Role Of Alcohol Research Articles

The Role of Alcohol in Hippocampal Calcium Channel (Cav1.2) expression

Background and Hypothesis: 
 Voltage-gated L-type calcium channels (Cav1.2 and Cav1.3) in the hippocampus play important roles in glutamatergic neurotransmission underlying memory and learning. Their overexpression has been implicated in neuroexcitatory cell death and disease states including chronic alcoholism. While increases in Cav1.2 gene expression have been reported in the hippocampus after chronic ethanol exposure in rats, the regional distribution of Cav1.2 protein after voluntary ethanol (EtOH) drinking has not been reported. We hypothesize that the expression of Cav1.2 channels within the hippocampus is increased by EtOH drinking in a region-specific manner. 
 
 Methods: 
 Male Sprague Dawley rats were allowed 28 days of intermittent access to a 10% EtOH solution. At 24 hours after the last exposure to EtOH, brains were collected and processed for immunohistochemistry. Cav1.2 associated immunofluorescent signal from subregions of the hippocampus was quantified using ImageJ analysis software. 
 
 Results: 
 Immunohistochemical results indicate that Cav1.2 immunoreactivity in the hippocampal stratum granulosum layer within the Dentate Gyrus and the stratum pyramidale layer within CA1 and CA3 regions was increased in response to EtOH treatment. There was no significant change in Cav1.2 immunoreactivity for the CA2 region. 
 
 Conclusion: 
 This study suggests that calcium signaling in subregions of the hippocampus is differentially affected by EtOH consumption that may contribute to eventual calcium-mediated apoptosis. 
 
 Impact and Implications: 
 Understanding the process of EtOH-induced hippocampal calcium signaling presents opportunities for understanding the consequences of chronic alcohol exposure related to hippocampal function including memory and learning, and possible interventional therapies for alcohol damage.

Stereocontrolled radical polymerization of acrylamides by ligand-accelerated catalysis

The role of alcohol in the Yb(OTf)3- and Y(OTf)3-catalyzed stereoselective radical polymerization of acrylamides is clarified. The coordination of an alcohol to the metal triflate generates a new complex, which increases both the polymerization rate and stereocontrol compared to those achieved by the metal triflate without an alcohol in the polymerization of N,N-diethylacrylamide. While the lanthanide triflate-catalyzed stereoselective polymerization of acrylamides in MeOH has already been well established synthetically, this is the first example that proves the formation of an alcohol-coordinated catalyst as the active catalyst. Job’s plot suggests that the stoichiometry between Yb(OTf)3 and MeOH in the complex is 1:2. The polymerization rate decreases slightly when MeOD is used instead of MeOH, with a secondary isotope effect of 1.14, strongly suggesting the importance of hydroxyl groups for increasing the reactivity. In contrast, no apparent secondary isotope effect is observed to affect the stereoselectivity. The chirality of the alcohol ligand does not affect the stereoselectivity, illustrating that the stereochemistry is most likely controlled by the penultimate effect, which has already been proposed. Furthermore, the conditions are highly compatible with those for organotellurium-mediated radical polymerization, and the dual control of molecular weight and tacticity is successfully achieved. The role of alcohol in the Yb(OTf)3- and Y(OTf)3-catalyzed stereoselective radical polymerization of acrylamides is clarified. The coordination of two equivalents of alcohol to the metal triflate generates a complex, which increases both the polymerization rate and stereocontrol compared to those without an alcohol. The importance of hydroxyl groups of the alcohol is suggested by the observed secondary isotope effect for the rate enhancement. The conditions are highly compatible with those for organotellurium-mediated radical polymerization, and the dual control of molecular weight and tacticity is successfully achieved.

The role of alcohol in the link between national football (soccer) tournaments and domestic abuse - Evidence from England.

Domestic abuse is increasingly recognised as a serious public health concern worldwide. Previous research has suggested a link between national football (soccer) tournaments and domestic abuse. While hypothesized to be a significant factor, the role alcohol plays in this relationship has not yet been explored quantitatively. In this study, using 10 years' worth of crime data (from 2010 to 2019) from the second largest police force in England (West Midlands Police), we explored the effect of England draws, losses, and wins in national football tournaments on the number of alcohol and non-alcohol-related domestic abuse cases reported to the police. Results from a series of negative binomial regression analyses show that the number of reported alcohol-related domestic abuse cases increases by 47%, 95% confidence interval [26%-71%], following an England football victory. This effect is limited to alcohol-related cases. The estimate translates into a 0.53, 95% CI [0.3-0.8], increase in the daily rate of alcohol-related cases per 100,000 individuals. The England win effect survives various robustness checks (including the re-analysis of a dataset from another geographical area in England), and its time course is strongly consistent with a causal link between England's football victories and an increase in alcohol-related domestic abuse. We also found a comparable increase in the number of other (not classified as domestic abuse) alcohol-related violent crimes on England win days. Further research is required to understand the exact causal pathway between national football tournaments, alcohol consumption, and violent behaviours in domestic settings.

Social network determinants of alcohol and tobacco use: A qualitative study among out of school youth in South Africa.

An important determinant of alcohol and tobacco use is the adolescent's social network, which has not been explored among out of school youth (OSY). OSY are adolescents not currently enrolled in school and have not completed their schooling. This study aims to qualitatively understand how OSY's social networks support or constrain alcohol and tobacco use. Respondent-driven sampling was used to select 41 OSY (aged 13-20 years) for individual in-depth interviews in a South African urban area. The data were analysed using content analysis. Smoking and drinking friends, family close in age to OSY that drank and smoked, and lack of parental support were associated with alcohol and tobacco use among OSY. Household norms, romantic partners and non-smoking or non-drinking friends were suggested to mitigate alcohol and tobacco use. Understanding how the social network of OSY plays a role in alcohol and tobacco use is useful for gaining an insight into the profile of OSY at risk for alcohol and tobacco use. Registration of OSY youth and community-based peer led programmes that include influential OSY family and friends could be beneficial.

Risky alcohol consumption, dependency symptoms and minority stress in sexual minority young people

Abstract Background Sexual Minority Young People (SMYP) use alcohol, tobacco and other drugs at disproportionate levels when compared to their heterosexual counterparts. Limited research has been conducted on dependency symptoms in this population as well as correlations between risky use of alcohol and minority stress including potential differences between identity subgroups. Methods A cross-sectional online survey was completed by 1,556 SMYPs (mean age: 22.6 years) from Australia. Variables include demographics, alcohol use, dependency symptoms and different dimensions of minority stress. Descriptive and correlational analyses, and binary logistic regressions were conducted. Results Most participants surveyed identified as gay or lesbian (59%) and as men (55%). Regular binge drinking (43%), as well as general high-risk alcohol use (52%), was prevalent in the sample. Dependency symptoms were also common in the sample including health, social, legal or financial problems as a result of alcohol consumption (17%). Meaningful differences in consumption and symptoms between subgroups were identified. Minority stress, including negative family reactions and homophobic harassment were significantly correlated with higher alcohol use and dependency symptoms. Conclusions High-risk alcohol consumption including binge drinking as well as dependency symptoms are highly prevalent in Australian SMYP but are not distributed equally across subgroups. Public health initiatives should consider targeting SMYP subgroups and concentrate on the role of alcohol as a potential maladaptive coping mechanism for minority stress. Key messages Risky alcohol consumption and dependency symptoms common in sexual minority young people but not equally distributed in subgroups. Minority stress likely to be linked to risky alcohol consumption and dependency symptoms.

Effects and Potential Mechanisms of Alcohol Use Disorder on the Fate Determination of Newly Born Neurons in the Hippocampus.

In the adult mammalian brain, new functional neurons are generated throughout life because of sustained proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs). The subventricular zone (SVZ), lining the lateral ventricle, and the subgranular zone (SGZ) in the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus are the two major neurogenic regions in the adult brain. This process is not fixed but is highly modulated by numerous intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Neurogenesis has become in the focus of interest for its involvement in repairing the damaged brain and this motivates researchers to detect controlling mechanisms of this process. Recent evidence suggests that alcohol usage can directly influence adult hippocampal neurogenesis, but its mechanisms remain a matter for debate. Thus, this review summarizes in vivo/in vitro studies on the role of alcohol in hippocampal neurogenesis during adulthood and clarifies its underlying mechanisms by highlighting neurotransmitters and their receptors.

Kapcsolat az alkohol és a kocsmai erőszakos bűnözés között

Pszichológiai értelemben az alkohol fogyasztás és az erőszakos viselkedés közötti ok-okozati kapcsolat tekintetében megoszlanak a vélemények (Bácskai, 2006). A kutatások szerint az alkoholfogyasztás növeli a bűnelkövetés kockázatát, és igen erős a kapcsolat az alkoholfogyasztás és az erőszakos bűncselekmények között. A jelen kutatás során felvetett kérdés viszont az, hogy milyen mértékben okozza az alkohol az erőszakos bűncselekmény elkövetését, és hogy milyen mechanizmusok játszanak szerepet az alkohol és az erőszakos viselkedés összefüggéseiben (Lévay, 2006).

Sexual Aggression Analogues Used in Alcohol Administration Research: Critical Review of Their Correspondence to Alcohol-Involved Sexual Assaults.

Alcohol administration studies are crucial because causal questions about alcohol's role in human behavior can only be answered through experimental research that randomly assigns participants to drink conditions. The primary goal of this review was to catalogue the characteristics of experimental analogues used in alcohol administration research to assess men's sexual aggression proclivity and evaluate the extent to which they represent the scope of alcohol-involved sexual aggression. Although this review focuses on sexual aggression analogues, the identified methodological issues are relevant to a wide range of alcohol administration studies. Online databases were searched for published studies that randomly assigned participants to drink conditions and assessed participants' sexual aggression proclivity with an experimental analogue. Characteristics of the analogues were coded by both authors. Seventeen studies were identified that used 12 unique experimental analogues. All of the analogues depicted a completed or potential sexual assault in an apartment between a male perpetrator and female victim who did not know each other well. This information was presented in written (n=7), audio (n=1), video (n=3), or virtual simulation (n=1) format. Sexual aggression proclivity was measured through participants' self-reports (n=10) and behavioral responses (n=2). Perpetrators primarily used physical force which the woman verbally and physically resisted. Only one analogue depicted behavioral signs of the woman's alcohol impairment; none included signs of the man's alcohol impairment. These analogues were designed to address important theoretical questions; however, they do not represent the full range of alcohol-involved sexual assaults. This hampers the development of evidence-based prevention and treatment programs because we do not know whether these findings generalize to other types of sexual assaults (e.g., with incapacitated victims, within serious relationships, with sexual and other gender minorities). Funding agencies need to support more alcohol administration research in order to provide a strong foundation for the development of effective interventions.

The Role of Alcohol in the Link Between National Football Tournaments (Soccer) and Domestic Abuse – Evidence From England

Domestic abuse is increasingly recognized as a serious public health concern worldwide. Previous research has suggested a link between national football (soccer) tournaments and domestic abuse. While hypothesized to be a significant factor, the role alcohol plays in this relationship has not yet been explored quantitatively. In this study, using 10 years’ worth of crime data (from 2010 to 2019) from the third largest police force in England (West Midlands police), we explored the effect of England draws, losses, and wins in national football tournaments on the number of alcohol and non-alcohol-related domestic abuse cases reported to the police. Results from a series of negative binomial regression analyses show that the number of reported alcohol-related domestic abuse cases increases by 47%, 95% confidence interval [26% – 71%], following an England football victory. This effect is limited to alcohol-related cases. The estimate translates into a 0.53, 95% CI [0.3 – 0.8], increase in the daily rate of alcohol-related cases per 100,000 individuals. The England win effect survives various robustness checks (including the re-analysis of a data set from another geographical area in England), and its time course is strongly consistent with a causal link between England’s football victories and an increase in alcohol-related domestic abuse. We also found a comparable increase in the number of other (non-domestic abuse related) alcohol-related violent crimes on England win days. Further research is required to understand the exact causal pathway between national football tournaments, alcohol consumption, and violent behaviors in domestic settings.

HIV-infected apoptotic hepatocytes program macrophages for inflammasome development: role of alcohol

Abstract Liver injury is a second cause of non-AIDS mortality in HIV-infection, and the progression to end-stage liver disease is more rapid in alcohol abusers. Hepatocytes comprise 80% of liver cells and are strong ethanol metabolizers. To elucidate whether hepatocytes are HIV-infected, we measured the kinetics of HIVgag RNA (RT-PCR) and p24 (Western blot) expression in Huh7.5-CYP (hepatocyte-like cells) exposed to HIV-1ADA in the presence or absence of acetaldehyde-generation system (AGS). The measurements were done at days 1, 3 and 5 post-infection. We found that the highest levels of HIV markers were observed at day 1, with further decrease by day 3 and 5. AGS treatment substantially increased these levels. The accumulation of HIV in hepatocytes was accompanied by activation of oxidative stress, judged by increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production at day 3 and 5 post-infection and enhanced expression of 4-hydroxynonenal (4HNE) protein adducts, which increased caspase 3 cleavage. To mimic proapoptotic effect of acetaldehyde and study the involvement of apoptotic hepatocytes in liver inflammation, we incubated apoptotic HIV-infected or uninfected Huh7.5-CYP cells with monocyte-derived human macrophages (MDMs) and then measured inflammasome activation based on NLRP3, caspase 1, IL-1β and IL-18 mRNAs. Activation of inflammasome in MDMs was more prominent when HIV-infected apoptotic cells were engulfed by MDM compared with uninfected cell engulfment. We conclude that acetaldehyde synergies with HIV to induce oxidative stress and apoptosis in hepatocytes. The engulfment of apoptotic HIV+ hepatocytes leads to inflammasome activation in macrophages, thereby promoting progression to liver injury.

Using ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to explore mechanisms of alcohol-involved HIV risk behavior among men who have sex with men (MSM).

Heavy drinking is associated with increased risk of incident HIV infection among men who have sex with men (MSM). Past studies suggest that this association may be due to the tendency for intoxication to interfere with condom use. However, research on potential causal mechanisms explaining this relationship has been limited primarily to laboratory studies. In this study, we tested several potential mediators of the relationship between alcohol use level and HIV risk behavior. Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) methods conducted over a 30-day period. MSM (n=100) in the northeastern United States. Participants completed daily diary surveys and up to six experience sampling surveys randomly prompted throughout the day. Very heavy levels of drinking (12+ drinks) increased the odds of engaging in any sex [odds ratio (OR)=1.87, P<0.001]. Coefficient products and 95% confidence intervals indicated that both subjective sexual arousal (OR=1.52, P<0.001) and sex intentions (OR=1.74, P<0.001) significantly mediated the association between very heavy drinking and the odds of sex. When participants reported sex, the odds of engaging in high-risk condomless anal sex (CAS) increased incrementally after drinking heavily (five to 11 drinks; OR=3.27, P=0.006) and very heavily (12+ drinks; OR=4.42, P<0.001). Only subjective sexual arousal significantly mediated the association between alcohol use level and high-risk CAS (OR=1.16, P=0.040). Increases in subjective sexual arousal after drinking heavily appear to partly account for alcohol-related HIV risk behaviors in the daily lives of men who have sex with men. Alcohol's role in strengthening motivationally consistent emotional states may therefore play a more important role in facilitating alcohol-involved HIV risk than explicit sexual motivation.

Does Alcohol Use in Large Group Contexts Mediate the Association Between Sex-Related Alcohol Expectancies and Rape?

Women who hold positive beliefs about alcohol's role in sexual experiences may be more likely to drink alcohol in large group contexts such as bars and parties than other women. These contexts may confer risk for rape. In the current article, we examined the association between sex-related alcohol expectancies and rape during college, and whether drinking in large group contexts mediates this association. College women completed surveys for seven consecutive semesters. Contrary to previous cross-sectional research, women with more positive sex-related alcohol expectancies at the start of college and women who drank alcohol more frequently in large groups at the start of college were no more likely to experience rape during college. Longitudinal research is critical to identify risk factors that may be targeted for prevention.

IMMUNE STATUS OF PATIENTS WITH LUNG TUBERCULOSIS AND ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION

Tuberculosis is a great medical and social problem. An important risk factor for tuberculosis progress is the systematic use of alcohol. The relationship between alcohol intake and TB has been clear after numerous studies and meta-analyzes. However, there are still open questions about whether alcohol is the direct cause of TB development, which doses of alcohol have the greatest trigger value in progress of TB process, what kind of immunological reactions are significantly associated with alcohol intake and what immune background can determining role of alcohol in progression of TB infection. The features of the immune response in TB patients with different value of alcohol use remain poorly understood. The aim of the research - to investigate the immune status in patients with firstly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis with various levels of alcohol consumption. Materials and methods. We selected for participating in the study 102 males with tuberculosis and alcohol consumption. Examination of the patients included: clinical methods, chest X-ray, sputum tests, Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test and immunological blood analysis. Results. Patients with tuberculosis and alcohol consumption, have increase inflammatory response: higher level of stab neutrophils, CRP, ESR, as well as phagocyte activity, circulating immune complexes levels and medium molecular weight peptides levels. On the other hand we found decreasing of phagocytic number, index of phagocytosis completeness and differentiation clusters CD2+, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ of T-lymphocytes` sub-populations. The highest changes were observed in the group of alcohol abusers. Conclusions. Patients with tuberculosis and alcohol intake, even at low levels of its consumption, have a dysregulation of their immune response. On the one hand, there is an increase of non-specific inflammatory reactions, and on the other - a situation, when antigen-presenting cells cannot adequately to process and present the antigen to phagocytes. This prevents the immune system from responding quickly, correctly evaluating and suppressing foreign agents.

Role of alcohol in pathogenesis of hepatitis B virus infection.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and alcohol abuse often contribute to the development of end-stage liver disease. Alcohol abuse not only causes rapid progression of liver disease in HBV infected patients but also allows HBV to persist chronically. Importantly, the mechanism by which alcohol promotes the progression of HBV-associated liver disease are not completely understood. Potential mechanisms include a suppressed immune response, oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus stresses, and increased HBV replication. Certainly, more research is necessary to gain a better understanding of these mechanisms such that treatment(s) to prevent rapid liver disease progression in alcohol-abusing HBV patients could be developed. In this review, we discuss the aforementioned factors for the higher risk of liver diseases in alcohol-induced HBV pathogenies and suggest the areas for future studies in this field.

General and particular issues of etiopathogenesis of peptic ulcer and gastric cancer: current status of the problem

The development of peptic ulcer (PU) and gastric cancer (GC) is the result of the interaction of various internal and external factors. Moreover, if the role ofHelicobacter pylori(H. pylori) in the development of diseases of the stomach is fully established, the significance of many other factors continues to be discussed. Serious controversy is caused by the participation of various strains ofH. pyloriin the development of PU and GC. First of all, these are Vac- and Cag-positive strains ofH. pylori. The role of genetic human polymorphism in the development of this pathology is debatable. Especially the interleukin genes and necrotizing tumor factor alpha. The role of environmental factors in the formation of PU and GC is not fully understood. So, the role of alcohol, occupational hazards and drugs in the development of these diseases continues to be discussed. Further study of risk factors for various diseases of the stomach will optimize their prevention and treatment. The review presents a modern view of individual issues in the pathogenesis of PU and GC.

Predictors of complications and mortality in traumatic spinal cord injuries

Background. One of the most common causes of death is trauma. The World Health Organization predicts a 40 % increase in injuries and injury-related deaths over the next 10 years. Despite the achievements of modern medicine, mortality in spine and spinal cord injuries remains high. This is explained not only by the severity of traumas, but also a large number of secondary complications,.Aim. To study the frequency of complications and the mortality rate of traumatic spinal cord injuries; to identify factors affecting the outcome of such injuries. Materials and methods. A retrospective analysis covered 322 medical records from patients diagnosed with traumatic spinal cord injury and admitted to neurosurgical departments of Saint Petersburg in 2012–2016.Results. Secondary complications (outside of the central nervous system) were found in 33 % cases, with the most common and serious being respiratory complications, pressure ulcers and thromboembolism. Complications more often occurred in elderly patients (over 75), as well as in severe injuries at the cervical and thoracic level. Complications developed significantly more frequently in patients with concomitant traumatic brain injury (TBI) and persons with alcohol consumption before injury. Complications noticeably increased the length of hospital stay and increased the risk of death by 43 times. 14 % of the patients died during primary stay in hospital. The spinal cord injury incompatible with life occurred only in 1 % of the patients. The lethal outcome correlated with age, severity, level of injury, concomitant TBI and alcohol consumption.Conclusion. We have found a high incidence of unfavourable outcomes for traumatic spinal cord injuries (every third patient had at least one complication, every seventh died during the primary hospitalisation). In addition to unmodifiable factors, a statistically significant negative role of alcohol in the frequency of complications and death after spinal cord injury was found. Promoting a healthy lifestyle with low alcohol consumption, optimising preventive and therapeutic measures aimed at reducing the frequency of infectious and thromboembolic complications will improve the outcome of traumatic spinal cord injuries, reduce the length of hospital stay and decrease the economic burden of spinal cord injuries.

High mortality in manual occupations and the role of alcohol in 2001-15.

The aim was to identify specific manual occupations with high mortality and to examine whether there are differences in the role of alcohol in explaining the excess mortality among manual occupations with high all-cause mortality. A register-based study of employees aged 30-64 years, followed for mortality 2001-15. Age standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were calculated to compare the mortality rates of manual occupations. The contribution of alcohol-related mortality to excess mortality was obtained by comparing the excess mortality in all deaths and deaths not related to alcohol. Men had 31 and women 11 manual occupations with SMR statistically significantly over 120 compared with all employees. Mortality rates were highest among building construction labourers (SMR 180) among men and building caretakers (SMR 155) among women. With few exceptions, high mortality was a combination of high alcohol-related and high non-alcohol-related mortality. Among men, the contribution of alcohol-related mortality to the excess all-cause mortality compared with all employees was over 10% in half of the high-mortality occupations. The contribution was highest among welders and flame cutters (50%) and lowest among farmer's locums (-50%). Among women the contribution was highest among building caretakers (15%). High-mortality occupations had high mortality even without alcohol-related deaths. However, alcohol-related mortality was generally higher than mortality for other causes; therefore, alcohol-related mortality increased further the excess mortality. Diminishing the alcohol-related mortality would level excess mortality of these occupations but not eliminate it.

The critical role of furfural alcohol in photocatalytic H2O2 production on TiO2

Isopropanol is frequently employed as the electron donor to facilitate hole transfer and promote photocatalytic H2O2 production. However, the role of alcohols can be more complicated due to the interaction with TiO2. According to a comparison of aliphatic, aromatic and aromatic heterocyclic alcohols on photocatalytic H2O2 production on TiO2, furfural alcohol (FFA) displays superior capability to others. The presence of alcohols with aromatic structures can significantly accelerate formation and suppress decomposition of H2O2. Moreover, furfural alcohol tends to form more stable complexes on TiO2 surface, which can negatively shift the flat band position, induce visible light activity, and boost two-electron reduction of oxygen. The altered electron transfer pathway for H2O2 production was indicated by the Koutecky-Levich plots, the less pH dependence, and the signals of peroxide species in Raman spectra. This study brings insights for modulating the interfacial oxygen reduction and designing highly efficient and selective H2O2 production photocatalytic systems.

Role of Alcohol in the Synthesis of CdS Quantum Dots

The proper choice of the solvent is an important parameter in wet-chemical syntheses. Here, we highlight the use of 1-tetradecanol, a fatty alcohol, as an excellent solvent for the synthesis of hig...

Uttar Pradesh local elections 2015: money, muscle and manipulation in a village

ABSTRACTThis article attempts to demonstrate the potentiality of electoral politics and suggests that an ethnographic exploration of the ways in which different caste groups engage with elections is useful for understanding the violent and manipulative side of electoral processes in rural western Uttar Pradesh. Drawing on extensive ethnographic fieldwork in village, this article shows the role of alcohol, money and manipulative strategies in local elections. Elections are also closely linked with regional and wider politics. Regional and local histories of caste and factional conflict and intra-and inter-party competition are both causes and effects of electoral violence and manipulations.