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\u3cem\u3eThe Bench to Community Initiative\u3c/em\u3e: Community-based Participatory Research Model for Translating Research Discoveries into Community Solutions
Get PDFMethods: Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is an effective methodology for translating research findings from academia to community interventions. The Bench to Community Initiative (BCI), a CBPR program, builds on prior research to engage stakeholders across multiple disciplines with the goal of disseminating interventions to reduce breast cancer disparities and improve quality of life of Black communities.
The BCI program was established to understand sociocultural determinants of personal care product use, evaluate the biological impact of endocrine disrupting chemicals, and develop community interventions. The three pillars of the program include research, outreach and engagement as well as advocacy activities. The research pillar of the BCI includes development of multidisciplinary partnerships to understand the sociocultural and biological determinants of harmful chemical (e.g., endocrine disrupting chemicals) exposures from personal care products and to implement community interventions. The outreach and engagement pillar includes education and translation of research into behavioral practice. The research conducted through the initiative provides the foundation for advocacy engagement with applicable community-based organizations. Essential to the mission of the BCI is the participation of community members and trainees from underrepresented backgrounds who are affected by breast cancer disparities.
Results: Two behavioral interventions will be developed building on prior research on environmental exposures with the focus on personal care products including findings from the BCI. In person and virtual education activities include tabling at community events with do-it-yourself product demonstrations, Salon Conversations—a virtual platform used to bring awareness, education, and pilot behavior change interventions, biennial symposiums, and social media engagement. BCI’s community advisory board members support activities across the three pillars, while trainees participate in personal and professional activities that enhance their skills in research translation.
Discussion: This paper highlights the three pillars of the BCI, lessons learned, testimonies from community advisory board members and trainees on the impact of the initiative, as well as BCI’s mission driven approaches to achieving health equity
Affect Regulation and Allostatic Load Over Time
Get PDFObjective Emerging work suggests that affect regulation strategies (e.g., active coping, anger expression) predict disease and mortality risk, with sometimes divergent estimates by sex or education levels. However, few studies have examined potential underlying biological mechanisms. This study assessed the longitudinal association of affect regulation with future allostatic load. Method In 2004–2006, 574 participants from the Midlife in the United States study completed validated scales assessing use of nine general and emotion-specific regulatory strategies (e.g., denial, anger expression). As a proxy for how flexibly participants regulate their affect, variability in the use of regulatory strategies was operationalized using a standard deviation-based algorithm and considered categorically (i.e., lower, moderate, greater variability) to assess non-linear effects. Participants also provided data on relevant covariates and 24 allostatic load biomarkers (e.g., cortisol, blood pressure). In 2017–2021, these biomarkers were again collected. Linear regressions modeled betas (β) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) examining associations of affect regulatory constructs with future allostatic load. Results In fully-adjusted models including initial allostatic load, general regulatory strategies were unrelated to future allostatic load. Yet, greater versus moderate affect regulation variability levels predicted lower allostatic load (β=−0.14; 95 %CI: −0.27, −0.01). Only among more educated participants, greater use of anger expression predicted lower allostatic load, while the reverse was noted with anger control (βexpression=−0.12; 95 %CI: −0.20, −0.05; βcontrol=0.14; 95 %CI: 0.05, 0.24). Conclusions While general regulatory strategies appeared unrelated to allostatic load, greater variability in their use and anger-related strategies showed predictive value. Subsequent studies should examine these associations in larger, more diverse samples
Exploring the Impact of Maternal Early Life Adversity on Interoceptive Sensibility in Pregnancy: Implications for Prenatal Depression
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Pregnancy is a sensitive period of development in adult life characterized by massive changes in physical, emotional, and cognitive function. Such changes may be adaptive, e.g., facilitating adjustment to physical demands, but they may also reflect or contribute to risks inherent to this stage of life, e.g., prenatal depression. One cognitive ability that may undergo change during pregnancy and contribute to mental wellness is interoception - the ability to perceive, integrate, and model sensory information originating from the body. Strong interoceptive abilities are associated with lower rates of depression in non-pregnant adult populations, and interoception is generally weaker in individuals at higher risk for depression, for example, exposure to early life adversity (ELA). In the present online, cross-sectional study, we investigated whether interoception in pregnant women differed based on histories of ELA, in ways that increased their relative risk for prenatal depression symptoms. Methods
The pregnant individuals were in the second trimester of their first pregnancy and were compared to a group of nulliparous, non-parenting women. Results
Previous exposure to ELA significantly moderated pregnancy-related differences in self-reported interoception (interoceptive sensibility). A further moderated-mediation analysis revealed that the extent to which interoceptive sensibility buffered against depressive symptoms was conditional on ELA exposure, suggesting more ELA is associated with lower interoceptive sensibility during pregnancy, which increased prenatal depression risk. Conclusions
Together this work suggests that levels of interoception during pregnancy are sensitive to previous adversity exposure. It also suggests that interoceptive-focused interventions for preventing/treating prenatal depressive symptoms in high-risk women may be worth exploring
La traducción política: El silenciamiento narrativo y la traducción inglés-español bajo Francisco Franco
No full textWe tend to live under the assumption that translations will always attempt to be faithful to their original texts, blindly believing in the infallibility of the translator. However, in doing so, we ignore how translation can be used to take advantage of the reader – how can one know that a change has occurred in a translated work if they have no knowledge of the text’s original language? This paper studies the power dynamics of translation, and how it can be used as a tool to aid censorship. By focusing on translated literary works under the Franco regime, this work seeks to understand how authoritarian censorship can manipulate translations and how this unique interaction between the two can serve to silence the voices of marginalized groups and political opposition. Particularly, omissions and substitutions in the translations of Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre and George Orwell’s 1984, as well as the Catalonian translation of Vercors’s Le Silence de la Mer, are studied, analyzing their effects on the representation of women, Spanish Republicans, and Catalonians. This knowledge is then contextualized through contemporary forms of fascism in Spain and political censorship in the United States, urging that we are wary of the spread of neo-fascism and the use of censorship as a means of silencing others, such as the LGBTQ+ community
A Mixed Methods Evaluation of Pharmacists\u27 Readiness to Provide Long-Acting Injectable HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis in California
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Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake remains low among people who could benefit, some of whom may prefer alternatives to oral PrEP, such as long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (LAI-PrEP). We evaluated the potential for LAI-PrEP provision in pharmacies through a mixed methods study of pharmacists in California, where Senate Bill 159 enables pharmacists to independently provide oral PrEP. Methods:
In 2022–2023, we conducted an online cross-sectional survey of California pharmacists and pharmacy students (n = 919) and in-depth interviews with pharmacists (n = 30), both of which included modules assessing attitudes about PrEP provision. Using log-binomial regression, we estimated prevalence ratios (PRs) comparing survey participants\u27 willingness to provide LAI-PrEP by pharmacy- and individual-level characteristics. Qualitative interview data were analyzed using Rapid Qualitative Analysis to identify factors that may affect pharmacists\u27 provision of LAI-PrEP. Results:
Half of the survey participants (53%) indicated that they would be willing to administer LAI-PrEP using gluteal injection in their pharmacy. Willingness was higher among participants who worked in pharmacies that provided vaccinations or other injections (56% vs. 46%; PR: 1.2; 95% confidence interval: 1.0–1.4) and/or oral PrEP under Senate Bill 159 (65% vs. 51%; PR: 1.3; 95% confidence interval: 1.1–1.5) than among participants whose pharmacies did not. Interviewed participants reported barriers to LAI-PrEP provision, including the need for increased training and staffing, a private room for gluteal injections, better medication access, and payment for services. Conclusion:
Pharmacies offer a promising setting for increased LAI-PrEP access. However, pharmacists may require additional training, resources, and policy changes to make implementation feasible
Molecular Targets for Breast Cancer Therapy
Get PDFBreast cancer is by far the most common cancer in women, and for a while, it surpassed lung cancer as the most diagnosed cancer, regardless of gender, in 2020 [1]. Chemotherapy and hormone therapy are still the first line of treatment, despite extensive research in molecularly targeted drugs. Therefore, triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is still known as the most challenging type for treatment due to the limited identified targets. Inherent and acquired resistance are still major hurdles in breast cancer therapy, which further highlights the importance of identifying new molecular targets in this battle. The inherent resistance of unresponsive cells could be explained by tumor heterogeneity. In a “Big Bang” model proposed in 2015, a “spatial heterogeneity” is illustrated due to consecutive mutations in different generations of cancer cells within a single tumor [2]. This heterogeneity has been demonstrated in a study of two human acute lymphoblastic leukemia samples using viSNE technology, which shows that the differences between the samples outnumber the similarities [3]. Obviously, this intra-tumoral heterogeneity also affects the theory of personalizing the treatment based on the biomarker expression in a specific patient. Even if the selected molecularly targeted drug eradicates all the “sensitive” cells that rely on the targeted molecule for their survival, a sub-population of the population of cells would survive and trigger a relapse [4]. This “Darwinian” model is reported in a variety of cancer types [5]. On the other hand, the plasticity of cancer cells that enables adapting to molecularly targeted drugs could explain the acquired resistance. In addition to point mutations, the availability of a variety of pathways leading to enhanced proliferation and survival could be partially responsible for the intracellular adjustments required. We have previously reported the possibility of overcoming inherent or acquired resistance to molecularly targeted drugs by targeting well-selected alternative proteins. This Special Issue aimed to collect current efforts and insights into the most recent developments in potential molecular targets in breast cancer therapy. The Special Issue presents three original research articles and two review articles
Exploring the Journey of STEM Faculty into Justice-centered Pedagogy
Get PDFIn higher education and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), interlocking oppressions can lead to inequitable environments for those who hold marginalized identities. Instructors can play key roles in either exacerbating or mitigating these inequities through their pedagogical approaches and choice of curricular material. However, it remains unclear how instructors who self-identify as committed to justice achieve higher levels of consciousness around areas of injustice and develop the self-efficacy to dismantle barriers for students over time. Here, we draw upon critical race theory and critical white studies to investigate what events or life experiences influence STEM instructors to understand the importance of social justice and examine how STEM instructors use this understanding to drive pedagogical shifts. We find variations in the ways that instructors’ experiences and identities shape their understanding of justice. In addition, we uncover factors that influence the switch moment; curriculum and pedagogical shifts; their relationship to justice work broadly; and barriers and supports for justice work. These stories hold powerful lessons for STEM education, but also for education more broadly, both in terms of pedagogical practice and the questions that shape research agendas on equity in education
Predictors of longitudinal symptom trajectory in young adults with low back pain
Get PDFPredictors of longitudinal symptom trajectory in young adults with low back pain. Severity and frequency of painful episodes change over time in individuals with chronic low back pain (LBP). Recalling previous episodes’ severity/frequency is often considered inaccurate. This study’s purpose was to determine if recall of LBP history or psychological characteristics are predictors of future symptom trajectories in young adults with LBP. The 57 young adult participants had a year or more history of LBP and were not currently in pain. At baseline, LBP history was characterized by recall of pain severity and frequency during symptomatic episodes. Participants completed measures of anxiety, depression, and fear avoidance beliefs. Pain trajectories were tracked via survey every 2 months for 18 months, where participants identified average and worst pain symptoms. Participants were placed into groups based on pain trajectories over the follow-up period using latent class analysis (LCA). Logistic regression was used to identify if LBP history or psychological traits were predictors of average and worst pain trajectories. Survey completion rate was 95%. LCA found two sub-groups for both average and worst pain trajectories, where individuals in the adverse trajectory group had greater severity and frequency of episodes than the less adverse group (p \u3c 0.01 for both comparisons). Predictors of more adverse average pain were typical pain (p = 0.01) and frequency of symptoms (p = 0.02) at baseline, and depression score (p = 0.04) (percentage accuracy in classification (PAC) 84.9%, omnibus p = 0.0004). Predictors of more adverse worst pain were typical pain (p = 0.05) and depression at baseline (p = 0.02) (PAC 69.8%, p = 0.02). Even during no pain, self-report of past pain history is predictive of future LBP episodes. To enhance LBP management, it is essential to determine factors that predict symptom fluctuation across the lifespan. As depression is linked with more adverse history of LBP over time, clinicians should assess psychological traits in young adults with chronic pain
Immediate Feedback Generates Greater Improvements In Secondhand Smoke Reduction For Dual Smokers Compared To Exclusive Tobacco Users
Get PDFSecondhand smoke (SHS) exposure is defined as the breathing of smoke exhaled from burning combustible products, which can increase the risk of heart and lung diseases, especially in children. Research has primarily focused on tobacco SHS, with much less work examining cannabis SHS. Project Fresh Air, conducted in San Diego County, investigated the effect of real-time visual audio feedback plus coaching interventions on SHS, by gathering air particulate matter (PM2.5) data over the course of three months in the homes of 298 smokers in low-income households with children under 14 years of age. The sample consisted of participants who only smoked tobacco (n=163), as well as dual smokers of tobacco and cannabis (n=29), who were randomized into two groups: an intervention group that received real-time feedback, and a control group that did not. The goal of this study was to determine whether the intervention had differential effects on indoor air quality, measured by PM2.5, on participants who smoked only tobacco or were dual smokers. A three-way interaction multiple regression model looked at the change in PM2.5 before and after intervention, between tobacco smokers and dual smokers, and between intervention and control groups. We found that the main effect of the intervention decreased PM2.5 from baseline to post-intervention (B = -233.37, p = 0.01). Dual users had a higher PM2.5 concentration during the baseline compared to tobacco smokers (B = 1837.25, p \u3c 0.001). Compared to baseline, the intervention group of dual smokers had a decrease in their PM2.5 by 1320.63, while tobacco smokers decreased theirs by 337.27 (p \u3c 0.01). These results reveal that because marijuana users generated more SHS at baseline, which gives them more room to improve, resulting in more significant air pollution reduction after intervention
Can AI Interpretation Increase Inclusivity?
No full textOne fundamental value of the ESA is to “[provide] the community of ecologists of diverse backgrounds, heritage, and career paths with a supportive home that advances their aspirations”. Currently, the lingua franca at international science meetings is English, which certainly discourages or prevents many talented scientists from sharing their science, networking with colleagues, and otherwise fully participating in international conferences. Indeed, many avoid attending annual conferences altogether due to language barriers. Emerging AI technologies may soon make it possible to attract a diversity of new voices into science. ESA members are from all over the world: representing 88 countries as of 2023. By giving individuals the option to deliver presentations in the language they are most comfortable with through real-time AI interpretation, we might honor our collective ancestral voices and diversify the messages of science