MedWorm: Alcoholism

Effect of Morphology and Pore Size of Sulfonated Mesoporous Benzene-silicas in the Preparation of Poly(vinyl alcohol)-Based Hybrid Nanocomposite Membranes for Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Application

Journal of Physical Chemistry B — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:17:07 +0100

The Journal of Physical Chemistry B, Volume 0, Issue 0, Articles ASAP (As Soon As Publishable). (Source: Journal of Physical Chemistry B)

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Lifetime consumption of alcoholic beverages and risk of 13 types of cancer in men: Results from a case–control study in Montreal

Cancer Detection and Prevention — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:01:19 +0100

Conclusions: Our results support the hypothesis that moderate and high alcohol intake levels over the lifetime might increase cancer risk at several sites. (Source: Cancer Detection and Prevention)

EFNS guideline on the diagnosis and management of alcohol-related seizures - report of an EFNS task force

Neurological Conditions Specialist Library — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:59:34 +0100

Aims: This guideline addresses the diagnosis and management of alcohol-related seizures and makes consensus recommendations for their treatment. Intended audience: Healthcare professionals. Publication history information: Published online 20 April 2005. Citation: G. Bråthen, E. Ben-Menachem, E. Brodtkorb, R. Galvin, J.C. Garcia-Monco, P. Halasz, M. Hillbom, M.A. Leone and A.B. Young. EFNS guideline on the diagnosis and management of alcohol-related seizures: report of an EFNS task force. European Journal of Neurology, April 2005, 12(8): 575-581. Access: Available to the general public. (Source: Neurological Conditions Specialist Library)

Brain Functions That Can Prevent Relapse Improve After A Year Of Methamphetamine Abstinence

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 07:00:00 +0100

In a study published online by the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, UC Davis researchers report that it takes at least a year for former methamphetamine users to regain impulse control. The results tell recovering substance abusers, their families and drug-treatment specialists that it can take an extended period of time for the brain functions critical to recovery to improve. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

New Figures Highlight Hidden Human Cost Of Alcohol Misuse In Scotland

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 07:00:00 +0100

Commenting on new figures published yesterday which show that one in 20 deaths are attributable to alcohol, Dr Peter Terry, Chairman of the BMA in Scotland, said: "These figures highlight the true hidden human cost of alcohol misuse in Scotland. Today's figures are from 2003 and show a shocking death toll caused by a drinking culture that is out of control. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

BMA Scotland Chairman Urges MSPs Not To Play Politics With Public Health

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 07:00:00 +0100

Speaking at the Annual Conference of the British Medical Association (BMA), Dr Peter Terry, chairman of the BMA Scotland urged MSPs to put party politics aside and stand together to improve health. He also underlined the need for legislation on the price of alcohol as an effective measure to tackle Scotland's drink problem. He said: "Scotland's health is improving, but too slowly. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Exercise helps patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 04:00:00 +0100

(Wiley-Blackwell) Counseling patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease on how to increase physical activity leads to health benefits that are independent of changes in weight. These findings are in a new study in the July issue of Hepatology, a journal published by John Wiley & Sons on behalf of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Site of Alcohol Action in Brain

NIGMS - Results — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 03:26:56 +0100

An NIGMS-funded study reveals a site within a protein that interacts with alcohol, possibly leading to changes in brain cell function. (Source: NIGMS - Results)

Drink kills eight Scots a day

Scotsman.com News - Health — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:40:30 +0100

ALCOHOL is killing one Scot every three hours, figures showed yesterday as the leader of Scotland's doctors challenged MSPs to support plans to increase the price of cheap (Source: Scotsman.com News - Health)

Vegetarians less likely to develop cancer

Guardian Unlimited Science — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:05:08 +0100

• Striking difference found in risk of disease in blood• Scientists acknowledge more research still neededFor years, they have boasted of the health benefits of their leafy diets, but now vegetarians have the proof that has so far eluded them: when it comes to cancer risks, they have the edge on carnivores.Fresh evidence from the largest study to date to investigate dietary habits and cancer has concluded that vegetarians are 45% less likely to develop cancer of the blood than meat eaters and are 12% less likely to develop cancer overall.Scientists said that while links between stomach cancer and eating meat had already been reported, they had uncovered a "striking difference" in the risk of blood cancers including leukaemia, multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma between the groups...

The appropriateness of the treatment setting for the inpatient post-acute treatment of alcohol dependence disorders in Switzerland

BioMed Central — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The results serve as evidence that for at least three out of four patients treated in the investigated specialized institution, an inpatient treatment was appropriate. The principal reason for the necessity of an inpatient treatment setting was that this hospital population showed severe psychiatric, somatic or social irregularities. Only a very limited number of patients hospitalized in a specialized institution for the treatment of alcohol-related disorders can be treated in an outpatient setting. (Source: BioMed Central)

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Electroresponsive Polyacrylamide-grafted-xanthan Hydrogels for Drug Delivery

Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100

An electroresponsive drug delivery system was developed using poly(acrylamide-grafted-xanthan gum) (PAAm-g-XG) hydrogel for transdermal delivery of ketoprofen. The electrically sensitive PAAm-g-XG copolymer was synthesized by free radical polymerization under nitrogen atmosphere followed by alkaline hydrolysis. When a swollen PAAm-g-XG hydrogel was placed in between a pair of electrodes, deswelling of the hydrogel was observed in the vicinity of electrodes carrying the electric stimulus. The membrane-controlled drug delivery systems were prepared using drug-loaded PAAm-g-XG hydrogel as the reservoir and crosslinked with poly(vinyl alcohol) to form films as rate controlling membranes (RCM). The in vitro drug permeation study from the formulations was performed through excised rat abdominal ...

[Letters to JMG] Genome-wide linkage scan for plasma high density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein A-1 and triglyceride variation among American Indian populations: the Strong Heart Family Study

Journal of Medical Genetics — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The replication of QTLs in regions of the genome that harbour well known candidate genes suggest that chromosomes 6p, 9q and 15q warrant further investigation with fine mapping for causative polymorphisms in American Indians. (Source: Journal of Medical Genetics)

Broadening our perspectives on ICU delirium risk factors

Critical Care — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100

ICU delirium is associated with poor patient outcome. Risk factor stratification is essential to the understanding, prevention and treatment of this disorder. Alcohol consumption, smoking and prior cognitive impairment appear strongly correlated with delirium risk. Several potentially modifiable associations deserve prospective study: these include administration of sedatives and opiates; multiple catheters; as well as minimizing physical restraints and enabling visitors. (Source: Critical Care)

Do You Have a Drinking Problem?

About.com Depression — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Many of those with depression resort to alcohol as a form of self-medication. Has your alcohol use slipped out of your control? The Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST)... (Source: About.com Depression)

[Articles] The Incidence and Course of Depression in Bereaved Youth 21 Months After the Loss of a Parent to Suicide, Accident, or Sudden Natural Death

Am J Psychiatry — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Youth who lose a parent, especially through suicide, are vulnerable to depression and alcohol or substance abuse during the second year after the loss. Depression risk in the second year is mediated by the increased incidence of depression within the first 9 months. The most propitious time to prevent or attenuate depressive episodes in bereaved youth may be shortly after the parent’s death. Interventions that target complicated grief and blaming of others may also improve outcomes in symptomatic youth with parental bereavement. (Source: Am J Psychiatry)

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College Students of Both Genders Binge Drinking More

Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:06:02 +0100

Researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine found that a decline in binge drinking among males 12- to 20-years-old did not extend to females of the same age, and that both male and female college students are bingeing more. (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)

N.H. Lawmakers Approve Medical Marijuana Bill

Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:05:00 +0100

The New Hampshire House of Representatives passed legislation that would allow medical use of marijuana, leaving the final word to Gov. John Lynch. (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)

Michael Jackson Death Probe Focuses on Prescription Drugs

Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:02:12 +0100

Officials investigating the death of music icon Michael Jackson are looking at the King of Pop's past struggles with prescription-drug addiction to help determine if his death was due to an overdose. (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)

Study: Tobacco Linked to Brain Damage

Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:44:03 +0100

New research has found a direct link between tobacco use and brain damage. (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)

Utah Set to Relax Liquor Laws to Boost Tourism

Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:20:00 +0100

Utah will loosen its liquor laws next month in a bid to boost tourism and bring alcohol sales practices closer in line with those in other states. (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)

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Resveratrol, a natural antioxidant, attenuates intestinal ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats.

The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:42:05 +0100

Authors: Ozkan OV, Yuzbasioglu MF, Ciralik H, Kurutas EB, Yonden Z, Aydin M, Bulbuloglu E, Semerci E, Goksu M, Atli Y, Bakan V, Duran N The intestine is highly susceptible to ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Splanchnic ischemia is the initial event that releases injurious factors, leading to systemic disorders with high morbidity and mortality. Oxidative stress mediators are believed to contribute to the intestinal I/R injury. Resveratrol, a polyphenol found in grapes, is shown to be a strong antioxidant in various tissues, with a property of an estrogen-receptor agonist. Therefore, we investigated the effects of resveratrol on oxidative injury in the intestine. Female Wistar rats were randomly allocated into four groups (n = 8, each). The sham group was only subjected to surgical pr...

Alcohol a factor in 'one in 20' deaths in Scotland

Scotsman.com News - Health — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:41:36 +0100

SCOTLAND'S death toll from drink is twice as bad as previously thought, figures revealed today. (Source: Scotsman.com News - Health)

Study Could Help Target New Pancreatitis Treatments

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:00:00 +0100

Pancreatitis is often a fatal condition, in which the pancreas digests itself and surrounding tissue. Scientists have previously found that alcohol can trigger the condition by combining with fatty acids in the pancreas, which leads to an excessive release of stored calcium ions. Once calcium ions enter cell fluid in the pancreas it activates digestive enzymes and damages the cells. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Studies Examine Cigarette Smuggling In Poor Countries, Deaths Due To Alcohol Abuse In Russia

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:00:00 +0100

A new report finds that "a growing global trade in black market cigarettes is killing tens of thousands of people a year, causing massive health problems and costing governments billions of pounds," the Guardian reports. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Alcohol 'kills one in 20 Scots'

BBC News | Health | UK Edition — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:56:27 +0100

Alcohol may have caused the death of twice as many Scots as previously thought, an NHS study finds. (Source: BBC News | Health | UK Edition)

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Vital Signs: Patterns: Drinking Age Affects Bingeing, to a Point

NYT > Health — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 05:18:14 +0100

A new study finds that as the drinking age has gone up, binge drinking has gone down — except among college students. (Source: NYT > Health)

One in 25 Deaths Blamed on Alcohol

Medical Headlines From Ivanhoe.com — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Worldwide, one in 25 deaths and 5 percent of years lived with disability are attributable to alcohol consumption. Disease is closely related to average volume of alcohol consumed and is strongest in poor people and in those who are marginalized from society. (Source: Medical Headlines From Ivanhoe.com)

Critics Cite Serious Side Effects of Benzodiazepine Antidepressants

Wash Post Health — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 04:00:00 +0100

Stan Starr, a 54-year-old financial consultant, sat in the back of the room filled with blue chairs, quietly tapping his Converse sneakers on the carpet. The 12 steps to recovery, enshrined by Alcoholics Anonymous, were printed in large black letters on a wall. But Starr was there because of a di... (Source: Wash Post Health)

Discovery may provide new treatments for alcohol dependence

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 04:00:00 +0100

(University of Gothenburg) Researchers at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden, have discovered a new brain mechanism involved in alcohol addiction involving the stomach hormone ghrelin. When ghrelin's actions in the brain are blocked, alcohol's effects on the reward system are reduced. It is an important discovery that could lead to new therapies for addictions such as alcohol dependence. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

Involvement of mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening in α-bisabolol induced apoptosis

FEBS Journal — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100

This study expands the notion of the specific action of [alpha]-bisabolol on transformed cells and suggests that it may act by disturbing the structure and function of the mPTP. [alpha]-Bisabolol toxicity is clearly related to its cellular uptake, which is higher in transformed cell lines. (Source: FEBS Journal)

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Breast clinic and life style study (BLLISS)

International Seminars in Surgical Oncology — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusion There is preponderance of high risk life style choices in women attending breast clinic. If these life style options are not modified, there could potentially be a significant rise in the number of breast cancer in West Midlands. (Source: International Seminars in Surgical Oncology)

[Medical_Sciences] Pancreatic protease activation by alcohol metabolite depends on Ca2+ release via acid store IP3 receptors

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Toxic alcohol effects on pancreatic acinar cells, causing the often fatal human disease acute pancreatitis, are principally mediated by fatty... (Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences)

[Neuroscience] Functional characterization of human variants of the mu-opioid receptor gene

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Opioids and their receptors have an important role in analgesia and alcohol and substance use disorders (ASUD). We have identified... (Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences)

[Case reports] Septal myectomy for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy: coil, boil and the role of rescue surgery

European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100

We present the history of a patient who underwent alcohol ablation and developed a life-threatening ventricular septal defect consecutively to a large myocardial infarction because of alcohol injection into the LAD. (Source: European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery)

[Original papers] Substance use disorders and psychological trauma

Psychiatric Bulletin — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100

AIMS AND METHOD The Impact of Events Scale was administered to 104 in-patients detoxing from alcohol or opiates to determine the prevalence of psychological trauma, the severity of its symptoms and the types of trauma responsible for symptoms. RESULTS Out of the 104 in-patients undergoing detoxification, 75 had symptoms of psychological trauma; in 60 patients the symptoms were in the treatable range. Patients with alcohol-dependence were more severely affected. ‘Life events’ traumatised a higher proportion of individuals than ‘traumatic events’. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Psychological trauma requiring treatment is commonly found in substance misusers. This is rarely addressed despite the cormorbid disorder running a complicated clinical course. There ...

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[Articles] The future of specialised alcohol treatment services: a matter of policy?

Advances in Psychiatric Treatment — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Around 7.1 million people in England drink hazardously or harmfully and a further 1.1 million are dependent on alcohol. Motivational interviewing is widely used to treat people with alcohol problems and is probably the best described example of a brief intervention. However, some recent trials have been disappointing. Specialised alcohol treatment services have also suffered from weakness in the evidence base. Investment in treating alcohol misuse has fallen far behind that for drug misuse. The Department of Health’s Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy for England embraces policies that are high-profile and cheap but are ineffective and ignore many effective measures. It recommends stepped care for alcohol treatment, but unlike the equivalent for drugs treatment, it sets no targets and l...

[Articles] Reasons to be cheerful?: INVITED COMMENTARY ON ... THE FUTURE OF SPECIALISED ALCOHOL TREATMENT SERVICES

Advances in Psychiatric Treatment — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Alcohol policy varies in different jurisdictions and is subject to change. Understanding policy development requires an international perspective. Current models of alcohol treatment systems require an understanding of the different impacts of interventions on different patient groups and clarity in the description of interventions and populations. Several systematic reviews have evaluated the outcome of alcohol treatment favourably and shown it to be highly cost-effective. (Source: Advances in Psychiatric Treatment)

Exercise Can Aid in Alcohol and Drug Recovery

About.com Alcoholism — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100

If exercise can help people in residential treatment facilities and subjects in scientific studies, it can benefit anyone trying to quit drinking and drugging or striving to maintain abstinence.... (Source: About.com Alcoholism)

Obama Says His Nicotine Addiction is '95 Percent Cured'

Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:05:39 +0100

President Barack Obama told reporters that while he is almost totally over his smoking addiction, quitting remains a constant struggle. (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)

Supreme Court Requires Lab Analysts to Testify about Drug-Test Results

Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:01:55 +0100

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that crime-lab reports can no longer be used against defendants at trial unless the analyst who created the report testifies in court and is available for cross-examination. (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)

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Illinois Considers Upping Penalties for High-Potency Marijuana

Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:59:51 +0100

Legislators in Illinois are considering a bill that would increase penalties for marijuana containing high levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)

Cobra Venom Drug Stops Growth of Lung Cancer Cells

Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:53:00 +0100

A group of Italian investigators has found that an anti-cancer agent called Î±-CBT -- derived from cobra venom -- inhibited the growth of lung-cancer cells and increased the survival time of mice infected with human lung cancer. (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)

Alcohol: More than a social lubricant

Health News - UPI.com — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:03:42 +0100

LA JOLLA, Calif., June 29 (UPI) -- Alcohol's effect on the brain may stem from ethanol's ability to lubricate on the molecular level, U.S. researchers suggest. (Source: Health News - UPI.com)

Introduction to suicide and self-harm

Psychiatry — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:51:57 +0100

Abstract: Suicide is a major cause of death across the world. Self-harm refers to a deliberate non-fatal act, whether physical, drug overdose, or poisoning, carried out in the knowledge that it is potentially harmful. Self-harm is strongly associated with the risk of suicide but is an important public health problem in its own right. The epidemiology of suicide and self-harm is changing. Suicide in England and Wales is becoming less common, but rates for young men have doubled in the last 20 years. With respect to self-harm, paracetamol overdoses have decreased but alcohol misuse has increased. In most centres, almost as many men as women now present with self-harm. Risk factors for suicide and self-harm overlap to an extent, but the clinical prediction of these behaviours is difficult bec...

Suicide in custody

Psychiatry — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:51:57 +0100

Abstract: Suicide in prison is a major concern. Previous research showed that the factors associated with prison suicide were being white, male, and on remand. The most common method was asphyxiation, and around half of the suicides occurred in the first month of imprisonment. Most individuals had a history of drug and/or alcohol misuse, had received a psychiatric diagnosis at reception into prison, and several prisoners had secondary diagnoses, suggesting complex mental health needs. The current prison suicide prevention policy aims to monitor risk and plan the care of at-risk individuals using the Assessment, Care in Custody, Teamwork (ACCT) plan, which was fully implemented across the whole prison estate in 2007. The ACCT plan ensures a fast first response and the provision of flexible ...

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Histamine Affects Alcohol-related Behavior

ScienceDaily Headlines — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:25:15 +0100

The histamine-3 receptor is important in terms of alcohol-related behavior, and a drug affecting that receptor may have qualities that alter alcohol-related behavior. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

Alcohol Kills Over Half of Russians in Their Prime

Medscape Medical News Headlines — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:56:05 +0100

Cheap and illicit alcohol kills more than half of Russian men and women in their most productive years, and the government must act urgently to reverse the trend. Reuters Health Information (Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines)

Abstract #4: Therapeutic Effect of 1-Octanol in Essential Tremor Likely Mediated Through Octanoic Acid: Data from a High-Dose Extension Study

Neurotherapeutics — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:32:20 +0100

Conclusions: 1-octanol is effective and safe up to 128 mg/kg in ET, with an exponential dose-response curve of OA plasma levels. The effect is most likely mediated through rapid conversion of 1-octanol to OA. (Source: Neurotherapeutics)

Risk Factors for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Obese Children

Hormone Research — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:13:19 +0100

Horm Res 2009;72:63-64 (DOI:10.1159/000224343) (Source: Hormone Research)