Responding to the Challenges and Barriers Unique to Rural Appalachian Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Programs.

The purpose of this article is to explore the opportunities and barriers challenging sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs) operating in rural and underserved areas. These challenges include the absence of established SANE programs, patient isolation and poverty, inadequate community support, and ensuring program sustainability. While not specific to rural communities, these challenges and barriers are further exacerbated by long-held beliefs and misconceptions that exist in small, close-knit communities.

Associations of Social Vulnerability Index With Pathologic Myocardial Findings at Autopsy.

Social vulnerability is an important determinant of cardiovascular health. Prior investigations have shown strong associations of social determinants of health with cardiovascular risk factors, imaging findings, and clinical events. However, limited data exist regarding the potential role of social vulnerability and related physiologic stressors on tissue-level pathology.

Efficacy and Tolerability of an Acne Treatment Regimen with Antiaging Benefits in Adult Women: A Pilot Study.

The objective of this study was to assess clinical safety and efficacy of a novel acne treatment regimen in adult women. Participants in the study included an ethnically diverse group of adult women (n=24) with mild-to-moderate acne who were treated twice daily with a topical regimen (cleanser, acne cream, and rebalancing gel) for eight weeks. Following baseline assessments, subjects returned to clinic at Weeks 2, 4, and 8 for clinical assessments and self-assessment questionnaires.

Development of aqueous dispersions of Coenzyme Q for pulmonary delivery and the dynamics of active vibrating-mesh aerosolization.

Coenzyme Q (CoQ) is a poorly-water soluble compound that is being investigated for the treatment of carcinomas. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of preparing phospholipid-stabilized dispersions of the anticancer agent for continuous pulmonary delivery using a vibrating-mesh nebulizer. We determined the physicochemical properties (drug particle size distribution in dispersion, zeta potential, surface tension, and rheology) and compared the aerosolization profiles (nebulization performance, aerodynamic drug deposition and total emitted dose) of dispersions of CoQ prepared with different phospholipids.

Ability of sodium copper chlorophyllin complex to repair photoaged skin by stimulation of biomarkers in human extracellular matrix.

Purpose: To examine the effect of sodium copper chlorophyllin complex on the expression of biomarkers of photoaged dermal extracellular matrix indicative of skin repair.

Patients And Methods: Following a previously published 12-day clinical assessment model, skin biopsy samples from the forearms of four healthy females with signs of photoaged skin were obtained and samples were analyzed by immunohistochemistry for key biomarkers of aging skin after each subject was treated with a test material consisting of a gel containing a liposomal dispersion of sodium copper chlorophyllin complex 0.05%, a positive control of tretinoin cream 0.

Topical Products for the Aging Face.

This article focuses on nonprescription home-use topical treatment technologies for the aging face and is intended to serve as a guide for the core cosmeceutical technologies currently used and to help educate and assist the selection of topical antiaging products by the professional staff and their patients. Antiaging topical treatments for patient home use should be nonirritating, compatible with the patient skin type, effective, and complementary to surgical and minimally invasive office procedures, and aesthetically elegant. New topical antiaging technologies, formulated as monotherapy or as combinations with well-known cosmeceuticals, should present adequate clinical studies to support their selection for use.

First trimester depression scores predict development of gestational diabetes mellitus in pregnant rural Appalachian women.

Gestational diabetes (GDM) occurs in up to 9% of pregnancies. Perinatal depression affects up to 20% of women during pregnancy, and can extend into the postpartum period. A number of studies have linked depression and diabetes, however, whether this applies to GDM or which might come first is less understood.

In vitro inhibition of hyaluronidase by sodium copper chlorophyllin complex and chlorophyllin analogs.

Background: Inhibitors of hyaluronidase are potent agents that maintain hyaluronic acid homeostasis and may serve as anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial agents. Sodium copper chlorophyllin complex is being used therapeutically as a component in anti-aging cosmeceuticals, and has been shown to have anti-hyaluronidase activity. In this study we evaluated various commercial lots of sodium copper chlorophyllin complex to identify the primary small molecule constituents, and to test various sodium copper chlorophyllin complexes and their small molecule analog compounds for hyaluronidase inhibitory activity in vitro.

Pilot Study of Topical Copper Chlorophyllin Complex in Subjects With Facial Acne and Large Pores.

Background: Acne vulgaris is one of the most common skin diseases treated by dermatologists. Salts of copper chlorophyllin complex are semi-synthetic naturally-derived compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and wound healing activity that have not been previously tested topically in the treatment of acne-prone skin with enlarged pores.

Objectives: This single-center pilot study was conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of a liposomal dispersion of topically applied sodium copper chlorophyllin complex in subjects with mild-moderate acne and large, visible pores over a course of 3 weeks.

Burden of elective early-term births in rural Appalachia.

Objectives: Infants delivered at ≥ 37 weeks' gestation are considered full term, but research has demonstrated those born at 37 to 38 weeks (early term) have a higher risk for poor birth outcomes than deliveries at 39 to 41 weeks (full term). Despite this, many deliveries occur electively (scheduled, no medical indication) before 39 weeks. This study examined the risks of elective early-term delivery in a disadvantaged, rural sample and compared these results with national findings.

Differential Contributions of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Manifestations to Psychological Symptoms.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relative contributions of previously identified Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) manifestations (infertility, hirsutism, obesity, menstrual problems) to multiple psychological symptoms. Participants were 126 female endocrinology patient volunteers diagnosed with PCOS who completed a cross-sectional study of PCOS manifestations and psychological symptoms. Participants had significantly elevated scores on nine subscales of psychological symptoms.

Development and characterization of phospholipid-stabilized submicron aqueous dispersions of coenzyme Q₁₀ presenting continuous vibrating-mesh nebulization performance.

Coenzyme Q₁₀ (CoQ₁₀) is a poorly-water soluble compound that is being investigated for the treatment of carcinomas. The aim of this research was to develop a suitable formulation for pulmonary delivery of this anticancer agent. An appropriate selection of excipients (phospholipids) and a suitable device (Aeroneb Pro® vibrating-mesh nebulizer) were selected initially after reviewing the literature.

Infant birth outcomes among substance using women: why quitting smoking during pregnancy is just as important as quitting illicit drug use.

Poor birth outcomes are associated with illicit drug use during pregnancy. While prenatal cigarette exposure has similar effects, cessation of illicit drug use during pregnancy is often prioritized over cessation of smoking. The study goal was to examine the impact of pregnancy tobacco use, relative to use of illicit drugs, on birth outcomes.

Early enteral supplementation with key pharmaconutrients improves Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score in critically ill patients with sepsis: outcome of a randomized, controlled, double-blind trial.

Objective: To assess the safety and efficacy of an early enteral pharmaconutrition supplement containing glutamine dipeptides, antioxidative vitamins and trace elements, and butyrate in critically ill, septic patients.

Design: A prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blind clinical trial.

Setting: Adult intensive care unit in a university hospital.

Health-related quality of life issues in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Objective: To evaluate the influence of obesity, fertility status, and androgenism scores on health-related quality of life in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Design: Cross-sectional, correlational.

Setting: Private reproductive endocrinology practice in two southeast U.

Incidence of and risk factors for additional tympanostomy tube insertion in children.

Objective: To determine the incidence and risk factors that account for additional tympanostomy tube placement among children who have undergone an initial placement of ventilation tubes.

Design: Retrospective case review of consecutive patients.

Setting: A tertiary care pediatric hospital.

Surfer's ear: external auditory exostoses are more prevalent in cold water surfers.

Objective: The study goal was to demonstrate the prevalence and severity of external auditory exostoses (EAEs) in a population of surfers and to examine the relationship between these lesions and the length of time surfed as well as water temperature in which the swimmers surfed. It was hypothesized that subjects who predominantly surfed in colder waters had more frequent and more severe exostoses.

Methods: Two hundred two avid surfers (91% male and 9% female, median age 17 years) were included in the study.