Anti-consumption agents: Tirzepatide and semaglutide for treating obesity-related diseases and addictions, and improving life expectancy.

American culture encourages overconsumption, fueled by ubiquitous availability and pervasive marketing of ultra-processed foods and other addictive substances. This chronic overindulgence has contributed to rising rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2D), substance abuse, mental health disorders and premature mortality. Glucose-like peptide-1 agonists (GLP-1RAs) affect the brain's reward pathway that mediates addiction to foods and various other substances.

Association of Plasma Omega-3 Levels With Incident Heart Failure and Related Mortalities.

Objective: To investigate the association between plasma omega-3 levels and incident heart failure (HF) and to examine their relationship with total and cardiovascular (CV) mortality among patients with preexisting HF.

Patients And Methods: The UK Biobank is an ongoing prospective cohort study of individuals recruited in the United Kingdom between April 1, 2007, and December 31. 2010.

Omega-3 and Risk of atrial fibrillation: Vagally-mediated double-edged sword.

Objective: Studies regarding effects of omega-3 fatty acids, specifically eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), on risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) have reported discordant results. The aim of this review is to clarify effects of marine omega-3 intake on risk of AF.

Patients And Methods: A PubMed search was performed using terms: atrial fibrillation, omega-3, EPA, DHA, vagal tone.

Summer-Wet Hydrologic Cycle during the Middle Miocene of the United States: New Evidence from Fossil Fungi.

Hydrologic reconstructions from North America are largely unknown for the Middle Miocene. Examination of fungal palynomorph assemblages coupled with traditional plant-based palynology permits delineation of local, as opposed to regional, climate signals and provides a baseline for study of ancient fungas. Here, the Fungi in a Warmer World project presents paleoecology and paleoclimatology of 351 fungal morphotypes from 3 sites in the United States: the Clarkia Konservat-Lagerstätte site (Idaho), the Alum Bluff site (Florida), and the Bouie River site (Mississippi).

Nanoscale imaging of DNA-RNA identifies transcriptional plasticity at heterochromatin.

The three-dimensional structure of DNA is a biophysical determinant of transcription. The density of chromatin condensation is one determinant of transcriptional output. Chromatin condensation is generally viewed as enforcing transcriptional suppression, and therefore, transcriptional output should be inversely proportional to DNA compaction.

MENSA, a Media Enriched with Newly Synthesized Antibodies, to Identify SARS-CoV-2 Persistence and Latent Viral Reactivation in Long-COVID.

Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (SARS2) infection (PASC) is a heterogeneous condition, but the main viral drivers are unknown. Here, we use MENSA, Media Enriched with Newly Synthesized Antibodies, secreted exclusively from circulating human plasmablasts, to provide an immune snapshot that defines the underlying viral triggers. We provide proof-of-concept testing that the MENSA technology can capture the new host immune response to accurately diagnose acute primary and breakthrough infections when known SARS2 virus or proteins are present.

Avian influenza viruses in New Zealand wild birds, with an emphasis on subtypes H5 and H7: Their distinctive epidemiology and genomic properties.

The rapid spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A (H5N1) viruses in Southeast Asia in 2004 prompted the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries to expand its avian influenza surveillance in wild birds. A total of 18,693 birds were sampled between 2004 and 2020, including migratory shorebirds (in 2004-2009), other coastal species (in 2009-2010), and resident waterfowl (in 2004-2020). No avian influenza viruses (AIVs) were isolated from cloacal or oropharyngeal samples from migratory shorebirds or resident coastal species.

Type of Alcohol and Blood Pressure: The Copenhagen General Population Study.

Background: Most adults ingest alcoholic beverages. Alcohol shows strong and positive associations with blood pressure (BP). We hypothesized that intake of red wine, white wine, beer, and spirits and dessert wine show similar associations with BP in the general population.

Potential Prodromal Digital Postural Sway Markers for Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome (FXTAS) Detected via Dual-Tasking and Sensory Manipulation.

FXTAS is a neurodegenerative disorder occurring in some Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein 1 () gene premutation carriers (PMCs) and is characterized by cerebellar ataxia, tremor, and cognitive deficits that negatively impact balance and gait and increase fall risk. Dual-tasking (DT) cognitive-motor paradigms and challenging balance conditions may have the capacity to reveal markers of FXTAS onset. Our objectives were to determine the impact of dual-tasking and sensory and stance manipulation on balance in FXTAS and potentially detect subtle postural sway deficits in PMCs who are asymptomatic for signs of FXTAS on clinical exam.

White-nose syndrome, winter duration, and pre-hibernation climate impact abundance of reproductive female bats.

White-nose syndrome (WNS) is an infectious disease that disrupts hibernation in bats, leading to premature exhaustion of fat stores. Though we know WNS does impact reproduction in hibernating female bats, we are unsure how these impacts are exacerbated by local climate factors. We compiled data from four southeastern U.

Omega-3 fatty acids in primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

Even with substantial progress in primary and secondary prevention, cardiovascular disease (CVD) persists as a major cause of mortality and morbidity globally. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (Ω-3 PUFAs) have gained considerable attention for their ability to improve CV health and prognosis. Metanalyses of randomized controlled trials have demonstrated Ω-3 PUFAs' positive impact on CVD outcomes for both primary and secondary prevention endpoints.

Return to the Pre-Injury Level of Sport after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Practical Review with Medical Recommendations.

Returning to sport after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) can be a challenging and complex process for the athlete, with the rate of return to the pre-injury level of sport observed to be less than athlete expectations. Of the athletes that do return to sport (RTS), knee re-injury rates remain high, and multiple studies have observed impaired athletic performance upon RTS after ACLR as well as reduced playing time, productivity, and career lengths. To mitigate re-injury and improve RTS outcomes, multiple RTS after ACLR consensus statements/clinical practice guidelines have recommended objective RTS testing criteria to be met prior to medical clearance for unrestricted sports participation.

Minimally invasive Dorsal cheilectomy and Hallux metatarsophalangeal joint arthroscopy for the treatment of Hallux Rigidus.

Background: Minimally invasive dorsal cheilectomy (MIDC) has become a popular alternative to an open approach for treating Hallux Rigidus (HR). To reduce some of the complications related to the MIDC approach, a first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint arthroscopy can be performed in addition to address the intra-articular pathology associated with Hallux Rigidus. This study aims to examine the effectiveness of MIDC with first MTP arthroscopy in patients with HR with a minimum 1-year follow-up.

Acoustic monitoring yields informative bat population density estimates.

Bat population estimates are typically made during winter, although this is only feasible for bats that aggregate in hibernacula. While it is essential to measure summer bat population sizes for management, we lack a reliable method. Acoustic surveys should be less expensive and more efficient than capture surveys, and acoustic activity data are already used as indices of population size.

Sexual dichromatism in the fur of a bat: An exploration of color differences and potential signaling functions.

Sex differences in body color (i.e., sexual dichromatism) are rare in bats and, more broadly, in mammals.

Non-SARS-CoV-2 respiratory viral detection and whole genome sequencing from COVID-19 rapid antigen test devices: a laboratory evaluation study.

Background: There has been high uptake of rapid antigen test device use for point-of-care COVID-19 diagnosis. Individuals who are symptomatic but test negative on COVID-19 rapid antigen test devices might have a different respiratory viral infection. We aimed to detect and sequence non-SARS-CoV-2 respiratory viruses from rapid antigen test devices, which could assist in the characterisation and surveillance of circulating respiratory viruses in the community.

Estrogen and cardiovascular disease.

A large body of scientific research accumulated over the past twenty years documents the cardiovascular (CV) benefits of estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) in reproductive aged women. In contrast, accelerated development of CV disease (CVD) occurs in the absence of ovarian produced E2 and P4. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) with E2 and P4 has been shown to cause no harm to younger menopausal women.

Digital gait markers to potentially distinguish fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome, Parkinson's disease, and essential tremor.

Background: Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), a neurodegenerative disease that affects carriers of a 55-200 CGG repeat expansion in the () gene, may be given an incorrect initial diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD) or essential tremor (ET) due to overlapping motor symptoms. It is critical to characterize distinct phenotypes in FXTAS compared to PD and ET to improve diagnostic accuracy. Fast as possible (FP) speed and dual-task (DT) paradigms have the potential to distinguish differences in gait performance between the three movement disorders.

Laboratory-acquired infections and pathogen escapes worldwide between 2000 and 2021: a scoping review.

Laboratory-acquired infections (LAIs) and accidental pathogen escape from laboratory settings (APELS) are major concerns for the community. A risk-based approach for pathogen research management within a standard biosafety management framework is recommended but is challenging due to reasons such as inconsistency in risk tolerance and perception. Here, we performed a scoping review using publicly available, peer-reviewed journal and media reports of LAIs and instances of APELS between 2000 and 2021.

The Biosafety Research Road Map: The Search for Evidence to Support Practices in the Laboratory-Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic Fever Virus and Lassa Virus.

Introduction: Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) virus and Lassa virus (LASV) are zoonotic agents regarded as high-consequence pathogens due to their high case fatality rates. CCHF virus is a vector-borne disease and is transmitted by tick bites. Lassa virus is spread via aerosolization of dried rat urine, ingesting infected rats, and direct contact with or consuming food and water contaminated with rat excreta.

The Biosafety Research Road Map: The Search for Evidence to Support Practices in the Laboratory-Foot and Mouth Disease Virus.

Introduction: Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious infection of cloven-hoofed animals. The Biosafety Research Road Map reviewed scientific literature regarding the foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV). This project aims to identify gaps in the data required to conduct evidence-based biorisk assessments, as described by Blacksell et al.