Cureus最新文献

{"title":"Effectiveness of Short Implants Versus Long Implants With Sinus Floor Elevation in Patients With Atrophic Posterior Maxilla: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.","authors":"Abdulwahab T Alenezi, Meshari Alkandari, Mohammed Alkandari, Danah Alkhashan, Fahad Albakheet, Abdulaziz S Owayed, Abdulrahman H Jamaan, Ahmad Mathoud, Bader Alsulaili, Ahmad Alrashidi, Sayed A Alsaleh, Yousef Alajmi, Rashed Aldhafeeri, Abdullah Alsaffar, Turki Alharbi, Ahmed Abdelaziz","doi":"10.7759/cureus.89103","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.89103","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Maxillary sinus floor augmentation (MSFA) has become the standard technique, aiming to increase vertical bone volume to accommodate standard-length implants, typically 10 mm or longer, with a predictable treatment modality. Data have sparked interest in short implants for patients with atrophic jaws. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the clinical results of short implants compared to long implants with sinus floor elevation. A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library was conducted from inception to June 2025 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing short implants with long implants and sinus floor elevation in patients with atrophic posterior maxillae. The primary outcome was the mean change in marginal bone loss. Secondary outcomes included rates of implant survival, biological complications, and prosthetic complications. A random-effects model was adopted to pool mean differences (MD) and odds ratios (OR), with 95% confidence intervals (CI). STATA MP version 18 was used for all statistical analyses. Seven RCTs comprising 393 patients and 474 implants were included. Short implants resulted in a significant reduction in marginal bone loss (MD = -0.26 mm, 95% CI: -0.43 to -0.09, <i>p</i> < 0.001; I² = 56.29, <i>p</i> = 0.04) and lower rates of biological complications (OR: 0.39, 95% CI: 0.18 to 0.85, <i>p</i> = 0.02; I² = 0.00, <i>p</i> = 0.92) compared to long implants with sinus floor elevation. Moreover, there was no significant difference between short implants or long implants with sinus floor elevation in terms of survival rates of implants used (OR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.74 to 1.25, p = 0.76; I2= 0.00, p = 1) or prosthetic complications (OR: 2.18, 95% CI: 0.82 to 5.82, p = 0.12; I2= 25.62, p = 0.44). In conclusion, short implants (<8 mm) may offer an alternative to standard grafting implants. However, further long-term RCTs are needed to draw clear conclusions on survival rates.</p>","PeriodicalId":93960,"journal":{"name":"Cureus","volume":"17 7","pages":"e89103"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12311554/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144762769","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Molecular Aspects of Rare Coagulation Factor Deficiencies.","authors":"Hajar Tourbih, Asma Harrach, Hanaa Bencharef, Hind Dehbi, Bouchra Oukkache","doi":"10.7759/cureus.89102","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.89102","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Rare coagulation factor deficiencies are inherited disorders affecting factors I, II, V, VII, X, XI, XIII, and combined forms. They mainly present with bleeding symptoms of variable severity. These deficiencies show significant clinical heterogeneity, with no consistent correlation between factor levels and bleeding intensity. Prevalence is higher in populations with high consanguinity rates. Understanding relies on the study of genetic and molecular mechanisms. Diagnosis is based on hemostasis testing, including prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), and factor activity assays. In case of abnormalities, Molecular analysis is undertaken using genomic DNA extracted from peripheral blood samples. Depending on the clinical context and the level of detail required, sequencing is performed using either Sanger sequencing or next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms, enabling the identification of pathogenic variants responsible for the coagulation disorder. Variant interpretation follows American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG)/Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) guidelines. Large deletions or duplications are assessed via Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA) or Copy number variations (CNV) analysis. Molecular analysis revealed a wide range of mutations depending on the deficient factor. Missense mutations are the most common, followed by nonsense, splicing, and insertion/deletion mutations. Some mutations prevent factor production, while others alter its structure or secretion. Each mutation type has a distinct impact on the bleeding phenotype. Genetic characterization improves diagnostic accuracy and guides clinical management. Modern molecular tools have enhanced the understanding of these disorders' pathophysiology. A multidisciplinary approach is essential for optimal patient care. Ongoing research is key to developing targeted therapies.</p>","PeriodicalId":93960,"journal":{"name":"Cureus","volume":"17 7","pages":"e89102"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12311556/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144762714","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Facial Reconstruction Using a Bilobed Flap Following Extensive Resection of Right Hemifacial Squamous Cell Carcinoma.","authors":"Irvint Joel Bautista Perez, Uriel Alejandro Guillen Morales, Enrique Perez Robles","doi":"10.7759/cureus.89126","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.89126","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The facial region has always posed a challenge in terms of the type of flap that could be used to cover facial defects secondary to multiple etiologies. Over time, the search has been on for a highly versatile flap, either because it can be harvested from multiple sites or because it provides security in terms of irrigation. One example is the bilobed flap for nasal reconstruction, which can be used over time with great versatility in different sites on the face. This flap is characterized by two lobes that share a single vascular pedicle, allowing for rotational coverage of defects with minimal risk of necrosis. While its traditional use was primarily for nasal defects, recent modifications and clinical adaptations have expanded its application to atypical facial locations such as the cheek, temporal region, and mandible. This report presents a clinical case of an 85-year-old male patient with a long-standing, non-painful hyperpigmented lesion on the right cheek, which was diagnosed as a moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. Due to the lesion's size and involvement of multiple facial subunits (zygomatic, temporal, and maxillary regions), a wide local excision was performed in conjunction with intraoperative pathology. Reconstruction was achieved using a bilobed flap sourced from the cheek. The surgical plan was designed to ensure the preservation of both function and facial aesthetics, critical considerations in geriatric oncology patients. The discussion highlights the anatomical and vascular considerations essential for flap viability, including the rich vascular supply of the cheek from the transverse facial artery, facial artery perforators, and infraorbital branches. It also addresses the importance of preserving the facial nerve during flap elevation. The bilobed flap's advantages, such as minimal donor site morbidity, predictable vascular supply, and good cosmetic outcomes, make it particularly suitable for elderly patients with comorbidities who may not tolerate more extensive reconstructions. In conclusion, the bilobed flap remains a reliable and adaptable reconstructive technique for facial defects, including those resulting from oncologic resections. This case reinforces its utility in non-traditional locations and underlines the importance of individualized surgical planning. With proper anatomical understanding and technique, the bilobed flap offers an effective solution for restoring both form and function in complex facial reconstructions.</p>","PeriodicalId":93960,"journal":{"name":"Cureus","volume":"17 7","pages":"e89126"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12312661/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144762693","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Chronic Hypertonic Hyponatremia in Lung Cancer: The Utility of the Osmolar Gap.","authors":"Yamin Thant, Oyinoluwapo Ogunbambi, Abigail E Hollingdale, Samson O Oyibo","doi":"10.7759/cureus.89100","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.89100","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Hyponatremia is a frequent electrolyte disorder encountered in clinical practice. The differential diagnosis is vast and requires a methodical approach to determining the cause. Hypotonic hyponatremia is the commonest form and syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) is a typical cause, especially in patients who have cancer. On the other hand, hyponatremia with elevated serum osmolality (hypertonic hyponatremia) is not common, and as such, clinicians are less familiar with this clinical scenario. Clinicians are even less familiar with the use of calculated osmolality and the osmolar gap in such scenarios. Therefore, it is easy to misdiagnose a patient with SIADH in the presence of cancer if a thorough biochemical analysis is not performed. We describe the case of a 56-year-old man who presented with episodes of dizziness and was demonstrated to have chronic hypertonic hyponatremia. Because of a previous diagnosis of mild SIADH several months prior, the presence of severe hyponatremia on a background of cancer, and relatively elevated urine osmolality, the elevated serum osmolality was not appreciated and the serum osmolar gap was not calculated. This resulted in a misdiagnosis of chronic SIADH. It was only after the osmolar gap was calculated and found to be significantly elevated that the markedly elevated serum ethanol level was discovered, and a diagnosis of alcohol-related hypertonic hyponatremia was made. On reassessment, the patient admitted to drinking large quantities of high alcohol-containing drinks for over the preceding three months. On gradual alcohol cessation, his blood results returned to normal. This case report highlights the importance of thorough assessment and the use of osmolar gap when navigating through the differential diagnosis of hyponatremia.</p>","PeriodicalId":93960,"journal":{"name":"Cureus","volume":"17 7","pages":"e89100"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12311397/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144762754","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluating the Efficacy of High-Purity Type I Collagen-Based Skin Substitute Versus Dehydrated Human Amnion/Chorion Membrane in the Treatment of Venous Leg Ulcers: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.","authors":"Naveen Narayan, Chethan Shivannaiah, Suhas Gowda","doi":"10.7759/cureus.89031","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.89031","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Background Venous leg ulcers (VLUs) are chronic, difficult-to-heal wounds caused by venous insufficiency that significantly impact patient quality of life. Current treatment options often include compression therapy, wound debridement, and advanced dressings. Advanced wound care products such as high-purity type I collagen-based skin substitutes (HPTCs) and dehydrated human amnion/chorion membrane (dHACM) have emerged as promising therapeutic options. This randomized, controlled clinical trial aimed to compare the clinical efficacy and healing outcomes of HPTC versus dHACM in the treatment of VLUs. Methodology This prospective, randomized, controlled study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital. A total of 60 patients with chronic VLUs were randomized into the following two groups: Group A received HPTC (n = 30), and Group B received dHACM (n = 30). Patient demographics, ulcer characteristics, pain scores, and healing rates were recorded over a six-week period. Percentage wound size reduction and vascular infiltration were primary outcomes. Time taken for complete healing, pain reduction, quality of life improvement, recurrence, scar quality, and adverse events were secondary outcomes. Results Complete wound closure was achieved in 70% (21/30) of HPTC-treated patients versus 43.3% (13/30) of dHACM-treated patients (p < 0.05). The mean time to complete healing was significantly shorter in the HPTC group (42.6 ± 9.8 days) compared to the dHACM group (46.2 ± 8.7 days, p = 0.047). The mean percentage wound closure at seven weeks was 78.9 ± 17.8 % for HPTC versus 65.4 ± 7.9 % for dHACM (p < 0.001). The comprehensive histopathological analysis at day five post-application provided statistically significant improvements in vascularity infiltration (46% increase), neo-epithelialization (64% increase in migration), fibroblast activity (45% increase), capillary density (65% increase), optimal inflammatory modulation (43% reduction in acute inflammation), and superior collagen deposition (49% increase) favoring HPTC. Pain scores showed significant improvement in both groups. Adverse events were minimal in both groups. The structural stability of the scars was better rated in the HPTC group. No significant difference in recurrence rate was observed. Conclusions HPTC demonstrated superior efficacy over dHACM in treating VLUs, with faster healing rates, higher closure percentages, pain reduction, and scar quality in VLUs, supporting its role as a preferred advanced skin substitute and as an effective treatment option for chronic VLUs.</p>","PeriodicalId":93960,"journal":{"name":"Cureus","volume":"17 7","pages":"e89031"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12311250/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144762771","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence and Risk Factors of Diabetes Mellitus: A Community-Based WHO STEPwise Approach to Surveillance (STEPS) Survey in Rural Haryana, India.","authors":"Jaya Kumari, Shalini Ray, Sunil Gupta","doi":"10.7759/cureus.89089","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.89089","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including type 2 diabetes mellitus, are emerging as major health concerns across India. Diabetes, once considered a predominantly urban condition, is increasingly being reported from rural populations as well, reflecting broader lifestyle and epidemiological transitions. National reports highlight a growing prevalence of high blood glucose levels, particularly among adults, with a rising trend in both awareness and disease burden. India is now among the countries with the highest number of individuals living with diabetes, necessitating urgent public health attention. This study examines the prevalence of type 2 diabetes and its associated risk factors among adults in a rural area of Haryana, contributing to the evidence base required for targeted NCD prevention and control strategies in similar settings.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>The study was conducted among 910 adults aged ≥18 years from villages under the Primary Health Center (PHC) Garhi Harsaru, Haryana, India. Cluster random sampling, using probability proportional to size (PPS), was employed to recruit study participants. All the study participants were subjected to the WHO STEPS questionnaire, and random blood glucose estimation was done. Apart from these, demographic, socioeconomic, and anthropometric details, along with blood pressure and physical activity, were recorded, and their association with the prevalence of diabetes was studied. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 26.0 (Chicago, IL: IBM Corp.). Pearson's chi-squared test was used to evaluate differences between groups for categorical variables. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine the independent associations.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong> The prevalence of newly detected diabetes was 6.2%. Adults aged 50-59 years (OR: 3.4), overweight, and obesity (OR: 5.80) were found to be the independent risk factors significantly associated with diabetes mellitus in the study population.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong> The prevalence of diabetes is rising, even in the rural population of Haryana. Targeted preventive strategies focusing on lifestyle modification and education should be prioritized in primary care settings to address this growing rural health challenge.</p>","PeriodicalId":93960,"journal":{"name":"Cureus","volume":"17 7","pages":"e89089"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12311251/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144762718","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Development and Internal Validation of the Yuvarajan Sarcoidosis Diagnostic Score (YSDS): A Retrospective Cohort Study.","authors":"Yuvarajan S, Praveen Radhakrishnan, Durga Krishnamurthy, Navya Cherukkumalli, Sagana Ravikumar","doi":"10.7759/cureus.89046","DOIUrl":"10.7759/cureus.89046","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Sarcoidosis is a complex, multisystem granulomatous disease of unknown etiology, often presenting a diagnostic challenge due to its highly variable clinical manifestations and its overlap with infectious and neoplastic diseases. This is especially problematic in regions with a high burden of tuberculosis (TB), such as India, where the clinical and radiological features of sarcoidosis and TB can be remarkably similar. Early, accurate diagnosis is imperative to guide treatment and avoid inappropriate therapy, yet no universally accepted diagnostic scoring system exists.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>The objective of this study was to develop and internally validate a novel, composite clinical scoring tool named the Yuvarajan Sarcoidosis Diagnostic Score (YSDS) to aid in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis using routinely available clinical, radiologic, laboratory, and histopathologic parameters.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in South India. Medical records of 94 patients evaluated for suspected sarcoidosis between January 2022 and January 2025 were reviewed. Patients were categorized into sarcoidosis (n = 63) and non-sarcoidosis groups (n = 31) based on histopathological confirmation, radiological features, and exclusion of differential diagnoses. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify significant independent predictors of sarcoidosis. These predictors were used to create a weighted diagnostic score, and their diagnostic accuracy was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Five independent predictors were identified: bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy (BHL) on chest imaging, elevated serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) levels, histologic presence of non-caseating granulomas, negative Mantoux test, and characteristic extrapulmonary manifestations such as uveitis, parotid gland enlargement, or lupus pernio. Each parameter was assigned a score based on the regression coefficient. The YSDS score ranged from 0 to 13, with a cutoff ≥8 yielding a sensitivity of 87.3% (55/63), specificity of 83.9% (26/31), positive predictive value (PPV) of 89.6% (55/61), negative predictive value (NPV) of 80.6% (26/33), and an overall accuracy of 85.9% (81/94). The area under the ROC curve was 0.90, indicating excellent discriminatory power.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The YSDS is a statistically robust, easy-to-implement clinical tool that enhances diagnostic confidence in sarcoidosis, particularly in settings where TB and other granulomatous diseases are prevalent. It offers a promising strategy for standardized diagnostic assessment and warrants external validation in larger, prospective cohorts.</p>","PeriodicalId":93960,"journal":{"name":"Cureus","volume":"17 7","pages":"e89046"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12309321/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144755479","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Association Between Peripheral Nerve Blocks and Reduced Opioid Rescue Use in the PACU After Knee Surgery: A Retrospective Study From a Mexican Tertiary Center.","authors":"Roberto de Jesus Jiménez Contreras, Lourdes Trinidad Castillo Garcia, Mario Alberto Quintero García, María Fernanda Figueroa Caballero","doi":"10.7759/cureus.89055","DOIUrl":"10.7759/cureus.89055","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Peripheral nerve blocks (PNBs) are increasingly used for multimodal analgesia in knee surgery, yet their impact on opioid use in the recovery room remains understudied. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of PNBs in being associated with reduced need for opioid rescue in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This retrospective cohort study included 123 patients who underwent knee surgery under general anesthesia with or without the addition of a peripheral nerve block. The primary outcome was the requirement of intravenous opioid rescue during PACU stay. Data were analyzed using chi-square and Fisher's exact tests.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the total patients, 61 received general anesthesia alone and 62 received general anesthesia plus a PNB. Opioid rescue in the PACU was required in 27.87% of patients without a PNB versus 12.90% with a PNB (p = 0.043, chi-square = 4.09). This corresponds to a relative risk reduction of 53.7%, an absolute risk reduction of 14.97%, and a number needed to treat (NNT) of 7.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The use of peripheral nerve blocks in knee surgery is associated with a significant reduction in the need for opioid rescue in the PACU. These findings support the incorporation of PNBs into standard multimodal analgesia protocols.</p>","PeriodicalId":93960,"journal":{"name":"Cureus","volume":"17 7","pages":"e89055"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12309784/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144755477","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Microbiome Alteration Prevents Abstinence-Induced Nicotine Withdrawal in a Well-Established Planarian Model.","authors":"Enrique Mentado-Sosa, Juan Miguel Guerra-Solano, Robert B Raffa, Oné R Pagán, John Pisciotta","doi":"10.7759/cureus.89075","DOIUrl":"10.7759/cureus.89075","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The prevalence of substance use disorders (SUDs) is unequally distributed across socioeconomic strata. Although several genetic predispositions and psychosocial influences play integral roles, environmental factors are undoubtedly additional contributors. We propose that a potential common factor could be diet. More specifically, circumstances such as economic challenges could lead to limited food choices and poor-quality diets, and this could result in differences in microbiome composition compared to less SUD-susceptible populations having otherwise similar risk factors. The current study investigated the effect of altering the microbiome on drug withdrawal from nicotine using a standard planarian model. Planarians (<i>Girardia dorotocephala</i>) were treated with the broad-spectrum antibiotics ampicillin (a ß-lactam) and kanamycin (a non-ß-lactam), alone and in combination, and microbiomes were analyzed using culture techniques, microscopy, and metagenomic methods. Alphaproteobacteria such as <i>Sphingomonadaceae</i> were detected in the microbiome. Ampicillin or kanamycin reduced the microbiome diversity, notably reducing <i>Sphingomonas</i> and <i>Pedobacter</i> bacteria. One-week treatment with ampicillin and kanamycin did not affect planarian spontaneous locomotor activity. However, pretreatment with ampicillin, but not kanamycin or the combination, significantly attenuated abstinence-induced nicotine withdrawal-like behavior. These results suggest that alteration of the microbiome decreases nicotine withdrawal in this planarian species, and, more broadly, supports the idea that the microbiome might influence the susceptibility and/or maintenance of SUDs.</p>","PeriodicalId":93960,"journal":{"name":"Cureus","volume":"17 7","pages":"e89075"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12310188/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144755480","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Unveiling Smoking Behavior Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study in the United Arab Emirates.","authors":"Abderrahman Belfakih, Ibraheem Mohammed, Dhuha Zbala, Mohamad Chakaki, Sana Al-Karam, Shatha Al-Sharbatti","doi":"10.7759/cureus.89040","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.89040","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Objectives This study aimed to assess the prevalence of smoking among adults residing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Secondary objectives were to identify self-reported changes in smoking behavior, assess associations between smoking and selected epidemiological factors, and determine key predictors for smoking during this period. Methods The research team designed and distributed a meticulous questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, lung health, medical and family history, and factors associated with smoking. The instrument was validated by two specialist physicians and a faculty member specializing in behavioral science. The questionnaire gathered information on smoking status, changes in smoking habits during the COVID-19 pandemic, and related factors. Results The analysis of 463 participants revealed a smoking prevalence of 28.3% (n = 129/453). During the COVID-19 pandemic, 79.4% (n = 85/107) of smokers who responded to this question reported altering their behavior. Among those who changed their smoking method (n = 11), the primary switch was to vaping. The prevalence of smoking among participants who had contracted COVID-19 was 20% (n = 26/129). Significant age-related differences were observed, with the highest smoking rates found in individuals aged 35 and older at 50.0% (n = 29/58). Prevalence was slightly higher among individuals from non-Eastern Mediterranean regions at 29.1% (n = 39/134) compared to 27.4% (n = 90/329) for those from the Eastern Mediterranean. A high body mass index (BMI) was common among smokers, with 52.5% (n = 31/59) having a BMI over 30. Cigarette smoking was the most common method, preferred by 69.8% (n = 90/129) of smokers. Notably, 74% (n = 94/127) of smokers reported having attempted to quit. The smoking rate among non-healthcare professionals was 54.0% (n = 34/63), significantly higher than the 25.8% (n = 8/31) among healthcare professionals. Significant associations were found between smoking and age (p &lt; 0.0001), gender (p &lt; 0.0001), occupation (p &lt; 0.0001), living situation (p &lt; 0.0001), family history of smoking (p &lt; 0.0001), chronic disease status (p &lt; 0.0001), and BMI (p &lt; 0.0001). Logistic regression identified gender (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 3.781, p &lt; 0.0001), being a non-health science student (AOR: 3.717, p &lt; 0.0001), living alone (AOR: 4.948, p &lt; 0.0001), having a family history of smoking (AOR: 3.613, p &lt; 0.0001), and obesity (AOR: 2.692, p = 0.008) as significant predictors of smoking. Smokers also reported a significantly higher prevalence of prior COVID-19 infection compared to non-smokers (20.5% vs 12.0%, p &lt; 0.05). Conclusion The smoking prevalence of 28.3% among adults in the UAE during the pandemic represents a significant public health concern. Key predictors for smoking included gender, occupation, living alone, family history, and obesity. The finding that a majority of smokers have attempted to quit presents a crucial \"window of ","PeriodicalId":93960,"journal":{"name":"Cureus","volume":"17 7","pages":"e89040"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12312777/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144762744","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}