We replicated the large effect of rs1229984 on alcohol behavior, and although not common (MAF = 4%), this polymorphism may be highly relevant from a public health perspective in European Americans. Another SNP, rs8187974, may also affect alcohol behavior but requires replication. Also, interactions between polymorphisms in genes involved in alcohol metabolism are likely determinants of the parameters that ultimately affect alcohol consumption.
An international website dedicated to providing current information on news, reports, publications,and peer-reviewed research articles concerning alcoholism and alcohol-related problems throughout the world. Postings are provided by international contributors who monitor news, publications and research findings in their country, geographical region or program area of interest. All postings are entered without editorial or contributor opinion or comment.
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Saturday, June 13, 2009
We replicated the large effect of rs1229984 on alcohol behavior, and although not common (MAF = 4%), this polymorphism may be highly relevant from a public health perspective in European Americans. Another SNP, rs8187974, may also affect alcohol behavior but requires replication. Also, interactions between polymorphisms in genes involved in alcohol metabolism are likely determinants of the parameters that ultimately affect alcohol consumption.
Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research Published Online: 10 Jun 2009
The aim of this study was to establish a link between alcohol use in men and hypomethylation of paternally imprinted loci in sperm DNA in genomic regions critical for embryonic development, thus providing a mechanism for paternal effects in the aetiology of FASD.
This study demonstrates a correlation between chronic alcohol use and demethylation of normally hypermethylated imprinted regions in sperm DNA. We hypothesize that, should these epigenetic changes in imprinted genes be transmitted through fertilization, they would alter the critical gene expression dosages required for normal prenatal development resulting in offspring with features of FASD.
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Friday, June 12, 2009
12.6.2009
People aged 50-69 have been largely responsible for the increase in alcohol consumption in Finland over the past decade, reveals a study published on Friday. . . . . .
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When circumstances dictate (e.g., subject out of area, subject preference), telephone administration of the SSAGA should be considered.
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Bratisl Lek Listy. 2009;110(5):307-11.
Countries traditionally consuming beer and wine have high alcohol consumption as compared to East Asia, where the fact of low alcoholism prevalence can be attributed to a defect in metabolic degradation of ethanol.
Dependence on alcohol is multifactorial and is related to a complex interplay of metabolic, genetic, social and environmental factors. Repetitive alcohol ingestion and its resulting dependence is associated with false euphoria triggered by an inhibition of glutamate receptors and other brain neurotransmitters, namely dopamine and serotonine.
Genetic polymorphisms of genes encoding the alcohol metabolism enzymes and neurotransmitter signaling molecules in dopamine, gamma aminobutyric acid, opioid and serotonin systems, are involved in individual variations for susceptibility to alcohol dependence. Prominent progress has been achieved toward identification of genes related to alcoholism. Six genes were described on chromosomes 4, 7, 8, 11, 15 and 20, which are known to have influence on neuronal signal transfer and generation of dopamine receptors. It is suggested that such genes carry the risk for alcoholism.
In the last years, the role of (GABA) receptors in the development of alcoholism is studied in detail. In future it may be possible to separate the genetic, enzymatic and environmental factors that are responsible for increased vulnerability of some individuals to alcohol abuse
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Thursday, June 11, 2009
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A major U.S. alcohol supplier has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that its advertising for the caffeinated alcohol drink Wide Eye was deceptive, unsubstantiated, and in violation of federal law. The proposed settlement bars Constellation Brands, Inc. – which claimed in its ads that consumers who drink Wide Eye will remain alert when consuming alcohol – from making the deceptive claims. . . . . . .
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Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Science in China Series C: Life Sciences Volume 52, Number 2 / February, 2009 pp. 163-172
High-throughout single nucleotide polymorphism detection technology and the existing knowledge provide strong support for mining the disease-related haplotypes and genes.
In this study, first, we apply four kinds of haplotype identification methods (Confidence Intervals, Four Gamete Tests, Solid Spine of LD and fusing method of haplotype block) into high-throughout SNP genotype data to identify blocks, then use cluster analysis to verify the effectiveness of the four methods, and select the alcoholism-related SNP haplotypes through risk analysis.
Second, we establish a mapping from haplotypes to alcoholism-related genes. Third, we inquire NCBI SNP and gene databases to locate the blocks and identify the candidate genes. In the end, we make gene function annotation by KEGG, Biocarta, and GO database. We find 159 haplotype blocks, which relate to the alcoholism most possibly on chromosome 1∼22, including 227 haplotypes, of which 102 SNP haplotypes may increase the risk of alcoholism. We get 121 alcoholism-related genes and verify their reliability by the functional annotation of biology.
In a word, we not only can handle the SNP data easily, but also can locate the disease-related genes precisely by combining our novel strategies of mining alcoholism-related haplotypes and genes with existing knowledge framework.
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The large-scale genome-wide SNP data being acquired from biomedical domains have offered resources to evaluate modern data mining techniques in applications to genetic studies.
Wanetsha Mosinyi & Monkagedi Gaotlhobogwe
Due to the 30 percent levy that government imposed on alcohol beverages last November, Sechaba Brewery Holdings says it is evident that consumers have shifted to traditional brews commonly known as Chibuku, instead of the more expensive clear beer. . . . . .
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EURASIP Journal on Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Volume 2009 (2009), Article ID 545176,
Gene expression time course data can be used not only to detect differentially expressed genes but also to find temporal associations among genes. The problem of reconstructing generalized logical networks to account for temporal dependencies among genes and environmental stimuli from transcriptomic data is addressed.
A network reconstruction algorithm was developed that uses statistical significance as a criterion for network selection to avoid false-positive interactions arising from pure chance. The multinomial hypothesis testing-based network reconstruction allows for explicit specification of the false-positive rate, unique from all extant network inference algorithms. The method is superior to dynamic Bayesian network modeling in a simulation study.
Temporal gene expression data from the brains of alcohol-treated mice in an analysis of the molecular response to alcohol are used for modeling.
Genes from major neuronal pathways are identified as putative components of the alcohol response mechanism. Nine of these genes have associations with alcohol reported in literature. Several other potentially relevant genes, compatible with independent results from literature mining, may play a role in the response to alcohol.
Additional, previously unknown gene interactions were discovered that, subject to biological verification, may offer new clues in the search for the elusive molecular mechanisms of alcoholism.
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June 10, 2009
Workers who claim they will lose their jobs if the federal government formalises the "alcopops" tax have stepped up their campaign for the levy to be dropped.
The workers from the Independent Distillers factory at Laverton in Melbourne last week marched on the offices of their federal member, Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard, to protest against a new bid to introduce the tax. . . . . .
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Tuesday, June 9, 2009
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Can brewers rest a little easier now? Maybe. . . . . . . .
Senate committee proposes higher excise taxes on alcohol; one of several ideas on table
Wine, beer and spirits producers are nervous over the proposal. In May the Senate Finance Committee issued a report on various proposals to pay for reform. One idea was titled "lifestyle tax proposals." It proposed raising federal excise taxes on alcohol, as well as introducing a tax on sodas and other sweetened drinks. The report suggests the tax increases would "promote wellness and healthy choices, and curb activities that increase overall health care costs." . . . . . .
Pharmacogenetics and Genomics: POST AUTHOR CORRECTIONS, 2 June 2009
Amino acid variations in four complex I subunits encoded in the mitochondrial genome may contribute to explain the differences between UChA and UChB rats in their capacity to reoxidize NADH and in their alcohol intake, suggesting that mitochondrial genes may constitute maternal factors of alcoholism.
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Request Reprint E-Mail: asapag@uchile.cl.
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Pharmacogenetics and Genomics: POST AUTHOR CORRECTIONS, 3 June 2009
We confirmed the hypothesis that haplotypes, which are supposed to induce a low DRD2 expression, are associated with alcohol dependence. Furthermore, supposedly high-expressing haplotype weakened or neutralized the action of low-expressing haplotypes.
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Request Reprint E-Mail: adrian.kraschewski@charite.de.
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Monday, June 8, 2009
Peer-based Addiction Recovery Support
The history of addiction treatment and recovery in the United States contains a rich “wounded healer” tradition. For more than 275 years, ndividuals and families recovering from severe alcohol and other drug problems have provided peer-based recovery support (P-BRS) to sustain one another and to help those still suffering. Formal peer-based recovery support services (P-BRSS) are now being delivered through diverse organizations and roles.
Drug and Alcohol Dependence Article in Press, 27
May 2009
A major finding was that over time, the primary problem for underage DUI drivers changed from alcohol to marijuana.
Being abstinent in the month prior to discharge, having a primary problem with alcohol rather than another drug, and having more family involved were the strongest predictors of treatment completion.
Living in a household where the client was exposed to alcohol abuse or drug use, having been in residential treatment, and having more drug and alcohol and family problems were the strongest predictors of not being abstinent at follow-up.
As a result, there is a need to direct more attention towards meeting the needs of the young DUI population through programs that address drug as well as alcohol consumption problems.
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European Journal of Public Health Volume 19, Number 3 Pp. 271-277
Five homogeneous health behaviour clusters were identified: ‘No Risk Behaviours’ (25.3%), ‘Physically Inactives’ (21.1%), ‘Fruit and Vegetable Avoiders’ (18.2%), ‘Smokers with Risk Behaviours’ (12.7%) and ‘Drinkers with Risk Behaviours’ (22.7%). Whereas the first cluster is the ideal in terms of risk and prevention, the latter two groups include regular users of tobacco and excessive consumers of alcohol, who also engage in other risk behaviours like inactivity and maintaining an unhealthy diet. These two risk groups also exhibit specific sociodemographic attributes (male, living alone, social class affiliation)
Unhealthy behaviours evidently occur in typical combinations. An awareness of this clustering enables prevention and intervention measures to be planned so that multiple behaviours can be modified simultaneously.
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Tuesday, June 30, 2009 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm (Eastern Time)
An opportunity to better understand the differences and relationships between mutual support groups; peer and other recovery support services and clinical treatment services and how to fit the pieces together to make it possible for people to sustain their recovery
More Information and Registration
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Six SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) spanning the CHRNB3/A6 genes were analyzed using the statistical genetics software FBAT-PC, which allows one to examine a collection of multiple phenotypes to generate a maximally heritable composite phenotype for each SNP. The six SNPs were tested using FBAT-PC including four alcohol phenotypes: average number of drinks, blackouts, total number of DSM-IV abuse and dependence symptoms endorsed, and quit attempts.
In the study period as a whole, in both genders, an inverse relationship between the educational level and risk of alcohol-related death was apparent.
Non-Estonians were more likely to die from alcohol-related causes than Estonians. Risk of alcohol-related death varied over time, being lowest just before Estonia regained its independence, and highest in the most recent period.
In men, the educational gradient in the mortality odds ratio almost disappeared in 1988–1991, but reappeared in the transition period, while the impact of ethnicity remained stable over time. In women, educational contrasts in the risk of death existed throughout all subperiods, and ethnical inequalities widened in the re-independence period.
Rapid societal changes had profound effects on alcohol-related mortality. Strategies to prevent alcohol misuse should include all sections in society, paying special attention to less educated and non-Estonians.
Request Reprint E-Mail: kaja.rahu@tai.ee
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8 June 2009
A new advertising campaign including a video which confronts young people with the reality of their drunken behaviour was unveiled by Home Office Minister Alan Campbell today.
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June 3, 2009 – (Toronto) – Today Dr. Paul Garfinkel, President and CEO of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) will present a report to the Ontario Select Committee on Mental Health and Addictions. CAMH’s submission makes recommendations to help improve the lives of those affected by addiction and mental illness. . . . . .
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