Stimulant-involved overdose deaths: Constructing dynamic hypotheses.

The overdose epidemic in the United States is evolving, with a rise in stimulant (cocaine and/or methamphetamine)-only and opioid and stimulant-involved overdose deaths for reasons that remain unclear. We conducted interviews and group model building workshops in Massachusetts and South Dakota. Building on these data and extant research, we identified six dynamic hypotheses, explaining changes in stimulant-involved overdose trends, visualized using causal loop diagrams.

Muscle contributions to propelling the body upward differ between skipping and running.

Skipping represents a training alternative to running due to its lower knee contact forces and higher whole-body metabolic cost. The increased metabolic cost of skipping is associated with a higher vertical center-of-mass (COM) displacement during the support and flight phases of the skipping hop compared to running. However, skipping has lower muscle force impulses than running.

Effects of endometrial embryokines on the preimplantation bovine embryo to create a gene expression signature consistent with a high competence phenotype†.

Optimal embryonic development depends upon cell-signaling molecules released by the maternal reproductive tract called embryokines. Identity of specific embryokines that enhance competence of the embryo for sustained survival is largely lacking. The current objective was to evaluate effects of three putative embryokines in cattle on embryonic development to the blastocyst stage.

Ultralight wheelchair part failures are associated with sensor-monitored road shocks: A pilot study.

Wheelchair part failures and repairs have significantly increased over the last decade, leading to severe consequences for wheelchair users. Servicing these devices by wheelchair repair technicians has reduced part failures. However, no tools or technologies have been developed to support servicing in practice.

Depletion by Hemodialysis of the Antioxidant Ergothioneine.

Background: Hemodialysis may excessively remove valuable solutes. Untargeted metabolomics data from a prior study suggested that ergothioneine was depleted in the plasma of hemodialysis subjects. Ergothioneine is a dietary-derived solute with antioxidant properties.

A single-cell atlas of the Culex tarsalis midgut during West Nile virus infection.

The mosquito midgut functions as a key interface between pathogen and vector. However, studies of midgut physiology and virus infection dynamics are scarce, and in Culex tarsalis-an extremely efficient vector of West Nile virus (WNV)-nonexistent. We performed single-cell RNA sequencing on Cx.

The effects of xylazine on locomotion and motor behaviour in a planarian model.

In recent years, the recreational use of xylazine has increased dramatically in the USA. Although xylazine has been used as an anesthetic in veterinary medicine for decades, little is known about its behavioral effects. We took advantage of the planarian's innate negative phototaxis, the reliable movement from the light side to the dark side of a Petri dish, to explore the organism's suitability as an animal model for investigating the preclinical pharmacology of xylazine.

Comparing PSA Screening Patterns and Their Role as Predictor of Prostate Cancer Diagnosis: Analysis of a Contemporary North American Cohort.

Introduction: PSA screening remains a pivotal tool for early prostate cancer (PCa) detection. International guidelines rely on evidence from three major randomized clinical trials: ERSPC, PLCO, and CAP. We aim to examine the percentage of patients in real-world practice who get PSA screening as defined by each of the aforementioned trials.

ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL 5 promotes root growth by maintaining redox homeostasis and repressing oxidative stress response.

Oxidative stress is a major threat to plant growth and survival. To understand how plants cope with oxidative stress, we carried out a genetic screen for Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) mutants with altered response to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in root growth. Herein, we report the characterization of one of the hypersensitive mutants obtained.

CSF cytokine, chemokine and injury biomarker profile of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) autoimmunity.

Defining the CSF cytokine/chemokine and injury biomarker signature of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) autoimmunity can inform immunopathogenesis. CSF GFAP-IgG-positive samples (N = 98) were tested for 17 cytokines/chemokines, neurofilament light chain (NfL), and GFAP (ELLA, Bio-Techne). Controls included non-inflammatory (N = 42), AQP4-IgG-positive (N = 83), CNS infections (N = 13), and neurosarcoidosis (N = 32).

Comprehensive guide for epigenetics and transcriptomics data quality control.

Host response to environmental exposures such as pathogens and chemicals can include modifications to the epigenome and transcriptome. Improved signature discovery, including the identification of the agent and timing of exposure, has been enabled by advancements in assaying techniques to detect RNA expression, DNA base modifications, histone modifications, and chromatin accessibility. The interrogation of the epigenome and transcriptome cascade requires analyzing disparate datasets from multiple assay types, often at single-cell resolution, derived from the same biospecimen.

Protocol for recording physiological signals from the human cerebellum using electroencephalography.

As Purkinje cells of the cerebellum have a very fast firing rate, techniques with high temporal resolution are required to capture cerebellar physiology. Here, we present a protocol to record physiological signals in humans using cerebellar electroencephalography (cEEG). We describe steps for electrode placement and recording.

Isokinetic strength and jumping abilities of teenage soccer players playing in different field positions.

Soccer is a sport being performed in a very dynamic manner. It requires soccer players to be able to develop high muscle force in a very short period of time. The aim of the study was to evaluate the strength and jumping abilities of young soccer players playing in different positions on the field.

White matter connections within the central sulcus subserving the somato-cognitive action network.

The somato-cognitive action network (SCAN) consists of three nodes interspersed within Penfield's motor effector regions. The configuration of the somato-cognitive action network nodes resembles the one of the 'plis de passage' of the central sulcus: small gyri bridging the precentral and postcentral gyri. Thus, we hypothesize that these may provide a structural substrate of the somato-cognitive action network.

Translating PK-PD principles into improved methodology for clinical trials which compare intermittent with prolonged infusion of beta-lactam antibiotics.

Based on the fact that beta-lactam antibiotics demonstrate time-dependent killing, different dosing strategies have been implemented to increase the time that free (f) (unbound) antibiotic concentrations remain above the Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), including prolonged and continuous infusion. Multiple studies have been performed that compared continuous with traditional intermittent infusion to improve outcomes in patients with severe sepsis and/or septic shock. These studies have yielded inconsistent results for patients as measured by clinical response to treatment and mortality due to heterogeneity of included patients, pathogens, dosing strategies and the absence of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM).

Immune checkpoint inhibitors in pediatric patients with melanoma: a systematic literature review.

This study summarized the existing evidence on the outcomes and safety of anti-PD-1s, anti-PD-L1s and anti-CTLA-4s in pediatric patients with melanoma. MEDLINE and Embase were searched from database inception to 01-12-2023. Of 1537 records identified, 27 studies (k) of 64 patients were included.

Patterns in progression from early-stage melanoma to late-stage melanoma: implications for survivorship follow-up.

This study determined the characteristics of patients with early-stage melanoma (IA-IIA) who later had stage IV recurrence. We retrospectively examined 880 melanoma patients and identified those who progressed to stage IV disease from an initial early-stage (n = 50). We observed a median latent period of 4 years between early-stage diagnosis and metastatic disease.

Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in Pets of Harris County, Texas, Revealed More Common Pet Infections in Households With Human COVID-19 Cases.

Local health departments can play a critical role in zoonoses surveillance at the human-domestic animal interface, especially when existing public health services and close relationships with community groups can be leveraged. Investigators at Harris County Veterinary Public Health employed a community-based surveillance tool for identifying severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections in dogs and cats in June--December 2021. Diagnosis was made using both RT-qPCR testing of oral and nasal swabs and plaque reduction neutralization testing of serum samples.

Update on Hepatorenal Syndrome: From Pathophysiology to Treatment.

Hepatorenal syndrome-acute kidney injury (HRS-AKI) occurs in the setting of advanced chronic liver disease, portal hypertension, and ascites. HRS-AKI is found in ∼20% of patients presenting to the hospital with AKI, but it may coexist with other causes of AKI and/or with preexisting chronic kidney disease, thereby making the diagnosis challenging. Novel biomarkers such as urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin may be useful.

Update on HIV Chemoprevention.

Despite rapid advances in the field of HIV prevention and treatment, unacceptably high global HIV incidence rates highlight the ongoing need for effective HIV prevention interventions for populations at risk for HIV acquisition. This article provides an updated review of the current data surrounding HIV prevention strategies, including treatment as prevention (TasP), preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and postexposure prophylaxis (PEP), as well as advances in sexually transmitted infection biomedical prevention. This review provides an overview of the multiple PrEP modalities that are available globally, such as oral PrEP, injectable cabotegravir, and the dapivirine vaginal ring, and describes their respective clinical trials, efficacies, and regulatory approvals.

Long-Term Risks of Living Kidney Donation: State of the Evidence and Strategies to Resolve Knowledge Gaps.

Living-donor kidney transplantation is the preferred treatment for kidney failure. In the United States, rates of living kidney donation have been stagnant, which is partly related to concerns over medical and financial risks. Recent research has better characterized the risks of living kidney donation, although the field is limited by a lack of robust registries.