Effects Of Alcohol Research Articles

Christmas article: A little booze to warm you up - true or false? A thermographic Christmas study

In December, it is common to enjoy mulled wine, often believed to warm the body. While alcohol can cause peripheral vasodilation, it remains unclear whether it truly increases body warmth or is merely a subjective sensation. This study aimed to evaluate the warming effect of mulled wine using thermography. This randomised, crossover study enrolled 15 participants. Participants consumed mulled wine with 12g alcohol or without alcohol on separate days. Facial temperatures were measured using thermography at baseline and every 10 minutes for 60 minutes after consumption. Participants wore Santa hats to standardise heat loss and maintained room temperature at 22°C. A questionnaire assessed subjective warmth and festive spirit. Blood alcohol concentration was evaluated throughout the study. Facial thermography showed a significant temperature increase in participants who consumed mulled wine with alcohol of mean (± SD) 33.6°C (± 1.3) vs 32.9 (± 1.0) °C on days with no alcohol, p = 0.039. Subjective warmth ratings were also higher on alcohol days, p = 0.002. However, participants reported an equally increased festive mood, regardless of alcohol content. Mulled wine with alcohol increases facial temperature and subjective feelings of warmth. However, non-alcoholic versions also elevate the festive spirit, suggesting they offer a seasonal atmosphere without the effects of alcohol. None. Not relevant.

Field Study on Washing of 4-Methoxy-2-Nitroaniline from Contaminated Site by Dye Intermediates

Dye intermediates are important industrial chemicals; there is a lack of systematic field experiments and relevant validation data regarding the remediation of groundwater contamination by dye intermediates. This study examines the eluting effects of alcohol eluting agents, non-ionic surfactants, and deionized water on 4-methoxy-2-nitroaniline (4M2N) in a contaminated aquifer medium from a historically polluted dye intermediate production site in northwest China. The findings indicate that alcohol eluting agents exhibit superior eluting effects compared to non-ionic surfactants. Under optimized conditions, including 60% n-propanol concentration, a liquid-to-solid ratio of 15:1, two eluting cycles, an elution pH of 3, and a 2 h eluting duration, the eluting concentration of 4-methoxy-2-nitroaniline reached 75.49 mg/kg, exceeding that of the composite eluting agent by two times more and deionized water by three times further. Analysis revealed that the liquid-to-solid ratio and number of eluting cycles are the primary factors influencing eluting efficiency. Field trials conducted using treated groundwater involved injecting 31,560 m3 of treated groundwater over 152 days, resulting in the extraction of 38,550 m3 and the removal of about 1887 kg of 4-methoxy-2-nitroaniline. The concentrations of contaminants in both pumping wells and monitoring wells exhibited a certain degree of increase at various times. Field applications of treated groundwater washing facilitated the release of 4-methoxy-2-nitroaniline from the aquifer medium, which significantly enhances remediation efficiency. This provides theoretical support for data analysis and the promotion of similar remediation efforts.

Dose-dependent effects of alcohol consumption on pressure pain threshold

IntroductionPrior laboratory-based studies have identified significant analgesic effects of acute alcohol. Despite providing excellent experimental control, these studies are limited regarding the range of alcohol exposure that can be practically and ethically achieved. This study capitalized on the heterogeneity in breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) resulting from naturalistic alcohol use at a public event to improve understanding of alcohol analgesia. We hypothesized that BrAC would be significantly and positively associated with pain threshold. MethodsParticipants were attendees of the 2024 Minnesota State Fair reporting alcohol use within the last month (N = 149, 55 % women). Each completed a brief assessment of pressure pain threshold at the first dorsal interosseus muscle. BrAC was measured using a standard breathalyzer device. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis characterized BrAC as a predictor of pain threshold, controlling for covariates including clinical pain, age, sex, typical drinking, participant/experimenter gender matching, and expectancies of alcohol analgesia. Results30.9 % of participants had non-zero BrACs, with an average of 0.038 g/dL. Average pain threshold was 3.58 kgf/cm2. Higher BrAC predicted greater pain threshold in both the whole sample (b = 0.145, p = 0.001, η2p = 0.07) and those participants with non-zero BrACs (b = 0.184, p = 0.009, η2p = 0.18). Men had significant greater pain thresholds than women (p = 0.007, η2p = 0.052), but no other covariates reached significance. Addition of quadratic and cubic BrAC terms did not improve model fit. DiscussionResults suggest a significant, dose-dependent association of alcohol use with increased pain threshold, independent of age, sex, number of reported pain conditions, participant/experimenter gender matching, or beliefs regarding alcohol analgesia. The acute analgesic effects of alcohol may scale linearly with amount consumed, at least within the BrAC range observed in the study.

МАТРИЧНАЯ ПОЛИМЕРИЗАЦИЯ ТРИМЕТИЛ[МЕТАКРИЛОКСИЭТИЛ]АММОНИЙ МЕТИЛСУЛЬФАТА НА МИЦЕЛЛАХ ДОДЕЦИЛСУЛЬФАТА НАТРИЯ В РАЗБАВЛЕННЫХ РАСТВОРАХ

The effect of dodecyl alcohol on the micelle formation of sodium dodecyl sulfate has been studied by fluorescence spectrophotometry, conductometry and tensometry, and critical concentrations of micelle formation corresponding to the formation of spherical and aspherical micelles have been determined. Polymerization of trimethyl[methacryloxyethyl]ammonium methyl sulfate on sodium dodecyl sulfate micelles containing dodecyl alcohol was carried out. The viscosimetry method determined the characteristic viscosities of synthesized polyelectrolytes. Synthesized polyelectrolytes on micelles are characterized by higher values of characteristic viscosity than polyelectrolytes obtained in aqueous solution in the absence of surfactants. The difference in the values of the characteristic viscosity is due to the effect of dodecyl alcohol on the size and shape of sodium dodecyl sulfate micelles.

Temporal differential effects of post-injury alcohol consumption in a mouse model of blast-induced traumatic brain injury

Traumatic brain injury is a prevalent condition that affects millions worldwide with no clear understanding or effective therapeutic management available. Military soldiers have a high risk of exposure to blast-induced traumatic brain injury (bTBI). Furthermore, alcohol drinking is common in this population, and studies have shown that post-TBI alcohol exposure can result in memory loss. Hence, it is possible that alcohol could contribute to the overall pathological outcome of brain trauma. However, such a possibility has not been explored in detail. Here, we combined a mild bTBI (mbTBI) model with the drinking-in-the-dark (DID) paradigm to investigate the pathological synergy between mbTBI and alcohol consumption by examining brain oxidative stress levels and behavioral alterations in mice. The results revealed the anxiolytic and short-term memory improvement effects of post-trauma alcohol drinking examined at an early timepoint post mbTBI. However, extended alcohol drinking for up to three weeks post mbTBI impaired long-term memory and was accompanied by intensified oxidative stress in brain regions associated with memory and anxiety. These findings, as well as those from previous in vitro TBI/alcohol studies, suggest a pathological synergy of physical force and post-impact alcohol exposure. This knowledge could potentially aid in establishing guidelines for TBI victims to avoid further injury to their brains as well as to help maximize their recovery following TBI.

Alkaline tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol pretreatment technology to achieve value-added co-liquefaction of biomass

Although it is promising to convert biomass into high yield/high quality bio-oil through hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL), it still faces many challenges. Hence, a novel approach was proposed here to improve the yield and quality of bio-oil. The effect of alkaline tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol (ATA) pretreatment on the preparation of bio-oil from walnut shell (WS) adopting isopropanol/water co-liquefaction was studied. By optimizing the concentration of pretreatment alkali, the ratio of liquefied solvent, reaction temperature and residence time, the results indicated that a 50/50 co-solvent ratio had the best liquefaction effect. Under conditions of 280 °C, 30 min, and 1%-ATA, the maximum yield and energy recovery rate (ERR) of total bio-oil were 62.76% and 34.07%, respectively. Various high-sensitivity characterization techniques were used to analyze the physicochemical properties of WS pretreatment and liquefaction products, confirming that ATA pretreatment effectively breaks the structural barrier of WS and promotes its conversion to bio-oil.

Late-Life Alcohol Exposure Does Not Exacerbate Age-Dependent Reductions in Mouse Spatial Memory and Brain TFEB Activity

Alcohol consumption is believed to affect Alzheimer’s disease (AD) risk, but the contributing mechanisms are not well understood. A potential mediator of the proposed alcohol-AD connection is autophagy, a degradation pathway that maintains organelle and protein homeostasis. Autophagy is regulated through the activity of Transcription factor EB (TFEB), which promotes lysosome and autophagy-related gene expression. The purpose of this study is to explore whether chronic alcohol consumption worsens the age-related decline in TFEB-mediated lysosomal biogenesis in the brain and exacerbates cognitive decline associated with aging. To explore the effect of alcohol on brain TFEB and autophagy, we exposed young (3-month-old) and aged (23-month-old) mice to two alcohol-feeding paradigms and assessed biochemical, transcriptome, histology, and behavioral endpoints. In young mice, alcohol decreased hippocampal nuclear TFEB staining but increased SQSTM1/p62, LC3-II, ubiquitinated proteins, and phosphorylated Tau. Hippocampal TFEB activity was lower in aged mice than it was in young mice, and Gao-binge alcohol feeding did not worsen the age-related reduction in TFEB activity. Morris Water and Barnes Maze spatial memory tasks were used to characterize the effects of aging and chronic alcohol exposure (mice fed alcohol for 4 weeks). The aged mice showed worse spatial memory acquisition in both tests. Alcohol feeding slightly impaired spatial memory in the young mice, but had little effect or even slightly improved spatial memory acquisition in the aged mice. In conclusion, aging produces greater reductions in brain autophagy flux and impairment of spatial memory than alcohol consumption.

Efectos y prevalencia del consumo simultáneo de alcohol y cannabis: una revisión narrativa

Introduction: the use of cannabis has increased significantly over the last few decades. However, knowledge surrounding the simultaneous use of this substance and alcohol is scarce. Objective: to explore the prevalence, effects and risky situations related to the simultaneous use of cannabis and alcohol, with a focus on Mexico. Method: for this narrative review, a search was carried out in the PubMed database using the terms “alcohol”, “cannabis”, “marihuana”, “co-use” and “simultaneous use”. The relevant literature was selected and notable references were reviewed, focusing on alcohol and cannabis use disorders, consumption during pregnancy and before driving. Results: the prevalence of simultaneous alcohol and cannabis use has increased over the past few years, particularly among adolescents and young adults. This consumption pattern results in increased cognitive impairment, a higher number of negative consequences, a greater impact on embryonic development and a higher probability of risky driving compared to single-substance use. Discussion and conclusions: understanding this consumption pattern is essential for developing prevention and harm reduction strategies for vulnerable populations and risky situations. It is necessary to standardize the terms and methodologies used and carry out more studies focused on the prevalence, pharmacological and long-term effects of simultaneous alcohol and cannabis use with larger and more diverse samples, including the Mexican population.

Gut microbiota dysbiosis induced by alcohol exposure in pubertal and adult mice.

This study elucidates the significant impact of alcohol exposure on the gut microbiota and metabolic pathways in mice, highlighting the differential responses between adolescent and adult stages. Alcohol exposure was found to damage the intestinal barrier, alter the microbial composition by decreasing beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus, and increase harmful bacteria such as Alistipes. The study also discovered unique microbial changes and resilience in pubertal mice. Species-level metagenomic analysis revealed specific microbial taxa and metabolic functions affected by alcohol. Metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) found many species that could not be annotated by conventional methods including many members of Lachnospiraceae, greatly expanding our understanding of the gut microbiota composition. These findings underscore the need for further research on alcohol's effects on various organs and the implications of microbial metabolites on disease progression.

Chronic alcohol consumption exacerbates ischemia-associated skeletal muscle mitochondrial dysfunction in a murine model of peripheral artery disease

PurposePeripheral artery disease (PAD) causes ischemic mitochondriopathy-associated muscle damage, amplifying patient disability and mortality. Although alcohol and a high-fat diet enhance PAD predisposition and severity, their impact on PAD myopathy is unclear. Using our murine model of PAD, we investigated the combined effect of chronic alcohol and fat consumption on intramuscular oxidative stress and mitochondrial content, function, and quality control. The potential relationship between intramuscular aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) content, oxidative stress and mitochondriopathy was also explored. MethodsTwenty-four male, 24 female, 8-month-old C57BL/6 J mice received high-fat-sucrose (HFS) or low-fat-sucrose (LFS) diets for 16-weeks, followed by either 20 % ethanol (EtOH) supplemented in the drinking water or continued water access for another 12-weeks (n = 12 mice/4 groups). The left femoral artery was ligated to induce hindlimb ischemia (HLI), and mice 4-weeks post-ligation were euthanized. ResultsChronic HLI was associated with an ischemic muscle mitochondriopathy, which was exacerbated by concurrent HFS and EtOH feeding. Intramuscular ALDH2 was also reduced in mice consuming HFS + EtOH, particularly in the ischemic limb, but increased in their LFS + EtOH-consuming counterparts. Moreover, reduced ALDH2 was strongly correlated with markers of oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. ConclusionsALDH2 could be a promising therapeutic target to optimize intramuscular mitochondrial function in PAD patients, particularly those who habitually consume a diet high in fat and alcohol.

Proanthocyanidins alleviate acute alcohol liver injury by inhibiting pyroptosis via inhibiting the ROS-MLKL-CTSB-NLRP3 pathway

BackgroundAlcoholic Liver Disease (ALD) is a hepatic disorder resulting from prolonged or excessive alcohol intake. The predominant manifestation of ALD is fatty liver, which progresses to alcoholic hepatitis as the disease worsens. Pyroptosis is a novel type of programmed cell death that is intricately linked to the inflammatory cascade, presenting a promising avenue for therapeutic intervention in the management of ALD. Oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) are polyphenols extracted from grape seeds that have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. However, whether OPCs can treat ALD by suppressing pyroptosis is not completely clarified. PurposeTo explore the role of OPCs in ALD to inhibit pyroptosis and its mechanism. MethodsIn vitro, HepG2 cells were employed to evaluate the beneficial impact of OPCs on alcohol-induced pyroptosis. MTT colorimetric method, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), western blot (WB), immunofluorescence, acridine orange (AO) staining, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay were performed. In vivo, C57BL mice were used and gavaged with alcohol and OPCs. Hematoxylin-eosin staining (HE) staining, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level assay, and WB were performed. ResultsThe findings revealed that OPCs could reduce the alcohol-induced increase in pyroptosis-related proteins, such as pyrin domain-containing 3 protein (NLRP3), cleaved-caspase 1, gasdermin D (GSDMD-N), Interleukin-18 (IL-18), IL-1β (IL-1β). In in vitro mechanistic experiments, We discovered that OPCs ameliorate alcohol-induced pyroptosis by decreasing cathepsin B (CTSB) leakage-mediated NLRP3 activation. More significantly, we discovered that alcohol phosphorylates mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL), enabling P-MLKL to translocate to the lysosomal membrane and induce lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP). OPCs might counteract the effects of alcohol by reducing the leakage of CTSB and inhibiting the phosphorylation of MLKL through the scavenging of ROS. Conclusions: These results suggested that OPCs might counteract ALD by inhibiting pyroptosis through the ROS-MLKL-CTSB-NLRP3 pathway. Our study offered fresh insight into the ways in which naturally occurring chemicals shield ALD against harm.

The prevalence and changes of alcohol consumption across three trimesters of pregnancy assessed by ethyl glucuronide concentration in maternal hair and self-reports: a cross-sectional study.

The teratogenic effect of alcohol is well known, but its prevalence is usually underestimated. This study presents the findings of a cross-sectional study conducted in Poland, which aimed to assess the prevalence and changes in alcohol consumption during pregnancy. The study utilized ethyl glucuronide concentration in maternal hair and self-reports as measures to evaluate alcohol intake across the three trimesters of pregnancy. The study involved postpartum women (n=150) and their babies. Hair samples from 135 participants allowed segmental analysis (separately for the three trimesters) and hair from 15 were analysed for the entire 9 moths by gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Survey data included self-reports of health related behaviours and socio-demographic characteristics; medical records - information on the course of a pregnancy and newborns health. Standard medical interview revealed no cases of alcohol use during pregnancy. The analysis of EtG indicated 50.3% women had been drinking alcohol at any time during pregnancy, including 10% with excessive alcohol consumption. Most participants maintained the same level of alcohol consumption throughout the pregnancy but 8.7% women decreased and 20.7% increased the amount of alcohol consumed between 1st and 2nd or 2nd and 3rd trimester. Gestational consumption of alcohol was not related to sociodemographic characteristics, course of pregnancy and self-reported health behaviours but babies of women who drunk alcohol during pregnancy were more often small for gestation age than babies of abstainers (OR=6.008), with the highest risk observed in case of increased alcohol consumption (OR=12,348). Maternal hair analysis is useful in detecting pregnancy alcohol use and allows retrospective analysis over a longer period than other biological samples, providing a more comprehensive pattern of use throughout pregnancy. However, there is a need to improve routine methods of interviewing patients about alcohol use and to implement effective preventive strategies regarding alcohol consumption during pregnancy in Poland.

Effects of chronodisruption and alcohol consumption on gene expression in reward-related brain areas in female rats.

Circadian dysfunction caused by exposure to aberrant light-dark conditions is associated with abnormal alcohol consumption in humans and animal models. Changes in drinking behavior have been linked to alterations in clock gene expression in reward-related brain areas, which could be attributed to either the effect of chronodisruption or alcohol. To date, however, the combinatory effect of circadian disruption and alcohol on brain functions is less understood. Moreover, despite known sex differences in alcohol drinking behavior, most research has been carried out on male subjects only, and therefore implications for females remain unclear. To address this gap, adult female rats housed under an 11 h/11 h light-dark cycle (LD22) or standard light conditions (LD24, 12 h/12 h light-dark) were given access to an intermittent alcohol drinking protocol (IA20%) to assess the impact on gene expression in brain areas implicated in alcohol consumption and reward: the prefrontal cortex (PFC), nucleus accumbens (NAc), and dorsal striatum (DS). mRNA expression of core clock genes (Bmal1, Clock, Per2), sex hormone receptors (ERβ, PR), glutamate receptors (mGluR5, GluN2B), a calcium-activated channel (Kcnn2), and an inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α) were measured at two-time points relative to the locomotor activity cycle. Housing under LD22 did not affect alcohol intake but significantly disrupted circadian activity rhythms and reduced locomotion. Significant changes in the expression of Bmal1, ERβ, and TNF-α were primarily related to the aberrant light conditions, whereas changes in Per2 and PR expression were associated with the effect of alcohol. Collectively, these results indicate that disruption of circadian rhythms and/or intermittent alcohol exposure have distinct effects on gene expression in the female brain, which may have implications for the regulation of alcohol drinking, addiction, and, ultimately, brain health.

Feasibility and acceptability of a web-intervention to prevent alcohol and cannabis-impaired driving among adolescents in driver education

BackgroundAdolescents increasingly view cannabis as a substance with limited harm. Their propensity to engage in risky driving, combined with their relative driving inexperience, places adolescents at heightened risk for harm resulting from impaired driving. Driver education provides an opportunity to help prevent and reduce these risks, yet few interventions address cannabis-impaired driving, especially impairment from simultaneous use of both cannabis and alcohol.MethodsWe adapted a single-session primary care brief intervention (CHAT) for driver education programs. First, we conducted two focus groups with adolescents aged 15–17 years (n = 6; n = 5) enrolled in driver education programs in Michigan and Colorado. Their feedback was integrated into a prototype of an online intervention called webCHAT that focuses on preventing alcohol and cannabis-impaired driving. Next, we recruited a new sample of adolescents who user tested webCHAT (n = 8) and provided qualitative and survey feedback. We analyzed qualitative data using classic content analysis and grouped themes according to the feasibility and acceptability of webCHAT.ResultsParticipants suggested that webCHAT should have adolescent narrators in short, informal, and interactive videos. In satisfaction surveys (n = 8), 88% of participants would recommend webCHAT to a friend and 88% reported that they learned helpful skills regarding impaired driving. General acceptability was also reflected in interviews (n = 6; 100% would recommend the intervention to a friend, 100% indicated overall positive impressions, and 67% stated it was easy to use). Participants reported that it was helpful to learn about the negative effects of both cannabis and alcohol on driving behavior, voicing that webCHAT would help adolescents make more informed decisions.ConclusionsSoliciting adolescent perspectives is critical when developing interventions targeting cannabis use because of increasingly permissive attitudes and perceptions of minimal risk associated with use. The current study highlights how feedback can help increase both the feasibility and acceptability of interventions.

Effects of microbubbles and frother types on first-order flotation kinetics of coarse quartz: a Box–Behnken design study

ABSTRACT This study utilised a Box–Behnken experimental design to examine the influence of various frothers (MIBC, 2-Ethylhexanol, α-Terpineol, and AF-65), dodecylamine (DDA) collector, and microbubbles on coarse quartz flotation performance. The flotation efficiency was evaluated through two key parameters: maximum recovery (R∞) and first-order rate constant (k). The findings revealed that microbubbles substantially enhanced flotation kinetics through synergistic interactions, particularly in combination with aliphatic alcohol frothers. The effectiveness of cyclic alcohol and polyglycol-type frothers varied significantly, depending on microbubble presence, frother concentration, and DDA interactions. While 2-Ethylhexanol achieved the highest recovery (97.71%) in conventional flotation without microbubbles, α-Terpineol exhibited the most pronounced synergistic effect when combined with microbubbles and DDA, reaching 99.71% recovery. In terms of kinetic performance, AF-65 demonstrated exceptional results in the presence of microbubbles and DDA, achieving the highest rate constant of 2.12 min−1. The effectiveness of the bubble bridging mechanism showed considerable variation across different frother types, with aliphatic alcohols exhibiting notable improvements in the presence of microbubbles, particularly at lower concentrations. Although increased DDA concentrations generally resulted in decreased flotation rates, they enhanced overall recovery – an effect that was further amplified by the presence of microbubbles.

Understanding the Role of Alcohol in Metabolic Dysfunction and Male Infertility.

Purpose: Over the past 40-50 years, demographic shifts and the obesity epidemic have coincided with significant changes in lifestyle habits, including a rise in excessive alcohol consumption. This increase in alcohol intake is a major public health concern due to its far-reaching effects on human health, particularly on metabolic processes and male reproductive function. This narrative review focuses on the role of alcohol consumption in altering metabolism and impairing testicular function, emphasizing the potential damage associated with both acute and chronic alcohol intake. Conclusion: Chronic alcohol consumption has been shown to disrupt liver function, impair lipid metabolism, and dysregulate blood glucose levels, contributing to the development of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and related systemic diseases. In terms of male reproductive health, alcohol can significantly affect testicular function by lowering testosterone levels, reducing sperm quality, and impairing overall fertility. The extent of these effects varies, depending on the frequency, duration, and intensity of alcohol use, with chronic and abusive consumption posing greater risks. The complexity of alcohol's impact is further compounded by individual variability and the interaction with other lifestyle factors such as diet, stress, and physical activity. Despite growing concern, research on alcohol's effects remains inconclusive, with significant discrepancies across studies regarding the definition and reporting of alcohol consumption. These inconsistencies highlight the need for more rigorous, methodologically sound research to better understand how alcohol consumption influences metabolic and reproductive health. Ultimately, a clearer understanding is essential for developing targeted public health interventions, particularly in light of rising alcohol use, demographic changes, and the ongoing obesity crisis.

Operant alcohol self-administration targets GluA2-containing AMPA receptor expression and synaptic activity in the nucleus accumbens in a manner that drives the positive reinforcing properties of the drug.

Rationale : The positive reinforcing effects of alcohol (ethanol) drive its repetitive use and contribute to alcohol use disorder (AUD). Ethanol alters the expression of glutamate AMPA receptor (AMPAR) subunits in reward-related brain regions, but the extent to which this effect regulates ethanol's reinforcing properties is unclear. Objective: This study investigates whether ethanol self-administration changes AMPAR subunit expression and synaptic activity in the nucleus accumbens core (AcbC) to regulate ethanol's reinforcing effects in male C57BL/6J mice. Results: Sucrose-sweetened ethanol self-administration (0.81 g/kg/day) increased AMPAR GluA2 protein expression in the AcbC, without effect on GluA1, compared to sucrose-only controls. Infusion of myristoylated Pep2m in the AcbC, which blocks GluA2 binding to N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein (NSF) and reduces GluA2-containing AMPAR activity, reduced ethanol-reinforced responding without affecting sucrose-only self-administration or motor activity. Antagonizing GluA2-lacking AMPARs, through AcbC infusion of NASPM, had no effect on ethanol self-administration. AcbC neurons receiving projections from the basolateral amygdala (BLA) showed increased sEPSC area under the curve (a measurement of charge transfer) and slower decay kinetics in ethanol self-administering mice as compared to sucrose. Optogenetic activation of these neurons revealed an ethanol-enhanced AMPA/NMDA ratio and significantly reduced paired-pulse ratio, suggesting elevated GluA2 contributions specifically within the BLA→AcbC pathway. Conclusions: Ethanol use upregulates GluA2 protein expression in the AcbC and AMPAR synaptic activity in AcbC neurons receiving BLA projections and enhances synaptic plasticity directly within the BLA→AcbC circuit. GluA2-containing AMPAR activity in the AcbC regulates the positive reinforcing effects of ethanol through an NSF-dependent mechanism, highlighting a potential therapeutic target in AUD.

Evaluation of Noopept Effect on the Neurotransmitter Amino Acids in the Hippocampus in Alcohol Drinking Rats Using in Vivo Microdialysis

The aim of the present work was to study the dynamics of neurotransmitter amino acids after acute Noopept (a dipeptide analogue of piracetam used in clinical practice as a nootropic agent) administration in intact and long-term ethanol (ETOH) exposed rats. Albino male rats were given 10% (vol/vol) ETOH solution as the only source of fluid 24 h / 7 days per week (n = 5). Also we used intact rats of the same age which had no access to ethanol (n = 5). The excitatory and inhibitory amino acids in the extracellular space of the dorsal hippocampus region in freely moving intact and ETOH-exposed rats during prolonged alcohol deprivation were measured using the intracerebral microdialysis method followed by HPLC/ED. There were no significant differences in the level of neurotransmitter amino acids between ETOH-exposed and intact animals. For the first time, in vivo experiments the effect of Noopept (1.5 mg/kg, i.p.) on the level of excitatory amino acids (an increase in ASP by 2.38 times and GLU by 2.28 times) along with an increase in the level of the inhibitory amino acid GLI by 3.13 times only in intact rats was shown. Thus, in ETOH-exposed rats under the adaptive rearrangements in prolonged ethanol withdrawal, the neurochemical mechanisms of the hippocampus seem to be characterized by insensitivity to an acute Noopept administration. Animal neurochemical studies of changes in the mediator amino acids due to the long-term effect of alcohol on the CNS may be of practical importance for the development of optimal strategies and pharmacotherapy.

Use of butanol, pentanol and diesel in a compression ignition engine: A review

Using oxygenated alternative fuels in compression ignition (CI) engines is feasible for energy security problems and cli-mate change. Alcohols are regarded as alternative fuels for compression ignition engines because of their excellent physi-cochemical features, emission, and combustion characteristics. Research on alcohols and their additions has progressed significantly in recent years. Several researchers have examined the combined effect of higher alcohol with diesel and their impact and challenged that concentrations of higher alcohol reduce harmful particulate emissions in CI engines. This paper mainly focused on the performance and emissions properties of higher alcohols like butanol and pentanol. Alcohol has a low energy content, typically affecting engine brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC). Low-temperature combustion (LTC) in compression ignition engines can lower NOx and smoke emissions, and improve the efficiency of the engine. LTC is done by combining higher alcohol with increased exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) rate and retarded fuel injection timing. The higher alcohol, along with the oxygen in the fuel reduces exhaust fumes, improves the air/fuel mixture by providing a longer ignition delay (ID), and can replace the fossil fuel like diesel (partially or whole) to allow efficient and clean combustion in CI engines. Finally, several significant findings and comments are provided regarding potential ave-nues for experimental research and future development. According to thorough analysis, bio-alcohols are considered to be a substitute fuel for CI engines.

Localized surface plasmon resonance effect–mediated in-situ photochemical–formation of H2O2 for high epoxidation performance over LaSrCoNiO6 nanoparticles

Selective aerobic epoxidation of allylic alcohols and olefins presents a promising solution to the modern chemical industry. However, the development of non-noble metal catalysts with superior catalytic performance for this reaction remains a significant challenge. This study introduces a plasmonic photothermal-catalytic system centered around nano LaSrCoNiO6 (LSCNi-N) catalyst, enabling the epoxidation of cinnamyl alcohol and styrene mediated by LSPR effect under visible light illumination (>420 nm). This catalyst exhibits superior epoxidation catalytic performance, with selectivities of up to 72.3 % in a 93.4 % conversion of cinnamyl alcohol and 91.8 % selectivity of styrene oxide at almost 100 % conversion of styrene. Mechanistic studies reveal that the high selectivity derives from the in-situ photochemical formation of H2O2 mediated by the localized surface plasmon resonance effect of LSCNi-N and hole scavenger effect of cinnamyl alcohol. These findings highlight the potential of designing plasmonic transition-metal oxidic catalysts to overcome challenges in selectively synthesizing fine chemicals through visible light catalysis.