Cannulation Configuration and its Effects on Bridging to Lung Transplant: Analysis of the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Registry.

Background: Donor stagnation and modification of lung allocation scores has resulted in a higher acuity of patient presentation prior to lung transplantation. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been utilized as a bridge to lung transplant (BTT) although the effect of cannulation strategy on outcomes has not been well investigated. We sought to analyze contemporary data on ECMO BTT utilizing a large, international registry of patients.

The therapeutic potential of low-intensity focused ultrasound for treating substance use disorder.

Substance use disorder (SUD) is a persistent public health issue that necessitates the exploration of novel therapeutic interventions. Low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) is a promising modality for precise and invasive modulation of brain activity, capable of redefining the landscape of SUD treatment. The review overviews effective LIFU neuromodulatory parameters and molecular mechanisms, focusing on the modulation of reward pathways in key brain regions in animal and human models.

Sex Differences in the Development of an Opioid Addiction-Like Phenotype: A Focus on the Telescoping Effect.

Background: Women develop addiction and drug-related health consequences after fewer years of drug use than men; this accelerated time course, or telescoping effect, has been observed clinically for multiple drugs, including opioids. Preclinical studies indicate that this is a biologically based phenomenon; however, these studies have focused exclusively on cocaine, and none have considered health effects.

Methods: In this study, we used a rat (Sprague Dawley) model to determine sex differences in the time course for the development of an opioid addiction-like phenotype, as defined by the development of physical dependence (withdrawal-induced weight loss) and an increase in motivation for fentanyl (under a progressive-ratio schedule).

Validation studies and multi-omics analysis of Zhx2 as a candidate quantitative trait gene underlying brain oxycodone metabolite (oxymorphone) levels and behavior.

Sensitivity to the subjective reinforcing properties of opioids has a genetic component and can predict addiction liability of opioid compounds. We previously identified as a candidate gene underlying increased brain concentration of the oxycodone () metabolite oxymorphone () in BALB/cJ () versus BALB/cByJ () females that could increase OXY state-dependent reward. A large structural intronic variant is associated with a robust reduction of Zhx2 expression in J mice, which we hypothesized enhances OMOR levels and OXY addiction-like behaviors.

Exercise-stimulated Resolvin Biosynthesis in Adipose Tissue is Abrogated by High Fat Diet-induced Adrenergic Deficiency.

Objective: Diet-induced white adipose tissue inflammation is associated with insulin resistance and metabolic perturbations. Conversely, exercise (Exe) protects against the development of chronic inflammation and insulin resistance independent of changes in weight; however, the mechanisms remain largely unknown. We have recently shown that, through adrenergic stimulation of macrophages, exercise promotes resolution of acute peritoneal inflammation by enhancing the biosynthesis of specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators (SPMs).

The ultrasonic vocalization (USV) syllable profile during neonatal opioid withdrawal and a kappa opioid receptor component to increased USV emissions in female mice.

Rationale: Opioid use during pregnancy can lead to negative infant health outcomes, including neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS). NOWS comprises gastrointestinal, autonomic nervous system, and neurological dysfunction that manifest during spontaneous withdrawal. Variability in NOWS severity necessitates a more individualized treatment approach.

Focused Ultrasound Modulates Dopamine in a Mesolimbic Reward Circuit.

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays a significant role in reward and motivation. Dysfunction in the mesolimbic dopamine pathway has been linked to a variety of psychiatric disorders, including addiction. Low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) has demonstrated effects on brain activity, but how LIFU affects dopamine neurotransmission is not known.

Impact of SMAASH-C, a novel nutritional supplement, on drug-seeking and toxicity in female and male rats.

Relapse to drug use after abstinence is a major challenge in treating substance use disorder. Exposure to drug-associated cues during abstinence can trigger intense craving and precipitate relapse. New and more effective anti-relapse interventions are critically needed, particularly for cocaine use disorder since no effective pharmacological intervention is available.

Vitamin B deficiency presenting as neck pain and cervical radiculopathy.

Vitamin B is required for the formation of haematopoietic cells and the synthesis of myelin. Deficiency typically presents with fatigue and megaloblastic anaemia. Prolonged deficiency can cause neurological symptoms such as paresthesia, which can progress to subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord.

Rural Women Have a Prolonged Recovery Process after Esophagectomy.

Background: Gender and geographic access to care play a large role in health disparities in esophageal cancer care. The aim of our study was to evaluate disparities in peri-operative outcomes for patients undergoing esophagectomy based on gender and geographic location.

Methods: A retrospective cohort of prospectively collected data from patients who underwent esophagectomy from 2003 to 2022 was identified and analyzed based on gender and county, which were aggregated into existing state-level "metropolitan" versus "rural" designations.

Comparison of N···I and N···O Halogen Bonds in Organoiodine Cocrystals of Heterocyclic Aromatic Diazine Mono--oxides.

A series of cocrystals of halogen bond donors 1,4-diiodotetrafluorobenzene (-FDIB) and tetraiodoethylene (TIE) with five aromatic heterocyclic diazine mono--oxides based on pyrazine, tetramethylpyrazine, quinoxaline, phenazine, and pyrimidine as halogen bonding acceptors were studied. Structural analysis of the mono--oxides allows comparison of the competitive occurrence of N···I vs O···I interactions and the relative strength and directionality of these two types of interactions. Of the aromatic heterocyclic diazine mono--oxide organoiodine cocrystals examined, six exhibited 1:1 stoichiometry, forming chains that utilized both N···I and O···I interactions.

Ex vivo lung perfusion in donation after circulatory death: A post hoc analysis of the Normothermic Ex Vivo Lung Perfusion as an Assessment of Extended/Marginal Donors Lungs trial.

Objective: Donation after circulatory death (DCD) donors offer the ability to expand the lung donor pool and ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) further contributes to this ability by allowing for additional evaluation and resuscitation of these extended criteria donors. We sought to determine the outcomes of recipients receiving organs from DCD EVLP donors in a multicenter setting.

Methods: This was an unplanned post hoc analysis of a multicenter, prospective, nonrandomized trial that took place during 2011 to 2017 with 3 years of follow-up.

Impact of cryoablation on operative outcomes in thoracotomy patients.

Objectives: Cryoablation is increasingly being utilized as an alternative to epidurals for patients undergoing thoracotomies. Current evidence suggests cryoablation may decrease postoperative analgesia utilization, but could increase operative times. We hypothesized that the adoption of intraoperative cryoablation to manage post-thoracotomy pain would result in reduced length of stay and reduced perioperative analgesia compared to routine epidural use.

Factors affecting timing of surgery following neoadjuvant chemoradiation for esophageal cancer.

Background: Neoadjuvant chemoradiation with esophagectomy is standard management for locally advanced esophageal cancer. Studies have shown that surgical timing following chemoradiation is important for minimizing postoperative complications, however in practice timing is often variable and delayed. Although postoperative impact of surgical timing has been studied, less is known about factors associated with delays.

Strong Evidence for ^{9}N and the Limits of Existence of Atomic Nuclei.

The boundaries of the chart of nuclides contain exotic isotopes that possess extreme proton-to-neutron asymmetries. Here we report on strong evidence of ^{9}N, one of the most exotic proton-rich isotopes where more than one half of its constitute nucleons are unbound. With seven protons and two neutrons, this extremely proton-rich system would represent the first-known example of a ground-state five-proton emitter.

Transcriptional Profile of Exercise-Induced Protection Against Relapse to Cocaine Seeking in a Rat Model.

Background: Exercise has shown promise as a treatment for cocaine use disorder; however, the mechanism underlying its efficacy has remained elusive.

Methods: We used a rat model of relapse (cue-induced reinstatement) and exercise (wheel running, 2 hours/day) coupled with RNA sequencing to establish transcriptional profiles associated with the protective effects of exercise (during early withdrawal [days 1-7] or throughout withdrawal [days 1-14]) versus noneffective exercise (during late withdrawal [days 8-14]) against cocaine-seeking and sedentary conditions.

Results: As expected, cue-induced cocaine seeking was highest in the sedentary and late-withdrawal exercise groups; both groups also showed upregulation of a -associated transcript and enrichment of Drd1-Nmdar1 complex and glutamate receptor complex terms.

Epidemiology of Postoperative Complications After Esophagectomy: Implications for Management.

Background: Despite advances in operative techniques and postoperative care, esophagectomy remains a morbid operation. Leveraging complication epidemiology and the correlation of these complications may improve rescue and refine early recovery pathways.

Methods: This study retrospectively reviewed all esophagectomies performed at a tertiary academic center from 2014 to 2021 and quantified the timing of the most common complications.

Role of nucleus accumbens dopamine 2 receptors in motivating cocaine use in male and female rats prior to and following the development of an addiction-like phenotype.

A hallmark of cocaine use disorder (CUD) is dysfunction of dopamine signaling in the mesolimbic pathway, including impaired dopamine 2 (D2) receptor signaling. One of the most replicated findings in human imagining studies is decreased striatal D2 receptor binding in individuals with a substance use disorder relative to healthy controls; however, the vast majority of the data is from males, and findings in smokers suggest this molecular shift may not translate to females. The goal of this study was to determine whether there are sex differences in the role of D2 receptors in motivating cocaine use prior to and following the development of an addiction-like phenotype (defined by an enhanced motivation for cocaine relative to the short-access, ShA, group).

Role of Hormones in Substance Use Disorders.

Addictive drugs, such as cocaine and heroin, have well-documented actions on behavior. The mechanisms that these drugs employ have been under investigation for decades although the investigation of how gonadal and pituitary hormones impact these mechanisms is a relatively new focus. Here we have assembled a group of primary-literature papers solicited from many of the leading addiction laboratories in the world.

Survival From Revision Surgery for New Rigicon Infla10 Three-piece Inflatable Penile Prosthesis Is Comparable to Preceding Devices.

Objective: To report the incidence of the reoperation surgeries of nearly all the Rigicon Infla10 implants performed since device introduction in 1/2019. Inflatable penile prosthesis has some of the highest survival from revision surgery of any medical device implanted in humans [1]. We expand on previous Rigicon Infla10 research, adding more patients and increasing follow-up duration [2].

Quantitative assessment of gastric ischemic preconditioning on conduit perfusion in esophagectomy: propensity score weighting study.

Background: Gastric ischemic preconditioning prior to esophagectomy has been studied as a method to improve gastric conduit perfusion and reduce anastomotic complications, without conclusive results. The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and safety of gastric ischemic preconditioning in terms of post-operative outcomes and quantitative gastric conduit perfusion.

Methods: Patients who underwent an esophagectomy with gastric conduit reconstruction between January 2015 and October 2022 at a single high-volume academic center were reviewed.

Sex Chromosome Complement and Estradiol Modify Cocaine Self-Administration Behaviors in Male Mice.

Introduction: Women are more vulnerable to cocaine's reinforcing effects and have a more rapid course to addiction after initial cocaine use as compared to men. Studies in rodents similarly indicate an enhanced sensitivity to the reinforcing effects of cocaine in females versus males. Levels of estradiol (E2) are correlated with vulnerability to the rewarding actions of cocaine.