Patient and family engagement in culturally-tailored diabetes self-management education in a Hispanic community.

Objectives: Diabetes self-management education (DSME) is effective in improving outcomes among adults with diabetes (AWD); but engagement in DSME has been lower among Hispanic AWD. We examined factors predicting engagement of Hispanic AWD in culturally tailored DSME that included a family/friend 'support person'.

Methods: 222 predominantly Hispanic AWD enrolled in DSME with a support person (SP), half of the AWD-SP pairs participated in pair-focused ('FAM-ACT') DSME and the others in patient-focused DSME.

Biodegradation of rubber in cultures of Rhodococcus rhodochrous and by its enzyme latex clearing protein.

The biodegradation of rubber materials is considered as a sustainable recycling alternative, highlighting the use of microorganisms and enzymes in oxidative processes of natural rubber. Currently, the main challenge is the treatment of rubber materials such as waste tyres, where the mixture of rubber polymers with different additives and the cross-linked structure obtained due to the vulcanisation process positions them as highly persistent materials. This study characterises the degradation of different rubber-containing substrates in in vivo and in vitro processes using the bacterium Rhodococcus rhodochrous and the oxygenase latex clearing protein (Lcp) from the same strain.

Comparing the effectiveness of Family Support for Health Action (FAM-ACT) with traditional community health worker-led interventions to improve adult diabetes management and outcomes: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) programs have struggled to deliver sustainable, effective support for adults with diabetes (AWDs) to improve self-management behaviors, achieve glycemic goals, and reduce risk for complications. One largely untapped resource for this support is AWDs' social networks. Fifty to 75% of AWDs have an unpaid family member or friend ("support person") who provides ongoing help with diabetes management.

Endolymphatic Hydrops in Fluctuating Hearing Loss and Recurrent Vertigo.

Endolymphatic hydrops (EH) is the histopathological hallmark of Ménière's disease (MD) and has been found by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with several inner ear syndromes without definite MD criteria. The incidence and relevance of this finding is under debate. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of EH and audiovestibular test results in groups of patients with fluctuating audiovestibular symptoms not fulfilling the actual criteria for definite MD and compare them with a similar group of patients with definite MD and a group of patients with recent idiopathic sudden neurosensory hearing loss (ISSNHL).