bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Alcohol use trajectories among adults in an urban area after a disaster: evidence from a population‐based cohort study
Authors: Cerda Magdalena , Vlahov David , Tracy Melissa , Galea Sandro 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACTAlcohol use increased in the New York City (NYC) metropolitan area in the first months after the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks.Aims  To investigate alcohol use trajectories in the NYC metropolitan area in the 3 years after 11 September and examine the relative contributions of acute exposure to the attacks and ongoing stressors to these trajectories.Design  We used a population‐based cohort of adults recruited through a random‐digit‐dial telephone survey in 2002; participants completed three follow‐up interviews over 30 months.Setting  The NYC metropolitan area.Participants  A total of 2752 non‐institutionalized adult residents of NYC.Measurements  We used growth mixture models to assess trajectories in levels of total alcohol consumption and bingeing in the past 30 days, and predictors of these trajectories.Findings  We identified five trajectories of alcohol consumption levels and three bingeing trajectories. Predictors of higher levels of use over time included ongoing stressors, traumatic events and lower income. Ongoing exposure to stressors and low income also play a central role in bingeing trajectories.Conclusions  While point‐in‐time mass traumatic events may matter in the short term, their contribution subsides over time. Accumulated stressors and traumatic events, in contrast, lead to higher levels of consumption among respondents already vulnerable to high alcohol use. Interventions to mitigate post‐disaster stressors may have substantial benefit in reducing alcohol abuse in the medium‐ to long term.
Incentive‐elicited striatal activation in adolescent children of alcoholics
Authors: Bjork James M. , Knutson Brian , Hommer Daniel W. 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACTAims  Deficient recruitment of motivational circuitry by non‐drug rewards has been postulated as a pre‐morbid risk factor for substance dependence (SD). We tested whether parental alcoholism, which confers risk of SD, is correlated with altered recruitment of ventral striatum (VS) by non‐drug rewards in adolescence.Design  During functional magnetic resonance imaging, adolescent children of alcoholics (COA; age 12–16 years) with no psychiatric disorders (including substance abuse) and similarly aged children with no risk factors responded to targets to win or avoid losing $0, $0.20, $1, $5 or a variable amount (ranging from $0.20 to $5).Results  In general, brain activation by either reward anticipation or outcome notification did not differ between COA and age/gender‐matched controls. Cue‐elicited reward anticipation activated portions of VS in both COA and controls. In nucleus accumbens (NAcc), signal change increased with anticipated reward magnitude (with intermediate recruitment by variable incentives) but not with loss magnitudes. Reward deliveries activated the NAcc and mesofrontal cortex in both COA and controls. Losses activated anterior insula bilaterally in both groups, with more extensive right anterior insula activation by losses in controls. NAcc signal change during anticipation of maximum rewards (relative to non‐reward) correlated positively with both Brief Sensation‐Seeking Scale scores and with self‐reported excitement in response to maximum reward cues (relative to cues for non‐reward).Conclusions  Among adolescents with no psychiatric disorders, incentive‐elicited VS activation may relate more to individual differences in sensation‐seeking personality than to presence of parental alcoholism alone. Future research could focus on adolescents with behavior disorders or additional risk factors.
Perceived safety and efficacy of nicotine replacement therapies among US smokers and ex‐smokers: relationship with use and compliance
Authors: Shiffman Saul , Ferguson Stuart G. , Rohay Jeffrey , Gitchell Joseph G. 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACTAim  Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is effective for smoking cessation, but most smokers try to quit without using it. We examined the impact of misperceptions of NRT safety and efficacy on its use.Design and participants  A total of 3203 current and former US smokers completed a national mail‐out survey of issues and attitudes related to smoking cessation.Findings  Two‐thirds (66%) of respondents either agreed that ‘Stop‐smoking products with nicotine are just as harmful as cigarettes’ or were unsure whether the statement was true. These respondents were less likely to have used NRT in the past [30% versus 49%; odds ratio (OR) = 0.45, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.39–0.53] and less likely to consider using NRT during future quit attempts (40% versus 53%; OR = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.51–0.71). Additionally, of the respondents who had used nicotine gum in the past 12 months (n = 407), those who had concerns about the safety of NRT reported using fewer pieces of gum per day during treatment (six versus eight pieces/day; P < 0.05), and were less likely to report that they used the gum for greater than 4 weeks (28.5% versus 46.8%; OR = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.27–0.76). A large proportion of the respondents also stated that they did not believe NRT to be efficacious.Conclusions  The findings suggest that many smokers are misinformed about the health risks of NRT and that these misperceptions impede not only the adoption of NRT but also compliance during treatment. Misperception of NRT safety is one barrier to effective use of NRT and probably reduces success in quitting.
Adherence to antiretroviral therapy for human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome among drug users: a systematic review
Authors: Malta Monica , Strathdee Steffanie A. , Magnanini Monica M. F. , Bastos Francisco I. 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACTAims  Adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is a key predictor of survival for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐infected people. Suboptimal adherence among marginalized populations such as HIV‐positive drug users could be associated with clinical failure and the emergence of viral resistance.Objective  To conduct a systematic review of studies assessing adherence to HAART among HIV‐positive drug users (DU) and identify factors associated with non‐adherence to HIV treatment.Data sources  Seven electronic databases were searched for peer‐reviewed papers published in English, French, Spanish or Portuguese, from 1996 to 2007.Study selection and data abstraction  Studies were excluded if they presented only qualitative data, were reviews themselves or assessed other populations without disaggregating data on DU. Findings on adherence were extracted and summarized.Data synthesis  Forty‐one studies were considered, which studied a total of 15 194 patients, the majority of whom were HIV‐positive DU (n = 11 628, 76.5%). Twenty‐two studies assessed adherence using patient self‐reports, eight used pharmacy records, three used electronic monitoring [i.e. Medication Event Monitoring Systems (MEMS) caps], six studies used a combination of patient self‐report, clinical data and MEMS‐caps, and two analyzed secondary data. Overall, active substance use was associated with poor adherence, as well as depression and low social support. Higher adherence was found in patents receiving care in structured settings (e.g. directly observed therapy) and/or drug addiction treatment (especially substitution therapy).Conclusion  While lower than other populations—especially among users of stimulants, incarcerated DU and patients with psychiatric comorbidities—adherence to HAART among HIV‐positive DU can be achieved. Better adherence was identified among those engaged in comprehensive services providing HIV and addiction treatment with psychosocial support.
Extended cognitive behavior therapy for cigarette smoking cessation
Authors: Killen Joel D. , Fortmann Stephen P. , Schatzberg Alan F. , Arredondo Christina , Murphy Greer , Hayward Chris , Celio Maria , Cromp DeAnn , Fong Dalea , Pandurangi Maya 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACTPrimary aim  Examine the effectiveness of extended cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) in promoting longer‐term smoking abstinence.Design  Open‐label treatment phase followed by extended treatment phase. Randomization conducted prior to entry into open‐label treatment phase; analysis based on intention‐to‐treat to avoid threat of selection bias.Setting  Community smoking cessation clinic.Participants  A total of 304 adult smokers (≥18 years of age; ≥10 cigarettes/day).Intervention  Open‐label (8 weeks): all participants received bupropion SR, nicotine patch, CBT. Extended treatment (12 weeks): participants received either CBT + voicemail monitoring and telephone counseling or telephone‐based general support.Measurements  Seven‐day point prevalence abstinence, expired‐air carbon monoxide.Results  At week 20 follow‐up, CBT produced a higher 7‐day point prevalence abstinence rate: 45% versus 29%, P = 0.006; at 52 weeks the difference in abstinence rates (31% versus 27%) was not significant. History of depression was a moderator of treatment. Those with a positive history had a better treatment response at 20 weeks when assigned to the less intensive telephone support therapy (P < 0.05).Conclusion  The superiority of CBT to 20 weeks suggests that continued emphasis on the development of cognitive and behavioral strategies for maintaining non‐smoking during an extended treatment phase may help smokers to maintain abstinence in the longer term. At present, the minimum duration of therapy is unknown.
Drug and Therapeutics Committees in Australia: expected and actual performance
Authors: & LYNN MARIA WEEKES , BROOKS COLLEEN 
Published: July 2008

1 This study describes stakeholders’opinions on Drug and Therapeutics Committees (DTCs) and measures the composition, activities and perceived effectiveness of DTCs in Australia.2 Focus groups explored the opinions of clinicians, consumers and administrators on the goals, objectives and strategies of DTCs.3 A national survey was sent to 306 hospitals to collect data on the composition, committee processes, goals, objectives, educational activities, policies and decision making of DTCs.4 Stakeholders believed the DTC should optimise therapeutic health outcomes for patients and economic outcomes for the hospital. Important objectives were availability of safe, efficacious and cost‐effective medicines, affordability of medicines and quality use of medicines.5 The national survey of DTCs found that over 92% of respondents had a DTC in their hospital. Composition was generally representational and most commonly included members from the disciplines of internal medicine, pharmacy and nursing. More than half the DTCs had executive authority although only 21% had an appeals mechanism.6 The most commonly cited issues for DTCs in 1994‐95 were quality drug use, drug policies and spending on high cost drugs.7 While access to clinical pharmacologists and specialist drug utilisation evaluation (DUE) pharmacists was poor, 71% of DTCs had access to DUE data of some sort. Guidelines (61%), prescribing restrictions (60%) and pharmacist monitoring (63%) were the most commonly used strategies to implement DTC policies and decisions. Audit‐feedback activities (61%) and drug bulletins (56%) were the most commonly used interventions.8 Available information for formulary decision making varied with small rural hospitals having access to significantly less information. The most commonly used information was availability of a therapeutic alternative (87%), efficacy (83%), cost (80%) and estimated usage (78%).9 On average DTCs reported an ability to implement 75% of decisions (range 0‐95%) with teaching hospitals perceived to perform better than other hospital types.10 This study reveals a high level of expectation for DTC activities and achievements. In Australia DTCs were involved in policy, education and management initiatives to promote best practice in therapeutics. Few committees appeared to have adequate resources to extend services to their wider community.
Medicine taking in Southampton: a second look
Authors: & M. J. SULLIVAN , GEORGE C. F. 
Published: July 2008

1 A 1 in 200 sample of the Southampton electorate were sent a postal questionnaire in January 1993. Of the 756 adults surveyed, 400 (52.9%) returned completed questionnaires. One hundred and eighty‐eight (47.0%) of the respondents had been prescribed a medicine within the previous month.2 Compared with a survey 9 years earlier, medicine taking had increased amongst men (44.1%vs 33.7% NS) and drugs acting on the respiratory system were in more widespread use (19 vs 7 patients P < 0.05).3 Patterns of storage of medicines were almost identical to those found in 1984. However, methods of disposal were significantly different with 34% of the respondents stating that they would return left‐over medicines to the Doctor or Pharmacist compared with 17% in the previous study (P < 0.01).4 Of those taking medicines 120 (63.8%) had received a manufacturers’information leaflet. Medicines used to treat disorders of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems were most likely to be accompanied by such a leaflet (74% and 70% respectively).5 Those who received a leaflet were almost all satisfied by it. However, patient awareness of potential side effects remained poor with only 30% being aware of any which their medicine might cause.6 Despite improvements in attitudes towards medicine taking over time patients awareness of potential adverse effects remains limited. Further research is necessary in order to determine how best to educate patients on this topic.
Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of ()‐sotalol in healthy male volunteers
Authors: KIMURA MASAHIKO , UMEMURA KAZUO , IKEDA YASUHIKO , KOSUGE KAZUHIRO , MIZUNO ATSUHIRO , NAKANOMYO HIROSHI , & KYOICHI OHASHI , NAKASHIMA MITSUYOSHI 
Published: July 2008

1 We investigated the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of (±)‐sotalol administered orally to healthy male volunteers in single doses of 40, 80 and 160 mg and in multiple doses of 80 mg twice daily for 7 consecutive days.2 In the single dose studies, the half‐life of (‐)‐sotalol (7.2‐8.5 h) was significantly (P < 0.01) shorter than that of (+)‐sotalol (9.1‐11.4 h) while the renal clearance of (‐)‐sotalol (110.6‐126.4 ml min‐1) was significantly (P < 0.01) faster than that of (+)‐sotalol (102.2‐110.1 ml min‐1). In the multiple dose studies, similar differences in the pharmacokinetics of (+)‐ and (‐)‐sotalol were observed. In addition, the pharmacokinetics of both (+)‐ and (‐)‐sotalol on day 4 were shown to be essentially the same as those on day 7.3 In pharmacodynamic examinations, (±)‐sotalol prolonged QTc intervals on electrocardiograms dose‐dependently after single doses of 80 and 160 mg (3.81 ± 2.96%, 13.23 ± 5.66%). The correlation between the plasma concentration of (±)‐sotalol and prolongation of QTc intervals was nearly linear, and showed no hysteresis.4 In conclusion, we demonstrated that QTc interval was prolonged with a linear correlation to the plasma concentration of (±)‐sotalol. In addition, our study suggested that differences in the pharmacokinetics of (+)‐ and (‐)‐sotalol may be attributable to faster urinary excretion of (‐)‐sotalol.
The implications of non‐linear red blood cell partitioning for the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the nucleoside transport inhibitor draflazine
Authors: SNOECK E. , JACQMIN P. , VAN PEER A. , DANHOF M. , VER DONCK K. , VAN BELLE H. , WOESTENBORGHS R. , CRABBÉ R. , VAN GOOL R. , DUPONT A. , HEYKANTS J. 
Published: July 2008

1 Draflazine, a nucleoside transport inhibitor, was administered as a 15 min i.v. infusion of 2.5 mg to eight healthy male subjects. Plasma and whole blood concentrations were measured up to 32 h post‐dose, and were related to adenosine breakdown inhibition (ABI) measured ex vivo, which served as a pharmacodynamic endpoint.2 The red blood cell/plasma distribution of draflazine was non‐linear and characterized as a capacity‐limited specific binding to the nucleoside transporter on the red blood cells. The binding (dissociation) constant Kd was 0.87 ng ml‐1 plasma and the maximal specific binding capacity (Bmax) was 164ng ml‐1 RBC, which corresponds to about 14000 specific binding sites per erythrocyte. Non‐specific binding amounted to less than 15% of the total binding.3 The pharmacokinetics of draflazine in blood were determined in each subject and characterized by a two‐compartment pharmacokinetic model. The pharm‐acokinetic parameters (mean ± s.d.) were: clearance 22.0 ± 8.0 ml min‐1, volume of distribution at steady‐state 39.8 ± 4.71 and terminal half‐life 24.0 ± 9.4 h. Concentrations in plasma were much lower, and could only be determined accurately in pooled plasma samples with a red blood cell binding assay. The pharmacokinetic parameters in pooled plasma were: clearance 551 ml min‐1, volume of distribution at steady‐state 3491 and terminal half‐life 10.7 h.4 A non‐linear relationship was observed between the plasma or blood concentration of draflazine and the ABI determined ex vivo. This relationship was characterized by the sigmoidal Emax pharmacodynamic model. Based on concentrations in pooled plasma, values of the pharmacodynamic parameters were Emax 100%, IC50 10.5 ng ml‐1 and Hill factor 0.9. When using whole blood concentrations, the relationship was much steeper with values (mean ± s.d.) Emax 92.4 + 5.6%, IC50 76.0 ± 15.3 ng ml‐1 and Hill factor 3.5 ± 0.9.5 Binding to the nucleoside transporter on red blood cells is an important determinant of the pharmacokinetics of draflazine and a high degree of occupancy of the transporter by draflazine is required to inhibit adenosine breakdown ex vivo. It is suggested that red blood cell nucleoside transporter occupancy may serve as a useful pharmacodynamic endpoint in dose ranging studies with draflazine.
Selective factor VIII and V inactivation by iminodiacetate ion exchange resin through metal ion adsorption*
Authors: Takeyama Masahiro , Nogami Keiji , Okuda Masahiro , Sakurai Yoshihiko , Matsumoto Tomoko , Tanaka Ichiro , Yoshioka Akira , Shima Midori 
Published: July 2008

SummaryThe procoagulant activity of factors VIII and V depends on the presence of metal ion(s). We examined the effect of cation‐exchange resins with different functional groups on both factors, of which only reaction with iminodiacetate resin resulted in the complete loss of their activity levels in plasma. However, the antigen level of factor VIII was preserved by >95%. This resin reduced divalent cations content present in factor VIII preparations, indicating that it inactivated this factor by direct deprivation of predominant Ca2+ (>Mn2+>>Cu2+), rather than adsorption of the factor itself. The antigen level of recombinant factor VIII alone was decreased by >95% by reaction with resin, whilst that complexed with von Willebrand factor was preserved by >95%. Iminodiacetate resin‐treated plasma was evaluated by measuring factor VIII and V activity in plasma with various levels of either activity. These were significantly correlated to the values obtained using factor VIII‐ or V‐deficient plasma prepared commercially by immunodepletion. We demonstrated that iminodiacetate resin‐induced factors VIII and V inactivation is because of direct deprivation of metal ions, predominantly Ca2+, which is more essential for the functional structure of their molecules. Furthermore, iminodiacetate resin‐treated plasma would be useful as a substrate for measuring the activity of these factors.
The metabolic syndrome and mortality: the Singapore Cardiovascular Cohort Study
Authors: Lee Jeannette , Heng Derrick , Ma Stefan , Chew Suok‐Kai , Hughes Kenneth , Tai E‐Shyong 
Published: July 2008

SummaryObjective  This study assesses the effect of the metabolic syndrome on all‐cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in healthy Chinese, Malays and Asian Indians in Singapore. The utility of the metabolic syndrome is also compared with the Framingham risk score for prediction of mortality.Methods  Healthy participants (n = 5699) were grouped by the presence or absence of the metabolic syndrome, and followed up (mean 14·1 years) by data linkage with the National Death Register. Risk of mortality was obtained by Cox's proportional hazards model with adjusted hazard ratios (HRs). Area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to compare the metabolic syndrome and Framingham risk score for prediction of mortality.Results  During a follow‐up of 80 236 person‐years, there were 382 deaths, of which 128 were due to CVD. Individuals with the metabolic syndrome had an increased risk of mortality for ‘all‐causes’ (males: HR 1·4, 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) 1·1–1·8; and females: HR 1·8, 95%CI 1·3–2·6). There was also an increased risk of mortality due to CVD (males: HR 3·0, 95%CI 1·9–4·8; and females: HR 2·1, 95%CI 1·1–4·0). The area under ROC for Framingham risk score was higher for both all‐cause and CVD mortality than metabolic syndrome.Conclusions  Although an increased risk of ‘all‐cause’ and CVD mortality due to the metabolic syndrome was found, the Framingham risk function still performed better than the metabolic syndrome in an Asian population. However, the metabolic syndrome should not be disregarded as it is a clinically useful entity for identifying individuals for management of its component CVD risk factors.
Utility of serum tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase (TRACP5b) as a bone resorption marker in patients with chronic kidney disease: independence from renal dysfunction
Authors: Yamada Shinsuke , Inaba Masaaki , Kurajoh Masafumi , Shidara Kaori , Imanishi Yasuo , Ishimura Eiji , Nishizawa Yoshiki 
Published: July 2008

SummaryBackground  Serum tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase (TRACP) 5b levels were assessed in predialysis patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The aim of the study was to establish the usefulness of a new assay for TRACP5b in assessing bone turnover in these patients.Methods  Serum concentrations of two bone resorption markers, TRACP5b and N‐terminal cross‐linking telopeptide of type I collagen (NTX); two bone formation markers, bone specific alkaline phosphatase (bone ALP) and intact osteocalcin (OC[1–49]); and PTH were measured in 98 predialysis CKD patients.Results  Log serum TRACP5b and other bone markers were significantly negatively correlated with glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and positively correlated with log serum PTH, suggesting an increase in serum bone markers with development of secondary hyperparathyroidism. Multiple regression analysis including age, gender, BMI, the presence of diabetes, GFR and log serum PTH showed an association of log serum PTH with log serum TRACP5b and other bone markers. GFR was associated with log serum NTX and log OC[1–49], but not with log serum TRACP5b or log bone ALP. These data show that renal dysfunction does not influence serum TRACP5b and bone ALP, but has an influence on NTX and OC[1–49].Conclusion  Serum TRACP5b may be a good marker for serum bone resorption in predialysis CKD patients, as it is not affected by renal dysfunction.