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Background: Lack of breastfeeding support is a common barrier reported by African American mothers, whose breastfeeding rates remain significantly below the national average. Despite mothers’ reported use of social network sites to access support on topics relating to child rearing, few studies have examined their use to exchange breastfeeding support. Research aims: To describe (1) the experiences of African American mothers who participate in breastfeeding support groups on Facebook and (2) the breastfeeding beliefs, practices, and outcomes for this population of mothers. Methods: This was a prospective, cross-sectional qualitative study with an online focus group design. The study was guided by Black Feminist Thought and an integrated model of behavior prediction. Four online focus groups ( N = 22) were conducted using video conferencing during September 2017 with African American mothers who were participating in breastfeeding support groups on Facebook. Results: Thematic analysis was used to develop four themes and two subthemes, including creating a community for Black mothers, online interactions and levels of engagement, advantages of participating in online support groups, critiques of online support groups, empowerment of self and others, and shifts in breastfeeding perceptions and decisions. Among participants in this study, positive imagery of African American breastfeeding mothers and ongoing support from women with shared experiences improved confidence with public breastfeeding and prolonged goals for breastfeeding duration. Conclusion: Receiving peer support within Facebook communities may positively influence breastfeeding norms and confidence in breastfeeding, help mothers to overcome breastfeeding challenges, and ultimately extend intended breastfeeding duration.

Objectives For breastfeeding mothers, online support groups through Facebook may be a more convenient and preferred source for accessing breastfeeding information and support, but few studies exist that examine the use of Facebook groups specifically for breastfeeding support. This study explores the sources of support among users of Facebook breastfeeding support groups and a possible mechanism by which support received on Facebook may translate to behavioral outcomes among breastfeeding mothers. Methods From July–September 2017 a survey was distributed online to African American mothers ( N = 277) who participate in breastfeeding support groups on Facebook. The survey assessed network support from Facebook and other sources of breastfeeding support, perceived breastfeeding norms, breastfeeding self-efficacy and breastfeeding attitudes. Correlations and linear regression analysis were used to examine the relationship between covariates and outcome variables. Results The average intended breastfeeding duration among participants in this study was 19 months. Participants reported the highest amount of breastfeeding support received from their Facebook support group, in comparison to other sources of support, and Facebook support was significantly correlated with intended breastfeeding duration ( p < 0.05). Self-efficacy and breastfeeding attitudes remained significant predictors of intended breastfeeding duration within the final regression model. Conclusions Breastfeeding support received within Facebook groups may compensate for inadequate support received within mothers’ networks. More research is needed to understand the mechanism through which Facebook support may contribute to prolonged breastfeeding durations.

First-generation amperometric glucose biosensors incorporating alkanethiolate-protected gold nanoparticles, monolayer protected clusters (MPCs), within a xerogel matrix are investigated as model systems for nanomaterial-assisted electrochemical sensing strategies. The xerogel biosensors are comprised of platinum electrodes modified with composite films of (3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxy silane xerogel embedded with glucose oxidase enzyme, doped with Au225(C6)75 MPCs, and coated with an outer polyurethane layer. Electrochemistry and scanning/transmission electron microscopy, including cross-sectional TEM, show sensor construction, humidity effects on xerogel structure, and successful incorporation of MPCs. Analytical performance of the biosensor scheme with and without MPC doping of the xerogel is determined from direct glucose injection during amperometry. MPC-doped xerogels yield significant enhancement of several sensor attributes compared to analogous films without nanoparticles: doubling of the linear range, sensitivity enhancement by an order of magnitude, and 4-fold faster response times accompany long-term stability and resistance to common interfering agents that are competitive with current glucose biosensing literature. Ligand chain length and the MPC/silane ratio studies suggest the MPC-induced enhancements are critically related to structure-function relationships, particularly those affecting interparticle electronic communication where the MPC network behaves as a three-dimensional extension of the working electrode into the xerogel film, reducing the system's dependence on diffusion and maximizing efficiency of the sensing mechanism. The integration of MPCs as a functional component of amperometric biosensor schemes has implications for future development of biosensors targeting clinically relevant species.

Xerogel-based first-generation amperometric glucose biosensors, constructed through specific layer-by-layer assembly of films featuring glucose oxidase doped xerogel, a diffusion-limiting xerogel layer, and capped with both electropolymerized polyphenol and blended polyurethane semipermeable membranes, are presented. The specific combination of xerogels formed from specific silane precursors, including propyl-trimethoxysilane, isobutyl-trimethoxysilane, octyl-trimethoxysilane, and hydroxymethyl-triethoxysilane, exhibit impressive dynamic and linear ranges of detection (e.g., ≥24-28 mM glucose) and low response times, as well as significant discrimination against common interferent species such as acetaminophen, ascorbic acid, sodium nitrite, oxalic acid, and uric acid as determined by selectivity coefficients. Additionally, systematic electrochemical and contact angle studies of different xerogel silane precursors, varying in structure, chain length, and/or functional group, reveal that sensor performance is more dependent on the tunable porosity/permeability of the layered interfaces rather than the hydrophobic character or functional groups within the films. While the sensing performance largely exceeds that of existing electrochemical glucose sensing schemes in the literature, the presented layered approach establishes the specific functionality of each layer working in concert with each other and suggests that the strategy may be readily adaptable to other clinically relevant targets and is amenable to miniaturization for eventual in situ or in vivo sensing.