scholarly journals Reduced phagocytosis, ROS production and enhanced apoptosis of leukocytes upon alcohol drinking in healthy volunteers

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florian Haag ◽  
Andrea Janicova ◽  
Baolin Xu ◽  
Maciej Powerski ◽  
Melanie Fachet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Volunteers ◽  
Alcohol Drinking ◽  
Alcohol Misuse ◽  
Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Cellular Functions ◽  
Intracellular Ros ◽  
Late Apoptosis ◽  
Leukocyte Counts ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Alcohol drinking is associated with a serious risk of developing health problems as well as with a large number of traumatic injuries. Although chronic alcohol misuse is known to contribute to severe inflammatory complications, the effects of an acute alcohol misuse are still unclear. Here, the impact of acute alcohol drinking on leukocyte counts and their cellular functions were studied. Methods Twenty-two healthy volunteers (12 female, 10 male) received a predefined amount of a whiskey-cola mixed drink (40% v/v), at intervals of 20 min, over 4 h to achieve a blood alcohol concentration of 1‰. Blood samples were taken before drinking T0, 2 h (T2), 4 h (T4), 6 h (T6), 24 h (T24) and 48 h (T48) after starting drinking alcohol. Leukocytes, monocytes and granulocyte counts and their functions regarding the production of reactive oxidative species (ROS), phagocytosis and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry. Results Total leukocyte counts significantly increased at T2 and T4, while granulocyte and monocyte counts decreased at T4 and T6 vs. T0. Monocytes increased significantly at T24 and T48 vs. T0. While the total number of ROS-producing leukocytes and notably granulocytes significantly increased, in parallel, the intracellular ROS intensity decreased at T2 and T6. The numbers of ROS-positive monocytes have shown a delayed modulation of ROS, with a significant reduction in the total number of ROS-producing cells at T48 and a significantly reduced intracellular ROS-intensity at T24. Phagocyting capacity of leukocytes significantly decreased at T4 and T6. In general leukocytes, and notably granulocytes demonstrated significantly increased early (T2), while monocyte exerted significantly increased late apoptosis (T24 and T48). Conclusions Alcohol drinking immediately impacts leukocyte functions, while the impact on monocytes occurs at even later time points. Thus, even in young healthy subjects, alcohol drinking induces immunological changes that are associated with diminished functions of innate immune cells that persist for days.

scholarly journals Comparison of the effect of lemborexant and other insomnia treatments on driving performance: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather McElroy ◽  
Beth O’Leary ◽  
Michael Adena ◽  
Renee Campbell ◽  
Amir Abbas Tahami Monfared ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Volunteers ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Lateral Position ◽  
Driving Performance ◽  
Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Driving Under The Influence ◽  
Clinical Trial Registries ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Study Objectives This systematic literature review and meta-analysis explored the impact of lemborexant and other insomnia treatments on next-day driving performance. Methods Searches were conducted in MEDLINE ® and Embase ® on 16 May 2019, supplemented by clinical trial registries. Randomized controlled trials in healthy volunteers or people with insomnia were included if they reported a standardized on-road driving test, were published in English and included ≥1 group receiving a recommended dose of flunitrazepam, estazolam, triazolam, temazepam, brotizolam, etizolam, alprazolam, lorazepam, zolpidem, eszopiclone, zaleplon, zopiclone, trazodone, ramelteon, lemborexant, or suvorexant. Pairwise random-effects meta-analyses used the difference between each active treatment and placebo in standard deviation of lateral position (ΔSDLP). ΔSDLP of +2.4 cm, established as equivalent to a blood alcohol concentration of 0.05%, was considered clinically significant. Results Fourteen studies were included. Clinically significant differences in ΔSDLP were shown in healthy volunteers for zopiclone (10/10 studies) and ramelteon (1/1 study), and in people with insomnia for flunitrazepam (2/3 studies). Premature test termination was reported most frequently for zopiclone (5/10 studies) and was reported in two subjects for suvorexant (1/2 studies), one for flunitrazepam (1/3 studies) and one for placebo (1/12 studies). Lemborexant had no statistically or clinically significant ΔSDLP, and no premature driving test terminations. Conclusions Zopiclone, flunitrazepam and ramelteon were associated with impaired driving performance, similar to driving under the influence of alcohol. Premature test termination was reported most frequently for zopiclone, and also for suvorexant, flunitrazepam and placebo. Lemborexant had no statistically or clinically significant effect on driving performance.

Preliminary Effectiveness of Remotely Monitored Blood Alcohol Concentration Device as Treatment Modality (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank D. Buono ◽  
Colette M. Greed ◽  
Martin Boldin ◽  
Allison Aviles ◽  
Natalie Wheeler
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Alcohol Use Disorder ◽  
Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Treatment Motivation ◽  
Blood Alcohol ◽  
Limited Effectiveness ◽  
Long Term Treatment ◽  
The Impact

UNSTRUCTURED Alcohol use disorder is a chronic disorder with a high likelihood of relapse. Consistent monitoring of blood alcohol concentration through breathalyzers is critical to identifying relapse or misuse. Smartphone applications as a replacement of, or in conjunction with breathalyzers, have shown limited effectiveness. Therefore, the purpose of this research protocol manuscript is to evaluate the usage and acceptability of a wireless blood alcohol concentration device in collaboration with a long-term treatment facility to assess increased sobriety for patients with alcohol use disorder. The randomized clinical trial will be across two arms, access to the wireless breathalyzer versus no access to the breathalyzer, while both groups have access to treatment. Evaluation will last three months with a six week-follow up, during which each participant will be interviewed at admission, 1 month in, 2 months in, 3 months in and follow-up. Outcomes will focus on the acceptability of the wireless breathalyzer within the alcohol use disorder population and the impact of quality-of-life measures and clinical features on treatment motivation. In addition, we intend to identify the participants’ experiences in relationship to their treatment satisfaction and perceived support.

Driving Under the Influence: The Impact of Legislative Reform on Court Sentencing Practices

1988 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodney Kingsnorth ◽  
Michael Jungsten
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Liability ◽  
Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Plea Bargaining ◽  
Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Driving Under The Influence ◽  
Bargaining Process ◽  
Legislative Reform ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Reckless Driving

In 1982, California introduced a number of revisions into its Vehicle Code sections dealing with the prosecution and sentencing of defendants charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. These revisions included redefining the relationship between blood alcohol concentration and criminal liability, constraints upon the plea-bargaining process, and an increase in the severity of penalties. An assessment is offered, based upon a random sample of 2,091 cases from one California county, of the impact of legislative reform on court sentencing practices. While the new law succeeded in eliminating “prior conviction” bargaining, the “reduction to reckless driving” form of bargaining, though initially substantially reduced, quickly rose again to prereform levels. Contrary to expectations, trial rates increased and rates of conviction at trial decreased. Problems of court congestion were exacerbated rather than relieved. The impact of increased penalties has been substantial for some offenders and for others negligible.

scholarly journals Patterns of alcohol and drug utilization in trauma patients during the COVID-19 pandemic at six trauma centers

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Constance McGraw ◽  
Kristin Salottolo ◽  
Matthew Carrick ◽  
Mark Lieser ◽  
Robert Madayag ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Longitudinal Research ◽  
Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Trauma Patients ◽  
Blood Alcohol ◽  
Trauma Centers ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
Level I ◽  
The Impact ◽  
At Home

Abstract Background Since the national stay-at-home order for COVID-19 was implemented, clinicians and public health authorities worldwide have expressed growing concern about the potential repercussions of drug and alcohol use due to social restrictions. We explored the impact of the national stay-at-home orders on alcohol or drug use and screenings among trauma admissions. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study at six Level I trauma centers across four states. Patients admitted during the period after the onset of the COVID-19 restrictions (defined as March 16, 2020-May 31, 2020) were compared with those admitted during the same time period in 2019. We compared 1) rate of urine drug screens and blood alcohol screens; 2) rate of positivity for drugs or alcohol (blood alcohol concentration ≥ 10 mg/dL); 3) characteristics of patients who were positive for drug or alcohol, by period using chi-squared tests or Fisher’s exact tests, as appropriate. Two-tailed tests with an alpha of p < 0.05 was used on all tests. Results There were 4762 trauma admissions across the study period; 2602 (55%) in 2019 and 2160 (45%) in 2020. From 2019 to 2020, there were statistically significant increases in alcohol screens (34% vs. 37%, p = 0.03) and drug screens (21% vs. 26%, p < 0.001). Overall, the rate of alcohol positive patients significantly increased from 2019 to 2020 (32% vs. 39%, p = 0.007), while the rate of drug positive patients was unchanged (57% vs. 52%, p = 0.13). Of the 1025 (22%) patients who were positive for alcohol or drugs, there were significant increases in a history of alcoholism (41% vs. 26%, p < 0.001), and substance abuse (11% vs. 23%, p < 0.001) in the 2020 period. No other statistically significant differences were identified among alcohol or drug positive patients during COVID-19 compared to the same period in 2019. Conclusions Our first wave of COVID-19 data suggests that trauma centers were admitting significantly more patients who were alcohol positive, as well those with substance use disorders, potentially due to the impact of social restrictions and guidelines. Further longitudinal research is warranted to assess the alcohol and drug positive rates of trauma patients over the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Acute alcohol consumption increases systemic endotoxin bioactivity for days in healthy volunteers—with reduced intestinal barrier loss in female

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramona Sturm ◽  
Florian Haag ◽  
Andrea Janicova ◽  
Baolin Xu ◽  
Jan Tilmann Vollrath ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Healthy Volunteers ◽  
Alcohol Drinking ◽  
Barrier Function ◽  
Tissue Injury ◽  
Alcohol Intoxication ◽  
Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Intestinal Barrier ◽  
Fatty Acid Binding ◽  
Serum And Urine

Abstract Objective Trauma is the most common cause of death among young adults. Alcohol intoxication plays a significant role as a cause of accidents and as a potent immunomodulator of the post-traumatic response to tissue injury. Polytraumatized patients are frequently at risk to developing infectious complications, which may be aggravated by alcohol-induced immunosuppression. Systemic levels of integral proteins of the gastrointestinal tract such as syndecan-1 or intestinal fatty acid binding proteins (FABP-I) reflect the intestinal barrier function. The exact impact of acute alcohol intoxication on the barrier function and endotoxin bioactivity have not been clarified yet. Methods 22 healthy volunteers received a precisely defined amount of alcohol (whiskey–cola) every 20 min over a period of 4 h to reach the calculated blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 1‰. Blood samples were taken before alcohol drinking as a control, and after 2, 4, 6, 24 and 48 h after beginning with alcohol consumption. In addition, urine samples were collected. Intestinal permeability was determined by serum and urine values of FABP-I, syndecan-1, and soluble (s)CD14 as a marker for the endotoxin translocation via the intestinal barrier by ELISA. BAC was determined. Results Systemic FABP-I was significantly reduced 2 h after the onset of alcohol drinking, and remained decreased after 4 h. However, at 6 h, FABP-I significantly elevated compared to previous measurements as well as to controls (p < 0.05). Systemic sCD14 was significantly elevated after 6, 24 and 48 h after the onset of alcohol consumption (p < 0.05). Systemic FABP-I at 2 h after drinking significantly correlated with the sCD14 concentration after 24 h indicating an enhanced systemic LPS bioactivity. Women showed significantly lower levels of syndecan-1 in serum and urine and urine for all time points until 6 h and lower FABP-I in the serum after 2 h. Conclusions Even relative low amounts of alcohol affect the immune system of healthy volunteers, although these changes appear minor in women. A potential damage to the intestinal barrier and presumed enhanced systemic endotoxin bioactivity after acute alcohol consumption is proposed, which represents a continuous immunological challenge for the organism and should be considered for the following days after drinking.

scholarly journals Alcohol Drinking and Blood Alcohol Concentration Revisited

2017 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 260-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julian E. Dilley ◽  
Emily R. Nicholson ◽  
Stephen M. Fischer ◽  
Robin Zimmer ◽  
Janice C. Froehlich
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Drinking ◽  
Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Blood Alcohol

scholarly journals The Impact of Alcohol on L1 versus L2

2020 ◽  
pp. 002383092095316
Author(s):  
Tom F. Offrede ◽  
Jidde Jacobi ◽  
Teja Rebernik ◽  
Lisanne de Jong ◽  
Stefanie Keulen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Motor Control ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Alcohol Intoxication ◽  
First Language ◽  
Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Fine Motor ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Behavior And Cognition

Alcohol intoxication is known to affect many aspects of human behavior and cognition; one of such affected systems is articulation during speech production. Although much research has revealed that alcohol negatively impacts pronunciation in a first language (L1), there is only initial evidence suggesting a potential beneficial effect of inebriation on articulation in a non-native language (L2). The aim of this study was thus to compare the effect of alcohol consumption on pronunciation in an L1 and an L2. Participants who had ingested different amounts of alcohol provided speech samples in their L1 (Dutch) and L2 (English), and native speakers of each language subsequently rated the pronunciation of these samples on their intelligibility (for the L1) and accent nativelikeness (for the L2). These data were analyzed with generalized additive mixed modeling. Participants’ blood alcohol concentration indeed negatively affected pronunciation in L1, but it produced no significant effect on the L2 accent ratings. The expected negative impact of alcohol on L1 articulation can be explained by reduction in fine motor control. We present two hypotheses to account for the absence of any effects of intoxication on L2 pronunciation: (1) there may be a reduction in L1 interference on L2 speech due to decreased motor control or (2) alcohol may produce a differential effect on each of the two linguistic subsystems.

scholarly journals Alcohol Consumption of Patients Attending Two Accident and Emergency Departments in North-West England

1987 ◽  
Vol 80 (8) ◽  
pp. 486-489 ◽  
Author(s):  
D W Yates ◽  
J M Hadfield ◽  
K Peters
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Emergency Departments ◽  
Head Injuries ◽  
Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Ankle Sprains ◽  
North West ◽  
Clinical Records ◽  
The Impact ◽  
At Home

The impact of alcohol use on the workload of two accident & emergency departments in north-west England was assessed by blood alcohol concentration (BAC) measurement, inspection of clinical records and interview of all patients aged 16 and over attending throughout a two-week period. The frequency of intoxication was similar to the previous reported rate in Scotland: 13.2% of all patients had a positive BAC. Inebriated injured patients arrived at all times of the day — varying in frequency from 2.5% of midday attenders to 78% of those presenting after midnight. The incidence of alcohol-related industrial accidents was low, but 60% of all assaulted patients were inebriated, many having sustained head injuries. Of patients attending within 2 hours of an accident at home, 19% also had a positive BAC, but 92% of those with ankle sprains were sober. Patients in lower social classes reported higher rates of alcohol consumption. The popularity of beer in comparison to wines and spirits was inversely related to age and unrelated to social class. Alcohol abuse is commonly associated with injuries sustained at home and with assaults occurring in public places. Prevention campaigns directed at the reduction of these types of incidents should be as concerned with the inebriation of the patient as with the architectural, environmental and legal framework within which the ‘accident’ occurs.

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