Wireless optogenetic stimulation on the prelimbic to the nucleus accumbens core circuit attenuates cocaine-induced behavioral sensitization.

Behavioral sensitization is defined as the heightened and persistent behavioral response to repeated drug exposure as a manifestation of drug craving. Psychomotor stimulants such as cocaine can induce strong behavioral sensitization. In this study, we explored the effects of optogenetic stimulation of the prelimbic (PL) to the nucleus accumbnes (NAc) core on the expression of cocaine-induced behavioral sensitization.

Mini-access ascending aorto-bifemoral bypass surgery for the treatment of aortic steno-occlusive disease.

Objectives: Mid-aortic syndrome is a rare condition characterized by severe aortic narrowing, leading to high upper body blood pressure and organ hypoperfusion, necessitating surgical intervention. Although central bypassing is considered ideal, it involves extensive incisions. To overcome these limitations, less-invasive approaches have been developed.

DNA origami vaccine (DoriVac) nanoparticles improve both humoral and cellular immune responses to infectious diseases.

Current SARS-CoV-2 vaccines have demonstrated robust induction of neutralizing antibodies and CD4 T cell activation, however CD8 responses are variable, and the duration of immunity and protection against variants are limited. Here we repurposed our DNA origami vaccine platform, DoriVac, for targeting infectious viruses, namely SARS-CoV-2, HIV, and Ebola. The DNA origami nanoparticle, conjugated with infectious-disease-specific HR2 peptides, which act as highly conserved antigens, and CpG adjuvant at precise nanoscale spacing, induced neutralizing antibodies, Th1 CD4 T cells, and CD8 T cells in naïve mice, with significant improvement over a bolus control.

Australian medical radiation practitioners perspectives of continuing professional development: An online cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Continuing professional development (CPD) is mandatory for registered Australian medical radiation practitioners (MRPs) to maintain competence in their respective scopes of practice. The aim of this study was to explore MRPs attitudes, opinions and satisfaction towards CPD activities offered by the Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy (ASMIRT).

Methods: An online cross-sectional survey was emailed to 6398 ASMIRT members and included questions on: demographics, ASMIRT CPD activities, learning mode preferences, barriers and perceptions of CPD outcomes.

Professional certification for radiation therapists-adapting to a new language in MRI.

Adoption and adaptation of new technology into a clinical environment requires a considered approach. The provision of appropriate education, training and credentialling of radiation therapists in the scope of magnetic resonance is of vital importance. Certification by the professional body is one mechanism to recognise this knowledge.

Risk factors for residual popliteal cyst after arthroscopic decompression and cystectomy: Associated with degenerative cartilage lesions.

Background: In previous studies, good results have been reported after arthroscopic treatment of popliteal cysts and concomitant intra-articular pathology. However, only a few studies have reported the associated factors with residual popliteal cysts. The aim of this study was to examine the clinical and radiographic outcomes and investigate the factors associated with the recurrence of popliteal cyst after arthroscopic cyst decompression and cyst wall resection.

Perspectives on an exhausted medical radiation practitioner workforce: emotional labour and the impact of compassion fatigue.

As the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia reaches its peak, medical radiation practitioners (MRPs) are at capacity both physically and emotionally. High workloads and stress impact the mental wellbeing of MRPs, with suppression of feelings and emotions resulting in experiences of compassion fatigue. From a MRP workforce perspective, the long-term cost of the pandemic has yet to be realised.

Lentiviral vector induces high-quality memory T cells via dendritic cells transduction.

We report a lentiviral vector harboring the human β2-microglobulin promoter, with predominant expression in immune cells and minimal proximal enhancers to improve vector safety. This lentiviral vector efficiently transduces major dendritic cell subsets in vivo. With a mycobacterial immunogen, we observed distinct functional signatures and memory phenotype in lentiviral vector- or Adenovirus type 5 (Ad5)-immunized mice, despite comparable antigen-specific CD8 T cell magnitudes.

Soft subdermal implant capable of wireless battery charging and programmable controls for applications in optogenetics.

Optogenetics is a powerful technique that allows target-specific spatiotemporal manipulation of neuronal activity for dissection of neural circuits and therapeutic interventions. Recent advances in wireless optogenetics technologies have enabled investigation of brain circuits in more natural conditions by releasing animals from tethered optical fibers. However, current wireless implants, which are largely based on battery-powered or battery-free designs, still limit the full potential of in vivo optogenetics in freely moving animals by requiring intermittent battery replacement or a special, bulky wireless power transfer system for continuous device operation, respectively.

Risk Factors Associated with Difficult Reversal of Heparin by Protamine Sulfate in Cardiopulmonary Bypass: An Ignored Issue.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate risk factors associated with difficult heparin reversal by protamine after cardiopulmonary bypass.

Methods: Data from 120 consecutive patients who underwent open heart surgery from 2009 to 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into 2 groups: (1) those in whom complete heparin reversal was achieved after a single infusion of protamine (group A, n=89); and (2) those who required more protamine for heparin reversal (group B, n=31).

Effects of using different roughages in the total mixed ration inoculated with or without coculture of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bacillus subtilis on in vitro rumen fermentation and microbial population.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the effects of different roughages in total mixed ration (TMR) inoculated with or without coculture of Lactobacillus acidophilus (L. acidophilus) and Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) on in vitro rumen fermentation and microbial population.

Provision of a consistent national approach to radiation therapy workforce protection measures in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Healthcare workers are at the frontline managing COVID-19 patients with transmission of the COVID-19 virus to healthcare workers evident in many Australian states. Minimisation of this spread is vital to protecting the healthcare workforce with individual organisations detailing best practice for infection and control. However, interpretation and implementation of infection control guidelines is varied across Australian Radiation Therapy Departments, highlighting inconsistencies.

Cardiac Autotransplantation with Concurrent Pneumonectomy for Complete Resection of Primary Cardiac Intimal Sarcoma.

Primary cardiac sarcoma is rare, and intimal sarcoma is an extremely rare and highly lethal disease. We report a case of a 62-year-old woman who was incidentally diagnosed with a primary cardiac sarcoma originating from the left atrial appendage and extending to the left superior pulmonary vein. The location of the tumor was very complicated, posing a major challenge for complete resection.

A Single Dose of NILV-Based Vaccine Provides Rapid and Durable Protection against Zika Virus.

Zika virus, a member of the Flaviviridae family, is primarily transmitted by infected Aedes species mosquitoes. In 2016, Zika infection emerged as a global health emergency for its explosive spread and the remarkable neurological defects in the developing fetus. Development of a safe and effective Zika vaccine remains a high priority owing to the risk of re-emergence and limited understanding of Zika virus epidemiology.

Effect of γ-aminobutyric acid producing bacteria on in vitro rumen fermentation, growth performance, and meat quality of Hanwoo steers.

Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)- producing bacteria (GPB) on in vitro rumen fermentation and on the growth performance and meat quality of Hanwoo steers.

Methods: The effects of GPB (Lactobacillus brevis YM 3-30)-produced and commercially available GABA were investigated using in vitro rumen fermentation. Using soybean meal as a substrate, either GPB-produced or commercially available GABA were added to the in vitro rumen fermentation bottles, as follows: control, no additive; T1, 2 g/L GPB; T2, 5 g/L GPB; T3, 2 g/L autoclaved GPB; T4, 5 g/L autoclaved GPB; T5, 2 g/L GABA; and T6, 5 g/L GABA.

Searching for the Culprit Drugs for Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis from a Nationwide Claim Database in Korea.

Background: Ethnic differences exist in relation to culprit drugs for Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). We wanted to determine culprit drugs for SJS and TEN in Korean population.

Objective: To evaluate culprit drugs for SJS and TEN by applying an algorithm for assessment of drug causality for epidermal necrolysis (ALDEN) in a nationwide administrative database.

A novel synthetic cathinone, α-pyrrolidinopentiothiophenone (PVT), produces locomotor sensitization in rat: Implications for GSK3β connections in the nucleus accumbens core.

A novel psychoactive substance, α-pyrrolidinopentiothiophenone (α-PVT), is a structural analog to amphetamine. Recently, it has been shown that α-PVT has an abuse potential similar to psychomotor stimulants like cocaine or amphetamine. However, it has not been performed yet to determine whether α-PVT develops behavioral sensitization, a well-known phenomenon for psychomotor stimulants.

The Fas Signaling Pathway Is a Common Genetic Risk Factor for Severe Cutaneous Drug Adverse Reactions Across Diverse Drugs.

Purpose: Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) has been recognized as the most important genetic risk factor for severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions (SCARs) caused by certain drugs. However, cumulated observations suggest the presence of genetic risk factors for SCARs other than drug-specific HLA. We aimed to identify a common genetic risk factor of SCARs across multiple drugs.

Clinical Features of Hereditary Angioedema in Korean Patients: A Nationwide Multicenter Study.

Background: Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a genetically heterogeneous autosomal dominant disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of nonpruritic, nonpitting edema increasing after puberty. It can be fatal due to laryngeal or gastrointestinal (GI) involvement with varied and changing frequency of mortality according to studies published from the Western countries. Epidemiological and clinical data of HAE in Asian countries are sparse.

Direct costs of severe cutaneous adverse reactions in a tertiary hospital in Korea.

Background/aims: There are only a few reports on the direct costs of severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs), including drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), despite the tremendous negative impact these reactions can have on patients. We estimated the direct costs of treating SCARs.

Methods: Patients admitted to a tertiary teaching hospital for the treatment of SCARs from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2010 were included.

Electronic Consultation Support System for Radiocontrast Media Hypersensitivity Changes Clinicians' Behavior.

Purpose: Patients with a history of radiocontrast media (RCM) hypersensitivity can be overlooked, resulting in repeated reactions. Therefore, a consultation support system for RCM hypersensitivity has been in operation at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital since December 2011. We analyzed the effect of this system on physicians' practice.

Multiparametric MR Imaging of Age-related Changes in Healthy Thigh Muscles.

Purpose To use multiparametric magnetic resonance (MR) imaging to assess for and establish age-related differences in healthy thigh muscles. Materials and Methods Ninety-five subjects (47 men, 48 women; median age, 47 years) with healthy body mass index were grouped according to age: 30-39 years (n = 25), 40-49 years (n = 25), 50-59 years (n = 25), and 60-69 years (n = 20). Multiparametric MR imaging (intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted, diffusion-tensor, multiecho Dixon, and dynamic contrast material-enhanced MR imaging) was performed at 3.

Clinical course of asthma patients with H1N1 influenza infection and oseltamivir.

Background: H1N1 influenza virus prevailed throughout the world in 2009. However, there are few reports on the clinical features of H1N1 influenza infection in adult asthma patients. We evaluated the clinical features in asthma patients with H1N1 influenza infection who took oseltamivir and compared them to those with other upper respiratory infections.