Effects of periadolescent ethanol exposure on alcohol preference in two BALB substrains.

Ethanol exposure during adolescence is a rite of passage in many societies, but only a subset of individuals exposed to ethanol becomes dependent on alcohol. To explore individual differences in response to ethanol exposure, we compared the effects of periadolescent ethanol exposure on alcohol drinking in an animal model. Male and female mice of two BALB substrains were exposed to ethanol in one of three forms--choice [water vs. 10% (volume/volume) ethanol], forced (10% ethanol in a single bottle), or gradual (single bottle exposure, starting with 0.5% ethanol and increasing at 2-day intervals to 10% ethanol)--from the 6th through the 12th week of age and administered two-bottle alcohol preference tests (10% ethanol vs. water) for 15 days immediately thereafter. All three forms of ethanol exposure increased alcohol preference in male and female BALB/cByJ mice, relative to findings for ethanol-naive control animals. Only gradual ethanol exposure produced an increase in alcohol preference in BALB/cJ mice. During extended alcohol preference testing (for a total of 39 days) of mice in the gradual ethanol exposure group, the higher alcohol preference of the gradual ethanol-exposed BALB/cByJ male mice persisted, but alcohol preference of control group female mice in this strain--formerly ethanol naive, but at this point having received 10% ethanol in the two-bottle paradigm for 15 days--rose to the level of alcohol preference of female mice in the gradual ethanol exposure group. This finding demonstrated that both adolescent and adult ethanol exposure stimulated alcohol preference in female mice of this strain. Across days of testing in adulthood, alcohol preference of the gradual ethanol-exposed BALB/cJ mice decreased, resulting in a lack of effect of gradual exposure to ethanol on alcohol preference in both male and female mice of this strain during the period of extended testing. These strain differences support a genetic basis for the effects of ethanol exposure on alcohol preference and fit within a body of literature, showing substantial individual differences in the effects of ethanol exposure among genetically undefined rats and differences in response to ethanol exposure among inbred rat strains. Exploration of the mechanisms underlying this gene by environment interaction in a mouse model may help elucidate individual differences in the effects of ethanol exposure in human beings and contribute to the understanding of the causes of alcoholism.     

Differential Influence of Diet and Physical Activity on Components of Metabolic Syndrome in a Multiethnic Sample of Children

Background

Treatment of the metabolic syndrome in adults is generally approached with diet and physical activity. The influence of diet and physical activity on cardiometabolic outcomes in children has not been clearly established.

Objective

The main objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that the distribution of energy from fat and carbohydrate in addition to limited time spent engaging in physical activity would contribute to the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and its components in a multiethnic pediatric population.

Design

Observational, cross-sectional study. Diet was assessed by two 24-hour recalls, physical activity by accelerometry, body composition by dual-energy absorptiometry, and glucose and lipid levels using fasting sera.

Main outcome measures

Presence of metabolic syndrome and its components.

Subjects

202 African-American (n=79), white (n=68), or Hispanic (n=55) healthy children aged 7 to 12 years.

Statistical analysis

The contribution of diet and physical activity to the metabolic syndrome and its components were assessed by logistic regression and multiple linear regression analyses.

Results

Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in the total sample was 8.4%, with Hispanics more likely than whites and African Americans to meet the criteria. A greater intake of energy from carbohydrate was related to a greater waist circumference and higher concentrations of triglyceride and glucose particularly apparent within the African-American sample (P<0.05). Fat intake was associated with a lower waist circumference (P<0.05) and with lower concentrations of triglyceride (P<0.05) and glucose (P<0.001) in the total sample. Greater moderate/hard physical activity was associated with higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations in whites (P<0.05). Increased sedentary behavior was related to greater glucose concentration in whites and Hispanics (P<0.05 for both).

Conclusions

Diet composition was more closely related to the components of the metabolic syndrome than was physical activity, with carbohydrate intake being adversely related to waist circumference, triglyceride levels, and glucose levels. Furthermore, relationships among diet and metabolic syndrome outcomes were stronger among African-American children, suggesting that nutrition interventions in this group may be particularly beneficial.     

Associations Between Discrimination and Cardiovascular Health Among Asian Indians in the United States

Asian Indians (AI) have a high risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The study investigated associations between discrimination and (1) cardiovascular risk and (2) self-rated health among AI. Higher discrimination scores were hypothesized to relate to a higher cardiovascular risk score (CRS) and poorer self-rated health. Asian Indians (n = 757) recruited between 2010 and 2013 answered discrimination and self-reported health questions. The CRS (0-8 points) included body-mass index, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, and fasting blood glucose levels of AI. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to evaluate relationships between discrimination and the CRS and discrimination and self-rated health, adjusting for psychosocial and clinical factors. There were no significant relationships between discrimination and the CRS (p ≥ .05). Discrimination was related to poorer self-reported health, B = ?.41 (SE = .17), p = .02. Findings suggest perhaps there are important levels at which discrimination may harm health.     

Neighborhood Environments and Sexual Risk Behaviors for HIV Infection Among U.S. Women: A Systematic Review

Empirical evidence indicates that aspects of the neighborhood environment may affect HIV prevention efforts. Therefore, the neighborhood environment should be considered when implementing prevention interventions. However, much of the empirical evidence is derived from studies conducted among drug users, men, or adolescents. Such evidence may not be as applicable to adult women whose primary risk for HIV infection is via heterosexual sexual behavior. Therefore, a systematic review examining the relationship between neighborhood environments and HIV sexual risk behaviors among adult U.S. women was conducted. Three databases were searched for articles published in English in peer-reviewed journals between 1/1/1980 and 12/31/2016 meeting relevant criteria. Seven articles identified from the three databases or additional hand searches met inclusion criteria and were summarized. Findings were mixed with several studies indicating associations between neighborhood environments and HIV sexual risk behaviors. However, all summarized studies were cross-sectional. Longitudinal studies conducted among women are needed.