Historic redlining in Columbus,Ohio associated with stroke prevalence

BackgroundRacial disparities exist in stroke and stroke outcomes. In an ecologic study, using the Home Owners’ Loan Corporation (HOLC) “redlining” scores, as indicator of historic racialized lending practices, we hypothesized that census tracts with high historic redlining are associated with higher stroke prevalence.MethodsWeighted historic redlining scores (HRS) were calculated using the proportion of 1930s HOLC residential security grades contained within 2010 census tract boundaries of Columbus, Ohio. Stroke prevalence (adults >=18) was obtained at the census tract-level from the CDC's 500 Cities Project. Sociodemographic census tract level data (American Community Survey 2014-2018) were considered mediators in the causal association between historic redlining and stroke prevalence and were not controlled for in regression analysis. HRS and stroke prevalence associations were evaluated with and without adjustment for proportion of census tract 65 years and older.ResultsCensus tracts in the highest quartile of HRS (greater redlining) had 1.73% higher stroke prevalence compared to those in the lowest quartile (95% CI:0.41,3.05) adjusting for proportion 65 years and older. No other interquartile differences were observed.ConclusionsHistoric redlining practices are a form of structural racism that established geographic systems of disadvantage and consequently, poor health outcomes. Our findings demonstrate disparate stroke prevalence by degree of historic redlining in census tracts across Columbus, Ohio.     

健民·叶开泰文化解读

健民·叶开泰始创于明崇祯十年（1637年）,与同仁堂（创立于1669年）、陈李济（创立于1600年）并称为中医药界的“初清三杰”。再加上后来的胡庆余堂,被称为“中国四大药号”。378年来,健民·叶开泰虽然历经坎坷,但“宝剑锋从磨砺出,梅花香自苦寒来”,发展势头不减当年,反而更甚。在蓬勃发展的同时,健民·叶开泰也形成了其独特的文化,正是有着这样独特的文化,健民·叶开泰才能在历史长河中彰显其不朽价值。     

Mapping the Gaps: Gender Differences in Preventive Cardiovascular Care among Managed Care Members in Four Metropolitan Areas

Background

Prior research documents gender gaps in cardiovascular risk management, with women receiving poorer quality routine care on average, even in managed care systems. Although population health management tools and quality improvement efforts have led to better overall care quality and narrowing of racial/ethnic gaps for a variety of measures, we sought to quantify persistent gender gaps in cardiovascular risk management and to assess the performance of routinely used commercial population health management tools in helping systems narrow gender gaps.

Inverse association between plasma homocysteine concentrations and type 2 diabetes mellitus among a middle-aged and elderly Chinese population

Background and aims

Plasma homocysteine concentrations have been reported to be associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with controversial findings. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between plasma homocysteine concentrations and T2DM.

The effects of adding interruption to differential reinforcement on targeted and novel self-stimulatory behaviors

This study compared differential reinforcement of other (DRO) and incompatible (DRI) behaviors to these same two procedures combined with a mild interruption procedure on a 6-year-old developmentally disabled girl's self-stimulatory behaviors. The results showed that the combination was more effective for reducing all of the targeted behaviors. These low rates were maintained at a 4-month follow-up. In addition, several new forms of stereotypy that appeared as the targeted behaviors diminished decreased rapidly when interruption was applied to them. Finally, independent toy play increased as a by-product of the treatment.     

Distribution and excretion of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran in C57BL/6J and DBA/2J mice

The distribution and excretion of the toxic pollutant, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran (TCDF), was studied in male C57BL/6J and DBA/2J mice (22–29 g). [¹⁴C]TCDF was administered iv at a dose of 0.1 μmmol/kg. The liver was the major site of TCDF accumulation, with more TCDF in the livers of C57BL/6J mice compared to DBA/2J mice. TCDF had a half-life of approximately 1.8 days in the livers of both strains. At 7 hr and 1 day, respectively, radioactivity was redistributed to adipose tissue of C57BL/6J mice and DBA/2J mice. The terminal $\text{T}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ of TCDF in adipose tissue of C57BL/6J mice was 1.1 days, whereas it was 6.8 days in DBA/2J mice; the sixfold longer half-life in DBA/2J mice may be related to the approximately 36% greater adipose tissue content of this strain which may sequester more TCDF. More than 80 and 55% of the dose was excreted in the feces of C57BL/6J and DBA/2J mice, respectively, within 10 days as polar metabolites. The whole body half-life of TCDF was 2 days in C57BL/6J and 4 days in DBA/2J mice. Thus, DBA/2J mice sequester more of the TCDF dose in adipose tissue, accounting for a relatively slower rate of clearance and lower concentrations of TCDF at the putative target site(s) for toxic action.     

Industrial chemical safety testing: One company's approach

In 1976, Velsicol Chemical Corporation began a tier-oriented testing program for all industrial chemicals under consideration for development. The program is designed (a) to ensure that the basic safety data are developed, and (b) to put in place procedures and hazard assessment approaches to facilitate complying with the United States Toxic Substances Control Act (enacted by the U.S. Congress in October 1976). The testing program is divided into three tiers. Tier I is initiated when a chemical is synthesized and a probable end use is defined. It includes conducting a thorough literature search; obtaining physicochemical, acute toxicity, and initial mutagenicity data; and synthesizing a radiolabeled form of the active ingredient. Tier II studies are considered when a decision is made to proceed to market development; this tier includes subacute and special toxicity studies in mammals, acute toxicity in aquatic organisms, basic pharmacokinetics in mammals, and environmental studies. Tier III studies, conducted on chemicals that are entering the marketing stage, are completed before the chemical reaches full commercialization. Studies considered in Tier III are subchronic or chronic toxicity testing, teratogenicity and reproduction studies, and additional environmental impact studies depending on end use. Concomitant occupational exposure studies in pilot operations and occupation safety assessments are also made in Tier III. Velsicol's tier program is flexible, and judgments on the test to be conducted in one tier are based upon (a) information developed at the previous tier, (b) the developmental stage of the product, (c) the route and magnitude of human and environmental exposure, and (d) the potential health or environmental effects.     

Comparison of outcomes in a case of bilateral cochlear implantation using devices manufactured by two different implant companies (Cochlear Corporation and Med-El)

Abstract

Objective

This paper reports a case of a patient who has had bilateral cochlear implants that have been manufactured by different cochlear implant companies (Cochlear Corporation and Med-El).

Method

Comparison of speech perception tests following single implant insertion and bilateral insertion (3 and 12 months). The patient was also interviewed to obtain a subjective opinion on their quality of hearing.

Results

The patient reported that their Med-El implant had better sound quality than their Cochlear Corporation implant. The speech perception tests however failed to show any difference.

Conclusion

Despite no difference found with the objective tests hearing is very subjective and therefore the patient's opinion on the quality of sound is important. It is only a matter of time before other patients are fitted with bilateral cochlear implants from different companies and this information should be collated to allow comparison between manufacturers.     

The validity of self-reports in alcoholism research

It is often assumed that many alcoholics underreport their drinking and behavioral problems. Nonetheless, previous studies using official records and collateral reports suggest that self-reports of concrete drinking problems are not biased, and that overreports equal or exceed underreports. New data are presented, based on collateral reports and blood alcohol measures for 632 alcoholics interviewed four years after treatment. Results indicate that the subjects accurately reported abstention and major alcohol-related events, such as jail terms and hospitalization. Compared with estimates from blood alcohol measures, 35% of recent drinkers underreported their consumption during the 24 hours before the interview, and 24% underreported their consumption during the previous month. However, an overall outcome classification based on a combination of consumption and other measures was not substantially affected by errors in consumption reports. These findings indicate that most types of self-reports are valid, and that broadly based outcome measures are not likely to be significantly biased by underreporting errors.