Marginal Engagement: The Adverse Experiences of White Women and People of Color Alumni at a PWI School of Public Health.

The University of Minnesota (UMN) School of Public Health (SPH) asked graduates about their experiences as students and as alumni. Of 1186 respondents indicating gender, 140 were women who self-identified as members of a marginalized group. Fifty-one percent of these respondents were White women. Compared with White women, Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) women were more likely to report that they felt they did not belong, were uncomfortable, or experienced bias and/or discrimination in their program, although the results were not statistically significantly different at P < .05. Survey results show a clear difference in experience between White and BIPOC alumni. The results indicate a need to improve cultural competence/humility, along with a need to move away from what may be construed as White-centered events, pedagogy, and leadership. With this evidence, the UMN SPH has an opportunity to improve our outreach strategies and initiatives.

Oxygenation Strategies in Critically Ill Patients With COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). COVID-19 is a disease characterized by a range of clinical syndromes including variable degrees of respiratory symptoms from mild respiratory illness and severe interstitial pneumonia to acute respiratory distress syndrome, septic shock, coagulopathies, and multiorgan dysfunction. This virus carries the potential to manifest in a wide range of pulmonary findings and hypoxemias, from mild respiratory symptoms to more severe syndromes, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome. The rapid accumulation of evidence and persistent gaps in knowledge related to the virus presents a host of challenges for clinicians. This creates a complex environment for clinical decision-making. OBJECTIVE: To examine oxygenation strategies in critically ill patients with hypoxia who are hospitalized with COVID-19. DISCUSSION: These proposed strategies may help to improve the respiratory status and oxygenation of those affected by COVID-19. However, additional high-quality research is needed to provide further evidence for improved respiratory management strategies. Areas of future research should focus on improving understanding of the inflammatory and clotting processes associated with the virus, particularly in the lungs. High-level evidence and randomized controlled trials should target the most effective strategies for improving oxygenation, time requiring mechanical ventilation, and survival for hospitalized patients with COVID-19 presenting with hypoxemia.

Acylcarnitines: role in brain.

l-carnitine is present in mammalian cells as free carnitine and acylcarnitines. The acylcarnitine profile has been shown to be useful in identifying inborn errors of metabolism and to be altered under different metabolic conditions. While carnitine's most widely known function is its involvement in beta-oxidation of fatty acids, it may also have other roles in metabolism. The importance of acylcarnitines in tissues with high rates of beta-oxidation such as heart and muscle is intuitive. However, acylcarnitine and carnitine supplementation have resulted in beneficial effects in the treatment of various neurological diseases, even though fat is not the major fuel for brain. Recent data indicate new, multifactorial roles for acylcarnitines in neuroprotection. Brain acylcarnitines can function in synthesizing lipids, altering and stabilizing membrane composition, modulating genes and proteins, improving mitochondrial function, increasing antioxidant activity, and enhancing cholinergic neurotransmission. Currently a relatively small subset of acylcarnitines is usually investigated. More research is needed on the use of acylcarnitines in the treatment of neurological diseases using a list of acylcarnitines encompassing a wide range of these molecules. In summary, carnitine is not merely a cofactor in beta-oxidation, but rather it has many known and yet to be discovered functions in physiology.