The effectiveness of web-based interventions designed to decrease alcohol consumption – a systematic review

OBJECTIVE To review the published literature on the effectiveness of web-based interventions designed to decrease consumption of alcohol and/or prevent alcohol abuse. METHOD Relevant articles published up to, and including, May 2006 were identified through electronic searches of Medline, PsycInfo, Embase, Cochrane Library, ASSIA, Web of Science and Science Direct. Reference lists of all articles identified for inclusion were checked for articles of relevance. An article was included if its stated or implied purpose was to evaluate a web-based intervention designed to decrease consumption of alcohol and/or to prevent alcohol abuse. Studies were reliably selected and quality-assessed, and data were independently extracted and interpreted by two authors. RESULTS Initial searches identified 191 articles of which 10 were eligible for inclusion. Of these, five provided a process evaluation only, with the remaining five providing some pre-to post-intervention measure of effectiveness. In general the percentage quality criteria met was relatively low and only one of the 10 articles selected was a randomized control trial. CONCLUSION The current review provides inconsistent evidence on the effectiveness of eIectronic screening and brief intervention (eSBI) for alcohol use. Process research suggests that web-based interventions are generally well received. However further controlled trials are needed to fully investigate their efficacy, to determine which elements are keys to outcome and to understand if different elements are required in order to engage low- and high-risk drinkers

Intra-oral orthosis vs amitriptyline in chronic tension-type headache: a clinical and laser evoked potentials study

BACKGROUND: In the present study, we examined clinical and laser-evoked potentials (LEP) features in two groups of chronic tension-type headache (CTTH) patients treated with two different approaches: intra-oral appliance of prosthesis, aiming to reduce muscular tenderness, and 10 mg daily amitriptyline. METHODS: Eighteen patients with diagnosed CTTH participated in this open label, controlled study. A baseline evaluation was performed for clinical features, Total Tenderness Score (TTS) and a topographic analysis of LEPs obtained manually and the pericranial points stimulation in all patients vs. healthy subjects. Thereafter, patients were randomly assigned to a two-month treatment by either amitriptyline or intra-oral appliance. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Both the intra-oral appliance and amitriptyline significantly reduced headache frequency. The TTS was significantly reduced in the group treated with the appliance. The amplitude of P2 response elicited by stimulation of pericranial zones showed a reduction after amitriptyline treatment. Both therapies were effective in reducing headache severity, the appliance with a prevalent action on the pericranial muscular tenderness, amitriptyline reducing the activity of the central cortical structures subtending pain elaboration CONCLUSION: The results of this study may suggest that in CTTH both the interventions at the peripheral and central levels improve the outcome of headache

Possible import routes of proteins into the cyanobacterial endosymbionts/plastids of Paulinella chromatophora

The rhizarian amoeba Paulinella chromatophora harbors two photosynthetically active and deeply integrated cyanobacterial endosymbionts acquired ~60 million years ago. Recent genomic analyses of P. chromatophora have revealed the loss of many essential genes from the endosymbiont’s genome, and have identified more than 30 genes that have been transferred to the host cell’s nucleus through endosymbiotic gene transfer (EGT). This indicates that, similar to classical primary plastids, Paulinella endosymbionts have evolved a transport system to import their nuclear-encoded proteins. To deduce how these proteins are transported, we searched for potential targeting signals in genes for 10 EGT-derived proteins. Our analyses indicate that five proteins carry potential signal peptides, implying they are targeted via the host endomembrane system. One sequence encodes a mitochondrial-like transit peptide, which suggests an import pathway involving a channel protein residing in the outer membrane of the endosymbiont. No N-terminal targeting signals were identified in the four other genes, but their encoded proteins could utilize non-classical targeting signals contained internally or in C-terminal regions. Several amino acids more often found in the Paulinella EGT-derived proteins than in their ancestral set (proteins still encoded in the endosymbiont genome) could constitute such signals. Characteristic features of the EGT-derived proteins are low molecular weight and nearly neutral charge, which both could be adaptations to enhance passage through the peptidoglycan wall present in the intermembrane space of the endosymbiont’s envelope. Our results suggest that Paulinella endosymbionts/plastids have evolved several different import routes, as has been shown in classical primary plastids

Unusual paraseptal emphysema as the primary changes in computerized tomography scan of a COVID-19 patient. Case report

Covid-19 pandemic has infected more than 20 million people worldwide and claimed more than 750,000 lives so far. Given that this disease is new, the long-term lung effects for survivors especially of severe cases are unknown. Most radiographic changes compared to those commonly seen in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), manifested as groundglass opacities or diffuse interstitial/alveolar changes. We present a case of severe acute respiratory failure secondary to COVID-19 requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation and hospitalization with subsequent lung damage and unusual formation of extensive paraseptal emphysematous changes which predominantly affect the lungs apices with subsequent spontaneous pneumothorax. Currently, the long-term impacts on survivors of severe COVID-19 infections are unknown. Future long-term follow-up studies will likely confirm a significant burden and many long-lasting disabilities to the society. Keywords: COVID-19, VILI, Paraseptal Emphysema, Pulmonary fibrosis, Pneumothorax</jats:p

Personal perceptions of risky drinking and alcohol guidelines – a qualitative analysis

Introduction Risky drinking is prevalent in European countries despite health authorities issuing guidelines created to support individuals to make informed choices about their alcohol intake. The current study explored personal perceptions of risky drinking, perceptions of the personal relevance of guidelines, and the processes used to form perceptions. Method Three hundred and eight participants from Sweden and the UK completed an online survey containing open-ended questions about perceptions of risky drinking and personal relevance of drinking guidelines. Data was analysed using Thematic analysis embedded within a Framework analysis comparing answers from Sweden and UK. Results Personal perceptions of risky drinking were formed primarily using experiential and affective judgments, and related to concerns over developing problems with alcohol, losing control, drinking as a coping mechanism, and causing harm to oneself or others. Guidelines were interpreted using experiential judgements, resulting in affective responses, expressed as negative attitudes towards the guidelines in terms of scepticism and denial. Those acknowledging the risk expressed ambivalence, in terms of a struggle for change. Conclusions Perceptions of risky drinking extend beyond the physical act of consuming alcohol and encompass various contextual factors, affective states, effects of alcohol on the individual, and its impact on social roles and relationships. Risk guidance may not be interpreted as intended, with many who exceed the recommendations do not perceive their behaviour as risky. Understanding perceptions of risk can help support changes in behaviour