Glass Of Wine Research Articles

Abstract P3-10-06: What is the latest evidence on diet, nutrition, physical activity and cancer – key findings from the WCRF/AICR continuous update project

Abstract Introduction: Since 1997, World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) International and the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) have been at the forefront of synthesizing and interpreting the accumulated scientific literature on the link between diet, nutrition, physical activity and cancer, and deriving evidence-based Cancer Prevention Recommendations. The 2007 WCRF/AICR 2nd Expert Report, using a robust method and systematic literature reviews, was a landmark in the analysis of evidence linking diet, body weight and physical activity to cancer and led to the establishment of the Continuous Update Project (CUP). New findings from the CUP systematic review have been released for 12 cancers, and updated findings for breast cancer have just been released. The 2018 WCRF/AICR 3rd Expert Report, to be published in 2018, will include a new review of the WCRF/AICR Cancer Prevention Recommendations. Methods: The review was conducted as part of the Continuous Update Project (CUP). The research team at Imperial College London searched PubMed for relevant prospective studies up to April 30, 2015. Dose-response meta-analyses were conducted and summary relative risks (RR) were calculated using a random effects model. Analyses comparing the highest versus the lower categories were also conducted. An international panel of experts (CUP Panel) reviewed the evidence and drew conclusions. Results: The updated Breast Cancer Report included 119 studies from around the world, comprising more than 12 million women and over 260,000 cases of breast cancer. The latest evidence suggests that vigorous physical exercise reduces your risk of breast cancer before menopause by 17%. In addition, the report reconfirms the link between physical activity and decreased risk of breast cancer after menopause. Taking at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity, such as brisk walking, or 15 minutes of vigorous physical activity each day can reduce your risk of breast cancer after menopause by 10%. Greater body fatness and weight gain as an adult does increase the risk of breast cancer after menopause. However, in contrast we observed greater body fatness in young adulthood may reduce breast cancer risk both before and after menopause. The report found strong evidence that drinking just the equivalent of a small glass of wine or half a pint of beer a day (about 10g alcohol content), could increase your pre-menopausal breast cancer risk by 5% and your post-menopausal breast cancer risk by 9%. Conclusions: Recent evidence has resulted in new findings and changes to the CUP Panel's conclusions from the 2010 Breast Cancer Report with regard to physical activity and body fatness at different life periods. In addition, new evidence confirmed their judgements on alcohol. The CUP provides a unique resource synthesizing epidemiological and other evidence on diet, nutrition, physical activity and cancer, to facilitate related research, and underpin advice to the public and policy-makers. Evidence is accumulating that the degree of adherence to WCRF/AICR recommendations is associated with lower mortality of cancer overall, of specific cancers and of all-cause mortality. Citation Format: Thune I, Allen K, Thompson RL, Wiseman MJ, Mitrou P, McGinley-Gieser D. What is the latest evidence on diet, nutrition, physical activity and cancer – key findings from the WCRF/AICR continuous update project [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-10-06.

Chemically strengthened glass’s next act: Car windshields

The glass most people deal with every day—as cups, jars, windows, and lightbulbs—shatters easily. But not all glass is fragile. Some types, like the bulletproof stuff produced for windows used in banks, embassies, and head-of-state limousines, are downright tough. Somewhere between the kind that cracks when two delicate wine glasses clink just a bit too hard and the variety that stands up to a speeding bullet lies chemically strengthened glass. Nowadays, the most common application of that kind of glass is on the screens of smartphones and other mobile devices. Chemically toughened glass has also been used for years in computer hard disks, photocopiers, and pharmaceutical devices. But while the enormous popularity of smartphones and the nagging problem of people dropping their devices and cracking their screens keeps the spotlight focused on those applications, chemically toughened glass is finding a new one: automobile windshields. Last year, Ford began using hybrid

Effect of Different Glass Shapes and Size on the Time Course of Dissolved Oxygen in Wines during Simulated Tasting

The different shapes and sizes of wine glass are claimed to balance the different wine aromas in the headspace, enhancing the olfactory perception and providing an adequate level of oxygenation. Although the measurement of dissolved oxygen in winemaking has recently received much focus, the role of oxygen in wine tasting needs to be further disclosed. This preliminary study aims to explore, for the first time, the effect of swirling glasses of different shapes and sizes on the oxygen content of wine. Experimental trials were designed to simulate real wine tasting conditions. The O2 content after glass swirling was affected to a considerable extent by both the type of wine and the glass shape. A lack of correlation between the shape parameters of five glasses and the O2 content in wine was found which suggests that the nonequilibrium condition can occur during wine tasting. The International Standard Organisation (ISO) glass—considered to be optimal for the wine tasting—allowed less wine oxygenation than any other glass shapes; and the apparent superiority of the ISO glass is tentatively attributed to the more stable oxygen content with time; i.e., less variability in oxygen content than any other glass shape.

The Time of My Life

The Time of My Life

Refined assessment and perspectives on the cumulative risk resulting from the dietary exposure to pesticide residues in the Danish population

Relatively few studies are available on realistic cumulative risk assessments for dietary pesticide exposure. Despite available studies showing low risk, public concern remains. A method to estimate realistic residue levels based on information from spraying journals and supervised residue trials was described in a previous publication. The present article proposes a new method to estimate average residue levels in imported foods based on residue monitoring data and knowledge about agronomic practices. The two methods were used in combination to estimate average pesticide residue levels in 47 commodities on the Danish market. The chronic consumer exposure was estimated in six Danish diets. The Hazard Index (HI) method was used to assess consumer risk. Despite the conservative (cautious) risk assessment approach, low HI values where obtained. The HI was 16% for adults and 44% for children, combining the risk of all pesticides in the diet. Conclusion: the present study adds support to the evidence showing that adverse health effects of chronic pesticide residue exposure in the Danish population are very unlikely. The HI for pesticides for a Danish adult was on level with that of alcohol for a person consuming the equivalent of 1 glass of wine every seventh year.

High levels of migratable lead and cadmium on decorated drinking glassware

Externally decorated glassware used for the consumption of beverages, purchased new or sourced second-hand, and including tumblers, beer glasses, shot glasses, wine glasses and jars, has been analysed for Pb and Cd by portable x-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry. Out of 197 analyses performed on distinctly different colours and regions of enamelling on 72 products, Pb was detected in 139 cases and among all colours tested, with concentrations ranging from about 40 to 400,000μgg−1 (median=63,000μgg−1); Cd was detected in 134 cases and among all colours apart from gold leaf, with concentrations ranging from about 300 to 70,000μgg−1 (median=8460μgg−1). The frequent occurrence of these metals is attributed to their use in both the oxidic fluxes and coloured pigments of decorative enamels employed by the glass industry. A standard test involving extraction of the external surface to within 20mm of the rim (lip area) by 4% acetic acid and subsequent analysis by ICP was applied to selected positive samples (n=14). Lead concentrations normalised to internal volume exceeded limit values of 0.5mgL−1 in all but one case, with concentrations over 100mgL−1 returned by three products. Cadmium concentrations exceeded limit values of 4mgL−1 in five cases, with a maximum concentration of about 40mgL−1. Repeating the experiment on five positive samples using a carbonated drink (Coca Cola Classic) resulted in lower extractable concentrations but non-compliance for Pb in all cases. The presence of high concentrations of total and extractable Pb and Cd in the decorated lip areas of a wide range of products manufactured in both China and Europe is cause for concern from a health and safety perspective.

Implementing electronic speckle pattern interferometry for a variety of activities in a general education acoustics class

A familiar acoustics laboratory experiment is finding Chladni patterns using flat plates of various geometries. Another method used in musical acoustics to find mode shapes of vibrating objects is electronic speckle-pattern interferometry (ESPI). We introduced students in a general education acoustics class to ESPI in addition to the traditional Chladni plate laboratory activity. A variety of ways to implement ESPI in the class were developed including: comparing traditional Chladni patterns to ESPI, examining traditional musical instruments with ESPI, and an advanced investigation of a well-known acoustics demonstration. A classic acoustics demonstration is rubbing the rim of a wine glass to create a musical tone. A coffee mug, unlike a wine glass, has an asymmetry due to the mug handle. ESPI can be used to study the effects of filling the mug with water in terms of the mug’s natural frequency, amplitude, and mode shapes. Results from ESPI showed that the mode shapes do not change with the addition of water. Filling the coffee mug with water lowered the natural frequencies of the lowest modes in a manner similar to that of a wine glass.

Observational case-control study about the adherence to the Mediterranean diet in elderly oncological patients in Salento

Background: Mediterranean Diet (MD) is the only alimentary model that could prevent degenerative chronic disease and cancer. We analyzed the alimentary habits of elderly oncological patients (pts), compared to healthy elderly pts, to evaluate the correlation between the adherence to MD and cancer development, due to the high incidence of tumor in Salento. Matherials (patients) and methods: 293 (155 males, 138 females) oncological pts (=70 years) were enrolled in the Oncology Unit of Vito Fazzi Hospital in Lecce and 135 elderly pts (=70 years) without cancer diagnosis. Predimed test was used to evaluate the alimentary habits and to define the adherence to MD, using 14 questions (score 0-14). A value =7 was estimated as low adherence, 8-9 as median adherence, =10 as high adherence. Oncological pts showed the subsequent diagnosis: lung, prostate, breast, urinary tract, gastric, colorectal cancer. Results: The main fat sauce in diet is extra-virgin olive oil (98% of pts). 37% of pts eat almost 2 times/die vegatables and 50% almost 3 times/die fruit. 71% of pts eat less that 1 time/die red meat, hamburger and sausages and 86% eat less than 1 time/die butter, margarine or cooking cream. During a week, 43% of pts drink > 7 glasses of red wine, 22% eat 3 times legumes and 15% eat fish more than 3 times. 44% eat less han 3 times/week cakes and 34% eat dried fruit. 59% eat white meal and 90% eat more than 2 times/week vegatables, pasta or rice. Low adherence to MD is showed for oncological pts and healthy pts in 46% and 15% respectively, median adherence 25% and 48%, high adherence 28% and 36%. Conclusions: In healthy pts a higher adherence to MD was observed and they eat more vegetables, fruit and red wine, compared to oncological pts. Both pts groups eat low quantity of fish and legumes. Pts with urinary tract cancer shows a diet rich of vegetables (more than 2 times every day): this could be related to the ingestion of pesticides used in farming. Gastric cancer pts showed a low use of onion and garlic, so an protective role in development of this disease is confirmed (as previously demonstrated in literature). Healthy women drink more red wine than breast cancer pts: red wine polyphenols could prevent the breast cancer disease. The results of this study suggests that could be a relationship between the adherence to MD and the incidence of tumor, but further studies, in a several number of pts, are necessary to confirm this hipothesys.

Fluid surface waves in a partially filled ‘singing wine glass’

The appearance and the structure of the directly-forced waves and cross-waves at the free surface of a fluid contained in a ‘singing wine glass’ are explained by using the superposition method. Cross-waves have crests perpendicular to a vibrating wall, such as in the case of the ‘singing glass’, driven by a moistened finger moving steadily along the rim of the glass. According to experimental studies, the directly-forced waves have four nodes (i.e. are spanning two wavelengths) in the azimuthal direction. For directly-forced waves a linear model could be derived, while for the cross-waves the nonlinear parametric equations are worked out. A graphical representation of the free surface elevation by three eigenmode approximations shows the main features of the wave patterns observed in a singing wine glass.

Consumption of alcohol and cardiovascular disease mortality: a 16year follow-up of 115,592 Norwegian men and women aged 40-44years.

We tested whether teetotalism explains the upturn in cardiovascular risk for non-drinkers and whether wine is a more favorable alcohol type. We studied 115,592 men and women aged 40-44years who participated in the age 40 program in Norway in 1994-1999 and were followed for an average of 16years with 550 cardiovascular deaths. Self-reported number of glasses of beer, wine and spirits during 14days was transformed to alcohol units/day. One unit is approximately 8 grams of pure alcohol. The mean and median number of alcohol units/day were 0.70 and 0.46. Teetotallers had higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease than alcohol consumers, multivariate adjusted hazard ratio (95% CI) 1.97 (1.52-2.56). The use of alcohol-related deaths as endpoint substantiated a selection of previous alcohol users to the teetotal group. Without teetotallers there was no association between alcohol consumption and cardiovascular disease mortality. However, the multivariate adjusted hazard ratio per one unit/day of wine was 0.76 (0.58-0.99). The corresponding figures for beer and spirits were 1.04 (0.94-1.15) and 0.98 (0.75-1.29). The upturn in risk for non-drinkers could be explained by a higher risk for teetotallers who likely included previous alcohol users or teetotalers who started to drink during follow-up. Wine gave the most favorable risk estimates.

Name that percussive tune: Associative memory and amplitude envelope.

A series of experiments demonstrated novel effects of amplitude envelope on associative memory, with tones exhibiting naturally decaying amplitude envelopes (e.g., those made by two wine glasses clinking) better associated with target objects than amplitude-invariant tones. In Experiment 1 participants learned associations between household objects and 4-note tone sequences constructed of spectrally matched pure tones with either "flat" or "percussive" amplitude envelopes. Those hearing percussive tones correctly recalled significantly more sequence-object associations. Experiment 2 demonstrated that participants hearing percussive tones learned the associations more quickly. Experiment 3 used "reverse percussive" tones (percussive tones played backwards) to test whether differences in overall energy might account for this effect, finding they did not lead to the same level of performance as percussive tones. Experiment 4 varied the envelope at encoding and retrieval to determine which stage of the task was most affected by the envelope manipulation. Participants hearing percussive tones at both encoding and retrieval performed significantly better than the other three groups (i.e., flat at encoding/percussive at retrieval, etc.). We conclude that amplitude envelope plays an important role in learning and memory, a finding with relevance to psychological research on audition and associative memory, as well as practical relevance for improving human-computer interface design.

Postpartum hypernatremic encephalopathy with “Wine Glass Sign” on magnetic resonance imaging

We report a 28-year-old postpartum female with acute delirium, agitation, confusion, visual hallucinations, and limb weakness. Investigations revealed severe hypernatremia, hyperuricemia, rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney injury, normal serum and urine osmolarity, normal urine spot sodium level, and normal serum antidiuretic hormone level. Magnetic resonance imaging of brain revealed hyperintensities in bilateral corticospinal tracts showing the classical “Wine Glass sign” suggesting hypernatremia-related osmotic demyelination. Patient improved with gradual correction of hypernatremia. We would like to highlight the importance of timely recognition and appropriate treatment of this rare condition which is potentially fatal and may also lead to severe permanent neurological deficits.

The effect of alcohol and red wine consumption on clinical and MRI outcomes in multiple sclerosis

BackgroundAlcohol and in particular red wine have both immunomodulatory and neuroprotective properties, and may exert an effect on the disease course of multiple sclerosis (MS). ObjectiveTo assess the association between alcohol and red wine consumption and MS course. MethodsMS patients enrolled in the Comprehensive Longitudinal Investigation of Multiple Sclerosis at the Brigham and Women's Hospital (CLIMB) who completed a self-administered questionnaire about their past year drinking habits at a single time point were included in the study. Alcohol and red wine consumption were measured as servings/week. The primary outcome was the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) at the time of the questionnaire. Secondary clinical outcomes were the Multiple Sclerosis Severity Score (MSSS) and number of relapses in the year before the questionnaire. Secondary MRI outcomes included brain parenchymal fraction and T2 hyperintense lesion volume (T2LV). Appropriate regression models were used to test the association of alcohol and red wine intake on clinical and MRI outcomes. All analyses were controlled for sex, age, body mass index, disease phenotype (relapsing vs. progressive), the proportion of time on disease modifying therapy during the previous year, smoking exposure, and disease duration. In the models for the MRI outcomes, analyses were also adjusted for acquisition protocol. Results923 patients (74% females, mean age 47 ± 11 years, mean disease duration 14 ± 9 years) were included in the analysis. Compared to abstainers, patients drinking more than 4 drinks per week had a higher likelihood of a lower EDSS score (OR, 0.41; p = 0.0001) and lower MSSS (mean difference, − 1.753; p = 0.002) at the time of the questionnaire. Similarly, patients drinking more than 3 glasses of red wine per week had greater odds of a lower EDSS (OR, 0.49; p = 0.0005) and lower MSSS (mean difference, − 0.705; p = 0.0007) compared to nondrinkers. However, a faster increase in T2LV was observed in patients consuming 1–3 glasses of red wine per week compared to nondrinkers. ConclusionsHigher total alcohol and red wine intake were associated with a lower cross-sectional level of neurologic disability in MS patients but increased T2LV accumulation. Further studies should explore a potential cause-effect neuroprotective relationship, as well as the underlying biological mechanisms.

Adverse childhood experiences start in infancy — and before

At a recent social gathering, I mentioned in passing that I thought infant mental health was an extremely important area. Another guest at the event, perhaps fueled by a second glass of wine, launched into what I'm sure he considered a hilarious comic routine having to do with babies getting psychoanalyzed. The underlying point was that the whole concept of caring about the psychological health of very young children is ridiculous. Although I was sorely tempted, I did not rise to the provocateur's bait and extricated myself shortly thereafter, preserving an otherwise enjoyable evening.

From Depths of Addiction to Triumph of Recovery

From Depths of Addiction to Triumph of Recovery

Micro-drinking behaviours and consumption of wine in different wine glass sizes: a laboratory study

BackgroundTableware size may influence how much food and non-alcoholic drink is consumed. Preliminary evidence of the impact of glass size on purchasing of alcoholic drinks shows an increase in wine sales of almost 10% when the same portion of wine is served in a larger glass. The primary aim of the current study is to test if micro-drinking behaviours act as a mechanism that could underlie this effect, through an increase in drinking rate, sip duration and/or number of sips from a larger glass.MethodsIn a between-subjects experimental design, 166 young women were randomised to drink a 175 ml portion of wine from either a smaller (250 ml) or larger (370 ml) wine glass. Primary outcomes were three micro-drinking behaviours, assessed observationally using video recordings: drinking rate, sip number and sip duration. Other possible mechanisms examined were satisfaction with the perceived amount of wine served and pleasure of the drinking experience, assessed using self-report measures.ResultsWine drunk from the larger, compared with the smaller glass, was consumed more slowly and with shorter sip duration, counter to the hypothesised direction of effect. No differences were observed in any of the other outcome measures.ConclusionsThese findings provide no support for the hypothesised mechanisms by which serving wine in larger wine glasses increases consumption. While micro-drinking behaviours may still prove to be a mechanism explaining consumption from different glass sizes, cross-validation of these results in a more naturalistic setting is needed.

Can a Sound - Machine Tuning Nearest to a Wine Glass to Break It? If Yes Under Which Conditions is that Possible?

In this paper we investigated if temperature effects the propagation and growth of cracks in a wine glass tuning nearest to a sound- machine. We based upon the laws of classic and fracture mechanics and we showed that the wine glass breaks when initially its temperature overcomes the temperature of the room and at continuity starts decreasing before equalizing.

The personal touch

The story on your Facebook page about nurses in Denmark breaking protocol to give a dying man a glass of wine and a cigarette (11 April) reminded me of the time we did the same thing for one of our patients on night duty.

A human health risk assessment of lead (Pb) ingestion among adult wine consumers

BackgroundRecent concerns have been raised regarding heavy metal content in wine and its potential health implications. The goal of this study was to determine if lead (Pb) intake poses a health risk among adult consumers of wine. This was achieved by performing a literature review of studies reporting Pb concentration in United States and international wines, determining adult wine consumption rates in the United States using NHANES dietary survey data, utilizing the U.S. EPA’s Adult Lead Methodology (ALM) model to estimate adult blood lead levels (BLLs) from wine consumption under various exposure scenarios, and comparing modeled BLLs to guidance values. Models were stratified by average exposure (mean wine Pb concentration) and high exposure (95th percentile wine Pb concentration) scenarios.ResultsLead concentration data was abstracted from a total of 31 studies, including wine from 18 countries for a total of 472 wine samples. The mean Pb content of international red and white wines were 33.9 μg/L (n = 282) and 35.7 μg/L (n = 118), respectively, while the mean Pb content of domestic red wine was 4.4 μg/L (n = 61). All modelled BLLs were below the Center for Disease Control (CDC) BLL guidance value of 5 μg/dL. Assuming a mean baseline BLL, an individual was required to drink 10.4 glasses of wine per day (all wine types) under the average exposure scenario and 3.7 glasses of wine per day (all wine types) under the high exposure scenario in order to elevate their BLL to the guidance value of 5 μg/dL. When stratified by region, a minimum of approximately 24 glasses of wine from the United States per day was required to raise adult BLLs to the 5 μg/dL guidance value.ConclusionsOverall, findings suggest that Pb content in wine does not pose a health risk to adult wine consumers.

Wine glass sound excitation by mechanical coupling to plucked strings

Wine glasses can be used to produce musical sounds using various excitation mechanisms. In this work a method for producing wine glass sounds is proposed, consisting of coupling a string to a wine glass. The coupled string-glass system produces sounds by transmitting vibrations from the string to the glass. The glass reacts sympathetically, much like sympathetic strings on instruments like the Sitar. Two methods for creating acoustic coupling between the string and glass are developed; one by direct contact between the two and one by using a custom designed coupling component. In the latter, a coupling mechanism transmits vibrations from the string to the glass while maintaining some geometric distance between the two. The coupling component is designed through an optimization process composed of two stages in order to maximize the intensity of the glass sound. The proposed coupling method can be used as the basis for designs of wine glass instruments, adding to the existing excitation methods of striking, bowing and rubbing. Some prototypes of such instruments are suggested here. These instruments may have the combined spectra and sound characteristics of both strings and wine glasses, offering timbres and playing techniques different from those of existing wine glass instruments.