MedWorm: Alcoholism

Prince William wellness calendar, Feb. 9-16

Wash Post Health — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:11:57 +0100

Al-Anon/Alateen groups A fellowship of families and friends of alcoholics. For meeting times and locations, visit www.alanonva.com. 703-534-4357. Free. Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) Weight-loss support with weekly weigh-ins. For meeting times and locations, visit www.tops.org. 703-430-3764. Annual membership, $28. Read full article >> (Source: Wash Post Health)

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Main characteristics of train-pedestrian fatalities on Finnish railroads.

Accident; Analysis and Prevention. — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:35:38 +0100

In conclusion, the effective prevention of railway suicides and accidents calls for a systems approach involving effective measures introduced by authorities responsible for urban planning, railways, education and public health. PMID: 22269485 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Accident; Analysis and Prevention.)

Factors associated with hit-and-run pedestrian fatalities and driver identification.

Accident; Analysis and Prevention. — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:29:15 +0100

Authors: Macleod KE, Griswold JB, Arnold LS, Ragland DR Abstract As hit-and-run crashes account for a significant proportion of pedestrian fatalities, a better understanding of these crash types will assist efforts to reduce these fatalities. Of the more than 48,000 pedestrian deaths that were recorded in the United States between 1998 and 2007, 18.1% of them were caused by hit-and-run drivers. Using national data on single pedestrian-motor vehicle fatal crashes (1998-2007), logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors related to hit-and-run and to identify factors related to the identification of the hit-and-run driver. Results indicate an increased risk of hit-and-run in the early morning, poor light conditions, and on the weekend. There may also be an associat...

The effectiveness of alcohol control policies on alcohol-related traffic fatalities in the United States.

Accident; Analysis and Prevention. — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:28:27 +0100

Authors: Chang K, Wu CC, Ying YH Abstract Multiple alcohol control policies have been enacted since the early 1980s to keep drunk drivers off the roads and to prevent more alcohol-related traffic fatalities. In this paper, we analyze nine traffic policies to determine the extent to which each policy contributes to effective alcohol-related fatality prevention. Compared with the existing literature, this paper addresses a more comprehensive set of traffic policies. In addition, we used a panel GLS model that holds regional effects and state-specific time effects constant to analyze their impact on alcohol-related fatalities with two distinct rates: alcohol-related traffic deaths per capita and alcohol-related traffic deaths per total traffic deaths. While per capita alcohol-related ...

Decision-making capacities and affective reward anticipation in DWI recidivists compared to non-offenders: A preliminary study.

Accident; Analysis and Prevention. — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:23:45 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Decision making is a plausible explanatory neurocognitive pathway to severer forms of DWI. The role of emotional processing in DWI risk is uncertain. Subtyping DWI offenders using neurocognitive criteria seems a promising avenue for improving clinically meaningful methods of DWI risk assessment and intervention. PMID: 22269545 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Accident; Analysis and Prevention.)

Examination of factors determining fault in two-vehicle motorcycle crashes.

Accident; Analysis and Prevention. — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:21:41 +0100

This study assesses how various rider-, driver-, and other crash-specific factors contribute to at-fault status in two-vehicle motorcycle crashes, as well as how these same factors affect the propensity for other high-risk behaviors. Furthermore, the interrelationships among fault status and these other behaviors are also examined using a multivariate probit model. This model is developed using police-reported crash data for the years 2006-2010 from the State of Ohio. The results show that younger motorcyclists are more likely to be at-fault in the event of a collision, as are riders who are under the influence of alcohol, riding without insurance, or not wearing a helmet. Similarly, motorcyclists were less likely to be at-fault when the other driver was of younger age or was driving under...

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Substance use and social, health and safety-related factors among fatally injured drivers.

Accident; Analysis and Prevention. — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:20:09 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Substance abuse and mental health problems, as well as reckless driving behavior were more pronounced among fatally injured drivers with substance findings when compared to sober drivers. Thus, prevention and early intervention concerning substance abuse, mental health problems and DUI are essential. Improved traffic safety cannot be achieved by means of traffic policy only, but integration with other policies, such as health and social policy should be strengthened. PMID: 22269564 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Accident; Analysis and Prevention.)

Fatal intersection crashes in Norway: Patterns in contributing factors and data collection challenges.

Accident; Analysis and Prevention. — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:19:07 +0100

Authors: Ljung Aust M, Fagerlind H, Sagberg F Abstract Fatal motor vehicle intersection crashes occurring in Norway in the years 2005-2007 were analyzed to identify causation patterns among their underlying contributing factors, and also to assess if the data collection and documentation procedures used by the Norwegian in-depth investigation teams produces the information necessary to do causation pattern analysis. 28 fatal accidents were analyzed. Causation charts of contributing factors were first coded for each driver in each crash using the Driving Reliability and Error Analysis Method (DREAM). Next, the charts were aggregated based on a combination of conflict types and whether the driver was going straight or turning. Analysis results indicate that drivers who were performin...

Short-term outcomes of a motivation-enhancing approach to DUI intervention.

Accident; Analysis and Prevention. — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:18:57 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that a motivation-enhancing approach can be effective in producing short-term change in factors that can help facilitate and sustain behavioral change. This is consistent with previous research on the use of motivational approaches, and extends such findings to suggest promise in group-based settings and with people across demographic categories and dependence levels. Future research should focus on larger studies looking at long-term behavioral change, including recidivism. PMID: 22269571 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Accident; Analysis and Prevention.)

Emotional abilities as predictors of risky driving behavior among a cohort of middle aged drivers.

Accident; Analysis and Prevention. — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:18:26 +0100

Authors: Arnau-Sabatés L, Sala-Roca J, Jariot-Garcia M Abstract The aim of this study is to analyze the relationship between emotional abilities and the influence of this relationship on self reported drivers' risky attitudes. The risky driving attitudes and emotional abilities of 177 future driving instructors were measured. The results demonstrate that risky attitudes correlate negatively with emotional abilities. Regression analysis showed that adaptability and interpersonal abilities explained the differences observed in the global risk attitude index. There were some differences in the specific risk factors. The variability observed in the speed and distraction and fatigue factors could also be explained by interpersonal and adaptability abilities. Nevertheless the tendency t...

More Alcohol Abuse, Less Drug Abuse Among College StudentsMore Alcohol Abuse, Less Drug Abuse Among College Students

Medscape Medical News Headlines — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:55:20 +0100

U.S. college students seeking substance abuse treatment are more likely to be having trouble with alcohol but less likely to be abusing drugs like heroin or cocaine than their non-student peers. Reuters Health Information (Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines)

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'Economy class' DVT syndrome myth busted

NHS News Feed — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:30:00 +0100

“Sitting in a window seat during a long flight can increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis,” according to The Daily Telegraph. It has long been known that flying is associated with an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a type of serious blood clot in a major vein, but new US guidance has looked at a range of factors that could potentially raise the risk. Those of you thinking of booking your summer holiday might be interested to know that flying in cramped budget seats, while often annoying, presented no greater risk than flying in business class. And while overpriced booze available during a flight can prove wallet-damaging, the guidelines say there was no firm evidence that drinking it could bring on DVT. However, sitting by a window during a long-haul flight was associa...

Difficult to see how C. diff spreads in hospital

NHS News Feed — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:27:00 +0100

Conclusion This research is important because it suggests that the previous assumption that all C.difficile is spread on wards through contact with infected patients may not be entirely correct. As the authors point out, this means that transmission may not be adequately controlled by current strategies, which focus on preventing person-to-person spread. Further study is required to look at how the infection is transmitted. It’s worth noting that the research concentrated on established cases of Clostridium difficile and the potential transmission between infected patients. As such, it did not look at how far C. difficile may have been stopped from spreading in the wards by current hospital prevention strategies. Infection control measures in the NHS and private hospitals remain valid be...

After-school program can reduce alcohol use among middle school students, study finds

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(RAND Corporation) A voluntary substance prevention program held after school and presented by trained facilitators can help reduce alcohol use among young adolescents, according to a new study. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

Alcoholism and cellular vulnerability in different brain regions.

Ultrastructural Pathology — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:06:09 +0100

In this study the authors have elucidated preferential cellular vulnerability in three different brain regions. Autopsy material of the prefrontal cortex, striatum, and substantia nigra obtained from the brain tissue of alcoholic subjects was used in this study. We found that dendritic tree and astroglial damage is irreversible, while neuronal somata and most axons do not display irreversible changes. PMID: 22292736 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Ultrastructural Pathology)

Study: College Students Seek More Help For Alcohol Than Drugs

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:02:51 +0100

BOSTON (CBS) – It’s not shocking to hear that drinking among college students is a problem. But, a new report by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services reveals some eye-opening numbers on the seriousness of the crisis. The report looked at the number of young people who were treated for a substance abuse problem, and found that alcohol abuse, and not drug abuse, was the biggest problem for college students. WBZ-TV’s Kate Merrill reports var videoCanvas = new WNVideoWidget("WNVideoCanvas", "wnVideo_6718073");videoCanvas.SetWidth(320);videoCanvas.SetHeight(240);videoCanvas.SetVariable("clipId", "6718073");videoCanvas.SetReportingKeywords("CBS.BOSTON");videoCanvas.SetAdvertisingZone("CBS.BOSTON/worldnowplayer");videoCanvas.SetVariable("offFaceColor", "afaeae");videoCanva...

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Alcohol Consumption and Its Relation to Visceral and Subcutaneous Adipose Tissues in Healthy Male Koreans

Karger Publishers — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:00:00 +0100

Ann Nutr Metab 2012;60:64-73 (DOI:10.1159/000334710) (Source: Karger Publishers)

The New Old Age: Drinking in Assisted Living

NYT Health — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:32:44 +0100

A surprising number of residents in assisted living facilities may be drinking alcohol, a new report finds. (Source: NYT Health)

South Africa considers law banning sale of alcohol to pregnant women

Telegraph Health — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:37:14 +0100

South Africa is considering introducing a law that bans retailers from selling alcohol to pregnant women. (Source: Telegraph Health)

AMPK γ2 subunit gene PRKAG2 polymorphism associated with cognitive impairment as well as diabetes in old age

Psychoneuroendocrinology — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:13:24 +0100

Summary: Metabolic and cognitive disorders are closely related. However, the molecular mechanism underlying this association is still elusive. Given the importance of energy metabolism in neuronal cells, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a master switch of energy metabolism, could be an independent factor affecting cognitive as well as metabolic functions. Therefore, we examined the relationship between the AMPK γ2 gene, the PRKAG2 −26C/T polymorphism and cognitive impairment or diabetes in 1609 subjects aged from 60 to 80. We performed multivariate logistic regression analyses with adjustment for age, gender, education, smoking, alcohol, depression, waist circumference, APOE e4, and stroke history. We found a significant association between the −26C/T polymorphism (CC vs. CT/TT) a...

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O BLANCTIS (Alcohol) Gel, Dentifrice [Nibec Co., Ltd]

DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Updated Date: Feb 7, 2012 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

MAVIDOS Maternal Vitamin D Osteoporosis Study: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Trials — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In this study we aim to test whether offspring of mothers supplemented with vitamin D in pregnancy have higher bone mass at birth than those whose mothers were not supplemented. Methods: Women have their vitamin D status assessed after ultrasound scanning in the twelfth week of pregnancy at 3 trial centres (Southampton, Sheffield, Oxford). Women with circulating 25(OH)-vitamin D levels 25-100nmol/l are randomised in a double-blind design to either oral vitamin D supplement (1000 IU cholecalciferol/day, n=477) or placebo at 14 weeks (n=477). Questionnaire data include parity, sunlight exposure, dietary information, and cigarette and alcohol consumption. At 19 and 34 weeks maternal anthropometry is assessed and blood samples taken to measure 25(OH)-vitamin D, PTH and biochemistry. At deliver...

Are Rich People Heavy Drinkers?

Psychology Today Addiction Center — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:40:31 +0100

Much has been made of a 2010 Gallup survey finding that the proportion of people saying they drink alcohol increases steadily with income. Alcohol consumption went from 46 percent for people earning less than $20,000 to 81 percent for people earning over $75,000. Hence the oft-repeated claim that affluent people drink more.read more (Source: Psychology Today Addiction Center)

Americans Sweet on Sugar: Time to Regulate?Americans Sweet on Sugar: Time to Regulate?

Medscape Today Headlines — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:26:07 +0100

Researchers say excess sugar should be regulated like alcohol and tobacco. WebMD Health News (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

The effect of alcohol use on IL-6 responses across different racial/ethnic groups

Future Virology — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:51:11 +0100

Future Virology , February 2012, Vol. 7, No. 2, Pages 205-213. (Source: Future Virology)

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Acaricidal Activity of DHEMH, Derived from Patchouli Oil, against House Dust Mite, Dermatophagoides farinae.

Chemical and Pharmaceutical Bulletin — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:06:02 +0100

This study characterized the acaricidal activity of constituents of patchouli oil extracted from (Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) BENTH) against the house dust mite, Dermatophagoides farinae. A new compound, 2-(1,3-dihydroxy-but-2-enylidene)-6-methyl-3-oxo-heptanoic acid (DHEMH), was isolated from patchouli oil and characterized by (1)H-NMR, (13)C-NMR, LC-MS and elemental analysis (EA). This active component was identified as the hydrolysate of pogostone. Fifteen other constituents found in patchouli oil were also identified by GC-MS, including patchouli alcohol and pogostone. LD(50) studies carried out over 24 h using contact toxicity tests identified DHEMH as the most toxic compound to D. farinae (2.04 μg/cm(2)), followed by patchouli oil (6.11 μg/cm(2)), benzyl benzoate (BP) (9.31 ...

Alcohol heart risks

BHF National News — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +0100

The Department for Health has launched a new campaign to highlight the risks of drinking too much alcohol (Source: BHF National News)

Ethnicity specific norms and alcohol consumption among Hispanic/Latino/a and Caucasian students. - LaBrie JW, Atkins DC, Neighbors C, Mirza T, Larimer ME.