Days Of Abstinence Research Articles

Liver holidays? A meta-analysis of drinking the same amount of alcohol daily or non-daily and the risk for cirrhosis.

Several alcohol drinking guidelines indicate that daily alcohol consumption should be avoided because of its negative impact on the liver and to avoid the development of alcohol use disorders. Evidence that supports this recommendation is scarce. Our aim was to compare daily versus non-daily drinking and its association with liver cirrhosis. We conducted a review using PubMed/Medline and Embase as databases, selecting longitudinal or case control studies. A random effects meta-analysis was conducted. Five mainly large-scale studies were retrieved. Daily drinking was associated with a significant increase in risk of liver cirrhosis compared to non-daily drinking, with a pooled relative risks of 1.71 (95% confidence interval 1.23-2.23) for men and 1.56 (95% confidence interval 1.39-1.74) for women. The consistent exposure to acetaldehyde and other toxins for daily drinkers may explain our findings. There should be days of abstinence to allow the liver to recover, especially for heavier drinkers.

Effect of progesterone administration in male and female smokers on nicotine withdrawal and neural response to smoking cues: role of progesterone conversion to allopregnanolone

BackgroundProgesterone administration has therapeutic effects in tobacco use disorder (TUD), with females benefiting more than males. Conversion of progesterone to the neurosteroid allopregnanolone is hypothesized to partly underlie the therapeutic effects of progesterone; however, this has not been investigated clinically.MethodsSmokers (n = 18 males, n = 21 females) participated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study of 200 mg progesterone daily across 4 days of abstinence. The ratio of allopregnanolone:progesterone was analyzed in relationship to nicotine withdrawal, smoking urges, mood states, subjective nicotine effects, and neural response to smoking cues.ResultsAllopregnanolone:progesterone ratio interacted with sex to predict withdrawal symptoms (p = 0.047), such that females with higher allopregnanolone:progesterone ratios reported lower withdrawal severity (b = − 0.98 [− 1.95, − 0.01]; p = 0.048). In addition, allopregnanolone:progesterone ratio interacted with sex to predict confusion (p = 0.014) and fatigue (p = 0.034), such that females with higher allopregnanolone:progesterone ratios reported less confusion (b = − 0.45 [− 0.78, − 0.12]; p = 0.008) and marginally lower fatigue (b = − 0.50 [− 1.03, 0.02]; p = 0.062. Irrespective of sex, higher ratios of allopregnanolone:progesterone were associated with stronger “good effects” of nicotine (b = 8.39 [2.58, 14.20]); p = 0.005) and weaker “bad effects” of nicotine (b = − 7.13 [− 13.53, − 0.73]; p = 0.029).ConclusionsConversion of progesterone to allopregnanolone correlated with smoking-related outcomes in both sex-dependent and sex-independent ways. Sex-dependent effects suggest that conversion of progesterone to allopregnanolone may contribute to greater therapeutic benefits in females but not males with TUD.Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov registration, retrospectively registered: NCT01954966; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01954966\\

Blood Cell Responses Following Heavy Alcohol Consumption Coincide with Changes in Acute Phase Reactants of Inflammation, Indices of Hemolysis and Immune Responses to Ethanol Metabolites.

Aberrations in blood cells are common among heavy alcohol drinkers. In order to shed further light on such responses, we compared blood cell status with markers of hemolysis, mediators of inflammation and immune responses to ethanol metabolites in alcohol-dependent patients at the time of admission for detoxification and after abstinence. Blood cell counts, indices of hemolysis (LDH, haptoglobin, bilirubin), calprotectin (a marker of neutrophil activation), suPAR, CD163, pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and autoantibodies against protein adducts with acetaldehyde, the first metabolite of ethanol, were measured from alcohol-dependent patients (73 men, 26 women, mean age 43.8 ± 10.4 years) at baseline and after 8 ± 1 days of abstinence. The assessments also included information on the quantities of alcohol drinking and assays for biomarkers of alcohol consumption (CDT), liver function (AST, ALT, ALP, GGT) and acute phase reactants of inflammation. At baseline, the patients showed elevated values of CDT and biomarkers of liver status, which decreased significantly during abstinence. A significant decrease also occurred in LDH, bilirubin, CD163 and IgA and IgM antibodies against acetaldehyde adducts, whereas a significant increase was noted in blood leukocytes, platelets, MCV and suPAR levels. The changes in blood leukocytes correlated with those in serum calprotectin (p < 0.001), haptoglobin (p < 0.001), IL-6 (p < 0.02) and suPAR (p < 0.02). The changes in MCV correlated with those in LDH (p < 0.02), MCH (p < 0.01), bilirubin (p < 0.001) and anti-adduct IgG (p < 0.01). The data indicates that ethanol-induced changes in blood leukocytes are related with acute phase reactants of inflammation and release of neutrophil calprotectin. The studies also highlight the role of hemolysis and immune responses to ethanol metabolites underlying erythrocyte abnormalities in alcohol abusers.

Neuroeconomic predictors of smoking cessation outcomes: A preliminary study of delay discounting in treatment-seeking adult smokers

Large proportions of smokers are unsuccessful in evidence-based smoking cessation treatment and identifying prognostic predictors may inform improvements in treatment. Steep discounting of delayed rewards (delay discounting) is a robust predictor of poor smoking cessation outcome, but the underlying neural predictors have not been investigated. Forty-one treatment-seeking adult smokers completed a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) delay discounting paradigm prior to initiating a 9-week smoking cessation treatment protocol. Behavioral performance significantly predicted treatment outcomes (verified 7-day abstinence, n = 18; relapse, n = 23). Participants in the relapse group exhibited smaller area under the curve (d = 1.10) and smaller AUC was correlated with fewer days to smoking relapse (r = 0.56, p < 0.001) Neural correlates of discounting included medial and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, posterior cingulate, precuneus and anterior insula, and interactions between choice type and relapse status were present for the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, precuneus and the striatum. This initial investigation implicates differential neural activity in regions associated with frontal executive and default mode activity, as well as motivational circuits. Larger samples are needed to improve the resolution in identifying the neural underpinnings linking steep delay discounting to smoking cessation.

Electronic cigarettes versus nicotine-replacement therapy for smoking cessation: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Nicotine-replacement therapy (NRT) and electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have been frequently used for smoking cessation. The aim of this review is to investigate the effectiveness and safety of e-cigarettes versus NRT for smoking cessation. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library from inception to 10 October 2021. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing e-cigarettes versus NRT for smoking cessation. Two authors independently screened titles, abstracts and full texts for eligibility. Paired authors extracted data, assessed risk of bias, and used GRADE (Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) to rate the certainty of evidence. The study included five RCTs with 1748 participants. The meta-analysis suggested the e-cigarettes versus NRT increased the ≥6 months continuous abstinence rate (RR=1.67; 95% CI: 1.21-2.28; 55 more per 1000 participants, low certainty), and 7-day point abstinence rate at ≥6 months follow-up (RR=1.43; 95% CI: 1.19-1.72; 84 more per 1000, low certainty). However, we found no evidence that e-cigarettes versus NRT increased 3-6 months continuous abstinence rate (RR=1.07; 95% CI: 0.73-1.57; 10 more per 1000, very low certainty) and <3 months continuous abstinence rate (RR=1.20; 95% CI: 0.90-1.60; 54 more per 1000, low certainty); similar results were found at <3 months follow-up (RR=1.19; 95% CI: 0.92-1.54; 55 more per 1000, very low certainty) and 3-6 months follow-up in 7-day point abstinence rate (RR=1.01; 95% CI: 0.70-1.44; 2 more per 1000, very low certainty). The adverse events were not significant between e-cigarettes and NRT other than throat irritation (RR=1.27; 95% CI: 1.13-1.42; 118 more per 1000, low certainty). E-cigarettes appeared to be superior to NRT in ≥6 months continuous abstinence rate and 7-day point abstinence rate. At short-term duration, we found no evidence that e-cigarettes compared to NRT increased the <6 months continuous abstinence rate and 7-day point abstinence rate.

A Smartphone Physical Activity App for Patients in Alcohol Treatment: Single-Arm Feasibility Trial.

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a significant public health concern worldwide. Alcohol consumption is a leading cause of death in the United States and has a significant negative impact on individuals and society. Relapse following treatment is common, and adjunct intervention approaches to improve alcohol outcomes during early recovery continue to be critical. Interventions focused on increasing physical activity (PA) may improve AUD treatment outcomes. Given the ubiquity of smartphones and activity trackers, integrating this technology into a mobile app may be a feasible, acceptable, and scalable approach for increasing PA in individuals with AUD. This study aims to test the Fit&Sober app developed for patients with AUD. The goals of the app were to facilitate self-monitoring of PA engagement and daily mood and alcohol cravings, increase awareness of immediate benefits of PA on mood and cravings, encourage setting and adjusting PA goals, provide resources and increase knowledge for increasing PA, and serve as a resource for alcohol relapse prevention strategies. To preliminarily test the Fit&Sober app, we conducted an open pilot trial of patients with AUD in early recovery (N=22; 13/22, 59% women; mean age 43.6, SD 11.6 years). At the time of hospital admission, participants drank 72% of the days in the last 3 months, averaging 9 drinks per drinking day. The extent to which the Fit&Sober app was feasible and acceptable among patients with AUD during early recovery was examined. Changes in alcohol consumption, PA, anxiety, depression, alcohol craving, and quality of life were also examined after 12 weeks of app use. Participants reported high levels of satisfaction with the Fit&Sober app. App metadata suggested that participants were still using the app approximately 2.5 days per week by the end of the intervention. Pre-post analyses revealed small-to-moderate effects on increase in PA, from a mean of 5784 (SD 2511) steps per day at baseline to 7236 (SD 3130) steps per day at 12 weeks (Cohen d=0.35). Moderate-to-large effects were observed for increases in percentage of abstinent days (Cohen d=2.17) and quality of life (Cohen d=0.58) as well as decreases in anxiety (Cohen d=-0.71) and depression symptoms (Cohen d=-0.58). The Fit&Sober app is an acceptable and feasible approach for increasing PA in patients with AUD during early recovery. A future randomized controlled trial is necessary to determine the efficacy of the Fit&Sober app for long-term maintenance of PA, ancillary mental health, and alcohol outcomes. If the efficacy of the Fit&Sober app could be established, patients with AUD would have a valuable adjunct to traditional alcohol treatment that can be delivered in any setting and at any time, thereby improving the overall health and well-being of this population. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02958280; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02958280.

Early Improvement of Neuropsychological Impairments During Detoxification in Patients with Alcohol Use Disorder.

To assess recovery of alcohol-related neuropsychological deficits in a group of patients with pure severe alcohol use disorder (AUD) during a detoxification program using the Brief Evaluation of Alcohol-Related Neuropsychological Impairment (BEARNI) test. Thirty-two patients with severe AUD using DSM-IV criteria (24 men, mean age = 45.5 ± 6.8years old) were assessed using the BEARNI 8 ± 2days after alcohol cessation (T1) and then were reassessed within 18 ± 2days after alcohol cessation (T2). The primary study endpoint was the number of patients initially impaired at T1 who recovered cognitive functions at T2 assessment. At T1, 59% (n = 19) patients with pure severe AUD had at least one impaired cognitive function assessed by the BEARNI. At T2, 63% of the patients with AUD with deficits at T1 had normal BEARNI cognitive scores (χ2 = 7.7, P = 0.005); specifically, the percentages of participants with normal subtest scores were 63% on memory (χ2 = 12.4, P = 0.0004), 100% on verbal fluency (χ2 = 16; P = <0.0001), 60% on alphabetical span (χ2 = 12.8; P = 0.0003) and 67% on visuospatial (χ2 = 15, P = 0.0001). The cognitive impairments of two-thirds of patients with pure AUD included in the present study recovered within 18days of abstinence, earlier than reported in previous studies.

Learning to quit: can reinforcement theories predict the success of smoking cessation attempts using nicotine replacement therapy patches in a general population sample of smokers at 8-weeks and 6-months follow-up?

ABSTRACT Primary, secondary, and tertiary reinforcement contribute to the maintenance of smoking behaviour and may influence the efficacy of different cessation treatments. This analysis examined these relationships in a large general population sample and investigated how previous experiences of the different reinforcement mechanisms impacted future quit attempts. Random digit telephone dialing was used to recruit a sample of Canadian adults who smoked and were interested in being part of a hypothetical program that would provide nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) patches free by mail and half of the eligible participants were randomized to actually receive a five-week supply of NRT patches. During the interviews, reasons for relapse to smoking during previous quit attempts were collected and coded by two reviewers (disagreements were settled by a third reviewer). Binary logistic regression was used to determine if type of reinforcer moderated the intervention effect of the patches. Participants who made cessation attempts in the past year were more likely to report negative (p = .039), secondary (p = .041), and tertiary (p = .010) reinforcers and less likely to report positive reinforcers (p = .016) compared to those who did not attempt to quit. Logistic regressions revealed no significant conditional effects of the intervention on the relationship between reinforcer type and quit attempts or 30-day smoking abstinence. Analysis including all three reinforcers showed negative reinforcers decreased but tertiary reinforcers increased the odds participants reported a cessation attempt before the baseline interview and between baseline and 8-weeks. Understanding the different ways nicotine reinforces smoking behaviour could help guide individuals to more effective treatment options.

SPERM CONCENTRATION, SPERM MOTILITY AND TOTAL MOTILE SPERM COUNT ARE NOT AFFECTED BY CORONOVIRUS DISEASE 2019 (COVID-19) INFECTION

The purpose of this study is to compare the parameters of sperm analysis in a group of healthy sperm donors before and after Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. The study included semen analysis from eligible sperm donors aged 25-56 who had abstinence of 3-9 days and provided sperm before and after COVID-19 infection. Data were obtained from the patients who applied to our infertility clinic for semen analysis or in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. Ejaculate volume (mL), average concentration (M/mL), percent motility (percent), and total motile sperm count (M) were the primary outcomes. Data were compared and analyzed by paired samples t test and Wiloxon’s test. A total of 13 qualified sperm donors met inclusion criteria for this study. There was no significant difference in concentration, motility, or total motile sperm count in the patients’ semen parameters before and after the infection (p>0.05) (Table 1).Table 1MeanNStd. DeviationStd. Error MeanP valuePre-Covid Abstinence (Day)4.5385131.85362.514100.607bPost-Covid Abstinence (Day)4.2308131.53590.42598Pre-Covid Volume (mL)3.9462131.99065.552110.889bPost-Covid Volume (mL)3.9846132.09239.58032Pre-Covid Concentration (M/ml)53.86891337.8682210.502750.313aPost-Covid Concentration (M/ml)64.86341343.9659612.19396Pre-Covid A+B (%)41.30771321.700176.018540.852aPost-Covid A+B (%)41.92311320.357075.64604Pre-Covid TMSC (M)112.57631394.0436026.083000.570aPost-Covid TMSC (M)127.58231396.7013126.82012apaired samples t testbWiloxon’s testTMSC: Total Motile Sperm Count Open table in a new tab apaired samples t test bWiloxon’s test TMSC: Total Motile Sperm Count COVID-19, a novel coronavirus disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has sparked a global pandemic that hit the world in 2020, offering a huge challenge to healthcare systems and affected populations (1). One of the known effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection is invasion or damage to the male reproductive system. To enter host cells, the virus uses the transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) and the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor (2). Furthermore, ACE2 is extensively expressed in testicular tissue, and SARS-CoV-2 has been found in semen (3). SARS-CoV-2 can also infect cells through the host cell receptor CD147 (basigin, BSG), a transmembrane glycoprotein crucial for the blood–testis barrier's integrity (BTB) (4). Sperm quality measures were not significantly different in qualified, otherwise healthy sperm donors prior to COVID infection and after recovery.

Can a smartphone application help Hispanic/Latinx adults quit smoking? A randomized trial secondary analysis

IntroductionThere are no known efficacious digital smoking cessation interventions for Hispanic/Latinx adults who smoke. This study is a secondary analysis using data from a randomized trial to evaluate whether Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) delivered via a smartphone app (iCanQuit) would be more efficacious for smoking cessation than the US Clinical Practice (USCPG)-based app (QuitGuide) in a sample of Hispanic/Latinx participants. MethodsA total of 210 Hispanic/Latinx adults who smoke were randomized to receive the iCanQuit or QuitGuide app for 12-months. Participants self-reported on 30-day abstinence from cigarette smoking at the 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month follow-ups; 7-day abstinence at all follow-ups; abstinence from other nicotine/tobacco products at 12-months; and continuous prolonged abstinence from 3 to 12-months. Participants also reported on their willingness to accept cues to smoke without smoking and satisfaction with their apps. ResultsA total of 176 (84%) participants reported on study outcomes at the 12-month follow-up. Compared to QuitGuide participants, iCanQuit participants were significantly more likely to report 30-day abstinence from cigarette smoking at 12-months (34% iCanQuit, 20% QuitGuide; p = 0.026). iCanQuit participants utilized their app more frequently and reported greater satisfaction with their assigned app than those who received the QuitGuide app. Increases in participants’ willingness to accept cues to smoke mediated the intervention effect on abstinence from cigarette smoking at 12-months. ConclusionsAcceptance and Commitment Therapy-delivered via a smartphone app may be efficacious for helping Hispanic/Latinx adults abstain from cigarette smoking. Replication in a fully powered randomized trial that focuses on an independent sample of Hispanic/Latinx adults is now needed.

Interactions between daily abstinence plans and approach/avoidance motivation on cigarette smoking in pre-quit smokers.

Enhancing motivation to quit among smokers who are not ready for cessation is a key component of several interventions. However, there is a dearth of empirical data about motivational factors and smoking behavior among pre-quit smokers. Here, we examined interactions between approach/avoidance goal motivations and daily abstinence plan (i.e., plans to either continue or abstain from smoking) on daily cigarette use. Current smokers (n = 82; M = 11.4 cigs/day; 46% Female) completed a baseline assessment, including a measure of approach/avoidance motivation [Behavioral Inhibition and Behavioral Activation Scales (BIS/BAS)], followed by 28-days of Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA). EMA included a morning assessment of abstinence plan, and evening assessment of cigarettes smoked. Multilevel linear models tested interactions between BIS/BAS and abstinence plan on cigarette smoking (defined as percent change from within-subject mean). There was a significant abstinence plan × BIS interaction, F(1, 637) = 6.567, p = .011, and abstinence plan × BAS interaction, F(1, 637) = 6.553, p = .011, on cigarette smoking. High BIS and low BAS were each associated with reduced smoking on abstinence days and increased smoking on non-abstinence days. Modest rates of smoking cessation may be due to the unassisted, spontaneous nature of most quit attempts. Among pre-quit smokers, high behavioral inhibition and low behavioral activation may underlie the ability to intentionally vary smoking levels according to individuals' daily abstinence plans. Future studies should examine how motivational factors during the pre-quit stage may predict long-term smoking cessation in the future. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Madde Kullanım Bozukluğu olan Hastalarda Diyalektik Davranış Terapisi Grup Becerileri Eğitimi Pilot Çalışması: Madde Kullanım Şiddeti, Duygudurum ve İlişki Becerilerindeki Değişiklikler

Objective: This pilot study aimed to investigate effects of Dialectical Behavior Therapy Group Skills Training (DBT-ST) on patients’ severity of substance use status, mood and other psychological symptoms, difficulties in emotion regulation, interpersonal problem solving skills, and social competence. Method: Nine outpatient males with substance use disorders were administered the DBT-ST for 20 weeks. Age ranged between 17 and 34. Average years of substance use was 1.61 (SD=.29). DBT-ST modules (mindfulness, emotion regulation, interpersonal skills, and distress tolerance) were administered for 20 weeks. Urine toxicology screenings, the Addiction Profile Index (API), the Symptom Check List-90-Revised (SCL-90-R), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), the Interpersonal Problem Solving Inventory, and the Perceived Social Competence Scale were administered at pre and post-treatment. Results: There were significant decreases in the severity of substance use with decreased number of positive drug screening test results and an increase in emotion regulation; decreases in the API total score, dependency diagnosis, and the effects of substance use on the user sub-scale scores; depression, hostility, and phobic anxiety sub-scale scores on the SCL-90-R; the BDI total score; and nonacceptance, strategies, clarity and impulsivity sub-scale scores of the DERS. Conclusion: The findings indicated a 20 week DBT-ST helped participants increase their days of abstinence, regulate emotional regulation, decrease depressive and anxiety symptoms, and substance related difficulties.

The Impact of a Clinical Decision Support System for Addressing Physical Activity and Healthy Eating During Smoking Cessation Treatment: Hybrid Type I Randomized Controlled Trial.

BackgroundPeople who smoke have other risk factors for chronic diseases, such as low levels of physical activity and poor diet. Clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) might help health care practitioners integrate interventions for diet and physical activity into their smoking cessation programming but could worsen quit rates.ObjectiveThe aims of this study are to assess the effects of the addition of a CDSS for physical activity and diet on smoking cessation outcomes and to assess the implementation of the study.MethodsWe conducted a pragmatic hybrid type I effectiveness-implementation trial with 232 team-based primary care practices in Ontario, Canada, from November 2019 to May 2021. We used a 2-arm randomized controlled trial comparing a CDSS addressing physical activity and diet to treatment as usual and used the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance framework to measure implementation outcomes. The primary outcome was self-reported 7-day tobacco abstinence at 6 months.ResultsWe enrolled 5331 participants in the study. Of these, 2732 (51.2%) were randomized to the intervention group and 2599 (48.8%) to the control group. At the 6-month follow-up, 29.7% (634/2137) of respondents in the intervention arm and 27.3% (552/2020) in the control arm reported abstinence from tobacco. After multiple imputation, the absolute group difference was 2.1% (95% CI −0.5 to 4.6; F1,1000.42=2.43; P=.12). Mean exercise minutes changed from 32 (SD 44.7) to 110 (SD 196.1) in the intervention arm and from 32 (SD 45.1) to 113 (SD 195.1) in the control arm (group effect: B=−3.7 minutes; 95% CI −17.8 to 10.4; P=.61). Servings of fruit and vegetables changed from 2.64 servings to 2.42 servings in the intervention group and from 2.52 servings to 2.45 servings in the control group (incidence rate ratio for intervention group=0.98; 95% CI 0.93-1.02; P=.35).ConclusionsA CDSS for physical activity and diet may be added to a smoking cessation program without affecting the outcomes. Further research is needed to improve the impact of integrated health promotion interventions in primary care smoking cessation programs.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT04223336 https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04223336International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)RR2-10.2196/19157

Sex-dependent effects of chronic stress on punished cocaine self-administration and cue-induced relapse to cocaine seeking

We tested the effects of chronic stress on cocaine relapse after drug-reinforced responding was suppressed by punishment, an animal model of human relapse after self-imposed abstinence due to the negative consequences of drug use. Male rats displayed greater resistance to punishment than females, but daily stress decreased this resistance. Only female rats with a history of chronic stress displayed increased responding for cocaine cues from abstinence Day 1 to Day 8. Thus, the effects of chronic stress on punished cocaine self-administration and cue-induced relapse are dependent on biological sex, and may have implications for more targeted treatments for cocaine addiction.

Lateral septum inputs to nucleus accumbens mediates stress induced suppression of natural reward seeking

Stress alters the level of reward evaluation and seeking. However, the neural circuitry mechanisms underlying stress induced effects on natural reward seeking remain unclear. Here we report a septal-accumbens pathway that mediates the effects of acute stress on reward seeking suppression. We first established the sucrose oral self-administration paradigm and measured the effects of acute stress on reward seeking behavior after 21 days of abstinence. Both forced swimming stress and foot shock stress significantly suppressed the natural reward seeking. Among a variety of brain regions, intermediolateral septum (LSi) appear as a strong stress-responsive area containing abundant c-Fos positive cells; chemogenetic inactivation of LSi reinstated the reward seeking behavior. To elucidate the downstream targets receiving LSi projections, we combined pathway-specific retro-labeling and chemogenetic manipulation to confirm the involvement of LSi-nucleus accumbens (NAc) rather than the Ventral tegmental area (VTA) in mediating the observed behavioral responses. In conclusion, the septal-accumbal projection constitute a discrete circuit dictating the stress evoked alterations on reward seeking and may implicate in treatment of stress induced anhedonia.

Semen Quality Following Long-term Occupational Exposure to Formaldehyde in China

The potential effects of long-term occupational exposure to formaldehyde (FA) on human semen quality is not clear. To assess whether long-term occupational exposure to FA is associated with semen quality. This population-based cohort study was conducted from June 1 to June 30, 2021, in Xi'an, China. Participants were adults aged 23 to 40 years who had lived in the study area for 24 months or longer. Data analysis was performed from September 1 to October 1, 2021. Long-term occupational exposure to FA was measured using a formaldehyde detector, and the FA exposure index (FEI) was calculated as follows: FEI = final concentration of FA (mg/m3) × work time during a workday (hour) × cumulative workdays (year). Semen samples were collected by masturbation after 3 to 7 days of abstinence and were then assessed by the computer-automated semen analysis system, Baso-Papanicolaou staining, and sperm-chromatin structure assay. A total of 205 men (mean [SD] age, 29.49 [3.64] years), with 124 individuals in the FA exposure group (mean [SD] FEI, 73.72 [54.86]) and 81 age-matched controls, were included in the final analysis. Long-term personal occupational exposure to FA was significantly associated with poor semen quality. Specifically, a 1-unit increase in FEI was associated with a change of -0.99% (95% CI, -1.00% to -0.98%) in total sperm motility, -0.99% (95% CI, -0.99% to -0.97%) in progressive sperm motility, -0.05% (95% CI, -0.08% to -0.02%) in curvilinear velocity, -0.07% (95% CI, -0.10% to -0.04%) in straight line velocity, -0.07% (95% CI, -0.10% to -0.04%) in time-average velocity, -0.98% (95% CI, -0.99% to -0.93%) in normal sperm morphology, -0.24% (95% CI, -0.35% to -0.11%) in seminal neutral glucosidase, -0.61% (95% CI, -0.66% to -0.56%) in seminal plasma zinc, 0.52% (95% CI, 0.15% to 1.02%) in beat cross frequency, and 0.10% (95% CI, 0.06% to 0.14%) in the DNA fragmentation index. These associations remained significant after adjusting for confounding factors. Furthermore, subgroup analysis found that high levels of oxidative stress might promote the associations between FA exposure and semen quality. This study found an association between long-term occupational exposure to FA and semen quality. This deterioration was dose and time dependent and might be induced by oxidative stress.

Prefrontal Cortical Control of Activity in Nucleus Accumbens Core Is Weakened by High-Fat Diet and Prevented by Co-Treatment with N-Acetylcysteine: Implications for the Development of Obesity.

A loss of neuroplastic control on nucleus accumbens (NAc) neuronal activity exerted by the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) through long-term depression (LTD) is involved in triggering drug-seeking behavior and relapse on several substances of abuse due to impaired glutamate homeostasis in tripartite synapses of the nucleus accumbens (NAc) core. To test whether this maladaptive neuroplastic mechanism underlies the addiction-like behavior induced in young mice by a high-fat diet (HFD), we utilized 28-days-old male mice fed HFD ad-libitum over 2 weeks, followed by 5 days of HFD abstinence. Control groups were fed a regular diet. HFD fed mice showed increased ΔFosB levels in the NAc core region, whereas LTD triggered from the mPFC became suppressed. Interestingly, LTD suppression was prevented by an i.p. injection of 100 mg/kg N-acetylcysteine 2.5 h before inducing LTD from the mPFC. In addition, excessive weight gain due to HFD feeding was diminished by adding 2mg/mL N-acetylcysteine in drinking water. Those results show a loss of neuroplastic mPFC control over NAc core activity induced by HFD consumption in young subjects. In conclusion, ad libitum consumption of HFD can lead to neuroplastic changes an addiction-like behavior that can be prevented by N-acetylcysteine, helping to decrease the rate of excessive weight gain.

Comparison of serum c-type natriuretic peptide levels in different genders: A pilot study

OBJECTIVE&#x0D; Firstly we aimed to compare serum C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) levels in healthy male and female participants of similar age group and secondly to reveal the relationship between serum CNP values and ovarian function markers in women and sperm parameters in men.&#x0D; MATERIAL and METHODS&#x0D; In this prospective study, a total of 40 patients, who were admitted to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Near East University Hospital were included. Of these, 20 were female and 20 were male participants. Serum CNP levels of the patients were analyzed for all participants. Day 3 serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol (E2) for female participants and semen samples after 3-5 days of sexual abstinence for male participants were evaluated.&#x0D; RESULTS&#x0D; Serum CNP levels were similar in both genders. There was only a moderate, but statistically insignificant negative correlation between serum CNP and FSH in female group. In the correlation analysis performed in the male group, no significant correlation was observed between serum CNP level and any semen analysis parameter.&#x0D; CONCLUSION&#x0D; We showed that serum CNP levels were similar between healthy women and men. There was no relationship between levels of serum CNP and reproductive hormones in the early follicular phase of menstruation in women, and semen parameters in men.

Influence of ejaculatory abstinence period on semen quality of 5165 normozoospermic and oligozoospermic Nigerian men: A retrospective study.

Background and AimsSeveral studies have shown that the length of ejaculatory abstinence alters sperm quality. However, the available data are conflicting and none seems to exist in a Nigerian population. The present study aims to compare the semen quality in normozoospermic and oligozoospermic semen samples of a homogenous Nigerian population, following varying ejaculatory abstinence days (EAD); less than 2, 2–3, and 3–7 days.MethodsThe present retrospective study included 5165 semen samples collected over 5 years, from April 2015 to April 2020.ResultsIn normozoospermic samples, sperm count and total sperm count were significantly higher in prolonged EAD. In oligozoospermic patients, semen volume significantly increased with prolonged EAD, while sperm count, total sperm count, and progressive motility were significantly reduced with prolonged EAD. In addition, EAD and sperm volume positively correlated in oligozoospermic patients.ConclusionOur findings indicate that EAD affects sperm quality in both normozoospermic and oligozoospermic men with varying impacts. Prolonged EAD increased sperm count and total sperm count in normozoospermic patients, while EAD increased semen volume but reduced sperm count, total sperm count, and progressive motility in oligozoospermic patients.

Glutamine and GABA alterations in cingulate cortex may underlie alcohol drinking in a rat model of co-occurring alcohol use disorder and schizophrenia: an 1H-MRS study

Alcohol use disorder commonly occurs in patients with schizophrenia and significantly worsens the clinical course of the disorder. The neurobiological underpinnings of alcohol drinking are not well understood. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) has been used to assess the neurochemical substrates that may be associated with alcohol drinking in patients; however, the causal impact of these findings remains elusive, highlighting the need for studies in animal models. This study performed MRS in the neonatal ventral hippocampal lesioned (NVHL) rat model, a model of co-occurring schizophrenia and substance use disorders. NVHL lesions (or sham surgeries) were performed on post-natal day 7 and animals were given brief exposure to alcohol during adolescence (10% v/v in a 2-bottle choice design). Animals were re-exposed to alcohol during adulthood (20% v/v) until a stable drinking baseline was established, and then forced into abstinence to control for the effects of differential alcohol drinking. Animals were scanned for MRS after one month of abstinence. NVHL rats consumed significantly more alcohol than sham rats and in the cingulate cortex showed significantly higher levels of GABA and glutamine. Significantly lower GABA levels were observed in the nucleus accumbens. No differences between the NVHL and sham animals were observed in the hippocampus. Correlation analysis revealed that GABA and glutamine concentrations in the cingulate cortex significantly correlated with the rats’ alcohol drinking prior to 30 days of forced abstinence. These findings suggest that a potential dysfunction in the glutamate/GABA–glutamine cycle may contribute to alcohol drinking in a rat model of schizophrenia, and this dysfunction could be targeted in future treatment-focused studies.