Association of alcohol consumption with aortic aneurysm and dissection risk:results from the UK Biobank cohort study

BACKGROUND:Previous studies have reported inconsistent results with positive,negative,and J-shaped associations between alcohol consumption and the hazard of aortic aneurysm and dissection(AAD).This study aimed to examine the connections between weekly alcohol consumption and the subsequent risk of AAD.METHODS:The UK Biobank study is a population-based cohort study.Weekly alcohol consumption was assessed using self-reported questionnaires and the congenital risk of alcohol consumption was also evaluated using genetic risk score(GRS).Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios(HRs)with 95% confidence intervals(CIs)for the associations between alcohol consumption and AAD.Several sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the robustness of the results.RESULTS:Among the 388,955 participants(mean age:57.1 years,47.4% male),2,895 incident AAD cases were documented during a median follow-up of 12.5 years.Compared with never-drinkers,moderate drinkers(adjusted HR:0.797,95%CI:0.646-0.984,P<0.05)and moderate-heavy drinkers(adjusted HR:0.794,95%CI:0.635-0.992,P<0.05)were significantly associated with a decreased risk of incident AAD.Interaction-based subgroup analysis revealed that the protective effect of moderate drinking was reflected mainly in participants younger than 65 years and women.CONCLUSION:Our findings support a protective effect of moderate alcohol consumption on AAD,but are limited to participants younger than 65 years and women.

Protective effect of alcohol consumption for fatty liver but not metabolic syndrome

AIM:To investigate the effect of alcohol on the metabolic syndrome (MS) and fatty liver in Japanese men and women.METHODS:A cross-sectional study was conducted in a medical health checkup program at a general hospital.This study involved 18 571 Japanese men and women,18-88 years of age,with a mean body mass index of 22.6 kg/m 2.A standardized questionnaire was administered.The total amount of alcohol consumed per week was calculated,and categorized into four grades.Fatty liver was examined by ultrasound modified criteria of the revised National Cholesterol Educa-tion Program Adult Treatment Panel Ⅲ and the new International Diabetes Federation.RESULTS:The prevalence of fatty liver decreased in men and women with light to moderate alcohol consumption,whereas the prevalence of MS was not so changed.The prevalence of fatty liver of any grade in men was lower than that in those with no or minimal alcohol consumption.In women with light to moderate alcohol consumption,prevalence of fatty liver was lower than that in women with no or minimal alcohol consumption.By logistic regression analysis,the odds ratio (OR) for MS in women with light alcohol consumption was decreased to < 1.0,but this change was not clear in men.The OR for fatty liver was clearly < 1.0 in men with any level of alcohol consumption and in women with light to moderate consumption.CONCLUSION:Light to moderate alcohol consumption has a favorable effect for fatty liver,but not for MS in Japanese men and women.

Alcohol consumption on pancreatic diseases

Although the association between alcohol and pancreatic diseases has been recognized for a long time,the impact of alcohol consumption on pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer(PC)remains poorly defined.Nowadays there is not consensus about the epidemiology and the beverage type,dose and duration of alcohol consumption causing these diseases.The objective of this study was to review the epidemiology described in the literature for pancreatic diseases as a consequence of alcoholic behavior trying to understand the association between dose,type and frequency of alcohol consumption and risk of pancreatitis and PC.The majority of the studies conclude that high alcohol intake was associated with a higher risk of pancreatitis(around 2.5%-3% between heavy drinkers and 1.3%between non drinkers).About 70%of pancreatitis are due to chronic heavy alcohol consumption.Although this incidence rate differs between countries,it is clear that the risk of developing pancreatitis increases with increasing doses of alcohol and the average of alcohol consumption vary since 80 to 150 g/d for 10-15 years.With regard to PC, the role of alcohol consumption remains less clear,and low to moderate alcohol consumption do not appear to be associated with PC risk,and only chronic heavy drinking increase the risk compared with lightly drinkers.In a population of 10%-15%of heavy drinkers, 2%-5%of all PC cases could be attributed to alcohol consumption.However,as only a minority(less than 10%for pancreatitis and 5%for PC)of heavily drinkers develops these pancreatic diseases,there are other predisposing factors besides alcohol involved.Genetic variability and environmental exposures such as smoking and diet modify the risk and should be considered for further investigations.

Relationship between alcohol consumption and clinical manifestation of patients with fatty liver:a single-center study

BACKGROUND:Fatty liver is a common chronic liver disease worldwide.It is associated with an increasing morbidity in China in recent years.The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of drinking alcohol on the hemoglobin and biochemical values of patients with fatty liver.METHODS:We investigated the clinical and laboratory data of 669 patients with fatty liver.Of the 669 patients,166 consumed alcohol more than 60 g per week for at least 2 years,and 503 did not have a history of long-term alcohol consumption.We further analyzed the relationship between alcohol consumption and clinical characteristics of these patients.RESULTS:The values of aspartate transaminase (AST),gammaglutamyl transpeptidase (GGT),and hemoglobin in the long-term consumption group were significantly higher than those in the non long-term consumption group (P<0.05).In the patients without long-term alcohol consumption,the values of GGT and hemoglobin in patients with light alcohol consumption were significantly higher than those in non alcohol consumers (P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Alcohol consumption is associated with significantly increased values of AST,GGT,and hemoglobin in patients with fatty liver,suggesting their potential roles in hepatic steatosis.

Alcohol consumption and dry eye syndrome: a Metaanalysis

AIM：To quantify the association between alcohol consumption and dry eye syndrome（DES） with Meta-analysis of published case-control and cross-sectional studies. METHODS： Three databases were screened for potentially eligible studies through Nov.30,2015,Pub Med,Web of Science,and the Cochrane Library.Odds ratios（ORs） were pooled with 95% confidence intervals（CIs） to evaluate the relationship between alcohol consumption and DES risk.Subgroup analyses were performed according to diagnostic criteria,publication year,sample size,alcohol intake and adjusted factors.RESULTS： A total of 10（9 case-control and 1 crosssectional） studies from 8 articles were included in this Meta-analysis.The pooled results showed that alcohol consumption would significantly increase the risk of DES（OR 1.15,95% CI： 1.02-1.30）,and the results were independent of smoking,hypertension,diabetes and thyroid disease history.And the results of subgroup analyses indicated an increased incidence of DES diagnosed by typical DES symptoms and positive objective tests together（OR 1.18,95% CI： 1.01-1.39）among drinkers,but not by typical DES symptoms alone（OR 1.11,95% CI： 0.94-1.32）.What＇s more,any drinkers were at higher risk of suffering from DES（OR 1.33,95%CI： 1.31-1.34）,while heavy drinkers not（OR 1.01,95% CI：0.86-1.18）.CONCLUSION： The present Meta-analysis suggests that alcohol consumption may be a significant risk factor for DES.Alcohol-induced peripheral neuropathymay falsely reduce the prevalence of DES among heavy drinkers.Future prospective studies of alcohol consumption and DES risk are needed to confirm our results.

Smoking, alcohol consumption, and the risk of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma:A meta-analysis

AIM:To assess the association between smoking and alcohol consumption and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma(ECC)through a meta-analysis of clinical observational studies.METHODS:A literature search was conducted using Embase and MEDLINE databases from inception to 31May 2013 without language limitations,and by manually searching the references of retrieved articles.Casecontrol and cohort studies that investigated the association between smoking or alcohol consumption and ECC were included.The quality of these studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment scale.Summary relative risks and corresponding95%CI were calculated using a random-effects model.Publication bias was assessed by Begg’s funnel plot and Egger’s test.RESULTS:A total of 12 eligible articles(11 case-control studies and one cohort study)were included in this meta-analysis.Eleven studies reported the association between smoking and ECC.Pooled analysis indicated that smokers had an increased risk of ECC development as compared with non-smokers(summary RR=1.23;95%CI:1.01-1.50).This correlation was present in population-based studies(n=5;summary RR=1.47;95%CI:1.06-2.05)but not in hospital-based studies(n=6;summary RR=1.10;95%CI:0.88-1.37)and in non-Asian regions(n=7;summary RR=1.39;95%CI:1.03-1.87)but not in Asia(n=4;summary RR=1.08;95%CI:0.85-1.38).Seven studies reported an association between consuming alcohol and ECC.Pooled analysis indicated that alcohol drinkers had a similar risk of ECC development as did individuals who did not drink alcohol(summary RR=1.09;95%CI:0.87-1.37).There was moderate heterogeneity among the studies and no evidence of publication bias.CONCLUSION:Smoking is associated with an increased risk of ECC,but alcohol consumption is not.Further population-based studies,particularly cohort studies,are warranted to enable definitive conclusions.

Effect of ALDH2 Genetic Polymorphism on the Adaptive Change in Alcohol Metabolism Due to Continuous Moderate Alcohol Consumption in Humans

Few studies have assessed the difference in adaptive changes of alcohol metabolism in the case of chronic alcohol consumption pertaining to the genetic polymorphism of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) in humans. To evaluate the influences of ALDH2 genotypes on changes in alcohol metabolism due to continuous alcohol intake, we conducted an intervention study by setting a continuous drinking period between two abstinence periods. The subjects in this study comprised 20 - 25-year-old males, including 15 males carrying ALDH2*1/*1 and 16 carrying ALDH2*1/*2 genotypes. Following the abstinence period of 4 weeks (from day 1 to day 28), all subjects drank commercially available beer (500 ml) every evening for 6 weeks (from day 30 to day 71) and subsequently abstained from drinking again for 4 weeks (from day 73 to day 100). The next morning, after the end of each period, drinking tests (DTs) were performed on each subject (DT1 on day 29, DT2 on day 72, and DT3 on day 101) to examine alcohol metabolism. The subjects drank shochu (a distilled alcoholic beverage), with an ethanol dose of 0.32 g/kg, within 20 minutes after overnight fasting. The alcohol elimination rate in subjects with ALDH2*1/*1 genotype was significantly higher during DT2 after the drinking period as compared with those at both DT1 and DT3 after the abstinence periods, whereas the elimination rate in subjects with ALDH2*1/*2 genotype did not change significantly during 3 DTs. However, blood acetaldehyde levels significantly decreased in subjects with both ALDH2 genotypes during DT2 as compared with those during DT1. The physiological subjective responses to alcohol also significantly decreased during DT2 in subjects with ALDH2*1/*2 genotype. Moreover, serum lipids, gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), and uric acid concentrations also varied between subjects with different ALDH2 genotypes due to continuous drinking. These results suggested that ALDH2 polymorphism modified adaptive changes in alcohol metabolism and physiological responses to continuous moderate alcohol consumption.

Gender differences in the relationship between alcohol consumption and gastric cancer risk are uncertain and not well-delineated

The role of alcoholic and other beverage consumption in the etiology of gastric cancer is unknown.Several studies have summarized and established a significant association between heavy alcohol consumption and gastric cancer risk,but evidence on alcohol-related cancer risk is conflicting.

Synergistic Action of Clonorchiasis,HBV Infection and Alcohol Consumption on Primary Hepatocellular Carcinoma

OBJECTIVE It has been recognized that HBV infection and alcohol consumption are two important risk factors for primary hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC）. Recently, the role of clonorchiasis as a risk factor for HCC is controversial. We aimed to investigate whether these factors increase the risk of HCC in Guangxi, China. METHODS A hospital-based, case-control study of HCC was conducted from July 2005 to July 2007. We enrolled 500 consecutive patients with HCC as an experimental group and 500 patients without tumor in liver as a control group. The risk factors that the patients were exposed to were assessed. RESULTS Comparing the risks of developing the HCC, we found out the following results. The risk of developing HCC for the patients with clonorchiasis was 5 folds of that for the patients without clonorchiasis （OR = 5.0; 95% CI： 3.1-8.1）, and the risk for the patients with alcohol consumption was 3 folds of that for the patients without drinking alcohol （OR = 3.4; 95% CI： 2.3-4.9）, and similarly, the risk for the patients with HBV infection was 21 times of that for the patients without HBV infection （OR = 20.6; 95% CI： 14.3-29.7）. According to crossover analysis, there was significant interaction among clonorchiasis, HBV infection and alcohol consumption, with synergistic indices greater than 1. The etiologic fractions attributed to these interactions [EF （A × B）] are 0.7465, 0.5789 and 0.5506, respectively. CONCLUSION Clonorchiasis, HBV infection and heavy alcohol consumption are independent risk factors for developing HCC in our population in Guangxi, and as they can interact synergistically, the risk of developing HCC is increased. Data from this study may indicate new prevention strategies of developing HCC in high-risk individuals.

Effect of maternal alcohol consumption on gestational diabetes detection and mother-infant’s outcomes in Kinshasa, DR Congo

Objectives: Since it has been suggested that moderate alcohol drinking would increase insulin sensitivity, which could benefit Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM), the study aimed at evaluating alcohol consumption during pregnancy, and seeing whether this consumption influences GDM detection and maternal/perinatal outcomes. Study design: Women with already known diabetes and those with multiple pregnancy were excluded. All other pregnant women attending antenatal care unit of the university clinics, Kinshasa, DR Congo during the period from 1 March throughout 31 October 2010, were invited at 24-week gestation to enroll in O’Sullivan blood glucose testing and if eligible in 100-gram oral glucose tolerance test. Alcohol consumption, risk factors for GDM, and general characteristics such as age, parity, gestity, BMI, fat mass were registered. Diagnosed GDM was first treated with diet and exercise, thereafter with Metformin, and if necessary with insulin. For other (normal) women data remained blinded until confinement. Maternal and infant’s adverse outcomes such as maternal urinary infection, preeclampsia, cesarean section, intrauterine growth retardation, birth weight percentile 90 in our milieu), Apgar score at the first minute < 7, shoulder dystocia or other birth injury, neonatal hypoglycemia and fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) were compared and analyzed according to GDM diagnosis as well to alcohol status. Results: Up to 240 pregnant women accepted to enroll into the study. Alcohol consumption concerned 78 (32.5%) of the women, most of them (61 = 25.42%) being heavy consumers. Risk factors for GDM and Physical and blood glucose characteristics were alike (p not significant) in both consumers and non consumers, except for history of HTA in the family that was significantly more frequent (p = 0.02) among drinkers. GDM’s prevalence was 9%. No adverse outcome was more prominent in any subgroup, except Apgar score < 7 at the first minute that was more frequent (p = 0.038) among neonates of GDM mothers. No FAS, neither shoulder dystocia nor neonatal hypoglycemia were diagnosed. When alcohol status was considered, Birthweight ≥ 3800 g was found more frequent (p = 0.0284) in alcohol consumers than in abstainers. Risk of this outcome was three times higher when history of family hypertension was present (odds ratio 2.694;CI: 0.536 - 13.544). Conclusions: The prevalence of alcohol consumption by pregnant women of our series (32.5%) seems not to impact the detection of GDM (9%). FAS was not diagnosed. Lack of significant differences in adverse outcomes between GDM and non GDM could be attributed to huge follow-up of GDM women. Influence of alcohol consumption on birth weight mostly in setting of familial history of hypertension remains to be addressed.

Interactions of the apolipoprotein A5 gene polymorphisms and alcohol consumption on serum lipid levels

Objectives Apolipoprotein(Apo) A5 gene poly-morphisms and alcohol consumption have been associated with increased serum triglyceride(TG) levels,but little is known about their interactions on serum lipid levels.The present study was undertaken polymorphismsand alcohol consumption on serum lipid levels.Methods A total of 516 unrelated nondrinkers and 514 drinkers aged 15 -89 were randomly selected from our previous stratified randomized cluster samples.Genotyping of the ApoA5was performed by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism,and then confirmed by direct sequencing.Interactions of the ApoA5alcohol consumption were assessed by using a cross-product term between genotypes and the aforementioned factor.Results The levels of total cholesterol (TC),TG,high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C), ApoA1 and ApoB were higher in drinkers than in nondrinkers (P【0.05-0.001).The genotypic and allelic frequencies of the three single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs) were not different between the two groups.The levels of TG in non-drinkers, and TC,TG,low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)and ApoB in drinkers were different among the three -1131T】C genotypes(P【0.05-0.001).The -1131C allele carriers had higher serum TC,TG,LDL-C and ApoB levels than the allele noncarriers.The levels of TG,HDL-C and ApoB in nondrinkers,and TG and HDL-C in drinkers were different between the two c.553G】T genotypes(P【0.05-0.01).The C.553T allele carriers had higher serum TG and ApoB levels,and lower HDL-C levels than the allele noncarriers.Serum lipid levels in nondrinkers were not different among the three c.457G】A genotypes(P【0.05 for all), but the levels of HDL-C,LDL-C,ApoA1 and ApoB in drinkers were different between the GG and GA/AA geno-types (P【0.05-0.001).The C.457A allele carriers had lower serum HDL-C,LDL-C,ApoAl and ApoB levels than the allele noncarriers.We also observed four haplotypes:G-G-T, G-G-C,G-A-T,and T-G-C with frequencies ranging from 0.06 to 0.87,representing 100%of all haplotypes in the both populations.The ApoA5 haplotypes were significantly(P【0.05) associated at the global level with TC,TG,HDL-C, LDL-C,Apo1,and ApoB,even after correction for multiple testing with permutation test.In particular,carriers of haplo-type G-G-C had significantly higher TC,TG,LDL-C,ApoB than noncarriers,whereas carriers of haplotype C-A-T had significantly lower TC,LDL-C,ApoAl and ApoB,and higher HDL-C than noncarriers.Serum TC levels in nondrinkers were correlated with -1131T】C genotype and allele(P【0.05 for each),whereas serum TC,TG and LDL-C levels in drinkers were associated with -1131 T】C and C.553G】T genotypes,or c.457G】A alleles(P【0.05-0.001).Serum lipid parameters were also correlated with several environmental factors in the both groups.Conclusions The differences in serum lipid profiles between the drinkers and nondrinkers might partly result from different interactions of ApoA5 gene polymor phisms and alcohol consumption.genotypes and -1131T】C, c.553G】T and c.457G】A to detect the interactions of the ApoA5

Morphological and biochemical effects of weekend alcohol consumption in rats: Role of concentration and gender

AIM To examine the association between weekend alcohol consumption and the biochemical and histological alterations at two different concentrations of alcohol in both genders in rats.METHODS Wistar rats weighing 170-200 g were divided into groups as follows:(1) Control groups; and(2) weekend alcohol-consumption group: 2 d/weekly per 12 wk, at two different concentrations:(1) Group of males or females with a consumption of a solution of alcohol at 40%; and(2) group of males or females with a consumption of a solution of alcohol at 5%. At the end of the experiment, serum and liver samples were obtained. The following enzymes and metabolites were determined in serum: Alanine Aminotransferase(ALT), Aspartate Aminotransferase(AST), Lactate Dehydrogenase, and Gamma-Glutamyltransferase, and glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, bilirubin, and albumin. Liver samples from each group were employed to analyze morphological abnormalities by light microscopy.RESULTS In all of the weekend alcohol-consumption groups, AST activity presented a significant, 10-fold rise. Regarding ALT activity, the groups with weekend alcohol consumption presented a significant increase that was six times greater. Bilirubin levels increased significantly in both groups of females. We observed a significant increase in the parameters of fatty change and inflammation due to weekend alcohol consumption. Only the group of females that consumed alcohol at 40% presented slight hepatocel ular disorganization CONCLUSION The results obtained herein provide solid evidence that weekend alcohol consumption gives rise to liver damage, demonstrated by biochemical and histological alterations, first manifested acutely, and prolonged weekend alcohol consumption can cause greater, irreversible damage.

Chronic Alcohol Consumption and the Development of Skeletal Fluorosis in a Fluoride Endemic Area of the Ethiopian Rift Valley

This study compared the occurrence of skeletal fluorosis in chronic consumers of locally brewed alcoholic beverages and their matched controls in the Ethiopian Rift Valley. The study revealed that chronic alcohol consumers developed severe forms of crippling skeletal fluorosis quite early in life. The controls were either symptom-free or exhibited mild forms of the fluorosis. The study showed that crippling skeletal fluorosis was directly associated with the large volumes of the locally brewed beer and honey-mead consumption on a daily basis. Chemical analysis of the alcoholic beverages showed that high concentration of fluoride which was much higher than the fluoride in the water was used for the brewing process. From this study one would conclude that in communities residing in high fluoride areas, there should be awareness creation campaigns to point out the relationship of excessive consumption of locally brewed alcoholic drinks and skeletal fluorosis. Regulations should also be put in place to require producers of local alcoholic beverages to use low fluoride water for brewing.

Consequences of Low Risk and Hazardous Alcohol Consumption among University Students in Australia and Implications for Health Promotion Interventions

Background: Hazardous alcohol consumption and associated harms are high among young uni- versity students. The university environment is conducive to excessive alcohol consumption with studies finding young university students to drink alcohol at higher levels than their non-university peers. Methods: A random sample of 18 - 24-year-old undergraduate, internal university students completed a survey (n = 2465) to investigate differences in self-reported personal, second-hand and witnessed alcohol-related harms, alcohol expectancies, pre-loading, and friends’ alcohol consumption between low risk and hazardous drinkers. Univariate and multivariate analyses are reported. Results: Almost 40% of students who had consumed alcohol in the past year reported drinking at hazardous levels. Univariate analyses found students who reported hazardous drinking reported significantly higher scores relating to experienced, second-hand, witnessed and academic problems compared to low risk drinkers. Hazardous drinkers were also more likely to pre-load, to drink at higher levels when pre-loading, have more friends who drank alcohol, have more friends who drank at hazardous levels and to score higher on alcohol expectancies. However both low risk and hazardous drinkers experienced a range of harms due to their own drinking including hangover (71.2%), unprotected sex (19.3%), regretted sex (16.8%) and drink-driving (17%). Looking after an intoxicated student (34.3%) and witnessing someone pass out (37.5%) were issues for all drinkers. Experienced alcohol related harms, academic problems, alcohol expectancies, close friends’ level of alcohol consumption, pre-loading in the last four weeks and level of consumption when pre-loading were predictors of hazardous drinking (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Young undergraduate university students are at risk of a range of academic, social, emotional and physical harms associated with their own and other students’ alcohol consumption. There is a need for integrated programs to address university drinking culture and effect positive changes.

Alcohol consumption and the risk of Barrett's esophagus:A meta-analysis

AIM： To evaluate the possible association between al-cohol consumption and Barrett’s esophagus （BE）.METHODS： We performed a systematic literaturesearch of multiple online electronic databases. Inclusioncriteria entailed studies about alcohol and BE. Meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate odds ratio （OR） and95%CIs for the association between alcohol consump-tion and BE. RESULTS： Twenty studies comprising 4758 patientswith BE were included in the meta-analysis. The risk ofBE in patients with alcohol consumption was increasedcompared with control groups （OR = 1.01; 95%CI： 1.00-1.02）, especially in case-control and cohort, Eu-ropean and Asian, and hospital studies, but there was a decreased risk of BE associated with alcohol con-sumption from American studies （OR = 0.86; 95%CI： 0.77-0.96）. At the same time, there was no signifcant association between BE and alcohol consumption in community studies （OR = 0.97; 95%CI： 0.84-1.12） and the type of alcohol （wine, beer and liquor） studies. CONCLUSION： Our meta-analysis found that alcohol consumption was associated with an increased risk of BE, especially for European and Asian drinkers.

Vague relationship between alcohol consumption and metabolic syndrome in nonobese people

Fatty liver, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, is closely associated with metabolic syndrome (MS). Thus, the presence of fatty liver without MS in some conditions may be clinically important. Many studies have shown that compared with no or occasional alcohol intake, moderate alcohol consumption is associated with lower prevalence rates of hypertension and type 2 diabetes, and lower levels of circulating C-reactive protein, a valuable marker for MS and insulin resistance. Considering these findings, light to moderate alcohol consumption has theoretical benefits on fatty liver and MS. Fatty liver, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, may be more clinically important than MS, particularly in non-obese individuals, because fatty liver can develop before MS in several conditions, such as regular alcohol consumers. Furthermore, most of the currently used MS criteria are unable to detect "true MS" because of variations in multiple factors such as age, height, medications, and complications.

Maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy and the risk of childhood acute leukemia:a meta-analysis

Objective： The authors used a meta-analytic technique to quantify the evidence of an association between ma- ternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy and childhood acute leukemia （AL）, which provided a basis for the prevention of childhood AL. Methods： Relevant literatures of maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy were comprehensively searched and screened. Subgroup meta-analysis was conducted according to the type of leukemia. Results of research data of maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy were tested for heterogeneity. Combined OR values and 95% CIs were statistically calculated with RevMan 4.2 software; Funnel plots were applied to conduct bias analysis for those included litera- tures. Results： Ten related literatures were included after data screening, 4593 cases in AL group and 6157 cases in control group respectively. According to heterogeneity test result （X2 = 16.26, P 〈 0.05）, the combined OR values and 95% CI were calculated with random effects model, which were 1.02 （0.92-1.14）, Z = 0.41, P = 0.68 〉 0.05, indicating that there was no significant difference between maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy and the risk of childhood acute leukemia （AL）. Subgroup analysis： for the association between maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy and childhood acute lympho- blastic leukemia （ALL）, the combined OR value and 95% CI were 0.92 （0.84-1.00）, Z = 1.92, P = 0.05, indicating that there was significant difference between two groups; for the association between maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy and childhood acute non-lymphoblastic leukemia （ANLL）, the combined OR values and 95% CI were 0.82 （0.61-1.11）, Z = 1.30, P = 0.19 〉 0.05, indicating that there was no significant difference between two groups. Conclusion： Maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy is a risk factor in childhood ALL, but not in childhood ANLL.

Assessing Knowledge about the Dangers of Alcohol Consumption： A Cross-sectional Descriptive Study, among Makerere University Undergraduate Students

Consumption of alcohol and other alcoholic beverages is widespread in Uganda and it is the highest per capita consumer of alcohol in Africa. Many households are involved in informal alcohol production for income purposes, resulting in alcohol being easily available. Alcohol is consumed mostly by adults and young adults, waragi （a local brew） being high on the menu. There is a high prevalence of alcohol consumption at Makerere University so in our study we set out to assess the knowledge about dangers of alcohol consumption among these students. It was a cross-sectional descriptive study. The target population was undergraduate students of Makerere University. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires and focus group discussions. We interviewed 435 University students, 236 （54.3%） males and 199 （45.7%） females. Median age was 21 years, similar across gender. There were more participants from year one to three compared to years four and five. Majority of the students were consuming alcohol 242 （55.6%）, 49 （11.3%） had stopped and 144 （33.1%） had never consumed alcohol. A higher proportion of males consumed alcohol compared to females; 60.2% and 50.2% respectively. Some reasons given for alcohol consumption were： peer pressure, coping with stressful situations, celebration and the need for adventure. The students were knowledgeable about the dangers of alcohol consumption like liver disease, violence, mental illness, cancer, diabetes mellitus, financial loss and death. Despite the vast knowledge about the dangers of alcohol consumption, some students were reluctant to stop consuming alcohol, so fighting this habit in this population is important. Parents and students need to be mindful of where to reside so as to avoid bad company. Some of the students who stopped consuming alcohol attributed it to concern from a relative, friend or health worker, so involving the entire public could go a long way in the fight against alcohol abuse as well as strict regulation of physical availability of alcohol on the university campus.Abstract： Consumption of alcohol and other alcoholic beverages is widespread in Uganda and it is the highest per capita consumer of alcohol in Africa. Many households are involved in informal alcohol production for income purposes, resulting in alcohol being easily available. Alcohol is consumed mostly by adults and young adults, waragi （a local brew） being high on the menu. There is a high prevalence of alcohol consumption at Makerere University so in our study we set out to assess the knowledge about dangers of alcohol consumption among these students. It was a cross-sectional descriptive study. The target population was undergraduate students of Makerere University. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires and focus group discussions. We interviewed 435 University students, 236 （54.3%） males and 199 （45.7%） females. Median age was 21 years, similar across gender. There were more participants from year one to three compared to years four and five. Majority of the students were consuming alcohol 242 （55.6%）, 49 （11.3%） had stopped and 144 （33.1%） had never consumed alcohol. A higher proportion of males consumed alcohol compared to females; 60.2% and 50.2% respectively. Some reasons given for alcohol consumption were： peer pressure, coping with stressful situations, celebration and the need for adventure. The students were knowledgeable about the dangers of alcohol consumption like liver disease, violence, mental illness, cancer, diabetes mellitus, financial loss and death. Despite the vast knowledge about the dangers of alcohol consumption, some students were reluctant to stop consuming alcohol, so fighting this habit in this population is important. Parents and students need to be mindful of where to reside so as to avoid bad company. Some of the students who stopped consuming alcohol attributed it to concern from a relative, friend or health worker, so involving the entire public could go a long way in the fight against alcohol abuse as well as strict regulation of physical availability of alcohol on the university campus.

Predicting Alcohol Consumption in Hospitality Populations Using Sense of Coherence

This paper aims to introduce the claim that hospitality students and hospitality employees drink more alcohol than other students and employee groups and to explore and explain this alcohol consumption disparity using the sense of coherence （SOC） construct. Using a web-based questionnaire, college students were recruited, surveyed, and classified into hospitality and non-hospitality majors. Self-reported alcohol consumption, SOC, and a variety of demographic variables were measured. A total of 930 students participated of which 59.4% were female and 28% were hospitality majors. About 47% of hospitality students, 33% of other majors, 43% of women, and 38% of men were classified as at-risk consumers of alcohol. The overall SOC score was about 139 with a range of 69-191. None of the sub-populations differed significantly in SOC. While SOC does not predict major or occupational choice, SOC is a predictor of risky alcohol consumption.