Size and Topography of the Brain's Functional Networks with Psychotic Experiences, Schizophrenia, and Bipolar Disorder.

Background: Existing functional connectivity studies of psychosis use population-averaged functional network maps, despite highly variable topographies of these networks across the brain surface. We aimed to define the functional network areas and topographies in the general population and the changes associated with psychotic experiences (PEs) and disorders.

Methods: Maps of 8 functional networks were generated using an individual-specific template-matching procedure for each participant from the Human Connectome Project Young Adult cohort ( = 1003) and from a matched case cohort (schizophrenia [SCZ],  = 27; bipolar disorder,  = 35) scanned identically with the same Connectom scanner.

Improving Affinity while Reducing Kidney Uptake of CXCR4-Targeting Radioligands Derived from the Endogenous Antagonist EPI-X4.

The C-X-C chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) is highly upregulated in most cancers, making it an ideal target for delivering radiation therapy to tumors. We previously demonstrated the feasibility of targeting CXCR4 in vivo using a radiolabeled derivative of EPI-X4, an endogenous CXCR4 antagonist, named DOTA-K-JM#173. However, this derivative showed undesirable accumulation in the kidneys, which would limit its clinical use.

Association of Menopause With Functional Outcomes and Disease Biomarkers in Women With Multiple Sclerosis.

Background And Objective: The impact of menopause on the brain is not well understood. Hormonal changes, including puberty and pregnancy, influence the onset and course of multiple sclerosis (MS). After menopause, a worsening of MS disease trajectory measured on the clinician-rated Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) was reported in some, but not all, studies.

Disentangling the unique contributions of age, pubertal stage, and pubertal hormones to brain structure in childhood and adolescence.

Puberty and associated changes in pubertal hormones influence structural brain development. Hormones such as dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and progesterone remain understudied, and it remains unclear how these aspects of puberty contribute uniquely to structural brain development. We used the Human Connectome Project in Development cross-sectional sample of 1304 youth (aged 5-21 years) to investigate unique contributions of sex, age, pubertal stage, DHEA, testosterone, estradiol, and progesterone to cortical thickness, surface area, and subcortical volume development within functionally-relevant networks.

Activation of the general stress response sigma factor SigB prevents competence development in .

Unlabelled: Seemingly simple bacteria mount intricate adaptive responses when exposed to physical stress or nutrient limitation, and the activation of these responses is governed by complex signal transduction networks. Upon entry into the stationary growth phase, the soil bacterium may develop natural competence, form biofilms or stress-resistant cells, or ultimately trigger a cellular differentiation program leading to spore formation. Master regulators, such as Spo0A, ComK, SinR, and SigB, constantly monitor the bacterium's environment and then determine appropriate adaptive responses.