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Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Jan 2023Industrial environments are frequently composed of potentially toxic and hazardous compounds. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are one of the most concerning categories...
Industrial environments are frequently composed of potentially toxic and hazardous compounds. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are one of the most concerning categories of analytes commonly existent in the indoor air of factories' facilities. The sources of VOCs in the industrial context are abundant and a vast range of human health conditions and pathologies are known to be caused by both short- and long-term exposures. Hence, accurate and rapid detection, identification, and quantification of VOCs in industrial environments are mandatory issues. This work demonstrates that graphene oxide (GO) thin films can be used to distinguish acetic acid, ethanol, isopropanol, and methanol, major analytes for the field of industrial air quality, using the electronic nose concept based on impedance spectra measurements. The data were treated by principal component analysis. The sensor consists of polyethyleneimine (PEI) and GO layer-by-layer films deposited on ceramic supports coated with gold interdigitated electrodes. The electrical characterization of this sensor in the presence of the VOCs allows the identification of acetic acid in the concentration range from 24 to 120 ppm, and of ethanol, isopropanol, and methanol in a concentration range from 18 to 90 ppm, respectively. Moreover, the results allows the quantification of acetic acid, ethanol, and isopropanol concentrations with sensitivity values of (3.03±0.12)∗104, (-1.15±0.19)∗104, and (-1.1±0.50)∗104 mL, respectively. The resolution of this sensor to detect the different analytes is lower than 0.04 ppm, which means it is an interesting sensor for use as an electronic nose for the detection of VOCs.
Topics: Humans; Acetic Acid; Methanol; 2-Propanol; Ethanol; Volatile Organic Compounds
PubMed: 36617058
DOI: 10.3390/s23010462 -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) May 2019Transdermal alcohol biosensors have the ability to detect the alcohol that emanates from the bloodstream and diffuses through the skin. However, previous biosensors have...
Transdermal alcohol biosensors have the ability to detect the alcohol that emanates from the bloodstream and diffuses through the skin. However, previous biosensors have suffered from long-term fouling of the sensor element and drift in the resulting sensor readings over time. Here, we report a wearable alcohol sensor platform that solves the problem of sensor fouling by enabling drift-free signals in vivo for up to 24 h and an interchangeable cartridge connection that enables consecutive days of measurement. We demonstrate how alcohol oxidase enzyme and Prussian Blue can be combined to prevent baseline drift above 25 nA, enabling sensitive detection of transdermal alcohol. Laboratory characterization of the enzymatic alcohol sensor demonstrates that the sensor is mass-transfer-limited by a diffusion-limiting membrane of lower permeability than human skin and a linear sensor range between 0 mM and 50 mM. Further, we show continuous transdermal alcohol data recorded with a human subject for two consecutive days. The non-invasive sensor presented here is an objective alternative to the self-reports used commonly to quantify alcohol consumption in research studies.
Topics: Alcohol Oxidoreductases; Alcohols; Biosensing Techniques; Ethanol; Ferrocyanides; Humans; Wearable Electronic Devices
PubMed: 31137611
DOI: 10.3390/s19102380 -
Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs May 2021The goal of this study was to determine whether the acute analgesic effects of alcohol intake are moderated by acute alcohol tolerance, characterized by differing...
OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to determine whether the acute analgesic effects of alcohol intake are moderated by acute alcohol tolerance, characterized by differing subjective and neurobehavioral effects of a given blood alcohol concentration (BAC) depending on whether BAC is rising or falling.
METHOD
Twenty-nine healthy drinkers (20 women) completed two laboratory sessions in which they consumed a study beverage: active alcohol (target BAC= .08 g/dl) and placebo. Acute alcohol tolerance was assessed by examining the main and interactive effects of beverage condition and assessment limb (ascending vs. descending) on quantitative sensory testing measures collected using slowly ramping heat stimuli and perceived relief ratings at comparable breath alcohol concentrations on the ascending and descending limbs.
RESULTS
BAC limb moderated the effect of condition on pain threshold, such that the threshold was significantly elevated in the alcohol condition on the ascending limb. The alcohol condition produced greater ratings of perceived pain relief than the placebo condition, and pain relief ratings were greater on the ascending versus descending limb of the BAC curve. Alcohol intake did not significantly affect pain tolerance or aftersensation ratings on either BAC limb.
CONCLUSIONS
This study provides initial experimental evidence that alcohol's analgesic and pain-relieving effects are subject to acute tolerance following acute alcohol intake. These findings suggest that self-medicating pain via alcohol intake may be associated with high-risk drinking topography, increasing the risk for alcohol-related consequences. Further research is needed to determine if these effects extend to the context of clinical and chronic pain.
Topics: Female; Humans; Alcohol Drinking; Blood Alcohol Content; Breath Tests; Ethanol
PubMed: 34100711
DOI: 10.15288/jsad.2021.82.422 -
Bioresource Technology Jun 2022In this study, continuous cultivations of C.carboxidivorans to study heterotrophic and mixotrophic conversion of glucose and H, CO, and CO were established. Glucose...
In this study, continuous cultivations of C.carboxidivorans to study heterotrophic and mixotrophic conversion of glucose and H, CO, and CO were established. Glucose fermentations at pH 6 showed a high ratio of alcohol-to-acid production of 2.79 mol mol. While H or CO were not utilized together with glucose, CO feeding drastically increased the combined alcohol titer to 9.1 g l. Specifically, CO enhanced acetate (1.9-fold) and ethanol (1.7-fold) production and triggered chain elongation to butanol (1.5-fold) production but did not change the alcohol:acid ratio. Flux balance analysis showed that CO served both as a carbon and energy source, and CO mixotrophy displayed a carbon and energy efficiency of 45 and 77%, respectively. This study expands the knowledge on physiology and metabolism of C.carboxidivorans and can serve as the starting point for rational engineering and process intensification to establish efficient production of alcohols and acids from carbon waste.
Topics: 1-Butanol; Butanols; Carbon Dioxide; Carbon Monoxide; Clostridium; Ethanol; Fermentation; Glucose
PubMed: 35405210
DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.127138 -
Nutrients Mar 2023The study aimed to explore in vivo the influence of cannabidiol (CBD) on the development of alcohol tolerance in rats. Rats were treated with ethanol (3.0 g/kg, i.p.)...
The study aimed to explore in vivo the influence of cannabidiol (CBD) on the development of alcohol tolerance in rats. Rats were treated with ethanol (3.0 g/kg, i.p.) and CBD (20 mg/kg, p.o.) for nine successive days, and rectal body temperature, sedation (sleeping time), and blood alcohol concentration (BAC) were measured. In the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and striatum, the cannabinoid (CB1R and CB2R) and dopaminergic (DRD1, DRD2, DRD4, DRD5) receptors' mRNA level changes were analyzed using the quantitative RT-PCR method. CBD inhibited the development of tolerance to the hypothermic and sedative action of alcohol, coupled with BAC elevation. On a molecular level, the most pronounced effects of the CBD + ethanol interaction in the striatum were observed, where CBD reversed the downregulation of CB2R gene transcription caused by ethanol. For CB1R, DRD1, and DRD2 mRNAs, the CBD + ethanol interaction produced opposite effects than for CB2R ones. In turn, for the transcription of genes encoding dopaminergic receptors, the most potent effect of alcohol as CBD occurred in the hippocampus. However, the combined CBD and alcohol administration showed the same effect for each substance administered separately. Since tolerance is considered a prelude to drug addiction, obtained results allow us to emphasize the thesis that CBD can inhibit the development of alcohol dependence in rats.
Topics: Rats; Animals; Cannabidiol; Blood Alcohol Content; Prefrontal Cortex; Hippocampus; Ethanol
PubMed: 37049542
DOI: 10.3390/nu15071702 -
Biosensors Jan 2023The measurement of ethanol and toxic alcohol (methanol and isopropanol) strengths in beverages and spirits is crucial for health reasons but also for the identification...
The measurement of ethanol and toxic alcohol (methanol and isopropanol) strengths in beverages and spirits is crucial for health reasons but also for the identification of adulterated products. Many methodologies have been reported in the literature, based mainly on chromatographic and on spectroscopic techniques. Chromatographic techniques are laborious and time-consuming, while spectroscopic techniques are rapid and need no special sample pretreatment. All techniques were only applied to off-line or at-line manner. In the present work, Raman spectroscopy was used for fast and non-destructive measurements. A "through the container" method was developed for a non-invasive analysis, i.e., analysis without unsealing the bottles. This method, coupled with a miniature portable Raman, can serve for in-line measurements in a production line. The optimum laser focus for maximum spirit signal and minimum glass-wall signal was investigated. Calibration curves for the alcohols of interest were constructed and validated. The limits of detections were calculated and proved to be lower than the legitimate values. The influences of the liquor color and the bottle color, shape, and thickness were checked. Twenty-eight alcoholic products were studied. The concentrations found were compared against the nominal values (from the bottle labels).
Topics: Ethanol; Alcoholic Beverages; Spectrum Analysis, Raman; Beverages; Methanol
PubMed: 36671970
DOI: 10.3390/bios13010135 -
Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental... Dec 2018Placebo beverage conditions remain a key element in the methodological toolkit for alcohol researchers interested in evaluating pharmacological and nonpharmacological... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Placebo beverage conditions remain a key element in the methodological toolkit for alcohol researchers interested in evaluating pharmacological and nonpharmacological factors influencing the effects of alcohol consumption. While interest in experimentally examining alcohol in social context is on the rise, there has been little research examining the effectiveness of placebo manipulations in group settings, when just 1 suspicious participant could potentially jeopardize the effect of the placebo on group members. Moreover, research has rarely considered the association between individual difference factors (e.g., gender) and placebo manipulation effectiveness. The present study, using an uncommonly large sample of placebo-consuming participants, was well suited to investigate fundamental questions regarding placebo efficacy that have not been assessed previously. Specifically, we aimed to examine placebo efficacy and general processes of placebo functioning in a group context. We also assessed potential associations between a variety of individual difference factors and placebo response.
METHODS
A total of 240 participants (50% male) consumed placebo beverages during a triadic drinking period (across 80 three-person groups). Participants reported their subjective intoxication, stimulation, and sedation 8 minutes following drink consumption and estimated the alcohol content of their drink at the end of the study.
RESULTS
Participants consuming placebo beverages in groups were nearly universal in reporting that they had consumed alcohol (>99%) and had experienced an increase in feelings of intoxication [t(239) = 22.03, p < 0.001] and stimulation [t(239) = 5.53, p < 0.001], levels that were similar to those observed in prior studies conducted with participants drinking placebos in isolation. Further, participants' placebo responses were independent of their 2 group members and were largely unaffected by a variety of individual difference factors.
CONCLUSIONS
Placebo response generally operated independently of group-member influences, suggesting that researchers can successfully conduct placebo beverage studies utilizing group drinking designs.
Topics: Adult; Alcohol Drinking; Alcoholic Beverages; Alcoholic Intoxication; Central Nervous System Depressants; Ethanol; Exploratory Behavior; Female; Humans; Individuality; Male; Placebo Effect; Placebos; Research; Sex Factors; Social Environment; Young Adult
PubMed: 30247751
DOI: 10.1111/acer.13895 -
Alcohol (Fayetteville, N.Y.) Sep 2022On November 19th, 2021, the annual Alcohol and Immunology Research Interest Group (AIRIG) meeting was held at Loyola University Chicago Health Sciences Campus in... (Review)
Review
New insights into the mechanism of alcohol-mediated organ damage via its impact on immunity, metabolism, and repair pathways: A summary of the 2021 Alcohol and Immunology Research Interest Group (AIRIG) meeting.
On November 19th, 2021, the annual Alcohol and Immunology Research Interest Group (AIRIG) meeting was held at Loyola University Chicago Health Sciences Campus in Maywood, Illinois. The 2021 meeting focused on how alcohol misuse is linked to immune system derangements, leading to tissue and organ damage, and how this research can be translated into improving treatment of alcohol-related disease. This meeting was divided into three plenary sessions: the first session focused on how alcohol misuse affects different parts of the immune system, the second session presented research on mechanisms of organ damage from alcohol misuse, and the final session highlighted research on potential therapeutic targets for treating alcohol-mediated tissue damage. Diverse areas of alcohol research were covered during the meeting, from alcohol's effect on pulmonary systems and neuroinflammation to epigenetic changes, senescence markers, and microvesicle particles. These presentations yielded a thoughtful discussion on how the findings can lead to therapeutic treatments for people suffering from alcohol-related diseases.
Topics: Alcoholism; Epigenesis, Genetic; Ethanol; Humans; Inflammation; Public Opinion
PubMed: 35659577
DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2022.05.004 -
International Journal of Food... Nov 2022Pálinka is Hungarian traditional alcoholic drink, and its quality is strongly depending on applied yeast strain. Unfortunately, all commercial yeast strains used the...
Pálinka is Hungarian traditional alcoholic drink, and its quality is strongly depending on applied yeast strain. Unfortunately, all commercial yeast strains used the production of pálinka are selected for oenological purpose, and thus the efficacy and aroma releasing capacity are vary depending on the type and quality of fruit used. In this study, the fermentation efficacy of nine commercial yeast strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae was focused. All strains were able to do alcoholic fermentation of apple juice quite efficiently, and the simple sugars (fructose, glucose and sucrose) were almost exhausted at the end of fermentation. Meanwhile, the alcohol production capacity and yield were no significant differences (around 9.17 v/v %-9.43 v/v %), whereas the ability of sugar consumption of strains Uvaferm Danstil A and Fermicru AR2 was stronger than others. The differences in the concentration and composition of volatile compounds were recorded. The highest levels of total volatile compounds were observed in samples fermented with Uvaferm Danstil A, Fermiblanc Arom, Vin-O-Ferm Roses, and Fermicru AR2. Meanwhile total volatile compounds, 2-methyl-1-propanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol, total higher alcohols, ethyl acetate, and total esters were considered as key parameters for describing the profile of fermented apple juices, whereas total fusel alcohols, 2-methyl-1-propanol, 2-methyl-1-butanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol, and total volatile compounds were characteristic indicators of samples fermented with Uvaferm Danstil A. This work provides very good information of commercial yeast strains for industrial pálinka production.
Topics: 1-Butanol; Butanols; Dietary Sugars; Ethanol; Fermentation; Fructose; Glucose; Malus; Monosaccharides; Pentanols; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Sucrose; Volatile Organic Compounds; Wine
PubMed: 36063681
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2022.109891 -
Annals of Surgery Dec 2022We aimed to examine biomarkers for screening unhealthy alcohol use in the trauma setting.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to examine biomarkers for screening unhealthy alcohol use in the trauma setting.
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND DATA
Self-report tools are the practice standard for screening unhealthy alcohol use; however, their collection suffers from recall bias and incomplete collection by staff.
METHODS
We performed a multi-center prospective clinical study of 251 adult patients who arrived within 24 hours of injury with external validation in another 60 patients. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test served as the reference standard. The following biomarkers were measured: (1) PEth; (2) ethyl glucuronide; (3) ethyl sulfate; (4) gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase; (5) carbohydrate deficient transferrin; and (6) blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Candidate single biomarkers and multivariable models were compared by considering discrimination (AUROC). The optimal cutpoint for the final model was identified using a criterion for setting the minimum value for specificity at 80% and maximizing sensitivity. Decision curve analysis was applied to compare to existing screening with BAC.
RESULTS
PEth alone had an AUROC of 0.93 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.92-0.93] in internal validation with an optimal cutpoint of 25 ng/mL. A 4- variable biomarker model and the addition of any single biomarker to PEth did not improve AUROC over PEth alone ( P > 0.05). Decision curve analysis showed better performance of PEth over BAC across most predicted probability thresholds. In external validation, sensitivity and specificity were 76.0% (95% CI: 53.0%-92.0%) and 73.0% (95% CI: 56.0%-86.0%), respectively.Conclusion and Relevance: PEth alone proved to be the single best biomarker for screening of unhealthy alcohol use and performed better than existing screening systems with BAC. PEth may overcome existing screening barriers.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Glycerophospholipids; Alcoholism; Blood Alcohol Content; Prospective Studies; Alcohol Drinking; Ethanol; Biomarkers
PubMed: 33534233
DOI: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000004770