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.

Age-dependent effects of vaping on the prefrontal cortex, ventral tegmental area, and nucleus accumbens.

Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) are unique from combustible cigarettes due to the availability of flavor options which make these devices popular among adolescents. However, there are no preclinical investigations into the impact of vaporized nicotine on late-developing brain regions such as the prefrontal cortex. Here, we investigated how neuronal function and drug self-administration differed between adult-exposed and adolescent-exposed mice.

Novel antibodies detect nucleocytoplasmic O-fucose in protist pathogens, cellular slime molds, and plants.

Cellular adaptations to change often involve post-translational modifications of nuclear and cytoplasmic proteins. An example found in protists and plants is the modification of serine and threonine residues of dozens to hundreds of nucleocytoplasmic proteins with a single fucose (O-Fuc). A nucleocytoplasmic O-fucosyltransferase (OFT) occurs in the pathogen , the social amoeba , and higher plants, where it is called Spy because mutants have a spindly appearance.

Factors Associated With Infection in Patients With Combined Pelvic Ring and Bladder Injuries.

Objectives: To identify the infection rate in patients with combined pelvic ring and bladder injuries. Secondary aims included identifying treatment and injury factors associated with infection.

Design: Retrospective review.

-expressed SECRET AGENT -GlcNAc modifies threonine 829 of GIGANTEA.

The glycosyl transferases SPINDLY (SPY) and SECRET AGENT (SEC) modify nuclear and cytosolic proteins with -linked fucose or -linked -acetylglucosamine (-GlcNAc), respectively. -fucose and -GlcNAc modifications can occur at the same sites. SPY interacts physically and genetically with GIGANTEA (GI), suggesting that it could be modified by both enzymes.

A deoxyviolacein-based transposon insertion vector for pigmented tracer studies.

Pigments provide a simple means to rapidly visually ascertain the quantities or presence of specific microbes in a complex community. The selection of pigment-producing colonies that are simple to differentiate from common colony phenotypes provides a high degree of certainty for the identity of pigment-tagged strains. Successful employment of pigment production is dependent on various intrinsic factors related to proper levels of gene expression and pigment production that are not always easy to predict and vary within each microbe.

Abnormal Morphology and Synaptogenic Signaling in Astrocytes Following Prenatal Opioid Exposure.

In recent decades, there has been a dramatic rise in the rates of children being born after in utero exposure to drugs of abuse, particularly opioids. Opioids have been shown to have detrimental effects on neurons and glia in the central nervous system (CNS), but the impact of prenatal opioid exposure (POE) on still-developing synaptic circuitry is largely unknown. Astrocytes exert a powerful influence on synaptic development, secreting factors to either promote or inhibit synapse formation and neuronal maturation in the developing CNS.

Modulators of nicotine reward and reinforcement.

Nicotine has been well-characterized for its ability to alter neurophysiology to promote rewarding and reinforcing properties. However, several exogenous chemicals possess properties that modulate or enhance nicotine's ability to alter neurophysiology. This chapter focuses on nicotine's impact on behavior through changes in neurophysiology and several chemical entities that in-turn modulate nicotine's ability to act as a neuromodulator.

Neuronal Excitability in the Medial Habenula and Ventral Tegmental Area Is Differentially Modulated by Nicotine Dosage and Menthol in a Sex-Specific Manner.

The medial habenula (MHb) has been identified as the limiting factor for nicotine intake and facilitating nicotine withdrawal. However, few studies have assessed MHb neuronal excitability in response to nicotine, and, currently, a gap in knowledge is present for finding behavioral correlates to neuronal excitability in the region. Moreover, no study to date has evaluated sex or nicotine dosage as factors of excitability in the MHb.

A technique for introducing broad-spectrum topical antibiotics during open reduction and internal fixation of acetabular fractures.

Postoperative surgical site infections remain a significant and prevalent complication after open reduction and internal fixation of acetabular fractures. Local antibiotics have been shown to decrease risk of postoperative infection, although recent evidence is conflicting. We provide a consistent and replicable technique for delivering intraoperative broad-spectrum antibiotics in the form of a putty applied directly to surgical implants.

Enhanced extracellular ammonium release in the plant endophyte through genome editing.

Our results demonstrate increased extracellular ammonium release in the endophyte plant growth-promoting bacterium . Strains were constructed in a manner that leaves no antibiotic markers behind, such that these strains contain no transgenes. Levels of ammonium achieved by cultures of modified strains reached concentrations of approximately 18 mM ammonium, while wild-type remained much lower (below 50 µM).

The Impact of High or Low Doses of Nicotine in a Mouse Model of Vapor Self-Administration.

Introduction: A wide variety of nicotine concentrations and formulations are available to users of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS). This is increasingly true when considering the many flavors available with ENDS products. To date, there have been few preclinical investigations into the impact of nicotine doses, with and without flavors, on vaping-related behaviors.

Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus Gene Fitness during Diazotrophic Growth.

Plant growth-promoting (PGP) bacteria are important to the development of sustainable agricultural systems. PGP microbes that fix atmospheric nitrogen (diazotrophs) could minimize the application of industrially derived fertilizers and function as a biofertilizer. The bacterium Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus is a nitrogen-fixing PGP microbe originally discovered in association with sugarcane plants, where it functions as an endophyte.

Bicondylar Tibial Plateau Fractures: What Predicts Infection?

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the patient, injury, and treatment factors associated with infection of bicondylar plateau fractures and to evaluate whether center variation exists.

Design: Retrospective review.

Setting: Eighteen academic trauma centers.

Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of a Partial Articular (OTA-43B) Pilon Fracture Through a Direct Anterior Approach.

We present the management of an OTA-43B Pilon fracture with a depressed plafond fragment, medial comminution, and displacement of the Chaput fragment. The patient was initially managed with external fixation to gain initial reduction of the pilon fracture and to allow the soft tissues to heal. As demonstrated, the extensile anterior approach can be modified and used to see the anteromedial and anterolateral tibial plafond so an anatomic reduction could be obtained.

The Effects of Rosiglitazone on Task Specific Anxiety-Like Behavior and Novelty Seeking in a Model of Chronic Adolescent Unpredictable Stress.

Adolescence is characterized as a period of increased social behavior, risk taking, and novelty seeking, partly due to ongoing maturation in critical brain areas and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) negative-feedback system. During this period there is heightened vulnerability to stress that can drive neuro-immune-endocrine remodeling, resulting in the emergence of maladaptive behaviors that increase susceptibility to alcohol and substance abuse. Here we used a rat model to investigate the impact of chronic adolescent unpredictable stress on a battery of behavioral measures to assess anxiety, novelty seeking, risk taking, depression, and voluntary ethanol consumption while determining whether the PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone can attenuate these effects.

Complete genome sequences of two isolates of spiraea yellow leafspot virus (genus Badnavirus) from Spiraea x bumalda 'Anthony Waterer'.

The complete genome sequences of two isolates of spiraea yellow leafspot virus (SYLSV) were determined. Spiraea (Spiraea x bumalda) 'Anthony Waterer' plants showing virus-like symptoms including yellow spotting and leaf deformation were used for sequencing. The viral genome of SYLSV-MN (Minnesota) and SYLSV-MD (Maryland) is 8,017bp in length.

Proximal tibia fracture dislocations: Management and outcomes of a severe and under-recognized injury.

Introduction: Proximal tibia fracture dislocations (PTFDs) are a subset of plateau fractures with little in the literature since description by Hohl (1967) and classification by Moore (1981). We sought to evaluate reliability in diagnosis of fracture-dislocations by traumatologists and to compare their outcomes with bicondylar tibial plateau fractures (BTPFs).

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study at 14 level 1 trauma centers throughout North America.

The Modified Eden-Lange Tendon Transfer for Lateral Scapular Winging Secondary to Spinal Accessory Nerve Injury.

Trapezius paralysis following injury to the spinal accessory nerve can be a debilitating complication resulting from lymph node biopsy, radical neck dissection, or penetrating trauma in the region of the posterior cervical triangle. Disruption of the delicate muscular balance in the shoulder girdle may result in lateral scapular winging, ipsilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, and limited shoulder function and range of motion. Spontaneous recovery with nonoperative management is possible in some patients, and restoration of function after reparative neural procedures has been observed in patients undergoing timely repair.

ICTV Virus Taxonomy Profile: .

is a family of non-enveloped reverse-transcribing plant viruses with non-covalently closed circular dsDNA genomes of 7.1-9.8 kbp in the order .

Genomic characterization of cycad leaf necrosis virus, the first badnavirus identified in a gymnosperm.

A previously undescribed badnavirus was isolated from Zamia fischeri showing symptoms of chlorosis, necrosis, and ringspot. The virus has bacilliform virions 30 nm in diameter and averaging 120 nm in length. The viral genome is 9227 bp in length and contains three open reading frames characteristic of members of the genus Badnavirus.

Complete genome sequence of aglaonema bacilliform virus (ABV).

Aglaonema bacilliform virus (ABV), a member of the genus Badnavirus in the family Caulimoviridae, is associated with leaf deformation and chlorosis in Aglaonema modestum. The complete genome sequence of a Minnesota isolate of ABV was determined. The ABV genome is 7,178 bp in length and similar in size and organization to those of the members of the genus Badnavirus, containing three open reading frames (ORFs) with the potential to encode three proteins of 14.

Complete genome sequence of a previously undescribed badnavirus occurring in Polyscias fruticosa L. (Ming aralia).

A previously undescribed badnavirus was identified in plants of Polyscias fruticosa (Ming aralia) showing symptoms of mild mosaic and leaf senescence. Characteristic bacilliform virions of the Polyscias badnavirus averaging 30 × 120 nm in size were observed by transmission electron microscopy in partially purified leaf tissue extracts from symptomatic but not asymptomatic plants collected in the USA and Nigeria. The isolate from the USA was complete sequenced.