Effect of various factors on energy drinks consumption, and their connection with alcohol consumption.

Energy drinks (EDs) have become widely popular among adolescents and young adults. Excessive consumption of EDs can lead to ED abuse and alcohol abuse. Therefore, this study has aimed to analyse the consumption of EDs in a group of patients suffering from alcohol dependence and among young adults, considering such issues as the amounts consumed, underlying reasons and threats arising from excessive consumption of ED and their mixing with alcohol (AmED). The study included 201 men (101 patients treated due to alcohol dependence and 100 young adults/students). Each research participant responded to questions in a survey designed by the researchers (socio-demographic data, clinical data, including consumption of ED, AmED and alcohol), the MAST and SADD. The participants also had their arterial blood pressure measured. EDs were consumed by 92% of the patients and 52% of young adults. A statistically significant dependence was confirmed between consumption of ED and tobacco smoking (p < 0.001), as well as the place of residence (p = 0.044). For 22% of the patients, ED consumption had an effect on alcohol consumption, where 7% admitted to feeling an increased urge to drink alcohol, and 15% said ED consumption decreased it. A statistically significant relationship (p < 0.001) was also shown between ED consumption and the consumption of EDs mixed with alcohol (AmED). This study may implicate that widespread consumption of EDs predisposes to the consumption of alcohol mixed with ED or separate.

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Preoperative Physiotherapy Using the Lysholm-Gillquist Scale in Patients Qualified for Surgical Arthroscopic Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction - Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Recent years have seen a noticeable increase in the number of people experiencing total damage to the anterior cruciate ligament in the knee joint. The causes are many, but increased sporting activity among people who generally lead a hypokinetic lifestyle is regarded as the most important factor. Researchers are seeking to optimize the surgical treatment and rehabilitation. AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the effectiveness of preoperative physiotherapy according to the Lysholm and Gillquist scale in patients scheduled for arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved a random sample of 30 patients with confirmed complete rupture of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) qualified for surgical ACL reconstruction. Within this group, an experimental group consisted of 15 patients (mean age 41.0 ± 7 years) who attended physiotherapy before surgery based on recognized therapeutic models. A control group consisted of 15 patients (mean age 39.0 ± 9 years). The Lysholm and Gillquist 100-point scale was used for assessment. Student's t test, the Mann-Whitney U test and the Wilcoxon test were used for statistical analysis. The level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: The operated knee improved functionally in both the experimental and control group. In the experimental group, the difference was 20 points and was statistically significant at p = 0.000. In the control group, the difference was 6 points, which was also within the limit of statistical significance at p = 0.002. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Patients with total ACL rupture attending a pre-operative rehabilitation program led by a physiotherapist (experimental group) achieved greater improvement in functional status compared with the control group. 2. These results indicate a need to analyze the impact ofpreoperative rehabilitation on the final outcome of patients after complete ACL rupture.

[Factors affecting the concentration of plasma tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and liver function tests values in alcohol dependent males after alcohol drinking cessation]. / Czynniki wplywajace na stezenie czynnika martwicy guza (TNF-alfa) i poziom prób watrobowych w surowicy u mezczyzn uzaleznionych od alkoholu po jego odstawieniu.

AIMS: In our work, the factors affecting the plasma level of cytokine, tumour necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) and liver function tests values in alcohol dependent males after alcohol abuse period were analysed. METHODS: We studied forty-seven alcoholics, without severe liver disease, who were abstinent no longer than 14 days before the study beginning. In all 24-h gastric pH-metry, endoscopy, serum liver function tests and TNF-alfa concentration were estimated. RESULTS: The amount of alcohol drunk within 90 days before the study start correlated with plasma activity of AST, ALT and GGT. The plasma presence of TNF-alpha in 26 subjects was found, but in 21 patients this cytokine level was lower than the method sensitivity (< 0.05 pg/ ml). Using the step-wise method of multiple regression we found, that TNF-alfa level at the study commencement was determined by history of delirium tremens, Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test score, length of alcohol dependence, ALT activity, % of total monitoring time with gastric pH >3, intensity of antral H. pylori colonisation and number of standard drinks drunk for 90 days before the study start (ns). Similar factors determined liver function tests values variance. CONCLUSION: Values of TNF-alpha and liver function tests two weeks after alcohol withdrawal were independently determined by gastric pH, H.pylori infection and smoking, which suggests their potential synergism with a hepatotoxic effect of alcohol drinking.

Compliance with Low Molecular Weight Heparin in abulatory orthopedic patients.

Background The prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism with unfractioned heparins (UFH) was introduced in 1970s and initially applied only in high-risk orthopedic surgery patients. While further studies proved its importance also in those with lower risk, it was the development of LMWH, that enabled wide practical application. The primary objective of this study was to provide a complex evaluation of actual compliance with self-administered Low Molecular Weight Heparin in ambulatory orthopedic patients. Assessment of incidence of LMWH side-effects and thromboembolic episodes despite proper prophylaxis were defined as secondary objectives. Material and methods The research was conducted in Brodnowski Hospital, Warsaw and WSzZ Hospital, Kielce. The group consisted of n=120 (58 females, age 17-82) patients. The selection criteria were: having plaster immobilization definitely removed and being prescribed LMWH as a part of the treatment. Participants were given anonymous questionnaires composed of 25 questions. Satisfactory compliance was defined as application of at least 80% of prescribed injections. Results Compliance with LMWH appeared to be satisfactory in 95.8% cases of which 63,6% were fully and 32,2% partially compliant. The most frequent reasons for dose omission were forgetfulness (48.9%), fear of side-effects (20.0%) and side-effects (13.3%). Side effects were observed in 26.7% of drug applying patients and due to this fact 16.4% temporarily stopped injections. Venous thromboembolism was reported in 6.0%. Conclusions Compliance level in great majority proved to be satisfactory, although the necessity of prophylaxis was far from being fully recognized by the patients. It also seemed unaffected by the significant number of side effects. Thromboembolic episodes were sporadically reported.

Taste responses to monosodium glutamate after alcohol exposure.

AIMS: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of acute and chronic exposure to alcohol on taste responses to a prototypic umami substance, monosodium glutamate (MSG). METHODS: The rated intensity and pleasantness of MSG taste (0.03-10.0%) was compared in chronic male alcoholics (n = 35) and control subjects (n = 25). In a separate experiment, the effects of acute exposure of the oral mucosa to ethanol rinse (0.5-4.0%) on MSG taste (0.3-3.0%) were studied in 10 social drinkers. RESULTS: The alcoholic and control group did not differ in terms of the rated intensity and pleasantness of MSG taste. Electrogustometric thresholds were significantly (P < 0.01) higher, i.e. worse, in the alcohol-dependent subjects. The difference remained significant after controlling for between-group differences in cigarette smoking and coffee drinking. Rinsing with ethanol did not alter either intensity or pleasantness of MSG taste in social drinkers. CONCLUSIONS: The present results suggest that: (i) neither acute nor chronic alcohol exposure modifies taste responses to MSG; (ii) alcohol dependence may be associated with deficit in threshold taste reactivity, as assessed by electrogustometry.