Cannabis Use, Use Disorder, and Workplace Absenteeism in the U.S., 2021-2022.

INTRODUCTION: Cannabis use and cannabis use disorder (CUD) are associated with adverse psychosocial outcomes, but their impact on workplace absenteeism remains poorly understood. Moreover, few studies have examined the role of CUD severity. This study aims to address these gaps by examining the associations between cannabis use recency, frequency, CUD severity, and workplace absenteeism. METHODS: Cross-sectional data from a U.S. representative sample of full-time employed adults aged ≥18 from the 2021 to 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (N=46,499) were analyzed. The associations between cannabis use recency, past-month cannabis use frequency, CUD severity, and workplace absenteeism (measured by self-reported number of missed days due to illness/injury and skipped work in the last 30 days) were evaluated using negative binomial regression, adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics and other substance use. Data were analyzed in 2023-2024. RESULTS: An estimated 15.9% of full-time employed adults used cannabis in the past month, with 6.5% meeting CUD criteria. Past-month cannabis use (compared to no lifetime use), more frequent past-month cannabis use (compared to no use in the past month), and each level of CUD (compared to no CUD) were associated with increased incidence of both missing work due to illness/injury and skipping work, with a dose-response relationship observed between CUD severity and skipping work (mild: adjusted incident rate ratio [aIRR]=1.60 [95% confidence interval [CI]=1.24, 2.08]; moderate: aIRR=1.98 [95% CI=1.50, 2.61]); severe (aIRR=2.87 [95% CI=2.12, 3.88]). CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with recent and frequent cannabis use and CUD are disproportionately prone to workplace absenteeism. Results support the enforcement of workplace drug prevention and treatment policies.

An activity-regulated transcriptional program directly drives synaptogenesis.

Although the molecular composition and architecture of synapses have been widely explored, much less is known about what genetic programs directly activate synaptic gene expression and how they are modulated. Here, using Caenorhabditis elegans dopaminergic neurons, we reveal that EGL-43/MECOM and FOS-1/FOS control an activity-dependent synaptogenesis program. Loss of either factor severely reduces presynaptic protein expression. Both factors bind directly to promoters of synaptic genes and act together with CUT homeobox transcription factors to activate transcription. egl-43 and fos-1 mutually promote each other's expression, and increasing the binding affinity of FOS-1 to the egl-43 locus results in increased presynaptic protein expression and synaptic function. EGL-43 regulates the expression of multiple transcription factors, including activity-regulated factors and developmental factors that define multiple aspects of dopaminergic identity. Together, we describe a robust genetic program underlying activity-regulated synapse formation during development.

Descriptive epidemiology and phylogenetic analysis of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b in British Columbia (B.C.) and the Yukon, Canada, September 2022 to June 2023.

Surveillance data from wildlife and poultry was used to describe the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b in British Columbia (B.C.) and the Yukon, Canada from September 2022 - June 2023 compared to the first 'wave' of the outbreak in this region, which occurred April - August 2022, after the initial viral introduction. Although the number of HPAI-positive poultry farms and wildlife samples was greater in 'Wave 2', cases were more tightly clustered in southwestern B.C. and the most commonly affected species differed, likely due to an influx of overwintering waterfowl in the area. Eight HPAI genetic clusters, representing seven genotypes and two inter-continental viral incursions, were detected, with significant variation in the relative abundance of each cluster between the waves. Phylogenetic data suggests multiple spillover events from wild birds to poultry and mammals but could not rule out transmission among farms and among mammals.

Collecting Duct Pro(Renin) Receptor Contributes to Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction-Induced Kidney Injury via Activation of the Intrarenal RAS.

BACKGROUND: Although the concept of the intrarenal renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in renal disease is well-described in the literature, the precise pathogenic role and mechanism of this local system have not been directly assessed in the absence of confounding influence from the systemic RAS. The present study used novel mouse models of collecting duct (CD)-specific deletion of (pro)renin receptor (PRR) or renin together with pharmacological inhibition of soluble PRR production to unravel the precise contribution of the intrarenal RAS to renal injury induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction. METHODS: We examined the impact of CD-specific deletion of PRR, CD-specific deletion of renin, and S1P (site-1 protease) inhibitor PF429242 treatment on renal fibrosis and inflammation and the indices of the intrarenal RAS in a mouse model of unilateral ureteral obstruction. RESULTS: After 3 days of unilateral ureteral obstruction, the indices of the intrarenal RAS including the renal medullary renin content, activity and mRNA expression, and Ang (angiotensin) II content in obstructed kidneys of floxed mice were all increased. That effect was reversed with CD-specific deletion of PRR, CD-specific deletion of renin, and PF429242 treatment, accompanied by consistent improvement in renal fibrosis and inflammation. On the other hand, renal cortical renin levels were unaffected by unilateral ureteral obstruction, irrespective of the genotype. Similar results were obtained via pharmacological inhibition of S1P, the key protease for the generation of soluble PRR. CONCLUSIONS: Our results reveal that PRR-dependent/soluble PRR-dependent activation of CD renin represents a key determinant of the intrarenal RAS and, thus, obstruction-induced renal inflammation and fibrosis.

Long-term insulin resistance is associated with frailty, frailty progression, and cardiovascular disease.

BACKGROUND: Insulin resistance and diabetes are associated with an increased risk of frailty, and frailty is associated with cardiovascular disease and premature mortality. We aim to investigate the impact of long-term insulin resistance trajectories on future frailty and cardiovascular risk among young adults. METHODS: In total, 3168 participants with a 30-year follow-up period. The baseline period covered the first 15 years as the exposure period. Insulin resistance was determined using the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and three trajectories (low, moderate, and high) were constructed. The subsequent 15 years constituted the event accrual period. Frailty was assessed using a deficit accumulation mode, and cardiovascular outcomes were obtained from the 15-year event accrual period. RESULTS: The mean age of all 3168 participants was 41.0 (37.0-43.0) years, with 1750 (55.2%) being women. Participants in the high level of insulin resistance trajectory had an increased prevalence of frailty (OR: 1.55, 95% CI: 1.05-2.30, P = 0.028). Although no statistically significant associations were observed after full adjustment, single-factor analysis indicated association between the moderate and high trajectories and frailty progression. Additionally, participants with high level of insulin resistance trajectory were associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, and stroke. A notable correlation between HOMA-IR trajectory and cardiovascular diseases was still discernible within the subgroup where the frailty index ≥0.12 (HR: 2.12, 95% CI: 1.17-3.83, P = 0.013) (P for interaction >0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Long-term high level of insulin resistance is associated with high prevalence of frailty, and an increased risk of cardiovascular events. Emphasizing the importance of early prevention and intervention for abnormal glucose metabolism in young adults to prevent frailty and cardiovascular disease.

Update on the anesthesia management in adult patients with moyamoya disease.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The anesthetic management of patients with Moyamoya disease (MMD) is challenging and continues to evolve. The goal of this review is to provide updated recommendations on the anesthetic management of adult MMD patients based on the relevant existing literature. RECENT FINDINGS: Key findings include the importance of aggressive hydration preoperatively to sustain cerebral perfusion. Hypertension induced intraoperatively may prevent cerebral hypoperfusion. Vigilance against cerebral hyperperfusion after revascularization is necessary, with specific blood pressure targets recommended. Fluid management should aim for normovolemia to mild hypervolemia. Maintaining body temperature helps prevent cerebral vasospasm induced by hypothermia. Maintaining adequate oxygen supply during surgery is crucial. In cases of ischemic stroke, managing hematocrit and oxygen carrying capacity is essential to prevent further ischemia. Extubation decisions should consider baseline neurological function, while postoperative normocapnia helps prevent cerebral hyperperfusion and hypertension. In intensive care, cautious blood pressure management is crucial to prevent secondary complications. SUMMARY: Strategies in the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative anesthetic management of MMD patients should aim to maintain adequate cerebral perfusion to prevent cerebral ischemia.

Psilocybin Therapy for Females With Anorexia Nervosa: A Phase 1, Open-Label Feasibility Study.

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a deadly illness with no proven treatments to reverse core symptoms and no medications approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. Novel treatments are urgently needed to improve clinical outcomes. In this open-label feasibility study, 10 adult female participants (mean body mass index 19.7 kg m-2; s.d. 3.7) who met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria for AN or pAN (partial remission) were recruited to a study conducted at an academic clinical research institute. Participants received a single 25-mg dose of synthetic psilocybin in conjunction with psychological support. The primary aim was to assess safety, tolerability and feasibility at post-treatment by incidences and occurrences of adverse events (AEs) and clinically significant changes in electrocardiogram (ECG), laboratory tests, vital signs and suicidality. No clinically significant changes were observed in ECG, vital signs or suicidality. Two participants developed asymptomatic hypoglycemia at post-treatment, which resolved within 24 h. No other clinically significant changes were observed in laboratory values. All AEs were mild and transient in nature. Participants' qualitative perceptions suggest that the treatment was acceptable for most participants. Results suggest that psilocybin therapy is safe, tolerable and acceptable for female AN, which is a promising finding given physiological dangers and problems with treatment engagement. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT04661514. Appeared originally in Nat Med 2023; 29:1947-1953.

A Comprehensive Framework for Evaluating the Value Created by Real-World Evidence for Diverse Stakeholders: The Case for Coordinated Registry Networks.

OBJECTIVES: This manuscript presents a comprehensive framework for the assessment of the value of real-world evidence (RWE) in healthcare decision-making. While RWE has been proposed to overcome some limitations of traditional, one-off studies, no systematic framework exists to measure if RWE actually lowers the burden. This framework aims to fill that gap by providing conceptual approaches for evaluating the time and cost efficiencies of RWE, thus guiding strategic investments in RWE infrastructure. METHODS: The framework consists of four components: (114th Congress. 21st Century Cures Act.; 2015. https://www.congress.gov/114/plaws/publ255/PLAW-114publ255.pdf .) identification of stakeholders using and producing RWE, (National Health Council. Glossary of Patient Engagement Terms. Published 2019. Accessed May 18. 2021. https://nationalhealthcouncil.org/glossary-of-patient-engagement-terms/ .) understanding value propositions on how RWE can benefit stakeholders, (Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. CDER Patient-Focused Drug Development. U.S. Food & Drug Administration.) defining key performance indicators (KPIs), and (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Food and Drug Administration: Center for Devices and Radiological Health and Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. Use of Real-World Evidence to Support Regulatory Decision-Making for Medical Devices - Guidance for Industry and Food and Drug Administration Staff. 2017. http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/Guida .) establishing metrics and case studies to assess value. KPIs are categorized as 'better, faster, or cheaper" as an indicator of value: better focusing on high-quality actionable evidence; 'faster,' denoting time-saving in evidence generation, and 'cheaper,' emphasizing cost-efficiency decision compared to methodologies that do not involve data routinely collected in clinical practice. Metrics and relevant case studies are tailored based on stakeholder value propositions and selected KPIs that can be used to assess what value has been created by using RWE compared to traditional evidence-generation approaches and comparing different RWE sources. RESULTS: Operationalized through metrics and case studies drawn from the literature, the value of RWE is documented as improving treatment effect heterogeneity evaluation, expanding medical product labels, and expediting post-market compliance. RWE is also shown to reduce the cost and time required to produce evidence compared to traditional one-off approaches. An original example of a metric that measures the time saved by RWE methods to detect a signal of a product failure was presented based on analysis of the National Cardiovascular Disease Registry. CONCLUSIONS: The framework presented in this manuscript offers a comprehensive approach for evaluating the value of RWE, applicable to all stakeholders engaged in leveraging RWE for healthcare decision-making. Through the proposed metrics and illustrated case studies, valuable insights are provided into the heightened efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and improved decision-making within clinical and regulatory domains facilitated by RWE. While this framework is primarily focused on medical devices, it could potentially inform the determination of RWE value in other medical products. By discerning the variations in cost, time, and data utility among various evidence-generation methods, stakeholders are empowered to invest strategically in RWE infrastructure and shape future research endeavors.

State Cannabis and Psychedelic Legislation and Microdosing Interest in the US.

Importance: Despite growing interest in psychedelics, there is a lack of routine population-based surveillance of psychedelic microdosing (taking "subperceptual" doses of psychedelics, approximately one-twentieth to one-fifth of a full dose, over prolonged periods). Analyzing Google search queries can provide insights into public interest and help address this gap. Objective: To analyze trends in public interest in microdosing in the US through Google search queries and assess their association with cannabis and psychedelic legislative reforms. Design, Setting, and Participants: In this cross-sectional study, a dynamic event-time difference-in-difference time series analysis was used to assess the impact of cannabis and psychedelic legislation on microdosing search rates from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2023. Google search rates mentioning "microdosing," "micro dosing," "microdose," or "micro dose" within the US and across US states were measured in aggregate. Exposure: Enactment of (1) local psychedelic decriminalization laws; (2) legalization of psychedelic-assisted therapy and statewide psychedelic decriminalization; (3) statewide medical cannabis use laws; (4) statewide recreational cannabis use laws; and (5) all cannabis and psychedelic use restricted. Main Outcome and Measures: Microdosing searches per 10 million Google queries were measured, examining annual and monthly changes in search rates across the US, including frequency and nature of related searches. Results: Searches for microdosing in the US remained stable until 2014, then increased annually thereafter, with a cumulative increase by a factor of 13.4 from 2015 to 2023 (7.9 per 10 million to 105.6 per 10 million searches, respectively). In 2023, there were 3.0 million microdosing searches in the US. Analysis at the state level revealed that local psychedelic decriminalization laws were associated with an increase in search rates by 22.4 per 10 million (95% CI, 7.5-37.2), statewide psychedelic therapeutic legalization and decriminalization were associated with an increase in search rates by 28.9 per 10 million (95% CI, 16.5-41.2), statewide recreational cannabis laws were associated with an increase in search rates by 40.9 per 10 million (95% CI, 28.6-53.3), and statewide medical cannabis laws were associated with an increase in search rates by 11.5 per 10 million (95% CI, 6.0-16.9). From August through December 2023, 27.0% of the variation in monthly microdosing search rates between states was explained by differences in cannabis and psychedelics legal status. Conclusion and Relevance: This cross-sectional study found that state-led legislative reforms on cannabis and psychedelics were associated with increased public interest in microdosing psychedelics.

diaTracer enables spectrum-centric analysis of diaPASEF proteomics data.

Data-independent acquisition (DIA) has become a widely used strategy for peptide and protein quantification in mass spectrometry-based proteomics studies. The integration of ion mobility separation into DIA analysis, such as the diaPASEF technology available on Bruker's timsTOF platform, further improves the quantification accuracy and protein depth achievable using DIA. We introduce diaTracer, a new spectrum-centric computational tool optimized for diaPASEF data. diaTracer performs three-dimensional (m/z, retention time, ion mobility) peak tracing and feature detection to generate precursor-resolved "pseudo-MS/MS" spectra, facilitating direct ("spectral-library free") peptide identification and quantification from diaPASEF data. diaTracer is available as a stand-alone tool and is fully integrated into the widely used FragPipe computational platform. We demonstrate the performance of diaTracer and FragPipe using diaPASEF data from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma samples, data from phosphoproteomics and HLA immunopeptidomics experiments, and low-input data from a spatial proteomics study. We also show that diaTracer enables unrestricted identification of post-translational modifications from diaPASEF data using open/mass offset searches.

Koina: Democratizing machine learning for proteomics research.

Recent developments in machine-learning (ML) and deep-learning (DL) have immense potential for applications in proteomics, such as generating spectral libraries, improving peptide identification, and optimizing targeted acquisition modes. Although new ML/DL models for various applications and peptide properties are frequently published, the rate at which these models are adopted by the community is slow, which is mostly due to technical challenges. We believe that, for the community to make better use of state-of-the-art models, more attention should be spent on making models easy to use and accessible by the community. To facilitate this, we developed Koina, an open-source containerized, decentralized and online-accessible high-performance prediction service that enables ML/DL model usage in any pipeline. Using the widely used FragPipe computational platform as example, we show how Koina can be easily integrated with existing proteomics software tools and how these integrations improve data analysis.

Platelet Adhesion and Activation in an ECMO Thrombosis-on-a-Chip Model.

Use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for cardiorespiratory failure remains complicated by blood clot formation (thrombosis), triggered by biomaterial surfaces and flow conditions. Thrombosis may result in ECMO circuit changes, cause red blood cell hemolysis, and thromboembolic events. Medical device thrombosis is potentiated by the interplay between biomaterial properties, hemodynamic flow conditions and patient pathology, however, the contribution and importance of these factors are poorly understood because many in vitro models lack the capability to customize material and flow conditions to investigate thrombosis under clinically relevant medical device conditions. Therefore, an ECMO thrombosis-on-a-chip model is developed that enables highly customizable biomaterial and flow combinations to evaluate ECMO thrombosis in real-time with low blood volume. It is observed that low flow rates, decelerating conditions, and flow stasis significantly increased platelet adhesion, correlating with clinical thrombus formation. For the first time, it is found that tubing material, polyvinyl chloride, caused increased platelet P-selectin activation compared to connector material, polycarbonate. This ECMO thrombosis-on-a-chip model can be used to guide ECMO operation, inform medical device design, investigate embolism, occlusion and platelet activation mechanisms, and develop anti-thrombotic biomaterials to ultimately reduce medical device thrombosis, anti-thrombotic drug use and therefore bleeding complications, leading to safer blood-contacting medical devices.

Preclinical in vitro and in vivo activity of the RAF/MEK clamp avutometinib in combination with FAK inhibition in uterine carcinosarcomas.

OBJECTIVES: Uterine carcinosarcomas (UCS) are rare, biologically aggressive tumors. Since UCS may harbor mutations in RAS/MAPK pathway genes we evaluated the preclinical in vitro and in vivo efficacy of the RAF/MEK clamp avutometinib in combination with the focal adhesion kinase (FAK) inhibitors defactinib or VS-4718 against multiple primary UCS cell lines and xenografts. METHODS: Whole-exome-sequencing (WES) was used to evaluate the genetic landscape of 5 primary UCS cell lines. The in vitro activity of avutometinib ± FAK inhibitor was evaluated using cell viability and cell cycle assays against primary UCS cell lines. Mechanistic studies were performed using western blot assays while in vivo experiments were completed in UCS tumor bearing mice treated with avutometinib ± FAK inhibitor by oral gavage. RESULTS: WES results demonstrated multiple UCS cell lines harbor genetic alterations including KRAS, PTK2, BRAF, MAP2K, and MAP2K1, potentially sensitizing to FAK and RAF/MEK inhibition. Four out of five of the UCS cell lines demonstrated in vitro sensitivity to FAK and/or RAF/MEK inhibition when used alone or in combination. By western blot assays, exposure of UCS cell lines to the combination of defactinib/avutometinib demonstrated decreased phosphorylated (p)-FAK as well as decreased p-ERK. In vivo, the combination of avutometinib/VS-4718 demonstrated superior tumor growth inhibition and longer survival compared to single agent treatment and controls starting at day 10 (p < 0.002) in UCS xenografts. CONCLUSION: The combination of avutometinib and defactinib demonstrates promising in vitro and in vivo anti-tumor activity against primary UCS cell lines and xenografts.