Support for smoke-free multi-unit housing policies among racially and ethnically diverse, low-income seniors in south florida

Open access: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10823-014-9247-4/fulltext.html Previous studies have gauged support for implementing smoke-free MUH policies in the United States, but none have specifically examined attitudes among racially and ethnically diverse seniors living in low-income MUH. As part of an evaluation of a Community Transformation Grant funded program, we surveyed senior residents 62 years of age and older (n = 807) in 24 low-income housing properties in Broward County, Florida, to assess residents’ smoking behaviors, exposure to SHS, and support for smoke-free MUH policies. The study sample was ethnically and racially diverse with Hispanics comprising more than 61% of the population, and 22% of the population identified as Black or other races. Although close to 22% of the sample were former smokers, only 9% of residents reported being current smokers. The majority of residents surveyed supported no-smoking policies: 75% support no-smoking policies for individual units; 77% supported no-smoking policies in common areas; and, 68% supported no-smoking policies in outdoor areas. Over 29% of residents surveyed reported being exposed to secondhand smoke entering their units from elsewhere in their building. In sub-group analysis, Hispanic residents were significantly more likely to support both indoor (84.3 vs. 76.5, p\u3c.05) and outdoor (80.0 vs. 67.4, p\u3c.01) policies compared to non-Hispanic residents. Support for smoke-free policies did not vary significantly by race. This study demonstrates that senior residents living in low-income MUH properties overwhelmingly supported the implementation of smoke-free policies

Seismic Calibration Shots Conducted in 2009 in the Imperial Valley, Southern California, for the Salton Seismic Imaging Project (SSIP)

The Salton Seismic Imaging Project (SSIP) is a large-scale collaborative project with the goal of developing a detailed 3-D structural image of the Salton Trough (including both the Coachella and Imperial Valleys). The image will be used for earthquake hazard analysis, geothermal studies, and studies of plate-boundary transition from an ocean-ocean to a continent-continent plate-boundary. As part of SSIP, a series of calibration shots were detonated in June 2009 in the southern Imperial Valley for four specific reasons: (1) to measure peak particle velocity and acceleration at various distances from the shots, (2) to calibrate the propagation of energy through sediments of the Imperial Valley, (3) to test the effects of seismic energy on buried clay drainage pipes, which are abundant throughout the irrigated parts of the Salton Trough, and (4) to test the ODEX drilling technique, which uses a downhole casing hammer for a tight casing fit. Currently, we are using information obtained from the calibration shots to plan the data collection phase of the SSIP project. We have validated the use of ground-motion tables developed with Los Angeles Region Seismic Experiment (LARSE) data for use in the Imperial Valley and we have demonstrated that seismic energy from shots will not damage the drainage pipes used throughout the Salton Trough for irrigation

Local anesthetic systemic toxicity: A narrative review for emergency clinicians

Introduction: Emergency clinicians utilize local anesthetics for a variety of procedures in the emergency depart-ment (ED) setting. Local anesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST) is a potentially deadly complication.Objective: This narrative review provides emergency clinicians with the most current evidence regarding the pathophysiology, evaluation, and management of patients with LAST.Discussion: LAST is an uncommon but potentially life-threatening complication of local anesthetic use that may be encountered in the ED. Patients at extremes of age or with organ dysfunction are at higher risk. Inadvertent intra-arterial or intravenous injection, as well as repeated doses and higher doses of local anesthetics are associ-ated with greater risk of developing LAST. Neurologic and cardiovascular manifestations can occur. Early recog-nition and intervention, including supportive care and intravenous lipid emulsion 20%, are the mainstays of treatment. Using ultrasound guidance, aspirating prior to injection, and utilizing the minimal local anesthetic dose needed are techniques that can reduce the risk of LAST.Conclusions: This focused review provides an update for the emergency clinician to manage patients with LAST. Published by Elsevier Inc

Pediatric firearm injury epidemiology at a level 1 trauma center from 2019 to 2021: including time of the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract Background Firearms are a leading cause of death in children. The demand for firearms increased following COVID-19 “stay-at home orders” in March 2020, resulting in record-breaking firearm sales and background checks. We aim to describe the changes in pediatric firearm-related injuries, demographics, and associated risk factors at a Level 1 trauma center in Houston before and during the COVID 19 pandemic. Results The total number of pediatric firearm-related injury cases increased during March 15th to December 31st, 2020 and 2021 compared to the same time period in 2019 (104 verses 89 verses 78). The demographic group most affected across years were males (87% in 2019 vs 82% in 2020 and 87% in 2021) between 14 and 17 years old (83% in 2019 vs 81% in 2020 and 76% in 2021). There was an increase in firearm injuries among black youth across all years (28% in 2019 vs 41% in 2020 vs 49% in 2021). Injuries in those with mental illness (10% in 2019 vs 24% in 2020 vs 17% in 2021), and injuries where the shooter was a known family member or friend (14% in 2019 vs 18% in 2020 vs. 15% in 2021), increased from 2019 to 2020. Conclusion The total number of pediatric firearm-related injuries increased during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the previous year despite a decline in overall pediatric emergency department visits. Increases in pediatric firearm-related injuries in already vulnerable populations should prompt further hospital initiatives including counseling on safe firearm storage, implementation of processes to identify children at risk for firearm injuries, and continued research to mitigate the risk of injury and death associated with firearms in our community

Role of Angiotensin II type 1 receptor on renal NAD(P)H oxidase, oxidative stress and inflammation in nitric oxide inhibition induced-hypertension

Life Sciences12481-9