On the interrelation between alcohol addiction–like behaviors in rats

Rationale Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a complex, heterogeneous disorder that only occurs in a minority of alcohol users. Various behavioral constructs, including excessive intake, habit formation, motivation for alcohol and resistance to punishment have been implicated in AUD, but their interrelatedness is unclear. Objective The aim of this study was therefore to explore the relation between these AUD-associated behavioral constructs in rats. We hypothesised that a subpopulation of animals could be identified that, based on these measures, display consistent AUD-like behavior. Methods Lister Hooded rats (n = 47) were characterised for alcohol consumption, habit formation, motivation for alcohol and quinine-adulterated alcohol consumption. The interrelation between these measures was evaluated through correlation and cluster analyses. In addition, addiction severity scores were computed using different combinations of the behavioral measures, to assess the consistency of the AUD-like subpopulation. Results We found that the data was uniformly distributed, as there was no significant tendency of the behavioral measures to cluster in the dataset. On the basis of multiple ranked addiction severity scores, five animals (~ 11%) were classified as displaying AUD-like behavior. The composition of the remaining subpopulation of animals with the highest addiction severity score (9 rats; ~ 19%) varied, depending on the combination of measures included. Conclusion Consistent AUD-like behavior was detected in a small proportion of alcohol drinking rats. Alcohol consumption, habit formation, motivation for alcohol and punishment resistance contribute in varying degrees to the AUD-like phenotype across the population. These findings emphasise the importance of considering the heterogeneity of AUD-like behavior.

Semen and Spermatozoa Characteristics in Alcohol Users and Non-Users

Introduction: Increasing infertility rate worldwide raises research to investigate plausible reason health community. To find out the characteristics of semen and spermatozoa in alcohol users and compare these characteristics with that of non-users of alcohol. Methodology: The data on alcohol use and semen analysis were obtained from case records of patients reported to the Department of Andrology & Reproductive Medicine of a tertiary care hospital for a period of one year from January 2018 to December 2018. The semen volume, sperm concentration, motility and morphology in alcohol users were compared with non-users. Results: A total of 231 patients had reported to the Department of Andrology & Reproductive Medicine during the study period. Among them 81 (35.06%) were alcohol users and 150 (64.94%) alcohol non-users. Analysis of their semen reports revealed that the difference in semen volume and sperm morphology was not found to be statistically significant, but the sperm concentration and progressive motility of spermatozoa showed significant reduction in alcohol users compared to non – users (p<0.05). Conclusion: The semen volume and sperm quality were found to be low in alcohol users. Among the spermatozoa characteristics, sperm concentration and motility were significantly reduced in alcohol users.

Oral Cancer around Dental Implants: Are the Clinical Manifestations and the Oncogenic Mechanisms Unique?

Osseointegrated implants have been an optimal treatment option for dental rehabilitation of fully or partially edentulous patients. Although peri-implantitis remains as the most common local risk factor for dental implant failure, the development of oral cancer involving the soft tissue around the titanium may lead to early implants loss and impact the quality of life of the patient negatively. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common malignancy among head and neck tumors. It has higher prevalence in men over 50 years old, and in tobacco and/or alcohol users. Unfortunately, oral cancer is often detected in advanced stages, when the treatment options are limited. Thus, OSCC typically has poor prognosis. Despite the recent advances in oral carcinogenesis understanding, the relationship between dental implants and the development of malignant lesions around them is not completely understood. It has been suggested that the titanium corrosion occurring at the top of dental implants causes the release of metal ions. These ions might lead to oral epithelial genetic damage and higher susceptibility of normal mucosa to malignant transformation. The aim of this chapter was to review the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, and the possible carcinogenic mechanisms involved in oral cancer around dental implants.

Prevalence and Clinical Profiling of Dysglycemia and HIV infection in Persons with Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Brazil

Background: There are scarce data on the prevalence and disease presentation of HIV in patients with tuberculosis (TB) and dysglycemia (diabetes [DM] and prediabetes [PDM]), especially in TB-endemic countries. Methods: We assessed the baseline epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients with culture-confirmed pulmonary TB, enrolled in a multicenter prospective cohort in Brazil (RePORT-Brazil) during 2015-2019. Dysglycemia was defined by elevated glycated hemoglobin and stratified as PDM or DM. Additionally, we used data from TB cases obtained through the Brazilian National Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN), during 2015-2019. In SINAN, diagnosis of diabetes was based on self-report. Logistic regression models were performed to test independent associations between HIV, dysglycemia status, and other baseline characteristics in both cohorts. Results: In the RePORT-Brazil cohort, the prevalence of DM and of PDM was 23.7% and 37.8%, respectively. Furthermore, the prevalence of HIV was 21.4% in the group of persons with TB-dysglycemia and 20.5% in that of patients with TBDM. In the SINAN cohort, the prevalence of DM was 9.2%, and among the TBDM group the prevalence of HIV was 4.1%. Logistic regressions demonstrated that aging was independently associated with PDM or DM in both the RePORT-Brazil and SINAN cohorts. In RePORT-Brazil, illicit drug use was associated with PDM, whereas a higher body mass index (BMI) was associated with DM occurrence. Of note, HIV was not associated with an increased risk of PDM or DM in patients with pulmonary TB in both cohorts. Moreover, in both cohorts, the TBDM-HIV group presented with a lower proportion of positive sputum smear and a higher frequency of tobacco and alcohol users. Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of dysglycemia in patients with pulmonary TB in Brazil, regardless of the HIV status. This reinforces the idea that DM should be systematically screened in persons with TB. Presence of HIV does not substantially impact clinical presentation in persons with TBDM, although it is associated with more frequent use of recreational drugs and smear negative sputum samples during TB screening.

Exposure to famine in early life and self-rated health status among Chinese adults: a cross-sectional study from the Chinese Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS)

ObjectiveChina’s Great Famine between 1959 and 1961 has contributed to numerous adverse health outcomes in Chinese. This study aimed to examine the association between exposure to famine in early life and self-rated health (SRH) in adulthood.Methods4418 Chinese adults from the 2011 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study were included in the analysis. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to estimate adjusted ORs (aORs) and 95% CIs of the association between exposure to famine in early life and SRH, stratified by sex.ResultsParticipants exposed to famine during infancy were more likely to report poor SRH (aOR 1.33; 95% CI 1.04 to 1.70) compared with the non-exposed group, adjusting for confounders. Males were 32% less likely than females to report poor SRH (aOR 0.68; 95% CI 0.54 to 0.86). Participants diagnosed with chronic diseases (aOR 3.11; 95% CI 2.68 to 3.61), disability (aOR 1.82; 95% CI 1.38 to 2.38) and vision impairment (aOR 2.07; 95% CI 1.72 to 2.49) were more likely to report poor SRH. Participants who were current alcohol users and with abnormal weight were less likely to report poor SRH. Stratification by sex showed no significant association between famine and SRH among males, but a consistently significant association was observed among females (aOR 1.46; 95% CI 1.02 to 2.12).ConclusionsFindings from this study indicated that females exposed to famine in China during infancy were more likely to report poor SRH in their adulthood. Implementing interventions to those who were exposed to famine in early life, especially for females, may improve their long-term consequences.

Serum levels of inhibitory costimulatory molecules and correlations with levels of innate immune cytokines in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis

Objective To analyze serum levels of inhibitory costimulatory molecules and their correlations with innate immune cytokine levels in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). Methods Data for 280 PTB patients and 280 healthy individuals were collected. Serum levels of immune molecules were measured using ELISA. Univariate, multivariate, subgroup, matrix correlation, and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were performed. Results Host, environment, lifestyle, clinical features, and medical history all influenced PTB. Serum levels of soluble programmed death ligand 1 (sPD-L1), soluble T-cell immunoglobulin- and mucin-domain–containing molecule 3 (sTim-3), soluble galectin-9 (sGal-9), interleukin (IL)-4, and IL-33 were significantly higher in patients with PTB, while levels of IL-12, IL-23, IL-18, and interferon (IFN)-γ were significantly lower. Serum levels of sTim-3 were higher in alcohol users. Levels of sTim-3 were negatively correlated with those of IL-12. Levels of IL-12, IL-23, and IL-18 were positively correlated with those of IFN-γ, while levels of IL-12 were negatively correlated with those of IL-4. The areas under the curve of sPD-L1, sTim-3, sGal-9, IL-12, IL-23, IL-18, IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-33 for identifying PTB were all >0.77. Conclusions Inhibitory costimulatory molecules may be targets for controlling PTB. Immune molecules may be helpful for diagnosis of PTB.

Polysubstance Use Is Positively Associated with Gaming Disorder Symptom Severity: A Latent Class Analytical Study

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> The link between gaming disorder (GD) and substance use amongst adolescents is not clear. Some studies reported positive associations, whereas others suggested that alcohol and illicit drug use are not related to GD severity. <b><i>Objectives:</i></b> The present study aimed to identify empirically based latent classes of alcohol and illicit drug use amongst adolescents and explore their associations with GD symptom severity and whether endorsement of specific criteria of GD is linked to the membership of latent classes of alcohol and illicit drug use. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Data of the national sample of Hungarian adolescents from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children survey (<i>N</i> = 2,768; females: 52.08%; mean age: 16.73 years) were analysed. Measures for frequency of alcohol and illicit drug use, gaming, GD symptom severity, and life satisfaction were included in the analyses. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Latent class analysis discriminated 4 subgroups of alcohol and illicit drug use: polysubstance users, high-risk alcohol users, moderate alcohol users, and infrequent substance users. Polysubstance users presented significantly higher levels of GD symptom severity and higher odds for endorsement of criteria of “giving up other activities” and “negative consequences.” <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Positive associations were shown between higher GD severity and the polysubstance using class. The roles of criteria of “giving up other activities” and “negative consequences” were highlighted in more severe substance use patterns. However, GD severity and criteria did not differ as a function of the level of alcohol use. These findings may imply common roots of GD and illicit drug use in adolescents.