State of the Science: Salivary Biomarker Utilization for Stress Research

The use of salivary biomarkers for stress research is increasing based on the convenience of collection, affordability and scientific merit. This short review provides an overview of the state of the science of salivary biomarkers utilized in research related to stress. Methods: An integrative review was conducted. Results: The trend of utilizing salivary biomarkers in stress research was reviewed, specifically, focusing on the use of endocrine and inflammatory biomarkers incorporated in previous stress research. Then, a review of sampling procedures for salivary biomarkers and the analytic methods is provided. Finally, a discussion on the strengths and areas for improvement in the use of salivary biomarkers in stress research is included. Conclusion: Salivary biomarkers as an alternative to blood biomarkers are increasingly being recognized as a legitimate source for analyzing the stress response in humans

Factors associated with medication hassles experienced by family caregivers of older adults

We wished to identify potential factors associated with medication administration hassles, daily irritants, among informal caregivers who provide long-term medication assistance to persons aged 55 or older

A Chinese view of Western Nursing Metaparadigm.

[[abstract]]The purpose of this article is to reveal Chinese-rooted meanings present within the Western nursing metaparadigm and to illustrate some similarities with Rogers’s Science of Unitary Human Beings. Confucian and Taoist beliefs have the potential to illuminate the basic constructs inherent in holistic nursing. The Western nursing metaparadigm of four concepts—person, nursing, health, and environment—was explored through the lens of a Chinese worldview and led to the presentation of a broadened view for an integrated model of nursing. Asian and Western worldviews of human beings and health are not mutually exclusive. The Chinese holistic worldview of Taoism and Confucianism resonates theoretically and cosmically with the dynamic nature of the human-environment mutual relationship basic to Rogers’ unitary view. This strong, theoretical link, when elaborated for its similarities and implications, can broaden the knowledge base to guide contemporary nursing practice, education, and research, particularly relevant for holistic nursing

Effect of Acculturation and Mutuality on Family Loyalty Among Mexican American Caregivers of Elders

Purpose: Informal family care for elders is conventional in Mexican American communities despite increasing intergenerational gaps in filial values. In our study, we explored whether acculturation and dyadic mutuality, as perceived by Mexican American family caregivers, explain the caregivers’ expectations of family loyalty toward elderly relatives. Design: A nonexperimental, correlational design with convenience sampling was used in El Paso, Texas, from October 2007 to January 2008. Methods: Three bilingual promotoras collected data from 193 Mexican American adult caregivers of community‐dwelling elders using three scales designed for Mexican Americans: the Acculturation Rating Scale for Mexican Americans II‐Short Form, the Mutuality Scale, and the Expectations of Family Loyalty of Children Toward Elderly Relatives Scale. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to analyze the data. Findings: Acculturation had a marginal effect (r= .21, p \u3c .05), but mutuality presented a strong correlation (r= .45, p \u3c .001) with the expectations of family loyalty toward elderly relatives. There was no significant correlation between acculturation and mutuality (r= .05). Conclusions: Although Mexican American caregivers with strong Mexican orientation may have high expectations of family loyalty toward elderly relatives, mutuality exhibits more significant effects on expectations. Among Mexican Americans, mutuality between the caregiving dyad, as perceived by caregivers, may be a better predictor of filial values than caregivers’ acculturation alone. Clinical Relevance: It may be useful to incorporate the dual paradigm of acculturation and mutuality into immigrant family care for elderly relatives

Family experiences related to the decision to institutionalize an elderly member in Taiwan: an exploratory study

Industrialization and urbanization have changed the structure of Taiwanese families. Placing elder family members with impairments in nursing homes has become a new caregiving alternative. However, Taiwanese commonly consider this placement to be a violation of traditional filial obligation. Therefore, institutionalization is a highly sensitive cultural issue. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with nine family members, revealing three major processes in the decision of institutionalization -- breaking harmony, rebuilding harmony and evolution, as well as four important factors that influence the decision -- the quality of the relationship between the elder and his/her family, characteristics of the elder, financial condition of the family and perceived public opinion toward institutionalization. The findings suggest that the decision process in institutionalization is a gradual, fluid, cyclical movement without definite steps.Institutionalization Elderly Filial obligations Taiwan

Proteomic profiling of Ganoderma tsugae ethanol extract-induced adipogenesis displaying browning features

Raw 2D gel images and raw data for MS and MS/MS analyses were uploaded according to MIAPE criteri