搜索结果：Tobacco control

Tobacco product use persists among US youth. Continued monitoring of e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, and other products informs clinical practice, public health policy, and regulatory efforts. Data from the 2025 National Youth Tobacco Survey-a nationally representative sample of 23&#x2009;630 US students in grades 6-12-were analyzed to estimate current (past 30-day) use of tobacco products. Among those currently using e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches, frequent use (&#x2265;20&#xa0;days), device type (for e-cigarettes only), brand preferences, and flavor preferences were assessed. Changes in current use of any tobacco, any combusted tobacco, e-cigarettes, and nicotine pouches from 2022 to 2025 were assessed using Joinpoint regression. Among high school (grades 9-12) and middle school (grades 6-8) students, an estimated 2.01 million or 7.2% reported current tobacco use, 5.2% e-cigarette use, 2.6% combusted tobacco use, and 1.7% nicotine pouch use. Among students currently using e-cigarettes, 41.2% reported frequent use, and 66.3% used disposables. Among students currently using nicotine pouches, 26.3% reported frequent use. During 2022-2025, any tobacco use (annual percent change [APC]&#x2009;=&#x2009;-14.5, P&#x2009;<&#x2009;.001), any combusted tobacco use (APC&#x2009;=&#x2009;-11.4, P&#x2009;<&#x2009;.001), and e-cigarette use (APC&#x2009;=&#x2009;-18.1, P&#x2009;<&#x2009;.001) decreased among middle and high school students. Nicotine pouch use increased (APC&#x2009;=&#x2009;17.3, P&#x2009;=&#x2009;.012) among high school students from 2022 to 2025; however, use was still low and remained stable over the past year. Despite a significant decline in the prevalence of any tobacco, any combusted tobacco, and e-cigarette use between 2022 and 2025, students continued using tobacco products, particularly e-cigarettes, with considerable proportions reporting frequent use. Despite significant declines in the prevalence of self-reported use of any tobacco product, combusted tobacco products, and e-cigarettes between 2022 and 2025, an estimated 2.01 million youth continued using tobacco products in 2025. In addition, among youth who currently used e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches, persistent frequent use patterns and widespread flavored product use were common. Continued timely surveillance of tobacco products, combined with comprehensive tobacco control and regulatory efforts, enforcement actions, and public education campaigns, remain essential for preventing youth tobacco product use and the harms associated with youth nicotine exposure.

ObjectiveUnexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion is a multifactorial condition with an unclear etiology. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between liver function biomarkers and unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion and explore interactions with tobacco exposure and body mass index.MethodsA retrospective case-control study was conducted on 2126 pregnant women, including 602 with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion and 1524 who served as controls. Liver enzyme indicators (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, and alkaline phosphatase) were assessed, and multivariate logistic regression models were applied to analyze their association with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion. Interaction analyses were performed to evaluate combined effects of liver enzyme abnormalities, tobacco exposure, and body mass index.ResultsLiver enzyme abnormalities (alanine aminotransferase level >32&#x2009;U/L or aspartate aminotransferase level >28&#x2009;U/L) were significantly associated with increased unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion risk (adjusted odds ratio&#x2009;=&#x2009;2.15, 95% confidence interval: 1.68-2.76). A significant interaction between alanine aminotransferase elevation and tobacco exposure was observed (p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001). Among non-exposed women, elevated alanine aminotransferase levels were associated with an odds ratio of 1.8 (95% confidence interval: 1.2-2.7), whereas among tobacco-exposed women, the odds ratio was 5.2 (95% confidence interval: 3.1-8.7) (p for interaction <0.001). However, these interaction results warrant cautious interpretation due to the absence of quantitative tobacco exposure metrics. The alanine aminotransferase-body mass index interaction was not significant (p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.179).ConclusionsElevated alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels are independently associated with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion, and tobacco exposure significantly strengthened this association. These findings suggest that liver function abnormalities and tobacco exposure are associated with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion risk. However, given the limitations associated with tobacco exposure measurement, these findings should be interpreted with caution.

Tobacco use remains a leading preventable risk factor for morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although global evidence indicates a general decline in tobacco use among women, it is unclear to what extent these trends and associated determinants apply to populations in East Africa. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the trends in tobacco use and its associated factors among women aged 15-49 across East African countries. To examine trends in tobacco use and identify individual- and community-level factors associated with current tobacco use among women of reproductive age (15-49 years) in East Africa. We analysed data from Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) across multiple East African countries. Prevalence trends were assessed over four survey periods (1999-2005, 2006-2010, 2011-2015 and 2016-2022). A cross-sectional analysis of the most recent survey wave was used for the multilevel logistic regression models to identify individual-level and community-level factors associated with current tobacco use, including sociodemographic and socioeconomic characteristics (such as age, education, wealth status and marital status) and community-level factors (such as place of residence and contextual community characteristics). Country-specific trends were also assessed. A total of 543&#x2009;013&#x2009;women of reproductive age from 11 East African countries were included in this analysis. In each DHS survey, most respondents resided in rural areas. Of the pooled sample years, the overall prevalence of current tobacco use was 2.84% (95% CI 2.7% to 2.9%). After a slight increase from 3.74% (1999-2005)&#x2009;to 4.04% (2006-2010), the prevalence declined markedly to 1.35% (2011-2015)&#x2009;and then rose to 2.74% (2016-2022). Compared with cigarette smoking, the use of other tobacco products has consistently greater fluctuations. Country-specific trends showed a declining prevalence in most countries, although increases or fluctuations were observed in Madagascar and Zambia. In the multilevel analysis, age and education showed the strongest association with tobacco use. Women aged 35-49 years had significantly higher odds of tobacco use (adjusted OR (AOR) 2.86, 95%&#x2009;CI 2.44 to 3.36), and those aged 25-34 years (AOR 1.86, 95%&#x2009;CI 1.62 to 2.15) compared with women aged 15-24 years. Women with no formal education were substantially more likely to use tobacco (AOR 4.30, 95%&#x2009;CI 3.01 to 6.15) than those with higher education levels. Additional factors associated with increased odds included experience of child death (AOR 1.39, 95%&#x2009;CI 1.27 to 1.52)&#x2009;and abortion history (AOR 1.21, 95%&#x2009;CI 1.09 to 1.33). At the community level, urban residence (AOR 1.60, 95%&#x2009;CI 1.40 to 1.84)&#x2009;and lower altitudes of <1000&#x2009;m (AOR 1.40, 95%&#x2009;CI 1.03 to 1.91) were also significantly associated with tobacco use. Tobacco use among women of reproductive age in East Africa remains relatively low but varies substantially across countries and over time. Older age, lack of formal education, reproductive factors and contextual community characteristics were important determinants. Targeted and context-specific tobacco control interventions are therefore required to reduce tobacco use among vulnerable populations in the region.

Study DesignRetrospective cohort study.ObjectivesTo examine the impact of non-tobacco nicotine (NTN) dependence on pseudarthrosis and postoperative complications following posterior cervical fusion (PCF).MethodsThe TriNetX national database was queried for adult patients (18-80 years) who underwent a primary posterior cervical fusion (2012-2025). Patients were stratified into 3 cohorts: non-tobacco nicotine-dependent (NTND) patients, tobacco-dependent (TD) patients, and non-dependent controls. Patients underwent propensity-score matching, and pairwise comparisons (NTND vs control, TD vs control, NTND vs TD) were performed. The primary outcome was pseudarthrosis development, and secondary outcomes included medical/surgical complications.ResultsA total of 7102 patients were included. At 3 years, NTND patients had higher rates of pseudarthrosis (2.51% vs 1.84%, P = 0.019) compared to matched controls. Compared to controls at 3 months and 3 years, NTND was associated with significantly higher risks of all other postoperative complications (P < 0.05) except DVT. Compared to controls, TD patients had higher rates of all postoperative complications at 3 months and 3 years, except pseudarthrosis (P < 0.05). Compared to TD patients, NTND patients had higher rates of cervical fracture and pneumonia at 3 months (P < 0.05), and higher rates of cervical fracture at 3 years (P < 0.05). At 3 months, the NTND cohort demonstrated lower rates of opioid abuse/dependence, readmission, and emergency service use (P < 0.05).ConclusionsNon-tobacco nicotine dependence is associated with risk of perioperative and long-term complications following posterior cervical fusion compared to control patients, yet is not significantly different from TD patients. Providers may consider this data during preoperative counseling and surgical optimization.Level of EvidenceIII.

Flavoured e-cigarettes are attractive to youth, and flavour descriptors on packaging can increase product appeal and reduce perceived risk. In October 2022, China banned non-tobacco-flavoured e-cigarettes and published a list of 101 permitted additives. We examined e-cigarette packs for the prevalence of flavour descriptors and additives approximately 6&#x2009;months after the ban implementation. Using a systematic protocol, we purchased 143 unique e-cigarette packs from six major Chinese cities in April-May 2023. Trained, native Chinese speakers coded flavour descriptors on packs (tobacco, non-tobacco, concept or none). Additive presence was determined from ingredient lists on the packs. Permitted additives were reviewed for flavouring properties. Prevalence of flavour descriptors and additives by flavour category was examined. Of 143 packs, 84 were manufactured after full enforcement of the flavour ban and included an ingredient list. Of these, 19% displayed tobacco descriptors, 48% concept descriptors and 33% both concept and tobacco descriptors. Forty-two per cent listed at least one permitted additive capable of imparting non-tobacco flavour (tobacco: 44%; concept: 30%; tobacco-plus-concept: 57%). Ethyl maltol (12%) and coffee extract (11%) were the most common additives, appearing in package ingredient lists in about one-third of tobacco-flavoured (31%) and tobacco-plus-concept descriptor (32%) packs. No packs featured a non-tobacco characterising flavour descriptor or listed any unpermitted additives. Concept descriptors and flavouring additives are commonly listed on Chinese tobacco-flavoured e-cigarette packs, sustaining product appeal and undermining the flavour ban. Stricter regulations, such as a ban on concept descriptors, tighter additive restrictions and strengthened enforcement, could better protect public health.

Tobacco-khat co-use is common in Ethiopia, where khat is cultivated. However, information is limited regarding tobacco-khat co-use among adults in the study setting. (1) Explore behavioural patterns of tobacco-khat co-use and (2) investigate the factors associated with tobacco-khat co-use in Haramaya district, and Maya City, eastern Ethiopia. We conducted eight focus groups (FGs) with adult males (n=36, four FGs) and females who use tobacco (n=18, two FGs), and community leaders (n=17, two FGs). Participants were purposively recruited. The interview guide addressed tobacco-khat co-use behaviours and related factors. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. The male participants had a mean age of 37.7 (SD&#xb1;12.4), while the females had a mean age of 44.9 (SD&#xb1;15.5) years. Males initiated tobacco and khat use at a younger average age compared with females. All participants acknowledged the widespread co-use of tobacco-khat in the region. Two key themes emerged: (1) Tobacco use is tied to khat consumption, reflecting distinct behavioural patterns of co-use. (2) Multiple drivers of co-use included deeply rooted social and cultural practices, progression from habitual use to dependence and accessibility and affordability. Findings suggest that male participants begin tobacco and khat use at an earlier age, driven by sociocultural norms and gendered expectations. This co-use is sustained by multiple reinforcing drivers: perceived synergistic stimulation between khat and tobacco, deeply rooted social and cultural practices, progression from habitual use to dependence and accessibility and affordability, which perpetuate the behaviour. Thus, effective cessation programmes must address co-use and be adapted to sociocultural realities.

This study investigates the application of the synthetic control method for the evaluation of public health policies, specifically assessing the impact of the 2010 anti-smoking legislation in Spain. This policy, which represented a paradigmatic shift, aimed to reduce smoking prevalence and its multiple consequences for public health. Utilizing data on tobacco consumption prevalence across various countries alongside key predictors of consumption, we examine the effectiveness of the legislation in reducing smoking rates. To achieve this, the synthetic control method is employed to construct a 'synthetic Spain' from a weighted combination of countries within a donor pool. This counterfactual represents the smoking prevalence that would have been observed in Spain in the absence of the law. The empirical results demonstrate that the legislation successfully reduced tobacco consumption. However, its gender-differentiated impact suggests the necessity of implementing gender-responsive regulatory frameworks.

There is ample scientific evidence to support that tobacco consumption is associated with diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchitis, and cancer. However, few studies have compared the harm caused by different types of tobacco, such as black and blond tobacco (BlaT, BloT). This study aims to search for the potential links between type of tobacco, dosage, tobacco consumption time, and disease. A longitudinal retrospective case-control study (163:162) was conducted using clinical histories and telephone interviews. Disproportions (prevalence, OR, and crude OR), dose and years of smoking (ANOVA), and strata (tobacco type, dose, and time) (Reg. Log. Bin. Cox) were used. A significant correlation was discovered between smoking, type of tobacco, and disease, particularly for COPD. The OR for BlaT/non-smokers was 64.62 and for BloT/non-smokers was 26.44. When stratified by tobacco type, the crude OR for BlaT was 8.38 for COPD, 7.82 for bronchitis, and 2.25 for cancer. Cox R analysis revealed a dose-response relationship between smoking and time, with BlaT having Cox R values of 88.41 for COPD and 3.95 for cancer. The main conclusion is that while all types of tobacco are harmful, BlaT is even more harmful than BloT.

The tobacco industry has aggressively marketed menthol tobacco products because they are less harsh and more appealing to youth and other non-users. US law prohibits most flavours in tobacco products but exempts menthol from the ban. In 2020, California enacted a state law prohibiting retail sales of most flavoured tobacco products with 'characterising flavours', including menthol. Major tobacco companies vigorously opposed the law and sought its repeal. Despite spending millions of dollars to try to influence the legislature, ballot box and courts, the tobacco industry sought to evade the law by introducing so-called 'non-menthol' cigarettes. We describe those industry efforts and California's responses: California law was amended to redefine illegal flavoured products to include those that create a 'cooling sensation' to consumers and established an unflavoured tobacco list making it illegal for retailers to sell flavoured products not on the list. The California experience described in our paper provides a case study demonstrating some best practices that can be replicated by other US states and localities and other countries consistent with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

Exposure to tobacco advertising at tobacco retail outlets (TROs) is associated with smoking initiation among youth. There is limited geospatial evidence on the density of TROs in Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR), a country with high prevalence of tobacco smoking. This study examined the density and proximity of TROs around schools in two urban districts and one rural district of Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR, using geographic information systems. We audited 233 TROs around 27 schools between January 19 and February 18, 2024. TROs were mapped within 250&#x2005;m and 500&#x2005;m buffers in two urban districts (Chanthabuly and Sissatanak), and 500&#x2005;m and 1,000&#x2005;m buffers in one rural district (Naxaithong). Buffer analysis and network analysis estimated TRO density and median walking distances between TROs and schools. We used the Kruskal-Wallis test to determine if TRO density varied significantly in urban districts within two buffers and the chi-square test to examine differences in TRO characteristics based on proximity to schools. TRO density was defined as the number of TROs mapped within a 250&#x2005;m radius of urban schools and those mapped within 1,000&#x2005;m radius of rural schools. TRO density was higher within the buffer of 250-500&#x2005;m in Chanthabuly (median&#x2009;=&#x2009;12), followed by Sissatanak (median&#x2009;=&#x2009;3) (p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.01). Comparing the two urban districts, the median distance between TROs and schools within the buffer of 250-500&#x2005;m was significantly less in Sissatanak compared to Chanthabuly (p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.04). The shortest distance between an urban school and any TRO (i) without age verification signage was 21.58&#x2005;m, (ii) with outside cigarette advertisements was 9.95&#x2005;m, and (iii) selling "single" cigarettes was 311.36&#x2005;m. In the rural district, the TRO density was higher within 500-1,000&#x2005;m (median&#x2009;=&#x2009;2) compared to within 500&#x2005;m (median&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.5). Within the context of the Lao PDR, our study provides the first geospatial evidence of tobacco retail outlet density in both urban and rural districts of Vientiane Capital, revealing a substantially higher concentration of outlets in urban districts.We also quantified walking distances between schools and outlets violating tobacco control measures, including lack of age verification signage and outdoor cigarette advertising. These findings suggest that stricter regulation of tobacco retail outlets could strengthen tobacco control policy implementation in Lao PDR.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is increasingly explored as an adjunctive intervention for Tobacco Use Disorder (TUD). Studies typically employ single-site stimulation protocols, and reported effects on craving and relapse have varied. To examine whether sequential dual-target tDCS could influence smoking behavior and relapse-relevant mechanisms in TUD. In this case series, three adults with TUD underwent a two-week sequential tDCS protocol targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and pre-supplementary motor area. Assessments were conducted at baseline, post-intervention, and at 1- and 6-month follow-up characterize clinical, biological, and cognitive trajectories over time. All cases showed reductions in cigarette consumption across the six-month follow-up, accompanied by decreases in biochemical exposure markers. Trajectories were heterogeneous across participants. Two individuals achieved abstinence at follow-up, while one maintained sustained reduction. Craving and withdrawal symptoms declined, and inhibitory control improved alongside reductions in exposure markers. The nicotine metabolite ratio remained stable across assessments, consistent with its role as an index of metabolic phenotype. Sequential dual-target tDCS was associated with longitudinal improvements in smoking behavior and relapse-related clinical and cognitive markers. These findings support further investigation of dual-target neuromodulation as a potential adjunctive strategy for smoking cessation.

Tobacco use remains a substantial cause of morbidity among patients with noncommunicable diseases, especially in areas with localized tobacco production. This study looked into the tobacco smoking behavior and, adverse health outcomes, and predictors of smoking behavior among chronic disease patients in both tobacco-producing and non-producing areas of Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand. An analytical cross-sectional study was undertaken with 879 patients with chronic disease in tobacco producing and non-producing districts. Participants were recruited via simple random sampling from local primary care patient registries, with a fixed allocation technique. Data were collected by face-to-face interviews with a verified structured questionnaire. Ordinal logistic regression was used to identify predictors of smoking status. The overall smoking rate was 19.3% (7.5% current and 11.8% former). Males accounted for 98.5% of individuals who had previously smoked. High morbidity was noted, with 28.8% of smokers having COPD and 54.7% requiring at least four hospitalizations per year. Traditional hand-rolled tobacco (Yasen) dominated usage, especially in production regions (88.1% vs. 75.0%). Multivariable analysis found that females had 99.6% lower odds of smoking (AOR: 0.004, 95% CI: 0.002-0.009). Patients from non-planting areas (AOR: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.28-0.77) and low-income households (AOR: 0.50, 95% CI: 0.26-0.95) had considerably decreased smoking odds. While current prevalence is lower than national averages. Geographic closeness to production and higher household income both contribute to smoking in this group. Therefore, Interventions have to address physical and economic accessibility to traditional tobacco in agricultural communities.

Noncommercial social media content presents vaping and nicotine addiction in both positive and negative terms. The effect of exposure to this content on young adults' attitudes, beliefs, and intentions to vape is unknown. We randomized 1816&#xa0;U.S. young adults to view a series of real (i.e., not simulated), noncommercial, publicly accessible social media videos about nicotine addiction of the same valence (positive, negative, or control unrelated to nicotine addiction). Exposures included both YouTube and TikTok videos that had been uploaded to the YouTube platform. We explored associations between the social media exposure and intentions to use or quit e-cigarettes or cigarettes and related normative beliefs. Controlling for tobacco use and sociodemographic characteristics, the positive valence group had 49% higher adjusted odds (aOR: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.08-2.04, p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.014) of reporting intentions to vape, but not smoke, compared with the control group. The negative valence group reported higher intentions to quit smoking, but not quit vaping, after adjustment (&#x3b2;&#x2009;=&#x2009;1.36, 95% CI: 0.38-2.34, p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.007). Further, the negative valence group estimated a higher prevalence of peer vaping (&#x3b2;&#x2009;=&#x2009;3.26, 95% CI: 0.33-6.19, p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.029) compared to the control group after adjustment. Injunctive normative beliefs were not significantly different between groups. Brief exposure to videos that showed nicotine addiction in a favorable light was associated with greater vape intentions among young adults; content of different valences had differential impacts on subjective norms measures. Findings suggest the importance of actions to limit exposure to tobacco-related content on social media.

Bidi, a hand-rolled tobacco product widely used in South Asia, significantly contributes to tobacco-related diseases and serves as a vector for labor exploitation and systematic human rights violations. This perspective essay explains how the bidi industry employs women and children to create hazardous occupational conditions, reinforces gender and educational inequities, and perpetuates intergenerational cycles of poverty and labor dependency. We highlight neglected global tobacco policy and controls on labor and safety. We advocate for integrating informal bidi labor into existing health and labor protections and call for greater recognition of these production-side injustices within the global tobacco control discourse.

Tobacco use remains a leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality and is commonly initiated in adolescence. We evaluated whether Smokerface-Poster, a low-intensity, appearance-based school campaign promoting a photoaging app, could attenuate smoking uptake among early adolescents. In this two-arm cluster-randomized controlled trial, 126 German secondary schools (9797 grade 6/7 students; 96.0% were 11-13 years old; 51.4% male; 48.6% female) were allocated to intervention or control. Intervention schools displayed two classroom posters for 24 months. Smoking behavior was assessed at baseline and 24 months. As primary outcome, we investigated the between&#x2011;group difference in the change in 30-day smoking prevalence, with a number needed to treat (NNT) of <&#x202f;100 students predefined as clinically relevant per protocol. Baseline smoking prevalence was 7.4% in the control vs. 7.9% in the intervention group. At 24 months post-intervention, smoking prevalence increased by 19.2 %age points in control vs. 18.1 %age points in the intervention group (number needed to treat=93; adjusted ratio of odds ratios 0.87, 95% CI 0.69-1.09; p&#x202f;=&#x202f;0.228). Favorable, non-significant patterns were also observed for anti-smoking intentions and attitudes. Although the between-group difference was not statistically significant, the intervention reached the predefined threshold for clinical relevance, with an NNT of 93. This suggests that, for every 93 students exposed to the Smokerface-Poster campaign, one fewer adolescent would be expected to smoke over the two-year follow-up. Given its low cost of <&#x202f;&#x20ac;50 per 100 students, the intervention appears to be a promising approach to supporting school-based smoking prevention.

Global food security requires innovative strategies for sustainable crop improvement. Gene editing offers a precise and rapid approach to plant modification, but its success depends on efficient delivery and robust expression systems. Geminivirus-derived replicons (GVRs) enhance transient expression by amplifying introduced DNA within plant cells. In this study, we evaluated three previously deconstructed geminiviral backbones -Bean yellow dwarf virus (BeYDV), Tomato leaf curl virus (ToLCV), and Wheat dwarf virus (WDV)- against a non-replicating T-DNA control for their ability to sustain GFP expression in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Constructs were delivered via Agrobacterium tumefaciens, and in planta GVR circularization was verified, with accumulation levels dependent on the specific replicon and host species. GFP RNA and protein accumulation was assessed by RT-qPCR, fluorescence imaging, and ELISA; all GVRs prolonged GFP fluorescence relative to control. In tobacco, transcript levels increased significantly by 3 days post infiltration (dpi), reaching up to 221- fold by 6 dpi with BeYDV, while BeYDV and ToLCV produced approximately fivefold higher protein levels. In tomato, ToLCV and WDV showed the strongest enhancement, with transcript and protein levels increasing up to 6.3-fold and 2.4-fold, respectively. These results demonstrate that GVRs markedly enhance and extend transient gene expression in solanaceous hosts, with performance dependent on the replicon and plant species. ToLCV and BeYDV were most effective in tobacco, whereas ToLCV and WDV performed best in tomato. Overall, GVRs represent versatile tools for transient protein production and for improving the delivery and efficiency of genome-editing reagents in plants.

In the contemporary era of rapid societal and technological advancement, factors such as sedentary lifestyles, environmental pollution, unhealthy dietary habits, consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, tobacco and alcohol use, and the growing prevalence of comorbid conditions associated with these risk factors have contributed to cardiovascular diseases becoming one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Among the therapeutic interventions for cardiovascular diseases, open-heart surgery remains one of the principal treatment modalities, as it is associated with superior symptom control, enhanced quality of life, and improved long-term survival outcomes compared with medical management alone. Beside the surgical intervention one of the main components determining the outcomes of the surgery is the patient education therefore this study was conducted to determine the effect of discharge education provided after cardiac surgery on recovery and quality of life. This research was conducted as a randomized pretest-posttest controlled study to determine the effects of discharge education after cardiac surgery on recovery and quality of life. The study was conducted between March 2022 and July 2023, in two Training and Research Hospitals with 70 inpatients. The data of the study were collected face to face and via telephone calls using the 'Patient's Personal Information Form', 'Multidimensional Index of Life Quality-MILQ-TR', 'Quality of Recovery&#x2009;-&#x2009;40 Questionnaire-QOR-40' and 'Telephone Follow-Up Form'. According to this study's results, the recovery quality level and the quality of life of the patients in the intervention group was significantly higher than the patients in the control group. According to the results of the study, which was evaluated at a 95% confidence interval and a significance level below p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.05; the quality of recovery and quality of life of the intervention group patients were statistically higher, the complications were fewer, and the level of knowledge was higher. Trial Registry The Effects of Discharge Education Program on Recovery and Quality of Life After Cardiac Surgery. Unique Identifying Number NCT05631340. Date of Registration 21/11/2022. ( https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05631340 ).

Lysinibacillus fusiformis strain KBD-5, previously known for its antiviral activity against Tobacco mosaic virus, was investigated for its biocontrol potential against the fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea. In plate assays, conducted with three independent biological replicates and incubated at 28&#xa0;&#xb0;C for 5 days, KBD-5 significantly inhibited the mycelial growth of B. cinerea by 76.42%. Whole-genome sequencing revealed a 4.69&#xa0;Mb genome with a GC content of 37.28%, encoding 4719 proteins. Bioinformatics analysis identified genes involved in antimicrobial functions, including 195 carbohydrate-active enzymes (potentially aiding in fungal cell wall degradation) and 8 gene clusters for secondary metabolite synthesis (e.g., T3PKS with 30% similarity to bacillibactin biosynthetic clusters and NRPS), indicating the production of antifungal metabolites like bacillibactin-like polyketides. The strain also showed a high safety profile with no significant virulence or drug resistance risks. These findings indicate that genomic analysis of KBD-5 reveals the potential for multiple biocontrol mechanisms, supporting its potential development as a biocontrol agent. The draft genome sequence is available under NCBI accession PRJNA1335659.