Distinct Behavioral Profiles and Neuronal Correlates of Heroin Vulnerability Versus Resiliency in a Multi-Symptomatic Model of Heroin Use Disorder in Rats.

Objective: The behavioral and diagnostic heterogeneity within the opioid use disorder (OUD) diagnosis is not readily captured in current animal models, limiting the translational relevance of the mechanistic research that is conducted in experimental animals. The authors hypothesized that a nonlinear clustering of OUD-like behavioral traits would capture population heterogeneity and yield subpopulations of OUD vulnerable rats with distinct behavioral and neurocircuit profiles.

Methods: Over 900 male and female heterogeneous stock rats, a line capturing genetic and behavioral heterogeneity present in humans, were assessed for several measures of heroin use and rewarded and non-rewarded seeking behaviors.

Structural basis for ring-opening fluorescence by the RhoBAST RNA aptamer.

Tagging RNAs with fluorogenic aptamers has enabled imaging of transcripts in living cells, thereby revealing novel aspects of RNA metabolism and dynamics. While a diverse set of fluorogenic aptamers has been developed, a new generation of aptamers are beginning to exploit the ring-opening of spirocyclic rhodamine dyes to achieve robust performance in live mammalian cells. These fluorophores have two chemical states: a colorless, cell-permeable spirocyclic state and a fluorescent zwitterionic state.

A review of Kilovoltage (kV) Radiotherapy Treatment in the UK: Quality Control, Radiation Dosimetry, Treatment Equipment and Workload.

Objectives: To survey kilovoltage (kV) radiotherapy in the UK, updating a 2016 study, focussing on radiotherapy physics, including equipment quality control (QC) and radiation dosimetry, with information on installed equipment and clinical activity.

Methods: All UK radiotherapy physics departments (n = 68) were invited to complete a comprehensive survey. An analysis of the installed equipment base, patient numbers, clinical activity, QC testing and radiation dosimetry processes were undertaken.

Protein supplementation delivered alone or in combination with presumptive azithromycin treatment for enteric pathogens did not improve linear growth in Bangladeshi infants: results of a cluster-randomized controlled trial.

Background: Protein requirements established for healthy populations may be insufficient to support healthy growth in infants consuming largely cereal-based complementary foods and frequently exposed to enteric pathogens.

Objective: To assess independent and combined effects of protein supplementation and antibiotic treatment on linear growth of infants from 6-12 months of age.

Design: We conducted a 2 x 4 factorial cluster-randomized trial in northwestern Bangladesh, allocating 566 clusters to masked azithromycin (10 mg·kg * 3 d) or placebo at 6 and 9 months of age, and unmasked delivery of an egg white protein-rich blended food supplement (250 kcal; 10 g added protein), a rice-based isocaloric supplement, egg, or nutrition education from 6-12 months.

Food Policy Councils and Healthy Food Access Policies: A 2021 National Survey of Community Policy Supports.

Introduction: Food policy councils (FPCs) are frequently used to facilitate change in food systems at the local, state, and regional levels, or in tribal nations. The objective of this study was to describe the prevalence of food policy councils and similar coalitions among US municipalities and their associations with healthy food access policies.

Methods: We used data from the 2021 National Survey of Community-Based Policy and Environmental Supports for Healthy Eating and Active Living, administered to municipal officials from May through September 2021.