Search

Depression is common in people with fibromyalgia (FM) and osteoarthritis (OA) and has been linked to adverse health outcomes in these conditions. The purpose of this study was to examine differences in predictors of depression among individuals with FM and OA using a range of health, demographic, and psychological variables. Of the total 963 participants, 600 were diagnosed with FM, and 363 with OA. The Quality of Well-Being Scale (QWB) was used to assess health status. The Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) and the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale (AIMS) were used to measure disease-specific impact. Additionally, participants completed self-efficacy and helplessness assessments. Depression was measured using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Scale (CES-D). The results of a moderated linear regression showed that higher depression scores were associated with lower health status and a greater condition impact, especially in the FM group. Self-efficacy and helplessness predicted depression in both groups, but more strongly in FM. White participants with OA were more depressed than their non-White counterparts, while the opposite was true for FM. These findings indicate that improving health status and psychological well-being might alleviate depression in both FM and OA.

The paucity of data for African Americans (AAs) participating in health-related research (e.g., genomic health research) is often attributed to difficulty in recruitment and retention. The COVID-19 pandemic, which has resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths, particularly in AA communities, has amplified the problem. Reasons for not participating remain unclear and may account for health disparities observed in these communities. Failure and unwillingness to participate in research in general influences health disparities, which may lead to missed economic opportunities, inequalities, poor health, reduced quality of life, and premature death. This review assesses barriers to acceptance of genomic-related health research among AAs and other marginalized populations. To investigate barriers to participating in health-related research involving deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), 38 studies published in PubMed and Scopus between January 2008 and December 2018 were reviewed. Results were based on feedback collected by trained research assistants and phlebotomists during structured group, face-to-face, and telephonic. Reason for non-participation in genomic related research were pervasive and included perceived and/or actual experiences of mistrust and deceptiveness by investigators, misuse of genomic data, unethical research practices, healthcare system distrust, privacy concerns, socioeconomic influences, cultural beliefs, and other influences associated with psychosocial factors. These results are consistent with diminishing participation of AAs in DNA-related research attributable to a range of factors leading to health disparities. Addressing these factors among marginalized communities, and AAs who have not largely been represented in DNA-related research, will guide insights on how to conduct research in these communities.

This paper characterizes the actual science performance of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), as determined from the six month commissioning period. We summarize the performance of the spacecraft, telescope, science instruments, and ground system, with an emphasis on differences from pre-launch expectations. Commissioning has made clear that JWST is fully capable of achieving the discoveries for which it was built. Moreover, almost across the board, the science performance of JWST is better than expected; in most cases, JWST will go deeper faster than expected. The telescope and instrument suite have demonstrated the sensitivity, stability, image quality, and spectral range that are necessary to transform our understanding of the cosmos through observations spanning from near-earth asteroids to the most distant galaxies., Comment: 5th version as accepted to PASP; 31 pages, 18 figures; https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1538-3873/acb293

Faith-based organizations (FBOs) can play an important role in improving health outcomes. Lay community health advisors (CHAs) are integral to these efforts. This paper assesses the sustainability of a CHA training program for congregants in African-American and Latino FBOs and subsequent implementation of educational workshops. The program is unique in that a health care chaplain in an academic medical center was central to the program's development and implementation. Forty-eight CHAs in 11 FBOs were trained to teach workshops on cardiovascular health, mental health, diabetes, and smoking cessation. Two thousand four hundred and forty-four participants attended 70 workshops. This program has the potential to be a model to educate individuals and to address health inequities in underserved communities. Health care chaplains in other medical centers may use this as a model for enhancing community engagement and education.

OBJECTIVES: To characterize the effects of precision nutrition on dietary behavior change, weight, and waist circumference. To examine perceptions of receiving a personalized nutrition plan. METHODS: Food as Medicine Phase II is a pilot study that measured the effectiveness of incorporating precision nutrition to improve chronic disease management in a cohort of 24 low income African Americans with either pre-diabetes, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, elevated blood cholesterol levels, obesity or a combination of these disorders. Anthropometric measures and a food questionnaire were collected pre/post study. DNA samples were obtained from each participant and analyzed at Howard University on SNPs related to nutrient metabolism. Results from the DNA tests were incorporated in a detailed personal nutrition plan developed for each participant. Plans were presented and discussed during an initial individual face-to-face counseling session. Due to COVID 19, a second counseling session was conducted via Zoom. For three months after the 2nd counseling session, participants received weekly text messages reinforcing the information received. RESULTS: Participants reported significant improvements in their intake of most recommended foods. Reductions in weight, waist circumference, and in the reported intake of non-recommended foods and beverages were not significant. Most participants either strongly agreed (14) or agreed (4) that the personalized nutrition plan provided useful information. The coronavirus pandemic was mentioned by 20% of participants as a barrier to following their personalized nutrition plan recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that a personalized approach in providing dietary recommendations utilizing precision nutrition has the potential to increase self-efficacy and improve dietary intake among low income African Americans with chronic disease. It also demonstrated that it is feasible to recruit and retain individuals of African ancestry to participate in an investigation that assesses and discloses gene-associated disease risk. FUNDING SOURCES: Ardmore Institute of Health

A multilaboratory study was completed with AOAC INTERNATIONAL First Action Official MethodSM 2015.09, “Determination of trans and Total (cis+trans) Vitamin K1 in Infant, Pediatric, and Adult Nutritionals by HPLC with Post Column Reduction and Fluorescence Detection.” Eight laboratories from six countries participated in the multilaboratory study. Each laboratory analyzed 19 infant, pediatric, and adult nutritionals in duplicate. The product matrixes analyzed included milk, soy, partially hydrolyzed milk, partially hydrolyzed soy, and elemental-based infant formula powders; milk-based infant formula ready-to-feed liquids; pediatric powders; adult low- and high-fat powders; and high-protein ready-to-drink nutritionals. Vitamin K1 was extracted from product matrixes with isooctane after precipitation of proteins and the release of lipids with methanol. Prepared samples were injected onto a silica HPLC column in which cis and trans vitamin K1 were separated with an isooctane–isopropanol mobile phase. The column eluent was mixed with a dilute ethanolic solution of zinc chloride, sodium acetate, and acetic acid, and cis and trans vitamin K1 were reduced to fluorescent derivatives in a zinc reactor column. Overall, trans vitamin K1 repeatability averaged 3.06% relative standard deviation (RSD) with a range of 0.99–7.16% RSD and reproducibility averaged 6.36% RSD with a range of 3.15–16.1% RSD. Repeatability Standard Method Performance Requirements (SMPR®) were met for all 19 matrixes, and reproducibility SMPRs were met for 18 of the 19 product matrixes analyzed. Repeatability and reproducibility for total (cis + trans) vitamin K1 averaged 3.15% RSD with a range of 1.06–6.87% RSD and 6.11% RSD with a range of 2.94–16.7% RSD, respectively.

Background Academic nursing faculty play a vital role in recruiting a diverse student body to increase the diversity of the profession and educate students to provide culturally sensitive care to expand equitable health care. Purpose The purpose of the study is to present the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Nurse Faculty Scholars program diversity initiatives and outcomes. Methods Data on the diversity of the 90 scholars and their diversity-related leadership positions were compiled. Discussion Although the program was designed with selection criteria to encourage racial/ethnic and gender diversity, it was not until a diversity strategic plan was designed and implemented that sufficient diversity in the applicant pool and consistent diversity among the scholars was achieved. The program also included highly evaluated leadership content in diversity and inclusion. Conclusions Lessons learned from the program are important for the assurance of continued diversity among tenure-track nursing faculty, commitment to diversity in the nursing workforce among all faculty, and support in nursing education on providing culturally sensitive nursing care and nursing research that addresses health inequities.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the study were: 1) to determine whether there is food insecurity among matriculating students attending a Historically Black College/University (HBCU), 2) to investigate the associations between food security status and the demographic characteristics (gender, classification, housing status) of students, 3) to examine the relationship of food security status to the consumption of fruits and vegetables (FV), 4) to investigate the association of student food security status with overweight/obesity, and 5) to assess fast food consumption among food insecure students. METHODS: Five hundred Seventy undergrad and graduate students were recruited to participate in an online survey. The survey was voluntary and anonymous. Data were collected via a 20-item survey using Qualtrics, an online software program that allows its users to create and distribute survey instruments. The main survey questions were derived the Six-item United States Department of Agriculture-Adult Food Security Survey Module (USDA-AFSSM). The survey also included questions which measured: height and weight, daily fruit and vegetable consumption, fast food purchases and potential food pantry utilization. The remaining questions in the survey determined demographic characteristics which included gender, class, meal plan, and housing status. RESULTS: Data indicated 77.7% (405) of the sample had experienced some level of food insecurity over the last 12 months, whereas 116 (22.2%) were determined to be food secure. The prevalence of the four categories of food security status is shown in Figure 1. Food insecure students were significantly more likely to purchase fast foods two or more times a week and had significantly lower mean fruit and vegetable intakes than food secure students. Sophomores were least likely to be food secure (11.1%), while graduate/professional students were most likely to be food secure (37.6%). Students living on campus were found to be more likely to be food insecure. CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides evidence of significant food insecurity. More fast food and decreased fruit and vegetable consumption was found among the food insecure vs food secure. Food security on college campuses bears further investigation. FUNDING SOURCES: Howard University. SUPPORTING TABLES, IMAGES AND/OR GRAPHS

OBJECTIVES: The paucity of data for African-Americans (AAs) participating in health-related research (e.g., genomic research in nutrition) is often attributed to difficulty in recruitment and retention. The reasons for such unwillingness to participate remains unclear and could account for health disparities. Studies demonstrate that AAs may be more difficult to recruit and retain in genomic studies due to psychosocial impacts, cultural beliefs and other issues. Historically, these factors have shown to both affect participation and adversely influence health disparities, which may lead to premature death, reduced quality of life, missed economic opportunities, and inequalities. The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review to answer the following question: What are the barriers to acceptance of genomic health research among AAs and other minority populations? METHODS: This systematic review investigates acceptance barriers in AAs participating in health-related research involving DNA. A total of 37 articles met inclusion criteria for this review. Acceptance to participate in health-related research involving DNA were examined from articles published in PubMed and Scopus between 2008–2018. Results were based on feedback collected by trained research assistants and phlebotomists during interviews conducted in groups, face-to-face, via telephone, and responses collected from survey questionnaires. RESULTS: AA participation in health-related research is influenced by various pervasive factors including, but not limited to, perceived and/or actual experiences of mistrust and deceptiveness with investigators, misuse of genomic data, unethical research practices, healthcare system distrust, privacy concerns, socioeconomic influences, cultural beliefs and other influences associated with psychosocial factors. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this review are consistent with literature which shows diminishing participation of AAs in health-related research is attributable to a range of factors leading to growing concerns about health disparities. It is important to address these factors among diverse populations, and AAs in particular, who have not largely been represented in health-related research to promote better health outcomes and understand how to prevent and treat diseases. FUNDING SOURCES: Howard University.

Food insecurity among college students is becoming a more widely recognized issue across the country. Recent studies report between 30-50% of college students experience some level of food insecurity, a rate that is nearly two-fold higher than the general public. Although food insecurity has likely existed among this population for many years, it has recently become more intensely studied potentially due to the changing demographic characteristics of the average student. More than ever before, students are single parents, full-time employees, and/or first generation college students. These nontraditional students often experience financial obligations that can impact their ability to access an adequate amount of nutritious food for themselves and their families. This is especially concerning considering food insecurity among college students has been associated with overall poor health, poor eating behaviors, and adverse academic outcomes.

Northwest Technical College researched, planned for, and has successfully implemented a unique delivery of its Practical Nursing Program through the use of Internet technology. This Distance Practical Nursing exploratory paper presents a historical overview of the program, assesses job market needs in the field of nursing, evaluates use of varying delivery methodologies, outlines program successes, and identifies barriers to distance delivery of this health curriculum. The essential components of quality, access, and cost are highlighted and related to the unique challenges they present in the field of distance education.

Background: Food insecurity has been a very prominent, but understudied topic among U.S. colleges. African-American college students have been shown to be the group most impacted by food insecurity. There has been some evidence of association between food insecurity and low fruit and vegetable consumption, as well as with increased fast food consumption and overweight/obesity. Methods: A convenience sample of 10,300 students attending a historically black college /university (HBCU) were invited to complete an online survey with questions that measured food security using the United States Department of Agriculture Adult Food Security Survey Module (USDA-AFSSM), body mass index (BMI), the frequency of fruit and vegetable intake, and fast food purchases. A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the relationships between the variables and the food security status of the participants at 5% significant. Results: The students who experienced some level of food insecurity were found to have lower consumption of fruits and vegetables and on a weekly basis were more likely to purchase fast food meals compared to food secure students. There was no significant difference in the BMIs of food secure vs food insecure student. Conclusion/ recommendations: The present study showed that food insecure students were significantly more likely to purchase fast foods compared with food secure students. Further research is needed to attain a more comprehensive understanding of the depth of prevalence of food insecurity among students attending HBCUs and its effect on food choices and obesity risk.

Emerging evidence indicates that museum object handling sessions offer short-term benefits to healthcare participants. This study aimed to further understand psychological and social aspects of object handling in mental health inpatients. Older adults (N ¼ 42) from a psychiatric inpatient ward with diagnoses of depression or anxiety took part in a series of object handling group sessions with 5–12 participants per group. Session audio recordings were subjected to thematic analysis. Five main themes were identified: ‘responding to object focused questions’, ‘learning about objects and from each other’, ‘enjoyment, enrichment through touch and privilege’, ‘memories, personal associations and identity’ and ‘imagination and storytelling’. The first four were congruent with literature associated with positive wellbeing and engagement outcomes but the fifth was a new finding for group contexts. Limitations include the relatively small sample and variable week-to-week group attendance. Audio recordings did not provide information on non-verbal communication and how objects were handled. Future studies should control for attendance and examine effects of multiple sessions over time, ideally with video recording. This study offers preliminary support for museum object handling as a group intervention in mental health care with potential to develop therapeutic aspects of the sessions. Findings indicate that object handling is a novel yet effective intervention with potential for conferring additional advantages by conducting sessions in group settings.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to develop and implement a “Food as Medicine” intervention using quantitative methods supported by health literacy and food choice and behavioral models to target chronic diseases under free-living conditions in adults diagnosed with chronic diseases. The hypothesis of this study is that “Food as Medicine” nutrition and lifestyle intervention sessions will result in significant improvements in food choices, as well as shopping and cooking behaviors. METHODS: The Food as Medicine (FAM) study is a community-based pilot study that measured the effectiveness of a nutrition intervention to improve chronic disease risk factors and outcomes among African Americans with either pre-diabetes, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, elevated total blood cholesterol levels, obesity or a combination of these disorders. The study enrolled patients who were attending both Howard University Family Medicine and Internal Medicine Practices, and were residents of wards seven or eight in the District of Columbia. Fifty-four participants were enrolled and assigned to five cohorts, which consisted of five group sessions over three months, and focused on improving diet and health literacy through nutritionist-led, culturally-tailored, nutrition education classes that included health literacy, mindfulness exercises, and cooking demonstrations. RESULTS: After program completion, FAM participants demonstrated significant improvements in all outcome measures of interest: healthy dietary patterns (P

During the “Standards Development and International Harmonization: AOAC INTERNATIONAL Mid-Year Meeting” held on June 29, 2011, an Expert Review Panel (ERP) reviewed the method “Determination of Vitamin B12 in Infant Formula and Adult Nutritionals by HPLC.” Under the new pathway to Official MethodsSM, the ERP adopted the method as Official First Action. The method is applicable to the determination of vitamin B12 in infant formula and adult nutritionals. Data showed an average overall intermediate precision of 6.64% RSD, an estimated quantitation limit of 0.8 μg/kg, and a detection limit of 0.2 μg/kg in prepared samples. The standard range of the method is 2 to 200 μg/L, which corresponds to an analytical range of 0.8 to 500 μg/kg.

The applicability of AOAC Official MethodSM 992.06, Vitamin A (Retinol) in Milk-Based Infant Formula can be extended to specialty infant formulas, and medical and adult nutritional products with a few minor modifications to the sample preparation procedure. Currently, AOAC Official MethodSM9 92.06 is only applicable to milk-based infant formulas containing >500 IU vitamin A per reconstituted quart. When this method is used as written to test specialty infant formulas, vitamin A recoveries are low compared to results generated with alternate validated vitamin A methods. AOAC Method 992.06 vitamin A recoveries can be improved significantly in specialty infant formulas if the amount of potassium hydroxide used during the saponification step is doubled. With this one minor modification to the sample preparation procedure, AOAC Method 992.06 demonstrates acceptable precision and accuracy for the quantitation of vitamin A (retinol) in specialty infant formulas, milk- and soy-based infant formulas, and adult and medical nutritionals. Because increasing the amount of potassium hydroxide can cause emulsions to form, 24 mL aliquots of reagent alcohol may need to be added to some samples to separate the organic and aqueous layers during the extraction step. A single-laboratory validation of these modifications was completed. During validation, 15 different product matrixes were analyzed. The intermediate precision averaged 2.70% RSD, and spike recovery data averaged 96.3%.

Modifications were made to AOAC Official MethodSM 999.15 to extend its applicability to specialty infant formulas containing hydrolyzed proteins and free amino acids, and to medical and adult nutritional products. Minor changes to the sample preparation procedure and chromatographic separation improved vitamin K1 recoveries and reduced chromatographic interferences in these types of matrixes. Currently AOAC Method 999.15 is applicable only to the determination of total vitamin K1 (phylloquione) in infant formula and milk (fluid, ready-to-feed, and powdered) containing >1 g vitamin K1/100 g solids. AOAC Method 999.15 recoveries of vitamin K1 were improved by altering sample sizes, extraction solvents and amounts, and the reagent addition order and amount of water or aqueous solutions added. The chromatographic separation of vitamin K1 in medical nutritional products containing canola and marine oils was improved, and trans vitamin K1 was separated from the biologically inactive cis isomer in all products with a C30 3 m column and a 100 methanol mobile phase. With these modifications to the extraction procedure and chromatographic separation, AOAC Method 999.15 demonstrated acceptable precision and accuracy for the quantitation of trans vitamin K1 in specialty infant formulas containing hydrolyzed proteins and free amino acids, and medical and adult nutritional products. A single-laboratory validation of these minor modifications was completed. Fourteen different product matrixes were analyzed during validation. The intermediate precision averaged 4.15 RSD (range 2.525.81 RSD), and recovery data averaged 100.1 (range 92.2109).

Previously we reported that compared to iterative reconstruction with ordered subset expectation maximum (OSEM), wide beam reconstruction (WBR), which incorporates resolution recovery and controls noise during reconstruction without applying a post-processing filter, allows half-time SPECT acquisition with preserved diagnostic quality. We now postulate that with further Poisson noise treatment, quarter-time acquisition is possible.The half-time WBR algorithm was optimized for quarter-time acquisition based upon anthropomorphic cardiac phantom data and a pilot group of 48 patients (pts). Then using the modified algorithm, 209 pts (91 men, 118 women, mean chest circumference = 40 in) were imaged at rest (R) and stress (S) (9/32 mCi (99m)Tc-sestamibi) full-time with OSEM, and again quarter-time with the modified WBR algorithm. The 180 degrees , 64-stop, full-time single-day rest (R) (25 second-per-stop, sps) and 8-frame per cardiac cycle post-stress (S) (20 sps) gated SPECT, and then quarter-time R (6 sps) and post-S (4 sps) gated SPECT were acquired. Blinded observers graded scan quality (1 = poor to 5 = excellent) based on myocardial uniformity, endocardial/epicardial edge definition, and background noise. Perfusion defects were scored using a 17-segment model. Using three commercially available software methods, end-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV), and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were calculated.For the 209 prospective pts, mean image quality for R full-time OSEM and quarter-time WBR were similar (3.5 +/- 0.9 vs 3.6 +/- 0.7, p NS). For S, quarter-time WBR quality was superior to full-time OSEM (4.3 +/- 0.7 vs 3.9 +/- 0.7) (P = 1.78 x 10(-17)). In 35 pts with chest circumferences44 inches a longer, 10 sps WBR acquisition improved resting image quality. Of 48 pts with abnormal scans (SSSs2 by OSEM) mean summed stress scores, summed rest scores, and summed difference scores were not significantly different with quarter-time WBR vs full-time OSEM (11.2 vs 10.9), (9.1 vs 9.0), (2.0 vs 1.9) (P NS). For the three software methods, there was a good correlation of LVEF, EDV, and ESV determined by WBR vs OSEM (all r0.92). ESVs were generally higher with WBR, primarily due to better delineation of the valve plane at end-systole, whereas EDVs were similar. Thus, EFs were significantly lower with WBR.For perfusion SPECT quarter-time WBR affords image quality, defect characterization, and functional assessment equivalent to full-time OSEM.

Compared to filtered back projection (FBP), OSEM with resolution recovery (OSEM-RR) and wide beam reconstruction (WBR)(UltraSPECT Ltd.), which resolve resolution and suppress noise simultaneously during reconstruction, have been shown to maintain/improve myocardial perfusion SPECT quality, even with low count density half-time acquisitions. We postulated that their characteristics would be advantageous for gated SPECT, where each frame is only 1/8th the count density of the summed perfusion images.An 9 mCi rest/32 mCi (333/1184 MBq) stress Tc(99m) sestamibi protocol was used. 15-min FBP, and additional 7-min OSEM-RR and WBR post-stress 8-frame/cardiac cycle SPECT scans were acquired with 90 degrees -angled dual-headed detectors equipped with high resolution collimators in 156 patients. In 82 patients (48F, 34M) (123-252 lbs) with perfusion defects gated image quality was graded visually: 1 (poor)-5 (excellent) Regional LV wall motion (WM) was scored: 0 (normal)-4 (dyskinesis) in a total of 50 vascular territories with defects. Using Myometrix software (GE Healthcare), post-stress EDV, ESV, and EF were calculated for each method. Additionally, for purposes of comparison, the FBP gated tomograms were processed with other commercially available packages, Emory Toolbox and Cedars QGS.Despite half-time acquisitions, compared to FBP, image quality increased marginally with OSEM-RR (P = .09) but very significantly with WBR (P = 1.9 x 10(-21)). The WM score was greater only for WBR (P = 4.8 x 10(-8)). Although quantitative parameters correlated well with those determined by FBP (all EF r's0.85; all volume r's0.93), EFs were significantly lower (P = .0001 for OSEM-RR, 3.4 x 10(-14) for WBR), primarily due to a decrease in EDV with OSEM-RR (P = 7.3 x 10(-13)) and an increase in ESV with WBR (P = 9.2 x 10(-5)). However, inter-method differences in these parameters were of similar magnitude to differences encountered among the commercially available software methods.Half-time OSEM-RR and particularly WBR improve gated SPECT diagnostic quality compared to full-time FBP due to increased resolution and reduced noise. However, these attributes, which affect endocardial edge detection, result in a systematic offset in EDV, ESV, and EF.

This normal-phase HPLC method with postcolumn reduction and fluorescence detection allows for the quantitative determination of trans vitamin K1 in infant, pediatric, and adult nutritionals. Vitamin K1 is extracted from products with iso-octane after precipitation of proteins and release of lipids with methanol. Prepared samples are injected onto a silica HPLC column where cis and trans vitamin K1 are separated with an iso-octane–isopropanol mobile phase. The column eluent is mixed with a dilute ethanolic solution of zinc chloride, sodium acetate, and acetic acid, and vitamin K1 is reduced to a fluorescent derivative in a zinc reactor column. The resulting hydroquinone is then detected by fluorescence at an excitation wavelength of 245 nm and an emission wavelength of 440 nm. During a single-laboratory validation of this method, repeatability and intermediate precision ranged from 0.6 to 3.5% RSD and 1.1 to 6.0% RSD, respectively. Mean overspike recoveries ranged from 91.9 to 106%. The method demonstrated good linearity over a standard range of approximately 2–90 μg/L trans vitamin K1 with r2 averaging 0.99995 and average calibration errors of