The Impact of Familial Ethnic Socialization on Parenting

Researchers have identified the important influence family has on ethnic socialization. Most of the existing research focuses on the influence that family has on children but does not expand into adulthood. This study addresses the gap in the literature by examining whether the way in which one has been parented impacts one’s parenting style with regard to ethnic socialization. This question is examined for current and prospective parents. In this study, we first found that parental ethnic socialization did not significantly differ between current and prospective parents. Second, we found that greater familial ethnic socialization is significantly correlated with a stronger parental ethnic socialization for both current and prospective parents. These findings suggest that parents can consciously incorporate aspects of their ethnic background(s) into childrearing in order to encourage stronger ethnic socialization in their children and even further generations. This is especially relevant for anyone who may be concerned with how acculturation may impact future generations

Guideline-Based Approach for the Precautious Use of Oxytocin in Labor Augmentation and Emergency Cesarean Section Rates

Background: Exogenous oxytocin was approved by the FDA in 1962 and has been administered to help induce labor, advance a prolonged labor, assist with placental delivery, and manage postpartum bleeding. However, the use of this synthetic oxytocin is commonly both inconsistent and incautious in timing and dosing, with outcomes of uterine tachysystole (hyperstimulation), subsequent fetal oxygen desaturation and alterations in fetal heart rate patterns, all potentially leading to emergency cesarean sections (CS). Since such associations have been established, would the implementation of a guideline-based approach on the precautious use of synthetic oxytocin in labor augmentation reduce emergency CS rates? Methods: An exhaustive literature search was performed using MEDLINE-PubMed, CINAHL, Proquest, and Web of Science databases. Key terms searched include oxytocin, intervention, fetal distress, reduc*, obstetric labor complications, education, guidelines as topic, protocol, and checklist. Articles that included a guideline approach to using oxytocin in labor augmentation and reported on emergency CS rates were included. Exclusion criteria included guidelines based on the third stage of labor. The remaining articles and their references were screened for eligibility, were critically appraised, and the quality of their evidence was assessed with the GRADE working group approach. Results: Four studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were eligible to be included in this systematic review. All were observational studies, 2 prospective and 2 retrospective. One study reported a significant reduction in the frequency of oxytocin use and a significant increase in overall emergency CS, but also a significant increase in oxytocin used in labors without dystocia. A second study found a significant reduction in the frequency of oxytocin use, emergency CS overall, and emergency CS indicated for fetal distress with a non-significant decrease in CS due labor dystocia. A third study reported a statistically significant reduction in the maximum oxytocin dose, with a non-significant decrease in CS rate post-checklist. The fourth study found a statistically significant reduction in the frequency of oxytocin use, a non-significant decrease in CS rate, a statistically significant increase in CS due to labor dystocia with a statistically significant reduction in those due to fetal distress. All studies were assessed as very low quality of evidence based on GRADE. Conclusion: The studies collectively demonstrate that a guideline-based approach on the precautious use of synthetic oxytocin during labor management leads to a reduced frequency of its use and/or a decrease in the maximum dose. However, the impact on emergency CS rates became a moving target as each study used different guidelines. This reveals the necessity of a standardized approach that includes a universal definition of labor dystocia and a protocol that guides when to start, continue, or stop oxytocin. This could be accomplished by a future study that assessed a dose response curve to evaluate if a low or high dose oxytocin regimen, in combination with a universal guideline with provided markers for when to initiate and stop synthetic oxytocin, would correlate to a decline in emergent CS rates. Keywords: oxytocin, intervention, fetal distress, reduc*, obstetric labor complications, education, guidelines as topic, protocol, and checklist

Seaweed Consumption and Its Effect on Breast Cancer

Background: Breast cancer remains the most common cancer in women worldwide. Interestingly, breast cancer incidence varies dramatically among countries. Japan, in particular, has relatively low breast cancer (BC) rates when compared to those in Western countries. Daily consumption of seaweed has been proposed as one of the factors in explaining the difference in incidence rates of BC. The high concentrations of polysaccharides in seaweed have been reported in many studies to have anti-cancer effects as well as chemoprotective effects. The aim for this review is to look at the potential benefits of seaweed consumption and its effect on breast cancer. Methods: Exhaustive search of available medical literature was performed using MEDLINE-Ovid, Science Direct, Web of Science and CINAHL. Keywords used included: breast cancer, breast neoplasm and seaweed. Studies were assessed for quality using GRADE criteria. Results: The systematic literature search yielded 311 articles for review. After screening the titles and abstracts, 3 articles met the eligibility criteria. Two of the studies were randomized control trials and 1 was a case-control observational study. These studies showed an association between seaweed consumption and lower rates of breast cancer. Conclusion: Daily consumption of seaweed may play an important role in decreasing the incidence of breast cancer in women. Keywords: Seaweed, breast cancer, breast neoplas

Getting up to Speed on OER: Advice from a Newbie

Open Educational Resources (OER) programs are growing and institutions are looking for leaders to steer these programs successfully. This article will give advice to folks who are tasked with starting an OER program or joining an established program in its growth stage. It will discuss where to find OER research for those who don’t know much about it, such as LibGuides, pertinent journals, and OER repositories. Then, it will move onto building campus partnerships and finding like-minded people in your institution that can champion the cause and help grow the program as well as provide institutional support. Next, it will look at off-campus partnerships and working with outside stakeholders that share the same goals. Lastly, the article will give advice for keeping current on OER research and resources, and discuss some of the professional development opportunities available