Relationship Between Feeders and Exclusive Breastfeeding and Mixed Feeding During the First Month of Life.

BACKGROUND: The critical time to continue or stop breastfeeding is during the first month after hospital discharge. Mothers receive lactation and physical support by fathers and others bottle-feeding human or formula milk to their infants. PURPOSE: To describe the effect of feeders (mothers, fathers, and others) and different milk feeding on infants' weekly exclusive breastfeeding rates, from birth to 1 month after discharge. METHODS: This study was a secondary analysis of a descriptive longitudinal study of mothers' (full-term: n = 77; late preterm: n = 39) breastfeeding experience, frequency of feeding, and infant feeding behaviors. Mothers completed a weekly questionnaire of who (mothers, fathers, and others) fed their infants human or formula milk by direct breastfeeding or bottle-feeding. RESULTS: More than 60% of mothers reported fathers and others bottle-fed their infants. Exclusive breastfeeding rates were significantly higher when only mothers fed their infants at week 1 ( P < .001), week 3 ( P < .05), and week 4 ( P < .05). Exclusive breastfeeding rates were negatively affected across time by bottle-feeding any human or formula milk for all feeders. When fathers bottle-fed their infants at week 1, the relative rates of exclusive breastfeeding at week 4 decreased to 52% (OR = 0.103; 95% CI, 0.26-0.404; P < .0001). IMPLICATION FOR PRACTICE: Individuals providing early bottle-feeding adversely affect breastfeeding outcomes. Providers need to address maternal and paternal knowledge gaps about early breastfeeding practice. IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH: Further research is needed to explore clinical standard of care for management of infant weight loss, early supplementation, and support of exclusive breastfeeding outcomes.

Breastfeeding Social Support Among African American Women in the United States: A Meta-Ethnography.

BACKGROUND: In the United States, there are racial disparities in 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding. Only, 25.8% of American infants were breastfed for the first 180 days of life, with African American infants least (19.8%) exclusively breastfed in 2018. PURPOSE: The meta-ethnography explored the breastfeeding support for African American women in the United States. DATA SOURCES: The online databases of American Psychological Association, PsycINFO, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PubMed, and Scopus were searched with key words, and the search was not limited by the year of publication. STUDY SELECTION: The inclusion criteria for the study selection entailed all qualitative studies conducted on breastfeeding support among self-identified African American women in the United States, written in English language, peer reviewed, or dissertation. The initial search produced 905 articles of which 8 met the eligibility criteria. DATA EXTRACTION: Data extraction and analysis were guided by Noblit and Hare's (1988) meta-ethnography approach. The analysis process was completed by a team of researchers, inclusive of breastfeeding experts. RESULTS: Five overarching themes emerged including trustworthy information; early postpartum support by key influencers; maternal culture; tangible resources, and Black mothers' empowerment. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE AND RESEARCH: Social support is a major determinant for the initiation and continuation of breastfeeding among African American women in the United States. Future longitudinal studies are warranted to explore the social support of breastfeeding among African American women in the United States.

Growing beyond sickle cell disease: A metasynthesis of children, adolescents, and young adult experiences living with sickle cell disease.

Children, adolescents, and young adults living with sickle cell disease (SCD) often experience an unpredictable and complex disease course. Although there is a growing literature on the lived experience of patients with SCD, qualitative syntheses are lacking. Therefore, a qualitative metasynthesis was conducted to inform care and potential interventions. Noblit and Hare's phases of metaethnographic research were used to guide the synthesis of qualitative data. Data extracted from the identified studies were directly compared through reciprocal translation. The 12 studies that met inclusion criteria for the meta-synthesis included 177 participants ranging in age from 6 to 35 years old from six different countries. The authors identified three key metaphors: Ubiquitous Intrusion, Coping to Learn: Learning to Cope, and Part of the Whole. The metaphors were elucidated by three essential concepts that underlie the experience of children, adolescents, and young adults living with SCD: (1) recognition of SCD implications, (2) identifying ways to balance responsibilities, and (3) positioning oneself to thrive with SCD. The metaphors and essential concepts support the global theme of "Growing Beyond SCD." The metasynthesis revealed the shared complexity of living with SCD among children, adolescents, and young adults from diverse cultures in which the yearning for a normal life drove learning to adapt and manage SCD with their support network. The key metaphors may be used to guide development of nursing interventions designed to promote self-acceptance, coping, and adaptation skills among children, adolescents, and young adults that will help them to flourish while managing SCD as a chronic condition.

Strategies to enhance the success of mid-career nurse scientists.

BACKGROUND: The mid-career nurse scientist, defined as an associate professor with/without tenure, is often faced with a multitude of challenges and opportunities PURPOSE: This paper shares strategies to assist mid-career scientists as they juggle required career demands and navigate the mid-career phase in pursuit of the rank of full professor. METHOD: A review of the literature was performed on mid-career nurse scientists. DISCUSSION: A combination of increased research responsibilities, increased institutional teaching and service demands, and dwindling support can result in a sense of overwhelm and burnout. The mid-career nurse scientist must balance several balls in the air at one time to remain successful. CONCLUSION: Strategies aligned with the Ecological Framework, focus on intrapersonal, interpersonal, institutional, organizational, and public policy domains to provide a wide scope of strategies that target the mid-career scientist and engage the larger nursing community.

Current status and future directions of U.S. genomic nursing health care policy.

BACKGROUND: As genomic science moves beyond government-academic collaborations into routine healthcare operations, nursing's holistic philosophy and evidence-based practice approach positions nurses as leaders to advance genomics and precision health care in routine patient care. PURPOSE: To examine the status of and identify gaps for U.S. genomic nursing health care policy and precision health clinical practice implementation. METHODS: We conducted a scoping review and policy priorities analysis to clarify key genomic policy concepts and definitions, and to examine trends and utilization of health care quality benchmarking used in precision health. FINDINGS: Genomic nursing health care policy is an emerging area. Educating and training the nursing workforce to achieve full dissemination and integration of precision health into clinical practice remains an ongoing challenge. Use of health care quality measurement principles and federal benchmarking performance evaluation criteria for precision health implementation are not developed. DISCUSSION: Nine recommendations were formed with calls to action across nursing practice workforce and education, nursing research, and health care policy arenas. CONCLUSIONS: To advance genomic nursing health care policy, it is imperative to develop genomic performance measurement tools for clinicians, purchasers, regulators and policymakers and to adequately prepare the nursing workforce.

Feeding modes, duration, and diarrhea in infancy: Continued evidence of the protective effects of breastfeeding.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of early breastfeeding cessation on incidence of diarrhea in a cohort of U.S. infants. DESIGN, SAMPLE, AND MEASUREMENTS: A secondary data analysis was conducted using data from 2,340 mother-infant dyads participating in the Infant Feeding Practices Study II. We examined associations between duration of feeding type (e.g., exclusive breastfeeding [EBF], any breastfeeding [BF], formula feeding) and incidence of diarrhea before one year. RESULTS: The sample included mother-infant dyads that were 86.2% White, 3% Black, and 5% Hispanic. Interruption of EBF before 3 months was significantly associated with higher odds of having diarrhea at 6 months (OR = 1.80, p value ≤ 0.01) and between 6 and 12 months (OR = 1.45, p ≤ .01). Breastfeeding interruption before 6 months was associated with higher odds of having diarrhea at 6 months (OR = 3.19, p ≤ .01). Formula feeding for ≥3 months was associated with higher odds of diarrhea between 6 and 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Exclusive breastfeeding for 3 months accompanied by any breastfeeding for 6 months provided the most protective effect against diarrhea. Public health interventions should address disparities in breastfeeding practices and provide support across clinical, workplace and community settings. Research should include more diverse population groups.

Baseline Intrahepatic and Peripheral Innate Immunity are Associated with Hepatitis C Virus Clearance During Direct-Acting Antiviral Therapy.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection induces interferon (IFN)-stimulated genes (ISGs) and downstream innate immune responses. This study investigated whether baseline and on-treatment differences in these responses predict response versus virological breakthrough during therapy with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). Thirteen HCV genotype 1b-infected patients who had previously failed a course of pegylated IFN/ribavirin were retreated with asunaprevir/daclatasvir for 24 weeks. After pretreatment biopsy, patients were randomized to undergo a second biopsy at week 2 or 4 on therapy. Microarray and NanoString analyses were performed on paired liver biopsies and analyzed using linear mixed models. As biomarkers for peripheral IFN responses, peripheral blood natural killer cells were assessed for phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (pSTAT1) and tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) expression and degranulation. Nine of 13 (69%) patients achieved sustained virological response at 12 weeks off therapy (SVR12), and 4 experienced virological breakthroughs between weeks 4 and 12. Patients who achieved SVR12 displayed higher ISG expression levels in baseline liver biopsies and a higher frequency of pSTAT1 and TRAIL-expressing, degranulating natural killer cells in baseline blood samples than those who experienced virological breakthrough. Comparing gene expression levels from baseline and on-therapy biopsies, 408 genes (±1.2-fold, P < 0.01) were differentially expressed. Genes down-regulated on treatment were predominantly ISGs. Down-regulation of ISGs was rapid and correlated with HCV RNA suppression. Conclusion: An enhanced IFN signature is observed at baseline in liver and blood of patients who achieve SVR12 compared to those who experience a virological breakthrough; the findings suggest that innate immunity may contribute to clearance of HCV during DAA therapy by preventing the emergence of resistance-associated substitutions that lead to viral breakthrough during DAA therapy.

Serum Proteomics in African American Female Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome: An Exploratory Study.

BACKGROUND: Sex and subtype differences within patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) complicate the understanding of disorder pathogenesis and hinder the design of efficacious, therapeutic interventions. OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to harness the power of shotgun proteomic analysis, identify circulating proteins that differentiate African American female patients with IBS from healthy controls (HC), and gain biological insight on symptomatology. METHODS: Serum proteome analysis was performed upon a cohort of overweight, African American female participants with constipation predominant IBS symptoms (n = 5) and HC (n = 5), matched on age, sex, years of education, body mass index, and 11 physiological markers. Tandem mass tags for multiplexed proteomic analysis were performed, incorporating reverse-phase liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Participants with IBS did not differ from HC in demographics, clinical characteristics, or initial proteomic analysis. Nested case control analysis of six samples (IBS: n = 3, HC: n = 3), hierarchically clustered into two main groups, with 12 out of 1,317 proteins significantly different in levels of expression: TGFß1, PF4V1, PF4, APP, MMP9, PPBP, CTGF, SRGN, THBS1, WRN, LTBP1 (Isoform 3), and IGLV5-48. Top associations of identified proteins in DAVID and STRING resources (upregulated in HC vs. IBS) involve platelet alpha granule lumen, platelet activation/degranulation, extracellular region, and secretion by cell. DISCUSSION: Differentially expressed proteins between participants with IBS and HC involving platelet-related associations prompt inquiry as to differences in serotonergic signaling, inflammatory or immunomodulatory mechanisms underlying IBS symptomatology. Although preliminary and requiring validation in larger cohorts, these findings bear relevance to understanding pathogenic processes of IBS and biological effects of the disorder.

The association of catastrophizing with quality-of-life outcomes in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Catastrophizing is a cognitive process characterized by a propensity to concentrate on and magnify the value of an actual or anticipated painful stimulus and negatively assesses one's ability to cope. Catastrophizing is an important predictor of pain-related outcomes. A cornerstone symptom of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is abdominal pain or discomfort. Also individuals with IBS have been reported to have a tendency to catastrophize. In a sample of individuals who suffer from IBS, we hypothesized that those individuals who catastrophize (catastrophizers) would have worse outcomes as compared to those who do not catastrophize (non-catastrophizers). METHODS: One hundred and one adults with IBS (79% female, mean age 42 years, 97% Caucasian) were recruited from outpatient clinics and data were collected through self-report measures. Catastrophizing was measured with the catastrophizing subscale of the Coping Strategies Questionnaire, illness representations were measured with The Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R), psychological distress was measured with the Brief Symptom Inventory 18 (BSI-18), and health-related quality of life was measured using the Irritable Bowel Syndrome-Quality of Life (IBS-QOL) measure. Descriptive statistics, correlations, and multiple linear regression analyses were completed to describe participants, the associations of the variables of interest, and the unique relationship between psychosocial variables and HRQOL. RESULTS: Overall, participants reported poor HRQOL (M = 63.32, range 0-100). Catastrophizers differed significantly on IBS-QOL from non-catastrophizers (M = 48.98 vs. non-catastrophizers M = 78.53; p < 0.001), BSI-18 (M = 21.35 vs. non-catastrophizers M = 6.76; p < 0.001), and IPQ-R, specifically the consequences (M = 21.75 vs. non-catastrophizers M = 17.20; p < 0.001) and emotional representations (M = 20.90 vs. non-catastrophizers M = 15.43; p < 0.001). Catastrophizing was positively correlated with the consequences (r = .54; p < 0.01) and emotional representations (r = .65; p < 0.01) and negatively correlated with total HRQOL (r = -0.76; p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The findings indicated that participants who catastrophized reported worse psychosocial and functional outcomes. Thus, catastrophizing, in addition to psychological distress variables, may be an important factor to address in optimizing health outcomes in individuals with IBS. In addition, illness perceptions were strongly related to catastrophizing and HRQOL; assessment and integration of illness perceptions as well as catastrophizing into the management of individuals who suffer with IBS may maximize the health outcomes.

The Gastrointestinal Pain Pointer: A Valid and Innovative Method to Assess Gastrointestinal Symptoms.

Abdominal pain is a chronic condition experienced by approximately 20% of individuals in the United States. The purpose of the study was to assess the validity of the Gastrointestinal Pain Pointer as a measure of abdominal pain intensity. A prospective longitudinal time-series study design was utilized. The sample included 93 outpatients (58.1% female). Participants met Rome III criteria for irritable bowel syndrome (n = 32) or were healthy controls (n = 61). The Gastrointestinal Pain Pointer, a new electronic pain assessment tool, was used to assess self-reported abdominal pain intensity among participants before and after ingestion of an intestinal permeability test solution across 11 time points over a 5-hour time period. The results were compared with the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire. The Gastrointestinal Pain Pointer was found to be valid in the assessment of abdominal pain intensity. The tool is a novel and valid measure of abdominal pain intensity that enhances the ability for clinicians to better quantify, in real time, patient-related pain outcomes for both clinical care and research.

National Institutes of Health Symptom Science Model sheds light on patient symptoms.

Since the establishment of the nursing profession, identifying and alleviating the subjective symptoms experienced by patients has been at the core of nursing practice. In supporting the scientific foundation for clinical practice, nursing science has maintained a consistent commitment to prevent, manage, and eliminate symptoms. Scientists from the intramural research program at the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), a component of the National Institutes of Health, developed a National Institutes of Health Symptom Science Model (NIH-SSM) to guide symptom science research programs engaged in the use of emerging "omic" methods such as the genotyping of symptom phenotypes. The NIH-SSM was developed based on the NINR intramural research program's success in designing and implementing methods for examining identified symptoms or symptom clusters. The NIH-SSM identifies the research process of characterizing symptom phenotypes, identifying and testing biomarkers, and ultimately developing clinical interventions in cancer-related fatigue, gastrointestinal disorders, and traumatic brain injuries. The purpose of this article was to demonstrate how scientists can apply the NIH-SSM, leading the broader scientific community in advancing personalized and precise clinical interventions.

Gut Microbiome and Infant Health: Brain-Gut-Microbiota Axis and Host Genetic Factors.

The development of the neonatal gut microbiome is influenced by multiple factors, such as delivery mode, feeding, medication use, hospital environment, early life stress, and genetics. The dysbiosis of gut microbiota persists during infancy, especially in high-risk preterm infants who experience lengthy stays in the Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Infant microbiome evolutionary trajectory is essentially parallel with the host (infant) neurodevelopmental process and growth. The role of the gut microbiome, the brain-gut signaling system, and its interaction with the host genetics have been shown to be related to both short and long term infant health and bio-behavioral development. The investigation of potential dysbiosis patterns in early childhood is still lacking and few studies have addressed this host-microbiome co-developmental process. Further research spanning a variety of fields of study is needed to focus on the mechanisms of brain-gut-microbiota signaling system and the dynamic host-microbial interaction in the regulation of health, stress and development in human newborns.

Effect of Illness Representations and Catastrophizing on Quality of Life in Adults With Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

There is limited understanding of the influence of psychosocial factors on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which contributes to management difficulties and ineffective long-term treatment. The goal of the current study was to assess the effect illness representations and coping had on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in adults with IBS. Self-report data were collected from 101 adults with IBS. Illness representations were measured with the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire; catastrophizing was measured with the catastrophizing subscale of the Coping Strategies Questionnaire; and HRQOL was measured using the IBS-Quality of Life Measure. Participants perceived their IBS to be a chronic, cyclical condition with negative consequences, moderate symptomatology, and strong negative emotional impact. Their quality of life was poor and catastrophic thinking was noted to be used. Therefore, integrating illness beliefs and coping style into the management of IBS may improve well-being and minimize suffering. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 54(9), 44-53.].

Early Life Experience and Gut Microbiome: The Brain-Gut-Microbiota Signaling System.

BACKGROUND: Over the past decades, advances in neonatal care have led to substantial increases in survival among preterm infants. With these gains, recent concerns have focused on increases in neurodevelopment morbidity related to the interplay between stressful early life experiences and the immature neuroimmune systems. This interplay between these complex mechanisms is often described as the brain-gut signaling system. The role of the gut microbiome and the brain-gut signaling system have been found to be remarkably related to both short- and long-term stress and health. Recent evidence supports that microbial species, ligands, and/or products within the developing intestine play a key role in early programming of the central nervous system and regulation of the intestinal innate immunity. PURPOSE: The purpose of this state-of-the-science review is to explore the supporting evidence demonstrating the importance of the brain-gut-microbiota axis in regulation of early life experience. We also discuss the role of gut microbiome in modulating stress and pain responses in high-risk infants. A conceptual framework has been developed to illustrate the regulation mechanisms involved in early life experience. CONCLUSIONS: The science in this area is just beginning to be uncovered; having a fundamental understanding of these relationships will be important as new discoveries continue to change our thinking, leading potentially to changes in practice and targeted interventions.

Elevated circulating miR-150 and miR-342-3p in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs, which regulate gene expression and are thus of interest as diagnostic markers, and as clues to etiology and targets of intervention. This pilot study examined whether circulating miRNAs are differentially expressed in patients with IBS. METHODS: miRNA microarrays (NanoString) were run on the whole blood of 43 participants. RESULTS: hsa-miR-150 and hsa-miR-342-3p were found to be significantly elevated (FDR adjusted p≤0.05, ≥1.6 fold change) in IBS patients compared to healthy controls. Neither of these miRNAs showed any relationship to race or sex. hsa-miR-150 is associated with inflammatory bowel disorders and pain, and interacts with a protein kinase (AKT2) through which it may affect inflammatory pathways. hsa-miR-342-3p is predicted to interact with mRNAs involved in pain signaling, colonic motility, and smooth muscle function. CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary study reports the association of two miRNAs, detected in whole blood, with IBS. These miRNAs link to pain and inflammatory pathways both of which are thought to be dysregulated in IBS. Larger sample sizes are needed to confirm their importance and potential as biomarkers.

Meta-ethnography on the Experiences of Women From Around the World Who Exclusively Breastfed Their Full-Term Infants.

OBJECTIVE: To synthesize evidence from qualitative studies on the experiences of women from around the world who exclusively breastfed their full-term infants. DATA SOURCES: CINAHL Plus, PubMed, APA PsycInfo, Scopus, and ProQuest Dissertation & Theses Global. STUDY SELECTION: We selected reports of qualitative studies that were conducted in high-, middle-, and low-income countries; published between January 2001 and February 2022 in English; and focused on the experiences of women who exclusively breastfed their full-term infants. DATA EXTRACTION: We extracted the following data from included studies: methodological characteristics (i.e., country of origin, authors' disciplines, research design, sample size, sampling, data collection, and data analysis method), participants' demographics (i.e., age, parity, marital status, education, and exclusive breastfeeding duration) and direct participant quotes, and key concepts and themes about women's experiences of exclusive breastfeeding. We managed and stored extracted data using a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. DATA SYNTHESIS: We synthesized reciprocal translations using Noblit and Hare's approach to meta-ethnography. Five overarching themes emerged from the meta-synthesis: Favorable Conditions, Not a Smooth Journey,Support, Determination and Perseverance, and Reflections on Benefits. CONCLUSION: In the included studies, participants experienced challenges with exclusive breastfeeding; however, they also recounted benefits. We recommend 6-month maternity leave and support from family and health care professionals to improve rates of exclusive breastfeeding.

COMT Variants are Associated With Breast and Nipple Pain.

Estimates suggest that only 24.9% of infants born in 2019 were exclusively breastfed before 6 months of age, despite the known health benefits of exclusive breastfeeding. Breast and nipple pain is one of the primary determinants of exclusive breastfeeding. Environmental contributions to breastfeeding success have been reported extensively in the literature, but the contribution(s) of maternal genetics has yet to be discovered. The purpose of the study was to identify an association between pain and lactation-related gene variants with exclusive breastfeeding determinants. We selected 4 genes having single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with potential functional significance in breastfeeding and pain: prolactin receptor (PRLR), oxytocin receptor (OXTR), catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), and milk fat globule epidermal growth factor and factor V/VIII domain containing (MFGE8). We performed a cross-sectional secondary analysis of a longitudinal randomized controlled trial study, Promoting Self-Management of Breast and Nipple Pain with Biomarkers and Technology for Breastfeeding Women (NCT05262920). Breast and nipple pain, perceived insufficient milk, and breastfeeding self-efficacy were examined using total scale scores for the Brief Pain Inventory, Visual Analog Scale, H&H Lactation Scale, and the Breastfeeding Self-efficacy Scale-short form, respectively. Of the candidate genes examined, SNPs within COMT were significantly associated with breastfeeding-related outcomes. Specifically, COMT rs4633 and rs4680 minor allele carriers (T, A) reported higher breast and nipple pain intensity than women homozygous for the major allele (C, G). COMT is the most widely researched "pain gene" and has been linked to cold, postoperative, and postpartum pain. This study is the first to identify a contribution of COMT variants to breast and nipple pain and, as a result, to breastfeeding exclusivity. PERSPECTIVE: Two SNPs in the pain gene COMT are associated with breast and nipple pain. Clinically, a minor allele in COMT rs4633 and rs4680 may increase a woman's rating of moderate breast and nipple pain. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROMPT was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (protocol #NCT05262920).

Breastfeeding Attitudes and Social Support Among Christian African Americans.

Purpose: To describe the breastfeeding attitudes and subjective norms of breastfeeding among African American Christians from the New England region. Study Design and Methods: A study was conducted using an online survey. Participants were recruited from four Christian churches in the New England region during the summer of 2021. Responses from direct questions about exclusive breastfeeding histories were tabulated. Open-ended question responses were analyzed using thematic analysis. Two results were merged to make the conclusions. Results: Participants (n = 101) aged 18-44 years (62.3%), college graduates (72.3%), and Catholics (71.4%) responded. Participants were willing to recommend six months of exclusive breastfeeding practice to relatives (89.9%) and friends/peers (87.9%) and support relatives (94.0%) and friends/peers (94.8%) to practice exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months. Breastfeeding attitude themes included beneficial and natural and receiving breastfeeding support. Subjective norms of breastfeeding themes included receiving support for breastfeeding; Christian leadership, teachings, and communal engagements; and gaps in Christian influence. Conclusion: The African American Christian community may be an emergent agent of breastfeeding social support for African American Christian women who chose to breastfeed. Health professionals should collaborate with African American Christian leadership to initiate programs to promote breastfeeding among African American Christian women in the United States.

Retention and the Intersection of Structural Inequities in a Breastfeeding Intervention Study.

Introduction: Women below the poverty threshold have lower representation and retention in breastfeeding studies. Methods: A secondary analysis of a longitudinal randomized controlled self-management for breast and nipple pain during breastfeeding study. Participants completed online surveys at discharge, weeks 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24, with face-to-face interviews at 6 and 24 weeks. Text messages were sent to participants when modules and surveys were due. Retention was assessed in R with descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney, Pearson's chi-square, and Cox Proportional Hazard Regression. Results: Two hundred and forty-four women (89 ≤$50,000 and 155 >$50,000) were recruited. Retention rates at 1 (93%), 2 (87%), 6 (82%), 9 (77%) and 24 (72%) weeks. For women of low income compared to those of high income there was a hazard ratio (HR) of 2.5 (p=0.0001) for retention. For non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic women compared to the combined non-Hispanic White and Other group, HRs for retention were 3.3 and 2.6 respectively (p=0.0001). Adjustment for age in the final hazard regression model of income, age, race and ethnicity decreased the HR for women of low income to 1.6 and HRs for non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic women to 2.1 and 1.9, respectively (p=.0001). However, none of the individual factors in the model achieved statistical significance. Discussion: Retention in breastfeeding studies impacts breastfeeding duration, a key lifelong preventative health behavior. Despite accessible study design, retention of women desiring to breastfeed was adversely affected by the intersection of income, race and ethnicity, and age.

Gut microbial diversity and functional characterization in people with alcohol use disorder: A case-control study.

Individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) typically have comorbid chronic health conditions, including anxiety and depression disorders, increased sleep disruption, and poor nutrition status, along with gut microbial dysbiosis. To better understand the effects of gut dysbiosis previously shown in individuals with AUD, gut microbiome and metabolome were investigated between three cohorts. Two groups of individuals with AUD included treatment-seeking newly abstinent for at least six weeks (AB: N = 10) and non-treatment-seeking currently drinking (CD: N = 9) individuals. The third group was age, gender, and BMI-matched healthy controls (HC: N = 12). Deep phenotyping during two weeks of outpatient National Institutes of Health Clinical Center visits was performed, including clinical, psychological, medical, metabolic, dietary, and experimental assessments. Alpha and beta diversity and differential microbial taxa and metabolite abundance of the gut microbiome were examined across the three groups. Metabolites derived from the lipid super-pathway were identified to be more abundant in the AB group compared to CD and HC groups. The AB individuals appeared to be most clinically different from CD and HC individuals with respect to their gut microbiome and metabolome. These findings highlight the potential long-term effects of chronic alcohol use in individuals with AUD, even during short-term abstinence.