Search

BackgroundThe transition between inpatient and outpatient care for hospitalized people with HIV represents an opportunity for linkage and re-engagement in care. We evaluated whether attendance at a post-hospitalization visit ('discharge clinic') within 1-2 weeks of discharge would reduce readmissions and improve retention in care (RIC) among people with HIV in San Diego, California, USA.MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study of people with HIV hospitalized between June 2020 and November 2021. Our primary outcome was 30-day readmissions among people with HIV who did or did not attend a discharge clinic visit. Secondary outcomes included the effect of discharge clinic attendance on RIC, along with the impact of attendance at any HIV clinic visit within 30 days of discharge on readmissions and RIC.ResultsWe evaluated 114 people with HIV, of whom 77 (67.5%) and 90 (78.9%) attended a discharge clinic visit or any HIV clinic visit within 30 days of discharge, respectively. Active substance use disorder (SUD) was associated with failing to attend a discharge clinic visit (odds ratio 0.31; 95% confidence interval 0.13-0.77). We observed no significant differences in readmissions between people with HIV who did or did not attend a discharge clinic visit; however, the former had significantly higher 6-month RIC (79.2% vs. 35.1%, p

Nicotine and tobacco product (NTP) use remains prevalent in adolescence/young adulthood. The effects of NTPs on markers of brain health during this vulnerable neurodevelopmental period remain largely unknown. This report investigates associations between NTP use and gray matter cerebral blood flow (CBF) in adolescents/young adults. Adolescent/young adult (16-22 years-old) nicotine users (NTP; N = 99; 40 women) and non-users (non-NTP; N = 95; 56 women) underwent neuroimaging sessions including anatomical and optimized pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling scans. Groups were compared on whole-brain gray matter CBF estimates and their relation to age and sex at birth. Follow-up analyses assessed correlations between identified CBF clusters and NTP recency and dependence measures. Controlling for age and sex, the NTP vs. non-NTP contrast revealed a single cluster that survived thresholding which included portions of bilateral precuneus (voxel-wise alpha

BackgroundWith the advent of electronic nicotine delivery systems, the use of nicotine and tobacco products (NTPs) among adolescents and young adults remains high in the US. Use of e-cigarettes additionally elevates the risk of problematic use of other substances like cannabis, which is often co-used with NTPs. However, their effects on brain health, particularly the hippocampus, and cognition during this neurodevelopmental period are poorly understood.MethodsHealthy late adolescents/young adults (N = 223) ages 16-22 completed a structural MRI to examine right and left hippocampal volumes. Memory was assessed with the NIH Toolbox Picture Sequence Memory Test (PSMT) and Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT). Cumulative 6-month NTP and cannabis episodes were assessed and modeled continuously on hippocampal volumes. Participants were then grouped based on 6-month NTP use to examine relationships with the hippocampus and memory: current users (CU) endorsed weekly or greater use; light/abstinent users (LU) endorsed less than weekly; and never users (NU).ResultsNTP use predicted larger hippocampal volumes bilaterally while cannabis use had no impact nor interacted with NTP use. For memory, larger left hippocampal volumes were positively associated with PSMT performance, RAVLT total learning, short delay and long delay recall for the NU group. In contrast, there was a negative relationship between hippocampal volumes and performances for LU and CU groups. No differences were detected between NTP-using groups.ConclusionThese results suggest that the hippocampus is sensitive to NTP exposure during late adolescence/young adulthood and may alter typical hippocampal morphometry in addition to brain-behavior relationships underlying learning and memory processes.

Nicotine and tobacco product (NTP) use has escalated, largely due to the advent of e-cigarettes. The NTP administration method (i.e., combustible cigarette, e-cigarette) may be an important differentiator. We assessed young adult substance use history, nicotine attitudes, mental health, and neurocognition by the NTP use method. Emerging adults (16-22 year olds) were divided into combustible NTP users (Combustible+ = 79, had used any combustible NTP in the last 6 months), non-combustible users (E-Cig = 43, had used non-combustible NTP, in the past 6 months), and NTP Naïve (n = 79; had not used NTP in the past 6 months) based on past 6-month NTP use patterns. Participants completed self-report and objective neurocognition measures. Analysis of covariance assessed mental health and neurocognition by group, controlling for confounds and correcting for multiple comparisons. Nicotine groups reported more favorable attitudes toward combustible cigarette and e-cigarette use, with taste as the primary reason for e-cigarette use. Combustible+ reported more nicotine dependence and craving. Substance use differed by group, with Combustible+ using the most NTP, alcohol, and cannabis. Nicotine groups reported higher depression and stress symptoms; male Combustible+ reported higher depression symptoms than other same-gender groups. Groups did not differ on neurocognition, though cannabis use was associated with inaccurate emotional Stroop responses. Overall, research suggests that young adult combustible users are likely qualitatively different from non-combustible users. Understanding the unique characteristics related to NTP product use will help guide intervention and prevention development.

Pandemic teaching during COVID-19 has further magnified the unsustainable and fraught nature of teaching across schools and universities worldwide (Singer 2020). The remote turn to emergency remote teaching (ERT)--so-called "Zoom University" (Martin et al. 2020)--brings with it immense challenges of access, equity, outreach, and mental health that are impossible to understand and quantify (Heim 2020; Hodges et al. 2020). This article reflects on the authors' ERT experiences specific to teaching Introduction to GIS during an ongoing pandemic. The courses, facing a constant need to adapt, adjust, flex, and flow, were under significant pressure to support students in extraordinary circumstances while maintaining the necessary content and organization for student success beyond the GIS classrooms. The authors employ an autoethnographic approach, particularly the Butz and Besio (2009) typological category "Personal Experience Narrative" to reflect and develop insights into their thinking and reactions throughout the challenges of a full ERT semester of COVID-19--impacted GIS instruction, as well as those of their teaching assistants (TAs) and students, during the Fall 2020 semester. With another semester of COVID-19 affecting higher education ahead, the goal is to share their experiences, successes, failures, and practices to inform others of lessons learned in these times.

Background: With the advent of electronic nicotine delivery systems, the use of nicotine and tobacco products (NTPs) among adolescents and young adults remains high in the US. Use of e-cigarettes additionally elevates the risk of problematic use of other substances like cannabis, which is often co-used with NTPs. However, their effects on brain health, particularly the hippocampus, and cognition during this neurodevelopmental period are poorly understood. Methods: Healthy late adolescents/young adults (N = 223) ages 16-22 completed a structural MRI to examine right and left hippocampal volumes. Memory was assessed with the NIH Toolbox Picture Sequence Memory Test (PSMT) and Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT). Cumulative 6-month NTP and cannabis episodes were assessed and modeled continuously on hippocampal volumes. Participants were then grouped based on 6-month NTP use to examine relationships with the hippocampus and memory: current users (CU) endorsed weekly or greater use; light/abstinent users (LU) endorsed less than weekly; and never users (NU). Results: NTP use predicted larger hippocampal volumes bilaterally while cannabis use had no impact nor interacted with NTP use. For memory, larger left hippocampal volumes were positively associated with PSMT performance, RAVLT total learning, short delay and long delay recall for the NU group. In contrast, there was a negative relationship between hippocampal volumes and performances for LU and CU groups. No differences were detected between NTP-using groups. Conclusion: These results suggest that the hippocampus is sensitive to NTP exposure during late adolescence/young adulthood and may alter typical hippocampal morphometry in addition to brain-behavior relationships underlying learning and memory processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The report is a summary of the History of Science Society Annual Meeting in 2023, which focused on the theme of "Shifting Standards, Creating Change." The meeting explored social justice work in response to global humanitarian crises and the Black Lives Matter movement. It featured panels and papers on topics such as the history of science, restorative projects, and diversity in the field. The report also highlights the winners of the HSS Prizes for 2023, which recognized outstanding contributions to the history of science. The award-winning books and essays cover a range of topics, including early modern European thought on extinction, the use of fish to combat malaria in colonial India, nonbinary gender, the relationship between humans and the sky, and the history of quantification. These works provide valuable insights into the intersections of science, culture, and society throughout history. [Extracted from the article]