Site- and frequency-specific enhancement of visual search performance with online individual alpha frequency (IAF) repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to the inferior frontal junction.

In this study, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation was applied to either the right inferior frontal junction or the right inferior parietal cortex during a difficult aerial reconnaissance search task to test its capacity to improve search performance. Two stimulation strategies previously found to enhance cognitive performance were tested: The first is called "addition by subtraction," and the second condition utilizes a direct excitatory approach by applying brief trains of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation immediately before task trials. In a within-subjects design, participants were given active or sham repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation at either 1 Hz or at 1 Hz above their individual peak alpha frequency (IAF + 1, mean 11.

Comorbidities and neighborhood factors associated with prescription of sodium-glucose cotransporter protein-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists among medically underserved populations.

Evidence from clinical trials shows that newer second-line diabetes medications-glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is)-have cardio-renal protective effects in addition to their glucose-lowering properties. Despite strong evidence of benefits, there is limited evidence regarding prescribing patterns for these medications, especially among populations at high risk for disparities. To examine the associations of cardio-renal and obesity comorbidities and neighborhood factors with the prescribing of GLP-1RAs or SGLT2is in comparison with dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors (DPP-4is) or sulfonylureas (SFUs) and for each of the newer second-line diabetes medications (GLP-1RA vs DPP-4i, SGLT2i vs DPP-4i, GLP-1RA vs SFU, and SGLT2i vs SFU) in medically underserved populations.

Hepatitis B virus infection in general practice across England: An analysis of the Royal College of General Practitioners Research and Surveillance Centre real-world database.

Objectives: We analyzed hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) screening and seropositivity within a network of 419 general practices representative of all regions of England.

Methods: Information was extracted using pseudonymized registration data. Predictors of HBsAg seropositivity were explored in models that considered age, gender, ethnicity, time at the current practice, practice location and associated deprivation index, and presence of nationally endorsed screen indicators including pregnancy, men who have sex with men (MSM), history of injecting drug use (IDU), close HBV contact or imprisonment, and diagnosis of blood-borne or sexually transmitted infections.

Racial and Socioeconomic Characteristics Associated with the use of Telehealth Services Among Adults With Ambulatory Sensitive Conditions.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic led to a major transition for patients from routine ambulatory-care-based in-person primary care visits to telehealth visits to manage chronic diseases. However, it remains unclear the extent to which individuals access telehealth services and whether such utilization varies along neighborhood characteristics, especially among racial minorities. This study aims to examine the association of outpatient telehealth utilization with sociodemographic, clinical, and neighborhood characteristics among adults with ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Liver steatosis and fibrosis in people with human immunodeficiency virus in West Africa and the relationship with hepatitis B virus coinfection.

There is a heavy burden of liver disease in West Africa. While the role of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is well recognized, less is known about the contributing role of liver steatosis and how the two interact in the context of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Adults with HIV in Ghana underwent FibroScan measurements to determine prevalence of liver steatosis (expressed as controlled attenuation parameter [CAP]) and fibrosis (expressed as liver stiffness [LS]).

Race, mental health, and evictions filings in Memphis, TN, USA.

Although evictions are a major disruptor of residential stability, their contribution to health disparities is understudied. Both experiencing eviction and the threat of being evicted are associated with adverse physical and mental health outcomes. Communities with higher proportions of Black people have higher rates of eviction filings.

Barriers to Tobacco Cessation for Caregivers of Hospitalized Children: Perspectives of Pediatric Hospitalists.

Objectives: Secondhand smoke exposure is associated with adverse health outcomes in children, yet tobacco cessation efforts for caregivers of hospitalized children are lacking. We sought to explore pediatric hospitalists' attitudes and barriers to providing tobacco cessation for caregivers of hospitalized children.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of pediatric hospitalists and fellows at 7 hospitals from November 1, 2018, to November 30, 2019.

HBV-RNA Co-amplification May Influence HBV DNA Viral Load Determination.

Despite effective hepatitis B virus (HBV)-DNA suppression, HBV RNA can circulate in patients receiving nucleoside/nucleotide analogues (NAs). Current assays quantify HBV DNA by either real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which uses DNA polymerase, or transcription-mediated amplification, which uses reverse-transcriptase (RT) and RNA polymerase. We assessed the effect of RT capability on HBV-DNA quantification in samples from three cohorts, including patients with quantified HBV RNA.

Using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to Test a Network Model of Perceptual Decision Making in the Human Brain.

Previous research has suggested that the lateral occipital cortex (LOC) is involved with visual decision making, and specifically with the accumulation of information leading to a decision. In humans, this research has been primarily based on imaging and electroencephalography (EEG), and as such only correlational. One line of such research has led to a model of three spatially distributed brain networks that activate in temporal sequence to enable visual decision-making.

Determining virological suppression and resuppression by point-of-care viral load testing in a HIV care setting in sub-Saharan Africa.

Background: This prospective pilot study explored same-day point-of-care viral load testing in a setting in Ghana that has yet to implement virological monitoring of antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Methods: Consecutive patients accessing outpatient care while on ART underwent HIV-1 RNA quantification by Xpert. Those with viraemia at the first measurement (T0) received immediate adherence counselling and were reassessed 8 weeks later (T1).

Point-of-Care Screening for a Current Hepatitis C Virus Infection: Influence on Uptake of a Concomitant Offer of HIV Screening.

Eliminating hepatitis C as a public health threat requires an improved understanding of how to increase testing uptake. We piloted point-of-care testing (POCT) for a current HCV infection in an inner-city Emergency Department (ED) and assessed the influence on uptake of offering concomitant screening for HIV. Over four months, all adults attending ED with minor injuries were first invited to complete an anonymous questionnaire then invited to test in alternating cycles offering HCV POCT or HCV+HIV POCT.