Graduate Student Presentation Contest: A select number of graduate students will be chosen to give a brief presentation (10-15 min) of their research. These students will be eligible for an additional prize based on their ability to make their research accessible for a general audience.
Nicotine and Other Substance Vaping and Mental Health Indicators Among Young Adults
Authors: First M. Last (Affiliation#)Rabia Imran (1)
Mary Carrico (2)
Elizabeth Ogunleye (2)
Darren Farmer (3)
Sama Monjazeb (2)
Norhan Botrous (2)
Caroline Cobb (2)
Introduction: The use of electronic delivery systems to vape nicotine and other substances is rising among young adults. While strong correlations between cigarette smoking and mental health conditions are well documented, less is known regarding these associations for vaping behaviors. This study aimed to characterize links between vaping nicotine and other substances and mental health indicators. Methods: From March 2025-June 2025, undergraduate students at a large university in Central Virginia (n=375) completed an online survey. Participants reported their demographics, past 30-day vaping behaviors and mental health indicators (DASS-21). Vaping nicotine and/or nicotine-free liquids, cannabis-containing liquids, and liquids containing other substances (e.g., caffeine, herbal supplements) were assessed, and individuals were categorized into exclusive subgroups based on their use behavior and distribution of responses. Differences in depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms by vaping subgroups were tested using ANOVA and independent samples t-tests. Results: The sample was ~20 years old with 82.6% female and 30.2% White, 24.0% Black or African American, 18.1% as multiracial, and 27.7% identified as other groups. Past 30-day exclusive nicotine/nicotine-free vaping was most common (15.2%) followed by nicotine/nicotine-free and cannabis/other substance vaping (10.1%) and exclusive cannabis/other substance vaping (6.9%). Symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress were relatively low but differed significantly across vaping subgroups (ps<0.05). Nicotine/nicotine-free vaping, whether exclusive or in combination with cannabis/other substance vaping, was associated with significantly higher depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms compared to those who did not vape (ps<0.04). Descriptively, individuals who vaped nicotine and cannabis/other substances had the highest scores for all three symptom categories. Conclusions: Findings highlight the relative prevalence of vaping behaviors by substance category. Vaping nicotine or nicotine-free liquids alone or in combination with other substances was linked to poorer mental health. While temporality is unknown in the present study, these findings highlight the need to address mental health in vaping prevention and intervention efforts. Given the broad availability of diverse vaping products, behavioral and survey assessments should consider vaping behaviors beyond nicotine-containing products.
Cocaine induces differential regulation of ‘jumping genes’ across the mouse brain
Shelbey Strandberg*(1) and Dr. Peter Hamilton (1)
Background/Objective: Transposable elements (TEs) comprise about half of the mammalian genome and are commonly called ‘jumping genes’ for their ability to be transcribed and re-integrated elsewhere in the genome. This process, termed transposition, can cause permanent disruptions to protein coding and regulatory regions of the genome. Cocaine use is increasingly appreciated as able to alter brain TE transcript expression, but the exact time-course, brain region specificity, and transposition capacity of affected TEs remains under-explored. We investigated these points by creating a cocaine-induced brain TE transcript time-course from public RNA-sequencing datasets. Methods: We identified transcriptomic studies of nucleus accumbens (NAc), dorsal striatum (DS), and prefrontal cortex (PFC) in cocaine exposed mice via self- or investigator-administered paradigms. Using the Python package TEtranscripts, we aligned the datasets to the reference genome mm10 and used an adjusted p-value cutoff of <0.05 to determine differential TE expression produced over the course of cocaine exposure. Results: Across the brain regions, we see time- and dose- dependent changes in TE transcript expression. Surprisingly, despite involvement in reward/addiction, each region has unique TE expression profiles. We identify predominantly downregulated TEs in NAc, whereas DS is primarily upregulated, and PFC displays TE profiles sensitive to the route of cocaine administration (self- or investigator-administered). Conclusion: TEs, a portion of which retain transposition capacity, experience dynamic and distinct brain-region expression following cocaine exposure. These insights may add an additional dimension of the brain molecular mechanisms involved in cocaine use disorder.
Hidden in Plain Sight: Inaccuracies in Labels and Microbiological Contamination of Cannabis Products
Logan N. Petersa, Alaina K. Holta, Justin L. Poklisb, Ankita Golaa, Michelle R. Peacea,b
Introduction The rapid expansion of cannabis products has outpaced regulatory oversight, raising concerns about product safety and labeling accuracy. This study investigates discrepancies between labeled and actual cannabinoid content as well as assesses potential contamination in commercial cannabis products. Semi-synthetic cannabinoids, such as Δ8-THC and HHC, often appear in unregulated products and pose unknown health risks. Various other contaminants such as solvents, pesticides, and vitamin E acetate have been linked to adverse effects. As consumer access to cannabis products increases, robust product surveillance is essential to protect public health and inform evidence-based regulation. Objectives This project aims to analyze the chemical composition of various commercially available cannabis products purchased in Washington, D.C., and to assess potential microbial contamination in order to evaluate consumer health risks associated with inadequate production, handling, or storage practices. Methods Samples were opened and sampled immediately for volatile compound and microbial contamination analysis. Products were analyzed for volatiles using a Shimadzu headspace gas chromatography system (HS-20, GC-2030AF). Known standards were analyzed alongside the samples to identify common compounds. A 100 µg/mL stock of each sample was prepared for microbiological analysis. One milliliter of this solution was plated on Thermo Fisher Petrifilm microbiological plates (yeast and mold, aerobic count, E. coli). Positive controls were prepared using Thermo Fisher Culti-Loops. A 40 µg/mL stock of each sample was analyzed on a Shimadzu GCMS-QP2020 gas chromatography-mass spectrometry system using an untargeted screening method to identify cannabinoids. Cannabinoids present in the sample were quantified using a Shimadzu LCMS-8050 liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry system. Results Of seventy-two products analyzed, only forty-six (63.8%) disclosed cannabinoids contained through product packaging or publicly available certificates of analysis. Of the forty-six with labels, thirty-five (76%) were found to contain compounds not disclosed on the label or certificate of analysis. Fourteen (30%) of these products did not contain one or more of the cannabinoids disclosed on the label or certificate of analysis. Microbiological contaminants were not detected in any vape or edible products. Microbial contamination above threshold limits were detected in 94.1% of plant material products (16/17). Aerobic bacteria were detected in 12 plant material products (220-9800 cfu/g). Yeast and mold were detected in 10
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