Students from NJ named to President\’s List at Clemson University

CLEMSON, SC (01/23/2020)– Local students were named to the fall 2019 President\’s List at Clemson University.

They are:

Marlisa Dyan Bongiovanni of Somers Point, whose major is Biological Sciences

Sarah Marie Connors of Moorestown, whose major is Marketing

Samantha Catherine Cozzi of Sewell, whose major is Architecture

Patrick H. Cusack of Marmora, whose major is Biosystems Engineering

Joseph Andrew DeSimone III of Mullica Hill, whose major is Biological Sciences

Kayla M. Farquhar of Audubon, whose major is Nursing

Abigale O. Farrow of Mantua, whose major is Special Education

Tanner Michael James of Ocean City, whose major is Biological Sciences

Madeline Louise Jones of Cherry Hill, whose major is Elementary Education

Bridget Patricia Kane of Haddonfield, whose major is Marketing

Tsagan-Zul Natalie Kutinow of Delanco, whose major is Management

Jake Robert Liguori of Marlton, whose major is Computer Science

Natalie Claire Mccrudden of Haddonfield, whose major is Marketing

Trevor Reese Montgomery of Mount Laurel, whose major is General Engineering

Ryan Penner of Moorestown, whose major is Industrial Engineering

Kelsey Alaina Piatkowski of Sicklerville, whose major is Biological Sciences

Lindsay Michelle Prickett of Rosenhayn, whose major is Political Science

Thomas W. Schneider of Moorestown, whose major is Financial Management

Ryan Harish Sehdev of Haddonfield, whose major is Economics

Anne Elizabeth Skiles of Haddonfield, whose major is Psychology

Rachel Elizabeth Wade of Cape May Court House, whose major is Food Science and Human Nutrition

To be named to the President\’s List, a student must achieve a 4.0 (all As) grade-point average.

Officer Down: Police Officer Katie Thyne Dragged by a Vehicle Pinned Against a Tree

Police Officer Katie Thyne

Newport News Police Department, Virginia

End of Watch

Thursday, January 23, 2020

Police Officer Katie Thyne, age 24, died after being dragged by a vehicle while conducting an investigation.

Police Officer Thyne and her partner were investigating reports of drug activity when they approached a car along the 1400 block of 16th Street in Newport News. During the investigation, the driver sped off, dragging Police Officer Thyne for a block. The vehicle struck a tree, and Officer Thyne was pinned between the tree and the vehicle door.

Police Officer Thyne was taken to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, where she died from her injuries.

The driver of the vehicle was taken into custody and charged with felony homicide, evading and eluding, and possession of narcotics.

Police Officer Thyne served with the Newport News Police Department for approximately one year and had previously served with the United States Navy.

Police Officer Thyne is survived by her two-year-old daughter.

Via

Officer Down Memorial page

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published Gloucestercitynews.net | January 24, 2020

Few Cancer Patients Enroll in Potentially Life-Extending Clinical Trials

Newswise — Patient enrollment in clinical trials as the first course of treatment after

cancer diagnosis is low, despite the fact that enrollment may increase life expectancy, according to researchers at Penn State. They also found that white males with private health insurance and metastatic cancers treated at academic medical centers are more likely than other groups to enroll in clinical trials.

Dr. Nicholas G. Zaorsky, an assistant professor of radiation oncology at Penn State College of Medicine, led a team of Penn State Cancer Institute researchers who analyzed data from more than 12 million patients with 46 different types of cancer between 2004 and 2015 in the National Cancer Database. They found that only 11,576 (0.1%) of those patients were enrolled in clinical trials as their first course of therapy following diagnosis.

According to Dr. Niraj J. Gusani, professor of surgery at the College of Medicine and senior author of the study published in the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, the low enrollment is troubling because clinical trials may be beneficial for patients.

“Major advances in cancer treatment have been supported by clinical trials,” Gusani said. “By volunteering to participate in a trial, patients may help further the field of research and gain access to new treatments.”

Zaorsky, Gusani and their team found that patients with cancer treated in clinical trials, when matched and compared to similar patients not treated on trials, lived longer. They report that patients with cancer in clinical trials at the first course of therapy had a median survival of seven and half months more than those not enrolled in a trial.

According to Zaorsky, previous evaluations of whether clinical trials improved survival compared patients who were enrolled in trials against those not enrolled in trials — but didn’t account for factors like age, race, gender and cancer type.

The researchers performed a stratified analysis in which they matched each patient who participated in a clinical trial with another patient who was not enrolled in a trial that had ten similar characteristics — including cancer type, age, race, insurance type, disease stage, and whether or not surgery or chemotherapy were part of the treatment plan.

“If you’re going to evaluate whether clinical trial enrollment is beneficial for patients, you have to try and match each patient to someone who has a similar cancer and sociodemographic profile,” Zaorsky said. “Otherwise, it is like comparing apples to oranges.”

While the survival trend was evident across cancer types, the researchers said that this may not necessarily be true for the general population. In their analysis, they determined that the patients who enrolled in clinical trials at first course of therapy tended to be white males with private insurance, metastatic disease, who had no other chronic medical conditions and were treated at academic medical centers.

“If clinical trials are going to be used to determine standards of care for the general population, then the study participants need to be representative of the general population — and this study shows that often this isn’t the case,” Gusani said.

According to Zaorsky, increasing patient enrollment in clinical trials cannot happen without first improving the infrastructure of clinical trial design and management. Patients may not live close to locations where clinical trials are offered. Even if they are in close proximity to a center offering clinical trials, the trials may not be for their type or stage of cancer.

Gusani suggests that the biggest barrier to clinical trial enrollment is the stigma around them. Patients may feel they are ‘guinea pigs’ in experiments and that they are receiving substandard care. In reality, trials emphasize patient safety at every stage and are carefully regulated and monitored by institutional review boards.

“The increased level of quality control in clinical trials may be beneficial for patients,” Zaorsky said. “Patients who go onto a clinical trial must be treated

per protocol

, meaning that there are many quality measures that must be met, and that there are many other health care providers looking over the patient’s care.”

Tyler Dralle, 22, and Kwamere Benjamin, 19, Convicted of Murder and Other Crimes

CAMDEN CITY NJ (January 24, 2020)–On January 23, 2020, a jury convicted Tyler Dralle, 22, and Kwamere Benjamin, 19, of Felony Murder, Murder, Armed Robbery, Armed Burglary, Conspiracy to Commit Burglary, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon and Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose in connection with the murder of Deanna Scordo. Assistant Prosecutor Peter Gallagher represented the State at trial.

Officers initially responded to a blueberry farm located at the 700 block of Bairdmore Avenue, in Winslow Township, shortly before 4:00 am on June 25, 2017, after receiving a 911 call from the victim’s father, stating that intruders had broken into his home and shot his daughter. On arrival, officers found Deanna Scordo lying on the floor of her bedroom. She had been shot three times and was pronounced deceased shortly thereafter. Detectives determined that the intruders had forced entry to the Scordo residence and, during the course of the home invasion, had stolen currency and property.

The extensive investigation was led by Sergeant Christopher Sarson and Detective Matthew Barber of the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office and Detective Nick Arnold and Detective Darren Dogostino of the Winslow Township Police Department and included numerous witness interviews and the forensic examination of physical evidence. As a result, detectives were able to determine that Kwamere Benjamin and Tyler Dralle had committed the home invasion after conspiring to do so. Both defendants were charged felony murder and arrested in connection with the home invasion and shooting of Deanna Scordo.

The trial for both defendants commenced the week of November 17, 2019, and culminated with guilty verdicts on all counts for both defendants on January 23, 2020.

Sentencing hearings for Tyler Dralle and Kwamere Benjamin are scheduled for February 28, 2020, before the Honorable Frederick J. Schuck. Both men face up to life in prison.

Released Friday, January 24, 2020.

Cherry Hill Man Charged with Pos. of Child Porn

CHERRY HILL NJ –Robert Hammond, 68, of Cherry Hill, was charged with one count of Possession of Child Pornography according to Acting Camden County Prosecutor Jill S. Mayer and Cherry Hill Police Chief William Monaghan.

On January 24, 2020, detectives from the High-Tech Crimes Unit (HTCU) of the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office and Members of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) – Cherry Hill Office executed a search warrant for Robert Hammond’s residence on the 500 block of Murray Avenue in Cherry Hill. An onsite preview of digital media devices found in the home resulted in Hammond being charged. Numerous digital devices were taken to the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office’s HTCU forensic lab to be further analyzed.

Robert Hammond was transported to the Cherry Hill Police Department, where he was processed and released pending further court proceedings.

The Cherry Hill Police Department, Cherry Hill Police Department Tactical Response Team and a New Jersey State Police Electronic Storage Detection K9 assisted the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office HTCU Detectives and HSI-Cherry Hill in this investigation.

The investigation is ongoing.

All persons charged with crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Anderson Diaz, 22, of Camden City, Charged with Murder

CAMDEN CITY, NJ –On January 23, 2020, Anderson Diaz, 22, of Camden, was charged with Murder, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, and Certain Persons Not to Have a Weapon for the murder of Michael Edwards, according to Acting Camden County Prosecutor Jill S. Mayer and

Camden Police Chief Joseph Wysocki.

At approximately 12:54 a.m. on January 11, 2020, Camden County Police responded to a ShotSpotter activation and reports of a possible shooting near the 500 block of Pfeiffer Street in Camden. When officers arrived, they located the victim, Michael Edwards, lying unresponsive on the 400 block of Pfeiffer Street, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. He was taken to Cooper University Hospital, where he died a short time later.

Anderson Diaz is currently being held in the Camden County Jail on an unrelated matter pending a pretrial detention hearing.

All persons charged with crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Released Friday, January 24, 2020.

GHS Lady Lions Action

Gloucester City, NJ (January 24, 2020)–Thursday evening, January 23, Pitman visited the Lions Den. The Lady Lions playing shorthanded due to injuries, could not overcome the strong Panther squad losing 37 – 19.The Lady Lions were led by Chloe Bennett 8 points and Maghan Ferry\’s 5 points.

Gloucester High School

Gloucester Catholic

https://darrowphotos.com

Pictured below Ava Iepson

Pictured Below Hannah Bryzsewski

Pictured Lady Lions

Pictured below Lions Meg

han Ferry

Online Voting Has Opened For The 2020 New Jersey Shout Down Drugs Music Competition

Finalists To Perform at the Prevention Concert April 3, 2020

MILLBURN — The New Jersey Shout Down Drugs music contest is back for its 16

year. The competition, sponsored by the Partnership for a Drug Free New Jersey (PDFNJ), was open to any New Jersey high school individual or group, to create and enter original songs with an anti-drug message. The songs have been submitted and online voting is ongoing now through January 31.

“Each of the contestants are all unique, talented, and winners for just having participated,” states Angelo Valente, PDFNJ’s Executive Director. “It is a really great opportunity for people from all over the country to hear their music and the important anti-drug messages. More than 1 million people have listened to at least one of these students\’ songs over the course of 15 years.

Voting will remain open until April 2 for voters to choose their favorite performers. The online vote tallies will be factored into each final score at the end of the concert.

The finalists will perform in the statewide Prevention Concert, which will be held Friday, April 3, at the Two River Theater in Red Bank. Tickets to the event are free and can be ordered at the website (www.shoutdowndrugs.com).

The concert first-place winner will receive a $5,000 music contract, second place will earn a $3,000 contract, and third place will take home a $2,000 contract.

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Best known for its statewide substance use prevention advertising campaign, the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey is a private not-for-profit coalition of professionals from the communications, corporate and government communities whose collective mission is to reduce demand for illicit drugs in New Jersey through media communication. To date, more than $100 million in broadcast time and print space has been donated to the Partnership’s New Jersey campaign, making it the largest public service advertising campaign in New Jersey’s history. Since its inception, the Partnership has garnered 180 advertising and public relations awards from national, regional and statewide media organizations.

SAFETY AND SECURITY FOR SUVS, CARS & TRUCKS

(Gloucestercitynews.net)(January 23, 2020)–Car security and safety features and measures are essential requirements for a safe trip. The most common yet vital measure that is universal across all types of vehicles from cars to trucks, to SUVs is buckling your seatbelt. Although this piece of kit seems quite basic, you can rest assured that seatbelts are crucial in order to save the lives of every passenger in the vehicle.

There are more recent and advanced security and safety features like AEB (Auto Emergency Brake) and FCW (Forward Collision Warning) that also play a vital role in avoiding accidents. One of the most significant things you should pay attention to when comparing different truck, SUV or car models is their list of safety and security features.

It is important that you check through the effectiveness of each feature like ESC (Electronic Stability Control) and Antilock brakes before purchasing the vehicle of your choice. Here are a few security and safety features for SUVs, cars, and trucks.

TYPICAL VEHICLE’S SECURITY AND SAFETY PROPERTIES

Here are typical safety features that you should find in any good car:

Airbags:

These have been a standard safety feature in cars for a while now. Typically, cars manufactured from the year 1998 have the mechanism for airbags installed in them by default. However, SUVs and light trucks did not have airbags installed until the following year. In a few cases, some vehicles had airbags installed before 1998. This technology releases the airbags as soon as the onboard computer crash sensors sense that there is a crash from the front of the vehicle. The bags are released in a few milliseconds and deflated almost immediately.

Browse this site

to learn more

Traction Control:

This mechanism is often controlled electronically. It ensures that the driving wheels of your vehicle attain optimum traction by regulating the speed your wheels spin during acceleration. This safety feature is extremely vital during icy and wet weather. The vehicle speed at which the system that controls traction in any given make or model varies. In some vehicles, this mechanism is operational at all speeds. However, in other vehicles, this system is only operational at low speeds.

Anti-lock Brakes:

Locking the wheels whenever hard braking was applied was way too easy prior to the introduction of ABS (antilock brakes). It is often not possible to steer the front wheels of vehicles on surfaces that are slippery because they are sliding. This steering difficulty is safely addressed by the feature known as antilock brakes. This braking system optimizes the operation of the brakes of your vehicle through a computer and sensors attached to each car wheel. This helps in preventing the wheel from locking up. The driver keeps control of his braking and remains able to steer. This keeps the vehicle under control when steering around obstacles.

Newer vehicles also have modern security and safety features that protect both the life of the people in the vehicle and the vehicle itself. For example, one of these modern features protects the driver, vehicle and other road users by warning the driver whenever there is a vehicle in the blind-spot of the driver.

STUDY: Is It Safe For People With Heart Disease To Use Marijuana?

Newswise — Marijuana use is on the rise as more states legalize it for medicinal and recreational purposes, and physicians are fielding more questions about its safety.

Although smoking tobacco is responsible for approximately one in four deaths from cardiovascular disease, the effects of smoking marijuana on the heart are not fully understood. Some studies suggest that marijuana can trigger heart attacks and strokes in some users.

Ersilia DeFilippis, MD, a second-year cardiology fellow at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and NewYork-Presbyterian, first became interested in marijuana’s effect on the heart a few years ago when studying heart attacks in people under 50. “We noted that 10% of patients in a registry of young heart attack patients had used marijuana and/or cocaine,” she says.

DeFilippis and colleagues recently reviewed the medical literature to find out what’s known about marijuana’s effect on the heart and what’s still unknown. Their full report was published Jan. 20 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Here are five highlights from the review:

2 Million People with Heart Disease Have Used Marijuana

Marijuana is the most commonly used drug of abuse. It’s estimated that approximately 90 million American adults have used the drug at least once in their life, and more than 39 million have used the drug in the past year.

Based on responses to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2016, DeFilippis and her colleagues estimate that about 2 million adults in the United States who have cardiovascular disease currently use marijuana or have used the drug in the past.

“In addition to the 2 million marijuana users with diagnosed cardiovascular disease, many more may be at risk,” DeFilippis says. “With many adolescents and young adults turning to marijuana, it is important to understand the cardiovascular implications they may face years down the line.”

Marijuana’s Potency Today Is Higher

The potency of marijuana—the percentage of THC contained in the plant—has steadily increased over the past 30 years, from about 4% in the mid-1990s to 12% in 2014. However, most scientific studies of cannabis tested products with THC levels between 1.5% and 4%.

“Higher potency may translate into greater effects on the conduction system, the vasculature, and the muscle of the heart,” DeFilippis says. “It also highlights the need for real-world data given the variety of marijuana products and formulations available for purchase.”

THC is the most psychoactive chemical in marijuana, but marijuana also contains more than 100 compounds, called cannabinoids, that are chemically related to THC.

Receptors for cannabinoids are highly concentrated in the nervous system but also can be found in blood cells, muscle cells, and other tissues and organs.

Cannabinoids Can Interact with Drugs Used to Treat Heart Disease

Cannabinoids inhibit certain enzymes in the body, which affects the metabolism of many drugs for heart disease, including antiarrhythmics, statins, calcium-channel blockers, beta blockers, and warfarin.

Researchers believe that cannabinoids may increase the activity of these prescribed drugs in the body, though limited data are available to guide physicians in adjusting dose to compensate for marijuana use.

Marijuana May Be Linked to Heart Attacks and Strokes

Studies have identified marijuana smoking as a potential trigger of heart attacks, and marijuana use is not infrequently detected in adults who have experienced heart attacks at an early age (under 50).

A small experimental study found that smoking marijuana can bring on angina (chest pain) more quickly in patients with coronary heart disease compared with smoking a placebo.

Though current evidence for a link between marijuana and heart attacks is modest, it’s thought that smoking marijuana may increase cellular stress and inflammation, which are known to be precipitating factors for coronary artery disease and heart attacks.

Cerebrovascular events, including strokes, also have been associated with marijuana use. It’s thought that marijuana may induce changes in the inner lining of blood vessels or alter blood flow.

Physicians Should Screen for Marijuana Use

“Although we need more data, the evidence we do have indicates that marijuana use has been associated with coronary artery disease, arrhythmia, cardiomyopathy, and more,” DeFilippis says.

“Therefore, asking patients about marijuana use may help in risk assessment. In addition, we know that marijuana use affects the metabolism of many common cardiac drugs. In order to make sure patients are getting therapeutic doses without untoward side effects, it is important for cardiologists to talk to their patients about marijuana use.

+++

The paper is titled, “Marijuana Use in Patients With Cardiovascular Disease,” and was published Jan. 20 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

The other authors are: Navkaranbir S. Bajaj (University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama), Amitoj Singh (University of Arizona), and Rhynn Malloy, Michael M. Givertz, Ron Blankstein, Deepak L. Bhatt, and Muthiah Vaduganathan (Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School).

Ersilia DeFilippis reports no relationships relevant to the contents of this paper to disclose. (See paper for information on other authors).

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Columbia University Irving Medical Center

provides international leadership in basic, preclinical, and clinical research; medical and health sciences education; and patient care. The medical center trains future leaders and includes the dedicated work of many physicians, scientists, public health professionals, dentists, and nurses at the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, the Mailman School of Public Health, the College of Dental Medicine, the School of Nursing, the biomedical departments of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and allied research centers and institutions. Columbia University Irving Medical Center is home to the largest medical research enterprise in New York City and State and one of the largest faculty medical practices in the Northeast. For more information, visit

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