Alcoholic Research Articles

Integrative Naturopathic Management of Alcohol-Induced Thrombocytopenia: A Case Report

A 40-year-old male presented with thrombocytopenia and chronic alcoholism at Alva’s Anandamaya Arogydhama. The patient had a platelet count of 68,000 cells/mcL, accompanied by general weakness, disturbed sleep, and a long history of alcohol and tobacco use. Upon admission, he discontinued alcohol and tobacco and underwent a 14-day naturopathic inpatient program. Treatment included foot reflexology, hot foot immersion baths, massages, and dietary adjustments emphasizing raw juices, nuts, vegetables, and excluding processed foods, refined sugars, and alcohol. Additionally, daily yoga and pranayama were incorporated. Following the intervention, the patient’s platelet count improved to 160,000 cells/mcL, with reductions in cholesterol, triglycerides, liver enzymes, fasting blood sugar, weight, and BMI. This case demonstrates the effectiveness of an integrated naturopathic approach for thrombocytopenia and highlights the potential benefits of lifestyle modification and detoxification in patients with chronic alcohol use. Findings suggest that comprehensive naturopathic care may support sustainable health improvements in similar cases.

The Progressive Integration of AI Software in the Histopathological Diagnosis of Oral Cancers

<p dir="ltr"><span>As in any other field, medicine is advancing and striving to adapt to increasingly complex demands, aiming to find rapid solutions in establishing certain diagnoses that can save or significantly improve the patient's quality of life. The integration of AI systems in the medical field is vital and requires openness, as well as a continuous desire for learning and improvement. Although the use of artificial intelligence in the medical field in Romania has not yet reached widespread development, there are still some AI software and applications that prove their effectiveness and ease the work of medical specialists. Oral cancer is one of the most common forms of malignant or premalignant lesions globally, with a high prevalence. Although developed countries are less affected compared to developing ones, they are also seeing an increasing incidence of cancers in the oro-maxillofacial region. The etiology of oral cancer is complex, influenced by both genetic and epigenetic factors. Currently, research is increasingly focused on epigenetic factors, including smoking, chronic alcoholism, diet, and improper use of mouthwash. These behaviours are associated with significant risks for the development of oral cancer, highlighting the importance of awareness and prevention within the global population. In Romania, factors such as low dental visit frequency, poor infrastructure, and lack of education contribute to disease prevalence. According to GLOBOCAN data, oral cancer in Romania ranks second in incidence, after leukemia, with a rate of 5.6 per 100,000 individuals. The purpose of our study is to highlight the importance of histopathological examination in establishing a definitive diagnosis, as well as the significance of AI software used in storing and processing the data obtained in the laboratory.</span></p><div><span><br /></span></div>

Factors that influence the adoption of a school-based eHealth alcohol prevention program among Spanish personnel: a mixed methods study

BackgroundEvidence-based research has shown that using eHealth interventions effectively reduces risk behaviors such as alcohol consumption, a public health problem worldwide. However, despite its benefits, there has been a poor intention to adopt such innovations, and limited resources exist to understand factors influencing the uptake decision to use school-based eHealth alcohol prevention programs. This study aims to identify the factors that influence the adoption of a computer-tailored eHealth alcohol prevention program among school personnel in Spain.MethodsA cross-sectional study employing an exploratory sequential mixed methods research design was carried out. First, interviews were conducted with ten Spanish school counselors to assess factors influencing the adoption of the school-based eHealth program by exploring participants' awareness and salient beliefs concerning attitudes, social influences, and self-efficacy. Second, an online quantitative questionnaire was developed based on the qualitative research findings. Third, the new questionnaire was administered to Spanish school personnel (N = 100), including the school management team, school counselors, and teachers. Rogers' Diffusion of Innovations theory and the Integrated Change Model frameworks were used as theoretical bases for understanding the adoption process.ResultsSchool personnel with a strong intention to adopt the program (intenders) perceived significantly more advantages and positive innovation attributes, than those participants with a weaker intention to adopt (non-intenders). Intenders perceived a higher personal relevance and responsibility towards using the program, more self-efficacy (e.g., ability to understand, manage time and incorporate the program) and positive social influences from their colleagues, as well as greater willingness in preparing action plans, such as monitor students’ alcohol consumption and discussing the program with coworkers, than the non-intenders group. Advantages and social support were found to explain a significant portion of the variance in the adoption intention.ConclusionsThis study suggests that health intervention researchers should develop strategies to enhance educators' pro-innovation attitudes, personal relevance and responsibility, and perceived ease of use towards adopting an eHealth program. Furthermore, our results highlight that fostering school personnel's acceptance of the intervention and planning goal-oriented actions are crucial elements in optimizing adoption promotion of eHealth programs in school settings.

Diagnosis of Alcohol Use Disorder and Deaths Related to Alcohol, Drug Overdose, or Suicide among Post-9/11 Active Duty Service Members and Veterans Following Traumatic Brain Injury.

The association between traumatic brain injury (TBI) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) is known, but the extent of TBI's role in developing AUD remains unclear. This study examines the association between TBI severity with subsequent AUD diagnosis, and hazard for death due to alcohol, drug overdose, or suicide. Data from a national US military/veteran cohort (October 1999-September 2016, followed until September 2020) were analyzed using Fine-Gray competing risk models to investigate the relationships between TBI exposure, subsequent AUD, and hazards of death due to specific causes (alcohol, drug overdose, or suicide). TBI severity correlated with an increased likelihood of an incident AUD diagnosis: mild TBI (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.25, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.22-1.27), moderate-severe TBI (HR: 1.34, 95% CI 1.32-1.37), and penetrating TBI (HR: 1.90, 95% CI 1.86-1.94). For those who developed AUD, TBI was associated with a higher hazard of death from specific causes such as alcohol, drug overdose, or suicide (HR: 2.47 (95% CI 2.03-3.02) for mild TBI, 4.25 (95% CI 3.49-5.17) for moderate-severe TBI, and 3.39 (95% CI 2.80-4.13) for penetrating TBI. Veterans with TBI were more likely to develop AUD and experience increased mortality, even after adjusting for demographic and clinical factors. Care strategies that are sensitive to the cognitive and/or emotional impairments associated with varying levels of TBI may lead to better outcomes, reducing both AUD and mortality rates. Further research is needed to develop evidence-based methods for integrating TBI and AUD care.

Prevalence and factors associated with alcohol use disorders among people living with HIV attending care and treatment centers at Kilimanjaro, Tanzania: A cross-sectional study.

Alcohol use disorders (AUD) are prevalent among people living with HIV (PLHIV), with 2-6 times higher than in the general population. These conditions are linked to increased morbidity and mortality among PLHIV and amplify sexual risk behaviors, thus exacerbating the transmission of HIV. Despite these negative consequences, a paucity of studies have explored this issue in Tanzania. This study aimed to determine AUD's prevalence and associated factors among PLHIV attending Care and Treatment Centers (CTCs). A multifacility-based cross-sectional study was carried out among 532 PLHIV attending four CTC centers in Moshi Municipal, Kilimanjaro. A multistage cluster systematic sampling method was utilized to choose CTCs and participants. Data were collected using standardized tools through interviewer administration. Statistical analyses were performed using STATA (version 16). Binary logistic regression model was used to examine the associations between AUD and the independent variables, with odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals calculated to quantify the strength of these associations. The mean age of participants was 46.6 years (SD±13.3). The weighted prevalence of alcohol use disorders (AUDIT ≥ 8) within the past 12 months was 28.2%. Factors significantly associated with AUD in the final model included male sex (AOR = 4.18, P <0.001), healthcare level (reference: tertiary health facility; secondary health facility AOR = 1.80, P<0.001, primary health facility AOR = 9.65, P<0.001), being divorced or widowed (AOR = 2.82, P<0.001), secondary education (AOR = 1.35, P = 0.005), and probable depression (AOR = 2.48, P <0.001). The findings revealed a high prevalence of AUD among PLHIV, highlighting the need for policy refinement aimed at enhancing the integration of psychosocial services at CTCs.

Effects of entinostat, quisinostat, and tubastatin-A on alcohol consumption in male high ethanol consuming rats

BackgroundThe interaction between genetics, epigenetics, and the environment plays a key role in the development of alcohol use disorder (AUD). Pharmacological treatments targeting histone deacetylases (HDACs) suggest that HDAC inhibitors (HDACi) may be potential pharmacotherapeutic treatments for AUD. The objective of the current study was to test the effects of different HDACi on ethanol intake in two rat lines selectively bred for high ethanol-consumption.MethodAdult naïve male high alcohol drinking line 1 (HAD1) or alcohol-preferring (P) rats were given continuous 24-h, 3-bottle, free-choice access to 15%, 30% ethanol concurrently with water for 8 weeks prior to testing entinostat (selective HDAC1i and HADC3i, 0, 1.25, 2.5, 5 mg/kg, i. p.), quisinostat (pan HADCi, 0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 mg/kg, i. p.), or tubastatin-A (selective HDAC6i, 0, 1.25, 2.5, 5 mg/kg, i. p.) over 4-5 consecutive days.ResultsIn HAD1 rats, entinostat reduced 2-, 4-, and 24-h ethanol intake across the 2nd – 5th test days; while, in P rats, entinostat’s effect was primarily seen at the 24-h time-point, at the highest dose and only across three test days. The high dose of quisinostat effectively reduced 24-h ethanol intake across the 1st—4th test days in HAD1 rats but was ineffective in P rats. Tubastatin-A did not alter ethanol intake in either rat line.ConclusionOverall, the results confirmed that a pan and a more selective (HDAC1 and HDAC3) HDACi effectively reduced ethanol intake in HAD1, while only the more selective HDACi reduced ethanol intake in P rats. Inhibition of HDAC6 does not appear to regulate ethanol intake in HAD1 or P rats.

Posttraumatic reexperiencing and alcohol use: Mediofrontal theta as a neural mechanism for negative reinforcement.

Over half of U.S. military veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) use alcohol heavily, potentially to cope with their symptoms. This study investigated the neural underpinnings of PTSD symptoms and heavy drinking in veterans. We focused on brain responses to salient outcomes within predictive coding theory. This framework suggests the brain generates prediction errors (PEs) when outcomes deviate from expectations. Alcohol use might provide negative reinforcement by reducing the salience of negatively valenced PEs and dampening experiences like loss. We analyzed electroencephalography responses to unpredictable gain/loss feedback in n = 82 veterans of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. We used time-frequency principal components analysis of event-related potentials to isolate neural responses indicative of PEs, identifying mediofrontal theta linked to losses (feedback-related negativity) and central delta associated with gains (reward positivity). Intrusive reexperiencing symptoms of PTSD were associated with intensified mediofrontal theta signaling during losses, suggesting heightened negative PE sensitivity. Conversely, increased hazardous alcohol use was associated with reduced theta responses, implying a dampening of these negative PEs. The separate delta-reward positivity component showed associations with alcohol use but not PTSD symptoms. The findings suggest a common neural component of PTSD and hazardous alcohol use involving altered PE processing. We suggest that reexperiencing enhances the intensity of salient negative PEs, while chronic alcohol use may reduce their intensity, thereby providing negative reinforcement by muting posttraumatic distress and associated brain responses. Modifying the mediofrontal theta response could address the intertwined nature of PTSD symptoms and alcohol use, providing new avenues for treatment. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

Sexual minority women's perceptions of sober curiosity: Lessons learned from a US pilot study.

Sexual minority women (SMW) are more likely than heterosexual women to meet criteria for hazardous drinking (HD). Sober curiosity, which centres on non-pathologising approaches such as mindfulness and support for questioning norms that encourage heavy/hazardous alcohol use, may be a particularly salient non-stigmatising option for SMW to reduce alcohol consumption. However, SMW's perceptions of sober curiosity as a strategy for changing drinking behaviours have not been explored. We conducted in-depth individual interviews with a purposive sample of 17 SMW from the United States who self-reported moderate to heavy alcohol consumption or a desire to reduce their drinking. Questions explored the socio-cultural contexts of SMW's drinking, their desire to examine and/or to reduce their drinking and perceived supports and barriers for doing so. SMW described heavy drinking norms, the centrality of alcohol in social spaces and events (both queer and non-queer) and alcohol use as a way to reduce stress, as factors that contribute to HD. Although some participants had mixed opinions about the term 'sober curiosity', they described feeling motivated to evaluate their alcohol consumption. Barriers to reducing alcohol use included fear of social rejection and loss of social connections. Overall, findings suggest sexual identity-specific online support and resources reflecting the sober curious philosophy have the potential to be useful for SMW seeking to reduce alcohol consumption. Key facilitators may include access to opportunities for connection in alcohol-free settings, social support and educational resources regarding alcohol and its impact on health.

Neural correlates of choosing alcohol over a palatable food reward in humans.

In a population of light and heavy, nontreatment seeking drinkers, we recently showed that choice for alcohol versus a concurrently available snack reward was sensitive to the relative cost of alcohol. Here, we examined the neural substrates of alcohol choice using functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in a new sample of light and heavy drinkers. Participants were scanned during the Concurrent Alcohol Food Choice task, and collected points associated with the images of alcohol or snack rewards that they could redeem at the end of the experiment. As cost manipulation, point values were equal or varied so that they favored alcohol or the snack reward. Linear mixed-effects models were used for the analyses of behavioral and brain data. In a replication of prior findings, alcohol choice was sensitive to the relative value of alcohol in both groups. Neural activations in, among others, orbitofrontal cortex and insula were associated to relative value during choice. In addition, we observed that choosing alcohol as opposed to snack engaged two separate sets of brain regions. We did not replicate our prior finding of increased choice preference for alcohol in heavy compared to light drinkers and found no between-group differences in brain activity. Overall, we replicated intact sensitivity to relative costs of alcohol in heavy drinkers and found its associated brain activity regions involved in value and salience attribution. Alcohol choice engaged regions involved in value-based behavior while snack preference elicited activity in areas linked to externally oriented attention. The failure to replicate the between-group differences may be due to the artificial MRI environment or observed differences in personality traits.

Real-Time Assessment of Alcohol Reward, Stimulation, and Negative Affect in Individuals With and Without Alcohol Use Disorder and Depressive Disorders.

The allostasis theory states that, as addiction develops, alcohol is consumed to relieve negative affect rather than to produce positive effects. This study aimed to investigate the real-time subjective effects of alcohol in individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and those prone to negative affect by virtue of having comorbid depressive disorder (DEP). Participants (N=221) completed high-resolution ecological momentary assessments during 3-hour monitoring of one alcohol drinking episode and one non-alcohol drinking episode in their natural environment. Participants also completed daily mood surveys and next-day surveys. Linear mixed-effect models were used to compare drinking behavior and subjective responses (stimulation, sedation, liking, wanting, negative affect) among 120 participants with AUD (AUD+; with depression [DEP+]: N=64, without depression [DEP-]: N=56) and 101 participants without AUD (AUD-; DEP+: N=45, DEP-: N=56). During the monitoring period, participants with AUD consumed an average of 8.5 standard alcohol drinks (estimated blood alcohol concentration [eBAC]=0.115 g/dl) versus 3.7 drinks (eBAC=0.040 g/dl) for non-AUD participants. The AUD group, regardless of comorbid DEP, reported increases in stimulation and rewarding effects that persisted throughout most of the alcohol episode relative to the non-alcohol episode. To a lesser extent, alcohol relieved negative affect but this was not specific to AUD or DEP groups. Contrary to the allostasis model of addiction's emphasis on negative reinforcement drinking, findings demonstrated that people with AUD prone to negative affect displayed positive alcohol reinforcement with pronounced and prolonged sensitivity to alcohol's pleasurable effects, akin to their noncomorbid counterparts. The findings provided critical testing of addiction theories in the natural environment to enhance external validity.

Cannabidiol alters psychophysiological, craving and anxiety responses in an alcohol cue reactivity task: A cross-over randomized controlled trial.

Preclinical studies have demonstrated that cannabidiol (CBD) reduces alcohol-seeking behaviors and may have potential for managing alcohol use disorder (AUD). In this study, we examined the effects of CBD versus placebo on (i) psychophysiological, craving and anxiety responses to alcohol and appetitive cues; (ii) tolerability measures including cognitive functioning. Twenty-two non-treatment-seeking individuals with AUD (DSM-5) participated in a cross-over, double-blind, randomized trial, receiving either 800 mg of CBD or matched placebo over 3 days. A laboratory alcohol cue reactivity task with appetitive control (juice) and alcohol exposures, and subsequent recovery periods to examine regulation of cue-elicited responses after cue-offset (recovery) was completed, with psychophysiological indices of autonomic nervous system activity (skin conductance, high-frequency heart rate variability [HF-HRV]) and self-reported measures (alcohol craving and anxiety). Self-reported scales of sedation and neuropsychological executive function tasks were also completed. CBD sessions were significantly associated with elevated parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) activity across the task, as indicated by increased HF-HRV. Reductions in self-reported anxiety during cue exposure stages compared to placebo sessions were also evidenced. Reductions in self-reported alcohol craving after cue exposure were seen during CBD sessions only. There were no significant differences between CBD and placebo on executive functioning performance. In a short-term regimen, CBD appears to modulate PNS activity, reduce cue-elicited anxiety during cue exposure and reduce alcohol craving after cue exposure while not significantly impairing cognition. Large, parallel clinical trials with longer term regimens are now needed to determine the therapeutic potential of CBD in the management of AUD.

Bariatric surgery and alcohol and substance use: A case-control survey study.

Studies suggest alcohol and/or other substance misuse may develop after bariatric surgery (BS), but findings are not consistent or conclusive. This cross-sectional online survey investigated alcohol and other substance use, via a modified version of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, before and after bariatric surgery, compared to a non-bariatric surgery sample. Data were anonymously collected via Qualtrics from adults who reported alcohol or substance use (BS, n = 328; non-BS, n = 292). Problematic alcohol, opioid, amphetamine, and cannabis use were reduced post-surgery compared to pre-surgery. After surgery, participants expressed "guilt" associated with alcohol and other substance use (average 0.24 and 0.31 points higher, respectively) compared to pre-surgery. Compared to controls, the bariatric surgery group reported on average 1.99 points less problematic nicotine use pre-surgery (p = .012) and 2.42 points less post-surgery (p = .004). In contrast, compared to people without any history of bariatric surgery, the bariatric surgery group reported greater problematic use of alcohol, cannabis, hallucinogens, and/or inhalants pre-surgery (all p < .001); same results were found post-surgery for all drugs, (all p < .001) except for hallucinogens which was not significantly different between the two groups. Unlike previous reports, these survey-based results do not show an increase in problematic alcohol and substance use following bariatric surgery. Recall biases and the survey-based methodology are however important limitations of the present study. The observed increase in "guilt" associated with substance use may align with growing evidence suggesting increased subjective response to alcohol and other substances following bariatric surgery.

Exploring heterogeneity in recovery from substance use disorder following mindfulness-based relapse prevention: A latent profile analysis

IntroductionSubstance use disorder (SUD) recovery is heterogeneous. Yet, over the last 50 years, substance use treatment providers and researchers have often defined success as sustained abstinence from substance use. An often overlooked but equally valid pathway to recovery for persons with SUD is non-abstinent recovery. However, most of the literature on non-abstinent recovery exists for individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) with few studies of non-abstinent recovery for other types of SUD. Literature exploring the mechanisms that lead to non-abstinent recovery is also lacking. As such, the current study aimed to examine recovery profiles for individuals (N = 454) recruited in two randomized clinical trials comparing mindfulness-based relapse prevention with cognitive-behavioral relapse prevention and/or treatment as usual. MethodsLatent profile analysis empirically derived profiles of recovery following outpatient aftercare SUD treatment. Multinomial logistic regression examined associations between treatment assignment and recovery profile, including potential psychological mediators (e.g., mindfulness) and contextual moderators (e.g., annual household income). ResultsAnalyses supported four recovery profiles: (1) low-functioning frequent substance use; (2) low-functioning infrequent substance use; (3) high-functioning frequent substance use; (4) high-functioning infrequent substance use. There were no significant interaction effects of race or ethnicity by treatment type, or household income by treatment type, in predicting recovery profiles. Trait mindfulness, craving, and psychological flexibility failed to mediate the association between treatment assignment and recovery profile; however, there were statistically significant differences in trait mindfulness with individuals expected to be classified in the low-functioning infrequent substance use profile showing significantly lower levels of trait mindfulness compared to individuals in the two high-functioning profiles. ConclusionsFindings suggest that recovery from SUD is heterogeneous, and profiles of recovery based on dimensions of substance use and functioning can be identified across a variety of SUD, including among people with co-occurring SUD. Additionally, trait mindfulness appears to be a differentiating factor across recovery profiles. Further research is needed to explore how psychological and social factors may moderate and influence both abstinent and non-abstinent forms of recovery.

Psychological autopsy: Overview of equivocal deaths, suicides and homicide-suicides.

Psychological autopsy studies are a method to understand the causes of equivocal deaths. Suicides and homicide-suicide are the result of various events. The understanding of an individual's life before their death, by interviewing the next of kin, provides some insight into the causes. The research articles dealing with psychological autopsy studies through case studies of suicide or homicide-suicide instances, obtained from different search engines, shed light on the mental health, Alcohol use disorder (AUD), and Drug use disorders (DUD) of individuals before death. The primary characteristic of suicides in a population of late twenties to early fifties was romantic relationship conflicts. In contrast, suicides in the teenage years and early twenties were characterized primarily by a lack of familial acceptability and, to a lesser extent, self-acceptance. Simultaneously, there was a high risk of suicidal behavior and commission of acts among the DUD patients, getting treatment without psychiatric diagnosis and therapy. Over time, the psychological autopsy technique has shown to be quite helpful in determining the risk factors for suicidal behavior. The study helps to develop multiple rehabilitation and mental awareness that need to be created among various populations so that the suicide and homicide-suicide rates can be reduced.

Excess Triglycerides in Very Low-Density Lipoprotein (VLDL) Estimated from VLDL-Cholesterol could be a Useful Biomarker of Metabolic Dysfunction Associated Steatotic Liver Disease in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

We report that small dense low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (sdLDL-C) levels are sensitive biomarkers of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Since triglyceride (TG)-rich very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) is a precursor of sdLDL and is overproduced by MASLD, the composition of VLDL may be more directly associated with MAFLD than sdLDL-C or plasma TG. To identify TG-rich VLDL, this author proposed "Excess TG" and examined its association with MASLD. Patients with type 2 diabetes (n=1295), excluding fasting hypertriglyceridemia (TG ≥ 400 mg/dL) and heavy drinkers were examined. Liver steatosis and visceral fat area (VFA) were evaluated using CT. VLDL-C was calculated as the total C minus direct LDL-C minus HDL-C. The average VLDL-TG level can be estimated using VLDL-C×5, according to the principle of the Friedewald equation for LDL-C. Thus, VLDL-TG was estimated as VLDL-C×5, and Excess TG was calculated as plasma TG minus VLDL-C×5. Patients with MASLD were younger, more likely to be men and drinkers, and had higher VFA, TG, sdLDL-C, and excess TG, while VLDL-C was comparable. Excess TG was found to be the most sensitive lipid parameter for identifying MASLD, independent of sdLDL-C, TG, TG/VLDL-C, and VFA. The odds ratios for MASLD were 2.4-, 3.7-, and 3.9-fold higher for Excess TG ranges of 0-24, 25-49, and ≥ 50 mg/dL, respectively, relative to ＜0 mg, and a close relationship remained significant after adjustment for lipid- and adiposity-related parameters. Excess TG in VLDL was strongly associated with MASLD beyond TG and sdLDL-C levels, which may reflect the presence of TG-rich VLDL.

Minimum wages and alcohol consumption: Evidence from Canadian longitudinal microdata.

The objective is to estimate the effect of provincial minimum wage increases in Canada on heavy drinking, binge drinking and average daily alcohol consumption. We estimate standard regression models by gender-age group with drinking behaviours as the dependent variables and the minimum wage among the independent variables. We employ the Canadian National Population Health Survey which began in 1994 and ended in 2011, a period comparable to that used by many U.S. The longitudinal feature of the Canadian microdata is an advantage over most U.S. datasets, allowing control for individual fixed effects, including unobserved propensities regarding alcohol. As in U.S. studies, estimation relies on differences in timing and size of minimum wage changes across jurisdictions. We find no consistent evidence that minimum wage increases increase drinking overall. Indeed, for less-educated males ages 26-64, we estimate that a $1 increase (about 15 %) in the real minimum wage would have reduced the prevalence of heavy drinking by 2.2 percentage points and average daily alcohol consumption by 0.15 standard drinks, with wild bootstrap 95 % confidence intervals (-4.3, -0.1) and (-0.28, -0.07) respectively. Our estimates for females are less consistent but some point towards modest increases in drinking. Besides our strongest finding of no evidence that minimum wages increase drinking overall, our findings can also be seen as consistent with earlier research on this same Canadian dataset that found minimum wage increases reduced stress in less-educated male workers.

Curcumol ameliorates alcohol and high-fat diet-induced fatty liver disease via modulation of the Ceruloplasmin/iron overload/mtDNA signaling pathway.

Fatty liver disease (FLD), a chronic liver disease characterized by excessive lipid deposition, is affecting more and more people worldwide owing to the increasing global incidence of obesity and heavy alcohol consumption. However, there is still no effective strategy for prevention or treatment of alcohol and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced FLD. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of curcumol on alcohol and HFD-induced FLD and the underlying molecular mechanisms. The results showed that curcumol ameliorated alcohol and HFD-induced hepatocyte injury in vivo and in vitro, and the mechanism might be related to its up-regulation of ceruloplasmin and subsequent alleviation of iron overload. Moreover, curcumol inhibited alcohol and HFD-induced mitochondrial damage and mtDNA release in hepatocytes by modulating iron overload. Furthermore, curcumol's inhibition of mtDNA release could suppress the activation of cGAS-STING and subsequent inflammation, and this phenomenon could be reversed by cGAS overexpression. Notably, alcohol and HFD-induced mtDNA release from hepatocytes contributed to HSC activation and this effect could be weakened by curcumol. In conclusion, these findings elucidated that curcumol ameliorated alcohol and HFD-induced FLD via modulating ceruloplasmin/iron overload/mtDNA signaling pathway, which lead to the inhibition of inflammation and HSCs activation.

Tobacco, Alcohol, Heroin, Binge Eating, and Behavioral Addictions.

Tobacco, Alcohol, Heroin, Binge Eating, and Behavioral Addictions.

The Impact of Trauma and Substance Use on Emotion Regulation and Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration: Implications for Perpetrator Programs

(1) Background: Alcohol and/or other drug use problems (ADUPs) and trauma are key risk factors for intimate partner violence (IPV) that should be addressed in perpetrator programs. Participants with ADUPs and trauma histories may display greater difficulties in emotion regulation, which may increase the likelihood of IPV recidivism. The study aimed to examine differences among participants with trauma, ADUPs, ADUPs and trauma, and without such factors in dropout, IPV, and variables related to emotion regulation at pre- and post-intervention; (2) Methods: A sample of 312 men court-mandated to attend a perpetrator program (Contexto Program) was used. Variables related to emotion regulation difficulties included alexithymia, depressive symptomatology, and clinical syndromes. IPV variables included self-reported physical and psychological IPV and IPV recidivism risk assessed by facilitators. Comparisons between groups were made using one-way ANOVA, chi-square tests, and two-way repeated measures ANOVAs; (3) Results: Participants with ADUPs and trauma presented greater difficulties on variables related to emotion regulation, higher risk of IPV at pre-intervention, and higher dropout rates. At post-intervention, all participants improved their emotion regulation skills and reduced IPV recidivism risk, with participants with ADUPs and trauma maintaining a higher risk of IPV; (4) Conclusions: IPV perpetrators with ADUPs and trauma are high-risk participants. Interventions should target trauma and ADUPs to improve their effectiveness.

Sudden cardiac death associated with fatty liver disease.

Fatty liver disease or steatotic liver disease (SLD) affects 25% of the global population and has been associated with heart disease. However, there is a lack of postmortem studies in the context of sudden cardiac death (SCD). To investigate the relationship between SLD and SCD. A post-mortem case-case study was conducted in victims of SCD from an ongoing community-based study in Southern California (Ventura, CA, 2015-2023). Diagnosis of SLD was determined from post-mortem liver histopathology reports. For each patient, demographic variables, laboratory values, and presence of co-morbidities were ascertained from medical records and were compared between patients with and without SLD. Of 162 individuals with SCD, there were 101 SLD cases and 61 without SLD. Individuals with SLD were found to have higher BMI (31.6±7.6 vs. 26.7±5.7, p<0.001), higher prevalence of heavy drinking (28% vs. 12%, p=0.008), heavier liver weights (2433.6g±940.6 vs 1934.7g±505.3, p<0.001), and were more often Hispanic (37 vs. 18%, p=0.01). Patients with SLD had lower prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) (49% vs. 70%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that CAD was a negative predictor of SCD with SLD (OR = 0.35, 95% CI 0.14 - 0.83). Among adults with SCD, SLD was associated with higher prevalence of Hispanic ethnicity and lower prevalence of CAD. Given the major rise in SLD burden, these ethnicity-based differences as well as the specific nature of non-ischemic SCD etiologies warrant urgent further investigation.