The University of Texas Health Science Center

The early detection of potential side effects (SEs) is a critical yet formidable challenge within the realms of drug development and patient healthcare management. Conventional in-vitro or in-vivo approaches for SE detection are often not feasible to scale during the preclinical phase for numerous drug candidates. Innovations in explainable artificial intelligence offer the prospect of early detection of potential SEs for novel therapeutics prior to their release in the market, as well as the explication of the underlying biological mechanisms. In this context, we present a novel biologically informed graph-based model, called HHAN-DSI, which capitalizes on multimodal interactions among molecular entities. Applied within the domain of the central nervous system (CNS) - the organ system associated with the largest number of SEs - our model demonstrates its capability to reveal previously unrecognized SEs of various psychiatric drugs. Moreover, HHAN-DSI elucidates the associated biological mechanisms, delineating an intricate network of genes, biological functions, drugs, and SEs.

A large body of evidence has shown that sharp wave ripples (SWRs), highly synchronized oscillations of the local field potential (LFP) in the CA1 pyramidal layer of the hippocampus, play a prominent role in memory consolidation. SWRs typically occur in periods of non-REM sleep, but have also been observed during awake rest periods of animals engaged in cognitive tasks. These events have been observed in rodents, non-human primates, and humans, suggesting they are evolutionarily conserved and contribute to memory formation. Numerous neurological diseases and insults, including traumatic brain injury (TBI), impair learning and memory. Mild TBI (mTBI) is the most prevalent form of TBI, and can cause memory impairments that, in some cases, last for months-to-years. Clinical and experimental studies have shown that these impairments can occur in the absence of visible physical damage to the hippocampus. In the present study, we examined whether an mTBI alters the properties of SWRs in rodents. Seven days after a mild fluid percussion injury (mFPI), recording electrodes were implanted into the CA1 subfield of the hippocampus of sham and injured rats. After seven days of recovery, LFPs and the activity of CA1 neurons were simultaneously recorded. Recordings were carried out when animals were exploring an arena containing two objects, one of which was moved between recording sessions. This allowed us to evaluate how changes in the environment affected SWR incidence and properties. Our data show that compared to uninjured controls, mFPI rats had reduced numbers of SWR events. Of the SWRs recorded, those from mTBI rats had shorter durations, reduced power, and higher frequencies than those in control animals. We also found that the modulation of the activity of CA1 pyramidal neurons by SWRs was markedly impaired in mTBI animals. Taken together, our data indicate that mTBI alters the electrophysiological properties of SWRs and reduces the synchronization of pyramidal neuron activity to SWRs. These electrophysiological changes may have implications in mTBI-associated memory impairments.

The 2025 American Nurses Credentialling Center updates to Nursing Continuing Professional Development criteria strengthen educational design requirements. These standards provide a framework to create targeted, evidence-based learning experiences that enhance professional competence. By aligning professional development with established competencies, nursing professional development practitioners can deliver higher-quality education that improves practice outcomes, supports career advancement, and ensures regulatory compliance. This article examines the impact of incorporating established nursing competencies into educational activities and offers practical strategies for implementing these standards.