Swiss-Webster and C57BL/6 mice are differentially sensitive to the stimulant effects of methamphetamine.

Methamphetamine is a highly addictive psychostimulant with significant neurobiological consequences, yet strain-dependent differences in its effects remain poorly understood. This study investigated behavioral and molecular differences in Swiss-Webster and C57BL/6 mice following methamphetamine exposure. Swiss-Webster mice exhibited greater behavioral sensitivity to methamphetamine compared to C57BL/6 mice, as demonstrated by lower peak doses required to elicit locomotor stimulation and conditioned place preference.

Guidelines for Diet-Induced Models of Cardiometabolic Syndrome.

Cardiometabolic syndrome (CMS) encompasses a cluster of metabolic abnormalities, including obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and hypertension that collectively increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Animal models are widely used to study CMS, with diet-induced models being the most physiologically relevant. A lack of reporting standards and variability in dietary composition, feeding duration, and macronutrient content across studies hinder reproducibility assessment and translational impact evaluation.

Single scan, subject-specific component extraction in dynamic functional connectivity using dictionary learning.

The study of individual differences in healthy controls can provide precise descriptions of individual brain activity. Following this direction, researchers have tried to identify a subject using their functional connectivity (FC) patterns computed by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data of the brain. Currently, there is an emerging focus on investigating the identifiability over the temporal variability of the FC.

Proportion of participants meeting falls prevention guidelines in an evidence-based community-based exercise program.

Background: Although exercise is strongly recommended to prevent falls in older adults (exercise that challenges balance, performed three hours per week on an ongoing basis), few community-based programs meet these recommendations.

Aims: Assess the proportion of participants meeting fall prevention exercise recommendations in a community-based program and explore how adherence varies by individual characteristics and participation mode (in-person, tele-exercise, or hybrid).

Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of Zoomers in Balance participants who completed an online questionnaire about their demographic data, mode of participation, and their perceived balance intensity in a 12-week series using the Balance Intensity Scale (1-no effort at all to 5-maximal effort).

Longitudinal Effects of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury on the Gut Microbiome and Acoustic Startle Response in Male and Female Rats.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) frequently occur and can lead to lasting negative cognitive, physical, and mental health outcomes. The biological response to even mild TBIs (mTBI) includes well-characterized inflammatory sequelae that start immediately post-injury, remain for weeks, and can develop into long-term systemic inflammation. Studies have shown that TBI influences multiple physiological systems, including the gastrointestinal tract, through bidirectional communication modulated, in part, by the gut microbiome.

Social Determinants of Learning: A Framework to Promote Diversity Along the Health Professions Education Continuum.

Health professions education (HPE) in the US is facing a critical disparity between the diversity of students enrolled in health professions programs and the diversity of US society. This disparity has downstream impacts on the healthcare workforce and patient care. The problem is created partly by social determinants of learning (SDOL), which are nonacademic, contextual conditions that impact students' ability to optimally participate in their education.

Assessing coronary artery disease severity using the TyG index in patients with LDL-C < 2.6 mmol/l.

Background: Determining the triglyceride‒glucose (TyG) index’s relationship to coronary lesions in patients with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) targes will inform precision management of cardiovascular disease.

Methods: This retrospective cohort included 821 enrolled patients with LDL-C levels < 2.6 mmol/L who underwent coronary angiography at the Department of Cardiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital from January 2016 to February 2024.

Cultural models within general practice/family medicine training: a scoping review protocol.

Introduction: Cultural competency, cultural safety, cultural humility and transcultural care have developed as frameworks to better equip medical professionals towards a more culturally appropriate healthcare system. The aim of this scoping review is to map the use of these cultural models within general practice/general practitioner (GP) training. We have elected to use the term 'GP' to encompass all trainee doctors within general practice/family medicine.

Heavy-Atom-Free Aza-BODIPY Polymeric Nanoparticles for Theranostic-Guided Photodynamic Cancer Therapy.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) presents a noninvasive method for cancer treatment, characterized by high spatial selectivity and reduced side effects. However, conventional photosensitizers containing heavy atoms often pose risks of cellular toxicity, limiting their clinical translation. To address this, we developed a heavy-atom-free aza-BODIPY derivative () with a donor-acceptor-donor (D-A-D) structure, conjugated to poly(ethylene glycol)-succinic acid (mPEG-SA) to form amphiphilic .

Knowledge and attitudes towards dementia among health professionals in Somaliland: a pilot survey.

Objectives: This study was aimed to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of healthcare professionals in Somaliland towards dementia.

Methods: Between June and July 2023, we administered an adapted online survey consisting of 30 Alzheimer's disease Knowledge Scale (ADKS) true or false statements and 10 Dementia Care Attitude Scale (DCAS) Likert-scale items. The reliability of the Likert-scale DCAS items was assessed using Cronbach's alpha.

Assessing the acceptance of palm biometric payment systems: An integration of technology acceptance model and valence framework.

The adoption of biometric payments has emerged to serve as an alternative innovative solution to address limitations of traditional payment methods such as pins on physical cards. This innovation opens security, aiming for stronger and more reliable authentication techniques, especially for secure transactions. This study's main objective was to assess the acceptance of palm biometric payments with the integration of the valence framework and technology acceptance model.

Early Insights Into the Healthy Laryngeal Microbiome: A Pilot Study Evaluating Salivary and Oropharyngeal Sampling as Proxies.

Objectives: The microbiome plays a critical role in health and disease. While the oral cavity microbiome is well-characterized, the healthy laryngeal microbiome remains underexplored despite its unique immunological role. Laryngeal sampling is more invasive, time-consuming, and costly than salivary and oropharyngeal sampling.

WhiFuN: A toolbox to map the white matter functional networks of the human brain.

Functional connectivity (FC) computed using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of the gray matter (GM) regions of the human brain has been successfully used to find reliable markers of healthy and clinical populations. Approximately 50% of the human brain consists of white matter (WM), and previous studies have shown the presence of blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signals in the WM. However, current FC analysis by researchers is limited to GM regions of the brain, and fMRI data from WM are typically not analyzed.

Dual and multiple exposures to metal oxide nanomaterials: Unveiling histological and oxidative stress dynamics in Mytilus galloprovincialis.

Due to their increasing industrial applications, metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) have emerged as significant environmental pollutants with potential ecotoxicological effects on aquatic organisms. This study evaluated the acute effects of binary and ternary mixtures of ZnFe₂O₄ (10 mg/L), SiO₂ (10 mg/L), and NiO (100 mg/L) NPs on Mytilus galloprovincialis. Following 96-hour exposures, oxidative stress biomarkers (SOD, CAT, GST, MDA) and histopathological alterations were assessed in gill and digestive gland tissues.

The effects of competition on exercise intensity and the user experience of exercise, during virtual reality bicycling for healthy adults across the lifespan.

Background: Engaging in regular moderate-to-vigorous exercise is an essential component of promoting longevity and reducing health risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle. However, various barriers can hinder participation in high-intensity exercise. Virtual reality (VR) may enhance exercise adherence by increasing engagement and motivation.

Genomics-informed drug-repurposing strategy identifies two therapeutic targets for preventing liver disease associated with metabolic dysfunction.

Identification of drug-repurposing targets with genetic and biological support is an economically and temporally efficient strategy for improving the treatment of diseases. We employed a cross-disciplinary approach to identify potential therapeutics for the prevention of metabolic-dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in at-risk individuals by using humans as a model organism. We identified 212 putative candidate genes associated with MASLD by using data from a large multi-ancestry genetic association study, of which 158 (74.

Application of Emotional Intelligence in Surgical Education: A Scoping Review.

Background: Emotional Intelligence (EI) encompasses the ability to perceive, understand, and manage emotions and is increasingly recognized as a vital nontechnical (soft) skill within surgical education. Its relevance extends to stress management, leadership, and communication, essential traits in high-stakes surgical environments. Despite its theoretical importance, EI has yet to be adequately embedded into structured surgical training curricula.

COX-2 in Fracture Callus Chondro-Osseous Junction Osteoclasts Regulates Chondrocyte Hypertrophy and Callus Vasculogenesis.

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activity is necessary for bone fracture healing to proceed normally. COX-2 is encoded by Ptgs2 and is expressed by several cell types during fracture healing, suggesting that COX-2 regulates multiple processes to affect fracture healing. Here, the role of COX-2 expression in osteoclasts during mouse femur fracture healing was examined.

Factors associated with mortality among people with advanced HIV disease in rural uganda: a retrospective study.

Background: Despite global efforts to improve HIV care, late diagnosis and delayed antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation continue to pose mortality risks among people living with HIV (PLHIV) with advanced HIV disease (AHD). This study investigated factors associated with mortality among PLHIV with AHD in rural North-Central Uganda from January 2018 to December 2021.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed electronic medical records from 18 health facilities, collecting data on demographics and clinical characteristics, including baseline CD4 count, ART regimen, BMI, TB status, TPT use, WHO clinical stage, and viral load.

Sialic Acid Identity Modulates Host Tropism of Sialoglycan-binding Viridans Group Streptococci.

Microbial interactions with multiple species may expand the range of potential hosts, supporting both pathogen reservoirs and zoonotic spillover. Viridans group streptococci interact with host cells by engaging protein-attached glycosylations capped with terminal sialic acids (sialoglycans). One potential origin for host tropism of these streptococci arises because humans exclusively synthesize the N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) form of sialic acid, while non-human mammals synthesize both Neu5Ac and a hydroxylated N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc).

Perceptions of body size and non-communicable disease risk among people with HIV in Nairobi, Kenya: an explanatory mixed-methods study.

Introduction: Burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) continues to rise in low- and middle-income countries like Kenya. People with HIV (PWH) may be at greater risk for obesity and NCDs. National health policies recommend integrated approaches to manage these conditions, but have not been widely implemented.

Heart Rate Dynamics during Localized Upper-Extremity Function as a Novel Measure of Cardiac Autonomic Dysfunction: Investigation of Aging- and Disease-Related Alterations.

Introduction: Cardiac autonomic dysfunction reduces the cardiac system's ability to respond to stressors and is prevalent in aging and diseases, especially cardiovascular diseases like aortic stenosis (AS). Heart rate variability (HRV) is a common measure for evaluating parasympathetic activity and cardiac autonomic function; similarly, heart rate (HR) changes during exercise are utilized in determining cardiac health. However, directly measuring HR parameters from an electrocardiogram (ECG) is difficult due to motion artifacts during exercise.

A scoping review on HCV screening strategies: population to screen and the test types.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a genetically diverse blood-borne pathogen causing liver inflammation and damage. It is one of the global public health problems responsible for claiming thousands of lives every year. Although there are various HCV testing strategies depending on the specific circumstances and guidance of local authorities, the proportion of diagnosed HCV cases in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) is estimated to be less than 5%.

A cross-sectional study of early marriage among ever-married Somali women: Prevalence, regional differences, and sociodemographic determinants.

This study aims to examine the prevalence of early marriage among ever-married Somali women aged 20-49, assess differences across age groups and regions, and identify the main sociodemographic and contextual determinants. The study used the 2020 Somali Health and Demographic Survey dataset. The survey was a representative, three-stage cluster stratified sample, and the data were collected through personal interviews.