Low Diastolic Blood Pressure and Mortality in Older Women. Results From the Women's Health Initiative Long Life Study.

Background: Recommended systolic blood pressure targets often do not consider the relationship of low diastolic blood pressure (DBP) levels with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality risk, which is especially relevant for older people with concurrent comorbidities. We examined the relationship of DBP levels to CVD and all-cause mortality in older women in the Women's Health Initiative Long Life Study (WHI-LLS).

Methods: The study sample included 7,875 women (mean age: 79 years) who underwent a blood pressure measurement at an in-person home visit conducted in 2012-2013.

Survival analysis of patients with advanced hypopharyngeal cancer comparing patients who received primary surgery to those who received chemoradiation: An analysis of the NCDB.

Introduction: The objective of this study was to use the American College of Surgeons' National Cancer Database (NCDB) to examine the association between primary treatment and overall survival (OS) among patients with locoregionally advanced hypopharyngeal cancer.

Methods: 6,055 adult patients diagnosed between 2004 and 2015 with stage III or IV, M0, hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma were identified within the NCDB. Patients who received primary chemoradiation (CRT) were compared to those that received surgery with adjuvant radiation or chemoradiation (S + Adj).

Acceptability of a Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate Intravaginal Ring for HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Among Sexually Active Women.

Introduction: Vaginal ring delivery of antiretroviral drugs may provide protection against acquisition of HIV-1 when used as Pre-Exposure prophylaxis. As part of a randomized placebo-controlled safety trial of a tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) intravaginal ring (IVR), we assessed product acceptability through surveys of women after continuous ring use.

Methods: Sexually active, HIV-negative women were enrolled to investigate the safety and pharmacokinetics of 3 months of continuous TDF IVR use.

Treatment sequence and survival in locoregionally advanced hypopharyngeal cancer: A surveillance, epidemiology, and end results-based study.

Objectives/hypothesis: The objective of this study was to examine the association between modality of primary treatment and survival among patients with locoregionally advanced hypopharyngeal cancer.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort.

Methods: There were 2,328 adult patients diagnosed with stage III or IV, M0, hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma identified within the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) registry (years 2004-2015).

Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate intravaginal ring for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis in sexually active women: a phase 1, single-blind, randomised, controlled trial.

Background: An intravaginal ring that releases the tenofovir prodrug, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, provided 100% protection in macaques against simian HIV and was safe in a 14-day clinical trial in sexually abstinent women. We aimed to assess the safety and pharmacokinetics of this intravaginal ring over 90 days in sexually active women.

Methods: We did a phase 1, single-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial to assess safety, pharmacokinetics, and acceptability of a tenofovir disoproxil fumarate intravaginal ring used continuously with monthly ring changes for 3 months.

Home Environment Factors and Health Behaviors of Low-income, Overweight, and Obese Youth.

Home environment may influence children's health behaviors associated with obesity. In this study, we examined home environment factors associated with diet and physical activity behaviors of overweight or obese youth. We analyzed baseline data from child and parent/caregiver dyads enrolled in an urban family weight management program.

Characterization of Risk Factors and Timing of Venous Thromboembolism in Patients With Uterine Serous Carcinoma.

Objective: To characterize risk factors and timing of venous thromboembolism in women with uterine serous carcinoma.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed including all women diagnosed with uterine serous carcinoma from 1999 to 2016 at our institution. Clinicopathologic data and information regarding timing of venous thromboembolism were abstracted from the medical record.

Exploring Preconception Care: Insurance Status, Race/Ethnicity, and Health in the Pre-pregnancy Period.

Objective To measure the association of preconception health insurance status with preconception health among women in New York City, and examine whether this association is modified by race/ethnicity. Methods Using data from the New York City Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System 2009-2011 (n = 3929), we created a "Preconception Health Score" (PHS) capturing modifiable behaviors, healthcare services utilization, pregnancy intention, and timely entry into prenatal care. We then built multivariable logistic regression models to measure the association of PHS with health insurance status and race/ethnicity.

Progressive kidney disease may not alter the association of hyponatremia with mortality.

Background: Hyponatremia is a common electrolyte disorder and a prognostic marker for mortality. We hypothesize that in advanced chronic or acute kidney disease, hyponatremia is not independently associated with mortality because of the contribution of kidney failure to its pathophysiology.

Methods: Clinical Looking Glass, Montefiore's clinical database, was used to build a cohort of all patients hospitalized between January of 2009 and December of 2011.

The Associations of Atrial Fibrillation With the Risks of Incident Invasive Breast and Colorectal Cancer.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia that poses a significant risk of stroke. Cross-sectional and case-control studies have shown evidence of associations between AF and breast or colorectal cancer, but there have been no longitudinal studies in which this has been assessed. We prospectively examined a cohort of 93,676 postmenopausal women enrolled in the Women's Health Initiative from 1994 to 1998 to determine whether there are relationships between baseline AF and the development of invasive breast or colorectal cancer.

Longitudinal Assessment of Systemic and Genital Tract Inflammatory Markers and Endogenous Genital Tract E. coli Inhibitory Activity in HIV-Infected and Uninfected Women.

Problem: Stability over time of systemic and mucosal immunity and their associations with bacterial vaginosis (BV) and HIV-specific parameters were assessed.

Method Of Study: Immune mediators and HIV viral load in plasma and cervicovaginal lavage (CVL), E. coli inhibition, and Nugent score were measured at three semiannual visits among 94 participants in the Women's Interagency HIV Study.

Mentoring in Clinical-Translational Research: A Study of Participants in Master's Degree Programs.

Research projects in translational science are increasingly complex and require interdisciplinary collaborations. In the context of training translational researchers, this suggests that multiple mentors may be needed in different content areas. This study explored mentoring structure as it relates to perceived mentoring effectiveness and other characteristics of master's-level trainees in clinical-translational research training programs.

Global health training in US obstetrics and gynaecology residency programmes: perspectives of students, residents and programme directors.

Background: Benefits of exposure to global health training during medical education are well documented and residents' demand for this training is increasing. Despite this, it is offered by few US obstetrics and gynaecology (OBGYN) residency training programmes.

Objectives: To evaluate interest, perceived importance, predictors of global health interest and barriers to offering global health training among prospective OBGYN residents, current OBGYN residents and US OGBYN residency directors.

The Role of Parenting Practices in the Home Environment among Underserved Youth.

Background: The home environment, which includes parenting practices, is an important setting in which children develop their health behaviors. We examined the role of parenting practices in the home environment among underserved youth.

Methods: We examined baseline data of a family-focused pediatric obesity intervention.

Differences in Cardiometabolic Risk between Insulin-Sensitive and Insulin-Resistant Overweight and Obese Children.

Background: It is known that 15-30% overweight/obese adults do not suffer cardiometabolic consequences. There is limited literature examining factors that can be used to assess cardiometabolic health in overweight/obese children. If such factors can be identified, they would aid in differentiating those most in need for aggressive management.

Fatal anaphylaxis in the United States, 1999-2010: temporal patterns and demographic associations.

Background: Anaphylaxis-related deaths in the United States have not been well characterized in recent years.

Objectives: We sought to define epidemiologic features and time trends of fatal anaphylaxis in the United States from 1999 to 2010.

Methods: Anaphylaxis-related deaths were identified by using the 10th clinical modification of the International Classification of Diseases system diagnostic codes on death certificates from the US National Mortality Database.

Relationship between urine dichlorophenol levels and asthma morbidity.

Background: Chlorinated phenols are associated with atopic conditions, but it is not known whether they are associated with wheeze or asthma and whether atopy is involved in these associations.

Objectives: To test the association between urine levels of 2 dichlorophenols (2,4- and 2,5-dichlorophenols) and asthma morbidity in atopic and nonatopic wheezers and between total serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels.

Methods: Data from a sample of 2,125 participants at least 6 years old from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005 to 2006 were analyzed.

Ectopic fat and adipokines in metabolically benign overweight/obese women: the Kronos Early Estrogen Prevention Study.

Objective: It is unclear why despite a comparable cardiometabolic risk profile, "metabolically benign" overweight/obese individuals show an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease compared to normal weight individuals.

Design And Methods: In cross-sectional analyses, we compared levels of ectopic fat (epicardial, pericardial, and hepatic fat) and adipokines (leptin, soluble leptin receptor, and high molecular weight [HMW] adiponectin) among metabolically benign (MBO) and at-risk overweight/obese (ARO), and metabolically benign normal weight (MBNW) women, screened for the Kronos Early Estrogen Prevention Study. We defined "metabolically benign" with ≤ 1, and "at-risk" with ≥2 components of the metabolic syndrome.

Associations of adult physical activity with perceived safety and police-recorded crime: the Multi-ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Background: Due to the inconsistent findings of prior studies, we explored the association of perceived safety and police-recorded crime measures with physical activity.

Methods: The study included 818 Chicago participants of the Multiethnic Study of Atherosclerosis 45 to 84 years of age. Questionnaire-assessed physical activity included a) transport walking; b) leisure walking; and c) non-walking leisure activities.

Dichlorophenol-containing pesticides and allergies: results from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2006.

Background: Epidemiologic studies support the hypothesis that reduced microbial exposure in westernized societies promotes atopy. Dichlorophenols are widely used as pesticides and for chlorination of water. They have a strong bactericidal effect that could affect microflora in the environment.

Assessment of haematological parameters in HIV-infected and uninfected Rwandan women: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives: Although haematological abnormalities are common manifestations of HIV infection, few studies on haematological parameters in HIV-infected persons have been undertaken in sub-Saharan Africa. The authors assessed factors associated with haematological parameters in HIV-infected antiretroviral-naïve and HIV-uninfected Rwandan women.

Study Design: Cross-sectional analysis of a longitudinal cohort.

Improvement in stroke risk prediction: role of C-reactive protein and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 in the women's health initiative.

Background: Classification of risk of ischemic stroke is important for medical care and public health reasons. Whether addition of biomarkers adds to predictive power of the Framingham Stroke Risk or other traditional risk factors has not been studied in older women.

Methods: The Hormones and Biomarkers Predicting Stroke Study is a case-control study of blood biomarkers assayed in 972 ischemic stroke cases and 972 controls, nested in the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study of 93, 676 postmenopausal women followed for an average of eight-years.

Decline in circulating insulin-like growth factors and mortality in older adults: cardiovascular health study all-stars study.

Background: The association between changes in IGF-I and IGF binding protein (IGFBP) levels and mortality in older adults is unknown.

Study Design: Participants were 997 persons 77 to 100 yr old enrolled in the Cardiovascular Health Study All Stars Study. Plasma levels of IGF-I, IGFBP-1, and IGFBP-3 were assessed at two study examinations (1996-1997 and 2005-2006).

Lipid and lipoprotein biomarkers and the risk of ischemic stroke in postmenopausal women.

Background: Few studies simultaneously investigated lipids and lipoprotein biomarkers as predictors of ischemic stroke. The value of these biomarkers as independent predictors of ischemic stroke remains controversial.

Methods: We conducted a prospective nested case-control study among postmenopausal women from the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study to assess the relationship between fasting lipids (total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C], high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C], and triglycerides), lipoproteins (LDL, HDL, and very low-density lipoprotein [VLDL] particle number and size, intermediate-density lipoprotein [IDL] particle number, and lipoprotein (a)), and risk of ischemic stroke.