Mitigating Grapevine Red Blotch Virus Impact on Final Wine Composition

Grapevine red blotch virus (GRBV), the causative agent of red blotch disease, causes significant decreases in sugar and anthocyanin accumulation in grapes, suggesting a delay in ripening events. Two mitigation strategies were investigated to alleviate the impact of GRBV on wine composition. Wines were made from Cabernet Sauvignon (CS) (Vitis vinifera) grapevines, grafted onto 110R and 420A rootstocks, in 2016 and 2017. A delayed harvest and chaptalization of diseased grapes were employed to decrease chemical and sensory impacts on wines caused by GRBV. Extending the ripening of the diseased fruit produced wines that were overall higher in aroma compounds such as esters and terpenes and alcohol-related (hot and alcohol) sensory attributes compared to wines made from diseased fruit harvested at the same time as healthy fruit. In 2016 only, a longer hangtime of GRBV infected fruit resulted in wines with increased anthocyanin concentrations compared to wines made from GRBV diseased fruit that was harvested at the same time as healthy fruit. Chaptalization of the diseased grapes in 2017 produced wines chemically more similar to wines made from healthy fruit. However, this was not supported by sensory analysis, potentially due to high alcohol content masking aroma characteristics.

Alcohol-based hand sanitizer-induced burns: A harsh reality in current times

Due to the recent coronavirus pandemic, there is a steep rise in the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers (ABHSs) over the past few months. For them to be effective against microorganisms, the minimum recommended concentration of alcohol is 60%. This high alcohol content makes the sanitizers easily flammable. Although, they are extremely convenient to use, they can also prove to be a hazard if used in an improper manner. Guidelines have been published for safe manufacturing and distribution of these sanitizers. There are recommendations for storage and use, which should be adhered to in a strict manner. Their use by children should always be supervised. We report four cases of burn injuries caused by injudicious use of alcohol-based sanitizers. The flammable nature of ABHSs can also be exploited as witnessed in one of our cases. With this report, we wish to emphasize that judicious and correct use of these seemingly benign products is essential.

Welfare in Russian regions and the prospects for anti-alcohol policy

Subject. This article studies the changes in the quality of human capital under the influence of expenditures on the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Objectives. The article aims to assess the relationship between the Human Development Index and the expenditures of the population of Russian regions on the alcoholic beverage purchase. Methods. For the study, I used the methods of mathematical and statistical data analyses. Results. The article identifies Russian regions with relatively high alcohol expenditures and low Human Development Index, as well as regions with high alcohol costs and relatively high and average Human Development Indices. The article proposes comprehensive measures to reduce alcohol consumption at the regional and municipal levels. Conclusions. The Human Development Index can be an indicator of the potential use of addictive goods. In Russia, it is recommended to switch to the Nordic State monopoly marketing model for addictive goods.

A Meta-Analysis of Erectile Dysfunction and Alcohol Consumption

<b><i>Purpose:</i></b> The purpose of the study was to evaluate the association between alcohol consumption and risk of erectile dysfunction (ED). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> PubMed was searched for reports published before June 2019. Data were extracted and combined odds ratios (ORs) calculated with random-effects models. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Finally, 46 studies were included (216,461 participants). The results of our meta-analysis indicated that there was a significant association between regular alcohol consumption and ED (OR 0.89, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.81–0.97). There was no indication of publication bias (Egger’s test, <i>p</i> = 0.37). In the stratified analysis, the pooled OR of ED for light to moderate and high alcohol consumption was 0.82 (95% CI: 0.72–0.94) and 0.82 (95% CI: 0.67–1.00), respectively. No variable related to the source of heterogeneity was found in univariate and multivariate meta-regression analyses. A dose-response meta-analysis suggested that a nonlinear relationship between alcohol consumption and risk of ED was observed (<i>p</i> for nonlinearity &#x3c;0.001). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> A J-shaped relationship between alcohol consumption and risk of ED was observed. Alcohol should be taken in moderate quantities in order to obtain the dual effect of disinhibition and relaxation. If taken chronically, it could provoke vascular damages.

Colorectal cancer risk in bowel adenomas based on lifestyle exposures, tissue preconditioning and DNA methylation

BackgroundColorectal cancer (CRC) is associated with patient demographics, lifestyle exposures and molecular alterations. However, it is not possible to determine which adenomas will progress to CRC, as ethically it is unacceptable to leave and follow adenomas. We hypothesised that certain lifestyle exposures at high levels could precondition exposed bowel tissue by changing and aging it, increasing the risks of deleterious DNA methylation and genetic alterations. We used a novel study design comparing adenomas with concurrent CRC (thus more likely exposed to deleterious lifestyle effects) to single adenomas in bowels with no history of CRC; we called these high (HR) and low-risk (LR) adenomas respectively.MethodsWe carried out a discovery and replication epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) on 106 HR and 111 LR adenomas, profiled with MethylationEPIC BeadChips. In order, to identify differentially methylated positions (DMP), regions (DMR), and DNAm (DNAmethylation) lifestyle exposures and risks, with adjustment for confounders, and gene ontology (GO) and pathway enrichment. Then, two open-source gene expression omnibus (GEO) validation datasets (52, 57 and 49, 48 HR and LR normal bowel tissues respectively) were analysed for these DNAm lifestyle exposures and risks, with adjustment for confounders.ResultsOur EWAS found 5 Bonferroni significant DMPs with absolute delta betas ≥ 5%, and 14 significant DMRs with absolute mean DMR delta betas ≥ 5%, replicated in the GPX7, RGS3 and TMEM135 cancer-associated genes. DNAm high alcohol exposures were strongly associated with increased risk of HR adenomas (odds ratio (OR) per standard deviation (SD) = 2.16 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.55 - 3.09, p-value = 9.7 × 10-6)). In the validation datasets, DNAm high alcohol (ORperSD = 2.12 (95% CI 1.35 - 3.55, p-value = 2.0 × 10-3) and ORperSD = 1.79 (95% CI 1.14 - 2.96, p-value = 1.7 × 10-2)), and high body mass index (BMI) exposures (ORperSD = 1.72 (95% CI 1.13 - 2.73, p-value = 1.5 × 10-2)) were associated with increased risk of HR normal bowel tissues.ConclusionsHigh alcohol and BMI exposures may precondition normal bowel tissues and adenomas for increased risk of DNA methylation alterations associated with CRC progression. The DNAm exposure signatures and our newly identified genes may be useful epigenetic biomarkers for CRC prevention.

Fermentasi Tape dan Minas dalam Perspektif Hukum Islam

This study aimed to analyze the position of tape and minas in the perspective of Islamic law, starting from the manufacturing process to its form into fermented food and drinks. This research was a qualitative research with a legal-formal approach to analyze the legal status of halal and haram fermentation of tape and minas. The results showed that the process of making tape and minas used a non-alcoholic fermentation system, namely fermentation that does not aim to form high levels of alcohol by using certain alcohol so that the element of haram is not found in the manufacturing process. In terms of legal status, the existence of tape and minas is seen from the aspect of the substance contained in the form of ethanol as part of high alcohol content. In terms of legal status, the existence of tape and minas is seen from the aspect of the substance contained in the form of ethanol as part of high alcohol content.

Tannin Content in Vitis Species Red Wines Quantified Using Three Analytical Methods

Tannin content in red wines is positively correlated with astringency perception and wine grade; however, tannin quantification is one of the main challenges. In this study, tannin content was quantified using three analytical methods in commercial red wines from Vitis vinifera and interspecific cold-hardy hybrids including Marquette, Frontenac, and Petite pearl cultivars. Protein (PP) and methylcellulose precipitation (MCP) methods were compared to a HPLC-DAD method, which is based on the interaction between tannins and a hydrophobic surface (RPC). Frontenac wines were the poorest in tannins and Cabernet sauvignon wines were the richest regardless of the method used. In cold-hardy red wines, the tannin content was higher in Marquette with high alcohol content, which suggested that the tannins were extracted from seeds rather than skins. The high limit of quantification of the PP method and the presence of anthocyanin di-glucosides in cold-hardy wines were parameters suggesting that protein and methylcellulose precipitation methods were neither suitable nor reliable for the quantification of tannins in cold-hardy red wines. The tannin content quantified by RPC was positively correlated to tannin quantified by MCP, suggesting that the RPC method would be relevant for the quantification of tannins in red wines.

The Gut Microbiome as Mediator Between Diet and its Impact on Immune Function

Background. Dietary habits may influence chronic low-grade inflammation in humans. Here we explore this interaction as well as the potential mediating role of the gut microbiome (GM), given that the GM is both involved in processing of dietary components and influences the immune system. Methods. A cross-sectional analysis of a sample of 482 healthy participants (207 males and 275 females) was performed. Dietary intake was assessed by a semiquantitative food questionnaire. Adipokines and soluble inflammatory mediators were assayed with multiple immunoassays and ELISA. Microbial DNA was extracted from frozen stool samples of the 471 participants. Polychoric correlation analysis was used to establish dietary patterns, and joint multivariate associations between these dietary patterns and immune biomarkers were studied using regression analyses with adjustment for sex, age, BMI, smoking, education levels and physical exercise and other dietary patterns. Non-parametric entropy mediation (NPEM) was applied to investigate whether diet-immune relationships are mediated by abundance of microbial species. Results. We identified 3 dietary patterns, characterized as “high-meat” (meat and sweetened drink), “prudent diet” (fish, fruit, legumes and vegetables) and “high alcohol” (higher alcohol consumption). Higher adherence to prudent diet was associated with a higher adiponectin level. The high alcohol pattern was associated with high concentrations of circulating concentrations of pro-inflammatory markers (CRP, IL-6, VEGF). Dialister invisus was found to mediate the relationship between a prudent dietary pattern and adiponectin, AAT, CRP, IL-6, and VEGF. Conclusion. A meat-based diet and a diet with high alcohol consumption were associated with high concentrations of biomarkers of chronic low-grade inflammation, and conversely, a prudent diet was associated with anti-inflammatory biomarkers. Diet-inflammation regulation may differ between sexes. Mediation analyses revealed that the association between prudent diet and immune function was partially mediated by the GM. Our study adds to our understanding of the associations between diet, the immune system and the GM in a healthy population.

Age-specific atrial fibrillation incidence, attributable risk factors and risk of stroke and mortality: results from the MORGAM Consortium

BackgroundThe main aim was to examine age-specific risk factor associations with incident atrial fibrillation (AF) and their attributable fraction in a large European cohort. Additionally, we aimed to examine risk of stroke and mortality in relation to new-onset AF across age.MethodsWe used individual-level data (n=66 951, 49.1% men, age range 40–98 years at baseline) from five European cohorts of the MOnica Risk, Genetics, Archiving and Monograph Consortium. The participants were followed for incident AF for up to 10 years and the association with modifiable risk factors from the baseline examinations (body mass index (BMI), hypertension, diabetes, daily smoking, alcohol consumption and history of stroke and myocardial infarction (MI)) was examined. Additionally, the participants were followed up for incident stroke and all-cause mortality after new-onset AF.ResultsAF incidence increased from 0.9 per 1000 person-years at baseline age 40–49 years, to 17.7 at baseline age ≥70 years. Multivariable-adjusted Cox models showed that higher BMI, hypertension, high alcohol consumption and a history of stroke or MI were associated with increased risk of AF across age groups (p<0.05). Between 30% and 40% of the AF risk could be attributed to BMI, hypertension and a history of stroke or MI. New-onset AF was associated with a twofold increase in risk of stroke and death at ages≥70 years (p≤0.001).ConclusionIn this large European cohort aged 40 years and above, risk of AF was largely attributed to BMI, high alcohol consumption and a history MI or stroke from middle age. Thus, preventive measures for AF should target risk factors such as obesity and hypertension from early age and continue throughout life.