bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the effects of lofexidine and clonidine on naloxone‐precipitated withdrawal in opioid‐dependent humans
Authors: Walsh Sharon L. , Strain Eric C. , Bigelow George E. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractAims  To examine the efficacy of lofexidine, an α2 adrenergic agonist, to suppress opioid withdrawal symptoms in opioid‐dependent humans under in‐patient laboratory conditions by using a naloxone challenge procedure.Design  Randomized, within‐subject, cross‐over design with drug administration taking place under double‐blind and triple‐dummy conditions.Setting  A 14‐bed in‐patient hospital research unit dedicated to the conduct of behavioral pharmacology studies.Participants  Eight healthy adult volunteers (two female/six male) with histories of polysubstance abuse and current physical dependence on opioids.Intervention  Participants were stabilized onto methadone and maintained on 30 mg/day, p.o. throughout the study. Oral placebo, lofexidine (0.4, 0.8 and 1.6 mg, p.o.) and clonidine (0.1 and 0.2 mg, p.o.) were each tested as pre‐treatments once in combination with each of three intramuscular naloxone doses (0, 0.1 and 0.3 mg, i.m.) during 18 separate experimental sessions.Measurements  An array of physiological indices (e.g. heart rate, blood pressure, pupil diameter) as well as a number of subjective and observer‐rating scales sensitive to opioid withdrawal effects.Findings  As expected, lofexidine and clonidine both produced dose‐related decreases in blood pressure and heart rate but few subjective effects; naloxone increased opioid withdrawal signs and symptoms in a dose‐ and time‐dependent fashion. Although both lofexidine and clonidine reduced the cardiovascular response to naloxone challenge, close inspection of the data reveal that this occurred only to the extent that baseline physiological parameters were reduced, while neither drug significantly modified the overall magnitude of the response to naloxone. Moreover, neither lofexidine nor clonidine suppressed the subjective discomfort of opioid withdrawal or significantly reduced other autonomic signs of opioid withdrawal, such as lacrimation or rhinorrhea.Conclusions  These data suggest that lofexidine is well tolerated even at supratherapeutic acute doses. However, its failure to modify most signs and symptoms of opioid withdrawal suggest that its effective use in spontaneous withdrawal will require concomitant medications for improved therapeutic response.
Alcohol: No Ordinary Commodity. A summary of the book
Authors:   Alcohol & Public Policy Group
Published: December 2004

ABSTRACTThis article summarizes the contents ofAlcohol: No Ordinary Commodity—Research and public policy(Baboret al. 2003). The first part of the book describes why alcohol is no ordinary commodity, and presents epidemiological data on the global burden of alcohol‐related problems. The second part of the book reviews the scientific evidence for strategies and interventions designed to prevent or minimize alcohol‐related harm: pricing and taxation, regulating the physical availability of alcohol, modifying the drinking context, drinking‐driving countermeasures, regulating alcohol promotion, education and persuasion strategies and treatment services. The final section considers the policymaking process on the local, national and international levels, and provides a synthesis of evidence‐based strategies and interventions from a policy perspective.
Major depression in patients with substance use disorders: relationship to 12‐Step self‐help involvement and substance use outcomes
Authors: Kelly John F. , McKellar John D. , Moos Rudolf 
Published: December 2004

AbstractAims  Many patients treated for substance use disorders (SUDs) who become involved in 12‐Step self‐help groups have improved treatment outcomes. However, due to high rates of psychiatric comorbidity and major depressive disorder (MDD), among SUD patients in particular, concerns have been raised over whether these benefits extend to dual diagnosis patients. This study examined the influence of comorbid MDD among patients with SUDs on 12‐Step self‐help group involvement and its relation to treatment outcome.Design  A quasi‐experimental, prospective, intact group design was used with assessments completed during treatment, and 1 and 2 years postdischarge.Participants  A total of 2161 male patients recruited during in‐patient SUD treatment, of whom 110 had a comorbid MDD diagnosis (SUD‐MDD) and 2051 were without psychiatric comorbidity (SUD‐only).Findings  SUD‐MDD patients were initially less socially involved in and derived progressively less benefit from 12‐Step groups over time compared to the SUD‐only group. However, substance use outcomes did not differ by diagnostic cohort. In contrast, despite using substantially more professional out‐patient services, the SUD‐MDD cohort continued to suffer significant levels of depression.Conclusions  Treatment providers should allocate more resources to targeting depressive symptoms in SUD‐MDD patients. Furthermore, SUD‐MDD patients may not assimilate as readily into, nor benefit as much from, traditional 12‐Step self‐help groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, as psychiatrically non‐comorbid patients. Newer, dual‐diagnosis‐specific, self‐help groups may be a better fit for these patients, but await further study.
Contextual factors and youth tobacco use: policy linkages
Authors: Chaloupka Frank J. 
Published: December 2004

ABSTRACTThis paper provides a short commentary on the set of papers contained in this special issue that discuss various contextual factors that affect youth smoking. It highlights the interrelationships between the economic and policy factors, media influences, community factors, peer influences and familial factors that impact on youth smoking. Particular emphasis is given to the direct effects of prices and policies on youth smoking, and to the indirect effects of these factors as they work through the other contextual factors.
The case for studying multiple contexts simultaneously
Authors: Cook Thomas D. 
Published: December 2004

ABSTRACTIndividuals live in multiple social contexts simultaneously, whether they be family, peer, neighborhood, school or work contexts. In individual lives, it is likely that the forces within any one context that promote healthy human development are correlated with whatever causal forces operate to the same end in other contexts. This paper explores why it is important to consider social contexts, not singly as in traditional neighborhood or school or work‐site research, but in combination.
Familial influences on adolescent smoking
Authors: Avenevoli Shelli , Merikangas Kathleen Ries 
Published: December 2004

ABSTRACTThe family unit is the primary source of transmission of basic social, cultural, genetic, and biological factors that may underlie individual differences in smoking. Existing information on the role of familial factors in tobacco use is characterized by two separate, but somewhat overlapping, lines of research: genetic epidemiological studies and risk‐factor research. The present paper summarizes and evaluates studies assessing the association between adolescent smoking and parent and sibling smoking behaviors. A review of 87 studies reveals that methods are limited by a lack of standardized instruments, failure to measure important confounding and mediating factors, reliance on cross‐sectional designs and the use of inconsistent definitions of tobacco‐related behavior and assessment procedures. Moreover, there are no systematic family studies of the acquisition and continuation of smoking that have employed contemporary methodological standards for examining familial aggregation of tobacco behaviors among adolescents. Findings across studies show weak and inconsistent associations between parent and adolescent smoking; inconsistent findings may be attributed to methodological issues or associated factors that may complicate the relation between parent and adolescent smoking. Sibling and peer smoking show greater associations with adolescent smoking. Suggestions for future research include contemporary family studies that delineate meaningful phenotypes of tobacco use and prospective work on the later stages of tobacco use and the timing of the influence and valence of parent and family factors. Integration of the risk factor approach within the family study design may enrich both approaches to elucidate familial influences on smoking.
Theory, measurement, and methods in the study of family influences on adolescent smoking
Authors: Darling Nancy , Cumsille Patricio 
Published: December 2004

ABSTRACTThis paper discusses three dilemmas faced by researchers interested in family influences in substance use: the transitional nature of adolescent smoking, the complexity and multi‐dimensionality of family forms and influences, and the inter‐relationship of family influences with other key developmental contexts. Methodological and conceptual issues stemming from these dilemmas are discussed with regard to understanding why previous reviews have found the correlations between family predictors and adolescent smoking to be relatively low. In particular, the importance of understanding time, the transitional nature of the phenomenon, and within‐ and between‐ family processes are emphasized. More appropriate conceptual and statistical models for analyzing family influences are suggested, including both mixed models and person‐centered approaches.
Peers and adolescent smoking
Authors: Kobus Kimberly 
Published: December 2004

ABSTRACTThere is a considerable body of empirical research that has identified adolescent peer relationships as a primary factor involved in adolescent cigarette smoking. Despite this large research base, many questions remain unanswered about the mechanisms by which peers affect youths’ smoking behavior. Understanding these processes of influence is key to the development of prevention and intervention programs designed to address adolescent smoking as a significant public health concern. In this paper, theoretical frameworks and empirical findings are reviewed critically which inform the current state of knowledge regarding peer influences on teenage smoking. Specifically, social learning theory, primary socialization theory, social identity theory and social network theory are discussed. Empirical findings regarding peer influence and selection, as well as multiple reference points in adolescent friendships, including best friendships, romantic relationships, peer groups and social crowds, are also reviewed. Review of this work reveals the contribution that peers have in adolescents’ use of tobacco, in some cases promoting use, and in other cases deterring it. This review also suggests that peer influences on smoking are more subtle than commonly thought and need to be examined more carefully, including consideration of larger social contexts, e.g. the family, neighborhood, and media. Recommendations for future investigations are made, as well as suggestions for specific methodological approaches that offer promise for advancing our knowledge of the contribution of peers on adolescent tobacco use.
An ecological approach to understanding youth smoking trajectories: problems and prospects
Authors: Wilcox Pamela 
Published: December 2004

ABSTRACTNon‐random patterns of aggregate youth smoking rates and trajectories across communities suggest that individual‐level characteristics cannot account fully for the behavior in question. Instead, at least part of the explanation must lie somewhere within the community context. Such community‐level contextual effects can impact directly both group and individual‐level behavior (e.g. main effects), and they can also condition the effects of individual‐level factors on individual behaviors (e.g. moderating effects). This paper reviews previous research examining community‐level contextual effects regarding smoking and substance use more generally and identifies important limitations of this extant work, thus defining an agenda for future empirical studies. Next, the (in)compatibility of previous empirical findings with current theoretical models is discussed. In offering an alternative to these existing models, the paper concludes with presentation and discussion of a multi‐level, integrated model of adolescent smoking trajectories. In this model, community/institutional forces are presumed to impact smoking above and beyond individual‐level main effects. These posited community‐level forces are broad and varied, representing school characteristics, neighborhood demographic characteristics, religious culture, media influence, economic context, health services and so on. In addition to exhibiting contextual main effects, the effects of community in the proposed multilevel model can be mediated by community‐level processes, including the processes of control and socialization discussed herein. Also, community‐level characteristics may interact in producing certain tobacco‐use outcomes and, perhaps most importantly, they may moderate or condition the effects of interindividual differences on smoking.
Role of the media in influencing trajectories of youth smoking
Authors: Wakefield Melanie , Flay Brian , Nichter Mark , Giovino Gary 
Published: December 2004

ABSTRACTThis paper summarizes results of empirical studies on cigarette advertising and promotions, antismoking advertising, product placement in movies, on television and in music media and news coverage about smoking. In addition, we provide an overview of some of the theoretical literature relevant to the study of media uses and effects. Finally, we discuss empirical findings in the context of these theories to draw some conclusions about media influences on smoking and identify issues for further research. We conclude that (a) the media both shape and reflect social values about smoking; (b) the media provide new information about smoking directly to audiences; (c) the media act as a source of observational learning by providing models which teenagers may seek to emulate; (d) exposure to media messages about smoking also provides direct reinforcement for smoking or not smoking; (e) the media promote interpersonal discussion about smoking; (f) the media can influence ‘intervening’ behaviors that may make teenage smoking less likely; and (g) antismoking media messages can also set the agenda for other change at the community, state or national level. We outline priorities for further research which emphasize the need for longitudinal studies, multi‐level studies, an awareness of the probably dynamic relationship between tobacco advertising and antismoking advertising, the importance of determining appraisal of tobacco industry youth smoking prevention efforts and the dearth of research on news coverage about smoking.
Prices, policies and youth smoking, May 2001
Authors: Liang Lan , Chaloupka Frank , Nichter Mark , Clayton Richard 
Published: December 2004

ABSTRACTYouth smoking continues to be an important public health problem. Many policy tools designed to reduce youth smoking are based on economic principles. This paper describes the economic and policy context of tobacco use aiming at reducing youth smoking and explains the economic rationale for tobacco control tools such as excise tax and price, clean indoor air laws, youth access laws and the broad provision of health information to the public. An overview of economic models of addiction provides the framework for empirical analysis of the impact of these policies. This is followed by a summary of the empirical evidence of the effectiveness of various tobacco control tools that are primarily economic in nature. The most consistent finding in this literature is that higher cigarette prices discourage youth smoking. Compared to the effects of cigarette taxation and price on youth smoking, the evidence on the effectiveness of the youth access laws and clean indoor air laws are still mixed and inconclusive. More research is needed to address issues such as: (1) the effects of gender, age, race and socio‐economic status on the relationship between tobacco control policies and youth smoking; (2) better measurement of the outcome variables to account for the multi‐dimensional nature of dependence; and (3) the effects of excise taxes and other tobacco control policies with regard to a host of dimensions of smoking such as initiation, cessation, and more generally the trajectories of tobacco use that would include patterns of progression, maintenance, regression, cessation, and relapse. More frequently collected longitudinal data than those currently available are needed to address the above issues. Understanding smoking behavior cannot be achieved without incorporating familial and other social contexts.
Political economy of youth smoking regulation
Authors: Pollack Harold A. , Jacobson Peter D. 
Published: December 2004

ABSTRACTThis paper considers the political economy of tobacco regulation—that is, the interplay between politics and markets in tobacco regulation. In surveying the interest‐group politics of tobacco control, it describes political advantages held by a profitable and concentrated industry engaged in tobacco production. It also considers reasons for the surprising political success of tobacco control advocates over the past decade. The paper considers challenges faced by tobacco control advocates, who face their own obstacles to collective action in promoting effective tobacco regulation. Both public officials and tobacco control advocates face stronger incentives to advocate new legislation than they do to ensure effective implementation of existing regulatory measures. The essay concludes by considering the Master Settlement Agreement, whose detailed implementation remains uncertain after the election of the Bush administration.
Smoking: what does culture have to do with it?
Authors: Nichter Mark 
Published: December 2004

ABSTRACTIn this commentary issues are raised relating to the role of ethnicity and ‘culture’ as a context influencing adolescent smoking. A processual rendering of culture is encouraged, as is an appreciation of intraethnic diversity. The question posed is ‘what is cultural about particular patterns, transitions and trajectories of smoking?’ Productive ways of investigating patterns of smoking which attend to class, ethnicity, gender norms, modernity and popular culture are focused upon as an ongoing project subject to both the identity needs of youth and the agenda of the tobacco industry. Promising areas of research are identified, as are the potential contributions of ethnographies of tobacco use.
Habitat occurrence and feeding ecology of Crocidura montis and Lophuromys flavopunctatus on Mt. Elgon, Uganda
Authors: Clausnitzer V. , Churchfield S. , Hutterer R. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThe distribution, habitat occurrence and feeding ecology of Crocidura montis and Lophuromys flavopunctatus coexisting in the afro‐alpine zone on Mt. Elgon, Uganda, are described. Crocidura montis was the only shrew species occupying the afro‐alpine zone, but was not found in forested habitats below 3200 m. While there was considerable overlap in habitat occurrence between the two species, C. montis was most abundant in the montane grassland and in drier sites while L. flavopunctatus occupied a wider range of habitats and wetter sites. C. montis ate a diversity of invertebrates, the most important being Coleoptera, Araneae and Lumbricidae. Invertebrates, mostly Diptera larvae, Lumbricidae and Coleoptera, formed a major component of the L. flavopunctatus diets, plus plant material (particularly Hepaticae and monocots). The arthropod components of the diets reflected their abundance in pitfall samples.
Forest succession in Kibale National Park, Uganda: implications for forest restoration and management
Authors: Lwanga Jeremiah S. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractForest succession was studied in four plots in former grasslands at the Ngogo study area in Kibale National Park, Uganda. The plots were located in areas that had been protected from fire for 0.58, 25, 9 and ≈30 years for plots 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. Species richness reflected the length of time that the plot had been protected from fire; it was highest in plot 4 and lowest in plot 1. Species density, stem density and basal area were all highest in plot 4 and lowest in plot 1. The species densities of plots 2 and 3 were not different. Similarly, plots 2 and 4 did not differ with regard to stem density or basal area. Animal seed dispersers played a vital role in the colonization of grasslands by forest tree species.
Changes in carabid beetle diversity within a fragmented agricultural landscape
Authors: Magagula C. N. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThe distribution of carabid and cicindelid (Coleoptera: Carabidae) beetles in five distinct habitats (riparian, mature orchard, pine windbreak, young orchard, natural veld), within Tambuti Citrus Estate (Swaziland) was examined by pitfall trapping over 18 months. Habitats with high vegetation and litter cover had the highest species diversity and larger specimens, e.g. riparian border and pine windbreak, while the lowest diversity was observed in intensively managed mature citrus orchards. While species such as Tefflus delagorguei Guérin occurred in all the habitats sampled, certain species illustrated habitat specificity; e.g. Dromica ambitiosa Péringuey was observed only in the pine windbreaks while Haplotrachelus sp. Chaudoir occurred mainly in the vegetated riparian and natural veld habitats. Four unidentified carabid beetles were exclusive to the riparian border habitat. This habitat was the only one with a distinct assemblage of species in the agricultural mosaic studied. Multivariate analyses were used to assess the role of soil and environmental variables in relation to the ground beetle diversity within the agricultural mosaic studied.
Aspects of reproductive biology of Labeo horie Heckel (Pisces: Cyprinidae) in Lake Chamo, Ethiopia
Authors: Dadebo Elias , Ahlgren Gunnel , Ahlgren Ingemar 
Published: December 2004

Abstract Labeo horie
Heckel is increasingly becoming commercially important in Lake Chamo but its reproductive biology in the lake is not well enough to guide its management. Sex ratio, breeding season, length at first maturity and fecundity of
L. horie
were studied from 1197 fish samples collected between August 1998 and October 1999 in Lake Chamo, Ethiopia. The sex ratio was significantly different (χ
2
= 12.12,
P
< 0.001). The peak‐breeding period was during the rainy months of March to May, during which time more than 90% of both sexes had ripe gonads. The size at maturity (
L
m50
) of males was 52 cm while the
L
m50
of females was 62 cm. The smallest ripe male in the catch was 46.7 cm and weighed 890 g while the smallest ripe female caught was 49.5 cm and weighed 1145 g. The weight of ripe ovaries ranged from 54.3 g to 991.8 g and contained between 68,400 and 1,320,400 eggs. Relative fecundity ranged between 60 and 290 eggs per g of body weight. The relationships between fecundity and total length and between fecundity and total weight were curvilinear, while the relationship between fecundity and ovary weight was linear.
L. horie conformed to the general pattern of reproduction in a tropical environment where peak‐breeding activity occurred during the rainy season. In order to protect the spawning population, fishing pressure should be minimized during breeding time at the shallower littoral regions.