bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An evaluation of two primary care Interventions for alcohol abuse among Mexican‐American patients
Authors: BURGE SANDRA K. , AMODEI NANCY , ELKIN BERNICE , CATALA SELINA , ANDREW SYLVIA RODRIGUEZ , LANE PATRICIA A. , SEALE J. PAUL 
Published: January 2006

Abstract Aims. This study examined the effects of two primary care interventions (a physician intervention and a clinic‐based psychoeducational group) on drinking patterns, psychosocial problems and blood test results (MCV, GGT, SGOT and SGPT). Design. Subjects were randomized into one of four treatment groups: physician intervention, psychoeducation, both interventions, or no intervention. Follow‐up data were collected at 12 and 18 months. Setting. Subjects were recruited from a family practice outpatient clinic managed by a public hospital. Participants. Included 175 Mexican‐American female and male primary care patients who screened positive for alcohol abuse or dependence. These patients were not seeking help for alcohol problems. Interventions. Included a brief physician intervention and a 6‐week patient psychoeducational group. Measurements. The Diagnostic Interview Schedule assessed subjects for alcohol abuse; the Addiction Severity Index measured alcohol‐related problems, including psychosocial issues. Findings. All four treatment groups demonstrated significant improvement over time, with few differences between intervention and control groups. Conclusions. Assessment can be confounded with brief interventions; future investigators should use non‐assessed control groups.
Correlates of college student marijuana use: results of a US National Survey
Authors: BELL RICK , WECHSLER HENRY , JOHNSTON LLOYD D. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractThis study examines which personal student background and college characteristics are associated with marijuana use. A self‐administered survey was mailed to a national representative sample of 17 592 students at 140 American colleges. One of four (24.8%) students reported using marijuana within the past year. Rates of use among the colleges ranged from zero per cent at the lowest use schools to 54% at the highest use schools. Multiple regression models, constructed to determine the college and student characteristics predicting marijuana use, suggest that use was higher among students at non‐commuter colleges and at colleges with pubs on campus. Student characteristics associated with marijuana use included being single, white, spending more time at parties and socializing with friends, and less time studying. Marijuana use was higher among students who participate in other high risk behaviors such as binge drinking, cigarette smoking and having multiple sexual partners, and among students who perceived parties as important, and religion and community service as not important. The study points to the social nature of drug use in college, and demonstrates that this behavior is of continuing concern for public health.
Are reconstructed self‐reports of drinking reliable?
Authors: GRANT KATHRYN A. , ARCINIEGA LISA T. , TONIGAN J. SCOTT , MILLER WILLIAM R. , MEYERS ROBERT J. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractWhen follow‐up interviews are missed, researchers sometimes try to reconstruct the data that would have been obtained by asking clients to recall the missed interval when they are interviewed at a later point. Are such data reliable? The reliability of remote reconstruction was estimated by asking 57 participants in a clinical trial to recall their drinking for the 12‐month follow‐up interval when interviewed, on average, 33 weeks later. These reports were obtained after delays averaging 231 days. These reconstructed reports were compared with the same clients' self‐reports obtained during the 12‐month interview. Reconstructed data were found to be reasonably accurate estimates of clients' reports at the time of original interview on global alcohol use variables including percentage of drinking days and total volume of consumption. No systematic bias was found for over‐reporting or under‐reporting at the point of reconstruction. However, on some variables (e.g. total drinks consumed), clients on average reported more drinking at the reconstruction period than during the initial interview. Discrepancies between initial and reconstructed reports were found to be unrelated to the length of delay in the second interview or to client characteristics.
Heroin smoking by ‘chasing the dragon’: origins and history
Authors: STRANG JOHN , GRIFFITHS PAUL , GOSSOP MICHAEL 
Published: January 2006

AbstractThe history of heroin smoking and the subsequent development and spread of ‘chasing the dragon’ are examined. The first heroin smoking originated in Shanghai in the 1920s and involved use of porcelain bowls and bamboo lubes, thereafter spreading across much of Eastern Asia and to the United States over the next decode. ‘Chasing the dragon’ was a later refinement of this form of heroin smoking, originating in or near Hong Kong in the 1950s, and refers to the ingestion of heroin by inhaling the vapours which result when the drug is heated‐typically on tin‐foil above aflame. Subsequent spread of ‘chasing the dragon’ included spread to other parts of South East Asia during the 1960s and 1970s, to some pans of Europe during the late 1970s and early 1980s, and to much of the Indian sub‐continent during the 1980s. At the time of writing, ‘chasing the dragon’ has now been reliably reported from many parts of the world but no: from others with an established heroin problem‐such as the United States and Australia. The significance of this new form of heroin use is examined, including consideration of the role of the different effect with this new form of use, the different types of heroin, and changing public attitudes to injecting.
Altering alcohol price by ethanol content: results from a Swedish tax policy in 1992
Authors: PONICKI WILLIAM , HOLDER HAROLD D. , GRUENEWALD PAUL J. , ROMELSJÖ ANDERS 
Published: January 2006

AbstractIn July 1992, the Swedish alcohol retail monopoly reset the taxes for alcohol sold in state stores according to absolute alcohol content. This provided a unique opportunity to examine the effects on alcohol sales within the three beverage classes (beer, wine and spirits) in a situation where price is purposely linked to alcohol content. The most notable effects of the taxation change were a substantial compression of the range of prices for spirits and wine and a corresponding expansion of the price spectrum for beer. Consumers appear to have responded to these tax changes by shifting away from beverage brands that became relatively more expensive. These results suggest that alcohol policy strategies to reduce total alcohol consumption should consider the entire price/quality spectrum as well as differences in absolute alcohol per volume across the three alcohol beverage types.
Why have attitudes to industry funding of research changed?
Authors: BERRIDGE VIRGINIA 
Published: January 2006

AbstractThis paper discusses the history of the changing relationship between research and industrial funding, using the tobacco industry as its example. It seeks to explain why funding which was once acceptable is now unacceptable. The hypotheses advanced include: the changing nature of the industry's interest in research and the role of marketing; the rise of the ‘new public health’ alliance focused on abstention rather than on harm minimization; the role of government funding and control of research; and the changing meaning of tobacco and especially nicotine.
Costing substance misuse services
Authors: COYLE DOUGLAS , GODFREY CHRISTINE , HARDMAN GEOFFREY , RAISTRICK DUNCAN 
Published: January 2006

Abstract Aims. To develop a methodology for obtaining the detailed costs of different substance misuse services and illustrate some of the specific problems by means of a case study. Design. Data on the resources required, clinical activity, and patient characteristics for one year were combined to provide detailed costs for different types of clinical events and patients. Setting. The clinical services of a publicly funded addiction unit in a large industrial city in the UK. The unit provides for alcohol and other drug misusers mainly on an outpatient basis but with inpatient care. Participants. Over 1500 patients were included in the analysis with 75 per cent being male, and 80 per cent aged between 20 and 49. Nearly half of the clients had alcohol as their main drug of misuse with opiate users being the next largest group. Measurement. Detailed costing by event and patient was possible as the staff type and time taken for each event were routinely recorded. A cost for each individual event was estimated and summed for each individual patient to give a cost estimate by patient for the financial year 1992/3. Findings. Core treatment outpatient events had an average cost of£48, with new assessments costing £87 but these averages hid high variations. The average cost per year for those receiving only outpatient care was £358; it was £1857 for those receiving both outpatient and inpatient care. Opiate misusers were on average more costly than alcohol misusers. The costs were skewed with 10 per cent of patients accounting for 56 per cent of the total annual costs. Conclusions. Dealing with costs of non attendance, including all resource use, and coping with large individual variations in costs across individuals and intervention types are the main problems in devising cost figures. Cost data are useful but need to be combined with outcome data if they are to be used to improve patient services.
HIV infection among victims of accidental fatal drug overdoses in New York City
Authors: TARDIFF KENNETH , MARZUK PETER M. , LEON ANDREW C. , HIRSCH CHARLES S. , PORTERA LAURA , HARTWELL NANCY 
Published: January 2006

Abstract Aims. To determine the factors associated with HIV seroprevalence rates for victims of drug overdoses. Design. Descriptive epidemiologic survey of a complete 3‐year sample of accidental fatal drug overdoses. Setting. New York City (population 7322564). Participants. All people over 15 years of age (h = 2159) who died of accidental fatal drug overdoses during 1991–93. Measurements. Using medical examiner data and logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between HIV seroprevalence and gender, race, age and type of drug overdose. Findings. There were 646 (29.9%) victims who were HIV positive. Women (37.5%) were more likely than men (27.9%) to be HIV positive. African‐Americans (39.4%) had a higher rate of HIV infection than Latinos (27.5%), whites (19.2%) or Asians (8.3%). Victims residing in communities with higher levels of poverty had higher rates of HIV infection but poverty did not account for the high rates of HIV infection among African‐Americans. The highest rates of HIV infection were found among victims aged 35–44 years (38.8%) and 45–54 years (33.7%). Dying from an opiate overdose was associated with a 2.4 times increase in the likelihood of being HIV positive. Conclusion. If opiate abuse continues to rise in the United States, HIV infection will increase in the next few years. Women who abuse drugs participate in risky sexual practices and are more likely than men to develop HIV infection from receptive sex as well as sharing of needles. Harm reduction programs should address risky sex as well as needle programs. There should be further study of why African‐Americans who died of drug overdoses have the highest rates of HIV infection.
The role of non‐governmental organizations
Authors: CRAPLET MICHEL 
Published: January 2006

AbstractNon‐governmental organizations (NGOs) intervening in the area of alcohol problems are varied and have different histories depending on their political, social and cultural contexts; some are long‐established and often bear a heavy heritage, while others have recently arisen from the upheavals in eastern Europe and the developing countries. All of them, however, must solve certain ethical problems if they are to move away from a hygiene‐based approach and focus on individual responsibility. The role of NGOs is located between dreaming of a better world and rising up against a market‐based system where health and the quality of life take second place to commercial interests. Furthermore, their role is to be found between the impulsive nature of action and the often demotivating process of scientific reasoning and analysis. NGOs can intervene flexibly in all the fields of information, training, advocacy and assistance. They can readily position themselves in the long time‐frame required for prevention and in a space freed from burdensome administrative procedures. Their actions often appear to entail criticism of the authorities; in fact, however, they complement the latter, by countering the “hands off” or fatalistic approach of certain communities in the face of the alcohol risk.
The effect of alcohol consumption on craving to smoke
Authors: BURTON SUSAN M. , TIFFANY STEPHEN T. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractThis research investigated the effect of alcohol consumption on smokers' general levels of craving for cigarettes and their reactivity to smoking‐related cues. Cue reactivity was evaluated across multiple trials of exposure to both imaginal and in vivo presentations of smoking and non‐smoking stimuli. On imagery trials, subjects imagined either smoking and non‐smoking scenarios; during in vivo trials subjects watched an experimenter either smoke a cigarette or drink water. Measures included self‐reported craving to smoke and selected somatovisceral responses. Subjects (n = 60) completed two sessions, the first examined cue reactivity in the absence of alcohol. In Session 2 subjects were told they were consuming alcohol; half received placebo and the other half were given ethanol (0. 75 ml/kg). Following beverage consumption, subjects were exposed to the cue manipulation. In both sessions, exposure to smoking stimuli enhanced craving in each presentation mode and increased skin conductance levels in the in vivo mode. Alcohol intoxication produced a generalized increase in craving but did not selectively enhance craving or physiological reactivity to smoking stimuli. The results are discussed in terms of models of craving and processes through which alcohol may influence craving to smoke.
Effectiveness of a 24‐hour transdermal nicotine patch in conjunction with a cognitive behavioural programme: one year outcome
Authors: RICHMOND ROBYN L. , KEHOE LINDA , de ALMEIDA NETO ABILIO CESAR 
Published: January 2006

AbstractHospital‐based outpatients participating in a cognitive‐behavioural group programme (2 hours/week over 5 weeks) were studied to evaluate the effectiveness of a 24‐hour transdermal nicotine patch in assisting smokers to stop smoking when used as an adjunct to a cognitive‐behavioural group programme:, and to assess weight gain following cessation, using a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial with 12 months' follow‐up. The main outcome measure was a comparison between point prevalence abstinence, continuous abstinence and 12‐months sustained, biochemically validated abstinence. The validated abstinence rates at 12 months for point prevalence, sustained and continuous abstinence for subjects in the active and placebo groups were all statistically significant: 28 vs. 12%; 24 vs. 11%; and 19 vs. 9%, respectively. Moderately dependent smokers using the nicotine patch were more successful than highly dependent smokers at 3 and 6 months (p <0.05). Weight gain was greater among sustained abstainers at 12 months compared to continuing smokers (p < 0.001) When the active nicotine patch was used in combination with cognitive‐behavioural therapy in an outpatient hospital clinic, 12‐months sustained abstinence rates were more than double those of a placebo patch.
Validation of the amphetamine dependence syndrome and the SAmDQ
Authors: TOPP LIBBY , MATTICK RICHARD P. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractThe Severity of Amphetamine Dependence Questionnaire (SAmDQ) was administered to 132 subjects who were amphetamine dependent by DSM‐III‐R criteria. The structural characteristics of the questionnaire were examined and findings compared with those reported previously for both the SAmDQ and its forebear, the SODQ. There was a high degree of consistency in the present psychometric analyses and those reported earlier; and comparisons between samples of differing dependence seventies indicated that the SAmDQ is capable of discriminating between these groups. The findings support the existence of an amphetamine dependence syndrome, and help to explicate the dimensions underlying such a syndrome and the characteristics of the population in which it may be manifest.
Methadone versus buprenorphine in pregnant addicts: a double‐blind, double‐dummy comparison study
Authors: Fischer Gabriele , Ortner Romana , Rohrmeister Klaudia , Jagsch Reinhold , Baewert Andjela , Langer Martin , Aschauer Harald 
Published: January 2006

ABSTRACTAims  To evaluate the efficacy and safety of methadone versus buprenorphine treatment in pregnant opioid‐dependent women. Design  Randomized, double‐dummy, double‐blind, flexible‐dosing comparison study.Setting  Addiction Clinic at the Medical University of Vienna, Austria.Participants  Eighteen women were assigned randomly to receive either methadone (n = 9) or buprenorphine (n = 9) during weeks 24–29 of pregnancy. After dropouts, data were available from 14 cases (six in the methadone and eight in the buprenorphine group).Intervention  Sublingual buprenorphine tablets (8–24 mg/day) or oral methadone solution (40–100 mg/day), with matched placebos. Measurements  Mothers: retention in treatment, urine toxicology and nicotine use. Neonates: Routine birth data, neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) in severity and duration.Findings  There was somewhat greater retention in the buprenorphine group but significantly lowered use of additional opioids in the methadone group (P = 0.047).Neonates: There was earlier onset of NAS in neonates born to the methadone (mean 60 hours) than to the buprenorphine groups (mean 72 hours after last medication); 43% did not require NAS‐treatment with short treatment duration in both groups (mean 5 days).Conclusion  This preliminary study had limited power to detect differences but the trends observed suggest this kind of research is practicable and that further studies are warranted.
Effects of lasofoxifene on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of single‐dose warfarin
Authors: Ouellet Daniele , Bramson Candace , Carvajal‐Gonzalez Santos , Roman Doina , Randinitis Edward , Remmers Ann , Gardner Mark J. 
Published: January 2006

AimTo investigate the effect of steady‐state lasofoxifene on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of warfarin.MethodsTwelve healthy postmenopausal women received warfarin (single 20‐mg dose) alone and during lasofoxifene. R‐ and S‐warfarin concentrations, prothrombin time (PT) and international normalized ratio (INR) were determined with each treatment.ResultsLasofoxifene had no clinically meaningful effect on R‐ or S‐warfarin pharmacokinetics. The S‐warfarin area under the plasma concentration–time curve (AUC) was 23% and 67% larger in subjects with *1/*2 and *1/*3 heterozygous mutations, relative to *1/*1, respectively. The mean PT AUC and Cmax ratio (90% confidence interval) was 91.9 (89.6, 94.2) and 84.2 (80.6, 87.8), respectively. INR results were similar.ConclusionsLasofoxifene has no clinically meaningful effect on the pharmacokinetics of warfarin. Although the decrease in PT/INR may not be clinically meaningful, more frequent INR monitoring may be considered during lasofoxifene introduction and discontinuation, consistent with warfarin’s label.
Differentiation and immune function of human dendritic cells following infection by respiratory syncytial virus
Authors: Jones A , Morton I , Hobson L , Evans G S , Everard M L 
Published: January 2006

SummaryRSV causes annual epidemics of bronchiolitis in winter months resulting in the hospitalization of many infants and the elderly. Dendritic cells (DCs) play a pivotal role in coordinating immune responses to infection and some viruses skew, or subvert, the immune functions of DCs. RSV infection of DCs could alter their function and this could explain why protection after natural RSV infection is incomplete and of short duration. In this study, this interaction between DCs and RSV was investigated using a human primary culture model. DCs were generated from purified healthy adult volunteer peripheral blood monocytes. Effects of RSV upon DC phenotype with RSV primed DCs was measured using flow cytometry. Changes to viability and proliferation of cocultured DCs and T-cells were determined using microscopy with fluorescent dyes (Hoechst 33342 and propidium iodide). DC maturation was not prevented by the RSV challenge. RSV infected a fraction of DCs (10–30%) but the virus replicated slowly in these cells with only small reduction to cell viability. DCs challenged with RSV stimulated T-cell proliferation less well than lipopolysaccharide. This is the first study to demonstrate RSV infection of human monocyte derived DCs and suggests that the virus does not significantly interfere with the function of these cells and potentially may promote cellular rather than humoral responses.
Anthropogenic fire and bark thickness in coastal and island pine populations from Alta and Baja California
Authors: Stephens Scott L. , Libby William J. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractAim Native American fire use influenced bark thickness of coastal and island Monterey pine (Pinus radiataD. Don) and bishop pine (Pinus muricataD. Don) populations.Methods Basal bark thickness and d.b.h. were measured in two common‐garden pine plantations that included all five native Monterey pine populations and nine of 10 native bishop pine populations. One‐factor analysis of covariance was used to determine if significant differences in bark thickness existed between island and coastal populations.Results Bark thickness was measured on 228 Monterey and 42 bishop pines. Bark thickness in coastal and island Monterey pine populations was significantly different. Bark thickness in coastal and island bishop pine populations was not significantly different.Main conclusions Basal bark was thick in populations where there was a history of Native American burning. Basal bark was thin in two island populations where Native Americans have been absent or distant from the pine populations. While other influences no doubt affect the evolution of lower‐bole bark thickness, it appears that frequent anthropogenic fires may be a powerful selection force.
Listening to the views of people affected by cancer about cancer research: an example of participatory research in setting the cancer research agenda
Authors: Wright David , Corner Jessica , Hopkinson Jane , Foster Claire 
Published: January 2006

AbstractAim  The study ‘Listening to the Views of People Affected by Cancer About Cancer Research’ is currently exploring the views people affected by cancer have about cancer research and identifying their research priorities. Integral to this is the broader aim of ensuring an effective, collaborative participation of patients and carers in the design and conduct of the study. On the basis of experiences with the study to date, the latter is explored in this paper.Design  The study adopts a ‘participatory research’ approach entailing the formation of a ‘reference group’ and a subsequent patient and carer co‐researcher group. Patient and carer members of these groups were identified through the patient forums of UK cancer networks and by approaching ‘hard to reach’ representatives directly through community groups and participating study sites.Findings  Experiences from this study illustrate that a ‘participatory research’ approach is appropriate in engaging patients and carers in the research process. Establishing a group of people affected by cancer in the study was found to be particularly effective in enhancing the design and conduct of the research.Conclusions  ‘Participatory research’ offers an effective means of involving patients and carers throughout the research process, thus strengthening the relevance and appropriateness of research findings and methods.