Cdr1as/ciRS-7 is a circular RNA conserved in mammals and highly expressed in brain. It features a large number of microRNA target sites bound in vivo by miR-7/miR-671. Cdr1as regulates synaptic activity under stress in a temporal, spatial, and neuron-specific manner. We review genetic, molecular, evolutionary, and physiological data to discuss how Cdr1as and its interactors form a functionally important network of non-coding RNAs that regulates neuronal adaptability. We provide a framework to explore potential roles of other non-coding RNA networks on brain function and their diagnostic and therapeutic potential.

To investigate whether ophiopogonin D (OD) alleviates doxorubicin (Dox)‑induced myocardial hypertrophy in mice by regulating the β‑catenin/FUNDC1/mitophagy signaling axis.

Thirty C57BL/6J mice were randomized equally into control group, Dox treatment group, Dox with OD treatment group, Dox treatment group with injection of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector carrying β‑catenin, and Dox treatment group with injection of AAV vector. RNA sequencing analysis was used to identify differentially expressed genes in cultured mouse cardiac cells following Dox treatment. Western blotting was performed to examine the protein levels of β‑catenin, active β‑catenin, FUNDC1, LC3, p62, β‑myosin heavy chain (β-MHC), and α‑actin; immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining were used to assess the localization and expression of β-catenin and FUNDC1. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to evaluate mitochondrial damage in the cardiac myocytes. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and dual-luciferase reporter gene assays were used to investigate the transcriptional regulation of FUNDC1 by β‑catenin.

Dox treatment significantly inhibited β‑catenin signaling and FUNDC1-mediated mitophagy, leading to cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and mitochondrial damage. OD treatment obviously reversed these effects, restored β‑catenin signaling, enhanced FUNDC1 transcription and expression, and promoted mitophagy. Overexpression of β‑catenin or FUNDC1 mimicked the cardioprotective effect of OD, while knockdown of β‑catenin aggravated myocardial hypertrophy, which was reversed by FUNDC1 overexpression. Mechanistically, β‑catenin directly bound to the FUNDC1 promoter and activated its transcription.

OD alleviates Dox-induced myocardial hypertrophy in mice by activating the β‑catenin/FUNDC1/mitophagy axis and enhancing mitochondrial quality control.

In 2011, the Department of Veterans Affairs established the most comprehensive caregiver support services in the United States (US): the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC). Eligible caregivers receive a stipend, mental health care, self-care classes, peer mentoring, caregiver skills training, health care coverage, and travel benefits among other supports. In 2020, VA substantially expanded program access and services, yet no studies have examined PCAFC applicant characteristics since expansion.

To characterize the well-being, quality of life, and health status of PCAFC application since 2020.

A cross-sectional, descriptive study using VA administrative data and surveys from caregivers of veterans at the time of application to PCAFC.

Veterans and their caregivers who recently applied to PCAFC between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2023.

Caregiver well-being was assessed via the 12-item Zarit Burden Scale, the CESD-10 Scale, the Caregiver Reaction Assessment subscale of perceived financial strain, and care-related quality of life. Veteran health status was assessed using activities of daily living/instrumental activities of daily living and the Jen Frailty Index Score (risk of institutionalization).

The sample includes 1522 caregiver/veteran dyads. Nineteen percent of caregivers screened positive for depression, 27% reported clinically significant subjective burden, and nearly 50% of caregivers reported some level of financial difficulty. However, caregiver quality of life was 75.9 out of 100. Nearly 90% of the veterans were rated as having severe or total ADL/IADL problems and, on average, veterans had a moderate risk of long-term institutionalization.

Prior to enrollment in the program, caregivers provided intensive caregiving and a substantial proportion reported clinically significant levels of depression and burden and high financial strain. However, quality of life was rated highly. While improvements in the health and well-being of this cohort are needed, caregivers demonstrate substantial resilience despite intensive caregiving experiences.

To characterize sleep quality (SQ), determine the prevalence of clinically significant sleep disturbance (CSSD) and poor SQ in pregnant women with lumbopelvic pain (LBPP), compare quality of life (QoL), functionality, anxiety, and depression between those with and without CSSD, and correlate SQ with pain intensity, QoL, disability, anxiety, and depression.

This cross-sectional study included pregnant women with LBPP, ≥ 20 gestational weeks (GW). Participants completed an electronic form with sociodemographic information and questionnaires to assess QoL (SF-36), functionality (Oswestry Disability Index), SQ (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), and anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale). Participants were divided into two groups: CSSD (PSQI ≥ 10) and non-CSSD (PSQI < 10).

Fifty-six pregnant women with LBPP were included, presenting a median score of 6 [4.5-6] points on the PSQI (i.e., poor SQ). Thirteen (23%) pregnant women with LBPP were classified in the CSSD group (31 ± 3 years, 28 ± 6 GW) and 43 in the non-CSSD group (27 ± 5 years, 28 ± 6 GW). The CSSD group presented greater disability (p = 0.01), higher anxiety (p = 0.002) and depression (p = 0.0004), and lower functional capacity (p = 0.03), general health status (p = 0.03), vitality (p = 0.01), social (p = 0.0008) and emotional (p = 0.01) aspects, and mental health (p = 0.001) compared to the non-CSSD group. Moderate correlations were observed between SQ and disability, anxiety, and depression.

Pregnant women with LBPP exhibited poor SQ, 23% presented CSSD and 71% poor SQ. Those with both LBPP and CSSD showed greater disability, anxiety, and depression, and poorer QoL compared to pregnant women with LBPP but without CSSD.

HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) uptake is low among men who have sex with men (MSM), even among those aware of it. We examined factors associated with not seeking PEP among MSM in the ANRS-PREVENIR cohort who were PrEP-naive at enrollment, aware of PEP, and reported a potential need for it in the previous 12 months. Among 3,193 participants, 632 (19.8%) met these criteria, and 424 (67.1%) did not seek PEP. The most cited reasons were low perceived HIV risk, fear of judgment or stigmatization, and reluctance to seek hospital-based care. In multivariable analyses, living alone, perceived sexual risk, awareness of a partner's HIV status, high alcohol consumption, and engagement in 'hardcore sexual' practices were associated with higher odds of not seeking PEP, whereas frequent HIV testing and prior mental health consultation were associated with lower odds. These findings highlight the need to address individual and structural barriers to PEP uptake.

Youth and young adults experience high attrition across the HIV care continuum, including elevated risk of antiretroviral therapy (ART) nonadherence and virologic failure. This study examined how financial well-being relates to ART adherence among youth with HIV (YWH), including those using oral or LAI-based regimens. We analyzed baseline data from YWH aged 18-29 years in the United States enrolled between 2023 and 2025 in a randomized controlled trial addressing HIV care barriers, mental health, and substance use. Oral ART adherence was measured using a validated scale, with high adherence defined as a score ≥ 80%. For participants on LAI-ART, high adherence was defined as having no missed or delayed injection visits. We assessed the associations between financial well-being (i.e., unmet subsistence needs, overall financial situation, and mobile technology vulnerability) and adherence using descriptive statistics and adjusted prevalence ratios (PRs) estimated with log-Poisson models with robust standard errors. Among 201 participants, the median age was 27 years. Most (89.1%, n = 179) used oral ART, while 10.0% (n = 20) received LAI-ART. High adherence was achieved by 69.8% of oral ART users and 90% of LAI-ART users. Participants who reported they could "barely get by" financially had significantly lower adherence compared to those living comfortably (RR 0.70, 95% CI 0.52-0.95). Greater unmet subsistence needs were also associated with reduced adherence (RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.73-0.99). Financial well-being was linked to adherence among YWH using both oral and LAI-ART. Efforts to reduce financial hardship may support improved HIV treatment outcomes.

Housing insecurity and substance use disorder (SUD) are critical public health issues in the USA, with significant implications for health outcomes. This study evaluated the intersection of housing insecurity, SUD, and psychosis among Medicaid enrollees in an urban center in Oregon. Using data from Health Share of Oregon, we identified three distinct cohorts-individuals with housing insecurity, those with SUD/psychosis, and those with both conditions. Key outcomes included inpatient admission rates, average lengths of stay, and 30-day readmissions. The findings indicate that housing-insecure individuals with SUD/psychosis show greater acute care utilization than the other two cohorts. Inpatient admissions for housing-insecure individuals with SUD/psychosis were over twice as high as those without housing insecurity (29.7% vs. 12.4%), nearly three times as high as those without SUD/psychosis (29.7% vs. 9.5%), and almost ten times higher than those without either (29.7% vs. 3.0%). There were likewise corresponding increases in ambulatory-sensitive hospitalizations, 30-day readmissions, and longer hospital stays. Effective interventions should address both housing and healthcare needs, including comprehensive case management and improved access to physical, behavioral, and mental health services integrated with housing programs and services. These strategies could mitigate acute care utilization and improve overall health outcomes for these vulnerable populations.

Menstrual poverty (MP) defines the lack of access to menstrual health management (MHM) due to financial barriers, and there are limited data regarding its effects on youth mental health. The purpose of this study was to assess MHM practices among adolescents, determine the prevalence of MP according to socioeconomic status and examine its association with depressive symptoms (DS).

We conducted a survey on a nationally drawn sample (N = 1241) of adolescents aged 10-19 years. Data were collected from 12 provinces, which were classified into three (Tiers 5-6 having the lowest ranking) based on socioeconomic development rankings. Information regarding demographics, use and knowledge of menstrual products, menstrual hygiene, and MP was collected. The PHQ-9 scale was used to assess DS.

Overall, 15% of the cohort encountered challenges in obtaining MH products due to financial constraints, with a higher proportion in Tiers 5-6 (25%). Overall percentages of using improvised menstrual products (toilet paper, diapers, handmade pads, cloth etc.), MP-related school absenteeism, longer use due to an unsuitable school environment, and feeling ashamed to purchase menstrual products were 17.4%, 8.9%, 52% and 10.7%, respectively, with significantly higher proportions in Tiers 5-6. Individuals with MP were three times more likely to experience moderate-to-severe DS.

The study indicates the significance of MP in relation to MHM across all socioeconomic levels, especially lower tiers, and its link with DS. It is imperative to establish cost-effective and sustainable health policies to improve the accessibility of MHM for menstruating individuals, starting with adolescents in poor socioeconomic conditions.

To explore individual and family characteristics associated with children's response to group interventions for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) based on multidimensional indicators of intervention outcomes.

A total of 62 children with ADHD aged 6-9 years participating in an intervention program at the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University from July 2023 to January 2025 were enrolled. All the participants received a standardized group intervention consisting of 8 sessions delivered over 4-6 weeks, focusing on attention training and emotion regulation training. Pre- and post-intervention data were collected using the General Information Questionnaire, the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), the Affective Reactivity Index (ARI), the Matson Evaluation of Social Skills with Youngsters (MESSY), and the parent-rated Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham Rating Scale-IV (SNAP-IV). Given the consistency in intervention format and structure between the two groups, data were pooled for modeling analyses. Changes in emotion regulation, inattention, and social skills were used as the outcome indicators. LASSO regression was used to screen 18 baseline variables (8 psychosocial characteristics and 10 demographic and family-background variables), followed by multiple linear regression to identify stable predictors.

Across the models predicting changes in inattention, irritability, emotion-regulation difficulties, and inappropriately assertive/overconfident, the baseline score of each outcome was a significant positive predictor (β=0.462-0.669, P_BH<0.05). Higher baseline hostile scores predicted less improvement in emotion-regulation difficulties (β=-0.326, P_BH<0.01) and inappropriate assertiveness/overconfidence (β=-0.543, P_BH<0.05).

This study provides preliminary evidence that baseline symptoms and hostility traits may predict response to group interventions for ADHD, which may help to estimate treatment outcomes before intervention and provide support to precision intervention for children with ADHD.

While family focused practice can improve outcomes for families affected by parental mental illness, globally there is limited understanding regarding associated factors and enablers. This mixed methods study aimed to identify associated factors and enablers of family focused practice. A range of adult mental health and children's social care professionals in Northern Ireland completed the Family Focused Mental Health Practice Questionnaire (n = 868). The survey measured the extent of professionals' family focused behaviors (Referral; Psycho-Education; and Skills and Knowledge to support parent and their parenting) and four organizational (e.g., Workplace Support) and four individual professional factors (e.g., Connectedness) associated with these activities. The STROBE checklist for cross-sectional research was adhered to. Nested regressions identified nine factors associated with family focused practice; most significant were professionals' gender, professional discipline, years of experience, training in the Family Model and other training in child or family focused practice. Male professionals, social workers and those with more years of experience and who had received training in the Family Model and other training in child and family focused practice were most family focused. Subsequently 30 professionals and 21 service users participated in semistructured interviews to elaborate on factors associated with family focused practice. Both professionals and service users described the importance of family focused training while social workers more often discussed receiving the training and engaging in family focused practice than other disciplines. As clear skill, knowledge, and confidence differences are indicated between the professions they require consideration by organizations in developing training, policy and initiatives to promote FFP within adult mental health and children's social services in Northern Ireland and internationally.