Community-academic partnerships to embrace and ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion in translational science: Evidence of successful community engagement.

Community-Research Advisory Councils (C-RAC) provide a unique mechanism for building sustainable community-academic partnership, fostering bidirectional understanding of complex research issues, disseminating timely research findings, and thereby improving public trust in science. Created in 2009, the Johns Hopkins C-RAC has a mission to achieve diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) of stakeholders across the entire research continuum. It has nurtured over a decade of partnership among community and academic stakeholders toward addressing health disparity, health equity, structural racism, and discrimination.

Integrating community voices in the research continuum: Perspectives on a consultation service.

The Community Research Advisory Council (C-RAC) of the Johns Hopkins Institute for Clinical and Translational Research was established in 2009 to provide community-engaged research consultation services. In 2016-2017, C-RAC members and researchers were surveyed on their consultation experiences. Survey results and a 2019 stakeholder meeting proceeding helped redesign the consultation services.

The New Zealand white rabbit animal model of acute radiation syndrome: hematopoietic and coagulation-based parameters by radiation dose following supportive care.

Purpose: Animal models that accurately reflect human responses to radiation injury are needed for advanced mechanistic investigation and development of effective therapeutics. The rabbit is an established animal model accepted by the FDA for studies of cardiovascular disease, lipid metabolism, the development of anticoagulants, testing of bone implants, and the development of treatments for infectious diseases such as HIV. The purpose of this study was to investigate the New Zealand White (NZW) Rabbit model as a model of acute radiation exposure because of its established similarity to human vascular, immune, and coagulation responses.

Complementary feeding practices among infants and young children in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Background: Optimal complementary feeding (CF) promotes health and supports growth and development in children. While suboptimal feeding practices are reported for many countries, very limited information exists about such practices in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The present study describes CF practices in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and evaluates them using the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Programming Guide: Infant and Young Child Feeding.

Patterns of breastfeeding practices among infants and young children in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Background: Despite the ongoing efforts to improve infant feeding practices, low rates of breastfeeding and early introduction of complementary feeding have been reported in many countries. Systematic documentation of breastfeeding practices in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is needed in order to directing successful strategies. The aim of this study was to evaluate breastfeeding practices among mothers in Abu Dhabi, UAE, using the World Health Organization (WHO) infant and young child feeding indicators.

Subject-Based versus Population-Based Care after Radiation Exposure.

In a mass casualty radiation event situation, individualized therapy may overwhelm available resources and feasibility issues suggest a need for the development of population-based strategies. To investigate the efficacy of a population-based strategy, Chinese macaques (n = 46) underwent total-body irradiation and received preemptive antibiotics, IV hydration on predetermined postirradiation days and were then compared to macaques (n = 48) that received subject-based care in which blood transfusions, IV hydration, nutritional supplementation and antibiotic supportive measures were provided. Estimated radiation doses for LD30/60, LD50/60 and LD70/60 of animals with subject-based care: 6.

Securing the safety net: concurrent participation in income eligible assistance programs.

Participation in women, infants and children (WIC), supplemental nutritional assistance program (SNAP), temporary assistance for needy families (TANF), and medical assistance program (MAP) programs provide critical nutrition and health benefits to low-income families. Concurrent enrollment in these programs provides a powerful safety net, yet simultaneous participation is reported to be low. Underutilization undermines program objectives, client well-being and food security.

Long-term effect of the self-management comprehensive coping strategy program on quality of life in patients with breast cancer treated with high-dose chemotherapy.

Background: This study aims to examine the effectiveness of a self-management multimodal comprehensive coping strategy program (CCSP) on quality of life (QOL) among breast cancer patients 1 year after treatment.

Methods: Patients (n = 110) with stage II, III, or IV breast cancer scheduled to receive high dose chemotherapy and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation were randomized to either CCSP treatment or control group. The CCSP intervention was taught 2 week before hospital admission with reinforcement at specified times during treatment and 3 months after discharge.

Genital herpes testing among persons living with HIV.

This cross-sectional survey explored the frequency of genital herpes testing among 110 people living with HIV (PLWH) and reported barriers and facilitators related to testing. Forty-four percent of the respondents had not been tested for genital herpes since receiving an HIV diagnosis, 34% had been tested, and 22% preferred not to say. Respondents' most frequently cited factors affecting a decision to not be tested were: (a) testing not being recommended by a provider, (b) not having herpes symptoms, and (c) not thinking they had herpes.

Early postpartum: a critical period in setting the path for breastfeeding success.

Background: In the United States, most mothers who initiate breastfeeding will either stop or begin supplementing with formula before their infants are 3 months old. Routine breastfeeding education and support following hospital discharge are critical to breastfeeding success. The purpose of this article is to identify this critical period for supporting and reinforcing breastfeeding.

What has changed about vaginal douching among African American mothers and daughters?

Objectives: To explore African American mothers' and daughters' practices and influences related to vaginal douching.

Design And Sample: Our overall study used a sequential mixed-method design with 3 phases. Phase 1, the focus of this report, used grounded theory methods and in-depth, semistructured individual interviews.

Complementary and alternative medical practice: self-care preferred vs. practitioner-based care among patients with asthma.

Background: Interest in disease self-management has increased as the US population ages, as health care costs skyrocket, and as more evidence is gathered on the etiologic basis of most chronic diseases. This study uses National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data to analyze the association between asthma episode during the past 12 months and patterns of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use within the same period among adults, controlling for comorbid conditions.

Methods: Using questions taken from the adult sample questionnaire and the Alternative Supplement of the 2002 NHIS, responses of those ever having asthma (N=3327) were analyzed in this cross-sectional, correlational study.

Providers' knowledge, practices, and barriers related to genital herpes testing for patients with HIV.

This cross-sectional study explored the knowledge, practice, and reported barriers related to genital herpes testing among 102 health care providers who treat people living with HIV in the United States. Twelve percent reported always testing HIV-infected patients for genital herpes, 65% sometimes or usually tested, and 23% rarely or never tested for genital herpes. Seventy-five percent said testing was not standard of care.

A randomized controlled community-based trial to improve breastfeeding rates among urban low-income mothers.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess whether providing a breastfeeding support team results in higher breastfeeding rates at 6, 12, and 24 weeks postpartum among urban low-income mothers.

Design: A randomized controlled trial with mother-infant dyads recruited from 2 urban hospitals.

Participants: Breastfeeding mothers of full-term infants who were eligible for Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (n=328) were randomized to intervention (n=168) or usual-care group (n=160).

The differential impact of WIC peer counseling programs on breastfeeding initiation across the state of Maryland.

This cross-sectional study examines Maryland's women, infants, and children (WIC) breastfeeding initiation rates by program participation. The authors report on data regarding demographic and health characteristics and infant feeding practices for infants (n = 18,789) newly WIC-certified from January 1, 2007 to June 30, 2007. The authors compared self-reported, breastfeeding initiation rates for 3 groups: peer counselor (PC-treatment group) and two comparison groups, lactation consultant (LC), and standard care group (SCG).

Psychosocial well-being and quality of life among women newly diagnosed with genital herpes.

Objective: To assess the psychosocial well-being and quality of life among women with a new genital herpes simplex virus diagnosis.

Design: Data were collected by a cross-sectional survey.

Participants: Eighty-three women diagnosed with genital herpes simplex virus by culture, visual exam and/or a description of symptoms within the last 3 months were recruited from primary health care clinics by their provider.

Recruitment strategies and motivations for sexually transmitted disease testing among college students.

Objective: The authors evaluated procedures for recruiting college students for sexually transmitted disease (STD) testing as part of a research study examining the impact of HSV serologic testing.

Participants: A convenience sample of 100 students was drawn from students aged 18 to 35 years enrolled at one university in a mid- Atlantic state between September 2004 and March 2006.

Methods: Six strategies were used to recruit students for participation in the study.

Serologic screening for herpes simplex virus among university students: a pilot study.

Objective: The authors examined the feasibility of conducting serologic testing for the herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) among university students and assessed the psychosocial impact of an HSV-2 diagnosis.

Methods: The authors recruited a convenience sample of 100 students (aged 18-39 years) without a history of genital herpes from 1 university between September 2004 and March 2006. Participants received HSV-2 antibody testing by Focus ELISA and Western Blot assays and completed a questionnaire that addressed psychological functioning.

Performance of focus ELISA tests for HSV-1 and HSV-2 antibodies among university students with no history of genital herpes.

Objectives: To define the performance characteristics of the Focus ELISA HSV-1 and HSV-2 assay among 100 university students.

Study Design: HSV-1 and HSV-2 Focus ELISA and Western Blot assays were performed on sera from university students who reported no history of genital herpes.

Results: HSV-2 and HSV-1 seroprevalence by Western Blot were 3.

Examining the influence of coping with pain on depression, anxiety, and fatigue among women with breast cancer.

Breast cancer treatment can have a profound influence on a woman's physical, psychological, social, and spiritual well-being. Anxiety, depression, anger, fatigue, and fear of recurrence are common responses to a diagnosis of breast cancer and undergoing breast cancer treatment. Women develop their own coping strategies for the pain and other effects of treatment.

Profiles of self-reported HIV-risk behaviors among injection drug users in methadone maintenance treatment, detoxification, and needle exchange programs.

Objective: Injection drug use has accounted for more than one third of acquired immune deficiency syndrome cases in the United States. The purpose of this study was to compare the demographic characteristics, types, and frequency of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-risk behaviors among injection drug users (IDUs) recruited from a needle exchange program (NEP), methadone maintenance treatment (MMT), and detoxification (detox) program.

Design: A cross-sectional, correlational design was used to determine whether the selected HIV-risk behaviors and demographic characteristics of IDUs varied by site of recruitment.

Computer game for inner-city children does not improve asthma outcomes.

Introduction: The purpose of this randomized control trial was to evaluate the effects of a computer-assisted instructional (CAI) game on asthma symptoms (eg, coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and nighttime awakenings) in 7- to 12-year-old inner-city children over 12 weeks.

Method: A CAI that focused on reducing environmental irritants/allergens and the correct use of prescribed medications to prevent asthma symptoms was used with 101 children (56 in the intervention group and 45 in the control group). The primary outcome evaluated a change in children's asthma symptoms as measured by responses to nine symptom questions in Juniper's Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQOL) and measurements of lung function.

A randomized comparison of A-CASI and phone interviews to assess STD/HIV-related risk behaviors in teens.

Purpose: To compare response bias associated with a telephone survey of sexually transmitted disease/human immunodeficiency virus (STD/HIV)-related risk behaviors and an in-home self-administered audio computer assisted self interview (A-CASI).

Methods: We randomly assigned an urban household sample of 223 African-American adolescents to a telephone interview or an A-CASI in their home. The sample was previously recruited by telephone for an earlier study regarding STDs and sexual behavior.