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The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is the most promising target for drug use disorder treatment. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of NAc is effective for drug use disorder treatment. However, the mechanisms by which DBS produces its therapeutic effects remain enigmatic. Here, we define a behavioral cutoff criterion to distinguish depressive-like behaviors and nondepressivelike behaviors in mice after morphine withdrawal. We identified a basolateral amygdala (BLA) to NAc D1 medium spiny neuron (MSN) pathway that controls depressive-like behaviors after morphine withdrawal. Furthermore, the paraventricular nucleus of thalamus (PVT) to NAc D2 MSN pathway controls naloxone-induced acute withdrawal symptoms. Optogenetically induced long-term potentiation with K-opioid receptor (KOR) antagonism enhanced BLA to NAc D1 MSN signaling and also altered the excitation/inhibition balance of NAc D2 MSN signaling. We also verified that a new 50 Hz DBS protocol reversed morphine withdrawal-evoked abnormal plasticity in NAc. Importantly, this refined DBS treatment effectively alleviated naloxone-induced withdrawal symptoms and depressive-like behaviors and prevented stress-induced reinstatement. Taken together, the results demonstrated that input- and cell type-specific synaptic plasticity underlies morphine withdrawal, which may lead to novel targets for the treatment of opioid use disorder., Introduction Opioid drugs are powerful analgesics, but they are also highly addictive due to the elicitation of powerful euphoria. Opioid use disorder depends not only on its positive reinforcement effects, [...]

The Xiangho Zng district is the largest low-temperature W-Au-Sb metallogenic area in the world. The Darongxi skarn W deposit in the north of the Xiangzhong district is closely related to biotite monzonite granite, muscovite monzonite granite, and felsophyre, but the nature of granitic magma and its relationship with mineralization is relatively weak. In this paper, U-Pb dating, Lu-Hf isotope, the in situ composition of zircon, and the apatite of biotite monzonite granite, muscovite monzonite granite, and felsophyre in the Darongxi mining area are systematically studied, and the formation age, magma property and source, and their relationship with mineralization are discussed. The values of zircon U-Pb age and the εHf(t) of biotite monzonite granite are 222.2 ± 0.54 Ma and −2.9~−6.4, respectively. The values of zircon U-Pb age and the εHf(t) of muscovite monzonite granite are 220.8 ± 0.58 Ma and −2.7 to −8.1, respectively. The values of zircon U-Pb age and the εHf(t) of felsophyre are 222.3 ± 2.20 Ma and −2.2~−5.4, respectively. Magmatic apatite grains from biotite monzonite granite and muscovite monzonite granite show distinctive core–rim and oscillatory zoning textures in CL images, and demonstrate a bright yellow in colorful CL images. The magmatic apatite has a total rare earth concentration (3766~4627 ppm), exhibiting right-inclined nomorlized rare earth element patterns and obvious negative Eu anomalies. The geochemical data of magmatic zircon and apatite indicate that magma sources are responsible for these intrusions in the Darongxi mining area, mainly derived from the partial melting of the Mesoproterozoic crust, which is rich in W; the magma is rich in F and poor in Cl (F = 2.4~3.3 wt%, Cl = 0.0024~0.0502 wt%). The oxygen fugacity of magmatic zircon (ΔFMQAVG = −4.02~−0.26), the high negative Eu anomaly (δEu = 0.06~0.12) and the low positive Ce anomaly (δCe = 1.09~1.13) of magmatic apatite, and the occurrence of ilmenite all indicate that the redox condition of magma from the Darongxi mining area is reduced. The reduced F-rich crust-source granitic rock and W-rich source provide favorable conditions for the mineralization of the Darongxi reduced skarn W deposit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study whether public announcements (through delisting warnings) of financial distress of some firms in an industry affect the conditional accounting conservatism of intra-industry non-distressed firms. We hypothesize that the lenders of non-distressed firms perceive higher riskiness and demand for stricter debt covenants and more efficient monitoring of debt contracts when some firms show signals of financial distress in that industry. Intra-industry non-distressed firms increase their levels of conditional conservatism to meet the lenders' demands for stricter monitoring of debt contracts and to reduce debt costs. Using the delisting warning data from the Chinese stock exchanges, we find that financial distress announcements lead to increases in conditional conservatism of non-distressed firms in that industry. We provide new evidence for the spillover effects of financial distress within an industry and the usefulness of conditional conservatism in debt contracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excessive drinking damages the central nervous system of individuals and can even cause alcohol use disorder (AUD). AUD is regulated by both genetic and environmental factors. Genes determine susceptibility to alcohol, and the dysregulation of epigenome drives the abnormal transcription program and promotes the occurrence and development of AUD. DNA methylation is one of the earliest and most widely studied epigenetic mechanisms that can be inherited stably. In ontogeny, DNA methylation pattern is a dynamic process, showing differences and characteristics at different stages. DNA dysmethylation is prevalent in human cancer and alcohol-related psychiatric disorders, resulting in local hypermethylation and transcriptional silencing of related genes. Here, we summarize recent findings on the roles and regulatory mechanisms of DNA methylation, the development of methyltransferase inhibitors, methylation alteration during alcohol exposure at different stages of life, and possible therapeutic options for targeting methylation in human and animal studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We hypothesize that tax planning behaviour mitigates a firm's financial constraints, and this effect is more pronounced in non‐state‐owned enterprises and big firms compared to their counterparts. We use data for Chinese listed firms during the period 2010–2018 to test the hypotheses, based on both ordinary least squares and fixed‐effect models. The regression results show that tax planning is positively and significantly associated with mitigation of financial constraints, suggesting that cash tax savings are likely to improve firms' financial slack. This effect is stronger for non‐state‐owned enterprises, big firms, non‐political firms and firms in the eastern region of China. Further analyses reveal that, in the long run, tax planning increases firms' financial constraints, supporting Scholes‐Wolfson's point of view of tax planning, that minimizing taxes is not the same as effective tax planning. These results are robust to various tests. Overall, our results suggest that minimizing tax generally produces immediate cash flow benefits and mitigates financial constraints in the short run; however, in the long run, firms should adopt sustainable financing strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Tick-borne diseases in companion animals have been increasing globally. Domestic dogs and cats as potential reservoir hosts of tick-borne pathogens might transfer zoonotic diseases to humans. There are currently few reports of feline babesiosis in China. To investigate the incidence of Babesia spp. infection in cats, blood samples were collected from Chongqing, Fujian, Hubei and Shandong, and the first case in China of Babesia gibsoni in cats was detected. These findings will be useful for understanding the epidemic situation of babesiosis in China and provide a theoretical basis for undertaking effective disease control measures in the interests of public health. As there are few studies of Babesia spp. infection in cats in China, or anywhere in the world, the aim of this study was to explore the epidemic features of babesiosis in pet cats in China. In total, 429 blood samples were randomly collected in four different geographical regions. The 18S rRNA gene fragment of Babesia spp. was amplified by nest polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and haplotype and phylogenetic analysis of Babesia were performed to analyze the relationship of this protozoa. The total positive rate of infection was 2.8%. BLAST analysis indicated that Babesia gibsoni was detected in 12 cats. Among these, 4.3%, 3.1%, 0.8% and 2.0% were from Chongqing, Fujian, Hubei and Shandong, respectively. Haplotype and phylogenetic analysis showed that there were nine haplotypes and no obvious genetic variation among B. gibsoni populations. This is the first report of B. gibsoni in cats in China. These findings will be helpful for understanding the epidemiology of Babesia spp. in China, and provide a foundation for developing effective preventative strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long‐term opioid abuse causes a variety of long‐lasting cognitive impairments such as attention, impulsivity and working memory. These cognitive impairments undermine behavioural treatment for drug abuse and lead to poor treatment retention and outcomes. Modafinil is a wake‐promoting drug that shows potential in improving attention and memory in humans and animals. However, modafinil's effect on opioid‐induced cognitive impairments remains unclear, and the underlying mechanism is poorly understood. This study showed that repeated morphine administration significantly impairs attention, increases impulsivity and reduces motivation to natural rewards in mice. Systemic modafinil treatment at low dose efficiently ameliorates morphine‐induced attention dysfunction and improves motivation and working memory in mice. High dose of modafinil has adverse effects on impulsive action and attention. Local infusion of D1R antagonist SCH‐23390 reverses the morphine‐induced synaptic abnormalities and activation of the D1R–ERK–CREB pathway in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). This study demonstrated a protective effect of modafinil in mPFC neurons and offered a therapeutic potential for cognitive deficits in opioid abuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Discussion section, a correction is needed for the first sentence in paragraph 1; the original sentence "... I B. vogeli i was found in three of 203 cats in China [20], ..." should be replaced with "... I B. vogeli i was found in three of 203 cats in China [22], ..." In the Discussion section, a correction is needed for the last sentence in paragraph 1; the original sentence "For the presence of I B. gibsoni i in cat, there was just one reported in St Kitts [21], and I B. gibsoni i ..." should be replaced with "For the presence of I B. gibsoni i in cats, there were related reports in China, Singapore and St Kitts [21,33]. Text Correction In the Simple Summary section, the original sentence "...and the first case in China of I Babesia gibsoni i in cats was detected" should be replaced with "...and I Babesia gibsoni i was detected". In the Abstract section, the original sentence "This is the first report of I B. gibsoni i in cats in China" should be deleted. [Extracted from the article]

Glutathione S-transferase Pi (GSTpi) is the most important subtribe of GSTs protein superfamily, and plays an important role in the process of detoxification, antioxidant and antiinflammation. Here we use a GSTpi inhibitor, 6-(7-nitro-2, 1, 3-benzoxadiazol-4-ylthio) hexanol (NBDHEX), to evaluate the effect of GSTpi on the growth of mice. Mice treated with NBDHEX have heavier weight and longer length. But there is no significant difference in ratios of the weights of brain, kidney, lung, spleen, liver and heart to the whole body weight and Lee’s index between NBDHEX and control mice. These data suggested that GSTpi might inhibit mouse growth. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed that GSTpi inhibition induced a significant increase of growth hormone (GH) levels in blood and pituitary and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) levels in liver and blood in mice. Further observation demonstrated that GSTpi negatively regulated GHJanus Kinase 2 (JAK2)-signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5) axis through inhibiting STAT5 phosphorylation, and as a result of GSTpi decreased the expression of IGF-1., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they do not have any commercial or associative interest that represents a conflict of interest in connection with the work submitted.