Alcohol Consumption Habits Research Articles

Impact of body size on first-line Helicobacter pylori eradication success using vonoprazan and amoxicillin dual therapy.

As a first-line therapy for Helicobacter pylori, dual therapy with vonoprazan and amoxicillin (VA-dual) provides an eradication rate similar to that of vonoprazan-based triple therapy. As the factors associated with the eradication rate of H. pylori with VA-dual are unknown,we investigated them in this study. Overall, 163 patients diagnosed with H. pylori infection received VA-dual (vonoprazan 20mg twice daily and amoxicillin 750mg twice daily for 7 d). The association between successful H. pylori eradication and the following patient clinical factors was analyzed: sex, age, height, weight, body surface area (BSA), body mass index (BMI), history of early gastric carcinoma and peptic ulcer, comorbidity of cirrhosis, alcohol consumption habit, smoking habit, common use of proton pump inhibitors, and concomitant use of drugs that are substratesof cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4. The association between post-eradication adverse events and clinical factors was analyzed retrospectively. Successful H. pylori eradication was associated with a lower BSA (eradication rate: 90.8% in patients with BSA <1.723 vs. 79.6% in those with BSA ≥1.723; p=0.045). The incidence of adverse events was higher in women than in men (adverse events: 40.0% in women vs. 19.4% in men; p=0.004). Successful H. pylori eradication with VA-dual was associated with the small body size of patients. This therapy may have to be adjusted per body size.

The US Public's Perception of the Threat of COVID-19 During the Rapid Spread of the COVID-19 Outbreak: Cross-Sectional Survey Study.

BackgroundThe rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States has made people uncertain about their perceptions of the threat of COVID-19 and COVID-19 response measures. To mount an effective response to this epidemic, it is necessary to understand the public's perceptions, behaviors, and attitudes.ObjectiveWe aimed to test the hypothesis that people’s perceptions of the threat of COVID-19 influence their attitudes and behaviors.MethodsThis study used an open dataset of web-based questionnaires about COVID-19. The questionnaires were provided by Nexoid United Kingdom. We selected the results of a questionnaire on COVID-19–related behaviors, attitudes, and perceptions among the US public. The questionnaire was conducted from March 29 to April 20, 2020. A total of 24,547 people who lived in the United States took part in the survey.ResultsIn this study, the average self-assessed probability of contracting COVID-19 was 33.2%, and 49.9% (12,244/24,547) of the respondents thought that their chances of contracting COVID-19 were less than 30%. The self-assessed probability of contracting COVID-19 among women was 1.35 times that of males. A 5% increase in perceived infection risk was significantly associated with being 1.02 times (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.02-1.02; P<.001) more likely to report having close contact with >10 people, and being 1.01 times (OR 1.01, 95% CI 1.01-1.01; P<.001) more likely to report that cohabitants disagreed with taking steps to reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19. However, there was no significant association between participants who lived with more than 5 cohabitants or less than 5 cohabitants (P=.85). Generally, participants who lived in states with 1001-10,000 COVID-19 cases, were aged 20-40 years, were obese, smoked, drank alcohol, never used drugs, and had no underlying medical conditions were more likely to be in close contact with >10 people. Most participants (21,017/24,547, 85.6%) agreed with washing their hands and maintaining social distancing, but only 20.2% (4958/24,547) of participants often wore masks. Additionally, male participants and participants aged <20 years typically disagreed with washing their hands, maintaining social distancing, and wearing masks.ConclusionsThis survey is the first attempt to describe the determinants of the US public’s perception of the threat of COVID-19 on a large scale. The self-assessed probability of contracting COVID-19 differed significantly based on the respondents’ genders, states of residence, ages, body mass indices, smoking habits, alcohol consumption habits, drug use habits, underlying medical conditions, environments, and behaviors. These findings can be used as references by public health policy makers and health care workers who want to identify populations that need to be educated on COVID-19 prevention and health.

Habitual consumption of alcohol with meals and lung cancer: a Mendelian randomization study.

BackgroundThe objective of this study was to determine the causal relationship between habitual alcohol consumption with meals and lung cancer.MethodsPublic genetic summary data from two large consortia [the Neale Lab and the International Lung Cancer Consortium (ILCCO)] were used for analysis. As the instrumental variables of habitual alcohol consumption with meals, data on genetic variants were retrieved from Neale Lab. Additionally, genetic data from other consortia [Global Lipid Genetics Consortium (GLGC), Tobacco, Alcohol and Genetics (TAG), Genetic Investigation of Anthropocentric Traits (GIANT)] were utilized to determine whether alcohol could causally alter some general risk factors for lung cancer. The primary outcome was the risk of lung cancer (11,348 cases and 15,861 controls in the ILCCO). The R package TwoSampleMR was used for analysis.ResultsBased on the inverse variance weighted method, the results of the two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses indicated that commonly consuming alcohol with meals was a protective factor, reducing lung cancer risk [odds ratio (OR) 0.175, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.045–0.682, P=0.012]. The heterogeneity analysis revealed that the causal relationship analyses of different types of lung cancer all had low heterogeneity (P>0.05). The horizontal pleiotropic study showed that major bias was unlikely. The MR assumptions did not seem to be violated. The causal relationship analyses between habitual alcohol consumption with meals and some risk factors for cancers showed that this alcohol consumption habit was a beneficial factor for reducing body mass index (BMI) and the number of cigarettes smoked per day.ConclusionsHabitual appropriate alcohol consumption with meals is a protective factor for the development of lung cancer.

Pre-Operative Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients Attending Surgical Removal of Mandibular Third Molar Teeth.

The study aimed to measure the pre-operative oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and to identify patient and teeth pathologies associated with worse OHRQoL among patients attending mandibular third molar tooth extraction. Data were collected preoperatively from 199 patients attending surgical removal of their mandibular third molar. To that end, we measured the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) and analyzed its association with: (1) demographics; (2) health-related behaviors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and dietary habits; (3) Plaque Index (PI); (4) Decay, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT); and (5) clinical characteristics related to third molar extraction, such as the indication for extraction, tooth angulations, and radiographic pathology. The mean age of the study population was 21.5 ± 3.2 years and the mean OHIP-14 global score was 22.5 ± 8.3. The present study identified patient and teeth profiles that are associated with worse pre-operative OHRQoL in patients attending mandibular third molar extraction. The “vulnerable patient” profile includes poor health-related behaviors, particularly the performance of physical activity less than once a week (p = 0.028). The “disturbing teeth” profile includes higher plaque scores (p = 0.023) and specific characteristics of the third molar teeth, such as pericoronitis (p = 0.027) and radiolucency around third molars in panoramic radiography (p < 0.001). These findings support the hypothesis that OHRQoL is a complex phenomenon which is associated with the patient’s health-related behaviors as well as with specific tooth pathologies.

Biological age and lifestyle in the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome: the NHIS health screening data, 2014\u20132015

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is diagnosed using absolute criteria that do not consider age and sex, but most studies have shown that the prevalence of MS increases with age in both sexes. Thus, the evaluation of MS should consider sex and age. We aimed to develop a new index that considers the age and sex for evaluating an individual’s relative overall MS status. Data of 16,518,532 subjects (8,671,838 males and 7,846,694 females) who completed a validated health survey of the National Health Insurance Service of the Republic of Korea (2014‒2015) were analyzed to develop an MS-biological age model. Principal component score analysis using waist circumference, pulse pressure, fasting blood sugar, triglyceride levels, and high-density lipoprotein level, but not age, as independent variables were performed to derive an index of health status and biological age. In both sexes, the age according to the MS-biological age model increased with rising smoking and alcohol consumption habits and decreased with rising physical activity. Particularly, smoking and drinking affected females, whereas physical activity affected males. The MS-biological age model can be a supplementary tool for evaluating and managing MS, quantitatively measuring the effect of lifestyle changes on MS, and motivating patients to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Text messaging and quality of life of diabetics in tertiary care hospital of Eastern Nepal

Background: Text messaging health service is used to improve quality of life of people living with diabetes in Eastern Nepal. It has been projected that the number of diabetic patients has increased to 170% from 1995 to 2025 in developing countries and to 41% in developed world. The objectives of the study were to assess the quality of life of people living with diabetes, to prepare and provide health education, and to evaluate the effectiveness of health education program and mobile/telephone health services provided to the diabetes patients. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted among consecutive stable ambulatory patients, >18 years old, and 396 patients diagnosed with diabetes for at least 3 months were included in the study. The education intervention was continued for 6 months by the principal investigator and a trained nurse. Results: Most of the respondents (53.3%) were of the age group 40–60 years; female (59.34%); Hindus (97%); and of the Janjati ethnic group (52.5%). The majority (96.5%) were married and self-employed (70.7%). About 30% of the respondents belonged to the poor economic status group. Most of the respondents had type II diabetes mellitus; about 34% of the respondents had a family history of (sibling) diabetes. Most of them were non-vegetarians (88.9%). About 16% of the respondents were obese. Regarding habits, 14% had tobacco chewing, 5% had gutka chewing, 8% had smoking, and around 8% had alcohol consumption habits. Regarding treatment, about 84% were on oral hypoglycemic agent, 22% on insulin therapy, 68% on diet control therapy, 58% on weight control, and 4.5% on herbal therapy. It was found that the mean knowledge score before education intervention was 22.53 and after education intervention was 35.32. It was found that the difference in the mean score calculated using t-test between knowledge before and after education intervention program was significant (P < 0.01). Conclusion: It can be concluded that the education intervention program and SMS mobile service provided to diabetes patients were found to be very effective.

Homemade food, alcohol, and body weight: Change in eating habits in young individuals at the time of COVID-19 Lockdown.

BACKGROUND:The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) lockdown has caused significant changes in everyday life. This study evaluated the effect of the COVID-19 quarantine on dietary and alcohol consumption habits and body weight of Italian university students.MATERIALS AND METHODS:An online cross-sectional survey was carried out among university students than 18 years in July 2020. The online self-administered questionnaire included demographic and anthropometric data (reported weight and height), weight, and dietary habits changes during of the COVID-19 lockdown.RESULTS:A total of 520 respondents have been included in the study. A total of 393 (~76%) were female, 3.8% was obese, and the mean age was 23 ± 4 years. Numerous students reported a change in their eating habits during the lockdown with an increase in consumption of chocolate (40%), ice cream, and desserts (34%), but most of all an increase of homemade bread and pasta (60%), pizza (47%), and homemade sweets (55%). The students also reported an increase of vegetables, fresh fruit, legumes, eggs, and coffee, but also of processed meat, fried foods, cheeses, butter, and sweet beverage, and a reduction in alcohol intake. The weight gain was observed in 43.8%, and males have greater weight gain than females (57% vs. 46%, respectively; P = 0.04). A greater increase in body weight was observed in obese as compared to those with normal weight (77% vs. 44%, respectively; P < 0.001).CONCLUSIONS:Our data highlighted the need for dietary guidelines to prevent weight gain during the period of self-isolation, especially targeting those with overweight and obesity.

Assessment of preventable risk factors of cardiovascular diseases among junior college students: A cross-sectional study

Context:Lifestyle-associated risk factors may begin during childhood and result into cardiovascular diseases in adult life. Thus, a study was conducted among junior college students to assess these preventable risk factors among them.Aims:To estimate (1) Prevalence of risk factors namely physical inactivity, unhealthy dietary habits, tobacco, and alcohol use among them and (2) The proportion of hypertension.Settings and Design:A cross-sectional study was done among 416 11th and 12th standard students from a school of a metropolitan city.Subjects and Methods:Two steps were conducted. Step 1 included an interview schedule and Step 2 involved anthropometry, pulse, and blood pressure of all the participants. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 21. Chi-square test was applied.Results:The prevalence of tobacco and alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, and unhealthy dietary habits were 5.5%, 5%, 74.5%, and 52.1%, respectively. The prevalence of overweight students was 13.9%. The prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension was 26.9% and 12.7%, respectively.Conclusions:It was concluded that these risk factors namely, physical inactivity, unhealthy dietary habits, tobacco, and alcohol consumption commence during adolescence.

Association of low plasma antioxidant levels with all-cause mortality and coronary events in healthy middle-aged men from France and Northern Ireland in the PRIME study

BackgroundThe main underlying risk factors associated with coronary heart disease (CHD) are modifiable and oxidative injury and systemic inflammatory damage represent key aetiological factors associated with the development and progression of CHD and premature mortality.ObjectiveTo examine associations of plasma antioxidant status with all-cause mortality and fatal or non-fatal cardiovascular events.DesignThe PRIME study prospectively evaluated 9709 men aged 50–59 years between 1991 and 1993 in Northern Ireland and France who were free of CHD at recruitment and followed annually for deaths and cardiovascular events for 10 years. Serum concentrations of vitamin C, retinol, two forms of vitamin E (α- and γ-tocopherol) and six carotenoids were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography. Baseline conventional risk factors were considered, as well as socioeconomic differences and lifestyle behaviours including diet, smoking habit, physical activity, and alcohol consumption through Cox regression analyses.ResultsAt 10 years, there were 538 deaths from any cause and 440 fatal or non-fatal cardiovascular events. After adjustment for country, age, systolic blood pressure, diabetes, body mass index, cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, height, total physical activity, alcohol consumption and smoking habit, higher levels of all antioxidants were associated with significantly lower risk of all-cause mortality, with the exception of γ-tocopherol. Only retinol was significantly associated with decreased risk of cardiovascular events in a fully adjusted model.ConclusionsLow antioxidant levels contribute to the gradient of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular incidence independent of lifestyle behaviours and traditional cardiovascular and socioeconomic risk factors.

Abstract 15207: The Risk of Alcohol Consumption Habit in Japanese Atrial Fibrillation Patients: The Fushimi Af Registry

Background: Excessive alcohol intake is the risk of death, cerebrovascular event and bleeding. On the other hand, moderate drinking reduces the risk of cardiovascular event. However, the effect of alcohol consumption habit on mortality and cardiovascular event in AF patients remains unclear. Method: The Fushimi AF Registry is a community-based prospective survey of AF patients in Fushimi-ku, Kyoto, which is a typical urban district of Japan. We started to enroll patients from March 2011, and follow-up data were available for 4,466 patients by the end of November 2019. In the entire cohort, data of alcohol drinking were available for 2,944 patients. 834 patients drank daily, 554 socially and 1556 hardly (daily, socially and hardly group, respectively). Result: Compared with hardly groups, patients in daily and socially groups were younger, more often male, more in body weight and more likely to have persistent/permanent type AF. Daily and socially groups were less likely to have heart failure, chronic kidney disease and had lower CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc score. Hypertension and prior stroke/SE were the highest in daily group. Pulse rate, diabetes mellitus and prior bleeding were comparable between three groups. During the median follow-up of 1,482 days, the incidence rate of stroke/SE was significantly higher in hardly group than daily or socially groups (daily vs. socially vs. hardly: 1.19 vs. 1.11 vs. 1.49 per 100 person-years, respectively, log rank p=0.006). The incidence rates of all-cause death (2.45 vs. 3.15 vs. 4.44, p&lt;0.0001) and cardiac death (0.26 vs. 0.46 vs. 0.67, p=0.0004) were also significantly higher in hardly group than the other two groups. The incidence rate of major bleeding was not significantly different between three groups (1.35 vs. 1.20 vs. 1.30, p=0.39). On multivariate Cox regression analysis, daily drinking was significantly associated with lower risk of all-cause death and cardiac death. There was no other association between the groups. Conclusion: As compared with patients drinking alcohol, the risk of stroke/SE, all-cause death, cardiac death in hardly drinking patients were significantly higher. Daily drinking was significantly associated with lower risk of all-cause death and cardiac death.

Abnormal organization of inhibitory control functional networks in future binge drinkers

Background and aimsAdolescent Binge drinking has become an increasing health and social concern, which cause several detrimental consequences for brain integrity. However, research on neurophysiological traits of vulnerability for binge drinking predisposition is limited at this time. In this work, we conducted a two-year longitudinal study with magnetoencephalography (MEG) over a cohort of initially alcohol-naive adolescents with the purpose of characterize inhibitory cortical networks’ anomalies prior to alcohol consumption onset in those youths who will transit into binge drinkers years later. MethodsSixty-seven participant’s inhibitory functional networks, and dysexecutive/impulsivity traits were measured by means of inhibitory task (go/no-go) and questionnaires battery. After a follow-up period of two years, we evaluated their alcohol consumption habits, sub-dividing them in two groups according to their alcohol intake patterns: future binge drinkers (fBD): n = 22; future Light/non-drinkers (fLD): n = 17. We evaluated whole-brain and seed-based functional connectivity profiles, as well as its correlation with impulsive and dysexecutive behaviours, searching for early abnormalities before consumption onset. ResultsFor the first time, abnormalities in MEG functional networks and higher dysexecutive and impulsivity profiles were detected in alcohol-naïve adolescents who two years later became binge drinkers. Concretely, fBD exhibit a distinctive pattern of beta band hyperconnectivity among crucial regions of inhibitory control networks, positively correlated with behavioral traits and future alcohol intake rate. ConclusionsThese findings strongly support the idea of early neurobiological vulnerabilities for substances consumption initiation, with inhibitory functional networks’ abnormalities as a relevant neurophysiological marker of subjects at risk— we hypothesize this profile is due to neurodevelopmental and neurobiological differences involving cognitive control networks and neurotransmission pathways.

Serum electrolytes disorder and its associated factors among adults admitted with metabolic syndrome in Jimma Medical Center, South West Ethiopia: Facility based crossectional study.

BackgroundElectrolytes play an important role in controlling acid base balance, blood clotting, and body fluid and muscle contractions. Serum electrolytes concentrations are most commonly used tests for assessment of a patient’s clinical conditions, and are associated with morbidity and mortality. Any derangements from the normal range of electrolyte levels in the body is described as electrolyte disorders. The Current study was aimed to determine serum electrolytes disorder and its associated factors among adults admitted with metabolic syndrome at Jimma medical center, South West Ethiopia.MethodsA Facility based cross sectional study was conducted on 256 patients admitted medical center with metabolic syndrome during the study period. The World Health Organization stepwise assessment tools and patients’ medical records were used to collect information on factors associated with electrolyte disorders. Bivariable and Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with electrolyte disorder at the level of significance of p value <0.25 with 95% confidence interval of crude odds ratio and <0.05 with 95% confidence interval of adjusted odds ratio respectively.ResultsThe overall prevalence of electrolyte disorders was 44.1% (95%CI:40.99–47.20) with hyponatremia 42.9% (95%CI:39.81–45.99) as the leading electrolyte disorder followed by hypokalemia 20.7% (95%CI:18.17–23.23), hypochloremia 17.6% (95%CI:15.22–19.98) and hypocalcemia 9.4% (95%CI:7.57–11.22). Non-formal education [AOR: 6.81; 95%CI:(3.48,17.01)] alcohol consumption [AOR: 4.28; 95%CI:(1.71,10.70)], diuretics, diuretics [AOR: 4.39; 95%CI:(2.10,9.15)], antidiabetics [AOR: 5.18; 95%CI:(2.44,11.00)], and body mass index [AOR: 11.51; 95%CI:(3.50,18.81)] were identified as independent factors for electrolyte disturbance in multivariable logistic regression.ConclusionThe finding of the study revealed that nearly half the study participants with metabolic syndromes had electrolyte disorder. Educational status, habit of alcohol consumption, diuretics, antidiabetics, and having higher body mass index were the independent factors associated with electrolyte disorders. Determination of Serum electrolytes, proper administration of diuretic and health education on behavioral factors were the necessary measures that should be done by concerned bodies to reduce electrolytes disorder.

Association of habitual alcohol consumption with carotid atherosclerotic lesions: results from the Corinthia study

Abstract Introduction Alcohol is implicated in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases. However, it is also believed to play a cardioprotective role if consumed in appropriate amounts. Purpose To assess the association between alcohol consumption and carotid atherosclerosis. Methods In the setting of the cross-sectional Corinthia study, volunteers filled in questionnaires regarding drinking habits and were characterized as social drinkers (SD) or habitual alcohol consumers (HAC). Furthermore, they underwent carotid ultrasonography examination to evaluate the carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT). Thickness of cIMT&amp;gt;1.5 mm or protrusion &amp;gt;50% compared to adjacent segments was considered as atherosclerotic plaque. Results HAC consumers were usually male (HAC: 61.1%, SD: 24.9%, p&amp;lt;0.001), smokers (HAC: 33.3%, SD: 23.5%, p&amp;lt;0.001) and frequently had a history of hypertension (HAC: 72.8%, SD: 67.5%, p=0.02) when compared to SD (Table 1). However, no significant differences were noted regarding other risk factors of atherosclerosis (Table). Notably, HAC had a greater extent of carotid atherosclerosis as demonstrated by an increased cIMT (HAC: 1.03±0.45mm, SD: 0.96±0.39mm, p&amp;lt;0.001) and carotid plaque burden (HAC: 27.7%, SD: 21.3%, p=0.004). Importantly, when taking into account the number of alcoholic drinks (in wine glasses), alcohol consumption of more than 1 wine glass resulted in significantly higher values of cIMT (1 wine glass: 1.00±0.42mm, &amp;gt;1 wine glass: 1.06±0.45mm, p=0.04) (Figure 1A) and extensive amount of carotid plaques (1 wine glass: 22.7%, &amp;gt;1 wine glass: 30.4%, p=0.02) when compared to consumption of 1 wine glass (Figure 1B). Conclusion Habitual alcohol consumption of more than one wine glass is associated with a higher carotid atherosclerotic burden. Figure 1 Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Contrastive Analysis of Neuropsychology and Personality Characteristics of Male Lacunar Infarction Patients with Hazardous Drinking and Non-Hazardous Drinking.

ObjectiveTo compare the differences in neuropsychological and personality characteristics between male patients with lacunar infarction with hazardous drinking and non-hazardous drinking.MethodsFrom May to October 2016, a total of 124 male outpatients and inpatients with lacunar infarction were selected in the Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, and they were divided into a hazardous drinking group (HD group, n=52) and a non-hazardous drinking group (NHD group, n=72) according to alcohol consumption habits. General information, MoCA score, EPQ score and SCL-90 score were compared between the two groups.ResultsIncidence of cognitive disorder in the HD group and NHD group was 59.6% and 56.9% respectively, showing no significant difference (P>0.05). Scores of visuospatial and executive function, memory, attention and total MoCA score in the HD group were significantly lower than those in the NHD group (P<0.05), while no significant difference in naming, language, abstract thinking or orientation was found between the two groups (P>0.05). Scores of extroversion and introversion, neuroticism and psychoticism in the HD group were significantly higher than those in the NHD group (P<0.05), while no significant difference in lie or feint score was found between the two groups (P>0.05). Scores of somatization, interpersonal sensitivity, anxiety, hostility, bigotry and psychoticism factors, and total SCL-90 score in the HD group were significantly higher than those in the NHD group (P<0.05), while no significant difference in scores of obsessive-compulsive, depression and terror factors were found between the two groups (P>0.05).ConclusionCompared with male patients with lacunar infarction with non-hazardous drinking, male lacunar infarction patients with hazardous drinking showed worse visuospatial and executive function, memory, attentiveness, cognitive function and mental health status, with more obvious change of personality, thus extra attention is needed for male lacunar infarction patients with hazardous drinking.

Aplikasi Monitoring Penderita Kardiovaskular dan Obesitas Berbasis Mobile Internet of Things (MIoT)

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), coronary heart disease is the biggest cause of death in Indonesia. In 2016, the death rate from heart disease was 122 people per 100,000 population. This figure is higher than other causes, such as stroke, tuberculosis, and diabetes. The number is increasing every year due to changes in lifestyle of Indonesian people who like to eat high-fat foods and lifestyle factors that affect the risk of cardiovascular disease, including lack of physical activity, smoking, unhealthy diet, and alcohol consumption habits. This study aims to monitor the heart rate of cardiovascular sufferers with the mobile internet of things (MIoT) approach. Using the ESP8266 Wifi module for communication to the database server and heart rate sensor to detect heart rate then convert it to Bit per Minute (BPM). Every patient with cardiovascular disease can be monitored using a sensor connected to a smartphone to record any changes that occur. The research method consists of several stages, namely: Prepare, Plan, Design, Implement, Operate and Optimize (PPDIOO). The results obtained in the form of a aplication heart rate monitoring for patients with cardiovascular for healthcare services.

Do preparatory behaviours predict alcohol consumption among UK university students?

This study explored whether the frequency and habitual nature of engagement in three behaviours that may serve as preparation for alcohol consumption on a night out with friends - that is, contacting friends to arrange a night out, buying alcohol, drinking alone at home before going out - predicted consumption on such nights. Prospective correlational design. One hundred and twenty UK university students (68 female, 50 male, two non-binary, mean age=20.78years, SD=1.52) completed a survey comprising intentions, habits, and frequency and habit for the three preparatory behaviours. One week later, a second survey measured the number of nights out with friends on which alcohol was drunk (i.e., drinking frequency) and the number on which four or more alcoholic drinks were consumed (i.e, excessive drinking). Regression models were run to predict drinking frequency and excessive drinking. Drinking frequency was predicted only by frequency of contacting friends (B=.28, SE=.12, p=.02), and habitually drinking alone before going out (B=.20, SE=.09, p=.03). Excessive drinking was only predicted by alcohol consumption habit (B=.67, SE=.23, p=.003). Preceding actions may influence the frequency of alcohol consumption on nights out, independently of intentions and habits relating to alcohol consumption. While interventions to reduce consumption quantity in a single session might focus on disrupting the habits that sustain drinking episodes, efforts to reduce alcohol consumption frequency on nights out might focus on disrupting behaviours that precede alcohol consumption.

Blood exosomal micro ribonucleic acid profiling reveals the complexity of hepatocellular carcinoma and identifies potential biomarkers for differential diagnosis.

BACKGROUNDHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide, but there is a shortage of effective biomarkers for its diagnosis.AIMTo explore blood exosomal micro ribonucleic acids (miRNAs) as potential biomarkers for HCC diagnosis.METHODSTRESULTSThe principal component analysis suggested that daily alcohol consumption could alter the blood exosomal miRNA profiles of hepatitis B virus positive non-HCC patients through miR-3168 and miR-223-3p. The miRNA profiles also revealed the tumor stages of HCC patients. High expression of miR-455-5p and miR-30c-5p, which significantly correlated with better overall survival in tumor tissues, could also be detected in blood exosomes. Two pairs of miRNAs (miR-584-5p/miR-106-3p and miR-628-3p/miR-941) showed a 94.1% sensitivity and 68.4% specificity to differentiate HCC patients from non-HCC patients. The specificity of the combination was substantially influenced by alcohol consumption habits.CONCLUSIONThis study suggested that blood exosomal miRNAs can be used as new non-invasive diagnostic tools for HCC. However, their accuracy could be affected by tumor stage and alcohol consumption habits.

Associations between Changes in Health Behaviours and Body Weight during the COVID-19 Quarantine in Lithuania: The Lithuanian COVIDiet Study.

The COVID-19 quarantine has caused significant changes in everyday life. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the quarantine on dietary, physical activity and alcohol consumption habits of Lithuanians and the association between health behaviours and weight changes. An online cross-sectional survey was carried out among individuals older than 18 years in April 2020. The self-administered questionnaire included health behaviour and weight change data. Altogether 2447 subjects participated in the survey. Almost half of the respondents (49.4%) ate more than usual, 45.1% increased snacking, and 62.1% cooked at home more often. Intake of carbonated or sugary drinks, fast food and commercial pastries decreased, while consumption of homemade pastries and fried food increased. A decrease in physical activity was reported by 60.6% of respondents. Every third (31.5%) respondent, more often those already with overweight, gained weight. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the higher odds of weight gain were associated with females, older age, increased consumption of sugary drinks, homemade pastries and fried food, eating more than usual, increased snacking, decreased physical activity and increased alcohol consumption. Our data highlighted the need for dietary and physical activity guidelines to prevent weight gain during the period of self-isolation, especially targeting those with overweight and obesity.

Accelerated Extraction and Analysis of Ethyl Glucuronide in Hair by Means of Pressurized Liquid Extraction Followed by Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry Determination

The measurement of ethyl glucuronide (EtG) in hair is an established practice to evaluate alcohol consumption habits of the donors; nevertheless, analytical variability has shown to be an important factor to be considered: measured EtG values can vary significantly as a consequence of analyte washout during decontamination, pulverization of samples, extraction solvent and incubation temperature. In the present study, we described a new method for automated hair decontamination and EtG extraction from the inner core of the hair by using pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), followed by solid-phase extraction (SPE) cleanup; validation was performed according to SWGTOX guidelines. The extraction efficiency of the new method was evaluated by comparing the results with those obtained by a validated and ISO/IEC 17025:2005 accredited method; an average positive difference of + 32% was observed when the extraction was performed by PLE. The effect of hair pulverization was also studied, and a good correlation between cut and milled hair was observed, implying that PLE allowed a highly efficient extraction of EtG from the inner keratin core of the hair, no matter if it has been cut or pulverized. Finally, to verify the results, paired aliquots of 27 real hair samples were analyzed with both PLE and a protocol optimized by design-of-experiment strategies planned to maximize the extraction yield; in this case, a comparable efficiency was observed, suggesting that exhaustive EtG extraction was obtained with both approaches. This finding opens new perspectives in the eligible protocols devoted to hair EtG analysis, in terms of speed, automation and reproducibility.

Blood phosphatidyl ethanol levels as a tool to detect alcohol misuse in trauma patients

Introduction There is a strong need for a reliable marker of harmful alcohol consumption to identify injured patients that can benefit from alcohol interventions, and blood phosphatidyl ethanol (PEth) has not previously been tested on this population. This study aims to compare the performance of blood PEth concentration, blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test Consumption (AUDIT-C) for the screening of alcohol misuse in trauma patients. Methods Prospective cross-sectional study of 238 adult patients presenting in the emergency department with any type of trauma. PEth concentration was determined in whole blood by high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Consent, AUDIT-C score and demographic data were obtained. Results The sample consisted of majority male (67.6%), single (46.2%) and employed (66%) patients. The most common type of trauma was traffic collision (63.9%). The mean age was 41.7 years. We found a significant correlation between PEth levels with AUDIT-C score (Spearman’s r = 0.654; p < .0001). PEth had an area under the ROC curve of 0.885 to detect hazardous alcohol consumption (AUDIT-C score ≥ 6) and PEth ≥23.9 ng/mL cutoff point provided 91.2% of sensitivity and 78.4% of specificity. Twelve patients reported alcohol abstinence, but had quantifiable levels of PEth. Conclusions PEth levels and AUDIT-C score had a moderate correlation in our population. PEth was useful to identify 12 cases of underreporting of alcohol consumption habits. PEth shows promising results, but more research is needed to identify the best screening tool for alcohol misuse in trauma patients.