ABSTRACT:The field of corneal tissue engineering has made many strides in recent years. The challenges of engineering a biocompatible, mechanically stable, and optically transparent tissue are significant. To overcome these challenges, researchers have adopted two basic approaches: cell-based strategies for manipulating cells to create their own extracellular matrix, and scaffold-based strategies for providing strong and transparent matrices upon which to grow cells. Both strategies have met with some degree of success. In addition, recent advances have been made in innervating a tissueengineered construct. Future work will need to focus on further improving mechanical stability of engineered constructs as well as improving the host response to implantation.

Objectives. In order to comprehensively examine the risks and resources associated with racial-ethnic disparities in adverse obstetric outcomes, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and the University of California, Los Angeles, joined efforts to design and implement the 2007 Los Angeles Mommy and Baby (LAMB) study. This paper aims to present the conceptual frameworks underlying the study's development, highlight the successful collaboration between a research institution and local health department, describe the distinguishing characteristics of its methodology, and discuss the study's implications for research, programs, and policies. Methods. The LAMB study utilized a multilevel, multistage cluster design with a mixed-mode methodology for data collection. Two samples were ultimately produced: the multilevel sample (n = 4,518) and the augmented final sample (n = 6,264). Results. The LAMB study allowed us to collect multilevel data on the risks and resources associated with racial-ethnic disparities in adverse obstetric outcomes. Both samples were more likely to be Hispanic, aged 20–34 years, completed at least 12 years of schooling, and spoke English. Conclusions. The LAMB study represents the successful collaboration between an academic institution and local health department and is a theoretically based research database and surveillance system that informs effective programmatic and policy interventions to improve outcomes among LAC's varied demographic groups.

Background: Exclusive breastfeeding is the healthiest and most economical form of infant nutrition. Although research has indicated that professional support increases the length of time women breastfeed, the optimal timing of provider encouragement to sustain mothers' breastfeeding is unknown. We evaluated the impact of the timing of provider encouragement on breastfeeding initiation and three-month duration, especially among racial/ethnic minority mothers who have been underrepresented in breastfeeding outcomes research. Methods:We used data from the 2010 Los Angeles Mommy and Baby (LAMB) Survey. LAMB is a population-based mail survey, distributed to women in Los Angeles County who recently gave birth to a live infant. Participants were asked about their perceptions of provider encouragement of breastfeeding at three specific time points: during prenatal care visits, during the birth hospital stay after the baby was born, and during early well-baby checkups. Mothers were asked whether they breastfed or pumped breast milk to feed their baby after delivery and if they were still breastfeeding at the time of the survey.Results: Overall, 87.6% of LA County mothers initiated breastfeeding after delivery. At 3 months, 60% were still breastfeeding. Adjusted logistic regression analysis showed a positive association between provider encouragement at the delivery hospital and breastfeeding initiation (aOR = 2.7, 95% CI = 1.60-3.96) that was significant across all races/ethnicity. Encouragement during well-baby checkups was positively associated with breastfeeding at 3 months (aOR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.22-1.93). This latter association was found among all races and ethnicities, except for Black mothers. There was no association between encouragement provided during prenatal care and breastfeeding practices. Conclusions:The optimal timing of provider encouragement on breastfeeding initiation is likely during the birth hospitalization, while sustained breastfeeding likely requires professional support after discharge. Culturally appropriate interventions to maintain positive breastfeeding practices must be identified, especially for black mothers.

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