The influence of high-fat diet on nicotine vapor self-administration, neuronal excitability, and leptin levels in adult mice.

With the rise in fast-food culture and the continued high numbers of tobacco-related deaths, there has been a great deal of interest in understanding the relationship between high-fat diet (HFD) and nicotine use behaviors. Using adult mice and a patch-clamp electrophysiology assay, we investigated the influence of HFD on the excitability of ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine neurons and pyramidal neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) given their role in modulating the reinforcing effects of nicotine and natural rewards. We then examined whether HFD-induced changes in peripheral markers were associated with nicotine use behaviors.

Non-linear enhancement of ultrafast X-ray diffraction through transient resonances.

Diffraction-before-destruction imaging with ultrashort X-ray pulses can visualize non-equilibrium processes, such as chemical reactions, with sub-femtosecond precision in the native environment. Here, a nanospecimen diffracts a single X-ray flash before it disintegrates. The sample structure can be reconstructed from the coherent diffraction image (CDI).

Identifying public health competencies for Australian pharmacists: A modified Delphi study.

Objective: This study aimed to define a set of competencies for public health-related services and activities for pharmacists in Australia.

Methods: A modified Delphi technique of two rounds was used to gain consensus by public health and pharmacy professionals on a set of public health competency statements for Australian pharmacists.

Results: Delphi panellists agreed on the inclusion of 27 competency statements organised into three domains of health promotion and illness prevention, health protection and population health quality improvement.