Factors Predicting the Utilization of Center-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program.

Although cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is clearly beneficial to improving patients' physical functioning and reducing heart disease progression, significant proportions of patients do not complete CR programs. To evaluate the prevalence and predictors of completion of a center-based CR program in eligible cardiac patients, existing data collected from electronic medical records were used. To identify the predictors of CR completion, we used principal components analysis (PCA) and an artificial neural network (ANN) module. Among 685 patients, 61.4% (n = 421) completed the program, 31.7% (n = 217) dropped out, and 6.9% (n = 47) were referred but failed to initiate the program. PCA was conducted to consolidate baseline data into three factors-(1) psychosocial factors (depression, anxiety, and quality of life), (2) age, and (3) BMI, which explained 66.8% of the total variance. The ANN model produced similar results as the PCA. Patients who completed CR sessions had greater extremity strength and flexibility, longer six-minute walk distance, more CR knowledge, and a better quality of life. The present study demonstrated that patients who were older, obese, and who had depression, anxiety, or a low quality of life were less likely to complete the CR program.

Iodine immobilization by silver-impregnated granular activated carbon in cementitious systems.

Silver (Ag)-based technologies are amongst the most common approaches to removing radioiodine from aqueous waste streams. As a result, a large worldwide inventory of radioactive AgI waste presently exits, which must be stabilized for final disposition. In this work, the efficacy of silver-impregnated granular activated carbon (Ag-GAC) to remove iodide (I-), iodate (IO3-) and organo-iodine (org-I) from cementitious leachate was examined. In addition, cementitious materials containing I-, IO3-, or org-I loaded Ag-GAC were characterized by iodine K-edge XANES and EXAFS to provide insight into iodine stability and speciation in these waste forms. The Ag-GAC was very effective at removing I- and org-I, but ineffective at removing IO3- from slag-free grout leachate under oxic conditions. I- or org-I removal was due to the formation of insoluble AgI(s) or Ag-org-I(s) on the Ag-GAC. When I--loaded Ag-GAC material was cured with slag-free and slag grouts, I- was released from AgI(s) to form a hydrated I- species. Conversely, when org-I loaded Ag-GAC material was cured in the two grout formulations, no change was observed in the iodine speciation, indicating the org-I species remained bound to the Ag. Because little IO3- was bound to the Ag-GAC, it was not detectable in the grout. Thus, grout formulation and I speciation in the waste stream can significantly influence the effectiveness of the long-term disposal of radioiodine associated with Ag-GAC in grout waste forms.

Clinical pharmacist prescribing activities in the Veterans Health Administration.

PURPOSE: A comprehensive overview of clinical pharmacist prescribing authority and collaborative drug therapy management activities within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is presented. SUMMARY: In VHA terminology, "scope of practice" (SOP) denotes authorization to perform as an advanced practice provider, autonomously or collaboratively managing all facets of a patient's disease or condition; VHA clinical pharmacists with an SOP have prescribing authority. National policies outline the broad requirements for conferral of an SOP to VHA clinical pharmacists and processes for SOP development and oversight, as well as the responsibilities of facility and clinical pharmacy leaders to support the role of the clinical pharmacist within the VHA healthcare system. The limits of each pharmacist's SOP are determined at the facility level, with prescribing and other patient care authorities granted according to demonstrated competence. There are approximately 7700 VHA clinical pharmacists, of whom about 3200 (41%) have an active SOP. During fiscal year 2015, VHA clinical pharmacists accounted for more than 5 million patient encounters and 1.9 million prescriptions for chronic disease-targeted medications, generating at least 20% of prescriptions for hepatitis C therapies, hypoglycemic agents, and erythropoiesis-stimulating agents and 69% of prescriptions for anticoagulants systemwide. CONCLUSION: Clinical pharmacists with an SOP constitute a rapidly expanding workforce within the VHA system, as illustrated by tremendous growth in their numbers since 2010. These individuals play a key role as advanced practice providers, helping to improve access to high-quality chronic disease and medication management for the nation's veterans.

Evidence for Hydroxamate Siderophores and Other N-Containing Organic Compounds Controlling (239,240)Pu Immobilization and Remobilization in a Wetland Sediment.

Pu concentrations in wetland surface sediments collected downstream of a former nuclear processing facility in F-Area of the Savannah River Site (SRS), USA, were ∼2.5 times greater than those measured in the associated upland aquifer sediments; similarly, the Pu concentration solid/water ratios were orders of magnitude greater in the wetland than in the low-organic matter content aquifer soils. Sediment Pu concentrations were correlated to total organic carbon and total nitrogen contents and even more strongly to hydroxamate siderophore (HS) concentrations. The HS were detected in the particulate or colloidal phases of the sediments but not in the low molecular weight fractions (<1000 Da). Macromolecules which scavenged the majority of the potentially mobile Pu were further separated from the bulk mobile organic matter fraction ("water extract") via an isoelectric focusing experiment (IEF). An electrospray ionization Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry (ESI FTICR-MS) spectral comparison of the IEF extract and a siderophore standard (desferrioxamine; DFO) suggested the presence of HS functionalities in the IEF extract. This study suggests that while HS are a very minor component in the sediment particulate/colloidal fractions, their concentrations greatly exceed those of ambient Pu, and HS may play an especially important role in Pu immobilization/remobilization in wetland sediments.

Cytokine response in mouse bone marrow derived macrophages after infection with pathogenic and non-pathogenic Rift Valley fever virus.

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is the most pathogenic member of the genus Phlebovirus within the family Bunyaviridae, and can cause severe disease in humans and livestock. Until recently, limited information has been published on the cellular host response elicited by RVFV, particularly in macrophages and dendritic cells, which play critical roles in stimulating adaptive and innate immune responses to viral infection. In an effort to define the initial response of host immunomodulatory cells to infection, primary mouse bone marrow derived macrophages (BMDM) were infected with the pathogenic RVFV strain ZH501, or attenuated strains MP-12 or MP-12 based Clone13 type (rMP12-C13 type), and cytokine secretion profiles examined. The secretion of T helper (Th)1-associated antiviral cytokines, chemokines and various interleukins increased rapidly after infection with the attenuated rMP12-C13 type RVFV, which lacks a functional NSs virulence gene. In comparison, infection with live-attenuated MP-12 encoding a functional NSs gene appeared to cause a delayed immune response, while pathogenic ZH501 ablates the immune response almost entirely. These data demonstrate that NSs can inhibit components of the BMDM antiviral response and supports previous work indicating that NSs can specifically regulate the type I interferon response in macrophages. Furthermore, our data demonstrate that genetic differences between ZH501 and MP-12 reduce the ability of MP-12 to inhibit antiviral signalling and subsequently reduce virulence in BMDM, demonstrating that viral components other than NSs play a critical role in regulating the host response to RVFV infection.

Multiplexed digital mRNA profiling of the inflammatory response in the West Nile Swiss Webster mouse model.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The ability to track changes in gene expression following viral infection is paramount to understanding viral pathogenesis. This study was undertaken to evaluate the nCounter, a high throughput digital gene expression system, as a means to better understand West Nile virus (WNV) dissemination and the inflammatory response against WNV in the outbred Swiss Webster (SW) mouse model over the course of infection. METHODOLOGY: The nCounter Mouse Inflammation gene expression kit containing 179 inflammation related genes was used to analyze gene expression changes in multiple tissues over a nine day course of infection in SW mice following intraperitoneal injection with WNV. Protein expression levels for a subset of these cytokine/chemokine genes were determined using a multiplex protein detection system (BioPlex) and comparisons of protein/RNA expression levels made. RESULTS: Expression analysis of spleen, lung, liver, kidney and brain of SW mice infected with WNV revealed that Cxcl10 and Il12b are differentially expressed in all tissues tested except kidney. Data stratification of positively confirmed infected (WNV (+)) versus non-infected (WNV (-) tissues allowed differentiation of the systemic inflammatory gene response from tissue-specific responses arising from WNV infection. Significant (p<0.05) decrease in C3ar1 was found in WNV (-) spleen. Il23a was significantly upregulated, while Il10rb was down-regulated in WNV (-) lung. Il3 and Mbl2 were down-regulated in WNV (-) liver. In WNV (+) livers, Stat1, Tlr2, chemokines Cxcl1, Cxcl3, Cxcl9, Cxcl10, cytokines Il6, Il18, cytokine-related gene Il1r and cytokine agonist Ilrn were significantly upregulated. In WNV (-) brain tissues, Csf2 and Cxcl10 were significantly upregulated. Similar gene and protein expression kinetics were found for Ccl2, Ccl3, Ccl4 and Ccl5 and correlated with the presence of infectious virus. In summary, the utility of the nCounter platform for rapid identification of gene expression changes in SW mice associated with WNV infection was demonstrated.

Temporal variation of iodine concentration and speciation (127I and 129I) in wetland groundwater from the Savannah River Site, USA.

(129)I derived from a former radionuclide disposal basin located on the Savannah River Site (SRS) has concentrated in a wetland 600 m downstream. To evaluate temporal environmental influences on iodine speciation and mobility in this subtropical wetland environment, groundwater was collected over a three-year period (2010-2012) from a single location. Total (127)I and (129)I showed significant temporal variations, ranging from 68-196 nM for (127)I and <5-133 pCi/L for (129)I. These iodine isotopes were significantly correlated with groundwater acidity and nitrate, two parameters elevated within the contaminant plume. Additionally, (129)I levels were significantly correlated with those of (127)I, suggesting that biogeochemical controls on (127)I and (129)I are similar within the SRS aquifer/wetland system. Iodine speciation demonstrates temporal variations as well, reflecting effects from surface recharges followed by acidification of groundwater and subsequent formation of anaerobic conditions. Our results reveal a complex system where few single ancillary parameters changed in a systematic manner with iodine speciation. Instead, changes in groundwater chemistry and microbial activity, driven by surface hydrological events, interact to control iodine speciation and mobility. Future radiological risk models should consider the flux of (129)I in response to temporal changes in wetland hydrologic and chemical conditions.

Radioiodine concentrated in a wetland.

Most subsurface environmental radioactivity contamination is expected to eventually resurface in riparian zones, or wetlands. There are a number of extremely sharp biogeochemical interfaces in wetlands that could alter radionuclide speciation and promote accumulation. The objective of this study was to determine if a wetland concentrated (129)I emanating from a former waste disposal basin located on the Savannah River Site (SRS) in South Carolina, USA. Additionally, studies were conducted to evaluate the role of sediment organic matter in immobilizing the radioiodine. Groundwater samples were collected along a 0.7-km transect away from the seepage basin and in the downstream wetlands. The samples were analyzed for (129)I speciation (iodide (I(-)), iodate (IO3(-)), and organo-I). Groundwater (129)I concentrations in many locations in the wetlands (as high as 59.9 Bq L(-1)(129)I) were greatly elevated with respect to the source term (5.9 Bq L(-1)(129)I). (129)I concentration profiles in sediment cores were closely correlated to organic matter concentrations (r(2) = 0.992; n = 5). While the sediment organic matter promoted the uptake of (129)I to the wetland sediment, it also promoted the formation of a soluble organic fraction: 74% of the wetland groundwater (129)I could pass through a 1 kDa (<1 nm) membrane and only 26% of the (129)I was colloidal. Of that fraction that could pass through a 1 kDa membrane, 39% of the (129)I was organo-I. Therefore, while wetlands may be highly effective at immobilizing aqueous (129)I, they may also promote the formation of a low-molecular-weight organic species that does not partition to sediments. This study provides a rare example of radioactivity concentrations increasing rather than decreasing as it migrates from a point source and brings into question assumptions in risk models regarding continuous dilution of released contaminants.

Novel molecular-level evidence of iodine binding to natural organic matter from Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry.

Major fractions of radioiodine ((129)I) are associated with natural organic matter (NOM) in the groundwater and surface soils of the Savannah River Site (SRS). Electrospray ionization coupled to Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (ESI-FTICR-MS) was applied to elucidate the interactions between inorganic iodine species (iodide and iodate) and a fulvic acid (FA) extracted from a SRS surface soil. Iodate is likely reduced to reactive iodine species by the lignin- and tannin-like compounds or the carboxylic-rich alicyclic molecules (CRAM), during which condensed aromatics and lignin-like compounds were generated. Iodide is catalytically oxidized into reactive iodine species by peroxides, while FA is oxidized by peroxides into more aliphatic and less aromatic compounds. Only 9% of the total identified organo-iodine compounds derived from molecules originally present in the FA, whereas most were iodine binding to newly-produced compounds. The resulting iodinated molecules were distributed in three regions in the van Krevelen diagrams, denoting unsaturated hydrocarbons, lignin and protein. Moreover, characteristics of these organo-iodine compounds, such as their relatively low O/C ratios (<0.2 or <0.4) and yet some degree of un-saturation close to that of lignin, have multiple important environmental implications concerning possibly less sterically-hindered aromatic ring system for iodine to get access to and a lower hydrophilicity of the molecules thus to retard their migration in the natural aquatic systems. Lastly, ~69% of the identified organo-iodine species contains nitrogen, which is presumably present as NH2 or HNCOR groups and a ring-activating functionality to favor the electrophilic substitution. The ESI-FTICR-MS technique provides novel evidence to better understand the reactivity and scavenging properties of NOM towards radioiodine and possible influence of NOM on (129)I migration.

Bacterial production of organic acids enhances H2O2-dependent iodide oxidation.

To develop an understanding of the role that microorganisms play in the transport of (129)I in soil-water systems, bacteria isolated from subsurface sediments were assessed for iodide oxidizing activity. Spent liquid medium from 27/84 bacterial cultures enhanced iodide oxidation 2-10 fold in the presence of H(2)O(2). Organic acids secreted by the bacteria were found to enhance iodide oxidation by (1) lowering the pH of the spent medium, and (2) reacting with H(2)O(2) to form peroxy carboxylic acids, which are extremely strong oxidizing agents. H(2)O(2)-dependent iodide oxidation increased exponentially from 8.4 to 825.9 µM with decreasing pH from 9 to 4. Organic acids with ≥2 carboxy groups enhanced H(2)O(2)-dependent iodide oxidation (1.5-15-fold) as a function of increasing pH above pH 6.0, but had no effect at pH ≤ 5.0. The results indicate that as pH decreases (≤5.0), increasing H(2)O(2) hydrolysis is the driving force behind iodide oxidation. However, at pH ≥ 6.0, spontaneous decomposition of peroxy carboxylic acids, generated from H(2)O(2) and organic acids, contributes significantly to iodide oxidation. The results reveal an indirect microbial mechanism, organic acid secretion coupled to H(2)O(2) production, that could enhance iodide oxidation and organo-iodine formation in soils and sediments.

Mobile colloid generation induced by a cementitious plume: mineral surface-charge controls on mobilization.

Cementitious materials are increasingly used as engineered barriers and waste forms for radiological waste disposal. Yet their potential effect on mobile colloid generation is not well-known, especially as it may influence colloid-facilitated contaminant transport. Whereas previous papers have studied the introduction of cement colloids into sediments, this study examined the influence of cement leachate chemistry on the mobilization of colloids from a subsurface sediment collected from the Savannah River Site, USA. A sharp mobile colloid plume formed with the introduction of a cement leachate simulant. Colloid concentrations decreased to background concentrations even though the aqueous chemical conditions (pH and ionic strength) remained unchanged. Mobile colloids were mainly goethite and to a lesser extent kaolinite. The released colloids had negative surface charges and the mean particle sizes ranged primarily from 200 to 470 nm. Inherent mineralogical electrostatic forces appeared to be the controlling colloid removal mechanism in this system. In the background pH of ~6.0, goethite had a positive surface charge, whereas quartz (the dominant mineral in the immobile sediment) and kaolinite had negative surface charges. Goethite acted as a cementing agent, holding kaolinite and itself onto the quartz surfaces due to the electrostatic attraction. Once the pH of the system was elevated, as in the cementitious high pH plume front, the goethite reversed to a negative charge, along with quartz and kaolinite, then goethite and kaolinite colloids were mobilized and a sharp spike in turbidity was observed. Simulating conditions away from the cementitious source, essentially no colloids were mobilized at 1:1000 dilution of the cement leachate or when the leachate pH was ≤ 8. Extreme alkaline pH environments of cementitious leachate may change mineral surface charges, temporarily promoting the formation of mobile colloids.

Sequestration and remobilization of radioiodine (129I) by soil organic matter and possible consequences of the remedial action at Savannah River Site.

In order to investigate the distributions and speciation of (129)I (and (127)I) in a contaminated F-Area groundwater plume of the Savannah River Site that cannot be explained by simple transport models, soil resuspension experiments simulating surface runoff or stormflow and erosion events were conducted. Results showed that 72-77% of the newly introduced I(-) or IO(3)(-) were irreversibly sequestered into the organic-rich riparian soil, while the rest was transformed by the soil into colloidal and truly dissolved organo-iodine, resulting in (129)I remobilization from the soil greatly exceeding the 1 pCi/L drinking water permit. This contradicts the conventional view that only considers I(-) or IO(3)(-) as the mobile forms. Laboratory iodination experiments indicate that iodine likely covalently binds to aromatic structures of the soil organic matter (SOM). Under very acidic conditions, abiotic iodination of SOM was predominant, whereas under less acidic conditions (pH ≥5), microbial enzymatically assisted iodination of SOM was predominant. The organic-rich soil in the vadose zone of F-Area thus acts primarily as a "sink," but may also behave as a potentially important vector for mobile radioiodine in an on-off carrying mechanism. Generally the riparian zone provides as a natural attenuation zone that greatly reduces radioiodine release.

Factors controlling mobility of 127I and 129I species in an acidic groundwater plume at the Savannah River Site.

In order to quantify changes in iodine speciation and to assess factors controlling the distribution and mobility of iodine at an iodine-129 ((129)I) contaminated site located at the U.S. Department of Energy's Savannah River Site (SRS), spatial distributions and transformation of (129)I and stable iodine ((127)I) species in groundwater were investigated along a gradient in redox potential (654 to 360 mV), organic carbon concentration (5 to 60 µmol L(-1)), and pH (pH 3.2 to 6.8). Total (129)I concentration in groundwater was 8.6±2.8 Bq L(-1) immediately downstream of a former waste seepage basin (well FSB-95DR), and decreased with distance from the seepage basin. (127)I concentration decreased similarly to that of (129)I. Elevated concentrations of (127)I or (129)I were not detected in groundwater collected from wells located outside of the mixed waste plume of this area. At FSB-95DR, the majority (55-86%) of iodine existed as iodide for both (127)I and (129)I. Then, as the iodide move down gradient, some of it transformed into iodate and organo-iodine. Considering that iodate has a higher K(d) value than iodide, we hypothesize that the production of iodate in groundwater resulted in the removal of iodine from the groundwater and consequently decreased concentrations of (127)I and (129)I in downstream areas. Significant amounts of organo-iodine species (30-82% of the total iodine) were also observed at upstream wells, including those outside the mixed waste plume. Concentrations of groundwater iodide decreased at a faster rate than organo-iodine along the transect from the seepage basin. We concluded that removal of iodine from the groundwater through the formation of high molecular weight organo-iodine species is complicated by the release of other more mobile organo-iodine species in the groundwater.

Evaluation of a radioiodine plume increasing in concentration at the Savannah River Site.

Field and laboratory studies were carried out to understand the cause for steady increases in (129)I concentrations emanating from radiological basins located on the Savannah River Site, South Carolina. The basins were closed in 1988 by adding limestone and slag and then capping with a low permeability engineered cover. Groundwater (129)I concentrations in a well near the basins in 1993 were 200 pCi L(-1) and are presently between 400 and 1000 pCi L(-1). Iodine speciation in the plume contained wide ranges of iodide, iodate, and organo-iodine concentrations. First-order calculations based on a basin sediment desorption study indicate that the modest increase of 0.7 pH units detected in the study site groundwater over the last 17 years since closure of the basins may be sufficient to produce the observed increased groundwater (129)I concentrations near the basins. Groundwater monitoring of the plume at the basins has shown that the migration of many of the high risk radionuclides originally present at this complex site has been attenuated. However, (129)I continues to leave the source at a rate that may have been exacerbated by the initial remediation efforts. This study underscores the importance of identifying the appropriate in situ stabilization technologies for all source contaminants, especially if their geochemical behaviors differ.

Mindfulness and health behaviors: is paying attention good for you?

OBJECTIVE: the investigators examined relations between mindfulness and health behaviors in college students, as well as the role of stress in mediating these effects. PARTICIPANTS: participants were 553 undergraduates (385 females; mean age = 18.8 years, SD = 2.1) recruited from a university in the northeastern United States. METHODS: participants completed questionnaires assessing mindfulness, perceived health, health behaviors, health-related activity restriction, and stress. Data were collected from September 2007 through December 2007. RESULTS: overall perceived health and health-related activity restriction, as well as some health behaviors (eg, binge eating, sleep quality, and physical activity) were related to the Five-Factor Mindfulness Questionnaire and were partially mediated by stress. CONCLUSIONS: these results suggest that mindfulness is related to decreased stress, which in turn contributes to increased positive health perceptions and health behaviors. The findings support the utility of mindfulness in promoting physical and psychological health in college students.

Inverse dependency of particle residence times in ponds to the concentration of phosphate, the limiting nutrient.

234Th, a commonly used short-lived particle-reactive tracer in marine systems, was measured in three different holding pond series at the Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site (RFETS), Colorado, along with its parent nuclide 238U, to determine steady-state residence times of particle-reactive actinides such as Pu, and of particles. Series B ponds, which received industrial effluent that includes ortho-phosphate (PO4) and actinides, differed from series A and C ponds, which did not. This difference was also evident in the calculated particle residence times, which were <1 day for the ponds B4 and B5, where PO4 concentrations were higher (1.4 and 1.8 mg/l), and 3 and 3.4 days for ponds A3 and C2, respectively, where ortho-phosphate concentrations were lower (<0.1 mg/l). Particle residence times thus showed an inverse relationship with the concentration of ortho-phosphate, the limiting nutrient in fresh water systems. The same relationship to the concentration of ortho-phosphate or any of the other nutrient elements was not evident for the residence times of dissolved 234Th, which ranged between 0.1 and 2 days. This can be attributed to higher concentrations of dissolved and particulate ligands with greater binding potential for actinides such as four-valent Th and Pu in ponds with higher ortho-phosphate concentrations. Regardless of actual ortho-phosphate concentration, however, at water residence (holding) times of 1 month in these ponds, particles and associated actinides would be expected to be completely removed from the pond water to sediments.

Providing culturally sensitive care to the childbearing Islamic family: Part II.

Culturally sensitive care requires a unique combination of empathy, curiosity, and a profound respect for others. This article provides insight into the Islamic family structure and the traditional male and female roles that health care providers may encounter. Best practice considerations focused on communication with and care of the family during hospitalization, and strategies to support breastfeeding, dietary, and medication requirements are provided. Neonatal end-of-life decision making and death rituals are also discussed in context with commonly held religious beliefs and practices of this population.

Organic nature of colloidal actinides transported in surface water environments.

Elevated levels of (239,240)Pu and 241Am have been present in surficial soils of the Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site (RFETS), CO, since the 1960s, when soils were locally contaminated in the 1960s by leaking drums stored on the 903 Pad. Further dispersion of contaminated soil particles was by wind and water. From 1998 until 2001, we examined actinide ((239,240)Pu and 241Am) concentrations and phase speciation in the surface environment at RFETS through field studies and laboratory experiments. Measurements of total (239,240)Pu and 241Am concentrations in storm runoff and pond discharge samples, collected during spring and summer times in 1998-2000, demonstrate that most of the (239,240)Pu and 241Am transported from contaminated soils to streams occurred in the particulate (> or = 0.45 microm; 40-90%) and colloidal (approximately 2 nm or 3 kDa to 0.45 microm; 10-60%) phases. Controlled laboratory investigations of soil resuspension, which simulated storm and erosion events, confirmed that most of the Pu in the 0.45 microm filter-passing phase was in the colloidal phase (> or = 80%) and that remobilization of colloid-bound Pu during soil erosion events can be greatly enhanced by humic and fulvic acids present in these soils. Most importantly, isoelectric focusing experiments of radiolabeled colloidal matter extracted from RFETS soils revealed that colloidal Pu is in the four-valent state and is mostly associated with a negatively charged organic macromolecule with a pH(IEP) of 3.1 and a molecular weight of 10-15 kDa, rather than with the more abundant inorganic (iron oxide and clay) colloids. This finding has important ramifications for possible remediation, erosion controls, and land-management strategies.

Providing culturally sensitive care to the childbearing Islamic family.

Current health care policy mandates that the unique health needs of various cultures be met and barriers to health care minimized. Birth occurs in the context of culture and religion, and an understanding of culture and religious beliefs are important for health care providers who are challenged to provide culturally sensitive care to diverse populations. This article provides a broad background discussion of Islam for the non-Muslim. A discussion of the care of the Muslim family during the childbearing process, highlighting specific issues related to modesty and privacy, female traditional dress and covering, dietary requirements, and newborn care, are provided. Part 2 in the series will present unique risk factors, health care beliefs, breast-feeding practices, issues related to end-of-life decisions and withdrawal of support, and death rituals that may be unique to Muslim families.