[The European plan of action concerning alcohol consumption: a look to the future].
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Alcoholism↗
Biomedical subjects
F J Alvarez
Publications and source records attributed to F J Alvarez.
Heterogeneity of hypotonically loaded rat erythrocyte populations as detected by counter-current distribution in aqueous polymer two-phase systems.
Carrier rat erythrocytes loaded with exogenous substances ([125I] carbonic anhydrase) by hypotonic-isotonic dialysis become heterogeneous cell populations that can be fractionated using the counter-current distribution (CCD) technique. Two well-defined low- and high-partition ratio, G, subpopulations are obtained in charge-sensitive dextran-polyethylene glycol two-phase systems. The low-G subpopulation, which contains the most fragile and surface-altered cells, as deduced from their osmotic fragility curves and partition behaviour, respectively, presents a high amount of exogenous substance incorporated (134.6 cpm/10(6) cells). The high-G subpopulation, that contains cells similar to the control or isotonically dialyzed cells presents a lower amount of exogenous substance incorporated (69.8 cpm/10(6) cells). Cells in this high-G subpopulation seem to be fractionated, like the controls, according to ageing as suggested by the decline of the pyruvate kinase specific activity from the left- to the right-hand side of the CCD profile.
Animals↗
Distribution of immunoreactivity for the beta 2 and beta 3 subunits of the GABAA receptor in the mammalian spinal cord.
The localization of GABAA receptors in cat and rat spinal cord was analyzed using two monoclonal antibodies specific for an epitope shared by the beta 2 and beta 3 subunits of the receptor. beta 2/beta 3-subunit immunoreactivity was the most intense in inner lamina II, lamina III, and lamina X, and it was the least intense in lamina IX. In laminae I-III, generally, the staining had a rather diffuse appearance, but the surfaces of small cell bodies in these laminae were outlined clearly by discrete labeling, as were many cell bodies and dendrites in deeper laminae. Rhizotomy experiments and ultrastructural observations indicated that beta 2/beta 3-subunit immunoreactivity in the dorsal horn was largely localized in intrinsic neuropil elements rather than in the terminals of primary afferent fibers, even though labeling overlapped with the terminal fields of different types of primary afferents and was also detected on the membranes of dorsal root ganglion neurons. With few exceptions (most notably, a highly immunoreactive group of dorsolaterally located cells in the cat lumbar ventral horn), motoneurons expressed low levels of beta 2/beta 3-subunit immunoreactivity. Labeling of neuronal membranes was fairly continuous, but focal accumulations of beta 2/beta 3-subunit immunoreactivity were also detected using immunofluorescence. Focal "hot spots" correlated ultrastructurally with the presence of synaptic junctions. Dual-color immunofluorescence revealed that focal accumulations of beta 2/beta 3-subunit immunoreactivity were frequently apposed by glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD)-immunoreactive terminals. However, the density of continuous-membrane beta 2/beta 3 immunolabeling and GAD terminal density were not correlated in many individual neurons. The results suggest the existence of "classical" (synaptic) and "nonclassical" (paracrine) actions mediated via spinal cord GABAA receptors. The study also revealed the relative paucity of beta 2/beta 3-subunit immunoreactivity postsynaptic to certain GABAergic terminals, particularly those presynaptic to motoneurons or primary afferent terminals.
Afferent Pathways↗
Medication use by the driving population.
This study investigated patterns of medicine use among Spanish drivers. The study was conducted in the fall of 1993 on 1500 drivers aged over 16, all of whom completed accordingly and then returned the questionnaires. Among those surveyed, 45.1% had used drugs at least once in the previous year, while 17.3% of drivers surveyed were using medicines chronically. Chronic users, the majority of whom were female and belonging to the older age group, were using an average of two drugs. Central nervous system drugs (21.7%), respiratory system drugs (19.2%), cardiovascular system drugs (14.9%) and alimentary tract drugs (14.3%) were the most frequent groups of medication used. Of those surveyed 76.5% who took drugs regularly had never been warned by health professionals about the effects of the medication use on driving skills. The study shows both how often drivers use medication as well as the need to inform patients and drivers about the effect of medication on driving performance.
Journal Article↗
In vivo survival and organ uptake of loaded carrier rat erythrocytes.
Rat RBCs loaded with 125I-CA by hypotonic dialysis and isotonic resealing were evaluated as a carrier system. Loaded RBCs stored at 4 degrees C remained unlysed (90% survival) allowing release of encapsulated 125I-CA for up to 4 days. Thereafter, cellular lysis increased significantly. IP-injected loaded RBCs reached the maximum level (50%) in circulation at 24 h post-injection. Circulating loaded RBCs showed a half-life of 8-10 days, which was advantageous for carrier function. In contrast to IP-injected free CA, which remained in circulation for only a short time, encapsulated CA showed significant levels in circulation up to 10 days post-injection. The profile of organ uptake with time is essentially not altered for loaded with respect to native cells, being higher the removal of loaded cells and mainly localized in spleen. Nevertheless, liver is the organ with highest elimination capacity for both native and loaded cells, showing its maximum at 24 h post-injection. Concomitantly, the concentration of 125I-CA in all organs studied was highest at this time. These data demonstrate that rat loaded RBCs can potentially be used as a carrier system for long-term dissemination of drug into the organism, with specially increased delivery to the spleen. They also support the use of the rat as an experimental model for biochemical and pharmacological studies in these therapeutic systems.
Animals↗
The use of medication and alcohol among the Spanish population.
The 1993 Spanish National Health Survey data were used to estimate how frequently both medication and alcohol were used among 21,084 people over 16 years of age. A total of 47.1% of the population, especially women and an increasingly older section, had taken some kind of medication during the previous fortnight. A total of 9.8% of the population took medication and alcohol together. This was more frequently observed among men than among women, and especially so among the older age groups. These data reveal that concomitant alcohol and medication use is frequent among the Spanish population, and suggest a need to devote much more attention to this potential problem.
Adolescent↗
Lung hypoplasia and surfactant system immaturity induced in the fetal rat by prenatal exposure to nitrofen.
We studied the biochemical maturity of the lungs of fetuses born to rats exposed to nitrofen on day 9.5 of gestation. In comparison with controls, nitrofen-treated fetuses had pulmonary hypoplasia (decreased lung/body weight), lung hypocellularity (low DNA content) and cellular atrophy (low protein/DNA and phospholipid/DNA) on gestational days 19 and 21. Treated animals with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) also had cell atrophy and surfactant immaturity (decreased disaturated phosphatidylcholine/DNA) near term. Our data demonstrate that nitrofen causes lung hypoplasia and some degree of surfactant system immaturity that is particularly prominent in fetuses with CDH.
Animals↗
Pulmonary surfactant dysfunction in congenital diaphragmatic hernia: experimental and clinical findings.
Experimental and clinical findings indicate immaturity of pulmonary surfactant in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Lung histology has shown a decreased amount of lamellar bodies. A low lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio in the amniotic fluid, and decreased concentrations of surfactant protein A and disaturated phosphatidylcholine in the pulmonary tissue and the amniotic fluid have been reported. Furthermore, low compliance and high surface tension have also been found. Evidence of clinical and experimental findings of structural, biochemical and functional pulmonary immaturity in CDH is reviewed. Prenatal administration of corticosteroids to accelerate fetal pulmonary maturation, and the use of early surfactant therapy, should be further evaluated in the clinical management of CDH.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
Behaviour of isolated rat and human red blood cells upon hypotonic-dialysis encapsulation of carbonic anhydrase and dextran.
Rat and human carrier red blood cells (RBCs) were prepared by hypotonic-dialysis encapsulation. The standard conditions used for encapsulation were 80 mOsm/kg for 60 min. The encapsulation behaviour of rat and human RBCs was studied using radiolabelled carbonic anhydrase and fluorescently labelled dextran. Both markers are incorporated to slightly greater extents by human than by rat RBCs by hypotonic treatment. Cell recovery of rat and human RBCs loaded with either carbonic anhydrase or fluorescent dextran accounted for 49% and 80% respectively. The cellular integrity of the loaded cells was revealed by the presence of fluorescence labelling in rat and human RBCs. Fluorescence studies showed an increase of size dispersion in loaded rat and human RBCs, giving cellular volume variations in both types of cells resulting from the encapsulation procedure. Two loaded cell populations were evident in both species, one with high fluorescence content and another with background staining. Apparently the proportion of high fluorescently labelled loaded cells was higher in the case of the human RBCs. A reduced level of fluorescence labelling was observed in rat and human RBC membranes, which indicates a process of adsorption of dextran to the membranes.
Adsorption↗
Effect of several antidepressant drugs on isolated rat vas deferens in vitro.
Imipramine-N-oxide, quinupramine, clomipramine, doxepin, maprotiline, amineptine, amoxapine, mianserin, minaprine, nomifensine, viloxacine, trazodone and lofepramine effects were studied on rat vas deferens responses to noradrenaline. Tissues were prepared in Krebs-Henseleit solution with and without adding cocaine. 17 beta-estradiol and propranolol for blocking neuronal and extraneuronal noradrenaline reuptake. In normal Krebs-Henseleit solution imipramine-N-oxide, nomifensine, viloxacine and lofepramine increased noradrenaline responses, while clomipramine, trazodone and doxepin behaved as competitive antagonists. When adding cocaine, 17 beta-estradiol and propranolol to the solution there was antagonism but no increase in responses.
Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗
[Traffic accidents in the Spanish population].
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to analyze the accident phenomenon in general, and in the particular case of road accidents, using to this purpose the 1993 National Health Survey. METHODS: The National Health Survey of 1993 was carried out in 26,334 inhabitants (21,084 adults > 16 years of age and 5,250 children). This survey tends to study the characteristics and distribution of the morbidity by the Spanish population. RESULTS: 7.8% of the population had suffered an accident in the last twelve months. 1.6% has suffered a road accident. Road accidents were more common in men and in the 11-30 age group. 52.1% out the casualties in road accidents were assisted in an emergency department. The most common injuries were bumps and contusions (53.4%) and fractures and wounds (42.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Road accidents are frequent in the Spanish population, specially in men and young adults; also, they often need to use sanitary services.
Accidents, Traffic↗
The harmful effects of drugs as perceived by the Spanish public.
A regional survey on peoples' attitudes towards drugs was conducted in the fall of 1992 on 2500 individuals aged 14-70 years. The great majority of those surveyed considered the taking of heroin (98%), cocaine (95.9%) and amphetamines (94.7%) to be "very risky" for one's health. These percentages were considerably lower in the case of tobacco (41.3%) and alcohol (26.7%). Those surveyed pointed to 'heroin' (35.6%), 'all illegal drugs' (27%), 'legal drugs' (17.2%) and 'cocaine' (14.2%) as the most dangerous drugs for society. The study shows how alcohol and tobacco are perceived by Spaniards as less dangerous than illegal drugs.
Adolescent↗
Comparison of the recovery characteristics of midazolam, alone or antagonised with flumazenil, and thiopental in ASA III-IV patients.
Sixty non-premedicated male patients, physically ASA III-IV, 50-80 years of age, undergoing translumbar aorthography, were randomly allocated into three groups. Group A received midazolam (0.13 mg.kg-1), group B received thiopental (4 mg.kg-1), and group C midazolam (0.13 mg.kg-1) combined with flumazenil (6 micrograms.kg-1) at the end of the operation. Three minutes before the anaesthesia began, fentanyl (1.5 micrograms.kg-1) was administered to all the patients. An evaluation was made of the time they took to open their eyes spontaneously, of time-space orientation, comprehension-collaboration, hypnosedation, psychomotor performance and memory. In groups "C" and "B" spontaneous opening of the eyes took place before that of group "A". The recovery of orientation, comprehension and hypnosedation was fastest with thiopental, next with midazolam combined with flumazenil, and later with midazolam. Psychomotor performance in Trieger test was impaired for a shorter period with thiopental than in the other two groups. Recovery in group "C" was incomplete within the time, with the result that resedation was detected in 20% of the subjects.
Aged↗
The effects of multiple small doses of exogenous surfactant on experimental respiratory failure induced by lung lavage in rats.
AIM: To test the effect on pulmonary gas exchange and mechanics of multiple small doses of exogenous surfactant as an alternative to bolus delivery in experimental respiratory failure induced by lung lavage. METHOD: After anesthesia, tracheostomy and constant volume ventilation, respiratory failure was induced by lung lavage in 20 rats. Animals were randomly assigned to an untreated control group or two experimental groups. Equal total doses of modified porcine surfactant (200 mg.kg-1 body weight), were given by tracheal instillation, either as a single bolus or in four (50 mg.kg-1 b.w.) fractional doses at 10-min intervals. Arterial pH and blood gases, and peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) were measured. RESULTS: After lavage, a rapid decrease in arterial pH and PaO2, and an increase in PaCO2 and PIP were observed in all animals. In both surfactant-treated groups, PaO2 increased after surfactant instillation, and remained significantly higher than controls throughout the experiment. Arterial pH was significantly higher and PaCO2 significantly lower only in the single bolus group. In the multiple dose group, these levels were similar to those of controls. CONCLUSION: In surfactant-depleted rats with respiratory failure, instillation of four fractional surfactant doses did not result in the same enhancement on gas exchange and PIP, in the following 60 min, as same total dose given by a single bolus.
Animals↗
Beverage effects on patterns of alcohol consumption.
In this paper an analysis is made of beverage preferences and their effect on alcohol consumption patterns. For this purpose we have used the 1993 Spanish National Household Health Survey conducted on members of the population aged 16 or over. Beer and spirits are consumed more frequently by young people and wine by older people. The most consumed daily drink is wine and beer on a weekly basis. Men always drank more frequently and consumed a greater number of drinks per occasion than women for the three types of drink analyzed. The study shows that beverage preference is an important factor in the characterization of alcohol use patterns.
Adolescent↗
Drinking and driving in Spain.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the patterns of alcohol consumption among Spanish drivers and to evaluate possible repercussions on road safety policies. METHOD: A sample of 12,000 drivers aged over 16 were randomly selected from the National Register of Spanish Drivers. The questionnaires, with items on sociodemographic data and on patterns of driving and alcohol consumption, were mailed to selected drivers in the fall of 1993. The study was based on the 1,500 (1,016 from men, 484 from women) properly completed questionnaires received. RESULTS: Among those surveyed, 62.9% were regular drinkers, who had a mean daily alcohol intake of 46.9 grams/day; of these regular drinkers 26.8% drank at a dangerous level. Those who drove regularly were more likely to drink and had a higher alcohol intake. The majority of drinkers recognized that they drove after drinking, 14.3% even acknowledged that last year on some occasions they drove "in a drunken state." Those who drink show high figures of involvement in road accidents. CONCLUSIONS: The study indicates widespread consumption of alcohol by Spanish drivers and the need to develop and improve driving and drinking policies in Spain.
Accidents, Traffic↗