Explore the vast range of titles available.

Background and aimsThe period of organogenesis in the embryonic development is critical in terms of occurrence of long-term effects of intoxication. There is evidence that the fetus is exposed to the same alcohol level as the mother's body. It is known that an imbalance in the system 'lipid peroxidation-antioxidant defense' leads to the development of oxidative stress, which is accompanied by a decrease in the body's resistance to adverse factors of the external and internal environment. The aim of this study was to identify features of the lipid peroxidation-antioxidant defense system (LPO-AOD) in newborns born from mothers who consumed alcohol during pregnancy.MethodsAn umbilical cord blood of 66 newborns in the control group (group 1) and 74 newborns, whose mothers consumed alcohol in beer form, dry wine and champagne for the entire period of pregnancy (53 newborns, whose mothers consumed less than 2 doses or 750 ml (group 2) and 21 newborns whose mothers consumed from 2 to 11 doses (750-3850 ml)) (group 3) was studied. Spectrophotometric and fluorometric methods for studying the LPO-AOD have been used. All pregnant women received informed consent for the study.ResultsLipid peroxidation process in both groups of newborns was characterised by a statistically significant increasing of diene conjugates content (p1-2=0,006; p1-3<0,001) and decreased values of alpha -tocopherol (p1-2=0,006; p1-3=0,031) and superoxide dismutase activity (p1-2<0,0001; p1-3=0,008) comparing to control group. The reduction of reduced glutathione (GSH) noted in group 2 in comparison with control (p1-2=0,0007). Fall GSH concentration in red blood cells in newborns 2nd and 3rd groups, may be associated with the observed significant decrease of glutathione reductase activity (p1-2<0,0001; p1-3<0,0001) and glutathione-S-transferase (p1-2=0,001; p1-3=0,04) comparing to control group. In general, the decrease in GSH concentration and activity of the enzymes involved in its metabolism in the newborn group 2 has a negative effect on the balance in the LPO-AOD system.ConclusionsThus, the results suggest that even a small amount of alcoholic beverages drunk by women during pregnancy can cause different metabolic changes in the newborns body, in particular, leading to an imbalance of redox exchange, expressed dysfunction of LPO-AOD system.

ObjectiveTo explore whether children affected by tic disorders experience, recognise and are able to describe premonitory urges.MethodSemi-structured interviews were carried out with children to unearth their experiences of living with a tic disorder, alongside exploration of how tics are experienced and whether or not children recognise and are able to describe associated premonitory urges. Participants included 10 children (M= SD=; 4 male and 6 female) referred to the Paediatric Department at the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital, Hertfordshire. All children presented with motor and/or vocal tics that had been present for at least one year at the time of the study. NHS Research Ethics approval was obtained for the study, alongside written consent from the children involved and their parents. Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using thematic analysis. Children also completed the Premonitory Urge in Tic Scale (PUTS) to allow further exploration of self-reported urges. Child data was supplemented by parents completing the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale.ResultsThe mean PUTS score was 24 (SD=9). Parent reports from the YGTSS showed that 50% of the study sample experienced a combination of motor and vocal tics, 30% vocal tics only, and 20% predominantly vocal tics. Parent reports further revealed that 60% of participants had moderate impairment from their tics. Qualitative findings identified two overarching themes relating to (1) awareness of and descriptions of tics and (2) lived experience of premonitory urges. The majority of participants (90%) had an awareness of sensory urges before actual tics and were able to link the sensory urges to the tics. Child age did not influence ability to report the presence of premonitory urges, with all children providing vivid descriptions of feelings of discomfort from the sensory urges.ConclusionThe presence of premonitory urges remains a very important feature in differentiating tic disorders from other movement disorders and there is a need to consider age appropriate methods of obtaining information on premonitory urges in children. Using a qualitative methodology, the current study demonstrates that children younger than 10 years of age have the ability to describe, in detail, the presence of premonitory urges.

AimTo investigate level of neonatal knowledge and experience amongst newly qualified General Practitioners (GPs) who completed the vocational training scheme (VTS).MethodAn online survey distributed via email to GPs who qualified from two GP Deaneries since 2009. The survey consisted of 24 questions, mainly multiple choice and self-rating scales, and was completed between May and June 2014.ResultsThere were 38 respondents. Of these, 58% had completed a paediatric placement during their VTS. Placement length varied from 3 months (1 responder), 4 months (11 responders) to 6 months (10 responders). Forty-five percent (17/38) gained neonatal experience, comprising of neonatal life support courses, neonatal ward rounds, attending high risk deliveries and completing baby checks.Eighty percent of responders were less than 2 years post VTS qualification, with a median age of 31-35 years. Despite completing their VTS and 60% receiving formal teaching on newborn examination, 25% of responders did not feel confident in completing a 6-8 week newborn examination. In 50% of practices where our study population are currently based a dedicated health professional undertakes the baby checks.The GPs portrayed good knowledge of common neonatal problems such as gastro-oesphageal reflux disease, and on self-rating, the majority were confident of their ability to diagnose mongolian blue spots, port wine stain and a significant heart murmur. However, over 35% displayed definite uncertainty in diagnosing naevus flammeus and erythema toxicum. Only 12% felt confident in recognising cow's milk protein intolerance and 56% were unaware of when to diagnose prolonged jaundice.The main information source used by the newly qualified GPs was GP notebook, with 72% identifying this source and less than 30% consulting formal guidelines.ConclusionA significant number of GPs qualify from the VTS without completing a paediatric placement and even fewer are gaining neonatal experience. Post-qualification, there continues to be limited exposure to infants as dedicated health professionals complete their routine care. It is essential to recognise this lack of exposure and make appropriate changes to GP training to provide basic, structured neonatal experience, thereby ensuring confidence in neonatal assessment and management amongst front-line medical practitioners.

Biochar has great advantages in soil amendment and polluted soil remediation. Herein, the pore and adsorption properties of wine lees-derived biochar were explored. Specifically, the adsorption isotherm and kinetics of Pb super(2+) onto wine lees-derived biochar were examined. Experimental results revealed that wine lees-derived biochar featured large specific surface area and total pore volume, and high contents of -COOH and -OH on its surface. Adsorption of Pb super(2+) onto wine lees-derived biochar proceeded via a multilayer adsorption mechanism, as described by the Freundlich adsorption model. Adsorption kinetics followed the Lagergren pseudo-second-order kinetics model; adsorption equilibrium was achieved within 30-60 min. Furthermore, the effect of solution pH on the adsorption of Pb super(2+) was investigated. Within the studied pH range of 3-6, the adsorption capacity increased with increasing pH. Under established optimized conditions, wine lees-derived biochar achieved a Pb super(2+) adsorption capacity of 79.12 mg/g.

BackgroundEpidemiological research suggests that alcohol consumption may represent a sizable risk factor for weight gain, though precise causal mechanisms remain unclear and associations inconsistent. Studies focussed on alcohol units have shown linear and J-shaped relationships, with low intensity alcohol consumption associated with lower levels of obesity.The strength of the alcohol-weight relationship has typically been strongest among men. This gender discrepancy is hypothesised to result from factors including differential drink type preference. While men favour beer, a carbohydrate-rich alcoholic drink, women are more likely to drink wine and therefore consume less energy per unit of alcohol than male drinkers.The role of alcohol calories has been explored little to date. This study thus set out to determine the association between drink-specific alcohol calorie intake and both overweight and obesity in adults in England.MethodsSurvey-adjusted logistic regression models were constructed using data from the Health Survey for England 2006, a nationally representative cross-sectional population survey of the general population resident in private households in England.Alcohol: Alcohol calories were calculated by multiplying each self-reported drink-specific consumption volume by the total number of calories they were estimated by Drinkaware to contain. Alcohol calories were then categorised according to the quartiles of a person's sex-specific recommended daily calorie intake (RDA): 1-24%; 25-49%; 50-74%; 75%+ .Obesity: Body mass index (BMI) was selected as a marker for overweight ( greater than or equal to 25 kg/m2) and obesity ( greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2). Predictors: Risk factors likely to modify the relationship between alcohol calories and BMI were selected a priori. These included demographic variables (age, education, occupation, sex), health and lifestyle variables (physical activity, smoking status), and drink type.Analyses were restricted to individuals aged 18+ who provided valid data on drink type, alcohol consumption volume and BMI (8864 adults).ResultsMean calorie consumption derived from alcohol on their heaviest drink day in the last week equated to the equivalent of 27% of the RDA calorie intake in men and 19% in women. Individuals in the top alcohol calorie quartile had increased odds of obesity (OR 1.65 [95% CI 1.22, 2.22]) and overweight (1.47 [1.10, 1.97]) relative to the bottom quartile. Consumption only of beer was associated with increased odds of overweight and obesity.ConclusionSubstantial calorie intake is derived from alcohol consumption. This intake is associated with increased odds of overweight and obesity. Awareness of alcohol calories needs to be improved.

Food-derived exosome-like nanoparticles pass through the intestinal tract throughout our lives, but little is known about their impact or function. Here, as a proof of concept, we show that the cells targeted by grape exosome-like nanoparticles (GELNs) are intestinal stem cells whose responses underlie the GELN-mediated intestinal tissue remodeling and protection against dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. This finding is further supported by the fact that coculturing of crypt or sorted Lgr5 super(+) stem cells with GELNs markedly improved organoid formation. GELN lipids play a role in induction of Lgr5 super(+) stem cells, and the liposome-like nanoparticles (LLNs) assembled with lipids from GELNs are required for in vivo targeting of intestinal stem cells. Blocking beta -catenin-mediated signaling pathways of GELN recipient cells attenuates the production of Lgr5 super(+) stem cells. Thus, GELNs not only modulate intestinal tissue renewal processes, but can participate in the remodeling of it in response to pathological triggers.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an adult onset neurodegenerative disease that causes progressive paralysis and death due to degeneration of motoneurons in spinal cord, brainstem and motor cortex. Nowadays, there is no effective therapy and patients die 2-5 years after diagnosis. Resveratrol (trans-3,4',5-trihydroxystilbene) is a natural polyphenol found in grapes, with promising neuroprotective effects since it induces expression and activation of several neuroprotective pathways involving Sirtuin1 and AMPK. The objective of this work was to assess the effect of resveratrol administration on SOD1 super(G93A) ALS mice. We determined the onset of symptoms by rotarod test and evaluated upper and lower motoneuron function using electrophysiological tests. We assessed the survival of the animals and determined the number of spinal motoneurons. Finally, we further investigated resveratrol mechanism of action by means of western blot and immunohistochemical analysis. Resveratrol treatment from 8 weeks of age significantly delayed disease onset and preserved lower and upper motoneuron function in female and male animals. Moreover, resveratrol significantly extended SOD1 super(G93A) mice lifespan and promoted survival of spinal motoneurons. Delayed resveratrol administration from 12 weeks of age also improved spinal motoneuron function preservation and survival. Further experiments revealed that resveratrol protective effects were associated with increased expression and activation of Sirtuin 1 and AMPK in the ventral spinal cord. Both mediators promoted normalization of the autophagic flux and, more importantly, increased mitochondrial biogenesis in the SOD1 super(G93A) spinal cord. Taken together, our findings suggest that resveratrol may represent a promising therapy for ALS.

Geographic information systems (GIS) analysis tools are used to compare the distribution of vineyards of the Cabernet Sauvignon and Pais varietals in the interior drylands of the San Javier and Cauquenes counties, Maule Region, Chile. These grape varieties present a clear dichotomy. While the Pais vine has experienced a dramatic decline in acreage, Cabernet Sauvignon has registered an explosive growth over the past three decades. In terms of production management, both varieties represent opposites of the wine industry in Chile, tradition vs modernization. Land conditions where these vineyards are cultivated were characterized considering physical parameters such as climate, soil type and landscape, plus others related to human factors such as the existence of markets, inputs suppliers, technical assistance and, accessibility conditions. Geographical areas with a varying degree of fitness for wine-growing crops was delimited according to the weighted parameters and processed by GIS. Thereafter, the spatial distribution of both varietals in these sites was compared using Fragstats software to determinate parameters such as the number of patches, density, and connectance between them. Results show the tendency of the Pais vine to be located in sectors with medium or low suitability for wine-growing crops, responding more to a cultural trend than to technical decisions for their plantation; unlike Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards that tend to concentrate in sectors with the greatest aptitude.

IntroductionIt is unclear whether the risk of alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is related to amount of alcohol consumed (dose effect) or is independent of alcohol consumption above a given threshold (J Hepatol 2004; 41:25). The perception that women are more susceptible to ALD than men is based partly on observations that alcohol consumption in women with ALD is less than that of men with ALD. We have previously (Am J Gastro 2008; 103:3039) characterised two large cohorts of heavy drinkers (>60Units/wk (M) or >40Units/wk (F) for >5years): patients with decompensated ALD and controls without serious liver disease on clinical, laboratory and ultrasound examination. Here, we aimed to compare total lifetime alcohol consumption (TLA) between these cohorts and to examine male-female differences in consumption.MethodsSubjects (328 patients, 233 male, mean age 48yr and 237 heavy-drinking controls, 187 male, mean age 48yr) completed a lifetime alcohol questionnaire. Total alcohol consumption was calculated and the predominant beverage group recorded, separately, at home and outside home, and during Monday-Thursday and Friday-Sunday. Data were summed over each stable drinking period in the subject's lifetime. For individual beverage analysis, we assumed that all alcohol consumed in a given circumstance was the stated predominant beverage. Body weight data were available in 216 controls and (pre-fluid overload) in 198 patients.ResultsTLA was (median (IQR)) 118 (80-175) 103 Units in patients and 131 (93-183) 103 units in controls (p=0.041) by Mann-Whitney): 9 (6-12)-fold and 9 (7-12)-fold higher respectively than the minimum specified by the above inclusion criteria. TLA, corrected for body wt was similar in patients and controls. Females with ALD consumed less total alcohol (absolute 85 (52-11) vs 136 (94-193) 103 units (p<0.01) and corrected for wt (p=0.04)), and also, less beer (p=0.001) but more wine (p<0.001) and a trend towards more spirits (p=0.166) over their lifetime than did males with ALD. However, female controls showed similar significant differences from male controls: lower TLA (both absolute 82 (69-119) vs 145 (108-193) 103 Units) and corrected for body weight) and also, less beer, more wine and more spirits (all comparisons p less than or equal to 0.001).ConclusionThe higher total alcohol consumption in controls than in patients is more consistent with a threshold effect then a dose effect of alcohol for development of ALD. Male-female differences in consumption are independent of the presence of liver disease and therefore, are not evidence per se of increased female susceptibility to ALD, although the data do not exclude this.Competing interestsNone declared.

BackgroundAlcohol sales coverage (reported consumption as a percentage of total sales) is typically 40-60%. This study explores how accidental under-estimation of alcohol in drinks poured at home might contribute to low sales coverage.Methods283 drinking adults (16+) completed a face-to-face survey comprising a questionnaire and pouring task on 12 occasions at six sites in and near London in summer 2011. Actual and perceived number of units poured in a 'usual glass' of wines and spirits is explored by demographic and social factors.ResultsThere were 283 participants (54% women) who completed the questionnaire and pouring task. The 283 participants poured a total of 465 glasses of wine and spirits. 52% wine estimates and 42% spirit estimates were within 0.5 units of their actual value. More participants over-estimated the amount of alcohol they had poured than under-estimated. Multinomial logistic regression found significant risk factors for under-estimating wine were increasing volume of wine poured (RRR 1.02 95% CI 1.01-1.02, P<0.0001), belonging to a non-white ethnicity (RRR 3.88, 1.65-9.16, P=0.002), and being unemployed or retired (RRR 4.30, 1.08-17.07, P=0.038). Only the volume of spirits poured was a significant predictor of under-estimating spirits (RRR 1.04, 1.01-1.06, P=0.003). For both wines and spirits, not having a degree was significantly associated with an increased risk of over-estimating the amount of alcohol poured.ConclusionAs participants were more likely to over-estimate than under-estimate, this survey is not able to explain low sales coverage as a product of accidental under-estimation of the amount of alcohol poured drinks drunk at home. A future qualitative study will explore how recall accuracy may contribute to low sales coverage.