bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Zinc Therapy for Diarrhoea Improves Growth Among Bangladeshi Infants 6 to 11 Months of Age
Authors: Naheed Aliya , Walker Fischer Christa L , Mondal Dinesh , Ahmed Saifuddin , Arifeen Shams El , Yunus Mohammad , Black Robert E , Baqui Abdullah H 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTObjectives:We assessed the effect of zinc for the treatment of diarrhoea implemented at the community level on physical growth among children 6 to 35 months of age.Methods:The service areas of 30 community health workers in the Matlab field site of International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, were randomly allocated to the intervention or comparison study arm. Between November 1998 and October 2000, caretakers of 3‐ to 59‐month‐old children with diarrhoea in both intervention and comparison areas were offered oral rehydration solution and feeding advice, and severe episodes were referred for facility‐based care. The caretakers of the children in the intervention area were additionally offered 20 mg/day elemental zinc for 14 days as adjunct treatment for each diarrhoea episode. Weight and length of children who were 6 to 11 months of age at the beginning of the study were measured every 2 months for 2 years. Rates of length and weight gains were compared between children living in intervention and control arms using a latent growth model.Results:Characteristics of children living in control and intervention areas were similar, except that more children living in intervention areas were underweight at baseline (44 vs 35%; P = 0.02). Children living in intervention clusters gained slightly more weight and length than children in the control clusters (86.4 g/year and 2.8 mm/year, respectively).Conclusions:The therapeutic use of zinc along with oral rehydration solution for community‐based diarrhoea management may have a small positive benefit on the rates of growth among children younger than 3 years of age.
Candida aurissp. nov., a novel ascomycetous yeast isolated from the external ear canal of an inpatient in a Japanese hospital
Authors: Satoh Kazuo , Makimura Koichi , Hasumi Yayoi , Nishiyama Yayoi , Uchida Katsuhisa , Yamaguchi Hideyo 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTA single strain of a novel ascomycetous yeast species belonging to the genusCandidawas isolated from the external ear canal of an inpatient in a Japanese hospital. Analyses of the 26S rDNA D1/D2 domain, nuclear ribosomal DNA ITS region sequences, and chemotaxonomic studies indicated that this strain represents a new species with a close phylogenetic relationship toCandida ruelliaeandCandida haemuloniiin the Metschnikowiaceae clade. This strain grew well at 40 °C, but showed slow and weak growth at 42 °C. The taxonomic description ofCandida aurissp. nov. is proposed (type strain JCM15448T= CBS10913T= DSM21092T).
Simple broad‐spectrum protocol using labiase for bacterial cell lysis to prepare genomic DNA for pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis analysis
Authors: Oana Kozue , Kawakami Yoshiyuki , Hayashi Tetsuya , Ohnishi Makoto 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTWe have developed a simple broad‐spectrum protocol using labiase for bacterial cell lysis in pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis analysis. The protocol reported here is widely applicable to the preparations of genomic DNA from Gram‐negative and ‐positive pathogens, including enterococcal strains resistant to any conventional lysis protocols.
IL‐4‐dependent induction of IgE+ basophils in peripheral blood and IgE+ B cells in spleen as respective indicators of allergen sensitization and a precursor of cells secreting allergen‐specific IgE antibody
Authors: Miyoshi‐Higashino Masako , Hirano Masayo , Ogita‐Nakanishi Hiromi , Yamamoto‐Kimoto Yumiko , Sakurai Kanji , Tashiro‐Yamaji Junko , Nomi Hayahito , Takahashi Takeshi , Miura‐Takeda Sayako , Takenaka Hiroshi , Kubota Takahiro , Yoshida Ryotaro 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTIt was recently reported by us that either primary i.n. or i.p. injection of cedar pollen extract into BALB/c mice, or a second s.c. injection of the allergen into i.v. or s.c. sensitized mice, causes an IL‐4‐dependent increase in total IgE serum antibody to produce allergen‐specific IgE antibody upon further s.c. sensitization. To determine the biology of total IgE antibody, in the present study IgE+ cells in peripheral blood or lymphoid tissues of allergen‐sensitized BALB/c mice have been characterized. In peripheral blood, mice sensitized one to three times with the allergen produced a 2.5‐ to 4‐fold increase in the number of IgE+ cells, with a time‐course similar to that of the concentration of total IgE antibody in serum. These IgE+ cells were basophils. On the other hand, the number of IgE+ cells in the lymphoid tissues did not change significantly after an i.n., i.p., i.v. or s.c. injection of allergen into the mice, whereas a second s.c. injection of the allergen into the i.v.‐, but not into the i.n.‐, i.p.‐ or s.c.‐, sensitized mice induced a small number of IgE+/IgM+/B220+ B cells in the spleen. In contrast, IgE+ cells were not seen in the blood or spleen of IL‐4 ‐/‐ mice after sensitization with the allergen.These results suggest that IgE+ basophils in the peripheral blood, and IgE+ B cells in the spleen, might be IL‐4‐dependently induced as an indicator of sensitization with allergen, and a precursor of cells secreting allergen‐specific IgE antibody, respectively.
Changes in women's use of illicit drugs following imprisonment
Authors: Plugge Emma , Yudkin Patricia , Douglas Nicola 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTAim  To provide data on changes in illegal drug use in women following imprisonment.Design  Prospective cohort study.Setting  Recruitment took place in two prisons in the Midlands and South‐East England and follow‐up in 13 prisons across England.Participants  A total of 505 women prisoners participated, a response rate of 82%.Measurements  Questions about drug use were contained within a questionnaire which examined broad aspects of health. On entry into prison, women answered questions about daily drug use and injecting drug use prior to imprisonment. One month later the questionnaires examined drug use during this period of imprisonment.Findings  Prior to imprisonment, 53% [95% confidence interval (CI): 49–58%] of women took at least one illegal drug daily and 38% (CI: 34–42%) said they had ever injected drugs. Following imprisonment, some women continued to use drugs; 14% (CI: 10–20%) of women reported using at least one illegal drug daily and 2% (CI: 0.7–5%) of women had injected drugs. There were important changes in the types of drugs used; there was a change in use from crack and heroin to benzodiazepines and opiate substitutes. Prior to imprisonment, women most commonly used crack and heroin, but in prison the two most commonly used illegal drugs were benzodiazepines and opiate substitutes.Conclusions  The study provides quantitative evidence of the impact of imprisonment on drug use among women. It highlights the need for enhanced drug treatment services and stronger measures to reduce the availability of illegal drugs to women in prison.
The role of personality dispositions to risky behavior in predicting first‐year college drinking
Authors: Cyders Melissa A. , Flory Kate , Rainer Sarah , Smith Gregory T. 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTAims  US college student drinking is associated with enormous risks to health, safety and productivity. Recent advances in personality research that have delineated multiple, separate dispositions to engage in risky behaviors may help to clarify the personality contribution to risk for this problem.Design  The authors compared the prospective roles of sensation seeking, lack of planning, lack of perseverance, negative urgency and positive urgency (dispositions to engage in rash action when in an unusually negative or positive mood, respectively) in predicting increases in drinking frequency, drinking quantity and negative outcomes from consumption across the first year of college.Setting  University of Kentucky campus.Participants  A total of 418 first‐year US college students enrolled in an Introduction to Psychology course during the first assessment; 293 participants completed both phases of the study.Measurements  Participants completed self‐report measures of personality and drinking behavior twice during the first year of college [the UPPS‐R Impulsive Behavior Scale, positive urgency measure (PUM) and Drinking Styles Questionnaire (DSQ)].Findings  Whereas sensation seeking related to increases in the frequency with which college students drank alcohol, positive urgency predicted increases in (i) the quantity of alcohol students consumed at any given drinking episode and (ii) negative outcomes experienced from drinking.Conclusions  It appears that although sensation seeking is a risk factor for participation in drinking behaviors, risk for increased quantity of consumption and its negative outcomes may be more a function of dyscontrol stemming from high positive mood for college students.
Factors associated with incarceration and incident human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among injection drug users participating in an HIV vaccine trial in Bangkok, Thailand, 1999–2003
Authors: Suntharasamai Pravan , Martin Michael , Vanichseni Suphak , Van Griensven Frits , Mock Philip A. , Pitisuttithum Punnee , Tappero Jordan W. , Sangkum Udomsak , Kitayaporn Dwip , Gurwith Marc , Choopanya Kachit 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTAims To determine if incarceration was associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and identify risk factors for incarceration among injection drug users (IDUs) participating in an HIV vaccine trial in Bangkok.Design The AIDSVAX B/E HIV vaccine trial was a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study. A proportional hazards model was used to evaluate demographic characteristics, risk behavior and incarceration as predictors of HIV infection and generalized estimation equation logistic regression analysis to investigate demographic characteristics and risk behaviors for predictors of incarceration.Setting The trial was conducted in Bangkok Metropolitan Administration drug‐treatment clinics, 1999–2003.Participants A total of 2546 HIV‐uninfected IDUs enrolled in the trial.Measurements HIV testing was performed and an interviewer‐administered questionnaire was used to assess risk behavior and incarceration at baseline and every 6 months for a total of 36 months.Findings HIV incidence was 3.4 per 100 person‐years [95% confidence interval (CI), 3.0–3.9] and did not differ among vaccine and placebo recipients. In multivariable analysis, being in jail (P < 0.04), injecting (P < 0.0001), injecting daily (P < 0.0001) and sharing needles (P = 0.02) were associated with HIV infection and methadone maintenance was protective (P = 0.0006). Predictors of incarceration in multivariable analysis included: male sex (P = 0.04), younger age (P < 0.0001), less education (P = 0.001) and being in jail (P < 0.0001) or prison (P < 0.0001) before enrollment.Conclusions Among IDUs in the AIDSVAX B/E trial, incarceration in jail was associated with incident HIV infection. IDUs in Thailand remain at high risk of HIV infection and additional prevention tools are needed urgently. HIV prevention services, including methadone, should be made available to IDUs.
A double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial of modafinil (200 mg/day) for methamphetamine dependence
Authors: Shearer James , Darke Shane , Rodgers Craig , Slade Tim , Van Beek Ingrid , Lewis John , Brady Donna , McKetin Rebecca , Mattick Richard P. , Wodak Alex 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTAim  To examine the safety and efficacy of modafinil (200 mg/day) compared to placebo in the treatment of methamphetamine dependence and to examine predictors of post‐treatment outcome.Participants and design  Eighty methamphetamine‐dependent subjects in Sydney, Australia were allocated randomly to modafinil (200 mg/day) (n = 38) or placebo (n = 42) under double‐blind conditions for 10 weeks with a further 12 weeks post‐ treatment follow‐up.Measures  Comprehensive drug use data (urine specimens and self‐report) and other health and psychosocial data were collected weekly during treatment and research interviews at baseline, week 10 and week 22.Results  Treatment retention and medication adherence were equivalent between groups. There were no differences in methamphetamine abstinence, craving or severity of dependence. Medication‐compliant subjects tended to provide more methamphetamine‐negative urine samples over the 10‐week treatment period (P = 0.07). Outcomes were better for methamphetamine‐dependent subjects with no other substance dependence and those who accessed counselling. There were statistically significant reductions in systolic blood pressure (P = 0.03) and weight gain (P = 0.05) in modafinil‐compliant subjects compared to placebo. There were no medication‐related serious adverse events. Adverse events were generally mild and consistent with known pharmacological effects.Conclusions  Modafinil demonstrated promise in reducing methamphetamine use in selected methamphetamine‐dependent patients. The study findings support definitive trials of modafinil in larger multi‐site trials.
Effects of beverage alcohol price and tax levels on drinking: a meta‐analysis of 1003 estimates from 112 studies
Authors: Wagenaar Alexander C. , Salois Matthew J. , Komro Kelli A. 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTAims  We conducted a systematic review of studies examining relationships between measures of beverage alcohol tax or price levels and alcohol sales or self‐reported drinking. A total of 112 studies of alcohol tax or price effects were found, containing1003 estimates of the tax/price–consumption relationship.Design  Studies included analyses of alternative outcome measures, varying subgroups of the population, several statistical models, and using different units of analysis. Multiple estimates were coded from each study, along with numerous study characteristics. Using reported estimates, standard errors, t‐ratios, sample sizes and other statistics, we calculated the partial correlation for the relationship between alcohol price or tax and sales or drinking measures for each major model or subgroup reported within each study. Random‐effects models were used to combine studies for inverse variance weighted overall estimates of the magnitude and significance of the relationship between alcohol tax/price and drinking.Findings  Simple means of reported elasticities are −0.46 for beer, −0.69 for wine and −0.80 for spirits. Meta‐analytical results document the highly significant relationships (P < 0.001) between alcohol tax or price measures and indices of sales or consumption of alcohol (aggregate‐level r = −0.17 for beer, −0.30 for wine, −0.29 for spirits and −0.44 for total alcohol). Price/tax also affects heavy drinking significantly (mean reported elasticity = −0.28, individual‐level r = −0.01, P < 0.01), but the magnitude of effect is smaller than effects on overall drinking.Conclusions  A large literature establishes that beverage alcohol prices and taxes are related inversely to drinking. Effects are large compared to other prevention policies and programs. Public policies that raise prices of alcohol are an effective means to reduce drinking.
Drug use and perceived treatment need among newly sentenced prisoners in England and Wales
Authors: Stewart Duncan 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTAims  To investigate pre‐custody levels of drug use among newly sentenced prisoners and factors associated with perceived drug treatment need.Design, setting and participants  A sample of 1457 prisoners was recruited to a general purpose longitudinal survey of convicted prisoners starting a new sentence.Measurements  Data were collected by structured interviews on reception to prison. Measures were taken of illicit drug use, drug treatment history, current treatment needs, psychological health and a range of social problems.Findings  Life‐time use of heroin, crack cocaine, cocaine powder, amphetamines or cannabis was reported by 79% of prisoners. Cannabis was the drug reported most commonly, but approximately a third had used heroin or crack cocaine during the year before custody. Nearly half of recent drug users reported wanting help or support with a drug problem during their sentence. Dependence on heroin and cocaine, previous drug treatment, employment, accommodation and psychological health problems were all associated positively with perceived treatment need.Conclusions  The prevalence of pre‐custody drug use among this sample of newly sentenced prisoners was high. Because treatment need was associated with a range of drug, health and social factors, assessment and referral to appropriate interventions should occur as soon as possible on reception. Treatment should be coordinated with other services and support.
A survey of tobacco dependence treatment services in 36 countries
Authors: Raw Martin , Regan Susan , Rigotti Nancy A. , McNeill Ann 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTAims  This paper reports the results of a survey of national tobacco dependence treatment services in 36 countries. The objective was to describe the services and discuss the results in the context of Article 14 of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which asks countries to promote adequate treatment for tobacco dependence.Design, setting and participants  A questionnaire on tobacco dependence treatment services was e‐mailed to a convenience sample of contacts in 2007. Completed questionnaires were received from contacts in 36 countries.Measurements  The survey instrument was a 10‐item questionnaire asking about treatment policy and practice, including medications.Findings  According to our informants, fewer than half the countries in our survey had an official written policy on (44%), or a government official responsible for (49%), treatment. Only 19% had a specialized national treatment system and only 24% said help was easily available in general practice. Most countries (94%) allowed the sale of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), bupropion (75%) and varenicline (69%) but only 40% permitted NRT on ‘general sale’. Very few countries responding to the question fully reimbursed any of the medications. Fewer than half (45%) fully reimbursed brief advice and only 29% fully reimbursed intensive specialist support. Only 31% of countries said that their official treatment policy included the mandatory recording of patients' smoking status in medical notes.Conclusion  Taken together, our findings show that few countries have well‐developed tobacco dependence treatment services and that, at a national level, treatment is not yet a priority in most countries.
Family members of people with alcohol or drug dependence: health problems and medical cost compared to family members of people with diabetes and asthma
Authors: Ray G. Thomas , Mertens Jennifer R. , Weisner Constance 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTAims  To compare the medical costs and prevalence of health conditions of family members of people with an alcohol or drug dependence (AODD) diagnosis to family members of people with diabetes and asthma.Setting  Kaiser Permanente of Northern California (KPNC).Participants  Family members of people diagnosed with AODD between 2002 and 2005, and matched samples of family members of people diagnosed with diabetes and asthma.Measurements  Logistic regression was used to determine whether the family members of people with AODD were more likely to be diagnosed with medical conditions than family members of people with diabetes or asthma. Multivariate models were used to compare health services cost and utilization of AODD family members and diabetes and asthma family members. Analyses were for the year before, and 2 years following, initial diagnosis of the index person.Findings  In the year before initial diagnosis of the index person, AODD family members were more likely to be diagnosed with substance use disorders, depression and trauma than diabetes or asthma family members. AODD family members had higher total health‐care costs than diabetes family members in the year following, and the second year following, the index date ($217 and $293, respectively). AODD family members had higher total health‐care costs than asthma family members in the year before, and second year following, the index date ($104 and $269, respectively).Conclusions  AODD family members have unique patterns of health conditions compared to the diabetes and asthma family members and have similar, or higher, health‐care cost and utilization.
Adherence to best practice guidelines in dyspepsia: a survey comparing dyspepsia experts, community gastroenterologists and primary‐care providers
Authors: SPIEGEL B. M. R. , FARID M. , VAN OIJEN M. G. H. , LAINE L. , HOWDEN C. W. , ESRAILIAN E. 
Published: January 2009

SummaryBackground  Although ‘best practice’ guidelines for dyspepsia management have been disseminated, it remains unclear whether providers adhere to these guidelines.Aim  To compare adherence to ‘best practice’ guidelines among dyspepsia experts, community gastroenterologists and primary‐care providers (PCPs).Methods  We administered a vignette survey to elicit knowledge and beliefs about dyspepsia including a set of 16 best practices, to three groups: (i) dyspepsia experts; (ii) community gastroenterologists and (iii) PCPs.Results  The expert, community gastroenterologist and PCP groups endorsed 75%, 73% and 57% of best practices respectively. Gastroenterologists were more likely to adhere with guidelines than PCPs (P < 0.0001). PCPs were more likely to define dyspepsia incorrectly, overuse radiographic testing, delay endoscopy, treat empirically for Helciobacter pylori without confirmatory testing and avoid first‐line proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). PCPs had more concerns about adverse events with PPIs [e.g. osteoporosis (P = 0.04), community‐acquired pneumonia (P = 0.01)] and higher level of concern predicted lower guideline adherence (P = 0.04).Conclusions  Gastroenterologists are more likely than PCPs to comply with best practices in dyspepsia, although compliance remains incomplete in both groups. PCPs harbour more concerns regarding long‐term PPI use and these concerns may affect therapeutic decision making. This suggests that best practices have not been uniformly adopted and persistent guideline‐practice disconnects should be addressed.
The views of gastroenterologists about the role of nurse endoscopists, especially in colorectal cancer screening
Authors: VAN PUTTEN P. G. , VAN LEERDAM M. E. , KUIPERS E. J. 
Published: January 2009

SummaryBackground  Nurse endoscopists may provide a solution for the insufficient endoscopic capacity in colorectal cancer (CRC) screening.Aim  To determine the views of gastroenterologists about the potential role of nurse endoscopists in gastrointestinal endoscopy.Methods  A postal questionnaire was sent to all registered gastroenterologists (n = 301) and gastroenterology residents (n = 79) in the Netherlands.Results  Two hundred and thirty five of 380 (62%) gastroenterologists and residents completed the questionnaire. Overall, 48% were positive towards introduction of nurse endoscopists, whereas 18% were neutral and 34% negative. Respondents expected no major differences in endoscopic quality between physicians and nurse endoscopists. Nevertheless, 69% expected that patient experiences would be better met by physicians. Multivariate analysis showed that actual experience with nurse endoscopists and beliefs that nurse endoscopists are able to provide adequate endoscopic quality and good patient experiences, were independent predictors for a positive attitude towards introduction of nurse endoscopists [OR 6.6 (2.3–18.4), OR 1.9 (1.2–3.5) and OR 2.1 (1.2–2.9), respectively]. Respectively 89% and 66% of the respondents considered sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy for CRC screening as appropriate procedures to be performed by nurse endoscopists. Diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopies were considered less appropriate.Conclusion  A majority of gastroenterologists have a positive attitude towards introduction of nurse endoscopists, especially for CRC screening endoscopies.