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oai:open-archive.highwire.org:alcalc:24/5/4012015-05-19HighWireOUPalcalc:24:5
PROTEIN KINASE C MODULATION OF THE ETHANOL EFFECT ON SEROTONIN2 RECEPTOR TRANSDUCTION IN ASTROCYTES
SIMONSSON, PER
HANSSON, ELISABETH
AILING, CHRISTER
RAPID COMMUNICATION
Acute ethanol exposure stimulated serotonin<inf>2</inf> receptor signalling in cultured astrocytes. Pretreatment with the protein kinase C inhibitor H7 significantly increased the ethanol-induced potentiation of [3H]-inositol phosphates accumulation. The increase could be explained by an augmented activation of phospholipase C. The results indicate a role of PKC for the modulation of ethanol effects on cellular signalling.
Oxford University Press
1989-01-01 00:00:00.0
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http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/24/5/401
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Copyright (C) 1989, Medical Council on Alcohol
oai:open-archive.highwire.org:alcalc:24/5/4052015-05-19HighWireOUPalcalc:24:5
THE IMPACT OF ALCOHOL ON THE ACUTE HOSPITAL SERVICE: PATIENT PRESENTATION, ADMISSION AND THE PERCEPTION OF ALCOHOL USE IN SUCH GROUPS
ROBERTSON, C. E.
LITTLE, K.
SMITH, H.
RITSON, E. B.
Articles
Patients presenting to an Emergency Department were assessed by a standard questionnaire and clinical examination as to the contribution that alcohol made to their presentation and the perception of their alcohol use. Patients under the influence of alcohol are more than twice as likely not to fill in simple questionnaires and not to perceive their alcohol consumption as different from non-drinking fellows. Emergency Departments are not the optimal site for the education and motivation of drinking patients to alter their future habits.
Oxford University Press
1989-01-01 00:00:00.0
TEXT
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http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/24/5/405
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oai:open-archive.highwire.org:alcalc:24/5/4092015-05-19HighWireOUPalcalc:24:5
BLOOD PRESSURE, RENIN--ANGIOTENSIN-ALDOSTERONE AXIS AND CORTISOL CHANGES DURING WITHDRAWAL FROM ALCOHOL
MANDER, A. J.
YOUNG, A.
MACDONALD, T. M.
WILLIAMS, B. C.
WAUGH, C. J.
EDWARDS, C. R. W.
Articles
Nineteen patients who had been drinking on the day of admission had significantly raised levels of renin, aldosterone and cortisol and a non-significant increase in angiotensin II. Five patients were hypertensive (systolic blood pressure > 160 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure > 95 mmHg) at some point during the study and there was a significant tachycardia. Over the first 4 days of abstinence there were falls in all of the measures reaching significance for renin, cortisol, systolic blood pressure and pulse. There were no correlations between blood pressure and any of the hormones measured although there was a significant association between pulse and both aldosterone and cortisol. It is concluded that the activity in the renin–angiotensin axis and hypothalamic—pituitary—adrenal axis is not responsible for alcohol-related changes in blood pressure.
Oxford University Press
1989-01-01 00:00:00.0
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http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/24/5/409
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oai:open-archive.highwire.org:alcalc:24/5/4152015-05-19HighWireOUPalcalc:24:5
EVALUATION OF mAST/tAST RATIO AS A MARKER OF ALCOHOL MISUSE IN A NON-SELECTED POPULATION
NALPAS, B.
POUPON, R. E.
VASSAULT, A.
HAUZANNEAU, P.
SAGE, Y.
SCHELLENBERG, F.
LACOUR, B.
BERTHELOT, P.
Articles
Serum mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase (mAST) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activities were measured in 303 outpatients upon visits to their general practitioner. Alcohol consumption was evaluated by interview, using a standard questionnaire. Thirty-four patients drank more than 80 g of alcohol per day but none complained of an alcohol-related disease. These 34 heavy drinkers presented a mean serum mAST value which was significantly higher than that of the 269 normal drinkers; however, only 14 Out of the 34 (41%) exhibited an increased mAST value. The sensitivity, specificity and predictive positive value of the mASTI/tAST ratio were 0.29, 0.77 and 0.13, respectively; the corresponding figures for GGT were 0.5, 0.81 and 0.23, respectively. These results are in sharp contrast with those obtained for mAST activity in a population of hospitalized alcoholics. The explanation may lie in differences in alcohol consumption, in nutritional status and in the frequency of alcohol-related diseases in inpatients as compared to outpatients.
Oxford University Press
1989-01-01 00:00:00.0
TEXT
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http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/24/5/415
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Copyright (C) 1989, Medical Council on Alcohol
oai:open-archive.highwire.org:alcalc:24/5/4212015-05-19HighWireOUPalcalc:24:5
VAGAL NEUROPATHY IN CHRONIC ALCOHOLICS: RELATION TO ETHANOL CONSUMPTION
VILLALTA, JAUME
ESTRUCH, RAMON
ANTÚNEZ, EMÍLIA
VALLS, JOSEP
URBANO-MÁRQUEZ, ALVARO
Articles
Vagal neuropathy in chronic alcoholics seems more common than supposed and its reversibility and relationship with alcohol intake and nutritional status remain obscure. We embarked upon a study of a series of 70 chronic alcoholics in whom reliable alcoholism history, nutritional status evaluation and cardiovascular reflex tests were performed at the beginning of abstinence. Moreover, an electrophysiological study of peripheral nerves was carried Out. Five out of 70 patients had symptoms related to autonomic neuropathy. Fourteen alcoholics presented abnormal indices in the deep breathing test (DBT) performed, including the five patients with clinical manifestations. A strong correlation between DBT indices and total lifetime ethanol intake and motor conduction velocity of lower limbs (MCV) was observed. No gross evidence of malnutrition was detected in the alcoholics and the transketolase erythrocyte activity was normal in all but one. Since the MCV also correlated with total lifetime ethanol intake, it appears that ethanol may exercise a dose-related toxic effect on both the autonomic and peripheral nervous systems. Finally, 12 of 14 patients with abnormal DBT index were re-evaluated one year later. Eleven who reported complete ethanol abstinence presented an improvement of this index and nine of them reached the normal range. Three of four patients with clinical manifestations reported an improvement of the symptoms. Thus, vagal neuropathy may reverse in most of the patients who manage to maintain ethanol abstinence.
Oxford University Press
1989-01-01 00:00:00.0
TEXT
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http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/24/5/421
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Copyright (C) 1989, Medical Council on Alcohol
oai:open-archive.highwire.org:alcalc:24/5/4292015-05-19HighWireOUPalcalc:24:5
DISULFIRAM NEUROPATHY: A REVIEW (1971-1988) AND REPORT OF A CASE
FRISONI, GIOVANNI B.
MONDA, VIINCENZO DI
Articles
Neuropathy is one of the most severe side effects of disulfiram therapy. We report the case of a young man who developed a neuropathy following disulfiram administration, with a virtually complete recovery in 14 months. We then discuss 37 cases of disulfiram neuropathy reported since 1971. Evidence is given that: (1) there is no numerical sex prevalence, although the incidence of the disease in women is probably disproportionately high; (2) symptom onset latency is dose-dependent, being longer at 250 mg/day or less; (3) neurological deficits are also dose-dependent, being milder at 250 mg/day or less; (4) the two previous findings and single observations suggest that disulfiram neuropathy is a dose-dependent phenomenon; (5) recovery probably follows a course which depends primarily on the initial degree of impairment; (6) the genetic mechanism probably involves carbon disulfide and a hypothesis as to the possible biochemical mechanism is proposed; (7) chloral hydrate can bear a potentiation effect on neuropathy, and the association with disulfiram is best avoided. Further, we give guidelines for the differentiation between alcoholic and disulfiram neuropathy, advise prescribing the drug at 250 mg daily or less, if possible, and stress the utmost importance of an early diagnosis.
Oxford University Press
1989-01-01 00:00:00.0
TEXT
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http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/24/5/429
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oai:open-archive.highwire.org:alcalc:24/5/4392015-05-19HighWireOUPalcalc:24:5
USE OF THE LIEBER--DECARLILIQUID FEEDING REGIME WITH SPECIFIC REFERENCE TO THE EFFECTS OF ETHANOL ON RAT SKELETAL MUSCLE RNA
PREEDY, VICTOR R.
MARWAY, JASPAUL S.
PETERS, TIMOTHY J.
Articles
This communication discusses the ways in which parameters of tissue injury in chronic ethanol-fed rats can be presented. These are: concentration (amount per unit wet weight), absolute amount (total quantity per organ or tissue) or relative to body weight (total quantity per unit body weight). Specific reference is made to the amount of RNA in skeletal muscles from rats fed the Lieber-DeCarli liquid diet containing ethanol for 6 weeks. Comparisons were made with data from rats which were pair-fed the same diet in which ethanol was substituted by iso-caloric glucose. Chronic ethanol-feeding had no statistically significant effect on the concentration of skeletal muscle RNA, though the absolute amount was reduced by 20%. When expressed relative to body weight the magnitude of this decline was reduced, to only 10%. Due to the nature of the liquid feeding regime the animals showed variable alterations in body weight. The amount of liquid diet consumed by control and ethanol-fed rats over a 24 hr period can comprise as much as 40% (w/w) of body weight. It is therefore suggested that data expressed relative to body mass may, on occasions, be erroneous. Episodic engorgement with food may also have an influence on other metabolic processes such as the kinetics of protein, fat or carbohydrate metabolism. These issues may have important implications for other studies using the Lieber-DeCarli liquid diet to examine the effects of ethanol on muscle or non-muscle tissues.
Oxford University Press
1989-01-01 00:00:00.0
TEXT
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http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/24/5/439
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oai:open-archive.highwire.org:alcalc:24/5/4472015-05-19HighWireOUPalcalc:24:5
SUPPRESSION BY GAMMA-HYDROXYBUTYRIC ACID OF ETHANOL WITHDRAWAL SYNDROME IN RATS
FADDA, FABIO
COLOMBO, GIANCARLO
MOSCA, ENRICA
GESSA, GIAN LUIGI
Articles
The ability of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid to suppress ethanol withdrawal syndrome was tested in male rats rendered physically dependent on ethanol by several intragastric administrations of ethanol (9–15 g/kg daily for 7 days). Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (0.25, 0.50 and 1.00 g/kg i.p.), administered 8 hr after the last ethanol dose, produced a dose-dependent inhibition of withdrawal signs such as tremors and audiogenically-induced seizures; the highest dose tested suppressed all ethanol withdrawal symptoms.
Oxford University Press
1989-01-01 00:00:00.0
TEXT
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http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/24/5/447
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oai:open-archive.highwire.org:alcalc:24/5/4532015-05-19HighWireOUPalcalc:24:5
APPROACHES TO THE ALCOHOL PROBLEM IN THE WORKPLACE
PRATT, OLIVER E.
TUCKER, MARY M.
REVIEW
The main problem areas posed by either alcohol or alcoholism in the workplace are identified as alcohol-related accidents, reduced work performance and loss of working time. In addition to the heavy costs of these problems for industry, it is suggested that a further and generally ignored burden comes from the premature death in middle life of alcoholics who will include a disproportionately large number of top management and more skilled employees. A comparison with the history of alcohol-related road traffic accidents suggests that there is scope for large savings from an effective campaign to reduce the incidence of alcohol-related problems in the workplace. An outline is given of the managerial steps involved in setting up and running a company alcohol programme and North American and early U.K. experience is assessed to indicate the approaches most likely to lead to effective prevention. An analysis is attempted of the conditions needed for effectiveness and the reasons for the reported high success rate of many existing programmes. Background information is provided of the resources available to assist such a project, including specialist organizations, publications, videos and facilities for staff training.
Oxford University Press
1989-01-01 00:00:00.0
TEXT
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http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/24/5/453
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oai:open-archive.highwire.org:alcalc:24/5/4652015-05-19HighWireOUPalcalc:24:5
PATTERNS OF ALCOHOL USE AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN SPAIN
RIO, CARMEN DEL
ALVAREZ, F. JAVIER
QUEIPO, DANIEL
Aricles
A total of 545 university students in Valladolid, Burgos and Palencia (Spain) were surveyed in 1985 with regard to their consumption of alcohol. Alcoholic drinks were taken frequently (daily, 13.6% of the subjects; weekly, 66.2%; monthly, 71.3%), the <it>per capita</it> consumption being 8.4 litres of pure alcohol per year. Consumption was higher among males and during the weekend. Beer, wine and, among spirits, gin, were the favourites. Most students started drinking before the age of 18 (81.2%), most commonly taking alcoholic drinks when ‘going out in the evening’ (62.2%); their principal reason for drinking was ‘because the people I am with are drinking’ (71.6%) and 52.8% admitted to having been drunk within their ‘lifetime’. Most of the differences in patterns of alcohol consumption were related to sex, and more infrequently were related to the different faculties, cities and academic years.
Oxford University Press
1989-01-01 00:00:00.0
TEXT
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http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/24/5/465
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oai:open-archive.highwire.org:alcalc:24/5/4732015-05-19HighWireOUPalcalc:24:5
ALCOHOL EDUCATION COURSES FOR OFFENDERS: AN UPDATE ON U.K. SERVICES
GAMBA, S.
BALDWIN, S.
GREER, C.
MCCLUSKEY, S.
Articles
Current service provision for offenders through Alcohol Education Courses (AECs) was examined. Information from fifty-five British agencies was collected, showing differences between AECs offered with respect to clients, teaching components and evaluation. More agencies now collect post-intervention follow-up data on clients' drinking/offending behaviour. AEC evaluation attempts using robust experimental designs have been sparse, however.
Oxford University Press
1989-01-01 00:00:00.0
TEXT
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http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/24/5/473
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Copyright (C) 1989, Medical Council on Alcohol
oai:open-archive.highwire.org:alcalc:24/5/4792015-05-19HighWireOUPalcalc:24:5
ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION AND THE PERCEIVED SITUATIONAL APPROPRIATENESS OF CONSUMING DIFFERENT TYPES OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
KLEIN, HUGH
PITTMAN, DAVID J.
Articles
Based on a 1986 national probability sample of 2401 Americans aged 21 years and over (1069 of whom were deemed ‘drinkers’ on the basis of having drunk at least one alcoholic beverage in the past seven days), this study analyses the relationship between respondents' perceptions of how appropriate it is to consume either beer, wine, distilled spirits, or wine coolers in each of six social contexts (namely, at a bar, at a bailgame, ‘when the party's really rolling’, at a celebration, as a perfect complement to a nice dinner, and after a particularly rough, i.e. difficult, day) and subsequent alcohol consumption by these same individuals. It was hypothesized that people who considered it appropriate to drink a given beverage type would drink more of that beverage than those individuals who deemed consumption of that type of alcohol to be inappropriate. Results indicated that this is valid for certain of the social occasions, in terms of the use of beer, distilled spirits and wine. Wine cooler consumption, however, was found to be unrelated to people's perceptions of how appropriate it is to drink in different social situations.
Oxford University Press
1989-01-01 00:00:00.0
TEXT
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http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/24/5/479
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oai:open-archive.highwire.org:alcalc:24/5/4892015-05-19HighWireOUPalcalc:24:5
A SOURCE OF ERROR IN BLOOD ALCOHOL ANALYSIS
TABERNER, PETER V.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Oxford University Press
1989-01-01 00:00:00.0
TEXT
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http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/24/5/489
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Copyright (C) 1989, Medical Council on Alcohol
oai:open-archive.highwire.org:alcalc:24/5/4912015-05-19HighWireOUPalcalc:24:5
CALENDAR
Calendar
Oxford University Press
1989-01-01 00:00:00.0
TEXT
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http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/24/5/491
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Copyright (C) 1989, Medical Council on Alcohol
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NOTICE
Notice
Oxford University Press
1989-01-01 00:00:00.0
TEXT
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http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/24/5/492-a
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Copyright (C) 1989, Medical Council on Alcohol
oai:open-archive.highwire.org:alcalc:24/5/4922015-05-19HighWireOUPalcalc:24:5
INSTRUCTIONS TO AUTHORS
Notice
Oxford University Press
1989-01-01 00:00:00.0
TEXT
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http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/24/5/492
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Copyright (C) 1989, Medical Council on Alcohol