Can social pain be medicated away? A pilot study on everyday discrimination and its exacerbation of opioid misuse risk in people of color with chronic pain.

Despite mounting evidence of a robust relation between discrimination and poor pain outcomes in people of color (POC) with chronic pain, little is known about everyday discrimination's role in increasing the risk of opioid misuse and its potential interactive effects. This study aimed to evaluate the potential moderating effect of everyday discrimination on the relationship between chronic pain severity and the risk of opioid misuse among POC with chronic pain. Everyday discrimination was assessed using the 9-item Everyday Discrimination Scale (EDS), while the risk of opioid misuse was measured with the 14-item Screener and Opioid Assessment for Patients with Pain (SOAPP).

Exploring Dual-Targeted Therapy in the Management of Moderate to Severe Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Retrospective Study.

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), often results in significant morbidity among patients with moderate to severe forms. While biologics and small molecules are effective in inducing remission, many patients experience refractory disease or extraintestinal manifestations. This study assesses the safety and efficacy of dual-targeted therapy in IBD patients treated at the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center.

Increased expression of interferon-stimulated gene 15 () in cervical cells on day 14 of pregnancy in Holstein heifers.

In cattle, expression of IFN-stimulated genes in the female reproductive tract has been reported as an early pregnancy diagnostic tool, as early as d 17 of pregnancy. The hypothesis of this study was that expression of in the cervix of pregnant heifers is increased on d 14 of pregnancy. The objective was to compare the expression of in cervical cells between pregnant and cyclic heifers (control, sham-inseminated) on d 14, 16, and 18 after insemination (d 0).

Lack of effect of cyclic adenosine monophosphate modulation during prematuration in vitro on development to the blastocyst stage and expression of specific genes associated with lineage commitment.

Pharmacological elevation of cyclic AMP (cAMP) of cultured cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC) before or coincident with initiation of maturation has been reported to improve outcomes for various systems for in vitro production of embryos. Here it was hypothesized that artificial elevation of cAMP in the oocyte for a 2-h period of prematuration would improve developmental competence of matured oocytes and result in increased blastocyst yield and altered expression of genes important for embryonic differentiation. Treated COC were cultured for 2 h with dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP), a membrane-permeable form of cAMP, and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), which inhibits phosphodiesterases that convert cAMP to ATP.

Comparing rumen fluid collection methods on fermentation profile and microbial population in lactating dairy cows.

The objective of this study was to compare fermentation profile and microbial diversity from rumen samples collected using a rumen cannula (RC) or stomach tube (ST) in lactating dairy cows. Three ruminally cannulated lactating dairy cows were used in a 3 × 3 Latin square design. The experimental period was 28 d and rumen fluid was collected 4 h after feeding on d 22 and 26 of each experimental period.

Exploring stress and depressive symptoms in pregnancy and the IL-1β, IL-6, and C-reactive protein pathway: Looking for possible biomarker targets.

Background: Individuals undergo significant stress throughout pregnancy and are at high risk for depressive symptoms. Elevated stress and depressive symptoms are associated with inflammatory processes and adverse maternal-infant outcomes. However, the biological processes associated with psychosocial outcomes and the maternal immune system remain unclear.

Fibromuscular Dysplasia Clinical Phenotype Manifesting as a Distal Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection in a Middle-Aged Man.

Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) is a non-atherosclerotic, non-inflammatory vascular disease of medium-sized arteries that causes abnormal cellular growth in arterial walls and most commonly affects young to middle-aged women (20-50 years of age). While FMD often involves the renal arteries, it can affect any arterial bed. FMD has a characteristic angiographic appearance of a "string of beads.

Retraction: Silent Myocardial Infarction: A Case Report.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.7759/cureus.43906.

Exploring the anti-inflammatory potential of vitamin D in cardiometabolic diseases.

The prevalence of cardiometabolic diseases is rising, and this is fuelled by inflammation, which tends to be worse in individuals with vitamin D (VD) deficiency. While non-steroidal anti-inflammatory interventions are available, they present with coagulation events. Hence, alternative therapy in the form of VD supplements is gaining research interest.

Identification of potential therapeutic phytocompounds targeting the G-glycoprotein of Nipah Virus: an in-silico study.

Public health is seriously threatened by the highly pathogenic zoonotic Nipah virus (NIV). Since no effective medicines or vaccines exist, it is imperative to investigate potential therapeutic molecules against NIV. In this research, we concentrated on the G-glycoprotein of NIV as a potential therapeutic target.

Climate-induced expansion of Lyme disease in east central Ohio.

The geographical distribution of Lyme disease has been attributed to changes in Earth's climate and associated distribution of its vector, ticks of the genus . This study focuses on the impact of climatic and meteorological conditions on Lyme disease transmission in East Central Ohio, an emerging hotspot of cases. Using county-level data from 2001 to 2023, we analyzed the relationship between Lyme disease cases and temperature, precipitation, and the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) using a distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM).

Maternal deposition of hormones and contaminants shape the gonadal transcriptome in American alligators.

Environmental conditions influence the maternal deposition of hormones into eggs, which is hypothesized to adaptively modify developmental outcomes in offspring. However, most ecosystems harbour environmental contaminants capable of disrupting endocrine signaling, and maternal exposure to these compounds has the potential to further alter offspring traits. Studies rarely examine maternally derived hormones and contaminants along with offspring phenotypes, and we know little about their interrelationships and potential interactions.

The promise of community-driven preprints in ecology and evolution.

Publishing preprints is quickly becoming commonplace in ecology and evolutionary biology. Preprints can facilitate the rapid sharing of scientific knowledge establishing precedence and enabling feedback from the research community before peer review. Yet, significant barriers to preprint use exist, including language barriers, a lack of understanding about the benefits of preprints and a lack of diversity in the types of research outputs accepted (e.

ZSM-5 Zeolite Synthesis from Coal Fly Ash Synthesised Silica: Sole Silica & Alumina Source.

This study explores the synthesis of ZSM-5 zeolite using high-purity mesoporous silica exclusively derived from coal fly ash (CFA), eliminating the need for additional silica or alumina sources. Traditional ZSM-5 synthesis relies on costly and environmentally harmful pure chemicals, whereas this approach utilizes CFA, an industrial byproduct, addressing both cost and sustainability concerns. The synthesized ZSM-5 zeolite demonstrates exceptional purity, with a surface area of 455.

Assessment of a New CT Detector and Filtration Technology: Part 1 - X-ray Beam Characterization and Radiation Dosimetry.

Purpose: This study evaluated beam quality and radiation dosimetry of a CT scanner equipped with a novel detector and filtration technology called PureVision Optics (PVO). PVO features miniaturized electronics, a detector cut with microblade technology, and increased filtration in order to increase x-ray detection and reduce image noise.

Methods: We assessed the performance of two similar 320-detector CT scanners: one equipped with PVO and one without.

Assessment of a New CT Detector and Filtration Technology: Part 2-Image Quality in Phantoms, Cadavers, and Patients.

Purpose: The purpose of this work was to evaluate the image quality of a commercial CT scanner equipped with a novel detector and filtration technology called PureVision Optics (PVO).

Methods: CT number, noise, contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), modulation transfer function (MTF), and noise power spectrum (NPS) were assessed using the ACR CT Accreditation phantom scanned with various acquisitions at 80 kV, 100 kV, 120 kV, and 135 kV, each with multiple CTDIvol values of 20 mGy, 40 mGy, and 65 mGy. Artifacts were evaluated in an anthropomorphic head phantom, a cadaver head, and in patient studies.

Risk Factors and Predictors for Persistent Dyspnea Post-COVID-19: A Systematic Review.

The most frequently reported post-coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue, and cognitive disturbances, with reports of persistent dyspnea ranging between 26% and 41%. There is an urgent need to understand the risk factors and predictors for persistent COVID-19 dyspnea in individuals at all levels of COVID-19 illness severity, to enable the implementation of targeted interventions for those likely to be most affected with persistent dyspnea. Thus, the purpose of this systematic review is to explore the risk factors and predictors that are associated with persistent dyspnea in the post-COVID-19 population.

A new approach for evaluating maize transgressive segregants and their three-way cross potential in the S4 convergent breeding population.

The development of transgressive segregant (TS) selection on convergent breeding populations of S4 maize is a concept that is rarely applied. However, the development of TS is necessary to accelerate maize breeding pipelines. Therefore, the objectives of this study were (1) to develop the concept of TS selection and (2) to select S4 TS maize to be developed as hybrid cross parents.

Dietary acidity and bone mass in minority children and adolescents: a cross-sectional analysis from the MetA-Bone trial.

Unlabelled: Dietary acid load could be associated with bone mass, but there are limited and conflicting results. This secondary cross-sectional analysis evaluated these associations among 123 children/adolescents, mostly Hispanics. Dietary acid load seems to be associated with bone mass in boys, but these results should be confirmed through long-term studies.

Enhanced phosphorus weathering contributed to Late Miocene cooling.

Late Miocene climate evolution provides an opportunity to assess Earth's climate sensitivity to carbon cycle perturbation under warmer-than-modern conditions. Despite its relevance for understanding the climate system, the driving mechanisms underlying profound climate and carbon cycle changes - including the enigmatic Late Miocene cooling from 7 to 5.4 million years ago - remain unclear.

Clinically probable RBD is an early predictor of malignant non-motor Parkinson's disease phenotypes.

Non-motor symptoms (NMS) in Parkinson's disease (PD) significantly impact quality of life, especially in later stages. REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) affects approximately 42% of all PD patients and frequently precedes motor PD symptoms. RBD is linked to increased rates of depression and cognitive decline.

Structure and function of a near fully-activated intermediate GPCR-Gαβγ complex.

Unraveling the signaling roles of intermediate complexes is pivotal for G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) drug development. Despite hundreds of GPCR-Gαβγ structures, these snapshots primarily capture the fully activated complex. Consequently, the functions of intermediate GPCR-G protein complexes remain elusive.

Evaluation of HER2-Low breast carcinoma in metastatic settings: a cytological approach to proliferation and survival.

Introduction: Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-low breast cancer, defined by HER2 immunohistochemistry scores of 1+ or 2+ without gene amplification, represents a unique subgroup with emerging therapeutic implications. Limited data describe the behavior of HER2-low tumors, particularly in metastatic settings. This study evaluated the frequency of HER2-low expression, Ki-67 proliferation index, and survival outcomes across HER2 subtypes in metastatic breast carcinoma using cytology specimens.

Evaluating pathogenicity of variants of unknown significance in APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2.

Autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease (ADAD) is driven by rare variants in APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2. Although more than 200 pathogenic variants in these genes are known to cause ADAD, other variants are benign, may act as risk factors, or may even reduce Alzheimer's disease risk (e.g.

Safety and Immunogenicity of Omicron Protein Vaccines in mRNA-Vaccinated Adolescents: A Phase 3, Randomised Trial.

Objectives: Safety and immunogenicity assessment of updated monovalent and bivalent SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in adolescents.

Methods: This phase 3, double-blinded study randomised 12-<18-year-old participants, who received ≥2 prior doses of an approved/authorised mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine, 1:1 to receive NVX-CoV2601 (XBB.1.