Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Metabolic Bone Disease.

Racial and ethnic disparities exist in the prevalence and management of osteoporosis, metastatic cancer, and sickle cell disease. Despite being the most common metabolic bone disease, osteoporosis remains underscreened and undertreated among Black women. Skeletal-related events in metastatic cancer include bone pain, pathologic fractures, and spinal cord compression.

Closing the Workforce Staffing Chasm by Breaking Boundaries: Innovative Partnerships and Strategies Between Recruitment and Nursing.

As hospitals are experiencing a nursing shortage, nursing leaders must build innovative partnerships and strategies between nursing and recruitment to close the workforce gap. One large health care system was experiencing a high vacancy rate. To improve recruitment and retention efforts, nursing leaders partnered with the recruitment department and other key stakeholders to develop strategies.

Participation in a Community-Based Women's Health Education Program and At-Risk Child Development in Rural Kenya: Developmental Screening Questionnaire Results Analysis.

Background: Over 43% of children living in low- and middle-income countries are at risk for developmental delays; however, access to protective interventions in these settings is limited. We evaluated the effect of maternal participation in Chamas for Change (Chamas)-a community-based women's health education program during pregnancy and postpartum-and risk of developmental delay among their children in rural Kenya.

Methods: We analyzed developmental screening questionnaire (DSQ) data from a cluster randomized controlled trial in Trans Nzoia County, Kenya (ClinicalTrials.

'It was hell in the community': a qualitative study of maternal and child health care during health care worker strikes in Kenya.

Background: Health care workers in Kenya have launched major strikes in the public health sector in the past decade but the impact of strikes on health systems is under-explored. We conducted a qualitative study to investigate maternal and child health care and services during nationwide strikes by health care workers in 2017 from the perspective of pregnant women, community health volunteers (CHVs), and health facility managers.

Methods: We conducted in-depth interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) with three populations: women who were pregnant in 2017, CHVs, and health facility managers.

A retrospective study of the impact of health worker strikes on maternal and child health care utilization in western Kenya.

Background: There have been dozens of strikes by health workers in Kenya in the past decade, but there are few studies of their impact on maternal and child health services and outcomes. We conducted a retrospective survey study to assess the impact of nationwide strikes by health workers in 2017 on utilization of maternal and child health services in western Kenya.

Methods: We utilized a parent study to enroll women who were pregnant in 2017 when there were prolonged strikes by health workers ("strike group") and women who were pregnant in 2018 when there were no major strikes ("control group").

Improving maternal, newborn and child health outcomes through a community-based women's health education program: a cluster randomised controlled trial in western Kenya.

Introduction: Community-based women's health education groups may improve maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH); however, evidence from sub-Saharan Africa is lacking. Chamas for Change (Chamas) is a community health volunteer (CHV)-led, group-based health education programme for pregnant and postpartum women in western Kenya. We evaluated Chamas' effect on facility-based deliveries and other MNCH outcomes.

Promoting positive maternal, newborn, and child health behaviors through a group-based health education and microfinance program: a prospective matched cohort study in western Kenya.

Background: Chamas for Change (Chamas) is a group-based health education and microfinance program for pregnant and postpartum women that aims to address inequities contributing to high rates of maternal and infant mortality in rural western Kenya. In this prospective matched cohort study, we evaluated the association between Chamas participation and facility-based delivery. We additionally explored the effect of participation on promoting other positive maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) behaviors.

Menstrual bleeding and spotting with the Levonorgestrel Intrauterine System (52 mg) during the first-year after insertion: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Changes in menstrual bleeding concern many users of the 52 mg Levonorgestrel Intrauterine System. Prescribing information for Levonorgestrel Intrauterine System devices describe an overall decrease in bleeding and spotting days over time; however, estimates derived from a variety of existing clinical data are currently unavailable.

Objective: The objective of the study was to systematically calculate the mean days of bleeding-only, spotting-only, and bleeding and/or spotting experienced by a population of reproductive-aged Levonorgestrel Intrauterine System users with normal regular menses prior to insertion during the first year of use.

Planning for Outcomes (PO) Modeling Tool: Estimating the Impact of Changing the Proportion of Injectable Progestins in the Contraceptive Method Mix.

Background: Observational studies raise concern about a potential link between injectable progestin contraceptive use and HIV acquisition risk. This possible link is particularly relevant in sub-Saharan Africa where HIV risk is high and the method mix is skewed toward injectables. We developed the Planning for Outcomes (PO) model (https://planning4outcomes.

The Association between Travel Time and Prenatal Care Attendance.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the association between a patient's travel time to clinic and her prenatal care attendance.

Study Design: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of women (≥18 years) who received prenatal care and delivered at North Carolina Women's Hospital between July 1, 2014, and June 30, 2016 ( = 2,808 women, 24,021 appointments). We queried demographic data from the electronic medical record and calculated travel time with ArcGIS.

Levonorgestrel intrauterine system associated amenorrhea: a systematic review and metaanalysis.

Objective Data: Amenorrhea is a polarizing noncontraceptive effect of the levonorgestrel intrauterine system. Composite amenorrhea prevalence estimates that summarize all clinical data for the first-year after insertion currently are not available. The purpose of this study was to investigate the validity of existing prevalence estimates by the systematic calculation of amenorrhea measures for a general population of levonorgestrel intrauterine system users and to provide 90-day interval point estimates for the first year of use.

Menstrual Bleeding Changes Are NORMAL: Proposed Counseling Tool to Address Common Reasons for Non-Use and Discontinuation of Contraception.

A new family planning counseling tool uses the simple mnemonic device “NORMAL” to help family planning counselors and providers communicate to their clients key messages about menstrual bleeding changes associated with use of hormonal contraception and the copper IUD.

Wellness in Sickness and Health (The W.I.S.H. Project): Advance Care Planning Preferences and Experiences Among Elderly Latino Patients.

Objective: To assess advance care planning (ACP) preferences, experiences, and comfort in discussing end-of-life (EOL) care among elderly Latinos.

Methods: Patients aged 60 and older from the Los Angeles County and University of Southern California (LAC+USC) Medical Center Geriatrics Clinic (n = 41) participated in this intervention. Trained staff conducted ACP counseling with participants in their preferred language, which included: (a) pre-counseling survey about demographics and EOL care attitudes, (b) discussion of ACP and optional completion of an advance directive (AD), and (c) post-session survey.

Methionine adenosyltransferases in cancers: Mechanisms of dysregulation and implications for therapy.

Methionine adenosyltransferase genes encode enzymes responsible for the biosynthesis of S-adenosylmethionine, the principal biological methyl donor and precursor of polyamines and glutathione. Mammalian cells express three genes - MAT1A, MAT2A, and MAT2B - with distinct expression and functions. MAT1A is mainly expressed in the liver and maintains the differentiated states of both hepatocytes and bile duct epithelial cells.