Effects of methylphenidate on sensitivity to reinforcement delay, magnitude, and probability: Implications for impulsive and risky choice.

Under rapid-acquisition, concurrent-chains choice procedures, psychomotor stimulants typically decrease the sensitivity of responding to changes in separate dimensions of reinforcement. Across two experiments, pigeons chose between outcomes that differed in terms of reinforcement delay and magnitude (the dimensions involved in delay discounting or "impulsive" choice; Experiment 1) or reinforcement probability and magnitude (the dimensions involved in probability discounting or "risky" choice; Experiment 2). Outcomes associated with each terminal link were varied independently and pseudorandomly across sessions such that in dominated sessions one terminal link was favorable in terms of both dimensions (sooner, larger in Experiment 1 and more likely, larger in Experiment 2) and in trade-off sessions each terminal link was favorable in terms of a different dimension.

The Effects of Nitric Oxide on Choroidal Gene Expression.

Purpose: Nitric oxide (NO) is recognized as an important biological mediator that controls several physiological functions, and evidence is now emerging that this molecule may play a significant role in the postnatal control of ocular growth and myopia development. We therefore sought to understand the role that nitric oxide plays in visually-guided ocular growth in order to gain insight into the underlying mechanisms of this process.

Methods: Choroids were incubated in organ culture in the presence of the NO donor, PAPA- NONOate (1.

"Do all bisexuals have this power?": An exploratory study of "crippling nicotine addiction," identity, and other emergent themes in vaping messages on QueerTok.

Nicotine and tobacco use disproportionally affects sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations in the United States. Social media narratives may contribute to these disparities. This qualitative study delineated perceptions and experiences depicted in SGM-related videos about nicotine vaping on TikTok.

MAFLD: Exploring the Systemic Effects Beyond Liver.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a growing global health concern which is driven by the increasing prevalence of diabetes and obesity. MAFLD is characterized by excessive fat accumulation in the liver, which encompasses a range of conditions, from simple hepatic steatosis to more severe forms. This condition is associated with various complications, including chronic kidney disease (CKD), Cardiovascular Disease (CVD), liver cirrhosis, and even malignancy.

Infection prevention in the immunocompromised traveler due to conditions other than transplantation: a review.

This narrative review explores the risks related to infection in immunocompromised travelers due to conditions other than transplantation, and evaluates the evidence behind current prophylactic strategies, including immunizations, antimicrobials, and non-pharmacological interventions, to prevent various infection and how the current evidence applies to this special patient population, from the perspective of a US-based traveler.

Maternal Western Diet Programmes Bile Acid Dysregulation and Hepatic Fibrosis in Fetal and Juvenile Macaques.

Background And Aims: Maternal obesity increases the risk of the paediatric form of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), affecting up to 30% of youth, but the developmental origins remain poorly understood.

Methods: Using a Japanese macaque model, we investigated the impact of maternal Western-style diet (mWSD) or chow diet followed by postweaning WSD (pwWSD) or chow diet focusing on bile acid (BA) homeostasis and hepatic fibrosis in livers from third-trimester fetuses and 3-year-old juvenile offspring.

Results: Juveniles exposed to mWSD had increased hepatic collagen I/III content and stellate cell activation in portal regions.

The Brain's Aging Resting State Functional Connectivity.

Resting state networks (RSNs) of the brain are characterized as correlated spontaneous time-varying fluctuations in the absence of goal-directed tasks. These networks can be local or large-scale spanning the brain. The study of the spatiotemporal properties of such networks has helped understand the brain's fundamental functional organization under healthy and diseased states.

Herpesvirus Infections After Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy and Bispecific Antibodies: A Review.

In this narrative review, we explore the burden and risk factors of various herpesvirus infections in patients receiving chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy or bispecific antibodies (BsAb) for the treatment of hematologic malignancies. Antiviral prophylaxis for herpes simplex/varicella zoster viruses became part of the standard of care in this patient population. Breakthrough infections may rarely occur, and the optimal duration of prophylaxis as well as the timing of recombinant zoster immunization remain to be explored.

Clinical and Genomic Features of Androgen Indifferent Prostate Cancer.

Androgen-indifferent prostate cancer (AIPC) is increasingly common and particularly lethal. Data describing these tumors are sparse, and AIPC remains a poorly understood malignancy. Utilizing the Oncology Research Information Exchange Network (ORIEN) database, we enriched for tumors with features of AIPC using previously described characteristics.

Evolutionary and Structural Insights into the RNA Polymerase I A34 Protein Family: A Focus on Intrinsic Disorder and Phase Separation.

Background: Eukaryotic RNA polymerase I consists of 12 or 11 core subunits and three dissociable subunits, Rrn3, A34, and A49. The A34 and A49 subunits exist as a heterodimer. In silico analysis of the A34 family of transcription factors demonstrates a commonly shared domain structure despite a lack of sequence conservation, as well as N-terminal and C-terminal disordered regions.

Expanding the Mutation Spectrum for Inherited Retinal Diseases.

Background/objectives: Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) represent a diverse group of genetic disorders characterized by degeneration of the retina, leading to visual impairment and blindness. IRDs are heterogeneous, sharing common clinical features that can be difficult to diagnose without knowing the genetic basis of the disease. To improve diagnostic accuracy and advance understanding of disease mechanisms, genetic testing was performed for 103 unrelated patients with an IRD at a single clinical site between 30 August 2022 and 5 February 2024.

SORL1-Mediated EGFR and FGFR4 Regulation Enhances Chemoresistance in Ovarian Cancer.

Recurrent tumors that are resistant to conventional chemotherapy are a major challenge of ovarian cancer treatment. A better understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms of chemoresistance is critical for developing more effective targeted therapies for ovarian cancer. In this study, we analyzed the transcriptomic profiles of thirteen pairs of matching primary and recurrent ovarian cancers to identify genes that were upregulated in the recurrent tumors.

A Biopsychosocial Overview of Speech Disorders: Neuroanatomical, Genetic, and Environmental Insights.

Speech disorders encompass a complex interplay of neuroanatomical, genetic, and environmental factors affecting individuals' communication ability. This review synthesizes current insights into the neuroanatomy, genetic underpinnings, and environmental influences contributing to speech disorders. Neuroanatomical structures, such as Broca's area, Wernicke's area, the arcuate fasciculus, and basal ganglia, along with their connectivity, play critical roles in speech production, comprehension, and motor coordination.

Supporting Holistic Health and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Risk Reduction Among Young Native Females Prior to Pregnancy: A Qualitative Exploration.

AI/AN communities are disproportionately impacted by food insecurity and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Decreasing the risk of GDM can interrupt the intergenerational cycle of diabetes in AI/AN families, and can decrease diabetes-related health disparities. The goal of this study was to explore ways of supporting holistic health and reducing the risk of GDM among young American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) females prior to pregnancy.

Cellular plasticity and non-small cell lung cancer: role of T and NK cell immune evasion and acquisition of resistance to immunotherapies.

Lung cancer is a leading global cause of mortality, with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounting for a significant portion of cases. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have transformed NSCLC treatment; however, many patients remain unresponsive. ICI resistance in NSCLC and its association with cellular plasticity, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), enhanced adaptability, invasiveness, and resistance is largely influenced by epigenetic changes, signaling pathways, tumor microenvironment, and associated immune cells, fibroblasts, and cytokines.

E-Cigarette Use and Depression Among American Indian Adults Who Smoke.

Objective: This study examined the association of e-cigarette use status and history of depression among American Indian (AI) adults who smoke.

Method: We conducted a secondary data analysis using survey data from 375 AI adult smokers collected in 2016 at a tribally operated healthcare facility in northeast Oklahoma. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the association between e-cigarette use and self-reported history of depression while adjusting for potential confounders.

Defining Hyperphagia for Improved Diagnosis and Management of MC4R Pathway-Associated Disease: A Roundtable Summary.

Purpose Of Review: Hyperphagia is a condition associated with rare obesity-related diseases, presenting as a pathologic, insatiable hunger accompanied by abnormal food-seeking behaviors. In October 2023, a group of researchers and clinicians with expert knowledge on hyperphagia convened at the annual ObesityWeek meeting to discuss the need for a unified definition of hyperphagia and key items necessary to improve the identification, assessment, and treatment of hyperphagia in patients with melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) pathway-associated diseases.

Recent Findings: The definition of hyperphagia proposed by this group is a pathologic, insatiable hunger accompanied by abnormal food-seeking behaviors.

Genomic interrogation of commercial infant probiotic products for label accuracy.

Objective: To evaluate the label accuracy of commercial infant probiotic products and identify potential microbial contamination.

Methods: DNA was extracted from seventeen infant probiotic products purchased from a large online vendor. Samples underwent 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing, QIIME analysis, and bacterial taxonomic classification.

Perioperative Supportive Care Interventions to Enhance Surgical Outcomes for Older Adults With Cancer: A Systematic Review.

Purpose: Older adults with cancer have unique needs, which likely influence surgical outcomes in the geriatric oncology population. We conducted a systematic review to describe the literature focused on perioperative supportive care interventions for older adults with cancer undergoing surgery.

Methods: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, we performed a comprehensive search using the Ovid MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Embase databases for literature published from January 2010 to October 2023.

Ketogenic Diet-Associated Worsening of Osteoarthritis Histologic Secerity, Increased Pain Sensitivity and Gut Microbiome Dysbiosis in Mice.

Objectives: Dietary interventions are a potentially powerful treatment option for knee osteoarthritis (OA). The objective of this study was to evaluate a well-formulated ketogenic diet (KD) in the context of knee OA histology and pain using the destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) mouse model and correlate with gut microbiome and systemic cytokine levels.

Methods: Adult male mice underwent unilateral DMM or sham surgery and were then fed eight weeks of KD or chow.

Relations between Distress Tolerance and Psychosocial Variables in Adults Experiencing Homelessness.

Background: Distress Tolerance (DT) is a transdiagnostic factor that may help better understand vulnerability to mental health problems. This study explores DT among recently incarcerated adults experiencing homelessness (RIHAs).

Methods: Participants (298) were recruited from an ongoing clinical trial at a homeless shelter in Texas.

Heterogeneity of the Treatment Effect with PARP Inhibitors in Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer: A Living Interactive Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background And Objective: Selection of patients harboring mutations in homologous recombination repair (HRR) genes for treatment with a PARP inhibitor (PARPi) is challenging in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). To gain further insight, we quantitatively assessed the differential efficacy of PARPi therapy among patients with mCRPC and different HRR gene mutations.

Methods: This living meta-analysis (LMA) was conducted using the Living Interactive Evidence synthesis framework.

Embracing the Future of Clinical Trials in Radiotherapy: An NRG Oncology CIRO Technology Retreat Whitepaper on Pioneering Technologies and AI-Driven Solutions.

This white paper examines the potential of pioneering technologies and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven solutions in advancing clinical trials involving radiotherapy. As the field of radiotherapy evolves, the integration of cutting-edge approaches such as radiopharmaceutical dosimetry, FLASH radiotherapy, image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT), and AI promises to improve treatment planning, patient care, and outcomes. Additionally, recent advancements in quantum science, linear energy transfer/relative biological effect (LET/RBE), and the combination of radiotherapy and immunotherapy create new avenues for innovation in clinical trials.

Risk of carcinomas among children and adolescents with birth defects.

Background: Birth defects are associated with childhood cancer, but little is known regarding pediatric carcinomas, a group of especially rare tumors.

Methods: We used Cox proportional hazards regression to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) and 95 % confidence interval (CI) for any carcinoma, as well as thyroid, hepatocellular, and renal carcinoma specifically, up to 18 years of age among children with major, non-syndromic anomalies or chromosomal/genetic syndromes, relative to unaffected children.

Results: Our registry-linkage study included nine states and 21,933,476 children between 1990 and 2018: 641,827 with non-syndromic anomalies, and 49,619 with syndromes.

Cardiovascular Disease-Specific Responses to Autonomic Denervation.

Background: Calcium-mediated autonomic denervation has been shown to suppress postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after coronary artery bypass grafting.

Objectives: This study sought to evaluate whether similar autonomic denervation can prevent POAF after mitral or aortic valve surgeries.

Methods: This research consisted of 2 single-center, randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trials: CAP-AF2 (Calcium Autonomic Denervation Prevents Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation in Patients Undergoing Isolated Mitral Valve Surgery for Mitral Regurgitation) for mitral valve (MV) surgery and CAP-AF3 (Calcium Autonomic Denervation Prevents Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation in Patients Undergoing Isolated Aortic Valve Surgery) for aortic valve surgery.