Search

• The rate of alcohol use in patients with epilepsy (PWE) was 24.2%. • Been males, had a history of alcohol use were associated with alcohol use in PWE. • Heavy, frequent alcohol use were associated with worsening of seizure control in PWE. Alcohol consumption has multiple negative consequences for people with epilepsy, including precipitation of seizure or status epilepticus, worsening of seizure control, increased adverse effects of anti-seizure medications, increased sudden unexpected death in epilepsy, and premature mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate alcohol use and explore the sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with alcohol use among patients with epilepsy in western China. A face-to-face questionnaire on alcohol use was conducted at Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital from December 2020 to June 2021. All adult patients who came to our epilepsy center (inpatient and outpatient) were invited to participate in this study. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the possible risk factors associated with alcohol use within the last 12 months. A total of 425 patients completed this study, 24.2% of patients with epilepsy had used alcohol within the last 12 months, being male and having a history of alcohol use were independently associated factors. Among patients who had used alcohol within the last 12 months, 52.4% complained of worsening of seizure control, heavy alcohol use, and frequent alcohol use were independently associated with worsening of seizure control after alcohol use in patients with epilepsy. This study revealed that the rate of alcohol use among patients with epilepsy was high. Male patients with a history of alcohol use were more prone to alcohol use after a diagnosis of epilepsy. Heavy alcohol use and frequent alcohol use were independently associated with worsening of seizure control after alcohol use in patients with epilepsy. Patient education on the destructive effects of alcohol use is needed for patients with epilepsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Nursing method during cub development increases male giant panda's reproductive success in adulthood. • Group housing management in sub-adult period can affect the captive giant panda's mate choice. • Exposure to urine odour stimulus changes courtship behavior of captive giant pandas in estruses. • Male giant panda's courtship behaviour is related to the reproductive performance in captivity. Through the implementation of giant panda ex situ conservation breeding programs, the giant panda has successfully been protected and has attained many conservation achievements. As of 2019, there were nearly 600 captive giant pandas worldwide, and the number of captive populations and the richness of genetic diversity have basically reached a self-sustainable state. However, to date, most captive adult male giant pandas do not mate naturally, and the reason is unclear, which has serious implications for implementation of the reintroduction training program of captive giant pandas. We used a combination of methods evaluating life history traits, behavioral observation, and bioinformatics statistical analysis and conducted comprehensive research on the factors that affected the natural mating success rates of captive adult giant pandas. The results showed that the management mode of singleton and parent rearing during cub development and mixed male and female group housing during the stage of subadult learning skills and experience could effectively improve the natural reproduction success rate of captive adult male giant pandas. Using odor stimulation during the mating period could change the courtship behavior of adult giant pandas in captivity, as males, when courting estrous females, behaved in a way that did not lead to successful mating. Applying these results to the breeding management and mating strategies of captive male giant pandas could not only help improve appropriate reproductive behavior and subsequently increase reproductive performance but also may provide more candidates for China's giant panda reintroduction programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]