Alcohol and Health

Author(s):  
P.K. Newby

How is alcohol handled in the body? Alcohol is among the only drugs consumed regularly in the diet other than caffeine. It is water-soluble and distributed into all tissues and fluids in relative proportion to water content. As a result, equal quantities of alcohol...

1951 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 399-418 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Pradhan ◽  
S. C. Bhatia

The relationship was studied between susceptibility of a number of different species of insects to HCN fumigation and the recovery of HCN from them immediately after fumigation.The test insects used were Tribolium castaneum, seventh stage caterpillars of Corcyra cephalonica, first-and second-instar nymphs of Drosicha sp., third-and fourthinstar nymphs of Drosicha sp. and adult females of Drosicha sp.The apparatus and methods used in the fumigation and in the recovery of HCN from the fumigated insects are fully described.Preliminary expsriments showed that the processes of distillation and redistillation did not affect the recovery of HCN but that the result obtained for recovery from distillation could be affected if some volatile reducing substance were produced and carried over to the distillate. It was found that this did actually take place in the case of one of the test insects—T. castaneum—but that redistillation got rid of the impurity.In the main experiments it was shown that, on the assumption that the concentration of HCN to which insects are exposed is the effective dosage, the susceptibility of the test insects varied in the following descending order : firstand second-stage nymphs of Drosicha sp. > third- and fourth-stage nymphs of Drosicha sp.>C. cephalonica> T. castaneum>the adult females of Drosicha sp.When the same insects were arranged in descending order of the quantities of HCN recovered per 100 gm. of body weight, the order was identical except for the nymphs of Drosicha sp. which occupied a different relative position. The two categories of nymphs of Drosicha sp. were found to occupy a different relative position again with regard to the other three test insects when exposed to a superlethal concentration and assessed for recovery of HCN per 100 gr. body weight.Parallel batches of T. castaneum and C. cephalonica were fumigated and the HCN was recovered from the dead and survivors. More HCN was recovered from the dead insects than from those that survived.Both recovery and sorption of HCN were estimated separately in parallel batches of insects (adult females of Drosicha sp. and C. cephalonica). Recovery was found to be less than sorption showing that a part of the HCN absorbed is converted into a non-recoverable state. Further, that the weight of HCN sorbed per gram body weight of adult females of Drosicha sp. is much less than in the case of C. cephalonica under similar conditions of fumigation and that the amount of HCN converted into non-recoverable products is less in Drosicha adults than in C. cephalonica.A comparison of the water content of T. castaneum, C. cephalonica and Drosicha sp. (adults) showed that there was a positive correlation between water content and higher susceptibility to HCN and greater recovery of HCN was also indicated. It is suggested that this may be a factor in the “ Surface Resistance ” of an insec to a fumigant.The observations of previous workers that larger amounts are sorbed by or recovered (after fumigation) from more susceptible species than for those less susceptible was corroborated by the results obtained with C. cephalonica, T. castaneum and adult females of Drosicha sp. but not with those from nymphs of Drosicha sp.When dosage-mortality graphs were prepared by taking the amount of HCN recovered per gram body weight as an index of internal dose, the order of resistance of different test insects based on this new criterion was found to be entirely different from that based on the usual criterion of the concentration of HCN in the fumatorium being the index of effective dosage.These apparently anomalous observations may be explained by assuming that the resistance shown by an insect in an actual fumigation operation, i.e., to the concentration of HCN to which it is exposed (external dose) is what may be called the total “ Effective Resistance ” and that this “ Effective Resistance ” is the resultant of (a) “ Surface Resistance ” to the entry of fumigant and (b) “ Internal Resistance ” to the amount of HCN which actually gains entry into the body in some way or other. Thus the “Effective Resistance ” of an insect may be due to a combination either of low “ Surface Resistance ” and high “ Internal Resistance ”, giving a very low “ Effective Resistance ” as in the case of C. cephalonica, or vice versa giving the maximum “ Effective Resistance ” as in adult females of Drosicha sp. The lower recovery of HCN from the nymphs of Drosicha sp., although they were more susceptible to fumigation than C. cephalonica, is explained by their higher “ Surface Resistance ” combined with a very much lower “ Internal Resistance ”, leading to a lower “ Effective Resistance ”.


1971 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
pp. 651-665 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. M. HUGHES ◽  
R. GAYMER ◽  
MARGARET MOORE ◽  
A. J. WOAKES

1. The O2 consumption and CO2 release of nine giant tortoises Testudo gigantea (weight range 118 g-35·5 kg) were measured at a temperature of about 25·5°C. Four European tortoises Testudo hermanni (weight range 640 g-2·16 kg) were also used. The mean RQ values obtained were 1·01 for T. gigantea and 0·97 for T. hermanni. These values were not influenced by activity or size. 2. The data was analysed by plotting log/log regression lines relating body weight to O2 consumption. Both maximum and minimum metabolic rates recorded for each individual T. gigantea showed a negative correlation with body weight. For active rates the relation was O2 consumption = 140·8W0·97, whereas for inactive animals O2 consumption = 45·47W0·82. 3. The maximum rates were obtained from animals that were observed to be active in the respirometer and the minimum rates from animals that remained quiet throughout. The scope for activity increased with body size, being 82 ml/kg/h for animals of 100 g and 103 ml/kg/h for 100 kg animals. The corresponding ratio between maximum and minimum rates increases from about 2 to 6 for the same weight range. 4. Values for metabolic rate in T. hermanni seem to be rather lower than in T. gigantea. Analysis of the relative proportion of the shell and other organs indicates that the shell forms about 31% of the body weight in adult T. hermanni but only about 18% in T. gigantea of similar size. The shell is not appreciably heavier in adult T. gigantea (about 20%). 5. Data obtained for inactive animals is in good agreement with results of other workers using lizards and snakes. Previous evidence suggesting that chelonians show no reduction in metabolic rate with increasing size is not considered to conflict with data obtained in the present work.


2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 1023-1037 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Mouchel-Vallon ◽  
P. Bräuer ◽  
M. Camredon ◽  
R. Valorso ◽  
S. Madronich ◽  
...  

Abstract. The gas phase oxidation of organic species is a multigenerational process involving a large number of secondary compounds. Most secondary organic species are water-soluble multifunctional oxygenated molecules. The fully explicit chemical mechanism GECKO-A (Generator of Explicit Chemistry and Kinetics of Organics in the Atmosphere) is used to describe the oxidation of organics in the gas phase and their mass transfer to the aqueous phase. The oxidation of three hydrocarbons of atmospheric interest (isoprene, octane and α-pinene) is investigated for various NOx conditions. The simulated oxidative trajectories are examined in a new two dimensional space defined by the mean oxidation state and the solubility. The amount of dissolved organic matter was found to be very low (yield less than 2% on carbon atom basis) under a water content typical of deliquescent aerosols. For cloud water content, 50% (isoprene oxidation) to 70% (octane oxidation) of the carbon atoms are found in the aqueous phase after the removal of the parent hydrocarbons for low NOx conditions. For high NOx conditions, this ratio is only 5% in the isoprene oxidation case, but remains large for α-pinene and octane oxidation cases (40% and 60%, respectively). Although the model does not yet include chemical reactions in the aqueous phase, much of this dissolved organic matter should be processed in cloud drops and modify both oxidation rates and the speciation of organic species.


1989 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 853-859 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald C. Wester ◽  
Howard I. Maibach

Contaminants exist in ground and surface water. Human skin has the capacity to bind and then absorb these contaminants into the body during swimming and bathing. Powdered human stratum corneum will bind both lipid-soluble (alachlor, polychlorinated biphenyls [PCBs], benzene) and water-soluble (nitroaniline) chemicals. In vitro (human skin) and in vivo (Rhesus monkey) studies show that these chemicals readily distribute into skin, and then some of the chemical is absorbed into the body. Linearity in binding and absorption exists for nitroaniline over a 10-fold concentration range. Multiple exposure to benzene is at least cumulative. Binding and absorption can be significant for exposures as short as 30 min, and will increase with time. Absorption with water dilution increased for alachlor, but not for dinoseb. Soap reversed the partitioning of alachlor between human stratum corneum and water. The PCBs could be removed from skin by soap and water (70% efficiency) for up to 3 h and then decontamination potential decreased, due to continuing skin absorption. The model in vitro and in vivo systems used should permit easy estimation of this area of extensive human exposure effect on risk assessment.


2014 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 279-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco Teixeira Andrade ◽  
Márvio Lobão Teixeira de Abreu ◽  
João Batista Lopes ◽  
Agustinho Valente de Figueiredo ◽  
Maria de Nazaré Bona Alencar Araripe ◽  
...  

Body composition analysis is relevant to characterize the nutritional requirements and finishing phase of fish. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between ichthyometric (weight, total and standard length, density and yields), bromatological (fat, protein, ash and water content) and bioelectrical-impedance-analysis (BIA) (resistance, reactance, phase angle and composition indexes) variables in the hybrid tambatinga (Colossoma macropomum × Piaractus brachypomus). In a non-fertilized vivarium, 520 juveniles were housed and fed commercial rations. Then, 136 days after hatching (DAH), 15 fish with an average weight of 37.69 g and average total length of 12.96 cm were randomly chosen, anesthetized (eugenol) and subjected to the first of fourteen fortnightly assessments (BIA and biometry). After euthanasia, the following parts were weighed: whole carcass with the head, fillet, and skin (WC); fillet with skin (FS); and the remainder of the carcass with the head (CH). Together, FS and CH were ground and homogenized for the bromatological analyses. Estimates of the body composition and yields of tambatinga, with models including ichthyometric and BIA variables, showed correlation coefficients ranging from 0.81 (for the FS yield) to 1,00 (for the total ash). Similarly, models that included only BIA variables had correlation coefficients ranging from 0.81 (FS and CH yields) to 0.98 (for the total ash). Therefore, in tambatinga, the BIA technique allows the estimation of the yield of the fillet with skin and the body composition (water content, fat, ash, and protein). The best models combine ichthyometric and BIA variables.


2019 ◽  
Vol 70 (10) ◽  
pp. 3555-3560
Author(s):  
Costinela Valerica Georgescu ◽  
Cristian Catalin Gavat ◽  
Doina Carina Voinescu

Ascorbic acid is a water-soluble vitamin provided with strong antioxidant action, that fulfills an important immune protective role of the body against infections and prevents various cancers appearance. The main goal of this study was to exactly quantify pure ascorbic acid in tablets of two pharmaceuticals. Proposed objective consisted in improvement and application of a iodometric titration method in ascorbic acid quantitative analysis. Ascorbic acid content per tablet in both studied pharmaceuticals was 173.84 mg, very close to official stated amount of active substance (180 mg). Allowed percentage deviation from declared content of pure ascorbic acid was only 3.42 %, below maximum value of � 5 % imposed by Romanian Pharmacopoeia 10-th Edition, according to European and International standards. Statistical analysis confirmed experimental obtained results and revealed low Standard Error value SE = 0.214476, which has fallen within normal limits. Confidence Level value (95.0 %) = 0.551328 and Standard Deviation SD = 0.525357. were within normal range of values. Relative Standard Deviation (Coefficient of variation or homogeneity) RSD = 26.268% was found below maximum range of accepted values (30-35%). P value = 7.44. 10-6 was located within normal limits, P [ 0.001, so the experimental obtained results has shown highest statistical significance. Thus, studied titration method can be successfully used in quantitative analysis of ascorbic acid from different samples.


2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Synara Cavalcante Lopes ◽  
Daniel Duarte Gadelha ◽  
Manuela Dias de Carvalho ◽  
Virgínia Oliveira Fernandes ◽  
Renan Magalhães Montenegro Junior

Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble essential micronutrient, required by all the body cells. Its deficiency has been implicated not only in hematological and neurological disorders, but also in many metabolic processes, such as insulin resistance and body composition changes, which have aroused particular interest in recent years. This study reviews the physiology of vitamin B12 from its digestion and absorption to its distribution in tissues, metabolic effects and controversies regarding the diagnosis of deficiency, and to dietary and pharmacological treatments.


1956 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
BETTY I. ROOTS

1. The water content of Lumbricus terrestris, after keeping on moist filter-paper for 3 or 4 days, is 84.8% of its body weight. That of Allolobophora chlorotica is 80% of its body weight. Both species can survive a loss of 60% of the body weight, but not much more. 2. Earthworms of the species A. chlorotica, A. terrestris f. longa, Dendrobaena subrubicunda, L. rubellus and L. terrestris are all able to survive from 31 to 50 weeks in soil totally submerged beneath aerated water. The same species, and A. caliginosa can survive for 72-137 days in aerated tap water without food. 3. Garden specimens of A. chlorotica make U-shaped burrows in soil beneath water. They do not irrigate either the burrows or glass tubes. Egg-cocoons of A. chlorotica, taken from culture pots of soil, will hatch under water and the young worms will feed and grow though totally immersed.


Development ◽  
1968 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-101
Author(s):  
P. Carinci ◽  
L. Manzoli-Guidotti

Water-soluble proteins, mainly livetins (α-, β-, γ-), are present in hen egg yolk (Martin, Vandegaer & Cook, 1957). They represent 5% of fresh yolk solids (Saito, Martin & Cook, 1965). During the later stages of incubation the watersoluble proteins (water-soluble fraction, WSF) undergo a marked increase in relative proportion; after 15 days of incubation they form over 15% and at 18 days over 40% of yolk-residual solids (Saito et al. 1965). This proportional increase of the WSF is tentatively explained by the passage of egg-white proteins into yolk (Mclndoe, 1960; Saito et al. 1965). Indeed some egg-white proteins (ovalbumin, conalbumin and lysozyme) have been found in the yolk from 14 to 15 days of incubation (Saito & Martin, 1966; Carinci, Wegelin & Manzoli-Guidotti, 1966). At these stages ovalbumin is present in the yolk in such a great quantity that it is difficult to detect qualitative and quantitative changes of other proteins without resorting to further fractionations.


1954 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 165-187
Author(s):  
BARBARA H. DAINTON

1. The effect of moisture and temperature on the activity of slugs has been investigated in the laboratory and in the field. 2. Atmospheric moisture has no direct effect on activity, though it may limit the duration of activity by influencing the water content of the body. Animals of high water content are not inherently active but they respond more readily to other stimuli than animals of low water content. 3. Between 4 and 20° C. activity is induced by falling temperatures and suppressed by rising temperatures. Temperature changes as slight as 0.1° C. per hour are perceived. 4. The daily rhythm of activity and rest thus follows the normal diurnal rhythm of falling temperature by night and rising temperature by day, except when daytime mists and showers superimpose a minor fluctuation and result in daytime activity. No activity is observed on continuously wet days which are normally without such fluctuations. 5. Between 20 and 30° C. activity is induced by rising temperatures and suppressed by falling temperatures. The ecological significance of this is discussed. 6. When maintained at constant temperature slugs show a persistent but immediately and steadily deteriorating diurnal rhythm of activity and rest which could not of itself account for the regular appearance of nocturnal activity in the field. 7. In a temperature gradient slugs aggregate about a preferred temperature. The ecological significance of this is discussed. 8. The difficulty of describing these reactions in the terminology put forward by Fraenkel & Gunn (1940) is considered.


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