Moving biochemistry and molecular biology courses online in times of disruption: Recommended practices and resources ‐ a collaboration with the faculty community and ASBMB

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/163423/2/bmb21354_am.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/163423/1/bmb21354.pd

Estimation of Short-Term Effects of Air Pollution on Stroke Hospital Admissions in Wuhan, China

Background and Objective:High concentrations of air pollutants have been linked to increased incidence of stroke in North America and Europe but not yet assessed in mainland China. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between stroke hospitalization and short-term elevation of air pollutants in Wuhan, China.Methods:Daily mean NO2, SO2 and PM10 levels, temperature and humidity were obtained from 2006 through 2008. Data on stroke hospitalizations (ICD 10: I60-I69) at four hospitals in Wuhan were obtained for the same period. A time-stratified case-crossover design was performed by season (April-September and October-March) to assess effects of pollutants on stroke hospital admissions.Results:Pollution levels were higher in October-March with averages of 136.1 μg/m3 for PM10, 63.6 μg/m3 for NO2 and 71.0 μg/m3 for SO2 than in April-September when averages were 102.0 μg/m3, 41.7 μg/m3 and 41.7 μg/m3, respectively (p<.001). During the cold season, every 10 μg/m3 increase in NO2 was associated with a 2.9% (95%C.I. 1.2%-4.6%) increase in stroke admissions on the same day. Every 10 ug/m3 increase in PM10 daily concentration was significantly associated with an approximate 1% (95% C.I. 0.1%-1.4%) increase in stroke hospitalization. A two-pollutant model indicated that NO2 was associated with stroke admissions when controlling for PM10. During the warm season, no significant associations were noted for any of the pollutants.Conclusions:Exposure to NO2 is significantly associated with stroke hospitalizations during the cold season in Wuhan, China when pollution levels are 50% greater than in the warm season. Larger and multi-center studies in Chinese cities are warranted to validate our findings. © 2013 Xiang et al

Changes in Motorcycle-Related Head Injury Deaths, Hospitalizations, and Hospital Charges Following Repeal of Pennsylvania’s Mandatory Motorcycle Helmet Law

To evaluate the 2003 repeal of Pennsylvania’s motorcycle helmet law, we assessed changes in helmet use and compared motorcycle-related head injuries with non-head injuries from 2001–2002 to 2004–2005. Helmet use among riders in crashes decreased from 82% to 58%. Head injury deaths increased 66%; nonhead injury deaths increased 25%. Motorcycle-related head injury hospitalizations increased 78% compared with 28% for nonhead injury hospitalizations. Helmet law repeals jeopardize motorcycle riders. Until repeals are reversed, states need voluntary strategies to increase helmet use

Characteristics of Black and White Suicide Decedents in Fulton County, Georgia, 1988–2002

Objectives. We compared the prevalence of risk factors for Black and White suicide decedents in Fulton County, Georgia, from 1988–2002. Methods. We used data from the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office to compile information on suicides that occurred in Fulton County between 1988 and 2002. We used the χ(2) test and logistic regression to identify associations between suicide risk factors and race. Results. Black suicide decedents were more likely than White suicide decedents to be male (odds ratio [OR]=2.06; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.38, 3.09), to be younger, (≤24 y [OR = 4.74; 95% CI = 2.88, 7.81]; 25–34 y [OR = 2.79; 95% CI = 1.74, 4.47]; 35–44 y [OR = 1.86; 95% CI = 1.13, 3.07]), and to hurt others in a suicide (OR = 4.22; 95% CI = 1.60, 11.15) but less likely to report depression (OR=0.63; 95% CI=0.48, 0.83), to have a family history of suicide (OR=0.08; 95% CI=0.01, 0.61), or to leave a suicide note (OR=0.37; 95% CI=0.26, 0.52). Conclusions. Future research should consider that Black suicide decedents are less likely to report depression than White suicide decedents. This suicide risk difference is important when developing effective suicide prevention programs

Falls among Adults: The Association of Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Physical Activity with Walking-Related Falls

BACKGROUND: Falls are a major cause of deaths, hospitalizations, and emergency room visits in the U.S., but circumstances surrounding falls are not well described. Among the elderly, balance and gait disorders and muscle weakness are associated with increased risk for falling, but the relationship of cardiorespiratory fitness and physical activity with falls is unclear. PURPOSE: This purpose of this study is to describe characteristics of falls among adults and assess the association of cardiorespiratory fitness and physical activity with walking-related falls. METHODS: Data on participants enrolled in the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study (ACLS) from 1970 through 1989 who responded to questions on falls on the 1990 follow-up survey were analyzed in 2008–2009. The percentage of participants reporting at least one fall during the year before the follow-up survey was calculated and the activities at the time of falling were described. The relative risk and 95% CIs for the association of baseline fitness and physical activity with walking-related falls were calculated and logistic regression models for walking-related falls were developed. RESULTS: Of 10,615 participants aged 20–87 years, 20% (95% CI 19%, 21%) reported falling during the past year. Of those falling, 54% (95% CI 52%, 56%) fell during sports or exercise, 15% (95% CI 14%,17%) while walking, and 4% (95% CI 3%,5%) from a stool or ladder. People aged ≥65 years were no more likely than younger people to report falling in general, but they were more likely than people aged <45 years to report falling while walking (RR 1.9; 95% CI 1.2, 3.0 for men; RR 2.2; 95% CI 1.3, 3.9 for women). Men with a low level of fitness were more likely to fall while walking than men who were highly fit (RR 2.2; 95% CI 1.5,3.3). In the multivariate analysis, walking-related falls were associated with low levels of fitness (AOR 1.8; 95% CI 1.1,2.8) and with physical inactivity (AOR 1.7; 95% CI 1.1–2.7) in men but not in women. CONCLUSIONS: Falls are common throughout adulthood but activities at time of falls differ by age. Low fitness levels and physical inactivity may increase risk for walking-related falls

Relationship between stroke and PM₁₀ and NO₂ concentrations in a two-pollutant model in the cold season for 10 µg/m³ increases in pollutant level, adjusted for temperature and humidity.

<p>Relationship between stroke and PM₁₀ and NO₂ concentrations in a two-pollutant model in the cold season for 10 µg/m³ increases in pollutant level, adjusted for temperature and humidity.</p

Association of all strokes, ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes and pollutant concentrations by lag days for 10 µg/m³ increases in pollutant levels adjusted for temperature and humidity, Wuhan, 2006–2008.

<p>Association of all strokes, ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes and pollutant concentrations by lag days for 10 µg/m³ increases in pollutant levels adjusted for temperature and humidity, Wuhan, 2006–2008.</p

The association of stroke admissions and air pollutants in cold (winter and spring) and warm (summer and fall) seasons for 10 µg/m³ increases in pollutant level, adjusted for temperature and humidity, Wuhan, 2006–2008.

<p>The association of stroke admissions and air pollutants in cold (winter and spring) and warm (summer and fall) seasons for 10 µg/m³ increases in pollutant level, adjusted for temperature and humidity, Wuhan, 2006–2008.</p