Young adult perspectives on the selection of pharmaceuticals for mental health treatment

Shared decision making places an emphasis on patient understanding and engagement. However, when it comes to treatment selection, research tends to focus on how doctors select pharmaceutical treatments. The current study is a qualitative assessment of how patients choose among three common treatments that have varying degrees of scientific support and side effects. We used qualitative data from 157 undergraduates (44 males, 113 females; mean age = 21.89 years) that was collected as part of a larger correlational study of depression and critical thinking skills. Qualitative analysis revealed three major themes: shared versus independent decision making, confidence in the research and the drug, and cost and availability. Some participants preferred to rely on informal networks such as consumer testimonials while others expressed a false sense of security for over-the-counter treatments because they believe the drugs are regulated. Many indicated that they avoid seeking mental health services because of the time and money needed. The results indicate several factors influence selection of common depression treatments. Young adults indicate that when reading prescription information, they most often rely on perceptions including ease of access, price, and beliefs about drug regulations. General guidelines for treatment descriptions were created based on the qualitative analysis

Feasibility of Fluoroscopy-Free Endovascular Navigation in Subjects of Different Ages

https://digitalcommons.unmc.edu/emet_posters/1013/thumbnail.jp

The impact of induced anxiety on affective response inhibition

Studying the effects of experimentally induced anxiety in healthy volunteers may increase our understanding of the mechanisms underpinning anxiety disorders. Experimentally induced stress (via threat of unpredictable shock) improves accuracy at withholding a response on the sustained attention to response task (SART), and in separate studies improves accuracy to classify fearful faces, creating an affective bias. Integrating these findings, participants at two public science engagement events (n = 46, n = 55) were recruited to explore the effects of experimentally induced stress on an affective version of the SART. We hypothesized that we would see an improved accuracy at withholding a response to affectively congruent stimuli (i.e. increased accuracy at withholding a response to fearful 'no-go' distractors) under threat of shock. Induced anxiety slowed reaction time, and at the second event quicker responses were made to fearful stimuli. However, we did not observe improved inhibition overall during induced anxiety, and there was no evidence to suggest an interaction between induced anxiety and stimulus valence on response accuracy. Indeed Bayesian analysis provided decisive evidence against this hypothesis. We suggest that the presence of emotional stimuli might make the safe condition more anxiogenic, reducing the differential between conditions and knocking out any threat-potentiated improvement

Development and Psychometric Properties of an Assessment for Persons With Intellectual Disability—The interRAI ID

This paper describes the development of the interRAI-Intellectual Disability (interRAI ID), a comprehensive instrument that assesses all key domains of interest to service providers relative to a person with an intellectual disability (ID). The authors report on the reliability and validity of embedded scales for cognition, self-care, aggression, and depression. Four provider agencies volunteered to participate and assessed a total of 160 community-dwelling adults with ID using the interRAI ID, Dementia Questionnaire for Persons with Mental Retardation, and Reiss Screen for Maladaptive Behavior. All scales had acceptable levels of internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha 0.74–0.93) and good relationships with the criterion measures ( r  = 0.50–0.93, p  < 0.0001). The development of the interRAI ID represents an important and successful first step toward an integrated, comprehensive, and standardized assessment of adults with ID. Use of this instrument may lead to more appropriate support planning, enhanced communication between various professionals supporting persons with ID, and a more seamless approach to supports across the health and social service systems.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/75618/1/j.1741-1130.2006.00094.x.pd

Reviews

The following publications have been reviewed by the mentioned authors;Welsh Crafts by Mary Eirwen Jones, reviewed by Roy NashA Source Book of Picture Making by Henry Pluckrose, reviewed by R. HartApproaches to Drawing by Leo Walmsley, reviewed by John EgglestonMoulded and Slip Cast Pottery and Ceramics by David Cowley, reviewed by Michael PaffardPainting by John Lancaster, reviewed by R. N. MacGregorDesign Resource Sheets by R. N. Billington and J. R. Jeffrey, reviewed by Dick SuttonEnamelling on Metal, Oppi. Intracht, reviewed by J. N. AtkinsProcesses by Jack Bainbridge, reviewed by Michael SayerArtists and People by Su Braden, reviewed by Roy ShawMake Your Own Musical Instrument by Stuart Dalby, reviewed by Eric DecorteDesign in General Education by John Harahan, reviewed by Bernard AylwardPainting Without a Brush by Roy Sparkes, reviewed by John LancasterBuilding Craft Equipment by A. Jay and Carol W. Abrams, reviewed by S. R. BlundellPyrography by Berhand Havez and Jean-Claude Varlet, reviewed by Paul Kin

Scope and mortality of adult medical ICU patients in an Eastern Cape tertiary hospital

Background. The characteristics and mortality outcomes of patients admitted to South African intensive care units (ICUs) owing to medical conditions are unknown. Available literature is derived from studies based on data from high-income countries. Objectives. To determine ICU utilisation by medical patients and evaluate the scope of admissions and clinical associations with hospital mortality in ICU patients 12 years and older admitted to an Eastern Cape tertiary ICU, particularly in the subset with HIV disease. Methods. A retrospective descriptive one-year cohort study. Data were obtained from the LivAKI study database and demographic data, comorbidities, diagnosis, and mortality outcomes and associations were determined. Results. There were 261 (29.8%) medical ICU admissions. The mean age of the cohort was 40.2 years; 51.7% were female. When compared with the surgical emergencies, the medical subgroup had higher sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores (median score 5 v. 4, respectively) and simplified acute physiology score III (SAPS 3) scores (median 52.7 v. 48.5), a higher incidence of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (7.7% v. 2.9%) and required more frequent dialysis (20.3% v. 5.5%). Of the medical admissions, sepsis accounted for 32.4% of admission diagnoses. The HIV seroprevalence rate was 34.0%, of whom 57.4% were on antiretroviral therapy. ICU and hospital mortality rates were 11.1% and 21.5% respectively, while only acute kidney injury (AKI) and sepsis were independently associated with mortality. The HIV-positive subgroup had a higher burden of tuberculosis (TB), higher admission SOFA and SAPS 3 scores and required more organ support. Conclusion. Among medical patients admitted to ICU, there was a high HIV seroprevalence with low uptake of antiretroviral therapy. Sepsis was the most frequently identified ICU admission diagnosis. Sepsis and AKI (not HIV) were independent predictors of mortality. Co-infection with HIV and TB was associated with increased mortality

Вплив екологічного стану Донецького регіону на його демографічний розвиток

В статті розглянуто важливу проблему впливу забрудненості навколишнього природного середовища на захворюваність та смертність в регіоні. Визначено кореляційну залежність між обсягом викидів забруднюючих речовин та окремими видами захворюваності, а також ступінь їх впливу, побудовано функції, що описують їх.В статье рассмотрена важная проблема влияния загрязненности окружающей естественной среды на заболеваемость и смертность в регионе. Определена корреляционная зависимость между объемом выбросов загрязняющих веществ и отдельными видами заболеваемости, а также степень их влияния, построены функции, которые описывают их.In the article the important problem of influence of muddiness of natural environment is considered on morbidity and death rate in a region. Certainly cross-correlation dependence between the volume of extrass of contaminents and separate types of morbidity, and also degree of their influence, functions which describe them are built. Keywords: environment

Reviews

The following publications have been reviewed by the mentioned authors;Windsor Chairmaking by Thos Moser, reviewed by Bernard AylwardRelief Woodcarving by E. J. Tangerman, reviewed by Bernard AylwardWorking Green Wood with PEG by Patrick Spielman, reviewed by J. W. ThompsonWork Experience in Secondary Schools edited by John Eggleston, reviewed by Charles PeaceScale Model Cannon by Richard Stewart and Donald Heyes, reviewed by John EgglestonHow to Make Your Own Picture Frames by Hal Rogers and Ed Reinhardt, reviewed by John EgglestonThe Story of Craft by Edward Lucie Smith, reviewed by John EgglestonThe Landsdowne Book of Handcrafts reviewed by Roger BensonUnderstanding Design in the Home by Margaret Picton, reviewed by John EgglestonWoodturning Projects for Dining by John Sainsbury, reviewed by M. P. BourneCrafts Conference for Teachers - April 1982 published by Crafts Council, reviewed by Bernard L. MyersCraft Design Technology reviewed by M. JohnArt and Imaginations: A Study in the Philosophy of Mind by Roger Scruton, reviewed by G. H. Bantock'Forget all the rules you ever learned about Graphic Design including the ones in this Book by Bob Gill, reviewed by Cal SwannProfessional Smithing by Donald Streeter, reviewed by J. N. AtkinsGraphic Communication by John Twyford, reviewed by Cal Swan

Biomonitoring Data for 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid in the United States and Canada: Interpretation in a Public Health Risk Assessment Context Using Biomonitoring Equivalents

Background: Several extensive studies of exposure to 2,4- dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) using urinary concentrations in samples from the general population, farm applicators, and farm family members are now available. Reference doses (RfDs) exist for 2,4-D, and Biomonitoring Equivalents (BEs; concentrations in urine or plasma that are consistent with those RfDs) for 2,4-D have recently been derived and published. Objective: We reviewed the available biomonitoring data for 2,4-D from the United States and Canada and compared them with BE values to draw conclusions regarding the margin of safety for 2,4-D exposures within each population group. Data sources: Data on urinary 2,4-D excretion in general and target populations from recent published studies are tabulated and the derivation of BE values for 2,4-D summarized. Data synthesis: The biomonitoring data indicate margins of safety (ratio of BE value to biomarker concentration) of approximately 200 at the central tendency and 50 at the extremes in the general population. Median exposures for applicators and their family members during periods of use appear to be well within acute exposure guidance values. Conclusions: Biomonitoring data from these studies indicate that current exposures to 2,4-D are below applicable exposure guidance values. This review demonstrates the value of biomonitoring data in assessing population exposures in the context of existing risk assessments using the BE approach. Risk managers can use this approach to integrate the available biomonitoring data into an overall assessment of current risk management practices for 2,4-D

Haemocompatibility and ion exchange capability of nanocellulose polypyrrole membranes intended for blood purification

Composites of nanocellulose and the conductive polymer polypyrrole (PPy) are presented as candidates for a new generation of haemodialysis membranes. The composites may combine active ion exchange with passive ultrafiltration, and the large surface area (about 80 m2 g−1) could potentially provide compact dialysers. Herein, the haemocompatibility of the novel membranes and the feasibility of effectively removing small uraemic toxins by potential-controlled ion exchange were studied. The thrombogenic properties of the composites were improved by applying a stable heparin coating. In terms of platelet adhesion and thrombin generation, the composites were comparable with haemocompatible polymer polysulphone, and regarding complement activation, the composites were more biocompatible than commercially available membranes. It was possible to extract phosphate and oxalate ions from solutions with physiological pH and the same tonicity as that of the blood. The exchange capacity of the materials was found to be 600 ± 26 and 706 ± 31 μmol g−1 in a 0.1 M solution (pH 7.4) and in an isotonic solution of phosphate, respectively. The corresponding values with oxalate were 523 ± 5 in a 0.1 M solution (pH 7.4) and 610 ± 1 μmol g−1 in an isotonic solution. The heparinized PPy–cellulose composite is consequently a promising haemodialysis material, with respect to both potential-controlled extraction of small uraemic toxins and haemocompatibility