MedWorm: Alcoholism

Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Weekly — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:13:36 +0100

CSAT Rescinds 2008 Directive on Take-Homes, Citing Field ConfusionProvider Agencies Overcome Uncertainty in Instituting Walk-in AssessmentsIowa Governor Preserves Funding for Substance Abuse TreatmentNIATx Calls for Proposals for Its New Health Reform InitiativeIndian Health Care Now Included in House VersionLive Grenade in Chicago Treatment ProgramBriefly NotedState NewsCall for ApplicationsComing up (Source: Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Weekly)

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Advocates Call for Treating Tobacco Dependence in Psychiatric Patients

Psychiatric Times — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:00:01 +0100

Smoking cessation services should be integrated into substance use disorder treatment programs, according to David Kalman, MD, Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts, and colleagues, in their recent review of tobacco dependency among patients who sought treatment for alcoholism.1 (Source: Psychiatric Times)

Colorectal Cancer Epidemiology: Incidence, Mortality, Survival, and Risk Factors

Clinics in Colon and Rectal Surgery — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:13:38 +0100

Clinics in Colon and Rectal Surgery 2009; 22: 191-197DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1242458ABSTRACTIn this article, the incidence, mortality, and survival rates for colorectal cancer are reviewed, with attention paid to regional variations and changes over time. A concise overview of known risk factors associated with colorectal cancer is provided, including familial and hereditary factors, as well as environmental lifestyle-related risk factors such as physical inactivity, obesity, smoking, and alcohol consumption.[...]© Thieme Medical PublishersGet connected:Table of contents | Abstract | Full text (Source: Clinics in Colon and Rectal Surgery)

Drunken Fruit Flies Help Scientists Find Potential Drug Target For Alcoholism

ScienceDaily Headlines — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:05:01 +0100

Drunken fruit flies have helped researchers identify networks of genes -- also present in humans -- that play a key role in alcohol drinking behavior. This discovery provides an indication of why some people seem to tolerate alcohol better than others, and points toward a potential target for drugs aimed at preventing or eliminating alcoholism. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

Are drugs laws working? Ask a scientist

Guardian Unlimited Science — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 01:28:34 +0100

It's pleasing to see, in the storm of commentary over Professor David Nutt's sacking as the government's chief drugs adviser, that everyone outside politics now recognises the importance of scientific evidence in devising laws. But a strange reasoning twitch has appeared, in the arguments of politicians and rightwing commentators. Science can tell us about the molecules, they say, about their effect on the body and the risks. But policy is separate: a matter for judgment calls on social and ethical issues. Only politicians, they say, can determine the correct way to send out a clear message to the public. It is not a matter for science.This is wrong. Alongside research into the risks of drugs, lots of work has also been done on the deterrent impact of different laws, classifications and le...

Relationship Between Potentially Modifiable Lifestyle Factors and Risk of Second Primary Contralateral Breast Cancer Among Women Diagnosed With Estrogen Receptor-Positive Invasive Breast Cancer [Breast Cancer]

Journal of Clinical Oncology — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:02:18 +0100

Conclusion Our population-based study adds to the limited available literature and suggests that obesity, smoking, and alcohol consumption influence contralateral breast cancer risk, affording breast cancer survivors three means of potentially reducing this risk. (Source: Journal of Clinical Oncology)

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The use of electronic pharmacy data to investigate prescribed medications and fatal motor vehicle crashes in a military population, 2002-2006.

Accident; Analysis and Prevention. — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:26:32 +0100

Authors: Hooper TI, DeBakey SF, Pearse L, Pratt S, Hoffman KJ The authors examined the association between prescribed medications and fatal motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) in an active duty military population between 2002 and 2006. Using a case-control design, MVC deaths were ascertained using a military mortality registry, and an integrated health system database provided information on health system eligibility, pharmacy transactions, and medical encounters. Cases and controls were matched on comparable observation time outside periods of deployment. Among selected categories, only one, antidepressant medications, was an independent predictor of fatal MVC (odds ratio, 3.19; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-10.07). Male gender, Black race, enlisted rank, service branch (Navy and Marine Cor...

Are biomarkers of chronic alcohol misuse useful in the assessment of DWI recidivism status?

Accident; Analysis and Prevention. — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:26:17 +0100

CONCLUSION: The present findings suggest that biomarkers of chronic patterns of heavy drinking may not be adequate to capture the multiple processes that appear to promote recidivism (e.g., binge drinking, other risky behavioural and personality features). Despite their objectivity, caution is warranted in the interpretation of a positive score on these biomarkers in DWI assessment. Longitudinal research is needed to more comprehensively explore the relationship between positive biomarkers in first-time offenders and their risk of becoming recidivists. PMID: 19887172 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Accident; Analysis and Prevention.)

Binge drinking Britain: Why our 'café culture' fell flat on its face

Telegraph Health — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:13:07 +0100

The drunk student who provoked outrage by urinating on a war memorial is the product of our unhealthy attitude to alcohol says Gill Hornby. (Source: Telegraph Health)

<B>A little bit of what you fancy does you good?</B> (2009-11-11)

Institute of Psychiatry | Events — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:21:25 +0100

Dr Bhavsar will present the following paper: "Anxiety and depression among abstainers and low-level alcohol consumers. The Nord-Trøndelag Health Study" <em>Addiction </em>(2009) 104: 1519–1529 - ([link=/iopweb/blob/downloads/event/2009116_e_874_skogen.pdf::pdf]) Methodology questions from the audience to the presenter are followed by comments from the invited experts (Source: Institute of Psychiatry | Events)

Immigrant generation, selective acculturation, and alcohol use among Latina/o adolescents. - Eitle TM, Wahl AM, Aranda E.

SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:22:30 +0100

This study explores generational differences in alcohol use behaviors for three Latina/o ethnic groups. Using data from the National Longitudinal Stud... (Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated))

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Parent, family, and neighborhood effects on the development of child substance use and other psychopathology from preschool to the start of adulthood. - Buu A, Dipiazza C, Wang J, Puttler LI, Fitzgerald HE, Zucker RA.

SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:22:30 +0100

This study used data from an ongoing 2-decade long study that recruited alcoholic and neighborhood ... (Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated))

Teenage drinking, alcohol availability and pricing: a cross-sectional study of risk and protective factors for alcohol-related harms in school children. - Bellis MA, Phillips-Howard PA, Hughes K, Hughes S, Cook PA, Morleo M, Hannon K, Smallthwaite L, Jones L.

SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:22:30 +0100

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: There is a lack of empirical analyses examining how alcohol consumption patterns in children relate to harms. Such intelligence is required to inform parents, children and policy relating to the provision and use of alcohol during chi... (Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated))

Colonoscopic findings in asymptomatic people

Arquivos de Gastroenterologia — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:16:51 +0100

CONTEXTO: O câncer colorretal é causa de morte frequente e sua prevenção deve fazer parte dos programas de rastreamento em indivíduos assintomáticos. OBJETIVO: Avaliar os achados colonoscópicos de pessoas assintomáticas submetidas a colonoscopia. MÉTODO: Foram estudados 153 pessoas assintomáticas submetidas a colonoscopia. Sexo, idade, história pregressa e familiar, tabagismo e etilismo foram avaliados. Indivíduos com hematoquesia macro ou microscópica e os com doença colorretal foram excluídos. Preparo intestinal, presença de pólipos, angioectasias, doença diverticular, processo inflamatório e neoplasia foram investigados. Os pólipos foram classificados de acordo com seu tamanho, número e localização. RESULTADOS: A idade média foi de 52,47 ± 11,64 anos. História ...

Enhancement effect of terpenes on silver sulphadiazine permeation through third-degree burn eschar

Burns : Journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:55:19 +0100

Abstract: Antimicrobial therapy remains one of the most important methods of wound management. Systemically administered antimicrobials may not achieve therapeutic levels in wound and most agents cannot penetrate burn eschar well enough when applied topically. Therefore, we tested the notion to increase permeability of eschar toward topical agents using terpenes, a well-known class of skin permeation enhancers.Four terpenes, limonene (hydrocarbon), eucalyptol (ether), α-pinene oxide (epoxide) and geraniol (alcohol) were chosen and their effects on permeation of silver sulphadiazine (SSD), a widely used topical antimicrobial agent, through human third-degree burn eschar was evaluated using static diffusion cells.Results showed that terpenes increased permeation flux of SSD through eschar s...

Combine Nicotine Patch, Lozenges to Quit Smoking, Researchers Say

Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:16:00 +0100

A study comparing five pharmaceutical approaches to quitting smoking found that mixing nicotine patches and lozenges was the most effective, in part because it seemed to best duplicate the highs and lows of nicotine addiction faced by smokers. (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)

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Aren’t the lessons in violent or sexual media damaging regardless of how graphic they are?

Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:00:57 +0100

Media expert Michael Rich, MD, MPH, director of the Center on Media and Child Health at Children’s Hospital Boston, answers your questions about media use. Last week, he discussed “s. lists” and sex in the media. Here’s this week’s question: Q: My 10 & 12-year-old children want to go to PG-13 and R rated movies with their friends, whose parents think that the sexual innuendo and violence “goes over their heads” because the movies don’t show the graphic details of the sex act or the actual bullet hitting the person. Aren’t the lessons implied and taught damaging to children regardless of the camera angle? -Anxious about Angles in Winnetka, IL A: Dear Anxious, The argument that violence and sex go over kids’ heads is faulty for a few reasons. One is that PG-13...

Chapter 4 technological and microbiological aspects of traditional balsamic vinegar and their influence on quality and sensorial properties.

Advances in Food and Nutrition Research — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:02:04 +0100

Authors: Giudici P, Gullo M, Solieri L, Falcone PM The term "balsamic" is widespread and popular all over the world of vinegar and fancy foods; it is used generally to refer to vinegars and sauces with a sweet and sour taste. However, the original is the European Protected Denomination, registered as "Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale of Modena, or of Reggio Emilia" that should not be confused with the "Aceto Balsamico di Modena" very similar in the name, but completely different for technology, raw material, quality, and sensorial properties. Traditional balsamic vinegar is made by a peculiar procedure, that starts with a thermal concentration of freshly squeezed grape juice, followed by alcoholic and acetic fermentations and, finally, long aging in a wooden barrel set, by a procedure whic...

Campaign Launches To Sound Alarm About The Misuse Of Prescription Drugs Among Teens

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:00:00 +0100

The National Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE), along with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and representatives from 15 nationally recognized prevention, health professional and child advocacy organizations, are launching Maximizing Your Role as a Teen Influencer: What You Can Do to Help Prevent Teen Prescription Drug Abuse. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Campaign Launches To Sound Alarm About The Misuse Of Prescription Drugs Among Teens

Pediatrics News From Medical News Today — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:00:00 +0100

Early Adolescent Romantic Partner Status, Peer Standing, and Problem Behaviors

The Journal of Early Adolescence — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:58:29 +0100

This study examined associations among early adolescent romantic relationships, peer standing, problem behaviors, and gender as a moderator of these associations, in a sample of 320 seventh-grade students. Popular and controversial status youth were more likely to have a romantic partner, whereas neglected status youth were less likely to have a romantic partner. Similarly, youth perceived as conventional and unconventional leaders were also more likely to have a romantic partner than were non-leaders. Youth who had a romantic partner drank more alcohol and were more aggressive than were youth who did not have a romantic partner. Among those youth who had romantic partners, those who reported having more deviance-prone partners were themselves more likely to use alcohol and to be more aggr...

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Marijuana Legalized in Breckenridge, Colo.

Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:34:00 +0100

In a largely symbolic move, voters in the Colorado ski town of Breckenridge voted overwhelmingly to approve the legalization of marijuana possession and use. (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)

On This Day in Science History - November 6 - Yeast Fermentation

About.com Chemistry — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:05:40 +0100

November 7th marks the passing of Swedish biochemist, Hans von Euler-Chelpin. He was awarded the 1929 Nobel Prize in Chemistry with Arthur Harden for their investigations into the process of fermentation and yeast enzymes. Brewers use yeast to convert glucose (sugar) into carbon dioxide and ethyl alcohol. People have been using yeast for centuries for fermentation but the process was not fully understood. Eduard Buchner identified the yeast enzyme called zymase when he removed all cells from the yeast and still managed to produce fermentation. He would win the 1907 Nobel Prize for this discovery. Harden later showed zymase was made up of two different varieties and Euler-Chelpin discovered the complementary enzyme, cozymase that was responsible for the production of carbon dioxide in the p...

[Department of Error] Department of Error

LANCET — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Kirby T. Australia considers string of preventive health measures. Lancet 2009; 374: 963—In this World Report (Sept 19), the standfirst should have read: “The Australian Government is poised to introduce several hard-hitting public health measures to tackle the country's smoking, alcohol, and obesity problems. Tony Kirby reports.” (Source: LANCET)

Including a Screening and Brief Alcohol Intervention Program in the Care of the Obstetric Patient

Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Alcohol is the drug most commonly abused by pregnant women and the leading cause of preventable birth defects across the United States. Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral for Treatment is a program developed by the Emergency Nurses Association that has demonstrated success in treating patients who have alcohol use disorders. This interventional program can be useful to perinatal nurses caring for pregnant women with alcohol use disorders in a variety of settings. (Source: Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing)

Investigating differential symptom profiles in major depressive episode with and without generalized anxiety disorder: true co-morbidity or symptom similarity?

Psychological Medicine — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: The lack of any significant DIF indicates that cases with GAD do not present with a distinct MDE symptom profile, one that is consistent with the endorsement of symptoms that are conceptually similar in nature between the two disorders, compared to cases without GAD. This does not support the hypothesis that co-morbidity between MDE and GAD is artificially inflated because of the similar symptom criteria required by the current diagnostic system. Instead, MDE and GAD may be thought of as two distinct diagnostic entities that frequently co-occur because of a shared underlying trait. PMID: 19891809 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Psychological Medicine)

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Gene expression profiling of archival tongue squamous cell carcinomas provides sub-classification based on DNA repair genes.

International Journal of Oncology — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:16:56 +0100

Authors: Rentoft M, Laurell G, Coates PJ, Sjöström B, Nylander K A subgroup of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) comprise young persons under the age of 40, who have not been heavily exposed to the classical risk factors, smoking and alcohol. The number of SCCHN in young adults, particularly tongue tumours, is increasing in several parts of the world. Here we employed a novel gene expression array methodology specifically developed for analysis of degraded RNA and investigated the expression of 502 cancer-related genes in archival paraffin-embedded SCCHN of the tongue from young (< or =40) and elderly patients (> or =50). Genes detected as de-regulated in tumours compared to non-malignant controls were in concordance with results from ea...

Smoking During Pregnancy May Predispose Kids to Behavioral Problems

Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:21:47 +0100

Women who smoked during pregnancy were more likely to report having children with behavioral problems, and researchers think the reason could be fetal brain damage. (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)

MADD Launches Program To Help Parents Influence Teen Alcohol Behavior

Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:03:54 +0100

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and Nationwide Insurance have launched a multi-media program to give parents of high school students the communication tools they need to stop teen alcohol use. (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)

Maine Voters Expand Medical-Marijuana Availability

Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:52:08 +0100

Voters in Maine this week decisively approved a measure that will make medical marijuana more available to residents. (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)

Company Designs Filter to Remove Some Cigarette Toxins

Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:48:19 +0100

A Hong Kong biotech firm has designed a filter that removes some of the toxic chemicals from cigarette smoke but leaves the tobacco flavor intact. (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)

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Bodybuilding.com Alert

NCCAM Featured Content — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:28:29 +0100

Bodybuilding.com and FDA notified healthcare professionals and patients of a nationwide and international recall of all lots and expiration dates of 65 dietary supplement products that were sold through the Company's website, www.bodybuilding.com.FDA believes that the recalled products contain the following ingredients that are currently classified, or the FDA believes should be classified, as steroids: "Superdrol," "Madol," "Tren," "Androstenedione," and/or "Turinabol." Acute liver injury is known to be a possible harmful effect of using steroid-containing products. In addition, steroids may cause other serious long-term adverse health consequences in men, women, and children. These include shrinkage of the testes and male infertility, mas...

Parkinson disease and impulse control disorders: a review of clinical features, pathophysiology and management

Postgraduate Medical Journal — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:01:51 +0100

Impulse control disorders (ICDs) are a heterogeneous group of conditions involving repetitive, excessive and compulsive activities that interfere with life functioning. Examples are pathological gambling, compulsive shopping and hypersexuality. Over the last decade, ICDs have become increasingly recognised as being associated with Parkinson disease (PD), with the literature highlighting a link between dopamine replacement therapy and the development of ICDs. Patients who develop ICDs in the context of compulsive anti-Parkinsonian drug use are described as having dopamine dysregulation syndrome (DDS), which is associated with repetitive complex stereotyped behaviours called punding. Case–control and observational studies have further noted that patients with PD who develop ICDs are mo...

The metabolic syndrome: common origins of a multifactorial disorder

Postgraduate Medical Journal — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:01:51 +0100

The metabolic syndrome (MetS) represents a combination of cardiometabolic risk determinants including obesity (central adiposity), insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, dyslipidaemia, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and hypertension. MetS is rapidly increasing in prevalence worldwide as a consequence of the continued obesity "epidemic", and as a result will have a considerable impact on the global incidence of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Currently, there is debate concerning whether the risk of cardiovascular disease is greater in patients diagnosed with MetS than that of the sum of the individual risk factors. At present, no unifying origin that can explain the pathogenesis of MetS has been identified and therefore no unique pharmacological treatment is available. Thi...

Incidence of craving for and abuse of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) in different populations of treated alcoholics: an open comparative study

Journal of Psychopharmacology — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:24:39 +0100

Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) is a drug currently used for the treatment of alcohol dependence. The aim of our study was to investigate the incidence of craving for and abuse of GHB in 47 patients enrolled and divided into four groups: group A (pure alcoholics), group B (alcoholics with a sustained full remission from cocaine dependence), group C (alcoholics with a sustained full remission from heroin dependence) and group D (alcoholics in a methadone maintenance treatment [MMT] programme). All patients were treated with an oral dose of GHB (50 mg/kg of body weight t.i.d.) for three months. Craving for GHB was statistically significant higher in group B than in group A (P < 0.001), C (P = 0.01) and D (P < 0.001), and in group C than in group D (P < 0.05). Abuse of GHB proved to ...

Children, young people and alcohol: how they learn and how...

Children's NSF Newsfeed — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:24:10 +0100

This review of research into how young people learn to drink... (Source: Children's NSF Newsfeed)

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Children, young people and alcohol: how they learn and how...

Public Health Newsfeed — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:36:20 +0100

This review of research into how young people learn to drink... (Source: Public Health Newsfeed)

Potential Drug Target For Alcoholism From Drunken Fruit Flies

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0100

Potential Drug Target For Alcoholism From Drunken Fruit Flies

Genetics News From Medical News Today — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0100

A group of drunken fruit flies have helped researchers from North Carolina State and Boston universities identify entire networks of genes - also present in humans - that play a key role in alcohol drinking behavior. This discovery, published in the October 2009 print issue of the journal Genetics, provides a crucial explanation of why some people seem to tolerate alcohol better than others, as well as a potential target for drugs aimed at preventing or eliminating alcoholism. (Source: Genetics News From Medical News Today)

Federal stimulus funds support studies geared to improving HIV care and prevention

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0100

(University of California - San Francisco) One study will look at using mobile phone text messages linked to a web-based personal health record to help HIV patients' adherence to pill-taking regimens. The other study will test the feasibility and acceptability of a Web-based strategy that seeks to reduce drug and alcohol use and accompanying HIV risk behaviors and improve antiretroviral medication adherence by HIV positive patients. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

Well-aligned multi-walled carbon nanotubes emitting natural white-light under microwave irradiation.

Chemical Communications — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:55:15 +0100

Authors: Su JW, Gwo S, Lin KJ Low-cost black coating with freestanding well-aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs), fabricated from CNT-dispersive in water-soluble poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) matrix, exhibits a bright white-light emission with narrow-band RGB (red, green, blue) colors having CIE (0.327, 0.349) chromaticity coordinate when subjected to the microwave irradiation. PMID: 19885476 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Chemical Communications)

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Preparation of layered double hydroxide films with different orientations on the opposite sides of a glass substrate by in situ hydrothermal crystallization.

Chemical Communications — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:54:23 +0100

Authors: Guo X, Zhang F, Xu S, Evans DG, Duan X MgAl-Layered double hydroxide (LDH) films with different orientations on the two sides of a glass substrate, one of which was modified with poly(vinyl alcohol), have been obtained by a one-step in situ hydrothermal crystallization method, and the growth mechanisms of the two films are discussed. PMID: 19885496 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Chemical Communications)

Drink prices crackdown 'to hit whisky exports for £600 million'

Scotsman.com News - Health — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

WHISKY chiefs have made the extraordinary claim that the SNP's policy of minimum pricing on alcohol will cost the flagship Scottish industry a massive £600 million a year (Source: Scotsman.com News - Health)

Kinetic and chemical characterization of aldehyde oxidation by fungal aryl-alcohol oxidase

BJ Structure — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Fungal aryl-alcohol oxidase (AAO) provides H2O2 for lignin biodegradation. AAO is active on benzyl alcohols that are oxidized to aldehydes. However, the H2O2 formed from some of them was more than stoichiometric with respect to the aldehyde detected. This was due to a double reaction that involves aryl-aldehyde oxidase activity. The latter was investigated using different benzylic aldehydes, whose oxidation to acids was demonstrated by GC-MS. The steady and pre-steady state kinetic constants together with the chromatographic results revealed a strong influence of substrate electron withdrawing/donating substituents on activity, being the highest on p-nitrobenzaldehyde and halogenated aldehydes and the lowest on methoxylated aldehydes. Moreover, activity was correlated to the aldehyde hydra...

Oral epithelial atypical changes in apparently healthy oral mucosa exposed to smoking, alcohol, peppers and hot meals, using the AgNOR and Papanicolaou staining techniques

Diagnostic Cytopathology — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

To evaluate cytological atypical changes in apparently healthy oral mucosa exposed to smoking, alcohol, hot meals, and peppers using the AgNOR and Papanicolaou methods. A total of 180 individuals were evaluated, of which 60 were smokers, 34 were alcohol users, 52 were habitual peppers and hot meal (exposed) consumers, 24 were non-exposed, and 10 were patients with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC), as an internal control. Cytological materials were obtained by brushing of buccal mucosa, on the border of the tongue and on the floor of the mouth, and participants underwent the Papanicolaou test for cytological changes and AgNOR staining for evaluation of the mean number of AgNOR dots per nucleus. SPSS program was used to perform the Pearson chi-square test. The 95% confidence level, Odds R...

Three step synthesis of single diastereoisomers of the vicinal trifluoro motif

Beilstein Journal of Organic Chemistry — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract A three step route to single diastereoisomers of the vicinal trifluoromethyl motif is described. The route starts from either syn- or anti-α,β-epoxy alcohols and takes a direct approach in that each of the three steps introduces a fluorine atom in a regio- and stereo-specific manner. Starting from either the syn- or the anti-α,β-epoxy alcohol, stereospecific reactions generate two separate diastereoisomeric series of this motif. The route is a significant improvement on an earlier six step strategy. Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2009, 5, No. 61. doi:10.3762/bjoc.5.61 (Source: Beilstein Journal of Organic Chemistry)

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Impact of substance use on the physical health of patients with bipolar disorder

Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Substance use, mainly tobacco, was common in bipolar patients. Tobacco use negatively impacted CHD risk. (Source: Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica)

Do You Have an Alcohol or Drug Problem?

About.com Alcoholism — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Alcohol and drug use can progress into abuse and even addiction so insidiously that sometimes people do not realize that it has become a problem for them and those around them. The following self-assessment tests can help you determine whether or not it may be time to get help. Alcohol Abuse Screening Quiz Drug Abuse Screening Quiz Could You Be Depressed? Is Your Child Using Drugs or Alcohol? Is Your Child Huffing Inhalants? Questions for Families: Are You Troubled by Someone's Drinking? Are You Enabling an Alcoholic or Addict? Did You Grow Up With a Problem Drinker? Domestic Abuse Screening Quiz Adult Child Screening Quiz Do You Have an Alcohol or Drug Problem? originally appeared on About.com Alcoholism on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 00:05:17.Permalink | Comment | Email this ...

Address Drinking, Smoking to Raise Life Expectancy: WHO

Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:16:34 +0100

About one in four premature deaths worldwide can be traced to five preventable health factors -- alcohol use, poor childhood nutrition, unsafe sex, bad sanitation and hygiene, and high blood pressure -- according to the World Health Organization (WHO). (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)

U.K. Drug Czar Fired for Saying Illegal Drugs Less Harmful Than Alcohol, Cigarettes

Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:11:42 +0100

U.K. Prime Minister Gordon Brown has fired his drug czar after David Nutt said that LSD and ecstasy are less dangerous drugs than alcohol or tobacco. (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)

Study Shows How Alcohol Can Spread Cancer

Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:04:15 +0100

Researchers from Rush University Medical Center may have discovered how alcohol transforms regular cancer cells into a more aggressive form of the disease that can spread to other areas of the body. (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)

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Smoking May Hinder Arthritis Treatment

Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:01:23 +0100

Several recent studies have found that smoking cigarettes may trigger rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or hinder the treatment of RA. (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)

Health behavior inequalities among Lithuanian, Polish and Russian school-aged children in Lithuania

Central European Journal of Medicine — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:39:37 +0100

Abstract The aim of this study was to compare and get a deeper insight into issues of the health and health behavior inequalities among Lithuanian, Polish and Russian school-aged children in national and international contexts. Investigations were carried out in the framework of Health Behavior in School-aged Children (HBSC) study — a WHO collaborative cross-national survey. Five thousand seven hundred and seventy six randomly selected students aged 11, 13, and 15 years of age answered questionnaires in the classroom in 108 schools located in different regions in Lithuania in March–April of 2006. Questions on perceived health and health related behaviors were addressed to the respondent (response rate was 95 %). 5632 questionnaires were selected for further analysis by...

Gene Networks Involved in Alcohol Dependency

NIGMS - Results — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:55:57 +0100

NIGMS-funded researchers have used drunken fruit flies to identify networks of genes--also present in humans--that play a role in drinking behavior. (Source: NIGMS - Results)

Serum α-fetoprotein levels in liver steatosis

Hepatology International — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:54:34 +0100

Conclusion Patients with NAFLD have higher AFP levels than those without fatty liver changes. AFP levels rise as grade of liver steatosis increases. NAFLD should be among the differential diagnosis of elevated serum AFP levels. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticleDOI 10.1007/s12072-009-9156-8Authors Ayşegül Babalı, Ankara Education and Research Hospital Department of Gastroenterology Ankara TurkeyErman Çakal, Dışkapı Education and Research Hospital Department of Endocrinology Ankara TurkeyTuğrul Purnak, Ankara Numune Education and Research Hospital Department of Gastroenterology Ankara Turkeyİbrahim Bıyıkoğlu, Ankara Education and Research Hospital Department of Gastroenterology Ankara TurkeyBaşak Çakal, Ankara Education and Research Hosp...

Professor Nutt: 'If we want to reduce deaths alcohol and heroin are the issues'

Telegraph Health — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:43:55 +0100

Having been removed from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs Professor David Nutt talks to Cassandra Jardine. (Source: Telegraph Health)

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David Nutt may set up new drugs body

Guardian Unlimited Science — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:28:13 +0100

Scientist removed for views on cannabis says government's advisory council is fatally flawed and should be independentThe government's drug advice body is "fatally flawed" and should be reconstituted as an independent organisation along the lines of the Bank of England, according to former government drugs adviser David Nutt, who was sacked last week in a row over the classification of cannabis. Nutt said that if the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) was not given more autonomy in future he would consider setting up an alternative committee to provide independent advice on drugs."Unless this issue is resolved properly, you're going to have to have an independent group. I know several members of the council will join me if things aren't resolved next Tuesday," he said. "It's ob...

AERC and Drinkaware Call for Proposals - “National Drinking Cultures”

AERC: The Alcohol Education and Research Council — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:00:14 +0100

If Drinkaware and others want to change the national drinking culture for the better, it is vital that there is an understanding of the culture (or cultures) that currently exist. (Source: AERC: The Alcohol Education and Research Council)

Children, young people and alcohol: how they learn and how...

PCCAS: Full newsfeed — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:58:54 +0100

This review of research into how young people learn to drink... (Source: PCCAS: Full newsfeed)

Psychiatric Training in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders "Inadequate"

Medscape Today Headlines — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:55:12 +0100

Training in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders is inadequate, and a significant proportion of psychiatric trainees believe drinking during the third trimester of pregnancy is safe. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Photocatalytic Activity in CH3CN Related to the Surface Properties of TiO2 Powders Prepared by Sol-Gel Method

International Journal of Photoenergy — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:18:09 +0100

Some TiO2 powders, prepared from titanium(IV)tetraisopropoxide by the sol-gel method and thermally treated between 100 and 1000∘C, have been characterized by X-ray powder diffraction and by nitrogen adsorption and desorption at 77 K to calculate the BET-specific surface area, from which the micropore volume and the external surface area can be derived. The photocatalytic activity (ka) of the above powders has been evaluated considering the TiO2-sensitized photo-oxidation of 4-methoxybenzyl alcohol in CH3CN as the test reaction. The decrease of ka have been related to the decrease of the BET surface area, the micropore volume, and the external surface area of the TiO2 powders, but a satisfactory linear correlation is observed only for the last superficial parameter. (Source: I...

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Regiospecific Syntheses of 3-Aza-α-carbolines via Inverse Electron-Demand Diels-Alder Reactions of 2-Aminoindoles with 1,3,5-Triazines

Synlett — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:17:30 +0100

SynlettDOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1218345AbstractThe scope of 1,3,5-triazine inverse electron-demand Diels-Alder (IDA) reactions was expanded to include 2-aminoindoles as productive dienophiles leading to various 3-aza-α-carbolines in excellent yields. Furthermore, the two ester groups of the IDA product were differentiated via reduction of the C4-ester to its corresponding alcohol. This new IDA reaction could be potentially applied to the synthesis of various 3-aza-mescengrincin analogues that may possess neuroprotective activities.[...]© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart ˙ New YorkGet connected:Table of contents | Abstract | Full text (Source: Synlett)

David Nutt: Governments should get real on drugs

New Scientist - Drugs and Alcohol — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:48:49 +0100

David Nutt was sacked from his role as chairman of the UK's official advisory body on drugs for his outspoken views. He explains why governments should not ignore scientific evidence (Source: New Scientist - Drugs and Alcohol)

Enzo Biochem Reports On Favorable Clinical Trial Of EGS21 For Treatment Of Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:00:00 +0100

Steele Center Researcher Receives $1.25M From CDC to Study Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Health — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 07:00:00 +0100

The project will study the prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome in Arizona and Nevada (Source: Health)

Early onset probable linezolid-induced encephalopathy

Journal of Neurology — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:58:13 +0100

We describe a 41-year-old male who developed early onset encephalopathy after a day and a half of linezolid therapy. Our patient had at least one significant risk factor (alcoholism), making linezolid-induced encephalopathy probable based upon the Naranjo probability scale. Clinicians should be aware of the potential for early onset linezolid-induced neurotoxicity, particularly in patients with concomitant risk factors. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original CommunicationDOI 10.1007/s00415-009-5340-yAuthors Jeffery Fletcher, Bronson Methodist Hospital Department of Neurology (Neurocritical Care) 601 John Street Suite M-124 Kalamazoo MI 49007 USALaura E. Aykroyd, Ferris State University Clinical Pharmacy Big Rapids MI USAEric C. Feucht, Bronson Methodist Hospital Kalamazoo M...

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Cheap Alcohol Appeals to Problem Drinkers, Study Finds

Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:50:00 +0100

About 70 percent of the alcohol consumed by a group of problem drinkers in Scotland had been bought at a discount, according to a study that concluded that heavy drinkers actively seek out cheap alcohol and that setting minimum alcohol prices could cut overconsumption. (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)

Researchers Probe Smokeless Tobacco's Relative Safety

Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 02:58:59 +0100

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) and academic researchers are examining whether smokeless-tobacco products can potentially be viewed as a safer alternative to smoking. (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)

Cut Drunk Driving Standard to .05 Percent, MADD Canada Says

Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 02:51:20 +0100

Quebec should cut its legal blood-alcohol limit to .05 percent as recommended by the province's transport minister in 2007, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Canada says. (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)

The issue: You know how to be healthier, why is it so hard to do it?

OrlandoSentinel: Medical Research — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

When it comes to improving our health, we all know what to do. Exercise. Eat right. Quit smoking. Drink alcohol only in moderation. And wash our hands. It sounds simple. So why don't more of us do it? Probably because it isn't so simple. Getting healthy... (Source: OrlandoSentinel: Medical Research)

Emergency Medicine Public Health Research Funded by Federal Agencies: Progress and Priorities

Academic Emergency Medicine — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

The emergency department (ED) visit provides an opportunity to impact the health of the public throughout the entire spectrum of care, from prevention to treatment. As the federal government has a vested interest in funding research and providing programmatic opportunities that promote the health of the public, emergency medicine (EM) is prime to develop a research agenda to advance the field. EM researchers need to be aware of federal funding opportunities, which entails an understanding of the organizational structure of the federal agencies that fund medical research, and the rules and regulations governing applications for grants. Additionally, there are numerous funding streams outside of the National Institutes of Health (NIH; the primary federal health research agency). EM researche...

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SBIRT in Emergency Care Settings: Are We Ready to Take it to Scale?

Academic Emergency Medicine — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

This article summarizes a panel discussion on "SBIRT in the emergency care setting: are we ready to take it to scale?" Dr. Edward Bernstein commented on the historical developments of emergency department (ED) screening, brief intervention (BI), and referral to treatment (SBIRT) research, practice, and knowledge translation. Dr. Jack Stein addressed SBIRT grant program progress to date, the reimbursement stream, SBIRT lessons learned, and unanswered questions. Dr. Richard Saitz reviewed the limitations of the evidence for alcohol and drug ED screening and BI and cautioned on the danger of proceeding to practice and broad dissemination without evidenced based on randomized controlled trials with sufficient sample size and clinically important outcomes. ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2009; 16:1...

Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs: Future Directions for Screening and Intervention in the Emergency Department

Academic Emergency Medicine — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

This article is a product of a breakout session on injury prevention from the 2009 Academic Emergency Medicine consensus conference on "Public Health in the ED: Screening, Surveillance, and Intervention." The emergency department (ED) is an important entry portal into the medical care system. Given the epidemiology of substance use among ED patients, the delivery of effective brief interventions (BIs) for alcohol, drug, and tobacco use in the ED has the potential to have a large public health impact. To date, the results of randomized controlled trials of interventional studies in the ED setting for substance use have been mixed in regard to alcohol and understudied in the area of tobacco and other drugs. As a result, there are more questions remaining than answered. The work group develop...

Screening and Brief Intervention to Reduce Marijuana Use Among Youth and Young Adults in a Pediatric Emergency Department

Academic Emergency Medicine — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: A preliminary trial of SBI promoted marijuana abstinence and reduced consumption among PED patients aged 14[ndash]21 years. A no-contact condition for the NAC group over the year after enrollment was insufficient to capture enrollees for follow-up across a range of baseline acuity. ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2009; 16:1174[ndash]1185 © 2009 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (Source: Academic Emergency Medicine)

Three-month Follow-up of Brief Computerized and Therapist Interventions for Alcohol and Violence Among Teens

Academic Emergency Medicine — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: This initial evaluation of the SafERteens study shows that universal computerized screening and BI for multiple risk behaviors among adolescents is feasible, well received, and effective at altering attitudes and self-efficacy. Future evaluations of the SafERteens study will evaluate the interventions' effects on behavioral change (alcohol use and violence) over the year following the ED visit. ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2009; 16:1193[ndash]1207 © 2009 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (Source: Academic Emergency Medicine)

A Preliminary Report of Knowledge Translation: Lessons From Taking Screening and Brief Intervention Techniques From the Research Setting Into Regional Systems of Care

Academic Emergency Medicine — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

This article describes a limited statewide dissemination of an evidence-based technology, screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT), and evaluation of the effects on emergency department (ED) systems of care, utilizing the knowledge translation framework of reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance (RE-AIM), using both quantitative and qualitative data sources. Screening and brief intervention (SBI) can detect high-risk and dependent alcohol and drug use in the medical setting, provide early intervention, facilitate access to specialty treatment when appropriate, and improve quality of care. Several meta-analyses demonstrate its effectiveness in primary care, and the federal government has developed a well-funded campaign to promote physician tr...

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Alcohol-related violence defined by ultimate goals: a qualitative analysis of the features of three different types of violence by intoxicated young male offenders

Aggressive Behavior — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Based upon a functional approach to understanding aggression, we aimed to identify the occurrence of and to describe the features of three types of alcohol-related violence defined a priori by ultimate goals: (1) violence in pursuit of nonsocial profit-based goals, (2) violence in pursuit of social dominance goals, and (3) violence as defence in response to threat. A sample of 149 young men with offences of violence that were alcohol related was interviewed. Cases were classified and detailed information from the first ten cases in each class (N=30) was subjected to thematic analysis. Intoxicated violence in pursuit of nonsocial profit-based goals was opportunistic and motivated by the desire for more alcohol or drugs. Violence, in these cases, although serious, appeared to be brief. Intox...

Immature Defense Mechanisms Are Associated with Lesser Vaginal Orgasm Consistency and Greater Alcohol Consumption before Sex

The Journal of Sexual Medicine — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions. The results provide further evidence that difficulty in having a vaginal orgasm is associated with immature defenses (and associated disturbances of sensibility), among other indicators of poorer health and relatedness. ACBS might impair vaginal orgasm or increase the likelihood of choosing other sexual activities, but this effect might be somewhat contingent on immature defenses. Based on various empirical studies, we call for examination of the possibility that lack of vaginal orgasm (given an adequate man) should qualify as a female sexual dysfunction. Costa RM, and Brody S. Immature defense mechanisms are associated with lesser vaginal orgasm consistency and greater alcohol consumption before sex. J Sex Med **;**:**[ndash]**. (Source: The Journal of Sexual Medicine)

Healthy Relationships and Sobriety

About.com Alcoholism — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

There is a saying in recovery circles that alcoholics and addicts don't have relationships, they take hostages. The truth is most addicts and alcoholics have lost the ability to recognize a healthy relationship, much less maintain one. But experts say to achieve long-term sobriety, it is essential to build or rebuild supportive, healthy relationships. Read more... Maintaining Sobriety: Getting Healthy to Maintain Sobriety How to Avoid Substituting Addictions Do You Know the Steps Leading to Relapse? Photo: Clipart.com Healthy Relationships and Sobriety originally appeared on About.com Alcoholism on Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 03:12:10.Permalink | Comment | Email this (Source: About.com Alcoholism)

Psychosocial characteristics of drunk drivers assessed by the Addiction Severity Index, prediction of relapse.

Scandinavian Journal of Public Health — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: As well as the drunk driving offence, drunk drivers often have other psychosocial problems, female drivers in particular. Already the blood alcohol concentration per se gives some indication of the psychosocial problem profile of a drunk driver and the ASI profile has some prognostic value for relapse in drunk driving. PMID: 19889889 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Scandinavian Journal of Public Health)

Low Leptin Concentration in the First Gestational Trimester Is Associated with Being Born Small for Gestational Age: Prospective Study in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Neonatology — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Lower leptin concentrations were associated with a significant risk for SGA after adjusting for confounding variables. Maternal serum leptin at the beginning of gestation can be used as a marker for the early detection of SGA. PMID: 19887859 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Neonatology)

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The Sneaky Ways Your Mother Shaped You

Psychology Today Parenting Center — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:28:33 +0100

Everybody has a nickname for their mother. Maybe they're not comfortable with the traditional Mom label. Case in point: In one of my favorite movies, "Mermaids," Winona Ryder's character calls her mother Mrs. Flax. She takes the professional-relationship route. My sister, Janelle, and I call our mother Ms. Bear. She's always been Ms. Bear. I'm not even sure when the nickname came into existence. I suppose it morphed out of the childhood image of my mother rising from her bed chambers. Every morning since I was 10 years old, the scene played out the same way. I'd hear a faint creak of a bed, hear loud footsteps on the carpet (my mother wears a size 12 shoe, of course!) and see the bedroom door fling open. And out would step Ms. Bear. Her hair standing up in all directions ...

Drug chief sacking could stifle 'polydrug' research

New Scientist - Drugs and Alcohol — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:19:00 +0100

If protests continue over the sacking of the UK's chief scientific advisor on recreational drugs, vital research on the problems of multiple drug use would be shelved (Source: New Scientist - Drugs and Alcohol)

Drug Use and Criminal Activity Among Rural Probationers With DUI Histories

International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:48:46 +0100

The present study examined whether ever being arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) was associated with higher levels of substance use and criminal activity in a sample of 800 probationers. Lifetime and 30-day histories of substance use and criminal activity were compared across three groups of probationers from rural Kentucky: those with a single DUI arrest, those with two or more DUI arrests, and those with no DUI arrests. A larger percentage of probationers with a DUI arrest reported lifetime and 30-day substance use than non-DUI offenders in almost all drug and alcohol categories. Higher prevalence of criminal activity was limited primarily to the multiple DUI arrest group. Findings add to the literature on rural substance abusers and indicate that DUI may be used as a marker ...

Scientific adviser backs sacked drug 'tsar'

The Independent - Science — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:29:32 +0100

The Government’s chief scientific adviser said today that he agreed with the sacked drugs “tsar” Professor David Nutt when he said that cannabis is less dangerous than alcohol and cigarettes. (Source: The Independent - Science)

Psychoactive substances consumption in French fishermen and merchant seamen

International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:09:09 +0100

Conclusions Alcohol and tobacco consumption are a major public health problem for seafarers. Fishermen seem to be more liable to high consumption. Working conditions may explain these differences. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticleDOI 10.1007/s00420-009-0473-yAuthors Emmanuel Fort, Université de Lyon 69003 Lyon FranceAmélie Massardier-Pilonchéry, Université de Lyon 69003 Lyon FranceAlain Bergeret, Université de Lyon 69003 Lyon France Journal International Archives of Occupational and Environmental HealthOnline ISSN 1432-1246Print ISSN 0340-0131 (Source: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health)

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The iconoclastic wisdom of David Nutt

Guardian Unlimited Science — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:30:00 +0100

This is not the first time Professor Nutt has challenged dearly held beliefs – as many sufferers of depression will gladly testifyIn the late 19th century the German psychiatrist Emil Kraepelin described depression as a long-term illness that returned frequently and would become chronic – a definition that was accepted by British psychiatrists. And when the first antidepressants were created in the 60s, psychiatrists were delighted that they now had what seemed to be a cure for depression.However, it soon became clear to depressed people – and to many of us working in the psychiatric system – that antidepressants did not prevent recurrence and chronicity. Psychiatrists did not wish to admit this, because the only other treatment that we had for depression was ECT (electroconvulsive...

Serotonin transporter promoter polymorphism and dopaminergic sensitivity in alcoholics

Journal of Neural Transmission — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:02:56 +0100

Abstract The central serotonin (5-HT) system plays an important role in the rewarding and addictive properties of alcohol by a direct activation of the mesolimbic dopamine (DA) system. An insertion/deletion (L/S) promoter polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) of the 5-HT transporter (5-HHT) gene (SLC6A4) has been shown to influence transcriptional activity. It is predicted that reduced transynaptic 5-HT neurotransmission in alcoholics with the L/L genotype of 5-HTTLPR would result in a change in DA function compared to the S/S genotype. Thus the present study has tested whether dopaminergic sensitivity is influenced by the 5-HTTLPR genotype. Dopaminergic sensitivity, 5-HTTLPR genotype and smoking status were assessed in 121 alcoholics. Dopaminergic sensitivity as an indicator of the fun...

Drunken fruit flies help scientists find potential drug target for alcoholism

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0100

(Genetics Society of America) Drunken fruit flies have helped researchers from North Carolina State and Boston Universities identify networks of genes -- also present in humans -- that play a key role in alcohol drinking behavior. This discovery in the October 2009 Genetics provides an indication of why some people seem to tolerate alcohol better than others, and points toward a potential target for drugs aimed at preventing or eliminating alcoholism. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

Effect of alcohol consumption on the liver detoxication capacity as measured by [13C2]aminopyrine and L-[1-13C]phenylalanine breath tests

Isotopes in Environmental Health Studies — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:55:39 +0100

(Source: Isotopes in Environmental Health Studies)

Russia Tries, Once Again, to Rein in Vodka Habit

NYT > Health — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:20:49 +0100

President Dmitri A. Medvedev wants Russia to deal with its ruinous penchant for the bottle. (Source: NYT > Health)

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Nutt: My views on drug classification

Guardian Unlimited Science — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:05:02 +0100

David Nutt, the government's former chief drugs adviser, on how he formulated his controversial views on drugsFormulating policy in relation to drugs is obviously quite a difficult thing to do. I comment on it, as I always have, from the perspective of a psychiatrist who is interested in drugs and drugs and the brain.We have a range of expertise on the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD); we're very strong in terms of chemistry and pharmacology, and psychology; and we have a definite knowledge, interest and responsibility to look at social harms as well. We provide one arm of the policy-formulating perspective. In addition, there are a number of other agencies, organisations and individuals who contribute to policy formation.There are also international partners – we have sign...

Erectile Dysfunction and Correlated Factors in Brazilian Men Aged 18–40 years

The Journal of Sexual Medicine — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions. Prevalence of ED in this young population was high, mostly of mild severity. Low education and psychosocial problems were associated to ED and, due probably to the sample subjects' young age, no association was found with organic problems. Measures in the fields of education and psychosocial difficulties prevention would have a positive impact in the control of erectile dysfunction in the young population. Martins FG, and Abdo CHN. Erectile dysfunction and correlated factors in Brazilian men aged 18[ndash]40 years. J Sex Med **;**:**[ndash]**. (Source: The Journal of Sexual Medicine)

What's Going Through the DTs Like?

About.com Alcoholism — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Not everyone who quits drinking experiences severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms like delirium tremens. But for those who do, it can be life threatening. A visitor to our Alcoholism / Substance Abuse Forum recently described in graphic detail his experience going through severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms, then getting professional detoxification help. Read more... More: Range of Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms Getting Treatment for Alcohol Withdrawl Symptoms Specific Medical Treatment for Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms Photo: Clipart.com What's Going Through the DTs Like? originally appeared on About.com Alcoholism on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 00:08:19.Permalink | Comment | Email this (Source: About.com Alcoholism)

Identification of Elymus (Triticeae, Poaceae) and its related genera genomes by RFLP analysis of PCR-amplified Adh genes.

Molecular Biology Reports — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Liu Q, Zhang N, Li L, Liu J Elymus L. is the largest genus in Triticeae, containing about 150 species with four recognized genome donors (St, H, P, and W). Traditionally, the genome compound of this genus is identified based on cytological data. Recently, molecular phylogenetic analysis was used to investigate its genomic combination. Here we describe a restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) assay based on digesting alcohol dehydrogenase (Adh) amplicons with two restriction enzyme combinations, EcoRI-HindIII and EcoRI-PstI, which easily can be used to distinguish Elymus and its closely related genera genomes. The method includes only four steps: (1) amplifying nuclear Adh genes with universal primers; (2) purifying and cloning PCR products; (3) digesting plasmids with...

Get Your Dirty, Sexy Plastic Off My Food and Water!

About.com Breast Cancer — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

First it was just bottled water in those bisphenol A (BPA) plastic bottles. We were told not to drink water that "smelled like plastic" or that had sat in sun-warmed bottles. They told us that the BPA in hard plastics could cause prostate and breast cancers, diabetes and heart disease, as well as reproductive problems. BPA is everywhere: baby bottles, toys, and packaging for some microwaveable foods. So now we use BPA-free bottles, toys, and nuke our food in glass containers. That's good! But what if your food is already tainted with BPA plastic? Well, next time you look into a can of beans, soup, tomatoes, or baby formula, check out the inside of the metal can. If it has a white coating on the inner surface, you may be seeing BPA right in there with your food. Now, aside from heating a c...

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ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Interactive Effect of Stressful Life Events and the Serotonin Transporter 5-HTTLPR Genotype on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Diagnosis in 2 Independent Populations

Archives of General Psychiatry — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:05:22 +0100

Conclusions Participants who had both childhood adversity and adult traumatic events were more likely to develop lifetime PTSD compared with those who experienced either type of adverse event. The risk was increased in individuals with 1 or 2 copies of the S’ (S) allele compared with the L’ (L) homozygotes. Our study provides additional direct evidence that PTSD is influenced by the interactive effect of environmental and genetic factors. (Source: Archives of General Psychiatry)

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Orbitofrontal Cortex and Drug Use During Adolescence: Role of Prenatal Exposure to Maternal Smoking and BDNF Genotype

Archives of General Psychiatry — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:05:22 +0100

Conclusions We speculate that PEMCS interferes with the development of the OFC and, in turn, increases the likelihood of drug use among adolescents. In contrast, we suggest that, among nonexposed adolescents, drug experimentation influences the OFC thickness via processes akin to experience-induced plasticity. (Source: Archives of General Psychiatry)

Interactive Effect of Stressful Life Events and the Serotonin Transporter 5-HTTLPR Genotype on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Diagnosis in 2 Independent Populations [Original Article]

Archives of General Psychiatry — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:05:22 +0100

Orbitofrontal Cortex and Drug Use During Adolescence: Role of Prenatal Exposure to Maternal Smoking and BDNF Genotype [Original Article]

Archives of General Psychiatry — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:05:22 +0100

ARTICLE: Case-control Study of a Gastroschisis Cluster in Nevada

Archives of Pediatrics — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:01:14 +0100

Conclusions These findings add strength to the hypothesis that use of methamphetamine and related drugs is a risk factor for gastroschisis and raise questions about the risks associated with infections. (Source: Archives of Pediatrics)

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BOOK REVIEWS AND OTHER MEDIA: Take Me Home: Protecting America's Vulnerable Children and Families

Archives of Pediatrics — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:01:14 +0100

(Source: Archives of Pediatrics)

Case-control Study of a Gastroschisis Cluster in Nevada [Article]

Archives of Pediatrics — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:01:14 +0100

Take Me Home: Protecting America's Vulnerable Children and Families [Book Reviews and Other Media]

Archives of Pediatrics — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:01:14 +0100

(Source: Archives of Pediatrics)

Enzo Biochem Reports on Favorable Clinical Trial of EGS21 for Treatment of Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis

Drugs.com - Clinical Trials — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:32:38 +0100

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 2, 2009 - Enzo Biochem Inc. (NYSE:ENZ) announced today that favorable results of the Company's clinical trial for treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) were presented at the annual meeting of the... (Source: Drugs.com - Clinical Trials)

Fight Heroin with Heroin, Study Says

Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:32:14 +0100

Less use of street drugs and less criminal activity were among the benefits of giving heroin addicts daily injections of the drug along with counseling and other services, according to a new study. (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)

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Medical Marijuana Providers Need to Know Patients, Colorado Court Rules

Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:29:35 +0100

A Colorado court has let stand the drug conviction of a woman who supplied marijuana to medical-marijuana dispensaries, saying the she did not qualify as a "caregiver" under state law because she did not have direct contact with patients. (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)

Agassi Drug Revelation Earns Criticism from Tennis Peers

Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:27:45 +0100

Tennis champion Andre Agassi's admission of drug use more than a decade ago has led to confusion and condemnation among current and former tennis pros, including some who have been professed admirers of his career. (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)

Light Smoking Impairs Arterial Health, Study Finds

Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:26:03 +0100

Young smokers suffer reduced cardiovascular function even if they smoke only a few cigarettes per day, according to research from Stella Daskalopoulou at the McGill University Health Center. (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)

Understanding Addiction as Self Medication: Finding Hope Behind the Pain [Book Forum]

Am J Psychiatry — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:01:54 +0100

(Source: Am J Psychiatry)

Association of Pre-Onset Cannabis, Alcohol, and Tobacco Use With Age at Onset of Prodrome and Age at Onset of Psychosis in First-Episode Patients [Articles]

Am J Psychiatry — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:01:53 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Pre-onset cannabis use may hasten the onset of psychotic as well as prodromal symptoms. Age at onset is a key prognostic factor in schizophrenia, and discovering modifiable predictors of age at onset is crucial. (Source: Am J Psychiatry)

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The Influence of Neighborhood Environment on Treatment Continuity and Rehospitalization in Dually Diagnosed Patients Discharged From Acute Inpatient Care [Articles]

Am J Psychiatry — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:01:53 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: A more explicit focus on the neighborhood and community context represents an important area in psychiatry, in terms of both research and clinical practice, which can potentially enhance long-term care and treatment planning for psychiatric patients. Future research is needed to better understand the influence of the neighborhood environment to help predict important clinical outcomes. (Source: Am J Psychiatry)

Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Vigabatrin for the Treatment of Cocaine Dependence in Mexican Parolees [Articles]

Am J Psychiatry — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:01:53 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: This first randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial supports the safety and efficacy of short-term vigabatrin treatment of cocaine dependence. (Source: Am J Psychiatry)

Are Parents To Be Blamed When Their Teens Intentionally Hurt Others?

Psychology Today Parenting Center — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:15:04 +0100

Are Parents to be blamed when their adolescents victimize others? From time to time, I read or hear news reports about how one or more adolescents have victimized one of their peers. About a month ago, it had to do with beating to death of a Chicago teen, and last week it was the gang rape of a fifteen year old girl. Out of habit, the first thing that pops into my mind is to ask who the parents of these attackers are, and why. But the truth is, parents are not to be blamed for the actions of their adolescents, however this is not to suggest that parents are relieved of all responsibility in regards to the actions of their adolescent offspring. This last sentence may seem confusing, but it is simply a matter of distinguishing between decision making and enabling. Years ago, whe...

Carbonized Properties of Iodine-Incorporated Poly(vinyl alcohol) Composite Films Prepared by Gelation/Crystallization from Solution

Langmuir — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:15:59 +0100

Langmuir, Volume 0, Issue 0, Articles ASAP (As Soon As Publishable). (Source: Langmuir)

Prof Nutt's dangerous drug list

Guardian Unlimited Science — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:58:00 +0100

How harmful are the drugs on the list drawn up by the ousted government drugs adviser and his colleagues?Professor David Nutt was last week forced to resign from his role as chairman of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs. Research by Nutt and his colleagues, published in the medical journal the Lancet in 2007, rates the following as the most dangerous drugs (They are listed in descending order from the most harmful and all figures are for England and Wales in 2008 unless stated otherwise):1. HeroinClass A drug. Originally used as a painkiller and derived from the opium poppy. There were 897 deaths recorded from heroin and morphine use in 2008 in England and Wales, according to the Office of National Statistics (ONS). There were around 13,000 seizures amounting to 1.6m tonnes of he...

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Enzo Biochem Reports Favorable Clinical Trial Of EGS21 For Treatment Of Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis

Pharmaceutical Online News — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:00:00 +0100

Enzo Biochem Inc. (NYSE:ENZ) announced today that favorable results of the Company's clinical trial for treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) were presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. The study was a randomized double blind placebo controlled format of EGS21, Enzo's orally administered beta glucosylceramide formulation, designed to evaluate safety and efficacy of the study drug in patients with NASH and its associated metabolic syndrome. Enzo (Source: Pharmaceutical Online News)

Social Media Related Tweets and Insights

Clinical Cases and Images — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:20:01 +0100

From my Twitter account:My list of allergists on Twitter - please reply to this tweet if you want to be included http://bit.ly/2QJLK7A list of doctors on Twitter - 233 members - added one by one by Dr. Rana http://bit.ly/Ogs5jScobleizer really does not like Google Reader but he is not a typical user http://bit.ly/49JHJR - Google Reader is not Facebook, etc.Twitter drama: Fry ends row with Twitter critic - BBC http://bit.ly/27382aAre Twitter Lists Exclusionary? http://bit.ly/4eoCCj - No more than any other list.@Doctor_V: list ranking will miss influentials in niche areas on Twitter, e.g. pediatric GI, allergists, etc. http://bit.ly/4eoCCjHow Twitter lists "define" you: "Wordle cloud of Twitter lists I am listed on" by Mike Butcher http://bit.ly/2PxWKW"Understanding Alcoholism: Drunken monk...

How Will Alcohol Sales in the UK Be Affected If Drinkers Follow Government Guidelines?

Medscape Today Headlines — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:09:12 +0100

Will alcohol sales in the UK be affected by a change in government guidelines for drinking? Alcohol and Alcoholism (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Old drugs reveal surprising new tricks

New Scientist - Drugs and Alcohol — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:44:28 +0100

Comparing the behaviour of different drug molecules may help prevent harmful side effects of new drugs and point to new uses for old ones (Source: New Scientist - Drugs and Alcohol)

Link Between Stress-Induced Changes In Brain Circuitry And Cocaine Relapse

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0100

Stress-evoked changes in circuits that regulate serotonin in certain parts of the brain can precipitate a low mood and a relapse in cocaine-seeking, based on mouse studies published online this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Federal Government Pushes Development of Addiction Vaccines

Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:35:52 +0100

The federal government wants to leverage interest and investment in vaccine development to get pharmaceutical companies to develop drugs that could "inoculate" people against addiction to cocaine, nicotine, and other substances. (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)

Diabetes food pyramid

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0100

This section of the American Diabetes Association provides information on the Diabetes Food Pyramid, which is another meal planning option that some people use. The Diabetes Food Pyramid divides food into six groups: Grains and starches; Vegetables; Fruit; Milk and dairy; Meat and meat substitutes; and Fats,sweets and alcohol. Information is provided on the food groupings and servings. The website is also available in Spanish. (Source: Latest Internet resources added to Intute: Health and LifenSciences nursing gateway)

Unhealthy habits often hard to break

OrlandoSentinel: Medical Research — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Inhalants - Available and Inexpensive

About.com Alcoholism — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Inhalants are breathable chemical vapors that produce psychoactive (mind-altering) effects. Younger children and teens tend to abuse inhalants in part because they are readily available and inexpensive. Although unintentional inhalation of household products can occur, inhalant abuse, or huffing, is an intention act. Read more... More About Inhalants: Inhalant FAQs Inhalant Abuse Inhalant Abuse Is Your Child Huffing? Photo: Clipart.comInhalants - Available and Inexpensive originally appeared on About.com Alcoholism on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 at 00:06:06.Permalink | Comment | Email this (Source: About.com Alcoholism)

Embolization with absolute ethanol injection of insufficiently ligated renal artery after open nephrectomy.

Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology : The Turkish Society of Radiology — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Markovic B, Markovic Z, Pejcic T A 54-year-old woman was admitted to hospital for hypotension and anemia which was due to intermittent hemorrhage from a lumbar drain. She had undergone open nephrectomy ten days earlier in another hospital for the right dysfunctional kidney with staghorn calculi. Ultrasound in our hospital showed a right retroperitoneal hematoma. Surgical exploration was performed twice whereby the hematoma was partially eliminated; however, the point of bleeding was not identified. Repeated attacks of bleeding from the drain accompanied by acute pain made the hypotension with tachycardia even worse, which led to a life-threatening hemorrhagic shock. Extravasation from the insufficiently ligated right renal artery was then shown on computed tomography aortograp...

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Development and validation of a HPLC method for determination of levonorgestrel and quinestrol in rat plasma.

Biomedical Chromatography : BMC — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Tang T, Li P, Luo L, Shi D, Li J, Cao Y Levonorgestrel and quinestrol, commonly known as EP-1, has long been used in the control of wild rodents. Up to the present time, however, no method for simultaneous quantification of levonorgestrel and quinestrol in rat plasma has been reported. In the present study, a sensitive reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (RP-HPLC-UV) method for quantification of levonorgestrel and quinestrol in rat plasma has been developed. It uses a Kromasil ODS C(18) column and acetonitrile-0.1% formic acid (85 : 15, v/v) mobile phase at ambient temperature. The plasma sample was prepared by hexane-isoamyl alcohol extraction (90 : 10, v/v). The flow rate and detection wavelength were 1.0 mL/min and 230 nm. The cor...

Students' Drinker Prototypes and Alcohol Use in a Naturalistic Setting. - Spijkerman R, Larsen H, Gibbons FX, Engels RC.

SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 15:26:38 +0100

Background: Perceptions about the type of people who drink, also referred to as drinker prototypes, may strengthen young people's motivation to engage in alcohol use. Previous research has shown that drinker prototypes are related to alcohol consumption in... (Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated))

Longitudinal association of alcohol use with HIV disease progression and psychological health of women with HIV

AIDS Care — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 14:27:50 +0100

(Source: AIDS Care)

Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a stepped care intervention for alcohol use disorders in primary care: pilot study [PAPERS]

The British Journal of Psychiatry — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:01:30 +0100

Conclusions Stepped care was feasible to implement in the primary care setting and resulted in greater cost savings compared with minimal intervention. (Source: The British Journal of Psychiatry)

Intraperitoneal bladder rupture presenting as acute bloody ascites and oliguric acute renal failure in an alcoholic liver cirrhosis patient.

Clinical Nephrology — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

We report herein the case of a patient who had alcoholic liver cirrhosis and multiple liver nodules, and experienced acute bloody ascites and oliguric acute renal failure in association with intraperitoneal bladder rupture. A 33-year-old male suffered from acute abdominal pain and oliguria following consumption of a large amount of alcohol and after blunt abdominal trauma. He was also found to have acute renal failure and newly onset bloody ascites that rapidly subsided following transurethral catheter drainage. Computed tomography cystography revealed intraperitoneal extravasation of contrast from the dome of the bladder, suggestive of intraperitoneal bladder rupture. The patient received surgical repair and was discharged with full recovery. This case shows that it is important for physi...

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Effects of a diagnosis or family history of alcoholism on the taste intensity and hedonic value of sucrose.

The American Journal on Addictions — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Tremblay KA, Bona JM, Kranzler HR Given inconsistent findings in published studies, we examined whether a personal lifetime history of alcohol dependence (AD) or a parental history of alcoholism affected preference for sweet solutions. Ninety-three alcohol-dependent subjects rated the intensity and hedonic value of five different sucrose solutions, which was compared with similar data from 122 subjects screened to exclude alcohol dependence. The effect of a family history of alcoholism (FH) was examined in the AD group. Neither the diagnosis of AD nor a family history of alcoholism was associated with ratings of sweetness intensity or sweet preference. These findings do not support the hypothesis that sucrose preference is positively associated with either a personal lifetime ...

A simple risk scoring system for prediction of relapse after inpatient alcohol treatment.

The American Journal on Addictions — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Pedersen MU, Hesse M Predicting relapse after alcoholism treatment can be useful in targeting patients for aftercare services. However, a valid and practical instrument for predicting relapse risk does not exist. Based on a prospective study of alcoholism treatment, we developed the Risk of Alcoholic Relapse Scale (RARS) using items taken from the Addiction Severity Index and some basic demographic information. The RARS was cross-validated using two non-overlapping samples, and tested for its ability to predict relapse across different models of treatment. The RARS predicted relapse to drinking within 6 months after alcoholism treatment in both the original and the validation sample, and in a second validation sample it predicted admission to new treatment 3 years after treatm...

Influence of verbal recall of a recent stress experience on anxiety and desire for cocaine in non-treatment seeking, cocaine-addicted volunteers.

The American Journal on Addictions — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: De La Garza R, Ashbrook LH, Evans SE, Jacobsen CA, Kalechstein AD, Newton TF It has long been postulated that stress increases the risk of drug abuse and relapse. The principal goal of this project was to evaluate the effects of verbal recall of a recent stress experience (specifically meaningful to each individual) on physiological and subjective measures in cocaine-addicted participants. Subjects described a recent stressful non-drug-related experience and a neutral non-stressful experience, and then completed mood and drug effect questionnaires, while heart rate and blood pressure were recorded. Participants (N = 25) were predominantly African American and male. As a group, participants used cocaine for more than 15 years and approximately 18 of the last 30 days, and a majo...

Characteristics of pathological gamblers with a problem gambling parent.

The American Journal on Addictions — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Schreiber L, Odlaug BL, Kim SW, Grant JE This analysis compares the characteristics of adult pathological gamblers with and without a problem gambling parent. A sample of 517 individuals with current DSM-IV pathological gambling was categorized based on presence of a parental problem gambler. Groups were compared on clinical characteristics, gambling severity, gambling-related problems, and psychiatric comorbidity. Although the groups were similar on most measures, pathological gamblers with at least one problem gambling parent were more likely to have a father with an alcohol abuse/dependence problem; have financial and legal problems; and report daily nicotine use. Females with a problem gambling parent had significantly earlier onset of gambling behavior, were significantly...

The variety of ecstasy/MDMA users: results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on alcohol and related conditions.

The American Journal on Addictions — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

This study investigates the potential heterogeneity of ecstasy or MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine) users. Data came from the 2001-2002 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC). Latent class analysis (LCA) and multinomial logistic regression procedures were used to identify subtypes of ecstasy users. Approximately 1.6% (n = 562) of adult participants (N = 43,093) reported lifetime ecstasy use. LCA identified three subtypes of ecstasy users. Class 1 exhibited pervasive use of most drug classes (ecstasy-polydrug users, 37%). Class 2 reported a high rate of use of marijuana and cocaine and a moderate use of amphetamines (ecstasy-marijuana-stimulant users, 29%). Class 3 was characterized by a high rate of use of marijuana and a low use of primarily p...

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Obesity and its relationship to addictions: is overeating a form of addictive behavior?

The American Journal on Addictions — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Barry D, Clarke M, Petry NM Obesity is a major public health problem and notoriously difficult to treat. There are many parallels between obesity/overeating and addictions to alcohol and drugs. This paper discusses similarities between obesity and addictive disorders, including common personality characteristics, disruptive behavior syndromes, and brain mechanisms. Although there are important differences between overeating and other addictive behaviors, an addiction model of overeating may effectively inform prevention and treatment of obesity. PMID: 19874165 [PubMed - in process] (Source: The American Journal on Addictions)

Pre-existing Health Conditions and Repeat Traumatic Brain Injury

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Pre-existing epilepsy/seizure disorder predisposes to repeat TBI. Appropriate management of seizure control may be an important strategy to allay the occurrence of repeat TBI. (Source: Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation)

Relationship between periodontitis and hepatic abnormalities in young adults.

Acta Odontologica Scandinavica — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions. Elevated ALT could be a potential risk indicator for periodontitis among young males. Monitoring hepatic abnormalities to prevent periodontitis must be better understood, even in the young adult population. PMID: 19878045 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Acta Odontologica Scandinavica)

Sun Defense Kit for Acne-Prone Skin

Skin and Allergy News — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Acne patients may be at increased risk for sun sensitivity and skin damage, depending on their treatment regimen. The Avidoxy DK defence kit offers products that provide sun protection for acne suffers without exacerbating their condition. The kit consists of 100-mg doxycycline tablets (available by prescription only) to help destroy acne-causing bacteria, plus two free products: defence acne wash and defence solare SPF 30. The acne wash contains 2% salicylic acid to promote cleansing and exfoliation, and it is oil-free and alcohol-free. The defence solare SPF is an oil-free, noncomedogenic, moisturizing sunblock that contains antioxidants and zinc oxide to provide broad-spectrum sun protection for acne-prone skin. (Source: Skin and Allergy News)

Alcohol Advertising on Boston's Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Transit System: An Assessment of Youths' and Adults' Exposure.

American Journal of Public Health — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Advertisers reached the equivalent of half of all Boston Public School transit passengers aged 11 to 18 years and the equivalent of nearly half of all transit passengers in the Boston area with an alcohol advertisement each day. Because of the high exposure of underage youths to alcohol advertisements, we recommend that the MBTA prohibit alcohol advertising on the Boston transit system. PMID: 19890170 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: American Journal of Public Health)

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Young people, alcohol and the news: preliminary findings

AERC: The Alcohol Education and Research Council — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:15:19 +0100

New AERC Alcohol Insight and Final Report reveals marked patterns in the way alcohol is represented in the news, as well as the degree of scepticism young people have towards news reporting of these issues. (Source: AERC: The Alcohol Education and Research Council)

Effects of short inter-stimulus intervals on olfactory and trigeminal event-related potentials.

Acta Oto-Laryngologica — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 15:22:42 +0100

CONCLUSION: Chemosensory event-related potentials (CSERPs) were identified in all measurements using the 20 s and the 10 s inter-stimulus interval (ISI) protocol, reducing the recording time to 75% or 57% compared with the standard protocol. A possible explanation for the rising CSERP amplitudes by shortening the ISI in CO(2) stimulation is due to a phenomenon known as trigeminal sensitization during repeated stimulation. OBJECTIVES: CSERPs are influenced by the ISI. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in CSERPs by decreasing the ISI from 30 s to 20 s or 10 s, respectively. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Ten normosmic healthy subjects participated this study. Phenyl ethyl alcohol (PEA), hydrogen sulphide (H(2)S) and carbon dioxide (CO(2)) were used in CSERP measurements with different...

Alcohol as a risk factor for type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Diabetes Care — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 14:28:17 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis confirms previous research findings that moderate alcohol consumption is protective for type 2 diabetes in men and women. PMID: 19875607 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Diabetes Care)

Moderate alcohol intake is protective against Type 2 diabetes

MedWire News - Diabetes — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 14:07:18 +0100

Results from a meta-analysis published in the journal Diabetes Care show that moderate alcohol intake has a protective effect against Type 2 diabetes. (Source: MedWire News - Diabetes)

Craving and Attentional Bias Respond Differently to Alcohol Priming: A Field Study in the Pub

Karger Publishers — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 13:43:53 +0100

Eur Addict Res 2010;16:9-16 (DOI:10.1159/000253859) (Source: Karger Publishers)

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Alcohol Expectancy and Hazardous Drinking: A 6-Year Longitudinal and Nationwide Study of Medical Doctors

Karger Publishers — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 13:43:53 +0100

Eur Addict Res 2010;16:17-22 (DOI:10.1159/000253860) (Source: Karger Publishers)

PTSD Less Common Than Depression And Alcohol Misuse Amongst UK Troops

Health News from Medical News Today — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 08:00:00 +0100

They found that the prevalence of all common mental disorders was 27.2%, and PTSD symptoms, 4.8%. There were no substantial differences in the prevalence of PTSD symptoms between US and UK troops deployed to Iraq, which had been previously found. In UK troops, the most common diagnoses were alcohol abuse (18.0%) and depression/anxiety (13.5%). (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

2-Hydroxybenzyl alcohol–phenanthroline (1/1)

Acta Crystallographica Section E — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Crystals of the title compound, C12H8N2·C7H8O2, were obtained during cocrystallization experiments of a compound with two hydrogen-bond donors (2-hydroxybenzyl alcohol) with another compound containing two hydrogen-bond acceptors (phenanthroline). Unexpectedly, the two molecules do not form dimers with two O—H...N hydrogen bonds connecting the two molecules. However, one of the hydroxy groups forms a bifurcated hydrogen bond to both phenanthroline N atoms, whereas the other hydroxy group forms an O—H...O hydrogen bond to a symmetry-equivalent 2-hydroxybenzyl alcohol molecule. In addition, the crystal packing is stabilized by π–π interactions between the two phenanthroline ring systems, with a centroid–centroid distance of 3.570 Å. (Source: Acta Crystallographica Section E)

Dual Diagnosis Issues

About.com Bipolar Disorder — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Dual diagnosis means bipolar disorder plus alcohol and/or substance abuse. Identifying and treating people with a dual diagnosis is riddled with difficulties. (Source: About.com Bipolar Disorder)

MedWorm: Alcoholism

Table of Contents

Advocates Call for Treating Tobacco Dependence in Psychiatric Patients

Colorectal Cancer Epidemiology: Incidence, Mortality, Survival, and Risk Factors

Drunken Fruit Flies Help Scientists Find Potential Drug Target For Alcoholism

Are drugs laws working? Ask a scientist

Relationship Between Potentially Modifiable Lifestyle Factors and Risk of Second Primary Contralateral Breast Cancer Among Women Diagnosed With Estrogen Receptor-Positive Invasive Breast Cancer [Breast Cancer]

The use of electronic pharmacy data to investigate prescribed medications and fatal motor vehicle crashes in a military population, 2002-2006.

Are biomarkers of chronic alcohol misuse useful in the assessment of DWI recidivism status?

Binge drinking Britain: Why our 'café culture' fell flat on its face

<B>A little bit of what you fancy does you good?</B> (2009-11-11)

Immigrant generation, selective acculturation, and alcohol use among Latina/o adolescents. - Eitle TM, Wahl AM, Aranda E.

Parent, family, and neighborhood effects on the development of child substance use and other psychopathology from preschool to the start of adulthood. - Buu A, Dipiazza C, Wang J, Puttler LI, Fitzgerald HE, Zucker RA.

Teenage drinking, alcohol availability and pricing: a cross-sectional study of risk and protective factors for alcohol-related harms in school children. - Bellis MA, Phillips-Howard PA, Hughes K, Hughes S, Cook PA, Morleo M, Hannon K, Smallthwaite L, Jones L.

Colonoscopic findings in asymptomatic people

Enhancement effect of terpenes on silver sulphadiazine permeation through third-degree burn eschar

Combine Nicotine Patch, Lozenges to Quit Smoking, Researchers Say

Aren’t the lessons in violent or sexual media damaging regardless of how graphic they are?

Chapter 4 technological and microbiological aspects of traditional balsamic vinegar and their influence on quality and sensorial properties.

Campaign Launches To Sound Alarm About The Misuse Of Prescription Drugs Among Teens

Campaign Launches To Sound Alarm About The Misuse Of Prescription Drugs Among Teens

Early Adolescent Romantic Partner Status, Peer Standing, and Problem Behaviors

Marijuana Legalized in Breckenridge, Colo.

On This Day in Science History - November 6 - Yeast Fermentation

[Department of Error] Department of Error

Including a Screening and Brief Alcohol Intervention Program in the Care of the Obstetric Patient

Investigating differential symptom profiles in major depressive episode with and without generalized anxiety disorder: true co-morbidity or symptom similarity?

Gene expression profiling of archival tongue squamous cell carcinomas provides sub-classification based on DNA repair genes.

Smoking During Pregnancy May Predispose Kids to Behavioral Problems

MADD Launches Program To Help Parents Influence Teen Alcohol Behavior

Maine Voters Expand Medical-Marijuana Availability

Company Designs Filter to Remove Some Cigarette Toxins

Bodybuilding.com Alert

Parkinson disease and impulse control disorders: a review of clinical features, pathophysiology and management

The metabolic syndrome: common origins of a multifactorial disorder

Incidence of craving for and abuse of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) in different populations of treated alcoholics: an open comparative study

Children, young people and alcohol: how they learn and how...

Children, young people and alcohol: how they learn and how...

Potential Drug Target For Alcoholism From Drunken Fruit Flies

Potential Drug Target For Alcoholism From Drunken Fruit Flies

Federal stimulus funds support studies geared to improving HIV care and prevention

Well-aligned multi-walled carbon nanotubes emitting natural white-light under microwave irradiation.

Preparation of layered double hydroxide films with different orientations on the opposite sides of a glass substrate by in situ hydrothermal crystallization.

Drink prices crackdown 'to hit whisky exports for £600 million'

Kinetic and chemical characterization of aldehyde oxidation by fungal aryl-alcohol oxidase

Oral epithelial atypical changes in apparently healthy oral mucosa exposed to smoking, alcohol, peppers and hot meals, using the AgNOR and Papanicolaou staining techniques

Three step synthesis of single diastereoisomers of the vicinal trifluoro motif

Impact of substance use on the physical health of patients with bipolar disorder

Do You Have an Alcohol or Drug Problem?

Address Drinking, Smoking to Raise Life Expectancy: WHO

U.K. Drug Czar Fired for Saying Illegal Drugs Less Harmful Than Alcohol, Cigarettes

Study Shows How Alcohol Can Spread Cancer

Smoking May Hinder Arthritis Treatment

Health behavior inequalities among Lithuanian, Polish and Russian school-aged children in Lithuania

Gene Networks Involved in Alcohol Dependency

Serum α-fetoprotein levels in liver steatosis

Professor Nutt: 'If we want to reduce deaths alcohol and heroin are the issues'

David Nutt may set up new drugs body

AERC and Drinkaware Call for Proposals - “National Drinking Cultures”

Children, young people and alcohol: how they learn and how...

Psychiatric Training in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders "Inadequate"

Photocatalytic Activity in CH3CN Related to the Surface Properties of TiO2 Powders Prepared by Sol-Gel Method

Regiospecific Syntheses of 3-Aza-α-carbolines via Inverse Electron-Demand Diels-Alder Reactions of 2-Aminoindoles with 1,3,5-Triazines

David Nutt: Governments should get real on drugs

Enzo Biochem Reports On Favorable Clinical Trial Of EGS21 For Treatment Of Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis

Steele Center Researcher Receives $1.25M From CDC to Study Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Early onset probable linezolid-induced encephalopathy

Cheap Alcohol Appeals to Problem Drinkers, Study Finds

Researchers Probe Smokeless Tobacco's Relative Safety

Cut Drunk Driving Standard to .05 Percent, MADD Canada Says

The issue: You know how to be healthier, why is it so hard to do it?

Emergency Medicine Public Health Research Funded by Federal Agencies: Progress and Priorities

SBIRT in Emergency Care Settings: Are We Ready to Take it to Scale?

Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs: Future Directions for Screening and Intervention in the Emergency Department

Screening and Brief Intervention to Reduce Marijuana Use Among Youth and Young Adults in a Pediatric Emergency Department

Three-month Follow-up of Brief Computerized and Therapist Interventions for Alcohol and Violence Among Teens

A Preliminary Report of Knowledge Translation: Lessons From Taking Screening and Brief Intervention Techniques From the Research Setting Into Regional Systems of Care

Alcohol-related violence defined by ultimate goals: a qualitative analysis of the features of three different types of violence by intoxicated young male offenders

Immature Defense Mechanisms Are Associated with Lesser Vaginal Orgasm Consistency and Greater Alcohol Consumption before Sex

Healthy Relationships and Sobriety