Neuromodulatory effect of transcranial direct current stimulation on cue reactivity and craving in young adults with internet gaming disorder: an event-related potential study.

Objective: This study assessed the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on cue reactivity and craving for game-related cues using event-related potentials (ERPs) in internet gaming disorder (IGD) patients.

Methods: At baseline, a series of game-related and neutral pictures were shown to both IGD and healthy controls (HCs) while ERPs were recorded. Late positive potentials (LPP) were used to investigate cue reactivity.

Select microbial metabolites in the small intestinal lumen regulates vagal activity via receptor-mediated signaling.

The vagus nerve is proposed to enable communication between the gut microbiome and the brain, but activity-based evidence is lacking. We find that mice reared germ-free exhibit decreased vagal tone relative to colonized controls, which is reversed via microbiota restoration. Perfusing antibiotics into the small intestines of conventional mice, but not germ-free mice, acutely decreases vagal activity which is restored upon re-perfusion with intestinal filtrates from conventional, but not germ-free, mice.

Noncoding variants and sulcal patterns in congenital heart disease: Machine learning to predict functional impact.

Neurodevelopmental impairments associated with congenital heart disease (CHD) may arise from perturbations in brain developmental pathways, including the formation of sulcal patterns. While genetic factors contribute to sulcal features, the association of noncoding variants (ncDNVs) with sulcal patterns in people with CHD remains poorly understood. Leveraging deep learning models, we examined the predicted impact of ncDNVs on gene regulatory signals.

The phase I RELEASE clinical trial to evaluate the safety of NK cells in COVID-19.

The severity of COVID 19 symptoms has a direct correlation with lymphopenia, affecting natural killer (NK) cells. SARS-CoV-2 specific "memory" NK cells obtained from convalescent donors can be used as cell immunotherapy. In 2022 a phase I, dose-escalation, single center clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the safety and feasibility of the infusion of CD3/CD56 NK cells against moderate/severe cases of COVID-19 (NCT04578210).

HHV-6B ribonucleotide reductase sequesters NF-κB subunit p65 to inhibit innate immune responses.

Human herpesvirus 6B (HHV-6B) belongs to the genus of the betaherpesvirus subfamily, causing exanthema subitum and encephalitis. Although viral ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) is conserved in betaherpesviruses, it has lost its enzymatic activity. Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) belongs to the other betaherpesvirus genus, ; its RNR inhibits nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling via interaction with the adaptor molecule RIPK1.

The usefulness of Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) scoring in predicting all-cause mortality in Outpatients with Clinical Diagnoses of COPD.

Background: Since comorbid conditions are frequently present in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and affect outcome, a composite scoring system to quantify comorbidity might be helpful in assessing mortality risk.

Methods: We tested the hypothesis that the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score at the time of an outpatient medical clinic encounter for COPD predicts all-cause mortality. Cox Proportional Hazards analyses were used in 200 randomly selected patients to relate CCI scores to all-cause mortality out to 5 years.

A short screen for lifetime sexual victimization experiences: Expanding research on the Sexual Abuse History Questionnaire (SAHQ) across cultures, genders, and sexual identities.

The Sexual Abuse History Questionnaire (SAHQ), a widely used screening tool for childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and adolescent/adult sexual assault (AASA) experiences, has limited examination of its psychometric properties in diverse populations. Our study assessed the SAHQ's psychometric properties (i.e.

Large Language Models Outperform Traditional Natural Language Processing Methods in Extracting Patient-Reported Outcomes in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Background And Aims: Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are vital in assessing disease activity and treatment outcomes in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, manual extraction of these PROs from the free-text of clinical notes is burdensome. We aimed to improve data curation from free-text information in the electronic health record, making it more available for research and quality improvement.

Plasma Circulating Metabolites Associated With Steatotic Liver Disease and Liver Enzymes: A Multiplatform Population-Based Study.

Background And Aims: Steatotic liver disease (SLD) is the most common chronic liver disease strongly associated with metabolic dysfunction, but its pathogenesis remains incompletely understood. Exploring plasma circulating metabolites may help in elucidating underlying mechanisms and identifying new biomarkers for SLD.

Methods: We examined cross-sectionally the association between plasma metabolites and SLD as well as liver enzymes using data from 4 population-based cohort studies (Rotterdam study, Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, The Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Family Study, and Study of Latinos).

Structural and functional brain correlates of the neutrophil- and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio in neuropsychiatric disorders.

Skews in the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) increasingly demonstrate prognostic capability in a range of acute and chronic mental health conditions. There has been a recent uptick in structural and functional magnetic responance imaging data corroborating the role of NLR and MLR in a cluster of neuropsychiatric disorders that are characterized by cognitive, affective, and psychomotor dysfunction. Moreover, these deficits are mostly evident in setting of acute and chronic disease comorbidity implicating aging and immunosenescent processes in the manifestation of these geriatric syndromes.

Shifting paradigms in primary aldosteronism: reconsideration of screening strategy via integrating pathophysiological insights.

Several decades have passed since the description of the first patient with primary aldosteronism (PA). PA was initially classified in two main forms: aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) and idiopathic hyperaldosteronism (IHA). However, the pathogenesis of PA has now been shown to be far more complex.

The association between working hours and working type with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: results from the NHANES 1999-2014.

Background: Previous research has indicated that long working hours are connected to a variety of health conditions, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, this association which has been observed in more population is limited. Our research is designed to evaluate the association between working hours, working type, and NAFLD.

Associations between serum total bilirubin and overactive bladder from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Background: The relationship between serum total bilirubin (STB) concentrations and the risk of overactive bladder (OAB) remains uncertain. This study aims to explore the potential connection between STB and OAB.

Method: We utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database for the years 2001-2020.

Trends in anterior shoulder instability procedures over the last decade in the United States.

Background: The treatment algorithm for traumatic shoulder instability has evolved, emphasizing the significance of glenoid bone loss and the glenoid track, addressing humeral, and glenoid vault bone deficiencies. This study examines trends and demographics of anterior shoulder instability procedures in the United States from 2010 to 2020.

Methods: PearlDiver database was queried for patients who underwent traumatic anterior shoulder instability procedures.

Intralesional Steroid Injections for Management of Granulomatous Mastitis: A Systematic Review of Treatment Protocols and Clinical Outcomes.

Although idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (GM) of the breast is a benign condition, it can be locally aggressive and frequently chronic, causing significant pain and distress to the patient. Treatment often involves multiple disciplines including general practice, breast surgery/physicians, rheumatology and/or immunology. Traditional options for treatment include observation, oral steroids, methotrexate and/or surgery, all with variable outcomes.

Intramural pregnancy after intrauterine insemination in a nulligravid patient without previous uterine trauma, complicated by idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura: A case report.

Intramural pregnancy (IMP) is an extremely rare form of ectopic pregnancy (EP), typically associated with previous uterine trauma, adenomyosis, or assisted reproductive technology (ART), such as embryo transfer (ET). Despite its potentially life-threatening nature, the absence of definitive preoperative diagnostic criteria for IMP complicates its early detection and management, especially in patients without known risk factors. Additionally, management becomes more challenging when there is an elevated risk of hemorrhage.

Correction: Strategic design of GalNAc-helical peptide ligands for efficient liver targeting.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1039/D4SC05606J.].

Association of safer smoking supply distribution with participant encounters and naloxone distribution from syringe services programs: Findings from the National Survey of Syringe Services Programs in the United States.

Background: In response to the recent and growing shift from injecting heroin to smoking fentanyl, an increasing number of syringe services programs (SSPs) in the United States are distributing safer smoking supplies. There is a lack of research on whether safer smoking supply distribution is associated with increased SSP engagement and naloxone distribution from SSPs. Therefore, we aimed to assess predictors of safer smoking supply distribution by SSPs and estimate associations between safer smoking supply distribution and scale of harm reduction services.

E74-like ETS transcription factor 3 expression and regulation in human intervertebral disc.

Background: Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is one of the main causes of chronic low back pain. The degenerative process is often initiated by an imbalance between catabolic and anabolic pathways. Despite the large socio-economic impact, the initiation and progress of disc degeneration are poorly understood.

Gut Microbiome and Metabolome Changes in Chronic Low Back Pain Patients With Vertebral Bone Marrow Lesions.

Background: Chronic low back pain (LBP) is a significant global health concern, often linked to vertebral bone marrow lesions (BML), particularly fatty replacement (FR). This study aims to explore the relationship between the gut microbiome, serum metabolome, and FR in chronic LBP patients.

Methods: Serum metabolomic profiling and gut microbiome analysis were conducted in chronic LBP patients with and without FR (LBP + FR,  = 40; LBP,  = 40) and Healthy Controls (HC,  = 31).

Water pollution, cholera, and the role of probiotics: a comprehensive review in relation to public health in Bangladesh.

Cholera, a disease caused by , remains a pervasive public health threat, particularly in regions with inadequate water sanitation and hygiene infrastructure, such as Bangladesh. This review explores the complex interplay between water pollution and cholera transmission in Bangladesh, highlighting how contaminated water bodies serve as reservoirs for . A key focus is the potential role of probiotics as a novel intervention approach for cholera prevention and management.

Intrinsic Gene Expression Correlates of the Biophysically Modeled Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging Signal.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a powerful tool to identify the structural and functional correlates of neurological illness but provides limited insight into molecular neurobiology. Using rat genetic models of autism spectrum disorder, we show that image texture-processed neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) diffusion MRI possesses an intrinsic relationship with gene expression that corresponds to the biophysically modeled cellular compartments of the NODDI diffusion signal. Specifically, we demonstrate that neurite density index and orientation dispersion index signals are correlated with intracellular and extracellular gene expression, respectively.