Search Results (1,457)

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Poland, and alcohol is among the principal modifiable determinants of cardiovascular health there. The view of light-to-moderate drinking as cardioprotective has been challenged by bias-corrected synthesis, Mendelian randomisation, and the 2023 World Health Organization position that no level of alcohol consumption is safe. We synthesised the primary epidemiological and modelling evidence on alcohol and cardiovascular mortality in Poland and the wider Central and Eastern European region. PubMed/MEDLINE and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched on 18 June 2026 from 1998 onward; 107 studies were included. Risk of bias was assessed with the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale and AMSTAR-2 and certainty with GRADE. Heterogeneity precluded meta-analysis, so the evidence was synthesised without meta-analysis (SWiM). The review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420261427480) and follows PRISMA 2020. Excess cardiovascular and all-cause mortality tracked high average intake and alcohol use disorder rather than occasional intake. Polish data showed dose-graded rises in blood pressure, and stronger alcohol-control policy in the Baltic states and Poland was associated with lower mortality. The lower mortality of moderate drinkers relative to abstainers is consistent with sick-quitter bias rather than cardioprotection. Certainty was low to very low. The evidence does not support promoting any level of alcohol consumption for cardiovascular protection. Full article

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a prevalent metabolic disorder that can progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), in which lipotoxicity, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and impaired autophagy contribute to liver injury. 14-Deoxy-11,12-didehydroandrographolide (deAND), a bioactive diterpenoid from Andrographis paniculata, has shown anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, but its role in NASH-associated lipotoxicity remains unclear. This study investigated the protective effects and underlying mechanisms of deAND using palmitic acid (PA)-treated AML12 hepatocytes and a choline-deficient, L-amino acid-defined, high-fat-diet (CDAHFD)-induced mouse model of NASH. In AML12 cells, PA impaired autophagic flux and reduced the expression of the mitophagy-associated proteins PINK1 and Parkin and increased p62, LC3-II, reactive oxygen species production, and apoptotic signaling. deAND treatment restored autophagic flux and increased PINK1 and Parkin expression, enhanced antioxidant defense-related proteins, including HO-1, GCLM, and GPX2, and reduced oxidative stress and apoptosis. The protective effects of deAND were attenuated by autophagy inhibitors, supporting the involvement of autophagy regulation. In CDAHFD-fed mice, deAND reduced hepatic steatosis, inflammation, fibrosis, apoptosis, and autophagy dysregulation. These findings suggest that deAND alleviates lipotoxic liver injury by restoring autophagic homeostasis and reducing oxidative stress. Full article

Excessive short-term ethanol intake often causes acute intoxication and multi-organ damage, especially to the liver and brain. Thus, developing safe and effective preparations for hangover relief, liver protection, and brain function regulation is of great practical significance. In this study, we fabricated a thermosensitive chitosan (CS)–sea cucumber peptide (SCP) hydrogel (CS–SCP gel) loaded with SCP using NaHCO₃ as a crosslinker and characterized its properties. Kunming mouse models of anti-intoxication and acute alcohol-induced liver and brain injuries were established. The anti-intoxication and organ-protective effects of the CS–SCP gel were comprehensively evaluated through behavioral observation, liver histopathology, and biochemical assays of serum and liver, kidney, and brain tissues. The CS–SCP gel exhibited a phase transition temperature of 35.7 °C, a water absorption rate of 1015.47%, and a cumulative peptide release of 74.83% within 330 min. In mice, it prolonged the latency to drunkenness; shortened alcohol-induced sleep and sobering time; reduced blood ethanol, transaminase, and lipid levels; upregulated hepatic antioxidant enzymes; downregulated pro-inflammatory cytokines, and alleviated lipid peroxidation. It also enhanced brain antioxidant capacity, suppressed cerebral inflammatory cytokines, and maintained cholinergic neurotransmitter homeostasis. Collectively, with sustained release, CS–SCP gel is expected to prolong the pharmacological action of SCP, enhance therapeutic efficacy, and protect against alcohol-induced liver and brain injury through the regulation of oxidative stress and attenuation of inflammation. Full article

Moderate wine consumption has historically been associated with a J-shaped relationship between dose and total mortality, driven primarily by cardiovascular protection, enhanced endothelial function, improved glucose metabolism, and anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects attributable to both ethanol and grape-derived phenolic constituents. Yet in recent years, international alcohol guidelines have shifted markedly towards the assertion that ‘no safe level’ of alcohol exists. This transition has occurred despite the continued consistency of mechanistic, clinical, and epidemiological evidence demonstrating hormetic (biphasic) responses to wine and its constituents and despite methodological controversies over the mathematical models used in several recent national guideline revisions. This narrative review synthesises mechanistic evidence on hormesis and wine-specific biological effects—including polyphenols, resveratrol, nitric oxide signalling, platelet modulation, and endothelial benefits—with epidemiological data on J-shaped associations with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and total mortality. It further examines key methodological changes in recent guidelines, particularly the adoption of the ‘Sheffield model’ and the exclusion of or reduced emphasis on cardioprotective outcomes. The review argues that these methodological decisions, rather than new scientific evidence, largely explain the departure from earlier guideline thresholds that allowed moderate wine consumption. Understanding wine’s biological specificity, the differential health implications of drinking patterns and contexts, and the limitations of model-driven policy changes is essential to develop coherent, evidence-informed public health recommendations. Full article

Uganda hosts one of the largest refugee populations in Africa, with South Sudanese refugees forming the majority. Uganda’s progressive approach to refugee protection is recognized globally as a model for economic inclusion, integration, and self-reliance. Notwithstanding global praise, empirical evidence indicates an increasingly challenging situation for refugees’ socio-economic well-being and the difficulties this poses for pursuing sustainable lives. With limited access to agricultural land, limited formal employment opportunities, and rising budget cuts, refugees in rural settlements are often compelled to diversify their livelihoods and enter the informal economy, where home-brewed alcohol production is a visible strategy. Drawing on eight months of ethnographic fieldwork in Bidibidi from January 2025 to August 2025, this paper explores the attractions and dilemmas of home-brewed alcohol production and sale as a rural livelihood from the perspectives of South Sudanese refugees and host communities in Bidibidi. This paper advances a debate on the under-researched prospects of refugee integration and inclusion through rural livelihoods. These findings suggest areas where Uganda’s current refugee settlement agenda and alcohol policies may benefit from reconsideration. In addition, this paper highlights gaps in refugee and host community involvement in policy making and proposes ways to better address their livelihood needs for socio-economic inclusion and local integration. Full article

Background: Transitional age youth aged 18–25 years are more likely to engage in risky behaviors, displaying significantly higher alcohol and illicit drug use levels than adolescents and older adults. College students are particularly vulnerable at this critical life juncture as transitioning to adulthood may impact emotional health and well-being, contributing to anxiety, depression, and feelings of hopelessness, all of which are linked to increased risk of substance use and disorders. Objective: This study characterizes the design and status of the MAPme Project, a prospective project centered on substance use and emotional wellness during and beyond college. Herein, we describe the 2018–2024 pilot cohort that was followed during the first two years of college, remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic, and upon the return to campus. We also describe our latest 2025+ cohort with ongoing data collection. Participants: The 2018–2024 cohort comprised 301 college freshmen who completed online assessments at baseline (Wave 1). The 2025+ cohort has currently enrolled 618 students and counting. Methods: We provide descriptive information on both cohorts, along with preliminary associations of pre- and early collegiate substance use outcomes, psychopathology, sleep patterns, and personality traits. Results: Approximately 64% of first-year students reported use of a substance in the 90 days leading up to college in 2018. Alcohol and cannabis were the most prevalent substances used in both cohorts with males consuming more alcohol than females. Females reported greater levels of daily stressors and mood symptoms. Other health and personality characteristics and observed associations between psychosocial risk and protective factors are described. Prior studies demonstrate the ability to test research hypotheses in the social, health, and clinical areas of psychology with robust statistical power. Conclusions: Substance use and emotional well-being vary considerably upon entry into college/university and at any particular moment in time. The MAPme Project encourages the engagement of students to address challenges associated with lack of awareness, inclusivity, and acceptance of scientific research. Overcoming barriers of inclusivity and empowering the community is key to the successful adoption and implementation of campus health and community-oriented research programs and systematically enhancing research training. Full article

Background: Early and comprehensive interventions are crucial for preventing substance use in adolescents. In school settings, such interventions can be easily integrated into the curricular and co-curricular activities with the active involvement of school administration, teachers, trained staff, parents, and community members. This review aimed to comprehensively examine preventive, protective, and corrective school-based intervention models for substance use to suggest an evidence-based and effective educational model for preventing substance use in children. Methods: In this scoping review, online databases, including SCOPUS and Web of Science, were searched to identify and collect articles evaluating the effectiveness of school-based prevention models. The PRISMA approach for scoping review (PRISMA-ScR) was employed to assess the scope of relevant literature and synthesise existing school-based intervention models. Two independent reviewers independently screened records (κ = 0.75). Due to heterogeneity, findings were synthesised narratively using a socio-ecological framework. Study quality was appraised using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Results: Forty-three studies, mostly from the United States, were included in the review. All school-based interventions examined were preventive or protective in their approaches. There was no school-based intervention model that was corrective in its approach. Increased knowledge, negative attitudes towards substance use, and reduced substance use in the intervention groups were key outcomes. Effective interventions involved a multi-pronged approach wherein teacher training, student education, and the involvement of parents, senior citizens, police officials, experts, and the community were key components. Additionally, culturally tailored interventions have shown promising results. Conclusions: Among school children, tobacco and alcohol use are most prevalent, and schools can play a crucial role in addressing this issue. Apart from preventive and protective intervention models, the focus needs to shift towards developing integrated school-based corrective models to address the concerns of substance use among school students. Full article

Background/Objectives: Obesity and its metabolic comorbidities, including dyslipidemia and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), are a growing global health burden, and current pharmacotherapies have limited efficacy and notable adverse effects. The gut microbiome has emerged as a key regulator of host metabolism, and its dysregulation is implicated in obesity. This study investigated the therapeutic potential of Piper sarmentosum Roxb. aqueous extract (PSRW) on metabolic dysfunction and gut microbiota composition in a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese rat model. Methods: HFD-induced obese male Wistar rats received PSRW, simvastatin, or their combination for 12 weeks. Serum lipids (TC, TG, HDL, LDL), liver enzymes (AST, ALT), and renal markers were measured, and gut microbiota were profiled by 16S rRNA (V4) sequencing with PICRUSt2/KEGG functional prediction. The phenolic composition of the same extract was characterized by HPLC in a companion study. Results: PSRW did not cause weight loss but significantly lowered serum TC, AST, and ALT, with efficacy comparable to simvastatin and significantly lower TG than control, though not significantly different from HFD. Co-administration of PSRW and simvastatin produced a greater reduction in TC and liver enzymes than either agent alone. HFD shifted microbial community structure and enriched pro-inflammatory phyla such as Desulfobacterota; PSRW partially reversed these changes, suppressing obesogenic Lachnospiraceae genera while enriching beneficial microbes including Dwaynesavagella, and functionally reprogrammed taxa such as Kineothrix and Muribaculum from detrimental to protective associations. HFD enriched microbial glycosphingolipid biosynthesis, whereas the PSRW simvastatin combination uniquely enhanced glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism. Conclusions:P. sarmentosum extract ameliorates HFD-induced dyslipidemia and hepatotoxicity, and these effects are accompanied by remodeling of the composition and predicted functional capacity of the gut microbiome. Its ability to act in combination with statins highlights its potential as a candidate complementary therapy for hyperlipidemia and NAFLD. Full article

Chronic liver diseases impose a considerable global public health burden, yet available treatment options remain largely inadequate. The gut microbiota exerts a key modulatory effect on liver disease pathogenesis via the gut-liver axis. Among them, Lachnospiraceae, a dominant bacterial family in the healthy adult gut, has drawn growing interest in recent years. Lachnospiraceae exert protective functions by producing short-chain fatty acids, participating in secondary bile acid conversion, and synthesizing active metabolites such as N-acetyl-glutamic acid, thereby maintaining intestinal barrier integrity and regulating host metabolic and immune homeostasis. Extensive evidence indicates that in cirrhosis, alcohol-associated liver disease, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, Lachnospiraceae abundance is consistently and significantly reduced, and this decrease is closely correlated with disease severity and adverse prognosis. In hepatocellular carcinoma, however, different members of Lachnospiraceae exhibit functional divergence, with some butyrate-producing genera decreasing while other subgroups may become enriched and influence the tumor immune microenvironment. Live biotherapeutic products based on Lachnospiraceae have achieved clinical breakthroughs in recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection and metabolic syndrome, providing important references for their translational application in liver diseases. This review systematically synthesizes the abundance changes and mechanisms of Lachnospiraceae across major liver diseases, evaluates their biomarker and therapeutic target potential, and seeks to provide fresh perspectives for precision microbiome-modulating strategies in chronic liver disease management. Full article

Traditional Romanian Pălincă is a protected fruit spirit obtained from fermented fruit matrices, whereas honey- and botanical-enriched Pălincă-based beverages require integrated compositional and technological characterization. This study investigated the physicochemical, chromatic, antioxidant, and ICP-MS elemental profiles of experimental beverages prepared from grape- and plum-based Pălincă distillates enriched with honey, blackthorn, rosehip, or wood-associated materials under controlled artisanal conditions. Chemometric tools were applied to evaluate ingredient- and process-related differentiation, while target hazard quotient and hazard index calculations were retained as a concise screening-level elemental safety assessment. Honey enrichment produced the strongest compositional changes, mainly reflected by increased soluble solids, conductivity, turbidity, chromatic intensity, and mineral content, together with lower final alcoholic strength. Fruit-macerated and mixed honey-botanical beverages were associated with higher phenolic content and antioxidant activity. ICP-MS profiling highlighted potassium as the dominant macroelement, while Cu, Fe, Zn, and Mn were the main technological trace elements. Potentially toxic elements remained at low concentrations, and the screening-level THQ/HI assessment indicated low non-carcinogenic elemental risk under the applied exposure scenario. Overall, the results show that ICP-MS elemental profiling can support the technological and ingredient-related differentiation of experimental Pălincă-based beverages, while toxicological interpretation should remain limited to elemental exposure screening. Full article

Conventional poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogels struggle to integrate the mechanical robustness, thermal management, and fire safety demanded by extreme environments. To overcome this, we fabricate a multifunctional hydrogel via a synergistic strategy combining freeze–thawing and citrate-driven Hofmeister salting-out. Kosmotropic citrate ions aggressively strip polymer hydration shells, driving intense intermolecular hydrogen bonding, elevated crystallinity, and severe network densification. Consequently, the optimized cit@PVA hydrogel exhibits a balanced mechanical performance, achieving a tensile strength of 1.31 MPa and an elongation at break of approximately 150%. The citrate-induced network densification not only reinforces the mechanical integrity of the hydrogel but also regulates its thermal transport characteristics. Benefiting from the dense polymer framework and intrinsic infrared-active chemical structures, the cit@PVA hydrogel demonstrates excellent thermal management capability, including effective high-temperature thermal insulation and high mid-infrared emissivity (~85%) for passive radiative cooling. Furthermore, the incorporated citrate shifts the degradation pathway toward catalytic charring, rapidly forming a dense carbonaceous shield to completely prevent burn-through during direct flame exposure. This scalable structural design overcomes traditional performance limitations, creating resilient soft materials for advanced flexible electronics and smart protective wearables. Full article

To explore the opposing roles between the toxic acetaldehyde-producing enzyme Cytochrome P450-2E1 (CYP2E1) and acetaldehyde-clearing protein mitochondrial Aldehyde Dehydrogenase-2 (ALDH2) in alcohol-mediated cerebellar damage, two separate experiments were conducted. Young Svj/129 wild-type (WT) vs. Cyp2e1-Knockout (KO) mice were administered consecutive doses of 5 g/kg/dose ethanol (EtOH) at 12 h intervals, and C57BL/6J WT vs. Aldh2-KO mice were administered 4 g/kg/dose EtOH at 12 h intervals. Control mice were given dextrose, and cerebella were collected one hour after the last ethanol dose. Cerebellar tissue extracts were used for immunoblot analyses, and frozen tissue sections were evaluated by confocal microscopy with Fluoro-Jade C (FJC) staining for damaged neurons. Rotarod locomotor function of another mouse group was evaluated 48 h after ethanol exposure. Representative immunoblots showed increased levels of oxidative post-translational modifications (PTMs) (e.g., p-Ser/Thr-Pro, Ac-Lys, and acrolein adducts) in EtOH-exposed WT mice, and FJC-staining images revealed more degenerated neurons with decreased locomotor activity in ethanol-exposed WT compared to the corresponding Cyp2e1-KO mice. However, elevated levels of oxidative PTMs were observed in alcohol-exposed Aldh2-KO mice with increased damaged neurons stained with FJC. Our results show that CYP2E1 is a contributing factor, while ALDH2 shows a protective function, demonstrating their opposing roles in binge alcohol-mediated cerebellar degeneration. Full article

The corrosion of metallic biomaterials under physiological conditions remains a critical challenge due to the risk of ion release affecting biocompatibility. In this study, the time-dependent electrochemical behavior of a poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/chitosan biopolymer coating applied to biomedical-grade steel was evaluated to assess its protective performance. The coating was prepared via dip-coating using a 9.9:0.1 PVA/chitosan formulation and characterized by FTIR and Raman spectroscopy to confirm intermolecular interactions and film formation. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was employed over 216 h of immersion in Hanks’ Balanced Salt Solution to monitor coating degradation and corrosion mechanisms. The coated system exhibited a significant increase in the low-frequency impedance modulus from approximately 1200–1400 to 5000–6000 Ω·cm², indicating enhanced barrier properties and interfacial stability compared to uncoated steel. Equivalent circuit analysis revealed a transition from a predominantly capacitive, barrier-controlled response at early immersion stages to diffusion-influenced behavior at longer exposure times, associated with electrolyte penetration and interfacial processes. Overall, the PVA/chitosan coating effectively delays corrosion reactions and maintains high impedance under simulated physiological conditions, demonstrating its potential as a protective and biocompatible surface modification for metallic biomedical applications. Full article

Smoke detectors are pivotal sensors in fire protection systems, serving as the primary trigger for alarm mechanisms and structural fire-response strategies. Their security is fundamental to the stable operation of the entire fire-protection infrastructure. This paper investigates the manipulation of commercial smoke detectors through the injection of Intentional Electromagnetic Interference (IEMI), which can induce false alarms or suppress alarms even in the presence of smoke. Our core insight is that, despite rigorous Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) testing, the button and amplification circuits in the detector architectures evaluated in this study can remain susceptible to coupling with IEMI attack signals. We validated these threats on nine gas sensors and seven off-the-shelf commercial smoke detectors, achieving an attack distance of over 3 m with a total power maintained within 50 W. We further observed similar IEMI-induced effects in the additional gas-detection devices evaluated in this study, including an alcohol detector, a toxic gas detector, and an air-quality detector. Finally, we propose both hardware- and software-based countermeasures to mitigate these risks. Full article

Background/Objectives: Community psychiatric care aims to support recovery, autonomy, and lower reliance on inpatient services, but co-occurring substance use may reduce these gains. This study examined associations between psychiatric care pathway, non-tobacco substance-use severity, recovery-related patient-reported outcomes, clinical instability, and direct mental health cost in adults with severe mental illness in Romania. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study included 128 adults receiving psychiatric hospital care, long-term residential care, or protected community housing within one regional psychiatric care network. Participants had at least 12 months of uninterrupted care in their current setting. Substance use was assessed with the World Health Organization Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST), excluding tobacco from the analytic severity score. Outcomes included SF-36 physical and mental scores, brief service-experience ratings of autonomy and perceived coercion, emergency department visits, relapse, readmission, inpatient days, outpatient visits, and annual direct mental health cost. Results: Any non-tobacco substance use was most common in hospital care, intermediate in residential care, and least common in community housing. Mental quality of life was lowest among hospital participants with substance use and highest among community participants without substance use. In multivariable models, ASSIST-derived severity was independently associated with a lower SF-36 mental score and a higher direct cost, while autonomy was independently associated with better mental quality of life and lower direct cost. The cost outcome was modeled primarily with a gamma generalized linear model with a log link because costs were positive and right-skewed. Because pathway allocation was clinically determined rather than randomized, and because autonomy, perceived coercion, and mental quality of life were all self-reported at a single assessment, every multivariable and path estimate is exploratory. Conclusions: Community psychiatric pathways were associated with more favorable recovery indicators, but non-tobacco substance use remained an important marker of poorer outcomes and greater service burden. The findings support addiction-sensitive community psychiatric care and routine monitoring of autonomy and perceived coercion as service-quality indicators. Because the design was cross-sectional and the care pathways were non-equivalent at baseline, these results are hypothesis-generating and do not establish that care pathway, substance use, or autonomy exerts a causal effect on any outcome measured. Full article