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Purpose We sought to evaluate patient adherence and response to simple vaginal and sexual health treatment strategies in female cancer patients receiving treatment at a female sexual medicine and health program and identify improvements of physical symptoms, per patient and clinical evaluation. Methods Evaluability criteria included gynecologic exam at initial visit, at least one follow-up with gynecologic exam within 8 months of initial visit, and all consecutive follow-ups <6 months apart. Demographics, medical information, and clinical assessments from 175 evaluable patients with at least one follow-up from 09/12 to 10/14 were analyzed. The majority of patients were being treated for or had a history of breast ( n  = 90, 53 %), gynecologic ( n  = 54, 32 %), or colorectal/anal ( n  = 15, 9 %) cancers. An assessment form included a clinician evaluation, Vaginal Assessment Scale (VAS), Vulvar Assessment Scale (VuAS), and patient-reported outcomes. Compliance with treatment recommendations were summarized, and changes over time were compared for clinical outcomes. Results Mean number of visits was 3.43. Mean age was 55.4 years; 92 % ( n  = 155/169) were in menopause. Treatment strategies included rationale and instruction for use of vaginal moisturizers, lubricants, pelvic floor exercises, and dilator therapy, in addition to psychosexual education regarding sexual changes (response, anatomy, and function) associated with cancer treatment and support. At last assessment, 89 % had complied with the clinical recommendation (moisturize 2–5+ times/week). Vaginal pH scores >6.5 declined over time ( p  = 0.03). VAS scores improved by last assessment ( p  < 0.001), as did VuAS scores ( p  = 0.001). Sexual function scores significantly improved ( p  < 0.001), confidence about future sexual activity increased ( p  = 0.004), and sexual/vaginal health concerns decreased ( p  = 0.00003). Conclusion Significant changes were observed in women using treatment strategies, with improvement in vulvovaginal symptoms, a decrease in elevated vaginal pH and pain with exams, enhanced sexual function, and increased intimacy confidence. Implications for Cancer Survivors These findings have high clinical relevance for symptom management with improvement of sexual function using simple strategies and clinical tools in the oncology setting.

Anchialine pools are unique localized brackish water ecosystems, comprised of fresh groundwater and saltwater from the ocean mixing through subterranean pathways. This study characterized physicochemical properties, biological communities, and food web structures in anchialine pools on Hawaii Island, hypothesizing pronounced differences between pools with and without introduced fishes. Pools varied greatly in size, temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen saturation. On average, 46% of observed species were introduced. Native species of high conservation concern such as the shrimp Metabetaeus lohena and Halocaridina rubra were not observed in pools with introduced fishes, where periphytic algal biomass was lower. δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N analyses revealed an unusual food web structure where all animal species (except Gambusia affinis) occupied the same trophic niche, independent of species, size, and sex. These findings illustrate that simple food web structures with opportunistic feeding patterns in all species can occur in ecosystems that have greatly variable physicochemical properties and diverse biological communities. The wide variation in biological communities even in adjacent pools indicates that individual anchialine pools are unique. The high proportion of introduced species and their observed effects on these fragile ecosystems suggest that they pose a serious threat to native biota in Hawaiian anchialine pools.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to characterize patients seeking treatment at a Female Sexual Medicine and Women’s Health Program and examine their sexual/vaginal health issues. Methods Data from clinical assessment forms were extracted from 509 women referred to the Female Sexual Medicine and Women’s Health Program during/after cancer treatment. The form consists of a Vaginal Assessment Scale (VAS), vaginal health items, patient-reported outcomes (PROs) (Sexual Activity Questionnaire [SAQ], Sexual Self-Schema Scale [SSS], Female Sexual Function Index [FSFI]), and exploratory items. Results Of 509 patients, 493 (97 %) completed PROs; 253 (50 %) received a pelvic examination. The majority had a history of breast ( n  = 260, 51 %), gynecologic ( n  = 184, 36 %), or colorectal/anal ( n  = 35, 7 %) cancer. Mean age was 51.2 years; 313 (62 %) were married/partnered. Approximately two thirds had elevated vaginal pH scores (5–6.5 [35 %] or 6.5+ [33 %]) and minimal (62 %) or no (5 %) vaginal moisture. Eighty-seven patients (44 %) experienced pain during their exam (23 % mild, 11 % moderate, 1.5 % severe, and 8.5 % not indicated). Fifty-three percent engaged in sexual activity with a partner; only 43 % felt confident about future sexual activity. Ninety-three percent were somewhat to very concerned/worried about sexual function/vaginal health. Approximately half had moderate/severe dryness ( n  = 133, 51 %) and dyspareunia ( n  = 120, 46 %). The mean SSS score was 60.7, indicating a slightly positive sexual self-view. However, 93.5 % ( n  = 429) had an FSFI score <26.55, suggesting sexual dysfunction. Conclusions At initial consult, women reported vaginal dryness, pain, and sexual dysfunction. For many women, pelvic exams showed elevated vaginal pH, lack of moisture, and discomfort with the exam itself. Future analyses will examine changes over time.

Dies ergibt über das Jahr hinweg einen Gewinn an Zeitressourcen von beinahe 2 VZÄ Dienstposten (5min*25Betten*4Stationen*365T age/Jahresnettoarbeitszeit), welche ganz nach unserem Leitsatz „patient first“ nun mehr am Patienten ankommen und wiederum zu einer Steigerung der Patientenund Angehörigenzufriedenheit führen. Projektteam: Andrea Sallegger BSc MSc, Andrea Frießnegg, Karin Prisching, Eva Kogler, BSc., Christa Schnabl, Walpurga Kaiser 1. Ziele Vor diesem Hintergrund wurde im Rahmen eines Pilotprojektes evaluiert, welchen Einfluss die Pflege auf die Lebensqualität der Bewohner nimmt bzw. nehmen kann. Durch die intensive Auseinandersetzung der Mitarbeiter mit den Ausprägungen der Lebensqualität im Kontext von Pflegequalität wurden außerdem die fachliche Diskussion und der Austausch im Haus angeregt und intensiviert. Auch für Absolventen und Absolventinnen der regulären Ausbildung bzw. langjährig erfahrene Mitarbeiter (Diplom vor 1997), gab es im Klinikum wenige Möglichkeiten, pflegewissenschaftliche Kenntnisse zu vertiefen bzw. sich diese anzueignen und den gesetzlichen Vorgaben nachzukommen. Ziele ▪ Erhöhung des Forschungsbewusstseins der Teilnehmenden ▪ Verbesserung von Kritik- und Analysefähigkeiten ▪ Erweiterung der Lesegewohnheiten ▪ Generierung von neuen Ideen gemeinsam im Kollegium ▪ Implikationen von Forschung auf die gegenwärtige Pflegepraxis diskutieren ▪ Kritisches Hinterfragen der eigenen Pflegepraxis ▪ Ggf. Zusammentreffen in Form eines Journal Club leisten einen wichtigen Beitrag zum lebenslangen Lernen (Campbell-Fleming, Catania & Courtney, 2008). Die Ergebnisse zeigen einen deutlichen Zuwachs bzw. eine Vertiefung von wissenschaftlichen Grundlagen: Bei der zweiten Befragung gaben 50 Prozent der Teilnehmer an, dass es „völlig zutrifft“, dass sie die Kennzeichen einer wissenschaftlichen Studie kennen.

Sexual intimacy can be an important part of quality of life that is disrupted and altered in the setting of a cancer diagnosis and treatment. Surgical, radiation, and chemotherapy treatments all impact sexual functioning in different ways. The most common type of sexual problems following cancer treatments include decreased sexual interest, pain with penetration (dyspareunia) in women, and erectile dysfunction in men. These sexual problems can at times lead to broader relationship frustration and stress. Fortunately, there are many effective treatments for both men and women to address sexual problems following cancer treatments. The most effective approach combines both medical treatments to address physical problems with psychological therapeutic approaches to help patients and couples utilize and integrate these medical treatments into their sexual relationship.

This study examined the relationship of height, adjustment, and sex-role attributes in adult women. The Bem Sex Role Invnetory (BSRI) and the Bell Adjustment Inventory were used to evaluate the following hypotheses: (1) tall women would show significantly higher masculine scores than women of average height or short women; (2) controlling for height, there would be an effect between the subjects' separate masculine and feminine sex role scores, and adjustment scores; (3) controlling for height, women who exhibit higher masculine scores than feminine scores would be better adjusted than women who exhibit lower masculine than feminine scores. Subjects were ninety women, ages 24-45, ranging in height from 4'11\" to 5'2\", 5'3\" to 5'7\"; and 5'8\" to 6'0\". Multiple regression techniques revealed a curvilinear relationship between height groups and both masculine and feminine scores. Short women scored higher on both scales, followed by tall women, with women of average height scoring lowest. Results offered support for hypothesis 2: individuals with high Masculine BSRI scores are better adjusted than those with low Masculine scores; height is not a significant mediating variable. Hypothesis 3 was supported: Subjects with higher Masculine than Feminine Scores are better adjusted than those whose Feminine scores are higher than their Masculine BSRI's. Implications of these findings are discussed.

  A self-made man, Kerik has worked as an undercover narcotics cop, an anti-terrorist operative in the Mideast and the New York City commissioner of correction.1 He literally created himself, through self-discipline, martial arts, military service and a keen introspection balanced with logic, from a restless, troubled teen into a very disciplined man who would become police commissioner in 2000 under Mayor Rudolph Giuliani.

[...] of late, more artists and critics are speaking a bit louder of Rockwell's grasp of light and color, of his ability to capture so realistically a a moment in time that the viewer is almost part of whatever is occurring.

Martin died in 1995 at age 78 after a career that included uneven success in television, movies, nightclub appearances and recordings.