bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Drug driving among injecting drug users in Sydney, Australia: prevalence, risk factors and risk perceptions
Authors: Darke Shane , Kelly Erin , Ross Joanne 
Published: December 2004

ABSTRACTAims  To examine the prevalence of drug driving, the prevalence of drug‐related motor vehicle accidents, risk perceptions of drug driving and factors associated with drug driving among injecting drug users (IDU).Design  Cross‐sectional survey.Setting  Sydney, Australia.Participants  Three hundred current IDU.Findings  Ninety‐five per cent had driven a vehicle, 74% in the previous 12 months (‘current drivers’). Eighty‐seven per cent of life‐time drivers reported having drug driven, and 88% of current drivers had drug driven in the previous 12 months. There were no significant sex differences in life‐time or recent drug driving. The most common drugs used before driving in the preceding year were: cannabis, heroin, amphetamines and cocaine. A third of life‐time drivers reported having had a drug driving accident, with males more likely to have done so, and 9% of current drivers reported a drug driving accident in the previous year. The most common drugs that had been used before the most recent drug driving accident were heroin, cannabis and alcohol. Alcohol was perceived to be the most dangerous substance for driving performance and cannabis the least dangerous. Recent drug drivers perceived drug driving to be less dangerous than non‐drug drivers. Recent drug drivers had driven more frequently over the preceding 12 months, had significantly higher levels of dependence, higher frequency of drug use, more extensive polydrug use and were more likely to have used and/or injected a drug in a car in the previous 12 months.Conclusions  Drug driving and drug‐related accidents are large‐scale public health problems among IDU. These behaviours pose serious risks to IDU themselves and to the broader community.
Increased contribution of α1‐ vs. β‐adrenoceptor‐mediated inotropic response in rats with congestive heart failure
Authors: Sjaastad I. , Schiander I. , Sjetnan A. , Qvigstad E. , Bøkenes J. , Sandnes D. , Osnes J.‐B. , Sejersted O. M. , Skomedal T. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractAim:  In failing myocardium the mechanical response to β‐adrenoceptor stimulation is attenuated. Alternative signalling systems might provide inotropic support when the β‐adrenoceptor system is dysfunctioning. Accordingly, the inotropic responses to α1‐ and β‐adrenoceptor stimulation by the endogenous adrenoceptor agonist noradrenaline in non‐failing and failing rat hearts were compared.Methods:  Chronic heart failure was induced in male Wistar rats by coronary artery ligation. Corresponding sham groups were prepared. After 6 weeks, papillary muscles from non‐failing and failing hearts were isolated. Receptor binding studies were performed in the corresponding myocardium. The α1‐adrenoceptor‐mediated inotropic response was not changed while the β‐adrenoceptor‐mediated response was substantially reduced in failing compared with non‐failing myocardium.Results:  No change in potency for the agonists was observed at the α1‐adrenoceptors, while an increased potency for the agonists at the β‐adrenoceptors was found during heart failure. The lusitropic response to β‐adrenoceptor stimulation was intact during heart failure. No over all change in affinity or number of either adrenoceptor type was observed in receptor binding studies. The α1‐adrenoceptor‐mediated inotropic response became dominating compared with the β‐adrenoceptor‐mediated one in failing rat myocardium in contrast to the dominating role of the latter in non‐failing myocardium. The attenuation of the β‐adrenoceptor‐mediated inotropic response in rat failing myocardium was not because of a reduced number of receptors.Conclusion:  Increasing contractility through stimulation of α1‐adrenoceptors in situ by the endogenous agonist may be an alternative way of inotropic support during heart failure and even more so during β‐adrenoceptor blockade.
Electroporation: theory and methods, perspectives for drug delivery, gene therapy and research
Authors: Gehl J. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractElectroporation designates the use of short high‐voltage pulses to overcome the barrier of the cell membrane. By applying an external electric field, which just surpasses the capacitance of the cell membrane, transient and reversible breakdown of the membrane can be induced. This transient, permeabilized state can be used to load cells with a variety of different molecules, either through simple diffusion in the case of small molecules, or through electrophoretically driven processes allowing passage through the destabilized membrane – as is the case for DNA transfer. Initially developed for gene transfer, electroporation is now in use for delivery of a large variety of molecules: From ions to drugs, dyes, tracers, antibodies, and oligonucleotides to RNA and DNA. Electroporation has proven useful both in vitro, in vivo
and in patients, where drug delivery to malignant tumours has been performed. Whereas initial electroporation procedures caused considerable cell damage, developments over the past decades have led to sophistication of equipment and optimization of protocols. The electroporation procedures used in many laboratories could be optimized with limited effort. This review (i) outlines the theory of electroporation, (ii) discusses factors of importance for optimization of electroporation protocols for mammalian cells, (iii) addresses particular concerns when using electroporation
in vivo,
e.g. effects on blood flow and considerations regarding choice of electrodes, (iv) describes DNA electrotransfer with emphasis on use in the
in vivo setting, and (v) sums up data on safety and efficacy of electroporation used to enhance delivery of chemotherapy to tumours in cancer patients.
Role of cyclooxygenase‐2 in the control of renal haemodynamics and excretory function
Authors: López R. , Roig F. , Llinás M. T. , Salazar F. J. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractAim:  The available evidence supporting the importance of cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) in the regulation of renal haemodynamics and excretory function is summarized. Cyclooxygenase‐2‐derived metabolites play a very important role in regulating renal haemodynamics when sodium intake is low whereas it plays a minor role in the control of cortical blood flow when sodium intake is normal or elevated. The importance of COX‐2 in the regulation of renal haemodynamics seems to be dependent on the endogenous production of other vasoactive products such as nitric oxide (NO) or noradrenaline. The activation of COX‐2 in response to a decrease in NO may represent a mechanism aimed at defending the renal vasculature in the face of a decrease in NO levels.Conclusion:  Contrary to the important role of COX‐2 in the long‐term regulation of renal haemodynamics, the metabolites derived from COX‐2 seem to be only involved in the acute regulation of renal excretory function.
Twenty‐four‐hour intragastric acidity following early evening or bedtime administration of roxatidine in duodenal ulcer patients
Authors: LAZZARONI M. , SANGALETTI O. , BARGIGGIA S. , BENSI G. , CANALI A. , BIANCHI PORRO G. 
Published: December 2004

Aim: To assess the usefulness of early evening administration of roxatidine 150 mg as an alternative to the traditional bedtime regimen. Methods: Twenty‐four patients with healed duodenal ulcer were dosed according to a balanced incomplete‐block design, with two of the following regimens: placebo, roxatidine 150 mg at 07.30 h (early evening) or roxatidine 150 mg at 22.00 h (bedtime). Twenty‐four‐hour intragastric pH‐metry was started at 18.00 h on the first day of dosing. Median pH was determined for the 24‐h period, and for the following time intervals: 20.00–00.00 h, 00.00–08.00 h and 08.00–18.00 h. Percentage time in the 24‐h period with pH greater than 4.0 was also calculated. Results: The two roxatidine regimens proved significantly superior to the placebo, decreasing 24‐h acidity for all the time intervals, except the 20.00–00.00 h period, when mean intragastric pH with the early evening regimen (4.5±1.1) proved significantly higher than after placebo (2.2±1.0) or when roxatidine was taken at bedtime (2.4±1.1). Conclusion: Early evening administration of roxatidine may afford satisfactory control of 24‐h acidity, offering a useful alternative to conventional bedtime administration.
Repeat prescribing of ulcer healing drugs in general practice—prevalence and underlying diagnosis
Authors: GOUDIE B. M. , McKENZIE P. E. , CIPRIANO J. , GRIFFIN E. M. , MURRAY F. E. 
Published: December 2004

Background: The long‐term use of ulcer healing drugs in the management of dyspepsia is controversial. We have investigated repeat prescribing of these drugs in a general practice population. Aims: To identify the number of patients authorized to receive repeat prescriptions for ulcer healing drugs, and to review the investigation status and diagnosis in these patients. Subjects: A total of 15495 patients registered with eight general practitioners in seven general practices in Dundee, UK. Methods: Case ascertainment by review of practice repeat prescribing registers. Data regarding investigation and diagnosis obtained by retrospective review of general practice case records. Results: Six hundred and seventy‐nine (4.4% of the total population) were authorized to receive repeat prescriptions for ulcer healing drugs. Six hundred and fifty‐one (4.2%) were authorized to receive repeat prescriptions for H2‐antagonists. Ranitidine was prescribed in 583 (86% of patients receiving ulcer healing drugs). Endoscopy had been performed in 426 (63%) and barium meal alone in 113 (17%); 140 (21%) had not been investigated. A diagnosis of peptic ulcer disease or oesophagitis was established in 382 (56%). However, 157 investigated patients (23% of all patients on ulcer healing drugs) did not have a peptic diagnosis. Conclusions: The prevalence of repeat prescribing of ulcer healing drugs in the general practice population studied was 4.4%, but 44% of these patients did not have a confirmed diagnosis of acid peptic disease.
Gastrointestinal tolerability of lornoxicam compared to that of naproxen in healthy male volunteers
Authors: AABAKKEN L. , OSNES M. , FRENZEL W. 
Published: December 2004

Background and Aim: Gastrointestinal effects are common adverse effects associated with nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Lornoxicam is a new nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug and its gastroduodenal tolerability was compared to that of naproxen in a randomized, double‐blind, crossover study. Methods: Eighteen healthy male volunteers received lornoxicam 8 mg b.d. or naproxen 500 mg b.d. administered orally over two 7‐day dosing periods. Upper endoscopy was performed by two independent investigators at the beginning and end of each dosing regimen. Results: Lornoxicam 8 mg b.d. caused significantly less mucosal injury than naproxen 500 mg b.d. in the stomach/duodenal bulb, as well as in the mid/distal duodenum. Conclusion: These findings may have favourable implications for lornoxicam in the clinical setting, if this dose provides optimal control of arthritic pain.
Sulphasalazine treatment and the colorectal mucosa‐associated flora in ulcerative colitis
Authors: HARTLEY M. G. , HUDSON M. J. , SWARBRICK E. T. , GRACE R. H. , GENT A. E. , HELLIER M. D. 
Published: December 2004

Aim: To study the influence of sulphasalazine treatment on the mucosa‐associated bacterial flora of rectal biopsy tissue specimens in patients with ulcerative colitis. Patients: Twenty‐four patients had newly diagnosed active ulcerative colitis; 20 patients had acute relapse of ulcerative colitis (10 not taking maintenance sulphasalazine); (40 patients had quiescent ulcerative colitis; 21 not taking maintenance sulphasalazine). The influence of 3 weeks of sulphasalazine treatment on the mucosa‐associated flora was studied in the patients presenting with active disease. Results: Comparison of patients according to sulphasalazine usage revealed few differences in the mucosal flora. In patients with quiescent ulcerative colitis, Escherichia coli was found at lower counts in patients taking maintenance sulphasalazine; however, this effect was not evident in patients with active disease. Inconsistent changes in other facultatives were seen between the two active disease groups, particularly for a miscellaneous group of unidentified Gram‐positive rods. Three patients, all receiving sulphasalazine, were colonized with Clostridium difficile, but this did not appear to influence their disease. Conclusion: Sulphasalazine treatment in ulcerative colitis causes only minor disturbance to the populations of bacteria colonizing the colorectal mucosa.
Visceral hypersensitivity
Authors: Mertz H. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryVisceral hypersensitivity is highly prevalent in all functional bowel disorders. Most also demonstrate wider patterns of somatic referral of intestinal pain or discomfort. This hypersensitivity may explain the symptoms as the sensitive gut can be more easily provoked by normal or abnormal motor events in the gut. Visceral hypersensitivity may increase during psychosocial stress and during periods of symptom exacerbation, although this requires confirmation. Pharmacological therapy to reduce visceral hypersensitivity is now possible using antagonists to neurotransmitters, opening up an exciting new era for the treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders.
Rabeprazole‐based therapies in Helicobacter pylori eradication
Authors: Gisbert J. P. , Khorrami S. , Calvet X. , Pajares J. M. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryAim : To perform a systematic review of the efficacy of rabeprazole‐based therapies in Helicobacter pylori eradication, and to conduct a meta‐analysis comparing the efficacy of rabeprazole and other proton pump inhibitors when co‐prescribed with antibiotics.Methods : Studies evaluating rabeprazole plus antibiotics were considered. Only randomized trials comparing rabeprazole and other proton pump inhibitors with antibiotics, and differing only in the proton pump inhibitor, were included in the meta‐analysis. Electronic and manual bibliographic searches were conducted. The percentage (weighted mean) of successful eradication was calculated. Meta‐analysis was performed by combining the odds ratios (OR) of the individual studies.Results : The eradication rates were as follows: 14‐day rabeprazole–amoxicillin, 73%; rabeprazole–amoxicillin–clarithromycin for 3, 5, 7 and 10 days, 44%, 72%, 78% and 75%, respectively; low‐dose rabeprazole (20 mg/day), amoxicillin and clarithromycin for 7 days, 81%; high‐dose rabeprazole (40 mg/day), amoxicillin and clarithromycin for 7 days, 75%; 7‐day rabeprazole–clarithromycin–nitroimidazole, 85%. Twelve comparative studies were included in the meta‐analysis. The eradication rate with rabeprazole plus antibiotics was 79%; it was 77% with other proton pump inhibitors (OR = 1.15; 95% confidence interval, 0.93–1.42). Sub‐analysis comparing rabeprazole at low doses (10 mg b.d.) with other proton pump inhibitors at standard doses (omeprazole 20 mg b.d. or lansoprazole 30 mg b.d.) showed no differences.Conclusions : Rabeprazole achieves similar H. pylori eradication rates to omeprazole and lansoprazole when co‐prescribed with antibiotics. Low doses of rabeprazole (10 mg b.d.), when administered with two antibiotics, may be sufficient to eradicate H. pylori infection.
Indicators and predictors of response to anti‐viral therapy in chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Lee S. S. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryThe complications of chronic hepatitis C, including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, are expected to increase dramatically world‐wide over the next 10–20 years. Immunomodulatory/anti‐viral therapy, employing interferon alfa both alone and in combination with ribavirin, affords the only effective treatment for hepatitis C. Accurate early prediction of response to interferon therapy may decrease or eliminate unnecessary or ineffective treatment, permit greater flexibility in tailoring therapy on an individual basis, and enhance the cost‐effectiveness of treatment.Liver biopsy provides valuable information about the baseline severity and subsequent progression of hepatitis C. Severe fibrosis or cirrhosis on the pre‐treatment liver biopsy is associated with decreased response rates. The measurement of viral RNA levels and genotyping may be used to optimize individual patient treatment. Genotype non‐1 and a low viral load are the most significant pre‐treatment indicators of sustained virological response.The most reliable predictor of a poor virological response is continued seropositivity for viral RNA during therapy. Therefore, a decision to stop or continue treatment can be based on a positive viral RNA test at 12 weeks for interferon‐naive patients receiving interferon or pegylated interferon therapy.
Discrepancies between population‐based data and adverse reaction reports in assessing drugs as causes of acute pancreatitis
Authors: Lancashire R. J. , Cheng K. , Langman M. J. S. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryBackground : Many drugs are believed, clinically, to cause acute pancreatitis. We used information held on the UK General Practitioner Research Database to compare risks for drugs for which reports of pancreatitis were common or uncommon.Methods : Drug prescriptions were examined in 3673 patients with acute pancreatitis and in matched controls. Odds ratios were calculated for recent (1–90 days before the episode), past (91–360 days before the episode) or continuing (prescription in both periods) use.Results : Odds ratios were markedly increased for recent antisecretory use in non‐ulcer patients only [all H2‐antagonists, 12.4 (9.5–16.4); all proton pump antagonists, 9.3 (6.6–13.0)], with smaller increases for past [3.1 (2.5–3.7) and 3.5 (2.6–4.6), respectively] and continuing [2.6 (2.2–3.1) and 3.7 (2.9–4.7), respectively] use in patients without ulcer. Recent users of mesalazine showed a markedly increased risk [9.0 (1.8–44.6)], with smaller increases in past and continuing users [4.5 (1.3–16.0) and 2.5 (1.2–5.0), respectively]. Odds ratios for other drugs, suspect or not, were modestly increased, irrespective of whether the use was recent, past or continuing. The presence of gall‐stones was not associated with a modified risk.Conclusions : Mesalazine, azathioprine and antisecretory drugs in non‐ulcer subjects may increase the risk of pancreatitis, but warnings of drug‐induced pancreatitis are generally not accompanied by increased population risks.
Gut‐focused hypnotherapy normalizes disordered rectal sensitivity in patients with irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Lea R. , Houghton L. A. , Calvert E. L. , Larder S. , Gonsalkorale W. M. , Whelan V. , Randles J. , Cooper P. , Cruickshanks P. , Miller V. , Whorwell P. J. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryBackground : We have previously shown that hypnotherapy alters rectal sensitivity in some patients with irritable bowel syndrome. However, this previous study used incremental volume distension of a latex balloon, which might be susceptible to subject response bias and might compromise the assessment of compliance. In addition, the study group was symptomatically rather than physiologically defined.Aim : To assess the effect of hypnotherapy on rectal sensitivity in hypersensitive, hyposensitive and normally sensitive irritable bowel syndrome patients using a distension technique (barostat) that addresses these technical issues.Methods : Twenty‐three irritable bowel syndrome (Rome I) patients (aged 24–72 years) were assessed before and after 12 weeks of hypnotherapy in terms of rectal sensitivity, symptomatology, anxiety and depression. Normal values for sensitivity were established in 17 healthy volunteers (aged 20–55 years).Results : Compared with controls, 10 patients were hypersensitive, seven hyposensitive and six normally sensitive before treatment. Following hypnotherapy, the mean pain sensory threshold increased in the hypersensitive group (P = 0.04) and decreased in the hyposensitive group, although the latter failed to reach statistical significance (P = 0.19). Normal sensory perception was unchanged. Sensory improvement in the hypersensitive patients tended to correlate with a reduction in abdominal pain (r = 0.714, P = 0.07).Conclusion : Hypnotherapy improves abnormal sensory perception in irritable bowel syndrome, leaving normal sensation unchanged.
Quality of life in Chinese patients with inflammatory bowel disease: validation of the Chinese translation of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire
Authors: Leong R. W. L. , Lee Y. T. , Ching J. Y. L. , Sung J. J. Y. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryBackground : Health‐related quality of life is an important outcome measure in inflammatory bowel disease. The Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire is a quality of life questionnaire that has not been validated previously in Chinese patients with inflammatory bowel disease.Aim : To develop and validate a Chinese translation of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire, specifically determining its construct validity, discriminant ability, reliability and sensitivity to change.Methods : We developed a Chinese version of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire. Chinese patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis completed the Chinese Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire and visual analogue scales measuring systemic, social, bowel and emotional well‐being. Patients also completed a validated Chinese SF‐36 generic quality of life questionnaire, the Crohn's disease activity index or the clinical activity index for ulcerative colitis.Results : One hundred and thirty‐five patients (59 with Crohn's disease and 76 with ulcerative colitis) were enrolled, 99 of whom also completed the Chinese Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire for a second time. The Chinese Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire correlated well with the SF‐36 for all four domains (Spearman: r = 0.55–0.80), the Crohn's disease activity index (r = −0.62–0.72) and the clinical activity index for ulcerative colitis (r = −0.44–0.68), as well as with the visual analogue scales. The Chinese Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire accurately distinguished between active and inactive disease. Test–re‐test reliability showed excellent intra‐class correlation (0.76–0.92; all P < 0.001). The Chinese Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire was also sensitive to changes in disease activity (P < 0.05).Conclusion : The Chinese Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire is a valid and reliable test that correlates well with the patients' subjective well‐being and clinical disease activity.