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BACKGROUND Higher-volume centers for pancreatic cancer surgeries have been shown to have improved outcomes such as length of stay. We examined how centralization of pancreatic cancer care within a regional integrated healthcare system improves overall survival. METHODS We conducted a retrospective study of 1621 patients treated for pancreatic cancer from February 2010 to December 2018. Care was consolidated into 4 Centers of Excellence (COE) in surgery, medical oncology, and other specialties. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, Chi-square tests, and Kaplan-Meier analysis were performed. RESULTS Neoadjuvant chemotherapy use rose from 10% to 31% (p

Rationale: Indoor particulate matter is associated with worse COPD outcomes. It remains unknown whether reductions of indoor pollutants improve respiratory morbidity. Methods: Eligible former smoke...

Summary Background Short-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2·5) is associated with increased risk of hospital admissions and mortality, and health risks differ by the chemical composition of PM2·5. Policies to control PM2·5 could change its chemical composition and total mass concentration, leading to change in the subsequent health impact. However, there is little ence on whether associations between PM2·5 and health exhibit temporal variation. We investigated whether risks of hospitalisations from short-term exposure to PM2·5 varied over time in the USA. Methods We did a time-series analysis using a national dataset comprising daily circulatory and respiratory hospitalisation rates of Medicare beneficiaries (age ≥65 years) and PM2·5 in 173 US counties from 1999 to 2016. We fitted modified quasi-Poisson models to estimate temporal trends of associations within a county, and pooled county-level estimates using Bayesian hierarchical modelling to generate an overall estimate. Findings The study included 10 559 654 circulatory and 3 027 281 respiratory hospitalisations. We identified changes in the national average association between previous-day PM2·5 and respiratory hospitalisation over time, with a U-shape that is robust under stratification, linear, and non-linear models. The change in risk of respiratory hospitalisation per 10 μg/m3 increase in previous-day PM2·5 decreased from 0·75% (95% posterior credible interval 0·05 to 1·46) in 1999 to –0·28% (–0·79 to 0·23) in 2008, and then increased to 1·44% (0·00 to 2·91) in 2016. No statistically significant temporal change was observed for associations between same-day PM2·5 and circulatory hospitalisation. Interpretation Hospitalisation risk from PM2·5 changes over time and has increased over the past 7 years in study, especially in northeastern USA. The temporal trend differs by cause of hospitalisation. This study emphasises the necessity of evaluating temporal heterogeneity in health impacts of PM2·5 and suggests caution in applying association estimates to a different time period. Funding US Environmental Protection Agency and Yale Institute for Biospheric Studies.

Background While injuries experienced during hurricanes and other tropical cyclones have been relatively well- characterized through traditional surveillance, less is known about tropical cyclones' impacts on non-injury morbidity, which can be triggered through pathways that include psychosocial stress or interruption in medical treatment. Methods We investigated daily emergency Medicare hospitalizations (1999-2010) in 180 United States counties, drawing on an existing cohort of high-population counties. We classified counties as exposed to tropical cyclones when storm-associated peak sustained winds were ≥ 21 m/s at the county center; secondary analyses considered other wind thresholds and hazards. We matched storm-exposed days to unexposed days by county and seasonality. We estimated change in tropical cyclone-associated hospitalizations over a storm period from 2 days before to 7 days after the storm's closest approach, compared to unexposed days, using generalized linear mixed-effect models. Results For 1999-2010, 175 study counties had at least one tropical cyclone exposure. Cardiovascular hospitalizations decreased on the storm day, then increased following the storm, while respiratory hospitalizations were elevated throughout the storm period. Over the 10-day storm period, cardiovascular hospitalizations increased 3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2%, 5%) and respiratory hospitalizations increased 16% (95% CI: 13%, 20%) compared to matched unexposed periods. Relative risks varied across tropical cyclone exposures, with strongest association for the most restrictive wind-based exposure metric. Conclusions In this study, tropical cyclone exposures were associated with a short-term increase in cardiorespiratory hospitalization risk among the elderly, based on a multi-year/multi-site investigation of US Medicare beneficiaries ≥ 65 years.

Heat exposure of a population is often estimated by applying temperatures from outdoor monitoring stations. However, this can lead to exposure misclassification if residents do not live close to the monitoring station and temperature varies over small spatial scales due to land use/built environment variability, or if residents generally spend more time indoors than outdoors. Here, we compare summertime temperatures measured inside 145 homes in low-income households in Baltimore city with temperatures from the National Weather Service weather station in Baltimore. There is a large variation in indoor temperatures, with daily-mean indoor temperatures varying from 10 °C lower to 10 °C higher than outdoor temperatures. Furthermore, there is only a weak association between the indoor and outdoor temperatures across all houses, indicating that the outdoor temperature is not a good predictor of the indoor temperature for the residences sampled. It is shown that much of the variation is due to differences in the availability of air conditioning (AC). Houses with central AC are generally cooler than outdoors (median difference of − 3.4 °C) while those with no AC are generally warmer (median difference of 1.4 °C). For the collection of houses with central or room AC, there is essentially no relationship between indoor and outdoor temperatures, but for the subset of houses with no AC, there is a weak relationship (correlation coefficient of 0.36). The results presented here suggest future epidemiological studies of indoor exposure to heat would benefit from information on the availability of AC within the population.

While associations between short-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and risk of hospitalization are well documented and evidence suggests that such associations change over time, it is unclear whether these temporal changes exist in understudied less-urban areas or differ by sub-population. We analyzed daily time-series data of 968 continental U.S. counties for 2000-2016, with cause-specific hospitalization from Medicare claims and population-weighted PM2.5 concentrations originally estimated at 1km×1km from a hybrid model. Circulatory and respiratory hospitalizations were categorized based on primary diagnosis codes at discharge. Using modified Bayesian hierarchical modelling, we evaluated the temporal trend in association between PM2.5 and hospitalizations and whether disparities in this trend exist across individual-level characteristics (e.g., sex, age, race, and Medicaid eligibility as a proxy for socio-economic status) and urbanicity. Urbanicity was categorized into three levels by county-specific percentage of urban population based on urban rural delineation from the U.S. Census. In this cohort with understudied less-urban areas without regulatory monitors, we still found positive association between circulatory and respiratory hospitalization and short-term exposure to PM2.5, with higher effect estimates towards the end of study period. Consistent with current literature, we identified significant disparity in associations by race, socioeconomic status and urbanicity. We found that the percentage change in circulatory hospitalization rate per 10μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 was higher in the 2008-2016 time period compared to the 2000-2007 period by 0.33% (95% posterior credible interval 0.22, 0.44%), 0.52% (0.33, 0.69%), and 0.67% (0.53, 0.83%) for low, medium and high tertiles of urban areas, respectively. We also observed significant differences in temporal trends of associations across socioeconomic status, sex, and age, indicating a possible widening in disparity of PM2.5-related health burden. This study raises the importance of considering environmental justice issues in PM2.5-related health impacts with respect to how associations may change over time.

Contains fulltext : 249977.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Closed access) BACKGROUND: It is important to evaluate whether a new treatment for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) provides additive benefit to background foundational treatments. As such, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of empagliflozin in patients with HFrEF in addition to baseline treatment with specific doses and combinations of disease-modifying therapies. METHODS: We performed a post-hoc analysis of the EMPEROR-Reduced randomised, double-blind, parallel-group trial, which took place in 520 centres (hospitals and medical clinics) in 20 countries in Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America. Patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification II-IV with an ejection fraction of 40% or less were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive the addition of either oral empagliflozin 10 mg per day or placebo to background therapy. The primary composite outcome was cardiovascular death and heart failure hospitalisation; the secondary outcome was total heart failure hospital admissions. An extended composite outcome consisted of inpatient and outpatient HFrEF events was also evaluated. Outcomes were analysed according to background use of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) or angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitors (ARNIs), as well as β blockers and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) at less than 50% or 50% or more of target doses and in various combinations. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03057977. FINDINGS: In this post-hoc analysis of 3730 patients (mean age 66·8 years [SD 11·0], 893 [23·9%] women; 1863 [49·9%] in the empagliflozin group, 1867 [50·1%] in the placebo group) assessed between March 6, 2017, and May 28, 2020, empagliflozin reduced the risk of the primary outcome (361 in 1863 participants in the empagliflozin group and 462 of 1867 in the placebo group; HR 0·75 [95% CI 0·65-0·86]) regardless of background therapy or its target doses for ACE inhibitors or ARBs at doses of less than 50% of the target dose (HR 0·85 [0·69-1·06]) and for doses of 50% or more of the target dose (HR 0·67 [0·52-0·88]; p(interaction)=0·18). A similar result was seen for β blockers at doses of less than 50% of the target dose (HR 0·66 [0·54-0·80]) and for doses of 50% or more of the target dose (HR 0·81 [0·66-1·00]; p(interaction)=0·15). Empagliflozin also reduced the risk of the primary outcome irrespective of background use of triple therapy with an ACE inhibitor, ARB, or ARNI plus β blocker plus MRA (given combination HR 0·73 [0·61-0·88]; not given combination HR 0·76 [0·62-0·94]; p(interaction)=0·77). Similar patterns of benefit were observed for the secondary and extended composite outcomes. Empagliflozin was well tolerated and rates of hypotension, symptomatic hypotension, and hyperkalaemia were similar across all subgroups. INTERPRETATION: Empagliflozin reduced serious heart failure outcomes across doses and combinations of disease-modifying therapies for HFrEF. Clinically, these data suggest that empagliflozin might be considered as a foundational therapy in patients with HFrEF regardless of their existing background therapy. FUNDING: Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company.

Background Neighborhood and caregiver characteristics have each been linked to children's asthma outcomes, but less is known about how caregiver psychosocial functioning may explain the link between neighborhood characteristics and asthma outcomes. Objective To examine associations between neighborhood safety, caregiver stress and depressive symptoms, and children's asthma outcomes, and to evaluate whether caregiver stress and depressive symptoms mediate the relationship between neighborhood safety and asthma outcomes. Methods We analyzed baseline data from a prospective cohort study of the effects of a housing mobility program on children's asthma-related outcomes. Age- and sex-adjusted models evaluated associations of neighborhood safety, and caregiver stress and depressive symptoms, with children's asthma symptoms and exacerbations. Results Participants were 140 low-income children with persistent asthma (98% Black participants; 53% males; mean age, 9.0 years) with an average of 7.1 ± 5.3 maximum symptom days per 2 weeks. Lower neighborhood safety, and higher caregiver stress and depressive symptoms, were associated with higher asthma symptoms, but not exacerbations, in adjusted models (eg, for neighborhood safety, maximum symptom days: odds ratio, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.07-1.88; for caregiver stress, maximum symptom days: odds ratio, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.01-1.15; for depressive symptoms, maximum symptom days: odds ratio, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.00-1.11). Exploratory analyses suggested that caregiver stress partially mediated associations between neighborhood safety and asthma symptoms for children in unsafe neighborhoods. Conclusions Neighborhood safety was associated with children's asthma symptoms independent from caregiver stress and depressive symptoms, although for children in unsafe neighborhoods, caregiver stress may partially mediate this association. Findings suggest the importance of targeting multiple systems to improve children's asthma outcomes.

Importance: Sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors reduce morbidity and mortality in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Clinicians may find estimates of the projected long-term benefits of sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors a helpful addition to clinical trial results when communicating the benefits of this class of drug to patients. Objective: To estimate the projected long-term treatment effects of dapagliflozin in patients with HFrEF over the duration of a patient’s lifetime. Design, Setting, and Participants: Exploratory analysis was performed of Dapagliflozin and Prevention of Adverse Outcomes in Heart Failure (DAPA-HF), a phase 3 randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted at 410 sites in 20 countries. Patients with an ejection fraction less than or equal to 40% in New York Heart Association functional classification II to IV and elevated plasma levels of N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide were enrolled between February 15, 2017, and August 17, 2018, with final follow-up on June 6, 2019. Mean (SD) duration of follow-up was 17.6 (5.2) months. Interventions: Dapagliflozin, 10 mg, once daily vs placebo in addition to standard therapy. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary composite outcome was time to first hospitalization for heart failure, urgent heart failure visit requiring intravenous therapy, or cardiovascular death. The trial results were extrapolated to estimate the projected long-term treatment effects of dapagliflozin over the duration of a patient’s lifetime for the primary outcome and the secondary outcome of death from any cause. Results: A total of 4744 patients (1109 women [23.4%]; 3635 men [76.6%]) were randomized in DAPA-HF, with a mean (SD) age of 66.3 (10.9) years. The extrapolated mean event-free survival for an individual aged 65 years from a primary composite end point event was 6.2 years for placebo and 8.3 years for dapagliflozin, representing an event-free survival time gain of 2.1 years (95% CI, 0.8-3.3 years; P = .002). When considering death from any cause, mean extrapolated life expectancy for an individual aged 65 years was 9.1 years for placebo and 10.8 years for dapagliflozin, with a gain in survival of 1.7 years (95% CI, 0.1-3.3; P = .03) with dapagliflozin. Similar results were seen when extrapolated across the age range studied. In analyses of subgroups of patients in DAPA-HF, consistent benefits were seen with dapagliflozin on both event-free and overall survival. Conclusions and Relevance: These findings indicate that dapagliflozin provides clinically meaningful gains in extrapolated event-free and overall survival. These findings may be helpful in communicating the benefits of this treatment to patients with HFrEF. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03036124.

Background Whether to screen high-risk groups before early peanut introduction is controversial. Objective We sought to determine the risk of peanut allergy (PA) before peanut introduction for infants with (1) moderate-severe eczema, (2) another food allergy (FA), and/or (3) a first-degree relative with peanut allergy (FH). Methods Infants aged 4 to 11 months with no history of peanut ingestion, testing, or reaction and at least 1 of the above risk factors received peanut skin prick test and, depending on skin prick test wheal size, oral food challenge or observed feeding. Results A total of 321 subjects completed the enrollment visit (median age, 7.2 months; 58% males); 78 had eczema only, 11 FA only, 107 FH only, and 125 had multiple risk factors. Overall, 18% of 195 with eczema, 19% of 59 with FA, and 4% of 201 with FH had PA. Only 1% of 115 with FH and no eczema had PA. Among those with eczema, older age (odds ratio [OR], 1.3; 95% CI, 1.04-1.68 per month), higher SCORing Atopic Dermatitis score (OR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.06-1.34 per 5 points), black (OR, 5.79; 95% CI, 1.92-17.4 compared with white), or Asian race (OR, 6.98; 95% CI, 1.92-25.44) and suspected or diagnosed other FA (OR, 3.98; 95% CI, 1.62-9.80) were associated with PA. Conclusions PA is common in infants with moderate-severe eczema, whereas FH without eczema is not a major risk factor, suggesting screening only in those with significant eczema. Even within the first year of life, introduction at later ages is associated with a higher risk of PA among those with eczema, supporting introduction of peanut as early as possible.

A study on birefringence compensation of highly asymmetric germanosilicate fibre drawn from a 3D printed preform is carried out. Surprisingly large compensation is locked in when twist is released, amounting to more than 80% compensation. Large bandgap attenuation is observed when gratings are written into this fibre.

Background: Indoor particulate matter is associated with worse outcomes in adults with COPD. It remains unknown whether reductions of indoor pollutants can improve respiratory morbidity. Methods: Eligible former smokers with moderate-severe COPD received active or sham portable HEPA air cleaners and were followed for 6 months in this blinded randomized controlled trial. The primary outcome was 6-month change in Saint George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) . Secondary outcomes were exacerbation risk, respiratory symptoms, rescue medication use and 6MWD. Intention to treat analysis included all subjects and per protocol analysis included adherent participants (greater than 80% use of air cleaner). Findings: 116 participants were randomized of which 84.5% completed study. There was no statistically significant difference in improvement of total SGRQ, but the active filter group had greater reduction in SGRQ symptom subscale (s -7.7 [95% CI, -15.0 to -0.37]) and respiratory symptoms (BCSS, s -0.8 [95% CI, -1.5 to -0.1); and lower risk of moderate exacerbations (IRR 0.32 [95% CI, 0.12-0.91]) and rescue medication use (IRR 0.54 [95% CI, 0.33-0.86]) compared to sham group (all p

Importance Given the risks of postoperative morbidity and its consequent economic burden and impairment to patients undergoing colon resection, evaluating risk factors associated with complications will allow risk stratification and the targeting of supportive interventions. Evaluation of muscle characteristics is an emerging area for improving preoperative risk stratification. Objective To examine the associations of muscle characteristics with postoperative complications, length of hospital stay (LOS), readmission, and mortality in patients with colon cancer. Design, setting, and participants This population-based retrospective cohort study was conducted among 1630 patients who received a diagnosis of stage I to III colon cancer from January 2006 to December 2011 at Kaiser Permanente Northern California, an integrated health care system. Preliminary data analysis started in 2017. Because major complication data were collected between 2018 and 2019, the final analysis using the current cohort was conducted between 2019 and 2020. Exposures Low skeletal muscle index (SMI) and/or low skeletal muscle radiodensity (SMD) levels were assessed using preoperative computerized tomography images. Main outcomes and measures Length of stay, any complication (≥1 predefined complications) or major complications (Clavien-Dindo classification score ≥3), 30-day mortality and readmission up to 30 days postdischarge, and overall mortality. Results The mean (SD) age at diagnosis was 64.0 (11.3) years and 906 (55.6%) were women. Patients with low SMI or low SMD were more likely to remain hospitalized 7 days or longer after surgery (odds ratio [OR], 1.33; 95% CI, 1.05-1.68; OR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.05-1.84, respectively) and had higher risks of overall mortality (hazard ratio, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.13-1.74; hazard ratio, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.12-1.85, respectively). Additionally, patients with low SMI were more likely to have 1 or more postsurgical complications (OR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.04-1.65) and had higher risk of 30-day mortality (OR, 4.85; 95% CI, 1.23-19.15). Low SMD was associated with higher odds of having major complications (OR, 2.41; 95% CI, 1.44-4.04). Conclusions and relevance Low SMI and low SMD were associated with longer LOS, higher risk of postsurgical complications, and short-term and long-term mortality. Research should evaluate whether targeting potentially modifiable factors preoperatively, such as preserving muscle mass, could reverse the observed negative associations with postoperative outcomes.

PURPOSE: Management of soft tissue and bone sarcoma presents many challenges, both diagnostically and therapeutically, and requires multidisciplinary collaboration; however, such collaboration is often challenging to establish, especially in the community setting. We share our experiences of a virtual multidisciplinary sarcoma case conference (VMSCC). METHODS: We conducted retrospective review of the VMSCC data—initially via Webex, now Microsoft Teams—and the surveys of referring physicians to understand the feasibility and value of the VMSCC. RESULTS: The VMSCC was established in March 2013 in Kaiser Permanente Northern California with consistent participation of the Departments of Musculoskeletal Oncology (orthopedic oncology), Musculoskeletal Radiology, Pathology, Medical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Nuclear Medicine, Surgical Oncology, and Genetics. Pediatric Oncology participated ad hoc when pediatric sarcoma cases were presented. Referrals were from multiple specialties and regions, including the Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic and Hawaii regions. From March 2013 to December 2019, 1,585 cases were reviewed encompassing 36 histologic types. More than 300 cases were reviewed per year from 2017 to 2019. Survey results of referring physicians demonstrate that the VMSCC enhanced the confidence of treating physicians, and its recommendations frequently led to treatment changes. CONCLUSION: Establishing a valuable community-based VMSCC is feasible. VMSCC recommendations frequently led to treatment changes and improved the confidence of treating physicians.

Traditional measures of socioeconomic status (SES) are associated with asthma morbidity, but their specific contributions are unclear. Increased exposure to indoor allergens among low SES children is an important consideration. Material hardship, a concept describing poor access to basic goods and services, may explain the relationship between low SES and indoor allergen exposure, and thereby, the increased risk of asthma morbidity. We sought to (i) describe the specific hardships experienced by low-Income, urban, minority children with asthma and indoor allergen sensitization and (ii) determine if material hardship is associated with indoor allergen exposure in this population. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of children undergoing the baseline assessment for a clinical trial of home environmental modification. Participants were scored in five domains of material hardship. Domain scores were assigned based on caregiver responses to a questionnaire and were summed to generate a total material hardship score. Linear regression was used to examine the relationship between material hardship scores and bedroom floor concentrations of five common indoor allergens. Participants experienced high levels of material hardship in each of the five domains, with 33% not having access to a car, 35% not being able to pay utility bills, and 28% not being able to pay rent in the past year. Each one-point increase in material hardship was associated with an increase in cockroach allergen of 16.2% (95% CI: 9.4%, 24.6%) and an increase in mouse allergen of 9.4% (95% CI: 1.0%, 18.5%). After adjusting for traditional measures of SES, including household income, health insurance type, caregiver education, and caregiver employment status, the association between material hardship and cockroach allergen, but not mouse allergen, remained. These data suggest that a significant proportion of families of low-income, minority children with asthma may experience material hardship, and that they may be at greater risk of cockroach allergen exposure than their peers with similar income, but without material hardship.

Background The disrupted skin barrier in eczema has been associated with an increased risk of immunoglobulin E (IgE) sensitization in childhood. However, it is unclear whether eczema, independent of atopy, is a risk factor for the development of allergic sensitization in adulthood. Objective To determine if skin barrier dysfunction, independent of atopy, is a risk factor for incident sensitization in adult workers at a mouse production and research facility. Methods New employees at The Jackson Laboratory enrolled in a cohort study and underwent skin-prick testing (SPT) at baseline and every 6 months to mouse and to a panel of aeroallergens (net wheal ≥3 mm indicated a positive SPT result). Mouse allergen exposure was measured every 6 months by using personal air monitors. Physician-diagnosed eczema was defined as self-reported physician-diagnosed eczema. Cox proportional hazard modeling was used to examine the association between baseline physician-diagnosed eczema and incident mouse skin test sensitization and adjusted for potential confounders. Results The participants (N = 394) were followed up for a median of 24 months. Fifty-four percent were women, 89% were white, and 64% handled mice. At baseline, 7% of the participants reported physician-diagnosed eczema and 9% reported current asthma; 61% had at least one positive skin test result. At 30 months, 36% of those with eczema versus 14% of those without eczema had developed a positive mouse skin test result (p = 0.02, log-rank test). After adjusting for age, race, sex, smoking status (current, former, never), current asthma, hay fever, the number of positive SPT results at baseline, and mouse allergen exposure, physician-diagnosed eczema was an independent risk factor for incident mouse SPT sensitization (hazard ratio 5.6 [95% confidence interval, 2.1-15.2]; p = 0.001). Conclusion Among adult workers at a mouse production and research facility, physician-diagnosed eczema was a risk factor for incident mouse sensitization, independent of atopy, which indicated that a defect in skin barrier alone may increase the risk of skin sensitization, not just in childhood, but throughout life.

Short- and long-term fine particulate matter (particulate matter ≤2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter [PMTo understand the relationship between long-term fine and coarse PM exposure and asthma prevalence and morbidity among children.A semiparametric regression model that incorporated PMExposure to coarse PM was associated with increased asthma diagnosis prevalence (rate ratio [RR] for 1-μg/mAmong children enrolled in Medicaid, exposure to higher average coarse PM levels is associated with increased asthma prevalence and morbidity. These results suggest the need for direct monitoring of coarse PM and reconsideration of limits on long-term average coarse PM pollution levels.

Reproducibility and replicability are fundamental requirements of scientific studies. Disagreements over universal definitions for these terms have affected the interpretation of large-scale replication attempts. We provide a visual tool for representing definitions and use it to re-examine these attempts.

Background Whether concomitant home exposures modify the effectiveness of mouse allergen reduction among mouse-sensitized children with asthma is unknown. Objective To determine whether a lower baseline home mouse allergen level, lower particulate matter 10 μ or less (PM10), and the absence of sensitization and exposure to other indoor allergens are associated with greater improvements in asthma associated with mouse allergen reduction. Methods A secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial of a home mouse allergen intervention was performed to examine the effect of 3 indoor factors on the relationship between mouse allergen reduction and a range of asthma outcomes. Results Participants (N = 297) were predominantly minority (78% African American, 22% Hispanic) and publicly insured (88%). Higher baseline mouse allergen levels were associated with a greater response to mouse allergen reduction for several symptom and exacerbation outcomes. Lower indoor PM10 levels were associated with a greater response to mouse allergen reduction for several symptom outcomes, but not exacerbation outcomes. Overall, sensitization and exposure to other indoor allergens did not appear to modify the effect of mouse allergen reduction. Conclusions In this population of predominantly low-income children with persistent asthma and mouse sensitization, mouse allergen reduction was associated with improvements in asthma, especially among those with high baseline mouse allergen exposure. Lower indoor PM10 was associated with greater improvements in asthma symptoms.

Background Although poor-urban (inner-city) areas are thought to have high asthma prevalence and morbidity, we recently found that inner cities do not have higher prevalent pediatric asthma. Whether asthma morbidity is higher in inner-city areas across the United States is not known. Objective This study sought to examine relationships between residence in poor and urban areas, race/ethnicity, and asthma morbidity among children with asthma who are enrolled in Medicaid. Methods Children aged 5 to 19 enrolled in Medicaid in 2009 to 2010 were included. Asthma was defined by at least 1 outpatient or emergency department (ED) visit with a primary diagnosis code of asthma over the 2-year period. Urbanization status was defined at the county level and neighborhood poverty at the zip-code level. Among children with asthma, logistic models were created to examine the effects of urbanization, neighborhood poverty, and race/ethnicity on rates of asthma outpatient visits, ED visits, and hospitalizations. Results This study included 16,860,716 children (1,534,820 with asthma). Among children enrolled in Medicaid, residence in inner-city areas did not confer increased risk of prevalent asthma in either crude or adjusted analyses, but it was associated with significantly more asthma-related ED visits and hospitalizations among those with asthma in crude analyses (risk ratio, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.24-1.36; and 1.97; 95% CI, 1.50-1.72, respectively) and when adjusted for race/ethnicity, age, and sex (adjusted risk ratio, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.08-1.15; and 1.62; 95% CI, 1.26-1.43). Residence in urban or poor areas and non-Hispanic black race/ethnicity were all independently associated with increased risk of asthma-related ED visits and hospitalizations. Conclusions Residence in poor and urban areas is an important risk factor for asthma morbidity, but not for prevalence, among low-income US children.

To estimate the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) and the level of psychological distress and to assess the inter-associations of them among type 2 diabetic men, a cross-sectional observational study of 335 men with type 2 diabetes and 284 men without diabetes from a hospital in Hefei city, Anhui province, China, was conducted. The erectile function was assessed using the five-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function scale (IIEF-5). The evaluation of psychological distress was completed using a self-administered questionnaire, the Symptom Checklist 90-Revised (SCL-90-R). In this study, ED was more prevalent in type 2 diabetic men than that in the control group (58.51% vs 26.76%, P

Background: Evidence of health risks associated with ambient airborne fine particles in nonurban populations is extremely limited. Objective: We estimated the risk of hospitalization associated with short-term exposures to particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter < 2.5 μm (PM2.5) in urban and nonurban counties with population ≥ 50,000. Methods: We utilized a database of daily cardiovascular- and respiratory-related hospitalization rates constructed from Medicare National Claims History files (2002–2006), including 28 million Medicare beneficiaries in 708 counties. Daily PM2.5 exposures were estimated using the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) downscaler. We used time-series analysis of hospitalization rates and PM2.5 to evaluate associations between PM2.5 levels and hospitalization risk in single-pollutant models. Results: We observed an association between cardiovascular hospitalizations and same-day PM2.5 with higher risk in urban counties: 0.35% [95% posterior interval (PI): –0.71%, 1.41%] and 0.98% (95% PI: 0.73%, 1.23%) increases in hospitalization risk per 10-μg/m3 increment in PM2.5 were observed in the least-urban and most-urban counties, respectively. The largest association for respiratory hospitalizations, a 2.57% (95% PI: 0.87%, 4.30%) increase per 10-μg/m3 increase in PM2.5, was observed in the least-urban counties; in the most-urban counties, a 1.13% (0.73%, 1.54%) increase was observed. Effect estimates for cardiovascular hospitalizations were highest for smaller lag times, whereas effect estimates for respiratory hospitalizations increased as more days of exposure were included. Conclusion: In nonurban counties with population ≥ 50,000, exposure to PM2.5 is associated with increased risk for respiratory hospitalizations; in urban counties, exposure is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular hospitalizations. Effect estimates based on a single day of exposure may underestimate true effects for respiratory hospitalizations. Citation: Bravo MA, Ebisu K, Dominici F, Wang Y, Peng RD, Bell ML. 2017. Airborne fine particles and risk of hospital admissions for understudied populations: effects by urbanicity and short-term cumulative exposures in 708 U.S. counties. Environ Health Perspect 125:594–601; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/EHP257

Combined rocking filters and polarisation balanced fibre Bragg gratings are demonstrated in a 3D printed optical fibre. (E: john.canning@uts.edu.au).© 2020 John Canning

Importance Few studies have investigated the association of long-term ambient ozone exposures with respiratory morbidity among individuals with a heavy smoking history. Objective To investigate the association of historical ozone exposure with risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), computed tomography (CT) scan measures of respiratory disease, patient-reported outcomes, disease severity, and exacerbations in smokers with or at risk for COPD. Design, Setting, and Participants This multicenter cross-sectional study, conducted from November 1, 2010, to July 31, 2018, obtained data from the Air Pollution Study, an ancillary study of SPIROMICS (Subpopulations and Intermediate Outcome Measures in COPD Study). Data analyzed were from participants enrolled at 7 (New York City, New York; Baltimore, Maryland; Los Angeles, California; Ann Arbor, Michigan; San Francisco, California; Salt Lake City, Utah; and Winston-Salem, North Carolina) of the 12 SPIROMICS clinical sites. Included participants had historical ozone exposure data (n = 1874), were either current or former smokers (≥20 pack-years), were with or without COPD, and were aged 40 to 80 years at baseline. Healthy persons with a smoking history of 1 or more pack-years were excluded from the present analysis. Exposures The 10-year mean historical ambient ozone concentration at participants’ residences estimated by cohort-specific spatiotemporal modeling. Main Outcomes and Measures Spirometry-confirmed COPD, chronic bronchitis diagnosis, CT scan measures (emphysema, air trapping, and airway wall thickness), 6-minute walk test, modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) Dyspnea Scale, COPD Assessment Test (CAT), St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), postbronchodilator forced expiratory volume in the first second of expiration (FEV1) % predicted, and self-report of exacerbations in the 12 months before SPIROMICS enrollment, adjusted for demographics, smoking, and job exposure. Results A total of 1874 SPIROMICS participants were analyzed (mean [SD] age, 64.5 [8.8] years; 1479 [78.9%] white; and 1013 [54.1%] male). In adjusted analysis, a 5-ppb (parts per billion) increase in ozone concentration was associated with a greater percentage of emphysema (β = 0.94; 95% CI, 0.25-1.64;P = .007) and percentage of air trapping (β = 1.60; 95% CI, 0.16-3.04;P = .03); worse scores for the mMRC Dyspnea Scale (β = 0.10; 95% CI, 0.03-0.17;P = .008), CAT (β = 0.65; 95% CI, 0.05-1.26;P = .04), and SGRQ (β = 1.47; 95% CI, 0.01-2.93;P = .048); lower FEV1% predicted value (β = −2.50; 95% CI, −4.42 to −0.59;P = .01); and higher odds of any exacerbation (odds ratio [OR], 1.37; 95% CI, 1.12-1.66;P = .002) and severe exacerbation (OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.07-1.76;P = .01). No association was found between historical ozone exposure and chronic bronchitis, COPD, airway wall thickness, or 6-minute walk test result. Conclusions and Relevance This study found that long-term historical ozone exposure was associated with reduced lung function, greater emphysema and air trapping on CT scan, worse patient-reported outcomes, and increased respiratory exacerbations for individuals with a history of heavy smoking. The association between ozone exposure and adverse respiratory outcomes suggests the need for continued reevaluation of ambient pollution standards that are designed to protect the most vulnerable members of the US population.

Rationale: In developing countries, poor and rural areas have a high burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and environmental pollutants and indoor burning of biomass have been implicated as potential causal exposures. Less is known about the prevalence of COPD in the United States with respect to urban–rural distribution, poverty, and factors that uniquely contribute to COPD among never-smokers. Objectives: To understand the impact of urban–rural status, poverty, and other community factors on COPD prevalence nationwide and among never-smokers. Methods: We studied a nationally representative sample of adults in the National Health Interview Survey 2012–2015, with data linkage between neighborhood data from the U.S. Census’s American Community Survey and the National Center for Health Statistics Urban–Rural Classification Scheme. The main outcome was COPD prevalence. Measurements and Main Results: The prevalence of COPD in poor, rural areas was almost twice that in the overall population (15.4% vs. 8.4%). In adjusted models, rural residence (odds ratio [OR], 1.23; P

CONTEXT: Surgeons write 1.8% of all prescriptions and 9.8% of all opioid prescriptions. Even small doses prescribed for short-term use can lead to abuse; thus, surgeons are uniquely able to combat the opioid epidemic by changing prescribing practices. As part of a department wide quality improvement project, we initiated a nonopioid protocol for all patients undergoing ambulatory breast surgery. OBJECTIVE: To determine the feasibility of a nonopioid protocol for patients undergoing ambulatory breast surgery and to determine if patient-related factors contribute to surgeon adherence to a nonopioid protocol in ambulatory breast surgery. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review of a prospectively collected database, with χ(2) analysis and a multiple logistic regression model with the surgeon as the random effect. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Protocol adherence. RESULTS: A total of 180 patients, with a median age of 63 years (range = 18–95 years), were included. Of these, 127 (70.6%) did not receive opioids; in this group there were 2 hematomas (1.6%), and 3 patients required an opioid prescription (2.4%). Fifty-three (29.4%) were prescribed opioids against protocol; in this group, there was 1 hematoma (1.9%). The operating surgeon was the only variable independently correlated with protocol adherence (p < 0.0001). Age, race/ethnicity, surgery type, and history of long-term opioid use were not. CONCLUSION: Ambulatory breast surgery patients tolerated a nonopioid pain regimen well. Surgeons’ decisions, rather than patient characteristics, primarily drove the choice of pain management in our study. We believe our protocol can be improved with stricter implementation and education, which must be balanced with practitioner independence.

4108 Background: Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNET) are a heterogeneous group of tumors that represent 1-2% of all pancreatic neoplasms. Their biologic behaviors are unpredictable with high grade, nodal metastasis, or liver metastasis lending an unfavorable prognosis. Current guidelines recommend resection for functioning tumors and those 2 cm or larger but are less straightforward regarding tumors < 2 cm in size. Previous data show that observation for nonfunctioning tumors < 2 cm can be safe and feasible; however, a significant portion of these patients may have nodal involvement or metastatic disease. Methods: A retrospective review was undertaken to identify patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors treated at Northern California Kaiser Permanente (KP-NCAL) between February 2010 and December 2018. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed with the log-rank test and Cox regression. Chi-squared test of relevant clinicopathologic factors determined which factors were predictive for overall survival (OS). Results: Mean age was 61 years in our cohort of 354 patients, with 29% over the age of 70. Mean tumor size was 3.43 cm; 32% of tumors were 2 cm or smaller. 51% of the patients had localized disease; 32% of the patients presented with metastatic disease. The pancreatic tail was the most common tumor location (38%), followed by the head of the pancreas (24%). On multivariate survival analysis, stage, location of the tumor, and surgical resection were statistically significant in terms of overall survival ( p

BACKGROUND: Phthalates are endocrine disrupting compounds linked to various adverse health effects. U.S. national biomonitoring data indicate that select minority subgroups may suffer disparate exposures to phthalates. Still, exposures and their respective determinants among these subgroups are not well characterized. OBJECTIVE: We sought to examine determinants of phthalate exposure in a subsample of US-based Latino adults. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study on 94 Latino immigrant adults in Maryland. Participants were ≥18 years of age and working in a service-based industry. We administered an interviewer-administered questionnaire to capture information on potential exposure determinants (e.g., demographic characteristics, consumer product use, and workplace exposures and behaviors) and using HPLC/MS-MS we quantified concentrations of 9 urinary phthalate metabolites: monoethyl phthalate (MEP, diethyl phthalate metabolite); mono-n-butyl phthalate (MBP, di-n-butyl phthalate metabolite); mono-isobutyl phthalate (MiBP, di-isobutyl phthalate metabolite; monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP, benzylbutyl phthalate metabolite); molar sum of di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate or DEHP metabolites [mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP), mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP), mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP), and mono-(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate (MECCP)]; and mono(3-carboxypropyl) phthalate (MCPP, a non-specific metabolite of several phthalates including di-n-butyl phthalate and di-n-octyl phthalate). DEHP was analyzed as the molar sum of four metabolites (ΣDEHP=MEHP+MEHHP+MECPP+MEOHP). Spearman correlations, Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney, and Kruskal-Wallis tests were conducted to assess bivariate associations between metabolite concentrations and potential exposure determinants. Covariates associated with metabolites at p50% of samples ranged between 1.4 and 23.6 μg/L. While we observed some significant associations with select predictors in our bivariate analysis, select associations were attenuated in multivariable regression models. In our final multivariable linear regression models, we found that use of bleach (ß=1.15, 95%CI:0.30, 2.00) and consumption pasta/rice/noodles (ß=0.87, 95%CI: 0.27, 1.46) was positively associated with MBzP concentrations. MEP concentrations were inversely associated with use of furniture polish (ß=−1.17, 95%CI: −2.21, −0.12) and use of scented dryer sheets (ß=−1.08, 95%CI: −2.01, −0.14). Lastly, ΣDEHP concentrations were inversely associated with use of degreaser (ß(DEHP)=−0.65, 95%CI: −1.25, −0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In this predominantly U.S.-based Central American subsample of adults, we observed lower metabolite concentrations than those previously reported in other U.S. studies and other countries. Our findings could be due, in part, to temporal trends in phthalate exposures and cultural differences related to exposure-related behaviors. While some exposure determinants were identified in our bivariate analyses, results from multivariable regression models did not provide clear results as many associations were attenuated. Environmental exposures may vary within minority subgroups and should be explored further in future studies to further inform exposure mitigation strategies.

Background Screening of high-risk infants for peanut allergy (PA) before introduction is now recommended in the United States, but the optimal approach is not clear. Objective We sought to compare the diagnostic test characteristics of peanut skin prick test (SPT), peanut-specific IgE (sIgE), and sIgE to peanut components in a screening population of infants before known peanut exposure. Methods Infants aged 4 to 11 months with (1) no history of peanut ingestion, testing, or reaction and (2) (a) moderate-severe eczema, (b) history of food allergy, and/or (c) first-degree relative with a history of PA received peanut SPT, peanut-sIgE and component-IgE testing, and, depending on SPT wheal size, oral food challenge or observed feeding. Receiver-operator characteristic areas under the curve (AUCs) were compared, and diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were calculated. Results A total of 321 subjects completed the enrollment visit (median age, 7.2 months; 58% males), and 37 (11%) were found to have PA. Overall, Ara h 2-sIgE at a cutoff point of 0.1 kUa/L discriminated between allergic and nonallergic best (AUC, 0.96; sensitivity, 94%; specificity, 98%), compared with peanut-sIgE at 0.1 kUa/L (AUC, 0.89; sensitivity, 100%; specificity, 78%) or 0.35 kUa/L (AUC, 0.91; sensitivity, 97%; specificity, 86%), or SPT at wheal size 3 mm (AUC, 0.90; sensitivity, 92%; specificity, 88%) or 8 mm (AUC, 0.87; sensitivity, 73%; specificity, 99%). Ara h 1-sIgE and Ara h 3-sIgE did not add to prediction of PA when included in a model with Ara h 2-sIgE, and Ara h 8-sIgE discriminated poorly (AUC, 0.51). Conclusions Measurement of only Ara h 2-sIgE should be considered if screening of high-risk infants is performed before peanut introduction.

With the increased use of renewable energy, energy storage technologies are becoming increasingly important. One such technology is Power-to-Gas, which can provide seasonal energy storage by utilizing both the electrical and natural gas infrastructures through injecting hydrogen into existing gas infrastructure to create Underground Storage of Hydrogen and Natural Gas (UHNG). The hydrogen is recovered from the mixture as needed for industry or transportation applications, converted to electricity to meet power demand, or kept as a mixture of hydrogen-enriched natural gas to serve gas demand. Large scale energy storage is desirable to energy generation operators for its ability to manage excess base load energy, integrate renewable energy into the grid and provide long term energy storage. The authors investigate the financial and environmental performance of specific scenarios of UHNG produced by Power-to-Gas through scenario-based simulations in a MATLAB/Simulink for comparative purposes. The simulated scenarios include the injection of hydrogen for long term storage, load shifting, renewable energy integration and supplying a large hydrogen demand. All of these scenarios are compared to a base case which simulates the operations of a conventional underground gas storage facility. The analysis illustrates that existing natural gas storage practices are driven by variations in the demand for natural gas. The most desirable pathway for energy recovery and revenue in this analysis occurs when hydrogen is injected into the reservoir along with natural gas and is distributed to off-site users.

Background Bisphenol A (BPA) has been linked with pediatric asthma development and allergic airway inflammation in animal models. Whether exposure to BPA or its structural analogs bisphenol S (BPS) and bisphenol F (BPF) is associated with asthma morbidity remains unknown. Objective We examined associations between bisphenols and morbidity due to pediatric asthma. Methods We quantified concentrations of BPA, BPS, and BPF in 660 urine samples from 148 predominantly low-income, African American children (aged 5-17 years) with established asthma. We used biobanked biospecimens and data on symptoms, health care utilization, and pulmonary function and inflammation that were collected every 3 months over the course of a year. We used generalized estimating equations to examine associations between concentrations or detection of urinary bisphenols and morbidity outcomes and assessed heterogeneity of associations by sex. Results We observed consistent positive associations between BPA exposure and measures of asthma morbidity. For example, we observed increased odds of general symptom days (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.40 [95% C = 1.02-1.92]), maximal symptom days (aOR = 1.36 [95% CI = 1.00-1.83]), and emergency department visits (aOR = 2.12 [95% CI =1.28-3.51]) per 10-fold increase in BPA concentration. We also observed evidence of sexually dimorphic effects; BPA concentrations were associated with increased odds of symptom days and health care utilization only among boys. Findings regarding BPS and BPF did not consistently point to associations with asthma symptoms or health care utilization. Conclusion We found evidence to suggest that BPA exposure in a predominantly low-income, minority pediatric cohort is associated with asthma morbidity and that associations may differ by sex. Our findings support additional studies, given the high pediatric asthma burden and widespread exposure to BPA in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Despite advances in asthma care, disparities persist. Black patients are disproportionally affected by asthma and also have poorer outcomes compared to White patients. OBJECTIVE: To determine associations between Black and White race and asthma-related healthcare utilization, accounting for complex relationships. METHODS: This study was completed as part of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute’s Severe Asthma Research Program (SARP), a prospective, observational cohort. Between November 2012 and February 2015, it enrolled 579 participants 6 years and older with one year of observation time and complete data. Inverse probability of treatment weighting was utilized to balance racial groups with respect to community and family socioeconomic variables and environmental exposure variables. The primary outcome was Emergency Department (ED) utilization for asthma. Secondary outcomes included inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) use, outpatient physician visits for asthma, and asthma–related hospitalization. RESULTS: Black patients had greater odds of ED utilization over one year (OR, 2.19; 95% CI, 1.43–3.35) but also differed in the majority (>50%) of baseline variables measured. After statistical balancing of the racial groups, the difference between Black and White patients with respect to ED utilization no longer reached the level of significance. Instead, in secondary analyses, Black patients were less likely to see an outpatient physician for asthma management (adjusted OR: 0.57; 95% CI: 0.38 – 0.85). CONCLUSIONS: The disparity in ED utilization was eliminated after consideration of multiple variables. Social and environmental policies and interventions tailored to Black populations with a high burden of asthma are critical to reduction (or elimination) of these disparities.

As aging is becoming a global phenomenon, the burden of population aging is increasing rapidly, and is soon expected to be the highest in low-and middle-income countries. China represents the world’s largest population, and will face the largest number of older individuals, while the economy still remains developing. There is an urgent need to address the negative consequences of aging such as disability, that creates a myriad of challenges, including financial burden to the economy. In order to achieve successful aging-i.e., aging without being frail or disabled, the traditional healthcare model based on a disease-centered approach is not enough, but require a more holistic course. Here, we briefly outline the current scenario of aging and disability in the Chinese older population, its impact and challenges. We strongly believe that public health initiatives centered on frailty, a clinically distinguishable state of extreme vulnerability in older adults, could be the most relevant approach to meet the current needs of the aging population. Such initiatives are immediately needed to reshape the existing model of geriatric healthcare, to promote healthy aging and to reduce the burden of disability in the Chinese population. .

While risks of accidental deaths from tropical storms (e.g., drowning, carbon monoxide poisoning) have been well-documented, much less is known about risks for more common causes of mortality (e.g....

Background and purpose Subjective memory impairment (SMI) and amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) are thought to represent the pre-dementia stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD). SMI is considered a more advanced pre-clinical status prior to aMCI. Understanding the neuromechanism of SMI will have great benefits for monitoring the disease progression of AD. The study aims to explore whether SMI shows alterations of white matter (WM) integrity similar to the patterns of aMCI. Methods The atlas-based analyses were performed to investigate the diffusion changes in the major WM tracts amongst 22 individuals with normal cognition (NC), 22 SMI patients and 25 aMCI patients. The correlations between the altered diffusion metrics and cognitive performance in the SMI and aMCI groups were assessed. Results The diffusion tensor metrics of SMI were intermediate between the NC and aMCI groups. The aMCI group presented disrupted integrity in multiple WM tracts, including the left anterior thalamic radiation, right corticospinal tract and left cingulum of the hippocampus (CgH), compared to the NC group. The left CgH showed diffusion alterations in the SMI group. In the aMCI group, the mean diffusivity of the left CgH was negatively correlated with episodic memory, whilst the radial diffusivity of the right corticospinal tract was negatively correlated with executive function. No significant relationship was found in the SMI group. Conclusion The study suggested that SMI patients might present detectable WM integrity changes in the left CgH before exhibiting objective cognitive dysfunction, which may provide novel insights into the pathological mechanisms of AD.

Background In recent years a number of studies have examined the short-term association between coarse particulate matter (PM10–2.5) and mortality and morbidity outcomes. These studies, however, have produced inconsistent conclusions. Objectives We estimated both the national- and regional-level associations between PM10–2.5 and emergency hospitalizations for both cardiovascular and respiratory disease among Medicare enrollees ≥ 65 years of age during the 12-year period 1999 through 2010. Methods Using air pollution data obtained from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency air quality monitoring network and daily emergency hospitalizations for 110 large urban U.S. counties assembled from the Medicare Cohort Air Pollution Study (MCAPS), we estimated the association between short-term exposure to PM10–2.5 and hospitalizations using a two-stage Bayesian hierarchical model and Poisson log-linear regression models. Results A 10-μg/m3 increase in PM10–2.5 was associated with a significant increase in same-day cardiovascular hospitalizations [0.69%; 95% posterior interval (PI): 0.45, 0.92]. After adjusting for PM2.5, this association remained significant (0.63%; 95% PI: 0.38, 0.88). A 10-μg/m3 increase in PM10–2.5 was not associated with a significant increase in respiratory-related hospitalizations. Conclusions We found statistically significant evidence that daily variation in PM10–2.5 is associated with emergency hospitalizations for cardiovascular diseases among Medicare enrollees ≥ 65 years of age. This association was robust to adjustment for concentrations of PM2.5. Citation Powell H, Krall JR, Wang Y, Bell ML, Peng RD. 2015. Ambient coarse particulate matter and hospital admissions in the Medicare Cohort Air Pollution Study, 1999–2010. Environ Health Perspect 123:1152–1158; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1408720