bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Validation of techniques to detect illicit heroin use in patients prescribed pharmaceutical heroin for the management of opioid dependence
Authors: Paterson S. , Lintzeris N. , Mitchell T. B. , Cordero R. , Nestor L. , Strang J. 
Published: November 2005

ABSTRACTBackground  The clinical implementation and evaluation of heroin substitution programmes have been confounded by the lack of objective and validated biomarkers for illicit heroin use in patients prescribed pharmaceutical heroin. This study examined the capacity to detect illicit heroin use by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) analysis of urine samples for the presence of opium impurities common to illicit, but not pharmaceutical heroin.Aims  To characterize the diagnostic properties of the metabolites of noscapine and papaverine in comparison to morphine as a gold‐standard marker of illicit heroin use; and to examine the relationships between the self‐reported time since most recent heroin use and the detection of these opioids in urine.Design  A cross‐sectional study of 52 opioid‐dependent patients in treatment (not prescribed heroin), who self‐reported illicit heroin use within the preceding 2 weeks. Self‐report data regarding recent drug use and a urine sample were collected. GC‐MS analyses of urines were conducted and reported by laboratory staff blinded to self‐report data.Findings  The metabolites of papaverine (hydroxypapaverine and dihydroxypapeverine) were found to have high sensitivity, specificity and negative predictive values as markers for illicit heroin use compared to the ‘gold‐standard’ morphine. Other opioids, including 6‐mono‐acetylmorphine (6‐MAM), codeine and noscapine metabolites (e.g. meconine) were less adequate in detecting heroin use.Conclusions  GC‐MS detection of papaverine metabolites in urine appears to be suitable method of identifying illicit heroin use for clinical and research purposes.
Gender‐specific mortality associated with alcohol consumption in Poland in transition*
Authors: Wojtyniak Bogdan , Moskalewicz Jacek , Stokwiszewski Jakub , Rabczenko Daniel 
Published: November 2005

ABSTRACTAims  To show the impact of rapid political and economic transitions on alcohol consumption and associated mortality in different socio‐demographic segments of the Polish society, with particular focus on gender differences. Two causes of death associated with drinking (liver diseases and alcohol poisoning) are investigated.Design  Mortality time series 1986–2002 are analysed against consumption estimates and population drinking survey data.Setting  Poland 1986–2002.Participants  General adult population.Measurement  Age‐standardized annual and 3‐year death rates were calculated for age, gender and place of residence subgroups. For education, age‐standardized relative frequency of deaths or proportional mortality in four basic educational levels was calculated.Findings  Alcohol‐related mortality shows great variability in response to substantial changes in alcohol consumption. Patterns of mortality and their magnitude of change correspond with average alcohol consumption and are therefore different for men and women, for different age and educational groups and in urban and rural areas. Level of education, however, may affect alcohol‐related mortality more strongly than overall alcohol intake, particularly with regard to acute consequences of drinking.Conclusion  The Polish experience illustrates that the impact of rapid political and economic transitions on alcohol consumption and associated mortality is highly differentiated and specific to gender and social class.
Alcohol and the economic crisis in Argentina: recent findings*
Authors: Munné Myriam I. 
Published: November 2005

ABSTRACTAims  In 2002 Argentina participated in the GENACIS project (Gender, Alcohol, and Culture: An International Study) as one of the countries funded by the World Health Organization. Four questions about the current economic crisis in Argentina were added to the original GENACIS questionnaire in order to find out the opinions of the general population in relation to alcohol and the economic crisis.Methods  Gender differences in the answers to these questions were examined. Logistic regression was used to identify demographic, drinking pattern and drinking problems variables related significantly to responses to the economic crisis questions.Findings  During the economic crisis people stopped or reduced going to bars and instead drank at home or at friends’ homes. A large number of respondents also reported that people had changed to cheaper or lower‐quality alcoholic drinks. Women were more likely to agree with statements that the economic crisis had increased ‘escape’ drinking and required reductions in money spent on alcohol; men were more likely to agree that the crisis had led to less drinking in bars and to the purchase of cheaper or lower‐quality alcoholic beverages. Respondents who reported having significant others with drinking‐related problems were more likely to endorse all four statements about effects of the economic crisis on drinking behaviour. A qualitative approach was used to discuss themes in the general comments that were recorded by the interviewers while collecting data. A strongly moralistic attitude towards alcohol was present in these comments, especially among women.Conclusion  The findings suggest that the economic crisis in Argentina led to major changes in patterns of drinking that differed according to gender roles and other demographic variables. The long‐term effects of these changes remain to be determined as economic circumstances improve.
Developments in alcohol consumption in reunited Germany
Authors: Bloomfield Kim , Grittner Ulrike , Kramer Stephanie 
Published: November 2005

ABSTRACTAims  To investigate changes in measures of frequency of general alcohol and beverage‐specific alcohol drinking in eastern and western Germany between 1991 and 1998.Design, setting and participants  Data come from two nationally representative health surveys, one conducted in 1991/1992 and the other in 1998. The earlier sample comprises two separate surveys, a 1991 western German survey (n = 5255) and a 1992 eastern German survey (n = 2211); the sample from 1998 contains information from 5463 people. The two 1991/1992 samples were merged to produce a single data set, comprising 7466 cases. The 1998 sample was limited to people aged 25–69 years, the age range of the 1991/1992 surveys.Measurements  The surveys included measures of current drinking, current beverage‐specific drinking, weekly drinking, daily drinking, heavy drinking and mean amount consumed per day.Findings  The prevalence of almost all measures of drinking frequency declined in both regions of Germany and for both genders. Decreases were larger in the East and especially for frequency of current spirits drinking and daily drinking. Despite the decreases, western women consistently consumed at higher levels than eastern women, as did eastern men in relation to western men. Moreover, gender and regional differences within the country decreased.Conclusions  Overall frequency of consumption has declined in Germany in the 1990s and drinking behaviour in the two regions has become more similar.
Pattern of drinking and fatal injury: a population‐based follow‐up study of Finnish men
Authors: Paljärvi Tapio , Mäkelä Pia , Poikolainen Kari 
Published: November 2005

ABSTRACTAim  To find out how the frequency of drinking one to two drinks, three to four drinks and five or more drinks of alcohol per drinking occasion predicts injury mortality in 16 years of follow‐up among the Finnish 15–69‐year‐old male population.Design  Three alcohol surveys conducted in 1969, 1976 and 1984 were pooled and linked with mortality information from the national cause of death register.Method  Cox proportional hazard models were used for analysing the survival time data.Findings  Drinking at the level of one to two drinks, regardless of frequency, did not elevate the risk of fatal injury, nor did drinking at the level of three to four drinks. Drinking five or more drinks at a time significantly increased the risk of fatal injury in graded relation, compared with those who never drank at that level. The risk was highest for those who drank five or more drinks at a time at least weekly (RR = 5.78, 95% CI = 2.80–11.94), when adjusted for possible confounders.Conclusions  We found that besides the total volume of consumption, a drinking pattern that involves drinking occasions when consumption exceeds four drinks of alcohol at a time leads to a significant increase in the risk of fatal injury among Finnish men. The risk is highest among those who have the highest annual number of heavy drinking occasions. The finding does not support the hypothesis that alcohol tolerance would lower the risk of fatal injuries among frequent heavy drinkers.
A comparison of buprenorphine and lofexidine for community opiate detoxification: results from a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Raistrick Duncan , West David , Finnegan Olwyn , Thistlethwaite Gill , Brearley Roger , Banbery Jo 
Published: November 2005

ABSTRACTObjective  To investigate whether a buprenorphine opiate detoxification regimen can be considered to be at least as clinically effective as a lofexidine regimen.Design  An open‐label randomized controlled trial (RCT) using a non‐inferiority approach. Non‐inferiority is demonstrated if, within a 95% confidence interval, buprenorphine performs within a preset tolerance limit of clinically acceptable difference in outcomes and completion rates between the two treatments.Methods  Individuals ready for heroin detoxification were given information about the trial and invited to participate. Consenting participants (n = 210) were then randomized to one of the two treatments. Detoxification was undertaken in a specialist out‐patient clinic according to predefined protocols. The primary outcome was whether or not an individual completed the detoxification. Abstinence at 1‐month follow‐up was used as a secondary outcome measure. Additional secondary outcome measures were substance use, dependence, psychological health, social satisfaction, and treatment satisfaction. Data were also collected for individuals who declined randomization and instead chose their treatment (n = 271).Results  A total of 46% of those on lofexidine and 65% of those on buprenorphine completed detoxification. Of these, 35.7% of the lofexidine and 45.9% of the buprenorphine groups reported abstinence at 1 month. Of those not completing detoxification abstinence was reported at 27.5% and 29.0%, respectively; 271 individuals who opted not to be allocated randomly and instead chose one of the two treatments produced similar resultsConclusions  Buprenorphine is at least as effective as lofexidine detoxification treatment. Whether or not individuals were randomized to, or chose, a treatment appeared not to affect the study's outcome.
Cytological and molecular analyses of non‐host resistance of Arabidopsis thaliana to Alternaria alternata
Authors: NARUSAKA YOSHIHIRO , NARUSAKA MARI , SEKI MOTOAKI , ISHIDA JUNKO , SHINOZAKI KAZUO , NAN YOH , PARK PYOYUN , SHIRAISHI TOMONORI , KOBAYASHI MASATOMO 
Published: November 2005

SUMMARYWhen challenged with the necrotrophic fungal pathogen Alternaria alternata Japanese pear pathotype, all tested ecotypes of Arabidopsis plants failed to show hypersensitive cell death, accumulation of detectable levels of reactive oxygen species or accumulation of phytoalexin. We operationally define A. alternata as a non‐host pathogen for Arabidopsis plants and show that the protection against A. alternata demonstrated in this study is a non‐host penetration resistance. To characterize non‐host penetration resistance, we examined the expression patterns of c. 7000 genes by cDNA microarray analysis in Arabidopsis Col‐0 plants after inoculation with A. alternata. After inoculation with A. alternata, the transcript levels of 48 genes increased in Col‐0 plants. The expression of genes associated with hypersensitive reaction was induced in the non‐host penetration resistance to A. alternata, despite the fact that A. alternata had no visible effect on the plants. The non‐host penetration resistance to A. alternata was clearly associated with activation of the jasmonate‐ and ethylene‐signalling pathways. In addition, analysis using histochemical staining of GUS activity suggests that defence reactions in non‐host penetration resistance are activated locally. The characterization of non‐host pathosystem involving Arabidopsis and A. alternata offers an overview of non‐host penetration resistance.
Review article: immediate‐release proton‐pump inhibitor therapy – potential advantages
Authors: HOWDEN C. W. 
Published: November 2005

SummaryThe absorption of most oral proton‐pump inhibitors is delayed by the enteric coating required to protect the acid‐labile proton‐pump inhibitor from degradation in the stomach and, as a result, antisecretory effect is also delayed.This article provides an overview of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of a new immediate‐release omeprazole [(IR‐OME) Zegerid power for oral suspension; Santarus Inc., San Diego, CA, USA] and its potential advantages over delayed‐release proton‐pump inhibitors.Immediate‐release omeprazole has a higher mean peak plasma omeprazole concentration (Cmax) and a significantly shorter mean time to reach Cmax (tmax) than delayed‐release omeprazole. Immediate‐release omeprazole 40 mg has a prolonged antisecretory effect with median intragastric pH above 4.0 for 18.6 h/day at steady‐state, after 7 days of once daily dosing. The sodium bicarbonate in immediate‐release omeprazole protects the uncoated omeprazole from degradation by gastric acid. The accelerated antisecretory action of immediate‐release omeprazole compared with delayed‐release omeprazole may be due to the activation of proton pumps by the rapid neutralization of intragastric acid by the sodium bicarbonate. The faster onset of action seen with immediate‐release omeprazole is not achieved by using an antacid with a delayed‐release proton‐pump inhibitor, because administering antacids with conventional delayed‐release proton‐pump inhibitors does not significantly enhance absorption of the proton‐pump inhibitor.In conclusion, immediate‐release omeprazole is associated with rapid absorption of omeprazole and rapid onset of antisecretory effect, without compromising the duration of acid suppression.
Review article: oesophageal pH monitoring – technologies, interpretation and correlation with clinical outcomes
Authors: KAHRILAS P. J. , PANDOLFINO J. E. 
Published: November 2005

SummaryUsing a simple ‘test’ to diagnose gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease is difficult because accurately measuring gastric refluxate and correlating reflux events with symptom episodes is complex. This paper reviews the safety, tolerability and diagnostic accuracy of Bravo (Medtronic, Shoreview, MN, USA), ambulatory oesophageal pH monitoring technology.Catheter‐based pH electrodes inhibit patients’ normal activity, and can yield erroneous results because of placement or subsequent migration of the probe or errors in the thermal compensation algorithm that is requisite for antimony pH electrodes. Bravo pH studies reliably discriminated oesophagitis patients from controls, but are less discriminatory in endoscopy‐negative gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease patients. The Bravo system can be accurately placed using endoscopic landmarks and pH studies demonstrated more accurate in vivo pH recording than with a catheter‐based system. The Bravo system detected fewer reflux events of short duration compared with a catheter‐based system. Studies examining the correlation between reflux events and symptoms have not yet been conducted using the Bravo system.In conclusion, the Bravo system offers a more user‐friendly ambulatory pH monitoring technique that more accurately records pH compared with a catheter‐based system. More research is needed to determine whether the detection of reflux events with Bravo will provide a good correlation with symptom episodes.
Review article: alternative approaches to the long‐term management of GERD
Authors: FENNERTY M. B. 
Published: November 2005

SummaryAlthough proton‐pump inhibitors are highly effective for the treatment of gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease, there are issues with long‐term maintenance therapy: not all patients require full daily dose for maintenance treatment, some patients are reluctant to take long‐term daily medication, and long‐term PPI therapy is inadequate for some patients.This article aims to review alternatives to daily proton‐pump inhibitor therapy for the long‐term management of gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease, including intermittent or on‐demand proton‐pump inhibitor use, as well as endoscopic and surgical options.On‐demand proton‐pump inhibitor therapy has demonstrated efficacy in achieving acceptable symptom control, healing and maintenance of quality of life for a proportion of patients with gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease. Endoscopic antireflux procedures can reduce the need for proton‐pump inhibitor therapy, but safety and durability of these procedures require more study. Surgical treatment of gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease in properly selected patients has demonstrated efficacy in reducing symptoms and the need for proton‐pump inhibitor therapy; however, long‐term follow‐up suggests that it is not a permanent solution for many patients.While daily proton‐pump inhibitor therapy remains the main treatment regimen option for most patients with gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease, on‐demand therapy may prove effective for many patients. Endoscopic anti‐reflux therapies and surgery are options for patients who prefer nonpharmacological treatment, but experience is limited at this point in time for the former.
Review article: prevention of stress‐related mucosal bleeding with proton‐pump inhibitors
Authors: MATON P. N. 
Published: November 2005

SummaryStress‐related gastric mucosal bleeding occurs in a substantial number of critically ill patients, with clinically important gastrointestinal bleeding prolonging intensive care stay and increasing mortality. This paper reviews the role of proton‐pump inhibitors in the prevention of stress‐related mucosal bleeding.Bleeding prophylaxis appears to be warranted in patients in intensive care units on mechanical ventilation or those who have coagulopathy. Intravenous histamine H2 receptor antagonists, particularly cimetidine, have demonstrated efficacy for the prevention of bleeding in critically ill patients. Standard delayed‐release proton‐pump inhibitors have not been extensively studied in this patient group, but there are some data to support their efficacy in increasing intragastric pH, and in the case of intravenous pantoprazole in preventing gastrointestinal bleeding. In a large, randomized controlled trial, immediate‐release omeprazole [(IR‐OME) Zegerid powder for oral suspension; Santarus Inc., San Diego, CA, USA] administered via gastric tube, was as effective as intravenous cimetidine in the prevention of clinically significant bleeding, and more effective in increasing gastric pH. Effective antisecretory therapy does not appear to increase the risk of nosocomial pneumonia.In conclusion, immediate‐release omeprazole provides a safe and effective alternative to intravenous cimetidine for the prevention of stress‐related mucosal bleeding in critically ill patients.
Review article: the unmet needs in delayed‐release proton‐pump inhibitor therapy in 2005
Authors: HUNT R. H. 
Published: November 2005

SummaryProton‐pump inhibitors have been highly effective in managing acid‐related gastrointestinal disorders, but challenges remain. This paper reviews the challenges in the management of patients with gastro‐oesophageal symptoms who do not respond adequately to proton‐pump inhibitor therapy; the treatment of patients with non‐variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding; the prevention of stress‐related mucosal bleeding; the treatment and prevention of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug‐related gastrointestinal injury; and the optimal combination of antisecretory and antibiotic therapy for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection, all of which represent unmet clinical needs.Antisecretory therapy with a rapid onset of action and sustained antisecretory effect may help to address some of the unmet needs discussed, especially in the management of gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease, non‐variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding and non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug‐related gastrointestinal complications.
Diagnostic accuracy of the serum profile of gastric mucosa in relation to histological and morphometric diagnosis of atrophy
Authors: NARDONE G. , ROCCO A. , STAIBANO S. , MEZZA E. , AUTIERO G. , COMPARE D. , DE ROSA G. , BUDILLON G. 
Published: November 2005

SummaryBackground : Histology is the gold standard for diagnosis of atrophy but is hampered by observer variation. A reliable method to overcome this issue is morphometric analysis of gastric mucosa. Serum pepsinogens and gastrin have been proposed in the diagnostic work‐up of gastric atrophy although diagnostic accuracy of these tests is considered unsatisfactory.Aim : To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of gastric serum profile in relation both to morphological and morphometric diagnosis of gastric atrophy.Methods : Ninety‐four dyspeptic out‐patients underwent upper endoscopy and evaluation of serum levels of PGI, PGII and 17‐gastrin. Diagnostic accuracy of gastric serum profile was tested by receiver operating characteristic curves and by evaluation of sensitivity and specificity in relation to both histology and morphometric analyses.Results : As far as concern to histological evaluation, only PGI/PGII ratio showed an acceptable diagnostic accuracy in discrimination of gastric atrophy, while, when morphometric analysis was considered as reference, both serum PGI level and PGI/PGII ratio showed an excellent performance. However, both PGI and PGI/PGII ratio showed low sensitivity and high specificity.Conclusions : Serological gastric profile corresponds better with the morphometric diagnosis of atrophy, even if, because of the low sensitivity, today this could only be used as screening test of chronic atrophic gastritis.
White spotting in the domestic cat (Felis catus) maps near KIT on feline chromosome B1
Authors: Cooper M. P. , Fretwell N. , Bailey S. J. , Lyons L. A. 
Published: November 2005

SummaryFive feline‐derived microsatellite markers were genotyped in a large pedigree of cats that segregates for ventral white spotting. Both KIT and EDNRB cause similar white spotting phenotypes in other species. Thus, three of the five microsatellite markers chosen were on feline chromosome B1 in close proximity to KIT; the other two markers were on feline chromosome A1 near EDNRB. Pairwise linkage analysis supported linkage of the white spotting with the three chromosome B1 markers but not with the two chromosome A1 markers. This study indicates that KIT, or another gene within the linked region, is a candidate for white spotting in cats. Platelet‐derived growth factor alpha (PDGFRA) is also a strong candidate, assuming that the KIT–PDGFRA linkage group, which is conserved in many mammalian species, is also conserved in the cat.