The DID model demonstrates predictive validity. Both opioid and dopamine signaling are involved in ethanol drinking to intoxication. Different physiological pathways mediate high ethanol drinking as compared to water or sugar water drinking in DID. DID may be a useful screening tool to find new alcoholism medications and to discover genetic and neurobiological mechanisms relevant to the human disorder.

These results support the hypothesis that mGluR5 signaling plays a role in excessive ethanol intake in DID and suggest DID may have value for screening novel compounds that reduce overactive glutamate signaling for potential pharmaceutical treatment of excessive ethanol drinking behavior.

Previous research has demonstrated that certain combinations of compounds result in a decrease in toxic or pro-oxidative effects, previously noted when compounds were administered singly. Thus, there is a need to study many complex interactions further. Two in vitro techniques [electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assays] were used in this study to assess pro- and antioxidant capacity and synergistic potential of various compounds. Rutin, p-coumaric acid, abscisic acid, ascorbic acid, and a sugar solution were evaluated individually at various concentrations and in all 26 possible combinations at concentrations found in certain foods (honey or papaya), both before and after simulated digestion. EPR results indicated sugar-containing combinations provided significantly higher antioxidant capacity; those combinations containing sugars and ascorbic acid demonstrated synergistic potential. The ORAC assay suggested additive effects, with some combinations having synergistic potential, although fewer combinations were significantly synergistic after digestion. Finally, ascorbic acid, caffeic acid, quercetin, and urate were evaluated at serum-achievable levels. EPR analysis did not demonstrate additive or synergistic potential, although ORAC analysis did, principally in combinations containing ascorbic acid.

Objective Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is prevalent among low-income minorities and is associated with poorer health. However, the association between PTSD and hemoglobin A1C (A1C) among patients with diabetes has not been fully described. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate associations between PTSD and A1C among low-income minorities with diabetes. Method Adults with diabetes were recruited from a network of primary care clinics. Data were obtained from surveys and electronic medical records. Lifetime PTSD symptoms were assessed using the Structured Clinical Interview—DSM-IV and depressive symptoms with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. A1C was obtained from chart review. Results Of 103 adults analyzed, 12% had lifetime full PTSD and 12% had subthreshold PTSD. On backward stepwise logistic regression, patients with any PTSD symptoms were significantly more likely to have an A1C >7% compared to patients without symptoms (ORadj 2.98, 95% CI 1.04–8.52, P=.04). An A1C >7% also was associated with an interaction between PTSD symptoms and longer diabetes duration (P<.05). Conclusion In this cohort of low-income minorities with diabetes, lifetime PTSD symptoms were significantly associated with an A1C >7%.

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