bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Alcohol outlet density and assault: a spatial analysis
Authors: Livingston Michael 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTAims A large number of studies have found links between alcohol outlet densities and assault rates in local areas. This study tests a variety of specifications of this link, focusing in particular on the possibility of a non‐linear relationship.Design Cross‐sectional data on police‐recorded assaults during high alcohol hours, liquor outlets and socio‐demographic characteristics were obtained for 223 postcodes in Melbourne, Australia. These data were used to construct a series of models testing the nature of the relationship between alcohol outlet density and assault, while controlling for socio‐demographic factors and spatial auto‐correlation. Four types of relationship were examined: a normal linear relationship between outlet density and assault, a non‐linear relationship with potential threshold or saturation densities, a relationship mediated by the socio‐economic status of the neighbourhood and a relationship which takes into account the effect of outlets in surrounding neighbourhoods.Findings The model positing non‐linear relationships between outlet density and assaults was found to fit the data most effectively. An increasing accelerating effect for the density of hotel (pub) licences was found, suggesting a plausible upper limit for these licences in Melbourne postcodes.Conclusions The study finds positive relationships between outlet density and assault rates and provides evidence that this relationship is non‐linear and thus has critical values at which licensing policy‐makers can impose density limits.
How much can you drink before driving? The influence of riding with impaired adults and peers on the driving behaviors of urban and rural youth
Authors: Leadbeater Bonnie J. , Foran Kathleen , Grove‐White Aidan 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTAims  Following an ecological model to specify risks for impaired driving, we assessed the effects of youth attitudes about substance use and their experiences of riding in cars with adults and peers who drove after drinking alcohol or smoking cannabis on the youths' own driving after drinking or using cannabis.Design and methods  Participants were 2594 students in grades 10 and 12 (mean age = 16 years and 2 months; 50% girls) from public high schools in urban (994) and rural communities (1600) on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada; 1192 of these were new drivers with restricted licenses. Self‐report data were collected in anonymous questionnaires. Regression analyses were used to assess the independent and interacting effects of youth attitudes about substance use and their experiences of riding in cars with adults or peers who drove after drinking alcohol or smoking cannabis on youth driving.Findings  Youth driving risk behaviors were associated independently with their own high‐risk attitudes and experiences riding with peers who drink alcohol or use cannabis and drive. However, risks were highest for the youth who also report more frequent experiences of riding with adults who drink alcohol or use cannabis and drive.Conclusions  Prevention efforts should be expanded to include the adults and peers who are role models for new drivers and to increase youths' awareness of their own responsibilities for their personal safety as passengers.
Long‐term effectiveness of computer‐generated tailored patient education on benzodiazepines: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Ten Wolde Geeske Brecht , Dijkstra Arie , Van Empelen Pepijn , Van Den Hout Wilbert , Knuistingh Neven Arie , Zitman Frans 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTAims  Chronic benzodiazepine use is highly prevalent and is associated with a variety of negative health consequences. The present study examined the long‐term effectiveness of a tailored patient education intervention on benzodiazepine use.Design  A randomized controlled trial was conducted comprising three arms, comparing (i) a single tailored intervention; (ii) a multiple tailored intervention and (iii) a general practitioner letter. The post‐test took place after 12 months.Participants  Five hundred and eight patients using benzodiazepines were recruited by their general practitioners and assigned randomly to one of the three groups.Intervention  Two tailored interventions, the single tailored intervention (patients received one tailored letter) and the multiple tailored intervention (patients received three sequential tailored letters at intervals of 1 month), were compared to a short general practitioner letter that modelled usual care. The tailored interventions not only provided different and more information than the general practitioner letter; they were also personalized and adapted to individual baseline characteristics. The information in both tailored interventions was the same, but in the multiple tailored intervention the information was provided to the participants spread over three occasions. In the multiple tailored intervention, the second and the third tailored letters were based on short and standardized telephone interviews.Measurements  Benzodiazepine cessation at post‐test was the outcome measure.Findings  The results showed that participants receiving the tailored interventions were twice as likely to have quit benzodiazepine use compared to the general practitioner letter. Particularly among participants with the intention to discontinue usage at baseline, both tailored interventions led to high percentages of those who actually discontinued usage (single tailored intervention 51.7%; multiple tailored intervention 35.6%; general practitioner letter 14.5%).Conclusions  It was concluded that tailored patient education can be an effective tool for reducing benzodiazepine use, and can be implemented easily.
The case for the plain packaging of tobacco products
Authors: Freeman Becky , Chapman Simon , Rimmer Matthew 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTAims  The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) requires nations that have ratified the convention to ban all tobacco advertising and promotion. In the face of these restrictions, tobacco packaging has become the key promotional vehicle for the tobacco industry to interest smokers and potential smokers in tobacco products. This paper reviews available research into the probable impact of mandatory plain packaging and internal tobacco industry statements about the importance of packs as promotional vehicles. It critiques legal objections raised by the industry about plain packaging violating laws and international trade agreements.Methods  Searches for available evidence were conducted within the internal tobacco industry documents through the online document archives; tobacco industry trade publications; research literature through the Medline and Business Source Premier databases; and grey literature including government documents, research reports and non‐governmental organization papers via the Google internet search engine.Results  Plain packaging of all tobacco products would remove a key remaining means for the industry to promote its products to billions of the world's smokers and future smokers. Governments have required large surface areas of tobacco packs to be used exclusively for health warnings without legal impediment or need to compensate tobacco companies.Conclusions  Requiring plain packaging is consistent with the intention to ban all tobacco promotions. There is no impediment in the FCTC to interpreting tobacco advertising and promotion to include tobacco packs.
Predictors of 4‐year outcome of community residential treatment for patients with substance use disorders
Authors: Laffaye Charlene , McKellar John D. , Ilgen Mark A. , Moos Rudolf H. 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTAims This study examined systematically how predictors of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment outcome worked together over time and identified mediators and moderators of outcome.Design The MacArthur model was applied in this naturalistic study to identify how baseline, discharge and 1‐year follow‐up factors worked together to predict 4‐year improvement in substance‐related problems.Setting Eighty‐eight community residential facilities were selected based on geographic representativeness, number of patient referrals and type of treatment orientation.Participants Of 2796 male patients who completed intake assessments, 2324 were assessed at the 1‐year follow‐up and 2023 at the 4‐year follow‐up.Measurements Self‐report measures of symptom severity, functioning, social resources and coping, treatment and involvement in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) were collected at baseline and at 1‐ and 4‐year follow‐ups. Provider‐rated treatment participation measures were obtained at discharge.Findings Greater substance use severity, more psychiatric symptoms, more prior arrests and stronger belief in AA‐related philosophy at treatment entry predicted improvement significantly in substance‐related problems 4 years later. At the 1‐year follow‐up, being employed and greater use of AA‐related coping predicted outcome significantly. AA‐related coping at 1 year mediated the relationship partially between belief in AA philosophy at treatment entry and 4‐year outcome.Conclusions The findings highlight the unique and positive impact of AA involvement on long‐term SUD treatment outcome and extend understanding of why AA is beneficial for patients.
Preliminary evidence for gender‐specific effects of topiramate as a potential aid to smoking cessation
Authors: Anthenelli Robert M. , Blom Thomas J. , McElroy Susan L. , Keck Paul E. 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTAims  Study aims were threefold: (i) to determine the feasibility, potential efficacy and safety of topiramate as an aid to smoking cessation; (ii) to examine potential predictors of abstinence including gender; and (iii) to explore topiramate's effects on tobacco withdrawal and post‐cessation weight gain.Design  Randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, 11‐week clinical trial with a 6‐week dosage titration period and 5 weeks of maintenance treatment.Setting  Single‐site, out‐patient, randomized clinical trial.Participants  Thirty‐eight adult male and 49 female chronic smokers who smoked an average of > 10 cigarettes per day and who were motivated to try to quit smoking.Intervention  Random assignment to receive either topiramate (n = 43) up to 200 mg daily in divided doses or placebo (n = 44) orally combined with brief counseling over an 11‐week period.Measurements  Carbon monoxide (CO)‐confirmed 4‐week prolonged abstinence rate during weeks 8–11. Changes in tobacco withdrawal, body weight and safety parameters were also assessed.Findings  Overall, no significant increase in the prolonged abstinence rate was detected, but logistic regression analysis indicated significant gender‐specific differences. Men treated with topiramate were nearly 16 times more likely to quit smoking than women on topiramate [37.5% versus 3.7%; odds ratio (OR) = 15.6; P = 0.016] and were roughly four times more likely to quit smoking than placebo‐treated men (37.5% versus 13.6%; OR = 3.8; P = 0.098). Topiramate‐treated men reported significantly lower tobacco withdrawal scores than both women taking topiramate and men on placebo. On average, male cessators on placebo gained 3.30 kg, whereas topiramate led to a 0.72 kg weight loss (P = 0.03). Study discontinuation rates due to adverse events (AEs) were significantly higher in the topiramate group (topiramate 23% versus placebo 2%). The most commonly reported AEs in the topiramate arm were paraesthesia, fatigue, difficulty with concentration/attention and nervousness.Conclusions  Topiramate produced gender‐specific effects on smoking cessation. Male smokers had markedly greater quit rates than female smokers and men were roughly four times more likely to quit smoking when treated with topiramate as compared to placebo. Topiramate was fairly well tolerated, although higher discontinuation rates were seen. Topiramate's triple effects aiding smoking abstinence, attenuating nicotine withdrawal and preventing post‐cessation weight gain might make it a promising agent for treating tobacco addiction, at least in men.
Sexual orientation and adolescent substance use: a meta‐analysis and methodological review*
Authors: Marshal Michael P. , Friedman Mark S. , Stall Ron , King Kevin M. , Miles Jonathan , Gold Melanie A. , Bukstein Oscar G. , Morse Jennifer Q. 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTAims Several decades of research have shown that lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) adults are at high risk for substance use and substance use disorders (SUDs). These problems may often start prior to young adulthood; however, relatively little is known about risk for substance use in LGB adolescents. The primary aims of this paper were to conduct a meta‐analysis of the relationship between sexual orientation and adolescent substance use and a systematic review and critique of the methodological characteristics of this literature.Methods Medical and social science journals were searched using Medline and PsychInfo. Studies were included if they tested the relationship between sexual orientation and adolescent substance use. Eighteen published studies were identified. Data analysis procedures followed expert guidelines, and used National Institutes of Health (NIH)‐sponsored meta‐analysis software.Results LGB adolescents reported higher rates of substance use compared to heterosexual youth (overall odds ratio = 2.89, Cohen's d = 0.59). Effect sizes varied by gender, bisexuality status, sexual orientation definition and recruitment source. None of the studies tested mediation and only one tested moderation. One employed a matched comparison group design, one used a longitudinal design, and very few controlled for possible confounding variables.Conclusions The odds of substance use for LGB youth were, on average, 190% higher than for heterosexual youth and substantially higher within some subpopulations of LGB youth (340% higher for bisexual youth, 400% higher for females). Causal mechanisms, protective factors and alternative explanations for this effect, as well as long‐term substance use outcomes in LGB youth, remain largely unknown.
Human pharmacology of a performance‐enhancing dietary supplement under resting and exercise conditions
Authors: Haller Christine A. , Duan Minjing , Jacob Peyton , Benowitz Neal 
Published: March 2008

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT • Performance‐enhancing dietary supplements have not been clinically tested for safety or efficacy.• In clinical trials performed under resting conditions, performance‐enhancing supplements raise blood pressure and affect glucose homeostasis.• The effect of exercise on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of stimulant herbals is unknown. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS • Supplement‐induced effects on blood pressure and glucose levels are not ameliorated by exercise.• Exercise does not affect the kinetics of stimulant ingredients, caffeine and synephrine.• Performance‐enhancing supplement use modestly improves exercise tolerance.AIMSDietary supplements (DS) promoted to enhance athletic performance often contain herbal sympathomimetics such as Citrus aurantium (synephrine) and caffeine. We aimed to characterize the pharmacology of a performance‐enhancing DS in the setting of exercise.METHODSTen healthy adults (three women) aged 20–31 years participated in a three‐arm, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, crossover study. Subjects ingested one dose of DS (Ripped Fuel Extreme Cut® with 21 mg synephrine and 304 mg caffeine by analysis) under resting conditions and 1 h prior to moderately intense exercise (30 min on cycle ergometer at 75–80% HRmax), with a placebo (PLC)/exercise control. Plasma synephrine and caffeine concentrations were measured over 12 h, and vital signs, serum electrolytes, oxygen consumption and perceived exercise exertion were monitored.RESULTSNo significant adverse events occurred. Synephrine and caffeine pharmacokinetics were unaffected by exercise. Post‐exercise diastolic blood pressure was higher after DS (peak mean 71.7 ± 8.7 mmHg) than PLC (63.0 ± 4.9 mmHg) (p = 0.007). There were no substantial treatment‐related differences in post‐exercise HR, systolic blood pressure, or temperature. Postprandial plasma glucose increased to 121.0 ± 31.6 mg dl−1 with DS and exercise vs. 103.7 ± 25.5 mg dl−1 with PLC and exercise (P = 0.004). No treatment differences in exercise‐related oxygen consumption, serum lactate, or insulin were observed. Exercise was rated less difficult with DS than PLC (P = 0.001).CONCLUSIONSBlood pressure and plasma glucose increased post‐exercise with DS use, which could be detrimental in some people. Exercise was perceived as less strenuous after DS, presumably due to the stimulant effects of caffeine.
Clinically informative measures of the effect of drugs or other interventions
Authors: Salmi L. Rachid , Suissa Samy , Chêne Geneviève , Salamon Roger 
Published: March 2008

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT • Several comparative measures (ratios, differences, or the number needed to treat) are used to express the effect of a drug or another intervention.• These measures can vary in the way they are affected by the background risk measured from the reference group. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS? • This paper reviews the formulation, interpretation and limitations of measures of effect.• We describe a little‐known parameter, the attained effect or clinical result ratio, a positive reformulation of the relative risk difference, and suggest how available parameters can be best used to summarize results of studies of the effect of drugs.AIMSMeasures to compare two drugs are often affected by the background risk in the reference group; a ceiling effect results when the background risk is small. We review measures of the effect of drugs, including a special formulation of the relative risk difference, the attained effect or clinical result ratio, that addresses background risk and ceiling effect.METHODSExisting measures are the risk and odds ratios, the absolute and relative risk differences, and the number needed to treat. The attained effect is defined as the observed gain in success (the difference of proportion of success between the two interventions), divided by the maximum attainable gain, the maximum proportion of success one can expect. We illustrate the relationship between these measures with published results of two meta‐analyses.RESULTSIn studies of the effectiveness of cell salvage, the baseline risk ranged between 8 and 95%. This variability affected the risk difference and number needed to treat, while the attained effect, with a ceiling residual risk of 2%, showed that the gain in success was half the maximum attainable gain. In studies of the effectiveness of therapy in patients infected by the human immunodeficiency virus, where the baseline risk was less variable, and there was no ceiling effect, the maximum attained effect indicated that the gain could be much smaller.CONCLUSIONThe attained effect, interpreted as the proportion of effectiveness that remains to gain for future interventions, can usefully complete the number needed to treat as a clinically informative effect measure.
The pharmacokinetics, CNS pharmacodynamics and adverse event profile of brivaracetam after multiple increasing oral doses in healthy men
Authors: Rolan Paul , Sargentini‐Maier Maria Laura , Pigeolet Etienne , Stockis Armel 
Published: March 2008

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT • The pharmacokinetic profile, metabolism and proof of concept of a single oral dose of brivaracetam have been reported.• Previous studies have shown that it was well absorbed, had linear kinetics and was well tolerated, and suggested effective doses of 10–80 mg in photoparoxysmal epilepsy. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS • We now report the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and tolerability in healthy volunteers after multiple doses.AIMSBrivaracetam is a novel synaptic vesicle protein 2A ligand that has shown potent activity in animal models of epilepsy. This study examined the pharmacokinetics, central nervous system pharmacodynamics and adverse event profile of multiple oral doses of brivaracetam in healthy male subjects.METHODSThree successive panels of 12 healthy male subjects received double‐blind brivaracetam 200, 400 or 800 mg day−1 (all doses well above the expected therapeutic range) or placebo (9 : 3), in two divided doses, for 14 days.RESULTSBrivaracetam was rapidly absorbed (tmax∼2 h) and eliminated (t1/2 7–8 h). Volume of distribution was slightly lower than total body water. A small fraction of the dose (5–8%) was excreted unchanged in urine together with significant levels of metabolites, suggesting predominantly metabolic clearance. Based on 6‐β‐hydroxycortisol/cortisol ratios in urine, there was no evidence of induction of CYP3A4 activity. Saliva and plasma brivaracetam levels were highly correlated. Adverse events were mostly mild to moderate, central nervous system‐related and resolved within the first day of treatment. No clinically relevant changes were observed in laboratory tests, vital signs, physical examinations or ECGs. Pharmacodynamic tests showed dose‐related sedation and decreased alertness that only persisted at 800 mg daily.CONCLUSIONSBrivaracetam was well tolerated by healthy male volunteers at doses of 200–800 mg daily for 2 weeks, well above the expected clinically effective dose range. Brivaracetam had a favourable pharmacokinetic profile in this population, characterized by rapid absorption, volume of distribution limited to total body water, apparent single‐compartment elimination and dose proportionality.