Article
Psychology, Clinical
Lutz Wartberg, Gloria Fischer-Waldschmidt, Levente Kriston, Christina W. Hoven, Marco Sarchiapone, Vladimir Carli, Danuta Wasserman, Franz Resch, Romuald Brunner, Michael Kaess
Summary: This study found that factors such as female gender, high level of school education, problematic alcohol use, conduct problems, and lower psychological well-being can predict adolescent problematic alcohol use. Psychological well-being should be given more attention in primary prevention measures and treatment approaches.
ADDICTIVE BEHAVIORS
(2021)
Article
Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary
Lluis Mangot-Sala, Nynke Smidt, Aart C. Liefbroer
Summary: Unemployment may lead to alcohol consumption, especially in the cases of long-term or continuous unemployment, which are associated with heavy and binge drinking. The association between employment trajectories and alcohol consumption may be moderated by factors such as socioeconomic status, age, and gender, with the length of unemployment playing a key role in changing drinking patterns.
ADVANCES IN LIFE COURSE RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Steven Y. Hong, Anna Winston, Nicholus Mutenda, Ndapewa Hamunime, Tuhin Roy, Christine Wanke, Alice M. Tang, Michael R. Jordan
Summary: Despite the high ART usage rate in Namibia, loss to follow-up (LTFU) remains a barrier to achieving viral suppression. Factors associated with LTFU in this study included younger age, male sex, difficulty leaving work or home to attend clinic, and using an efavirenz-based regimen.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Luis Antonio Diaz, Francisco Idalsoaga, Eduardo Fuentes-Lopez, Andrea Marquez-Lomas, Carolina A. Ramirez, Juan Pablo Roblero, Roberta C. Araujo, Fatima Higuera-de-la-Tijera, Luis Guillermo Toro, Galo Pazmino, Pedro Montes, Nelia Hernandez, Manuel Mendizabal, Oscar Corsi, Catterina Ferreccio, Mariana Lazo, Mayur Brahmania, Ashwani K. Singal, Ramon Bataller, Marco Arrese, Juan Pablo Arab
Summary: The study indicates that in Latin America, countries with higher number of alcohol-related public health policies have lower mortality due to alcohol-associated liver disease, lower prevalence of alcohol use disorders, and lower alcohol-attributable road traffic mortality.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Guan-Yi Li, Fa-Po Chung, Tze-Fan Chao, Yenn-Jiang Lin, Shih-Lin Chang, Li-Wei Lo, Yu-Feng Hu, Ta-Chuan Tuan, Jo-Nan Liao, Ting-Yung Chang, Ling Kuo, Cheng- Wu, Chih-Min Liu, Shin-Huei Liu, Wen-Han Cheng, Shih-Ann Chen
Summary: This study investigates the characteristics and predictors of acute and delayed sinus node dysfunction (SND) after ablation of atrial flutter (AFL). The majority of patients with acute SND still require pacemaker implantation despite initial improvement. Close monitoring of patients for at least one year after AFL ablation is reasonable.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Marta Araujo-Castro, Paola Parra Ramirez, Cristina Robles Lazaro, Rogelio Garcia Centeno, Paola Gracia Gimeno, Mariana Tome Fernandez-Ladreda, Miguel Antonio Sampedro Nunez, Monica Marazuela, Hector F. Escobar-Morreale, Pablo Valderrabano
Summary: In patients with NFAIs, around 10.5% developed ACS and 5.2% experienced significant tumor growth after a median follow-up of 41.3 months. Patients with higher tumor diameter and post-DST cortisol levels were more likely to develop ACS, while females had a higher risk of tumor growth.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Desta Watumo, Melkamu Merid Mengesha, Tesfaye Gobena, Mathewos Alemu Gebremichael, Degu Jerene
Summary: This study found that a distance of more than 10 kilometers to the health facility may result in higher loss to follow-up rates among adult tuberculosis patients. Age, educational status, lack of family support, nutritional support, and travel distance were important predictors of loss to follow-up from tuberculosis treatment and care.
Article
Neurosciences
Wenhan Yang, Min Zhang, Fei Tang, Yanyao Du, Li Fan, Jing Luo, Cui Yan, Shicong Wang, Jun Zhang, Kai Yuan, Jun Liu
Summary: This study found that after protracted heroin abstinence, heroin users showed improvements in cortical thickness and resting-state functional connectivity in the brain, leading to enhanced cognition and reduced craving. This indicates that impaired frontal-limbic neurocircuitry in substance-abusing individuals can be partially restored, providing novel scientific evidence for brain circuit recovery associated with cognition and craving.
HUMAN BRAIN MAPPING
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Satu Korpimaki, Suvi P. Rovio, Markus Juonala, Nina Hutri-Kahonen, Terho Lehtimaki, Tomi P. Laitinen, Paivi Tossavainen, Eero Jokinen, Britt-Marie Loo, Satu Mannisto, Tuija Tammelin, Atte Haarala, Heikki Aatola, Gaber Komar, Jorma Viikari, Olli Raitakari, Mika Kahonen, Katja Pahkala
Summary: This prospective study investigated the incidence and remission of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) among a general Finnish population. The results showed that during the study period, every fifth participant without NAFLD at baseline developed NAFLD, and one-fifth of those with NAFLD at baseline achieved NAFLD remission. NAFLD became more prevalent during the follow-up period. From a clinical perspective, key predictors of NAFLD incidence and remission were BMI and waist circumference (WC) change independent of their baseline level.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Esther-Dorice Tesha, Rogath Kishimba, Prosper Njau, Baraka Revocutus, Elia Mmbaga
Summary: This study investigated the rate of loss to follow-up (LTFU) among adolescents living with HIV/AIDS in Tanzania. The findings showed that factors associated with LTFU included age, HIV/TB co-infection, healthcare setting, and malnutrition. These findings highlight the importance of interventions targeting older adolescents with advanced diseases and strengthening primary public facilities to achieve the goal of ending HIV as a public health threat by 2030.
Article
Surgery
K. Hope Wilkinson, Amber Brandolino, Ali McCormick, David Deshpande, Carisa Bergner, Thomas Carver, Marc De Moya, David Milia
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate risk factors for non-attendance to post-discharge, hospital follow-up appointments for trauma patients who had undergone exploratory laparotomy. The findings suggest that length of stay and the need for suture, staple, or drain removal were protective factors for clinic attendance, while non-attendance for follow-up appointments was associated with visits to the emergency department.
JOURNAL OF SURGICAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Nele F. Lenders, Peter E. Earls, Adam C. Wilkinson, Monique Costin, Monika Hofer, Tint T. Shein, Richard J. Harvey, Gayathri Krishnan, Maria Picallo, Aparna Pal, John Wass, Ann McCormack
Summary: This retrospective study evaluated the clinical data of adult patients undergoing pituitary surgery between 1989 and 2016. The results showed that proliferative markers, including Ki67, were important in predicting the development of aggressive pituitary tumour behaviour.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jiao Zhao, Wei-guang Feng, Zhe Wei, Jian Zhou, Xiao-yun Chen, Zhen-lin Zhang
Summary: Long-term use of adefovir for treating chronic hepatitis B can lead to osteomalacia, but the prognosis is generally good after standard treatment. Age is identified as a risk factor for osteomalacia, while genetic variants in drug transporter genes show minimal association with the risk of osteomalacia.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Erin E. Sundermann, Bin Tang, Michelle Kim, Emily W. Paolillo, Robert K. Heaton, Raeanne C. Moore
Summary: This study examined the impact of depression and anxiety, the most common neuropsychiatric symptoms, on cognitive change in persons with HIV (PWH) and compared it to persons without HIV (PWoH). The results showed that depression and anxiety symptoms were more strongly associated with worse cognitive functioning in PWH, particularly in learning and memory, compared to PWoH. These associations seemed to persist for at least one year.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Demelash Woldeyohannes, Yohannes Tekalegn, Biniyam Sahiledengle, Tesfaye Assefa, Rameto Aman, Zeleke Hailemariam, Lillian Mwanri, Alemu Girma
Summary: The study found that drug-resistant tuberculosis mortality and LTF remain high in the study area, with chest radiographic findings and HIV serostatus being predictors of death, while drug adverse effects and culture test results were predictors of LTF. Continued support for TB/HIV service integration and identifying predictors may help reduce mortality and LTF in drug-resistant tuberculosis patients.
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Angela M. Haeny, Ralitza Gueorguieva, LaTrice Montgomery, Krysten W. Bold, Lisa M. Fucito, Ran Wu, Srinivas B. Muvvala, Allen Zweben, Stephanie S. O'Malley
Summary: This study compared the efficacy of varenicline in reducing smoking and drinking among Black and White people seeking alcohol treatment. The results showed that varenicline had a positive effect on reducing daily cigarette consumption regardless of race, and participants reduced the number of drinks consumed regardless of treatment condition or race.
ADDICTIVE BEHAVIORS
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
MacKenzie R. Peltier, Terril L. Verplaetse, Yann S. Mineur, Ralitza Gueorguieva, Ismene Petrakis, Kelly P. Cosgrove, Marina R. Picciotto, Sherry A. McKee
Summary: Stress and trauma exposure disrupt stress regulation systems, increasing vulnerability to stress-related disorders as well as problematic alcohol use and alcohol use disorder, especially among women. The relationship between stress-related disorders and alcohol use is generally stronger in women, leading to complex comorbidities across these issues.
Article
Neurosciences
R. Ross MacLean, Elise E. DeVito, Tore Eid, Suprit Parida, Ralitza Gueorguieva, Mehmet Sofuoglu
Summary: This study used a novel double-blind placebo-controlled intravenous nicotine self-administration model to determine the threshold for detecting positive effects of nicotine in young adult smokers. The results showed that a dose of about 0.1 mg of nicotine was needed to detect positive effects, while a higher dose of 0.2 mg was required to produce consistent nicotine reinforcement. These findings support the value of nicotine reinforcement threshold as a tobacco regulatory target.
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Substance Abuse
Brian D. Kiluk, Corey R. Roos, Mihaela Aslan, Ralitza Gueorguieva, Charla Nich, Theresa A. Babuscio, Kathleen M. Carroll
Summary: This study evaluated the sensitivity of the Addiction Severity Index (ASI) in detecting changes in psychiatric functioning among cocaine users. Findings suggest that the ASI may have limited sensitivity to detect changes in psychiatric functioning among clinical trial participants who reduce cocaine use. The ASI may be useful for detecting changes among those reporting some psychiatric problems at the start of treatment, but future research should consider an instrument's sensitivity to change when assessing the potential functional benefits of reducing cocaine use.
DRUG AND ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Joao P. De Aquino, R. Ross MacLean, Ralitza Gueorguieva, Elise E. DeVito, Tore Eid, Mehmet Sofuoglu
Summary: The study found that the positive subjective effects of nicotine were most prominent at faster delivery rates, while all nicotine delivery rates were effective in reducing smoking urges. However, nicotine-induced heart rate increases were not affected by the rate of nicotine delivery, and cognitive enhancing effects of nicotine were observed mainly at slower delivery rates.
Article
Substance Abuse
Garrett Ash, Ralitza Gueorguieva, Nancy P. Barnett, Wuyi Wang, David S. Robledo, Kelly S. DeMartini, Brian Pittman, Nancy S. Redeker, Stephanie S. O'Malley, Lisa M. Fucito
Summary: This study evaluated the accuracy and tolerability of novel (BACTrack Skyn) and established (Alcohol Monitoring Systems SCRAM CAM) alcohol biosensors. The results showed that Skyn had good sensitivity and specificity, but the accuracy decreased over time of usage. Additionally, Skyn had better tolerability compared to SCRAM CAM.
ALCOHOL-CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Elizabeth K. C. Schwartz, Alexandra N. Palmisano, Ralitza Gueorguieva, Elise E. DeVito, Mehmet Sofuoglu
Summary: This study aimed to compare the experiences of Black and White individuals who smoke after a period of short-term abstinence and IV nicotine infusion. The results showed that despite slower nicotine clearance and a preference for mentholated cigarettes, there were no significant differences in withdrawal symptoms and physiological responses between the two groups. However, there were some trend-level differences in subjective experiences, with White smokers showing higher levels of negative affect after abstinence and nicotine infusion, while Black individuals exhibited more negative drug effects in response to initial nicotine delivery.
ADDICTIVE BEHAVIORS
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Elina A. Stefanovics, Ralitza Gueorguieva, Zu Wei Zhai, Marc N. Potenza
Summary: This study examined the patterns of gambling among high-school students in Connecticut over a 12-year period. The prevalence of gambling decreased overall from 2007 to 2019, but not in a linear manner. Male gender, older age, substance use, traumatic experiences at school, depression, and low social support were consistent predictors of gambling. It is important to develop school-based social support programs to reduce adolescent gambling.
JOURNAL OF BEHAVIORAL ADDICTIONS
(2023)
Article
Substance Abuse
Walter Roberts, Melissa R. Schick, Rachel L. Tomko, Aimee L. McRae-Clark, Brian Pittmann, Ralitza Gueorgieva, Sherry A. McKee
Summary: This study aimed to examine joint trajectories of cannabis and alcohol concurrent use among male and female adolescents and identify predictors of harmful use trajectories. Using data from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health, the study identified five classes of alcohol and cannabis concurrent use trajectories. Internalizing and externalizing symptoms at Wave 1 increased the odds of membership in trajectory groups characterized by more harmful use trajectories, with internalizing symptoms being a stronger predictor among girls and externalizing symptoms stronger among boys. These findings highlight the utility of considering alcohol and cannabis use jointly when describing common developmental trajectories of use and identifying risk factors for harmful use trajectories.
DRUG AND ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE
(2023)
Article
Substance Abuse
Mihaela Aslan, Margaret Sala, Ralitza Gueorguieva, Kathleen A. Garrison
Summary: This study used network analysis to identify the central symptoms of self-reported cigarette craving. The most central symptoms were related to craving frequency, including imagining taste, the urge to have it, and intrusive thoughts. These findings contribute to a better understanding of cigarette cravings and suggest potential targets for clinical interventions.
NICOTINE & TOBACCO RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Substance Abuse
Alexandra N. Palmisano, Elizabeth K. C. Schwartz, Ralitza Gueorguieva, Mehmet Sofuoglu
Summary: This study examines the relationship between childhood trauma and smoking behaviors in adults who smoke after overnight abstinence. Results show that individuals with moderate to severe childhood abuse have higher negative affect, withdrawal severity, and plasma cotinine levels compared to those with minimal abuse history. Women are more likely to have smoking urges for negative reinforcement and higher withdrawal severity. Different types of trauma may impact smoking behaviors differently, with emotional abuse linked to more severe nicotine dependence, and sexual abuse linked to more severe withdrawal. Exposure to childhood trauma is associated with more severe smoking outcomes, suggesting the need for targeted smoking cessation interventions for individuals with traumatic experiences.
NICOTINE & TOBACCO RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Substance Abuse
Brian Pittman, Eugenia Buta, Kathleen Garrison, Ralitza Gueorguieva
Summary: This study presents Poisson and Negative Binomial models for analyzing correlated count outcomes, taking into account overdispersion and zero inflation. The hurdle Poisson model provided the best fit to the data.
NICOTINE & TOBACCO RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Substance Abuse
Yasmin Zakiniaeiz, Ralitza Gueorguieva, MacKenzie R. Peltier, Walter Roberts, Terril L. Verplaetse, Catherine Burke, Evan D. Morris, Sherry A. McKee, Kelly P. Cosgrove
Summary: This study found that lower dlPFC D2R availability in smokers is associated with disruptions in cognitive function. This is the first study to directly relate dopamine metrics to cognitive function in smokers, providing a better understanding of brain-behavior relationships.
NICOTINE & TOBACCO RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Substance Abuse
Meghan E. Morean, Olivia A. Wackowski, Thomas Eissenberg, Cristine D. Delnevo, Suchitra Krishnan-Sarin, Ralitza Gueorguieva
Summary: This study evaluated whether four novel nicotine concentration labels can better convey information about nicotine strength and addictiveness. The results showed that the new labels outperformed the market labels in conveying accurate information, with the horizontal stoplight label performing the best.
NICOTINE & TOBACCO RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Robyn A. Cree, Chang Liu, Ralitza Gueorguieva, Jenae M. Neiderhiser, Leslie D. Leve, Christian M. Connell, Daniel S. Shaw, Misaki N. Natsuaki, Jody M. Ganiban, Charles Beekman, Megan Smith, David Reiss
Summary: The Differential Susceptibility Theory suggests that individuals vary in their developmental plasticity, with some being highly responsive to environmental experiences. However, the study found limited evidence supporting this theory and observed that interactions vary depending on the specific environmental factors present. Further investigation is needed before tailoring screening and intervention recommendations based on genetic liability or sensitivity.
DEVELOPMENT AND PSYCHOPATHOLOGY
(2021)