On Abortion and Autonomy: A Letter to My Unborn Daughter.

As a physician and pregnant person, I reflect on my experiences providing abortion care in 2 disparate states, one protective of abortion rights and one with significant restrictions on abortion. I write this timely letter to my unborn daughter to impart the importance of abortion access and moreover, bodily autonomy for all.

Teaching Racial Affinity Caucusing as a Tool to Learn About Racial Health Inequity Through an Experiential Workshop.

Background And Objectives: In its landmark report, Unequal Treatment: Confronting Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care, the Institute of Medicine concluded that unconscious or implicit negative racial attitudes and stereotypes contribute to poorer health outcomes for patients of color. We describe and report on the outcome of teaching a workshop on the tool of racial affinity caucusing to address these issues.

Methods: Applying the framework described by Crossroads Antiracism Organizing and Training, we developed a 90-minute workshop teaching racial affinity caucusing to family medicine educators interested in racial health disparities.

Meeting the Behavioral Health Needs of LGBT Older Adults.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) older adults face an increased risk of adverse behavioral health outcomes compared with the general population of older adults, yet little attention has been given to factors contributing to these disparities or to the ways in which clinicians can address these challenges. We present the case of a 75-year-old widowed lesbian woman with depression to illustrate how a lifetime of exposure to discrimination and stigma can produce high levels of stress and isolation while also fostering resilience. We then offer recommendations and resources for promoting psychological health among LGBT older adults by attending to the historical and cultural forces that affect LGBT health, and by implementing inclusive policies and programming.

"Fear Runs Deep:" The Anticipated Needs of LGBT Older Adults in Long-Term Care.

Objectives: Older lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) adults are a vulnerable yet resilient population who face unique stressors as they foresee health decline. This paper presents the results of a study about community-dwelling LGBT older adults' anticipated needs and fears related to nursing homes and assisted living.

Methods: This qualitative study collected data through seven focus groups.

Plan of Action for Real-World Translation of LGBTQ Health and Aging Research.

Despite accumulating evidence of health disparities, there exists limited translational research to enhance optimal health and aging of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer-identified (LGBTQ) older adults. Based on the Health Equity Promotion Model that addresses the distinct needs and strengths of LGBTQ older adults, we underscore the important role of collaborations among researchers, practitioners, and communities to build community capacity. Given the rapidly shifting context, we advance principles to guide future work that will enhance translational research and the development of evidence-based practice so that LGBTQ older adults can reach their full health potential.

Advancing LGBT Elder Policy and Support Services: The Massachusetts Model.

The Massachusetts-based LGBT Aging Project has trained elder service providers in affirming and culturally competent care for LGBT older adults, supported development of LGBT-friendly meal programs, and advanced LGBT equality under aging policy. Working across sectors, this innovative model launched the country's first statewide Legislative Commission on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Aging. Advocates are working with policymakers to implement key recommendations, including cultural competency training and data collection in statewide networks of elder services.

An island of widows: the human face of Mesoamerican endemic nephropathy.

The authors are second-year medical students who spent the previous summer at a nongovernmental organization in Nicaragua. As interns on the public health team, they evaluated barriers to peritoneal dialysis in an agricultural community experiencing an epidemic of chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease.

Do LGBT aging trainings effectuate positive change in mainstream elder service providers?

This study aims to provide empirical evidence regarding whether attitudes, beliefs, and intentions of elder-service providers can be positively affected as a result of attending cultural competency training on the unique challenges of sexual and gender minorities. Stigmatization throughout the lifespan may have a causal influence on barriers to care, social isolation, and concomitant health disparities. Data were collected for this study at 4 Massachusetts training events to pilot a cultural competency workshop on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) aging for mainstream elder service providers.

Comparative bioequivalence studies with Estradot and Menorest transdermal systems.

Objectives: To compare the relative bioavailability of Estradot, a small size, new generation estradiol transdermal system (ETS) to Menorest, in healthy postmenopausal women.

Methods: In two open-label, single center, randomized, crossover, bioequivalence studies, healthy postmenopausal women aged 40-65 years received treatment with all the test regimens. In Study 1 (single-dose study), patients wore 5 cm(2) (50 microg/day), 10 cm(2) (100 microg/day) Estradot and 29 cm(2) (100 microg/day) Menorest for 84 h.

Dose proportionality study of four doses of an estradiol transdermal system, Estradot.

Objectives: To establish dose proportionality among four doses of a new estradiol transdermal system (ETS), Estradot, in healthy postmenopausal women and to evaluate the wear and irritation properties of the ETS.

Methods: In an open label, single-dose, randomized, four-period crossover study, healthy postmenopausal women, age range 44-64 years, wore four different sizes of Estradot, 2.5, 3.

Comparative study to evaluate skin irritation and adhesion of Estradot and Climara in healthy postmenopausal women.

Objectives: To compare the local tolerability, adhesion and estradiol delivery of a 5-cm(2) transdermal patch (Estradot), Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Basel, Switzerland) and a 12.5-cm(2) patch (Climara, Berlex Laboratories, Wayne, NJ, USA).

Methods: This was an open-label, randomized, intrapatient, comparative study.

A comparative analysis of enflurane anesthesia on primate motor and somatosensory evoked potentials.

The effect of increasing enflurane concentration on magnetic-induced myogenic cranial (Cr) and peripheral (Pr) motor evoked potentials (MEPs), and electrically induced median (MN) and posterior tibial (PTN) somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) was studied in 10 monkeys. MEP, recorded from abductor pollicis brevis and abductor hallucis muscles, and SEP (short- and long-latency scalp recorded potentials) variables were examined at 0.25, 0.

The intracranial injection of drug in goldfish. I: Hallucinogens and their antagonism to smooth muscle activity.

A simplified method of studying the surfacing reaction of goldfish to hallucinogens is described. Goldfish weighing up to three grams are injected intracranially. Employing this method, d-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD-25), d-2-acetyl lysergic acid diethylamide (ALD-52), 1-methyl d-lysergic acid butano-lamide (UML-491), and 5-methoxy dimethyl tryptamine (5-MEO-DMT) were found to be as pharmacologically active as previously noted in fish and in man.

The first dream as the chief complaint of the unconscious, and its utilization by the primary physician.

Based on the theory that the dream represents an important conflict of wishes essentially occurring between the id and superego, with some participation by the adaptive ego, the first dream reported by the patient is considered to be the chief complaint of the unconscious. Eighteen first dreams, chosen at random, were tentatively interpreted in re the unconscious conflicts. These tentative interpretations were amplified by a battery of projective tests.