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BackgroundPsychosocial status and patient reported outcomes (PRO) [depression and health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL)] are major health determinants. We investigated the association between depression and clinical outcomes in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), adjusted for PRO.MethodsUsing prospective data from Hong Kong Diabetes Register (2013-2019), we estimated the hazard-ratio (HR, 95%CI) of depression (validated Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) score≥7) with incident cardiovascular disease (CVD), ischemic heart disease (IHD), chronic kidney disease (CKD: eGFR

Introduction: Voters facing illness or disability are disproportionately under-represented in terms of voter turnout. Earlier research has indicated that enfranchisement of these populations may reinforce the implementation of policies improving health outcomes and equity. Due to the confluence of the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the 2020 election, we aimed to assess emergency absentee voting processes, which allow voters hospitalized after regular absentee deadlines to still obtain an absentee ballot, and election changes due to COVID-19 in all 50 states. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study collecting 34 variables pertaining to emergency voting processes and COVID-19-related election changes, including deadlines, methods of submission for applications and ballots, and specialized services for patients. Data were obtained from, in order of priority, state boards of elections websites, poll worker manuals, application forms, and state legislation. We verified all data through direct correspondence with state boards of elections. Results: Emergency absentee voting processes are in place in 39 states, with the remaining states having universal vote-by-mail (n = 5) or extended regular absentee voting deadlines (n = 6). The emergency absentee period most commonly began within 24 hours following the normal absentee application deadline, which was often seven days before an election (n = 11). Unique aspects of emergency voting processes included patients designating an “authorized agent” to deliver their applications and ballots (n = 38), electronic ballot delivery (n = 5), and in-person teams that deliver ballots directly to patients (n = 18). Documented barriers in these processes nationwide include unavailable online information (n = 11), restrictions mandating agents to be family members (n = 7), physician affidavits or signatures (n = 9), and notary or witness signature requirements (n = 15). For the November 2020 presidential election, 12 states expanded absentee eligibility to allow COVID-19 as a reason to request an absentee ballot, and 18 states mailed absentee ballot applications or absentee ballots to all registered voters. Conclusion: While 39 states operate emergency absentee voting processes for hospitalized voters, there are considerable areas for improvement and heterogeneity in guidelines for these protocols. For future election cycles, information on emergency voting and broader election reforms due to COVID-19 may be useful for emergency providers and patients alike to improve the democratic participation of voters experiencing illness.

Introduction: This study reviews malpractice, also called medical professional liability (MPL), claims involving adult patients cared for in emergency departments (ED) and urgent care settings. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of closed MPL claims of adults over 18 years, from the Medical Professional Liability Association’s Data Sharing Project database from 2001–2015, identifying 6,779 closed claims. Data included the total amount, origin, top medical specialties named, chief medical factors, top medical conditions, severity of injury, resolution, average indemnity, and defense costs of closed claims. Results: Of 6,779 closed claims, 65.9% were dropped, withdrawn, or dismissed. Another 22.8% of claims settled for an average indemnity of $297,709. Of the 515 (7.6%) cases that went to trial, juries returned verdicts for the defendant in 92.6% of cases (477/515). The remaining 7.4% of cases (38/515) were jury verdicts for the plaintiff, with an average indemnity of $816,909. The most common resulting medical condition cited in paid claims was cardiac or cardiorespiratory arrest (10.4%). Error in diagnosis was the most common chief medical error cited in closed claims. Death was the most common level of severity listed in closed (38.5%) and paid (42.8%) claims. Claims reporting major permanent injury had the highest paid-to-closed ratio, and those reporting grave injury had the highest average indemnity of $686,239. Conclusion: This retrospective review updates the body of knowledge surrounding medical professional liability and represents the most recent analysis of claims in emergency medicine. As the majority of emergency providers will be named in a MPL claim during their career, it is essential to have a better understanding of the most common factors resulting in MPL claims.

Summary: The deep cerebellar nuclei (DCN) represent output channels of the cerebellum, and they transmit integrated sensorimotor signals to modulate limb movements. But the functional relevance of identifiable neuronal subpopulations within the DCN remains unclear. Here, we examine a genetically tractable population of neurons in the mouse interposed anterior nucleus (IntA). We show that these neurons represent a subset of glutamatergic neurons in the IntA and constitute a specific element of an internal feedback circuit within the cerebellar cortex and cerebello-thalamo-cortical pathway associated with limb control. Ablation and optogenetic stimulation of these neurons disrupt efficacy of skilled reach and locomotor movement and reveal that they control positioning and timing of the forelimb and hindlimb. Together, our findings uncover the function of a distinct neuronal subpopulation in the deep cerebellum and delineate the anatomical substrates and kinematic parameters through which it modulates precision of discrete and rhythmic limb movements. : The deep cerebellar nuclei transmit integrated sensorimotor signals to modify movement. Using a urocortin 3::Cre mouse line, Low et al. identify a subpopulation of glutamatergic neurons in the interposed anterior nucleus required for specific kinematic parameters of rhythmic and discrete movement via connectivity with forelimb-associated nucleocortical and nucleofugal pathways. Keywords: cerebellum, deep cerebellar nuclei, DCN, interposed anterior nucleus, IntA, skilled reach, locomotion, urocortin 3, Ucn3, efference copy

A small yet promising body of research has been conducted on the use of remote sensing data to retrieve vegetation chlorophyll content for heterogeneous ecosystems at the leaf level; however, the extent to which leaf chlorophyll contents can be estimated from reflectance measurements at the canopy and landscape scales remain uncertain. The goal of this study was to develop and evaluate a species percent cover-based chlorophyll content scaling up procedure that aims to accurately estimate chlorophyll content at canopy or landscape level. Using both field and QuickBird data collected in a heterogeneous tall grassland located in Ontario, Canada, this study calculated vegetation chlorophyll content at canopy and landscape levels, and it correlated chlorophyll data at leaf, canopy, and landscape levels with a red-edge spectral index. Results indicated that the relationships between the red-edge index and vegetation chlorophyll content (e.g., chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, chlorophyll a + b) were significant at all three scales in the study site. At the landscape level, the species percent cover-based scaling up chlorophyll was slightly better correlated with the red-edge index than the greenness-based chlorophyll that was calculated using the ratio of green area to total area as an empirical coefficient, but it was much better correlated than the site averaging chlorophyll that was directly averaged from leaf level chlorophyll. These results suggest that inclusion of species percent cover in the scaling up procedure is a more appropriate method for canopy or landscape chlorophyll estimation. What we have to keep in mind is that the proposed scaling procedure only takes into account the species composition within a canopy. More canopy information such as standing dead, litter, and soil background should be considered into the scaling tool in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]