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Background Acute alcohol intoxication is a common condition observed in the emergency department (ED). Intravenous fluid therapy (IVF) is often administered to treat this condition, but its effectiveness remains unclear. We therefore conducted a study to evaluate the effect of IVF on length of time from arrival at the ED until awakening, which is a novel and more appropriate variable. Methods This single-center, prospective observational study was conducted in the ED of Self-Defense Forces Central Hospital, a secondary emergency hospital in Tokyo from October 1, 2018 to July 31, 2019. Patients were assigned to groups to receive either a 1,000-mL bolus of lactated Ringer’s solution or only cannulation. The primary outcome was length of until awakening. Secondary outcomes were length of stay in the ED and the occurrence of conditions requiring extra care. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed. Predictors of the occurrence of any event that required extra care were identified using a statistical model. Results The final sample included 201 patients: 109 received IVF and 92 did not. There was no significant difference in baseline characteristics between the groups. Median length of time until awakening was 211 min (interquartile range [IQR], 119 min) in the IVF group and 208 min (IQR, 149 min) in the non-IVF group (p = 0.77). Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that the regression coefficient of IVF for length of time until awakening was − 9.55 (95% confidence interval [CI], \(-\)36.2 to 17.2). However, hemoglobin (regression coefficient, \(10.1\); 95% CI, \(0.38\)-19.9) and initial Glasgow Coma Scale score (GCS) in the ED (regression coefficient, \(-\)7.51; 95% CI, \(-\)10.8 to \(-\)4.21) were significantly associated with length of time. Conclusions This is the first study to evaluate the effect of IVF therapy on the length of time until awakening. IVF therapy is not effective in shortening the length of time in patients with acute alcohol intoxication in the ED. Routine administration of IVF is unnecessary in these patients. Further research is warranted to investigate who benefit from IVF therapy. A significance difference in Hb and GCS in this study also would give useful tips for the next study.

Introduction. On March 11, 2020, WHO announced the global COVID-19 pandemic. According to literature data, the spread of coronavirus infection COVID-19 affected the structure of acute chemical poisoning. The aim. Assessment of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictive measures on the peculiarities of seeking advice and the structure of acute chemical poisoning in Moscow. Material and methods. The data of the registration forms “Card of recording of a consultation of a patient with acute poisoning of chemical etiology” in the period from March 30 to June 30, 2020 and 2019 were studied. The analysis indicators of a hospitalization of patients in the department of acute poisoning and somatopsychiatric disorders of N.V. Sklifosovsky, the Research Institute of Emergency Medicine. Results. It was found that in the analyzed period of 2020 compared to 2019, the proportion of injured people of working age decreased by 11.2%, while it increased at the age of 0-17 years by 3.2 times. An increase in the number of consultations for individuals by 2.1 times was noted. There was an increase in the number of complaints about poisoning with antibiotics, drugs from the T45 group (anticoagulants, vitamins, etc.), T37 (antiviral, anti-microbial, etc.) by 1.7-2 times. In March-June 2020, there was an increase in the number of complaints about the toxic effects of alcohol (T51), an increase in hospitalized patients with acute alcohol poisoning by 4 times, and with combined alcohol poisoning – by 2.7 times. The number of complaints about poisoning with detergents and disinfectants in the first three months of the pandemic increased by 2.7 times. Conclusion. The pandemic and the introduction of restrictive measures for COVID-19 have affected the toxicological situation in Moscow, which must be taken into account when determining the guidelines for organizational measures for the provision of medical care for acute chemical poisoning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Актуальність. Проблема гострих алкогольних психозів (ГАП) залишається в центрі уваги вітчизняних і закордонних дослідників. В Україні проблема ефективного лікування тяжких форм ГАП, а саме делірію, сьогодні здебільшого залишається невирішеною, зокрема щодо питання досягнення адекватної й ефективної седації пацієнтів. Це обумовлено, з одного боку, тим, що недостатній рівень седації змушує медичний персонал використовувати додаткові методи примусової фіксації (грудна клітка, нижні кінцівки) таких пацієнтів з метою створення певного контролю перебування у відділенні, з іншого боку, надмірна седативна терапія потребує старанного контролю за показниками вітальних функцій, у першу чергу зовнішнього дихання. Збільшення дози препаратів для седації та використання додаткових лікарських засобів із пригнічуючим впливом на роботу центральної нервової системи негативно впливають на діяльність органів, що здійснюють детоксикаційну функцію, зокрема печінку, яка і без того уражена і спровокована алкоголем, що, в свою чергу, впливає не тільки на тривалість перебування пацієнтів у відділенні інтенсивної терапії (ВІТ) і результат лікування, але й збільшує його вартість. Мета. Аналіз впливу застосування різних схем седації у пацієнтів із тяжким перебігом алкогольного делірію (АлД), що діагностований за критеріями шкали діагностики делірію (Delirium Detection Score, DDS), на час перебування у ВІТ, швидкість і частоту досягнення ефективної седації, необхідність додаткової фіксації і тривалість перебування у ВІТ. Матеріали та методи. Упродовж 2016–2017 років на базі ВІТ КЗ «Черкаська обласна психіатрична лікарня» обстежено й проліковано 36 пацієнтів чоловічої статі з тяжким перебігом АлД віком від 35 до 50 років (42,5 ± 7,5 року) і тривалим алкогольним анамнезом від 6 до 12 років (9 ± 3 року). Алкогольний делірій діагностували за критеріями DDS і проводили попереднє опитування згідно з Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT-тест). Усім хворим проводили комплексне інтенсивне лікування: фармакологічну корекцію синдрому психомоторного збудження, детоксикацію та корекцію порушень водно-електролітного балансу (інфузія збалансованих сольових розчинів об’ємом 40–50 мл/кг у першу добу лікування з подальшою корекцією темпу інфузії згідно з розрахунком добової потреби і патологічних витрат у подальші дні); корекцію дефіциту магнію розчином 25% MgSO4 30–40 мл/добу, тіосульфат натрію внутрішньовенно (в/в) болюсно 30% розчином у дозі 20–30 мл/добу протягом усього періоду лікування; корекцію порушень церебрального метаболізму (вітаміни: В1 5% 12 мл/добу, В6 5% 8 мл/добу, РР 4–6 мл/добу, інозин (рибоксин) 20 мл в/в, альфа-ліпоєва кислота (берлітіон) 600 мг/добу). Залежно від використання схеми седації пацієнти були розподілені на дві групи: група А (n = 18) отримувала діазепам (діазепекс) 0,5% по 4 мл внутрішньом’язово (в/м) кожні 8 годин і натрію оксибутират 20% по 10 мл у вигляді постійної інфузії на 0,9% розчині NaCl 400 мл упродовж 4 годин двічі на добу; група В (n = 18) отримувала діазепам 0,5% по 4 мл в/м кожні 8 годин і фенобарбітал по 200 мг per os 2 рази/добу. Результати. Цільовим результатом було досягнення рівня седації від –2 до 0 за шкалою Річмонда протягом усього періоду введення седативних препаратів (3–4 дні) без застосування допоміжних методів примусової фіксації та інших фармакологічних ад’ювантів. Висновок. Результати свідчать про те, що застосування інфузії натрію оксибутирату в поєднанні з базовим застосуванням препаратів групи бензодіазепінів мало істотну перевагу щодо досягнення цільового рівня седації у пацієнтів із тяжким перебігом алкогольного делірію порівняно з прийомом фенобарбіталу. Причому зросла тривалість перебування хворих групи фенобарбіталу у ВІТ. Такий результат, можливо, пояснюється тим, що при комбінації бензодіазепінів і оксибутирату натрію спочатку відбувається підсумовування седативного ефекту за рахунок дії на ГАМК-рецептори, зв’язані з Cl-іонним каналом, внаслідок чого виникає компенсаторне накопичення глутамату, тому пробудження пацієнта після відміни препаратів настає швидче.

Annotation. Alcohol is a one of the most frequently consumed substances of abuse, which can cause addiction or alcohol use disorders (AUDs). Alcohol addiction leads to decrease of the life quality of patients and considerable economic burden. Neuronal mechanisms of addiction are intensively studied. One of the most important systems involved in this process is a brain reward system that includes lateral septum (LS). Additionally alcohol consumption changes activity of the neurotransmitter systems including the nitric oxide (NO). Recent studies for blockage of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) for cocaine addiction and late stages of AUDs demonstrated that a group of the substances known as blockers of NOS can be referred to as candidates for alcohol addiction therapy. The aim of our research was to investigate histochemical characteristics of NO-system in LS, its response to acute alcohol intoxication including or excluding neuronal NOS (nNOS) blockage with selective inhibitor – 7-nitroindazole (7-NI). This study involved three experimental groups of animals (control group (n=4), group with acute alcohol intoxication (n=4), group of nNOS blockage with acute alcohol intoxication (n=4)). For statistical analysis, one-way Kruskal-Wallis test was implemented to reveal differences between groups (Matlab, Mathworks). We have identified NOS-positive structures in LS consisting of big neurons, medium/small neurons and nerve fibers. Acute alcohol intoxication activated subpopulations of NOS-positive medium/small neurons and nerve fibers. Moreover, we determined that ethanol-induced changes can be blocked with selective nNOS inhibitor 7-NI.

Background. The growth of industrialization is accompanied by a decrease in human motor activity, and chronic stress increases the risk of alcoholism. The combination of these factors has a negative effect on the physiological and biochemical processes in the body. Purpose of work. To determine the state of the components of the dopaminergic system in the hypothalamus and striatum of rats during acute alcoholization against the background of hypodynamia. Material and methods. The experiment was carried out on male rats weighing 180-200 g, which, after hypodynamia for a period of 7, 14 and 28 days, were once injected with 25% alcohol at a dose of 3.5 g / kg. The content of the components of the dopaminergic system was determined by high performance liquid chromatography. Results. The striatum is characterized by a decrease in the activity of the dopaminergic system on the 7th day of hypodynamia, followed by its activation with an increase in the period of immobilization to 28 days. In the hypothalamus in the early stages of hypodynamia with subsequent OAI, the changes are poorly expressed, however, on the 28th day, dopamine turnover is activated. Conclusions. The combined effect of acute alcohol intoxication and hypodynamia leads to more pronounced changes in the dopaminergic system in the striatum than in the hypothalamus. Acute alcohol intoxication has a stimulating effect on the dopaminergic system of the hypothalamus and striatum only for long periods of hypodynamia (28 days).

Background This study aims to determine the prevalence of tobacco smoking and illicit drug use among Dutch adolescents admitted to hospital for acute alcohol intoxication treatment. Furthermore, socio-demographic predictors for smoking and illicit drug use in the sample population will be studied. The relationship between illicit drug use and specific characteristics of intoxication, such as blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and duration of reduced consciousness is also investigated. Methods The national Dutch Paediatric Surveillance Unit was used to prospectively register cases of acute alcohol intoxication from 2007 through 2017. Cases were included if they met the following inclusion criteria: BAC > 0.0 g/L, aged between 10 to 18 years old and requiring hospital treatment due to reduced consciousness. Questionnaires were sent to paediatricians to obtain clinical information. Results During the period 2007–2017, 5322 cases that met the inclusion criteria were reported. In this patient group, the prevalence of tobacco smoking was 22.2% (CI 21.0–23.5%), while the prevalence of illicit drug use was 11.8% (CI 10.9–12.7%). The predictors for smoking were the absence of alcohol-specific parental rule-setting, lower educational level, non-traditional family structure and positive drug screening. The predictors for illicit drug use were the absence of alcohol-specific parental rule-setting and smoking. Illicit drug use was also associated with a lower BAC at the time of admission. Conclusions Assessing smoking and illicit drug use among adolescents admitted for acute alcohol intoxication is important in acute cases of intoxication, for outpatient follow-up and for the purposes of prevention. The relationship between simultaneous illicit drug use and a lower BAC is of relevance for paediatricians’ attempts to diagnose acute intoxication. With respect to outpatient follow-up and preventive measures, it is important to be aware that adolescents’ alcohol consumption, tobacco and illicit drug use are related and, ultimately, increase the odds of using other substances.

RationaleInhibition is a core executive function and refers to the ability to deliberately suppress attention, behavior, thoughts, and/or emotions and instead act in a specific manner. While acute alcohol exposure has been shown to impair response inhibition in the stop-signal and Go/NoGo tasks, reported alcohol effects on attentional inhibition in the Stroop task are inconsistent. Notably, studies have operationalized attentional inhibition variably and there has been intra- and inter-individual variability in alcohol exposure.ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine the acute effects of alcohol on attentional inhibition, considering previous limitations.MethodsIn a single-blind, cross-over design, 40 non-dependent participants with a medium-to-high risk drinking behavior performed a Counting Stroop task (CST) under a baseline and an arterial blood alcohol concentration (aBAC) clamp at 80 mg%. Attentional inhibition was assessed as the alteration of reaction times (RT), error rates (ER), and inverse efficiency scores (IES) between incongruent and congruent trials (interference score). Stroop performance was also assessed regardless of trial-type.ResultsCompared to saline, acute alcohol exposure via an aBAC clamp did not affect CST interference scores but increased RTs and IES in both incongruent and congruent trials.ConclusionsAttentional inhibition (Stroop interference score) was not impaired by clamped moderate alcohol exposure. Acute alcohol impaired Stroop performance evidenced by a general increase in response times. Our findings suggest that response and attentional inhibition do not share the same neurocognitive mechanisms and are affected differently by alcohol. Results could also be explained by automated behaviors known to be relatively unaffected by acute alcohol.

Introduction Despite the association of alcohol use with recurrent suicidal acts, individuals attempting suicide after drinking alcohol face barriers accessing crisis care following emergency assessment, demonstrated by higher odds of inpatient admission for those whose suicide attempt did not feature alcohol. This disparity may be due to suicidality dissipating more rapidly after a suicide attempt involving alcohol. We investigated the effect of acute alcohol use and ongoing suicidality on onward care decisions after emergency assessment. Methods We analysed electronic health records of 650 suicidal adults detained under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act (1983, amended 2007) for up to 36 h at a London psychiatric emergency care centre. We used logistic regression to estimate the association of acute alcohol use and ongoing suicidality (including their interaction) with admission to psychiatric hospital. Results Fifteen percent of previously intoxicated detainees expressed suicidal intent at detention end, compared to 24% of detainees who had not used alcohol prior to detention. Compared to those who were not previously intoxicated and not suicidal at detention end, acute alcohol use was associated with reduced odds of admission amongst those no longer suicidal (AOR 0.4, 95% CI 0.2, 0.6). Where suicidality persisted, odds of admission rose; however, the magnitude of increase when in combination with prior alcohol use (AOR 3.6, 95% CI 1.9, 7.1) was under half that of when alcohol was not involved (AOR 8.2, 95% CI 3.5, 19.1). Discussion and Conclusions Acute alcohol use is associated with transient suicidality, but this only partially accounts for disparities in care following suicide attempts.

As acute alcohol intake can trigger suicidal ideas and attempts in people already at risk, and self-aggression is more intense after alcohol consumption, the aim of this study is to assess the rela...

Alcoholism is a risk factor for the development of cognitive decline and dementia. Here we demonstrated that the glymphatic function in the brain was impaired by alcohol administration. Acute moderate alcohol administration substantially retarded and reduced the entry of subarachnoid cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) via the paravascular space into the cerebral parenchyma, thus impaired CSF-interstitial fluid (ISF) exchange and parenchymal amyloid β (Aβ) peptide clearance. The elevated release of β-endorphin and reduced cerebrovascular pulsatility after acute alcohol administration may account for the impairment of the glymphatic function. Chronic moderate alcohol consumption led to pronounced activation of astrocytes and a widespread loss of perivascular AQP4 polarization in the brain, which results in an irreversible impairment of the glymphatic function. The results of the study suggest that impaired glymphatic functions and reduced parenchymal Aβ clearance found in both acute and chronic alcohol treatment may contribute to the development of cognitive decline and dementia in alcoholism.

Background Acute alcohol intake may influence nasal patency; however, there is lack of objective evidence. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of acute alcohol intake on nasal patency employing both subjective and objective measures. Methods A total of 31 participants were classified into 2 groups of non-heavy drinkers (n = 17) and heavy drinkers (n = 14). Both groups consumed wine in 1 h and were assessed for subjective nasal symptoms and objective nasal patency, using rhinomanometry and acoustic rhinometry, at baseline and at 0.5, 2, and 6 h post-alcohol consumption. Results Alcohol consumption significantly increased nasal obstruction from baseline values in both heavy and non-heavy drinking groups. Total nasal volume (TNV) and the minimal cross-sectional area (MCA) were significantly decreased and nasal airway resistance (NAR) significantly increased from baseline values by 2 h post-alcohol consumption for both heavy and non-heavy drinking groups ( P Conclusion Acute alcohol consumption may impair nasal patency, independent of the amount consumed. Individuals with allergic rhinitis may be more prone to nasal obstruction after alcohol consumption than those without allergic rhinitis.

Acute alcohol intoxication is a condition frequently defined in childhood, especially in adolescents, and is seen as extremely rare in infants. In this study, acute alcohol intoxication developed after accidentally spilling alcohol with 96% concentration to the face of a 19-day-old neonate during umbilical care is presented because it is a rare case in the neonatal period.

The aim of the study was to investigate the features of damage to the structures of the brain in acute carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. The results of forensic, microscopic and morphometric studies of the brain of 78 corpses died from acute carbon monoxide poisoning are presented. The peculiarities of damage to the nervous tissue, the glial complex, as well as changes in the structures of blood vessels and the state of intravascular blood with the formation of aggregates, sludge, and blood clots were revealed. These changes along with perivascular and pericellular edema indicate the agonal death of the victims. When the carboxyhemoglobin concentration in the blood is about 30% the brain structures' lesions begin to appear; their intensity increases when the carboxyhemoglobin concentration is more than 60%. According to the authors, the substantiation of the thanatogenesis of various types of carbon monoxide poisoning requires further research taking into account the age of the victims, the carboxyhemoglobin concentration in the blood, the duration of the agonal period, as well as possible (competing) conditions: for example, acute alcohol intoxication, thermal injury, etc. Still urgent the studies of structures of other target organs of CO - heart and lungs.Изучить особенности поражения структур головного мозга при остром отравлении угарным газом (CO). Приведены результаты судебно-медицинских, микроскопических и морфометрических исследований головного мозга 78 трупов погибших от острого отравления угарным газом. Выявили особенности поражения нервной ткани, глиального комплекса, а также изменения в структурах сосудов и состоянии внутрисосудистой крови с формированием агрегатов, сладжей, тромбов. Эти изменения наряду с периваскулярным и перицеллюлярным отеком свидетельствуют об агональном умирании пострадавших. При содержании в крови около 30% карбоксигемоглобина начинают проявляться поражения структур головного мозга, интенсивность их возрастает при содержании карбоксигемоглобина более 60%. По мнению авторов, обоснование танатогенеза различных видов отравления угарным газом требует дальнейшего исследования с учетом возраста пострадавших, содержания карбоксигемоглобина в крови, длительности агонального периода, а также возможных фоновых (конкурирующих) состояний: например, острой алкогольной интоксикации, термической травмы и др. Актуальны исследования структур и других органов-мишеней CO — сердца и легких.

In Mexico, underage alcohol consumption is a major public health problem. Notwithstanding the complex character of alcohol consumption, evidence indicates that enforcing the policies aimed to control the availability of alcohol has produced positive outcomes and has proved to be one of the most cost-effective strategies for curbing consumption, as well as they have succeeded in reducing health and social problems associated to alcohol use. Evaluate the effect of enforcing compliance with minimum-age restrictions for the sale of alcoholic beverages in the number of cases of acute alcohol intoxication in underage population in Mexico. A controlled interrupted time series analysis (ITSA) model was resorted in order to assess the effect of enforcing the ban of alcohol sales to underage individuals at national level in Mexico. The outcome variable was cases of acute alcohol intoxication (F10.0) discharged in emergency services in the group from 10 to 19 years of age. We found a statistically significant drop (16.4%) in the cases of acute alcohol intoxication immediately after the program implementation. This result suggests that monitoring and enforcing strategies to ban alcohol sales to underage individuals can provide an effective tool to reduce the negative outcomes of underage alcohol consumption.

Background The primary objective of this study is to determine whether age at first alcohol use is a determinant for adolescent acute alcohol intoxication characteristics, such as age at first acute alcohol intoxication and blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at hospital admission. Around the world, as in the Netherlands, a key aim of alcohol policy is to postpone the age at first alcohol use. This is based on cohort studies that indicate a relationship between a younger age at first alcohol use and subsequent adult alcohol use disorders. Methods This study was conducted using a cohort of data comprising individuals under 18 years of age. Data were collected between 2007 and 2017 by the Dutch Pediatric Surveillance System (NSCK) in order to monitor trends in admissions for acute alcohol intoxication. Multivariate linear regression analyses were used to determine the association between age at first alcohol use and acute alcohol intoxication characteristics, such as age at first acute alcohol intoxication and BAC at admission. Results This study indicates that among adolescents admitted for acute alcohol intoxication, adolescents who started drinking at ≤ 14 years of age are significantly more often female, lower educated, and raised in nontraditional family structures than adolescents who started drinking between 15 and 18 years of age. Multiple linear regression analyses indicated that age at first alcohol use, corrected for covariates, significantly predicted the age at acute alcohol intoxication and BAC at admission. The association between age at first alcohol use and age at intoxication was also found to be clinically relevant. Conclusions Although causation cannot be implied based on the results of these analyses, the results of this study suggest that interventions delaying the age at first alcohol use could be successful in increasing the average age that adolescents are admitted to the hospital for acute alcohol intoxication.

Currently, nephrectomy is performed for various diseases, and the number of this type of surgery does not have a clear tendency to decrease. Operational stress is accompanied by a triggering mechanism for a wide range of disorders, among which psycho-emotional and vegetative (vascular) reactions are important clinical markers. The study of the systemic adaptive reactivity of the body after nephrectomy will provide an integrated approach to the study of the problem of the postoperative period and the rehabilitation of the patient in clinical practice. Objective: to identify the effect of nephrectomy on the overall adaptive response of animals when white rats are exposed to damaging physical loads (acute hyperthermia) and chemical (acute alcohol poisoning, nephrotoxic agents) of nature, normobaric hypoxia, limiting muscular loads and immobilization stress. The results of the experiment showed that laboratory animals with a single kidney become more sensitive (1.5 times) to nephrotoxic agents. Analysis of the effect of nephrectomy on the overall adaptive response of animals under the influence of various damaging factors to reduce the body’s resistance to hypoxia by 20% (p > 0.05); to limit muscular loads – by 25% (p > 0.05); hyperthermia – by 25% (p < 0.05); chemical agents – by one third (p < 0.05); to immobilization stress – by 28% (p < 0.05). Conclusion. The study demonstrated a significant negative impact of nephrectomy on the overall adaptive capacity of the body and allowed to clarify the functional characteristics of the general adaptation disorders in connection with this operation.

Four polymorphic GABRA2 gene variations: rs105733011, rs8168342, rs198286814, rs198837638 that can influence the formation of different biological effects of the organism when exposed to ethanol have been investigated. For rs105733011 polymorphism the frequency of occurrence of the CT genotype was found to be significantly higher (p < 0,05) among animals with «severe intoxication» – 37,0% than with «mild intoxication» – 14,0%. For rs198286814 polymorphism the tendency to the most frequent occurrence of the AG genotype in the group of animals with «severe intoxication» was established. Significant differences in the distribution of occurrence frequencies of the GG/AG genotypes in the studied groups for polymorphic loci rs8168342 and rs198837638 were not revealed. It was concluded that the rs105733011 polymorphism can be one of the genetic markers allowing to predict the degree of inhibitory action of ethanol in acute alcohol intoxication.

This study investigated the effect of alcohol consumption on some male reproductive hormone (Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), and Testosterone (TT) levels in Nnewi Metropolis. Seventy two subjects comprising of 41 male (21 acute and 20 chronic) alcohol consumers and 31 controls aged between 18 and 50 years old were recruited for this study. Anthropometric data (height, weight and body mass index (BMI) as well as socio-demographic data of the subjects were obtained. Thereafter, 5mls of blood sample was collected from each subject and dispensed into plain container and used for laboratory analysis. Serum LH, FSH, and TT levels were estimated using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. The result revealed a significantly higher mean weight, BMI as well as serum LH levels respectively in alcohol consumers than in control (p0.05). More so, the mean weight, BMI, as well as serum LH and FSH levels were similar in both acute and chronic alcohol consumers respectively (p>0.05), While there was a significant decrease in the mean serum TT level in chronic alcohol consumers than in acute alcohol consumers (p Keywords: Alcohol consumption, Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Testosterone, Weight, Body mass index, Hypogonadism.

Death due to acute alcohol poisoning lacks specific anatomical characteristics, compared with other deaths due to drug poisoning. We report three forensic cases of death from acute alcohol poisoning due to inhibition of the respiratory centre and eventual asphyxia. Blood alcohol concentrations in the three fatalities were 5.28, 3.33 and 3.78 mg/mL, respectively. Lethal doses and blood alcohol concentrations showed differences between individuals. Detailed auxiliary tests besides autopsy were undertaken. These cases show that forensic scientists should exclude other causes of death, combine the autopsy with auxiliary tests, and then make an appraisal.

Objective This study aimed to clarify the role of acute alcohol use and alcohol use disorder in individuals exhibiting suicidal behaviors, including repetition of suicide attempt. Methods Data pertaining to 691 suicide attempters who had visited an emergency center and had been followed-up from 2010 to 2015 were gathered. Participants were categorized into following three groups according to alcohol use pattern at the time of the suicide attempt: 1) suicide attempters with neither alcohol use disorder nor acute alcohol consumption (NAU), 2) suicide attempters who had used alcohol during the suicide attempt but did not have alcohol use disorder (AAU), and 3) suicide attempters with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Group comparisons and multivariate Cox proportional models for suicidal behavior were used for statistical analysis. Results AUD have been shown to have lower lethality of suicide attempt but higher risk of suicide reattempts in the future. Furthermore, positive relationships between suicide reattempts and AUD persisted throughout the longer period than other groups. Conclusion Suicide attempters with AUD should be considered a high-risk group for suicide reattempts in future, and this group should be followed-up for a longer period with specialized care program.

Background Prior studies have shown that resting heart rate variability (HRV) is reduced in those with alcohol use disorders (AUD). However, HRV following an acute stressful stimulus (reactive HRV), and the relationship between resting or reactive HRV and drinking, craving and relapse in AUD have received less attention. Methods Studies using HRV in relationship to acute or chronic alcohol consumption were included in this review. Manuscripts that related to alcohol in the context of cardiovascular disease were excluded. Results Thirty-three articles were included and findings are presented in healthy social drinkers, moderate/heavy drinkers without AUD and individuals with AUD. Results on resting and reactive HRV were presented separately. Acute alcohol reduced resting HRV in healthy subjects but healthy controls had higher resting HRV then AUD subjects and moderate/heavy drinkers (in some studies). Resting HRV improved in AUD subjects only after at least 4 months of abstinence. AUD subjects had higher reactive HRV scores when compared to controls. In AUD subjects increased reactivity was related to more craving, faster relapse and more negative mood. Reactive HRV showed slower improvement with abstinence in AUD subjects. Conclusions Chronic, heavy alcohol has a negative effect on the autonomic nervous system and may be a sensitive biomarker of craving and relapse.

Background Although the relationship between acute alcohol consumption and injuries is well recognized, studies exploring how the time of day the drinking commences affects alcohol-related injuries have been scarce. This contribution examines the associations between the time at which the drinking began and the duration of the drinking, the volume of alcohol consumed, the injury type, and the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level. Method This study employed a cross-sectional survey, which was conducted in two hospital emergency departments (ED) in Chiangmai Province, Thailand. The sample was composed of 519 injured patients aged 18 years and older. Outcome measures included the BAC and type of injury. Exposures included the quantity of alcohol consumed, the time the drinking commenced, and the pattern of drinking involved. Results The injured patients who drank alcohol within six hours prior to sustaining their injury were more likely to get injured and present themselves at the ED at night (20:00–04:00) compared to those who sustained an injury but did not drink in the hours prior. However, this relationship was only true for unintentional injuries, not intentional ones. The majority of participants consumed their first drink between 16:00 and 20:00. On average, among the 104 patients who drank prior to sustaining an injury, the total amount of alcohol consumed was 6.9 drinks, the duration of drinking was 2.6 h, the rate of drinking was 6.0 drinks/hour, and the BAC was 0.119 gm%. Every drink increased the BAC by 0.012 gm% and each year of increasing age increased the BAC by 0.003 gm%. People who were older, less educated, and drank more frequently tended to have their first drink earlier than other drinkers. An earlier start to their drinking resulted in a faster pace of drinking and a higher BAC. Conclusions BAC increased with the total amount of alcohol consumed and the age of the drinker. Different groups of people had their first drink at different times of the day, resulting in differences in the rate of drinking, the BAC, the time of injury, and the time they presented to the ED after injury.

Aim Although decreased level of consciousness (DLOC) while driving may lead to serious accidents involving drivers and people around them, including passengers and pedestrians, few studies have assessed traffic injuries attributable to preceding DLOC. We aimed to identify factors suggestive of a DLOC preceding traffic injury during initial examination. Methods This study included 193 drivers who were brought to our facility during the 1‐year period from January to December 2018. The drivers were divided into those with and without DLOC for comparison and analysis. Data on age, sex, causes of DLOC, and medical history were retrospectively reviewed from medical records. Results Of these 193 drivers, 58 (30.1%) had experienced preceding DLOC. The following factors suggested possible episodes of preceding DLOC: a single‐vehicle accident (odds ratio [OR] 3.59; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.76–7.34; P, 30.1% of drivers had decreased level of consciousness before a traffic accident.

Background:Prospective memory is a critical neurocognitive capacity that refers to the ability to execute delayed intentions. To date, few studies have investigated the effects of acute alcohol consumption on prospective memory, and important questions remain about the mechanisms that might underpin acute alcohol-induced prospective memory impairment.Aims:The current study sought to clarify the nature and magnitude of prospective memory difficulties following acute alcohol consumption and to test the degree to which any problems with prospective remembering might be a secondary consequence of broader cognitive impairment. This study also investigated whether there were potential sex differences.Methods:In all, 124 healthy adult social drinkers were assigned to either the alcohol ( n = 61) or placebo ( n = 63) condition. Participants were administered a dose of 0.6 g/kg alcohol or a matched placebo drink and then asked to complete a measure of prospective memory. A broader neurocognitive test battery was also administered.Results:Relative to the placebo condition, acute alcohol intoxication led to significant impairment on all prospective memory tasks, with effects mostly large in magnitude. These difficulties could not be explained by broader problems in retrospective memory, executive function or episodic future thinking. In addition, females recorded a higher blood alcohol concentration than males; however, no sex differences in prospective memory performance were identified following acute alcohol use.Conclusion:The results show that acutely, even a moderate dose of alcohol substantially impairs prospective memory function. These findings have potentially important implications for understanding many of the maladaptive behaviours associated with acute alcohol consumption.

Adolescents with substance use disorders are often diagnosed with co-occurring mental disorders. However, it is unknown if adolescent hospital admission for acute alcohol intoxication is also associated with co-occurring mental disorders. Therefore, the primary aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence of co-occurring mental disorders among Dutch adolescents admitted for acute alcohol intoxication. Secondly, this study aims to explore the cross-sectional relationship between the co-occurrence of mental disorders and patient characteristics, such as sex, age and blood alcohol concentration at admittance. Data were retrospectively collected from 726 adolescents admitted for acute alcohol intoxication. Overall, 245 (34%) of the 726 adolescents treated for acute alcohol intoxication were diagnosed with a co-occurring mental health disorder, such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (13%) or autism spectrum disorder (2.1%). Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in particular seems to be more prevalent in the study population than in the general Dutch adolescent population.Conclusion: This study demonstrates that among adolescents admitted for acute alcohol intoxication, the prevalence of co-occurring mental disorders is a common and a relevant issue for treatment and prevention strategies. What is Known:• Alcohol consumption among adolescents has been associated with negative psychosocial effect.• Among adolescents admitted for acute alcohol intoxication, risk factors for psychological dysfunction appear to be inadequately assessed, documented and followed up. What is New:• The current study reports on the prevalence of co-occurring mental disorders among a substantial sample of adolescents admitted for acute alcohol intoxication.• Understanding the prevalence of co-occurring mental disorders is clinically relevant for the outpatient follow-up of adolescents admitted for acute alcohol intoxication.

AIM: In our study, we assessed the possibility of using the serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) for the early detection of kidney damage in patients with acute alcohol poisoning (AAP). METHODS: The study included 89 patients and 30 healthy donors. All participants in the study were mostly represented by men (90%) aged between 20 and 40 years. The influence of alcohol poisoning severity was also taken into account in the study. The Human NGAL ELISA Kit was used for the quantitative detection of serum NGAL. We also evaluated the main laboratory indicators of kidney functions, including eGFR (calculated according to serum creatinine). RESULTS: We did not find a correlation between blood alcohol concentration and serum NGAL level; also, alcohol poisoning severity did not affect the NGAL values. The results of our study showed the possibility of using the serum NGAL in patients with AAP to detect the preclinical stage of reduced renal function, until the moment when it can be diagnosed with using only serum creatinine. CONCLUSION: We propose to consider an increase in eGFR together with an increase in serum NGAL in this group of patients as a stage, preceding nephropathy, even in the absence of clinical and laboratory signs of impaired renal function.

A patient presenting an ST-segment elevation could represent a life-threatening condition in Emergency Department (ED). This case shows how sometimes, a chronic, and more often, an acute abuse of alcohol is related to important harmful effects on myocardial contractility. The authors present a case of a 19-year-old male of oriental-Asiatic origin admitted unconscious to ED with alcoholic fetor: on electrocardiogram a significant and widespread STsegment elevation was observed. A bedside echocardiography showed no abnormalities in segmental kinetics; therefore electrocardiogram- alterations could be related to a coronary spasm. The literature is poor about this effect induced by acute alcohol ingestion: the pathophysiological mechanism at the base of the abnormal muscle contractility, seems to be related to an impairment in cyclic guanosine monophosphate production, although a second and less probable hypothesis could be an altered intracellular concentration of calcium levels.

Background: Research suggests that acute alcohol consumption alters recognition of emotional expressions. Extending this work, we investigated the effects of alcohol on recognition of six primary expressions of emotion. Methods: We conducted two studies using a 2 × 6 experimental design with a between-subjects factor of drink (alcohol, placebo) and a within-subjects factor of emotion (anger, disgust, sadness, surprise, happiness, fear). Study one (n = 110) was followed by a direct replication study (n = 192). Participants completed a six alternative forced choice emotion recognition task following consumption of 0.4 g/kg alcohol or placebo. Dependent variables were recognition accuracy (i.e. hits) and false alarms. Results: There was no clear evidence of differences in recognition accuracy between groups (ps > .58). In study one, there were more false alarms for anger in the alcohol compared to placebo group (n = 52 and 56, respectively; t(94.6) = 2.26, p = .024, d = .44) and fewer false alarms for happiness (t(106) = –2.42, p = .017, d = –.47). However, no clear evidence for these effects was found in study two (alcohol group n = 96, placebo group n = 93, ps > .22). When the data were combined we observed weak evidence of an effect of alcohol on false alarms of anger (t(295) = 2.25, p = .025, d = .26). Conclusions: These studies find weak support for biased anger perception following acute alcohol consumption in social consumers, which could have implications for alcohol-related aggression. Future research should investigate the robustness of this effect, particularly in individuals high in trait aggression.

Background The differences in outcomes between acute biliary pancreatitis (ABP) and acute alcohol-induced pancreatitis (AAP) have not been well studied. We sought to examine the differences between ABP and AAP as regards to in-hospital outcomes and resource utilization, using a large nationwide database. Methods We queried the National Inpatient Sample databases 2016 and 2017 using the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) coding system to identify the patients with a primary diagnosis of AAP and ABP. The primary outcome was all-cause in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes were hospital length of stay (LOS), hospitalization charge/cost, shock, acute kidney injury (AKI), intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and home discharge. Analysis was performed with STATA software. Results There was no significant difference in mortality between patients with AAP and ABP (0.42% vs. 0.82%, adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.95, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.69-1.31; P=0.79). Patients with ABP had a significantly longer LOS (+0.48 days, P

Background: Prior research demonstrated the relationship between birth order and adolescent risky behavior. The possible connection between the presence of siblings and birth order and underage alcohol abuse is unknown. Methods: Our study involves 10 years of data collection on underage alcohol intoxication in Dutch hospitals. A total of 2,234 patients were included in the current study. Results: Adolescents treated for alcohol intoxication less often have no siblings (6.7%) than the population has (14.8%). Furthermore, middle and youngest children are overrepresented in the patient population. Conclusion: The presence of older siblings is a risk factor for acute alcohol intoxication.

Background: Acute alcohol intoxication has been associated with cardiac arrhythmias but the electrocardiogram (ECG) changes associated with acute alcohol intoxication are not well defined in the literature. Objective: Highlight the best evidence regarding the ECG changes associated with acute alcohol intoxication in otherwise healthy patients and the pathophysiology of the changes. Methods: A literature search was carried out; 4 studies relating to ECG changes with acute alcohol intoxication were included in this review. Results: Of the total 141 patients included in the review, 90 (63.8%) patients had P-wave prolongation, 80 (56%) patients had QTc prolongation, 19 (13.5%) patients developed T-wave abnormalities, 10 (7%) patients had QRS complex prolongation, 3 (2.12%) patients developed ST-segment depressions. Conclusion: The most common ECG changes associated with acute alcohol intoxication are (in decreasing order of frequency) P-wave and QTc prolongation, followed by T-wave abnormalities and QRS complex prolongation. Mostly, these changes are completely reversible.

Among the serious consequences of alcohol abuse is the reduced ability to process visual information. Diminished vision from excessive consumption of alcohol has been implicated in industrial, home, and automobile accidents. Alcohol is also generally recognized as an inhibitor in the brain by potentiating GABA-ergic transmission. In this study, we focused on visual motion processing and explored whether moderate alcohol intoxication induced changes in inhibitory mediated motion repulsion in a center-surround configuration. We conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subjects study on the effect of alcohol on visual motion repulsion. Each subject underwent three experimental conditions (no alcohol, placebo and moderate alcohol) on separate days. The order of the placebo and moderate alcohol conditions was counterbalanced. The results showed that the effects of the surround context on the perception of the center motion direction were similar in both the sober (no alcohol) and placebo conditions. However, contextual modulations were significantly stronger during intoxication compared to both the sober and placebo conditions. These results demonstrate that moderate alcohol consumption is associated with altered neural function in visual cortical areas and that motion repulsion deficits might reflect the inhibitory effects of alcohol on the central nervous system.

The criteria of differential diagnosis of death from alcoholic cardiomyopathy and acute alcohol poisoning are proposed on the basis of the characteristic pathogmonic histological changes revealed in authors in the kaordiomyocytes. An attempt was made to create recommendations on the differential diagnosis of death from alcoholic cardiomyopathy and some other causes of death (acute alcohol poisoning, sudden death from coronary heart disease).

Research indicates alcohol (AUD) or substance (SUD) use disorders and acute alcohol or drug use serve as risk factors for suicidal behaviors and death both distally and proximally to a suicidal event. However, limited research has investigated these relationships among medically serious suicide attempters at the time of injury without relying on cohorts of substance users only or by examining suicide decedent characteristics.Data were collected from the National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB) for 2017. The sample comprised patients who engaged in suicidal and self-injurious acts that were medically serious enough to require trauma admission and were tested for alcohol (N = 9,196) or drug (N = 8,121) exposure upon admission. Logistic regression determined relationships between acute alcohol/substance use, presence of AUDs and SUDs and suicide mortality risk, while linear regression evaluated substance conditions and injury severity and length of stay (LOS).AUDs (OR = 0.59[0.42-0.83]) and SUDs (OR = 0.66[0.48-0.90]) had reduced odds of death but increased LOS (β = 1.7, p.001; β = 0.82, p = .024). Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was positively associated with reduced odds of death (OR = 0.20[0.06-0.61]), injury severity (β = -5.3, p.001), and LOS (β = -7.5, p.001). Presence of cocaine (β = -0.80, p = .044) and opioids (β = -1.4, p.001) were associated lower injury severity, while MDMA (β = 3.6, p = .016) and methamphetamine (β = 1.5, p = .025) were associated with increased injury severity.While higher BAC may be associated with lower odds of mortality during a single high-risk suicide event, substance users may be at increased risk for worse outcomes over time. Targeted interventions should be considered to interrupt and develop healthy alternatives for survivors with substance use conditions.

This study aimed to determine the role of acute alcohol use among suicide decedents based on their blood alcohol concentrations (BAC), and identify sociodemographic and clinical characteristics associated with the differences in BAC.Data were collected from nationwide autopsies conducted between May 2015 and November 2015 in South Korea. A total of 683 suicide decedents were classified into three groups according to the BAC at the time of autopsy: no alcohol (NA) group (BAC0.01%), no intoxication (NI) group (0.01≤BAC0.08%), and intoxication (I) group (BAC≥0.08%). Sociodemographic data and clinical factors related to suicide among the three groups were analyzed using a multinomial logistic regression analysis.Among the suicide decedents (N=683), the NA group was 55.6% (N=380), NI group was 15.7% (N=107), and I group was 28.7% (N=196). History of suicide attempts (odds ratio [OR]: 1.798, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.073-3.012) and absence of medical illness (OR: 1.633, CI: 1.038-2.571) were higher in the I group compared to the NA group. Psychiatric and medical illness triggers of suicide were significantly lower in the I group than the NA group (OR: 0.325, CI: 0.118-0.892). Being male (OR: 2.494, CI: 1.363-4.565) and financial problems as triggers of suicide (OR: 3.234, CI: 1.636-6.393) were higher in the NI group than in the NA group. Being male and having financial problems were associated with no intoxication (0.01≤BAC0.08%), whereas the history of suicide attempts and absence of medical and/or psychiatric illness were associated with acute alcohol intoxication (BAC≥0.08%) in the suicide decedents.Suicide decedents had different characteristics based on different BACs identified in the autopsy. The differences in acute alcohol intoxication and no intoxication in suicide decedents may have implications for the targeted prevention of suicides related to alcohol.

Alcohol consumption during adolescence is deleterious to the developing brain and leads to persistent deficits in adulthood. Several results provide strong evidence for ethanol-associated alterations in glutamatergic signaling and impaired synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus. Protein phosphorylation is a well-known and well-documented mechanism in memory processes, but information on phosphoprotein alterations in hippocampus after ethanol exposure is limited. This study focuses on age-related changes in the hippocampal phosphoproteome after acute alcohol administration. We have compared the phosphoprotein expression in the hippocampus of adult and adolescent Wistar rats treated with a single dose of ethanol (5 g/kg i.p.), using a proteomic approach including phosphoprotein enrichment by immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC). Our proteomic analysis revealed that 13 proteins were differentially affected by age, ethanol administration, or both. Most of these proteins are involved in neuroprotection and are expressed less in young rats treated with ethanol. We conclude that acute alcohol induces important changes in the expression of phosphoproteins in the hippocampus that could increase the risk of neurodegenerative disorders, especially when the alcohol exposure begins in adolescence.

Objectives Chronic and acute alcohol use are highly associated risk factors for suicides worldwide. Therefore, we examined suicide cases with and without alcohol use disorder (AUD) using data from the SNSF project “Suicide in Switzerland: A detailed national survey”. Our investigations focus on correlations between acute and chronic alcohol use with reference to suicide and potential interactions with the methods of suicide. Methods We used data from the SNSF project in which all cases of registered completed suicide in Switzerland reported to any of the seven Swiss institutes of legal and forensic medicine between 2000 and 2010 were collected. We extracted cases that were tested for blood alcohol to use in our analysis. We compared clinical characteristics, blood alcohol concentrations, and methods of suicide in cases with and without AUD. Results Out of 6497 cases, 2946 subjects were tested for acute alcohol use and included in our analysis. Of the latter, 366 (12.4%) persons had a medical history of AUD. Subjects with AUD significantly had higher blood alcohol concentrations and were more often in medical treatment before suicide. Drug intoxication as method of suicide was more frequent in cases with AUD compared to NAUD. Conclusion Overall, we found a high incidence of acute alcohol use at the time of death in chronic alcohol misusers (AUD). The five methods of suicide most commonly used in Switzerland differed considerably between individuals with and without AUD. Blood alcohol concentrations varied across different methods of suicide independently from the medical history in both groups.

Systemic levels of soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) are increased in various inflammatory and infectious diseases. We investigated the activation and prognostic value of plasma suPAR (P-suPAR) in patients experiencing their first acute alcohol pancreatitis (AAP).From prospectively collected data, we measured P-suPAR concentrations in 104 patients with AAP during hospitalization and again after discharge.According to the revised Atlanta classification, pancreatitis was moderately severe in 29 (28%) and severe in 6 (6%) patients and these severities were combined for further analysis (non-mild AAP, n = 35; 34%). Median P-suPAR levels were significantly higher in patients with AAP during hospitalization than after discharge (4.8 vs 3.1 ng/mL; P0.001) and in non-mild compared to mild AAP (6.2 vs 4.2 ng/mL; P0.001). When the analysis was made 1 to 4 days after admission (n = 68), the area under the curve was 0.81 (95% confidence interval, 0.70-0.92). P-suPAR was found to be a better prognostic marker in AAP than C-reactive protein, hematocrit, or creatinine.P-suPAR concentrations are elevated in AAP and correlate with the severity of the disease. These results suggest that P-suPAR may have potential to serve as a novel prognostic marker for AAP severity on admission.

Traumatic and nontraumatic rhabdomyolysis can lead to acute renal failure (ARF), and acute alcohol intoxication can lead to multiple abnormalities of the renal tubules. We examined the effect of acute alcohol intoxication in a rat model of rhabdomyolysis and ARF. Intravenous injections of 5 g/kg ethanol were given to rats over 3 h, followed by glycerol-induced rhabdomyolysis. Biochemical parameters, including blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Cre), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), and creatine phosphokinase (CPK), were measured before and after induction of rhabdomyolysis. Renal tissue injury score, renal tubular cell expression of E-cadherin, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were determined. Relative to rats in the vehicle group, rats in the glycerol-induced rhabdomyolysis group had significantly increased serum levels of BUN, Cre, GOT, GPT, and CPK, elevated renal tissue injury scores, increased expression of NF-κB and iNOS, and decreased expression of E-cadherin. Ethanol exacerbated all of these pathological responses. Our results suggest that acute alcohol intoxication exacerbates rhabdomyolysis-induced ARF through its pro-oxidant and inflammatory effects.

Involuntary movements can be a troublesome condition and represent a real challenge for emergency doctors, particularly for patients of paediatric age. We report a case of a 17-year-old boy with painful involuntary movements mostly affecting his mouth and lower limbs, but also the trunk. After reviewing the patient’s history, it was revealed that the adolescent had had acute alcohol intoxication with severe acute agitation and therefore was given a single dose of 10 mg intravenous haloperidol. The concealment of the recent event posed serious difficulties in reaching the diagnosis. When the diagnosis of haloperidol-induced acute dystonia was made, 3 mg of intravenous biperiden was promptly administered with complete clinical resolution in 15 min.

Attentional bias to alcohol is a well-documented effect whereby drinkers allocate greater visual attention toward alcohol-related stimuli rather than nonappetitive, neutral stimuli. Some recent research has shown that acute administration of alcohol temporarily reduces attentional bias to alcohol cues, possibly because alcohol consumption satiates the motivation to drink. However, the specificity of this effect has not been tested, and so it is unclear whether reduced attentional bias following alcohol is specific to alcohol-related stimuli or whether attention to other appetitive stimuli is also reduced (e.g., food). This study tested the degree to which acute alcohol administration selectively reduced attentional bias to alcohol-related but not to food-related cues in a group of 23 healthy young adults who reported consuming alcohol roughly twice per week. Attentional bias to alcohol-related and food-related cues was tested using visual dot probe tasks following 2 active doses of alcohol, .30 g/kg and .65 g/kg, and a placebo. Results showed that attentional bias, measured as fixation time to stimuli on the visual probe tasks, to alcohol cues declined in a dose-dependent manner, whereas attentional bias to food cues was unaffected by the doses. The evidence suggests that alcohol consumption specifically reduces attentional bias to alcohol-related stimuli whereas bias to other appetitive stimuli remains intact. Evidence that alcohol consumption reduces attentional bias specifically to alcohol cues lends further credibility to the satiation theory and to the utility of attentional bias as an indicator of acute and transient changes in an individual's motivation to use alcohol. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

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Background: The purpose of this research was to study the morphological properties and the products of oxidative protein modification in erythrocytes of patients with acute alcohol intoxication. Two groups of subjects were analyzed. The first one included 39 patients with acute alcohol intoxication. The second group consisted of 14 healthy subjects. Methods: In erythrocytes the activity of Cl–/HCО3– exchanger, the reactive protein carbonyl derivatives and membrane-bound hemoglobin concentration were measured. Results: Our results demonstrated strong alteration of the Cl–/HCО3– exchanger activity in erythrocytes of patients with acute alcohol intoxication. A delay in the beginning of hemolysis during incubation of erythrocytes in the ammonium medium was observed. The concentration of protein carbonyls in erythrocytes of patients significantly increased in comparison to the control ones. A decrease in the membrane-bounded hemoglobin was observed as well. Conclusions: These findings indicate that ethanol toxicity is manifested by alteration of oxidized protein concentration and Cl–/HCО3– exchanger activity in erythrocytes. It is hypothesized that oxidized proteins are implicated in modulation of the erythrocyte cell volume regulation.

Aims Concerns have been raised about a perceived rise in children and young people admitted to paediatric wards with mental health difficulties, and about the support available for them. However, there has been no detailed analysis to date of mental health (MH) related admissions data. The main aims of this project were to investigate regional MH-related paediatric admissions by: Describing the prevalence of admissions with an MH code, and the most common codes associated with admissions. Examining trends in prevalence over time. Methods We used data from 2006–2017 obtained from six acute trusts in one region as part of an ongoing hospital admissions project. A comprehensive coding list was developed to identify admissions with MH-related codes; subdivided into codes for mental, behavioural and neurodevelopmental disorders and codes for intentional self-harm. For each Trust we calculated the proportion of all admissions that had an MH-related code, identified the most common codes, and examined changes in prevalence of MH-related admissions over time. We also described whether MH-related diagnoses were coded as primary diagnoses. Results The overall proportion of admissions which were MH-related varied by trust from 0.45% to 7.97%, and the proportion with an intentional self-harm code ranged from 0.30% to 3.41%. In all trusts, less than 1% of admissions had an MH-related code as the primary diagnosis. The proportion of admissions with an MH-related code increased over time, both for mental, behavioural and neurodevelopmental disorders and for intentional self-harm, for all trusts. The most common MH-related codes used as primary diagnoses were acute alcohol intoxication and anorexia nervosa. Conclusion Our findings suggest there has been a rise in MH-related paediatric admissions over time, and that this rise is not solely due to an increase in self-harm. This has implications for prevention, for planning appropriate care and pathways for those admitted with an MH problem, and for staff training and support. Perhaps most importantly, Trusts that only capture primary diagnosis codes risk underestimating mental health needs in the paediatric population. Acknowledgement Thanks to National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRC) South West Peninsula and to the Academy of Medical Sciences INSPIRE programme who funded the lead author for a medical student summer scholarship.