A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of a Nutraceutical Supplement With Standardized Botanicals in Males With Thinning Hair.

Background: Hair thinning in men is a prevalent issue for which treatment oftentimes consists of a multi-modal approach. Targeting key root causes of hair thinning, such as hormones, stress, and metabolism through vitamins, minerals, and botanicals, has been shown to be effective in improving hair growth and quality in women. This approach could also be effective in improving hair growth and quality in men with thinning hair.

The association of prenatal volatile organic compounds exposure and newborn anthropometrics: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Several studies have associated prenatal exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with adverse health outcomes among newborns. However, little is known about the associations of VOCs at relatively low concentrations with newborn outcomes. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the potential associations between prenatal exposure to VOCs and VOC mixtures with newborn anthropometric measures.

A Prospective, Multi-Center Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of a Vegan Nutraceutical to Improve Hair Growth and Quality in Females Following a Plant-Based Diet.

Hair thinning affects upwards of 50% of women by age 50, impacting their social-emotional wellbeing. It is a condition now thought to be driven by a multi-factorial etiology, including diet and nutrition. Women following vegan, vegetarian, or other plant-based diets have specific needs for nutrients traditionally sourced from animals, which could affect hair health.

Effects of Medical Cannabis Treatment for Autistic Children on Anxiety and Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors and Interests: An Open-Label Study.

The literature supports the benefits of medical cannabis for core and comorbid symptoms in autistic individuals and anxiety-related symptoms in individuals without autism. However, no study has specifically investigated how cannabidiol (CBD)-rich cannabis affects anxiety subtypes in autistic children or its relationship with restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests (RRBI). Understanding the effects of CBD-rich cannabis treatment on anxiety subtypes and RRBI could offer more precise treatment approaches to managing anxiety symptoms and reducing RRBI frequency in autistic children.

Association between prenatal phthalate exposure and ano-genital indices among offsprings in an Israeli cohort.

Background: In-utero phthalate exposure was shown to be associated with shortened anogenital distance (AGD) in male newborns, but findings among female are inconsistent. While phthalate exposure among pregnant women in Israel is widespread, no study has examined the association with offspring AGD. The objective of the current study was to investigate the association between maternal phthalates urinary concentration and offspring AGD at time of delivery among a birth cohort in Israel.

Amphetamine use for attention deficit hyperactive disorder during breastfeeding and children's neurodevelopmental outcomes: A pilot study.

Attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) medication use rises among women of childbearing age and during pregnancy. Little is known on the safety of amphetamine stimulants for ADHD treatment during breastfeeding. Most data on the safety of these medications are from recreational abuse of methamphetamine.

Dual network structure of the AV node.

Biological systems, particularly the brain, are frequently analyzed as networks, conveying mechanistic insights into their function and pathophysiology. This is the first study of a functional network of cardiac tissue. We use calcium imaging to obtain two functional networks in a subsidiary but essential pacemaker of the heart, the atrioventricular node (AVN).

Use of GLP1 receptor agonists in early pregnancy and reproductive safety: a multicentre, observational, prospective cohort study based on the databases of six Teratology Information Services.

Objectives: Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP1-RA) are indicated for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and more recently for weight loss. The aim of this study was to assess the risks associated with GLP1-RA exposure during early pregnancy.

Design: This multicentre, observational prospective cohort study compared pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to GLP1-RA in early pregnancy either for diabetes or obesity treatment with those in two reference groups: (1) women with diabetes exposed to at least one non-GLP1-RA antidiabetic drug during the first trimester and (2) a reference group of overweight/obese women without diabetes, between 2009 and 2022.

A Novel Systems-Wide Approach in Addressing Acne with a Multi-Targeting Nutraceutical.

Acne vulgaris (AV) is one of the top concerns dermatologists encounter from women. Until now, therapies addressing AV have largely centered around, and have been successful at, targeting the pathophysiological mechanisms that occur at the pilosebaceous unit: sebum hypersecretion, follicular keratinization, over-proliferation of Cutibacterium acnes, and a localized immune response. In addition to these, there is good evidence to suggest that other systemic drivers of a generalized inflammatory response may contribute to the development or exacerbation of acne and that addressing these underlying factors may open more opportunities for developing effective treatments.

New Insights Into Systemic Drivers of Inflammation and Their Contributions to the Pathophysiology of Acne.

Acne Vulgaris (AV) is a prominent skin disease commonly affecting teenagers. It often persists into adulthood and is associated with adverse physical and psychosocial impacts. The pathophysiology of AV is conventionally correlated with 4 factors within and around the pilosebaceous unit: increased sebum production, follicular hyperkeratinization, Cutibacterium acnes proliferation, and localized immune responses.

Prophylactic antibiotics in septoplasty with intranasal septal splints: A comparative analysis.

Objectives: Postoperative antibiotic therapy is a common practice following septoplasty with intra-septal splints placement (ISS), even though there is a lack of evidence to support it. We sought to investigate the role of antibiotic therapy in septal surgeries with the placement of ISS.

Design: A retrospective comparative study was conducted using the electronic charts of adult patients who underwent septoplasty with the placement of ISS with or without turbinate reduction.

The Relations between Repetitive Behaviors and Family Accommodation among Children with Autism: A Mixed-Methods Study.

Restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests (RRBI) are a significant component in diagnosing autism spectrum disorder (ASD). They often pose the main challenge in day-to-day functions for children with ASD and their families. Research addressing family accommodation behaviors (FAB) in the ASD population is scarce, and associations with the characteristics of the children's behaviors are unclear.

MXene-Nanoflakes-Enabled All-Optical Nonlinear Activation Function for On-Chip Photonic Deep Neural Networks.

2D metal carbides and nitrides (MXene) are promising material platforms for on-chip neural networks owing to their nonlinear saturable absorption effect. The localized surface plasmon resonances in metallic MXene nanoflakes may play an important role in enhancing the electromagnetic absorption; however, their contribution is not determined due to the lack of a precise understanding of its localized surface plasmon behavior. Here, a saturable absorber made of MXene thin film and a silicon waveguide with MXene flakes overlayer are developed to perform neuromorphic tasks.

Prenatal exposure to heavy metal mixtures and anthropometric birth outcomes: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Numerous studies have suggested significant associations between prenatal exposure to heavy metals and newborn anthropometric measures. However, little is known about the effect of various heavy metal mixtures at relatively low concentrations. Hence, this study aimed to investigate associations between prenatal exposures to a wide range of individual heavy metals and heavy metal mixtures with anthropometric measures of newborns.

Medical cannabis for the treatment of comorbid symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorder: An interim analysis of biochemical safety.

Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder and no effective treatment for the core symptoms is currently available. The present study is part of a larger clinical trial assessing the effects of cannabis oil on autism co-morbidities. The aim of the present study was to assess the safety of a CBD-rich oil treatment in children and adolescents with ASD.

Children and adolescents with ASD treated with CBD-rich cannabis exhibit significant improvements particularly in social symptoms: an open label study.

In recent years there has been growing interest in the potential benefits of CBD-rich cannabis treatment for children with ASD. Several open label studies and one double-blind placebo-controlled study have reported that CBD-rich cannabis is safe and potentially effective in reducing disruptive behaviors and improving social communication. However, previous studies have mostly based their conclusions on parental reports without the use of standardized clinical assessments.

Home-Based Audiometry With a Smartphone App: Reliable Results?

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the test-retest reliability of a smartphone-based hearing test, performed without supervision of a hearing professional in an uncontrolled environment.

Method: The hearing application is based on an automated hearing test (DuoTone) and relies on verification procedures (ambient noise monitoring algorithm, graphical user interface) to ensure appropriate measurement conditions. Thresholds obtained with DuoTone were compared to those obtained with standard clinical audiometry for 0.

On-chip beam rotators, adiabatic mode converters, and waveplates through low-loss waveguides with variable cross-sections.

Photonics integrated circuitry would benefit considerably from the ability to arbitrarily control waveguide cross-sections with high precision and low loss, in order to provide more degrees of freedom in manipulating propagating light. Here, we report a new method for femtosecond laser writing of optical-fiber-compatible glass waveguides, namely spherical phase-induced multicore waveguide (SPIM-WG), which addresses this challenging task with three-dimensional on-chip light control. Fabricating in the heating regime with high scanning speed, precise deformation of cross-sections is still achievable along the waveguide, with shapes and sizes finely controllable of high resolution in both horizontal and vertical transversal directions.

A Canadian survey of patients' attitudes toward donation of products of conception for research at the time of their aspiration abortion.

Objective: We explored patients' attitudes toward donating products of conception for research at the time of their aspiration abortion.

Study Design: We surveyed patients presenting for first or second trimester aspiration abortion to the abortion service at British Columbia Women's Hospital over a 6-month period in 2018. Questions explored demographics, attitudes toward tissue donation, willingness to donate products of conception for research, and how the option of donating tissue influenced patients' perception of their abortion.

Maternal Exposure to Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Asthma, Allergic Rhinitis and Atopic Dermatitis in the Offspring: The Environmental Health Fund Birth Cohort.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent organic pollutants banned for use worldwide. Due to their biodegradation resistance, they accumulate along the food chain and in the environment. Maternal exposure to PCBs may affect the fetus and the infant.

The Cardiac Na -Ca Exchanger: From Structure to Function.

Ca homeostasis is essential for cell function and survival. As such, the cytosolic Ca concentration is tightly controlled by a wide number of specialized Ca handling proteins. One among them is the Na -Ca exchanger (NCX), a ubiquitous plasma membrane transporter that exploits the electrochemical gradient of Na to drive Ca out of the cell, against its concentration gradient.

Acute Genetic Ablation of Cardiac Sodium/Calcium Exchange in Adult Mice: Implications for Cardiomyocyte Calcium Regulation, Cardioprotection, and Arrhythmia.

Background Sodium-calcium (Ca) exchanger isoform 1 (NCX1) is the dominant Ca efflux mechanism in cardiomyocytes and is critical to maintaining Ca homeostasis during excitation-contraction coupling. NCX1 activity has been implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases, but a lack of specific NCX1 blockers complicates experimental interpretation. Our aim was to develop a tamoxifen-inducible NCX1 knockout (KO) mouse to investigate compensatory adaptations of acute ablation of NCX1 on excitation-contraction coupling and intracellular Ca regulation, and to examine whether acute KO of NCX1 confers resistance to triggered arrhythmia and ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Safety of Endoscopic Sinus Surgery in the Elderly-Are Octogenarian Patients at a Higher Risk?

Background: Surgeons are often faced with concerns regarding the risks versus benefits of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) in elderly patients.

Objective: To analyze the risk for complications of ESS in the elderly (age ≥70 years) compared to younger patients, with emphasis on octogenarians.

Methods: Retrospective review of medical charts of adult patients who underwent ESS at a tertiary referral center during the years 2014 to 2018.

Neuromorphic Analog Implementation of Neural Engineering Framework-Inspired Spiking Neuron for High-Dimensional Representation.

Brain-inspired hardware designs realize neural principles in electronics to provide high-performing, energy-efficient frameworks for artificial intelligence. The Neural Engineering Framework (NEF) brings forth a theoretical framework for representing high-dimensional mathematical constructs with spiking neurons to implement functional large-scale neural networks. Here, we present OZ, a programable analog implementation of NEF-inspired spiking neurons.