Kratom Consumption - The Tales of Three Patients.

The rising prevalence of kratom use in the United States has led to increased encounters with individuals who consume kratom and those who develop Kratom Use Disorder (KUD) among healthcare professionals. This case series highlights the need for diverse treatment approaches tailored to the individual motivations for kratom consumption. Three cases are presented: one involving the progression from kratom use for energy to opioid-driven use with subsequent challenges in detoxification and transition to naltrexone necessitating buprenorphine low-dose induction for maintenance; another detailing successful inpatient detoxification using methadone and symptom-driven clonidine, followed by successful maintenance treatment with naltrexone; and a final case involving kratom consumption for pain and anxiety self-management by an individual without a history of addictive disorders, without meeting KUD criteria.

Tackling Food Waste: An Exploratory Case Study on Consumer Behavior in Romania.

Unlabelled: The scourge of food waste (FW) is a significant global challenge, impacting climate change, food security, and the sustainability of agrifood systems. The objective of this paper is to identify, analyze, and understand the factors influencing household consumer behaviors in Romania regarding the reduction of FW. Three primary research objectives were established to assess food consumption behaviors within households, to explore attitudes toward FW, and to understand the motivations for reducing FW along with the measures implemented by households to address this issue.

Impact of Treatment with Direct Antivirals on Coagulation Parameters in Patients with Hepatitis C Virus-Related Liver Cirrhosis and Sustained Virological Response.

: Sustained virologic responses (SVRs) lead to a decrease in portal hypertension, the regression of fibrosis, and the improvement in the hepatic synthesis of procoagulant and anticoagulant factors. We aimed to assess the influence of SVR on coagulation parameters in cirrhotic patients with HCV treated with DAAs. : We performed a prospective study in the Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Iasi, Romania, between January 2022 and February 2024.