Alcoholism is a condition associated with psychiatric and psychiatric problems, where the respiratory system is damaged through the mucociliary ladder mechanism and alveolar macrophage dysfunction. In the time COVID-19 has been observed a dramatic increase in alcohol consumption mediated by levels of anxiety and situations of confinement. In this work we analyses the relationship between alcoholism and SARS, especially with SARS-CoV-2, explained by a degradation of the host defenses of the respiratory epithelium by changing the barrier function, the discharge of cytokines and the functions of the cilia. All of them involved in the defense mechanism of the lungs. This leads to a worse prognosis for patients precisely because of alcohol consumption. Based on this approach, alcoholism will exacerbate the consequences of COVID-19.
Objective: Genes encoding molecular pathways of the reward system are implicated in both addiction and impulsivity. A complex interplay of these genes is likely to contribute to the risk and perpetuation of addiction, both directly and indirectly, mediated via the intermediate phenotype of impulsivity. Methods: We applied different analytic strategies based on direct, indirect, mediation, and epistatic associations to previously reported and/or functionally relevant candidate variants to explore the biological plausibility of their associations and increase the chances of revealing subtle polygenetic effects. We assessed nineteen candidate polymorphisms of the GABA, opioid and dopamine systems in an ethnically distinct and homogenous population sample of 157 Sinhalese male dependent heroin users and 155 age-and ethnicity-matched controls with no lifetime drug use and negligible nicotine or alcohol consumption on a range of association models. Results: GABRA6-rs3219151 and GABRG2-rs211013 showed associations with heroin dependence under a recessive and dominant model respectively. GABRG2-rs211014 and rs211013 showed a haplotype association; mediation analysis showed the association of these two SNPs with heroin dependence being mediated via fun-seeking personality trait and DRD2-rs1079597 mediated via reward sensitivity. OPRM1-rs1799971 and OPRM1-rs563649 were significantly associated with heroin dependence under a multiplicative model. Using generalized multi-dimensionality reduction, we found significant epistatic interaction between GABRG2-rs211013 and OPRM1-rs1799971 and also between these two SNPs and COMT-rs4680 for risk of heroin dependence. Conclusion: These findings portray novel and plausible potential mechanisms of genetic predisposition to heroin dependence.
Photocatalysis breaks down viruses (including coronavirus and all itscurrent and future mutations) into harmless atoms and molecules. The activated surface of titanium dioxide (TiO2) removes binding electrons from the structures using UV light, which breaks down the structure of the virus into harmless molecules and atoms. UV light with a wavelength of about 365 nm (band A) is used to activate the photocatalytic surface, in contrast to hard radiation with a wavelength of about 200 nm (band C). Hard radiation kills living structures but does not break down into simpler structures.
Background: Smartphone has been one of the most prominent breakthroughs in not just communication but also daily function right on the tip of the fingers which is more likely to put individuals to excessive smartphone usage. Massive number of people are tend to develop dependence to smartphone usage which leads to less interpersonal relationship and decreased real social interactions that result in isolation and loneliness. Aim: Investigating smartphone addiction among medical students in Medan, Indonesia, but also to evaluate factors and Sociodemographic characteristics that are related to smartphone addiction particularly during COVID-19 pandemic. Method: This cross sectional multivariate study conducted in April to May 2021 involves 200 medical students and focuses on investigating the relationship between several independent variables and smartphone addiction by using Indonesian version of Smartphone Addiction Scale Short Version (SAS-SV). The questionnaire was distributed through Google Form. All data were then analyzed by means of SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) version 22. Linear regression was used when all required condition were fulfilled. Results: Independent factors such as age, parent’s income, usage duration, sleeping duration, medical education stage and gender are found to be related to SAS-SV score with p value of less than 0.05 and adjusted R2 of 62.8% (indicating that independent factors are related to SAS-SV score for as much as 62.8%). In the other hand we found that independent factors, such as phone’s operating system, parents education, internet access, kinship, and other function of smartphone are not statistically significant (p>0.05). Hence, these factors are not related to SAS-SV score. Conclusion: From this study, we found that independent risk factors related to SAS-SV score among medical students during pandemic are as in the following; age, gender, parents income, medical education stage, usage and sleeping duration. By knowing these factors, it is hoped that clinicians and public policy regulators are able to give more attention and set up more appropriate psychotherapy or support as early as possible toward those with smartphone addiction
The purpose of research is to identify the prospects for foreign economicrelations and sustainable development of the geopolitical interests of the world, an increase in foreign investment, the development of competitive national wealth, disclosure and recreate the real picture of foreign economic relations. Given the increase in the rate of development of diplomatic and economic relations between the countries of the world determines the need for the creation of new forms of foreign economic relations of Azerbaijan.
The study attempted to investigate the relationship among psychosocial work environment and, job satisfaction among police officers in Injibara Town Awi zone in Amhara regional state. Adopting a cross sectional design, a total of 38 police officers were taken comprehensively from the town police office. Using pilot tested standardized scales data were collected. T-test, one way ANOVA and Multiple Regressions along with descriptive statistical techniques. Results of the study disclosed that According to the result, quantitative demands have been found to have a statistically significant positive relationship with emotional demands (r=.224, p<0.01) the quantitative demand has statistically significant negative association with degree of freedom (r=-.352, p<0.05) and social support (r=-.605, p<0.05), Similarly, emotional demands has statistically significant positive relationship with role conflict (r=.669, p<0.01) the emotional demands have statistically significant negative association with social support (r=-.178, p<0.05) and job satisfaction (r=-.123, p<0.001).
This bioinformatics and biostatistics study was designed to recognize and examine the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) linked with dengue virus infection in Homo sapiens. Thirty nine transcriptome profile datasets were analyzed by linear models for microarray analysis based on the R package of the biostatistics test for the identification of significantly expressed genes associated with the disease. The Benjamini and Hochberg (BH) standard operating procedure assessed DEGs had the least false discovery rate and chosen for further bioinformatics gene analysis. The large gene dataset was investigated for systematically extracting the biological significance of DEGs. Four clusters of DEGs were distinguished from the dataset and found the extracellular calcium sensing receptor gene expressing CASR protein was the most connecting human protein in the disease progression and discovered this protein as a potential biomarker for acute dengue fever.
A major challenge faced in the expansion of innovatory medicinal dosage forms is their low water solubility, as a result of which the oral bioavailability is very low. Oral biological availability and solubility can be enhanced through the Lipid Based Drug Delivery System (LBDDS) which plays a crucial role in the expansion of medicinal dosage. Moreover, it is possible to adopt the liquid additives, medicament formulations and have synergistic effects with solid, semi-solid and liquid products. LBDDS drugs are scrutinized in several phases to investigate their bioavailability and dissolution rate, as they are poorly water soluble. This work presents the classification, and mechanisms to improve the solubility, bioavailability, components, characteristics and comparison of LBDD systems for oral use.
Liquor is an alcoholic drink prohibited by some religions because it is considered to have a destructive impact on individuals and society. How- ever, from an economic point of view, it can generate income for the com- munity or the state. For this reason, some parties consider it necessary to legalize alcohol investment. In Indonesia, the president issued Presiden- tial Regulation Number 10 of 2021 concerning the Investment Business Sector. In Appendix III, number 31, it is stated that it is permissible to invest in alcohol with some special requirements. The Presidential Reg- ulation reaped the pros and cons of several groups. Islamic organizations are among those who firmly reject the investment and are trying to advise the president to revise the Presidential Regulation. Finally, the president changed Presidential Regulation No. 10 of 2021 and ratified Presidential Regulation No. 49 of 2021, which abolished alcohol investment based on various considerations, including a suggestion from Islamic organizations in Indonesia. This study seeks to see the efforts of Islamic organizations in Indonesia to reject Presidential Regulation number 10 of 2021 concerning the Investment Business Sector because it legalizes alcohol investment. The method used in this study is normative juridical by analyzing the contents of presidential regulations and fatwas of Islamic organizations in Indonesia. This study concludes that the efforts of Indonesian Islamic organizations to reject alcohol investment, as stated in Presidential Reg- ulation No. 10 of 2021, are one of the considerations for the president to change the presidential regulation and ratify Presidential Regulation No. 49 of 2021.
So many years after independence, more importation of foreign brand of alcohol has remained a strategy of economic imperialism. Attempts to modernize African brands of alcohol such as bottled palm wine and buru- kutu have not received the kind of scientific endorsement it deserve. In all drinking spaces in Nigeria, the foreign brand of drinks in Nigeria domi- nates the market. These brands no doubt serve as a yardstick of measuring class distinction. This trend began as part of deliberate effort to dominate the local economy by re-inventing sense of class, modernity and sense of new belonging expressed through the kind bottles of drinks consumed by the people. As a result, the African brands of drinks were downgraded in a kind of economic war that she plays a subservient role even though by drinking, Africans contributes greatly to the Europeans economy at their own peril.
Alcohol use among school learners in South Africa is documented as a seri- ous health problem. Learners who use alcohol display antisocial behaviour such as hostility, attacking, fighting and hurting others with dangerous objects. Life orientation teachers face the challenge of assisting learners to change this behaviour. This study aimed to explore and describe the educa- tors’ views about learners’ alcohol use at selected schools in the Capricorn District of the Limpopo Province of South Africa. The study was conduct- ed at two secondary schools in rural areas of the Capricorn District in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. A qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual research design was utilised. Purposive sampling was used to select the schools based on the percentage of learners who abused alco- hol. Twenty three learners participated in two focus group discussions aid- ed by a voice recorder and field notes until data until saturation had been reached. Data were analysed through open coding as proposed by Tesch. The teachers indicated that learners experienced health and psycho social consequences as well as poor academic performance because of their con- tinued use of alcohol. Schools should train educator’s motivational inter- viewing skills, to facilitate, support, guide and maintain behaviour change among learners. The Motivational Interviewing skills should include the following stages: pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action and maintenance.
Sudden emergence of the Covid-19 virus has led to a state of panic among the responsible sections and among the citizens, just like any new virus, and this state of panic arises from the lack of knowledge of the genetic makeup of the virus, its symptoms, methods of spread, the diseases that help to spread it, the people most vulnerable to infection. This has prompt- ed the authorities responsible for scientific research in all countries, whether Arab or European, to intensify efforts to uncover the mystery of this new virus, and communication channels has been opened between all countries to benefit from the results that have been reached. Most of the studies have collected some Covid-19 infected people who were diag- nosed with diabetes type 1, with different ages, geographical diversity and standard of living. All this prompted scientists to investigate the reason behind this link between Covid-19 and type 1 diabetes, and some of them explained that Covid-19 virus enters cells through ACE2 which present in high amount in cells of the pancreas, so they explained that virus enters the pancreas through it and affects the beta cells responsible for the secretion of insulin, and then it prevents its secretion, caused hyperglycemia, caus- ing type 1 diabetes. Others scientists have explained that the relationship arises through the drugs that patients with Covid-19 virus take, as it was found that these patients are treated by anti-virus, Glucocorticoids, and this group works to reduce the effect of insulin and increase the level of glucose, which causes it to rise in the blood and cause diabetes type 1. This review is designed to study the relationship between Covid-19 virus and diabetes type 1.
Tobacco has been cultivated as a commercial crop by Indonesian farmers for a long time. The content of tobacco waste makes 24% of the weight of tobacco leaf. In 2014, tobacco plantation produced approximate- ly 39,902.88 tonnage waste. There is a potential use of tobacco stem for botanical pesticide. In Indonesia, the use of tobacco waste for botanical pesticide is practiced by Tani Punik Mitra Farmers group. The active ingredients in nicotine are believed to support the effectiveness of its use in the field. Pyrolysis is another technology that can be used to make a pesticide from tobacco stem. The pyrolysis process shall result in bio oil that has many benefits as antimicrobial, antifungal, insecticide, and insect repellent. Bio oil obtained from tobacco waste can perform as an insec- ticide. The insecticide properties of bio oil can be seen from its chemical contents. Bio oil from tobacco leaves can cause death to Colorado Potato Beetle (CPB) Leptinotarsa decemlineata L. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in 24 hours after treatment. Mostly, bio oil acts as a contact poison, stomach poison, antifeedant, and insect repellent. It is possible because of the acetic acid contained in it, which can cause damage to the permeability of insect cuticle. The application of bio oil from conara wood can repel mosquitoes from the species of Culex pipiens and Aedes togoi. Bio oil originated from May organic materials can be used as an insecticide for controlling pests. Bio oil plays more role as a contact poison rather than stomach poison, an- tifeedant, and repellent. The acetic acid in bio oil damages the permeability of insect cuticles that result in their death. Bio oil originated from May organic materials can be used as an antimicrobial and botanical pesticide.
Background: Alcohol use among university students is a common aspect of student extramural activities outside the lecturing setting on campus. The increasing use of alcohol during these periods relates to harmful dis- orders and predicts substance related problems in later life. Purpose: The purpose of the study was to investigate the prevalence and factors of alcohol use among the undergraduate students at Sefako Mak- gatho Health Sciences University, South Africa. Methodology: A quantitative design was used to collect data through a self-administered questionnaire from 377 undergraduate students in dif- ferent study professions at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, South Africa. Results: The findings indicate that student’s alcohol use is moderate to heavy with a Spearman coefficient pattern indicating strong correlations between worries and stress, alcohol taste and feeling good as motives for alcohol use. Conclusion: Lack of knowledge about alcohol use, as well as absence of specific policies on alcohol use depict a concerning gap in efforts to com- bat alcohol use among undergraduate students
Background: Nyaope is a Novel Psychoactive Substance (NPS) commonly abused in South Africa. Because of its very addictive nature, which takes over the lives of the users, it also affects the families and communities, with resultant negative social and financial impact. Purpose: The purpose of the study was to explore and describe experiences of families living with nyaope users. Methodology: The study used an exploratory qualitative design, and col- lected data using in-depth interviews from biologically related family members. nvivo was used to analyze the data. Results: Of the ten major themes that emerged from the analysis of the qualitative data, eight depicted experiences that impact negatively on the mental health of the family members. Of note is the hopelessness and de- pressive symptoms, which include suicide ideation and death wish for the users. Conclusion: While substance abuse in general has been reported to affect the mental health of family members, this impact seems to be profound for nyaope users, because of the high prevalence in certain communities, the level of addiction and related behaviours. Despite this, there is lack of ac- knowledgement of the situation by neither social services in South Africa, nor any psycho-social interventions for these communities where nyaope is rife. With the high prevalence of nyaope use in these communities, the already high burden of mental illness in South Africa is further increased.
Background: Substance abuse is a serious public health problem in South Africa, and due to the dearth of community based studies on the patterns and types of substances of abuse, studies are often conducted at substance abuse rehabilitation centres, as with this study. Purpose: This study aimed to determine the patterns of substance used by adults admitted to a Substance Treatment Centre in Tshwane, as well as to investigate the reasons and influences for substance abuse. Methodology: Using a self-administered questionnaire, a cross sectional quantitative and descriptive survey, was used to collect data among 215 substance users admitted to an in-patient treatment centre in Pretoria. STATA version 12 was used to analyze data. Results: the sample of 215 consisted of majority males (80.4%, n=173), with their ages ranging from 18 and 65 and a mean of 27 years. Most commonly used substances were Nyaope (65.6%) and marijuana (29.3%). Reasons for drug use included peer pressure (54.9%), stress (26.5%) and family problems (16.3%). Conclusion: The reasons for substance use were mostly related to the unfavorable social environment, and the high prevalence of nyaope reflects the communities from which the participants come from.
The multi-drug abuse among adolescents with illicit drugs co-ingested with some fake methanol beverages at a recreational party becomes popu- lar in Indonesia. Methanol poisoning might lead to severe illness or death. Methanol ingestion in Indonesia is often correlated with an outbreak and high morbidity and mortality. Tramadol, clonazepam, and chlorproma- zine mixed with the cheesy fake methanol beverages induce profound al- tered consciousness and seizure. We present the case of a 17 year old girl with repeated seizures, vomit, and decreased consciousness at home after taking of illicit drugs (tramadol, clonazepam, and chlorpromazine) co-ingested with a fake methanol bev- erage at a recreational party three hours before; lead to pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission and prolonged hospital stay. This case highlights the acute management of patients who suffered from multi-drug abuse co-ingestion with a fake methanol beverage. Early de- tection and treatment are mandatory. The comprehensive rehabilitation program after recovery is a challenge.
