Acetate supplementation rescues social deficits and alters transcriptional regulation in prefrontal cortex of Shank3 deficient mice.

Background: The pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) involves genetic and environmental factors. Mounting evidence demonstrates a role for the gut microbiome in ASD, with signaling via short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) as one mechanism. Here, we utilize mice carrying deletion to exons 4-22 of Shank3 (Shank3) to model gene by microbiome interactions in ASD.

Dietary polyphenols drive dose-dependent behavioral and molecular alterations to repeated morphine.

Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) is associated with tremendous morbidity and mortality. Despite this burden, current pharmacotherapies for OUD are ineffective or intolerable for many patients. As such, interventions aimed at promoting resilience against OUD are of immense clinical interest.

Uterine Patterning, Endometrial Gland Development, and Implantation Failure in Mice Exposed Neonatally to Genistein.

Background: Embryo implantation relies on precise hormonal regulation, associated gene expression changes, and appropriate female reproductive tract tissue architecture. Female mice exposed neonatally to the phytoestrogen genistein (GEN) at doses similar to those in infants consuming soy-based infant formulas are infertile due in part to uterine implantation defects.

Objectives: Our goal was to determine the mechanisms by which neonatal GEN exposure causes implantation defects.