Effect of Cigarette Smoking on Clinical and Molecular Endpoints in COPD Patients.

Cigarette smoking is a primary contributor to mortality risks and is associated with various diseases. Among these, COPD represents a significant contributor to global mortality and disability. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of smoking on a selected battery of variables, with an emphasis on DNA damage. A total of 87 elderly patients diagnosed with COPD, divided into three groups based on their smoking history (current, former, never-smokers), were evaluated using a cross-sectional approach. Clinical features including mortality and inflammatory/oxidative parameters (Lymphocytes/Monocytes, Neutrophils/Lymphocytes, Platelets/Lymphocytes ratio), SII, MDA, 8-Oxo-dG, and IL6 (ELISA assay), as well as DNA damage (comet assay), were investigated. Virus infection, i.e., influenza A virus subtype H1N1, JC polyomavirus (JCPyV), BK polyomavirus (BKPyV), and Torquetenovirus (TTV), was also tested. Current smokers exhibit higher levels of comorbidity (CIRS; p < 0.001), Platelets/Lymphocytes ratio (p < 0.001), systemic immune inflammation (p < 0.05), and DNA damage (p < 0.001). Former smokers also showed higher values for parameters associated with oxidative damage and showed a much lower probability of surviving over 5 years compared to never- and current smokers (p < 0.0017). This study showed a clear interaction between events which are relevant to the oxidative pathway and cigarette smoking. A category of particular interest is represented by former smokers, especially for lower survival, possibly due to the presence of more health problems. Our findings raise also the attention to other parameters which are significantly affected by smoking and are useful to monitor COPD patients starting a program of pulmonary rehabilitation (DNA damage, inflammation parameters, and selected viral infections).

Nicotine: From Discovery to Biological Effects.

Nicotine, the primary psychoactive agent in tobacco leaves, has led to the widespread use of tobacco, with over one billion smokers globally. This article provides a historical overview of tobacco and discusses tobacco dependence, as well as the biological effects induced by nicotine on mammalian cells. Nicotine induces various biological effects, such as neoangiogenesis, cell division, and proliferation, and it affects neural and non-neural cells through specific pathways downstream of nicotinic receptors (nAChRs). Specific effects mediated by α7 nAChRs are highlighted. Nicotine is highly addictive and hazardous. Public health initiatives should prioritize combating smoking and its associated risks. Understanding nicotine's complex biological effects is essential for comprehensive research and informed health policies. While potential links between nicotine and COVID-19 severity warrant further investigation, smoking remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Effective public health strategies are vital to promote healthier lifestyles.

Comparing re-hospitalisation rates in a real-world naturalistic 24-month follow-up of psychotic patients with different treatment strategies: Oral versus LAI antipsychotics.

AIM & BACKGROUND: Non-adherence to antipsychotic treatment is a major issue in the management of severe psychiatric disorders, because it is usually related to future relapses and re-hospitalisations. Long-Acting-Injection (LAI) antipsychotics can be useful to increase treatment adherence in these patients. The aim of the present study was to compare the re-hospitalisation rates of psychotic patients discharged from a psychiatric ward and then, divided into three groups upon the treatment received: LAI antipsychotic, oral antipsychotic at home or oral antipsychotic administered daily by psychiatric nurse staff as patients lived in a long-term care facility. METHODS: Data on all inpatients consecutively admitted to the Psychiatric Unit of the Nuovo Ospedale Apuano (Massa, Italy), between January 2017 and December 2018, were obtained by the registration record system. Information about eventual re-hospitalisations of these patients, occurred within a 24-month timeframe since discharge, were collected from the same database. RESULTS: In a Kaplan-Meyer analysis, patients treated with LAI antipsychotics showed significantly lower re-hospitalisation rates in the first 24 months after discharge than those treated with oral ones. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the impact of LAI antipsychotics in preventing re-hospitalisation in severe psychotic patients at high risk in a naturalistic setting. The benefits appear relevant also with respect to a controlled long-term oral antipsychotic treatment, however, further studies are needed to develop more tailored intervention strategies in such complex psychiatric population.

Can consumer food choices contribute to reduce environmental impact? The case of cisgenic apples.

In the last decade, cisgenic breeding emerged as a valuable alternative to transgenic genetic modification. Cisgenesis allows to obtain disease-resistant crops, thus reducing the need of chemical pesticides in the fields. This would imply a reduction of the environmental impact deriving from agricultural production. To concretely exploit the potential deriving from such biotechnology application, consumers' willingness to buy and consume such food is an essential matter. In this study we explore consumer choice behavior for cisgenic vs conventional apple alternatives through a hypothetical Choice Experiment, meanwhile examining attribute non-attendance behaviors. The Latent Class Model estimates reveal considerable differences across population segments in terms of choice behavior and preferences. In fact, while some consumers choose based on this attribute, a sizable segment of the population ignores it, suggesting that there may be room on the market for these products with potential implications in terms of environmental and food policy formulation.

Substance use in severe mental illness: self-medication and vulnerability factors.

The aim of this article is to examine the onset and clinical correlates of substance use in patients with psychotic disorders. One hundred and eight inpatients and outpatients with DSM-IV psychotic disorders were evaluated with the SCI-SUBS, an instrument designed to explore the spectrum of substance use and its clinical correlates. Comparisons were made between subjects with (n=47) and without (n=61) a DSM-IV diagnosis of substance use disorder (SUD). In patients with an early onset of psychosis (<17 years), the onset of SUD was subsequent. Patients with SUD had higher substance sensitivity, higher sensation-seeking traits and were more likely to self-medicate than patients without SUD. The reasons for self-medication endorsed by patients with SUD included relieving depression, achieving or maintaining euphoria, improving self-confidence and social abilities. Our results, based on a cross-sectional study, suggest that early onset of psychosis, substance sensitivity and sensation-seeking traits represent vulnerability factors for SUD. The relationships between SUD and psychosis should be examined systematically and clarified in longitudinal studies.