn the United Kingdom, as in many places, cannabis use is considered substantially within a criminal justice rather than a public health paradigm with prevention policy embodied in the Misuse of Drugs Act. In 2002 the maximum custodial sentence tariff for cannabis possession under the Act was reduced from 5 to 2 years. Vigorous and vociferous public debate followed this decision, centred principally on the question of whether cannabis use caused schizophrenia. It was suggested that new and compelling evidence supporting this hypothesis had emerged since the re‐classification decision was made, meaning that the decision should be reconsidered. The re‐classification decision was reversed in 2008. We consider whether the strength of evidence on the psychological harms of cannabis has changed substantially and discuss the factors that may have influenced recent public discourse and policy decisions. We also consider evidence for other harms of cannabis use and public health implications of preventing cannabis use. We conclude that the strongest evidence of a possible causal relation between cannabis use and schizophrenia emerged more than 20 years ago and that the strength of more recent evidence may have been overstated—for a number of possible reasons. We also conclude that cannabis use is almost certainly harmful, mainly because of its intimate relation to tobacco use. The most rational policy on cannabis from a public health perspective would seem to be one able to achieve the benefit of reduced use in the population while minimizing social and other costs of the policy itself. Prohibition, whatever the sentence tariff associated with it, seems unlikely to fulfil these criteria.
Symptoms of nicotine dependence in a cohort of Swedish youths: a comparison between smokers, smokeless tobacco users and dual tobacco users
Authors: Post Ann , Gilljam Hans , Rosendahl Ingvar , Bremberg Sven , Rosaria Galanti Maria 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACTAims  To determine whether symptoms of nicotine dependence, addiction and withdrawal symptoms differ between exclusive smokers, exclusive snus (moist snuff) users and dual users.Design  A cross‐sectional survey of a cohort subsample.Setting  County of Stockholm, Sweden.Participants  Current exclusive smokers (n = 466), exclusive snus users (n = 209) and dual users (n = 144), mean age 17.6 years.Measurements  Self‐reported life‐time experience of nicotine dependence and withdrawal symptoms in periods of discontinued tobacco use. Selected items from the modified Fagerstöm Tolerance Questionnaire (mFTQ), the Hooked on Nicotine Checklist (HONC) and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM‐IV).Findings  The odds ratio of endorsing each of four mFTQ items as well as the HONC item investigating the risk of feeling addicted to tobacco was two to five‐fold higher for exclusive snus users and for dual users compared to exclusive smokers. One DSM‐IV item (difficult to refrain from use) was elevated among dual users compared to smokers. Dual users reported the highest prevalence of any withdrawal symptom in contrast to exclusive snus users, who reported a lower risk of withdrawal symptoms compared to exclusive smokers.Conclusions  Smokeless tobacco users show symptoms of nicotine dependence at least as frequently as cigarette smokers. Symptoms of nicotine dependence and of withdrawal during quit attempts are particularly frequent in the subgroup of users who combine smokeless tobacco with smoking.
Characteristics and comorbidity of drug and alcohol‐related emergency department presentations detected by nursing triage text
Authors: Indig Devon , Copeland Jan , Conigrave Katherine M. , Arcuri Anthony 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACTIntroduction  This study used nursing triage text to detect drug‐ and alcohol‐related emergency department (ED) presentations and describe their patient and service delivery characteristics.Methods  Data were reviewed for all ED presentations from 2004 to 2006 (n = 263 937) from two hospitals in Sydney, Australia. Each record included two nursing triage free‐text fields, which were searched for more than 100 drug‐related and more than 60 alcohol‐related terms. Adjusted odds ratios were used to compare the characteristics of drug and alcohol‐related ED presentations with all other ED presentation types.Results  Just over 5% of ED presentations were identified as alcohol‐related and 2% as drug‐related. The most prevalent drug‐related ED presentations specified were related to amphetamines (18%), heroin (14%), cannabis (14%) and ecstasy (12%), while nearly half (43%) were drug unspecified. Polydrug use was mentioned in 25% of drug‐related and 9% of alcohol‐related ED presentations, with the highest rate of polydrug use among ecstasy‐related (68%) presentations. Drug‐ and alcohol‐related ED presentations were significantly more likely than other ED presentations to have a mental health diagnosis, with the highest rates found among cannabis‐related (OR = 7.6) or amphetamine‐related (OR = 7.5) presentations.Conclusion  The ED provides an opportunity for early intervention for patients presenting with comorbid drug and alcohol and mental health problems. Further research is needed to assess the prevalence of drug and alcohol problems in ED patients with mental health problems and to develop effective interventions in that setting.
Human sex differences in d‐amphetamine self‐administration
Authors: Vansickel Andrea R. , Stoops William W. , Rush Craig R. 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACTWomen and men may respond differently to the effects of stimulants such as amphetamine and cocaine.Aim  In order to assess potential sex differences in the reinforcing effects of d‐amphetamine, a retrospective‐analysis was conducted on data collected from three studies that employed similar d‐amphetamine self‐administration procedures and used identical subject‐rated drug‐effect measures.Methods  Data from 10 women and 15 men were included in the analysis. In all studies, participants sampled placebo, low (8–10 mg) or high (16–20 mg) dose oral d‐amphetamine. Following sampling sessions, participants worked for capsules containing one eighth of the previously sampled dose on a modified progressive‐ratio schedule of reinforcement. We hypothesized that women and men would be differentially sensitive to the reinforcing effects of d‐amphetamine. A two‐way mixed‐model analysis of variance (sex and dose) and planned comparisons were used in the statistical analyses.Results  The low dose of d‐amphetamine functioned as a reinforcer in women, but not men, whereas the high dose of d‐amphetamine functioned as a reinforcer in men, but not women. Men self‐administered significantly more capsules under the high dose condition than women.Conclusion  The results of this study suggest that men are more sensitive to the reinforcing effects of a high dose of d‐amphetamine than women. Future research is needed that determines prospectively the reinforcing effects of weight‐adjusted doses of d‐amphetamine in women and men while controlling for menstrual cycle phase.
The effect of image complexity on attentional bias towards alcohol‐related images in adult drinkers
Authors: Miller Melissa A. , Fillmore Mark T. 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACTAim Visual probe tasks are often used to measure attentional bias (AB) towards alcohol‐related images in drinkers, but little is known about the effect of the properties of the images used in this task: specifically, image complexity.Methods AB was examined in a group of adult drinkers (n = 25). Two measures of attentional bias were obtained from a modified visual probe task. First, a traditional dot probe detection task measured attentional bias in drinkers based on their reaction times to probes replacing neutral and alcohol‐related images. Secondly, an eye‐tracking measure was applied to this task to directly assess the drinkers' eye gazes to the alcohol‐related and neutral images. The effect of image complexity was examined by comparing AB towards images classified as simple and complex.Findings Results showed that drinkers displayed AB only towards simple alcohol‐related images as measured by both probe RT and fixation times.Conclusion These findings suggest that complex alcohol‐related images might be less effective at capturing drinkers' attention and could result in less attentional bias when used in visual probe tasks.
Sweet preferences and analgesia during childhood: effects of family history of alcoholism and depression
Authors: Mennella Julie A. , Pepino M. Yanina , Lehmann‐Castor Sara M. , Yourshaw Lauren M. 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACTAim  To determine whether depression and family history of alcoholism are associated with heightened sweet preferences in children, before they have experienced alcohol or tobacco and at a time during the life‐span when sweets are particularly salient.Design  Between‐ and within‐subject experimental study.Participants  Children, 5–12 years old (n = 300), formed four groups based on family history of alcohol dependence up to second‐degree relatives [positive (FHP) versus negative (FHN)] and depressive symptoms as determined by the Pictorial Depression Scale [depressed (PDEP) versus non‐depressed (NDEP)].Measurements  Children were tested individually to measure sucrose preferences, sweet food liking and, for a subset of the children, the analgesic properties of sucrose versus water during the cold pressor test.Findings  The co‐occurrence of having a family history of alcoholism and self‐reports of depressive symptomatology was associated significantly with a preference for a more concentrated sucrose solution, while depressive symptomatology alone was associated with greater liking for sweet‐tasting foods and candies and increased pain sensitivity. Depression antagonized the analgesic properties of sucrose.Conclusions  While children as a group innately like sweets and feel better after eating them, the present study reveals significant contributions of family history of alcoholism and depression to this effect. Whether the heightened sweet preference and the use of sweets to alleviate depression are markers for developing alcohol‐related problems or responses that are protective are important areas for future research.
Modeling missing binary outcome data in a successful web‐based smokeless tobacco cessation program
Authors: Smolkowski Keith , Danaher Brian G. , Seeley John R. , Kosty Derek B. , Severson Herbert H. 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACTAimTo examine various methods to impute missing binary outcome from a web‐based tobacco cessation intervention.DesignThe ChewFree randomized controlled trial used a two‐arm design to compare tobacco abstinence at both the 3‐ and 6‐month follow‐up for participants randomized to either an enhanced web‐based intervention condition or a basic information‐only control condition.SettingInternet in the United States and Canada.ParticipantsSecondary analyses focused upon 2523 participants in the ChewFree trial.MeasurementsPoint‐prevalence tobacco abstinence measured at 3‐ and 6‐month follow‐up.FindingsThe results of this study confirmed the findings for the original ChewFree trial and highlighted the use of different missing‐data approaches to achieve intent‐to‐treat analyses when confronted with substantial attrition. The use of different imputation methods yielded results that differed in both the size of the estimated treatment effect and the standard errors.ConclusionsThe choice of imputation model used to analyze missing binary outcome data can affect substantially the size and statistical significance of the treatment effect. Without additional information about the missing cases, they can overestimate the effect of treatment. Multiple imputation methods are recommended, especially those that permit a sensitivity analysis of their impact.
Venous thrombosis prevention – more than just guidelines
Authors: Clark Peter , Wu Olivia , Greer Ian A. , Lowe Gordon D. O. 
Published: February 2010

SummaryHospital‐associated venous thromboembolism remains a major international cause of avoidable mortality and morbidity. Although the publication of national guidelines does increase the use of thromboprophylaxis, we present the results of a recent audit of thrombosis prevention in UK hospitals which, despite published guidelines, shows continuing significant variations in guideline implementation and practice. The results of this audit are paralleled with UK and international data on hospital‐acquired thrombosis prevention and the potential solutions to these problems, particularly the lessons which can be learned from other areas of clinical practice, are discussed.
The genotype nucleophosmin mutated and FLT3‐ITD negative is characterized by high bax/bcl‐2 ratio and favourable outcome in acute myeloid leukaemia
Authors: Del Poeta Giovanni , Ammatuna Emanuele , Lavorgna Serena , Capelli Giovanni , Zaza Serena , Luciano Fabrizio , Ottone Tiziana , Del Principe Maria Ilaria , Buccisano Francesco , Maurillo Luca , Panetta Paola , De Fabritiis Paolo , Stasi Roberto , Venditti Adriano , Amadori Sergio , Lo Coco Francesco 
Published: February 2010

SummaryNucleophosmin gene (NPM1) mutations characterize acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) with normal karyotype and frequently co‐exist with FLT3 internal tandem duplications (ITD). We evaluated bcl‐2, bax, NPM1 and FLT3‐ITD in 222 AML patients. Bax/bcl‐2 ratio >0·35 and NPM1 without FLT3‐ITD were significantly associated (P = 0·0001). NPM1‐mutated (mt)/FLT3‐ITD negative patients showed a higher complete remission (CR) rate (90%, P = 0·0002) and a longer overall survival (OS, P = 0·00007). NPM1‐mt/FLT3‐ITD negative plus bax/bcl‐2 > 0·35 subset showed a very high CR rate (96%), very long OS (P = 0·00005) and disease‐free survival (P = 0·004). The favourable prognosis of NPM1‐mt/FLT3‐ITD negative patients might be explained by a higher bax/bcl‐2 ratio.
A curriculum for nurses in Germany undertaking medically‐delegated tasks in primary care
Authors: Dreier Adina , Rogalski Hagen , Oppermann Roman Frank , Terschüren Claudia , Van Den Berg Neeltje , Hoffmann Wolfgang 
Published: February 2010

dreier a., rogalski h., oppermann r.f., terschüren c., van den berg n. & hoffmann w. (2010) A curriculum for nurses in Germany undertaking medically‐delegated tasks in primary care. Journal of Advanced Nursing66(3), 635–644.AbstractAim.  This paper is a report of a study conducted to develop a qualification for nurses in primary care based on the delegation of medical tasks in order to relieve general practitioners and to supply the population in rural regions today and in the future.Background.  Age‐demographic changes will cause medical care supply problems, especially for older people, motivating a re‐evaluation of the nursing role in ambulatory medical care.Methods.  An intervention study was conducted in Germany between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2007, comprising a theoretical and practical phase evaluated by participants, general practitioners and patients through questionnaires, reflection rounds and structured interviews during and after the practice phase.Findings.  Participants and general practitioners rated the curriculum as relevant and useful. Nurses were motivated by the ability to be self‐employed and the expansion of their scope of professional work general practitioners regarded medical duty delegation as workload relief. Patients positively evaluated nurse visits, comparing medical competence and conduct to that of a general practitioner’s.Conclusion.  The qualification is a promising approach to compensate for the imminent undersupply of primary care and allows maintenance a high standard of healthcare quality for rural areas of Germany and countries with similar structures. It supports doctors through task delegation, and offers an option for an advanced training for nurses.
Leaving the organization or the profession – a multilevel analysis of nurses’ intentions
Authors: Simon Michael , Müller Bernd Hans , Hasselhorn Hans Martin 
Published: February 2010

simon m., müller b.h. & hasselhorn h.m. (2010) Leaving the organization or the profession – a multilevel analysis of nurses’ intentions. Journal of Advanced Nursing66(3), 616–626.AbstractAim.  This paper is a report of a study of (i) which variables are associated with the intention to leave the profession (ii) which variables are associated with the intention to leave the organization; and (iii) how the related variables differ between intentions in a secondary analysis of data of the German part of the European Nurses’ Early Exit Study.Background.  Nursing turnover research so far rarely differentiates between leaving the profession or the organization. The identification of specific correlates for different leaving intentions would support better understanding of the turnover process and the development of targeted measures to reduce turnover.Methods.  A secondary data analysis of the German sample of the European Nurses’ Early Exit‐Study was performed, using a generalized linear mixed model approach.Results.  Data from 2119 Registered Nurses in 71 departments of 16 hospitals from 2003 were analysed. Models for intentions to leave the profession explained more of the variance (r2 = 0·46) than models for intentions to leave the organization (r2 = 0·28). Both leaving intentions were associated with age, professional commitment and job satisfaction. Intentions to leave the profession were strongly associated with variables related to the personal background and the work/home interface whereas intentions to leave the organization were related to organizational leadership and the local context.Conclusion.  Retention initiatives should address the work‐home interface. Surveys assessing nursing turnover should be based on comprehensive turnover definitions, including different leaving directions.
The nurse practitioner role in pain management in long‐term care
Authors: Kaasalainen Sharon , Martin‐Misener Ruth , Carter Nancy , DiCenso Alba , Donald Faith , Baxter Pamela 
Published: February 2010

kaasalainen s., martin‐misener r., carter n., dicenso a., donald f. & baxter p. (2010) The nurse practitioner role in pain management in long‐term care. Journal of Advanced Nursing66(3), 542–551.AbstractAim.  This paper is a report of a study exploring the perceptions of long‐term care team members and nurse managers about barriers and facilitators to optimal use of nurse practitioners to manage residents’ pain in long‐term care settings.Background.  Considering the high rates of pain in long‐term care, research is needed to explore innovations in health‐services delivery, including the emerging nurse practitioner role.Methods.  For this study, an exploratory descriptive design was used to collect data in spring 2007 from five focus groups of nurses and 14 individual interviews with other healthcare team members and nurse managers. Data were analysed using thematic content analysis.Findings.  Five pain management activities performed by nurse practitioners were identified, including assessing pain, prescribing pain medications, monitoring pain levels and side effects of pain medications, consulting and advocating for staff and patients, and leading and educating staff related to pain management. Factors that influenced the implementation of the nurse practitioner role included the availability of the nurse practitioner, scope of practice, role clarity, perceived added value of nurse practitioner role, terms of employment, nurse practitioner–physician relationship. Perceived outcomes of the nurse practitioner role were also described.Conclusions.  The findings from this study contribute to our understanding of how the nurse practitioner role is perceived by other healthcare professionals, particularly in pain management. Stronger interprofessional collaborative relationships need to be facilitated within a model of care that includes a nurse practitioner, with the ultimate goal of improving pain management services in long‐term care.