Alcohol intake and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: a negative control analysis in the ALSPAC cohort

IntroductionAlcohol intake increases blood pressure, yet estimates of associations between maternal intake and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are sparse and range from null to a protective effect. Here we estimated the association of maternal drinking during pregnancy with preeclampsia and gestational hypertension (separately and jointly, as HDP). We used partner’s alcohol intake as a negative control exposure, beverage type-specific models, and a range of sensitivity analyses to strengthen causal inference and reduce the influence of bias.MethodsWe performed a prospective cohort study using data on self-reported alcohol intake in the UK Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents And Children (ALSPAC) and HDP ascertained from obstetric notes. Multivariable multinomial regression models were adjusted for confounders and mutually adjusted for partner’s or maternal alcohol intake in the negative control analysis. We also performed a beverage type analysis of the effect of beer and wine separately on HDP risk, due to different social patterning associated with different drinks. Sensitivity analyses assessed the robustness of results to assumptions of no recall bias, no residual confounding, and no selection bias.ResultsOf the 8,999 women eligible for inclusion, 1,490 developed HDP (17%). Both maternal and partner’s drinking were associated with decreased HDP odds (mutually adjusted odds ratio 0.86, 95% confidence interval 0.77 to 0.96, P-value=0.008 and 0.82, 0.70 to 0.97, P=0.018, respectively). We demonstrate the validity of the negative control analyses using the same approach for smoking as the exposure. This confirmed an inverse association for maternal but not partner’s smoking, as expected. Estimates were more extreme for increasing levels of wine intake compared to increasing levels of beer. Multiple sensitivity analyses did not alter our conclusions.ConclusionWe observed an inverse relationship between alcohol intake during pregnancy and risk of HDP for both maternal and, more surprisingly, partner’s drinking. We speculate that this is more likely to be due to common environmental exposures shared between pregnant women and their partners, rather than a true causal effect. This warrants further investigation using different study designs, including Mendelian randomisation.

Alcohol consumption and the risk of gastric intestinal metaplasia in a U.S. Veterans population

Background Chronic alcohol use is a risk factor for non-cardia gastric adenocarcinoma. However, it is less well understood whether alcohol use is a risk factor for premalignant mucosal changes, namely gastric intestinal metaplasia. We examined the association between various parameters of alcohol use and risk of gastric intestinal metaplasia. Methods We used data from 2084 participants (including 403 with gastric intestinal metaplasia) recruited between February 2008-August 2013 into a cross-sectional study at the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Houston, Texas. All participants underwent a study upper endoscopy with systematic gastric mapping biopsies. Cases had intestinal metaplasia on any non-cardia gastric biopsy. Participants self-reported lifetime history of alcohol consumption, along with other lifestyle risk factors, through a study survey. We calculated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for categories of average alcohol consumption using multivariable logistic regression, and restricted cubic spline regression to explore the potential shape of a dose-response relationship. Results Compared to lifelong non-drinkers, individuals who consumed on average ≥28 drinks per week had no elevated risk for gastric intestinal metaplasia (adjusted OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 0.74–2.19). Based on a spline regression curve and its 95% CI, there was also no demonstrable association between cumulative lifetime alcohol consumption and risk of gastric intestinal metaplasia. Similarly, we found no association between beverage type (beer, wine, liquor/spirits) and risk for gastric intestinal metaplasia. Conclusions Neither amount of alcohol consumed nor specific beverage type was associated with risk of gastric intestinal metaplasia.

Alcohol Use Disorders and Their Harmful Effects on the Contractility of Skeletal, Cardiac and Smooth Muscles

Alcohol misuse has deleterious effects on personal health, family, societal units, and global economies. Moreover, alcohol misuse usually leads to several diseases and conditions, including alcoholism, which is a chronic condition and a form of addiction. Alcohol misuse, whether as acute intoxication or alcoholism, adversely affects skeletal, cardiac and/or smooth muscle contraction. Ethanol (ethyl alcohol) is the main effector of alcohol-induced dysregulation of muscle contractility, regardless of alcoholic beverage type or the ethanol metabolite (with acetaldehyde being a notable exception). Ethanol, however, is a simple and “promiscuous” ligand that affects many targets to mediate a single biological effect. In this review, we firstly summarize the processes of excitation-contraction coupling and calcium homeostasis which are critical for the regulation of contractility in all muscle types. Secondly, we present the effects of acute and chronic alcohol exposure on the contractility of skeletal, cardiac, and vascular/ nonvascular smooth muscles. Distinctions are made between in vivo and in vitro experiments, intoxicating vs. sub-intoxicating ethanol levels, and human subjects vs. animal models. The differential effects of alcohol on biological sexes are also examined. Lastly, we show that alcohol-mediated disruption of muscle contractility, involves a wide variety of molecular players, including contractile proteins, their regulatory factors, membrane ion channels and pumps, and several signaling molecules. Clear identification of these molecular players constitutes a first step for a rationale design of pharmacotherapeutics to prevent, ameliorate and/or reverse the negative effects of alcohol on muscle contractility.

Impact of different alcohol beverages on cardiovascular system

Introduction: Alcohol is one of the most widely-used stimulants. It’s easily accessible, most socially accepted and usually not associated with potential harm it can do. Except for its addictive effect, it has a strong influence on humane systems. In this analysis the influence of alcohol on the cardiovascular system will be examined. As it is not obvious whether alcohol usage should be only associated with harmful impact on cardiac activity, different types of alcoholic beverages should be examined. In this work three different sub-groups will be analyzed. They were selected and divided by the beverage type and percentage as follows: beer, wine, high percentage liquors. As the majority of studies show, it’s important to underline the significance of not only the alcohol percentage implied, but mostly of the alcohol type. In favor of alcoholic beverages are only studies analyzing beverages containing low levels of alcohol, but abundant in other organic substances like resveratrol (in wine). Other studies considering other beverages, nonetheless of alcohol levels, diminishing effect on the cardiovascular (and other) systems is observed. Material and methods: An analysis of scientific papers from Pubmed Google Scholar was performed, wchoch most accurately described the issue of diffrent type of alcohol bevereage on human health. The following keywords were used in search: alcohol, cardiovascular, wine, beer, spirits. Purpose of the work: Aim of the following analysis is to systematize the knowledge based on latest research and findings about the impact of different alcohol beverages on cardiovascular system.

Self-Empowerment of Recipients of Assistance from the Malaysian Social Welfare Department through Productive Welfare

The Productive Welfare Approach and the "2-Year Exit Policy" (2YEP) are introduced by the Department of Social Welfare Malaysia (JKM) to help recipients of welfare assistance (clients) towards living independently and provide the ability to survive without relying on indefinite assistance. This study aims to identify the empowerment of recipients after being involved in entrepreneurship programs through the Launching Grant provided by JKM. This study employs the survey method using questionnaires. A total of 234 respondents were involved in the study: 107 respondents from the Northern Zone, and a total of 127 respondents from the Eastern Zone from 17 Social Welfare District Offices (PKMD) in both zones. The data collection was done between September 2016 to February 2017. The results show that the majority of respondents are self-employed/sole proprietors (85%) with many involved in the food and beverage-type business (58.1%). In terms of self-enrichment/empowerment, respondents' levels are at moderate to high levels. They are responsible for the work, for what they do, and for the results of their actions. The Productive Welfare Approach and the 2YEP program have to some extent, helped in increasing revenue and reducing clients’ dependency on JKM’s assistance. However, better implementation of the program and continuous monitoring can help clients increase their motivation and thus, contribute to eradicating poverty among receivers of assistance.

Self-Rated Aversion to Taste Qualities and the PROP Taster Phenotype Associate with Alcoholic Beverage Intake and Preference

Consumers often identify “taste” as an important factor when selecting alcoholic beverages. Although it is assumed that reduced alcohol consumption in PROP super-tasters is due to a greater dislike of the nominally aversive sensations that they experience more intensely (e.g., bitterness) when compared to PROP non-tasters, this question has not been specifically asked to them. Therefore, we examined consumers’ self-reported aversion towards specific sensory attributes (bitter, hot/burn, dry, sour, sweet, carbonation) for four alcoholic beverage types (white wine, red wine, beer, spirits) using a convenience sample of U.S. wine consumers (n = 925). Participants rated 18 statements describing different combinations of sensory attributes and alcoholic beverages on a 5-point Likert scale (e.g., Beer tastes too bitter for me). Individuals who tended to agree more strongly with the statements (i.e., they were more averse; p(F) < 0.05) tended to (i) consume less of all beverage types, (ii) consume a higher proportion of white wine (p(r) < 0.05), and (iii) were more likely to be female or PROP super-tasters. The results suggest that self-reported aversion to specific sensory attributes is associated with not only lower overall intake of alcoholic beverages, but also a shift in the relative proportions of beverage type consumed; a key finding for studies investigating how taste perception impacts alcohol consumption.

Effect of commercially available sugar-sweetened beverages on subjective appetite and short-term food intake in girls

Background: The effect of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) on satiety and short-term food intake (FI) regulation in girls has received little attention. The objective of the present study was to compare the effect of pre-meal consumption of commercially available SSBs on subjective appetite and short-term FI in 9–14-year-old girls. The methods we used include using a randomized crossover design in which 28 girls consumed isovolumetric amounts (350 mL) of a fruit drink (154 kcal), cola (158 kcal), 1% chocolate milk (224 kcal), or water (control; 0 kcal) on four separate mornings. Subjective appetite and thirst were measured at regular intervals via visual analogue scales (VAS) and FI was assessed at 60 min post-beverage consumption. The results show that subjective appetite and thirst decreased after all beverages, but did not differ among beverages. Short-term FI was suppressed following consumption of chocolate milk (15%; p < 0.001) and cola (11%; p = 0.02) compared to the water control. However, cumulative energy intake (beverage (kcal) + test meal (kcal)) was not affected by beverage type. In conclusion, chocolate milk and cola, but not fruit drink, suppressed FI in girls while cumulative FI did not differ among treatments.

Effect of commercially available sugar-sweetened beverages on subjective appetite and short-term food intake in girls

Background: The effect of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) on satiety and short-term food intake (FI) regulation in girls has received little attention. The objective of the present study was to compare the effect of pre-meal consumption of commercially available SSBs on subjective appetite and short-term FI in 9–14-year-old girls. The methods we used include using a randomized crossover design in which 28 girls consumed isovolumetric amounts (350 mL) of a fruit drink (154 kcal), cola (158 kcal), 1% chocolate milk (224 kcal), or water (control; 0 kcal) on four separate mornings. Subjective appetite and thirst were measured at regular intervals via visual analogue scales (VAS) and FI was assessed at 60 min post-beverage consumption. The results show that subjective appetite and thirst decreased after all beverages, but did not differ among beverages. Short-term FI was suppressed following consumption of chocolate milk (15%; p < 0.001) and cola (11%; p = 0.02) compared to the water control. However, cumulative energy intake (beverage (kcal) + test meal (kcal)) was not affected by beverage type. In conclusion, chocolate milk and cola, but not fruit drink, suppressed FI in girls while cumulative FI did not differ among treatments.

100 Effect of 3 consecutive nights of alcohol on sleep variables: Preliminary report

Introduction The effects of a moderate dose of alcohol one hour before bedtime on sleep have not often been studied nor is the effect across nights well known. We therefore sought to test whether such effects as sleep disruption, increased early-night slow wave sleep (SWS), and reduced early-night REM sleep would be sustained across nights. Methods Twenty-five healthy participants (13 male; ages 22–69 yr, mean = 35) reporting moderate drinking kept a fixed sleep schedule (8–9 h TIB, confirmed by actigraphy) for about one week before two 3-night sleep studies in the lab separated by ≥ 3 days. Participants drank either mixer alone or a beverage containing alcohol targeting a breath alcohol content (BrAC) of 0.08% in a counter-balanced order over 45 min ending 1 hr before lights out. Sleep was scored using Rechtschaffen & Kales (1968) rules in 30-sec epochs. Mixed-effects models examined beverage type, study night, and the interaction of beverage and night for 13 variables: sleep efficiency, sleep latency, REM latency, and full-night percent of Stage 1, Stage 2, SWS, and REM sleep; and percent of SWS and REM sleep by thirds of night. Results A significant effect of Night was seen for sleep efficiency (F(2,120)=3.79; p=.025) and sleep latency (F(2,120)=5.19;p=.007), both lower on N1, as well as for REM latency, longer on N1 (F(2,120)=6.52;p=.002). REM latency was longer with alcohol (F(1,120)=14.16; p&lt;.000) and no interaction was apparent. St2% was higher (F(1,120)=4.47; p=.037) and REM% lower (F(1,120)=4.41; p=.038) with alcohol, whereas overnight SWS% was unaffected; none showed an effect of night or an interaction. SWS% in the first (F(1,120)=10.51; p=.002) and second thirds (F(1,120)=8.27; p=.005) of the night was higher with alcohol and unaffected in the last third. REM% in the first third alone was higher with alcohol (F(1,120)=10.71; p=.01). Conclusion These findings show only modest effects of pre-sleep alcohol consumption (targeting 0.08% BrAC) on subsequent sleep in healthy drinkers, with no evidence of a cumulative impact across three nights. We aim to increase the sample size and examine effects on next-day cognitive function in subsequent analyses. Support (if any) R01AA025593

Baseline Assessment of Children’s Meals and Healthy Beverage Options Prior to a State-Level Healthy Default Beverage (HDB) Law

In January 2020, Hawai‘i became the second state with a healthy default beverage (HDB) law, requiring restaurants to offer HDBs with their children’s meals. This observational study presents baseline characteristics of restaurants with a children’s menu and meal, and describes pre-law beverage options to inform future HDB policy language, implementation, and evaluation. Between November and December 2019, data were collected from a statewide sample of unique restaurants (n=383) with health inspection permits. Restaurants were assessed separately for a children’s menu and meal using website reviews, telephone calls, and in-person visits. Meals were evaluated in February 2020 for pre-law beverage type and compliance. Logistic regression was used to estimate the likelihood of having a children’s menu and meal. Most of the restaurants were full-service (70.2%) and non-chains (67.9%). While 49.3% of restaurants had a children’s menu, only 16.7% had a meal. Significant predictors of having a children’s menu were being full-service (OR=2.09; p=0.004), national/international (OR=5.32; p<0.001) or local chains (OR=1.99; p=0.03), neighbor island (non-Honolulu) locations (OR=2.49; p<0.001), and hotel locations (OR=3.77; p<0.001). Only being a national/international chain significantly predicted having a children’s meal (OR=7.57; p<0.001). Although 35.9% of children’s meals offered a non-sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) option, only 3.1% offered law-compliant beverages. Inclusion of an SSB default option (60.9%) and not specifying the type of default beverage were the predominant factors for pre-law non-compliance. Results support the need for HDB regulations, especially for national/international chains, which were most likely to have children’s meals, and provide data to inform policies in other jurisdictions.