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Constipation is the most common GI symptom in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Importantly, patients with constipation have lower health-related quality of life than those without constipation. Effective therapies for constipation are limited and there is a paucity of data evaluating the treatment of constipation in diabetics. Diabetic patients with chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) as defined by Rome III criteria were recruited from outpatient clinics at a tertiary-care center and a Veterans Administration Hospital. Demographic data, baseline stool patterns, and a constipation-specific quality of life survey (Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life (PAC-QOL)) were obtained. Baseline colonic transit time (CTT) was evaluated utilizing the wireless motility capsule. Patients were randomized in a double-blind fashion to 48 mcg per day lubiprostone or placebo for 8 weeks. The primary end point measured was the difference in number of spontaneous bowel movements (SBMs) per week vs. baseline for each group at each week after initiation of therapy. Secondary end points included changes in CTT after 4 weeks of therapy, PAC-QOL after 8 weeks of therapy, and changes from baseline in associated gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms as well as need for rescue medication at 2, 4, and 8 weeks. Seventy-six patients (mean age, 56.9±9.1 years, 62% females) were randomized. There were no significant differences between the two groups' baseline data or demographics. During the 8-week treatment period, patients in the lubiprostone group experienced an average of 1.83±0.80 (P=0.02) more SBMs per week than those in the placebo group as compared with baseline. The duration of CTT at Week 4 was shorter by an average of 13 h compared with baseline in the lubiprostone group, and was prolonged by an average of 7 h compared with baseline in the placebo group, leading to a treatment effect of 20.3±7.3 h (P=0.006). PAC-QOL improved in both the groups; however, there was no significant difference between the groups. There was no difference in associated GI symptoms and need for rescue medication between the two groups after 8 weeks. There were no serious adverse events reported during the study. This study suggests that lubiprostone is a safe and effective treatment for increasing weekly SBMs and decreasing CTT in patients with DM and CIC.

Poet and student Latoya Carter, who is raising money to go to Ghana this year, recently interviewed Andrea V. Lee, MA in Education who has escorted groups to Ghana since 2004, researching the richness of Ghanaian life and culture. Andrea Lee: I had been evicted from one district to another as a school teacher in Oakland, Berkeley and Emeryville. One of my early mentors, Anna Lee Walker, an Oakland-based educator and artist who is now deceased, used to say, \"Through the discovery of talent, a genius will flourish.\" This was the organization's original motto. AL: My cousin Terence Elliott was an instructor at Contra Costa Community College where he taught a class called \"Black Song and Poetry.\" I was invited to travel with the group to Ghana as a dancer/choreographer, and we performed at a choral festival in Accra, Ghana.

1 have been appointed as youth correspondent for the Post Newspaper Group. Before going to Ghana, I will be interviewing people who have been to Ghana and would like to go to Ghana. While in Africa I will be reporting back on my experiences. To help support my fundraising efforts, you can donate or purchase a copy of my book, \"I'm Already Famous,\" published by Black Bird Press for $19.95. Contact toyaspeaks@ gmail.com or call (510) 5752225.

As a child I've always dreamed of going to Africa. My father was a lover of African history and culture. He made it a priority that his children knew about their history. I remember my father saying to me \"I'm going to send you to Africa one day so that you can meet your long lost family and understand where they came from and why you are here today\". My father has never been to Africa like many other African Americans. I've always wanted to experience wearing African clothing, participate in African dance ceremonies, gain knowledge on different tribes and see the animals. Though many things have changed in my life I have always kept my dream alive.

Locomotion is an excellent way to introduce children to poetry. The entire book is written in different poetic forms, which show children poetry can be diverse and how it can be used as a wonderful means of expression. [Jacqueline Woodson] has done an excellent job showing bits and pieces of [Lonnie]'s memories and experiences. These pieces ultimately come together to complete a very in-depth view of who Lonnie is and how his circumstances have changed his life. The book gives a total, heartwarming view of one young man's ability to find an outlet for his emotions when all else fails. Locomotion provides hope to children who may have been orphaned or estranged from their parents. Woodson also shows all children that writing poetry can be an excellent form of self-expression.