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Beer? Over here! Examining attentional bias towards alcoholic and appetitive stimuli in a visual search eye-tracking task.
Pennington, CR, Qureshi, AW, Monk, RL, Greenwood, K, Heim, D
Psychopharmacology. 2019;(12):3465-3476
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Abstract
RATIONALE Experimental tasks that demonstrate alcohol-related attentional bias typically expose participants to single-stimulus targets (e.g. addiction Stroop, visual probe, anti-saccade task), which may not correspond fully with real-world contexts where alcoholic and non-alcoholic cues simultaneously compete for attention. Moreover, alcoholic stimuli are rarely matched to other appetitive non-alcoholic stimuli. OBJECTIVES To address these limitations by utilising a conjunction search eye-tracking task and matched stimuli to examine alcohol-related attentional bias. METHODS Thirty social drinkers (Mage = 19.87, SD = 1.74) were asked to detect whether alcoholic (beer), non-alcoholic (water) or non-appetitive (detergent) targets were present or absent amongst a visual array of matching and non-matching distractors. Both behavioural response times and eye-movement dwell time were measured. RESULTS Social drinkers were significantly quicker to detect alcoholic and non-alcoholic appetitive targets relative to non-appetitive targets in an array of matching and mismatching distractors. Similarly, proportional dwell time was lower for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic appetitive distractors relative to non-appetitive distractors, suggesting that appetitive targets were relatively easier to detect. CONCLUSIONS Social drinkers may exhibit generalised attentional bias towards alcoholic and non-alcoholic appetitive cues. This adds to emergent research suggesting that the mechanisms driving these individual's attention towards alcoholic cues might 'spill over' to other appetitive cues, possibly due to associative learning.
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Effect of alcohol ingestion on plasma glucose kinetics after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery.
Acevedo, MB, Ferrando, R, Patterson, BW, Eagon, JC, Klein, S, Pepino, MY
Surgery for obesity and related diseases : official journal of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery. 2019;(1):36-42
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (RYGB) increases the rate of alcohol absorption so that peak blood alcohol concentration is 2-fold higher after surgery compared with concentrations reached after consuming the same amount presurgery. Because high doses of alcohol can lead to hypoglycemia, patients may be at increased risk of developing hypoglycemia after alcohol ingestion. OBJECTIVES We conducted 2 studies to test the hypothesis that the consumption of approximately 2 standard drinks of alcohol would decrease glycemia more after RYGB than before surgery. SETTING Single-center prospective randomized trial. METHODS We evaluated plasma glucose concentrations and glucose kinetics (assessed by infusing a stable isotopically labelled glucose tracer) after ingestion of a nonalcoholic drink (placebo) or an alcoholic drink in the following groups: (1) 5 women before RYGB (body mass index = 43 ± 5 kg/m2) and 10 ± 2 months after RYGB (body mass index = 31 ± 7 kg/m2; study 1), and (2) 8 women who had undergone RYGB surgery 2.2 ± 1.2 years earlier (body mass index = 30 ± 5 kg/m2; study 2) RESULTS Compared with the placebo drink, alcohol ingestion decreased plasma glucose both before and after surgery, but the reduction was greater before (glucose nadir placebo = -.4 ± 1.0 mg/dL versus alcohol = -9.6 ± 1.5 mg/dL) than after (glucose nadir placebo = -1.0 ± 1.6 mg/dL versus alcohol = -5.5 ± 2.6 mg/dL; P < .001) surgery. This difference was primarily due to an alcohol-induced early increase followed by a subsequent decrease in the rate of glucose appearance into systemic circulation. CONCLUSION RYGB does not increase the risk of hypoglycemia after consumption of a moderate dose of alcohol.
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The association between the FTO gene variant and alcohol consumption and binge and problem drinking in different gene-environment background: The HAPIEE study.
Hubacek, JA, Pikhart, H, Peasey, A, Malyutina, S, Pajak, A, Tamosiunas, A, Voevoda, M, Holmes, MV, Bobak, M
Gene. 2019;:30-35
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol intake and tobacco smoking have significant negative health consequences and both are influenced by genetic predispositions. Some studies suggest that the FTO gene is associated with alcohol consumption. We investigated whether a tagging variant (rs17817449) within the FTO gene is associated with alcohol intake, problem drinking and smoking behaviour. METHODS We analysed data from 26,792 Caucasian adults (47.2% of males; mean age 58.9 (±7.3) years), examined through the prospective cohort HAPIEE study. The primary outcomes were daily alcohol consumption, binge drinking, problem drinking (CAGE score 2+) and smoking status in relation to tagging variants within the FTO and ADH1B genes. RESULTS We found no significant association of the FTO polymorphism with smoking status in either sex. The associations of the FTO polymorphism with drinking pattern were inconsistent and differed by gender. In men, GG homozygote carriers had lower odds of problem drinking (OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.75-0.96, p = 0.03). In women, the combination of the FTO/ADH1B GG/+A genotypes doubled the risk of binge drinking (OR 2.10, 95% CI 1.19-3.71, p < 0.05), and the risk was further increased among smoking women (OR 4.10, 95% CI 1.64-10.24, p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS In this large population study, the FTO gene appeared associated with binge and problem drinking, and the associations were modified by sex, smoking status and the ADH1B polymorphism.
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Combining lifestyle risks to disentangle brain structure and functional connectivity differences in older adults.
Bittner, N, Jockwitz, C, Mühleisen, TW, Hoffstaedter, F, Eickhoff, SB, Moebus, S, Bayen, UJ, Cichon, S, Zilles, K, Amunts, K, et al
Nature communications. 2019;(1):621
Abstract
Lifestyle contributes to inter-individual variability in brain aging, but previous studies focused on the effects of single lifestyle variables. Here, we studied the combined and individual contributions of four lifestyle variables - alcohol consumption, smoking, physical activity, and social integration - to brain structure and functional connectivity in a population-based cohort of 549 older adults. A combined lifestyle risk score was associated with decreased gyrification in left premotor and right prefrontal cortex, and higher functional connectivity to sensorimotor and prefrontal cortex. While structural differences were driven by alcohol consumption, physical activity, and social integration, higher functional connectivity was driven by smoking. Results suggest that combining differentially contributing lifestyle variables may be more than the sum of its parts. Associations generally were neither altered by adjustment for genetic risk, nor by depressive symptomatology or education, underlining the relevance of daily habits for brain health.
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Association studies of up to 1.2 million individuals yield new insights into the genetic etiology of tobacco and alcohol use.
Liu, M, Jiang, Y, Wedow, R, Li, Y, Brazel, DM, Chen, F, Datta, G, Davila-Velderrain, J, McGuire, D, Tian, C, et al
Nature genetics. 2019;(2):237-244
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Abstract
Tobacco and alcohol use are leading causes of mortality that influence risk for many complex diseases and disorders1. They are heritable2,3 and etiologically related4,5 behaviors that have been resistant to gene discovery efforts6-11. In sample sizes up to 1.2 million individuals, we discovered 566 genetic variants in 406 loci associated with multiple stages of tobacco use (initiation, cessation, and heaviness) as well as alcohol use, with 150 loci evidencing pleiotropic association. Smoking phenotypes were positively genetically correlated with many health conditions, whereas alcohol use was negatively correlated with these conditions, such that increased genetic risk for alcohol use is associated with lower disease risk. We report evidence for the involvement of many systems in tobacco and alcohol use, including genes involved in nicotinic, dopaminergic, and glutamatergic neurotransmission. The results provide a solid starting point to evaluate the effects of these loci in model organisms and more precise substance use measures.
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Recommendations for Management and Treatment of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis.
Ratziu, V, Ghabril, M, Romero-Gomez, M, Svegliati-Baroni, G
Transplantation. 2019;(1):28-38
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Abstract
The prevalence of nonalcoholic liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing worldwide in conjunction with the epidemic increase in obesity and metabolic risk factors. Consequently, NAFLD has become a leading indication for liver transplantation. Although genetic factors play an important role in the pathogenesis of NAFLD, detrimental lifestyle trends favoring a calorically unrestricted diet rich in carbohydrates and unsaturated fat, prolonged sedentary periods or limited physical activity have major metabolic implications. In aggregate these physiological dysregulations constitute the main risk factors for the metabolic syndrome and NAFLD. The cornerstone of the treatment of NAFLD, is lifestyle changes, including modifications to diet and physical activity, to reduce body weight and liver fat, however adherence is notoriously poor and the epidemic of NAFLD continues to grow unimpeded. In the face of this unmet clinical need, the pharmacologic therapy of NAFLD has been expanding as the varied mechanistic pathways of NAFLD are elucidated. Beyond these approaches to treating NAFLD, the prevention of other liver diseases is additionally important. Chief among these is alcoholic liver disease, and heavy use is detrimental irrespective of underlying NAFLD. However, the impact of mild to moderate alcohol use in patients with mild or nonadvanced forms NAFLD is undefined. This article summarizes the results of the International Liver Transplantation Society consensus meeting on NAFLD in liver transplantation. It describes the available evidence and provides consensus guidance on the lifestyle and pharmacologic therapies of NAFLD, and the consensus position on alcohol use in patients with NAFLD.
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New alcohol-related genes suggest shared genetic mechanisms with neuropsychiatric disorders.
Evangelou, E, Gao, H, Chu, C, Ntritsos, G, Blakeley, P, Butts, AR, Pazoki, R, Suzuki, H, Koskeridis, F, Yiorkas, AM, et al
Nature human behaviour. 2019;(9):950-961
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Abstract
Excessive alcohol consumption is one of the main causes of death and disability worldwide. Alcohol consumption is a heritable complex trait. Here we conducted a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies of alcohol consumption (g d-1) from the UK Biobank, the Alcohol Genome-Wide Consortium and the Cohorts for Heart and Aging Research in Genomic Epidemiology Plus consortia, collecting data from 480,842 people of European descent to decipher the genetic architecture of alcohol intake. We identified 46 new common loci and investigated their potential functional importance using magnetic resonance imaging data and gene expression studies. We identify genetic pathways associated with alcohol consumption and suggest genetic mechanisms that are shared with neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia.
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Ingested asbestos in filtered beer, in addition to occupational exposure, as a causative factor in oesophageal adenocarcinoma.
Fitzgerald, RC, Rhodes, JM
British journal of cancer. 2019;(12):1099-1104
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Abstract
Oesophageal adenocarcinoma has become much more common over the past 50 years, particularly in Britain, with an unexplained male to female ratio of > 4:1. Given the use of asbestos filtration in commercial brewing and reports of its unregulated use in British public houses in the 1970's to clear draught beer "slops", we have assessed the hypothesis that ingested asbestos could be a causative factor for this increased incidence. Importantly, occupational asbestos exposure increases the risk of adenocarcinoma but not squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus. The presence of asbestos fibres was consistently reported in filtered beverages including beers in the 1970s and asbestos bodies have been found in gastrointestinal tissue, particularly oesophageal tissue, at autopsy. There is no reported association between the intake of alcohol and oesophageal adenocarcinoma but studies would mostly have missed exposure from draught beer before 1980. Oesophageal adenocarcinoma has some molecular similarities to pleural mesothelioma, a condition that is largely due to inhalation of asbestos fibres, including predominant loss of tumour suppressor genes rather than an increase of classical oncogenic drivers. Trends in incidence of oesophageal adenocarcinoma and mesothelioma are similar, rising rapidly over the past 50 years but now plateauing. Asbestos ingestion, either from beer consumed before around 1980, or from occupational exposure, seems a plausible causative factor for oesophageal adenocarcinoma. If this is indeed the case, its incidence should fall back to a low baseline by around 2050.
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How alcohol advertising and sponsorship works: Effects through indirect measures.
Zerhouni, O, Bègue, L, O'Brien, KS
Drug and alcohol review. 2019;(4):391-398
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND AIMS We tested whether incidental exposure to alcohol marketing messages in sporting events: (i) influenced automatic evaluation of brands and alcohol in general; and (ii) if these processes occur through deliberative (conscious) or non-conscious processes. DESIGN AND METHODS Using an experimental design, participants watched a sport event containing: (i) a prototypical alcohol brand; (ii) a brand unrelated to alcohol; or (iii) a non-prototypical alcohol brand. One hundred and nine participants were randomly assigned to either a cognitively depleting task to impair motivation for effortful conscious processing before watching the excerpt, or a control task. We measured indirect (implicit) and direct (explicit) attitudes toward alcohol and brands, and self-report measures assessing affective response toward the event, involvement in processing the message and identifications toward the playing teams. RESULTS We found a positive main effect of incidental exposure to alcohol brands on indirect measures of attitudes toward alcohol as well as the specific brand. No effect of cognitive fatigue on indirect measure toward brands and alcohol was observed. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Incidental exposure to alcohol marketing messages appear to impact indirect measures of attitudes toward the brand and alcohol in general, and seems to rely on non-conscious automatic processes.
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Effects of Moderate Alcohol Drinking in Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.
Kwon, I, Jun, DW, Moon, JH
Gut and liver. 2019;(3):308-314
Abstract
Whether moderate alcohol intake is beneficial remains an unsolved issue. Recent studies have suggested that moderate alcohol consumption is associated with beneficial effects related to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Moderate alcohol consumption leads to a higher risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic viral liver diseases. However, the effects of moderate alcohol intake in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease are unclear. In this review, we analyzed, from various perspectives, the effect of moderate alcohol consumption in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. We reviewed four cohort studies and seven cross-sectional studies. The results showed that moderate alcohol consumption was negatively related to the incidence of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and liver fibrosis. However, moderate alcohol consumption was positively associated with the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. The results of the analysis of the relationship between moderate alcohol consumption and the levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, and hypertension were diverse. More clinical data are needed to draw a conclusion about the effects of moderate alcohol consumption in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.