Search Results (350)

Delayed harvesting of grapes can alter fruit quality and plays an important role in alleviating the problem of market saturation during peak seasons, as well as in regulating the supply period of grapes. In this study, by conducting a comparative analysis of fruit quality, metabolomics (aroma compounds) and transcriptome sequencing of ‘Shine Muscat’ grapes harvested at six different on-tree ripening stages after maturity, we found that: (1) delayed harvesting led to dramatic variation in berry color change (light green to yellow) with a significant increase in soluble solids (19.5 to 20.89 Brix); (2) A total of 25 volatile aroma compounds was identified in collected berry samples, while trans-2-hexenal and hexanal exhibited the highest concentrations in all samples, marking them as key volatile compounds in ‘Shine Muscat’ grapes. Notable variation in the concentrations of linalool, n-butanol, benzyl alcohol, phenylethanol, β-citronellol, and propionic anhydride were recorded in selected harvest periods. OAV analysis results show that linalool has the largest OAV among the detected compounds, and its OAV proportion increased from 53% to 95% during the six sampling periods of ‘Shine Muscat’; (3) Transcriptome sequencing of selected samples demonstrated a positive correlation between eight terpene-synthesis-related genes and linalool accumulation. Furthermore, genes within the MEP pathway (specifically VvTPS55, VvTPS59) and several transcription factors were associated with terpenoids metabolism. Based on soluble solids and OAV results, T18–T22 period (18–22 weeks post-flowering) can become good quality on-vine storge berries. The gene expression profile and developmental patterns of metabolites in MEP pathway may helpful in functional characterization of candidate genes related to terpenoid metabolism in future studies. Full article

Introduction: During pharmaceutical care, community pharmacists play a crucial role by carrying out interventions aimed at preventing, detecting, and resolving drug-related problems (DRPs) and negative outcomes associated with medication (NOM), simultaneously enhancing patients’ knowledge about their treatments. The chronic use of Benzodiazepines (BZDs) is known to be associated with risks such as tolerance, dependence, and cognitive impairment. Furthermore, the combined use of BZDs with other medications or alcohol may expose patients to significant drug interactions. Objectives: This study aimed to characterize and describe the clinical profile of patients using BZDs, to evaluate the extent of polypharmacy and potential drug interactions, to investigate their level of knowledge regarding BZD treatment, and ultimately, to propose evidence-based interventions from the community pharmacy to contribute to improving patient safety and minimizing risks associated with BZD use. Method: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted in a single community pharmacy in Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Spain). The study population comprised 125 adult patients with active BZD prescriptions. Data collection was performed through pharmacist–patient structured interviews using a questionnaire that included sociodemographic, clinical, and BZD knowledge variables. Results: Lormetazepam and alprazolam were the BZDs most frequently prescribed and dispensed. Potential drug interactions with other medications were detected in 38.4% of BZD users. Notably, 61.5% of patients using BZDs also reported the concurrent use of opioid analgesics, with tramadol being the most common opioid (48.1% of BZD users were also treated with tramadol). Statistically significant differences were observed between patients with and without BZD and other drug interactions in several adverse outcome variables, including the risk of falls (p = 0.003), cognitive impairment (p = 0.047), and urinary incontinence (p = 0.016). Existing BZD dependence is detected in 25% and 22.1% of cases, respectively. Patients’ knowledge of their BZD treatment revealed critical gaps, which are identified as a challenge and a clear opportunity for intervention through pharmaceutical care services. Conclusions: The findings underscore the essential and proactive role of community pharmacists in identifying and managing drug interactions, as well as in supporting deprescribing strategies through collaborative and interprofessional care models. Full article

Alcohol is a widely consumed beverage worldwide, and headaches, including migraine, tension-type headache (TTH), and other primary headaches, are common in the general population. Although epidemiological studies have shown a correlation between alcohol consumption and headaches, the specific pathophysiological mechanism of this headache remains unknown. We reviewed articles deemed relevant to the issue of alcohol as a trigger for various headaches, those that discussed alcohol consumption in these patient groups, and those that addressed the pathophysiological and clinical aspects of alcohol and headache. The review concluded that alcohol affects both migraine and non-migraine headaches. Alcohol-induced headache, classified as a secondary headache, is a throbbing, bilateral headache that is exacerbated by physical activity and is precipitated by alcohol consumption. TTH can be precipitated by alcohol consumption, and patients with TTH have more alcohol-related problems than those with migraine. Cluster headaches (CH) are often triggered by alcohol, but surprisingly, many CH patients consume alcohol, even during attacks. The relationship between alcohol and migraine is complex. Numerous components of alcoholic beverages can influence pain triggering and are responsible for migraine attacks. Red wine is one of the most frequently cited triggers for migraine attacks, a finding not always confirmed by the few prospective studies. However, there is no safe dose of alcohol, and therefore avoidance should be recommended. Full article

This paper presents an overview of a research line developed at the Istituto Centrale per il Restauro within the CHANGES (Cultural Heritage Active Innovation for Next-Gen Sustainable Society) project, funded under the Italian National Recovery and Resilience Plan. The research was developed in different phases: a first one dedicated to the study of the deep background and the state of the art in the ICR background: history, methodologies and research in the field; a second phase was dedicated to the selection of a specific urban art mural, as a key study with conservation problems connected to some of the principal preservation treatments related to the outdoor context; the mural was also identified as a beloved icon in the public space with a profound socio-cultural meaning for the community. Nido di Vespe, created in 2014 by the artist Lucamaleonte is part of a broader artistic project called M.U.Ro-Museum of Urban Art of Rome, an open-air public art museum located in the Quadraro district in Rome, designed by the artist Diavù. A third phase focused on the research in ICR laboratories, specifically addressing: cleaning, reintegration, and protection strategies adapted to dynamic outdoor environments. A multi-step cleaning system based on polyvinyl alcohol-borax semi-interpenetrated hydrogels loaded with nanostructured fluids was developed to selectively remove spray-paint vandalism while preserving the chemically similar original pictorial layers. The reintegration phase investigated acrylic and urea-aldehyde resins as binders to produce compatible, reversible, and UV-traceable retouching and infilling materials. For surface protection, multilayer coating systems incorporating nanoparticles with antimicrobial, photocatalytic, and UV-stabilizing properties were formulated to enhance durability and chromatic stability. Laboratory tests on mock-ups simulating typical street and urban art materials and morphologies showed satisfactory results, while diagnostic investigations on Nido di Vespe provided the reference data to calibrate the experiments with real mural conditions. Cleaning tests demonstrated promising removal efficiency, influenced by the chemical composition, thickness of the overpainted layers, and surface roughness. The reintegration system met the expected performance requirements, as the tested binders provided good results and allowed the development of compatible, reversible, and distinguishable solutions. Protective coatings showed good results in terms of chromatic stability and surface integrity; however, the long-term behavior of both reintegration, cleaning, and protection systems requires further evaluation. The results achieved so far support the development of sustainable and flexible conservation strategies for the conservation of contemporary street and urban murals and will guide the future application of the selected materials and methodologies in pilot conservation interventions on the mural chosen as a meaningful case study within the broader research. Full article

In underdeveloped nations, treatment non-adherence continues to be a significant barrier to effective disease management. It has a major impact on patients and healthcare systems in public primary healthcare settings. Patients who do not take their medications as prescribed may be at higher risk for negative health consequences. Polypharmacy, side-effects, and drug-related problems are factors contributing to non-adherence. Additional patient-related issues include multimorbidity, lack of support, chronic-drugs, and health-literacy. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the prevalence and contributing factors of treatment non-adherence among patients presenting to a public primary healthcare setting in South Africa. Between September and October 2014, cross-sectional quantitative research using structured questionnaires was carried out with one hundred patients who were chosen using random sampling. Self-reports from patients were used to assess non-adherence to therapy. A standardized questionnaire administered by the interviewer was used to gather data, and IBM SPSS version 29 was used for analysis. Patients aged 18 years and older who were using prescribed medications were included. The characteristics of the participants were obtained using descriptive statistics, and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) are reported for Odds ratios (ORs). Associations between related factors and treatment non-adherence were obtained using the Pearson Chi-square test; a p-value of less than 0.05 was deemed statistically significant. Of the 100 patients interviewed, 35% were men and 65% women. The majority were in the age-range of 60–80 years with a high school level of education. Demographic characteristics associated with non-adherence to treatment were gender (p = 0.03) and age (p = 0.03). Chronic conditions, alcohol consumption, recreational drug use, use of medication reminders, waiting time to get treatment and support from healthcare providers all were statistically significant with p-values < 0.001, time to get to the clinic (p = 0.02), mode of transport (p = 0.01), alcohol consumption (OR 22.25 [95% CI: 8.539–57.977], p < 0.001) and recreational drug use (OR 8.73 [95% CI: 5.01–15.98], p < 0.001) were also examined. Patient medication non-adherence is a major medical problem globally. Though patient education is the key to improving compliance, use of compliance aids, proper motivation, and support are also shown to increase medication adherence. Full article

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted various aspects of daily life, including hygiene routines, dietary habits, and access to dental care. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the pandemic on the oral health-related and dietary behaviors and dietary pattern of patients from the West Pomeranian region of Poland. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 100 healthy adult participants from the West Pomeranian region, including patients from the Pomeranian Medical University and private dental practices. A self-administered questionnaire consisting of 43 items was used to assess changes in hygiene, dietary behaviors, and the frequency of dental visits during the pandemic. Results: The majority of respondents were under 30 years of age, with women representing 56% of the sample. Most participants resided in large urban areas with populations exceeding 300,000. During the pandemic, 41% of participants maintained regular dental visits, while 37% reported experiencing dental problems; all those who sought care received appropriate treatment. Nearly half of the respondents had undergone quarantine due to SARS-CoV-2 exposure, and 38% expressed fear of infection. The results revealed a notable decline in preventive dental care during the pandemic: only 41% of participants reported maintaining regular dental check-ups. Additionally, 34% reported increased consumption of snacks, while 25% indicated more frequent alcohol intake. 22% of respondents experienced involuntary teeth clenching during the day, and 13% reported teeth grinding, These findings reflect a negative shift in health behaviors during the COVID-19 period. Conclusions: The pandemic had a substantial adverse effect on oral health behaviors, dietary choices, and the use of dental services. Nevertheless, participants demonstrated awareness of these changes and, following the pandemic, expressed an increased understanding of the importance of regular dental visits. It is necessary to implement preventive measures that increase awareness of the health consequences (such as dental caries and periodontal diseases) in order to reduce the neglect of routine dental check-ups. Full article

Background: Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) contributes substantially to global liver-related morbidity and mortality. In conservative societies such as Oman, data on ALD are scarce due to stigma and legal constraints. This study aims to characterize the clinical spectrum, complications, and outcomes of ALD in Oman, providing the first detailed analysis from a tertiary care setting in the country. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 131 Omani patients with documented unhealthy alcohol use from 2012 to 2018 at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital. ALD diagnosis was based on clinician judgment per EASL guidelines and DSM-5 criteria, where applicable. Data included demographics, clinical/laboratory findings, and radiologic/endoscopic features. Associations with complications and mortality were assessed using chi-square tests and logistic regression. Results: Of 131 patients, 84 (64.1%) were diagnosed with ALD: fatty liver (34.5%), alcoholic hepatitis (20.2%), cirrhosis (40.5%), and hepatocellular carcinoma (4.8%). Cirrhosis was significantly more prevalent in patients aged 50 years or older (OR = 2.53, 95% CI: 1.02–6.28; p = 0.048). Ascites and portal hypertension were strongly associated with mortality (OR = 5.20, CI: 1.85–14.6 and OR = 6.13, CI: 2.04–18.4, respectively; p < 0.01). Overall mortality in ALD was 28.6%, increasing to 44.1% in cirrhotics. Conclusion: ALD is a significant yet underrecognized problem in Oman, with high rates of late-stage presentation and mortality. Early detection and culturally tailored strategies are needed to improve care outcomes. Full article

Substance use is a critical public health issue in the U.S., with Black communities, particularly those with criminal justice contact, disproportionately affected. Chronic exposure to stressors can lead to substance use as a coping strategy. This study used data from 1476 Black adults with criminal justice involvement from the National Survey of American Life to examine how psychosocial stress and sleep disturbances relate to lifetime substance use and to determine if there are any sex differences. Sex-separate generalized linear models for a Poisson distribution with a log-link function estimated prevalence ratios and adjusted prevalence ratios (APRs) for lifetime alcohol abuse, lifetime cigarette, and marijuana use. Independent variables include stressors (family, person, neighborhood, financial, and work-related) and sleep problems, with covariates such as age, SES, and marital status. Lifetime alcohol abuse was associated with family stressors (APR = 2.72) and sleep problems (APR = 3.36) for males, and financial stressors (APR = 2.75) and sleep problems (APR = 2.24) for females. Cigarette use was linked to family stressors (APR = 1.73) for males and work stressors (APR = 1.78) for females. Marijuana use was associated with family stressors (APR = 2.31) and sleep problems (APR = 2.07) for males, and neighborhood stressors (APR = 1.72) for females. Lifetime alcohol abuse, as well as lifetime cigarette and marijuana use, was uniquely associated with various psychosocial stressors among Black adult males and females with criminal justice contact. These findings highlight the role of structural inequities in shaping substance use and support using a Social Determinants of Health framework to address addiction in this population. Full article

Background: Energy drinks (EDs) are non-alcoholic, functional beverages sold worldwide in more than 165 countries. These products are very popular and often consumed by children, teenagers, and young adults to improve physical performance, reduce drowsiness, and improve memory and concentration with increased intellectual effort. However, their consumption is associated with an increased risk of various health consequences. Objectives: The purpose of this non-systematic review was to discuss the components of EDs and their effects, summarize the AEs reported in the literature associated with the consumption of EDs, and briefly characterize the possible ED-related drug interactions. Methods: Scientific evidence was extracted by searching the databases PubMed and Google Scholar. In addition, the reference lists of the retrieved papers were reviewed and cross-referenced to reveal additional relevant scientific evidence. Results: The most common ingredients in EDs are caffeine, taurine, glucuronolactone, B vitamins, the vitamin-like compound inositol, and sweeteners (sugar, fructose, glucose–fructose syrup or artificial sweeteners). Although it is difficult to conclusively prove a cause-and-effect relationship between the consumption of EDs and the observed pathophysiological abnormalities, most scientific evidence (mostly clinical case reports) indicates that both occasional and especially chronic use of EDs is associated with the occurrence of numerous adverse effects (AEs). Among these, the best documented AEs are those on the cardiovascular system. It should also be noted that the components of EDs (primarily caffeine) may have drug interactions; therefore, EDs may be an important factor influencing the safety of pharmacotherapy in patients consuming EDs. Conclusions: Consuming energy drinks lead to various health problems and may interfere with pharmacotherapy due to the potential development of drug interactions. Due to the widespread availability of EDs, their suggestive advertising aimed at the youngest customers, and ambiguous regulations, new legislative policies are required to limit the widespread consumption of such products and their negative health effects. Full article

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is identified to be an efficacious bioactive polyphenol in propolis for ameliorating glucose and lipid metabolism disorders and inflammation. In this study, an alcohol-induced zebrafish inflammation model was established. CAPE treatments at different concentrations (0.04, 0.2, and 1.0 μg/mL) were administered to alcohol-exposed zebrafish to investigate the underlying mechanisms of alleviating alcohol-induced liver inflammation using transcriptomic analysis and 16S rRNA gene sequencing methods. The results indicated that CAPE decreased the expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β and significantly increased the expression of IL-10 (p < 0.0001). Based on the KEGG enrichment analysis of transcriptomic sequencing, CAPE effectively alleviated the inflammation in zebrafish mainly through pancreatic secretion, complement and coagulation cascades, and protein digestion and absorption. Molecular docking supported the potential of CAPE in targeting cholecystokinin (CCK) A Receptor (CCKAR) and mediating the regulation of pancreatic secretion and related inflammation pathways. Moreover, intestinal microbiota analysis demonstrated that CAPE could improve the alcohol-induced microbiota disorder. Additionally, there was a significant correlation between the key genes related to lipid and sterol metabolism among the KEGG-enriched pathways and the specific intestinal microbial communities in zebrafish. Flavobacterium from Bacteroidota was significantly positively correlated with CEL1, CEL2, and LPIN (p < 0.01), which suggested that the anti-inflammatory function of CAPE was closely associated with the intestinal microbiota improvement. In conclusion, our findings demonstrated that CAPE could ameliorate liver inflammation in alcohol-induced zebrafish, which was mainly associated with the regulation of pancreatic secretion and intestinal microbiota disorder. This study emphasized the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of CAPE based on targeting the pancreatic secretion pathway, which will broaden the application of natural antioxidants in improving metabolic and inflammatory problems. Full article

Today, there is considerable interest in creating artificial microbial consortia to solve various biotechnological problems. The use of such consortia allows for the improvement of process indicators, namely, increasing the rate of accumulation of target products and enhancing the conversion efficiency of the original substrates. In this work, the prospects for creating artificial consortia based on anaerobic sludge (AS) with cells of different yeasts were confirmed to increase the efficiency of methanogenesis in glucose- and glycerol-containing media and obtain biogas with an increased methane content. Yeasts of the genera Saccharomyces, Candida, Kluyveromyces, and Pachysolen were used to create the artificial consortia. Their concentration in the biomass of consortium cells was 1.5%. Yeast cells were used in an immobilized form, which was obtained by incorporating cells into a cryogel of polyvinyl alcohol. The possibility of increasing the efficiency of methanogenesis by 1.5 times in relation to the control (AS without the addition of yeast cells) was demonstrated. Using a consortium composed of methanogenic sludge and yeast cells of the genus Pachysolen, known for their ability to convert glycerol into ethanol under aerobic conditions, the possibility of highly efficient anaerobic conversion of glycerol into biogas was shown for the first time. Analysis of the metabolic activity of the consortia not only for the main components of the gas phase (CH₄, CO₂, and H₂) and metabolites in the cell culture medium, but also for the concentration of intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP), controlled by the method of bioluminescent ATP-metry, showed a high level of functionality and thus, prospects for using such consortia in methanogenesis processes. The advantages and the prospect of using the developed consortia instead of individual AS for the treatment of methanogenic wastewater were confirmed during static tests conducted with several samples of real and model waste. Full article

Restricting food intake before consuming alcohol due to weight concerns or to increase alcohol’s intoxicating effects (food and alcohol disturbance, FAD) is a recognised problem in young American college students, but there is less evidence about whether middle-aged and older adults are also engaging in FAD behaviours. A cross-sectional survey of FAD and potential alcohol problems using validated measures (Compensatory Eating and Behaviours in Response to Alcohol Consumption, CEBRACS; Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, AUDIT-C) was administered online and in two universities in the north of England to adults aged ≥ 18 years old who had consumed ≥ one alcoholic beverage within the previous month. Most of the 488 participants were ≥25 years (73%) and not university students (72%). Overall, 69% of participants engaged in at least one FAD behaviour in the previous 3 months. The youngest age group (18–24 years) was significantly less likely than the oldest age group (53+ years) to never engage in FAD behaviours: alcohol effects OR (CI) 0.05 (0.02, 0.13); bulimia 0.08 (0.01, 0.67); and restriction 0.21 (0.08, 0.52). Nevertheless, 47% of the oldest age group engaged in at least one FAD-related behaviour, and student status was not associated with FAD behaviours, except for alcohol effects. FAD behaviours were engaged in by most alcohol consumers in this study, including middle- and older-aged adults, and non-students. Full article

Background and Objectives: Coronary artery disease (CAD) significantly impacts health-related quality of life (HRQoL), with lifestyle factors and comorbidities influencing various dimensions of well-being. This study aimed to assess HRQoL and its association with sociodemographic and lifestyle factors in CAD patients. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Rajiv Gandhi Co-operative Multispecialty Hospital, South India, from July 2022 to April 2023, where lifestyle factors were assessed, and HRQoL was measured using the EQ-5D-3L. The differences and associations of sociodemographic and lifestyle factors with HRQoL were analyzed using the chi-square test and multivariate regression. Results: A total of 212 CAD patients were included in this study. Female gender and comorbid disease were more likely to be associated with reported problems in mobility (89.7%, 78.8%) and anxiety/depression (97.4%, 92.7%) (p < 0.05). Factors such as age ≥ 50 years, family history of CAD, current smoking, comorbid disease, and a moderate- to high-risk diet significantly influenced anxiety/depression (p < 0.05). Patients with comorbid disease and moderate- to high-risk dietary intake were significantly associated with all five dimensions (p < 0.05). Gender, educational level, alcohol intake, and sleep duration did not show a significant association with all dimensions (p > 0.05). Conclusions: This study found that CAD patients undergoing treatment for secondary prevention exhibited inadequate HRQoL, particularly in terms of mental health. Factors such as comorbid disease and moderate- to high-risk dietary intake were significantly associated with reduced HRQoL. Older age, family history of CAD, current smoking habit, comorbid disease, and a moderate- to high-risk diet were significantly associated with anxiety/depression. Full article

Using data from the 2022 and 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, we examined factors associated with treatment use for substance use disorder (SUD), perceived SUD treatment needs, and reasons for treatment non-use. Of U.S. adults, 18.1% had any past-year SUD (alcohol use disorder [AUD] and/or any drug use disorder [DUD]), 14.4% of those with SUD received SUD treatment in the past year, and 5.5% of those who did not receive treatment had a perceived need for treatment. Treatment use was significantly associated with AUD and DUD severities (aOR = 3.85, 95% CI = 2.82–5.26 for severe AUD; aOR = 2.82, 95% CI = 2.27–3.47 for severe DUD), problem self-perception (aOR = 2.12, 95% CI = 1.74–2.58), and mental health treatment use (aOR = 6.07, 95% CI = 4.73–7.78). Perceived treatment needs among those who did not use treatment were also significantly associated with AUD and DUD severities, problem self-perception, and any mental illness. The most frequently reported reasons for treatment non-use among those with perceived need were self-sufficiency beliefs, lack of readiness to stop using or start treatment, stigma-related concerns, and health insurance/cost problems. The findings underscore the importance of screening SUD and educating about the harms of untreated SUD in increasing motivation and readiness for treatment use among people with SUD. Full article

Deaths of despair (DoD), encompassing suicide, drug overdose, and alcohol-related mortality, are often linked to social and psychological distress. This study examined the long-term risk of DoD among individuals previously hospitalized for suicide attempts, with a focus on substance use problems and psychiatric disorders as potential risk factors. A prospective cohort of 1044 individuals admitted to inpatient care following a suicide attempt between 1987 and 1998 was followed for up to 32 years using national registers. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to assess associations between psychiatric diagnoses and mortality outcomes. The results showed that substance use problems, compared to no such problems, were associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality but not DoD. In secondary analyses, dysthymia was linked to an increased risk of suicide but not non-suicidal DoD, suggesting distinct underlying mechanisms. Notably, aside from gender, no control variables were significantly associated with non-suicidal DoD, indicating that other factors may play a more prominent role in this high-risk population. These findings challenge the traditional DoD framework and highlight the need for tailored prevention efforts that consider the distinct risk profiles of suicide and non-suicidal DoD. Future research should incorporate socioeconomic and demographic factors to enhance understanding and prevention strategies. Full article