Wine Drinkers Research Articles

Drinking alcohol is associated with variation in the human oral microbiome in a large study of American adults

BackgroundDysbiosis of the oral microbiome can lead to local oral disease and potentially to cancers of the head, neck, and digestive tract. However, little is known regarding exogenous factors contributing to such microbial imbalance.ResultsWe examined the impact of alcohol consumption on the oral microbiome in a cross-sectional study of 1044 US adults. Bacterial 16S rRNA genes from oral wash samples were amplified, sequenced, and assigned to bacterial taxa. We tested the association of alcohol drinking level (non-drinker, moderate drinker, or heavy drinker) and type (liquor, beer, or wine) with overall microbial composition and individual taxon abundance. The diversity of oral microbiota and overall bacterial profiles differed between heavy drinkers and non-drinkers (α-diversity richness p = 0.0059 and β-diversity unweighted UniFrac p = 0.0036), and abundance of commensal order Lactobacillales tends to be decreased with higher alcohol consumption (fold changes = 0.89 and 0.94 for heavy and moderate drinkers, p trend = 0.005 [q = 0.064]). Additionally, certain genera were enriched in subjects with higher alcohol consumption, including Actinomyces, Leptotrichia, Cardiobacterium, and Neisseria; some of these genera contain oral pathogens, while Neisseria can synthesize the human carcinogen acetaldehyde from ethanol. Wine drinkers may differ from non-drinkers in microbial diversity and profiles (α-diversity richness p = 0.048 and β-diversity unweighted UniFrac p = 0.059) after controlling for drinking amount, while liquor and beer drinkers did not. All significant differences between drinkers and non-drinkers remained after exclusion of current smokers.ConclusionsOur results, from a large human study of alcohol consumption and the oral microbiome, indicate that alcohol consumption, and heavy drinking in particular, may influence the oral microbiome composition. These findings may have implications for better understanding the potential role that oral bacteria play in alcohol-related diseases.

Poisoned Wine: Regulation, Chemical Analyses, and Spanish-French Trade in the 1930s

This paper describes the resources, scientific spaces, and experts involved in the study of a mass poisoning caused by the drinking of arsenic-contaminated wine exported from Spain to France in 1932. Local and international periodicals record the poisoning of 300 French sailors, and stressed the commercial implications of the case. We discuss the reports prepared by different experts (mainly physicians, agricultural engineers, and customs chemists). Their work was not limited to preparing technical publications or chemical analyses; they also actively defended the quality of their local wine, and played a major role in the discussions regarding the regulation of the international wine market in the 1930s, when new standards regarding the analysis of wine were being considered. Curiously, this well-publicised case of mass poisoning did not have any noticeable consequences in the international regulation of wine. This absence of subsequent regulatory action and the role of experts are central topics of the paper.

Assisting Mid-Atlantic Wine Industry Stakeholders in Developing Consumer-Centric Marketing Strategies: Internet Survey Results

Two Internet surveys were administered to wine consumers in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Purchasing frequencies, consumption occasions, and sources used to learn about wine were documented. National data are readily available; however, the study discussed in this article focused on Mid-Atlantic consumers, whose behaviors and attitudes were not well understood. These data provide Extension personnel in the region with the ability to better inform industry members about their clientele and help them develop marketing strategies that appeal to local wine drinkers.

Is Changing the Minimum Legal Drinking Age an Effective Policy Tool?

In year 1991 regional governments in Spain started a period of implementation of a law that rose the Minimum Legal Drinking Age from 16 to 18 years old. This process was fully completed in year 2015. To evaluate the effects of this change on consumption of legal drugs and its related morbidity outcomes, we construct a regional panel dataset on alcohol consumption and hospital entry registers and compare variation in several measures of prevalence between the treatment group (16-18 years old individuals) and the control group (20-22 years old individuals). Our findings show important differences by gender. Firstly, our main result regarding overall drinking prevalence show reductions ranging from -11.57% for the subsample including both genders to -14.31% for the subsample of males. Secondly, effects on males are driven mainly by reductions in beer with alcohol consumption (-8.98%). Thirdly, effects on wine and/or cava drinking prevalence range from -12.62% for the subsample including both genders to -9.65% for the subsample of females. No effects regarding overall smoking prevalence are found. Fourthly, we do not find evidence that these reductions in alcohol consumption are translated into hospitalizations related to alcohol overdose. To our knowledge, this is the first paper providing evidence on gender-based differences to policies aimed at reducing alcohol consumption. Our results have important policy implications for countries currently considering changes in the Minimum Legal Drinking Age.

Effectiveness of Clinpro XT in Reducing Dentin Permeability and its Resistance to Acid Challenges.

To evaluate the efficacy of Clinpro XT in reducing dentin permeability and the stability of this effect after different acid challenges. Sixty-five roots of extracted human third molars were used. From each tooth, one dentin specimen was prepared and connected to a fluid filtration system to measure the dentin permeability after each of the following steps: sample preparation; treatment with 37% phosphoric acid; application of Clinpro XT; three acid challenges. Specimens were randomly assigned to 5 groups (n = 13) according to the acidic solution applied: Coca-Cola, natural lemon juice, wine vinegar, white wine and Red Bull energy drink. An additional 10 third molars were used to evaluate the degree of occlusion of the dentinal tubules and the surface roughness. Clinpro XT statistically significantly reduced dentin permeability after just a single application. No statistically significant increase in dentin permeability could be detected after three consecutive challenges. The application of Clinpro XT promotes the occlusion of dentinal tubules and reduces the surface roughness. The Clinpro XT is effective in reducing dentin permeability. This effect persists even after acid challenges.

An analysis of wine retail sector: a case for improving the Nigerian market

The main objective of the study was to determine how best to improve the Nigerian wine retail market. A survey questionnaire was used to obtain information relevant to the objectives of the study. The result showed wine consumers from the two countries were similar in consumption pattern, socio-demographics and involvement with wine. However, the study found that the retailing of wine was more developed in Australia than in Nigeria. The opportunities to acquire wine knowledge, taste before purchase and engage in wine related activities were limited in Nigeria but widely available in Australia as an effective market strategy. These opportunities must be provided to consumers in the Nigerian wine market. Free pre-purchase wine tasting must be encouraged to boost consumers' involvement with wine, consumption of assorted wines and development of palate by potential wine drinkers.

An analysis of wine retail sector: a case for improving the Nigerian market

The main objective of the study was to determine how best to improve the Nigerian wine retail market. A survey questionnaire was used to obtain information relevant to the objectives of the study. The result showed wine consumers from the two countries were similar in consumption pattern, socio-demographics and involvement with wine. However, the study found that the retailing of wine was more developed in Australia than in Nigeria. The opportunities to acquire wine knowledge, taste before purchase and engage in wine related activities were limited in Nigeria but widely available in Australia as an effective market strategy. These opportunities must be provided to consumers in the Nigerian wine market. Free pre-purchase wine tasting must be encouraged to boost consumers' involvement with wine, consumption of assorted wines and development of palate by potential wine drinkers.

Consumer preferences for wine attributes in an emerging market

PurposeThe growing wine market in India presents a tremendous opportunity for marketers to formulate a strategy targeted at the Indian consumers. The purpose of this paper is to identify the attributes that are important for young wine drinkers in their selection of wine, the preferred option within the identified attributes and the relative importance consumers place on the identified attributes.Design/methodology/approachIn-depth interviews were carried out to identify the attributes of primary importance in the wine selection process. Subsequently, conjoint analysis was conducted on the data collected through a survey of 252 respondents which ranked purchase intention of profiles derived from an orthogonal design.FindingsIn-depth interviews revealed five factors as important in the choice of wine, namely, price, brand, taste, origin and type of the wine. The results of conjoint analysis showed price as the most important factor, followed by the type of the wine. Red was the most preferred type. Brand, taste and origin follow up in that order of importance with millennials preferring to buy familiar brands, sweet wines and of Indian origin.Originality/valueThe study contributes to the wine consumer behaviour research by identifying the attributes that are important for marketing of wine to the large segment of Indian millennial consumers. The findings will help marketers to better position their wines in the Indian market. The study will also aid in the development of product, branding and pricing decisions.

Moderate Alcohol Consumption Is Associated With Lower Risk for Heart Failure But Not Atrial Fibrillation

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to assess the hypothesis that alcohol consumption is associated with onset of atrial fibrillation (AF) and/or heart failure (HF). BackgroundThe connection between ethanol intake and AF or HF remains controversial. MethodsThe study population was 22,824 AF- or HF-free subjects (48% men, age ≥35 years) randomly recruited from the general population included in the Moli-sani study, for whom complete data on HF, AF, and alcohol consumption were available. The cohort was followed up to December 31, 2015, for a median of 8.2 years (183,912 person-years). Incident cases were identified through linkage to the Molise regional archive of hospital discharges. Hazard ratios were calculated using Cox proportional hazard models and cubic spline regression. ResultsA total of 943 incident cases of HF and 554 of AF were identified. In comparison with never drinkers, both former and occasional drinkers showed comparable risk for developing HF. Drinking alcohol in the range of 1 to 4 drinks/day was associated with a lower risk for HF, with a 22% maximum risk reduction at 20 g/day, independent of common confounders. In contrast, no association of alcohol consumption with onset of AF was observed. Very similar results were obtained after restriction of the analyses to regular or only wine drinkers or according to sex, age, social status, or adherence to the Mediterranean diet. ConclusionsConsumption of alcohol in moderation was associated with a lower incidence of HF but not with development of AF.

Alcohol Types and HIV Disease Progression Among HIV-Infected Drinkers Not Yet on Antiretroviral Therapy in Russia and Uganda.

In HIV-infected drinkers, alcohol types more likely to cause inflammation could plausibly increase the risk of HIV disease progression. We therefore assessed the association between alcohol type and plasma HIV RNA level (HIV viral load) among HIV-infected drinkers not on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Russia and Uganda. We analyzed the data of participants from cohorts in Russia and Uganda and assessed their HIV viral load at enrollment by the alcohol type predominantly consumed. We defined predominant alcohol type as the alcohol type contributing>50% of total alcohol consumption in the 1month (Russia) or 3months (Uganda) prior to enrollment. Using multiple linear regression, we compared log10 HIV viral load by predominant alcohol type, controlling for age, gender, socioeconomic status, total number of standard drinks, frequency of drinking≥6 drinks/occasion, and in Russia, history of injection drug use. Most participants (99.2% of 261 in Russia and 98.9% of 352 in Uganda) predominantly drank one alcohol type. In Russia, we did not find evidence for differences in viral load levels between drinkers of fortified wine (n=5) or hard liquor (n=49), compared to drinkers of beer/low-ethanol-content cocktails (n=163); however, wine/high-ethanol-content cocktail drinkers (n=42) had higher mean log10 viral load than beer/low-ethanol-content cocktail drinkers (β=0.38, 95% CI 0.07-0.69; p=0.02). In Uganda, we did not find evidence for differences in viral load levels between drinkers of locally-brewed beer (n=41), commercially-distilled spirits (n=38), or locally-distilled spirits (n=43), compared to drinkers of commercially-made beer (n=218); however, wine drinkers (n=8) had lower mean log10 HIV viral load (β=-0.65, 95% CI -1.36 to 0.07, p=0.08), although this did not reach statistical significance. Among HIV-infected drinkers not yet on ART in Russia and Uganda, we observed an association between the alcohol type predominantly consumed and the HIV viral load level in the Russia sample. These exploratory results suggest that, in addition to total number of drinks and drinking patterns, alcohol type might be a dimension of alcohol use that merits examination in studies of HIV and alcohol related outcomes.

Predicting wine preference: testing the premises of the vinotype theory

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to outline Tim Hanni’s vinotype theory and to test some of the theories foundational propositions. Specifically, this paper tests whether the wine preferences of novice wine consumers can be predicted using novice consumers’ historic and current food and beverage consumption patterns and preferences.Design/methodology/approachThe sample consists of college students at a large Midwest University in the USA with an average age of 21.5 years. Data are collected via focus group (n = 4), a web-based survey (n = 231) and via recorded hedonic responses to food and wines in a controlled lab setting (n = 75). Correlation, regression and factor analyses are performed.FindingsThe findings support the vinotype theory. Predicted order and structure was found and near-past consumer consumption patterns and preferences predicted the consumer wine preferences of novice wine consumers.Research limitations/implicationsThe use of a convenience sample of college-student wine drinkers from a single university in Midwestern USA limits the paper. While the paper provides support for the vinotype theory, the results are not generalizable to other countries, regions or populations with a different wine-consumption culture. Additional research is necessary to further test and validate the vinotype theory and model.Practical implicationsThe support for the foundational propositions of the vinotype theory suggests that it is reasonable to consider adopting the vinotypic approach. Businesses that sell wine can have their sales and service staff use the vinotypic approach to assist consumers in selecting wines the consumer will find delicious. This should lead to customer satisfaction and possible repeat sales/visits. Consumers can use the vinotype theory to develop an understanding of which wines they like and the reason for liking such. Researchers should use this foundational support to test the model outright.Originality/valueThis is a first academic review of the vinotype theory and a first test of the theory’s foundational propositions independent of the theory’s author. This paper is important, as it provides some independent support for the vinotype theory. The vinotype theory provides a basis for increased understanding and clarity in the realm of wine choice and preference.

Multi-energy calibration applied to atomic spectrometry

Multi-energy calibration (MEC) is a novel strategy that explores the capacity of several analytes of generating analytical signals at many different wavelengths (transition energies). Contrasting with traditional methods, which employ a fixed transition energy and different analyte concentrations to build a calibration plot, MEC uses a fixed analyte concentration and multiple transition energies for calibration. Only two calibration solutions are required in combination with the MEC method. Solution 1 is composed of 50% v v−1 sample and 50% v v−1 of a standard solution containing the analytes. Solution 2 has 50% v v−1 sample and 50% v v−1 blank. Calibration is performed by running each solution separately and monitoring the instrument response at several wavelengths for each analyte. Analytical signals from solutions 1 and 2 are plotted on the x-axis and y-axis, respectively, and the analyte concentration in the sample is calculated from the slope of the resulting calibration curve. The method has been applied to three different atomic spectrometric techniques (ICP OES, MIP OES and HR-CS FAAS). Six analytes were determined in complex samples (e.g. green tea, cola soft drink, cough medicine, soy sauce, and red wine), and the results were comparable with, and in several cases more accurate than, values obtained using the traditional external calibration, internal standardization, and standard additions methods. MEC is a simple, fast and efficient matrix-matching calibration method. It may be applied to any technique capable of simultaneous or fast sequential monitoring of multiple analytical signals.

From Depths of Addiction to Triumph of Recovery

From Depths of Addiction to Triumph of Recovery

IJTIHAD ’ALÎ IBN ABÎ THÂLIB BIDANG JINĀYAH DALAM KITAB MUWATHA’ IMÂM MÂLIK

. 'Alî made the decision diyat in Yemen, but not accepted by the tribes in Yemen, so that they said to the Prophet. This shows that ijtihad 'Alî was not followed by these tribes.' 'Alî has also been requested by Muâwiyah opinion on issues in the region, this shows the depth of the science of 'Ali. In this paper will be described ijtihad 'Alî in the book Muwatha' will then be sought about the extent jinâyah ijtihad was followed by the priests of his contemporaries and schools. There are two ijtihad Imâm 'Alî in Muwatha', the first woman who gave birth within six months is not proof that she committed adultery, ijtihad is followed by the schools of his contemporaries and the priests, the second sentence wine drinkers eighty lashes, this opinion is followed by 'Umar ibn Khaththâb, the Hanafî and Mâlikî. 
 Keywords: Ijtihad, ’Alî, Jinâyah

Total and beverage-specific alcohol intake and the risk of aggressive prostate cancer: a case-control study.

Ethanol in alcoholic beverages is a known carcinogen, but its association with aggressive prostate cancer (APC) is uncertain. Recent studies have shown a modest increase in risk of APC associated with heavy alcohol intake while association for beverage types remain inconsistent. Using a case-control design and self-administered questionnaire, we examined the association between APC (high grade and/or advanced stage) and frequency and quantity of alcohol intake 2 years prior to enrolment. Furthermore, we delineated the relationships for beverage-specific intakes of beer, red wine, white wine and spirits. The study included 1282 APC cases and 951 controls. Beer intake frequency of ⩾5 days per week was associated with increased risk compared with no beer intake (odds ratio=1.66, 95% confidence interval: 1.12-2.48) whereas wine was protective at all frequencies of consumption compared with those with no wine intake. For every 10 g per week ethanol intake from beer increase, the odds of advanced PC rose by 3% (OR=1.03, 95% CI: 1.02-1.05). No such increased risk was observed for red or white wine while a marginal dose-response relationship was found for spirits (OR=1.03, 95% CI: 0.99-1.07). Heavy beer and possibly spirits consumption is associated with increased risk while no dose-response relationship was found for red or white wine. Wine drinkers at all frequencies have a decreased risk of APC compared with those who did not drink wine.

«Those who extinguish candles and drink wine»: the Bulgarian Kizilbash is the Gaze of the Others, According to 15th-19th Century Litterature

Los kazalbashies, estas extranas gentes de la verdad que concebian a Ali como Dios y fueron conocidos como la secta de los Ali illahi, cuya mayor parte habita en la region del noreste de Bulgaria, son los seguidores de la doctrina islamica en su interpretacion chii, peculiar y popular, pero aun mas, ellos mismos consideran los musulmanes mas verdaderos. Sin embargo, debido a la diversidad que a los ojos de los otros representaban, por su emblematica tolerancia hacia otros cultos, por sus ideas, y por la presencia de elementos cristianos en sus rituales, los kazalbashies fueron juzgados como desviacion del dogma, sus lideres han sido percibidos como hereticos y sufrieron persecuciones feroces por parte del poder otomano, que aqui estudian a traves de informes de viajeros y de fetuas, dirigidas contra este grupo de musulmanes heterodoxas. Arrojaremos luz sobre el significado simbolico alevi, de la practica religiosa de tomar alcohol durante la ceremonia ayn-i cem, desvelando tambien lo que esconde detras de todo el discurso publico respecto al ritual de la noche en la que se apagaban las velas. Se hace tambien referencia a los conceptos que divulgaba uno de sus lideres, el famoso jeque Bedreddin de Simavna, altamente humanas, superiores a su tiempo, con indicaciones de una detallada bibliografia al respecto.

Gaberbocchus press and the common room

ABSTRACTThe Common Room, started by Stefan and Franciszka Themerson, was active 1957–1959, in the basement below the Gaberbocchus Press office at 42a Formosa Street, London W9. It was a place for those interested in the arts and the sciences to meet, read journals, look at works of art on the walls, hear talks, see films, eat spaghetti and drink wine. There were events on Thursdays, later on Tuesdays too, and eventually the Common Room opened during the Gaberbocchus office hours, Monday–Friday 3–7 pm, for members to read international journals, to write, drink coffee and play chess. From November 1957, subscription was raised from 10 shillings to one guinea and could be renewed with a purchase of four Gaberbocchus books. The Common Room opened its doors on 1 August 1957. After hosting 82 events, it closed for the summer on 9 July 1959, and never re-opened.

Alcohol and lung cancer risk among never smokers: A pooled analysis from the international lung cancer consortium and the SYNERGY study.

It is not clear whether alcohol consumption is associated with lung cancer risk. The relationship is likely confounded by smoking, complicating the interpretation of previous studies. We examined the association of alcohol consumption and lung cancer risk in a large pooled international sample, minimizing potential confounding of tobacco consumption by restricting analyses to never smokers. Our study included 22 case-control and cohort studies with a total of 2548 never-smoking lung cancer patients and 9362 never-smoking controls from North America, Europe and Asia within the International Lung Cancer Consortium (ILCCO) and SYNERGY Consortium. Alcohol consumption was categorized into amounts consumed (grams per day) and also modelled as a continuous variable using restricted cubic splines for potential non-linearity. Analyses by histologic sub-type were included. Associations by type of alcohol consumed (wine, beer and liquor) were also investigated. Alcohol consumption was inversely associated with lung cancer risk with evidence most strongly supporting lower risk for light and moderate drinkers relative to non-drinkers (>0-4.9 g per day: OR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.70-0.90; 5-9.9 g per day: OR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.69-0.99; 10-19.9 g per day: OR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.65-0.96). Inverse associations were found for consumption of wine and liquor, but not beer. The results indicate that alcohol consumption is inversely associated with lung cancer risk, particularly among subjects with low to moderate consumption levels, and among wine and liquor drinkers, but not beer drinkers. Although our results should have no relevant bias from the confounding effect of smoking we cannot preclude that confounding by other factors contributed to the observed associations. Confounding in relation to the non-drinker reference category may be of particular importance.

Genetic variations in taste perception modify alcohol drinking behavior in Koreans

The sensory components of alcohol affect the onset of individual's drinking. Therefore, variations in taste receptor genes may lead to differential sensitivity for alcohol taste, which may modify an individual's drinking behavior. This study examined the influence of genetic variants in the taste-sensing mechanism on alcohol drinking behavior and the choice of alcoholic beverages. A total of 1829 Koreans were analyzed for their alcohol drinking status (drinker/non-drinker), total alcohol consumption (g/day), heavy drinking (≥30 g/day) and type of regularly consumed alcoholic beverages. Twenty-one genetic variations in bitterness, sweetness, umami and fatty acid sensing were also genotyped. Our findings suggested that multiple genetic variants modified individuals' alcohol drinking behavior. Genetic variations in the T2R bitterness receptor family were associated with overall drinking behavior. Subjects with the TAS2R38 AVI haplotype were less likely to be a drinker [odds ratio (OR): 0.75, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.59–0.95], and TAS2R5 rs2227264 predicted the level of total alcohol consumption (p = 0.01). In contrast, the T1R sweet and umami receptor family was associated with heavy drinking. TAS1R3 rs307355 CT carriers were more likely to be heavy drinkers (OR: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.06–2.19). The genetic variants were also associated with the choice of alcoholic beverages. The homo-recessive type of TAS2R4 rs2233998 (OR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.11–2.37) and TAS2R5 rs2227264 (OR: 1.72, 95% CI: 1.14–2.58) were associated with consumption of rice wine. However, TAS1R2 rs35874116 was associated with wine drinking (OR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.43–0.98) and the consumption level (p = 0.04). These findings suggest that multiple genetic variations in taste receptors influence drinking behavior in Koreans. Genetic variations are also responsible for the preference of particular alcoholic beverages, which may contribute to an individual's alcohol drinking behavior.

Blood lead levels following consumption of game meat in Italy

The aim of this study was to measure lead (Pb) levels in blood (Pb-blood) in consumers of game meat, taking into account other possible sources of lead exposure. A spot blood sample was obtained from 95 subjects, and a questionnaire was used to collect general information and data on game meat consumption, hunting, wine drinking and other possible sources of lead exposure. Pb-blood was measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Pb-blood was not influenced by age, sex, residence in an urban or rural area, consumption of game meat, tobacco smoking or hobbies associated with potential exposure to lead, and median Pb-blood was 1.7 (5th–95th percentile 1.0–5.3)µg/dL and 3.4 (0.9–6.1)µg/dL for game meat non-eaters and eater, respectively. A multiple linear regression analysis (containing the covariates sex, age, hunting, wine drinking, game meat consumption, tobacco smoking, shooting range, and occupational exposure) found an association with hunting (Pb-blood almost double in hunters) and wine drinking (40% higher in drinkers) but not with consumption of game meat or other parameters. Whether the higher Pb-blood level was due to inhalation of lead fumes while shooting with lead ammunition, to handling lead ammunition or both could not be ascertained.