bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterization of contractile and non‐contractile protein synthesis in the stomach, small and large intestine and caecum of the rat, and response to acute ethanol dosage
Authors: MARWAY JASPAUL , BONNER ADRIAN , PREEDY VICTOR 
Published: August 2003

AbstractAn investigation was made into the relative composition and synthesis rates of smooth muscle contractile proteins in vivo in different regions of the rat gastrointestinal tract. There was considerable homogeneity in the composition of sarcoplasmic proteins in the small bowel (i.e. 54‐58 mg/g) but considerable variability in the large bowel, i.e. highest in the caecum (97 mg/g) and lowest in the colon (21 mg/g). The myofibrillary protein concentration was constant throughout the gastrointestinal tract, i.e. 20‐34 mg/g. Stromal fractions varied from 6 to 39 mg/g and was highest in the cardiac region of the stomach and lowest in the duodenum. Fractional rates of protein synthesis were measured with a flooding dose of L‐[4‐3 H]phenylalanine. In control rats synthesis rates in sarcoplasmic protein fractions were relatively much higher (43‐107%/day) than myofibrillar (27‐52%/day) or stromal (6‐26%/day) proteins. Fractional rates of stromal protein synthesis showed the greatest variability while myofibrillar synthesis rates the least, throughout the alimentary tract. Jejunal seromuscular layer myofibrillar proteins had the highest synthesis rates (49%/day). In response to acute ethanol injection, protein synthesis in all jejunal fractions fell by 20‐30%. Contractile and non‐contractile proteins from the cardiac region of the stomach, duodenal seromuscular layer and large bowel seromuscular layer were insensitive to ethanol administration. Protein synthesis of sarcoplasmic proteins from the antrum, ileum seromuscular layer and myofibrillar proteins from the ileum seromuscular layer and caecum were also significantly depressed as a result of ethanol treatment.
β‐Carbolines in chronic alcoholics following trauma
Authors: SPIES CLAUDIA , ROMMELSPACHER HANS , WINKLER THOMAS , MÜLLER CHRISTIAN , BRUMMER GLENDA , FUNK THOMAS , BERGER GERD , FELL MICHAEL , BLUM SUSANNE , SPECHT MARTIN , HANNEMANN LUTZ , SCHAFFARTZIK WALTER 
Published: August 2003

AbstractIn our society every second polytraumatized patient is a chronic alcoholic. A patient's alcohol‐related history is often unavailable and laboratory markers are not sensitive or specific enough to detect alcohol‐dependent patients who are at risk of developing alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) during their post‐traumatic intensive care unit (ICU) stay. Previously, it has been found that plasma levels of norharman are elevated in chronic alcoholics. We investigated whether β‐carbolines, i.e. harman and norharman levels, could identify chronic alcoholics following trauma and whether possible changes during ICU stay could serve as a predictor of deterioration of clinical status. Sixty polytraumatized patients were transferred to the ICU following admission to the emergency room and subsequent surgery. Chronic alcoholics were included only if they met the DSM‐III‐R and ICD‐10 criteria for alcohol dependence or chronic alcohol abuse/harmful use and their daily ethanol intake was ≥ 60 g. Harman and norharman levels were assayed on admission and on days 2, 4, 7 and 14 in the ICU. Harman and norharman levels were determined by high pressure liquid chromatography. Elevated norharman levels were found in chronic alcoholics (n = 35) on admission to the hospital and remained significantly elevated during their ICU stay. The area under the curves (AUC) showed that norharman was comparable to carbohydrate‐deficient transferrin (CDT) and superior to conventional laboratory markers in detecting chronic alcoholics. Seventeen chronic alcoholics developed AWS; 16 of these patients experienced hallucinations or delirium. Norharman levels were significantly increased on days 2 and 4 in the ICU in patients who developed AWS compared with those who did not. An increase in norharman levels preceded hallucinations or delirium with a median period of approximately 3 days. The findings that elevated norharman levels are found in chronic alcoholics, that the AUC was in the range of CDT on admission and that norharman levels remained elevated during the ICU stay, support the view that norharman is a specific marker for alcoholism in traumatized patients. Since norharman levels increased prior to the onset of hallucinations and delirium it seems reasonable to investigate further the potential role of norharman as a possible substance which triggers AWS.
Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions in an outpatient maintenance therapy of intravenous heroin users with levomethadone
Authors: SCHALL ULRICH , PRIES ELLEN , KATTA TALEB , KLÖPPEL ACHIM , GASTPAR MARKUS 
Published: August 2003

AbstractThe plasma levels of 42 patients on a levomethadone maintenance treatment programme for intravenous heroin users were measured before and, respectively, 1, 2 or 4 hours after oral routine administration and related to the individual additional drug usage (detected by urine drug screening), liver function, side‐effects and withdrawal symptoms. In general, accelerated levomethadone metabolism induced by additional misuse of benzodiazepines, barbiturates and opiates resulted in significantly lower plasma levels of the substitute. In particular, high γ‐glutamyltransferase activity was related to benzodiazepine consumption. On the other hand, an impaired liver function reflected by increased β‐globulins resulted in an insufficient body clearance and drug accumulation. Major side effects, such as sweating, were not related to plasma levels whereas withdrawal symptoms like diarrhoea or “feeling cold” correlate with lower plasma concentrations. It is concluded that polydrug misuse in the methadone maintenance therapy creates a vicious circle of enzyme induction, thus increasing “instrumental drug utilization”. However, underestimated maintenance dosage may lead to additional drug consumption resulting, finally, in therapeutic failure.
Book and Media Reviews
Authors: COOK CHRIS 
Published: August 2003

Books review in this article: In addition to book reviews, which seem to be a popular feature of contemporary scientific and medical journals, Addiction Biology will also include “media” reviews of other materials relevant to its readers. These media will include primarily videos and computer software, but we will also consider audio tapes, compact discs and other materials where relevant. Suggestions for suitable materials to be reviewed are welcomed. Neurochemistry of Drug Dependence SUSAN WONNACOTT & GEORGE G. LUNT (Eds) Animal Experimentation and the Future of Medical Research J. H. BOTTING (Ed.) Advances in Protein Phosphatases, Volumes 7 (1993) & 8 (1994) The Biochemical Basis of Biology. 3. Manipulating DNA E. J. WOOD
Current state of knowledge about the mechanisms of alcohol tolerance
Authors: KALANT HAROLD 
Published: August 2003

AbstractFar from being a simple homeostatic response to the presence of ethanol in the brain, tolerance is now recognized as a complex process which can develop within various time frames (acute, rapid, chronic) and in which the drug interacts with various environmental and cognitive factors, including associative and operant learning. A major question is whether the acute form is an innate adaptive response, which is converted into the rapid and chronic forms by the action of these external influences. So far, all behavioral and neuropharmacological manipulations that alter chronic tolerance also modify rapid and acute tolerance in similar ways. These include lesions of serotonergic forebrain projections, blockade of NMDA‐type glutamate receptors and calcium “L” channels, central or peripheral injection of vasopressin and blockade of vasopressin V1 receptors. Cytochemical and immunofluorescence studies, combined with use of retrograde tracers, indicate the existence of a septohippocampal circuit which may mediate the interactions of these diverse elements in the production and maintenance of tolerance. There is limited evidence that development of tolerance leads to increased consumption of ethanol in experimental animals, but the clinical significance of these findings remains to be proven.
Metabolic effects of alcohol on skeletal muscle
Authors: XU DAN , DHILLON AMARDEEP , PALMER T. NORMAN 
Published: August 2003

AbstractThe purpose of this review is to summarize our current understanding of the acute and chronic interactions between alcohol and nutrient metabolism in skeletal muscle. Insulin is well known to play an important regulatory role in nutrient, especially glucose, uptake and utilization in skeletal muscle. Several studies have shown that alcohol can acutely reduce the normal metabolic responses of skeletal muscle to the action of insulin. The most obvious of these is an acute impairment in glucose metabolism associated with alcohol consumption. While the exact mechanism(s) underlying this acute insulin resistance is presently unclear, several possible factors are discussed in this review. In contrast to these short‐term effects, the effects of alcohol on skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity in chronic alcohol abusers are not as well established. Chronic alcohol abuse is known to be associated with skeletal myopathies, believed to result from alcohol induced abnormalities in muscle protein synthesis. Finally, the alcohol‐mediated impairments of many aspects of skeletal muscle metabolism are discussed in relation to the insulin resistance associated broad spectrum of common lifestyle‐related disorders, including non‐insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and obesity, the consequences of which may be important to the pathogenesis of alcohol‐related diseases.
Transfected cells for study of alcohol actions on GABAA receptors
Authors: HARRIS R. ADRON 
Published: August 2003

AbstractThe ability to transfect and express foreign genes in cultured cells and Xenopus oocytes has contributed immensely to our knowledge of drug‐receptor interactions and signal transduction following receptor activation. These techniques are now being used to study acute and chronic effects of ethanol on neurotransmitter receptors and cellular signaling. This article reviews the use of transfected cells to study ethanol actions on the GABAA receptor.
Oral and dental health in the alcohol misuser
Authors: GELBIER STANLEY , HARRIS COLIN 
Published: August 2003

AbstractThis review explores the relationship between oral and dental health and disease in substance misusers. Although it focuses on oral cancer, we also examine the relationship of misuse with dental caries and periodontal diseases. It is difficult to separate out the inter‐related aetiological factors such as the use of alcohol and tobacco (smoked and chewed). They probably act in a synergistic manner.
The acute and chronic effects of alcohol upon cardiac nucleotide status
Authors: PATEL V. B. , SALISBURY J. R. , RODRIGUES L. M. , GRIFFITHS J. R. , RICHARDSON P. J. , PREEDY V. R. 
Published: August 2003

AbstractThe aim of the investigation was to ascertain the biochemical and morphological basis for the functional impairments in the heart due to alcohol. In chronic studies rats were fed a nutritionally complete liquid diet containing 35% of total calories as ethanol, controls were pair‐fed identical amounts of the same diet in which ethanol was replaced by isocaloric glucose. In acute studies rats were injected with ethanol at a dose of 75 mmol/kg body weight. Pre‐treatment of acute ethanol‐dosed rats with cyanamide (ALDH inhibitor) was designed to raise acetaldehyde levels. In chronic studies ventricular adenine nucleotides, ATP, ADP and AMP; NAD+, ATP ratios and the energy charge showed no alteration after 6 weeks of alcohol feeding. Light and electron microscopy sections indicated very little structural damage to muscle fibres and organelles (especially the mitochondria) in both atria and ventricles. Ventricular fibre diameters, throughout the different ranges, showed no significant differences between chronically alcohol and control‐fed rats. In acute studies an increase in ventricular AMP levels (μ moles/g wet weight) occurred following cyanamide and cyanamide + ethanol treatment (+57%, p < 0.025 and +76%, p <0.01, respectively), but not as a consequence of ethanol alone. Cyanamide+ethanol caused marked elevation in ADP levels (+28%, p < 0.05) and again ethanol was without effect. ATP and GTP levels were not altered by any of the acute treatments. The energy charge was slightly reduced in both cyanamide and cyanamide+ethanol groups (− 8%, p < 0.01 and − 7%, p < 0.05, respectively), but not by ethanol alone. In conclusion, chronic alcohol appears to have minimal effects upon cardiac nucleotides which suggest that possible adaptive mechanisms are induced during the 6‐week period and that alternative pathways other than defects in adenine nucleotide concentrations are involved in the pathogenesis of AHMD. The acute study suggests that the heart is resilient to toxic levels of alcohol and acetaldehyde in terms of ATP and GTP levels, despite the elevated AMP, ADP and GDP levels.
Children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome in North Dakota: a case control study utilizing birth certificate data
Authors: BURD LARRY , MARTSOLF JOHN , KLUG MARILYN 
Published: August 2003

AbstractA retrospective case control study utilizing birth certificate data in a population of children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) or Fetal Alcohol Effect (FAE) and controls in North Dakota was completed. Using the North Dakota FAS registry, 97 cases of FAS and FAE aged birth‐18 years of age were identified. The North Dakota Department of Vital Records then searched for the child's birth certificates. For each case child, four controls were selected from the birth records. The controls were of the same race, sex, month and county of birth as the cases. Birth certificates for 68 children were identified, 44 with FAS and 24 with FAE. When compared with the FAE group, the FAS group had lower birth weights and mothers who began prenatal care later in pregnancy. The FAS/FAE group combined had mothers who were older, were more likely to be unmarried, had less weight gain during pregnancy, started prenatal care later in pregnancy and had fewer prenatal visits compared to controls. The FAS/FAE children had lower birth weights and higher rates of sibling deaths. The use of birth certificate data is a useful data source to compare maternal, paternal and prenatal characteristics for a population of children with FAS/FAE.
Studies on the sensitivity to alcohol and alcohol dependence*
Authors: MONTEIRO MARISTELA 
Published: August 2003

AbstractThe role of genetic and environmental factors in the development of alcohol dependence is beginning to be investigated in Brazil. This paper reviews recent studies on genetic aspects of alcohol use and alcohol dependence, with emphasis on those carried out in Brazilian populations. Most findings replicated studies in developed countries, while some indicate new possible venues for investigation in the future. They underscore the need for a cross‐cultural and interethnic approach to biomedical aspects of alcohol use and dependence.
A study of hepatobiliary function in chronic heroin smokers
Authors: BANERJEE DHRITI , SARKAR NIRMAL KUMAR 
Published: August 2003

AbstractThe controversy over the relationship between heroin addiction and hepatocellular dysfunction was examined by assay of serum activities of aspartate and alanine aminotransferases, total protein, albumin and globulin in 48 chronic heroin smokers and 33 controls. Biliary secretion in the addicts was compared to controls by assay of serum bilirubin and its conjugated and unconjugated fractions. Serum aminotransferases, total protein, albumin and globulin did not differ significantly between the addict and the control groups (p < 0.05), whereas total bilirubin and its conjugated fraction were significantly higher in the addicts (p < 0.02). The results indicate that chronic abuse of heroin by smoking affects biliary secretion but exercises little influence over hepatocellular function.
Book and Media Reviews
Authors: COOK CHRIS 
Published: August 2003

Books review in this article: Book reviews in this column will primarily be of titles focusing completely, or in part, on biological aspects of addiction. However, significant titles of general relevance to the addictions field will also be included, even if they are not “biological”, as will titles of general methodological and clinical relevance, even if they are not on “addictions”. Similar considerations will apply to other media (software, audio tapes and CD's, videos, etc). However, specific “addictions” software applications seem to be relatively uncommon and, as these items are rarely reviewed elsewhere, we will endeavour to include reviews of some of the older programmes that are still useful, as well as new titles that appear. I would appreciate suggestions of any items suitable for review, but especially software and other media of specific relevance to the addictions. Alcohol and the Heart in Perspective. Sensible Drinking Limits Reaffirmed Report of a joint working group Alcohol: Guidelines on Sensible Drinking Towards a Molecular Basis of Alcohol Use and Abuse B. JANSSON, H. JÖRNVALL, U. RYDBERG, L. TERENIUS & B. L. VALLEE (Eds) Treatment Approaches for Alcohol and Drug Dependence: An Introductory Guide T. J. JARVIS, J. TEBBUTT & R. P. MATTICK Buprenorphine: Combatting Drug Abuse with a Unique Opioid ALAN COWAN & JOHN W. LEWIS (Eds) Brain Imaging of Nicotine and Tobacco Smoking E. F. DOMINO (Ed.) Medications Development for the Treatment of Pregnant Addicts and their Infants C. N. CHIANG & L. P. FINNEGAN (Eds) Discovery of Novel Opioid Mechanisms R. S. RAPAKA & H. SORER (Eds) Diagnosis and Severity of Drug Abuse and Drug Dependence J. D. BLAINE, A. MACNEILL HORTON & L. H. TOWLE (Eds) Problems of Drug Dependence 1994 Proceedings of the 56th Annual Scientific Meeting, Vols. 1 & 2 Epidemiology of Inhalant Abuse: An Inter‐national Perspective An Introduction to Recombinant DNA in Medicine 2nd Edition ALAN E. H. EMERY & SUE MALCOLM Cell and Molecular Biology D. RICKWOOD & D. PATEL Understanding Genetics: A Molecular Approach N. V. ROTHWELL Gel Electrophoresis of Nucleic Acids—A Practical Approach 2nd Edition D. RICKWOOD & B. D. HANES (Eds) Guide to Libraries and Information Sources in Medicine and Health Care Compiled by PETER DALE Reference Manager Special Edition: The Bibliographic Solution
Quantitative trait locus gene mapping: a new method for locating alcohol response genes
Authors: CRABBE JOHN 
Published: August 2003

AbstractAlcoholism is a multigenic trait with important non‐genetic determinants. Studies with genetic animal models of susceptibility to several of alcohol's effects suggest that several genes contributing modest effects on susceptibility (Quantitative Trait Loci, or QTLs) are important. A new technique of QTL gene mapping has allowed the identification of the location in mouse genome of several such QTLs. The method is described, and the locations of QTLs affecting the acute alcohol withdrawal reaction are described as an example of the method. Verification of these QTLs in ancillary studies is described and the strengths, limitations, and future directions to be pursued are discussed. QTL mapping is a promising method for identifying genes in rodents with the hope of directly extrapolating the results to the human genome. This review is based on a paper presented at the First International Congress of the Latin American Society for Biomedical Research on Alcoholism, Santiago, Chile, November 1994.
Are tobacco and alcohol use related to Alzheimer's disease? A critical assessment of the evidence and its implications
Authors: TYAS SUZANNE 
Published: August 2003

AbstractElucidation of the association of tobacco and alcohol use with Alzheimer's disease (AD) may advance etiological hypotheses and provide a theoretical basis for treatment. There is currently no cure or effective treatment for AD, and no cause has been established. Pharmacological evidence supports a plausible biological mechanism for the involvement of tobacco use: nicotine compensates for some of the cholinergic deficits observed in AD. Epidemiological evidence, however, is inconsistent, although recent meta‐analyses also support a protective effect. Although smoking per se is certainly not advocated, further investigation of a potential protective effect of nicotine on AD is warranted. Pharmacological studies implicate alcohol use as a possible risk factor for AD; the epidemiological studies are again inconclusive. Alcohol consumption is associated with daily smoking and smokers are, in turn, more likely to consume alcohol. Since tobacco use may decrease the risk of developing AD and alcohol use may increase it, it is important to consider these two substances together: the effect of one may negate the other. This literature review critically evaluates the evidence for an association of tobacco and alcohol use with AD and identifies key issues for further research.
Ethanol dosage regimes in studies of ethanol toxicity: influence of nutrition and surgical interventions
Authors: PREEDY VICTOR , MCINTOSH ANDREW , BONNER ADRIAN , PETERS TIMOTHY 
Published: August 2003

AbstractIn this review we consider some of the practical facets of acute and chronic drug regimes. In particular, we illustrate our arguments with specific reference to alcohol and draw attention to methodological constraints that might alter biochemical or physiological processes. These includes the imposition of nutritional abnormalities and surgical procedures. These two areas are highlighted because there is evidence to show that they have marked influences on metabolic parameters, exemplified by tissue protein synthesis. In general, there is no controversy as to methods for acute studies with alcohol, although some reports have failed to investigate whether intravenous, intragastric or intraperitoneal regimes more accurately mimic the clinical situation. With regard to chronic feeding regimes, evidence is provided to support the argument that, currently, the most appropriate feeding protocol ensures that both control and treated groups receive identical amounts of nutrients albeit with differences in the calories apportioned to ethanol, which is substituted by isocaloric glucose or other carbohydrates in controls. However, there are still other methods being employed: these are subject to misinterpretation as the principle of ensuring that control and ethanol‐fed rats receive identical amounts of nutrients, is ignored. In this review we also draw attention to the fact that surgical procedures, which are often employed to facilitate the measurement of body parameters (for example, implantation of cannulae), themselves alter tissue metabolism. The importance of this relates to the concept of metabolic superimposition, which implicates interacting responses when two or more stresses (i.e. surgery and drug administration) are superimposed.