Sleep, alcohol, and caffeine in financial traders.

Alcohol and caffeine are two of the most commonly used substances for altering human consciousness. While their adverse effects on sleep have been separately examined in the laboratory and epidemiological levels, how they impact real-world night-to-night sleep, in isolation or together, remains unclear. This is especially true in occupations wherein the use of alcohol and caffeine is high (e.g., financial services sector). Using a six-week micro-longitudinal study, here we examined the real-world impact of alcohol, caffeine, and their combined consumption in a cohort of financial traders. We demonstrate that alcohol consumption significantly degrades the subjective quality of sleep (p < 0.001). Caffeine consumption led to a different phenotype of sleep impairment, resulting in a detrimental reduction in sleep quantity (p = 0.019), rather than a marked alteration in sleep quality. Contrary to our hypothesis, when consumed in combination, evening alcohol consumption interacted with ongoing caffeine consumption such that alcohol partially mitigated the impairments in sleep quantity associated with caffeine (p = 0.032). This finding suggests the sedating effects of alcohol and the psychoactive stimulant effects of caffeine obscure each other's impact on sleep quantity and sleep quality, respectively-potentially explaining their interdependent use in this cohort (i.e., "self-medication" of evening sedation with alcohol to combat the prior daytime ingestion of caffeine and vice versa). More generally, these results contribute to a unique understanding of the singular and combinatory impacts of two of the most commonly used substances for augmenting human consciousness under free-living, real-world conditions, the performance-impairing (and thus economic-cost) consequences of which may be important to the business sector and the society.

Assessment of alcohol-induced aggressive behavior in zebrafish (Danio rerio): A practical class.

Ethanol (EtOH) is among the most consumed drugs in the world. The behavior of humans after ingestion of this drug is characteristic: At low doses it may be excitatory and at higher doses, it may induce depressant/sedative effects. Similar effects are observed in the zebrafish experimental model (Danio rerio), which has about 70% genetic similarity with humans and has been widely used in numerous research. With the objective of improving the learning of biochemistry students, this work aimed to develop a practical exercise in the laboratory for students to observe the behavioral repertoire of zebrafish under the effects of exposure to ethanol. Through this practical class, the students were able to observe the similarity of the behavior of the animal model with that of humans, showing its importance for the consolidation of knowledge, awakening in the students an interest in science and its applications in everyday life.

Self-report assessment of alcohol sensitivity: An examination of the effects of different probes.

OBJECTIVE: Level of response (LOR) to alcohol is associated with several alcohol-related risk factors and outcomes. However, existing self-report measures of LOR have important limitations. For example, the Self-Rating of the Effects of Alcohol Scale assesses a limited range of alcohol-related effects. Although the Alcohol Sensitivity Questionnaire (ASQ) samples a broader range of effects, it uses different probes across effects, confounding type of effect with method variation associated with the use of different probes. Focusing on the ASQ, we systematically evaluate variation in estimated LOR as a function of how number of drinks to achieve an effect is probed. Our approach addresses a major limitation of existing LOR measures which fail to account for sensitivity variability across drinking occasions. METHOD: This study randomized 732 adult drinkers into one of four versions of the ASQ that assessed sensitivity to 15 alcohol-related effects, systematically varying the follow-up probes. RESULTS: Accounting for (a) the minimum number of drinks consumed before feeling an effect and (b) the maximum number of drinks consumed without feeling an effect for all effects is superior to the original ASQ approach in predicting relevant outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Assessments of sensitivity should probe for minimum and maximum number of drinks across each of the effects. If impractical to probe for both, consistently probing for maximum number of drinks is desirable. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Assessment of Antibacterial Efficacy of Callistemon viminalis (Sol. ex Gaertn.) G. Don against Some Isolates Obtained from Urinary Tract Infections.

This study aimed to examine the antibacterial effects of constituents obtained from Callistemon viminalis leaves. This goal was achieved by using three organic solvents, namely Ethanol, Ethyl acetate, and Hexane to prevent the growth of the causative urinary tract infections isolates, such as Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia, and Proteus sp. in Iraq. The C. viminalis fresh leaves collected from different regions of Hillah City, during March 2020, were classified according to the taxonomic features of Iraqi Flora. Extractions were completed by a method of digestion and then the stock solution of 200 mg/mL was prepared in 10% of Dimethylsulfoxide. A Millipore filter (0.22 µm) was used for the sterilization of all the extracts used in this study. Agar well diffusion method was utilized to test the antibacterial effects of the constituents separated from the dried leaves of C. viminalis against the urinary tract infection bacteria at three concentrations of 50, 100, and 200 mg/mL for each extracted constitute by the three different solvents. Dimethylsulfoxide 10% and the meropenem were utilized as the negative and positive controls. Constituents separated by ethanol solvent at 200 mg/mL exhibited significant supremacy (P≤0.05) over the meropenem against Proteus sp. isolate, and exhibited the same significant difference (P≤0.05), compared to the meropenem drug against E. coli. Constituents extracted by Ethyl acetate organic solvent at a concentration of 200 mg/mL exhibited a similarly significant effect (P≤0.05), compared to the meropenem against Proteus sp. isolate. However, the hexane extract was the least effective among the other solvents utilized in this study. The results of the current study revealed that constituents in the leaves of C. viminalis could be considered a valuable herbal remedy for controlling urinary tract infections pathogenic bacteria.

Assessment of The Antibacterial Susceptibility of Ocimum basilicum.

       The current study was designed to assess the antibacterial activities of an ethanol extract of Ocimum basilicum (O. basilicum). Using disc diffusion and direct contact methods, the extracts were tested in vitro against three bacterial strains. The direct contact test was used and compared with the agar diffusion test. The optical density was measured using a spectrophotometer to collect data. The results showed that methanol extracts of plant parts of O. basilcum leaves contained tannins, flavonoids, glycosides, and steroids, whereas alkaloids, saponins, and terpenoids. In contrast, O. basilcum seeds contained saponins, flavonoids, and steroids. The O. basilicum stems contained saponins and flavonoids, O. basilucum had antibacterial activity against the identified bacteria. The plant extracts inhibited Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli (E. coli). The result revealed that the Ocimum basilicum leaves were more potent than seeds and stems. Ocimum basilicum ethanol extract combined with established conventional antibiotics may enhance their antimicrobial properties, giving rise to synergistic effects against clinically important bacterial species.

Assessment of alkylimidazolium chloride ionic liquid formulations for cleaning and disinfection of environmental surfaces.

BACKGROUND: Surface disinfection is fundamental to good environmental hygiene and preventing infections. Development of newer formulations that can effectively kill and remove microorganisms from the surfaces is desired. METHODS: Here, we assessed the efficacy of 1-hexadecyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride [C16MIM][Cl] ionic liquid (IL) and its formulation in ethanol for killing and removing bacteria from different environmental surfaces. Efficacy of IL and its formulation was determined on known monospecies bacterial cultures and unknown multispecies bacterial cultures on environmental surfaces. RESULT: The surface disinfection efficacy of [C16MIM][Cl] was concentration dependent and achieved 41 to 100% reduction in total viable bacterial counts of Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria at varied concentrations. The treatment of wooden surface with 0.1% [C16MIM][Cl] caused 98% reduction in bacterial load within 20 s contact time as against mere 45% reduction (20 s) with 70% ethanol. Antibacterial and surface disinfection activities of [C16MIM][Cl] have increased markedly when prepared in 70% ethanol, suggesting synergistic activity. A formulation comprising of 0.01% [C16MIM][Cl] in 70% ethanol showed effective surface disinfection and achieved 95% to 98% reduction in bacterial load on different surfaces. CONCLUSION: Ionic liquids are potent candidates for disinfection of environmental surfaces.

Assessment of the efficiency of different chemical treatments and ultrasonic cleaning for defatting of cancellous bone samples.

Our study aimed to asses the defatting efficiency of different methods, which are commonly used and easily available in the laboratory in order to find a method that is effective, convenient, safe, and economical. Cylindrical cancellous bone specimens were obtained from fresh-frozen human cadaver femoral condyles, cut into multiple small specimens (Ø8 × 2 mm), and assigned to two groups that were treated with either chemical solvent soaking (Solvent group) or ultrasonic cleaning (Ultrasound group). Each group was divided into several subgroups based on different treatments. Digital photographs were taken of each specimen. The difference of material density (Δρb), apparent density (Δρapp), and porosity (ΔP) before and after treatment were used as evaluation indicators. For the solvent group, in Δρb, only the combination of 99% ethanol and detergent solution showed a significant difference before and after treatment (P = 0.00). There was no significant difference in ΔP among acetone, the mixture of 99% ethanol and acetone, and the combination of 99% ethanol and detergent solution (P = 0.93). For the ultrasound group, the median of all subgroups in Δρapp and ΔP were all lower than the solvent group. The combination of 99% ethanol and detergent solution (v/v = 1:20), as well as the mixture of 99% ethanol and acetone (v/v = 1:1), seem to be the optimal defatting methods for 2 mm thick cancellous bone slices due to their effectiveness, availability, low-cost and safety. Chemical soaking for 24 h is more effective than ultrasonic cleaning with 99% ethanol or acetone for 20 or 40 min.

Ethanol tolerance assessment in recombinant E. coli of ethanol responsive genes from Lactobacillus buchneri NRRL B-30929.

We previously identified specific proteins associated with ethanol stress response in a Lactobacillus buchneri strain capable of growing in 10% ethanol. In the current study, the exceptional roles of ethanol responsive genes are examined to determine if they can increase ethanol tolerance in E. coli host cells. The recombinant strains carrying ethanol responsive genes were subjected to growth analyses in media with and without 4% ethanol. Among the expression of these genes and growth analyses of the recombinant strains in ethanol, six genes Lbuc_0522 (NADPH-dependent methylglyoxal reductase), Lbuc_0354 (succinate semialdehyde dehydrogenase), Lbuc_1211(threonyl_tRNA synthetase), Lbuc_2051 (nitroreductase), Lbuc_0707 (branched chain amino acid aminotransferase) and Lbuc_1852 (proline-specific peptidase) conferred host cells tolerance to 4% ethanol. Six genes Lbuc_1523 (phage major capsid protein, HK 97 family), Lbuc_1319 (phosphoglycerate kinase), Lbuc_0787 encoding fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase, Lbuc_1219 encoding UDP-N-acetylmuramate-L-alanine ligase, Lbuc_0466 encoding ornithine carbamoyltransferase and Lbuc_0858 encoding glycine hydroxymethyltransferase showed no impact on growth in media with 4% ethanol with IPTG induction when compared with E. coli carrying control pET28b plasmid. The expression of two genes Lbuc_1557 (S-layer glycoprotein) and Lbuc_2157 (6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase) resulted ethanol sensitivity phenotype.

Ethyl alcohol threshold test: a fast, reliable and affordable olfactory Assessment tool for COVID-19 patients.

OBJECTIVE: COVID-19 patients may present mild symptoms. The identification of paucisymptomatic patients is paramount in order to interrupt the transmission chain of the virus. Olfactory loss could be one of those early symptoms which might help in the diagnosis of COVID-19 patients. In this study, we aim to develop and validate a fast, inexpensive, reliable and easy-to-perform olfactory test for the screening of suspected COVID-19 patients. STUDY DESIGN: Phase I was a case-control study and Phase II a transversal descriptive study. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Olfaction was assessed with the ethyl alcohol threshold test and symptoms with visual analogue scales. The study was designed in two phases: In Phase I, we compared confirmed COVID-19 patients and healthy controls. In Phase II, patients with suspected COVID-19 infection referred for testing were studied. RESULTS: 275 participants were included in Phase I, 135 in Phase II. The ROC curve showed an AUC of 0.749 in Phase I, 0.737 in Phase II. The cutoff value which offered the highest amount of correctly classified patients was ≥ 2 (10% alcohol) for all age intervals. The odds ratio was 8.19 in Phase I, 6.56 in Phase II with a 75% sensitivity. When cases report normal sense of smell (VAS < 4), it misdiagnoses 57.89% of patients detected by the alcohol threshold test. CONCLUSION: The olfactory loss assessed with the alcohol threshold test has shown high sensitivity and odds ratio in both patients with confirmed COVID-19 illness and participants with suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Assessment of the Defatting Efficacy of Mechanical and Chemical Treatment for Allograft Cancellous Bone and Its Effects on Biomechanics Properties of Bone.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the defatting efficacy of high pressure washing and gradient alcohol and biomechanical properties of defatted bone. METHODS: Fresh cancellous bone was obtained from the femoral condyle and divided into six groups according to different defatting treatments, which were: high pressure washing for 10 s (10S group), 20 s (20S group), and 30 s (30S group), gradient alcohol immersion (Alcohol group), acetone immersion (Acetone group), and non-defatted (Fresh group). The appearance of six groups was observed, and the appearance of defatted bone and fresh bone was compared. The residual lipid content and infrared spectrum were used to compare the efficacy of defatting, the DNA content was used to compare the cell content after defatting, and the maximum stress and elastic modulus were used to compare the effects of defatting treatment on biomechanical properties. RESULTS: The fresh bone was yellow and the pores contained a lot of fat. The defatted bone was white and the porous network was clear. There was no difference in residual lipid content among the three groups with high pressure washing (1.45% ± 0.16%, 1.40% ± 0.13%, and 1.46% ± 0.11%, respectively) (P = 0.828). There was no difference in residual lipid content among the 10S, alcohol, and acetone groups (1.45% ± 0.16%, 1.28% ± 0.07%, and 1.13% ± 0.22%, respectively) (P = 0.125). Infrared spectra showed that the fat content of the five defatting groups was significantly lower than that of the fresh group. There was no difference in residual lipid content among the three groups with high pressure washing (4.53 ± 0.23 ug/mL, 4.61 ± 0.18 ug/mL, and 4.66 ± 0.25 ug/mL, respectively) (P = 0.645). There was no difference in residual lipid content among the 10S, alcohol, and acetone groups (4.53 ± 0.23 ug/mL, 4.29 ± 0.24 ug/mL, and 4.27 ± 0.29 ug/mL, respectively) (P = 0.247). The maximum stress of the bone decreased significantly with the increase of the washing time (9.95 ± 0.31 Mpa, 9.07 ± 0.45 Mpa, and 8.17 ± 0.35 Mpa, respectively) (P = 0.003). The elastic modulus of the bone decreased significantly with the increase of the washing time (116.40 ± 3.54 Mpa, 106.10 ± 5.29 Mpa, and 95.63 ± 4.08 Mpa, respectively) (P = 0.003). There was no statistical difference in the maximum stress between the fresh group, the 10S group, the alcohol group, and the acetone group (10.09 ± 0.67 Mpa, 9.95 ± 0.31 Mpa, 10.11 ± 0.07 Mpa, and 10.09 ± 0.39 Mpa, respectively) (P = 0.963). There was no statistical difference in the maximum stress between the fresh group, the 10S group, the alcohol group and the acetone group (119.93 ± 4.94 Mpa, 116.40 ± 3.54 Mpa, 118.27 ± 0.85 Mpa, 118.10 ± 4.52 Mpa, respectively) (P = 0.737). CONCLUSION: The defatting efficiency was satisfactory at a time of 10 s under high pressure washing. In terms of defatting efficiency and its effect on biomechanical properties of bone, high pressure washing and gradient alcohol were similar to conventional acetone solvent extraction defatting.

Automated assessment of alcohol-induced impairment of balance in male and female social drinkers.

The acute administration of alcohol reliably impairs the ability to balance when standing. The standardized field sobriety test uses alcohol-induced impairment of body stability to indicate probable alcohol intoxication. Given that body sway is used in the detection of alcohol impairment and intoxication, it is surprising that little research with humans has incorporated new technology that provides automated neuromuscular control assessment. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the dose response to the acute effects of alcohol below and at the legal limit for driving in the United States on balance impairments, as measured by the Biosway Portable Balance System (Biodex Medical Systems, Inc.). Fourteen social drinkers attended 3 separate sessions during which they received alcohol (0.0, 0.3, and 0.6 g/kg alcohol). Body sway with eyes open and eyes closed was assessed at 45 min after dose administration when breath alcohol concentration was peaking for both active alcohol doses (.04g% and .08g%). The results indicated that body sway was significantly increased in the 0.6 g/kg alcohol conditions when compared with the placebo and 0.3 g/kg alcohol conditions. Body sway was not significantly elevated in the 0.3 g/kg alcohol condition compared with placebo. The results from this study suggest that this new technology may be of interest to alcohol researchers and the police as a more precise assessment of balance. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Assessment of tolerability and acceptability of an alcohol-based hand rub according to a WHO protocol and using apparatus tests.

Background: The effectiveness of alcohol-based hand rubs (ABHRs) depends substantially on their acceptability and tolerability. In this study, we assessed the acceptability and tolerability of a new ABHR (product EU 100.2018.02). Methods: Among physicians, nurses, and cosmetologists who used the ABHR for 30 days, we assessed the product's acceptability and tolerability according to a WHO protocol. Additionally, we used instrumental skin tests. Participants assessed the product's color, smell, texture, irritation, drying effect, ease of use, speed of drying, and application, and they gave an overall evaluation. Moreover, they rated the tolerability, i.e. their skin condition, on the following dimensions: intactness, moisture content, sensation, and integrity of the skin. The tolerability was also assessed by an observer as follows: redness, scaliness, fissures, and overall score for the skin condition. Instrumental skin tests included transepidermal water loss, skin hydration, sebum secretion, and percentage of skin affected by discolorations. All assessments were made at baseline (visit 1), and 3-5 days (visit 2) and 30 days (visit 3) later. Results: We enrolled 126 participants (110 [87%] women) with a mean age of 34.3 ± 11.65 years. Sixty-five participants (52%) were healthcare professionals (physicians, nurses), and 61 (48%) were cosmetologists. During visit 2 and visit 3, about 90% of participants gave responses complying with the WHO's benchmark for acceptability and tolerability. Similarly, the ABHR met the WHO criteria for observer-assessed tolerability: on all visits, in more than 95% of participants, the observer gave scores complying with the WHO benchmark. Transepidermal water loss decreased from baseline to visit 3 (p < 0.001), whereas skin hydration, sebum secretion, and the percentage of skin affected by discolorations did not change significantly during the study (p ≥ 130). Conclusions: The EU 100.2018.02 had both high acceptability and tolerability, meeting the WHO criteria. The WHO protocol proved useful in the analysis of acceptability and tolerability of ABHRs.

Reward, Relief and Habit Drinking: Initial Validation of a Brief Assessment Tool.

AIMS: Alcohol use disorder is highly heterogeneous. One approach to understanding this heterogeneity is the identification of drinker subtypes. A candidate classification consists of reward and relief subtypes. The current study examines a novel self-report measure of reward, relief, and habit drinking for its clinical correlates and subjective response (SR) to alcohol administration. METHODS: Non-treatment-seeking heavy drinkers (n = 140) completed the brief reward, relief, habit drinking scale (RRHDS). A subset of this sample (n = 67) completed an intravenous alcohol administration. Individuals were classified into drinker subtypes. A crowdsourced sample of heavy drinkers (n = 187) completed the RRHDS and a validated reward relief drinking scale to compare drinking classification results. RESULTS: The majority of the sample was classified as reward drinkers (n = 100), with fewer classified as relief (n = 19) and habit (n = 21) drinkers. Relief and habit drinkers reported greater tonic alcohol craving compared to reward drinkers. Reward drinkers endorsed drinking for enhancement, while relief drinkers endorsed drinking for coping. Regarding the alcohol administration, the groups differed in negative mood, such that relief/habit drinkers reported a decrease in negative mood during alcohol administration, compared to reward drinkers. The follow-up crowdsourcing study found a 62% agreement in reward drinker classification between measures and replicated the tonic craving findings. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that reward drinkers are dissociable from relief/habit drinkers using the brief measure. However, relief and habit drinkers were not successfully differentiated, which suggests that these constructs may overlap phenotypically. Notably, measures of dysphoric mood were better at detecting group differences than measures capturing alcohol's rewarding effects.

Assessment of Skin Blood Flow Following Acute Intravenous Alcohol, and Association with Subjective Perceptions, in Social Drinkers.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of acute intravenous (IV) alcohol infusion on skin blood flow (SBF) response, measured at fingertip and earlobe, and subjective responses associated with SBF in social drinkers. METHODS: Twenty-four social drinkers underwent a computer-assisted alcohol self-infusion study. SBF was measured continuously using laser Doppler flow meter, with the probe placed on the fingertip or earlobe. Perfusion recordings were collected at baseline, and at 0-minute (0 to 5 minutes), 10-minute (10 to 15 minutes), and 20-minute (20 to 25 minutes) time points during the priming phase of IV alcohol self-administration paradigm at low breath alcohol levels of approximately 30 mg%. Subjective response was measured using the Drug Effects Questionnaire (DEQ) and Biphasic Alcohol Effects Scale. RESULTS: Overall SBF (collective data from both fingertip and earlobe) and SBF by each site showed significant drop at 0 minutes and then subsequent significant elevation with alcohol self-administration. Males showed higher overall SBF at baseline and 0 minutes than the females. At fingertip site, lowering in 0-minute SBF compared to baseline, and subsequent significant increase at the 10- and 20-minute SBF recordings were observed. DEQ measures of "like" and "want more" alcohol were significantly associated with 10- and 20-minute SBF recordings collected at fingertip site. CONCLUSIONS: The changes in SBF following acute IV alcohol exposure are consistent with the sympathetic response of alcohol on the cardiovascular system. This acute hemodynamic effect characterizes differences in blood flow that are sensitive to relatively low levels of acute alcohol exposure. The association of subjective perceptions with the SBF response provides evidence of the psychophysiological effects of alcohol at low levels of exposure.

Effect of Alcohol Sensitivity in Healthy Young Adults on Breath Pharmacokinetics of Acetaldehyde After Mouth Washing with Alcohol.

BACKGROUND: Acetaldehyde is causally related to head and neck cancer. Individuals with aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 deficiency experience alcohol sensitivity and are referred to as "flushers" because of their skin-flushing response to high blood acetaldehyde levels after alcohol consumption. Acetaldehyde is produced in the oral cavity after local alcohol exposure without alcohol ingestion. However, the relationship between the oral acetaldehyde level after local alcohol exposure and alcohol sensitivity is unclear. Herein, sampling the exhaled breath, we evaluated the effect of alcohol sensitivity on the pharmacokinetics of ethanol (EtOH) and acetaldehyde in breath after mouth washing with alcohol. METHODS: Twenty-eight healthy young adults were divided into flusher and nonflusher groups based on an EtOH patch test. The subjects washed their mouths for 30 seconds with 40 ml of 5% v/v alcohol, and their breath samples were collected 12 times over 20 minutes after mouth washing and rinsing with water. EtOH and acetaldehyde concentrations in all breath samples were measured using sensor gas chromatography. RESULTS: Breath EtOH concentrations exponentially decreased in both groups after mouth washing with alcohol. Breath acetaldehyde concentrations showed an immediate increase, followed by an almost exponential decrease in both groups, but concentrations in the flusher group remained higher than those in the nonflusher group throughout the 20-minute measurement period. This was reflected in a peak concentration (Cmax ) of 808 ± 70 parts-per-billion (ppb) versus 1,715 ± 223 ppb, respectively (p = 0.001), and area under the curve values of 3,528 ± 1,399 ppb minutes versus 8,637 ± 1,293 ppb minutes, respectively (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed high concentrations of acetaldehyde in breath after local alcohol exposure in the oral cavity among flushers even without alcohol ingestion. This contributes to an increased risk among flushers of mutagenic DNA lesions in the mucosa of the upper digestive tract and cancer.

Protective behavioral strategies mediate the relationship between behavioral economic risk factors and alcohol-related problems.

Behavioral economic measures of alcohol reward value and future orientation have received support as predictors of alcohol consumption, alcohol-related problems, and response to intervention. Protective behavioral strategies (PBS) have been shown to be a significant mediator between a variety of risk factors and alcohol-related problems. The current article examines direct and mediating associations between measures of alcohol reward value (proportionate substance-related activity participation and enjoyment) and future orientation, use of PBS, and alcohol-related problems. Participants were 393 undergraduates (39.2% male, 78.9% Caucasian) who reported at least 2 past-month binge drinking episodes (5 and 4 drinks for men and women, respectively). This study is a secondary analysis of data collected previously as part of a brief intervention study. Alcohol reward value and future orientation were significantly associated with both protective behavioral strategies and alcohol problems. PBS was a significant partial mediator between these variables and alcohol-related problems after controlling for gender, level of alcohol consumption, and sensation seeking. This study provides support for the hypothesis that high levels of reinforcement from alcohol relative to alternatives and low consideration of the future may lead to patterns of dysregulated drinking with few harm-reduction strategies that increase risk for alcohol problems. In addition to directly targeting PBS, brief alcohol interventions for college students should attempt to increase future orientation and substance-free activities. (PsycINFO Database Record

In vitro assessment of the anti-biofilm activity of ethanol alone and in combination with enoxaparin 60IU.

INTRODUCTION: Catheter-related bloodstream infection (C-RBSI) can sometimes be managed without catheter removal by combining systemic therapy with catheter lock therapy. Most antiseptic lock solutions are made up of ethanol combined with an anticoagulant. However, data regarding the anti-biofilm activity of ethanol combined with enoxaparin are scarce. We aimed to assess the efficacy of ethanol at different concentrations combined with enoxaparin 60IU as a lock solution for eradication of the biofilm of different microorganisms. METHODS: Using a static 96-well plate in vitro model, we tested 30%, 35%, and 40% ethanol alone and combined with 60IU of enoxaparin against 24-h-old biofilm from the following microorganisms: Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans. Time of exposure was assessed during a 2-h and 24-h regimen. We analysed the percentage reduction in metabolic activity using the XTT assay. We considered therapy to be successful when metabolic activity was reduced by >90%. RESULTS: In the 2-h regimen, the therapy was successful against all microorganisms at 35% and 40% ethanol without enoxaparin (p<0.001). In the 24-h regimen, the therapy was successful against all microorganisms at all ethanol solutions without enoxaparin (p<0.001). When ethanol was combined with enoxaparin, the therapy was only successful in the 24-h regimen in biofilms of S. epidermidis, C. albicans and E. coli at all concentrations of ethanol assessed. CONCLUSIONS: Our in vitro model demonstrated that when ethanol is combined with enoxaparin in a lock solution, it negatively affects ethanol anti-biofilm activity after both short and long exposures.

Neonatal ethanol exposure from ethanol-based hand sanitisers in isolettes.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study is to measure the ethanol vapours in the isolette after use of hands cleaned with ethanol-based hand sanitiser (EBHS). METHODS: Two squirts (1.5 mL) of hand sanitiser were rubbed on hands for 10 or 20 s before inserting the hands in the isolette for 5 min. Ethanol vapours were measured in the isolette with photoionisation detector and alcohol breathalyser for 30 min. RESULTS: Peak ethanol concentration in the isolette was considerably higher with a 10 s hand rub (381±192 ppm) compared with a 20 s hand rub (99±50 ppm), and dissipated to ≤5 ppm within 30 min. Under routine care, EBHS use by care providers exposes neonates in isolettes to 3.7-7.3 or 1.4-2.8 mg/kg ethanol per day with 10 or 20 s hand rubs, respectively. The expected blood level from average single exposure is 0.036 mg/dL with 10 s hand rub and may increase further with multiple exposures in a short period. CONCLUSION: Preterm neonates in the isolette are at risk of inadvertent exposure to ethanol. The expected blood alcohol level from this exposure is small and below 1 mg/dL level recommended by European Medicines Agency to limit the ethanol exposure in children. The unintended ethanol exposure can be avoided by rubbing hands for at least 20 s after applying EBHS.

Quantitative assessment of betamethasone dual-acting formulation in urine of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis after single-dose intramuscular administration and its application to long-term pharmacokinetic study.

Quantitative evaluation and assessment of pharmacokinetic parameters of Diprospan® (suspension for injection 7mg/mL (2mg+5mg/mL) of betamethasone) were performed in urine samples taken from patients with rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis for 28days after systemic intramuscular administration in routine clinical practice in an open-comparative prospective cohort study. The maximum betamethasone concentration was reached at day 4 of the follow-up; in some cases, ß-phase of elimination of the drug was appeared at day 14 or at day 21 of the follow-up. The deferred ß-phase elimination was likely a consequence of the physiological characteristics of the patients or of the influence of non-steroidal agents. The half-life of betamethasone was 8.5days. The elimination rate constant was 2.49h-1; the mean clearance was 4.72L/d. The recommended frequency of the drug administration to its complete elimination was estimated up to 48days. Mann-Whitney test showed no significant differences in pharmacokinetic characteristics between male and female subjects. The prolonged elimination phase was observed in patients with deviations in their body mass index, continual treatment by diclofenac and nimesulide or, possibly, after consuming an alcohol. The study was recorded in Clinical Trials open source with identifier NCT03119454.

Reinforcing effectiveness of midazolam, ethanol, and sucrose: behavioral economic comparison of a mixture relative to its component solutions.

Benzodiazepines (BZs) are relatively safe when administered alone. However, these drugs can produce severe side effects when coadministered with ethanol. Despite these adverse consequences, rates of concurrent BZ and ethanol misuse are increasing, and it is unclear whether this behavior is maintained by an enhanced reinforcing effect of the mixture. To address this issue, the current study compared the reinforcing effectiveness of sucrose solutions mixed with midazolam, ethanol, or both. Eight male rats were trained to orally self-administer solutions of either sucrose (S), sucrose+midazolam (SM), sucrose+ethanol (SE), or sucrose+midazolam+ethanol (SME). The response requirement was increased between sessions until the number of reinforcers earned was zero and the relationship between response requirement and reinforcers earned was analyzed using the exponential model of demand. Although baseline intake was similar across drug conditions, consumption of SM was least affected by increases in cost, indicating that it possessed the highest reinforcing effectiveness (i.e. least elastic). The reinforcing effectiveness of S, SE, and SME did not differ significantly. The finding that the reinforcing effectiveness of the SME was less than that of SM does not support the supposition that BZ and ethanol coadministration is maintained by a higher reinforcing effectiveness of the mixture.