Effects of caffeine on human health

Comparison of the Short-Term Effect of Coffee, Energy Drink, and Water on the Eyes in Young Healthy Subjects

PURPOSE

We aim to compare the short-term effects of energy drink (ED), coffee, and water on the eyes of young healthy male subjects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The right eyes of 30 healthy male subjects were included in this study. We measured the intraocular pressure (IOP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), retinal thickness (RT), choroidal thickness (CT), and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD OCT). The measurements for RT and CT were taken at the fovea as well as 1,500 µm nasal and temporal to the fovea. The measurements of the subjects were performed on the first day before water consumption and at 30 minutes and 60 minutes following intake of 250 mL of water. Measurements were repeated at the same regime on the second day after drinking 250 mL of coffee containing an equal concentration of caffeine in ED (37.5 mg) and on the third day after drinking 250 mL of ED. Repeated measures one-way analysis of variance test was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

No significant difference was found for ocular perfusion pressure (OPP), MAP, RT, and IOP between the measurements taken on three consecutive days (p>0.05 for all). The CT values for the central, nasal, and temporal segments were significantly reduced in 0-30 and 0-60 minutes following coffee and ED intake (the range of p-value was <0.001-0.027).

CONCLUSIONS

Both coffee and ED intake caused acute and significant decreases in CT that persisted for one hour in young healthy male subjects. The impact of ED intake on CT was attributed mainly to its caffeine content.

Higher caffeine consumption is associated with insufficient sleep time in Brazilian adults (CUME study)

We aimed to evaluate the association between caffeine intake and sleep time in Brazilian adults. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 6,356 participants from the Cohort of Universities of Minas Gerais (CUME Study). Data was collected through an online self-report questionnaire. Of the total, 31.9% of the participants had insufficient sleep. Women were found to sleep less than men (64.1 vs. 35.9%; p < 0.001), as well as being more likely to consume higher doses of caffeine (55.2%, p < 0.001). Coffee (35.7%), dark chocolate (25.2%), milk chocolate (15.2%), and diet soda (11.0%) were the foods that more contributed to caffeine intake. Individuals in the highest quartile of caffeine intake (87.0 - 572.0 mg/day) had a 19% higher prevalence of insufficient sleep compared with the lowest quartile (PR: 1.19; 95%CI: 1.08 - 1.31). Future studies are needed to investigate the genetic and hormonal factors involved in the interindividual response in this population.

Coffee Consumption Behavior in Young Adults: Exploring Motivations, Frequencies, and Reporting Adverse Effects and Withdrawal Symptoms

Background

Coffee consumption by young people has increased dramatically over the last decades as there are substantial evidence of the physiological, cognitive, and emotional effects of coffee consumption. To reduce the risk of consuming related harm, it is necessary to understand the consumer's motivation for its use.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate coffee consumption behavior in young adults, assess the type of coffee consumption, explore motivation, document adverse effects and withdrawal symptoms of coffee intake.

Methods

A sample of 923 young adults were recruited voluntarily to complete a set of measures examining motivations, adverse effects, and withdrawal symptoms of coffee intake. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the association between coffee consumption and all independent variables. A p-value of 0.005 was considered as statistically significant.

Results

The results indicate that more than half of the participants consumed coffee. Coffee consumers were more like to be male, young adults, unmarried, poor sleep pattern (3-5 hours), and smokers. Main motivations of coffee intake were those related to reinforcing effects. The prevalence of dripper coffee consumption (85.59%) was observed to be highest with 20.1% participants consuming coffee in 2-3 times per day. Participants experienced restlessness, shaky, excited, difficulty in falling sleep, and fast heart beat as adverse effects of coffee consumption. Withdrawal symptoms such as headache, mood change, and tiredness were also noticed after consuming a high amount of coffee. Gender (p < 0.005), age (p < 0.003), family income (p < 0.004), BMI (p < 0.002) and sleeping pattern (p < 0.005) were found important variables associated with coffee intake.

Conclusion

The association reported in this study may allow for the implementation of appropriate strategies to address behaviors towards excessive coffee consumption and its link to an increased risk of poor health.

The effect of coffee on contralateral suppression of transient evoked otoacoustic emissions

Background: Coffee is a popular non-alcoholic beverage consumed by humans across the world. It contains caffeine, which is a type of stimulant of the central nervous system. In the auditory system, it has a positive effect on auditory brainstem response and perception of speech in noise. Further, caffeine has an inhibitory effect in the cochlea, but studies have rarely investigated its effect on otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) in humans. OAEs are low-intensity sounds produced by the cochlea, which could be recorded in the ear canal. The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of coffee on transient evoked otoacoustic emission (TEOAE) and contralateral suppression of TEOAE. Method: A total of 52 young adults participated in the study. A cross-over study design was used for the present investigation. The TEOAE and contralateral suppression of TEOAE were recorded before and after consumption of coffee and milk. The contralateral suppression of TEOAE was measured by presenting white noise to the contralateral ear at 40, 50, and 60 dB sound pressure level (SPL). Results: The mean amplitude of TEOAE before and after consumption of coffee was similar in both ears. Further, the mean contralateral suppression of TEOAE was slightly larger after consumption of coffee in both ears. However, the mean difference was not significant in both the ears. Conclusions: Based on the findings of present study, coffee has no significant effect on the amplitude of TEOAE and contralateral suppression of TEOAE.

Effect of caffeine and other xanthines on liver sinusoidal endothelial cell ultrastructure

Xanthines such as caffeine and theobromine are among the most consumed psychoactive stimulants in the world, either as natural components of coffee, tea and chocolate, or as added ingredients. The present study assessed if xanthines affect liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC). Cultured primary rat LSEC were challenged with xanthines at concentrations typically obtained from normal consumption of xanthine-containing beverages, food or medicines; and at higher concentrations below the in vitro toxic limit. The fenestrated morphology of LSEC were examined with scanning electron and structured illumination microscopy. All xanthine challenges had no toxic effects on LSEC ultrastructure as judged by LSEC fenestration morphology, or function as determined by endocytosis studies. All xanthines in high concentrations (150 μg/mL) increased fenestration frequency but at physiologically relevant concentrations, only theobromine (8 μg/mL) showed an effect. LSEC porosity was influenced only by high caffeine doses which also shifted the fenestration distribution towards smaller pores. Moreover, a dose-dependent increase in fenestration number was observed after caffeine treatment. If these compounds induce similar changes in vivo, age-related reduction of LSEC porosity can be reversed by oral treatment with theobromine or with other xanthines using targeted delivery.

Natural Rubber/Hexagonal Mesoporous Silica Nanocomposites as Efficient Adsorbents for the Selective Adsorption of (-)-Epigallocatechin Gallate and Caffeine from Green Tea

(-)-Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is a bioactive component of green tea that provides many health benefits. However, excessive intake of green tea may cause adverse effects of caffeine (CAF) since green tea (30-50 mg) has half the CAF content of coffee (80-100 mg). In this work, for enhancing the health benefits of green tea, natural rubber/hexagonal mesoporous silica (NR/HMS) nanocomposites with tunable textural properties were synthesized using different amine template sizes and applied as selective adsorbents to separate EGCG and CAF from green tea. The resulting adsorbents exhibited a wormhole-like silica framework, high specific surface area (528-578 m2 g-1), large pore volume (0.76-1.45 cm3 g-1), and hydrophobicity. The NR/HMS materials adsorbed EGCG more than CAF; the selectivity coefficient of EGCG adsorption was 3.6 times that of CAF adsorption. The EGCG adsorption capacity of the NR/HMS series was correlated with their pore size and surface hydrophobicity. Adsorption behavior was well described by a pseudo-second-order kinetic model, indicating that adsorption involved H-bonding interactions between the silanol groups of the mesoporous silica surfaces and the hydroxyl groups of EGCG and the carbonyl group of CAF. As for desorption, EGCG was more easily removed than CAF from the NR/HMS surface using an aqueous solution of ethanol. Moreover, the NR/HMS materials could be reused for EGCG adsorption at least three times. The results suggest the potential use of NR/HMS nanocomposites as selective adsorbents for the enrichment of EGCG in green tea. In addition, it could be applied as an adsorbent in the filter to reduce the CAF content in green tea by up to 81.92%.

An analysis of codon utilization patterns in the chloroplast genomes of three species of Coffea

BACKGROUND

The chloroplast genome of plants is known for its small size and low mutation and recombination rates, making it a valuable tool in plant phylogeny, molecular evolution, and population genetics studies. Codon usage bias, an important evolutionary feature, provides insights into species evolution, gene function, and the expression of exogenous genes. Coffee, a key crop in the global tropical agricultural economy, trade, and daily life, warrants investigation into its codon usage bias to guide future research, including the selection of efficient heterologous expression systems for coffee genetic transformation.

RESULTS

Analysis of the codon utilization patterns in the chloroplast genomes of three Coffea species revealed a high degree of similarity among them. All three species exhibited similar base compositions, with high A/T content and low G/C content and a preference for A/T-ending codons. Among the 30 high-frequency codons identified, 96.67% had A/T endings. Fourteen codons were identified as ideal. Multiple mechanisms, including natural selection, were found to influence the codon usage patterns in the three coffee species, as indicated by ENc-GC3s mapping, PR2 analysis, and neutral analysis. Nicotiana tabacum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae have potential value as the heterologous expression host for three species of coffee genes.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the remarkable similarity in codon usage patterns among the three coffee genomes, primarily driven by natural selection. Understanding the gene expression characteristics of coffee and elucidating the laws governing its genetic evolution are facilitated by investigating the codon preferences in these species. The findings can enhance the efficacy of exogenous gene expression and serve as a basis for future studies on coffee evolution.

Caffeine Consumption and Its Potential Health Effects on Saudi Adolescents in Jazan

Background Caffeine is the most popular product consumed globally in different types and amounts by various age groups. This study aimed to identify caffeine consumption patterns among adolescents in Jazan and explore related health effects. Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted in Jazan on adolescents between 12 and 18 years of age. The consumption of coffee and caffeinated products and their potential health effects were evaluated using a self-reported online questionnaire. The data were analyzed using software for descriptive and inferential statistics. Results A total of 718 participants were enrolled in this study, with the age group of 16-18 years constituting the highest percentage (48.9%). Nearly 94% of the participants consumed coffee or caffeinated products, with 57% consuming the products infrequently. About 6.6% consumed coffee or caffeinated products more than three times daily, and about half of the participants used medium-sized cups. The most consumed type of caffeinated beverage was Arabic coffee, followed by tea, soft drinks, and Nescafe. Education level and age group showed a significant correlation with consumption patterns. The most common health effects of caffeine consumption were headaches, irregular sleep, and nausea, which were statistically related to age group, gender, and comorbid conditions. Conclusions Consumption of coffee and caffeinated beverages was relatively high among adolescents in this study. Further research on the habits of Saudi adolescent consumers, particularly across different areas of the country, is required.

Coffee intake and risk of diabetic nephropathy: a Mendelian randomization study

Rationale and objective

A causal relationship concerning coffee intake and diabetic nephropathy (DN) is controversial. We conducted a Mendelian randomization study to assess the causal nature of these associations.

Methods

40 independent single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with coffee intake were selected from the UK Biobank study. Summary-level data for diabetic nephropathy were obtained from publicly available genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and the FinnGen consortium. Inverse variance weighted (IVW), MR-Egger, and weighted median (WM) methods were used to examine a causal association. Sensitivity analyses included Cochran's Q test, the intercept of MR-Egger, MR-PRESSO, and the Outlier method. Leave-One-Out sensitivity analyses were also conducted to reduce the heterogeneity.

Results

Our current study demonstrated positive associations of genetically predicted coffee intake with diabetic nephropathy (OR=1.939; P = 0.045 and type 2 diabetes with renal complications (OR = 2.787, P= 0.047). These findings were robust across several sensitivity analyses.

Conclusions

This study found a positive correlation between coffee consumption and the risk of diabetic nephropathy using genetic data. For a more accurate and trustworthy conclusion, subgroup analysis on coffee intake, including preparing method, variety of coffee, and quantity, is required.

Association of Coffee and Tea Intake with Bone Mineral Density and Hip Fracture: A Meta-Analysis

Background and Objectives: Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mass and high bone fragility. Findings regarding the association of coffee and tea intake with osteoporosis have been inconsistent. We conducted this meta-analysis to investigate whether coffee and tea intake is associated with low bone mineral density (BMD) and high hip fracture risk. Materials and Methods: PubMed, MEDLINE, and Embase were searched for relevant studies published before 2022. Studies on the effects of coffee/tea intake on hip fracture/BMD were included in our meta-analysis, whereas those focusing on specific disease groups and those with no relevant coffee/tea intake data were excluded. We assessed mean difference (MD; for BMD) and pooled hazard ratio (HR; for hip fracture) values with 95% confidence interval (CI) values. The cohort was divided into high- and low-intake groups considering the thresholds of 1 and 2 cups/day for tea and coffee, respectively. Results: Our meta-analysis included 20 studies comprising 508,312 individuals. The pooled MD was 0.020 for coffee (95% CI, -0.003 to 0.044) and 0.039 for tea (95% CI, -0.012 to 0.09), whereas the pooled HR was 1.008 for coffee (95% CI, 0.760 to 1.337) and 0.93 for tea (95% CI, 0.84 to 1.03). Conclusions: Our meta-analysis results suggest that daily coffee or tea consumption is not associated with BMD or hip fracture risk.

Position statement on nutrition therapy for overweight and obesity: nutrition department of the Brazilian association for the study of obesity and metabolic syndrome (ABESO-2022)

Obesity is a chronic disease resulting from multifactorial causes mainly related to lifestyle (sedentary lifestyle, inadequate eating habits) and to other conditions such as genetic, hereditary, psychological, cultural, and ethnic factors. The weight loss process is slow and complex, and involves lifestyle changes with an emphasis on nutritional therapy, physical activity practice, psychological interventions, and pharmacological or surgical treatment. Because the management of obesity is a long-term process, it is essential that the nutritional treatment contributes to the maintenance of the individual's global health. The main diet-related causes associated with excess weight are the high consumption of ultraprocessed foods, which are high in fats, sugars, and have high energy density; increased portion sizes; and low intake of fruits, vegetables, and grains. In addition, some situations negatively interfere with the weight loss process, such as fad diets that involve the belief in superfoods, the use of teas and phytotherapics, or even the avoidance of certain food groups, as has currently been the case for foods that are sources of carbohydrates. Individuals with obesity are often exposed to fad diets and, on a recurring basis, adhere to proposals with promises of quick solutions, which are not supported by the scientific literature. The adoption of a dietary pattern combining foods such as grains, lean meats, low-fat dairy, fruits, and vegetables, associated with an energy deficit, is the nutritional treatment recommended by the main international guidelines. Moreover, an emphasis on behavioral aspects including motivational interviewing and the encouragement for the individual to develop skills will contribute to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Therefore, this Position Statement was prepared based on the analysis of the main randomized controlled studies and meta-analyses that tested different nutrition interventions for weight loss. Topics in the frontier of knowledge such as gut microbiota, inflammation, and nutritional genomics, as well as the processes involved in weight regain, were included in this document. This Position Statement was prepared by the Nutrition Department of the Brazilian Association for the Study of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome (ABESO), with the collaboration of dietitians from research and clinical fields with an emphasis on strategies for weight loss.

Espresso Science: Laser-Based Diamond Thin-Film Waveguide Sensors for the Quantification of Caffeine

Diamond thin-film waveguides with a nanocrystalline diamond layer of approximately 20 μm thickness were used in the mid-infrared regime in combination with quantum cascade lasers to detect the IR signature of caffeine. The diamond thin-film waveguides were fundamentally characterized with respect to their morphological properties via AFM and SEM. Theoretical simulations confirmed the feasibility of using a larger sensing area of approximately 50 mm² compared to conventionally used strip waveguides. A comprehensive and comparative analysis confirmed the performance of the diamond thin-film-waveguide-based sensing system vs data obtained via conventional attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy using a single-bounce diamond internal reflection element. Hence, the utility of innovative diamond thin-film-waveguide-based sensors coupled with quantum cascade laser light sources has been confirmed as an innovative analytical tool, which may be used in a wide range of application scenarios, ranging from environmental to medical sensing, taking advantage of the robustness and inertness of nanocrystalline diamond.

A multiway spectral analysis model to monitor the kinetic chlorination reaction of caffeine and determine its content in commercial liquid and solid drinks

A multiway data analysis model, namely parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) was proposed to decompose a three-way array of second-order kinetic UV measurements, for the chlorination reaction of caffeine with NaOCl, into a set of the spectra, time, and concentration matrices. The multiway resolution provided the simultaneous estimation of spectral, kinetic, and quantitative analysis of caffeine. The ability of the PARAFAC tool was checked by analyzing the validation samples in the presence of interferences. The added recovery and relative standard deviations for caffeine in the spiked samples were calculated as 99.1%-99.5% and 0.52%-1.34% for Iced Coffee Black liquid coffee (ICB), 99.5%-103.0% and 0.42%-1.03% for Jacobs Monarch Gold 100% Instant Coffee (JMG) and 99.5%-101.4% and 0.11%-0.13% for Çaykur Black Filter (Süzen) Bag Tea (BTB). Caffeine in commercial drinks was analyzed using the concentration matrices of the PARAFAC application. The PARAFAC results were statistically compared to those obtained by the developed UPLC method.

Salivary clearance of caffeine in children

Background

Measurement of salivary caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylpurine-2,6-dione or 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine) clearance can, in principle, be used to assess hepatic function, diagnose chronic hepatic disease and conduct investigations of substrates of hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) isozymes in children, without recourse to venepuncture. However, little is known about childhood sexual dimorphism of hepatic CYP isoforms. Furthermore, the association, if any, between salivary caffeine clearance and age in children has not hitherto been established. The aims of this study were to assess whether salivary caffeine clearance differs between boys and girls and whether it varies with age during childhood.

Methods

Following at least 24 h' abstinence from dietary caffeine, nine boys (mean (standard error) age 9.6 (1.1) y) and eight girls (mean age 11.0 (1.2) y), none of whom was a smoker or suffered from chronic hepatic disease, ingested an oral caffeine dose titrated by body mass, namely 3 mg kg-1. Salivary samples collected two and 14 h later underwent spectrophotometric caffeine analysis.

Results

The boys and the girls were age matched. The mean caffeine clearance in the boys was 2.47 (0.33) mL min-1 kg-1, while that in the girls was 2.20 (0.31) mL min-1 kg-1 (p = 0.56). The salivary caffeine clearance was negatively correlated with age (r = -0.59, p = 0.01).

Conclusion

Stratification by sex appears to be unnecessary when considering childhood salivary caffeine clearance or when conducting investigations in children of CYP1A2 and xanthine oxidase substrates. Furthermore, childhood salivary caffeine clearance is negatively correlated with age.

Trends of caffeine intake from food and beverage among Chinese adults: 2004-2018

Caffeine is a kind of psychostimulant that naturally exist in foods. The benefits and risks of caffeine depend on the dose. Moreover, the intake of caffeine from dietary sources in China has seldom been assessed. We calculated the dietary caffeine intake of Chinese adult consumers from 2004 to 2018 and analyzed its consumption trends by using data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey and the National Food and Beverage Consumption Survey. Caffeine contents in different dietary items were determined by HPLC. Monte Carlo simulations were applied to estimate caffeine intake. Mann-Kendall trend test and linear regression were used to analyze the trend of caffeine consumption. Among 79,173 individuals, 3972 (5%) of the adult Chinese population consumed caffeine between 2004 and 2018. The average caffeine intake was 123 mg/day for male consumers and 116 mg/day for female consumers. The median and P75 caffeine intake raised over the 14 years. Traditional tea leaves, coffee and sodas are the main sources of caffeine intake. Our findings indicate that most Chinese adults consumed caffeine within the safe level (400 mg/day), but the caffeine consumption has shown an increasing trend in recent 14 years.

Relationship between caffeine intake and small for gestational age and preterm birth: a dose-response meta-analysis

Our meta-analysis aimed to determine the dose-response relationship between caffeine intake and risk of small for gestational age (SGA) and preterm birth (PB). A systematic search of PubMed, Web of science and Scopus was done from inception to January 2023 using relevant keywords. All case-control and cohort studies reported in English were included if the exposure of interest was caffeine intake during pregnancy, the outcome of interest was spontaneous SGA and PB, and multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) or risk ratios were provided or could be calculated. In all, 22 studies (15 cohort studies and seven case-control studies) were included in this review. Examining the association of caffeine intake with risk of PB, no significant relationship was found (Pooled ES: 1.04; 95% CI: 0.95 to 1.14, P = 0.019). Findings from this meta-analysis demonstrated that caffeine intake had a significantly higher risk of SGA respectively (Pooled ES: 1.28; 95% CI: 1.16 to 1.41, P < 0.001). A dose-response analysis proposed that an increase of 100 mg caffeine per day was associated with a 13% greater risk of SGA. This study confirmed that caffeine intake raises the risk of SGA. However, the risk of PB was not found to be reliably associated with maternal caffeine consumption.

Secondary School Students and Caffeine: Consumption Habits, Motivations, and Experiences

Adolescents may be particularly vulnerable to the effects of caffeine due to a lack of tolerance, their small size, changing brain physiology, and increasing independence. Concerns about adolescent caffeine consumption relate to potentially serious physiological and psychological effects following consumption. Motivations driving caffeine intake are not well understood among adolescents but are important to understand to reduce harmful behavioural patterns. This study explored caffeine consumption habits (sources, amount, frequency) of New Zealand adolescents; and factors motivating caffeine consumption and avoidance. The previously validated caffeine consumption habits questionnaire (CaffCo) was completed by 216 participants (15-18 years), with most (94.9%) consuming at least one caffeinated product daily. Chocolate, coffee, tea, and kola drinks were the most consumed sources. The median caffeine intake was 68 mg·day-1. Gender (boy) and being employed influenced the source, but not the quantity of caffeine consumed. One-fifth (21.2%) of adolescents consumed more than the recommended European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) safe level (3 mg·kg-1·day-1). Taste, energy, and temperature were the main motivators for consumption, and increased energy, excitement, restlessness, and sleep disturbances were reported effects following caffeine consumption. This study provides information on caffeinated product consumption among New Zealand adolescents, some of whom consumed caffeine above the EFSA safe level. Public health initiatives directed at adolescents may be important to reduce potential caffeine-related harm.

Regulatory Effects and Molecular Mechanisms of Tea and Its Active Compounds on Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the most common chronic liver disease, is a multifactorial disease resulting from the interaction between environment, genetic background, and metabolic stress. Most treatments for NAFLD include dietary intervention and exercise show limited efficacy due to the complex mechanisms involved in NAFLD. Meanwhile, drug therapy is accompanied by serious side effects. The development of high-efficiency natural supplements is a sustainable strategy for the prevention and treatment of NAFLD. As the second most consumed beverage, tea has health benefits that have been widely recognized. Nevertheless, the intervention of tea active compounds in NAFLD has received limited attention. Tea contains abundant bioactive compounds with potential effects on NAFLD, such as catechins, flavonoids, theanine, tea pigments, and tea polysaccharides. We reviewed the intrinsic and environmental factors and pathogenic mechanisms that affect the occurrence and development of NAFLD, and summarized the influences of exercise, drugs, diet, and tea drinking on NAFLD. On this basis, we further analyzed the potential effects and molecular regulatory mechanisms of tea active compounds on NAFLD and proposed future development directions. This review hopes to provide novel insights into the development and application of tea active compounds in the prevention and treatment of NAFLD.

Tryptophan and Substance Abuse: Mechanisms and Impact

Addiction, the continuous misuse of addictive material, causes long-term dysfunction in the neurological system. It substantially affects the control strength of reward, memory, and motivation. Addictive substances (alcohol, marijuana, caffeine, heroin, methamphetamine (METH), and nicotine) are highly active central nervous stimulants. Addiction leads to severe health issues, including cardiovascular diseases, serious infections, and pulmonary/dental diseases. Drug dependence may result in unfavorable cognitive impairments that can continue during abstinence and negatively influence recovery performance. Although addiction is a critical global health challenge with numerous consequences and complications, currently, there are no efficient options for treating drug addiction, particularly METH. Currently, novel treatment approaches such as psychological contingency management, cognitive behavioral therapy, and motivational enhancement strategies are of great interest. Herein, we evaluate the devastating impacts of different addictive substances/drugs on users' mental health and the role of tryptophan in alleviating unfavorable side effects. The tryptophan metabolites in the mammalian brain and their potential to treat compulsive abuse of addictive substances are investigated by assessing the functional effects of addictive substances on tryptophan. Future perspectives on developing promising modalities to treat addiction and the role of tryptophan and its metabolites to alleviate drug dependency are discussed.

Long-Term Cola Intake Does Not Cause Evident Pathological Alterations in the Femoral Bone Microstructure: An Animal Study in Adult Mice

Short-term animal experiments and association studies in humans have shown that cola intake may have a detrimental impact on bone mineral density (BMD); however, other bone parameters have not been investigated. This study examined the effects of long-term cola consumption on the femoral bone microstructure using adult mice (n = 32) as an animal model, which were divided into water and cola groups depending on whether they received water or cola along with a standard rodent diet for 6 months. Micro-computed tomography revealed that cola intake did not significantly affect all measured parameters characterizing trabecular bone mass and microarchitecture, as well as cortical microarchitecture and geometry in both sexes, although a slight deterioration of these parameters was noted. Cola consumption also resulted in a slightly, statistically insignificant worsening of bone mechanical properties. In contrast to female mice, males receiving cola had a lower area of primary osteons' vascular canals. Nevertheless, long-term cola intake did not cause evident pathological alterations in the femur of adult mice, possibly due to a balanced diet and no restriction of physical activity. Therefore, the adverse effects of cola consumption on BMD, the only bone parameter studied so far, may be caused by other risk and lifestyle factors.

Determination of Caffeine, Theobromine, and Theophylline by HPLC-DAD in Beverages Commonly Consumed in Lima, Peru

The purpose of this study was to determine the content of caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD) in beverages commonly consumed in Lima, Peru. The samples were divided into 6 groups (herbal teas, coffee powder, chocolate milks, soft drinks, sports drinks, and energy drinks) which included the five most commonly consumed beverages of the different groups. Caffeine was mainly identified in the soft drink and energy drink groups, with the latter having a more significant value (10.38 ± 0.01 vs. 95.50 ± 3.48 mg/L, respectively). In herbal teas, caffeine showed the highest content (0.47 ± 0.01 to 4.91 ± 0.05 mg/L), despite theophylline being a characteristic compound of tea leaves. Sports drinks presented very low caffeine levels (0.03 ± 0.01 to 0.05 ± 0.01 mg/L), and theobromine (0.48 ± 0.01 to 6.00 ± 0.02) was also identified. Caffeine (4.09 ± 0.01 to 5.70 ± 0.01 mg/L) and theobromine (1.70 ± 0.01 to 12.24 ± 0.01 mg/L) were found in the five commercial brands of chocolate milk evaluated. Moreover, the group of coffee powder samples had the highest level of caffeine content (49.25 ± 0.24 to 964.40 ± 4.93 mg/100 g). The results obtained in this study provide reliable information on the composition and quantification of methylxanthines in the beverages most consumed in Lima and impact consumer knowledge.

Effect of Caffeine on Colonic Manometry in Children

OBJECTIVES

Coffee and caffeinated products have been widely consumed for many centuries. Previous adult studies have suggested that both coffee and decaffeinated beverages induce colonic motility. However, no study has been conducted in pediatrics, and the role of caffeine alone in pediatric colonic motility needs to be explored.

METHODS

A prospective study of pediatric patients undergoing standard colonic motility testing that were able to consume caffeinated coffee, decaffeinated coffee, and caffeine tablet during colonic manometry. Patients who had a gastrocolonic reflex and high amplitude propagated contractions (HAPCs) in response to intraluminal administration of bisacodyl in the colon were included in the final analyses.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight patients were recruited, 22 of which were excluded, 11 due to abnormal studies (no HAPC seen in response to intraluminal response to bisacodyl), and 11 due to inability to consume all study agents or complete the study. Sixteen patients met criteria for final analyses. Intracolonic bisacodyl produced a larger area under the curve (AUC) compared to all other agents. Caffeinated coffee resulted in a higher AUC, motility index (MI), and time to HAPC compared with decaffeinated coffee ( P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between caffeinated coffee and caffeine tablet, or caffeine tablet and decaffeinated coffee.

CONCLUSIONS

Caffeine is indeed a colonic stimulant; however, other components of caffeinated and non-caffeinated beverages likely induce colonic response and require further evaluation for possible use as a colonic stimulant.

Caffeine levels and dietary intake in smokers with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder

Caffeine is one of the most widely used psychoactive drugs in the United States. High rates of caffeine use have been observed in adult smokers as well as those with serious mental illness. The current secondary analysis aimed to extend previous findings demonstrating high caffeine intake in schizophrenia by examining dietary intake of caffeine and serum caffeine levels in outpatient smokers with schizophrenia (SCZ), bipolar disorder (BP) and control smokers with no psychiatric diagnoses (CON). Two hundred forty-eight adult smokers (SCZ=80; BP=80; CON=88) were included in the current study. Adult smokers with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and no psychiatric diagnoses were 40.85 (SD = 11.90) years old on average and all participants were current smokers (∼20 cigarettes per day). Twenty-four hour self-reported caffeine intake (in mg) was highest among individuals with bipolar disorder (median=195.3), followed by adults with schizophrenia (median=155.0) and controls (median=131.7). Participants with bipolar disorder also had the highest serum caffeine levels (in ng/ml; median=1725), followed by those with schizophrenia (median=1194) and controls (median=613.2).  These results provide additional evidence of high caffeine intake among adults with schizophrenia and extend findings by identifying even higher rates of caffeine use in those with bipolar disorder. The current study suggests that caffeine intake is higher among subgroups of patients with serious mental illness.

Assessment of caffeine consumption behavior among Jazan University students in the south of Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study

Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant. High consumption levels of caffeine can lead to intoxication and serious side effects. Saudi Arabia is witnessing a rise in the commercialization and consumption of caffeine. Young adults such as university students may exhibit high levels of caffeine consumption. This investigation aims to assess caffeine consumption habits among a sample of Jazan University students in the south of Saudi Arabia. This study was a cross-sectional investigation that utilized multistage sampling to recruit the students. Data was collected via a self-administered questionnaire that measured student demographics, their frequency of consuming caffeine-containing food, portion sizes, and patterns of consumption during different times of the day. Caffeine consumption levels were estimated based on a cutoff point of 400 mg per day. A chi-squared test was used to investigate the association between levels of caffeine consumption and measured study characteristics. A sample of 964 students was recruited with a mean age of 21.8 years. The most frequently consumed product among the recruited students was coffee (32%), followed by chocolate bars (16%) and soft drinks (12%). The median total consumed caffeine amount was 185 mg per day. 194 (20%) students of the sample exceeded the recommended level of daily caffeine consumption (>400 mg/day). Among the measured demographics, only the year of study was associated with caffeine consumption (P value of .003), suggesting that students in their earlier years of university are likely to exceed the recommended daily consumption of caffeine in comparison with those who are in their later years of study. Our investigation identified high levels of caffeine consumption among some students. The findings imply the need to enhance the awareness of students who exceed the recommended daily intake of caffeine regarding the harmful impacts of caffeine toxicity.

Intake of Food Supplements, Caffeine, Green Tea and Protein Products among Young Danish Men Training in Commercial Gyms for Increasing Muscle Mass

Sixty-three men (15-35 years of age) regularly training in Danish gyms and supplement users were interviewed about the use of supplemental protein and food supplements, intake of caffeine- and (-)-epigallocathechin-3-gallate (EGCG)-containing supplements and beverages and any experienced adverse effects. Protein powder (60%), fish oil (54%) and multivitamin/mineral supplements (41%) were the most popular products. The daily supplementary protein intake (mean 0.42 g/kg body weight, users only) in adult men contributed substantially to their protein intake and exceeded the recommended allowance (0.83 g/kg body weight) for six adult participants (14%). Thirty-eight percent of the adult men exceeded the daily caffeine intake presumed to be safe (400 mg) with coffee as the main contributor. Thirty percent drank green tea and among this percentage, two participants had an extreme daily intake (1.5 and 2 -L). EGCG intake could not be estimated from the food supplements due to the lack of label information. Eighteen participants (29%) reported having experienced adverse effects but seventeen did not consult a physician or report the adverse effect to the Danish food authority. The most common adverse effects were insomnia, shaking, headache and palpitations, itching of the skin and stinging. Pre-workout products accounted for 53% of the adverse effects. Three adverse effects came after intake of two brands of supplements known to have contained substances such as 1,3-dimethylamine or derivatives of phenylethylamines previously having caused serious adverse effects.

Association of urinary caffeine and caffeine metabolites with bone mineral density in children and adolescents

In epidemiological research, the link between coffee consumption and bone mineral density (BMD) is still debated. Moreover, there hasn't been any research on the relationship between urine caffeine and caffeine metabolites and BMD. This study aimed to investigate if there was a connection between urine caffeine and its metabolites and BMD in people between the ages of 8 and 19. Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009 to 2014, multivariate logistic regression models were utilized to investigate the association between urinary caffeine and caffeine metabolites and total BMD. Fitted smoothing curves and generalized additive models were also used. A total of 1235 adolescents were included in this analysis, after controlling for various variables, we found that the association between urinary theophylline and total BMD was negative, whereas the association between urinary paraxanthine, theobromine and caffeine and total BMD was positive. In our study, an inverted U-shaped association between urinary paraxanthine and urinary caffeine was found with BMD in women. In this cross-sectional study, the correlation between urinary caffeine and its metabolites and total BMD differed by sex and race. More studies are needed to confirm the results of this study and to investigate the underlying causes.

Risk or benefit? Side effects of caffeine supplementation in sport: a systematic review

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to systematically review evidence on the prevalence and magnitude of side effects associated with caffeine supplementation in athletes.

METHODS

Systematic searches through the PubMed, VHL, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. Peer-reviewed articles written in English that reported the prevalence/percentage or magnitude/effect size of side effects after caffeine supplementation in athletes in a sports context were included. Studies were grouped by the dose of caffeine administered as follows: low =  ≤ 3.0 mg/kg; moderate = from 3.1 to 6.0 mg/kg; high =  ≥ 6.1 mg/kg. The magnitude of the side effects was calculated with effect sizes.

RESULTS

The search retrieved 25 studies that met the inclusion/exclusion criteria with a pooled sample of 421 participants. The supplementation with caffeine produced a higher prevalence or magnitude of all side effects under investigation when compared to placebo/control situations. The prevalence (magnitude) was between 6 and 34% (ES between 0.13 and 1.11) for low doses of caffeine, between 0 and 34% (ES between -0.13 and 1.20) for moderate doses of caffeine, and between 8 and 83% (ES between 0.04 and 1.52) with high doses of caffeine. The presence of tachycardia/heart palpitations and the negative effects on sleep onset had the highest prevalence and magnitude, in athletes using supplementation with caffeine.

CONCLUSION

In summary, caffeine supplementation in the doses habitually used to enhance physical performance produces several side effects, both after exercise and at least 24 h after the ingestion. However, the prevalence and magnitude of side effects with high doses of caffeine were habitually higher than with low doses of caffeine. From a practical perspective, using ~3.0 mg/kg of caffeine may be the dose of choice to obtain the ergogenic benefits of caffeine with the lowest prevalence and magnitude of side effects.

Recent Advances in Electrochemical Sensors for Caffeine Determination

The determination of target analytes at very low concentrations is important for various fields such as the pharmaceutical industry, environmental protection, and the food industry. Caffeine, as a natural alkaloid, is widely consumed in various beverages and medicines. Apart from the beneficial effects for which it is used, caffeine also has negative effects, and for these reasons it is very important to determine its concentration in different mediums. Among numerous analytical techniques, electrochemical methods with appropriate sensors occupy a special place since they are efficient, fast, and entail relatively easy preparation and measurements. Electrochemical sensors based on carbon materials are very common in this type of research because they are cost-effective, have a wide potential range, and possess relative electrochemical inertness and electrocatalytic activity in various redox reactions. Additionally, these types of sensors could be modified to improve their analytical performances. The data available in the literature on the development and modification of electrochemical sensors for the determination of caffeine are summarized and discussed in this review.

Caffeine-loaded nano/micro-carriers: Techniques, bioavailability, and applications

Caffeine, as one of the most consumed bioactive compounds globally, has gained considerable attention during the last years. Considering the bitter taste and adverse effects of high levels of caffeine consumption, it is crucial to apply a strategy for masking the caffeine's bitter taste and facilitating its programmable deliverance within a long time. Other operational parameters such as food processing parameters, exposure to sunlight and oxygen, and gastrointestinal digestion could also degrade the phenolic compounds in general and caffeine in special. To overcome these challenges, various nano/micro-platforms have been fabricated, including lipid-based (e.g., nanoliposomal vehicles; nanoemulsions, double emulsions, Pickering emulsions; microemulsions; niosomal vehicles; solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid carriers), as well as biopolymeric (e.g., nanoparticles; hydrogels, organogels, oleogels; nanofibers and nanotubes; protein-polysaccharide nanocomplexes, conjugates; cyclodextrin inclusion complexes) and inorganic (e.g., gold and silica nanoparticles) nano/micro-structures. In this review, the findings on various caffeine-loaded nano/micro-carriers and their potential applications in functional food products/supplements will be discussed. Also, the controlled release and bioavailability of encapsulated caffeine will be given, and finally, the toxicity and safety of encapsulated caffeine will be presented.

Treatment of Lethal Caffeine Overdose with Haemodialysis: A Case Report and Review

Caffeine, chemically 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine, is the most widely consumed central nervous system stimulant in the world with pleiotropic effects on the cardiovascular, pulmonary, and renal systems. The advent of over the counter (OTC) caffeine formulations has opened the window for potential toxicity, either by inadvertent or intentional overdosing. We present the case of a patient who attempted suicide by caffeine overdose treated with emergent haemodialysis and a review of the literature.

Matrix-Specific Effects on Caffeine and Chlorogenic Acid Complexation in a Novel Extract of Whole Coffea arabica Coffee Cherry by NMR Spectroscopy

Coffee cherry is a rich source of caffeine and chlorogenic acids. In this study we investigate the structural analysis of caffeine-enriched whole coffee cherry extracts, CEWCCE by using ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The changes in ¹H chemical shift data in NMR spectra of CEWCCE compared to pure caffeine indicated the formation of complexes between caffeine and chlorogenic acids in aqueous solution. The effect of complexation on the peak position of caffeoylquinic acid and caffeine resonance with increasing addition of caffeine was investigated. 2D NOESY experiments show the presence of cross-peaks that are due to the proximity of chlorogenic acid and caffeine molecules in stable complexes in protic solvents. The quantification data of caffeine by ¹H qNMR was found to be in close agreement with the data obtained by HPLC analysis.

Caffeine consumption within British fencing athletes

The ergogenic effects of caffeine are well documented, yet despite the potential benefits of supplementation, there is a lack of understanding of caffeine habits and supplementation within fencing. British fencers (n = 136) completed a Web-based questionnaire, exploring self-reported caffeine consumption, reasons for use and education. Fencers (94.1%) habitually consumed caffeine, primarily due to the taste of the products (93.8%). Respondents ingested 183.4 ± 137.5 mg of caffeine daily, with a significant difference between age groups (p &lt; 0.05). Many respondents (30.1%) consumed caffeine 60 mins prior/during fencing training and/or competition with the main reason highlighted as cognitive performance enhancement. Respondents ingested 140.8 ± 104.6 mg of caffeine during training/competition, mainly as energy drinks, bars, and powders. Education on caffeine supplementation was low (25.7%), with significant associations between age groups (p &lt; 0.05). Evidence implies caffeine toxicity has been experienced by 35% of fencers, highlighting the need for education on caffeine consumption. To conclude there is evidence of caffeine supplementation in fencing, primarily to magnify cognitive performance. However, there is a requirement for targeted education on caffeine supplementation to fencers, so that negative side effects and potential anti-doping infringements can be avoided.

Anti-biofilm activity of caffeine against uropathogenic E. coli is mediated by curli biogenesis

Biofilms are assemblages of sessile microorganisms that form an extracellular matrix around themselves and mediate attachment to surfaces. The major component of the extracellular matrix of Uropathogenic E. coli and other Enterobacteriaceae are curli fibers, making biofilms robust and resistant to antimicrobials. It is therefore imperative to screen antibiofilm compounds that can impair biofilm formation. In the present study, we investigated the curli-dependent antibiofilm activity of caffeine against UPEC strain CFT073 and commensal strain E. coli K-12MG1655.Caffeine significantly reduced the biofilm formation of both UPEC and E. coli K-12 by 86.58% and 91.80% respectively at 48 mM caffeine as determined by Crystal Violet assay. These results were further confirmed by fluorescence microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Caffeine significantly reduced the cytotoxicity and survivability of UPEC. Molecular docking analysis revealed a strong interaction between caffeine and curli regulator protein (Csg D) of E. coli. The qRT-PCR data also showed significant downregulation in the expression of CsgBA and the CsgDEFG operon at both 24 mM and 48 mM caffeine. The findings revealed that caffeine could inhibit E. coli biofilm formation by regulating curli assembly and thus may be used as an alternative therapeutic strategy for the treatment of chronic E. coli biofilm-related infections.

Enhanced decomposition of caffeine by water plasma combined with mist generator: Effect of operational parameter and decomposition pathway

Water plasma coupled with mist generator was introduced to perform the decomposition of caffeine (CAF) wastewater. The mist-shaped water molecule was directly used for plasma-forming gas with no additional gas. The influence of arc current on the decomposition of CAF was elucidated in detail. With the increase of input power from 0.8 to 1.1 kW according to arc current, the removal efficiency of total organic carbon (TOC) and CAF increased, reaching 91.1 and 99.8% at 9.5 A, respectively. H₂, CO, CO₂, and N₂ were major effluent gaseous species, of which the H₂ generation was more than 40% for all conditions. The concentration of nitrate in the effluent liquids was the highest at 9.5 A due to a higher oxidation environment. The H, O, and OH as reactive species formed via the dissociation of water molecules were demonstrated, and the plasma temperatures were at over 5000 K. The detailed decomposition pathway was deduced based on eleven intermediate products identified in this process. Electron impact and hydroxyl radical were found to take leading roles in the decomposition of CAF.

Development of a Caffeine Content Table for Foods, Drinks, Medications and Supplements Typically Consumed by the Brazilian Population

Background: The lack of a national table informing the caffeine contents in foods, drinks, dietary supplements, and medications sold in Brazil added to the noncompulsory disclosure of caffeine contents on labels of food products makes it difficult to estimate caffeine consumption in the Brazilian population. Therefore, this study aimed to develop the Brazilian Caffeine Content Table (BraCaffT). Methods: A systematic search for caffeine levels in foods, drinks, recipes, supplements, and medications was performed through a literature review, afterward collecting data from the United States Department of Agriculture Food Data Central, information from manufacturers’ and websites, and the Brazilian official medication guide. Subsequently, data systematization was performed in a spreadsheet with standardized values presented in mg of caffeine per 100 g or 100 mL of food or drink and a capsule or pill for medications and some dietary supplements. Results: The BraCaffT presents 57 items, divided into 11 categories: coffees, teas and infusions, cocoa powder, chocolates, cocoa-based beverages, desserts, soft drinks, energy drinks, guaraná powder, dietary supplements, and medications. Conclusions: The BraCaffT emerges as an instrument of great relevance and wide applicability in clinical contexts, in academic research, and as a database for the Brazilian population to better understand the amounts of caffeine in foods, drinks, dietary supplements, and medications consumed daily favoring a safe intake.

Caffeine. A critical review of contemporary scientific literature

Caffeine is a secondary metabolite extensively studied for its stimulatory properties and presumed association with specific pathologies. This alkaloid is typically consumed through coffee, tea, and other plant products but is also an additive in many medications and confectionaries. Nonetheless, despite its worldwide consumption and acceptance, there is controversial evidence as to whether its effects on the central nervous system should be interpreted as stimulatory or as an addiction in which typical withdrawal effects are canceled out with its daily consumption. The following discussion is the product of an extensive review of current scientific literature, which aims to describe the most salient topics associated with caffeine's purpose in nature, biosynthesis, metabolism, physiological effects, toxicity, extraction, industrial use and current plant breeding approaches for the development of new caffeine deficient varieties as a more economical option to the industrially decaffeinated coffees currently available to caffeine intolerant consumers. Keywords: biosynthesis, decaffeination, extraction, metabolism, physiological effects, plant breeding.

Association between Dietary Patterns and Physical Fitness among Chinese Children and Adolescents in Shaanxi Province

Background: This study aims to investigate the associations between dietary patterns (breakfast, egg, dairy products, and sugared beverage intake frequencies) and physical fitness among Chinese children and adolescents in Shaanxi Province. METHODS: Data were extracted from the Chinese National Survey on Students’ Constitution and Health (CNSSCH). The study ultimately included 7305 participants (48.4% male, 51.6% female) aged 6–22 in Shaanxi Province, China. Multiple linear regression was used to examine the association of the frequency of breakfast, egg, dairy product, and sugared beverage intakes with physical fitness. RESULTS: The frequency of breakfast, egg, and dairy product intakes were all independently and positively associated with the level of physical fitness. The frequency of sugared beverage intake was negatively associated with the level of physical fitness. CONCLUSION: Healthier dietary patterns (i.e., higher breakfast, egg, and dairy product intakes and lower sugared beverage intake) were associated with greater physical fitness. Specifically, maintaining a healthy dietary pattern of breakfast, egg, and dairy product intakes can positively affect the strength and endurance performance of children and adolescents. Increased dairy product intake plays a crucial part in boosting the physical fitness total scores of children and adolescents.

Subchronic toxicological evaluation of EnXtra™ (standardised extract of Alpinia galanga rhizome) in rats

OBJECTIVES

Alpinia galanga is a commonly used ingredient in Asian food and traditional medicine. But an extract of the rhizome had never been used commercially in food supplements and functional foods. There is some evidence of safety and tolerability in humans for a proprietary A. galanga rhizome extract (EnXtra™) and it is Generally Recognised as Safe (GRAS) in the US already. However, this botanical ingredient has not been evaluated for its subchronic toxicity in rats to confirm its safety in wider food applications.

METHODS

Sprague Dawley rats were orally administered the test item for 90 days by following OECD (Test Guideline: 408), with a recovery period of 28 days. Cumulative effects and No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) were estimated. EnXtra™ was administered orally at 0, 1,000, 2,000 and 3,000 mg kg^-1 body weight (b. wt.) with additional vehicle and high dose recovery groups. Observations included clinical signs, haematology, clinical chemistry, gross pathology and histopathology.

RESULTS

On terminal sacrifice, no treatment-related adverse effects were observed viz., clinical signs, mortality, body weight changes and feed consumption parameters. Haematology, clinical biochemistry and thyroid hormone levels were within the normal range. Further, no treatment-related gross and microscopic pathological lesions were observed across the treatment groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the results of the toxicological evaluation, NOAEL of A. galanga rhizome extract (AGRE) was fixed at 3,000 mg kg^-1 b. wt. per day and ADI of 1800 mg day^-1 in the case of humans.

Pharmacologic Management of Excessive Daytime Sleepiness

Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is defined as "irresistible sleepiness in a situation when an individual would be expected to be awake, and alert." EDS has been a big concern not only from a medical but also from a public health point of view. Patients with EDS have the possibility of falling asleep even when they should wake up and concentrate, for example, when they drive, play sports, or walk outside. In this article, clinical characteristics of common hypersomnia and pharmacologic treatments of each hypersomnia are described.

Distribution and ecological risks of pharmaceuticals and personal care products with different anthropogenic stresses in a coastal watershed of China

The occurrences of pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) in both freshwater and sea have been widely reported. However, pollution control requires further information on riverine discharges with influence of land-based activities and associated risks to estuarine ecosystems. This study investigated the spatial occurrences and the relationship to sociodemographic parameters of 30 PPCPs in 67 rivers along the Bohai coastal region. The results showed that PPCPs were mainly deposited in aquatic phase, and the partitioning coefficient between water and sediment was highly determined by chemical properties. The levels of 30 PPCPs in rivers ranged from 8.33 to 894.48 ng/L, showing a large variance among regions. Caffeine, sulfamethoxazole, sulfamethazine, ofloxacin, anhydro-erythromycin, and trimethoprim were found to be the major pollutants. Multivariable analysis method was used to assess the correlation of PPCPs markers to socio-economic parameters. The results indicated that domestic emissions contributed most to the occurrences of PPCPs in the riverine water. Risk assessment result indicated that sulfamethoxazole, caffeine, tetracycline, and carbamazepine ranked top four with the highest risks to the most sensitive aquatic organisms. The results identified caffeine and carbamazepine with high detection frequency and concentration as the priority chemicals, while sulfamethoxazole and erythromycin should also be concerned due to their potential threats in specific rivers. This study provides valuable information for pollution control over PPCPs riverine discharges in estuarine regions.

Listening to 15 Hz Binaural Beats Enhances the Connectivity of Functional Brain Networks in the Mental Fatigue State—An EEG Study

Introduction: It is clear that mental fatigue can have many negative impacts on individuals, such as impairing cognitive function or affecting performance. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of sound interventions in combating mental fatigue. Method: The subjects were assessed on various scales, a psychomotor vigilance task (PVT) task, and a 3 min resting-state electroencephalogram (EEG), followed by a 20 min mental fatigue–inducing task (Time Load Dual Back, TloadDback), during which subjects in different condition groups listened to either 15 Hz binaural beats, 40 Hz binaural beats, relaxing music, or a 240 Hz pure tone. After the mental fatigue–inducing task, subjects were again assessed on various scales, a PVT task, and a 3 min resting-state EEG. Results: After the fatigue-inducing task, there was no significant difference between the four groups on the scales or the PVT task performance. In TloadDback, the accuracy rate of the 40 Hz binaural beats group and the relaxing music group decreased in the middle stage of the task, while the 15 Hz binaural beats group and the 240 Hz pure tone group remained unchanged in all stages of the task. The EEG results showed that after fatigue inducement, the average path length of the 15 Hz binaural beats group decreased, and local efficiency showed an increasing tendency, indicating enhanced brain network connectivity. Meanwhile, the 240 Hz pure tone group showed enhanced functional connectivity, suggesting a state of mental fatigue in the group. Conclusions: The results of this study show that listening to 15 Hz binaural beats is a proven intervention for mental fatigue that can contribute to maintaining working memory function, enhancing brain topological structure, and alleviating the decline in brain function that occurs in a mentally fatigued state. As such, these results are of great scientific and practical value.

Are Non-animal Systemic Safety Assessments Protective? A Toolbox and Workflow

An important question in toxicological risk assessment is whether non-animal new approach methodologies (NAMs) can be used to make safety decisions that are protective of human health, without being overly conservative. In this work, we propose a core NAM toolbox and workflow for conducting systemic safety assessments for adult consumers. We also present an approach for evaluating how protective and useful the toolbox and workflow are by benchmarking against historical safety decisions. The toolbox includes physiologically based kinetic (PBK) models to estimate systemic Cmax levels in humans, and 3 bioactivity platforms, comprising high-throughput transcriptomics, a cell stress panel, and in vitro pharmacological profiling, from which points of departure are estimated. A Bayesian model was developed to quantify the uncertainty in the Cmax estimates depending on how the PBK models were parameterized. The feasibility of the evaluation approach was tested using 24 exposure scenarios from 10 chemicals, some of which would be considered high risk from a consumer goods perspective (eg, drugs that are systemically bioactive) and some low risk (eg, existing food or cosmetic ingredients). Using novel protectiveness and utility metrics, it was shown that up to 69% (9/13) of the low risk scenarios could be identified as such using the toolbox, whilst being protective against all (5/5) the high-risk ones. The results demonstrated how robust safety decisions could be made without using animal data. This work will enable a full evaluation to assess how protective and useful the toolbox and workflow are across a broader range of chemical-exposure scenarios.

Beyond thirst: Cravings for non-alcoholic beverages including soft drink

Cravings for a range of substances including drugs, alcohol, and food have been shown to predict subsequent consumption or use. However, this link has not yet been systematically examined for beverages other than alcohol. The present study aimed to provide a comprehensive investigation of cravings for non-alcoholic beverages and their link to consumption. Participants were 128 undergraduate students (17-25 years) who completed a craving diary and daily consumption measure over a period of a week. Cravings were reported for a range of beverages, including tea, juice, and flavoured milk, but by far the most craved beverages were water, coffee, and soft drink. Stronger cravings were associated with a greater likelihood of drinking and drinking more of the craved beverage. This was particularly the case for soft drink. Unlike water, cravings for coffee and soft drink were triggered by factors other than thirst, and the number of cravings predicted the total amount drunk over the week. The findings demonstrate the existence of cravings for non-alcoholic beverages such as soft drink, and point to these cravings as a potential target for reducing consumption.

Effect of Coffee on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Immortalized Human Oral Keratinocytes

Periodontitis is a common inflammatory disease that is strongly influenced by dietary habits. Coffee is one of the most common dietary components; however, current research on the relationship between coffee consumption and periodontitis, as well as its underlying mechanisms, is limited. Based on a previous report, caffeine (CA) and chlorogenic acid (CGA) were formulated into artificial coffee (AC) for this experiment. Cell viability, prostaglandin E2 release, Western blotting, cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) translocation analyses were performed to explore the effects of AC on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced immortalized human oral keratinocytes (IHOKs) and elucidate their underlying mechanisms. AC pretreatment attenuated LPS-induced inflammatory mediator release, ROS production, and nuclear factor kappa B translocation in IHOKs. CA and CGA promoted AMP-activated protein kinase phosphorylation and down-regulated the nuclear factor-κB pathways to exert anti-inflammatory effects. Additionally, CGA promoted Nrf2 translocation and heme oxygenase-1 expression and showed anti-oxidative effects. Furthermore, AC, CA, and CGA components showed synergistic effects. Thus, we predict that coffee consumption may be beneficial for alleviating periodontitis. Moreover, the main coffee components CA and CGA seem to play a synergistic role in periodontitis.

The Counteractive Effect of Self-Regulation-Based Interventions on Prior Mental Exertion: A Systematic Review of Randomised Controlled Trials

BACKGROUND

Many investigations have been performed on the effects of mental exertion that consumes self-regulatory resources and then affects physical and/or cognitive performance later on. However, the effect of manipulating self-regulation and interventions to attenuate this negative effect remains unclear. Moreover, there is continuous controversy regarding the resource model of self-regulation.

OBJECTIVE

We conducted a systematic review to assess the literature on manipulating self-regulation based on four ingredients (standard, monitoring, strength, and motivation) in order to counter mental exertion and improve physical and/or cognitive performance. The results provide more insight into the resource model.

METHOD

A thorough search was conducted to extract the relevant literature from several databases, as well as Google Scholar, and the sources from the references were included as grey literature. A self-regulation intervention compared to a control condition, a physical and/or cognitive task, and a randomised controlled trial were selected.

RESULT

A total of 39 publications were included. Regarding the four components of self-regulation, the interventions could mainly be divided into the following: (i) standard: implementation intervention; (ii) monitoring: biofeedback and time monitoring; (iii) strength: repeated exercise, mindfulness, nature exposure, and recovery strategies; (iv) motivation: autonomy-supportive and monetary incentives. The majority of the interventions led to significant improvement in subsequent self-regulatory performance. In addition, the resource model of self-regulation and attention-restoration theory were the most frequently used theories and supported relevant interventions.

CONCLUSION

In line with the resource model, manipulating the four components of self-regulation can effectively attenuate the negative influence of mental exertion. The conservation proposed in the strength model of self-regulation was supported in the current findings to explain the role of motivation in the self-regulation process. Future studies can focus on attention as the centre of the metaphorical resource in the model.

Participatory Assessment and Selection of Workforce Health Intervention Priorities for Correctional Supervisors

OBJECTIVE

A team of academics and unionized correctional supervisors collaborated to assess workforce health and determine intervention priorities using participatory methods and tools.

METHODS

Correctional supervisors took a web-based survey. Univariate and bivariate tests examined attitudes/behaviors, exposures, and outcomes most strongly associated with health; risk based on rank within chain-of-command; and health behaviors amenable to change. We used a voting process tool to prioritize intervention topics.

RESULTS

Some health behaviors and outcomes were poor (89% overweight/ obese, 41% poor-quality sleep). We also found favorable health behaviors (annual check-ups) and psychosocial conditions (meaningful work). Some health risks (excessive overtime) were not amenable to change or resisted acknowledgment (poor mental health). The team voted to develop interventions on sleep, mental health, and obesity.

CONCLUSIONS

Comprehensive health assessment informed the prioritization process, enabling the team to quickly reach consensus on intervention priorities.

Black coffee mitigates diethyl phthalate disrupted folliculogenesis, reduced gonadotropins, and ovarian lesions in female albino mice

Phthalates are multifunctional compounds with extensive applications and emerging environmental pollutants. Due to their ubiquity in the environment and unavoidable exposure to humans, concerns have been voiced about public health dangers. This study was aimed to explore the diethyl phthalate (DEP) toxicity and the potential protective effect of black coffee in female Swiss albino mice. Four-week-old mice, weighing 12 ± 1 g were segregated into five groups (n = 10), designated as G-I (without any treatment), G-II (treated with corn oil), G-III (exposed to 1.5 mg/g body wt. (B.W.) DEP), G-IV (received 2 μg/g B.W coffee), and G-V (co-administrated with 1.5 mg/g DEP and 2 μg/g B.W coffee). Before dose administration, the coffee extract was assessed for its antioxidant potential through FRAP, TPC, and GC-MS analyses. Respective phthalates/coffee doses were administrated orally, once a day for 8 weeks consecutively starting from the prepubescent stage. After 56 days, mice were acclimated for 4 days then dissected. Morphological assessments showed an irregular shape of the ovaries in DEP-treated mice as compared to the control. The average bodyweight of DEP-intoxicated mice (p ≤ 0.05) increased notably against control, while DEP plus coffee group showed a regular gain in the average weight of mice. The gonado-somatic index showed non-significant variations among all groups. Micrometric studies showed that the diameter of secondary follicles (115 µm) in the ovaries of DEP-exposed mice (p ≤ 0.001) decreased significantly as compared to control (204 µm); conversely, follicular diameter in the coffee control group (248) increased significantly. Serum FSH and LH levels were significantly increased in DEP-exposed mice with a noteworthy decrease in estrogen level while hormonal levels of all other groups were comparable to control. Histological sections of DEP-exposed mice ovaries showed anatomical disruptions contrary to other groups, which were comparable with control. Antioxidant potential was checked in ovaries homogenates; FRAP values showed a notable decrease in DEP group in comparison with the control group, in contrast to G-V, when DEP was co-administrated with coffee. This study concluded that black coffee has protective effect, against DEP-instigated reproductive toxicity in Swiss albino female mice.

Relationship of Daily Coffee Intake with Vascular Function in Patients with Hypertension

We evaluated the relationship of daily coffee intake with endothelial function assessed by flow-mediated vasodilation and vascular smooth muscle function assessed by nitroglycerine-induced vasodilation in patients with hypertension. A total of 462 patients with hypertension were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. First, we divided the subjects into two groups based on information on daily coffee intake: no coffee group and coffee group. The median coffee intake was two cups per day in the coffee group. There were significant differences in both flow-mediated vasodilation (2.6 ± 2.8% in the no coffee group vs. 3.3 ± 2.9% in the coffee group, p = 0.04) and nitroglycerine-induced vasodilation (9.6 ± 5.5% in the no coffee group vs. 11.3 ± 5.4% in the coffee group, p = 0.02) between the two groups. After adjustment for confounding factors, the odds ratio for endothelial dysfunction (OR: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.32–0.95) and the odds ratio for vascular smooth muscle dysfunction (OR: 0.50, 95% CI: 0.28–0.89) were significantly lower in the coffee group than in the no coffee group. Next, we assessed the relationship of the amount of daily coffee intake with vascular function. Cubic spline curves revealed that patients with hypertension who drank half a cup to 2.5 cups of coffee per day had lower odds ratios for endothelial dysfunction assessed by flow-mediated vasodilation and vascular smooth muscle dysfunction assessed by nitroglycerine-induced vasodilation. Appropriate daily coffee intake might have beneficial effects on endothelial function and vascular smooth muscle function in patients with hypertension.

Time-resolved quantitative phosphoproteomics reveals cellular responses induced by caffeine and coumarin

Protein phosphorylation is a critical way that cells respond to external signals and environmental stresses. However, the patterns of cellular response to chemicals at different times were largely unknown. Here, we used quantitative phosphoproteomics to analyze the cellular response of kinases and signaling pathways, as well as pattern change of phosphorylated substrates in HepG2 cells that were exposed to caffeine and coumarin for 10 min and 24 h. Comparing the 10 min and 24 h groups, 33 kinases were co-responded and 32 signaling pathways were co-enriched in caffeine treated samples, while 48 kinases and 34 signaling pathways were co-identified in coumarin treated samples. Instead, the percentage of co-identified phosphorylated substrates only accounted for 4.31% and 9.57% between 10 min and 24 h in caffeine and coumarin treated samples, respectively. The results showed that specific chemical exposure led to a bunch of the same kinases and signaling pathways changed in HepG2 cells, while the phosphorylated substrates were different. In addition, it was found that insulin signaling pathway was significantly enriched by both the caffeine and coumarin treatment. The pattern changes in phosphorylation of protein substrates, kinases and signaling pathways with varied chemicals and different time course shed light on the potential mechanism of cellular responses to endless chemical stimulation.