Firefighter- and Fire Department-Level Barriers and Promoters of Physical Activity and Fitness Among Volunteer Firefighters: A Qualitative Study Using Semistructured Interviews.

Objective: To describe volunteer firefighters' perspectives on how firefighter- and fire department-level factors influence their physical activity and fitness.

Methods: Firefighters (n = 28) were interviewed, stratified by their years of firefighting, using an interview guide. Thematic analysis and systematic coding were used to analyze the interview transcripts.

Prevalence and predictors of colon and prostate cancer screening among volunteer firefighters: The United States Firefighter Cancer Assessment and Prevention Study.

Background: Although firefighters have increased risk for colon and prostate cancer, limited information exists on screening practices for these cancers in volunteer firefighters who compose two-thirds of the US fire service. We estimated the prevalence of colon and prostate cancer screening among volunteer firefighters using eligibility criteria from 4 evidence-based screening recommendations and evaluated factors influencing screening.

Methods: We evaluated colon (n = 569) and prostate (n = 498) cancer screening prevalence in a sample of US volunteer firefighters using eligibility criteria from the US Preventive Services Taskforce (USPSTF), National Fire Protection Association, American Cancer Society, and National Comprehensive Cancer Network.

PD-L1 Immune Checkpoint Targeted Photoactivable Liposomes (iTPALs) Prime the Stroma of Pancreatic Tumors and Promote Self-Delivery.

Desmoplasia in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) limits the penetration and efficacy of therapies. It has been previously shown that photodynamic priming (PDP) using EGFR targeted photoactivable multi-inhibitor liposomes remediates desmoplasia in PDAC and doubles overall survival. Here, bifunctional PD-L1 immune checkpoint targeted photoactivable liposomes (iTPALs) that mediate both PDP and PD-L1 blockade are presented.

Prevalence and predictors of skin cancer screening among a sample of US volunteer firefighters.

Background: Firefighters have a higher risk of melanoma incidence and mortality compared to the general population. In the United States (US), the National Fire Protection Association recommends all firefighters receive annual skin cancer screening through visual skin examination by a clinician. However, there is limited information on skin cancer screening practices among volunteer firefighters who comprise two-thirds of the US fire service.

Automated Polarized Hyperspectral Imaging (PHSI) for and Tissue Assessment.

Polarized light interactions with biological tissues can reveal information regarding tissue structure, while spectral characteristics are closely related to tissue composition. An integration of both modalities in a compact system could better assist tissue assessment. This study aims to develop a polarized hyperspectral imaging (PHSI) system that fulfills both linearly and circularly polarized hyperspectral imaging for and applications.

Guiding Principles for the Clinical Use and Selection of Microcatheters in Complex Coronary Interventions.

The use of microcatheters as a coronary interventional tool for a therapeutic approach to complex coronary interventions like bifurcation lesions, ostial location, tortuous anatomy, angled takeoffs, coronary calcification, and chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is growing among cardiologists across the country. During the treatment of such complex lesions, microcatheters play an essential part of the tool kit with both single-lumen and double-lumen microcatheters (DLMs) having their specific niche areas. The selection of microcatheters involves a detailed understanding of the microcatheter specification, lesion anatomy, lesion location, vessel tortuosity and trajectory, and crossing techniques.

Biomimetic Nanotechnology: A Natural Path Forward for Tumor-Selective and Tumor-Specific NIR Activable Photonanomedicines.

The emergence of biomimetic nanotechnology has seen an exponential rise over the past decade with applications in regenerative medicine, immunotherapy and drug delivery. In the context of nanomedicines activated by near infrared (NIR) photodynamic processes (photonanomedicines; PNMs), biomimetic nanotechnology is pushing the boundaries of activatable tumor targeted nanoscale drug delivery systems. This review discusses how, by harnessing a unique collective of biological processes critical to targeting of solid tumors, biomimetic PNMs (bPNMs) can impart tumor cell specific and tumor selective photodynamic therapy-based combination regimens.

Prevalence and Predictors of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Serum Levels among Members of a Suburban US Volunteer Fire Department.

Background: Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are ubiquitous pollutants associated with adverse health outcomes. High PFAS levels have been demonstrated among career firefighters; less is known about PFAS levels among volunteer firefighters who comprise two-thirds of US firefighters.

Methods: Volunteer fire department members completed a survey and provided blood samples.

Perceived Health Risks Among Firefighters; The New Jersey Firefighter Health Survey.

Objective: There is a growing literature on the risk of chronic disease among firefighters, including cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer. However there is little information on firefighter's perception thereof.

Methods: Firefighters attending a union convention in New Jersey completed a survey with four domains: firefighting experience; perceived additional risk for chronic diseases (six-point Likert scale); cancer screening history; demographics, and risk behaviors.

Dietary Intake Among Members of a Volunteer Fire Department Compared With US Daily Dietary Recommendations.

Objective: To characterize the diet of volunteer firefighters compared with the United States recommended dietary intake.

Methods: A survey was administered to members of volunteer fire department which collected information on demographics, behavioral risks, fire service history, and dietary intake using the Dietary Screener Questionnaire. Dietary intake was compared with US recommendations; associations between dietary intake and years of firefighting, were assessed using bi- and multivariate analysis.

Online and in-Person Violence, Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying in New Jersey: 2011-2016.

Background: New Jersey (NJ) Safe Schools Program, primarily funded by the NJ Department of Education, has aims concerning safety and health including helping to alleviate harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB) in secondary school because HIB can affect learning. We evaluated officially reported adolescent HIB total incidents and estimated rates in NJ public city and county school districts for the 2011-2016 school years.

Methods: A cross-sectional observational study using population-based state-reported public data.

Injury surveillance trends in career-technical education: New Jersey 1999-2018.

Introduction: Adolescents engaging in school-sponsored work experiences may be at risk of injury due to factors such as inexperience. This article examines trends in 20 years of reported injuries among New Jersey (NJ) adolescents engaging in school-sponsored work experiences, and compares a transition from paper to online reporting format.

Methods: New Jersey requires reporting of injuries occurring during school-sponsored work experiences to the NJ Department of Education.

Initial evaluation of the sustainable Jersey for Schools Program and certifications achieved by new Jersey public schools, 2014-2018.

Sustainable Jersey for Schools (SJS) includes free and voluntary certification for New Jersey (NJ) public K-12 districts (SD) and schools. SJS promotes increased awareness for waste and greenhouse gas emissions reductions via energy efficiency and conservation measures; environmental education; equity; etc. SD first register with SJS; school(s) then register and pursue one of two current certification levels, bronze or silver.

Incidence reporting via online high school concussion surveillance by certified athletic trainers and school nurses, 2015-2018.

Background: There is an increasing concern over adolescent concussions in sports due to risks of long-term negative effects. This study analyzed data over three school years on reported concussion incidence rates by season, high school grade levels and gender, and reported symptoms by school nurses versus athletic trainers, from New Jersey student-athlete concussion data available from an online school-based surveillance system.

Methods: School nurses and athletic trainers reported 300 concussions within five days from when each occurred over three school years, 2015-2018, in team sports and physical education in New Jersey high schools.

Late stent collapse identified with OCT - An underdiagnosed mechanism of restenosis?

Very late stent recoil is a rare albeit recognized phenomenon leading to subsequent in-stent restenosis. Angiography alone may not be adequate in making the diagnosis, and intravascular imaging with optical coherence tomography (OCT) is far superior in confirming the diagnosis and guiding subsequent management. We describe a case with interesting coronary angiogram and OCT images demonstrating very rare diagnosis of the late stent collapse.