bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Macrogeographic population structure of the tsetse fly, Glossina pallidipes (Diptera: Glossinidae)
Authors: Ouma J.O. , Marquez J.G. , Krafsur E.S. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractTsetse flies are confined to sub-Saharan Africa where they occupy discontinuous habitats. In anticipation of area-wide control programmes, estimates of gene flow among tsetse populations are necessary. Genetic diversities were partitioned at eight microsatellite loci and five mitochondrial loci in 21 Glossina pallidipes Austin populations. At microsatellite loci, Nei's unbiased gene diversity averaged over loci was 0.659 and the total number of alleles was 214, only four of which were shared among all populations. The mean number of alleles per locus was 26.8. Random mating was observed within but not among populations(fixation index FST = 0.180) and 81% of the genetic variance was within populations. Thirty-nine mitochondrial variants were detected. Mitochondrial diversities in populations varied from 0 to 0.85 and averaged 0.42, and FST=0.51. High levels of genetic differentiation were characteristic, extending even to subpopulations separated by tens and hundreds of kilometres, and indicating low rates of gene flow.
Harnessing harm reduction in Australia: an interview with the Hon. Neal Blewett
Authors: ALLSOP STEVE 
Published: October 2005

AbstractThe National Campaign Against Drug Abuse (NCADA) was established in April 1985. Aiming to provide a national framework to minimize the harmful consequences of drug use, the original 3‐year programme was extended to 1997. A key figure in the NCADA, Dr Neal Blewett, was interviewed to gain his perspective on the development and implementation of the Campaign over its first 10 years.
Defining harm reduction
Authors: SINGLE ERIC 
Published: October 2005

AbstractHarm reduction attempts to reduce the adverse consequences of drug use among persons who continue to use drugs. It developed in response to the excesses of a “zero tolerance approach”. Harm reduction emphasizes practical rather than idealized goals. It has been expanded from illicit drugs to legal drugs and is grounded in the evolving public health and advocacy movements. Harm reduction has proved to be effective and it has gained increasing official acceptance; for example, it is now the basis of Canada's Drug Strategy. However, the concept is still poorly defined, as virtually any drug policy or programme, even abstinence‐oriented programmes, attempt to reduce drug‐related harm. The principle feature of harm reduction is the acceptance of the fact that some drug users cannot be expected to cease their drug use at the present time. Harm reduction is neutral about the long term goals of intervention while according a high priority to short‐term realizable goals. Harm reduction should be neutral about legalization. The essence of the concept is to ameliorate adverse consequences of drug use while, at least in the short term, drug use continues.
Barbiturate withdrawal—a nomogram for supplementary dosing after the phenobarbitone loading technique
Authors: BUCKLEY NICHOLAS A. , FOY AIDAN 
Published: October 2005

AbstractA case of a woman who presented with a multiple drug overdose and then subsequently had a withdrawal syndrome complicated by seizures and delirium highlights the seriousness of the barbiturate withdrawal syndrome. The patient had a short elimination half‐life for phenobarbitone and required supplementary phenobarbitone doses to prevent and treat these complications. We have devised a nomogram which in conjunction with serum levels allows a rapid determination of whether and how much supplementary doses are required during barbiturate withdrawal.
Interstate tourists and the estimation of per capita alcohol consumption
Authors: CRUNDALL IAN 
Published: October 2005

AbstractA telephone survey of domestic Australian tourists was conducted to determine the relative contribution they make to estimates of per capita alcohol consumption. The overall drinking patterns of interstate tourists were examined, along with contrasts between those who visit the Northern Territory and those who visit other parts of the country. The results show that drinking generally increased when people were on holiday. Amount of alcohol consumed did not differ by destination, but destination did distinguish the prevalence of holiday drinkers and the amounts of alcohol usually consumed by tourists when they are at home. The self‐reported reasons for increased or decreased drinking by people when they are on holidays are also presented. The implications of these various findings for the calculation of per capita consumption estimates for the Northern Territory and other jurisdictions are discussed.
Drivers' biased perceptions of the adverse consequences of drink‐driving
Authors: ALBERY IAN P. , GUPPY ANDREW 
Published: October 2005

AbstractThe decision to drink and drive may involve the subjective process of weighing the perceived risks of adverse consequences of the behaviour against perceived utility components. Deterrence theory proposes that an individual will refrain from drink‐driving if the perceived chances of experiencing negative outcomes associated with the behaviour are high. Previous research has demonstrated that there may be a mechanism of judgemental bias which influences individuals' perceived probabilities of rarely occurring events. In general driver age and gender have been shown independently to be both indicative and non‐indicative for the operation of the bias in terms of subjective perceptions of driver skill, safety and accident involvement. Little evidence has been presented to describe the nature of the bias in the specific domain of drink‐driving. Responses from more than 1000 UK drivers were examined to establish whether a system of bias operated for judgements of the likelihood of experiencing several possible adverse consequences of drink‐driving across males/females, age groups and offenders/non‐offenders. In general drivers were found to perceive themselves as less likely than the average driver to be accident involved while impaired and non‐impaired by alcohol. Drivers reporting previous drink‐driving behaviour indicated the greatest bias. The age and gender of the driver, independently and in interaction, were not shown to be important in the operation of these perceptual inconsistencies. Findings are discussed for implications of deterrence based drink‐driving counter‐measures.
Improvements in retention rates and changes in client group with methadone maintenance streaming
Authors: WHITE JASON M. , RYAN CHRISTINA F. , ALI ROBERT L. 
Published: October 2005

AbstractThis study evaluated changes in client population and in retention rates following the introduction of a system of methadone maintenance streaming. A low intervention and low supervision stream was combined with two abstinence‐orientated streams. Privileges of take‐home doses and local pharmacy dose collection were contingent on successful participation in the abstinence‐orientated streams. The clinic also modified policy to allow clients greater control over dose levels. The case notes of the first 100 clients entering the programme in the year prior to the changes (1991) and in the year following the changes (1993) were compared. The results showed a significant increase in retention rates. The demographic and heroin using histories did not change, but the newer programme attracted a greater proportion of clients with no previous history of methadone maintenance treatment. Mean clinic dose increased from 45 mg to 63 mg when clients were allowed to exert control over dose. These findings reveal improved outcomes in a public methadone maintenance programme as a result of policy changes designed to give clients greater control of their treatment.
SEMINAR IN PRACTICAL MANAGEMENT: Dissemination of research findings to alcohol and other drug practitioners
Authors: SHANLEY CHRIS , LODGE MIKE , MATTICK RICHARD P. 
Published: October 2005

AbstractThis article provides an overview of the literature in the area of research dissemination, and suggests ways of increasing communication between researchers and clinicians. It then describes a dissemination project based at the Centre for Education and Information on Drugs and Alcohol (CEIDA) which was designed to convey the results of a major research project in the alcohol and other drug area to practitioners in New South Wales. The article includes the development, implementation and evaluation of the project. The format employed—an intensive workshop conducted in different locations—was found to be a useful strategy, particularly when used to promote a large research project of clinical significance and when used in conjunction with other dissemination strategies.
Knowledge and use of alcohol and other drugs among Vietnamese‐speaking migrants
Authors: BERTRAM SUSAN , FLAHERTY BRUCE , EVERINGHAM SAM 
Published: October 2005

AbstractA survey of the Vietnamese community in Sydney was conducted in 1992 to determine whether it was at a higher or lower risk of drug‐related harm than the general community. Data was collected on knowledge, attitudes and behaviour associated with alcohol and other drug use and compared with overall NSW figures. The sample of 341 Vietnamese‐speakers aged 15–65 years was obtained by face‐to‐face interviews conducted in private households using a cluster sampling technique. Of the sample, 72% indicated they did not speak English well or at all. Recognition of tobacco and alcohol as drugs and the specific health and social problems associated with use was much lower among the Vietnamese‐speakers than the general community. Compared with the general community (1991 NCADA Household Survey), reported use of tobacco on the day of the survey among Vietnamese‐speakers was higher among men (37% versus 26%) but much lower among women (4% versus 22%). Reported use of other drugs such as alcohol, analgesics, minor tranquillizers and illicit drugs was lower than in the general community. It is recommended that the low level of knowledge of the health and social problems associated with tobacco and alcohol in particular should be addressed by community‐based education programmes.
The case for liver transplantation in end‐stage alcoholic liver disease
Authors: BATEY ROBERT G. 
Published: October 2005

AbstractLiver transplantation is now a routine procedure and is seen as a valid treatment option for end‐stage liver disease. Alcoholism has been regarded as a relative or absolute contraindication to liver transplantation in many transplant units. Recent data document a success rate for transplantation in alcoholic patients that equals that in other patient groups. Issues relating to the ethical and scientific arguments surrounding this complex area of treatment are discussed. It is concluded that individual patients should be assessed in their own right for this treatment option. It is argued that patient groups should not be denied access to specific life‐saving treatments.
Quantitative measure of muscle strength and size in chronic alcoholism: an early indication of tissue damage
Authors: FREILICH RONNIE , KIRSNER RICHARD , WHELAN GREG , CHMIEL RUDOLPH , BYRNE EDWARD 
Published: October 2005

AbstractWe measured quadriceps strength and thickness in 101 male alcoholic patients and in 58 controls in order to investigate the force‐size relationships of skeletal muscle in an alcoholic population. The relationship of these parameters with the duration of alcoholism, nutritional status and biochemical and haematological markers of heavy chronic alcohol use was investigated. Alcohol consumption of more than 42 standard drinks (420 g alcohol) per week for at least 5 years is associated with muscle weakness and wasting. There was no evidence of under‐nutrition in these alcoholic subjects and muscle wasting occurred independently of peripheral neuropathy, a history of muscle pain, abnormalities of liver enzymes and elevation of mean red cell corpuscular volume. Quantitation of muscle size and strength in heavy drinkers may provide a useful early indicator of health impairment in alcoholics.
Training primary health care workers about drugs: a national survey of UK trainers' perceptions towards training
Authors: ALBERY IAN P. , HEUSTON JOAN , DURAND MARY ALISON , GROVES PARAMABANDHU , GOSSOP MICHAEL , STRANG JOHN 
Published: October 2005

AbstractReports have consistently shown that non‐specialist drug workers (whose working role is not specifically concentrated on dealing with drug‐related issues) are reluctant to work with drug users. A number of explanations have been offered to account for this unwillingness including attitudinal factors, occupational constraints and a lack of motivation to learn about drug‐related issues. Previously, it has been shown that training affects commitment to working with substance misusers, although failure to attract particular professional groups (e.g. general practitioners) into training courses has also been reported. No previous research has examined the views of trainers about training primary health care and health‐related workers. This study of a (non‐probability) sample of UK drug trainers (n = 145) assessed training activity for different health care workers, and trainers' differential perceptions of training needs and methods. GPs were the group least likely to become trained about drug issues. Training in attitudes towards drug using individuals was perceived to be more important than either skills or knowledge training for GPs, practice nurses, other nurses and probation officers. Experiential training methods were perceived to be more important than a didactic approach for training all health groups except GPs for whom lecture type instruction was believed to be equally appropriate. Seventy‐nine percent of subjects reported providing training across drugs and alcohol or drugs, alcohol and tobacco. Most trainers who stated that certain professions required independent training believed that GPs should be trained separately from other groups.
Predictors of smoking in pregnancy and attitudes and knowledge of risks of pregnant smokers
Authors: WALSH RAOUL A. , REDMAN SELINA , BRINSMEAD MAXWELL W. , FRYER JAYNE L. 
Published: October 2005

AbstractThis study examined the prevalence and predictors of smoking by pregnant women attending a public antenatal clinic. The prevalence of smoking in this population (n= 2577) was found to be 38.0% (95% CI 36.1–39.9%). A review of previous research investigating variables associated with smoking in pregnancy indicated that only three of 42 studies had used multivariate analysis. Using step‐wise logistic regression analysis, five variables were found to be independent predictors of smoking in pregnancy: education (having 4 years or less high school), marital status (being unmarried), gravidity (being multigravida), age (being under 25 years) and language spoken at home (speaking English). The model correctly predicted 63.7% of cases. The knowledge and attitudes of pregnant smokers were also investigated using data from a sub‐sample of consenting subjects. Three‐quarters of the women claimed that they had reduced their smoking since discovering they were pregnant. However, their mean intake of 13.7 cigarettes daily remained at a hazardous level. Approximately half (51%) these smokers claimed to have tried to quit smoking in the current pregnancy. Most (61%) women said they believed smoking was definitely harmful to the unborn child. However, awareness and acceptance of specific risks were inadequate. Of the women in a current relationship, 72% said their partner was a regular smoker. Less than half (45%) the continuing smokers who had seen a doctor about their current pregnancy could recall being advised to stop smoking. There is a need for health care providers to adopt a more systematic and tailored approach to smoking cessation counselling. Efforts to convert quit attempts in pregnancy into sustained cessation represent a priority area of programme development and evaluation.
Deliberate self‐harm in alcohol and drug misusers: patient characteristics and patterns of clinical care
Authors: HAWTON KEITH , SIMKIN SUE , FAGG JOAN 
Published: October 2005

AbstractThe aims of this study were to describe the characteristics of alcohol and drug misusers presenting to a general hospital following suicide attempts and to investigate the patterns of clinical care they received before and after the attempts. The Oxford Monitoring System for Attempted Suicide and patient case‐notes were used to obtain information on alcohol and drug misusers assessed by the general hospital psychiatric services after deliberate self‐harm in 1992. Of 724 patients, 200 (28%) were substance misusers (36% of males, 23% of females). Both alcoholics and drug misusers were more likely than other attempters to be male, have histories of personality disorder and criminal offences and to make repeat attempts, and the drug misusers were more likely to be living alone and unemployed. These are characteristics associated with particularly high risk of suicide. A large proportion of the substance misusers had received specific treatment for their misuse before their attempts and the majority were offered this afterwards. Over a quarter did not accept the care they were offered. The general hospital management of attempted suicide patients must include systematic assessment for evidence of alcohol and drug misuse and maintain close links with substance misuse services. Patients identified as having problems in the use of alcohol without having developed dependence and/or physical symptoms are a group that warrants specific attention. Audits should be conducted in general hospitals to ensure that sufficient attention is being paid to the detection and management of suicide attempters with substance misuse.
Alcohol and drug disorders in the International Classification of Diseases: a shifting kaleidoscope
Authors: ROOM ROBIN 
Published: October 2005

AbstractThis paper considers the development of the alcohol and drug categories in the mental disorders section of successive editions of the International Classifications of Diseases, and the current definitions of the key categories. With respect to “dependence”, it is argued that the concept was originally defined with respect to culturally close societies, but even between those societies there remain differences in nuance; that in current definitions dependence is not unitary; that there are difficulties in applying the concept across drugs; that technical definitions have drifted far from lay concepts; and that there are substantial questions about its cross‐cultural applicability. As practitioners struggle to keep up with the shifts in nosological terminology and definitions over the last 30 years, the terms and criteria may well be quite vague in application despite their concreteness in appearance.
Wine in moderation: how could and should recent in vitro and in vivo data be interpreted?
Authors: STOCKLEY CREINA S. 
Published: October 2005

AbstractIn Australia, death from cardiovascular diseases accounts for approximately 25% of all deaths. Epidemiological data suggest that the moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages may significantly reduce the risk of death from cardiovascular disease and indeed from all causes. Data also suggest that the ethanol component common to all alcoholic beverages confers primarily this protection and other data suggests that the wine‐specific polyphenolic compounds confer additional protective effects. Is the amount and pattern of consumption really relevant? In vitro and in vivo studies have been undertaken recently, the results of which have both weakened and strengthened the traditional arguments cited on the type, amount and pattern of the consumption of alcoholic beverages. For example, the components of wine may act in concert rather than individually for cancer and cardioprotection, and more rather than less may be required for activity. This paper reviews relevant studies and evaluates critically their results, putting them in context with actual dietary practices rather than guidelines and policies.
Therapeutic use of cannabis: clarifying the debate
Authors: GOWING LINDA R. , ALI ROBERT L. , CHRISTIE PAUL , WHITE JASON M. 
Published: October 2005

AbstractThe debate regarding therapeutic use of cannabis is being confused by a lack of distinction between therapeutic and social use of cannabis. Separate consideration of therapeutic and social use would enable strategies to minimise any negative social impact of therapeutic use. For therapeutic use of cannabis to be considered on its own merits, greater emphasis needs to be placed on scientific evidence of therapeutic efficacy. At present the evidence is limited, it mostly relates to the use of synthetic cannabinoids, and much of it fails to compare cannabis with the best therapies available for the conditions of interest. Claims of therapeutic efficacy tend to be based on opinion and anecdote rather than the results of controlled studies. Further research is needed to clarify the potential therapeutic benefits, to enable claims of therapeutic use to be objectively assessed and to enable informed decisions to be made about the relative risks and benefits for any individual using cannabis for therapeutic purposes. Further research is required to clarify the efficacy of pure, synthetic cannabinoids compared to cannabis, the most effective route of administration, and the importance of delivering a known dose. The most likely value of cannabis is as an adjunct, rather than a replacement for, current medical approaches. The potential therapeutic benefits of cannabis will be greatest for those conditions where long‐term cannabis use, with its attendant health risks, is not an issue and where the patient has the capacity to titrate dose against symptoms. There is sufficient evidence of potential therapeutic benefit to justify the facilitation of further research.
Polydrug use at raves by a Western Australian sample
Authors: BOYS ANNABEL , LENTON SIMON , NORCROSS KATH 
Published: October 2005

AbstractThis study aimed to quantify the patterns of drug use among a group of participants in the rave scene in Perth, Western Australia. Interviews were conducted with 83 people who had recently been to a ‘rave’. The study incorporated a semi‐structured qualitative interview and a structured quantitative questionnaire. This paper reports on the quantitative data collected concerning patterns of drug use in association with the last rave attended. Use of ‘dance drugs’ (ecstasy, amphetamines or LSD) was reported by 86.8% of the 76 respondents who had used at least one drug in association with their last rave. Nearly 80% of these had also used at least one other drug on this occasion (mean number used = 2.4). Cannabis and inhalants were the drugs most commonly combined with the ‘dance drugs’, several respondents used more than one ‘dance drug’ concurrently and 16.7% had used alcohol. It seems that a significant proportion of those using ‘dance drugs’ in association with raves and dance parties are mixing these drugs with other substances despite harm reduction advice to the contrary. The need for more research in this area is discussed.
Comparison of unsafe drinking between a rural and metropolitan area
Authors: PEACH HEDLEY G. , BATH NICOLE E. , FARISH STEPHEN J. 
Published: October 2005

AbstractFactors associated with unsafe drinking in a rural area were identified and the prevalence of unsafe drinking and alcohol related mortality compared with a metropolitan area. Alcohol consumption data were collected from a random sample of adults in Greater Ballarat. Odds ratios of demographic factors associated with unsafe drinking were estimated by logistic regression. Compared with males and 20–29‐year‐olds, females and 30–59‐year‐olds had a significantly lower prevalence of ‘intermediate’ or higher risk drinking and binge‐only drinking. Rural‐metropolitan ratios for the prevalence of unsafe drinking and alcohol related mortality were also greatest in young adults. Young adults must adopt safer drinking habits if the rural excess in mortality is to be reduced.