Defining Quality of Life in the Children of Parents with Severe Mental Illness: A Preliminary Stakeholder-Led Model

Severe parental mental illness poses a challenge to quality of life (QoL) in a substantial number of children and adolescents, and improving the lives of these children is of urgent political and public health concern. This study used a bottom-up qualitative approach to develop a new stakeholder-led model of quality of life relevant to this population. Qualitative data were collected from 19 individuals participating in focus groups or individual interviews. Participants comprised 8 clinical academics, health and social care professionals or voluntary agency representatives; 5 parents and 6 young people (aged 13–18 yrs) with lived experience of severe parental mental illness. Data underwent inductive thematic analysis for the purposes of informing a population-specific quality of life model. Fifty nine individual themes were identified and grouped into 11 key ‘meta-themes’. Mapping each meta-theme against existing child-centred quality of life concepts revealed a multi-dimensional model that endorsed, to a greater or lesser degree, the core domains of generic quality of life models. Three new population-specific priorities were also observed: i) the alleviation of parental mental health symptoms, ii) improved problem-based coping skills and iii) increased mental health literacy. The identification of these priorities raises questions regarding the validity of generic quality of life measures to monitor the effectiveness of services for families and children affected by severe mental illness. New, age-appropriate instruments that better reflect the life priorities and unique challenges faced by the children of parents with severe mental illness may need to be developed. Challenges then remain in augmenting and adapting service design and delivery mechanisms better to meet these needs. Future child and adult mental health services need to work seamlessly alongside statutory education and social care services and a growing number of relevant third sector providers to address fully the quality of life priorities of these vulnerable families

Maturation-Dependent Licensing of Naive T Cells for Rapid TNF Production

The peripheral naïve T cell pool is comprised of a heterogeneous population of cells at various stages of development, which is a process that begins in the thymus and is completed after a post-thymic maturation phase in the periphery. One hallmark of naïve T cells in secondary lymphoid organs is their unique ability to produce TNF rapidly after activation and prior to acquiring other effector functions. To determine how maturation influences the licensing of naïve T cells to produce TNF, we compared cytokine profiles of CD4+ and CD8+ single positive (SP) thymocytes, recent thymic emigrants (RTEs) and mature-naïve (MN) T cells during TCR activation. SP thymocytes exhibited a poor ability to produce TNF when compared to splenic T cells despite expressing similar TCR levels and possessing comparable activation kinetics (upregulation of CD25 and CD69). Provision of optimal antigen presenting cells from the spleen did not fully enable SP thymocytes to produce TNF, suggesting an intrinsic defect in their ability to produce TNF efficiently. Using a thymocyte adoptive transfer model, we demonstrate that the ability of T cells to produce TNF increases progressively with time in the periphery as a function of their maturation state. RTEs that were identified in NG-BAC transgenic mice by the expression of GFP showed a significantly enhanced ability to express TNF relative to SP thymocytes but not to the extent of fully MN T cells. Together, these findings suggest that TNF expression by naïve T cells is regulated via a gradual licensing process that requires functional maturation in peripheral lymphoid organs

Evolution ontogénétique des relations interindividuelles et importance de l'olfaction dans le maintien de l'organisation sociale chez le furet (Mustela furo)

Les modalités de l'organisation sociale des carnivores solitaires sont mal connues. Le but de cette recherche est d'identifier les mécanismes proximaux responsables de l'adoption et du maintien d'un mode de vie solitaire chez les petits mustélidés avec pour modèle d'étude, le furet (Mustela furo). Afin d'évaluer l'influence du sexe, de l'âge et de la présence de la mère sur le comportement des furets, une étude détaillée de l'évolution ontogénétique des relations interindividuelles au sein de portées a été menée de leur naissance à leur dispersion. L'analyse de leur distribution spatiale au sein de grands enclos a mis en évidence l'absence d'affinités préférentielles aussi bien entre les jeunes qu'entre la mère et ses jeunes mais aussi son rôle de cohésion. Ces observations révèlent une forte tolérance et une absence d'agressivité mais aussi la faiblesse du lien social au sein des portées. L'augmentation de la distance entre les mâles en période de dispersion laisse aussi supposer l'existence d'un déclic ontogénétique. L'étude des capacités de discrimination olfactive des furets a démontré, via un procédé d'habituation-discrimination, que les furets sont capables de discriminer le marquage anal d'un individu familier d'un individu non familier. Cette capacité pourrait notamment être utilisée par les femelles qui préfèrent la proximité de mâles olfactivement familiers en période de reproduction. En effet, l'étude du comportement des furets envers des congénères familiers et non familiers a mis en évidence, qu'après une période d'isolement, les femelles se montrent plus agressives que les mâles à l'égard de congénères non familiers de même sexe. La synthèse de ces travaux montre que l'organisation sociale des petits mustélidés serait dépendante de facteurs phylogénétiques et écologiques, la période d'isolement consécutive à la dispersion se présentant comme une phase clé dans la modification des relations interindividuelles entre l'âge juvénile et l'âge adulte.Social organization modalities of solitary carnivores are not well known. The aim of this study is to identify proximate mechanisms responsible for the adoption and maintenance of a solitary life in small mustelids, using the ferret (Mustela furo) as a model. To assess the influence of sex, age and mother presence on ferret behavior, a detailed study of the ontogenetic evolution of interindividual relationships within litter has been completed from their birth through their dispersion. The analysis of their spatial distribution inside large enclosures demonstrated an absence of preferential affinities between young just as well between mother and young, but also her cohesive role. These observations have revealed a strong tolerance and an absence of aggressiveness but also the weakness of social bond within litters. The increase of distances between males during dispersal period let also suppose the existence of an ontogenetic switch. The study of the olfactory discrimination abilities of ferret by a habituation discrimination procedure has demonstrated that ferrets are able to discriminate the anal odor of a familiar individual from an unfamiliar one. Females who prefer proximity of olfactory familiar male could use this ability during the breeding period. Indeed, the study of ferret behavior towards familiar and unfamiliar conspecifics has demonstrated, after an isolation period, that females are more aggressive than males towards same-sex unfamiliar conspecifics. The synthesis of these experiments shows that the social organization of small mustelids is dependant of phylogenetic and ecological factors, with the isolation period following dispersal being a key phase in the modification of interindividual relationships between juvenile and adult age.ANGERS-BU Lettres et Sciences (490072106) / SudocSudocFranceF

Implications of an individualistic lifestyle for species conservation: lessons from jealous beasts

Abstract Polecat populations show a very low genetic diversity and a high inbreeding coefficient. Furthermore, the estimate of effective population size is alarmingly low. Polecats Mustela putorius populations are structured into scattered breeding sub-units usually made up of one male and two females, according to a polygynous mating system. Because a strict spatio-temporal segregation was observed between males and females, we propose to call individualistic such species. We suggest that the solitary habits of individualistic species may result in or worsen a high inbreeding and exacerbate their conservation issue, a crucial perspective for critically endangered species such as the European mink

Estimating jaguar ( Panthera onca ) density in a preserved coastal area of French Guiana

Abstract Knowledge of the jaguar population is needed in French Guiana that faces an increase of human-jaguar conflicts. We carried out a camera trap survey to assess jaguar local density and home range size in a preserved coastal area of French Guiana. We ran spatially explicit capture recapture (SECR) models. In our model, the scale parameter σ , that is linked to the home range size, was larger for males ( σ =3.87±0.59 SE km) than for females ( σ =2.33±0.30 SE km). The assessed jaguar density was 3.22±0.87 SE ind. 100 km −2 , which should be considered as an optimal density in a French Guiana coastal area

Seasonal Variation in the Home Ranges of Black Curassow, Crax alector , in French Guiana

Cracidae is the most threatened avian family in the Neotropics, mainly because of habitat destruction, heavy hunting pressure and poaching. In French Guiana, Black Curassows are heavily hunted, although basic knowledge of the ecological and demographical traits of the species remains limited. Such a gap prevents any attempt to assess the impact of hunting and to help stakeholders to develop proposals ensuring hunting sustainability. The spatial relationship between animals and their habitat is important for conservation management, being related to population densities through complex patterns. Here, we report on a radio-tracking study of Black Curassows in tropical primary rainforest, in Nouragues National Reserve, French Guiana. The aims of the study were to estimate home range size and its variation across seasons, and to quantify movement patterns of the birds. We captured and fitted VHF tags to four adults, and tracked them for 10 to 21.5 months. Daily movements were recorded, and home ranges estimated using the Kernel Density method, for two consecutive wet seasons and one dry season. Using 95% and 50% Kernel densities, the average annual home range and core area were 96.3± 32.6 ha (SE) and 22.8 ± 2.8 ha respectively. Home ranges appeared spatially stable over the two years, and overlapped between neighbouring groups. During the dry season, Black Curassows did not migrate but tended to enlarge their home range, with greater daily movements and higher home range overlap. Although additional data are still needed, our results can help to improve the knowledge and management of this poorly studied species

High-Resolution Acoustic Cameras Provide Direct and Efficient Assessments of Large Demersal Fish Populations in Extremely Turbid Waters

Monitoring fish species populations in very turbid environments is challenging. Acoustic cameras allow work in very poor visibility but are often deployed as a fixed observation point, limiting the scope of the survey. A BlueView P900-130 acoustic camera was deployed in rocky marine habitats off the coast of French Guiana in order to assess the total abundance, size structure and spatial distribution of a demersal fish population. The relevancy of using an acoustic camera to achieve these three objectives was evaluated by comparing acoustic data to those obtained from fishing surveys. The detection and identification of large demersal fish species were possible with the shape and size of the acoustic signal and acoustic shadow silhouette as well as swimming behavior. Mobile surveys combined with stationary surveys increased the probability of distinguishing individuals from inanimate objects. Estimated total length based on the acoustic signal underestimated the actual length of fish measured on deck, but the data showed the same trends in spatial and temporal variation. Acoustic cameras overcame the extreme lack of visibility by increasing knowledge of fish use of habitat, therefore providing much more efficiency in the effort, more accurate data on the abundance, size structure and spatial distribution than the fishing method. Thus, despite few limitations, acoustic camera surveys are far superior to fishing surveys in evaluating large demersal fish stock status

The clinical effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and acceptability of community-based interventions aimed at improving or maintaining quality of life in children of parents with serious mental illness:a systematic review

BACKGROUND: Serious parental mental illness poses a challenge to quality of life (QoL) in a substantial number of children and adolescents. Improving the lives of these children is a political and public health concern. OBJECTIVES: To conduct an evidence synthesis of the clinical effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and acceptability of community-based interventions for improving QoL in children of parents with serious mental illness (SMI). DATA SOURCES: Nineteen health, allied health and educational databases, searched from database inception to May 2012, and supplemented with hand searches, reference checking, searches of grey literature, dissertations, ongoing research registers, forward citation tracking and key author contact. REVIEW METHODS: Inclusion criteria required≥50% of parents to have SMI or severe depression confirmed by clinical diagnosis or baseline symptoms. Children were ≤18 years of age. Community-based interventions included any non-residential psychological/psychosocial intervention involving parents or children for the purposes of improving health or well-being. Intervention comparators were not predefined and primary outcomes were validated measures of children's QoL and emotional health. Secondary outcomes were derived from UK policy and stakeholder consultation. Data were extracted independently by two reviewers and the study quality was assessed via Cochrane criteria for randomised/non-randomised designs, Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) qualitative criteria or a standard checklist for economic evaluations. Separate syntheses were conducted for SMI and severe depression. Standardised effect size (ES) trials were pooled using random-effects modelling for which sufficient data were available. Economic data were summarised and acceptability data were synthesised via a textual narrative approach. RESULTS: Three trials targeted mothers/the children of mothers with psychotic symptoms. Children were ≤12 years of age and no primary QoL or emotional health outcomes were reported. Insufficient secondary outcome data prevented pooling and no eligible economic evaluations were found. Twenty-six trials targeted parents/children of parents with severe depression; 18 recruited mothers of infants<2.5 years of age. Data pooling suggested no significant short-term effect on children's emotional health [standardised ES 0.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.20 to 0.33] or social function (standardised ES 0.23, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.46). Medium to large effects were observed for parents' depressive symptoms (standardised ES 0.73, 95% CI 0.51 to 0.94) and parenting behaviours (standardised ES 0.67, 95% CI 0.32 to 1.02). One non-randomised economic evaluation was found. Intervention uptake and adherence were inconsistently reported. Incomplete evidence highlighted potential barriers from child custody losses and conflicting life circumstances. Qualitative data suggesting interventions to overcome social isolation and stigma are well received by parents. Limited data suggested that children may value peer interactions and normalising activities. LIMITATIONS: Included trials were of poor or unclear quality with inadequate randomisation or allocation concealment, possible attrition biases and incomplete outcome reporting. Meaningful analysis was challenged by clinical and methodological heterogeneity and insufficient data for subgroup comparisons. Children's self-reports were lacking and evidence of effect remains biased towards parent-based interventions for severely depressed mothers of infants. Generalisability to other diagnoses, older children and children of fathers with SMI is unclear. A lack of high-quality economic data prevented economic modelling. CONCLUSION: Evidence for community-based interventions to enhance QoL in children of SMI parents is lacking. The capacity to recommend evidence-based approaches is limited. Rigorous development work is needed to establish feasible and acceptable child- and family-based interventions, prior to evaluating clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness via a randomised controlled trial (RCT). A substantial programme of pilot work is recommended to underpin the development of feasible and acceptable interventions for this population. Evaluations should incorporate validated, child-centred QoL outcome measures, high-quality cost data and nested, in-depth acceptability studies. New age-appropriate instruments that better reflect the life priorities and unique challenges faced by children of parents with SMI may need to be developed. FUNDING: This report was commissioned by the NHS R&D Health Technology Assessment programme and funded by the National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme

Emergent themes grouped by overarching meta-themes.

<p>Emergent themes grouped by overarching meta-themes.</p