Examining the Relationship Between Rural and Urban Clinicians' Familiarity With Patients and Families and Their Comfort With Palliative and End-of-Life Care Communication.

Effective healthcare clinician communication is a key component of quality palliative and end-of-life (PEOL) care. However, communication may be hampered when clinicians are not comfortable initiating these conversations with patients and their families. Clinicians working in rural areas report several barriers to providing palliative care.

Identifying Food Parenting Practices From Comprehensive Home Environment Survey.

Objective: Conducting exploratory factor analysis (EFA) with the existing home environment assessment-the Comprehensive Home Environment Survey (CHES), to identify scales related to food parenting practices.

Methods: Parents of 3- to 5-year-old children (n = 172) completed the CHES surveys. After selected items from CHES were categorized into food parenting practice constructs, EFA was used to identify potential subconstructs.

Parenting Styles, Food Parenting Practices and Dietary Intakes of Preschoolers.

Previous evidence suggests that children's eating behaviors were largely influenced by the parent and home eating structure. This study examined the relationship between parenting styles (including authoritative, authoritarian, indulgent, and uninvolved), food parenting practices (within Structure, Coercive Control, and Autonomy Support constructs) and dietary intakes of preschoolers. Children aged 3-5 years and their parents were recruited from preschools/daycare centers and parents completed the surveys ( = 166).

Comparison of Physical Activity by Lifestyle Between Two Rural Pediatric Population Groups.

Background: Obesity prevalence is higher among rural populations than urban, including youth. Reduced physical activity levels are associated with childhood obesity. It could be assumed that the obesity disparity between rural and urban children is attributable, in part, to differences in physical activity levels; however, previous research quantifying and comparing physical activity levels between rural and urban youth are mixed.

Differences in Physical Activity and Diet Patterns between Non-Rural and Rural Adults.

Background: It is unclear how rural occupations and lifestyles may play a role in shaping physical activity and diet behaviors that contribute to the rural⁻urban obesity disparity.

Methods: Data come from the prospective and observational South Dakota Rural Bone Health Study, which included adults aged 20⁻66 years in three groups: (1) non-rural non-Hutterite, (2) rural non-Hutterite, and (3) rural Hutterite. Physical activity data were collected using 7-day physical activity questionnaires, and hours per day in physical activity categories are reported.

Pregnancy Survey of Smoking and Alcohol Use in South Dakota American Indian and White Mothers.

Introduction: American Indian populations are believed to have relatively high tobacco use and alcohol consumption before and during pregnancy compared with other populations despite little evidence.

Methods: Population-based survey distributed 2-6 months postpartum to 1,814 South Dakota mothers having a live birth in 2014. Prevalence of self-reported smoking and alcohol use before and during pregnancy were calculated for American Indian and white mothers and AORs were determined controlling for Hispanic status, marital status, age, education, and income.

The Relationship Among Change Fatigue, Resilience, and Job Satisfaction of Hospital Staff Nurses.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between change fatigue, resilience, and job satisfaction among novice and seasoned hospital staff nurses.

Background: Health care is typified by change. Frequent and vast changes in acute care hospitals can take a toll on nurses and cause change fatigue, which has been largely overlooked and under-researched.

Sports Participation in High School and College Leads to High Bone Density and Greater Rates of Bone Loss in Young Men: Results from a Population-Based Study.

Estimated lifetime risk of an osteoporotic fracture in men over the age of 50 years is substantial and lifestyle factors such as physical activity may explain variation in bone mass and bone loss associated with aging. Men (n = 253) aged 20-66 years were followed for 7.5 years and factors that influence changes in means and rates of change in bone mass, density, and size using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) were investigated; in particular, seasons of sports participation during high school and college.

Understanding Women's Awareness and Access to Preconception Health Care in a Rural Population: A Cross Sectional Study.

Despite evidence of the benefits of preconception health care (PCHC), little is known about awareness and access to PCHC for rural, reproductive-aged women. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of PCHC conversations between rural reproductive-age women and health care providers, PCHC interventions received in the past year, and ascertain predictors of PCHC conversations and interventions. Women (n = 868; 18-45 years) completed a questionnaire including reproductive history, health care services utilization, and interest in PCHC.

Response to an Online Version of a PRAMS-like Survey in South Dakota.

Objectives Increasing response rates for research surveys is challenging, especially in minority populations. A unique minority group in South Dakota is the American Indian (AI) representing about 9 % of the state's population and 15 % of the births. The purpose of this study was to determine race differences among White, AI, and Other Races (OR) in contact, participation, and response rates in the South Dakota Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (SDPRAMS).

Rural vs. non-rural differences and longitudinal bone changes by DXA and pQCT in men aged 20-66 years: A population-based study.

The purpose of this research was to determine whether there were differences in estimated means and rates of change in BMC, bone area, BMD and measures of bone geometry among men (n=544) from three distinct populations (Hutterite [rural], rural non-Hutterite, non-rural), and whether activity levels or calcium intake explain these population differences. Men were enrolled in the South Dakota Rural Bone Health Study and followed for 7.5 years to estimate means and rates of change in bone mass, density, size and geometry.

Cessation among state quitline participants with a mental health condition.

Introduction: Telephone quitlines are an effective treatment option for tobacco cessation in the general population. Many participants who use quitline services have mental health conditions (MHC), yet few published studies have examined the use of quitline services in this population. This study examined the prevalence of MHC among state quitline participants and compared cessation outcomes among those with and without MHC.

Estimation of length or height in infants and young children using ulnar and lower leg length with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry validation.

Aim: We compared the accuracy and reproducibility of using ulnar and lower leg length measurements to predict length and height in infants and children aged 0 to 6 years.

Method: Length/height and ulnar and lower leg length were measured in 352 healthy preterm and term-born children (167 males, 185 females) (Mean age= 2.6±1.

Odd-impact loading results in increased cortical area and moments of inertia in collegiate athletes.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate tibial changes in volumetric bone mineral density and geometry that take place in athletes from pre- to post-season.

Methods: Female college athletes (n = 36) and ten controls recruited from the student population were included in the study. Participants had their left tibia scanned by pQCT at 4, 20, and 66 % of the overall length from the distal end before and after their competitive seasons.

Resistant starch type 4-enriched diet lowered blood cholesterols and improved body composition in a double blind controlled cross-over intervention.

A metabolic health crisis is evident as cardiovascular diseases (CVD) remain the leading cause of mortality in the United States. Effects of resistant starch type 4 (RS4), a prebiotic fiber, in comprehensive management of metabolic syndrome (MetS) remain unknown. This study examined the effects of a blinded exchange of RS4-enriched flour (30% v/v) with regular/control flour (CF) diet on multiple MetS comorbidities.

The influence of geographic isolation on late preterm infant and mother outcomes.

Purpose: Risk of adverse outcome in late-preterm infants (born between 34 and 36 weeks and 6 days' gestation) is heightened for those living in geographic isolation (GI). We examined the relationships between GI and several mother and infant outcomes.

Subjects And Design: This was a tricenter cross-sectional study of 38 English-speaking late-preterm infant/mother dyads admitted to neonatal intensive care in a predominately rural Midwestern state.

The decision to receive influenza vaccination among nurses in North and South Dakota.

Objectives: We examined the relationships between factors (intention, habit, facilitating conditions, and social, cognitive, and affective factors) and nurses' decisions about influenza vaccinations to understand why some get vaccinated while others do not.

Design And Sample: In a descriptive correlational design, the Triandis model of interpersonal behavior was used to examine the decision of nurses to receive influenza vaccinations. Participants were a random sample (N=193) of registered nurses in North and South Dakota drawn from the respective state nursing licensing board lists.

Longitudinal effects of fat and lean mass on bone accrual in infants.

There are conflicting reports on the influence of lean and fat mass on bone accrual during childhood. No infant's studies have been reported that describe the influence of changes in body composition with changes in bone accrual during the first year of life. The objective of this research was to test the hypothesis that greater gains in lean mass will have a positive effect on bone mineral content (BMC) accrual, while greater gains in fat mass will have a negative effect on BMC accrual in infants.

Cross-sectional versus longitudinal associations of lean and fat mass with pQCT bone outcomes in children.

Context: Cross-sectional associations for lean mass (LM) and fat mass (FM) with bone may not reflect longitudinal associations.

Objective: Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of LM and FM with radial bone measurements in children were compared.

Design And Participants: We conducted a longitudinal study on 370 (232 females) children, 8-18 yr of age.

Are former late-preterm children at risk for child vulnerability and overprotection?

Background: Parent perception of child vulnerability (PPCV) and parent overprotection (POP) are believed to have serious implications for age appropriate cognitive and psychosocial development in very low birth weight preterm children.

Aim: With recent concerns about suboptimal developmental outcomes in late-preterm children, this study was aimed at examining the relationship between history of late-preterm birth (34-36 6/7 weeks gestation), and PPCV, POP, and healthcare utilization (HCU).

Study Design: This was a cross-sectional observational design.

Rates of bone loss in young adult males.

Osteoporosis-related fractures occur more frequently in women compared with men, but mortality is greater in men compared with women. Peak bone mass is a significant predictor of osteoporosis and fracture risk; therefore, it is important to optimize peak bone mass during young adulthood. Several recent longitudinal studies, which are summarized in this article, have investigated bone changes among young men.

Higher BMC and areal BMD in children and grandchildren of individuals with hip or knee replacement.

The relationship between aBMD and osteoarthritis (OA) remains unclear. We compared aBMD, BMC and bone size among children and grandchildren of Hutterites with hip or knee replacement (n=23 each) to children and grandchildren of age- and sex-matched controls (178 children and 267 grandchildren). There were no differences in anthropometric measures or activity levels between case and control probands, but femoral neck (FN) and spine (LS) aBMD and Z-scores were greater in cases than controls (0.

Precision of the XCT 3000 and comparison of densitometric measurements in distal radius scans between XCT 3000 and XCT 2000 peripheral quantitative computed tomography scanners.

Researchers conducting longitudinal studies face challenges as technology evolves and data collection equipment is upgraded from older to newer models. In this study, we report precision error and associations from correlation, regression equations, and Bland-Altman plots that compare results of distal radius images from the XCT 2000 and XCT 3000 peripheral quantitative computed tomography densitometers at the 4% and 20% distal radius site. The mean difference expressed as a percent of the measurement's mean was approximately 5% for cortical thickness, periosteal and endosteal circumferences, and total bone size at the 20% site, and less than 2% for all other measures.

Effect of perchloroethylene, smoking, and race on oxidative DNA damage in female dry cleaners.

Perchloroethylene (PERC) is used widely as an industrial dry cleaning solvent and metal degreaser. PERC is an animal carcinogen that produces increased incidence of renal adenomas, adenocarcinomas, mononuclear cell leukemia, and hepatocellular tumors. Oxidative DNA damage and lipid peroxidation were assessed in 38 women with (dry cleaners) or without (launderers) occupational exposure to PERC.