Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kathleen A. Trychta, Brandon K. Harvey
Summary: Drug abuse can lead to hyperthermia, triggering endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and the unfolded protein response (UPR). This study demonstrates that the combination of MDMA and caffeine exacerbates disruption of ER proteostasis, contributing to cellular toxicity.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
James R. Docherty, Hadeel A. Alsufyani
Summary: The majority of illicit stimulants act on monoaminergic systems, causing both stimulant effects and adverse reactions. These substances can interact with monoamine transporters and receptors, as well as mimicking monoamine actions. Stimulants, particularly MDMA, can increase the risk of sudden cardiac death and fatalities from hyperthermia, especially in hot conditions like raves. This review focuses on the pharmacology of cardiovascular and temperature adverse effects of stimulants.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
I-Hsun Li, Tsung-Ta Liu, Ying-Chen Chen, Sheng-Huang Hsiao, Hao-Yuan Hung, Li-Yun Fann, Jui-Hu Shih
Summary: It was found that methimazole (MMI) can alleviate MDMA-induced hyperthermia and neurotoxicity, as well as induce excited behavior in rats. However, further investigation is needed to provide more evidence for its clinical use.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Tianzheng Yu, Jacob Dohl, Yu Min Park, LaVerne L. Brown, Rebecca B. Costello, Yifan Chen, Patricia A. Deuster
Summary: Both male and female mice exhibit mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in skeletal muscle when exposed to heat stress. Females show a greater increase in ROS levels compared to males. A low-dose combination of curcumin and astaxanthin can reduce heat-induced oxidative damage to skeletal muscle.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Hayley N. Manke, Katharine H. Nelson, Shihui Huang, Jacob M. Bailey, Sara K. Bowman, Robert A. Jones, Sydney E. Cerveny, Kenner C. Rice, Anthony L. Riley
Summary: This study investigates the impact of pre-exposure to the synthetic cathinone methylone on the aversive effects of MDPV and MDMA. The results suggest that pre-exposure to methylone can attenuate the aversive effects of MDPV and MDMA, with the attenuation being greater for MDPV and only observed in males for MDMA. These findings have implications for understanding and preventing polydrug use involving synthetic cathinones.
PHARMACOLOGY BIOCHEMISTRY AND BEHAVIOR
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
Giulia Costa, Krystyna Golembiowska
Summary: Studies suggest that MDMA, commonly known as 'ecstasy', not only has abuse potential, but may also cause acute and persistent central level abnormalities with demonstrated neurotoxic effects in experimental animals. This could pose serious health risks since MDMA is frequently used recreationally by young and adult individuals.
EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Sara K. Bowman, Shihui Huang, Marissa E. Vasquez, Kenner C. Rice, Anthony L. Riley
Summary: This study found that a history of the antidepressant fluoxetine reduced the aversive effects of MDMA in male (but not female) rats, potentially increasing the drug's potential for use and abuse. The basis for these gender differences requires further study.
EXPERIMENTAL AND CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Neurosciences
Jan van Amsterdam, Tibor M. Brunt, Mimi Pierce, Wim van den Brink
Summary: Although MDMA is considered relatively safe and has therapeutic potential for certain disorders, recreational use can lead to serious health risks, especially when combined with alcohol. To reduce adverse health incidents, individuals using MDMA should avoid drinking alcohol simultaneously.
NEUROTOXICITY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rolando Pasquariello, Polina Anipchenko, Georgia Pennarossa, Martina Crociati, Massimo Zerani, Tiziana AL. Brevini, Fulvio Gandolfi, Margherita Maranesi
Summary: Carotenoids play a crucial role in reproductive functions and show potential therapeutic effects in animals. They regulate follicle and oocyte development, steroidogenesis, and spermatogenesis.
Review
Urology & Nephrology
Ava Wexler, Alexandra Dubinskaya, Julie Suyama, Barry R. Komisaruk, Jennifer Anger, Karyn Eilber
Summary: MDMA generally increases sexual desire and intensifies orgasm when achieved, but it produces conflicting evidence on sexual arousal in both sexes. In men, MDMA may impair erectile and ejaculatory function.
SEXUAL MEDICINE REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sergio Nolazco, Kaspar Delhey, Shinichi Nakagawa, Anne Peters
Summary: This article examines the ornament traits and adaptive signals in birds. The study finds that although female ornaments are often less elaborate than male ornaments, both sexes show similar associations between ornaments and indicators of health and reproductive success.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Review
Plant Sciences
Zhihua Cheng, Weiyuan Song, Xiaolan Zhang
Summary: This review focuses on the types of genic male sterility and factors affecting female fertility in vegetable crops. It summarizes the gene function and research progress related to reproductive organ identity and sporophyte and gametophyte development, mainly in tomato and cucumber. The review also discusses the research trends and application perspectives of the sterile trait in vegetable breeding and hybrid production.
HORTICULTURE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rui Chen, Jipeng Wang, Irina Gradinaru, Hieu S. Vu, Sophie Geboers, Jacinth Naidoo, Joseph M. Ready, Noelle S. Williams, Ralph J. DeBerardinis, Elliott M. Ross, James J. Collins
Summary: This research uncovers a peptide-based pheromone signaling that controls female schistosome sexual maturation, suggesting potential therapeutic interventions.
Article
Ecology
Jaimie Arona Krems, Laureon A. Merrie, Victoria Short, Krystal Duarte, Nina N. Rodriguez, Juliana E. French, Daniel Sznycer, Jennifer Byrd-Craven
Summary: Status is a universal feature of human sociality. This study investigates the cues that render people high status in the eyes of social perceivers. Results suggest that people use men's strength and women's attractiveness as status cues.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Zorimar Vilella-Pacheco, Lisa D. Mitchem, Vincent A. Formica, Edmund D. Brodie
Summary: Females must choose among potential mates with different phenotypes in a variety of social contexts. Many male traits are inherent and unchanging, but others are labile to social context. Competition, for example, can cause physiological changes that reflect recent wins and losses that fluctuate throughout time. We may expect females to respond differently to males depending on the outcome of their most recent fight. In Bolitotherus cornutus (forked fungus beetles), males compete for access to females, but copulation requires female cooperation. In this study, we use behavioral trials to determine whether females use chemical cues to differentiate between males and whether the outcome of recent male competition alters female preference. We measured female association time with chemical cues of two size-matched males both before and after male-male competition. Females in our study preferred to associate with future losers before males interacted, but changed their preference for realized winners following male competitive interactions. Our study provides the first evidence of change in female preference based solely on the outcome of male-male competition.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)