Cannabidiol abrogates cue-induced anxiety associated with normalization of mitochondria-specific transcripts and linoleic acid in the nucleus accumbens shell.

Anxiety disorders are one of the top contributors to psychiatric burden worldwide. Recent years have seen a dramatic rise in the potential anxiolytic properties ascribed to cannabidiol (CBD), a non-intoxicating constituent of the Cannabis Sativa plant. This has led to several clinical trials underway to examine the therapeutic potential of CBD for anxiety disorders.

Machine learning analysis of the orbitofrontal cortex transcriptome of human opioid users identifies Shisa7 as a translational target relevant for heroin-seeking leveraging a male rat model.

Background: Identifying neurobiological targets predictive of the molecular neuropathophysiological signature of human opioid use disorder (OUD) could expedite new treatments. OUD is characterized by dysregulated cognition and goal-directed behavior mediated by the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), and next-generation sequencing could provide insights regarding novel targets.

Methods: Here, we used machine learning to evaluate human post-mortem OFC RNA-sequencing datasets from heroin-users and controls to identify transcripts predictive of heroin use.

and deformed wing virus interaction increases incidence of winter mortality in honey bee colonies.

Winter mortality of honey bee colonies represents a major source of economic loss for the beekeeping industry. The objectives of this prospective study were to estimate the incidence risk of winter colony mortality in southwestern Quebec, Canada and to evaluate and quantify the impact of the associated risk factors. A total of 242 colonies from 31 apiaries was selected for sampling in August 2017.

The Developmental Trajectory to Cannabis Use Disorder.

The increase of cannabis use, particularly with the evolution of high potency products, and of cannabis use disorder (CUD) are a growing healthcare concern. While the harms of adult use and potential medicinal properties of cannabis continue to be debated, it is becoming evident that adolescent cannabis use is a critical window for CUD risk with potential lifelong mental health implications. Herein, we discuss mental health consequences of adolescent cannabis use, factors that contribute to the risk of developing CUD, and what remains unclear in the changing legal landscape of cannabis use.

Prevalence of pathogens in honey bee colonies and association with clinical signs in southwestern Quebec, Canada.

Honey bees can be affected by a variety of pathogens, which impacts their vital role as pollinators in agriculture. A cross-sectional study was conducted in southwestern Quebec to: i) estimate the prevalence of 11 bee pathogens; ii) assess the agreement between beekeeper suspicion of a disease and laboratory detection of the causative pathogen; and iii) explore the association between observed clinical signs and pathogen detection in a colony. A total of 242 colonies in 31 apiaries owned by 15 beekeepers was sampled in August 2017.