Sulforaphane Attenuates Ethanol-Induced Teratogenesis and Dysangiogenesis in Zebrafish Embryos.

Prenatal ethanol exposure can cause a broad range of abnormalities in newborns known as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Despite significant progress in understanding the disease mechanisms of FASD, there remains a strong global need for effective therapies. To evaluate the therapeutic potential of sulforaphane (SFN), an active compound extracted from cruciferous vegetables, in preventing FASD, ethanol-exposed zebrafish embryos were pretreated, co-treated, or post-treated with various concentrations of SFN.

A systematic review in effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) mono-agonists on functional connectivity: Target engagement and rationale for the development in mental disorders.

Introduction: The mechanistic role of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) in modulating brain functional activity has been inadequately examined. Mental disorders are characterized by dysregulated functional connectivity in brain circuits that subserve phenomenology. We conducted a comprehensive synthesis of known effects of GLP-1 and GLP-1RAs on functional connectivity.

Groundbreaking Research from NIDA Addressing the Challenges of the Opioid Epidemic.

The 2024 ACMT Ward and Ryan Donovan Memorial Fund lecture was presented by Dr. Nora Volkow, the director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This article in an edited version of her keynote address during ACMT's 2024 Annual Scientific Meeting.

The impact of affective and negative symptoms on the development of psychosis in a six-year follow-up of a community-based population.

Purpose: The Clinical High Risk (CHR) concept has a limited transition risk to psychotic disorders (PD). This study investigates the association between affective and negative symptoms, currently not included in the CHR concept, and the risk of transition to PD in a community-based population of 2185 participants in Turkey.

Methods: Participants were assessed twice over six years using a multistage sampling technique.

Cannabis Use During Early Pregnancy Following Recreational Cannabis Legalization.

Importance: It is unknown whether state recreational cannabis legalization (RCL) is related to increased rates of prenatal cannabis use or whether RCL-related changes vary with cannabis screening methods or the local policy environment.

Objective: To test whether RCL in California was associated with changes in prenatal cannabis use rates, whether changes were evident in both self-report and urine toxicology testing, and whether rates varied by local policies banning vs allowing adult-use retailers post-RCL.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This population-based time-series study used data from pregnancies in Kaiser Permanente Northern California universally screened for cannabis use during early pregnancy by self-report and toxicology testing from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2019.

Shifting paradigms: The promise of allosteric inhibitors against dengue virus protease.

Dengue, a mosquito-borne viral infection caused by the dengue virus (DENV), is a global health challenge. Annually, approximately 400 million cases are reported worldwide, signaling a persistent upward trend from previous years and projected a manifold increase in the future. There is a growing need for innovative and integrated approaches aimed at effective disease management.

Protective role of 2-aminothiazole derivative against ethanol-induced teratogenic effects in-vivo zebrafish.

Teratology investigates the origins of congenital disabilities, often linked to environmental factors such as ethanol (EtOH) exposure. Ethanol at 150 μM has been associated with teratogenic effects, oxidative stress, immunological responses, and endocrine disruptions. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) arises from maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy, leading to developmental delays and cognitive impairment.

Decreasing brain activity caused by acute administration of ketamine and alcohol - A randomized, controlled, observer-blinded experimental study.

Introduction: Substance abuse is a major public health problem. In recent years, ketamine, which is a parenteral anesthetic, has been consumed increasingly as an illicit drug together with alcohol, although little is known of how this association alters brain activity. The present study investigated the influence of progressive doses of ketamine, associated with alcohol, on electrophysiological activity.

The prevalence of hydatid cyst in raw meat products: a global systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression.

Hydatid cyst contamination in food presents a persistent and pervasive threat to public health. Hence, several studies have been published on hydatid cysts in raw meat products. The current study aimed to meta-analyze the prevalence of hydatid cysts in meat.

Vilazodone, a Novel SSRI Antidepressant with 5-HT1A Partial Agonist Properties: Diminished Potentiation of Chronic Oral Methylphenidate-Induced Dynorphin Expression in the Striatum in Adolescent Male Rats.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants such as fluoxetine are used in combination with the medical psychostimulant methylphenidate (Ritalin) in a variety of treatments in children and adults. Unintended co-exposure to these psychotropic medications also occurs in patients on SSRIs who abuse methylphenidate as a "cognitive enhancer" or recreational drug. Preclinical research shows that SSRIs such as fluoxetine when given in conjunction with methylphenidate potentiate addiction-related gene regulation by methylphenidate in the striatum, consistent with the known facilitatory role for serotonin in psychostimulant-induced neuronal and behavioral changes.

Prenatal Cannabis Exposure and Executive Function and Aggressive Behavior at Age 5 Years.

Importance: Cannabis use during pregnancy is increasingly common in the US and may affect the development and behavior of preschool-aged children.

Objective: To prospectively investigate the association of prenatal cannabis exposure with executive function and aggressive behavior at age 5 years.

Design, Setting, Participants: This cohort study was conducted from 2016 through 2020.

Methamphetamine-induced cardiotoxicity: in search of protective transcriptional mechanisms.

Crystalline methamphetamine hydrochloride is an illegal drug with a high addictive potential, better known by its colloquial name "ice" or "crystal meth". The abuse of this drug has led to significant health problems worldwide. Like other amphetamine-type stimulants, chronic consumption of methamphetamine leads to direct toxic effects on the central nervous system, causing cognitive impairment, depressive behavior, and other severe neurological or psychiatric symptoms.

Xylazine abuse, the growing risk: A review of its effects, upsurge use and associated fatalities in the USA and Puerto Rico.

In the last decade, the opioid overdose epidemic has been exacerbated by the emerging drug of abuse, xylazine. This veterinary anesthetic, an alpha-2 agonist, not only potentiates the fatal effects of opioids but also causes toxic endothelial effects. This review aims to assess the impact of xylazine use and overdoses within the context of the opioid crisis as a public health issue.

Cytotoxic activity, selectivity, and clonogenicity of fruits and resins of Saudi medicinal plants against human liver adenocarcinoma.

Background: Edible fruits and resins provide various benefits to mankind including potential medicinal applications. This study aimed to determine the cytotoxicity, selectivity, and clonogenicity of fruits and exudates of certain Saudi medicinal plants ( (BEP-09), (L.) Miller (BEP-10), Roxb.

Frequency, Risk Factors, and Methods of Deliberate Self-Harm Observed in Medical Students and Doctors in Pakistan.

Objective: To determine the frequency of deliberate self-harm (DSH), risk factors leading to DSH, and the methods adopted by medical students and young doctors to execute DSH.

Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted on medical college students and young doctors aged 18-26 years. After approval by the parent institute's ethical board, different medical students and doctors from Pakistani medical colleges of both male and female populations were recruited through non-probability sampling.

Leveraging Trauma Informed Care for Digital Health Intervention Development in Opioid Use Disorder.

Digital health refers to the use of information and communication technologies in medicine (including smartphone apps, wearables, other non-invasive sensors, informatics and telehealth platforms) to prevent illness, deliver treatment, and promote wellness. This rapidly proliferating group of technologies has the potential to reduce harm for people with opioid use disorder (OUD) and facilitate the recovery process; however, development in this space for OUD has been slower compared to that for other medical conditions. Unique issues with OUD management surrounding patient provider relationships, interaction with the healthcare system, autonomy and trust sometimes hinder care approaches, including those in digital health.

Illegal Substance Analysis and Environmental Risk Assessment in Küçük Menderes River, Important Basin of the Aegean Region.

Water-based studies have come into prominence for illegal substance monitoring. There are limited studies on the detection of these substances in the surface waters as opposed to wastewater. This study aims to evaluate amphetamine, benzoylecgonine, cocaine, codeine, 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine, morphine, and 11-nor-Δ9- tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carboxylic acid in the Küçük Menderes (KM) River at four different stations during three different periods and assess the environmental risks.

Multiomics Studies on Metabolism Changes in Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease.

Metabolic dysfunction in the liver represents a predominant feature in the early stages of alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD). However, the mechanisms underlying this are only partially understood. To investigate the metabolic characteristics of the liver in ALD, we did a relative quantification of polar metabolites and lipids in the liver of mice with experimental ALD using untargeted metabolomics and untargeted lipidomics.

Cannabis use disorder: from neurobiology to treatment.

Cannabis has been legalized for medical and recreational purposes in multiple countries. A large number of people are using cannabis and some will develop cannabis use disorder (CUD). There is a growing recognition that CUD requires specific interventions.