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oai:open-archive.highwire.org:alcalc:32/3/2072015-05-19HighWireOUPalcalc:32:3
PARENTERAL THIAMINE AND WERNICKE'S ENCEPHALOPATHY: THE BALANCE OF RISKS AND PERCEPTION OF CONCERN
THOMSON, ALLAN D.
COOK, CHRISTOPHER C. H.
INVITED COMMENTARY
Wernicke's encephalopathy, a disorder with significant mortality and high morbidity, is common amongst alcohol-dependent patients. Thiamine deficiency appears to play a key role in its aetiology, and parenteral high-dose thiamine is effective in prophylaxis and treatment. Unfortunately, reports of rare anaphylactoid reactions have led to a dramatic reduction in the use of parenteral thiamine, and it is possible that this change in treatment has led, or will lead, to an increase in morbidity and mortality. There is a need for education of doctors who treat alcohol-dependent patients, in order to ensure appropriate use of parenteral thiamine in prophylaxis and treatment of this disorder.
Oxford University Press
1997-05-01 00:00:00.0
TEXT
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http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/32/3/207
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.alcalc.a008259
en
Copyright (C) 1997, Medical Council on Alcohol
oai:open-archive.highwire.org:alcalc:32/3/2112015-05-19HighWireOUPalcalc:32:3
MATERNAL ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION AND SPONTANEOUS ABORTION
ABEL, ERNEST L.
REVIEW
This review examines the relationship between maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy and spontaneous abortions. Although very high spontaneous abortion rates have been reported for alcoholic women, it is still uncertain if this is due to the direct effects of alcohol or the indirect effects of alcoholism-related disorders such as cirrhosis. The higher rates of spontaneous abortion among alcoholics may also be due to their higher pregnancy rates. Studies in animals indicate that blood alcohol levels >200 mg/dl can directly precipitate spontaneous abortion. The association between lower levels of maternal alcohol consumption and spontaneous abortion is much less clear. There is a definite effect of study site in these latter studies: those conducted in North America nearly always report statistically significant associations; those conducted in Europe or Australia nearly always report no significant associations. The reason for this difference is not related to differences in alcohol consumption. Possible explanations for this geographical difference include difference in the socioeconomic status of the women being studied and artefacts associated with the designs used to study these relationships.
Oxford University Press
1997-05-01 00:00:00.0
TEXT
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http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/32/3/211
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.alcalc.a008260
en
Copyright (C) 1997, Medical Council on Alcohol
oai:open-archive.highwire.org:alcalc:32/3/2212015-05-19HighWireOUPalcalc:32:3
ETHANOL-MEDIATED PROMOTION OF OESOPHAGEAL CARCINOGENESIS: ASSOCIATION WITH LIPID PEROXIDATION AND CHANGES IN PHOSPHOLIPID FATTY ACID PROFILE OF THE TARGET TISSUE
MUFTI, SIRAJ I.
NACHIAPPAN, VASANTHI
ESKELSON, CLEAMOND D.
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Ethanol consumption is a high risk factor for oesophageal carcinoma and studies indicate that it acts as a promoter of <it>N</it>-nitrosomethylbenzylamine (NMBzA)-induced oesophageal carcinogenesis. The studies described here indicate that ethanol-induced promotion was related with an increase in indices of lipid peroxidation in the target oesophageal tissue and that such an increase was associated with significant changes in the fatty acid profile of phospholipids. Young Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with NMBzA, 2.5 mg/kg body weight, three times a week for 3 weeks, and a week afterwards fed a 7% ethanolic diet that was continued until their death at 10 months. Cumulative ethane exhaled by rats was measured a week before their death and was found to increase significantly with NMBzA treatment but more so when followed by ethanol consumption. Cholesterol, phospholipids, and some indices of lipid peroxidation were measured in the oesophagus and liver. Whereas the levels of cholesterol and phospholipids were not affected in control-fed rats with or without the NMBzA treatment, ethanol consumption by either the untreated or NMBzA-treated rats caused a significant increase in the targeted oesophagus as well as the liver, the major site of ethanol and carcinogen metabolism. Ethanol consumption also increased all the indices of lipid peroxidation, i.e. malondialdehyde, lipid fluorescence, diene- and triene-conjugates; the largest increases were observed in rats that received both NMBzA and ethanol. A comparison of the fatty acid profile of phospholipids from the oesophagus and liver indicated significant alterations both with the NMBzA treatment and ethanol consumption. However, the fatty acid profile with regard to its peroxidability was significantly modified only with ethanol consumption and only in the oesophagus of the NMBzA-treated or untreated rats. Also, hepatic phospholipids showed a substantial increase in linolenate and no change in arachidonate, but the oesophageal phospholipids exhibited a pronounced increase in the levels of C18:3, C20:2, C20:3, C20:3′ and C22:6 with a significant increase in arachidonate when use of ethanol followed the NMBzA treatment, suggesting a disorder in lipid and eicosanoid metabolism. We propose that ethanol may promote carcinogenesis through excessive cell proliferation induced by disordered lipid and eicosanoid metabolism that may cause a selective outgrowth of the initiated cells.
Oxford University Press
1997-05-01 00:00:00.0
TEXT
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http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/32/3/221
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.alcalc.a008261
en
Copyright (C) 1997, Medical Council on Alcohol
oai:open-archive.highwire.org:alcalc:32/3/2332015-05-19HighWireOUPalcalc:32:3
THE EFFECTS OF FAMILY HISTORY, SOBRIETY LENGTH, AND DRINKING HISTORY IN YOUNGER ALCOHOLICS ON P300 AUDITORY-EVOKED POTENTIALS
KEENAN, JULIAN PAUL
FREEMAN, PHYLLIS R.
HARRELL, RICHARD
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Event-related potentials (ERPs) have been shown to be different between alcoholics and non-alcoholics. Of particular interest to investigators has been the P300 wave. Because it has been shown that alcohol-induced neural damage can alter P300 waves, particularly amplitude, we attempted to examine alcoholics who most likely suffered little damage because they drank heavily for relatively few years (mean=6.9 years). The effects of long-term sobriety (mean=5.0 years) were also investigated to determine if cognitive functioning, as measured by auditory-evoked P300 waves, varies with increased abstinence. Because family history for alcoholism has also been shown to influence P300 amplitude and latency, alcoholics and controls with and without family history were examined. The alcoholic group had significantly longer latencies in P300 measures in both the family history positive and negative groups; P300 amplitudes between alcoholics and non-alcoholics did not vary, regardless of family history. P300 waves were unaffected by sobriety length or drinking history. The results support the hypothesis that P300 differences can be seen between alcoholics and those at risk for alcoholism.
Oxford University Press
1997-05-01 00:00:00.0
TEXT
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http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/32/3/233
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.alcalc.a008262
en
Copyright (C) 1997, Medical Council on Alcohol
oai:open-archive.highwire.org:alcalc:32/3/2412015-05-19HighWireOUPalcalc:32:3
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HELPING ALLIANCE AND OUTCOME IN OUTPATIENT TREATMENT OF ALCOHOLICS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT AND MULTIMODAL BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY
ÖJEHAGEN, AGNETA
BERGLUND, MATS
HANSSON, LARS
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
During the last decades, a positive relation between a good alliance and a successful therapy outcome has been demonstrated across a variety of different therapeutic modalities. The relationship between alliance and drinking outcome in long-term treatment of alcoholics (12 months or more) has not, as far as we know, been presented. In the present study, alcoholics were randomized to two outpatient treatment programmes; multimodal behavioural therapy (MBT) and psychiatric treatment based on a psychodynamic approach (PT). As part of the study, analyses were performed concerning differences in alliance between the two treatment models (MBT, <it>n</it>= 17; PT, <it>n</it>= 18), and concerning the relationship between alliance and treatment outcome. A Swedish version of the Helping Alliance Questionnaire was used to measure alliance. All therapy sessions were tape-recorded. An independent researcher rated the patient's and therapist's contribution to the alliance at the third session (early alliance). Early patient and therapist alliances were not related to sociodemographic data or initial measures of alcohol severity, psychiatric symptoms, or personality structure in either therapy. Early therapist alliance was better in MBT in comparison with PT. For MBT patients, a significant positive correlation was found between early patient alliance and mood dimensions at 6 months. There were no significant positive correlations between early alliance and drinking outcome during the course of treatment and in the third year after start of treatment. Mood and drinking outcome also showed low correlations. In conclusion, an initial positive alliance seems insufficient to reduce alcohol misuse. The relationship between early alliance and improvement in alcohol misuse needs to be further investigated.
Oxford University Press
1997-05-01 00:00:00.0
TEXT
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http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/32/3/241
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.alcalc.a008263
en
Copyright (C) 1997, Medical Council on Alcohol
oai:open-archive.highwire.org:alcalc:32/3/2512015-05-19HighWireOUPalcalc:32:3
ISRAELI ARAB AND JEWISH YOUTH KNOWLEDGE AND OPINION ABOUT ALCOHOL WARNING LABELS: PRE-INTERVENTION DATA
WEISS, SHOSHANA
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
This article presents baseline data on the opinion toward alcohol beverage warning labels and on levels of knowledge of the risks discussed in the contents of the labels prior to the labels' introduction, and on levels of knowledge of additional alcohol-related hazards not included in the proposed warning labels, among a sample of 3065 adolescents of four religions living in the northern region of Israel. About 2220 Arab participants (Moslems, Christians and Druze) and 845 Jewish respondents answered in the winter of 1996 a Hebrew version of an American questionnaire, which had been used to measure levels of knowledge of the label in the United States. More respondents were in favour of warning labels on alcohol containers than on advertisements. Arabs as a group were more in favour of warning labels on alcohol containers than Jews. The initial knowledge levels among the participants were not very high, especially concerning the item ‘Drinking impairs ability to operate machinery’ (74.4%) which is included on the proposed warning label, and concerning two hazards which are not included: ‘Drinking increases risk of cancer’ (54.6%) and ‘Drinking increases risk of high blood pressure’ (60.4%). Abstainers knew more than drinkers that ‘Pregnant women should not drink’, ‘Drinking increases risk of cancer’ and ‘Alcohol in combination with other drugs is hazardous’. Implications for public health are discussed and alternative warning messages that might be used to inform the Israeli public of several less well-known hazards are suggested.
Oxford University Press
1997-05-01 00:00:00.0
TEXT
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http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/32/3/251
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.alcalc.a008264
en
Copyright (C) 1997, Medical Council on Alcohol
oai:open-archive.highwire.org:alcalc:32/3/2592015-05-19HighWireOUPalcalc:32:3
SERUM {gamma}-GLUTAMYL-TRANSPEPTIDASE ISOFORMS IN ALCOHOLIC LIVER DISEASE
BELLINI, MASSIMO
TUMINO, EMANUELE
GIORDANI, ROBERTO
FABRINI, GIANCARLO
COSTA, FRANCESCO
GALUI, RENATO
RUCCO, MARCELLA
BELCARI, CLAUDIO
MICHELASSI, CLAUDIO
MURRI, LUIGI
MALTINTI, GIACOMO
MARCHI, SANTINO
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
γ-Glutamyltranspeptidase (γGT) appears in serum in multiple forms; their significance and clinical utility in hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases are still a matter of controversy. Electrophoretic separation of the multiple forms of γGT on agarose gel was performed in 20 alcoholic patients (six with cirrhosis and 14 with fatty liver) and the results compared with those obtained in 50 healthy volunteers, 43 patients affected with chronic hepatitis C, 36 patients with posthepatitic cirrhosis and in 52 epileptic patients on long-term anti-epileptic medication. Multiple forms of γGT were separated into several bands (up to 11), labelled 0a, 0b, la, lb, 2a, 2b, 2c, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b. In the alcoholic patients nine fractions were detected, and the electrophoretic pattern observed was significantly different from that observed in healthy volunteers and in patients with chronic hepatitis C or posthepatitic cirrhosis. No differences were observed in the electrophoretic patterns in the alcohol abusers and epileptic patients. In alcoholic patients significant differences were observed in the electrophoretic patterns in relation to the degree of liver injury; the electrophoretic patterns in patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis and posthepatitic cirrhosis differed significantly. The separation of multiple forms of γGT has high sensitivity and good reproducibility. It may be proposed as a complementary test in the diagnosis of alcoholic liver disease.
Oxford University Press
1997-05-01 00:00:00.0
TEXT
text/html
http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/32/3/259
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.alcalc.a008265
en
Copyright (C) 1997, Medical Council on Alcohol
oai:open-archive.highwire.org:alcalc:32/3/2672015-05-19HighWireOUPalcalc:32:3
FACTORS IN CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH PREDICTING ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE AND ABUSE IN SWEDISH WOMEN: FINDINGS FROM A GENERAL POPULATION STUDY
SPAK, LENA
SPAK, FREDRIK
ALLEBECK, PETER
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
The aim was to assess risk factors during childhood and youth for alcohol dependence/ abuse (ADA) in a population-based study of Swedish women. A total of 316 women were interviewed after stratified random sampling in the general population and a screening questionnaire. The interviews focused on social, psychological and behaviour characteristics as well as on early substance use patterns. Alcohol diagnoses were made according to DSM-IH-R and CTDI-SAM. Experiences of sexual abuse before the age of 13 years, a history of psychological or psychiatric problems, early deviant behaviour and an episode of alcohol intoxication before the age of 15 years were significantly associated with ADA in a logistic model. General indicators of low social class were not associated with increased risk of ADA in a multivariate analysis. Sexual abuse in childhood was the strongest predictor of ADA. This association has potential public health importance, and should be addressed in future studies on women and alcohol.
Oxford University Press
1997-05-01 00:00:00.0
TEXT
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http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/32/3/267
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.alcalc.a008266
en
Copyright (C) 1997, Medical Council on Alcohol
oai:open-archive.highwire.org:alcalc:32/3/2752015-05-19HighWireOUPalcalc:32:3
THE EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL ON EYE MOVEMENTS DURING READING
WATTEN, REIDULF G.
LIE, IVAR
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
In an experimental double-blind placebo study of 18 subjects (mean age 26.2 years), we investigated the effect of three blood alcohol concentrations (0.0%, 0.05% and 0.1%) on five visuo-motor reading parameters: (1) number of eye fixations per 100 words read; (2) the number of words read per minute; (3) the number of regressions per 100 words read; (4) the saccadic length; (5) the duration of eye fixations. The number of fixations and the duration of eye fixations increased significantly as a function of increased breath alcohol concentration. There were no significant changes in the other visuo-motor reading parameters.
Oxford University Press
1997-05-01 00:00:00.0
TEXT
text/html
http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/32/3/275
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.alcalc.a008267
en
Copyright (C) 1997, Medical Council on Alcohol
oai:open-archive.highwire.org:alcalc:32/3/2812015-05-19HighWireOUPalcalc:32:3
INCREASING INCIDENCE OF KORSAKOFF'S PSYCHOSIS IN THE EAST END OF GLASGOW
RAMAYYA, ANJALI
JAUHAR, PRAMOD
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
A retrospective analysis of all admissions between 1990 and 1995 in a population of 160 000 identified 47 new cases of Korsakoffs psychosis only seven of which were preceded by Wemicke's encephalopathy. There was a higher ratio of females to males, relative to admissions for severe alcohol dependence. It is postulated that the increasing incidence may be related to the warning of anaphylaxis and subsequent withdrawal of high-potency parenteral multivitamins with thiamine.
Oxford University Press
1997-05-01 00:00:00.0
TEXT
text/html
http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/32/3/281
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.alcalc.a008268
en
Copyright (C) 1997, Medical Council on Alcohol
oai:open-archive.highwire.org:alcalc:32/3/2872015-05-19HighWireOUPalcalc:32:3
DOES LIVER DYSFUNCTION EXPLAIN NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL STATUS IN RECENTLY DETOXIFIED ALCOHOL-DEPENDENT CLIENTS?
WALTON, NIGEL H.
BOWDEN, STEPHEN C.
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
In the search for explanation of persistent cognitive impairment associated with alcohol dependence, the possible role of liver disease has aroused considerable interest. However, review of the relevant literature provides only ambiguous support for any general relationship between neuropsycho-logical status and laboratory tests of liver function. We tested the general hypothesis, and also two specific hypotheses relating particular liver function parameters (γ-glutamyl transferase and serum albumin) to mental ability in a sample of 54 recently detoxified alcohol-dependent people. Despite adequate design power, we failed to obtain evidence for general or specific correlations between mental ability and liver function. We conclude that the accumulated data do not provide direct support for the hypothesis that liver disease plays a part in the genesis of chronic alcohol-related brain impairment in clients without cirrhosis.
Oxford University Press
1997-05-01 00:00:00.0
TEXT
text/html
http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/32/3/287
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.alcalc.a008269
en
Copyright (C) 1997, Medical Council on Alcohol
oai:open-archive.highwire.org:alcalc:32/3/2972015-05-19HighWireOUPalcalc:32:3
BOOK REVIEWS
MALCOLM, M. T.
BOOK-REVIEWS
Oxford University Press
1997-05-01 00:00:00.0
TEXT
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http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/32/3/297
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.alcalc.a008270
en
Copyright (C) 1997, Medical Council on Alcohol
oai:open-archive.highwire.org:alcalc:32/3/298-a2015-05-19HighWireOUPalcalc:32:3
BOOK REVIEWS
MADDEN, J. S.
BOOK-REVIEWS
Oxford University Press
1997-05-01 00:00:00.0
TEXT
text/html
http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/32/3/298-a
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.alcalc.a008272
en
Copyright (C) 1997, Medical Council on Alcohol
oai:open-archive.highwire.org:alcalc:32/3/2982015-05-19HighWireOUPalcalc:32:3
BOOK REVIEWS
HORE, B. D.
BOOK-REVIEWS
Oxford University Press
1997-05-01 00:00:00.0
TEXT
text/html
http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/32/3/298
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.alcalc.a008271
en
Copyright (C) 1997, Medical Council on Alcohol
oai:open-archive.highwire.org:alcalc:32/3/3012015-05-19HighWireOUPalcalc:32:3
ABSTRACTS
6TH CONGRESS OF THE EUROPEAN SOCIETY FOR BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH ON ALCOHOLISM[mdash ]ABSTRACTS
Oxford University Press
1997-05-01 00:00:00.0
TEXT
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http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/32/3/301
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.alcalc.a008273
en
Copyright (C) 1997, Medical Council on Alcohol
oai:open-archive.highwire.org:alcalc:32/3/4192015-05-19HighWireOUPalcalc:32:3
CALENDAR
Calendar
Oxford University Press
1997-05-01 00:00:00.0
TEXT
text/html
http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/32/3/419
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.alcalc.a008274
en
Copyright (C) 1997, Medical Council on Alcohol
oai:open-archive.highwire.org:alcalc:32/3/4212015-05-19HighWireOUPalcalc:32:3
THE MEDICAL COUNCIL ON ALCOHOLISM SUBSCRIPTION RATES 1997
Notices
Oxford University Press
1997-05-01 00:00:00.0
TEXT
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http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/32/3/421
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.alcalc.a008275
en
Copyright (C) 1997, Medical Council on Alcohol
oai:open-archive.highwire.org:alcalc:32/3/4222015-05-19HighWireOUPalcalc:32:3
EUROPEAN SOCIETY FOR BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH ON ALCOHOLISM (ESBRA)
ESBRA
Oxford University Press
1997-05-01 00:00:00.0
TEXT
text/html
http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/32/3/422
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.alcalc.a008276
en
Copyright (C) 1997, Medical Council on Alcohol