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BackgroundInadequate or excessive intake of micronutrients in pregnancy has potential to negatively impact maternal/offspring health outcomes.ObjectiveThe aim was to compare risks of inadequate or excessive micronutrient intake in diverse females with singleton pregnancies by strata of maternal age, race/ethnicity, education, and prepregnancy BMI.MethodsFifteen observational cohorts in the US Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Consortium assessed participant dietary intake with 24-h dietary recalls (n = 1910) or food-frequency questionnaires (n = 7891) from 1999-2019. We compared the distributions of usual intake of 19 micronutrients from food alone (15 cohorts; n = 9801) and food plus dietary supplements (10 cohorts with supplement data; n = 7082) to estimate the proportion with usual daily intakes below their age-specific daily Estimated Average Requirement (EAR), above their Adequate Intake (AI), and above their Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL), overall and within sociodemographic and anthropometric subgroups.ResultsRisk of inadequate intake from food alone ranged from 0% to 87%, depending on the micronutrient and assessment methodology. When dietary supplements were included, some women were below the EAR for vitamin D (20-38%), vitamin E (17-22%), and magnesium (39-41%); some women were above the AI for vitamin K (63-75%), choline (7%), and potassium (37-53%); and some were above the UL for folic acid (32-51%), iron (39-40%), and zinc (19-20%). Highest risks for inadequate intakes were observed among participants with age 14-18 y (6 nutrients), non-White race or Hispanic ethnicity (10 nutrients), less than a high school education (9 nutrients), or obesity (9 nutrients).ConclusionsImproved diet quality is needed for most pregnant females. Even with dietary supplement use, >20% of participants were at risk of inadequate intake of ≥1 micronutrients, especially in some population subgroups. Pregnancy may be a window of opportunity to address disparities in micronutrient intake that could contribute to intergenerational health inequalities.

This study examined the association between prenatal cannabis exposure and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnoses and traits. A total sample of 11,570 children (ages 1–18; 53% male; 25% Hispanic; 60% White) from 34 cohorts of the National Institutes of Health‐funded environmental influences on child health outcomes consortium were included in analyses. Results from generalized linear mixed models replicated previous studies showing that associations between prenatal cannabis exposure and ASD traits in children are not significant when controlling for relevant covariates, particularly tobacco exposure. Child biological sex did not moderate the association between prenatal cannabis exposure and ASD. In a large sample and measuring ASD traits continuously, there was no evidence that prenatal cannabis exposure increases the risk for ASD. This work helps to clarify previous mixed findings by addressing concerns about statistical power and ASD measurement. Lay Summary: This study examined the relationship between prenatal cannabis exposure and autism traits. We found that there was no association between maternal cannabis use during pregnancy and child autism traits once potential confounds were controlled. Although there was no evidence that prenatal cannabis exposure increases the risk for autism traits, prenatal cannabis exposure may still be associated with other facets of child development and behavior that were outside of the scope of this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a fluorescence technique was developed for visualization of dentin using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Eighteen extracted human teeth were used: 13 showing no clinical signs of caries and 5 with visually apparent decay. Preliminary study: All teeth were horizontally sectioned to approx. 200 μm thickness and pre-treated as follows: no pretreatment; vacuum only; ultrasonication only; sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) only; vacuum and NaOCl; ultrasonication and NaOCl; or vacuum, ultrasonication and NaOCl. Samples were stained with Rhodamine 123 fluorescent dye at a concentration of 10-5 M in phosphate buffer saline for 1 to 24 hours. Caries study: Dentin surfaces, some with pre-existing caries, were visualized using CLSM. Most dentin tubules in sound dentin appeared open using CLSM, but most dentin tubules in carious dentin appeared closed or narrowed. Surface images obtained using CLSM were similar to those seen by SEM, but additional subsurface imaging was possible using CLSM at depth intervals of 1 μm to a depth of 30 - 50 μm. This technique shows good potential for non-invasive surface and subsurface imaging of dentin structures.

These investigations were performed to determine thermal, histological and incisional effects in soft tissue of laser irradiation at 9.3 um. Specifically, the consequences of varying pulse duration, interval and frequency, peak and average powers and energy densities were studied. In fresh pig's jaws, 6 standardized incisions, 3 cm in length, were made per parameter using a template and motorized jig. Incisions were made at various standardized anatomical sites, and surface thermal events monitored using an IR camera. Laser parameters investigated: power: 1 - 11 W, duty cycle: 10 - 90%, Pulse duration: 1 - 200 ms, at gated continuous wave. Superpulse and OptiPulse TM modes with 300 us pulses were also investigated. Incision width and depth as well as collateral tissue effects were assessed statistically. They were directly related to the parameters used. Ease of incision and effects on underlying bone were also parameter-related.

We compared the rates of medical closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and complications (renal dysfunction, necrotizing enterocolitis, spontaneous intestinal perforation, and intraventricular hemorrhage) between infants treated with indomethacin and infants treated with ibuprofen. We performed a retrospective comparative cohort study of infants treated with indomethacin or ibuprofen for symptomatic PDA at Duke University Medical Center between November 2005 and November 2007. We identified 65 infants who received indomethacin and 57 who received ibuprofen. The rate of survival without surgical ductal ligation was 62% (40/65) in the indomethacin group and 58% (33/57) in the ibuprofen group ( P = 0.71). The rate of the composite of complications (death, necrotizing enterocolitis, or intestinal perforation) was 40% (26/65) in the indomethacin group and 32% (18/57) in the ibuprofen group ( P = 0.35). There was no significant difference between groups in elevation of serum creatinine during treatment. In clinical practice, ibuprofen appears to be as effective as indomethacin for closure of patent ductus arteriosus with similar complication rates. The decision to use one agent over the other should be based on dose schedule preference and the currently published clinical trials until more safety and effectiveness data are available. © Thieme Medical Publishers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

End-tidal carbon dioxide (PETCO2) is a surrogate, noninvasive measurement of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2), but the clinical applicability of PETCO2 in the intensive care unit remains unclear. Available research on the relationship between PETCO2 and PaCO2 has not taken a detailed assessment of physiologic dead space into consideration. We hypothesized that PETCO2 would reliably predict PaCO2 across all levels of physiologic dead space, provided that the expected PETCO2-PaCO2 difference is considered. METHODS: Fifty-six mechanically ventilated pediatric patients (0-17 y old, mean weight 19.5+/=24.5 kg) were monitored with volumetric capnography. For every arterial blood gas measurement during routine care, we measured PETCO2 and calculated the ratio of dead space to tidal volume (VD/VT). We assessed the PETCO2-PaCO2 relationship with Pearson's correlation coefficient, in 4 VD/VT ranges. RESULTS: VD/VT was < 0.40 for 125 measurements (25%), 0.41-0.55 for 160 measurements (32%), 0.56-0.70 for 154 measurements (31%), and > 0.7 for 54 measurements (11%). The correlation coefficients between PETCO2 and PaCO2 were 0.95 (mean difference 0.3+/= 2.1 mm Hg) for VD/VT < 0.40, 0.88 (mean difference 5.9 +/= 4.3 mm Hg) for VD/VT 0.41-0.55, 0.86 (mean difference 13.6+/=5.2mmHg) for VD/VT 0.56-0.70, and 0.78 (mean difference 17.8+/=6.7mmHg) for VD/VT> 0.7. CONCLUSIONS: There were strong correlations between PETCO2 and PaCO2 in all the VD/VT ranges. The PETCO2-PaCO2 difference increased predictably with increasing VD/VT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine risk factors, knowledge, and attitudes as predictors of intent to use condoms among 290 minority female adolescents who attended family planning clinics. Data on demographic characteristics and risk behaviors such as drug use, school attendance, and contraceptive use were gathered. The results indicated that slightly over half of the teens intended to use condoms at the next intercourse. Overall knowledge about HIV/AIDS and STDs was poor and was not a predictor of intent to use condoms. Teens who intended to use condoms had more favorable attitudes about condom use and a better sense of self-protection regardless of partner feelings or beliefs. These findings suggest that program planners need to be aware that inconsistencies between knowledge and the behaviors of teens exist and this must be viewed within the teens' cultural milieu. Condom use and sex education should become a collaborative endeavor among teens, parents, and partners of female adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reviews the literature on cross-cultural assessment of self-construals and proposes to refine their conceptualization by incorporating principles derived from self-categorization theory and a critique of cross-cultural research. A Sixfold Self-Construal Scale is devised to measure six subcategories of self-construal: the personal self, relational horizontal and relational vertical selves, collective horizontal and collective vertical selves, and humanity-bound self-construal. The instrument's reliability and factor structure are tested in four student samples ( N = 855) from the United Kingdom, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. Convergent validity of the Sixfold Self-Construal Scale is tested with measures of Group Identification, Inclusion of the Other in the Self, the Schwartz value survey, and comparison of national mean scores. Results support the reliability, validity, and sensitivity of the scale in all samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: To assess perceived sexually transmitted disease (STD) (gonorrhea and chlamdydia) screening behaviors among young women at risk for STDs by evaluating readiness, pros and cons, and self-efficacy to seek STD screening in the absence of symptoms. METHODS: Two hundred forty young urban women (mean 18.8 years +/-1.59) consecutively attending an urban reproductive clinic voluntarily completed a 67-item questionnaire on STD screening behaviors that included the stages of change (SOCs), decisional balance, and self-efficacy as well as sexual practices and partner relationships. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, multivariate analyses of variance, Chi-square tests, and Wilcoxon signed rank test. RESULTS: Ninety-five percent of the participants would be willing to obtain STD screening for early disease detection. Participants were further along the SOCs for STD screening following unprotected sex with a change in partner than main partner, (p <.001). Pros and cons of STD screening varied according to the SOCs for STD screening with a change in partner and main partner. Self-efficacy increased linearly along the SOCs for STD screening (p <.001). CONCLUSIONS: Most young women recognize the importance of STD screening but are not currently being tested when at risk for STDs. STD screening behaviors varied according to the partner relationship, which highlights the importance of stage- and partner-matched counseling to promote STD screening particularly when at risk for STDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data are presented showing how middle managers in 47 countries report handling eight specific work events. The data are used to test the ability of cultural value dimensions derived from the work of Hofstede, Trompenaars, and Schwartz to predict the specific sources of guidance on which managers rely. Focusing on sources of guidance is expected to provide a more precise basis than do generalized measures of values for understanding the behaviors that prevail within different cultures. Values are strongly predictive of reliance on those sources of guidance that are relevant to vertical relationships within organizations. However, values are less successful in predicting reliance on peers and on more tacit sources of guidance. Explaining national differences in these neglected aspects of organizational processes will require greater sensitivity to the culture-specific contexts within which they occur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine the frequency and nature of mental health problems and symptoms among a group of 51 inner-city male adolescents attending a teen health clinic at a large county hospital in the southwestern part of the United States. They were administered a problem area checklist and a problem symptom checklist. The problem area checklist covered a range of mental health issues, including peer/friendship, relationship, and family problems; problems with money, time, and the law; substance use; and eating disorders. The problem symptom checklist queried participants about anger, nervousness, depression, fear, loneliness, suicide, aggression, and self-esteem. The results indicated that these young males experienced significant mental health problems and symptoms, such as relationship problems, problems with time and money, and symptoms of anger, depression, and aggression. Further, scared/afraid feelings correlated with five of the eight problem areas. The authors recommend investigating ways to target young males who present at such clinics in order to address their mental health problems and symptoms, as well as studying how their environment affects their overall health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]