The current state of the quality of homeopathic clinical research.

Homeopathy is a system of therapeutics that treats disease with highly diluted substances based on the Law of Similars, which holds that "like cures like." Despite widespread use, homeopathy lacks a comprehensive and robust evidence base. We examined the state of homeopathic clinical research by critically assessing the overall quality of peer-reviewed, recently published, English-language, homeopathic clinical research in terms of internal, external, and model validity using standard and homeopathic-specific instruments.

A modified dual preparatory method for improved isolation of nucleic acids from laser microdissected fresh-frozen human cancer tissue specimens.

A central theme in cancer research is to increase our understanding of the cancer tissue microenvironment, which is comprised of a complex and spatially heterogeneous ecosystem of malignant and non-malignant cells, both of which actively contribute to an intervening extracellular matrix. Laser microdissection (LMD) enables histology selective harvest of cellular subpopulations from the tissue microenvironment for their independent molecular investigation, such as by high-throughput DNA and RNA sequencing. Although enabling, LMD often requires a labor-intensive investment to harvest enough cells to achieve the necessary DNA and/or RNA input requirements for conventional next-generation sequencing workflows.

A protocol for the safe recruitment of Indigenous and Black women experiencing intimate partner violence during the COVID-19 pandemic into a large mixed methods study: The Sisters by Choice Study.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a complex and pervasive public health problem disproportionately affecting Indigenous and Black women. During the COVID-19 pandemic, IPV became more complicated for advocates because social distancing, quarantine, and isolation measures further endangered women experiencing IPV. This manuscript is based on an ongoing community-engaged study in an upper Midwestern state.

Homeopathy: A State of the Science Review With Recommendations for Practical Therapies in Midwifery Practice.

A substantial proportion of adults and children in the United States use complementary and alternative health practices, including homeopathy. Many homeopathic therapies are readily available over the counter, and many individuals access and self-administer these therapies with little or no guidance from health care practitioners. In addition, patients and health care providers are often confused by terminologies associated with complementary practices and may be unable to distinguish homeopathy from naturopathy, herbalism, holistic medicine, Ayurveda, traditional Chinese medicine, or other forms of health care.

Modeling the social determinants of resilience in health professions students: impact on psychological adjustment.

Stressors inherent to training and stemming from the learning environment are associated with high rates of burnout, depression, and mental health problems in health professions students (HPS). There is evidence that disadvantaged or stigmatized groups are particularly affected. These problems not only impact students after graduation but may also have detrimental effects on patient outcomes.

Understanding How Community Health Workers Build Trust with Low-Income Women of Color At-Risk for Maternal Child Health Disparities: A Grounded Theory Study.

This article examines how Community Health Workers (CHWs) build trust with low-income women of color who have a historical distrust of the healthcare system, and are at risk for maternal-child health disparities. This qualitative study used a grounded theory methodology guided by Charmaz's inductive social constructivist approach. Data were collected using open-ended semi-structured interviews and focus groups with CHWs who worked in community-based and hospital-based programs in California, Oregon, Illinois, Texas, South Carolina, New York, and Maine.

Exploring the Relationships Between Resilience and News Monitoring with COVID Distress in Health Profession Students.

Objective: Alarming rates of anxiety and burnout in pre-clinical health profession trainees are now challenged by additional COVID-19 stressors. This study explored COVID-related stressors among first-year medical, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, and veterinary medical students. The authors examined associations between resilience, news monitoring, and COVID stress.

Should we be targeting sleep architecture to more effectively treat schizophrenia?

The sleep architecture (or sleep kinetics) of schizophrenia is different from that of other mental illnesses, including major depressive disorder. However, clinicians rarely consider these parameters in clinical settings during treatment. This article discusses the use of polysomnography to characterize the sleeping patterns of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and the positive influence of clozapine on sleep in patients with schizophrenia.

Integrative Treatment of Chronic Abdominal Bloating and Pain Associated With Overgrowth of Small Intestinal Bacteria: A Case Report.

Context • Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is commonly defined as an increased number of bacteria and/or an abnormal type of bacteria in the small intestine. Conventional treatment for SIBO is typically focused on antibiotics to eradicate the bacterial overgrowth. Numerous studies have demonstrated the antimicrobial activity of herbs, and a diet low in fermentable oligo-, di-, and monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAPs) has been shown to enhance antibiotic therapy.

Pathways to the PhD in Nursing: An Analysis of Similarities and Differences.

New educational pathways are needed to increase the number of doctor of philosophy (PhD)-prepared nurses. To address this need, an early-entry PhD option designed to engage students in PhD coursework and research during the undergraduate nursing major was developed at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. An evaluation comparing the early-entry option with two more conventional entry points was conducted.

What are patients saying about sex after a kidney or simultaneous kidney/pancreas transplant?

Context-Chronic illnesses such as kidney failure and diabetes and their treatments can affect people's identity, including their sexual identity. Little is known about patients' perspective on the effect of transplant on their sexual identity. Objective-To explore the sexual concerns of kidney and simultaneous pancreas/kidney transplant recipients.

Early entry to a doctoral degree in nursing program: analysis of student experiences.

Educational innovations that encourage younger students to pursue doctoral research training are timely and important. To this end, an evaluation of an early-entry doctoral (PhD) program in nursing was conducted. One component of this evaluation examines qualitative data from students admitted to the PhD program as undergraduates or immediately upon graduation from the undergraduate program.

Transition to the tenure track for nurse faculty with young children: a case study.

Recent efforts to ease the nursing shortage focus on recruiting and retaining younger faculty. The first years in a tenure-track position are especially challenging for new faculty who struggle to negotiate demands of academia along with parenting young children. These struggles may influence retention and require further exploration.

Promoting an egalitarian approach to research with vulnerable populations of women.

Aim: This paper is a presentation of issues that arise when conducting research with women from vulnerable populations.

Background: Conducting research with ethnic minority populations has accentuated the challenges inherent in research, particularly when the populations participating are considered 'vulnerable' due to additional variables such as low levels of income.

Data Sources: The paper is based on the experiences of three authors using feminist methods in separate but similar research trajectories that include (a) low-income women in the Southern African country of Malawi, (b) women diagnosed with schizophrenia in the United States of America, and (c) rural, indigenous Aymara women of the highlands of Peru.

Schizophrenia and violence: accepting and forsaking.

Violence remains highly problematic for women. Women diagnosed with schizophrenia are at particularly high risk for numerous types of violence. Many of these women receive services in the community through mental health case managers.

Schizophrenia, violence, and case management: being supportive and overwhelmed.

Objective: The aim of this study is to understand the experiences of case managers as they delivered care to women who were diagnosed with schizophrenia and live with histories of violence.

Methods: Interpretive phenomenology.

Results: Providers valued their relationships with women, yet felt overwhelmed and frustrated with aspects of the case management role.

The invisibility of violence against women diagnosed with schizophrenia: a synthesis of perspectives.

Women diagnosed with severe mental illness experience twice the rates of violence compared with women without mental illness. Despite awareness of violence, mental healthcare providers feel powerless to combat the problem. This article synthesizes 2 previous interpretive studies that examined violence perpetrated against women diagnosed with schizophrenia.

Determinants of moral distress in medical and surgical nurses at an adult acute tertiary care hospital.

Aim: To determine the prevalence and contributing factors of moral distress in medical and surgical nurses.

Background: Moral distress from ethical conflicts in the work environment is associated with burnout and job turnovers in nurses.

Method: A prospective cross-sectional survey using the Moral Distress Scale tool was administered to medical and surgical nurses at an adult acute tertiary care hospital.

Evidence base for developing a palliative care service.

A retrospective study was designed to collect objective data to support need for a palliative care service at Mayo Clinic Hospital. Based on the results, a pilot program was initiated.

Schizophrenia and violence: the perspective of women.

Violence against women is a major public health problem. Women with a diagnosis of schizophrenia suffer higher rates of violence compared with women without mental illnesses. Little research has focused on what it means for women to live with schizophrenia and a history of violence.

Novel heparanase-inhibiting antibody reduces neointima formation.

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), stored bound to heparan sulfate proteoglycans in the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the arterial media, may initiate smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation after coronary intervention, thus contributing to restenosis. bFGF mobilization from ECM stores after injury may be induced by platelet degranulation products such as heparanase. Therapies aimed at the inhibition of bFGF release and activation may assist in prevention of restenosis.

Nitric oxide-generating hydrogels inhibit neointima formation.

This study evaluated the effects of localized delivery of nitric oxide (NO) from hydrogels covalently modified with S-nitrosocysteine (Cys-NO) on neoinitma formation, a key component of restenosis, in a rat balloon-injury model. Soluble Cys-NO was used in preliminary studies to identify dosage ranges that were able to simultaneously inhibit smooth muscle cell proliferation, enhance endothelial cell proliferation, and reduce platelet adhesion. Photo-cross-linked PEG-based hydrogels were formed with covalently immobilized Cys-NO.