Electroencephalographic neurofeedback as a tool for reducing harm and risk associated with alcohol use disorder: A critical review.

Issues: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) causes the highest harms around the world. Many people use alcohol to reduce stress and anxiety, considered as risk factors for AUD. Chronic alcohol use leads to changes in the reward system and the high level of stress may exacerbate neuroendocrine responses.

Effectiveness of an alternative intervention in the treatment of depressive symptoms.

Background: There is a scarcity of studies in the international literature regarding alternative treatment to the pharmacological and psychotherapeutic intervention in the face of depression symptoms. This study aimed to test a protocol based on natural therapy, alternatives to pharmacological and psychotherapeutic, through Mindfulness Meditation, Reiki, Acupuncture and Auriculotherapy, to treat the symptoms of depression for those who were with no pharmacological or psychotherapeutic treatment for these symptoms.

Methods: this is a randomized single-blind controlled pilot study.

Sexual abuse and alcohol use among women in metropolitan Sao Paulo, Brazil: a general population study.

Objective: The present study aimed at estimating the prevalence of lifetime sexual abuse among women and at investigating its association with alcohol consumption.

Method: Population-based survey conducted through a representative and stratified cluster sample of metropolitan São Paulo. GENACIS questionnaire was used.

Cytogenetic biomonitoring of oral mucosa cells of crack cocaine users.

The aim of the present study was to comparatively evaluate genomic damage (micronucleus) and cellular death (pyknosis, karyolysis, and karyorrhexis) in exfoliated oral mucosa cells from crack cocaine users by micronucleus test. A total of 30 crack cocaine users and 30 health controls (non-exposed individuals) were included in this setting. Individuals had epithelial cells from cheek mechanically exfoliated, placed in fixative, and dropped in clean slides, which were checked for the above nuclear phenotypes.

Adaptation and validation of the depression, anxiety and stress scale (DASS) to Brazilian Portuguese.

Background: Depression and anxiety have been associated with a range of symptoms that often overlap. Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) is a single instrument to assess symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress. This study aimed to adapt and validate the DASS-21 for use in the Brazilian Portuguese language.

Alcohol use and falls among the elderly in Metropolitan São Paulo, Brazil.

The objectives of this study are to identify the pattern of alcohol use among the elderly and to analyze its association with falls. A population-based survey was conducted in a sample of Metropolitan São Paulo, Brazil, using the GENACIS questionnaire, Gender, Alcohol and Culture: An International Study. Adjusted prevalence ratios were calculated using Poisson Regression with robust variance, and the dependent variable was the occurrence of falls.

[Violence between intimate partners and alcohol use: prevalence and associated factors].

Objective: To estimate physical violence between intimate partners and to examine the association between violence and sociodemographic variables, use of alcohol, and other related factors.

Method: This epidemiologic survey included a stratified probabilistic sample representative of the population from the city of São Paulo in economic and educational terms. The Gender, Alcohol and Culture: An International Study (GENACIS) questionnaire was employed.

Drinking patterns between men and women in two distinct Brazilian communities.

Objective: A survey was conducted to compare gender differences in patterns of drinking in two stratified, urban and representative samples from two communities (B and RJr).

Method: The Genacis (Gender, Alcohol, and Culture: an International Study) questionnaire was used.

Results: There were several significant differences in the demographics and patterns of alcohol use between these two samples.

Patterns of alcohol use between genders: a cross-cultural evaluation.

Introduction: Alcohol use by men and women is very much influenced by social habits and customs. Cultural peculiarities and biological differences between the sexes require more focused and standardized studies. The objective was to systematize information on patterns of alcohol use between the sexes.