Glioma-induced alterations in excitatory neurons are reversed by mTOR inhibition.

Gliomas are aggressive neoplasms that diffusely infiltrate the brain and cause neurological symptoms, including cognitive deficits and seizures. Increased mTOR signaling has been implicated in glioma-induced neuronal hyperexcitability, but the molecular and functional consequences have not been identified. Here, we show three types of changes in tumor-associated neurons: (1) downregulation of transcripts encoding excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic proteins and dendritic spine development and upregulation of cytoskeletal transcripts via neuron-specific profiling of ribosome-bound mRNA, (2) marked decreases in dendritic spine density via light and electron microscopy, and (3) progressive functional alterations leading to neuronal hyperexcitability via in vivo calcium imaging.

Feasibility, safety and tolerability of estrogen and/or probiotics for improving vaginal health in Canadian African, Caribbean, and Black women: A pilot phase 1 clinical trial.

Background: A dysbiotic vaginal microbiome (VMB) is associated with clinical conditions such as bacterial vaginosis (BV) and an increased risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection. Considering the high prevalence of BV among African, Caribbean and Black (ACB) women, we conducted a prospective, randomized, open-label phase 1 clinical trial to determine the feasibility, safety and tolerability of administering low-dose estrogen, probiotics or both in combination to improve vaginal health and decrease HIV-1 susceptibility.

Methods: ACB women aged 18-49 from the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) were randomized to one of four study arms: intravaginal estradiol (Estring©; 7.

Economic impact of reduced postoperative visits after inflatable penile prosthesis implantation.

This study assessed the economic impact of reducing one postoperative visit following inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) implantation. Scenario analyses were used to model the effects of eliminating one 30-min IPP postoperative visit from the expected 2.5 visits accounted for by the American Medical Association resource-based relative value scale data.

Peripheral blood immune cells from individuals with Parkinson's disease or inflammatory bowel disease share deficits in iron storage and transport that are modulated by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a multisystem disorder in which dysregulated neuroimmune crosstalk and inflammatory relay via the gut-blood-brain axis have been implicated in PD pathogenesis. Although alterations in circulating inflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been associated with PD, no biomarkers have been identified that predict clinical progression or disease outcome. Gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction, which involves perturbation of the underlying immune system, is an early and often-overlooked symptom that affects up to 80 % of individuals living with PD.

Spinal cord stimulation for the treatment of complex regional pain syndrome: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) is a widely recognized treatment for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), particularly in cases where traditional methods are ineffective. This paper systematically reviews randomized controlled trials to analyze the efficacy of SCS, as well as Dorsal Root Ganglion (DRG) Stimulation in treating CRPS, focusing on its long-term effectiveness.

Methods: This systematic review focused exclusively on randomized controlled trials to assess a primary outcome of improvement in pain symptoms in patients diagnosed with CRPS.