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Background: Immigrant Muslim women have low rates of health care utilization, especially preventive care such as breast exams, mammograms, and cervical cancer screening. Religious and cultural beliefs, such as the value placed on modesty and premarital virginity, contribute to reluctance to seek health care. In addition, it has been unclear whether discussions of health care behavior that involve sexuality and reproductive health would be welcomed among immigrant Muslim women. Purposes: (1) To examine the impact of religious and cultural values on health care behavior of Muslim women from immigrant backgrounds in the San Francisco Bay Area, particularly with regard to cervical cancer screening; (2) To determine whether these women would welcome discussing values and beliefs regarding sexuality and reproductive health. Methods: Our key informants were five Muslim women who identified pelvic and Pap smear screening exams as major sources of anxiety for their community, and therefore major barriers to health care. Three focus groups were then convened, including 15 women ages 18-25, to discuss these issues in more detail. Results: Many Muslim women from immigrant backgrounds face challenges in obtaining adequate health care due to some common barriers of language, transportation, insurance, and family pressures. Additionally, many Muslim women resist screening practices that are the standard in the US but which threaten their cultural and religious values. Equally important, many health care professionals contribute to the women's challenges by making inappropriate recommendations regarding physical exams and reproductive health. The women were enthusiastic and candid in discussing these highly sensitive and taboo topics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most important tasks of any cell is to synthesize ribosomes. In eukaryotes, this process occurs sequentially in the nucleolus, the nucleoplasm and the cytoplasm. It involves the transcription and processing of pre-ribosomal RNAs, their proper folding and assembly with ribosomal proteins and the transport of the resulting pre-ribosomal particles to the cytoplasm where final maturation events occur. In addition to the protein and RNA constituents of the mature cytoplasmic ribosomes, this intricate process requires the intervention of numerous protein and small RNA trans-acting factors. These transiently interact with pre-ribosomal particles at various stages of their maturation. Most of the constituents of pre-ribosomal particles have probably now been identified and research in the field is starting to unravel the timing of their intervention and their precise mode of action. Moreover, quality control mechanisms are being discovered that monitor ribosome synthesis and degrade the RNA components of defective pre-ribosomal particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on the management of pain associated with procedures in children with cancer. Goal of pain management for pediatric procedures; General principles of management; Behavioral management of pediatric procedures.