Association between sugar cane burning and acute respiratory illness on the island of Maui.

Background: Sugar cane harvesting by burning on Maui island is an environmental health issue due to respiratory effects of smoke. Volcanic smog ("vog") from an active volcano on a neighboring island periodically blankets Maui and could confound a study of cane smoke's effects since cane burning is not allowed on vog days. This study examines the association between cane burning and emergency department (ED) visits, hospital admissions, and prescription fills for acute respiratory illnesses.

Significance of HbA1c and its measurement in the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus: US experience.

The 2014 American Diabetes Association guidelines denote four means of diagnosing diabetes. The first of these is a glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) >6.5%.