Tracking the habituation of the event-related EEG potential in automatic change detection using an auditory two-tone oddball paradigm.

The mismatch negativity and the P3a of the event-related EEG potential reflect the electrocortical response to a deviant stimulus in a series of stimuli. Although both components have been investigated in various paradigms, these paradigms usually incorporate many repetitions of the same deviant, thus leaving open whether both components vary as a function of the deviant's position in a series of deviant stimuli-i.e. whether they are subject to qualitative/quantitative habituation from one instantiation of a deviant to the next. This is so because the detection of mismatch negativity/P3a in the event-related EEG potential requires an averaging over dozens or hundreds of stimuli, i.e. over many instantiations of the deviant per participant. The present study addresses this research gap. We used a two-tone oddball paradigm implementing only a small number of (deviant) stimuli per participant, but applying it to a large number of participants (n > 230). Our data show that the mismatch negativity amplitude exhibits no decrease as a function of the deviant's position in a series of (standard and) deviant stimuli. Importantly, only after the very first deviant stimulus, a distinct P3a could be detected, indicative of an orienting reaction and an attention shift, and thus documenting a dissociation of mismatch negativity and P3a.

Estimate the prevalence of daily caffeine consumption, caffeine use disorder, caffeine withdrawal and perceived harm in Iran: a cross-sectional study.

One of the informal diagnoses in DSM-5 is Caffeine Use Disorder (CUD). CUD and high levels of caffeine consumption could impact mental health conditions. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of CUD, caffeine consumption, caffeine-related harms, and related psychiatric symptoms in Iran. A cross-sectional survey with a convenience sample of 1228 adults were conducted in Iran. Caffeine consumption was assessed across 20 products in Iran. Caffeine Use Disorder Questionnaire (CUDQ), Caffeine Withdrawal Symptoms Questionnaire (CWSQ), 14-item Caffeine-related Harm Screening (CHS), and Symptom Checklist-25 (SCL-25) were used in the present study. We used SPSS (desktop version 26.0) to analyze the data using descriptive statistics, chi-square, and the least significant difference (LSD) post hoc test. The daily average caffeine consumption was 146.67 mg. The prevalence of CUD and caffeine withdrawal (C.W.) were estimated at 19.5% and 46.62%, respectively. Also, 12.9% of responders received CUD and C.W.s simultaneously. The prevalence of CUD was higher in men than females (25.08% vs. 13.93%). 95% of participants (n = 1166) reported using at least one caffeine product yesterday. Moreover, the most reported caffeine-related harms were the desire for sugar (42.9%), insomnia (39.3%), and caffeine dependence (38.3%). Age significantly correlates with CUD (- 0.07) and daily caffeine intake (0.08). Moreover, all SCL-90 subscales had a significant correlation with daily caffeine intake. Finally, responders at younger ages reported higher levels of CUD and caffeine consumption than older adults(P < 0.05). High rates of C.W. and CUD in the Iranian population suggest that it is necessary to develop evidence-based treatments.

Mitigation of caffeine micropollutants in wastewater through Ag-doped ZnO photocatalyst: mechanism and environmental impacts.

Micropollutants, such as caffeine (M-CF), pose a significant threat to ecosystems and human health through water and food sources. The utilization of metal oxide-based photocatalysts has proven to be an effective treatment method for the removal of organic pollutants. This study explores the efficacy of Ag-doped ZnO (Ag/ZnO) for removing M-CF from wastewater. The characterization of Ag/ZnO underscores the crucial role of band gap energy in the photocatalytic degradation process. This parameter influences the separation of electrons and holes (e-/h+) and the generation of reactive radicals. Under solar light, Ag/ZnO demonstrated markedly superior photocatalytic activity, achieving an impressive degradation efficiency of approximately 93.4%, in stark contrast to the 53.2% occurred by ZnO. Moreover, Ag/ZnO exhibited a remarkable degradation efficiency of M-CF in wastewater, reaching 83.5%. A key advantage of Ag/ZnO lies in its potential for recovery and reuse in subsequent treatments, contributing to a reduction in operational costs for industrial wastewater treatment. Impressively, even after five cycles, Ag/ZnO maintained a noteworthy photodegradation rate of M-CF at 78.6%. These results strongly suggest that Ag/ZnO presents a promising solution for the removal of micropollutants in wastewater, with potential scalability for industrial and large-scale applications.

Characterization of the gut microbiota and fecal and blood metabolomes under various factors in urban children from Northwest China.

Introduction: Children have regional dynamics in the gut microbiota development trajectory. Hitherto, the features and influencing factors of the gut microbiota and fecal and plasma metabolites in children from Northwest China remain unclear. Methods: Shotgun metagenomic sequencing and untargeted metabolomics were performed on 100 healthy volunteers aged 2-12 years. Results: Age, body mass index (BMI), regular physical exercise (RPE), and delivery mode (DM) significantly affect gut microbiota and metabolites. Lactobacillus, Butyricimonas, Prevotella, Alistipes, and predicted pathway propanoate production were significantly increased with age while Bifidobacterium breve, B. animalis, B. pseudocatenulatum, Streptococcus infantis, and carbohydrate degradation were decreased. Fecal metabolome revealed that the metabolism of caffeine, amino acids, and lipid significantly increased with age while galactose metabolism decreased. Noticeably, BMI was positively associated with pathogens including Erysipelatoclostridium ramosum, Parabacteroides distasonis, Ruminococcus gnavus, and amino acid metabolism but negatively associated with beneficial Akkermansia muciniphila, Alistipes finegoldii, Eubacterium ramulus, and caffeine metabolism. RPE has increased probiotic Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Anaerostipes hadrus, acetate and lactate production, and major nutrient metabolism in gut and plasma, but decreased pathobiont Bilophila wadsworthia, taurine degradation, and pentose phosphate pathway. Interestingly, DM affects the gut microbiota and metabolites throughout the whole childhood. Bifidobacterium animalis, Lactobacillus mucosae, L. ruminis, primary bile acid, and neomycin biosynthesis were enriched in eutocia, while anti-inflammatory Anaerofustis stercorihominis, Agathobaculum butyriciproducens, Collinsella intestinalis, and pathogenic Streptococcus salivarius, Catabacter hongkongensis, and amino acid metabolism were enriched in Cesarean section children. Discussion: Our results provided theoretical and data foundation for the gut microbiota and metabolites in preadolescent children's growth and development in Northwest China.

Culture insert device with perfusable microchannels enhancesin vitroskin model development and barrier function assessment.

The ever-stricter regulations on animal experiments in the field of cosmetic testing have prompted a surge in skin-related research with a special focus on recapitulation of thein vivoskin structurein vitro. In vitrohuman skin models are seen as an important tool for skin research, which in recent years attracted a lot of attention and effort, with researchers moving from the simplest 2-layered models (dermis with epidermis) to models that incorporate other vital skin structures such as hypodermis, vascular structures, and skin appendages. In this study, we designed a microfluidic device with a reverse flange-shaped anchor that allows culturing of anin vitroskin model in a conventional 6-well plate and assessing its barrier function without transferring the skin model to another device or using additional contraptions. Perfusion of the skin model through vascular-like channels improved the morphogenesis of the epidermis compared with skin models cultured under static conditions. This also allowed us to assess the percutaneous penetration of the tested caffeine permeation and vascular absorption, which is one of the key metrics for systemic drug exposure evaluation.

Enzymatic and non-enzymatic removal of organic micropollutants with spent mushroom substrate of Agaricus bisporus.

Water bodies are increasingly contaminated with a diversity of organic micropollutants (OMPs). This impacts the quality of ecosystems due to their recalcitrant nature. In this study, we assessed the removal of OMPs by spent mushroom substrate (SMS) of the white button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) and by its aqueous tea extract. Removal of acesulfame K, antipyrine, bentazon, caffeine, carbamazepine, chloridazon, clofibric acid, and N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET) by SMS and its tea was between 10 and 90% and 0-26%, respectively, in a 7-day period. Sorption to SMS particles was between 0 and 29%, which can thus not explain the removal difference between SMS and its tea, the latter lacking these particles. Carbamazepine was removed most efficiently by both SMS and its tea. Removal of OMPs (except caffeine) by SMS tea was not affected by heat treatment. By contrast, heat-treatment of SMS reduced OMP removal to < 10% except for carbamazepine with a removal of 90%. These results indicate that OMP removal by SMS and its tea is mediated by both enzymatic and non-enzymatic activities. The presence of copper, manganese, and iron (0.03, 0.88, and 0.33 µg L-1, respectively) as well as H2O2 (1.5 µM) in SMS tea indicated that the Fenton reaction represents (part of) the non-enzymatic activity. Indeed, the in vitro reconstituted Fenton reaction removed OMPs > 50% better than the teas. From these data it is concluded that spent mushroom substrate of the white button mushroom, which is widely available as a waste-stream, can be used to purify water from OMPs.

Monitoring Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products in Healthcare Effluent Wastewater Samples and the Effectiveness of Drug Removal in Wastewater Treatment Plants Using the UHPLC-MS/MS Method.

A multi-residue UHPLC-MS/MS analytical method, previously developed for monitoring 52 pharmaceuticals in drinking water, was used to analyse these pharmaceuticals in wastewater originating from healthcare facilities in the Czech Republic. Furthermore, the methodology was expanded to include the evaluation of the effectiveness of drug removal in Czech wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Of the 18 wastewater samples analysed by the validated UHPLC-MS/MS, each sample contained at least one quantifiable analyte. This study reveals the prevalence of several different drugs; mean concentrations of 702 µg L-1 of iomeprol, 48.8 µg L-1 of iopromide, 29.9 µg L-1 of gabapentin, 42.0 µg L-1 of caffeine and 82.5 µg L-1 of paracetamol were present. An analysis of 20 samples from ten WWTPs revealed different removal efficiencies for different analytes. Paracetamol was present in the inflow samples of all ten WWTPs and its removal efficiency was 100%. Analytes such as caffeine, ketoprofen, naproxen or atenolol showed high removal efficiencies exceeding 80%. On the other hand, pharmaceuticals like furosemide, metoprolol, iomeprol, zolpidem and tramadol showed lower removal efficiencies. Four pharmaceuticals exhibited higher concentrations in WWTP effluents than in the influents, resulting in negative removal efficiencies: warfarin at -9.5%, indomethacin at -53%, trimethoprim at -54% and metronidazole at -110%. These comprehensive findings contribute valuable insights to the pharmaceutical landscape of wastewater from healthcare facilities and the varied removal efficiencies of Czech WWTPs, which together with the already published literature, gives a more complete picture of the burden on the aquatic environment.

A Metabolomics Study of the Effects of Eleutheroside B on Glucose and Lipid Metabolism in a Zebrafish Diabetes Model.

(1) Background: Diabetes is a common metabolic disease that seriously endangers human health. In the present study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of the active ingredient Eleutheroside B (EB) from the traditional Chinese medicine Eleutheroside on diabetes mellitus in a zebrafish model. Concomitant hepatic injury was also analysed, along with the study of possible molecular mechanisms using metabolomics technology. This work should provide some theoretical references for future experimental studies. (2) Methods: A zebrafish diabetes model was constructed by soaking in a 1.75% glucose solution and feeding a high-fat diet. The intervention drug groups were metformin (100 µg∙mL-1) and EB (50, 100, and 150 µg∙mL-1) via water-soluble exposure for 30 days. Glucose, TG, TC, LDL-C, and HDL-C were evaluated in different treatment groups. GLUT4 protein expression was also evaluated in each group, and liver injury was observed by HE staining. Metabolomics techniques were used to investigate the mechanism by which EB regulates endogenous markers and metabolic pathways during the development of diabetes. (3) Results: All EB treatment groups in diabetic zebrafish showed significantly reduced body mass index (BMI) and improved blood glucose and lipid profiles. EB was found to upregulate GLUT4 protein expression and ameliorate the liver injury caused by diabetes. Metabolomics studies showed that EB causes changes in the metabolic profile of diabetic zebrafish. These were related to the regulation of purine metabolism, cytochrome P450, caffeine metabolism, arginine and proline metabolism, the mTOR signalling pathway, insulin resistance, and glycerophospholipid metabolism. (4) Conclusions: EB has a hypoglycaemic effect in diabetic zebrafish as well as significantly improving disorders of glycolipid metabolism. The mechanism of action of EB may involve regulation of the mTOR signalling pathway, purine metabolism, caffeine metabolism, and glycerophospholipid metabolism.

Edge based metric dimension of various coffee compounds.

An important dietary source of physiologically active compounds, coffee also contains phenolic acids, diterpenes, and caffeine. According to a certain study, some coffee secondary metabolites may advantageously modify a number of anti-cancer defense systems. This research looked at a few coffee chemical structures in terms of edge locating numbers or edge metric size to better understand the mechanics of coffee molecules. Additionally, this research includes graph theoretical properties of coffee chemical structures. The chemicals found in coffee, such as caffeine, diterpene or cafestol, kahweol, chlorogenic, caffeic, gallotannins, and ellagitannins, are especially examined in these publications.

Mathematical modeling of transdermal delivery of topical drug formulations in a dynamic microfluidic diffusion chamber in health and disease.

Mathematical models of epidermal and dermal transport are essential for optimization and development of products for percutaneous delivery both for local and systemic indication and for evaluation of dermal exposure to chemicals for assessing their toxicity. These models often help directly by providing information on the rate of drug penetration through the skin and thus on the dermal or systemic concentration of drugs which is the base of their pharmacological effect. The simulations are also helpful in analyzing experimental data, reducing the number of experiments and translating the in vitro investigations to an in-vivo setting. In this study skin penetration of topically administered caffeine cream was investigated in a skin-on-a-chip microfluidic diffusion chamber at room temperature and at 32°C. Also the transdermal penetration of caffeine in healthy and diseased conditions was compared in mouse skins from intact, psoriatic and allergic animals. In the last experimental setup dexamethasone, indomethacin, piroxicam and diclofenac were examined as a cream formulation for absorption across the dermal barrier. All the measured data were used for making mathematical simulation in a three-compartmental model. The calculated and measured results showed a good match, which findings indicate that our mathematical model might be applied for prediction of drug delivery through the skin under different circumstances and for various drugs in the novel, miniaturized diffusion chamber.

Compatibility of Caffeine Clobetasol Propionate Dutasteride Nicotinamide and Progesterone in TrichoFoam™, a Natural Vehicle for Hair Foams.

BACKGROUND: Alopecia is a chronic dermatological disorder affecting men and women worldwide. Given the high incidence and significant impact on patients' well-being, options for managing and treating alopecia are essential. Topical available options remain limited and oral products may result in adverse effects. TrichoFoam™ is a ready-to-use foaming vehicle developed for compounding pharmacies and formulated with gentle, non-irritating, and sensory-pleasant ingredients. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess topical foams' physicochemical and microbiological stabilities of formulations compounded with TrichoFoam™ as the ready-touse vehicle. METHODS: HPLC analyses were conducted in a bracketed study covering concentrations of 0.1% to 2.0% of caffeine, 0.01% to 0.1% of clobetasol propionate, 0.1% to 0.25% of dutasteride, 0.25% to 0.50% of nicotinamide, and 0.25% to 2.5% of progesterone compounded with TrichoFoam™. Antimicrobial Effectiveness Testing was conducted at the beginning and end of the studies. RESULTS: Most formulations presented a beyond-use date of at least 90-180 days, except for clobetasol propionate, which showed compatibility for 14 days, and dutasteride 0.25%, which showed a BUD of 30 days. CONCLUSION: This validates the stability of the active pharmaceutical ingredients from different pharmacological classes with TrichoFoam™, suggesting that this ready-to-use vehicle can be an excellent alternative for personalized alopecia treatment.

Cross-frequency coupling in cortico-hippocampal networks supports the maintenance of sequential auditory information in short-term memory.

It has been suggested that cross-frequency coupling in cortico-hippocampal networks enables the maintenance of multiple visuo-spatial items in working memory. However, whether this mechanism acts as a global neural code for memory retention across sensory modalities remains to be demonstrated. Intracranial EEG data were recorded while drug-resistant patients with epilepsy performed a delayed matched-to-sample task with tone sequences. We manipulated task difficulty by varying the memory load and the duration of the silent retention period between the to-be-compared sequences. We show that the strength of theta-gamma phase amplitude coupling in the superior temporal sulcus, the inferior frontal gyrus, the inferior temporal gyrus, and the hippocampus (i) supports the short-term retention of auditory sequences; (ii) decodes correct and incorrect memory trials as revealed by machine learning analysis; and (iii) is positively correlated with individual short-term memory performance. Specifically, we show that successful task performance is associated with consistent phase coupling in these regions across participants, with gamma bursts restricted to specific theta phase ranges corresponding to higher levels of neural excitability. These findings highlight the role of cortico-hippocampal activity in auditory short-term memory and expand our knowledge about the role of cross-frequency coupling as a global biological mechanism for information processing, integration, and memory in the human brain.

Daily Caffeine Consumption May Increase the Risk of Acute Kidney Injury Related to Platinum-Salt Chemotherapy in Thoracic Cancer Patients: A Translational Study.

Although their efficacy has been well-established in Oncology, the use of platinum salts remains limited due to the occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI). Caffeine has been suggested as a potential pathophysiological actor of platinum-salt-induced AKI, through its hemodynamic effects. This work aims to study the association between caffeine consumption and the risk of platinum-salt-induced AKI, based on both clinical and experimental data. The clinical study involved a single-center prospective cohort study including all consecutive thoracic cancer patients receiving a first-line platinum-salt (cisplatin or carboplatin) chemotherapy between January 2017 and December 2018. The association between daily caffeine consumption (assessed by a validated auto-questionnaire) and the risk of platinum-salt induced AKI or death was estimated by cause-specific Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for several known confounders. Cellular viability, relative renal NGAL expression and/or BUN levels were assessed in models of renal tubular cells and mice co-exposed to cisplatin and increasing doses of caffeine. Overall, 108 patients were included (mean age 61.7 years, 65% men, 80% tobacco users), among whom 34 (31.5%) experienced a platinum-salt-induced AKI (67% Grade 1) over a 6-month median follow-up. The group of high-caffeine consumption (≥386 mg/day) had a two-fold higher hazard of AKI (adjusted HR [95% CI], 2.19 [1.05; 4.57]), without any significant association with mortality. These results are consistent with experimental data confirming enhanced cisplatin-related nephrotoxicity in the presence of increasing doses of caffeine, in both in vitro and in vivo models. Overall, this study suggests a potentially deleterious effect of high doses of daily caffeine consumption on the risk of platinum-salt-related AKI, in both clinical and experimental settings.

Mid-Infrared Photothermal Spectroscopy for the Detection of Caffeine in Beverages.

Caffeine is the most widely consumed stimulant and is the subject of significant ongoing research and discussions due to its impact on human health. The industry's need to comply with country-specific food and beverage regulations underscores the importance of monitoring caffeine levels in commercial products. In this study, we propose an alternative technique for caffeine analysis that relies on mid-infrared laser-based photothermal spectroscopy (PTS). PTS exploits the high-power output of the quantum cascade laser (QCL) sources to enhance the sensitivity of the mid-IR measurement. The laser-induced thermal gradient in the sample scales with the analytes' absorption coefficient and concentration, thus allowing for both qualitative and quantitative assessment. We evaluated the performance of our experimental PTS spectrometer, incorporating a tunable QCL and a Mach-Zehnder interferometer, for detecting caffeine in coffee, black tea, and an energy drink. We calibrated the setup with caffeine standards (0.1-2.5 mg mL-1) and we benchmarked the setup's capabilities against gas chromatography (GC) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Quantitative results aligned with GC analysis, and limits of detection matched the research-grade FTIR spectrometer, indicating an excellent performance of our custom-made instrument. This method offers an alternative to established techniques, providing a platform for fast, sensitive, and non-destructive analysis without consumables as well as with high potential for miniaturization.

Methionine Supplementation Alleviates the Germ Cell Apoptosis Increased by Maternal Caffeine Intake in a C. elegans Model.

Caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine) is a widely consumed bioactive substance worldwide. Our recent study showed that a reduction in both reproduction and yolk protein production (vitellogenesis) caused by caffeine intake were improved by vitamin B12 supplementation, which is an essential co-factor in methionine metabolism. In the current study, we investigated the role of methionine in the reproduction of caffeine-ingested animals (CIAs). We assessed the effect of methionine metabolism on CIAs and found that caffeine intake decreased both methionine levels and essential enzymes related to the methionine cycle. Furthermore, we found that the caffeine-induced impairment of methionine metabolism decreased vitellogenesis and increased germ cell apoptosis in an LIN-35/RB-dependent manner. Interestingly, the increased germ cell apoptosis was restored to normal levels by methionine supplementation in CIAs. These results indicate that methionine supplementation plays a beneficial role in germ cell health and offspring development by regulating vitellogenesis.

Sustainable removal of caffeine and acetaminophen from water using biomass waste-derived activated carbon: Synthesis, characterization, and modelling.

The removal of caffeine (CFN) and acetaminophen (ACT) from water using low-cost activated carbons prepared from artichoke leaves (AAC) and pomegranate peels (PAC) was reported in this paper. These activated carbons were characterized using various analytical techniques. The results showed that AAC and PAC had surface areas of 1203 and 1095 m2 g-1, respectively. The prepared adsorbents were tested for the adsorption of these pharmaceuticals in single and binary solutions. These experiments were performed under different operating conditions to evaluate the adsorption properties of these adsorbents to remove CFN and ACT. AAC and PAC showed maximum adsorption capacities of 290.86 and 258.98 mg g-1 for CFN removal, 281.18 and 154.99 mg g-1 for the ACT removal over a wide pH range. The experimental equilibrium adsorption data fitted to the Langmuir model and the kinetic data were correlated with the pseudo-second order model. AAC showed the best adsorption capacities for the removal of these pharmaceuticals in single systems and, consequently, it was tested for the simultaneous removal of these pollutants in binary solutions. The simultaneous adsorption of these compounds on AAC was improved using the central composite design and response surface methodology. The results indicated an antagonistic effect of CFN on the ACT adsorption. AAC regeneration was also analyzed and discussed. A statistical physics model was applied to describe the adsorption orientation of the tested pollutants on both activated carbon samples. It was concluded that AAC is a promising adsorbent for the removal of emerging pollutants due to its low cost and reusability properties.

Caffeine Decreases Topiramate Levels in Zebrafish Larvae in a Pentylenetetrazol-Induced Seizure Model.

Epilepsy ranks as the second-most prevalent neurological disease, and is characterized by seizures resulting in neurobiological and behavioral impairment. Naturally occurring in coffee beans or tea leaves, the alkaloid caffeine (CAF) is the most prevalent global stimulant. Caffeine has been observed to influence epileptic seizures and the efficacy of antiepileptic medications, with a notable impact on topiramate (TPM). This study aimed to explore the influence of CAF on TPM's anticonvulsant effects in zebrafish larvae within a PTZ-induced seizure model, concurrently determining TPM concentrations through a sophisticated analytical approach based on ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography and subsequent mass spectrometric detection. Zebrafish larvae four days post-fertilization were incubated for 18 h with varying doses of TPM or combinations of CAF + TPM, and locomotor activity was then assessed. Seizures were induced by introducing a PTZ solution to achieve a final concentration of 20 mM. Utilizing liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), TPM levels in the larvae were quantified. CAF co-administration (especially in higher doses) with TPM caused a decrease in the average locomotor activity in the larvae compared to TPM alone. Moreover, CAF decreased TPM levels in the larvae at all investigated doses. In conclusion, these findings offer a novel perspective on the interplay between CAF and TPM, shedding light on previously unexplored facets. The potential impact of CAF consumption in assisting with epileptic seizure control, unless proven otherwise, suggests a noteworthy consideration for future research and clinical practices.

Predictors and disturbances of sleep quality between men and women: results from a cross-sectional study in Jordan.

BACKGROUND: Sleep disturbances, a public health concern that may lead to critical physiological conditions, are associated with personal characteristics such as gender. Limited evidence is available from the Middle East population on the gender disparities in sleep quality. Therefore, the current study examined gender-specific differences in sleep quality and disturbances among Jordanian citizens. METHOD: A cross-sectional design was used to recruit a convenient sample of 1,092 adults from different Jordanian cities. Data was collected using a self-reported questionnaire comprising the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), which was distributed online via social media networks. The participants were categorized according to their global PSQI scores into poor (PSQI ≥ 5) and good sleepers (PSQI < 5). The analysis focused on finding differences between women and men in terms of sleep quality and the effects of demographic, lifestyle, and socioeconomic factors on reported sleep problems. RESULTS: Women were revealed to have a higher prevalence of all types of sleep disturbances than men. Women who were over 55 (compared to younger than 20 years), did not smoke, had multiple jobs or part-time employment (compared to unemployed women), and had a monthly income of more than 500 JD (compared to those with an income of < 500 JD) were less likely to experience poor sleep than other women. In contrast, men who neither smoked nor drank coffee, ate no sweets or only one to two pieces daily (compared to participants who ate more than two pieces daily), and worked fixed night shifts (compared to alternating shifts workers) were less likely to experience poor sleep than other men. CONCLUSION: This study builds a more nuanced understanding of how different demographic, lifestyle, and socioeconomic factors - such as a participant's age, time of working duty, income, daily sweet consumption, daily caffeine consumption, and smoking - affect the sleep quality of men and women. Thus, promoting a healthier lifestyle for both genders by modifying risk factors - such as smoking cessation, as well as reducing their intake of caffeine and sweets - is the first step toward improving their sleep quality. Further studies are needed to examine how the social role of Arabic women affects their sleep.

Unveiling the antinociceptive mechanisms of Methyl-2-(4-chloro-phenyl)-5-benzoxazoleacetate: insights from nociceptive assays in mice.

OBJECTIVE: Methyl-2-(4-chloro- phenyl)-5-benzoxazoleacetate (MCBA), a synthetic benzoxazole derivative with established antipsoriatic efficacy, was investigated for potential antinociceptive effects. This study employs various nociceptive assays in mice to elucidate MCBA's antinociceptive mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MCBA's antinociceptive potential was tested against various nociception models induced by formalin, glutamate, capsaicin, a transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) receptor agonist, and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, a protein kinase C (PKC) activator. It was then assessed using the hot plate test and examined within the acetic acid-induced writhing test. During the acetic acid-induced writhing test, MCBA was pre-challenged against selective receptor antagonists such as naloxone, caffeine, atropine, yohimbine, ondansetron, and haloperidol. It was also pre-challenged with ATP-sensitive potassium channel inhibitor (glibenclamide) to further elucidate its antinociceptive mechanism. RESULTS: The results showed that oral administration of MCBA led to a dose-dependent and significant inhibition (p < 0.05) of nociceptive effects across all evaluated models at doses of 60, 120, and 240 mg/kg. Moreover, the efficacy of MCBA's antinociceptive potential was significantly counteracted (p < 0.0001) by specific antagonists: (i) directed at adenosinergic, alpha-2 adrenergic, and cholinergic receptors using caffeine, yohimbine, and atropine, respectively; and (ii) targeting ATP-sensitive potassium channels, employing glibenclamide. Antagonists aimed at opioidergic and serotoninergic receptors (naloxone and ondansetron, respectively) had poor utility in inhibiting antinociceptive activity. Conversely, the dopaminergic receptor antagonist haloperidol potentiated locomotor abnormalities associated with MCBA treatment. CONCLUSIONS: MCBA-induced antinociception involves modulation of glutamatergic-, TRVP1 receptors- and PKC-signaling pathways. It impacts adenosinergic, alpha-2 adrenergic, and cholinergic receptors and opens ATP-sensitive potassium channels.