Construct Validity Supports Use of a Novel, Tablet-Based Neurocognitive Assessment for Adolescents and Young Adults Affected by Perinatal HIV from Vulnerable Communities in the United States.

Construct validity of novel tablet-based neurocognitive tests (in the NeuroScreen app) measuring processing speed, working memory, and executive functioning in adolescents and young adults (AYA) living with perinatally-acquired HIV (PHIV) and perinatal HIV-exposure without infection (PHEU) was examined. Sixty-two AYA (33 PHIV, 29 PHEU) were recruited from an ongoing longitudinal study (CASAH) in New York City. Medium to large and statistically significant correlations were found between NeuroScreen and gold standard, paper-and-pencil tests of processing speed, working memory, and executive functioning. Results provide partial support for NeuroScreen as an alternative to cumbersome paper-and-pencil tests for assessing neurocognition among HIV-affected AYA.

Childhood adversity, health and quality of life in adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

BACKGROUND: Associations between childhood adversity and negative health outcomes are well documented within the general population; however, this relationship has yet to be confirmed in adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Bridging the gap between public health and I/DD research is critical in order to better understand the ways in which the health of people with I/DD are compromised by adversity and social disadvantage and to develop preventative care frameworks and health-promoting practices specifically for adults with I/DD. The aim of this exploratory study was to examine the relationships among adversity, physical health and quality of life in a sample of adults with I/DD. METHOD: Participants were adults with I/DD currently residing within campus-based residences. Demographic data, psychiatric and medical diagnoses, adverse childhood experiences scores and quality of life scores were aggregated from participants' electronic medical records. A health history form was completed for each participant based on a review of participants' medical records. RESULTS: Results indicated childhood adversity was significantly associated with number of chronic medical conditions (r = .35, P < .001, 95% BCa CI [.13, .53]). Childhood adversity was not significantly related to quality of life. After controlling for demographic variables, childhood adversity remained a significant predictor of health history (B = .32, P < .005, 95% BCa CI [.10, .52]), with greater adversity predicting greater medical illness. CONCLUSION: Participants demonstrated higher rates of childhood adversity compared with the general population, suggesting that individuals with I/DD may be particularly vulnerable to experiencing adversity during development. Childhood adversity was a significant predictor of physical illness in adults with I/DD. These findings emphasise the importance of screening for childhood adversity histories in adults with I/DD. Additionally, results demonstrate the importance of offering preventative interventions geared at preventing physical illness and promoting health in adults with I/DD with adversity and trauma backgrounds.

Symmetrically distributed orange eruption on the ears: a case of lupus vulgaris.

Although the incidence and morbidity of tuberculosis (TB) have declined in the latter half of the last decade in the United States, the number of cases of TB (especially cutaneous TB) among those born outside of the United States has increased. This discrepancy can be explained, in part, by the fact that cutaneous TB can have a long latency period in those individuals with a high degree of immunity against the organism. In this report, we describe an individual from a region where there is a relatively high prevalence of tuberculosis who developed lupus vulgaris of the ears many years after arrival to the United States.

Cutaneous findings of connective tissue disease.

This review provides the generalist with a simple means of approaching the diagnosis and treatment of connective tissue diseases. A concise summary of autoimmune laboratory panels and their relevance in the diagnosis of Lupus, Dermatomyositis, Mixed Connective Tissue Disease, and Sclerodermatous Diseases is provided.