Inter-test Interval Research Articles

Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale - IV México versus U.S. versions in the assessment of Mexican Americans.

To delineate score differences between the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-IV (WAIS-IV) and the WAIS-IV México in the assessment of balanced bilingual Mexican Americans and to determine the efficacy of five hold measures in predicting summary scores in each version. Hold measures were WAIS-IV Information, Vocabulary, and Matrix Reasoning subtests, picture vocabulary, and the Test of Premorbid Function (English)/Word Accentuation Test (Spanish). Using a repeated measures design, 60 neurologically intact participants were tested in a counterbalanced order, with WAIS-IV version as the repeated measure (mean intertest interval = 5.68 days). To minimize practice effects, the five visual-perceptual subtests, which contain the same items in each version, were administered only once during the initial session. All mean WAIS-IV México index/subtest scores were significantly higher than the U.S. equivalents (Full-Scale IQ by about .5 SD). Unexpectedly, most (83%) participants educated in the US to at least a high school level had numerically equal or higher scores on the U.S. version. Means on WAIS-IV language format indices/subtests were lower than those of visual-perceptual format indices/subtests within both versions (excepting Processing Speed Index/subtests in the U.S. version). All hold measures significantly predicted WAIS-IV summary scores for the U.S. version. Similarly for the México version, except for the Word Accentuation Test. When evaluating a balanced bilingual Mexican American, opting for the WAIS-IV México version will yield higher scores across the Full-Scale IQ, indices, and all core subtests unless the patient was educated in the US to at least a high school level.

Evaluating the Stroop Test With Older Adults: Construct Validity, Short Term Test-Retest Reliability, and Sensitivity to Mental Fatigue.

We conducted two studies to evaluate the construct validity, short term test-retest reliability, and sensitivity to mental fatigue of the Stroop task when used with older adults. In Study 1, 40 participants visited our lab on two separate days. On the first visit, they took five screening scales, and we measured their height and body mass. On the second visit, they completed the Stroop task twice with a 30-minute interval between assessments. In Study 2, 15 different participants took a 30-minute Flanker/Reverse Flanker task during the interval between the two administrations of the Stroop tasks and they gave subjective ratings of their mental fatigue on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) prior to taking either of the Stroop tasks. In Study 1, participants showed a ceiling effect on the Stroop accuracy measure, there was strong concurrent validity for the Stroop with significant score differences between the Stroop's congruent and incongruent conditions (p < .001), and there was excellent response time reliability (ICC = 0.926) on day two when participants took the Stroop twice within a 30-minute inter-test interval. However, there were significant test-retest performance differences with respect to cognitive inhibition (p < .001). In Study 2, mental fatigue from the Flanker/Reverse Flanker test resulted in a significantly worse second Stroop performance (p = .045). We concluded that the Stroop task demonstrated strong concurrent validity and response time reliability among older adults, but it showed sensitivity to mental fatigue, and repeated administrations within the short 30-minute test-retest interval revealed that the most important Stroop measure (cognitive inhibition) was unreliable. We discuss the implications of these findings.

Effects of Arginine-vasopressin in the Brain on Social Behavior and Communication in a Psychosocial Stress Animal Model

Psychosocial stressors (e.g., anxiety, personality traits, social isolation) are risk factors for negative health outcomes, including cardiovascular disease and neuropsychiatric disorders. However, there is a knowledge gap regarding the biological mechanisms that underlie these risk-outcome relationships. To address this gap, our team uses the Syrian hamster ( Mesocricetus auratus) as an animal model for investigating psychosocial behaviors and stress responses. Our previous findings and work reported by others indicate that the neuropeptide arginine-vasopressin (AVP) acts in the brain to regulate the expression of social behavior and communication. In the present study, stereotaxic surgeries were used to cannulate six adult hamsters (1 female, 5 males) with cannulae aimed at different forebrain regions, mostly focusing on hypothalamic areas. Cannulated animals were microinjected with 200 nl of a 9 μM AVP solution and saline in counterbalanced order with a 4-day inter-test interval. Three of the six animals displayed a type of social communication behavior called flank marking in response to AVP, whereas none of the animals flank marked in response to saline; these group differences were statistically significant (χ2 (1, N=6)= 4.0, p&lt; 0.05). Previous research groups confirmed the anterior hypothalamic area (AHA) as a site of action for the effects of AVP on social behaviors. Our results suggest that, in addition to the AHA, the dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus (DM) and posterior hypothalamic area (PH) may also be sites of action for AVP. We are currently testing the behavioral effects of AVP when microinjected into the midbrain. The preliminary findings reported here will help us identify areas of the brain that are part of a larger neural network that is involved in the regulation of social behavior and stress responses by AVP. Our long-term goal is to develop a psychosocial stress model to test the hypothesis that AVP may have therapeutic potential for psychosocial stress-associated conditions, including cardiovascular disease and neuropsychiatric disorders. This research is supported by NIH grant #5K01HL145339-03 (PI: M. Gil). This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

BAX Mutated Clonal Hematopoiesis Arises Following Treatment with the BCL2 Inhibitor Class of Therapeutics across a Range of Hematological and Non-Hematological Neoplasms

Clonal hematopoiesis (CH) is an age-related phenomenon characterized by the expansion of genomically mutated hematopoietic clones with a selective fitness advantage. Venetoclax, a selective BCL2 inhibitor, has established efficacy in hematological malignancies such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Our previous studies described the emergence of deleterious BAX variants within the myeloid compartment of patients (pts) receiving venetoclax for CLL (Blombery, Blood2022). Whether this phenomenon is specific to venetoclax and the CLL disease context is currently unknown. We therefore aimed to investigate the prevalence and pattern of BAX-mutatedCH across different hematological and non-hematological neoplasms in response to BCL2 inhibitor therapy (both venetoclax and BGB-11417). We first examined pts with AML in complete morphologic remission after venetoclax exposure in both the newly diagnosed (CAVEAT; Chua, JCO 2020) and early relapse (VALDAC; Tiong, ASH 2022) settings using unique molecular index-based error-corrected next generation sequencing with a sensitivity of 0.5% (QIAseq targeted DNA panel). BAX variants were detected in remission samples in 11/20 (55%) and 9/26 (35%) pts in these cohorts, respectively, after a median of 9- and 4-months post venetoclax. This represented a significant higher incidence compared to remission samples from pts with newly diagnosed AML post conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy without venetoclax (6/87 [7%]; adjusted p&amp;lt;0.01 for both pairwise comparisons). Having observed the increased frequency of BAX-mutated CH in remission in myeloid (AML) and lymphoid (CLL) neoplasms, we then investigated whether BAX variants may be acquired in response to BCL2 inhibitor therapy outside the context of hematological neoplasm. We assessed a cohort of pts with metastatic breast cancer who received venetoclax in combination with tamoxifen (mBEP; Lok, Cancer Discover 2019), and detected BAX variants from peripheral blood samples in 5/16 (31%) pts (median age 66) after a median duration of 20 (range 13-44) months on venetoclax. In contrast, no BAX variants were detected in a similarly aged control cohort of 50 pts (median age 62) with breast cancer without exposure to venetoclax (p=0.01). The rates of any CH-related mutation were 75% and 50% pts, respectively (p=0.09). No pt developed MDS or AML during follow up in the mBEP cohort. Finally, to explore whether emergence of BAX-mutated CH is specific to venetoclax as an agent, we studied a cohort of 9 pts with CLL who had received BGB-11417, a more potent and selective BCL2 inhibitor; median treatment duration 13 months. Notably, we observed the emergence of BAX variants in 2/9 (22%) pts in this cohort. The characteristics of the BAX variants (n=88) in 28 pts (AML, CLL or breast cancer) are summarized in Figure 1; 3 variants (in 3 pts) were detectable in pre-treatment samples. Over half of the missense (n=22) or in-frame variants (n=1) were clustered in the C-terminus of the BAX protein, while truncating variants (n=65) were observed throughout the gene. The median number of BAX variants per pt was 2, with 32% of pts having ≥3 variants (max=13). The median VAF was 1.4%, and only 16% of variants had a VAF &amp;gt;5%. The number and VAF of BAX variants did not significantly correlate with the duration of therapy. Among 12 pts with AML who had serial testing (median inter-test interval 10 months), BAX variants (n=24) did not significantly change in VAF (median Δ 0.7%) with time after initial acquisition (Pearson's coefficient 0.17). To clarify the compartments affected by BAX variants we performed single-cell combined DNA/protein sequencing (Tapestri) of a sample with multiple BAX variants and demonstrated their presence in multiple independent clones with myeloid-biased lineage but also within the natural killer cell compartment ( Figure 2). In summary, the emergence of BAX-mutated CH appears to be a generalized phenomenon of adaptive hematopoiesis that occurs across both hematological and non-hematological malignancy settings as well being observed with other BCL2 inhibitors consistent with a therapeutic class effect. Further research is needed to understand the contribution of this phenomenon to the subsequent development of clinically relevant hematological abnormalities and its implications for future therapeutic resistance.

Evaluation of the α&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;-adrenergic Agonist Mafedine Effects on White Outbred Mouse Behaviour Following Acute Administration

Introduction. α2-adrenergic agonists are not only used as antihypertensive and sedative agents, but are also of interest as potential medications for the treatment of neurological disorders. Previous research has shown a compound from this class, 6-oxo-1-phenyl-2-(phenylamino)-1,6-dihydropyrimidine-4-ol (mafedine), to exert strong neuroprotection under experimental conditions. Despite its long record of development, the effects of mafedine on animal behavioural characteristics remain unknown.Aim. This work was aimed at evaluating the effects of mafedine sodium at three doses (1, 10, or 50 mg/kg) on white outbred mouse behavior in three tests: Open Field, Elevated Plus Maze, and Light/Dark Box.Materials and methods. Experiments were carried out on 60 white outbred male mice weighing 20–22 g, randomized into 4 groups (n = 15): 1) control (0,9 % saline); 2) mafedine (1 mg/kg); 3) mafedine (10 mg/kg); 4) mafedine (50 mg/kg). All agents were administered via single intraperitoneal injections 20 min before testing. Animal behavior was assessed using the Open Field, Elevated Plus Maze, and Light/Dark Box tests following conventional protocols with group reassignment between tests and an inter-test time interval of at least 2 days. Statistical analysis was carried out using the Prism 8.0.2 software package.Results and discussion. At 1 or 10 mg/kg, mafedine did not affect animal behaviour in either of the tests. At 50 mg/kg, it produced an anxiolytic effect, as indicated by the decrease in the anxiety index values for the Elevated Plus Maze test as well as the increase in peeking out frequency in the Light/Dark Box test, compared to respective control values.Сonclusion. Mafedine sodium salt at doses between 1 and 50 mg/kg was shown to produce no adverse effect on mouse behaviour, indicating a good safety profile of the compound. The discovered anxiolytic effect of mafedine at the highest dose validates its further research not only as a neuroprotector, but also as an anti-anxiety agent.

Vitamin D testing in children and adolescents in Victoria, Australia: are testing practices in line with global recommendations?

ObjectiveTo describe changing primary care ordering of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) tests in Australian children.DesignLongitudinal, population-based descriptive study of 25OHD testing using a large administrative dataset of pathology orders and...

Incidence of Gestational Diabetes Diagnosed on the 100-G Glucose Tolerance Test in Pregnancies with a 50-G Glucose Challenge Test Result of 200 mg/dL or Greater.

This study aimed to assess the positive predictive value (PPV) of a 1-hour, 50-g glucose challenge test (GCT) result ≥200 mg/dL for the diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) on a 3-hour, 100-g glucose tolerance test (GTT). Pregnancies between 2008 and 2016 with a GCT result ≥200 mg/dL were identified retrospectively. GCT and GTT dates and results, demographics, and working due date (EDD) were extracted. Gestational age at testing was calculated from test date and EDD. As some clinicians presumptively diagnose GDM in such cases, if a GTT result was not available, clinic notes were reviewed to determine whether a GTT was ordered. Positive predictive values (PPV) were calculated at GCT cut-offs at and beyond 200 mg/dL. Subgroups were compared including early GCT (<16 weeks) versus routine GCT (24-28 weeks), GTT result normal versus GTT diagnostic of GDM, and GTT ordered versus GTT not ordered. Rates of use of medication for glycemic control were assessed among these groups. Of 236 pregnant women with a GCT result ≥200 mg/dL, 115 (48%) GTT was ordered for 115 (49%), whereas 123 (52%) were managed as presumed GDM. Of 100 (87%) who completed the test, 81 (81%) were diagnosed with GDM with a median intertest interval of 14 days. No statistically significant differences were found between groups stratified by GTT result. Use of rates of metformin, glyburide, and insulin were similar between those diagnosed with GDM by GTT and those diagnosed with GDM by GCT alone. A GCT result of ≥200 mg/dL has a PPV of 81% for diagnosis of GDM by GTT in a contemporary U.S. population, with a median intertest interval of 14 days between GCT and GTT. However, those diagnosed by GCT alone were as likely as those diagnosed by GTT to require medication for glycemic control, including insulin, suggesting that requiring a GTT may result in underdiagnosis and delayed treatment of GDM. · A 50-g GCT result of 200 mg/dL or greater has a PPV of 81% for GDM on the 100 g GTT.. · Patients diagnosed with GDM by GCT alone were as likely to require insulin as those diagnosed by GTT.. · 81% of patients diagnosed with GDM on the GTT completed their GTT at least 1 week after the GCT, thus requiring GTT in this population may lead to unnecessary delays in care..

Validation of the clinical applicability of the brief self-administered waterless empirical taste test during the era of COVID-19.

This study was performed to test the clinical applicability of a new taste test, the Brief Self-Administered Waterless Empirical Taste Test (B-WETT) in the era of COVID-19. Sixty healthy volunteers and 60 patients experiencing gustatory dysfunction were enrolled. All subjects received both the Self-Administered WETT and the new B-WETT which are comprised of disposable plastic strips containing sucrose, citric acid, sodium chloride, caffeine, and monosodium glutamate tastants to evaluate taste function. The healthy volunteers were re-tested with the WETT and B-WETT after an inter-test interval of at least 7 days to measure retest reliability. The sum scores of five tastants of the first test were 25.7 for males and 29.5 for females in WETT, and 12.4 for males and 15.2 for females in B-WETT. There were significant differences in the sum scores between males and females whether in WETT or B-WETT. The sum scores strongly correlated between WETT and B-WETT, whether in healthy volunteers or in patients with gustatory dysfunction (r >0.7). There was also a strong correlation between the first and second tests of B-WETT for the sum scores. This study shows that B-WETT is a valid and reliable taste test, and is convenient for use in the era of COVID-19 to evaluate the taste function of patients.

Validation of the local applicability of the 'TIB' Olfactory Test Device in the era of COVID-19.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the validity and test–retest reliability of the novel ‘TIB’ Olfactory Test Device (TIB) and to determine its normative values.MethodsThe study stratified the study subjects into normosmic, hyposmic and anosmic groups according to their olfactory function. The olfactory function of the subjects was evaluated using both the traditional Chinese version of the University of Pennsylvania of Smell Identification Test (UPSIT-TC) and the TIB. The normosmic group was used to retest with the UPSIT-TC and TIB at an inter-test interval of at least 7 days. The cut-off scores of TIB among the three different groups were determined by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.ResultsThis study enrolled 180 subjects: 60 in each group. The mean scores of TIB were 44.1 for the normosmic group, 27.5 for the hyposmic group and 10.9 for the anosmic group. The TIB scores were significantly different across the three groups. There was a significant correlation between the first and second TIB tests (r = 0.506). The cut-off scores were 41 for normosmic subjects and 24 for hyposmic subjects.ConclusionThe validity and test–retest reliability results suggest that the TIB is an appropriate olfactory test for the Taiwanese population.

The Short-Term Compliance and Concordance to in Clinic Testing for Tablet-Based Home Monitoring in Age-Related Macular Degeneration

The aim of this study was to determine the short-term compliance with regular home monitoring of macular retinal sensitivity (RS) in intermediate age-related macular degeneration (iAMD). Home-based outcomes were compared with in-clinic outcomes determined using (1) the same tablet device under supervision, and (2) the Macular Integrity Assessment (MaIA) microperimeter. Single-center longitudinal compliance and reliability study. A total of 73 participants with iAMD were trained to perform macular field testing with the Melbourne Rapid Fields-macular (MRF-m) iPad application. Volunteers were asked to return 6 weekly tests from home, guided by audio instructions. We determined compliance with weekly testing and surveyed for factors that limited compliance. Test reliability (false positive, false negative) and RS were compared to in-clinic assays (MaIA). Data are given as mean ± SD or as median [quartile 1-3 range]. Group comparisons were achieved with bootstrap to define the 95% confidence limits. A total of 59 participants submitted 6 home examinations with a median intertest interval of 8.0 [7.0-17] days. Compliance with weekly testing (7 days ±24 hours) was 55%. The main barrier to compliance was information technology (IT) logistic reasons. Of 694 home examinations submitted, 96% were reliable (false-positive results <25%). The mean RS returned by the tablet was significantly higher (+3.2 dB, P < .05) compared to the MaIA. Home monitoring produces reliable results that differ from in-clinic tests because of test design. This should not affect self-monitoring once an at-home baseline is established, but these differences will affect comparisons with in-clinic outcomes. Reasonable compliance with weekly testing was achieved. Improved IT support might lead to better compliance.

Repeated measurements of ERGs and VEPs using chloral hydrate sedation and propofol anesthesia in young children.

Sedation with chloral hydrate or anesthesia using propofol allow ocular examination and testing in young children, but these drugs may affect electrophysiologic recordings. We compared the flash and pattern ERGs and VEPs recorded with each drug in a cohort of young children enrolled in a prospective study of optic nerve hypoplasia (ONH) syndrome. ERGs and VEPs to light-adapted, standard, full-field flashes, to standard and steady-state pattern-reversal (PR) were recorded with cycloplegia in 9 participants. Age range at the first session, with chloral hydrate was 8-23 mo; at the second session with propofol it was 20-29 mo. Examiners masked to the drug and clinical conditions measured the waveforms for longitudinal, paired comparisons between the sessions. Flash ERG amplitudes did not differ between sessions; peak times were longer at the second session (propofol) by clinically insignificant amounts (< 2ms, p = 0.002). Standard PERGs had larger amplitudes and later peaks in the second session (propofol) than with chloral hydrate (P50 2.9 vs 4.7μV, p = 0.016 and 43 vs 52ms, p < 0.001; N95 4.0 vs 6.1μV, p = 0.003 and 91 vs 98.5ms p = 0.034.). These differences were present for those with an interval of > 10 mo between sessions (n = 5, 10 eyes) but not for those with a shorter inter-test interval (< 8 mo, p > 0.05, n = 4). Magnitudes of the steady-state PERGs did not differ between tests but the waveforms had earlier peaks at the second test with propofol. Flash VEP waveforms were present in 10/18 eyes and showed 72% agreement for recordability between sessions. Standard pattern VEPs were recordable in only a few eyes in this cohort with ONH. Light-adapted flash ERG waveforms were generally similar with chloral hydrate and with propofol. Larger PERGs with later peaks, found in the second session (propofol) could reflect maturation of the PERG generators, as the differences found were associated with a greater age difference between the sessions, but we do not rule out that small differences in the waveforms may be drug-related. There are insufficient VEP data from these children with ONH to identify drug-related or maturational effects on VEPs.

Predictors of First-Time and Repeat HIV Testing Among HIV-Positive Individuals in Kenya.

Despite a doubling of HIV testing coverage in Kenya over the past decade, approximately 2 in 10 people with HIV remained unaware of their infection in 2018. HIV testing is most effective in identifying people with undiagnosed HIV through frequent and strategic testing in populations at high risk. An assessment of testing frequency and predictors of first-time and repeat testing is critical for monitoring effectiveness of testing strategies. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of adults aged ≥18 years who tested HIV-positive at 4 HIV testing and counseling clinics in Kenya from February 2015 to February 2016. We categorized individuals based on testing history, used Wilcoxon rank-sum tests to assess differences in intervals between the most recent and current HIV test, and used log-binomial regression to determine characteristics associated with first-time and repeat testing. Among 1136 people testing HIV-positive, 336 (30%) had never tested before and 800 (70%) had, of whom 208 (26%) had previously tested positive. Among previously negative repeat testers, the median intertest interval was 414 days in key/priority populations (interquartile range = 179-1072) vs. 538 in the general population (interquartile range = 228-1299) (P = 0.09). Compared with previously negative repeat testers, being a first-time tester was associated with being age ≥40 years [vs. 18-24; adjusted risk ratio = 1.67, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.23 to 2.26], men (vs. women; adjusted risk ratio = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.21 to 1.71), and testing through provider-initiated testing and counseling (vs. client initiated; 1.19, 95% CI: 1.00 to 1.40). There is a need to increase HIV testing among older individuals and men, increase testing frequency in key/priority populations, and maintain provider-initiated and facility-based testing to reach first-time testers.

Criteria for acceptable studies of animal personality and behavioural syndromes

Criteria for acceptable studies of animal personality and behavioural syndromes

A-79 Flynn Effect Correction: Accuracy Base Rate for IQ/Ability Level

Abstract Objective Flynn Effect (FE) is the observed rise in population psychometric intelligence quotient (IQ) scores over time, approximately three IQ points per decade. Sometimes in forensic evaluations, points are deducted from archival IQ scores to “correct” for FE. This study determined the accuracy of FE correction for three IQ ranges. Method Participants were 240 people (age: M = 52.7, SD = 24.4; 149 female) from the WAIS-IV standardization group who took the WAIS-III and WAIS-IV in counterbalanced order with an inter-test interval from 6-163 days. WAIS-IV Full Scale IQ (FSIQ) scores were subtracted from WAIS-III scores and differences were divided into two groups: 1.) &gt; 2 IQ points – when applying FE correction to a WAIS-III score produced a more accurate estimate and 2.) &lt; 1 IQ points – when applying FE correction produced a less accurate estimate. Accuracy base rates were tabulated for three WAIS-III FSIQ groups: below average &lt; 89; average 90-109; and above average groups &gt; 110. Results FE correction produced more accurate WAIS-IV FSIQ estimates for 70% of the below average group, 56% of the average group, and 65% of the above average group. Conclusions Applying an FE correction provides a more accurate WAIS-IV IQ estimate about half the time for average IQ scores and about two-thirds of the time for above and below average IQ scores. (Standardization data from the WAIS-III Copyright © 1997 NCS Pearson Inc. &amp; WAIS-IV Copyright © 2008 NCS Pearson Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved.)

Uptake and Impact of Short Message Service Reminders via Sexually Transmitted Infection Partner Services on Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Sexually Transmitted Infection Testing Frequency Among Men Who Have Sex With Men.

Sexually transmitted infection (STI) partner services (PS) allow provision of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/STI prevention interventions to high-risk individuals, including testing reminders via short message service (SMS). In King County, Washington, PS attempt to reach all men who have sex with men (MSM) with early syphilis and those with gonorrhea or chlamydia as resources allow. Since 2013, PS offered quarterly SMS testing reminders. We evaluated correlates of reminder uptake and the association between reminder uptake and postinterview asymptomatic STI diagnosis using Poisson regression, and the association between preinterview SMS reminder use and intertest interval among HIV-negative MSM using median regression. During July 1, 2013 to January 17, 2018, 8236 MSM were reported with 1 or more STI diagnoses and 5237 received PS interviews. Of these, 4087 (78%) were offered SMS reminders; 545 (13%) accepted, 265 (7%) were already receiving SMS, 3277 (80%) refused. Of 2602 patients who refused and were asked about other reminders, 37% used none, 16% received reminders from medical providers, 20% tested at routine physicals, and 26% used other reminders. SMS reminder use before and after PS interview was associated with negative HIV status, younger age, and diagnosis with gonorrhea or chlamydia (vs. syphilis) (P < 0.05 for all). Preinterview intertest interval was longer among MSM testing at physicals (9.6 months) than those using no reminder (5.6), SMS reminders (4.7, P < 0.05 vs. physicals), and non-SMS reminders (3.6, P < 0.001 vs. SMS). Reminder uptake was not associated with postinterview STI diagnosis. Offering SMS reminders through STI PS is feasible. Uptake was low, but higher among young MSM not on preexposure prophylaxis. The SMS reminders may increase testing frequency.

HIV diagnoses and testing patterns among young gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men: an analysis of HIV surveillance data in British Columbia, 2008-2015.

We examined changes in HIV testing indicators following a recent increase in diagnoses among young gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) in BC that accompanied implementation of a provincial HIV strategy. Surveillance and laboratory testing data were used to compare case counts and testing characteristics among GBMSM < 30 and ≥ 30years diagnosed in 2008-2011 and 2012-2015. We tested differences in the proportion diagnosed on first testing episode, proportion diagnosed at late stage of infection and the median inter-test interval ((ITI) time in months between last negative test and first positive test) using χ2 and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. In 2008-2011, 657 diagnoses were made among GBMSM: 24% among men < 30years and 76% among men ≥ 30years. In 2012-2015, 590 diagnoses were made: 28% among < 30years and 28% among ≥ 30years. Among men < 30years, diagnoses made on first testing episode decreased (39.4% vs. 28.7% in 2012-2015; p = 0.042) and there were few late-stage diagnoses (5.1% in 2008-2011 vs. 9.1% in 2012-2015). The median ITI was 10months in both periods. No changes were observed over time among men ≥ 30years. However, in both periods, late-stage diagnosis was more common in men ≥ 30years (2008-2011, 18.8%; 2012-2015, 18.6%; p < 0.01 for both). The ITI was also longer for men ≥ 30years (2008-2011, 24.5months; 2012-2015, 20months; p < 0.001 for both). Testing indicators suggested better testing practices among GBMSM diagnosed at < 30years compared to those diagnosed at older ages. However, there are clear needs for additional prevention measures in both age groups.

Modulation of resting-state network connectivity by verbal divergent thinking training

A growing body of evidence suggests that creativity is associated with functional connectivity across widespread neural networks, including regions associated with executive processes and cognitive control, along with regions linked to the default mode network (DMN) of the brain. This study investigated whether a three-week verbal divergent thinking training modulates functional connectivity in networks that have been related to creativity. In a task-based functional imaging study (Fink et al., 2015), the employed creativity training was found to modulate brain activity in regions closely associated with semantic memory demands. Hence, the specific aim of this study was to assess whether the observed task-related brain changes relate to changes in functional connectivity patterns of the brain at rest, as assessed by independent component analysis. The participants were tested at three time points with an inter-test interval of four weeks each, and randomly assigned to two groups which received the verbal creativity training time-delayed. Findings revealed that successful training of verbal creativity was mirrored by functional connectivity changes in the DMN, sensorimotor and auditory network, and the attention network. These rather global changes in resting-state functional connectivity supplement the findings of task-based fMRI, where changes in more task specific brain regions were found.

A Pilot Study of the Snap & Sniff Threshold Test.

The Snap & Sniff® Threshold Test (S&S) has been recently developed to determine the olfactory threshold. The aim of this study was to further evaluate the validity and test-retest reliability of the S&S. The olfactory thresholds of 120 participants were determined using both the Smell Threshold Test (STT) and the S&S. The participants included 30 normosmic volunteers and 90 patients (60 hyposmic, 30 anosmic). The normosmic participants were retested using the STT and S&S at an intertest interval of at least 1 day. The mean olfactory threshold determined with the S&S was -6.76 for the normosmic participants, -3.79 for the hyposmic patients, and -2 for the anosmic patients. The olfactory thresholds were significantly different across the 3 groups ( P < .001). Snap & Sniff-based and STT-based olfactory thresholds were correlated weakly in the normosmic group (correlation coefficient = 0.162, P = .391) but more strongly correlated in the patient groups (hyposmic: correlation coefficient = 0.376, P = .003; anosmic: correlation coefficient = 1.0). The test-retest correlation for the S&S-based olfactory thresholds was 0.384 ( P = .036). Based on validity and test-retest reliability, we concluded that the S&S is a proper test for olfactory thresholds.

Atrial fibrillation and cognitive decline in the Framingham Heart Study

There is a paucity of longitudinal research investigating the relations between atrial fibrillation (AF) and domain-specific cognitive performance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between AF and cognitive performance cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Eligible participants were dementia- and stroke-free at the time of baseline neuropsychological (NP) assessment and underwent at least 1 additional NP assessment with at least 1-year inter-test interval. AF status was examined as a 2-level variable (prevalent AF, no AF) in cross-sectional analyses and then separately as a 3-level variable (prevalent AF, interim AF, no AF) in longitudinal analyses. We examined the association between AF status and cognitive performance with linear regression. We first adjusted models for age and sex and then for vascular risk factors and apolipoprotein ε4 (APOE4) status. We studied 2682 participants of the Framingham Heart Study original and offspring cohorts. At the baseline NP assessment, 112 participants (4%) had AF (mean age 72 ± 9 years; 32% women). After adjustment for vascular risk factors and APOE4 status, prevalent AF was significantly associated with poorer attention; sex differences were also noted with men performing worse on tests of abstract reasoning and executive function, while women did better on a measure of executive function. Prevalent AF was significantly associated with longitudinal decline in executive function in the original cohort, and interim AF was significantly associated with longitudinal decline in executive function in the offspring cohort. After accounting for vascular risk factor burden and APOE4 status, AF was associated with a vascular profile of change in cognitive function.

Estimated HIV Inter-test Interval Among People at High Risk for HIV Infection in the U.S.

Knowing the HIV testing frequency and its temporal changes are central to evaluate public adherence to HIV testing recommendations and performance of HIV prevention programs. This study intended to estimate the mean HIV inter-test interval (ITI) and monitor its trends among men who have sex with men (MSM); people who inject drugs (PWID); and high-risk heterosexuals (HRH). Using National HIV Behavioral Surveillance data collected during 2008-2015, this analysis estimated the mean HIV ITI for each year by race/ethnicity and age among MSM, PWID, and HRH who reported the most recent HIV test date. Separate statistical models based on renewal process theory were fit using PROC NLIN with Newton-Raphson method. Estimated mean HIV ITI lengths were compared using the z-test. Estimated HIV ITI generally decreased in the past decade among MSM, PWID, and HRH who reported the most recent HIV test date. In most recent study years, estimated HIV ITI (in months) ranged from 5.8 to 12.5 among MSM, from 9.0 to 13.1 among PWID, and from 15.3 to 26.7 among HRH. Within each risk group, estimated HIV ITI was shortest among blacks and individuals aged 18-24 years. People at high risk for HIV infection who ever tested for HIV tested more frequently in the past decade. Most recently, MSM and PWID largely adhered to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's HIV testing recommendations, but HRH tested less frequently. Identifying factors associated with infrequent testing among HRH may provide information for future HIV testing initiatives.