Jan Dyer

“Psychiatric risk that reached into the next generation” is what researchers from Uppsala University and Helsinki University found when they conducted a study of adults whose mothers had been evacuated as children from Finland during World War II.

Between 1941 and 1945, nearly 50,000 Finnish children were evacuated from their homes and placed with Swedish foster families. However, at the same time, many Finnish families kept their children at home. All the children experienced the stresses of war but the evacuees also had to learn a new language, adapt to new family situations, and then re-adapt when they went back to Finland. The researchers linked records from more than 46,000 siblings born between 1933 and 1944 with those of their offspring, more than 93,000 individuals born after 1950. Of those, nearly 3,000 were offspring of parents who had been evacuated to Sweden as children and more than 90,000 were offspring of parents who remained in Finland during the war.

Former-evacuee women and their daughters had the highest risk of being hospitalized for mood disorders, such as depression and bipolar disorders. In fact, evacuees’ daughters had more than 4 times the risk of hospitalization for a mood disorder compared with that of the daughters of mothers who had stayed at home regardless of whether their mothers were hospitalized for a mood disorder.

The researchers did not find any increase in psychiatric hospitalizations for the sons or daughters of men who had been evacuated as children. They could not determine why the daughters of female evacuees had a higher risk of mental illness. Possible explanations include changes in the evacuees’ parenting behavior stemming from their childhood experiences or chemical changes in gene expression, the researchers say. They cite earlier research that showed Holocaust survivors have passed on to their children higher levels of methyl groups bound to the gene FKBP5, which may alter the production of cortisol.

“Psychiatric risk that reached into the next generation” is what researchers from Uppsala University and Helsinki University found when they conducted a study of adults whose mothers had been evacuated as children from Finland during World War II.

Between 1941 and 1945, nearly 50,000 Finnish children were evacuated from their homes and placed with Swedish foster families. However, at the same time, many Finnish families kept their children at home. All the children experienced the stresses of war but the evacuees also had to learn a new language, adapt to new family situations, and then re-adapt when they went back to Finland. The researchers linked records from more than 46,000 siblings born between 1933 and 1944 with those of their offspring, more than 93,000 individuals born after 1950. Of those, nearly 3,000 were offspring of parents who had been evacuated to Sweden as children and more than 90,000 were offspring of parents who remained in Finland during the war.

Former-evacuee women and their daughters had the highest risk of being hospitalized for mood disorders, such as depression and bipolar disorders. In fact, evacuees’ daughters had more than 4 times the risk of hospitalization for a mood disorder compared with that of the daughters of mothers who had stayed at home regardless of whether their mothers were hospitalized for a mood disorder.

The researchers did not find any increase in psychiatric hospitalizations for the sons or daughters of men who had been evacuated as children. They could not determine why the daughters of female evacuees had a higher risk of mental illness. Possible explanations include changes in the evacuees’ parenting behavior stemming from their childhood experiences or chemical changes in gene expression, the researchers say. They cite earlier research that showed Holocaust survivors have passed on to their children higher levels of methyl groups bound to the gene FKBP5, which may alter the production of cortisol.

“Psychiatric risk that reached into the next generation” is what researchers from Uppsala University and Helsinki University found when they conducted a study of adults whose mothers had been evacuated as children from Finland during World War II.

Between 1941 and 1945, nearly 50,000 Finnish children were evacuated from their homes and placed with Swedish foster families. However, at the same time, many Finnish families kept their children at home. All the children experienced the stresses of war but the evacuees also had to learn a new language, adapt to new family situations, and then re-adapt when they went back to Finland. The researchers linked records from more than 46,000 siblings born between 1933 and 1944 with those of their offspring, more than 93,000 individuals born after 1950. Of those, nearly 3,000 were offspring of parents who had been evacuated to Sweden as children and more than 90,000 were offspring of parents who remained in Finland during the war.

Former-evacuee women and their daughters had the highest risk of being hospitalized for mood disorders, such as depression and bipolar disorders. In fact, evacuees’ daughters had more than 4 times the risk of hospitalization for a mood disorder compared with that of the daughters of mothers who had stayed at home regardless of whether their mothers were hospitalized for a mood disorder.

The researchers did not find any increase in psychiatric hospitalizations for the sons or daughters of men who had been evacuated as children. They could not determine why the daughters of female evacuees had a higher risk of mental illness. Possible explanations include changes in the evacuees’ parenting behavior stemming from their childhood experiences or chemical changes in gene expression, the researchers say. They cite earlier research that showed Holocaust survivors have passed on to their children higher levels of methyl groups bound to the gene FKBP5, which may alter the production of cortisol.

In 2015, nearly 40,000 people were diagnosed with HIV infection. Half of those had been living with HIV for at least 3 years. One-quarter had been infected for ≥ 7 years.

But now HIV is being diagnosed sooner than before after infection. The estimated median time from infection to diagnosis in 2015 was 3 years compared with 3 years and 7 months in 2011, according to a CDC Vital Signs report.

Estimated median time from infection to diagnosis ranged from 5 years for heterosexual men to 2 and one-half for heterosexual women and women who inject drugs. The median time was 4 years for Asian Americans, 3 years for African Americans and Latinos, and 2 years for whites.

The percentage of people at high risk for HIV who report getting a test the previous year also has risen. Despite that progress, though, the CDC says “too few are tested.”

In 2015, nearly 40,000 people were diagnosed with HIV infection. Half of those had been living with HIV for at least 3 years. One-quarter had been infected for ≥ 7 years.

But now HIV is being diagnosed sooner than before after infection. The estimated median time from infection to diagnosis in 2015 was 3 years compared with 3 years and 7 months in 2011, according to a CDC Vital Signs report.

Estimated median time from infection to diagnosis ranged from 5 years for heterosexual men to 2 and one-half for heterosexual women and women who inject drugs. The median time was 4 years for Asian Americans, 3 years for African Americans and Latinos, and 2 years for whites.

The percentage of people at high risk for HIV who report getting a test the previous year also has risen. Despite that progress, though, the CDC says “too few are tested.”

In 2015, nearly 40,000 people were diagnosed with HIV infection. Half of those had been living with HIV for at least 3 years. One-quarter had been infected for ≥ 7 years.

But now HIV is being diagnosed sooner than before after infection. The estimated median time from infection to diagnosis in 2015 was 3 years compared with 3 years and 7 months in 2011, according to a CDC Vital Signs report.

Estimated median time from infection to diagnosis ranged from 5 years for heterosexual men to 2 and one-half for heterosexual women and women who inject drugs. The median time was 4 years for Asian Americans, 3 years for African Americans and Latinos, and 2 years for whites.

The percentage of people at high risk for HIV who report getting a test the previous year also has risen. Despite that progress, though, the CDC says “too few are tested.”

A clinical trial to test a new, potentially more convenient HIV prophylaxis for women is starting in Africa. It is a long-acting form of the investigational drug cabotegravir and could give sexually active women a choice of biomedical HIV prevention tools for the first time, similar to the choices available for contraception, says Sinead Delany-Moretiwe, PhD, chair of the protocol.

The trial, HPTN 084, will enroll about 3,200 women aged 18 to 45 years at 20 sites in 7 countries. The women will be randomly assigned to either cabotegravir and a placebo pill or Truvada, which is a combination of emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. Truvada, currently the only drug licensed for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, must be taken every day to achieve and maintain protective drug concentrations. The women will start with 2 cabotegravir injections 4 weeks apart, then receive injections once every 8 weeks for an average of 2.6 years. After completing the injections, participants will be offered 48 weeks of PrEP with daily oral Truvada.

The NIAID is sponsoring the phase 3 clinical trial and cofunding it in a unique partnership with ViiV Healthcare (which is providing the study medications with Gilead Sciences) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Participants will receive HIV prevention counseling, condoms and lubricant, and counseling to support adherence to the daily pill. Anyone who becomes HIV infected during the trial will stop receiving the study products and be referred to local medical providers for care and treatment.

The study also will evaluate how women experience long-acting injectable cabotegravir, the researchers say. They are hoping to get a better understanding of the types of safe and effective HIV prevention that also fit best in women’s lives.

A clinical trial to test a new, potentially more convenient HIV prophylaxis for women is starting in Africa. It is a long-acting form of the investigational drug cabotegravir and could give sexually active women a choice of biomedical HIV prevention tools for the first time, similar to the choices available for contraception, says Sinead Delany-Moretiwe, PhD, chair of the protocol.

The trial, HPTN 084, will enroll about 3,200 women aged 18 to 45 years at 20 sites in 7 countries. The women will be randomly assigned to either cabotegravir and a placebo pill or Truvada, which is a combination of emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. Truvada, currently the only drug licensed for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, must be taken every day to achieve and maintain protective drug concentrations. The women will start with 2 cabotegravir injections 4 weeks apart, then receive injections once every 8 weeks for an average of 2.6 years. After completing the injections, participants will be offered 48 weeks of PrEP with daily oral Truvada.

The NIAID is sponsoring the phase 3 clinical trial and cofunding it in a unique partnership with ViiV Healthcare (which is providing the study medications with Gilead Sciences) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Participants will receive HIV prevention counseling, condoms and lubricant, and counseling to support adherence to the daily pill. Anyone who becomes HIV infected during the trial will stop receiving the study products and be referred to local medical providers for care and treatment.

The study also will evaluate how women experience long-acting injectable cabotegravir, the researchers say. They are hoping to get a better understanding of the types of safe and effective HIV prevention that also fit best in women’s lives.

A clinical trial to test a new, potentially more convenient HIV prophylaxis for women is starting in Africa. It is a long-acting form of the investigational drug cabotegravir and could give sexually active women a choice of biomedical HIV prevention tools for the first time, similar to the choices available for contraception, says Sinead Delany-Moretiwe, PhD, chair of the protocol.

The trial, HPTN 084, will enroll about 3,200 women aged 18 to 45 years at 20 sites in 7 countries. The women will be randomly assigned to either cabotegravir and a placebo pill or Truvada, which is a combination of emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. Truvada, currently the only drug licensed for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, must be taken every day to achieve and maintain protective drug concentrations. The women will start with 2 cabotegravir injections 4 weeks apart, then receive injections once every 8 weeks for an average of 2.6 years. After completing the injections, participants will be offered 48 weeks of PrEP with daily oral Truvada.

The NIAID is sponsoring the phase 3 clinical trial and cofunding it in a unique partnership with ViiV Healthcare (which is providing the study medications with Gilead Sciences) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Participants will receive HIV prevention counseling, condoms and lubricant, and counseling to support adherence to the daily pill. Anyone who becomes HIV infected during the trial will stop receiving the study products and be referred to local medical providers for care and treatment.

The study also will evaluate how women experience long-acting injectable cabotegravir, the researchers say. They are hoping to get a better understanding of the types of safe and effective HIV prevention that also fit best in women’s lives.

More veterans are developing diabetes, say researchers from East Tennessee University in Johnson City, Tennessee. The rise is linked to a similar climb in obesity rates.

The researchers analyzed data from 5 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The survey sample sizes ranged from 472 to 685.

Diabetes prevalence rose from 15.5% in 2005-2006 to 20.5% in 2013-2014, and rose significantly among men, from 16.5% in 2005-2006 to 22% in 2013-2014. Diabetes was most prevalent among veterans who were aged > 65 years, had more than 12 years of education, and had an income below the 100% federal poverty level. Those same subgroups had the highest prevalence of obesity except for the age subgroup. Obesity was more prevalent among veterans aged 45 to 64 years. Hispanic veterans had the highest prevalence of both obesity and diabetes. 

The researchers note that some factors limited the accuracy of the estimated prevalence of diabetes among U.S. veterans when using VA databases. One is that in fiscal year 2014, < 30% of the total veteran population sought VA health care, and > 70% sought care outside the VA system even though some were enrolled.

More veterans are developing diabetes, say researchers from East Tennessee University in Johnson City, Tennessee. The rise is linked to a similar climb in obesity rates.

The researchers analyzed data from 5 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The survey sample sizes ranged from 472 to 685.

Diabetes prevalence rose from 15.5% in 2005-2006 to 20.5% in 2013-2014, and rose significantly among men, from 16.5% in 2005-2006 to 22% in 2013-2014. Diabetes was most prevalent among veterans who were aged > 65 years, had more than 12 years of education, and had an income below the 100% federal poverty level. Those same subgroups had the highest prevalence of obesity except for the age subgroup. Obesity was more prevalent among veterans aged 45 to 64 years. Hispanic veterans had the highest prevalence of both obesity and diabetes. 

The researchers note that some factors limited the accuracy of the estimated prevalence of diabetes among U.S. veterans when using VA databases. One is that in fiscal year 2014, < 30% of the total veteran population sought VA health care, and > 70% sought care outside the VA system even though some were enrolled.

More veterans are developing diabetes, say researchers from East Tennessee University in Johnson City, Tennessee. The rise is linked to a similar climb in obesity rates.

The researchers analyzed data from 5 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The survey sample sizes ranged from 472 to 685.

Diabetes prevalence rose from 15.5% in 2005-2006 to 20.5% in 2013-2014, and rose significantly among men, from 16.5% in 2005-2006 to 22% in 2013-2014. Diabetes was most prevalent among veterans who were aged > 65 years, had more than 12 years of education, and had an income below the 100% federal poverty level. Those same subgroups had the highest prevalence of obesity except for the age subgroup. Obesity was more prevalent among veterans aged 45 to 64 years. Hispanic veterans had the highest prevalence of both obesity and diabetes. 

The researchers note that some factors limited the accuracy of the estimated prevalence of diabetes among U.S. veterans when using VA databases. One is that in fiscal year 2014, < 30% of the total veteran population sought VA health care, and > 70% sought care outside the VA system even though some were enrolled.

Zero Suicide is a key concept of the 2012 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. It uses a “programmatic approach” to quality improvement, based on the realization that suicidal individuals often fall through the cracks in a “sometimes fragmented and distracted” health care system.

A task force identified 7 essential elements of care for health and behavioral health care systems to adopt, including promoting a “safety-oriented” culture, training a competent and caring workforce, using evidence-based treatments, and providing continuous contact and support. The program represents a commitment to both patient safety and to the safety and support of clinical staff who care for suicidal patients.

The Zero Suicide tool kit includes readings, videos, webinars, and other resources, such as a Mental Health Guide developed by the VA to ensure a “safe and therapeutically enriching environment” and a checklist to review inpatient mental health units for environmental hazards. The tool kit also provides thoughtful supplements, such as hospital care cards to send to patients after discharge and a “caring letter template” that includes caring phrases in the Puyallup language with English translations.

The 8 facilities receiving grants are Apache Behavioral Health Service in Whiteriver, Arizona; Chinle Comprehensive Healthcare Facility in Arizona; Fort Defiance Indian Hospital Board in Arizona; Gallup Indian Medical Center in New Mexico; Lawton Indian Hospital in Oklahoma; Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin in Keshena; Pueblo of Acoma in New Mexico; and Rocky Boy Health Board, Box Elder in Montana.

Zero Suicide is a key concept of the 2012 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. It uses a “programmatic approach” to quality improvement, based on the realization that suicidal individuals often fall through the cracks in a “sometimes fragmented and distracted” health care system.

A task force identified 7 essential elements of care for health and behavioral health care systems to adopt, including promoting a “safety-oriented” culture, training a competent and caring workforce, using evidence-based treatments, and providing continuous contact and support. The program represents a commitment to both patient safety and to the safety and support of clinical staff who care for suicidal patients.

The Zero Suicide tool kit includes readings, videos, webinars, and other resources, such as a Mental Health Guide developed by the VA to ensure a “safe and therapeutically enriching environment” and a checklist to review inpatient mental health units for environmental hazards. The tool kit also provides thoughtful supplements, such as hospital care cards to send to patients after discharge and a “caring letter template” that includes caring phrases in the Puyallup language with English translations.

The 8 facilities receiving grants are Apache Behavioral Health Service in Whiteriver, Arizona; Chinle Comprehensive Healthcare Facility in Arizona; Fort Defiance Indian Hospital Board in Arizona; Gallup Indian Medical Center in New Mexico; Lawton Indian Hospital in Oklahoma; Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin in Keshena; Pueblo of Acoma in New Mexico; and Rocky Boy Health Board, Box Elder in Montana.

Zero Suicide is a key concept of the 2012 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. It uses a “programmatic approach” to quality improvement, based on the realization that suicidal individuals often fall through the cracks in a “sometimes fragmented and distracted” health care system.

A task force identified 7 essential elements of care for health and behavioral health care systems to adopt, including promoting a “safety-oriented” culture, training a competent and caring workforce, using evidence-based treatments, and providing continuous contact and support. The program represents a commitment to both patient safety and to the safety and support of clinical staff who care for suicidal patients.

The Zero Suicide tool kit includes readings, videos, webinars, and other resources, such as a Mental Health Guide developed by the VA to ensure a “safe and therapeutically enriching environment” and a checklist to review inpatient mental health units for environmental hazards. The tool kit also provides thoughtful supplements, such as hospital care cards to send to patients after discharge and a “caring letter template” that includes caring phrases in the Puyallup language with English translations.

The 8 facilities receiving grants are Apache Behavioral Health Service in Whiteriver, Arizona; Chinle Comprehensive Healthcare Facility in Arizona; Fort Defiance Indian Hospital Board in Arizona; Gallup Indian Medical Center in New Mexico; Lawton Indian Hospital in Oklahoma; Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin in Keshena; Pueblo of Acoma in New Mexico; and Rocky Boy Health Board, Box Elder in Montana.

Three-dimensional printing has revolutionized the drug and device market and already has changed the lives of millions of patients. The FDA has reviewed more than 100 devices now on the market that were manufactured on 3-D printers, including knee replacements and implants “designed to fit like a missing puzzle piece into a patient’s skull for facial reconstruction,” says FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, MD. The FDA also has approved the first drug produced on a 3-D printer. It has a more porous matrix than that of the drug manufactured in the traditional way, which allows it to dissolve more rapidly. But the technology advances have been moving so fast that they have threatened to outpace safeguards.

Now the FDA is preparing for a “significant wave” of new technologies, Gottlieb says, such as 3-D-printer skin cells for burn victims and is working to provide a regulatory pathway that keeps pace with those advances, helping to keep them safe and effective. To that end, the FDA has issued new guidance to help advise manufacturers on technical aspects of 3-D printing. And as more hospitals and academic centers use their 3-D printers for innovations to use in clinical studies, the FDA also is establishing a regulatory framework for applying existing laws to nontraditional manufacturers.

The Center for Drug Evaluation and Research state-of-the-art 3-D printing facility allows FDA scientists to conduct research to determine how 3-D printing of drugs, for instance, affects drug components. The Center for Devices and Radiological Health also has a 3-D printing facility to investigate the effect of design changes on safety and performance.

Gottlieb calls the technical guidance leapfrog guidance because it helps bridge current policy with innovation. It is only intended, he says, to provide “initial thoughts on an emerging technology with the understanding that our recommendations are likely to evolve as the technology develops in unexpected ways.”

Three-dimensional printing has revolutionized the drug and device market and already has changed the lives of millions of patients. The FDA has reviewed more than 100 devices now on the market that were manufactured on 3-D printers, including knee replacements and implants “designed to fit like a missing puzzle piece into a patient’s skull for facial reconstruction,” says FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, MD. The FDA also has approved the first drug produced on a 3-D printer. It has a more porous matrix than that of the drug manufactured in the traditional way, which allows it to dissolve more rapidly. But the technology advances have been moving so fast that they have threatened to outpace safeguards.

Now the FDA is preparing for a “significant wave” of new technologies, Gottlieb says, such as 3-D-printer skin cells for burn victims and is working to provide a regulatory pathway that keeps pace with those advances, helping to keep them safe and effective. To that end, the FDA has issued new guidance to help advise manufacturers on technical aspects of 3-D printing. And as more hospitals and academic centers use their 3-D printers for innovations to use in clinical studies, the FDA also is establishing a regulatory framework for applying existing laws to nontraditional manufacturers.

The Center for Drug Evaluation and Research state-of-the-art 3-D printing facility allows FDA scientists to conduct research to determine how 3-D printing of drugs, for instance, affects drug components. The Center for Devices and Radiological Health also has a 3-D printing facility to investigate the effect of design changes on safety and performance.

Gottlieb calls the technical guidance leapfrog guidance because it helps bridge current policy with innovation. It is only intended, he says, to provide “initial thoughts on an emerging technology with the understanding that our recommendations are likely to evolve as the technology develops in unexpected ways.”

Three-dimensional printing has revolutionized the drug and device market and already has changed the lives of millions of patients. The FDA has reviewed more than 100 devices now on the market that were manufactured on 3-D printers, including knee replacements and implants “designed to fit like a missing puzzle piece into a patient’s skull for facial reconstruction,” says FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, MD. The FDA also has approved the first drug produced on a 3-D printer. It has a more porous matrix than that of the drug manufactured in the traditional way, which allows it to dissolve more rapidly. But the technology advances have been moving so fast that they have threatened to outpace safeguards.

Now the FDA is preparing for a “significant wave” of new technologies, Gottlieb says, such as 3-D-printer skin cells for burn victims and is working to provide a regulatory pathway that keeps pace with those advances, helping to keep them safe and effective. To that end, the FDA has issued new guidance to help advise manufacturers on technical aspects of 3-D printing. And as more hospitals and academic centers use their 3-D printers for innovations to use in clinical studies, the FDA also is establishing a regulatory framework for applying existing laws to nontraditional manufacturers.

The Center for Drug Evaluation and Research state-of-the-art 3-D printing facility allows FDA scientists to conduct research to determine how 3-D printing of drugs, for instance, affects drug components. The Center for Devices and Radiological Health also has a 3-D printing facility to investigate the effect of design changes on safety and performance.

Gottlieb calls the technical guidance leapfrog guidance because it helps bridge current policy with innovation. It is only intended, he says, to provide “initial thoughts on an emerging technology with the understanding that our recommendations are likely to evolve as the technology develops in unexpected ways.”

According to researchers from William Paterson University, Emory University, and the CDC, screening for CCHD could save at least 120 babies a year.

Congenital heart disease accounted for 6% of U.S. infant deaths from 1999 to 2006. Almost 1 in every 4 babies born with a congenital heart defect has critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) and will need surgery or other procedures in the first year. About 7,200 babies born in the U.S .each year have 1 of 7 CCHDs. But some babies can seem healthy and be sent home before the heart defect is detected.

In 2011, CCHD was added to the U.S. Recommended Uniform Screening Panel for newborns. As of June 2013, 8 states had implemented mandatory screening policies, 5 had voluntary screening policies, and 9 had adopted but not yet implemented mandates.

The study was conducted in 2013 and involved data for nearly 27 million births. Between 2007 and 2013, 2,734 infants died due to CCHD; 3,967 died of other or unspecified causes.

The study, which is the first look at the impact of state policies to require or recommend screening for CCHD at birth, found that states with screening requirements saw the most significant drop in numbers of infant deaths. Voluntary policies or mandated policies not yet implemented were not associated with reductions. However, 47 states and DC now have mandatory screening policies in place.

According to researchers from William Paterson University, Emory University, and the CDC, screening for CCHD could save at least 120 babies a year.

Congenital heart disease accounted for 6% of U.S. infant deaths from 1999 to 2006. Almost 1 in every 4 babies born with a congenital heart defect has critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) and will need surgery or other procedures in the first year. About 7,200 babies born in the U.S .each year have 1 of 7 CCHDs. But some babies can seem healthy and be sent home before the heart defect is detected.

In 2011, CCHD was added to the U.S. Recommended Uniform Screening Panel for newborns. As of June 2013, 8 states had implemented mandatory screening policies, 5 had voluntary screening policies, and 9 had adopted but not yet implemented mandates.

The study was conducted in 2013 and involved data for nearly 27 million births. Between 2007 and 2013, 2,734 infants died due to CCHD; 3,967 died of other or unspecified causes.

The study, which is the first look at the impact of state policies to require or recommend screening for CCHD at birth, found that states with screening requirements saw the most significant drop in numbers of infant deaths. Voluntary policies or mandated policies not yet implemented were not associated with reductions. However, 47 states and DC now have mandatory screening policies in place.

According to researchers from William Paterson University, Emory University, and the CDC, screening for CCHD could save at least 120 babies a year.

Congenital heart disease accounted for 6% of U.S. infant deaths from 1999 to 2006. Almost 1 in every 4 babies born with a congenital heart defect has critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) and will need surgery or other procedures in the first year. About 7,200 babies born in the U.S .each year have 1 of 7 CCHDs. But some babies can seem healthy and be sent home before the heart defect is detected.

In 2011, CCHD was added to the U.S. Recommended Uniform Screening Panel for newborns. As of June 2013, 8 states had implemented mandatory screening policies, 5 had voluntary screening policies, and 9 had adopted but not yet implemented mandates.

The study was conducted in 2013 and involved data for nearly 27 million births. Between 2007 and 2013, 2,734 infants died due to CCHD; 3,967 died of other or unspecified causes.

The study, which is the first look at the impact of state policies to require or recommend screening for CCHD at birth, found that states with screening requirements saw the most significant drop in numbers of infant deaths. Voluntary policies or mandated policies not yet implemented were not associated with reductions. However, 47 states and DC now have mandatory screening policies in place.

The belief that corneas that have been preserved for > 7 days are not viable for transplantation is not based on evidence, says Jonathan Lass, MD. In fact, he led a study that found corneas can be preserved safely for 11 days without negative impact on the success of transplantation. In the Cornea Preservation Time Study, funded by the National Eye Institute, Lass and other researchers looked at 3-year graft success rates among 1,090 participants (1,330 eyes) who underwent transplantation via Descemet’s stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty by 70 surgeons at 40 surgical sites. Most of the patients had Fuchs’ endothelial corneal dystrophy, a progressive disease.

The researchers were “unable to conclude” that the success rates were the same for corneas preserved for 8 to 14 days, versus up to 7 days (92% vs 95%). However, they found that much of the difference between the groups was accounted for by patients receiving corneas preserved for 12 to 14 days.

In a separate analysis, the researchers looked to see if differences in corneal preservation time affected endothelial cell loss after 3 years. They found that corneas preserved for up to 7 days had a 37% loss of cells versus 40% in those preserved for 8 to 14 days. A closer look at the data showed that the effect of corneal preservation time on the loss of endothelial cells was comparable from 4 to 13 days.

Dr. Lass emphasizes that while patients who received the older corneas had lower success rates, even those success rates were “impressively high” at 89%.

Donor corneas are not in short supply in the U.S. Outside the U.S., however, corneal disease is the third leading cause of blindness and corneal donor tissue is scarce.

The belief that corneas that have been preserved for > 7 days are not viable for transplantation is not based on evidence, says Jonathan Lass, MD. In fact, he led a study that found corneas can be preserved safely for 11 days without negative impact on the success of transplantation. In the Cornea Preservation Time Study, funded by the National Eye Institute, Lass and other researchers looked at 3-year graft success rates among 1,090 participants (1,330 eyes) who underwent transplantation via Descemet’s stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty by 70 surgeons at 40 surgical sites. Most of the patients had Fuchs’ endothelial corneal dystrophy, a progressive disease.

The researchers were “unable to conclude” that the success rates were the same for corneas preserved for 8 to 14 days, versus up to 7 days (92% vs 95%). However, they found that much of the difference between the groups was accounted for by patients receiving corneas preserved for 12 to 14 days.

In a separate analysis, the researchers looked to see if differences in corneal preservation time affected endothelial cell loss after 3 years. They found that corneas preserved for up to 7 days had a 37% loss of cells versus 40% in those preserved for 8 to 14 days. A closer look at the data showed that the effect of corneal preservation time on the loss of endothelial cells was comparable from 4 to 13 days.

Dr. Lass emphasizes that while patients who received the older corneas had lower success rates, even those success rates were “impressively high” at 89%.

Donor corneas are not in short supply in the U.S. Outside the U.S., however, corneal disease is the third leading cause of blindness and corneal donor tissue is scarce.

The belief that corneas that have been preserved for > 7 days are not viable for transplantation is not based on evidence, says Jonathan Lass, MD. In fact, he led a study that found corneas can be preserved safely for 11 days without negative impact on the success of transplantation. In the Cornea Preservation Time Study, funded by the National Eye Institute, Lass and other researchers looked at 3-year graft success rates among 1,090 participants (1,330 eyes) who underwent transplantation via Descemet’s stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty by 70 surgeons at 40 surgical sites. Most of the patients had Fuchs’ endothelial corneal dystrophy, a progressive disease.

The researchers were “unable to conclude” that the success rates were the same for corneas preserved for 8 to 14 days, versus up to 7 days (92% vs 95%). However, they found that much of the difference between the groups was accounted for by patients receiving corneas preserved for 12 to 14 days.

In a separate analysis, the researchers looked to see if differences in corneal preservation time affected endothelial cell loss after 3 years. They found that corneas preserved for up to 7 days had a 37% loss of cells versus 40% in those preserved for 8 to 14 days. A closer look at the data showed that the effect of corneal preservation time on the loss of endothelial cells was comparable from 4 to 13 days.

Dr. Lass emphasizes that while patients who received the older corneas had lower success rates, even those success rates were “impressively high” at 89%.

Donor corneas are not in short supply in the U.S. Outside the U.S., however, corneal disease is the third leading cause of blindness and corneal donor tissue is scarce.

For some time, researchers have suspected that diabetes and Alzheimer disease (AD) are similar, but those similarities have been hard to evaluate. Insulin is not needed for glucose to enter the brain or to get into neurons. But NIH researchers may have, for the first time, uncovered a connection.

Using brain tissue samples from participants in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging, one of the longest-running aging studies, the researchers measured glucose levels in different brain regions, including those either vulnerable or resistant to AD.

The researchers found distinct abnormalities in the way the brain breaks down glucose, and say severity of the abnormalities correlated with the severity of AD pathology. Lower rates of glycolysis and higher brain glucose levels correlated to more severe plaques and tangles in the brains of  patients with AD. More severe reductions in brain glycolysis also were related to symptoms of the disease during life, such as memory problems.

The researchers caution that it is not yet clear whether abnormalities in brain glucose metabolism are definitively linked to the severity of AD symptoms or the speed of disease progression. However, lead investigator Madhav Thambisetty, MD, PhD, says “these findings point to a novel mechanism that could be targeted in the development of new treatments.”

For some time, researchers have suspected that diabetes and Alzheimer disease (AD) are similar, but those similarities have been hard to evaluate. Insulin is not needed for glucose to enter the brain or to get into neurons. But NIH researchers may have, for the first time, uncovered a connection.

Using brain tissue samples from participants in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging, one of the longest-running aging studies, the researchers measured glucose levels in different brain regions, including those either vulnerable or resistant to AD.

The researchers found distinct abnormalities in the way the brain breaks down glucose, and say severity of the abnormalities correlated with the severity of AD pathology. Lower rates of glycolysis and higher brain glucose levels correlated to more severe plaques and tangles in the brains of  patients with AD. More severe reductions in brain glycolysis also were related to symptoms of the disease during life, such as memory problems.

The researchers caution that it is not yet clear whether abnormalities in brain glucose metabolism are definitively linked to the severity of AD symptoms or the speed of disease progression. However, lead investigator Madhav Thambisetty, MD, PhD, says “these findings point to a novel mechanism that could be targeted in the development of new treatments.”

For some time, researchers have suspected that diabetes and Alzheimer disease (AD) are similar, but those similarities have been hard to evaluate. Insulin is not needed for glucose to enter the brain or to get into neurons. But NIH researchers may have, for the first time, uncovered a connection.

Using brain tissue samples from participants in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging, one of the longest-running aging studies, the researchers measured glucose levels in different brain regions, including those either vulnerable or resistant to AD.

The researchers found distinct abnormalities in the way the brain breaks down glucose, and say severity of the abnormalities correlated with the severity of AD pathology. Lower rates of glycolysis and higher brain glucose levels correlated to more severe plaques and tangles in the brains of  patients with AD. More severe reductions in brain glycolysis also were related to symptoms of the disease during life, such as memory problems.

The researchers caution that it is not yet clear whether abnormalities in brain glucose metabolism are definitively linked to the severity of AD symptoms or the speed of disease progression. However, lead investigator Madhav Thambisetty, MD, PhD, says “these findings point to a novel mechanism that could be targeted in the development of new treatments.”

For some time, researchers have suspected that diabetes and Alzheimer disease (AD) are similar, but those similarities have been hard to evaluate. Insulin is not needed for glucose to enter the brain or to get into neurons. But NIH researchers may have, for the first time, uncovered a connection.

Using brain tissue samples from participants in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging, one of the longest-running aging studies, the researchers measured glucose levels in different brain regions, including those either vulnerable or resistant to AD.

The researchers found distinct abnormalities in the way the brain breaks down glucose, and say severity of the abnormalities correlated with the severity of AD pathology. Lower rates of glycolysis and higher brain glucose levels correlated to more severe plaques and tangles in the brains of  patients with AD. More severe reductions in brain glycolysis also were related to symptoms of the disease during life, such as memory problems.

The researchers caution that it is not yet clear whether abnormalities in brain glucose metabolism are definitively linked to the severity of AD symptoms or the speed of disease progression. However, lead investigator Madhav Thambisetty, MD, PhD, says “these findings point to a novel mechanism that could be targeted in the development of new treatments.”

For some time, researchers have suspected that diabetes and Alzheimer disease (AD) are similar, but those similarities have been hard to evaluate. Insulin is not needed for glucose to enter the brain or to get into neurons. But NIH researchers may have, for the first time, uncovered a connection.

Using brain tissue samples from participants in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging, one of the longest-running aging studies, the researchers measured glucose levels in different brain regions, including those either vulnerable or resistant to AD.

The researchers found distinct abnormalities in the way the brain breaks down glucose, and say severity of the abnormalities correlated with the severity of AD pathology. Lower rates of glycolysis and higher brain glucose levels correlated to more severe plaques and tangles in the brains of  patients with AD. More severe reductions in brain glycolysis also were related to symptoms of the disease during life, such as memory problems.

The researchers caution that it is not yet clear whether abnormalities in brain glucose metabolism are definitively linked to the severity of AD symptoms or the speed of disease progression. However, lead investigator Madhav Thambisetty, MD, PhD, says “these findings point to a novel mechanism that could be targeted in the development of new treatments.”

For some time, researchers have suspected that diabetes and Alzheimer disease (AD) are similar, but those similarities have been hard to evaluate. Insulin is not needed for glucose to enter the brain or to get into neurons. But NIH researchers may have, for the first time, uncovered a connection.

Using brain tissue samples from participants in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging, one of the longest-running aging studies, the researchers measured glucose levels in different brain regions, including those either vulnerable or resistant to AD.

The researchers found distinct abnormalities in the way the brain breaks down glucose, and say severity of the abnormalities correlated with the severity of AD pathology. Lower rates of glycolysis and higher brain glucose levels correlated to more severe plaques and tangles in the brains of  patients with AD. More severe reductions in brain glycolysis also were related to symptoms of the disease during life, such as memory problems.

The researchers caution that it is not yet clear whether abnormalities in brain glucose metabolism are definitively linked to the severity of AD symptoms or the speed of disease progression. However, lead investigator Madhav Thambisetty, MD, PhD, says “these findings point to a novel mechanism that could be targeted in the development of new treatments.”

Researchers examined 5,152 people who died due to opioid overdose in Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, West Virginia, and Wisconsin and found that nearly 3,000 were fentanyl positive. In addition, > 700 tested positive for drugs with similar chemical structures to fentanyl, including an extremely potent analog, carfentanil, which is used to sedate large animals.

The findings are from the first report on data from the State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS). According to the CDC, SUDORS makes it possible to use toxicology and death scene investigation data previously unavailable across states to provide insights into specific substances and circumstances driving overdoses. That information can help pinpoint changes in the opioid epidemic and inform interventions.

Starting in late 2017, the CDC’s Enhanced State Opioid Overdose Surveillance program is funding expanded forensic toxicology testing of opioid overdose deaths to detect fentanyl analogs and other illicitly manufactured synthetic opioid drugs.

Researchers examined 5,152 people who died due to opioid overdose in Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, West Virginia, and Wisconsin and found that nearly 3,000 were fentanyl positive. In addition, > 700 tested positive for drugs with similar chemical structures to fentanyl, including an extremely potent analog, carfentanil, which is used to sedate large animals.

The findings are from the first report on data from the State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS). According to the CDC, SUDORS makes it possible to use toxicology and death scene investigation data previously unavailable across states to provide insights into specific substances and circumstances driving overdoses. That information can help pinpoint changes in the opioid epidemic and inform interventions.

Starting in late 2017, the CDC’s Enhanced State Opioid Overdose Surveillance program is funding expanded forensic toxicology testing of opioid overdose deaths to detect fentanyl analogs and other illicitly manufactured synthetic opioid drugs.

Researchers examined 5,152 people who died due to opioid overdose in Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, West Virginia, and Wisconsin and found that nearly 3,000 were fentanyl positive. In addition, > 700 tested positive for drugs with similar chemical structures to fentanyl, including an extremely potent analog, carfentanil, which is used to sedate large animals.

The findings are from the first report on data from the State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS). According to the CDC, SUDORS makes it possible to use toxicology and death scene investigation data previously unavailable across states to provide insights into specific substances and circumstances driving overdoses. That information can help pinpoint changes in the opioid epidemic and inform interventions.

Starting in late 2017, the CDC’s Enhanced State Opioid Overdose Surveillance program is funding expanded forensic toxicology testing of opioid overdose deaths to detect fentanyl analogs and other illicitly manufactured synthetic opioid drugs.