Field Notes from the Border: Lessons Learned in Conducting Mental Health Research Involving Newly Arrived Latinx Immigrants as Study Participants.

In this paper, we describe a research protocol for surveying and interviewing Latinx immigrants recently arrived at the US southern border, and we raise important and unique issues that need to be considered with this population. The main objective is to share experiences, challenges, opportunities, and essential considerations (which we call lessons learned) that researchers should take into account when working with this vulnerable study population. The six lessons learned focus on: (1) fostering relationships with community partners; (2) participant consent and compensation; (3) linguistic and cultural fluency of researchers; (4) adapting data collection procedures to the environment and conditions; (5) establishing trust with participants and being trustworthy; and (6) addressing the ethical considerations of research with immigrant populations and the positionality of researchers.

Evaluating Adolescent Patient Outcomes and Staff Member Injuries at a General Psychiatric Inpatient Unit.

Short-term pediatric psychiatric hospitalization is used to manage acute-crisis behaviors. Few studies have detailed their clinical model and key metrics such as patient behavioral health outcomes and staff experience. This study describes a model which emphasizes group therapy based on dialectical behavior therapy during brief inpatient stays (average length of stay of 8 days).

"Take It One Dilation at a Time": Caregiver Perspectives of Postoperative Anal Dilations in Pediatric Patients with Colorectal Conditions.

Background: Postoperative anal dilations (PAD) are the standard of care for patients after a posterior sagittal anorectoplasty (PSARP) for anorectal malformation (ARM) or a transanal pull-through (TP) procedure for Hirschsprung disease (HD). This study assessed the psychosocial impact of PAD among caregivers of children with ARM or HD, which may inform postoperative care strategies.

Methods: Caregivers of patients with ARM and HD who underwent PSARP or TP within five years participated in the online survey.

Preliminary evaluation of behavior technician burnout when working with boarded and traditional psychiatric inpatients diagnosed with developmental disabilities.

Problem: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a youth mental health crisis, with research demonstrating an increased prevalence of depression, anxiety, and disruptive behavior in youth compared to pre-pandemic years. Consequently, the insurgence of emergency psychiatric evaluations has increased the demands for extended inpatient stay (or patient boarding) at various licensed treatment facilities. Questions remain about the extent of burnout being experienced by behavior technicians who are caring for these patients.

Long-term outcomes of adult patients following surgery for congenital colorectal conditions: analysis of psychosocial functioning.

Purpose: This study aimed to obtain information about the psychosocial functioning of adults with various congenital colorectal conditions (e.g., anorectal malformation, Hirschsprung disease).

Anxiety and Depression in Pediatric Patients with Celiac Disease: A Large Cross-Sectional Study.

Mental health is a growing concern in pediatric celiac disease (CD). This study utilized the Revised Children's Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS) to investigate anxiety and depression symptom rates. Participants were children ages 8 to 17 years (M = 11.

Family ties: the impact of celiac disease on children and caregivers.

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of celiac disease (CD) and the gluten-free diet (GFD) on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children with CD in the United States using validated measures. We hypothesize that CD negatively impacts the child and caregivers' HRQoL.

Methods: Participants included children with a confirmed diagnosis of CD and their caregivers (n = 246) seen in a CD multidisciplinary clinic.

#KidsAnxiety and the Digital World.

This article discusses child onset anxiety disorders in conjunction with the risks and benefits of the rapidly changing digital world including screen time, social media, and potential treatment platforms. A section includes the impact of pandemic stressors including social distancing, quarantining, the association of the pandemic and youth mental health, and prolonged screen time.

Considering the value of online support groups for colorectal conditions: perspectives from caregivers and adult patients.

Purpose: To evaluate the benefits of participating in an online support group for caregivers of children with a colorectal condition or adult patients with a similar condition.

Methods: An electronic survey was administered to members of an international online support group (18 items for caregivers; 15 for patients). Items included demographics, medical diagnosis, potential benefits, and overall experiences in the group.

The Utility of Pharmacogenetic-Guided Psychotropic Medication Selection for Pediatric Patients: A Retrospective Study.

Background: To describe trends and clinical experiences in applying commercial pharmacogenetic testing among pediatric patients with neuropsychiatric disorders.

Methods: Demographic and clinical data of patients receiving GeneSight testing from January 2015 to November 2016 at an urban pediatric hospital were retrospectively extracted from medical charts. Outcome data included pharmacogenetic test results and medication prescriptions before and after the test.

Parent experience with volunteers and support groups in a multidisciplinary DSD clinic.

Objective: Despite recommendations that clinics for children with a difference of sex development (DSD) should include peer support, information on how to provide this support is lacking. We utilized a mixed-methods program evaluation to evaluate family satisfaction with our clinic-based volunteers (who either have DSD themselves or are a parent of a child with DSD) and to understand the experience of these volunteers.

Methods: Parents (n=29) of a child with DSD completed an electronic survey.

Analysis of patients' and caregivers' psychosocial functioning in colorectal conditions: comparison of diagnosis, gender, and developmental functioning.

Purpose: To evaluate the psychosocial functioning of caregivers and patients with anorectal malformation (ARM), Hirschsprung disease (HD), spinal conditions, and idiopathic constipation (IC) during the beginning of participation in bowel management program (BMP).

Methods: In this retrospective study, Parent Stress Scale (PSS, parent-report) and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ, parent-proxy; SDQ-S, self-report for 11 years and older) were used to evaluate parental stress levels and behavioral functioning, respectively. Descriptive and comparative statistical approaches were applied to summarize the data and to determine differences in scores between diagnoses, gender, and developmental functioning.

Relations between patient and staff member characteristics and staff member injury on a psychiatric inpatient unit for children with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

Problem: Staff member injuries are a pervasive and long-standing problem for psychiatric inpatient units.

Method: The current study analyzed the prevalence of staff member injury and characteristics of patients that injured staff on a specialized psychiatric unit for children with intellectual or developmental disabilities. We evaluated staffing patterns as well as characteristics of patients (e.

Mental illness on Instagram: a mixed method study to characterize public content, sentiments, and trends of antidepressant use.

Background: Individuals with mental illness use social media to share treatment experiences and anecdotal information. Despite the significant impact of social media on individuals with mental illness, posts related to antidepressants have not been studied systematically.

Aims: This study evaluates public sentiments and content posted on Instagram regarding the use of antidepressants.

The Use of N-acetylcysteine Supplementation to Decrease Irritability in Four Youths With Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often experience high levels of irritability, which adversely affects their functioning and behaviors. N-acetylcysteine (NAC), an antioxidant precursor to glutathione, has recently been studied for a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders. There is growing evidence to support its use to decrease irritability and self-injurious behaviors in youth with ASD.

Providers' perspectives on substance use among solid organ transplant candidates in a pediatric hospital.

Introduction: Substance use is prevalent among youth and often leads to impairment in multiple domains. Additionally, substance use may pose adverse health issues post-transplant. Yet, practices related to substance use among pediatric patients who require organ transplant remain inconsistent.

Evaluating Health-Related Quality of Life and School Attendance in a Multidisciplinary School Program for Youth with Significant Medical Needs.

Many youth with significant medical needs have difficulty attending traditional schools due to academic, physical, and psychosocial challenges. To meet the needs of these youth and prepare them for a successful transition to a traditional school, a multidisciplinary school program (MSP) provides support in these three domains. The aims of this program evaluation are to describe the operation of the novel MSP, characterize participants, and determine the impact of participation as related to school attendance and health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

A survey of adults with anorectal malformations: perspectives on educational, vocational, and psychosocial experiences.

Purpose: Despite medical advances, individuals with anorectal malformations (ARM) experience significant medical and psychosocial challenges due to their complex conditions. This study aimed to obtain the perspectives of adults with ARM throughout their lifetime regarding their medical, school/vocational, and psychosocial functioning.

Methods: A 40-item survey was administered electronically to members of an international ARM Facebook group (56% response rate; n = 125).

Pulse Oximetry Values in Newborns with Critical Congenital Heart Disease upon ICU Admission at Altitude.

Pulse oximetry screening for critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) has been recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The objectives of this study are to describe saturation data, and to evaluate the effectiveness of AAP-recommended pulse oximetry screening guidelines applied retrospectively to a cohort of newborns with known CCHD at moderate altitude (5557 feet, Aurora, Colorado). Data related to seven critical congenital heart disease diagnoses were extracted from electronic health records (pulse oximetry, prostaglandin administration, and oxygen supplementation).

Comparison of DNA extraction kits for PCR-DGGE analysis of human intestinal microbial communities from fecal specimens.

Background: The influence of diet on intestinal microflora has been investigated mainly using conventional microbiological approaches. Although these studies have advanced knowledge on human intestinal microflora, it is imperative that new methods are applied to facilitate scientific progress. Culture-independent molecular fingerprinting method of Polymerase Chain Reaction and Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) has been used to study microbial communities in a variety of environmental samples.

Acute and chronic effects of honey and its carbohydrate constituents on calcium absorption in rats.

The effects of honey and its carbohydrate constituents (glucose, fructose, and raffinose) on calcium absorption in rats were investigated in acute and chronic feeding studies. In the acute study, rats ( n = 120) were gavaged with an oral solution consisting of (a) 10 microCi (45)Ca, (b) 25 mg of calcium as calcium acetate, and (c) one of the following: 0 mg of honey (control), or 200, 500, or 800 mg of honey, a glucose-fructose mixture, 10.75 mg of raffinose, or 200 mg of raffinose.

Chocolate and cardiovascular health: is it too good to be true?

Recent findings indicate that cocoa and chocolate, when processed appropriately, may contain relatively large amounts of flavonoids, particularly catechin and epicatechin. We review the benefits of these flavonoids, specifically with regard to cardiovascular health, and raise several unresolved issues that suggest the need for additional research and product development in this area.