bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Social exchange of cigarettes by youth
Authors: Forster J , Chen V , Blaine T , Perry C , Toomey T 
Published: May 2003

Objective:This study seeks to determine the magnitude, nature, and correlates of social exchange of cigarettes among youth who smoke.Design:Cross sectional survey.Setting:Schools in 29 Minnesota communities.Participants:All students in grades 8, 9, and 10 (ages 13–16 years) in each participating school. The parent/child response rate for the survey was 90%. Analyses included 4124 respondents who smoked at least one cigarette in the month before the survey.Outcome measures:Social exchange scale, consisting of 16 items assessing aspects of social provision and acquisition of cigarettes.Results:Almost 90% of youth in this study had obtained a cigarette from, and about 75% of them had provided cigarettes to, another teen in the prior month. Daily smokers provided to more teens and provided more often than those who smoked less than daily. Daily smokers also reported having more social sources, both teens and adults, than lighter smokers, and were more likely to have both bought from and sold cigarettes to other teens (p < 0.0001 for all comparisons between daily and less than daily smokers). In a multivariate analysis, social exchange was associated with grade, whether siblings and friends smoke, level of smoking, age of smoking initiation, parental influences and community norms about teen smoking, and buying cigarettes.Conclusions:Social provision and acquisition of cigarettes among teens are widespread, reciprocal behaviours. Parental and community expectations about smoking influence social exchange, possibly by providing opportunities or barriers for social smoking. Commercial and social availability are not mutually exclusive; rather social exchange extends the reach of commercial sources.
A cluster randomised controlled trial of smoking cessation in pregnant women comparing interventions based on the transtheoretical (stages of change) model to standard care
Authors: Lawrence T , Aveyard P , Evans O , Cheng K K 
Published: May 2003

Objectives:To evaluate the effectiveness in helping pregnant women stop smoking of two interventions (Pro-Change for a healthy pregnancy) based on the transtheoretical model of behaviour change (TTM) compared to current standard care.Design:Cluster randomised trial.Setting:Antenatal clinics in West Midlands, UK general practices.Participants:918 pregnant smokersInterventions:100 general practices were randomised into the three trial arms. Midwives in these practices delivered three interventions: A (standard care), B (TTM based self help manuals), and C (TTM based self help manuals plus sessions with an interactive computer program giving individualised smoking cessation advice).Main outcome measures:Biochemically confirmed smoking cessation for 10 weeks previously, and point prevalence abstinence, both measured at 30 weeks of pregnancy and 10 days after delivery.Results:There were small differences between the TTM arms. Combining the two arms, the odds ratios at 30 weeks were 2.09 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.90 to 4.85) for 10 week sustained abstinence and 2.92 (95% CI 1.42 to 6.03) for point prevalence abstinence relative to controls. At 10 days after delivery, the odds ratios were 2.81 (95% CI 1.11 to 7.13) and 1.85 (95% CI 1.00 to 3.41) for 10 week and point prevalence abstinence respectively.Conclusions:While there is a small borderline significant increase in quitting in the combined intervention arms compared with the controls, the effect of the intervention is small. At 30 weeks gestation and at 10 days postnatal, only about 3% of the intervention groups achieved sustained cessation, with numbers needed to treat of 67 (30 weeks of gestation) and 53 (10 weeks postnatal) for one additional woman to achieve sustained confirmed cessation. Given also that the intervention was resource intensive, it is of doubtful benefit.
How tobacco companies ensure prime placement of their advertising and products in stores: interviews with retailers about tobacco company incentive programmes
Authors: Feighery E C , Ribisl K M , Clark P I , Haladjian H H 
Published: May 2003

Background:About 81% of cigarette manufacturers’ marketing expenditures in the USA is spent to promote cigarette sales in stores. Relatively little is known about how these expenditures help the manufacturers achieve their marketing goals in stores. A better understanding of how tobacco companies influence the retail environment would help researchers and tobacco control activists to monitor industry presence in stores.Objective:To describe the types of tobacco company incentive programmes offered to retailers, how these programmes impact the store environments, and possible visual indicators of retailer participation in incentive programmes.Study design:In-depth qualitative interviews with a convenience sample of 29 tobacco retailers were conducted in 2001.Setting:USA.Main outcome measures:The types and requirements of retailer incentive programmes provided by tobacco companies, and how participation in a programme alters their stores.Results:The retailers provided insights into how tobacco companies convey promotional allowances and special offers to them and how these incentives shape the retail environment. Retailers noted that tobacco companies exert substantial control over their stores by requiring placement of products in the most visible locations, and of specific amounts and types of advertising in prime locations in the store. Retailers also described how tobacco companies reduce prices by offering them volume based discounts, “buy two, get one free” specials, and “buying down” the price of existing product.Conclusions:Tobacco companies are concentrating their marketing dollars at the point-of-sale to the extent that the store is their primary communication channel with customers. As a result, all shoppers regardless of age or smoking status are exposed to pro-smoking messages. Given the financial resources spent by tobacco companies in stores, this venue warrants closer scrutiny by researchers and tobacco control advocates.
The descriptive epidemiology of local restaurant smoking regulations in Massachusetts: an analysis of the protection of restaurant customers and workers
Authors: Skeer M , Siegel M 
Published: May 2003

Objectives:To describe the range of restaurant smoking regulations in the 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts, and to analyse the level of protection from secondhand smoke exposure guaranteed by these regulations.Design:We obtained the local restaurant smoking regulations for each town, analysing them in terms of the protection of restaurant workers, bar workers, and adult and youth restaurant customers.Main outcome measure:The percentage of restaurant patrons and workers and bar workers who are protected from secondhand smoke exposure by the current smoking regulations in Massachusetts.Results:As of June 2002, 225 towns had local restaurant smoking regulations. Of these, 69 (30.7%) do not allow smoking in restaurants, 10 (4.4%) restrict smoking to adult only restaurants, 64 (28.4%) restrict smoking to enclosed, separately ventilated areas, and 82 (36.4%) restrict smoking to areas that need not be enclosed and separately ventilated. Of the 174 towns that, at a minimum, restrict smoking to bar areas or separately ventilated areas, 35 (20.1%) allow variances. Overall, 60 towns, covering only 17.7% of the population, completely ban smoking in restaurants. As a result, 81.3% of adult restaurant customers, 81.2% of youth customers, 82.3% of restaurant workers, and 87.0% of bar workers are not guaranteed protection from secondhand smoke in restaurants.Conclusions:Despite the widespread adoption of local restaurant smoking regulations in Massachusetts, the majority of restaurant customers and workers remain unprotected from secondhand smoke exposure. In light of this, public health practitioners must stop compromising the protection of customers and workers from secondhand smoke exposure in restaurants.
The impact of learning of a genetic predisposition to nicotine dependence: an analogue study: Table 1
Authors: Wright A J , Weinman J , Marteau T M 
Published: May 2003

Objectives:To examine the consequences of informing smokers of a genetic predisposition to nicotine dependence and of providing treatment efficacy information tailored to genetic status.Design:Analogue study using four vignettes; 2 (genetic status) × 2 (whether treatment efficacy information provided) between subjects design.Participants:269 British adult smokers.Outcome measures:Preferred cessation methods and perceived control over quitting.Results:Gene positive participants were significantly more likely to choose the cessation method described as effective for their genetic status, but significantly less likely to choose to use their own willpower. Providing tailored treatment information did not alter these effects. Perceived control was not significantly affected by either genetic status or information provision.Conclusions:Learning of a genetic predisposition to nicotine dependence may increase desire for effective cessation methods, but may undermine the perceived importance of willpower in stopping smoking.
MATHEMATICA™ PACKAGES FOR COMPUTING PRINCIPAL DECOMPOSITIONS OF SIMPLE LIE ALGEBRAS AND APPLICATIONS IN EXTENDED CONFORMAL FIELD THEORIES
Authors: GĂRĂJEU DANIELA , GĂRĂJEU MIHAIL 
Published: May 2003

In this article, we propose two Mathematica™ packages for doing calculations in the domain of classical simple Lie algebras. The main goal of the first package, [Formula: see text], is to determine the principal three-dimensional subalgebra of a simple Lie algebra. The package provides several functions which give some elements related to simple Lie algebras (generators in fundamental and adjoint representation, roots, Killing form, Cartan matrix, etc.). The second package, [Formula: see text], concerns the principal decomposition of a Lie algebra with respect to the principal three-dimensional embedding. These packages have important applications in extended two-dimensional conformal field theories. As an example, we present an application in the context of the theory of W-gravity.
Effect of Lesion Size on the Diagnostic Performance of Dermoscopy in Melanoma Detection
Authors: Carli Paolo , De Giorgi Vincenzo , Chiarugi Alessandra , Nardini Paolo , Mannone Francesca , Stante Marcello , Quercioli Elena , Sestini Serena , Giannotti Benvenuto 
Published: May 2003

<i>Background:</i> Dermoscopy is able to correctly classify a higher number of melanomas than naked-eye examination. Little is known however about factors which may influence the diagnostic performance during practice. The aim of the study was to analyze the effect of size of the lesion on diagnostic performance of dermoscopy in melanoma detection. <i>Methods:</i> Eight dermatologists examined clinical and, separately, clinical and dermoscopic (combined examination) images of 200 melanocytic lesions previously excised [64 melanomas, 24 in situ and 40 invasive (median thickness 0.30 mm) and 136 melanocytic nevi]. After examination, diagnostic performance was analyzed in accordance with the major diameter of the lesions divided into 3 groups, i.e. small (less than 6 mm), intermediate (between 6 and 9 mm) and large (10 mm or more) lesions. These groups were shown to be highly comparable concerning the microstaging of melanomas (median thickness value 0.30, 0.22 and 0.32 mm, respectively). <i>Results:</i> Dermoscopy increased the diagnostic performance of naked-eye examination of both intermediate and large lesions [sensitivity value: +19.3 (p = 0.002) and +10.3 (p = 0.007); diagnostic accuracy value: +7.4 (p = 0.004) and +6.1 (p = 0.07)]. On the contrary, no statistically significant increase was found dealing with small lesions (sensitivity +3.7, p = 0.66; diagnostic accuracy –1.7, p = 0.55). <i>Conclusions: </i>The diagnostic improvement associated with the addition of dermoscopy to naked-eye examination is influenced by the size of the lesion, i.e. it is lacking with lesions up to 6 mm in diameter. The optimized use of dermoscopy in melanoma detection is obtained dealing with melanocytic lesions 6 mm in diameter or larger.
Laparoscopically Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy versus Total Abdominal Hysterectomy: A Study of 100 Cases on Light-Endorsed Transvaginal Section
Authors: Tsai Eing-Mei , Chen Hung-Sheng , Long Cheng-Yu , Yang Cheng-Hui , Hsu Shih-Cheng , Wu Chin-Hu , Lee Jau-Nan 
Published: May 2003

The objective of this study was to compare the results of a modified laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) procedure, using light-endorsed transvaginal section by two puncture trocars, with those of total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH) in a prospective, randomized, short-term study. A new, modified LAVH technique using Endo GIA stapler and two puncture trocars was established. For the laparoscopic phase, each adnexum was dissected, and the vesicouterine junction was identified clearly with the laparoscopic light from the vaginal side. Vaginal-phase surgery was performed as usual. Two hundred patients scheduled for abdominal hysterectomy were randomized to either LAVH (n = 100) or TAH (n = 100). Duration of hospitalization, time of surgery, dose of analgesics, and rates of complications were significantly lower in the LAVH group (p < 0.001). The average operating time was 77 ± 30 min for LAVH and 102 ± 18 min for TAH. The duration of hospitalization was 3.2 ± 0.7 days for LAVH and 5.5 ± 1.3 days for TAH. There were three complications in the LAVH group and 15 in the TAH group. Postoperative meperidine requirements (1.2 vs. 3.7 ampoules, 1 ampoule = 50 mg) were significantly fewer in the LAVH group. Regarding the training time, the mean operating time in the first 20 cases was 98 min, and in the last 20 cases it was 70.9 min. As compared with TAH and other modified LAVH procedures reported previously, the present technique is easy to learn and timesaving with fewer complications.
Early OspA Immune Complex Formation in Animal Models of Lyme Disease
Authors: Schutzer Steven E. , Luan Jennifer 
Published: May 2003

Infection with <i>Borrelia burgdorferi</i>, the cause of Lyme disease, has been accompanied by a puzzling delayed antibody (Ab) response to <i>B. burgdorferi</i> antigens (Ags) including the abundant organism-specific outer surface proteins, such as the 31-kD OspA. In humans the response to nonspecific <i>B. burgdorferi</i> Ags has required 3–6 weeks. The response to OspA has rarely been detected by conventional methodology until months after infection, despite demonstrable T cell reactivity. Tick inoculation and low-dose intradermal inoculation animal models have been characterized by a comparable response to OspA. Using more sensitive biotin-avidin immunoblots and immune complex (IC) dissociation techniques, we demonstrated in humans that Ab to OspA is formed early but may remain at low levels or bound in IC. To see if this was a universal biologic response, animal models were analyzed by these methods. The results with mice, monkeys and rabbits show that IC Ab to OspA may be detected at the onset of infection. The data suggest that these animal models may be used to understand the immune response to <i>B. burgdorferi</i> and the pathogenesis of Lyme disease. With attention to unique <i>B. burgdoferi</i> Ags, these results are likely to have both clinical and diagnostic importance.
Subcutaneous Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor in Mucositis Induced by an Adjuvant 5-Fluorouracil plus Leucovorin Regimen
Authors: Rossi Antonio , Rosati Gerardo , Colarusso Diodoro , Manzione Luigi 
Published: May 2003

<i>Objective:</i> To test the activity of subcutaneous granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) administration in patients with colorectal cancer treated with adjuvant 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) plus leucovorin (LV) and suffering from mucositis. <i>Methods:</i> Thirty-one patients treated with adjuvant 5-FU 370 mg/m<sup>2</sup> and LV 100 mg/m<sup>2</sup> for 5 days every 4 weeks and reporting grade ≧2 mucositis participated in the study. Subcutaneous GM-CSF 4 µg/kg/day from days 6 to 10 was administered without chemotherapy dose reductions in the cycle that followed the cycle during which mucositis was reported. The disappearance of mucositis or a decrease by ≧1 grade was recorded as a therapeutic success. Baseline toxicity was: grade 2 stomatitis in 12 patients and grade 3 in 9; grade 4, 3 and 2 diarrhoea in 1, 4 and 8 patients, respectively. <i>Results:</i> Seventy-seven GM-CSF cycles were administered. A success was achieved in 20 (64.5%) patients. The efficacy was assessable in 5 (16.1%) patients with grade 2 and in 8 (25.8%) with grade 3 stomatitis, respectively, as well as in 1 (3.2%) and 5 (16.1%) patients with grade 3 and 2 diarrhoea, respectively. Success (3.2%) was reported in 2 patients suffering from both grade 2 stomatitis and diarrhoea. In 7 (22.5%) patients there was no evidence of efficacy. In 4 (12.9%) patients the treatment was stopped after the first administration of GM-CSF due to a grade 2 allergic reaction. <i>Conclusions:</i> The subcutaneous administration of GM-CSF relieved patients from symptoms of 5-FU/LV-induced mucositis with acceptable side effects permitting the maintenance of full-dose chemotherapy.
Prognostic Role of Apoptotic, Bcl-2, c-erbB-2 and p53 Tumor Markers in Salivary Gland Malignancies
Authors: Nagler Rafael M. , Kerner Hedviga , Ben-Eliezer Shoshana , Minkov Ira , Ben-Itzhak Ofer 
Published: May 2003

<i>Objective:</i> The clinical characteristics and survival probability rate of 36 patients with salivary gland malignancies and 10 patients with benign salivary tumors were summarized in relation to the immunohistological analysis of the tumor, apoptotic-related markers and apoptosis rate. The expression of the markers examined – Bcl-2, c-erbB-2, p53 – was detected in paraffin sections of the tumors by the streptavidin-biotin peroxidase method following heat-induced antigen retrieval, and the apoptosis rate was determined by the TUNEL method. <i>Results:</i> The overall 5-year survival probability was 61% for patients with malignant tumors and 100% for those with benign tumors. The survival probability of patients over 60 at diagnosis was significantly lower than that of younger patients. Patients whose malignant tumors were larger than 2 cm at diagnosis had worse survival than those with smaller tumors. The survival probability of patients whose malignant tumors were located in the submandibular glands was significantly lower than that of patients whose malignancies were located in the parotid and minor salivary glands. The survival probability of patients who demonstrated positive staining for c-erbB- 2 or TUNEL was lower than for those with negative staining. Gender, the existence of concomitant non-salivary malignancies and ethnic origin had no significant impact on survival. <i>Conclusions: </i>Our results demonstrated significant positive staining in the salivary tumorigenic tissue but not in the surrounding non-tumorigenic tissue examined for TUNEL, c-erbB-2, Bcl-2 and p53, pointing to a biological role for all four markers in the tumorigenic process which is yet to be elucidated. Significant reduction in survival was related to the specific location of the tumor in the submandibular gland, its size and older age of patient. Survival was also found to be significantly reduced when positive staining was demonstrated in the tumor tissue for TUNEL or c-erbB-2, more so for concomitant positive staining of both markers. Clinically, the most important result of the current study is that the survival rate of the patients examined with salivary tumors larger than 2 cm, with positive staining for both TUNEL and c-erbB-2, was 0 (p = 0.0001)!
Children with Growth Hormone Deficiency and Chiari I Malformation: A Morphometric Analysis of the Posterior Cranial Fossa
Authors: Tubbs R. Shane , Wellons III John C. , Smyth Matthew D. , Bartolucci Alfred A. , Blount Jeffrey P. , Oakes W. Jerry , Grabb Paul A. 
Published: May 2003

<i>Objective:</i> The posterior fossa (PF) has been found to be small in various forms of Chiari malformation. Explanations involving a connection between growth hormone deficiency (GHD) and Chiari I malformation (CIM) have been proposed. However, to date, no quantitative analysis of the PF of patients with CIM and GHD has been performed. Our study was performed to determine the geometry of the PF in children with GHD and CIM. <i>Methods:</i> Morphometric analysis of the PF was performed in 10 children with GHD and CIM (group 1), 20 children with GHD and no CIM (group 2) and 50 controls. <i>Results:</i> PF volumes for group 1 ranged from 128 to 259 ± 33 ml, and for group 2, they ranged from 115 to 186.2 ± 25.4 ml. Lengths of the foramen magnum for groups 1 and 2 had means of 36 and 38 mm, respectively. The mean basiocciput length and tentorial angle for groups 1 and 2 were 20 and 19 mm and 89 and 87.5°, respectively. <i>Conclusions:</i> We have determined that children with GHD with or without CIM have no significant difference in their PF volume compared to controls. However, our data demonstrate significant underdevelopment of portions of the bony PF in both patients with GHD alone and in patients with GHD and CIM. Tentorial angles were elevated in noncontrol groups. We propose that this association is not due to an increased rate of ‘midline’ defects seen in GHD but rather a structurally distorted PF that is not capacious enough to house the entire developing rhombencephalon. These data will hopefully aid in the further understanding of the pathophysiology of CIM.
Bound Thrombin from Crushed Clots Is Composed of α-Thrombin and the N-Terminal Regions of α- and γ-Chains of Fibrinogen
Authors: Kinjoh Kiyohiko , Nakamura Mariko , Gang Zeng , Sunagawa Masanori , Eguchi Yukinori , Kosugi Tadayoshi 
Published: May 2003

We aimed at clarifying the structural characteristics of the bound thrombin that is liberated by mechanical breakdown of fibrin clots. Fibrin clots were prepared with bovine thrombin and rabbit fibrinogen, and were crushed mechanically with a glass rod. The supernatant of the crushed clots was subjected to immunoaffinity chromatography to isolate the bound thrombin. Western blotting analysis revealed that the bound thrombin could be reacted with both antithrombin and antifibrinogen under unreduced conditions. SDS-PAGE under reduced conditions revealed that there were three bands, two of which were found to be the N-terminal fragments of the α- and γ-chains of fibrinogen. The bound thrombin could be dissociated into three distinct fibrin fragments and bovine α-thrombin when denatured by 8 <i>M</i> urea. Thus, the bound thrombin liberated from crushed clots is a stable complex between bovine α-thrombin and fibrin fragments of the N-terminal regions of rabbit α- and γ-chains.