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Intervetions are urgently needed to reduce the trajectory of the US opioid overdose epidemic, yet implementation is often hampered by resistance or opposition from key community stakeholders. While businesses are economically and physically impacted by the opioid epidemic, they are rarely engaged in efforts to reduce its impact. The establishment of overdose prevention sites (OPS) is being discussed throughout many US jurisdictions with limited attention to the potential positive role of businesses in that process. We surveyed business owners and employees of businesses located in neighborhoods with concentrated drug markets. The study’s primary aim was to examine their attitudes to locally-placed OPS. An iterative, two-phase sampling strategy was used to identify recruitment zones. In person (December 2019–March 2020) and telephone-based (April–July 2020) surveys were administered to distinct business owners and employees (N = 149). Sixty-five percent of participants supported OPS in their neighborhood and 47% had recently witnessed an overdose in or around their workplace. While 70% had heard of naloxone, and 38% reported having it on the premises. Correlates of supporting an OPS locally included living in the same neighborhood as work (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.99, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.30–3.05); having a more positive attitude towards people who use drugs (aOR 1.33, 95% CI: 1.13–1.58); and having recently seen an overdose in/around the workplace (aOR 2.86, 95% CI: 1.11–7.32). Lack of support being an owner (aOR 0.35, 95% CI: 0.15–0.83). These data indicate the extent to which businesses are directly impacted by the opioid epidemic and the power of personal experience in shaping OPS support in advocacy efforts.

Socioeconomic status (SES) affects a range of health outcomes but has not been extensively explored in the single ventricle population. We investigate the impact of community-level deprivation on morbidity and mortality for infants with single ventricle heart disease in the first year of life. Retrospective cohort analysis of infants enrolled in the National Pediatric Cardiology Improvement Collaborative who underwent staged single ventricle palliation examining mortality and length of stay (LOS) using a community-level deprivation index (DI). 974 patients met inclusion criteria. Overall mortality was 20.5%, with 15.7% of deaths occurring between the first and second palliations. After adjusting for clinical risk factors, the DI was associated with death (log relative hazard $${\chi }_{3}^{2}$$ = 8.92, p = 0.030) and death or transplant (log relative hazard $${\chi }_{3}^{2}$$ = 8.62, p = 0.035) in a non-linear fashion, impacting those near the mean DI. Deprivation was associated with LOS following the first surgical palliation (S1P) (p = 0.031) and overall hospitalization during the first year of life (p = 0.018). For every 0.1 increase in the DI, LOS following S1P increased by 3.35 days (95% confidence interval 0.31–6.38) and total hospitalized days by 5.08 days (95% CI 0.88–9.27). Community deprivation is associated with mortality and LOS for patients with single ventricle congenital heart disease. While patients near the mean DI had a higher hazard of one year mortality compared to those at the extremes of the DI, LOS and DI were linearly associated, demonstrating the complex nature of SES factors.

Objective To compare length of stay of the initial neonatal hospitalization and mortality across multiple stages of surgical palliation for infants with left-sided obstructive lesions and severely restrictive or intact atrial septum (I/RAS). Methods Retrospective cohort study of patients prenatally diagnosed with left-sided obstructive lesions and I/RAS, defined by fetal pulmonary venous Dopplers. Results We identified 76 fetal patients with 59 live born intending to pursue intervention. Those with I/RAS had longer durations of mechanical ventilation (P = .031) but no difference in intensive care unit or total length of stay. Survival to discharge from neonatal hospitalization was 41.7% in the I/RAS group and 80.7% in the unrestrictive group (P = .001). There was a higher proportion of deaths between stage 1 and stage 2 in the I/RAS group - 5/9 (55.6%) vs 9/50 (18%) in the unrestrictive group (P = .027). Beyond stage 2 palliation there was trend toward a difference in overall mortality (66.7% in I/RAS vs 35.7% in unrestrictive, P = .05) but no statistically significant difference in transplant-free survival (33.3% in I/RAS vs 53.5% in unrestrictive, P = .11). Conclusion The survival disadvantage conferred by prenatally diagnosed severe atrial septal restriction is most pronounced in the neonatal and early infancy period, with no detectable difference in late midterm transplant-free survival in our cohort.

Zusammenfassung Internetbezogene Störungen umfassen unterschiedliche Onlineaktivitäten, die exzessiv entgleiten, das Leben Betroffener dominieren und zu nachhaltigen negativen Folgen führen können. Da internetbezogene Störungen einen chronischen Verlauf nehmen und eine erhöhte psychopathologische Symptombelastung bedingen können, sind wirksame Interventionsprogramme und evaluierte Präventionsangebote dringend notwendig.

Socioeconomic status (SES) affects a range of health outcomes but has not been extensively explored in the single ventricle population. We investigate the impact of community-level deprivation on morbidity and mortality for infants with single ventricle heart disease in the first year of life. Retrospective cohort analysis of infants enrolled in the National Pediatric Cardiology Improvement Collaborative who underwent staged single ventricle palliation examining mortality and length of stay (LOS) using a community-level deprivation index (DI). 974 patients met inclusion criteria. Overall mortality was 20.5%, with 15.7% of deaths occurring between the first and second palliations. After adjusting for clinical risk factors, the DI was associated with death (log relative hazard [Formula: see text] = 8.92, p = 0.030) and death or transplant (log relative hazard [Formula: see text] = 8.62, p = 0.035) in a non-linear fashion, impacting those near the mean DI. Deprivation was associated with LOS following the first surgical palliation (S1P) (p = 0.031) and overall hospitalization during the first year of life (p = 0.018). For every 0.1 increase in the DI, LOS following S1P increased by 3.35 days (95% confidence interval 0.31-6.38) and total hospitalized days by 5.08 days (95% CI 0.88-9.27). Community deprivation is associated with mortality and LOS for patients with single ventricle congenital heart disease. While patients near the mean DI had a higher hazard of one year mortality compared to those at the extremes of the DI, LOS and DI were linearly associated, demonstrating the complex nature of SES factors.

We present a case of pulmonary venous baffle obstruction in a child with a history of congenitally corrected transposition status post double switch repair. We highlight two forms of volume rendering three-dimensional reconstructions from computed tomographic data which allowed for detailed pre-surgical planning. These reconstructions emphasise the concept of maximizing previously obtained two-dimensional data in a time-efficient and cost-effective manner. The benefits of these reconstructions are reviewed, highlighting the relatively novel virtual dissection reconstruction technique that appeared identical to what the surgeon encountered in the operating theatre. This technique allowed the surgeon to quickly advance a preconceived detailed surgical repair.

Sprouty 2 (Spry2), an inhibitor of MAP kinase signaling was previously shown by our group to be induced during mechanical loading of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Here, we studied the implication of Spry2 activation during mechanical loading and chemically induced MSC differentiation. Spry 2 expression showed an immediate early response during mechanical loading and chemical induction of osteogenic differentiation and followed the same pattern as osteogenic associated gene FosB and was necessary for the induction of FosB, as Spry 2 knock down also abrogated the upregulation of FosB expression. Spry 2 knock down was, also associated with an early response of the osteogenic genes Runx-2 and ALP. Neither the knock-down of Spry 2 nor the subsequent reduction in FosB had any effect on mid-late osteogenesis or mineralization but was associated with a significant increase in proliferation of MSC. These effects were possibly governed by negative regulation of MEK/Erk signaling as Spry 2 knock down resulted in an increase in phosphorylation of Erk1/2. In summary, our results shows the involvement of Spry2 in regulation of FosB and Runx2 genes, MAPK signaling and proliferation of MSC. Taken together these results suggest a possible role for Spry2 in regulation of MSC functions in response to mechanical loading and osteogenic differentiation. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 2606-2614, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Social factors such as parental education and annual household income have emerged as risk factors for adverse child health outcomes. The extent to which social determinants of health affect outcomes for children with congenital heart disease (CHD) is not well studied. We examine the relationship

Placenta growth factor (PlGF) is a member of vascular endothelial growth factor family which can promote cancer growth by various mechanisms. Placenta growth factor is upregulated in many neoplastic diseases and serum levels of PlGF are increased in cancer patients following anti-angiogenic therapy. However, its role in glioma growth is yet not fully elucidated. In this study we analyzed the expression of PlGF mRNA using real time PCR in human gliomas of different WHO grades. Placenta growth factor mRNA levels were highly variable and did not correlate with WHO grades, arguing against a significant role in glioma progression. The highest PlGF expression was observed in anaplastic astrocytomas whereas grade II astrocytomas and glioblastomas displayed lower levels of expression. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that PlGF was expressed by inflammatory and endothelial cells in addition to tumor cells. Placenta growth factor mRNA expression in 12 matched glioblastoma samples before and after therapy, including bevacizumab and cilengitide treatment was largely unaffected by the aforementioned treatment modalities. In vitro, the exposure of VEGFR-1 expressing glioma cells to bevacizumab did not increase the expression levels of PlGF mRNA. In summary, our results do not support the hypothesis that PlGF plays a major role in the resistance of gliomas after anti-angiogenic therapy.

Neben staatlichen Akteuren wie Bund, Landern, Stadten, Kommunen und Kreisen stehen auch eine Reihe von nicht-staatlichen Akteuren im Zusammenhang mit Familienpolitik und der Vereinbarkeit von Familie und Beruf. Zu nennen sind hier die Verbande der freien Wohlfahrtspflege, die Familienverbande sowie Gewerkschaften und Arbeitgebende. Insbesondere letztere nehmen im Bereich der nicht-staatlichen familienpolitischen Akteure eine zunehmend bedeutende Rolle ein.

Sowohl die staatliche als auch die betriebliche Familienpolitik haben in den vergangenen Jahrzehnten eine beachtliche Themenkarriere zuruckgelegt. Nicht zuletzt ihr Einzug in einen interdisziplinaren wissenschaftlichen Diskurs unterstreicht den Querschnittscharakter von Familienpolitik als eines ihrer zentralen Merkmale. Auch Unternehmen haben im Rahmen dieser „Multiakteurspolitik“ (Gerlach 2012: 11) seit jeher eine wichtige Rolle gespielt, wenn auch unter einer sich im Zeitverlauf andernden Motivlage.

Sprouty 2 (Spry2), an inhibitor of MAP kinase signaling was previously shown by our group to be induced during mechanical loading of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Here, we studied the implication of Spry2 activation during mechanical loading and chemically induced MSC differentiation. Spry 2 expression showed an immediate early response during mechanical loading and chemical induction of osteogenic differentiation and followed the same pattern as osteogenic associated gene FosB and was necessary for the induction of FosB, as Spry 2 knock down also abrogated the upregulation of FosB expression. Spry 2 knock down was, also associated with an early response of the osteogenic genes Runx-2 and ALP. Neither the knock-down of Spry 2 nor the subsequent reduction in FosB had any effect on mid-late osteogenesis or mineralization but was associated with a significant increase in proliferation of MSC. These effects were possibly governed by negative regulation of MEK/Erk signaling as Spry 2 knock down resulted in an increase in phosphorylation of Erk1/2. In summary, our results shows the involvement of Spry2 in regulation of FosB and Runx2 genes, MAPK signaling and proliferation of MSC. Taken together these results suggest a possible role for Spry2 in regulation of MSC functions in response to mechanical loading and osteogenic differentiation. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 2606-2614, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Der plotzliche Herztod stellt die haufigste auserklinische Todesursache in Deutschland dar [4]. Der Einsatz eines automatisierten externen Defibrillators kann die Uberlebenswahrscheinlichkeit des Patienten erhohen. Es wurden 62 Standorte von automatisierten externen Defibrillatoren in der Landeshauptstadt Dresden recherchiert. Die Ubersicht kann die noch geringe Einbindung dieser Programme in die Rettungsstrukturen der Stadt unterstutzen. Um Hinweise auf die offentliche Wahrnehmung dieser Thematik zu erhalten, wurden Beschaftigte der Stadtverwaltung zu ihren personlichen Einstellungen befragt. Es ist von einem geringen Bekanntheitsgrad dieser Gerate in der Bevolkerung auszugehen. Der automatisierte externe Defibrillator besitzt groses Potenzial, als Unterstutzung im Notfall angesehen zu werden. Notig erscheint eine Informationsstrategie, die vor allem in der Umgebung von Defibrillationsprogrammen auf dieses Thema aufmerksam macht. Bei 49,5% der Befragten besteht kein Zutrauen in die Anwendung des Gerates, wobei sich 84,3% wunschen, dass ihnen mit einem automatisierten externen Defibrillator in einem moglichen Notfall geholfen wird. Da eine Kombination von Erster Hilfe und Handhabung des Defibrillationsgerates sowie eine verpflichtende Schulung bei den befragten Personen auf Zustimmung stost, konnten Initiativen, welche die Erste Hilfe in allgemeinbildenden Schulen integrieren wollen, unterstutzt und gefordert werden [17]. Dass pozentielle Helfer an dem Gerat geschult sein sollten, ergibt sich aus den Indikatoren der Befragungen von Arzten in Dresden. Eine Verbindung zum lokalen Rettungsdienst scheint eine weitere Voraussetzung zur effektiven Einbindung der Defibrillationsprogramme zu sein. Eine lokalisierte Erfassung von plotzlichen Herztodereignissen fur die Landeshauptstadt Dresden kann eine Grundlage sein, um sinnvolle Standorte der automatisierten externen Defibrillatoren festzulegen.