Therapeutic implications of parental bereavement

The loss of a loved one is a tragedy disproportionate from any other for many people. Most individuals experience the pain from losing someone very important to them during their lifetimes. Because of the large number of people it affects, the intensity of the loss experience, and the systematic variations with which its consequences are distributed across populations, bereavement has far-reaching implications (Stroebe, Stroebe, & Hansson, 1993). Due to this inevitable fact, many mental health care professionals have shown an increased interest in death and dying issues over the past 20 years (McClowry, Davies, May, Kulenkamp, & Martinson, 1987; Rando, 1986; Wright, 1992)

An evaluation of the autism, emotional well-being and adolescence programme; a locally developed psychoeducation intervention for parents of young people with autism

Introduction: Promoting the mental health of young people is identified as a key priority in the United Kingdom (Department of Health & Department for Education, 2017). Particular groups in the population are at an increased risk of poorer mental health outcomes, for example, it is known that there is a high comorbidity between autism and mental health conditions, with an increase in prevalence around adolescence (de Bruin, Ferdinand, Meester, de Nijs & Verheij, 2006). Consequently, there has been a call for research that explores approaches to support the management of emotional issues for people with autism (Pellicano, Dinsmore & Charman, 2014). In response, this study presents the first evaluation of the Autism, Emotional Well-being and Adolescence (AEWA) psychoeducation programme for families of children with autism. The programme aims to develop parents’ understanding of emotional wellbeing and how to promote it, with a particular focus on adolescence. Method: A mixed methods approach was used in the study. The quantitative aspect of the study utilised a quasi-experimental pre- and post-design to explore the relationship between the AEWA programme and parents’ perceived knowledge and confidence. Data was collected from nine participants in the experimental group and ten participants in the wait-list control group using a specifically constructed measure. The qualitative design involved exploring patterns in the experiences of six participants who attended the AEWA programme, using thematic analysis on the data gathered in semi-structured interviews. Results: The quantitative results suggested that attending the AEWA programme leads to an increase in parents’ perceived knowledge and confidence in their ability to meet the emotional well-being needs of their child with autism, through the potential challenges of adolescence. These results were supported by the qualitative findings. The thematic analysis results suggest that participants valued the content of the programme, the structure and approach to delivery and the opportunity to come together offered by the programme. It was also suggested that following the AEWA programme, participants experienced some changes and challenges. Conclusion: The evidence suggests a psychoeducation programme aimed at parents of children with autism, focusing on emotional well-being and challenges in adolescence, can have a positive impact on parents. This has the potential to support the developmental context of individuals with autism, as they grow older and the challenges change. Given these finding and considering the methodological limitations identified in this study, it appears research would benefit from further investigation in this area

Social fragmentation, deprivation and urbanicity: relation to first-admission rates for psychoses

<i>Declaration</i> <i>of</i> <i>interest</i>: None. <i>Background</i>: Social disorganisation, fragmentation and isolation have long been posited as influencing the rate of psychoses at area level. Measuring such societal constructsis difficult. A census-based index measuring social fragmentation has been proposed. <i>Aims</i>: To investigate the association between first-admission rates for psychosis and area-based measures of social fragmentation, deprivation and urban/rural index. <i>Method</i>: We used indirect standardisation methods and logistic regression models to examine associations of social fragmentation, deprivation and urban/rural categories with first admissions for psychoses in Scotland for the 5-year period 1989–1993. <i>Results</i>: Areas characterised by high social fragmentation had higher first-ever admission rates for psychosis independent of deprivation and urban/rural status. There was a dose–response relationship between social fragmentation category and first-ever admission rates for psychosis. There was no statistically significant interaction between social fragmentation, deprivation and urban/rural index. <i>Conclusions</i>: First-admission rates are strongly associated with measures of social fragmentation, independent of material deprivation and urban/rural category

The Effect of Kinesiology Tape on Pain and Neck Range of Motion After Cervical Manipulation

Background: Annually, 30%–50% of adults will experience some form of debilitating neck pain. One approach to treating neck pain is cervical manipulation. This treatment modality has, at times, been reported to result in a short-term increase in pain, which in turn has been linked to reduced neck range of motion (ROM). Elastic therapeutic tape (ETT) has been shown to reduce musculoskeletal pain, although limited research has been conducted to determine if ETT can mitigate pain and facilitate neck ROM following cervical manipulation. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare the pain and neck ROM among patients with acute neck pain who do and do not receive ETT following cervical manipulation. Methods: A convenience sample of 50 patients between 18 and 64 years of age presented with acute noncomplicated neck pain was recruited from an outpatient chiropractic clinic. Patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups. In the tape group (n = 27), ETT was applied to their neck immediately following cervical manipulation for neck pain. In the control group (n = 23), cervical manipulation was performed with no application of ETT following the procedure. Pain and neck ROM were recorded at the following 3 different intervals: pre-cervical manipulation (T1), within 5 minutes of cervical manipulation (T2), and 24–48 hours after manipulation (T3). In total, 6 cervical ROM values were recorded with dual inclinometers. Pain was measured by asking of each patient to rate their neck pain using the numeric pain rating scale from 0 to 10. Results: The tape group demonstrated a significant decline (P \u3c 0.00) in pain between T1 (x = 6.15) and T2 (x = 5.37) and between T1 and T3 (x = 4.89). The control group did not report significant changes in their pain over the duration of the study. Neither group reported any significant change in any measure of neck ROM over the duration of the study. Clinical Relevance: Results from this study support the use of ETT to reduce pain immediately and 24–48 hours following cervical manipulation among patients presenting with acute neck pain

Autophagy modulation: a prudent approach in cancer treatment?

Autophagy is a tightly controlled process comprising lysosomal degradation and recycling of cellular proteins and organelles. In cancer, its paradoxical dual role of cytoprotection and cytotoxicity is context-dependent and controversial. Autophagy primarily acts as a mechanism of tumour suppression, by maintenance of genomic integrity and prevention of proliferation and inflammation. This, combined with immune-surveillance capabilities and autophagy’s implicated role in cell death, acts to prevent tumour initiation. However, established tumours exploit autophagy to survive cellular stresses in the hostile tumour microenvironment. This can lead to therapy resistance, one of the biggest challenges facing current anti-cancer approaches. Autophagy modulation is an exciting area of clinical development, attempting to harness this fundamental process as an anti-cancer strategy. Autophagy induction could potentially prevent tumour formation and enhance anti-cancer immune responses. In addition, drug-induced autophagy could be used to kill cancer cells, particularly those in which the apoptotic machinery is defective. Conversely, autophagy inhibition may help to sensitise resistant cancer cells to conventional chemotherapies and specifically target autophagy-addicted tumours. Currently, hydroxychloroquine is in phase I and II clinical trials in combination with several standard chemotherapies, whereas direct, deliberate autophagy induction remains to be tested clinically. More comprehensive understanding of the roles of autophagy throughout different stages of carcinogenesis has potential to guide development of novel therapeutic strategies to eradicate cancer cells

Sex differences in immune variables and respiratory infection incidence in an athletic population

The purpose of this study was to examine sex differences in immune variables and upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) incidence in 18-35 year-old athletes engaged in endurance-based physical activity during the winter months. Eighty physically active individuals (46 males, 34 females) provided resting venous blood samples for determination of differential leukocyte counts, lymphocyte subsets and whole blood culture multi-antigen stimulated cytokine production. Timed collections of unstimulated saliva were also made for determination of saliva flow rate, immunoglobulin A (IgA) concentration and IgA secretion rate. Weekly training and illness logs were kept for the following 4 months. Training loads averaged 10 h/week of moderate-vigorous physical activity and were not different for males and females. Saliva flow rates, IgA concentration and IgA secretion rates were significantly higher in males than females (all P < 0.01). Plasma IgA, IgG and IgM concentrations and total blood leukocyte, neutrophil, monocyte and lymphocyte counts were not different between the sexes but males had higher numbers of B cells (P < 0.05) and NK cells (P < 0.001). The production of interleukins 1β, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10, interferon-γ and tumour necrosis factor-α in response to multi-antigen challenge were not significantly different in males and females (all P > 0.05). The average number of weeks with URTI symptoms was 1.7 ± 2.1 (mean ± SD) in males and 2.3 ± 2.5 in females (P = 0.311). It is concluded that most aspects of immunity are similar in men and women in an athletic population and that the observed differences in a few immune variables are not sufficient to substantially affect URTI incidence. Sex differences in immune function among athletes probably do not need to be considered in future mixed gender studies on exercise, infection and immune function unless the focus is on mucosal immunity

Effects of a Lactobacillus salivarius probiotic intervention on infection, cold symptom duration and severity, and mucosal immunity in endurance athletes

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a probiotic supplement during 4 mo of spring training in men and women engaged in endurance-based physical activities on incidence of upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) and mucosal immune markers. Sixty-six highly active individuals were randomized to probiotic (n = 33) or placebo (n = 33) groups and, under double-blind procedures, received probiotic (PRO: Lactobacillus salivarius, 2 × 1010 bacterium colony-forming units) or placebo (PLA) daily for 16 wk. Resting blood and saliva samples were collected at baseline and after 8 and 16 wk. Weekly training and illness logs were kept. Fifty-four subjects completed the study (n = 27 PRO, n = 27 PLA). The proportion of subjects on PRO who experienced 1 or more wk with URTI symptoms was not different from that of those on PLA (PRO .58, PLA .59; p = .947). The number of URTI episodes was similar in the 2 groups (PRO 1.6 ± 0.3, PLA 1.4 ± 0.3; p = .710). Severity and duration of symptoms were not significantly different between treatments. Blood leukocyte, neutrophil, monocyte, and lymphocyte counts; saliva IgA; and lysozyme concentrations did not change over the course of the study and were not different on PRO compared with PLA. Regular ingestion of L. salivarius does not appear to be beneficial in reducing the frequency of URTI in an athletic cohort and does not affect blood leukocyte counts or levels of salivary antimicrobial proteins during a spring period of training and competition

Implementation of Cross-Agency Nuclear Applications

The Radioisotope Power System (RPS) Program was established in 2009 to manage RPS investments for NASA to ensure the availability of RPS for the exploration of the solar system in environments where conventional solar or chemical power generation is impractical or impossible. The RPS Program is a multi-center and multi-agency program. NASA is in partnership with the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Nuclear Energy to provide technologically robust nuclear power system solutions to robotic spacecraft and exploration missions. During the last decade, the RPS Program and DOE have supported missions, developed technologies and initiated new power system developments. These technical areas, as all technical areas, have challenges and standard engineering solutions; however, clearing the path to enable the technical work requires agreements to be established. This paper describes a process by which two governmental agencies have established a successful basis to accomplish the needed work

NPCS73/24: Resolución del Presidente del Consejo Social de la Universidad de Granada por la que se se determina la distribución de becas de colaboración en departamentos universitarios de la convocatoria del Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte para el Curso Académico 2013-2014

Resolución del Presidente del Consejo Social de la Universidad de Granada por la que se se determina la distribución de becas de colaboración en departamentos universitarios de la convocatoria del Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte para el Curso Académico 2013-2014. Resolución del Presidente del Consejo Social de la Universidad de Granada, de 12 de julio de 2013, sobre corrección de errores en la distribución de becas de colaboración en departamentos universitarios de la convocatoria del Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte para el Curso Académico 2013-2014