Mechanisms of vagus nerve stimulation for the treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders: a focus on microglia and neuroinflammation.

The vagus nerve (VN) is the primary parasympathetic nerve, providing two-way communication between the body and brain through a network of afferent and efferent fibers. Evidence suggests that altered VN signaling is linked to changes in the neuroimmune system, including microglia. Dysfunction of microglia, the resident innate immune cells of the brain, is associated with various neurodevelopmental disorders, including schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and epilepsy.

Prevalence and determinants of tobacco use among school-going adolescents in 53 African countries: Evidence from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey.

Introduction: Tobacco use typically begins during adolescence. There is a lack of comprehensive evidence on the use of different tobacco products among adolescents in Africa.

Aims And Methods: We used the most recent Global Youth Tobacco Surveys from 53 African countries, covering 2003-2020, to estimate the overall and gender-specific prevalence of each type of tobacco product by country, Africa region, World Bank income group, and age group among adolescents aged 11-17 years.

Abducens Nerve Duplication: Novel Intraoperative and Radiographic Observation of a Rare Anatomical Variant.

 The abducens nerve has a long, serpentine subarachnoid course with complex topographical relationships, rendering abducens nerve palsy the most common ocular motor cranial nerve palsy in adults and second most common in pediatric patients, with anatomical variants reported in the literature. Preoperative awareness of abducens nerve variant anatomy may help prevent inadvertent intraoperative injury.  This study is a case report with a review of the abducens nerve anatomy and variants.

Risk Factors for Development of Diabetes Insipidus and Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Secretion after Transsphenoidal Resection of Pituitary Adenoma.

 We aimed to determine the incidence and risk factors for development of diabetes insipidus (DI) and syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) after transsphenoidal hypophysectomy (TSH) for resection of a pituitary adenoma.  This was a retrospective study of 403 adult patients undergoing TSH for pituitary adenoma. Clinical variables, tumor characteristics, and operative factors were collected.

Audiometric Outcomes of Auditory Brainstem Implantation during Vestibular Schwannoma Resection in NF2 Patients.

 Many patients with neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) suffer from sensorineural hearing loss, and associated cochlear nerve compromise in NF2 patients makes auditory brainstem implant (ABI) an attractive treatment option. The long-term outcomes and benefits of the device are still being explored.  A retrospective review was conducted for 11 ABI recipients at a single-institution tertiary center between November 2017 and August 2022.

A CT Radiologic Assessment of the Incidence of Cochlear-Facial Dehiscence and the Thickness of Bone between the Cochlea and Facial Nerve among Normal Temporal Bones.

Cochlear-facial dehiscence (CFD) is a relatively new diagnosis which occurs when the bony partition between the labyrinthine segment of the facial nerve and the cochlea is dehiscent. This is considered one of several third window lesions which produce varying degrees of auditory and vestibular symptoms. Imaging studies have identified a consistently higher incidence of CFD when compared with the only histopathologic study present in the literature.

Feasibility and Safety of Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Advanced Navigation to Optimize Intra-arterial Chemotherapy Infusion of Skull Base Tumors.

 To assess the feasibility and safety of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) advanced navigation for optimizing intra-arterial chemotherapy infusion (IACI) in patients with skull base tumors.  Retrospective review on 10 consecutive IACI procedures performed in five patients (four women, 1 man) over a 1-year period. The median age of the patients was 71 years (interquartile range: 34-74).

Complications of Endonasal Odontoidectomy in Pediatric versus Adult Populations: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

 Endonasal odontoidectomy (EO) is a procedure for addressing compressive pathology of the craniovertebral junction. While EO has been well established in adults, its complications and cervical fusion practices are less understood in pediatric patients, despite differences in sinonasal and craniocervical anatomy. This study summarizes and compares EO complications and need for cervical fusion in pediatric and adult patients.

Ipsilateral Nasoseptal Flaps in a Transpterygoid Approach: Technical Pearls and Reconstruction Outcomes.

 Transpterygoid approaches to the skull base require dissection of the sphenopalatine artery, potentially compromising the option to harvest an ipsilateral nasoseptal flap (NSF) for reconstruction. In cases where other reconstructive options are limited, it may be necessary to utilize a NSF ipsilateral to the transpterygoid approach. Here, we describe the technique of NSF pedicle preservation with reconstruction outcomes.

Assessing the detection and interaction of and porcine circovirus 2 in low and high-performance wean-to-finish pig groups in different porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus detection scenarios.

Introduction: Effective disease management strategies are essential for achieving optimal pig performance, ensuring high-quality animal health and welfare, and maintaining the economic viability of swine systems. Thus, understanding factors that lead to more or less severe disease are critically important. Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) and () are endemic pathogens in the U.

Comparison of bison and elk susceptibility to experimental challenge with strain 2308.

Introduction: Brucellosis is endemic in bison and elk in Yellowstone National Park and surrounding areas.

Methods: A comparative study was conducted using data from naive ( = 82 and 67, respectively) and strain RB51 (RB51) vaccinated (n-99 and 29, respectively) bison and elk experimentally challenged with virulent strain during pregnancy.

Results: The incidence of abortion, fetal infection, uterine or mammary infection, or infection in maternal tissues after experimental challenge was greater ( < 0.

Genetic structure and diversity of based on a MLVA typing scheme.

Background: Several epidemiological studies have been carried out using Multiple-Locus Variable-number tandem repeat Analysis (MLVA) for typing. However, a global perspective on the implications of the genetic diversity of this pathogen is lacking.

Objective: This study aimed to determine and to analyze the genetic structure of based on the R1-R3 MLVA typing scheme and to characterize, analyze and compare MLVA types among countries where the information was publicly available.

A didactic illustration of writing skill growth through a longitudinal diagnostic classification model.

Introduction: Diagnostic classification models (DCMs) have received increasing attention in cross-sectional studies. However, L2 learning studies, tracking skill development over time, require models suited for longitudinal analyses. Growth DCMs offer a promising framework for such analyses.

Improving sensory integration in Chinese children with moderate sensory integration challenges through engaging basketball training.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of combining basketball training with a traditional sensory integration therapy (SIT) vs. a SIT alone in enhancing sensory integration capability among Chinese children diagnosed with mild challenges in sensory integration and sensory processing (CSISP).

Methods: This study comprised a Control group and an Experimental group, both undergoing a 10-week intervention (4 sessions/week, 45 min/session).

Measuring the dark triad: a meta-analytical SEM study of two prominent short scales.

This research examines the factor structure and psychometric properties of two well-known Dark Triad personality trait questionnaires: the Short Dark Triad (SD3) and the Dirty Dozen (DD). By analyzing data from 11 (SD3) and 5 (DD) carefully selected studies in the United States and Canada, this meta-analysis uncovers unexpected correlations among questionnaire items, challenging existing assumptions. The study employs a two-stage structural equation modeling approach to evaluate various measurement models.

Sex in aging matters: exercise and chronic stress differentially impact females and males across the lifespan.

Assessing sex as a biological variable is critical to determining the influence of environmental and lifestyle risks and protective factors mediating behavior and neuroplasticity across the lifespan. We investigated sex differences in affective behavior, memory, and hippocampal neurogenesis following short- or long-term exposure to exercise or chronic mild stress in young and aged mice. Male and female mice were assigned control, running, or chronic stress rearing conditions for 1 month (young) or for 15 months (aged), then underwent a behavioral test battery to assess activity, affective behavior, and memory.

Systemic bupropion treatment reduces long-access cocaine self-administration in male and female rats.

Background: More than 1 million people in the United States meet the criteria for cocaine use disorder (CUD), and over 19,000 people died from cocaine-related overdoses in 2020, but there are currently no FDA-approved medications for the treatment of CUD. Bupropion is an antidepressant currently prescribed to treat depression and nicotine addiction that acts by inhibiting norepinephrine and dopamine transporters.

Methods: In this study, we tested the effect of several doses of systemic bupropion on cocaine self-administration in male and female Wistar rats.

A systematic review of the cost-effectiveness of anti-VEGF drugs for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy.

Background: Non-proliferative and proliferative diabetic retinopathy are common complications of diabetes and a major cause of sight loss. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs represent a treatment option for people with diabetic retinopathy and are routinely used to treat various other eye conditions. However, anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs are expensive relative to current care options, and it is unclear whether this additional cost is justified when the immediate risk of vision loss is lower compared to patients with more aggressive ophthalmological conditions.

Factors Associated with Caregiver Responsive and Non-Responsive Feeding Styles in Clark County, Nevada.

Objective: Early childhood obesity (ECO) significantly increased in the United States. ECO interventions lack focus on the prevention of ECO for infants under two. Caregiver's feeding styles (CFS) has shown to affect ECO development, but studies on CFS are limited.

Dietary Intake and Micronutrient Adequacy among Adults in Rural Sri Lanka: Findings from a Cross-Sectional Baseline Survey.

Objective: To characterize food group consumption, assess the contribution of food groups to energy and micronutrient intake, and estimate usual nutrient intake among adults in rural Sri Lanka.

Design: A baseline survey (Dec 2020-Feb 2021) was conducted as part of an agriculture-based, nutrition-sensitive resilience program evaluation. Dietary intake was assessed using telephone-based 24-hour recalls (n=1283), with repeat recalls from 769 participants.

Eighty-five Percent of Menu Items from the Six Highest Selling Fast-food Restaurants in the United States are Ultra-processed.

Objective: While fast-food is typically considered highly processed, an analysis to demonstrate this has yet to be conducted. Therefore, the objective of this research was to examine the menu items and ingredients from six fast-food restaurant menus using the NOVA Classification.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Enhancing transcranial ultrasound stimulation planning with MRI-derived skull masks: a comparative analysis with CT-based processing.

Transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) presents challenges in ultrasound wave transmission through the skull, affecting study outcomes due to aberration and attenuation. While planning strategies incorporating 3D computed tomography (CT) scans help mitigate these issues, they expose participants to radiation, which can raise ethical concerns. A solution involves generating skull masks from participants' anatomical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

The impact of age at initial HPV vaccination on cervical cancer screening participation in a nationally representative cohort of women in the United States.

Objective: A better understanding of factors associated with cervical cancer screening can inform strategies for cervical cancer prevention. This study examined the relationship between age at human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and participation in cervical cancer screening among a nationally representative sample of women in the United States.

Methods: We utilized data from the National Survey of Family Growth for the years 2015-2019 focusing on women aged 18-24 vaccinated against HPV.

A Unique Prodrug Targeting the Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen for the Delivery of Monomethyl Auristatin E.

Monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) is a promising treatment option for patients diagnosed with prostate cancer (PCa); however, toxicities prevent MMAE from being administered as free drug. No MMAE-based treatment is currently marketed for PCa. Herein, we describe a small-molecule-drug conjugate, CTT2274, for the selective delivery of MMAE.

Dynamic tracking of tumor microenvironment modulation using Kaede photoconvertible transgenic mice unveils new biological properties of viral immunotherapy.

CAN-2409 is a replication-defective adenovirus that delivers the herpes simplex virus (HSV)-thymidine kinase gene to infected cells. Intratumoral administration of CAN-2409 followed by prodrug results in the formation of a toxic metabolite able to induce immunogenic cell death, exposure of tumor-associated antigens, and activation of local and systemic immune responses. We used a dynamic labeling model with MC38 tumor cells implanted in photoconvertible Kaede mice.