Search Results (379)

Objectives: Determining individuals’ addiction levels plays a crucial role in facilitating more effective smoking cessation. For this purpose, the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) is used all over the World as a traditional testing method. It can be subjective and may influence the evaluation results. This study’s key innovation is the use of physiological signals to provide an objective classification of addiction levels, addressing the limitations of the inherently subjective Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND). Methods: Physiological parameters were recorded from 123 voluntary participants (both male and female) aged between 18 and 60 for 120 s using the Masimo Rad-G pulse oximeter and the Hartman–Veroval blood pressure monitor. All participants were categorized into four addiction groups: healthy, lightly addicted, moderately addicted, or heavily addicted with the help of FTND. The recorded data were classified using Decision Tree, KNN, and SVM methods. SMOTE and class-weighting techniques were used to eliminate class imbalance. Also, the PCA technique was applied for dimensionality reduction, and the k-fold cross-validation method was employed to enhance the reliability of the machine learning algorithms. Results: Machine learning methods, when evaluated using the SMOTE with a (7380×7) sample of physiological signals recorded every 2 s from 123 participants, showed a high recall of 98.74%, specificity of 99.58%, precision of 98.79%, F-score of 98.74%, and accuracy of 98.75%. Also, it is extracted that there is a direct relationship between physiological parameters and smoking addiction levels. Conclusions: The study’s core novelty lies in leveraging non-invasive physiological signals to objectively classify addiction levels, addressing the subjectivity of the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND). This study provides a proof-of-concept for the feasibility of using machine learning and physiological signals to assess addiction levels. The results indicate that the approach is promising. Full article

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic relapsing inflammatory disorder with limited treatment options. Emerging evidence reveals bidirectional crosstalk between gut and brain through inflammatory signaling, leading us to hypothesize that anti-neuroinflammatory agents may concurrently ameliorate intestinal inflammation. The scorpion venom-derived heat-resistant synthetic peptide (SVHRSP), a bioactive peptide initially identified in scorpion venom and subsequently synthesized by our laboratory, possesses neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative activities. Its properties make SVHRSP a promising candidate for investigating the therapeutic potential of anti-neuroinflammatory strategies in mitigating intestinal inflammation. Methods: Using a chronic dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis model in wild-type and α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) knockout mice, along with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages, we assessed SVHRSP’s effects on inflammation, histopathology, gut permeability, oxidative stress markers, and α7nAChR-Janus kinase 2 (JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling. Results: SVHRSP treatment significantly ameliorated colitis symptoms in wild-type mice by reducing inflammation, repairing histological damage, restoring gut barrier function, and attenuating oxidative stress, with these effects abolished in α7nAChR knockout mice. Mechanistically, SVHRSP activated JAK2/STAT3 signaling through α7nAChR engagement, suppressing proinflammatory cytokine production in macrophages. Conclusion: These results demonstrated that SVHRSP alleviated intestinal inflammation via α7nAChR-dependent JAK2/STAT3 activation. Combined with its known neuroprotective properties, our findings support the repurposing of this neuroactive peptide, SVHRSP, for treating intestinal inflammatory disorders. Full article

Neonicotinoid pesticides, including imidacloprid (IMI), are widely used in agriculture and as household insecticides. IMI displays strong affinity for insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs); however, neonicotinoids still partially bind to mammalian nAChRs. Relatively little is known about how neonicotinoid exposure alters learning, memory or mood, even though nAChRs play a role in these mechanisms. We tested the hypothesis that developmental exposure to IMI impairs performance on memory tasks, and anxiety- and depressive-like behavior. We orally dosed pregnant CD-1 mice from gestation day 10 to birth with vehicle or IMI at 0.5 mg/kg/day or 5.7 mg/kg/day. When exposed animals were adults, we examined cognitive and emotional behaviors and we examined the effect of IMI on α7 and α4 nAChR subunit mRNA expression using qPCR. For both sexes, IMI exposure was associated with impaired striatal-dependent procedural learning task and hippocampal-dependent spatial learning but had no effect on hippocampal-dependent working memory. Males, but not females, displayed increased anxiety-like behavior, with low dose subjects displaying more pronounced effects, suggesting a non-linear dose response. In males, we found lower α7 subunit mRNA expression in the hippocampus and amygdala and lower α4 mRNA expression in the striatum compared to controls. Thus, exposure to IMI during a critical period is associated with disruptions to cognitive and anxiety-like behaviors. Additionally, in males, IMI exposure is associated with reduced expression of nAChR subunits in relevant brain regions. Full article

Besides its neurotoxic action and selective toxicity on insecticidal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, recent studies have shown that imidacloprid may cause other adverse effects in mammals. In the present study, cholinesterase activity, oxidative stress response, genotoxicity in the liver and kidney, and imidacloprid levels in the urine, liver, and kidney of male Wistar rats orally administered with 0.06, 0.8, and 2.25 mg imidacloprid/kg bw/day for 28 days were evaluated. Imidacloprid urine mass concentrations in treated rats increased dose-dependently. Exposure to 0.8 mg imidacloprid/kg bw/per day significantly decreased cholinesterase activities in the liver and kidney. Reactive oxygen species levels decreased significantly in the liver at the same dose. Lipid peroxidation was significantly reduced in the liver at two higher doses. No significant changes in glutathione levels or the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase were observed. A significant decrease in the activity of glutathione peroxidase was detected in the liver at the highest dose. DNA damage was low in both liver and kidney. Exposure to imidacloprid at studied experimental conditions did not cause a significant oxidative stress response and resulted in low genotoxic effects in the liver and kidney of rats, indicating that these organs are less susceptible to adverse imidacloprid effects at such low doses. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a leading cause of motor disability in children and is commonly associated with spasticity. Treatment with radial extracorporeal shock waves (rESWs) is an established non-invasive therapy for spasticity, although its underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) represents a powerful model for neuromuscular research due to its fully mapped nervous system, conserved cholinergic pathways and suitability for high-throughput behavioral analysis. This study aimed to test whether rESWs modulate cholinergic signaling at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) in C. elegans. Methods: Wild-type and acr-16 mutant C. elegans were exposed in liquid to varying doses of rESWs, nicotine and carbachol in different combinations. Locomotor behavior was recorded using high-resolution video tracking, and parameters including peristaltic speed, body wavelength, reversals and omega bends were quantified. Results: Exposure to rESWs transiently altered locomotion, most notably by reducing forward speed and increasing the frequency of reversals. However, rESWs did not consistently modify behavioral responses to nicotine or carbachol, and these effects were not clearly dependent on NMJ-associated nicotinic receptors. Conclusions: Exploring C. elegans as a model for rESW effects on spasticity proved informative but also revealed important limitations. Results indicate that rESWs act on the nervous system more broadly, extending beyond neuromuscular structures. This contrasts with the clinical situation, where rESWs primarily target muscles and connective tissues. While this precludes C. elegans as a direct model for CP-related spasticity, the observation that rESWs influence nervous-system function at a systemic level points to potential therapeutic avenues for neurological diseases. Full article

Objective: To synthesize the current evidence on the cardiovascular effects of electronic cigarettes (ECs) in young adults (18–30 years), distinguishing between acute and chronic exposure, and comparing their effects to conventional tobacco (CT) use. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis (PROSPERO: CRD420251072847) was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. A total of 21 studies (12 RCTs, 8 case–control, 1 cohort) involving 17241 participants were included. Results: Acute EC use, particularly with nicotine, significantly increased systolic blood pressure (SBP: MD = 3.14 mmHg, 95% CI: 0.76 to 5.52), diastolic blood pressure (DBP: MD = 2.05 mmHg, 95% CI: 0.85 to 3.25), and heart rate (HR: MD = 4.23 bpm, 95% CI: 2.10 to 6.37), with effects most pronounced at 0 min post-exposure and dissipating within 1 h. Chronic EC use was associated with reduced endothelium-dependent vasodilation and early atherosclerotic changes. Nicotine-free ECs induced fewer cardiovascular alterations. Comparisons with CT revealed less severe cardiovascular damage with ECs, though still significant when compared to non-smokers. Conclusion: Nicotine-containing EC use in young individuals is associated with modest, predominantly acute and dose-dependent, cardiovascular effects, including transient increases in BP and HR. While initially less harmful than CT, the evidence is largely from cross-sectional studies and acute use, so ECs cannot be considered safe and their use warrants caution in youth. Full article

Background: Mongolia is experiencing a rapid epidemiologic transition in which high burdens of micronutrient malnutrition, infection, and cardiometabolic disease are simultaneously prevalent. This cross-sectional study sought to understand how nutritional, lifestyle, and cardiometabolic risk factors are distributed among a population at high-risk for tuberculosis (TB), comprising household contacts (HHCs) and healthcare workers, (HCWs) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and how these factors are associated with TB infection. Methods: A total of 196 HHCs and 241 HCWs were assessed for latent TB infection (LTBI) using the QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) assay and for diabetes using fingerprick samples for fasting blood glucose. Participants also underwent assessments of their diet and physical activity, nicotine dependence, body mass index, and serum 25(OH)D concentration. We examined associations between assessed risk factors and LTBI using multivariate logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of LTBI was 47% for both HHCs and HCWs. A total of 54% percent of HHCs and 68% of HCWs had low physical activity levels; 63% of HHCs and 95% of HCWs were overweight or obese; 7% of HHCs and 4% of HCWs had impaired or diabetic fasting blood glucose [FBG]; and 49% of HHCs and 70% of HCWs were vitamin D deficient. In a multivariable analysis of HHCs, LTBI was independently associated with lower serum [25(OH)D], and the odds ratio (OR) was 3.18 (95% CI 1.38–7.79; p = 0.009). In contrast, the probability of LTBI did not differ significantly between vitamin D-deficient and non-deficient HCWs, and the OR was 0.89 (95% CI 0.59–1.37; p = 0.42). In a pooled analysis of HHCs and HCWs, the probability of LTBI did not significantly differ between vitamin D-deficient vs. non-deficient participants. The association between serum [25(OH)D] and LTBI among HHCs and HCWs was significantly modified by fasting blood glucose (FBG), such that a lower vitamin D status was significantly more common among those in the highest tertile of FBG than among those in the lowest tertile of FBG. Conclusions: Nutritional, lifestyle, and cardiometabolic risk factors are highly prevalent among HHCs and HCWs with TB in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. These findings underscore the importance of simultaneously controlling TB infection, malnutrition, and cardiometabolic risks among HHCs and HCWs to reduce the disease burden in Mongolia. Full article

Considering the increased risk of cognitive deficits and mood disorders programming associated with bisphenol exposure, we used a preclinical model to identify short- and long-term effects of early exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA) and its replacement, Bisphenol S (BPS), on the central cholinergic and serotonergic systems. Wistar female and male rats born to dams exposed to BPA or BPS (both at 10 μg/kg/day or 50 μg/kg/day) during pregnancy and lactation were euthanized at weaning or adulthood. Cholinergic and serotonergic biomarkers were assessed in the frontal cortex and pons + medulla oblongata. BPA and BPS disrupted these systems, with outcomes depending on the specific bisphenol, biomarker, and time point. Effects also varied across brain regions and between sexes. The nicotinic cholinergic receptor showed more pronounced alterations than the presynaptic choline transporter. Both serotonergic receptors—5-HT1AR and 5-HT2R—were affected; however, the serotonergic transporter remained unchanged. Increased binding was the predominant effect for both systems. Maternal exposure to BPA, even at low doses, induces sex-dependent short- and long-term changes in the cholinergic and serotonergic systems of the progeny. BPS affects these same neurotransmitter systems, although leading to compound-specific outcomes. These results pose both BPA and BPS as neurotoxicants that compromise neurodevelopment and program disorders later in life. Full article

Bethanechol chloride, a nonselective muscarinic agonist, is the most frequently employed drug in dogs and cats to induce detrusor smooth muscle contraction under conditions characterized by poor or absent bladder emptying. Although this drug has minimal or absent nicotinic activity, at higher doses, weak stimulation of neuronal nicotinic receptors may occur, causing the release of noradrenaline, which induces contraction of the urethral smooth muscle by activating α-adrenergic receptors. In the presence of total or partial suprasacral lesions, the elaboration and initiation phase of the urination process is absent due to an interruption of afferent signals from the bladder to the brainstem. In such cases, hypertonicity of the urethral sphincters is expected, and bethanechol is contraindicated. Bethanechol is also not indicated for reflex dyssynergia. In the presence of complete injuries involving the sacral segments, cauda equina, or pelvic nerve, both reflex and voluntary micturition are abolished, and bethanechol is usually ineffective. However, in cases of partial injuries, bethanechol is likely to be effective, as partial integrity of the micturition reflex is required to produce sustained bladder contraction. Bethanechol may benefit patients with myopathic decompensated bladder, although its effectiveness depends on the severity of detrusor damage. Full article

(1) Introduction: Arab American (ArA) men have higher smoking rates than the general population, driven by cultural norms. Culturally tailored interventions that incorporate ArA cultural, linguistic, and social contexts are essential for addressing tobacco use and promoting health equity. This study aimed to evaluate a culturally tailored smoking cessation intervention for ArA men living in North Carolina. (2) Methods: This pilot study employed a one-group pre- and post-test design to evaluate program effectiveness within financial and time constraints. The participants completed questionnaires and Carbon monoxide measurements and were provided with Nicotine Replacement therapy. (3) Results: The study found that participants experienced anxiety and stress when delaying their first morning cigarette, which hindered cessation. Although smoking was reduced, relapse was common, highlighting the need for personalized support, especially for those with higher nicotine dependence. While telephone Motivational Interviewing helped reduce anxiety, it was insufficient for complete cessation, underscoring the need for tailored approaches addressing both psychological and physical factors. (4) Conclusions: The study suggests that culturally tailored telephone counseling did not show promise as a smoking cessation strategy for Arab Americans in North Carolina due to low participation. The sample size is really too small to test the efficacy of the intervention itself. It seems to have been more successful in another state. Future efforts should address cultural factors, emerging nicotine products, and expanded research. The project is significant for addressing health disparities among Arab Americans by integrating culturally relevant smoking cessation strategies with evidence-based methods like Nicotine Replacement Therapy. Full article

Background: Tobacco use remains a major public health concern among young adults and is often complicated by co-occurring addictive behaviors. Objective: This study analyzed motivation for change, assessed with the decisional balance framework, in relation to multiple addictions among young smokers seeking treatment. Methods: Ninety-eight participants from the University of Granada enrolled in either an app-based cognitive–behavioral therapy (CBT) program (n = 35) or a traditional face-to-face CBT program (n = 63). Recruitment relied on self-identification and voluntary participation. Standardized instruments were applied to measure nicotine dependence (FTND), behavioral and substance-related addictions (MULTICAGE CAD-4), cannabis dependence (SDS), and motivation for change (DBQ). Logistic and stepwise regression analyses were conducted to identify predictors of treatment choice and motivational outcomes. Results: Younger participants and students were more likely to choose the app-based program. Compulsive buying was linked to perceiving more disadvantages of smoking, whereas sex addiction, cannabis dependence, and other substance addictions were associated with perceiving fewer disadvantages. Conclusions: Treatment preferences and motivational profiles differ according to age, academic status, and co-occurring addictions. These findings highlight the need to tailor smoking cessation strategies to individual profiles and support the role of mobile health tools in engaging digitally oriented populations. Full article

Background/Objectives: Prevalence of nicotine misuse among schizophrenia patients is significantly higher than in the general population and is estimated at 70–90%. Past studies have shown that nicotine misuse affects the course of the schizophrenic process in terms of frequency of hospitalizations, age of the first onset, social functioning, and pharmacotherapy, among others. This study aimed to examine associations between smoking and psychopathology, course of hospitalization, doses of administered antipsychotics, and severity of adverse events in men hospitalized for exacerbations of schizophrenia. Methods: Protocol procedures were performed in 81 men (40 smokers and 41 non-smokers) and included assessments with a structured interview, laboratory tests, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Montgomery and Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND), and extrapyramidal symptom scales. Results: In both groups, a comparable number of patients met the criteria for remission. However, in the pre-discharge period, non-smokers had more severe depressive symptoms measured by MADRS and PANSS than smokers, as well as more severe and more frequent extrapyramidal symptoms. In contrast to previous research, significantly higher doses of antipsychotics measured in chlorpromazine equivalent (CPZE) doses were administered in non-smokers than in smokers (881.1 versus 689.3, p = 0.0305). Non-smokers were also more likely to need high doses of medication (>1000 milligrams CPZE) than smokers (43.9% versus 20%, p = 0.0212). However, these associations lost statistical significance after adjustment for initial severity and treatment-related factors. Comparison of CPZEs in the context of metabolic pathways suggests that variations in doses are independent of metabolism by cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2). The results also indicate that nicotine may help to differentiate between negative and depressive symptoms. Conclusions: In this male inpatient sample, smokers showed lower depressive symptom scores. Although smoking may affect some symptoms of schizophrenia according to the self-medication hypothesis, therapeutic measures aimed at smoking cessation should not be delayed in this group of patients. Full article

Keloids are characterized by excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation and persistent inflammation, leading to disfiguring scars and poor therapeutic outcomes. The α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) has emerged as a key modulator of inflammatory and fibrotic signaling. This study evaluated the antifibrotic effects of tropisetron, a clinically available α7nAChR agonist, in keloid fibroblasts (KFs) and a rat incisional scar model. In vitro, KFs exhibited reduced α7nAChR expression, which was restored by tropisetron in a dose-dependent manner. Tropisetron treatment significantly decreased KF viability, downregulated pro-fibrotic genes (COL1A1, COL3A1, α-SMA), and upregulated matrix metalloproteinases (MMP1 and MMP3). Additionally, it suppressed phosphorylation of Smad2/3 and reduced expression of NF-κB and TNF-α, indicating inhibition of both TGF-β and inflammatory pathways. In vivo, tropisetron-treated rats showed a ~40% reduction in scar area, improved collagen organization, and increased α7nAChR expression in scar tissue. Western blot analysis confirmed decreased levels of collagen I, p-Smad2/3, α-SMA, NF-κB, and TNF-α. These results indicate that tropisetron exerts dual antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory effects through α7nAChR-mediated signaling and enhanced ECM remodeling. This study provides the first evidence supporting α7nAChR activation as a promising therapeutic strategy for managing keloids and other fibrotic skin disorders. Full article

Background: Heated tobacco products (HTPs) are marketed as reduced-harm alternatives to conventional cigarettes (CCs) and are increasingly used by young adults and occasional smokers. However, their acute nicotine delivery and user experience remain insufficiently studied in occasional smokers without established cigarette or nicotine dependence. Additives such as menthol—known to reduce sensory irritation and facilitate inhalation—may further influence initiation and product appeal, particularly in naïve users. Methods: In a crossover study with three separate study days, n = 15 occasional smokers without established cigarette or nicotine dependence consumed a mentholated HTP (mHTP), a non-mentholated HTP (nmHTP), and a conventional cigarette (CC) under ad libitum conditions during a 30 min observation. We measured plasma nicotine concentrations, smoking topography, cardiovascular parameters, and subjective effects (mCEQ). Results: Nicotine pharmacokinetics (Cmax, AUC) were comparable across products (Cmax 7.8–8.5 ng/mL; AUC 2.3–2.8 ng·min/mL [geometric means]; no significant differences), even though participants had no prior experience with HTPs. Compared to CCs, HTPs were associated with longer puff durations (2.09 s mHTP/2.00 s nmHTP vs. 1.78 s CC), higher puff volumes (mean: 68.06/68.16 vs. 43.76 mL; total: 949.80/897.73 vs. 522.41 mL), and greater flow rates (mean 37.49/38.25 vs. 27.68 mL/s; peak 63.24/63.69 vs. 44.38 mL/s). Subjective effects did not differ significantly between products (mCEQ subscale examples: satisfaction 3.00–3.33/7; reward 2.81–3.31/7; craving reduction 5.07–5.60/7). Cardiovascular parameters such as heart rate or systolic blood pressure showed with no between-product differences (HR p = 0.518; SBP p = 0.109) and no differences in their change over time between products (HR p = 0.807; SBP p = 0.734). No differences were observed between mHTP and nmHTP. Conclusion: HTPs can deliver nicotine and evoke user experiences similar to CCs, even in non-dependent users. The more intensive inhalation behavior observed with HTPs may reflect compensatory use and merits further investigation. Although no menthol-specific effects were observed, methodological constraints may have limited their detectability. Full article

Background: Smoking is a major public health concern in Saudi Arabia, with significant gender differences influencing smoking behavior and cessation. Aim: This study aimed to investigate smoking abstinence self-efficacy (ASE), decisional balance (DB), quitting desire, and their predictors among adult male and female smokers in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a convenience sample of 375 male and 220 female adult smokers recruited via social media. Data were collected through an online survey assessing personal health, smoking behavior, desire to quit, ASE, and DB. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of earnest quitting desire, high ASE, and negative DB. Results: Males were more likely to smoke for 10 or more years (70.7% vs. 29.1%), maintain regular smoking patterns (86.9% vs. 54.1%), and exhibit high nicotine dependence (29.3% vs. 6.4%) compared to females. A higher proportion of females (76.8%) than males (66.9%) expressed a strong desire to quit. ASE was generally higher in males, with 49.6% showing average levels, while 46.4% of females had low ASE, particularly in social and positive mood contexts. Females displayed a higher prevalence of negative DB (73.6% vs. 58.1%), indicating greater awareness of smoking’s drawbacks. Both genders acknowledged the cons of smoking, though males perceived fewer pros. Conclusions: A complex interplay of factors influences smoking behavior and cessation among adult smokers. Gender differences also play a crucial role in smoking cessation factors among Saudi adults. Tailored cessation strategies addressing self-efficacy and motivation are recommended to enhance quitting success. Full article