bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identifying young people who drink too much: the clinical utility of the five‐item Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)
Authors: MILES HELEN , WINSTOCK ADAM , STRANG JOHN 
Published: November 2003

AbstractThe current study investigated the patterns and consequences of alcohol use among young people and their perceptions of associate health risk, and explored the clinical utility of the five‐item version of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) in screening young people for hazardous drinking. A cross‐sectional sample of 393 young people aged 16–19 years were accessed through two tertiary colleges in South London and self‐completed an anonymous, confidential questionnaire recording the five‐item AUDIT, patterns of alcohol consumption, hazardous consequences and perception of associate health risk. Over 90% of the sample reported drinking alcohol regularly, commonly excessive weekend use and related physical, psychological and social consequences. A significant minority (20.4% of males, 18.0% of females) reported consumption of alcohol in excess of UK recommended limits, while almost a third (34.2% of males, 30.2% of females) reported scores in the ‘hazardous’ range of the five‐item AUDIT. However, the majority had little perception of associate health risk, perceiving their use to be ‘light’ and unproblematic. Only one in 10 of those drinking at ‘hazardous’ levels recognized their alcohol use as problematic, most believing the hazardous consequences of this use were acceptable. Self‐reported patterns of alcohol consumption (except age first used) and total number of psychological and social hazardous consequences were found to significantly predict AUDIT scores using linear regression analysis. Therefore the five‐item AUDIT appears to have predictive validity, reflecting self‐reported alcohol consumption, perception of associate health risk and hazardous consequences among young people. It is concluded that it may consequently have clinical utility as a simple screening tool (suitable for use by a variety of professionals in contact with young people) for the identification of hazardous alcohol consumption among this population.
One hundred and twenty‐five patients prescribed injectable opiates in the North West of England
Authors: SELL LOUISE , SEGAR GRAHAM , MERRILL JOHN 
Published: November 2003

AbstractThis study describes the demographics, drug‐using history, current prescription, current illicit drug use, injecting practice and opinion of treatment of 125 patients prescribed injectable opiates at a clinic in the North West of England. The prescribing policy at the clinic has resulted in maintenance treatment with several opiate drugs, dominated by injectable methadone and injectable diamorphine (heroin). Injectable methadone (85.6% (107/125)) was more frequently prescribed than injectable diamorphine (12.8% (16/125)). Injectable heroin was desired by many who were prescribed injectable methadone, since it was the current drug of choice for 50.4% of the sample (61/121). The patient cohort gave a history of risky drug use in the past, both with regard to immediate physical health and blood borne viruses. Current self‐reported risk behaviour for blood‐borne viruses was low. Twenty‐five percent (29/121) of patients continued to use street heroin, of whom only four did so on a daily basis. This patient cohort has very low levels of daily illicit drug use; 40.5% (49/121) of patients currently used their femoral veins to inject, a practice which highlights the difficult risk‐benefit analysis which is inherent in injectable prescribing.
Smoking among in‐patients with drug‐related problems in an Australian psychiatric hospital
Authors: REICHLER HEIDI , BAKER AMANDA , LEWIN TERRY , CARR VAUGHAN 
Published: November 2003

AbstractDespite the high prevalence of smoking among people with mental illnesses, interventions for tobacco dependence have not typically been offered as part of treatment regimens. Data on the prevalence of smoking among 160 people with coexisting alcohol or other drug problems admitted to acute wards of a public psychiatric hospital are presented. Associations between level of smoking, diagnosis, socio‐demographic variables and readiness to quit smoking are examined. Reasons for smoking are also reported. Over 90% of the sample were regular smokers, with a mean cigarette consumption of 22.09 cigarettes per day, which was not related to type of psychiatric illness, gender or relationship status. Daily cigarette consumption was higher among older smokers and those with a diagnosis of alcohol dependence. It is suggested that interventions for tobacco dependence among people with co‐existing alcohol or other drug problems and mental illnesses should be conducted by mental health staff and aim to increase or consolidate motivation to quit smoking; provide nicotine replacement; address any concurrent alcohol abuse; identify and challenge dysfunctional beliefs about smoking; and address stress management, boredom and lifestyle.
Characteristics of regular amphetamine users and implications for treatment
Authors: BAKER AMANDA , BOGGS TRACY G. , LEWIN TERRY J. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractSixty‐four regular users of amphetamine were recruited in Newcastle, a regional city of New South Wales, Australia. A structured interview was conducted, comprising background information, the Opiate Treatment Index, Severity of Dependence Scale and a stage of change measure. Key variables common to the present study and previous Australian studies were also compared. Sixty‐two subjects (96.9%) reported having injected drugs in the month prior to interview. Amphetamine was nominated as the main drug of choice for half (50.0%) of the sample, followed closely by opiates (42.2%). Just over one‐fifth (21.9%) of the sample were at the precontemplation stage for quitting or reducing amphetamine use, 37.5% were at the contemplation stage, 23.4% were at the preparation stage and 17.2% were at the action stage. Over one‐third of the sample (39.1%) were enrolled in methadone maintenance treatment (MMT), indicating that interventions for amphetamine use may need to be provided within MMT programmes. Interventions should also be available to regular amphetamine users in primary care and community settings. Services need to adopt a harm reduction approach as few users wished to reduce or abstain from all drug classes. Different interventions are indicated according to stage of change for amphetamine use, employment opportunities, gender and concurrent tranquillizer use.
Changes in drug use in Australia and the United States: results from the 1995 and 1998 National Household Surveys
Authors: MAXWELL JANE CARLISLE 
Published: November 2003

AbstractComparison of the results of the 1995 and 1998 Australian National Drug Strategy Household Surveys showed a significant increase in use of ‘any illicit drug’. Lifetime use increased 17% and past‐year use increased 29%, while results of the 1995 and 1998 United States National Household Surveys on Drug Abuse showed no significant increase. The conversion or continuation rate in Australia has been rising since 1993; in 1998, 48% of all people who have ever tried illicit drugs continued to use them. In comparison, the conversion rate in the United States has held steady in these years at an average of 30%. The Australian survey showed use increasing among all age groups, with teenaged girls catching up to boys in use of alcohol and ‘any illicit drug’. US teenage girls are also using alcohol at the same rate as boys. Both surveys found increases in inhaling and smoking of heroin by younger people and aging cohorts of drug users. The US survey found conflicting changes over time in perceptions of risk and availability and the Australian survey also presented a mixed message about problematic drugs and the acceptability of their regular use.
Naltrexone for opioid dependence: evaluation of a manualized psychosocial protocol to enhance treatment response
Authors: RAWSON RICHARD A. , MCCANN MICHAEL J. , SHOPTAW STEVEN J. , MIOTTO KAREN A. , FROSCH DOMINICK L. , OBERT JEANNE L. , LING WALTER 
Published: November 2003

AbstractThe clinical application of the narcotic antagonist, naltrexone for the treatment of opioid dependence has been minimal. This study evaluated the impact of a multi‐component, manualized, psychosocial protocol designed to enhance the clinical value of naltrexone for opioid dependence treatment. Eighty‐one detoxified individuals meeting DSM‐IV criteria for opioid dependence were inducted onto naltrexone and randomly assigned to either a standard (ST) group, with monthly medical monitoring visits, or an enhanced (EN) group in which participants received counseling and educational interventions three times per week. EN group participants took more study medication, were retained in treatment longer, used less opioids while in treatment and showed greater improvement on a number of psychological/affective dimensions. The improved performance of the EN group was relatively short‐lived as there were no significant group differences at 6‐ or 12‐month post‐admission follow‐up points.
The public health and safety benefits of the Northern Territory's Living with Alcohol programme
Authors: STOCKWELL TIM , CHIKRITZHS TANYA , HENDRIE DELIA , FORDHAM RICHARD , YING FAITH , PHILLIPS MIKE , CRONIN JOANNE , O'REILLY BRIDIE 
Published: November 2003

AbstractAn evaluation is presented of the impact of a comprehensive population‐based alcohol harm‐reduction programme in the Northern Territory funded by a levy of 5 cents per standard drink which took effect from April 1992. The proceeds of the levy supported increased treatment, public education and other prevention activities. Towards the end of the study period (the first 4 years) other positive initiatives were introduced: the lowering of the legal limit for drivers to 0.05mg/ml and a special levy on cask wine. Indicators of alcohol‐related harm were tracked from 1980 to June 30 1996 and developed from hospital, mortality and road crash data. In each case appropriate control data from the same source was employed to control for other possible confounding effects. Alcohol aetiological fractions for major alcohol‐related causes of death were estimated taking account of the level of high‐risk alcohol use in the Northern Territory. Multiple linear regression and time‐series analyses were employed to test for any effect coinciding with the introduction of LWA. There were reductions in estimated alcohol‐caused deaths from acute conditions (road deaths 34.5%, other 23.4%) and in road crash injuries requiring hospital treatment (28.3%). In addition there were substantial reductions in per capita alcohol consumption and self‐reported hazardous and harmful consumption via surveys. These reductions were evident immediately from the outset of the introduction of LWA and were largely sustained throughout the 4 years studied. The data reported here suggest that significant health and safety benefits accrued to the people of the Northern Territory during the first 4 years of the Living With Alcohol programme. This benefit is likely to be due to several factors: the effect of the levy on alcohol consumption, other factors depressing alcohol consumption and the effect of the LWA programme itself.
Emotion concepts in models of substance abuse
Authors: QUIRK STUART W. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractResearch and theoretical perspectives of substance abuse are reviewed from an emotion theory perspective. Emotion permeates many important concepts in substance abuse research, such as trait anxiety, disinhibition, environmental cue reactivity, cognitive and mood regulation and behavioral motivation. Emotion theory and research may help integrate findings central to substance abuse such as predicting onset of use and describing end‐state dysfunction. Increased incorporation of emotion concepts and measures in substance abuse research will increase the ecological validity of future research and provide more sophisticated understandings of substance abuse behavior.
Effects of fluticasone propionate inhalation on levels of arachidonic acid metabolites in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Verhoeven Gert T. , Garrelds Ingrid M. , Hoogsteden Henk C. , Zijlstra Freek J. 
Published: November 2003

Background: In smoking COPD patients the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid contains high numbers of inflammatory cells. These cells might produce arachidonic acid (AA) metabolites, which contribute to inflammation and an increased bronchomotor tone.Aims: To investigate levels of AA metabolites in BAL fluid, before and after inhaled glucocorticoid therapy: fluticasone propionate (FP) 1mg per day, or placebo.Methods: A double‐blind placebo controlled trial lasting six months. COPD patients were selected by clinical criteria and the presence of bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR). Lung function was recorded and in BAL fluid we counted cell numbers and measured LTB4, LTC4/D4/E4, PGE2, 6kPGF1α , PGF2α and TxB2. A control group consisted of asymptomatic smokers (n = 6).Results: Paired data were obtained from 9 FP treated and 11 placebo patients. BAL cells were almost exclusively alveolar macrophages. In patients and controls both cellularity and levels of AA metabolites were equal. Cell numbers did not change after treatment. Statistically significant decreases after FP therapy were noticed for PGE2 (30%), 6kPGF1α (41%) and PGF2α (54%).Conclusions: In COPD, the capability of inflammatory cells to produce certain AA metabolites was decreased after inhaled FP treatment. This result is discussed in its relation to clinical effects, the influence of smoking, and the results of an earlier, similar study in asthma patients.
Effects of PDE4 inhibitors on lipopolysaccharide‐induced priming of superoxide anion production from human mononuclear cells
Authors: Germain Noëlla , Corbel Marianne , Belleguic Chantal , Boichot Elisabeth , Lagente Vincent 
Published: November 2003

Aims: Phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitors have been described as potent anti‐inflammatory compounds, involving an increase in intracellular levels of cyclic 3′,5′‐adenosine monophosphate (AMP). The aim of this study was to compare the effects of selective PDE4 inhibitors, rolipram and RP 73‐401 with the cell permeable analogue of cyclic AMP, dibutyryl‐cyclic AMP (db‐cAMP) and the anti‐inflammatory cytokine interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) on superoxide anion production from peripheral blood mononuclear cells preincubated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS).Major findings: We report that, after incubation of the cells with LPS, a large increase in superoxide anion production was observed. Rolipram or RP 73‐401 (10-8 to 10-5 M) induced significant reductions of fMLP‐induced superoxide anion production in cells incubated with or without LPS. The db‐cAMP (10-5 to 10-3 M) also elicited dose‐dependent inhibitions of the fMLP‐induced superoxide anion production. In contrast, IL‐10 (1 or 10 ng/ml) did not elicit a reduction in fMLP‐induced superoxide anion production in both conditions.Principal conclusion: These results suggest that the inhibitory activity of PDE4 inhibitors on fMLPinduced production of superoxide anion production is mediated by db‐cAMP rather than IL‐10.
The involvement of CD14 in the activation of human monocytes by peptidoglycan monomers
Authors: Muhvić Damir , El-Samalouti Volker , Flad Hans-Dieter , Radošević-Stašić Biserka , Rukavina Daniel 
Published: November 2003

Background: Cell‐wall components of Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria induce the production of cytokines in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. These cytokines are the main mediators of local or systemic inflammatory reaction that can contribute to the development of innate immunity.Aims: This study was performed to analyze the involvement of CD14 molecule in the activation of human monocytes by peptidoglycan monomer (PGM) obtained by biosynthesis from culture fluid of penicillin‐treated
Brevibacterium divaricatum NRLL-2311.Methods: Cytokine release of interleukin (IL)‐1, IL‐6 and tumor necrosis factor‐alpha from human monocytes via soluble CD14 (sCD14) or membrane‐associated (mCD14) receptor using anti‐CD14 monoclonal antibody (MEM‐18) or lipid A structure (compound 406) was measured in bioassays.Results: The results demonstrated that PGM in the presence of human serum might induce the monokine release in a dose‐dependent manner. The addition of sCD14 at physiologic concentrations enhanced the PGM‐induced monokine release, while the monokine inducing capacity of PGM in the presence of sCD14 was inhibited by MEM‐18. Effects of PGM were also blocked by glycolipid, compound 406, suggesting the involvement of binding structures similar to those for lipopolysaccharide.Conclusion: Activation of human monocytes by PGM involves both forms of CD14 molecule, sCD14 and mCD14.
Recurrence of hepatitis C after liver transplantation is associated with increased systemic IL‐10 levels
Authors: Sheiner Patricia A. , Florman Sander S. , Emre Sukru , Fishbein Thomas , Schwartz Myron E. , Miller Charles M. , Boros Peter 
Published: November 2003

Background: Recurrence of hepatitis C after liver transplantation is an almost universal occurrence. T‐cell derived cytokines have an important role in the development of liver damage associated with chronic hepatitis C, their post‐transplant levels, however, have not been correlated with histologic recurrence of the disease.Aims: We sought to analyze levels of TNF‐α, soluble IL2 receptor, IL‐4 and IL‐10 at 1 month, 6 months and 1 year after transplantation in 27 patients undergoing transplantation for hepatitis C related end‐stage liver disease.Methods: HCV RNA levels were monitored by a branched‐chain DNA signal amplification assay. Diagnosis of recurrent hepatitis was based on 1‐year protocol biopsies and on biopsies performed for liver enzyme elevations.Results: Recurrent hepatitis C was detected in 52% (n =14) of the 27 patients. HCV RNA levels rose over time in all patients regardless of histologic recurrence. TNF‐α, and IL‐4 levels, although elevated, did not show specific patterns over time or in correlation with recurrence. Similarly, the early elevation followed by a gradual decrease over the first year in the amount of soluble IL‐2 receptor was not related to histologic recurrence. We observed a significant increase in circulating IL‐10 levels over the first year in patients with biopsy‐proven recurrence, while patients with no signs of histologic recurrence displayed increased, but steady levels.Conclusions: These results suggest that while these cytokines are associated with post‐transplant recurrence of hepatitis C, their production may be altered by additional factors.
Pro‐inflammatory cytokines induce c‐fos expression followed by IL‐6 release in human airway smooth muscle cells
Authors: McKay Sue , Bromhaar Mechteld M. Grootte , de Jongste Johan C. , Hoogsteden Henk C. , Saxena Pramod R. , Sharma Hari S. 
Published: November 2003

Background: Airway smooth muscle (ASM) is considered to be a target for mediators released during airway inflammation.Aims: To investigate the expression of c‐fos, a constituent of the transcription factor activator protein‐1, in human ASM cells. In addition, to measure the release of interleukin (IL)‐6 into the conditioned medium of stimulated ASM cells, as well as DNA biosynthesis and changes in cell number.Methods: Serum‐deprived human ASM cells in the G0/G1 phase were stimulated with the pro‐inflammatory cytokines; tumour necrosis factor‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐5 and IL‐6. The expression of mRNA encoding the proto‐oncogene c‐fos was measured by Northern blot analysis. Cell proliferation was assessed by
{3H}‐thymidine incorporation assays and cell counting, and IL‐6 levels in cell‐conditioned medium were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.Results: All of the cytokines investigated induced a rapid (within 1h) and transient increase in the expression of mRNA encoding c‐fos, followed by the expression and enhanced release of IL‐6. Cell proliferation remained unchanged in cytokine‐stimulated cells.Conclusions: Cytokine‐induced c‐fos expression in human ASM cells could be described as a marker of cell ‘activation′. The possible association of these results with airway inflammation, through secondary intracellular mechanisms such as cytokine production, is discussed.
Competition of IL‐1 and IL‐1ra determines lymphocyte response to delayed stimulation with PHA
Authors: Dąbrowski Marek P. , Stankiewicz Wanda , Płusa Tadeusz , Chciałowski Andrzej , Szmigielski Stanisław 
Published: November 2003

Background: Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) left in microcultures for 24 h without mitogen do not respond to subsequent stimulation with PHA. They regain reactivity if the native culture medium is absorbed with other party lymphocytes or partially replaced with the medium from a PHA‐stimulated culture. The observations suggest that, during the incubation, some inhibitory agent had accumulated in the culture medium.Aim: The study was performed to determine the nature of the observed phenomenon in respect of the possible role of monocytes and their products IL‐1 and IL‐1 receptor antagonist (IL‐1ra), and to test for immunodiagnostic purposes the significance of quantifying the lymphocyte response to delayed stimulation with PHA in patients suffering from inflammatory prosesses.Methods: Lymphocyte response to delayed stimulation with PHA, calculated as the lymphocyte‐monokine interaction (LM) index, was determined in the microcultures of PBMC isolated from the blood of healthy donors or of patients with acute tonsilitis. The values of LM indices were compared with the ratios of IL‐1ra/IL‐1β concentration estimated by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay method in the culture supernatants. The influences of exogenous IL‐1β , IL‐1ra, anti‐IL1ra antibodies and antibiotic cefaclor on the monokine concentrations and on the values of LM index were tested.Results and conclusions: The results show that the level of lymphocyte response to delayed stimulation with PHA (LM index) is inversely proportional to the ratio of IL‐1ra/IL‐1β concentration in the culture. The low LM values at high IL‐1ra/IL‐1β ratios in PBMC cultures from healthy donors, reversed proportions found in patients′ PBMC (acute tonsilitis), and the cefaclor‐induced reduction of LM value with correlated increase of the IL‐1ra/IL‐1β ratio suggest that the LM assay may prove to be useful for immunodiagnostic purposes.
Pharmacological characterisation of arthritis induced by Bothrops jararaca venom in rabbits: a positive cross talk between bradykinin, nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2
Authors: Mello Suzana B. V. , Guzzo Maria Luiza , Lisboa Luiz Filipe Santiago , Farsky Sandra H. P. 
Published: November 2003

Background: Our previous results showed that nitric oxide (NO) and bradykinin (BK) mediate the arthritis induced by
Bothrops jararaca venom (BjV) in rabbits. In this study, we investigated the contribution of each receptor of BK as well as the inter‐relationship between NO and eicosanoids in BjV‐induced arthritis.Methods: The arthritis was induced in rabbits with 16 μg of BjV injected intra‐articularly. Prostaglandin E2
(PGE2), thromboxane B2 (TxB2), leukotriene B4 (LTB4) (radioimmunoassay) and nitrite/nitrate concentrations (NO2/NO3) (Griess reaction) were evaluated in the synovial fluid 4 h later. The animals were prior treated with NO synthase inhibitor (L‐NAME; 20 mg/kg/day for 14 days), the B2 antagonist of BK (HOE‐140) and the B1 antagonist of BK
(des‐Arg9[Leu8]‐bradykinin), both at a dose of 0.3 mg/kg, 30 min prior to the venom injection.Results: Data show that L‐NAME and HOE‐140 treatment were equally able to reduce PGE2 and NO2/NO3 levels without interfering with TxB2 and LTB4 production. On the contrary, the B1 antagonist of BK inhibited TxB2 and LTB4 production, and did not alter PGE2 and NO metabolites levels in the inflamed joint.Discussions: The results presented clarify the contribution of the kinin system, mainly through the B2 receptor, to the local inflammatory response induced by BjV, as well as its positive interaction with PGE2 and NO production.