From the Cradle: Reconstructing the ephēbeia in Hellenistic Megara

This chapter re-constructs the form and function of the ephēbeia in Hellenistic Megara, beginning with an examination of the city’s military catalogues during its membership in the Boiotian League. Through comparison with other member cities, a detailed reconstruction of the Megarian ephēbeia is advanced beginning with the period stretching from 224-193 BC, and then expanding to consider the potential origins of the city’s ephebic program in its local context. Throughout, the place of the ephēbeia in the local discourse environment of Megara is emphasized for its role in training subsequent generations of Megarian citizens who would go on to participate actively in the city’s military and political life

The tradition and ideology of naming Seleukid Queens

This article examines the traditions and ideology which guide the Seleukid dynasty’s faithful repetition of female names over various generations as a case study for better understanding Hellenistic royal onomastics. Beginning with a review of the function of Greek personal names more generally, the article then examines the mechanics behind repeating royal female names. The name Laodike is then taken as a case study, and is examined in relation to Seleukid mythology, royal cult, and the longer literary tradition stretching back to Homer. A reconstruction is then proposed, in which it is argued that female names functioned as quasi- titles

Kai polemou kai eirenes: military magistrates at war and at peace in Hellenistic Boiotia

Our current understanding of the Boiotian military in the Hellenistic Period is characterised by something of a paradox: on the one hand, a wide array of ancient sources attest to the size and complexity of the Boiotian League’s military machine, but on the other hand, this military apparatus is largely assumed to have been either inactive or ineffective during the third century in particular. This paper re-examines prevailing suppositions of Boiotian civic decline (and thus military enfeeblement) in the third century by considering the practical role of local military magistrates in Hellenistic Boiotia. Beginning with an overview of the idiosyncratic office of polemarchos in Boiotia, I examine the practical duties of these magistrates in the civic communities of the region, both in the domestic sphere when at peace, and in the military sphere when the army is in the field. In order to determine precisely who these magistrates were, I turn to a detailed case study of the military catalogues of Hyettos dating from the late 230s to 175, and observe several patterns in the sequence of office-holders. By identifying both recurrent individual office-holders and tracking the careers of their descendants over time, I argue for the continuing prominence and activity of these local military magistracies in Hyettos and, by extension, elsewhere in Boiotia

Kai polemou kai eirenes: military magistrates at war and at peace in Hellenistic Boiotia

Our current understanding of the Boiotian military in the Hellenistic Period is characterised by something of a paradox: on the one hand, a wide array of ancient sources attest to the size and complexity of the Boiotian League’s military machine, but on the other hand, this military apparatus is largely assumed to have been either inactive or ineffective during the third century in particular. This paper re-examines prevailing suppositions of Boiotian civic decline (and thus military enfeeblement) in the third century by considering the practical role of local military magistrates in Hellenistic Boiotia. Beginning with an overview of the idiosyncratic office of polemarchos in Boiotia, I examine the practical duties of these magistrates in the civic communities of the region, both in the domestic sphere when at peace, and in the military sphere when the army is in the field. In order to determine precisely who these magistrates were, I turn to a detailed case study of the military catalogues of Hyettos dating from the late 230s to 175, and observe several patterns in the sequence of office-holders. By identifying both recurrent individual office-holders and tracking the careers of their descendants over time, I argue for the continuing prominence and activity of these local military magistracies in Hyettos and, by extension, elsewhere in Boiotia

Bench-to-bedside review: β(2)-Agonists and the acute respiratory distress syndrome

The acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a devastating constellation of clinical, radiological and pathological signs characterized by failure of gas exchange and refractory hypoxia. Despite nearly 30 years of research, no specific pharmacological therapy has yet proven to be efficacious in manipulating the pathophysiological processes that underlie this condition. Several in vitro and in vivo animal or human studies suggest a potential role for β(2)-agonists in the treatment of ARDS. These agents have been shown to reduce pulmonary neutrophil sequestration and activation, accelerate alveolar fluid clearance, enhance surfactant secretion, and modulate the inflammatory and coagulation cascades. They are also used widely in clinical practice and are well tolerated in critically ill patients. The present review examines the evidence supporting a role for β(2)-agonists as a specific pharmacological intervention in patients with ARDS

The United Kingdom’s first unsanctioned overdose prevention site; a proof-of-concept evaluation

Background: The United Kingdom (UK) is currently experiencing a public health crisis of drug-related deaths. The government has rejected recommendations to open overdose prevention services, under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. We report on the operation and use of an unsanctioned overdose prevention service which operated in Glasgow city centre from September 2020 to May 2021. Methods: Description of the service, with analysis of data collected on its use. Results: The service operated for nine months without permission or funding from official sources. We report on the 894 injections supervised and recorded, and nine successful interventions with overdose events (seven opioid/two cocaine). Powder cocaine injection predominated either alone (60.6%) or with heroin (22.1%). Injection was mostly in the groin (68.0%) or arm (16.8%). More injections were recorded by males (70.1%). Around two-thirds (65%) of injection events featured an individual who was also on a buprenorphine/methadone prescription. Conclusion: It is feasible for an overdose prevention service to operate successfully in the UK without being shut down by the police or with negative consequences for the community. Future sites in the UK must tailor to the regional trends in substances used by their potential clients and there is a notable difference to some international trends (e.g. no fentanyl use). There is an urgent need and demand for these services in the UK to reduce harm, prevent and intervene during overdose, and provide vital psychosocial support for health and wellbeing in a highly marginalised population

Chronic pain, prescribed opioids and overdose risk: a qualitative exploration of the views of affected individuals and family members

It has been estimated that chronic non cancer pain (CNCP) affects more than 30% of people worldwide. Correspondingly, prescriptions for individuals experiencing CNCP have increased in recent years. While opioids can minimize pain, they also pose a risk of overdose. In 2019 in Scotland, prescription analgesics contributed to, or were implicated in, approximately 19% of drug related deaths. The experiences of those prescribed opioids for CNCP and family members, particularly their perceptions of overdose risk, are under-explored in the literature. This study aimed to address this gap by exploring how individuals and family members perceive the issue of overdose in relation to opioid analgesics, and their views of overdose prevention and potential interventions. Lived experiences from 12 individuals and family members living in Scotland were shared via in-depth qualitative interviews and analysed using NVivo and Framework. Coding was iterative and deductive. Analysis generated five themes: (1) living with pain and experiencing stigma; (2) taking more medication than prescribed; (3) side effects of medication; (4) overdose risk and prevention: the role of prescribers; and (5) attitudes towards naloxone to address overdose risk. Study findings have implications for the development of interventions and broader responses to reduce overdose risk among this group

Chronic pain, prescribed opioids and overdose risk: a qualitative exploration of the views of affected individuals and family members

It has been estimated that chronic non cancer pain (CNCP) affects more than 30% of people worldwide. Correspondingly, prescriptions for individuals experiencing CNCP have increased in recent years. While opioids can minimize pain, they also pose a risk of overdose. In 2019 in Scotland, prescription analgesics contributed to, or were implicated in, approximately 19% of drug related deaths. The experiences of those prescribed opioids for CNCP and family members, particularly their perceptions of overdose risk, are under-explored in the literature. This study aimed to address this gap by exploring how individuals and family members perceive the issue of overdose in relation to opioid analgesics, and their views of overdose prevention and potential interventions. Lived experiences from 12 individuals and family members living in Scotland were shared via in-depth qualitative interviews and analysed using NVivo and Framework. Coding was iterative and deductive. Analysis generated five themes: (1) living with pain and experiencing stigma; (2) taking more medication than prescribed; (3) side effects of medication; (4) overdose risk and prevention: the role of prescribers; and (5) attitudes towards naloxone to address overdose risk. Study findings have implications for the development of interventions and broader responses to reduce overdose risk among this group