Air Pollution's Hidden Toll: Links Between Ozone, Particulate Matter, and Adolescent Depression.

Rising rates of depression among youth present a growing mental health crisis. Despite growing concerns regarding the risks of air pollution exposure on youth mental and physical health, associations between ambient air pollutants and depression have been largely overlooked in youth. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated associations between ozone, particulate matter, and depressive symptoms in adolescents across 224 Colorado census tracts (average age of 14.

Child Maltreatment Data After Implementation of Hospital-Wide Protocol and Utilization of Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners for Child Maltreatment Cases.

Background: Child maltreatment is a significant global health concern with significant morbidity and mortality. Sexual assault forensic examiners (SAFEs) provide a valuable skill set and may be utilized in child maltreatment evaluations.

Aim: The purpose of the study was to describe patient characteristics and trends after implementation of a hospital-wide standardized child maltreatment protocol including forensic examiners in child maltreatment cases.

Mpox Surveillance Based on Rash Characteristics - 13 Emergency Departments, United States, June-December 2023.

In 2022, a global mpox outbreak occurred, primarily affecting gay and bisexual men who have sex with men (GBMSM). To screen for mpox's reemergence and investigate potentially unsuspected cases among non-GBMSM, prospective surveillance of patients aged ≥3 months with an mpox-compatible rash (vesicular, pustular, ulcerated, or crusted) was conducted at 13 U.S.

A healthy balance: the ratio of social support-to-demands is associated with metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome is associated with increased risk for negative health events, decrements in quality of life, and greater health costs. The current study sought to identify whether the ratio of social support to social demands across multiple relationship types (spouse, friends, children, or other family members) were associated with concurrent metabolic syndrome in a nationally representative sample of US adults ages 32-40. Results indicate that the ratio of total social support to social demands was associated with a greater likelihood of meeting criteria for metabolic syndrome, even after statistically controlling for the effects of race, ethnicity, sex, age, income, and prior metabolic syndrome.

The impact of month and season on the incidence of giant cell arteritis: an Intelligent Research in Sight (IRIS) Registry analysis.

Purpose: Previous investigations into the relationship between season and the incidence of giant cell arteritis (GCA) have produced conflicting results. This study aimed to explore the impact of season and new diagnoses of GCA in a more definitive sense by employing the large dataset of the Intelligent Research in Sight (IRIS) database.

Methods: The IRIS Registry was queried to identify new cases of GCA from 2013 to 2021.

Patients' Perspectives on Emergency Department COVID-19 Vaccination and Vaccination Messaging Through Randomized Vignettes.

Objectives: Emergency departments (EDs) could play an important role in the COVID-19 pandemic response by reaching patients who would otherwise not seek vaccination in the community. Prior to expanding COVID-19 vaccination to the acute care setting, we assessed ED patients' COVID-19 vaccine status, perspectives, and hypothetical receptivity to ED-based vaccination.

Methods: From January 11 through March 31, 2021, we conducted a multisite (Albany Medical Center, Boston Medical Center, Buffalo General Hospital, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, and Upstate Medical Center), cross-sectional survey of ED patients, with embedded randomization for participants to receive 1 of 4 vignette vaccination messages (simple opt-in message, recommendation by the hospital, community-oriented message, and acknowledgment of vaccine hesitancy).

Developing a Novel Interactive Colorectal Cancer Educational Session for First-Year Medical Students to Enhance Interest in Public Health.

Medical students need more exposure to and a greater understanding of their role in public health throughout their training, which may influence more of them to pursue careers in public health or change how they practice medicine in the future. A novel colorectal cancer education session was created for first year medical students to attempt to increase public health interest, improve colorectal cancer knowledge and discuss barriers to colorectal cancer screening. We constructed a novel integrated interactive peer led colorectal cancer educational session of panelists with a wide range of experiences in colorectal cancer and colorectal cancer screening.

COVID-19 and beyond: Lessons learned from emergency department HIV screening for population-based screening in healthcare settings.

Emergency departments (EDs) have played a major role in the science and practice of HIV population screening. After decades of experience, EDs have demonstrated the capacity to provide testing and linkage to care to large volumes of patients, particularly those who do not otherwise engage the healthcare system. Efforts to expand ED HIV screening in the United States have been accelerated by a collaborative national network of emergency physicians and other stakeholders called EMTIDE (Emergency Medicine Transmissible Infectious Diseases and Epidemics).

Lack of active SARS-CoV-2 virus in a subset of PCR-positive COVID-19 congregate care patients.

Highly sensitive nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) designed to detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA are the standard of care for the diagnosis of COVID-19. However, the accuracy of these methods for the quantitation of active virus rather than non-infectious RNA fragments that can persist for extended periods of time has been unclear. This issue is particularly relevant for congregate care patients who are unable to return to their home residence until fully negative by NAATs.

Compliance with American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) recommendations for thromboembolic prophylaxis in the intensive care unit: a level I trauma center experience.

Background: Recommendations are for nearly universal venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis in critically ill hospitalized patients because of their well-recognized risks. In those intensive care units (ICUs) where patient care is more uniformly directed, it may be expected that VTE prophylaxis would more closely follow this standard over units that are less uniform, such as open-model ICUs.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study on all patients aged 18+ admitted to an open ICU between 6/1/2017 and 5/31/2018.

Evaluation of Specimen Types and Saliva Stabilization Solutions for SARS-CoV-2 Testing.

Identifying SARS-CoV-2 infections through aggressive diagnostic testing remains critical to tracking and curbing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Collection of nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS), the preferred sample type for SARS-CoV-2 detection, has become difficult due to the dramatic increase in testing and consequent supply strain. Therefore, alternative specimen types have been investigated that provide similar detection sensitivity with reduced health care exposure and the potential for self-collection.

Basic Life Support Awareness and Knowledge in High School Students.

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. When cardiovascular disease results in cardiac arrest, the ability to perform basic life support (BLS) can change the outcome from death to survival. There is no definitive statistical data on high schoolers' awareness of basic life support (BLS).

Stimulation and propagation of activation in conduction tissue: Implications for left bundle branch area pacing.

Background: Characterizing wavefront generation and impulse conduction in left bundle (LB) has implications for left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP).

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to describe the pacing characteristics of LB and to study the role of pacing pulse width (PW) in overcoming left bundle branch block.

Methods: Twenty fresh ovine heart slabs containing well-developed and easily identifiable tissues of the conduction system were used for the study.

Effects of propofol on ischemia-reperfusion and traumatic brain injury.

Oxidative stress exacerbates brain damage following ischemia-reperfusion and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Management of TBI and critically ill patients commonly involves use of propofol, a sedation medication that acts as a general anesthetic with inherent antioxidant properties. Here we review available evidence from animal model systems and clinical studies that propofol protects against ischemia-reperfusion injury.

The effect of discharge destination and primary insurance provider on hospital discharge delays among patients with traumatic brain injury: a multicenter study of 1,543 patients.

Background: Hospital length of stay (HLOS) is a commonly used measure of hospital quality and is influenced by clinical and non-clinical factors. To reduce HLOS, it is key to identify factors placing patients at increased risk of lengthy HLOS and discharge delays.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients age ≥ 18 admitted to four level 1 trauma centers between 1/1/2015 and 3/31/2018 with traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Barriers to Healthcare for People Who Inject Drugs: A Survey at a Syringe Exchange Program.

Despite research demonstrating increased need for healthcare services among people who use drugs, few studies have investigated barriers to general healthcare in this population. We explored the most common barriers to general healthcare faced by clients utilizing syringe access services. Clients of Project Safe Point- a syringe access service serving Albany, NY and surrounding regions-were surveyed on their general health practices and specific health care barriers.

The presence of S-sulfonated transthyretin in commercial human serum albumin solutions: Potential contribution to neuropathy.

Background: Commercial solutions of human serum albumin (HSA) are administered to critically ill patients for the treatment of shock, restoration of blood volume, and the acute management of burns. Previously, conflicting results on the effects of HSA administration have been reported varying from a favorable increase in total plasma antioxidant capacity to a higher mortality rate in traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients. These results could be partially explained due to the known heterogeneity of HSA solutions.

Teaching for Practice: The Impact of a Large-Scale Interprofessional Foundational Program.

Purpose: The University of Kansas Medical Center has developed an interprofessional education (IPE) foundational program using TeamSTEPPS, a curriculum designed to improve patient care through effective communication and teamwork. The purpose of this study was to understand the impact of the Level 1 program on learners as they develop the attitudes, knowledge, and skills related to interprofessional collaborative practice.

Methods: Learners (n=715) representing 15 professions participated in the Level 1 program.

Hospitalized patients' and family members' preferences for real-time, transparent access to their hospital records.

Objectives: To better understand patient satisfaction and perceived engagement with traditional hospital-based communication and to elicit patient preferences for health information technologies that would lead to improved satisfaction and engagement.

Study Design: We performed a mixed-methods study involving qualitative interviews followed by a survey of hospitalized patients and their family members at a single large academic medical center.

Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with 41 patients and surveyed 267 patients or family members to elicit their perspectives on satisfaction with traditional hospital communication methods, information needed to more fully engage in the patients' medical care, and potential solutions for improved hospital-based communication.

Pediatric Patients Discharged from the Emergency Department with Abnormal Vital Signs.

Introduction: Children often present to the emergency department (ED) with minor conditions such as fever and have persistently abnormal vital signs. We hypothesized that a significant portion of children discharged from the ED would have abnormal vital signs and that those discharged with abnormal vital signs would experience very few adverse events.

Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review encompassing a 44-month period of all pediatric patients (aged two months to 17 years) who were discharged from the ED with an abnormal pulse rate, respiratory rate, temperature, or oxygen saturation.

Characteristics and survival of patients with Ebola virus infection, malaria, or both in Sierra Leone: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: The 2014-15 Ebola virus disease (EVD) epidemic strained health systems in west Africa already overburdened with other diseases, including malaria. Because EVD and malaria can be difficult to distinguish clinically, and rapid testing was not available in many Ebola Treatment Units (ETUs), guidelines recommended empirical malaria treatment. Little is known, however, about the prevalence and characteristics of patients entering an ETU who were infected with malaria parasites, either alone or concurrently with Ebola virus.