Recently, online education has been gaining prominence in university life. Our survey aimed to examine sleep quality and perceived stress levels among students at the University of Pécs Faculty of Health Sciences. A cross-sectional, quantitative, descriptive survey was conducted between February and March 2023. The online survey included the Hungarian versions of the internationally validated Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Statistical analysis involved descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Mann–Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis tests (p < 0.05). We analyzed 304 responses, and females dominated (n = 270; 88.8%). Students in a relationship had significantly higher AIS scores (t = −2.470; p = 0.014). Medium average (2.50–3.49) students and those who rarely/never exercise showed significantly higher AIS and PSS (p ≤ 0.05). Students on the phone/watching a series during online education, daily laptop/TV use for more than 2 h, and pre-sleep use of smart devices for more than 60 min also negatively affected AIS and PSS scores (p ≤ 0.05). Nursing, physiotherapy, and radiography students were the most affected regarding insomnia and perceived stress (p ≤ 0.05). Our survey shows that excessive smart device use and lack of exercise are associated with higher stress levels and poorer sleep quality.

Background: Chronotype is a determinant of tolerance to shift work; however, its physiological and psychological correlates remain insufficiently explored in healthcare workers. This study investigated associations between chronotype, perceived stress, sleep quality, and health behaviours in a large cohort of shift-working nurses and physicians. Additionally, diurnal salivary cortisol patterns were characterised in a physiological subsample. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 451 participants (77% female; mean age 42 ± 11 years) completing validated instruments, including the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), Patient Health Questionnaire Somatic Symptom Scale (PHQ-15), and reduced Morningness–Eveningness Questionnaire (rMEQ). In addition, a prospective pilot substudy was performed in a physiological subsample of nurses (n = 40), in which salivary cortisol was measured at three time points during both day and night shifts. Results: Evening chronotype exhibited a higher prevalence of insomnia (70%) and elevated AIS scores (8.2 ± 4.2, p < 0.001). In the physiological subsample, evening types demonstrated a significantly attenuated cortisol awakening response (6.5 ± 5.1 nmol/L, p = 0.02) and a flatter diurnal cortisol slope during day shifts (p = 0.01). Logistic regression indicated that increased age, somatic symptom burden, and perceived stress were significant risk factors for insomnia, whereas morningness was protective (OR = 0.89, p = 0.003). Conclusions: Evening chronotype among healthcare professionals is associated with altered hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis regulation and impaired sleep quality. These findings highlight the potential utility of chronotype-based scheduling and behavioural interventions targeting circadian misalignment to improve occupational health outcomes in shift-working populations.

Aloe species are widespread and diverse in African ecosystems, and this commonly correlates to their habitual use as reservoirs of herbal medicine. The side effects associated with chemotherapy and the development of antimicrobial resistance to empirically used antimicrobial drugs are substantial, paving the way for novel phytotherapeutic approaches. This comprehensive study aimed to evaluate and present Aloe secundiflora (A. secundiflora) as a compelling alternative with potential benefits in colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment. Important databases were systematically searched for relevant literature, and out of a large collection of 6421 titles and abstracts, only 68 full-text articles met the inclusion criteria. A. secundiflora possesses an abundant presence of bioactive phytoconstituents in the leaves and roots, including anthraquinones, naphthoquinones, phenols, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, and flavonoids, among others. These metabolites have proven diverse efficacy in inhibiting cancer growth. The presence of innumerable biomolecules in A. secundiflora signifies the beneficial effects of incorporating the plant as a potential anti-CRC agent. Nonetheless, we recommend further research to determine the optimal concentrations necessary to elicit beneficial effects in the management of CRC. Furthermore, they should be investigated as potential raw ingredients for making conventional medications.

Background and Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic placed substantial mental and physical burdens on healthcare workers, particularly nurses. In the post-pandemic period, sustained stress, elevated mental workload and disturbed sleep may continue to affect well-being and job performance. This study aimed to assess perceived stress levels, occupational stress, and sleep quality among Hungarian nurses, while identifying key demographic, occupational, and behavioral predictors. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, quantitative study was conducted from April to July 2022 among nurses employed in Hungarian general hospitals (N = 418). Data were collected via an online self-administered questionnaire. Stress and sleep quality were measured using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14), Expanded Nursing Stress Scale (ENSS), and Groningen Sleep Quality Scale (GSQS). Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, ANOVA, post hoc tests, t-tests, and Pearson’s correlation (p < 0.05). Results: The mean PSS-14 score was 27.82 (SD = 7.82), indicating moderate stress. Sleep quality was poor (mean GSQS = 7.29, SD = 4.28), with significant positive correlation with perceived stress (r = 0.442, p < 0.001). Low income, lower education, and high coffee or alcohol consumption, and multiple night shifts were significantly associated with higher stress and poorer sleep quality. Occupational stress and mental workload, as measured by ENSS, was highest in internal medicine (mean = 122.16, SD = 37.09; p = 0.033). The most burdensome ENSS subscale was “workload” (mean = 2.30, SD = 0.92), with “not enough staff to adequately cover the unit” identified as the most stressful item. Additional cognitive and emotional workload components included dealing with violent patients and a lack of emotional preparedness in supporting families. Conclusions: Post-COVID nurses in Hungary experience moderate stress and impaired sleep. Excessive workload, emotional demands, and shift patterns significantly contribute to psychological and cognitive strain. Institutional and policy-level interventions are needed to reduce occupational stress and promote workforce resilience.

Background: The accelerated lifestyle of modern society has increased reliance on processed foods preserved with synthetic additives. Although these substances effectively extend shelf life, several studies have raised concerns about potential adverse effects, suggesting that excessive or long-term exposure may interfere with essential cellular processes, including apoptosis. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the impact of three widely used synthetic food preservatives; sodium benzoate (SB), potassium sorbate (PS), and sodium metabisulfite (SMB) on apoptosis-related gene expression in the human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2). Methods: HepG2 cells were exposed to five increasing concentrations (6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 mg/L) of SB, PS, or SMB for 24 and 48 h. The transcriptional changes of key apoptotic genes (CASP3, CASP8, BAX, and BCL2) were quantified by real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) to evaluate their potential effects on intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways. Results: SB and PS induced dose-dependent transcriptional changes in apoptosis-related genes. Both preservatives upregulated BAX and downregulated BCL2, indicating an intrinsic pathway response, while simultaneously decreasing CASP3 and CASP8 expression associated with the extrinsic pathway. In contrast, SMB did not cause significant gene expression changes. Conclusions: SB and PS induced concentration- and time-dependent transcriptional alterations in apoptosis-related genes in HepG2 cells. In contrast, SMB did not elicit significant gene expression changes under the same conditions. These gene-level modulations were most evident at higher concentrations, which exceed typical dietary exposure levels. Therefore, while SB and PS were associated with transcriptional alterations at higher, experimentally relevant concentrations, additional research using primary human hepatocytes is needed to determine whether similar patterns occur in normal liver cells under physiological exposure conditions.

Colon tumors have a very complicated and poorly understood pathogenesis. Plant-based organic compounds might provide a novel source for cancer treatment with a sufficient novel mode of action. The objective of this study was to analyze and evaluate the efficacy of Aloe secundiflora’s (AS) methanolic extracts on the expression of CASPS9, 5-LOX, Bcl2, Bcl-xL, and COX-2 in colorectal cancer (CRC) management. Caco-2 cell lines were used in the experimental study. In the serial exhaustive extraction (SEE) method, methanol was utilized as the extraction solvent. Upon treatment of CASPS9 with the methanolic extracts, the expression of the genes was progressively upregulated, thus, dose-dependently increasing the rate of apoptosis. On the other hand, the expressions of 5-LOX, Bcl2, and Bcl-xL were variably downregulated in a dose-dependent manner. This is a unique novel study that evaluated the effects of AS methanolic extracts in vitro on CRC cell lines using different dosage concentrations. We, therefore, recommend the utilization of AS and the application of methanol as the extraction solvent of choice for maximum modulatory benefits in CRC management. In addition, we suggest research on the specific metabolites in AS involved in the modulatory pathways that suppress the development of CRC and potential metastases.