Anti-Racism Methods for Big Data Research: Lessons Learned from the HIV Testing, Linkage, & Retention in Care (HIV TLR) Study.

Public Health Critical Race Praxis (PHCRP) contributes three functional elements to health equity studies: a race conscious orientation; an antiracism lexicon based on Critical Race Theory (CRT); and an integrated, reflexive approach. Few big data studies employ all three functional elements. Therefore, this article describes the application of PHCRP to the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Testing, Linkage and Retention in care (HIV TLR) study (N=3,476,741), which connects multiple large datasets to electronic medical records to examine contextual determinants of racial/ethnic disparities in HIV care continuum outcomes in southern California. As HIV TLR demonstrates, PHCRP's innovative tools and strategies help big data research maintain fidelity to CRT.

Disparities in achieving and sustaining viral suppression among a large cohort of HIV-infected persons in care - Washington, DC.

One goal of the HIV care continuum is achieving viral suppression (VS), yet disparities in suppression exist among subpopulations of HIV-infected persons. We sought to identify disparities in both the ability to achieve and sustain VS among an urban cohort of HIV-infected persons in care. Data from HIV-infected persons enrolled at the 13 DC Cohort study clinical sites between January 2011 and June 2014 were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were conducted to identify factors associated with achieving VS (viral load < 200 copies/ml) at least once, and Kaplan-Meier (KM) curves and Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify factors associated with sustaining VS and time to virologic failure (VL ≥ 200 copies/ml after achievement of VS). Among the 4311 participants, 95.4% were either virally suppressed at study enrollment or able to achieve VS during the follow-up period. In multivariate analyses, achieving VS was significantly associated with age (aOR: 1.04; 95%CI: 1.03-1.06 per five-year increase) and having a higher CD4 (aOR: 1.05, 95% CI 1.04-1.06 per 100 cells/mm(3)). Patients infected through perinatal transmission were less likely to achieve VS compared to MSM patients (aOR: 0.63, 95% CI 0.51-0.79). Once achieved, most participants (74.4%) sustained VS during follow-up. Blacks and perinatally infected persons were less likely to have sustained VS in KM survival analysis (log rank chi-square p ≤ .001 for both) compared to other races and risk groups. Earlier time to failure was observed among females, Blacks, publically insured, perinatally infected, those with longer standing HIV infection, and those with diagnoses of mental health issues or depression. Among this HIV-infected cohort, most people achieved and maintained VS; however, disparities exist with regard to patient age, race, HIV transmission risk, and co-morbid conditions. Identifying populations with disparate outcomes allows for appropriate targeting of resources to improve outcomes along the care continuum.

Promotore-Led Versus Registered Nurse-Led Diabetes Self-Management Education in Mexican Americans: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to compare the benefits of a diabetes self-management program led by registered nurses (RNs) versus community health workers (promotores) for Spanish-speaking Mexican Americans with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). METHODS: Three hundred thirty Spanish-speaking Mexican American adults with T2DM were randomly assigned to "Tomando Control de Su Diabetes" delivered for six 2.5-hour sessions either by promotores or RNs. The primary outcome measure was the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities (SDSCA). Evaluations were made at baseline, 6 weeks, and at 3, 6, and 12 months. Mixed-effects regression models were fit to test if participants had differential changes in the SDSCA total score by group over time, controlling for demographic and clinical factors. RESULTS: SDSCA scores were significantly higher at all time points compared to baseline and not statistically different between the 2 groups. Only years of education correlated with improvement in diabetes self-management behaviors. No moderating variables predicted improvement between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Spanish-speaking Mexican American adults with T2DM who participated in a diabetes educational program with promotores or RNs demonstrated similar improvements. Promotores may increase the accessibility of effective diabetes self-management training for this difficult-to-reach population.

Improving Self-management of Type 2 Diabetes in Latinx Patients: Protocol for a Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial Involving Community Health Workers, Registered Nurses, and Family Members.

BACKGROUND: The rate of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among Mexican American individuals is 16.3%, about twice that of non-Hispanic White individuals. While a number of education approaches have been developed and shown to improve diabetes self-management behaviors and glycemic control for Spanish-speaking Latinx patients with T2DM, there is little research to guide health practitioners regarding which interventions to apply and when so that resources are used efficiently, and treatment outcomes are maximized. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe an adaptive intervention that integrates community mental health workers, diabetes nurse educators, family members, and patients as partners in care while promoting diabetes self-management for Mexican American individuals with T2DM. The project incorporates four evidence-based, culturally tailored treatments to determine what sequence of intervention strategies work most efficiently and for whom. Given the increasing prevalence of T2DM, achieving better control of diabetes and lowering the associated medical complications experienced disproportionally by Mexican American individuals is a public health priority. METHODS: Funded by the National Institute of Nursing Research (National Institutes of Health grant R01 NR015809), this project used a sequential multiple assignment randomized trial and included 330 Spanish-speaking Latinx patients with T2DM. In the first phase of the study, subjects were randomly assigned to an evidence-based diabetes self-management educational program called Tomando Control delivered in a group format for 6, biweekly 1.5-hour sessions, led either by a community health worker or a diabetes nurse educator. In the second phase of the study, those subjects who did not improve their diabetes self-management behaviors were rerandomized to receive either an augmented version of Tomando Control or a multifamily group treatment focused on problem-solving. The primary outcome measure was the "Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities." Evaluations were made at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS: This study was funded in June 2016 for a period of 5 years. Institutional review board approval was obtained in November 2016. Between March 2017 and September 2020, a total of 330 patients were recruited from the outpatient primary care clinics of Olive View-UCLA Medical Center, with a brief hiatus between May 2020 and July 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions. The study interventions were completed in December 2020. Data collection began in March 2017 and was completed in December 2021. Data analysis is expected to be completed in Spring 2023, and results will be published in Fall 2023. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this trial should help practitioners in selecting the optimal approach for improving diabetes self-management in Spanish-speaking, Latinx patients with T2DM. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03092063; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03092063. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/44793.

Latino elders reframing familismo: implications for health and caregiving support.

Abstract: This study explores Latino elders' perceptions of familismo and the extent to which a familistic orientation translates into health support. Latinos have traditionally been portrayed as adhering to a familistic orientation with the presumption of duty and obligation to care or aging parents. Latino elders participated in focus groups that became the basis of this study. These elders shared ways they are reframing the familismo construct. Despite a greater need for support, elders reported infrequent contact with family. In the absence of family, family boundaries have been extended, so that others become "like family to me. The findings call into question the present state of familismo and the presumption that the Latino family is able to care for its own.

Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Infections Associated With Left Ventricular Assist Devices in 3 Patients.

Durable left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) provide circulatory support in patients with end-stage heart failure; however, complications include infection of the driveline exit site. Nontuberculous mycobacterial infections are rare in patients with LVADs, but they should be considered in those who have undergone device exchanges and have bacterial infections with driveline exit-site discharge but no fever or leukocytosis. We reviewed the charts of patients who had an LVAD implanted at our institution from January 2009 through December 2019, to identify those with a device-related nontuberculous mycobacterial infection. Collected data included patient demographics, premorbid conditions, infection type, previous device complications, treatment, and outcomes. We identified infections in 3 patients (mean age, 41 yr): Mycobacterium abscessus in 2 and M. chimaera in 1. All had a HeartMate II device and had undergone device exchanges for pump thrombosis or for driveline fault or infections. All presented with driveline exit-site discharge without fever or leukocytosis. The mean time between initial device implantation and diagnosis of a nontuberculous mycobacterial infection was 55 months. All 3 patients were treated with antibiotics and underwent localized surgical débridement; one underwent an additional device exchange. The M. abscessus infections disseminated, and both patients died; the patient with M. chimaera infection continued to take suppressive antibiotics. Nontuberculous mycobacterial infections are associated with high morbidity and mortality rates, warranting prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Economic burden of antibiotic-not-susceptible isolates in uncomplicated urinary tract infection: Analysis of a US integrated delivery network database.

BACKGROUND: Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (uUTIs) are one of the most common bacterial infections in the United States (US). Contemporary data are important for understanding the health economic impact of antimicrobial-resistant uUTIs. We compared the economic burden among patients with uUTI isolates susceptible or not-susceptible to the initial antibiotic prescription. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study utilized electronic health record data (1 July 2016-31 March 2020) from a large Mid-Atlantic US integrated delivery network database. Patients were females aged ≥ 12 years with a uUTI, who received oral antibiotic treatment and had ≥ 1 urine culture within ± 5 days of diagnosis. The primary outcome was the difference in healthcare resource use and costs (all-cause, urinary tract infection [UTI]-related) among patients with susceptible versus not-susceptible isolates during the 6 months after the index uUTI diagnosis. Secondary outcomes included: pharmacy costs, hospital admissions and emergency department visits, as well as the probability of uUTI progressing to complicated UTI (cUTI) between patients with susceptible and not-susceptible isolates. Patient outcomes were compared using 1:1 propensity score matching. Winsorized costs were adjusted to 2020 quarter 1 US dollars ($). RESULTS: A total of 2565 patients were eligible for analysis. The propensity score-matched sample comprised 2018 patients, with an average age of 44.0 and 41.0 years for the susceptible and not-susceptible populations, respectively. In the 6 months post-index uUTI event, patients with not-susceptible isolates had significantly more all-cause prescriptions orders (+ 1.41 [P = 0.001]), UTI-related prescriptions orders (+ 0.26 [P < 0.001]) and a higher probability of all-cause inpatient (+ 1.4% [P = 0.009]), outpatient (+ 6.1% [P = 0.006]), or UTI-related outpatient (+ 3.7% [P = 0.039]) encounters. Patients with a uUTI and an antibiotic-not-susceptible isolate were significantly more likely to progress to cUTI than those with susceptible isolates (odds ratio: 2.35 [confidence interval: 1.66-3.33; P < 0.001]). Over 6 months, patients with not-susceptible versus susceptible isolates had significantly higher all-cause costs (+ $426 [P = 0.031]) and UTI-related costs (+ $157 [P = 0.034]). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with a uUTI caused by antibiotic-not-susceptible isolates had higher healthcare resource usage, costs, and increased likelihood of progressing to cUTI than those with antibiotic-susceptible isolates.

Impact of suboptimal or inappropriate treatment on healthcare resource use and cost among patients with uncomplicated urinary tract infection: an analysis of integrated delivery network electronic health records.

BACKGROUND: Although uncomplicated urinary tract infections (uUTIs; occurring in female patients without urological abnormalities or history of urological procedures or complicating comorbidities) are one of the most common community infections in the United States (US), limited data are available concerning associations between antibiotic resistance, suboptimal prescribing, and the economic burden of uUTI. We examined the prevalence of suboptimal antibiotic prescribing and antibiotic resistance and its effects on healthcare resource use and costs. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study utilized electronic health record data from a large Mid-Atlantic US integrated delivery network database, collected July 2016-March 2020. Female patients aged ≥ 12 years with a uUTI, who received ≥ 1 oral antibiotic treatment within ± 5 days of index uUTI diagnosis, and had ≥ 1 urine culture with antimicrobial susceptibility test, were eligible for inclusion in the study. The study examined the proportion of antibiotics that were inappropriately or suboptimally prescribed among patients with confirmed uUTI, and total healthcare costs (all-cause and UTI-related) within 6 months after a uUTI, stratified by antibiotic susceptibility and/or inappropriate or suboptimal treatment. Patient outcomes were assessed after 1:1 propensity score matching of patients with antibiotic-susceptible versus not-susceptible isolates and then by other covariates (e.g., demographics and recent healthcare use). A similar propensity score calculation was used to analyze the effect of inappropriate/suboptimal treatment on health outcomes. Costs were adjusted to 2020 US dollars ($). RESULTS: Among 2565 patients with a uUTI included in the analysis, the most commonly prescribed antibiotics were nitrofurantoin (61%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (19%), and ciprofloxacin (15%). More than one-third of the sample (40.2%) had isolates that were not-susceptible to ≥ 1 antibiotic indicated for treating patients with uUTI. Two-thirds (66.6%) of study-eligible patients were prescribed appropriate treatment; 29.9% and 11.9% were prescribed suboptimal and/or inappropriate treatment, respectively. Inappropriate or suboptimally prescribed patients had greater all-cause and UTI-related costs compared with appropriately prescribed patients. Differences were most striking among patients with antibiotic not-susceptible isolates. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight how the increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance combined with suboptimal treatment of patients with uUTI increases the burden on healthcare systems. The finding underlines the need for improved prescribing accuracy by better understanding regional resistance rates and developing improved diagnostic tests.

Unusual effects of common antibiotics.

Antibiotics are widely prescribed and have a generally favorable safety profile. Common adverse effects such as rash and diarrhea are well recognized, but less common ones may go unrecognized. This review highlights rare but potentially lethal complications associated with antibiotics.

Survey dataset on pathologic internet use, problematic cell phone use and gambling through EUPI-A, CERM and SOGS-RA scales in high technological schools in the north of Spain.

The incursion of Information Technologies in the field of education is an undeniable fact that today includes immersion in media education in the classroom. The increase in the use of ICTs in the classroom has raised a concern about the possible impact on the prevalence of problems associated with problematic use of the Internet. This article presents data on an exploratory cross-sectional non-experimental design carried out based on a non-probability prepositive sample through the application of an ad-hoc developed questionnaire. The data in this article correspond to the responses of 832 students of Compulsory Secondary Education in three educational centres in the Autonomous Community of Cantabria, Spain. Two of the educational centres are privately owned, and one of them is public. One of the private centres uses educational methodologies based on the high use of information and communication technologies, as each student uses a personal computer in the classroom. The questionnaire used includes EUPI-A, SOGS-RA, and CERM scales. The questionnaire also includes questions about time spent on internet use and sports betting and gambling or game participation. The data are of interest of researchers in developmental, educational, and behavioural psychology and in statistical scale development.

Prolonged QT interval and torsades de pointes associated with atazanavir therapy.

We report, to our knowledge, the first documented case of torsades de pointes associated with atazanavir therapy. This case serves to highlight the need to monitor patients receiving atazanavir therapy who have risk factors for QT interval prolongation, such as female sex, bradycardia, electrolyte abnormalities, congestive heart failure, and a baseline prolonged QT interval.

Primary Leiomyosarcoma of the Ovarian Vein: Case Report and Literature Review.

Primary leiomyosarcoma arising from the ovarian vein is extremely rare, with only 10 cases reported in the literature. We report on a case of leiomyosarcoma of the left ovarian vein in a 67-year-old woman who presented with abdominal discomfort. Pelvic ultrasound revealed a large, solid, irregular mass in close relation to the left ovary. The patient subsequently underwent a total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Histologically, the tumor was composed of interlacing fascicles of spindle cells with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm, hyperchromatic nuclei, and prominent nucleoli. Mitotic activity was high, with 24 mitoses in 10 high-power fields. Areas of necrosis and hemorrhage were present within the tumor. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells showed diffuse immunoreactivity for vimentin, muscle-specific actin, desmin, and caldesmon. The patient received chemotherapy postoperatively but subsequently developed disseminated metastatic disease (lung, liver, iliac lymph nodes, and peritoneum). Primary leiomyosarcomas arising from the ovarian vein are aggressive neoplasms, and the prognosis correlates with stage.

Older Latinos: Applying the Ethnocultural Gerontological Nursing Model.

Latinos/Hispanics are the largest and fastest growing ethnic minority group in the United States. By mid-century, older Hispanics may account for almost 20% of the older cohort. Yet while health disparities have garnered increased attention, little is known about older Hispanics and their overall health, social, and economic needs. This article presents an innovative Ethnocultural Gerontological Nursing Model that can serve as an overarching framework for exploring various salient macro- and micro-level factors that affect the lives of Latino elders, their families, and the communities that support them. By utilizing a life span perspective, the Ethnocultural Gerontological Nursing Model and attached questionnaire can assist nurses and other health providers in gaining a fuller assessment of older Latinos in order that we may improve our understanding and development of health service, program, and policy changes that address the needs of older Latinos and the nurses who care for them and their families.

Nursing assistants' communication styles in Korean American older adults with dementia: a review of the literature.

As ethnic diversity increases in the United States with the anticipated increase in dementia, it is critical to understand the implications of dementia and culturally appropriate communication for ethnic minority older adults with dementia. Utilizing the Ethno-Cultural Gerontological Nursing model and the Progressively Lowered Stress Threshold model, this article describes the relationship between nursing assistants' communication style and behavioral symptoms of dementia, focused on Korean American older adults with dementia residing in nursing homes. The discussion includes reviewing currently available studies, nursing implications, and suggestions for future studies.

Developing and proposing the ethno-cultural gerontological nursing model.

By 2050, for the first time in U.S. history, almost half of elders will be from ethnic minority groups. To meet the needs of this rapidly diversifying population, nurses need to be able to marry transcultural nursing knowledge with gerontological nursing knowledge. The purpose of this article is to propose a new theoretical model for explaining health outcomes and health responses for older individuals in unique ethno-cultural groups and to discuss implications and applications of the model to transcultural gerontological nursing practice and research. The discussion will include (1) an overview of currently available theoretical knowledge in the area, (2) a description of the theory development process, (3) presentation of the proposed ethno-cultural gerontological nursing theoretical model, and (4) discussion of how this model can enhance nursing's contributions to reducing health disparities. This model is presented not as a finished product but as a basis for future discussion and refinement.

Case report: severe juvenile type paracoccidioidomycosis with hepatitis C.

We present the case of a 34-year-old man with previous history of hepatitis C and severe juvenile type of paracoccidioidomycosis characterized by involvement of the reticuloendothelial system, eosinophilia, lung compromise (pleural effusion), retinal hemorrhage, and blood culture positive to Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. The immune evaluation showed four precipitation lines to P. brasiliensis by the double immunodiffusion test. Treatment with amphotericin B and itraconazol resulted in resolution of the disease.

Awareness of zoonoses in freshmen entering the veterinary school* / Conhecimento sobre zoonoses em um grupo de estudantes recém-matriculados no curso de medicina veterinária

In veterinary practice, the risk of zoonotic infections starts in College, when students are exposed to animals, and laboratory assignments. The objective of this study was to estimate awareness of zoonoses in a cohort of freshmen at the Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe (Argentina). A cross sectional study was conducted using a structured questionnaire in all students attending an introductory course (N= 179) on April, 2012. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and χ2. Zoonoses most frequently mentioned by students were rabies, scabies, tuberculosis and leptospirosis. Rural residence was associated with the recognition of ringworm (P= 0.0136), tuberculosis (P= 0.0302), leptospirosis (P= 0.0205) and hydatidosis (P= 0.0167) as zoonoses. Males showed higher awareness of trichinosis (P= 0.0025), tuberculosis (P= 0.0286), anthrax (P= 0.0035), and brucellosis (P= 0.0038) than females. Awareness of susceptible species and means of transmission varied among all zoonoses. These results reinforce the need for early exposure of veterinary students to occupational health and biosafety practices.

No exercício da medicina veterinária, o risco de contrair zoonoses está presente desde o período estudantil, proporcionado pela exposição a animais e também a atividades laboratoriais. O objetivo deste estudo foi estimar o conhecimento sobre zoonoses em um grupo de estudantes recém-matriculados no curso de medicina veterinária da Universidade Nacional do Litoral, Santa Fe (Argentina). Realizou-se um estudo transversal utilizando-se um questionário pré-elaborado para todos os alunos recémmatriculados (N=179). A análise dos dados incluiu estatísticas descritivas e teste Qui-quadrado (X2 ). As zoonoses mais citadas pelos alunos foram raiva, sarna, tuberculose e leptospirose. A variável "residir em áreas rurais" esteve associada ao reconhecimento de dermatofitoses (P=0,0136), tuberculose (P=0,03020), leptospirose (P=0,0205) e hidatidose (P=0,0167), como zoonoses. Da mesma forma, a variável "sexo masculino" esteve associada à identificação de triquinelose (P=0,0025), tuberculose (P=0,0286), carbúnculo hemático (P=0,0035) e brucelose (P=0,0038). O conhecimento sobre as formas de transmissão e as espécies acometidas variou de acordo com cada zoonose em particular. Esses resultados reforçam a necessidade de um contato mais precoce de estudantes de medicina veterinária com temas relacionados com a saúde ocupacional e práticas de biossegurança. Palavras chave: higiene, estudantes de veterinária, segurança do trabalho, infecções zoonóticas.