The Gut Microbiome Regulates the Psychomotor Effects and Context-Dependent Rewarding Responses to Cocaine in Germ-Free and Antibiotic-Treated Animal Models.

Cocaine use disorder remains a major global health concern, with growing evidence that the gut microbiome modulates drug-related behaviors. This study examines the microbiome's role in cocaine-induced psychomotor activation and context-dependent reward responses using germ-free (GF) and antibiotic-treated (ABX) models. In GF mice, the absence of a microbiome blunted cocaine-induced psychomotor activation ( = 0.

Social vulnerability index associated with higher COVID-19 seroprevalence in Nigeria.

Social vulnerability has been shown to be a strong predictor of disparities in health outcomes. A common approach to estimating social vulnerability is using a composite index, such as the social vulnerability index (SVI), which combines multiple factors corresponding to key social determinants of health. Lawal and Osayomi created an SVI to explore key social determinants of health-related COVID-19 infection among the Nigerian population.

The Impact of Telehealth on Buprenorphine Prescribing at a Large Federally Qualified Health Center during COVID-19.

Objectives: This study aims to explore the impact of telehealth on buprenorphine prescribing and retention in care for patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) seen at a large federally qualified health center (FQHC) the year prior to and following the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of patients with OUD and at least one medical visit to the FQHC between March 1, 2019, and February 28, 2021. This study utilized March 1, 2020, to delineate the beginning of COVID as the FQHC widely instituted telehealth during the month in response to the pandemic.

Contributions of the gut microbiota to Gulf War Illness susceptibility: Findings from a mouse model.

Aims: In light of the evidence supporting a significant role of the gut microbiome in Gulf War Illness (GWI) pathology, we sought to examine its contribution to GWI susceptibility in a mouse model. We also aimed to identify bacterial taxa and microbially-derived metabolites associated with disease susceptibility.

Main Methods: Male mice receiving pyridostigmine bromide (PB) orally, and controls were evaluated for symptoms of GWI at 8 weeks post-treatment.