Text Message Intervention for Latino Adults to Improve Diabetes Outcomes.

Introduction: Determine the effectiveness of a diabetes text message intervention to improve diabetes outcomes in Latino adults at a free clinic in the southeastern United States. Methods: A pre-post, one-group design was used with a convenience sample (n = 24) of Latino adults with type 2 diabetes and A1C ≥ 7 who consented to participate. Over 8 weeks, participants were sent 23 educational and motivational text messages that were based on the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) 7 self-care tasks and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes Mellitus (DM). Diabetes knowledge, self-efficacy, self-care, and A1C were measured. Results: Diabetes knowledge, self-efficacy, self-care, and A1C improved after 8 weeks. Statistically significant results (p < .05) were seen in two of the four evaluation instruments administered (Spoken Knowledge in Low Literacy in Diabetes Scale [SKILLD], p = .001, Diabetes Self-Efficacy Scale [DSES], p = .000). A1C improvements were significant (0.86 or 10 mmol/mol) from the pre-intervention (M = 9.06 [76 mmol/mol], SD = 1.49) to the post-intervention (M = 8.20 [66 mmol/mol], SD = 1.27, t [23] = 3.02, p = .006). Conclusion: Personalized communication, education, and follow-up via text messages improved diabetes knowledge, self-efficacy, self-care, and A1C among pilot project participants. Text messages are a useful tool for diabetes management.

Guidance or Gatekeeping: An Audit Examination of Racial Discrimination in Leading STEM High Schools: Systems that Marginalize BIPOC Youth Special Issue: Dismantling Oppression Series: Systems that Marginalize BIPOC Youth Special Issue: Dismantling Oppression Series.

Racial discrimination remains a mechanism by which ethnic-racial minorities are restricted from power. We examined whether racial discrimination restricts ethnic-racial minority access to high-achieving STEM schools. We conducted an audit correspondence experiment to investigate racial discrimination in guidance counselor responsiveness to 976 emails from fictitious Asian, Black, Latina, and White mothers inquiring about school enrollment. Moderation analyses revealed that guidance counselors restricted access from Asian mothers at schools characterized as rural, lower socioeconomic status, and higher STEM prestige-evidence of gatekeeping points to the restriction of Asian students from advanced STEM opportunities. Results are situated within educational audit experiments to objectively document how racism from multiple facets of the education system intersect to inhibit ethnic-racial minority youth.

Self-compassion and responses to health information in middle-aged and older women: An observational cohort study.

The aim of this study was to determine whether self-compassion-orientation to care for oneself during challenges-helps people at risk of cardiovascular disease deal with emotional reactions and assist with self-regulating health behaviors. This observational study recruited women (N = 102) who attended three research visits over 3 weeks to gather information on emotions, intentions, and engagement in health behaviors after women received news they were at risk of cardiovascular disease. Self-compassion negatively associated with emotional responses and associated with intentions and engagement in health behaviors after receiving news of their cardiovascular disease risk. Self-compassion was associated with adaptive lifestyle behaviors.

Quantifying gender norm resistance.

INTRODUCTION: Qualitative and mixed-methods researchers have described the experience of gender norm resistance in adolescence and identified potential types of resistance including indirect resistance (motivated by a preference for gender-atypicality) and direct resistance (motivated by dislike of gender norms and a desire to change them). Building on this work, we developed the Gender Norm Resistance measure to operationalize indirect and direct gender norm resistance. We explored how gender norm resistance aligns with and differs from other gender self-concepts (e.g., felt pressure to conform to gender norms) and peer relations (e.g., contact with peers) and tested for gender differences. METHODS: Participants included 484 early adolescents (girls = 234; Mage = 11.44 years, SD = 0.56). Analyses included factor analyses (EFA, CFA) and bivariate correlations to gather validity evidence, and ANOVAs to determine mean level differences. RESULTS: Evidence that validated using the proposed measure as intended was found including confirmation of the two types of gender norm resistance (indirect and direct). Mean differences were found across participant gender as well as across types of gender norm resistance. CONCLUSIONS: The findings highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the Gender Norm Resistance measure, the different ways adolescents experience indirect and direct gender norm resistance, and the limited role of felt pressure in gender norm resistance.

Understanding the role of mother guilt and self-compassion in health behaviors in mothers with young children.

We explored whether the guilt mothers of young children feel about engaging in health behaviors mediates the relationship between self-compassion and self-reported engagement in health-promoting behaviors such as physical activity, eating a healthy diet and getting enough sleep. In this online, cross-sectional study, 143 mothers of young children completed measures of self-compassion, guilt about taking time to engage in health-promoting behaviors, trait guilt, health-promoting behaviors, self-esteem, and demographics. Mediation analysis, using Hayes' PROCESS macro showed that mother guilt mediated the relationship between self-compassion and health-promoting behaviors, ß = .05, Bca CI (.0014, .1133) with a bootstrapped standard error of .03 and a 95% confidence interval. Self-compassion may offer mothers a positive way to deal with guilty feelings about looking after their health.

The efficacy of a relationship building intervention in 5th grade.

The present study reports initial efficacy data for a new school-based intervention - the Relationship Building Intervention (RBI) - that includes a series of teacher-facilitated, structured activities designed to promote positive peer relationships and inclusive classroom communities. The RBI was evaluated in fifth-grade classrooms by estimating multilevel model (MLM) analyses of covariance (ANCOVA) comparing 368 fifth-grade students in intervention classrooms with 259 fifth-graders in control classrooms on social behaviors, perceptions of classroom connectedness, and academic performance. Controlling for pretest scores, cohort, and demographic variables, findings revealed that students who participated in the RBI liked school more, felt a greater sense of classroom identification and inclusion, were perceived by teachers to be less aggressive, and performed better academically than students who were in control classrooms. Further, implementation data showed that students and teachers responded positively to the activities. These results suggest that the RBI is a promising approach for improving the social and learning environment in fifth-grade classrooms.

Peer Influence on Academic Performance: A Social Network Analysis of Social-Emotional Intervention Effects.

Longitudinal social network analysis (SNA) was used to examine how a social-emotional learning (SEL) intervention may be associated with peer socialization on academic performance. Fifth graders (N = 631; 48 % girls; 9 to 12 years) were recruited from six elementary schools. Intervention classrooms (14) received a relationship building intervention (RBI) and control classrooms (8) received elementary school as usual. At pre- and post-test, students nominated their friends, and teachers completed assessments of students' writing and math performance. The results of longitudinal SNA suggested that the RBI was associated with friend selection and peer influence within the classroom peer network. Friendship choices were significantly more diverse (i.e., less evidence of social segregation as a function of ethnicity and academic ability) in intervention compared to control classrooms, and peer influence on improved writing and math performance was observed in RBI but not control classrooms. The current findings provide initial evidence that SEL interventions may change social processes in a classroom peer network and may break down barriers of social segregation and improve academic performance.

Acceptability and feasibility of using established geosocial and sexual networking mobile applications to promote HIV and STD testing among men who have sex with men.

This study is the first published multi-app study, of which we are aware, to evaluate both the acceptability and feasibility of providing sexual health information and HIV/STD testing referrals via established geosocial and sexual networking apps for MSM. Data were collected using an online survey and through four apps (A4A Radar, Grindr, Jack'd, and Scruff). Two-thirds (64 %) found apps to be an acceptable source for sexual health information. MSM who found apps as acceptable were more likely non-white, not sure of their current HIV status, and have low HIV testing self-efficacy. One-quarter (26 %) of informational chats with the health educator resulted in users requesting and being referred to local HIV/STD testing sites. There were significant differences in the number and types of interactions across apps. Established apps designed for MSM may be both an acceptable and feasible platform to promote HIV/STD testing. Future research should evaluate interventions that leverage this technology.

UCH-L1 and GFAP Serum Levels in Neonates with Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy: A Single Center Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVE: We examined two potential biomarkers of brain damage in hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) neonates: glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP; a marker of gliosis) and ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1; a marker of neuronal injury). We hypothesized that the biomarkers would be measurable in cord blood of healthy neonates and could serve as a normative reference for brain injury in HIE infants. We further hypothesized that higher levels would be detected in serum samples of HIE neonates and would correlate with brain damage on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and later developmental outcomes.? STUDY DESIGN: Serum UCH-L1 and GFAP concentrations from HIE neonates (n = 16) were compared to controls (n = 11). The relationship between biomarker concentrations of HIE neonates and brain damage (MRI) and developmental outcomes (Bayley-III) was examined using Pearson correlation coefficients and a mixed model design. RESULT: Both biomarkers were detectable in cord blood from control subjects. UCH-L1 concentrations were higher in HIE neonates (p < 0.001), and associated with cortical injury (p < 0.055) and later motor and cognitive developmental outcomes (p < 0.05). The temporal change in GFAP concentrations during (from birth to 96 h of age) predicted motor developmental outcomes (p < 0.05) and injury to the basal ganglia and white matter. CONCLUSION: Ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 and GFAP should be explored further as promising serum biomarkers of brain damage and later neurodevelopmental outcomes in neonates with HIE.

Depressive symptoms among immigrant Latino sexual minorities.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence and identify correlates of depressive symptoms among immigrant Latino sexual minorities. METHODS: Respondent-driven sampling (RDS) was used to estimate the prevalence of depressive symptoms, and univariate and multivariable analyses were conducted to identify correlates of depressive symptoms. RESULTS: Unweighted and RDS-weighted prevalence estimates of depressive symptoms were 69.2% and 74.8%, respectively. In the multivariable analysis, low social support, sexual compulsivity, and high self-esteem were significantly associated with increased depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: A need exists for culturally congruent mental health services for immigrant Latino sexual minorities in the southern United States.

A systematic community-based participatory approach to refining an evidence-based community-level intervention: the HOLA intervention for Latino men who have sex with men.

Our community-based participatory research partnership engaged in a multistep process to refine a culturally congruent intervention that builds on existing community strengths to promote sexual health among immigrant Latino men who have sex with men (MSM). The steps were the following: (1) increase Latino MSM participation in the existing partnership, (2) establish an Intervention Team, (3) review the existing sexual health literature, (4) explore needs and priorities of Latino MSM, (5) narrow priorities based on what is important and changeable, (6) blend health behavior theory with Latino MSM's lived experiences, (7) design an intervention conceptual model, (8) develop training modules and (9) resource materials, and (10) pretest and (11) revise the intervention. The developed intervention contains four modules to train Latino MSM to serve as lay health advisors known as Navegantes. These modules synthesize locally collected data with other local and national data; blend health behavior theory, the lived experiences, and cultural values of immigrant Latino MSM; and harness the informal social support Latino MSM provide one another. This community-level intervention is designed to meet the expressed sexual health priorities of Latino MSM. It frames disease prevention within sexual health promotion.

Human long-term culture initiating cell assay.

The long-term culture initiating cell (LTC-IC) assay, founded on the bone marrow long-term culture (LTC) system, measures primitive hematopoietic stem cells (termed LTC-IC) based on their capacity to produce myeloid progeny for at least 5 weeks. Adaptations of the LTC system including the use of stromal cell lines, application of limiting dilution analysis, and estimation of average hematopoietic progenitor output per LTC-IC under defined conditions have made it possible to accurately determine LTC-IC content in minimally separated and highly purified cell populations from human hematopoietic tissue sources such as bone marrow, peripheral blood, cord blood, fetal liver as well as cord blood and mobilized peripheral blood. Methodologies for measuring human LTC-IC using bulk cultures, limiting dilution analysis, and single cell cultures are described.

Long-term culture-initiating cell assay for mouse cells.

The long-term culture-initiating cell (LTC-IC) assay is a well-established in vitro assay used to enumerate primitive mouse hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and relies on the two cardinal functions of HSCs: ability to self-renew and differentiation capacity. LTC-ICs present in minimally processed and purified cell suspensions and cocultured on a supportive feeder layer are detected by their sustained ability to produce hematopoietic progenitors (colony forming cells) after ≥ 4 weeks in culture. Refinements including the use of a defined stromal cell line, and extending the in vitro culture to 6 weeks allow detection of LTC-IC at similar frequencies to transplantable HSCs quantified using in vivo assays.

Colony forming cell assays for human hematopoietic progenitor cells.

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) present in small numbers in adult bone marrow (BM), peripheral blood (PB) and umbilical cord blood (CB) produce a heterogeneous pool of progenitors that can be detected in vitro using colony forming cell (CFC) assays. Hematopoietic progenitor cells proliferate and differentiate to produce colonies of maturing cells when cultured in a semisolid methylcellulose-based medium that is supplemented with suitable growth factors and other supplements. The colonies are then classified and enumerated in situ by light microscopy or an automated imaging instrument. CFC assays are important tools in basic hematology research but are also used by clinical cell processing laboratories to measure the progenitor cell content of BM, CB and mobilized PB (MPB) preparations used for cell transplantation. Standard CFC assays for human progenitor cells require a culture period of at least 14 days to enable optimal outgrowth and differentiation of the maximum number of CFCs in a cell preparation. In this chapter protocols are described for the detection and enumeration of myeloid multipotential progenitors and committed progenitors of the erythroid, monocyte, and granulocyte lineages in samples from human PB, MPB, BM, and CB. In addition protocols are described for a modified version of the CFC-assay that allows accurate enumeration of total CFC numbers in CB or MPB after a culture period of only 7 days, but without distinction of colony types.

Female sex work within the rural immigrant Latino community in the southeast United States: an exploratory qualitative community-based participatory research study.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the structure and context of, and the risks encountered in, sex work in the United States. OBJECTIVE: This community-based participatory research (CBPR) study explored female sex work and the feasibility of conducting a larger study of sex work within the immigrant Latino community in North Carolina. METHODS: Twelve abbreviated life story interviews were conducted with Latina women who sold sex, other women who sold sex to Latino men, and Latino men who hired sex workers. Content analysis was used to analyze narrative data. RESULTS: Themes emerged to describe the structure of sex work, motivations to sell and hire sex, and the sexual health-related needs of sex workers. Lessons learned included the ease of recruiting sex workers and clients, the need to develop relationships with controllers and bar owners/managers, and the high compensation costs to reimburse sex workers for participation. CONCLUSIONS: Study findings suggest that it is possible to identify and recruit sex workers and clients and collect formative data within this highly vulnerable and neglected community; the prevention of HIV and STDs is a priority among sex workers, and the need for a larger study to include non-Latino men who report using Latina sex workers, other community insiders (e.g., bartenders), and service providers for Latina sex workers.

Brain damage in preterm newborns and maternal medication: the ELGAN Study.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate the association between maternal medication use during pregnancy and cerebral white matter damage and cerebral palsy (CP) among very preterm infants. STUDY DESIGN: This analysis of data from the Extremely Low Gestational Age Newborns (ELGAN) Study included 877 infants born <28 weeks' gestation. Mothers were interviewed, charts were reviewed, placentas were cultured and assessed histologically, and children were evaluated at 24 months corrected age. A diagnostic algorithm classified neurologic findings as quadriparetic CP, diparetic CP, hemiparetic CP, or no CP. RESULTS: After adjustment for the potential confounding of disorders for which medications might have been indicated, the risk of quadriparetic CP remained elevated among the infants of mothers who consumed aspirin (odds ratio [OR], 3.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3-6.9) and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.04-5.8). The risk of diparetic CP was also associated with maternal consumption of an NSAID, but only if the consumption was not approved by a physician (OR, 3.5; 95% CI 1.1-11.0). CONCLUSION: The possibility that aspirin and NSAID use in pregnancy could lead to perinatal brain damage cannot be excluded.

Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease: a misnomer?

Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD) is a rare entity with non-specific signs and symptoms and is nearly always associated with a dismal prognosis. This review will first consider pulmonary hypertension in general and then will focus on PVOD specifically with particular attention to the pathophysiology of the disease. Classically PVOD is described as a disease primarily involving obstructed venules, with the arterial side of the circulation involved to a lesser degree. This article discusses the demographics of affected individuals; the ways in which an accurate diagnosis can be made, including imaging features; predisposing diseases and associated disorders; and potential treatment.

Associations between fifth graders' gender atypical problem behavior and peer relationships: a short-term longitudinal study.

An accruing body of evidence supports associations between self-perceived gender typicality and peer relationship difficulties; however, researchers have yet to evaluate peers' perceptions of problem behaviors to gain insight into the social correlates of gender typicality. A short-term longitudinal study was conducted to evaluate associations between gender atypical problem behavior and subsequent peer relational difficulties for 2,076 fifth graders (M age= 10.27; 53% female). Peer nomination methodology was used to assess participants' classroom peer relationships, problem behaviors, and social-emotional characteristics. Findings showed that youth characterized by gender atypical, compared to gender typical, problem behavior (withdrawn boys/aggressive girls vs. withdrawn girls/aggressive boys, respectively) evidenced higher levels of subsequent peer difficulties; moreover, participation in a mutual friendship was associated with decreased risk for peer relationship maladjustment, particularly among youth characterized by gender atypical problem behavior. Results further revealed that, compared to friendless youth, friended youth earned higher prosocial and peer liking scores and, for withdrawn youth, lower emotional sensitivity scores. The present research contributes to our understanding of the potential short-term consequences of youth's gender atypical problem behavior. Findings underscore the need for supplemental conceptualizations of gender typicality as well as multifaceted interventions designed to promote the acceptance of gender nonnormativity, support the development of adaptive peer relationships, and reduce the occurrence of problem behaviors.