bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Community pharmacists and tobacco in Great Britain: from selling cigarettes to smoking cessation services
Authors: Anderson Stuart 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTAims  To illustrate the ways in which community pharmacists in Great Britain have been able to benefit from a close association with tobacco and smoking from its initial importation to the present time.Design  An analysis of relevant texts and documents, together with brief transcripts from an oral history investigation of community pharmacy in Great Britain.Setting  Community pharmacies in Great Britain during the 20th century.Participants  Retired and practising community pharmacists with experience of the sale of tobacco products during the period.Measurements  Oral testimony of retired and practising community pharmacists about the use and sale of tobacco products, and quantitative analysis of commercially available products designed to help people stop smoking during the period.Findings  Community pharmacists have been involved continuously with the tobacco habit since its first introduction into Britain. During the course of the 20th century the emphasis shifted from the sale of tobacco products to the sale of medicines intended to help people to give up smoking. Smoking cessation initiatives continue to be an important part of the business of many pharmacies.Conclusions  The paper illustrates the continuing tension that exists between pharmacy as business and pharmacy as profession. The sale of tobacco products and, more recently, products to help people give up smoking, has been a small but significant part of the business of many community pharmacists throughout the centuries.
Use of more nicotine lozenges leads to better success in quitting smoking
Authors: Shiffman Saul 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTAims and design  The finding that smokers who used more pieces of nicotine gum achieved better treatment outcomes has been interpreted to indicate that the use of more pieces of gum leads to better treatment outcomes. However, these correlational findings are subject to at least three alternate explanations: (1) reverse causation; (2) a confounding third variable; or (3) behavioral processes. We tested these alternative explanations in secondary analyses of data from a clinical trial of nicotine lozenges.Participants and methods  Subjects (n = 1030) who quit smoking for at least 2 weeks in a placebo‐controlled trial of nicotine lozenges were studied. Lozenge use was recorded daily; outcome was assessed as carbon monoxide (CO)‐verified 28‐day continuous abstinence at 6 weeks.Findings  To refute the reverse causation hypothesis we analyzed data on compliance during a period when subjects were abstinent: high use of active lozenge was associated with greater success; for each additional lozenge used, the odds of success increased by 10%. The third variable and behavioral processes hypotheses both predict that high lozenge use will be associated with improved outcomes even in the placebo condition. However, our analyses showed that this was not the case. Further, greater use of lozenges increased the active–placebo difference, as would be expected under a pharmacological explanation of compliance effects.Conclusion  The analyses rebut the alternative explanations, and suggest that use of more nicotine lozenges is causally associated with better quit rates.
The role of substance use in young adult divorce
Authors: Collins Rebecca L. , Ellickson Phyllis L. , Klein David J. 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTAim  To test the relationships between various forms of substance use during marriage and subsequent divorce among US young adults.Design  Three waves of survey data collected at approximately ages 18, 23 and 29 years were used. Using multivariate logistic regression and controlling for factors present at the two early waves, we tested for prospective relationships between substance use at the second assessment and divorce by the third.Participants  A longitudinal panel following adolescents on the west coast of the United States into young adulthood. The analytic subsample consisted of the 454 individuals currently married at the age 23 survey.Measurements  Predictors were past‐year frequency of alcohol intoxication, marijuana use and cigarette use, as well as any hard drug use in the past year. Covariates included substance use prior to marriage, demographic and socio‐economic factors, marital discord and religiosity.Findings  Controlling for other factors, more frequent alcohol intoxication during marriage was an independent predictor of later divorce. Frequency of marijuana use had a significant bivariate relationship with divorce that was not significant in the multivariate model.Conclusion  These data are consistent with the notion that alcohol intoxication is related causally to divorce among young adults.
Adolescent salvia substance abuse
Authors: Singh Sundeep 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTBackground  Salvia divinorum is a non‐water‐soluble hallucinogen that is becoming increasingly popular among adolescents. Salvia is a highly selective full agonist of primate and cloned human cerebral kappa‐opioid receptors, although its psychotomimetic effects are similar to serotonergic agonists and NMDA glutamate antagonists. Salvia has been associated with depersonalization, laughter, feelings of levitation and self‐consciousness. These effects resolve within 30 minutes following use. Salvia has been banned in many countries, although it remains legal and easily assessable over the internet in the United States.Case description  A 15‐year‐old man with a history of salvia and marijuana use presented to psychiatric emergency services with acute onset of mental status changes characterized by paranoia, déjà vu, blunted affect, thought blocking and slow speech of 3 days' duration.Conclusion  There is limited literature discussing the clinical effects of salvia use. Based on this case presentation, salvia use may be associated with many undocumented long‐term effects such as déjà vu. The ease of use and increasing popularity of salvia requires further investigation into the clinical effects of salvia use.
The impact of pharmaceutical company funding on results of randomized trials of nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation: a meta‐analysis*
Authors: Etter Jean‐François , Burri Mafalda , Stapleton John 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTAims  To assess whether source of funding affected the results of trials of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) for smoking cessation.Methods  We reviewed all randomized controlled trials included in the Cochrane review. There were insufficient non‐industry trials of the newer products for these to be included. We included 90 trials of either the nicotine gum (52) or nicotine patch (38). They comprised 18 238 treatment and 16 235 control participants. Forty‐nine showed evidence of industry support (18 gum, 31 patch).Results  Industry (31 of 49, 63%) compared with non‐industry (seven of 41, 17%, P < 0.001) supported a higher proportion of nicotine patch studies and had larger sample sizes (479 versus 268, P = 0.04). Twenty‐five (51%) industry trials reported statistically significant (P < 0.05) results, compared with nine (22%) non‐industry trials (OR = 3.70, 95% CI = 1.46–9.35). This difference was not explained by trial characteristics. Industry‐supported trials had a pooled odds ratio of 1.90 (1.67–2.16), compared with 1.61 (1.43–1.80) for other studies (χ2 = 3.6, P = 0.058). There was evidence of funnel‐plot asymmetry among industry trials (t = 4.35, P < 0.001), but not among other trials, indicating that several small null‐effect industry trials may not have reached publication. After imputation adjustment, the odds ratio for industry trials reduced to 1.64 (1.43–1.89) and the overall NRT odds ratio reduced from 1.73 (1.60–1.90) to 1.62 (1.49–1.77).Conclusions  Compared with independent trials, industry‐supported trials were more likely to produce statistically significant results and larger odds ratios. These differences persisted after adjustment for basic trial characteristics. Although we had no data on the amount of funding for each trial, it is possible that more resources led to higher treatment compliance and therefore greater efficacy in industry‐supported trials. Differences can also possibly be explained by publication bias with several small, null‐effect industry studies not having reached publication. After adjustment for this possible bias, results for industry trials were lower and similar to non‐industry results. Similarly, the overall estimate of the net effect for these products reduces to about 5% attributable 1‐year successes. This remains of considerable public health benefit. Registration of clinical trials has become mandatory in many countries since most of the trials considered here were conducted, and this should reduce the potential for publication bias in future.
Defining the role of surgery for complications after pancreatoduodenectomy
Authors: Shukla Parul J , Barreto S. G. , Mohandas K. M. , Shrikhande S. V. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractBackground:  Although mortality rates following pancreatoduodenectomy have drastically reduced over the last few decades, high morbidity rates have continued to trouble pancreatic surgeons across the world. Interventional radiology has reduced the need for re‐exploration for complications following pancreatoduodenectomy. There remain specific indications for re‐exploration in such scenarios. It is thus pertinent to identify those clinical scenarios where surgery still has a role in managing complications of pancreatoduodenectomy. The aim of the study was to define the role of surgery for dealing with complications following pancreatoduodenectomy.Methods:  One hundred and fifty‐seven consecutive pancreatoduodenectomies carried out at a single institution between 1 January 2001 and 28 February 2007, were analysed. The database was looked into to identify patients who underwent re‐exploration for complications and to define the indications for the exploration in these patients.Results:  Out of the 157 pancreatoduodenectomies, there were, in all, 39 complications (24.2%) in 38 patients. Most of these complications were successfully managed conservatively and with the help of interventional radiology. Seventeen patients had to be re‐explored (10.8%). The indications were primarily for haemorrhage, clinically significant pancreatic leaks, biliary leaks, adhesive intestinal obstruction and burst abdomen. The overall mortality rate was 3.1%. The mortality rate in the patients undergoing re‐exploration was 11.7%.Conclusion:  Early haemorrhage (from the pancreatic stump or anastomotic line), clinically significant pancreatic anastomotic leak with discharge from the main wound and an early biliary anastomotic leak are prime indications for re‐exploration in patients with complications following pancreatoduodenectomy.
Death by midgut infarction: clinical lessons from 88 post‐mortems in Auckland, New Zealand
Authors: Gregory O’Grady , Ghambir Shanu , Koelmeyer Timothy D. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractBackground:  Mortality rates from acute arterial mesenteric ischaemia remain high. Early diagnosis is of prognostic importance; however, early features are often non‐specific, necessitating a high index of suspicion and knowledge of the at‐risk patient. This study reviewed three decades of fatal cases in Auckland, New Zealand, to identify risk factors and associated pathologies that might help guide early diagnosis. Diagnostic delay was also evaluated.Methods:  Cases were identified through a pathology database maintained from 1977 to 2006. Autopsy reports were assessed together with available clinical detail.Results:  Eighty‐eight cases were recovered. Mean age was 75.4 years, with women predominating (57%). Thromboembolic occlusion was the leading cause, followed by thrombotic occlusion. Embolic sources included atrial disease, aortic disease and myocardial infarction. Patients routinely showed extensive comorbidities, especially cardiovascular. Pain was the most constant presenting symptom, but features were often subtle and clinicians frequently misdiagnosed more minor ailments. Of operated patients, 36% received operations within 6 h of admission, 33% within 24 h, 17% at between 1 and 2 days, and the remainder between 2 and 12 days.Conclusion:  Knowledge of risk factors defined here is important to guide early diagnosis of mesenteric ischaemia. Diagnostic delay is again shown to be significant and case experience gathered in this series may improve doctors’ discernment when meeting this condition.
Functional impairment after latissimus dorsi flap
Authors: Koh Cherry E. , Morrison Wayne A. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractBackground:  Available published reports suggest that loss of latissimus dorsi muscle following latissimus myocutaneous flap does not lead to functional impairment. However, significant functional impairment has been observed in clinical practice, prompting this study to evaluate the functional deficit in patients who had undergone reconstruction using latissimus dorsi muscle.Methods:  A retrospective review was undertaken between 1998 and 2003. Patients were identified from the audit of the plastic surgery unit at St Vincent’s Hospital and recruited by direct telephone contact. They were assessed using the Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire.Results:  There were 25 participants. Eighteen completed their questionnaires. Six of 18 patients reported scores of 30 or more, which corresponded to a global moderate functional deficit. These patients were severely limited in their ability to carry out housework. Major postoperative complications were associated with high Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand scores (P = 0.028). Three of five patients involved with sports reported impaired performance in sports. The subgroup of four patients who underwent bilateral latissimus dorsi flaps also experienced significant morbidity with all four reporting moderate to severe impairment in their ability to return to gardening and/or sports.Conclusion:  Patients undergoing this procedure should be fully informed of potential sequelae. Athletic patients and patients undergoing bilateral latissimus dorsi flaps should also be warned of possible reduced performance in sports. Alternatively, perforator cutaneous flaps, which preserve the latissimus muscle, should be chosen when feasible.
Audit of the Douglas Hocking Research Institute bone bank: ten years of non‐irradiated bone graft
Authors: Love David , Pritchard Michael , Burgess Tanya , Van Der Meer Gavin , Page Richard , Williams Simon 
Published: January 2009

AbstractBackground:  An audit performed in the use of non‐irradiated femoral head bone graft at the Geelong Hospital over a 10‐year period. While it is thought the non‐irradiated bone graft provides a better structural construct there is theoretical increased risk of infection transmission.Methods:  We performed a retrospective review of prospectively collected data in the use of non‐irradiated bone allograft used from the Geelong Hospital Douglas Hosking Research Institute bone bank over a 10‐year period. The review was performed using data collected from the bone bank and correlating it with the patient’s medical record. All complications, including infections, related to the use of the allograft were recorded.Results:  We found that over the 10 years to 2004 that 811 femoral heads were donated, with 555 being used over 362 procedures in 316 patients. We identified a total of nine deep infections, of which seven were in joint replacements. Overall this was a 2.5% deep infection rate, which was lowered to 1.4% if the previously infected joints that were operated on were excluded.Conclusion:  The use of non‐irradiated femoral head bone graft was safe in a regional setting.
Migration, Motherhood, Marriage: Cross‐Cultural Adaptation of North American Immigrant Mothers in Israel
Authors: Sigad Laura I. , Eisikovits Rivka A. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractThis study probes the cross‐cultural adaptation patterns of North American women who immigrated to Israel with their Israeli‐born husbands (or married there) and are mothers in their new country. In order to undertake a cultural analysis of the interplay between immigration, motherhood and bicultural marriage, we examine: the effects of motherhood and North American culture of origin on cross‐cultural adaptation; the effects of immigration to Israel on motherhood and childrearing; the influence of family of origin on the immigrant motherhood experience; and the role of Israeli husbands and their families in the women’s cross‐cultural adaptation process. We study patterns for the entire group as well as bringing out individual differences. Our main finding is that motherhood serves as the principal social link to the Israeli host society. The high status of North American culture and English proficiency facilitate cross‐cultural adaptation in Israel. Our findings reveal transnationalist tendencies co‐existing with various adaptation strategies. We propose an expansion of previous acculturation models to accommodate this dualmodus vivendi.
The Europeanisation of Integration Policies
Authors: Rosenow Kerstin 
Published: January 2009

AbstractThis article analyses the development of integration policies concerning third country nationals at the level of the European Union (EU). Starting with the discovery of recent policy developments at the European level, including new European directives mainly granting social rights to non‐EU citizens, the paper proceeds to examine the reasons that enabled this shift from the national to the European level of decision making. It concludes that integration policies have been created as a new EU policy field amidst the also fairly new policy field of immigration policies. In light of the theoretical concept of “organisational fields,” the interests and motives of the main actors involved in the emergence of this policy field are analysed. The research combines neo‐functionalist and intergovernmentalist assumptions, and it results in the following conclusions: First, a European integration policy could only be established within the emerging field of immigration policies, which laid the groundwork for member state collaborations in this highly sensitive policy area. Secondly, the European Parliament, the Council of Europe, several non‐governmental organisations and most notably the European Commission played an important role in promoting integration policies at the European level. Their engagement is interpreted as a necessary but not as a sufficient condition for the establishment of this policy field. Thirdly, these actors tried to strengthen the status of integration policies by emphasising the linkage between successful integration policies and economic and social cohesion. This semantic strategy, among other discussed reasons, facilitated the member states’ decision at the European summit in Tampere 1999 that all third country nationals shall be granted comparable rights to EU citizens.
Analysing Tax–Benefit Reforms Using Non‐Parametric Methods*
Authors: Fiorio Carlo V. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractStatic tax–benefit microsimulation models (MSMs) are widely used and well‐regarded tools for public policy analysis, but it is essential to use them very carefully. This paper focuses on the analysis of MSM output, suggesting the use of non‐parametric methods as a useful, informative and relatively straightforward complement to detect effects not always captured by measures often used to present MSM results.Non‐parametric methods are used here to analyse the output of an MSM applied to the 1998 Italian personal income tax reform, the main change in which concerned the tax schedule: the first tax rate was increased from 10 per cent to 18.5 per cent and the top one was reduced by 4.5 percentage points. Non‐parametric methods highlight that the effects of this reform were very different for different types of households, with low‐income pensioner households among the main losers. Results are checked for robustness by standard statistical methods and compared with empirical results obtainable using quintile histograms.
El trabajo informal. Dos asuntos clave para los programas políticos
Authors: KUCERA David , RONCOLATO Leanne 
Published: January 2009

Resumen.Los autores estudian dos cuestiones de mucho relieve que levantan cierta polémica: la índole del trabajo informal denominado «voluntario» y la tesis de que las leyes laborales fomentan indirectamente la actividad informal. Presentan un análisis crítico de las teorías al respecto y hacen un repaso muy amplio de los estudios empíricos publicados acerca de los efectos de las leyes laborales en la informalidad. También exploran la pertinencia de los cuatro objetivos del trabajo decente en las esferas del trabajo informal y del desarrollo económico, haciendo hincapié en la importancia de que se organicen los trabajadores de la economía informal y en las posibilidades reales de que lo hagan.
Un planteamiento estratégico de la inspección del trabajo
Authors: WEIL David 
Published: January 2009

Resumen.La OIT, en un informe publicado en 2006, puso de relieve los problemas con que tropezaba la inspección del trabajo en los Estados Miembros y propugnó diversas medidas para hacerla más eficaz. El autor sostiene que los organismos de inspección deben irmás allá de las peticiones de aumento del número de inspectores, e idear una estrategia capaz de atender las quejas que les llegan y deplaneary seleccionar los objetivos de sus investigaciones. Sólo asílograrán la máxima eficiencia de sus recursos, que son de por sí limitados. Paraello, sulabor debe regirse por cuatro principios: establecimiento de prioridades, disuasión, perdurabilidad y actuaciones «sistémicas». En la parte de conclusiones se esbozan los requisitos que debe satisfacer una estrategia de inspección coherente.
Protección social en Chile: Reformas para mejorar la equidad
Authors: MESA‐LAGO Carmelo 
Published: January 2009

Resumen.A comienzos del decenio de los ochenta Chile fue pionero en América Latina en acometer reformas estructurales que privatizaron total o parcialmente los sistemas de pensiones y salud e inspiraron cambios similares en la mitad de la región y en otros países del mundo. Las reformas fueron implantadas sin diálogo social, redujeron la solidaridad y la equidad, y agudizaron lapobreza y la desigualdad. Los gobiernos democráticos han subsanado durante los últimos dieciocho años muchas fallas de diseño en las reformas originales de salud, pensiones y asistencia sociales. El autor analiza el progreso realizado, las inequidades sociales que persisten en cuanto a cobertura, género y financiamiento, y los retos pendientes.
El indicador de normas del trabajo del Banco Mundial. Averiguaciones y críticas recientes
Authors: Lee Sangheon , McCann Deirdre , Torm Nina 
Published: January 2009

Resumen.Los autores reseñan las últimas novedades acerca del estudioDoing Businessdel Banco Mundial, haciendo hincapié en el indicador de las normas del trabajo: la dificultad de contratación, la rigidez de la jornada de trabajo y la dificultad y costo del despido de trabajadores. Primero pasan revista a los estudios que inspiraron la concepción del indicador y a los que lo han usado o se han visto influidos por él. Analizan después las críticas vertidas contra el mismo, y ponen de relieve los problemas conceptuales y empíricos que plantea. Por último, proponen ideas alternativas y líneas de investigación para el futuro.
Topical treatment of uveitis resulting in adrenal insufficiency
Authors: Kröger Liisa , Kotaniemi Kaisu , Jääskeläinen Jarmo 
Published: January 2009

AbstractThe adverse effects of corticosteroids are well‐known and occur more frequently when corticosteroids are used perorally or intravenously. The management of uveitis, which normally consists of topical corticosteroids and mydriates, can be challenging. We report a case in which continuous use of topical corticosteroids resulted in adrenal insufficiency and obesity.Conclusion: When topical corticosteroids are used over longer periods, hypophysis‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA) function should be carefully monitored.