Kv7 and Kv11 channels in myometrial regulation.

Ion channels play a key role in defining myometrial contractility. Modulation of ion channel populations is proposed to underpin gestational changes in uterine contractility associated with the transition from uterine quiescence to active labour. Of the myriad ion channels present in the uterus, this article will focus upon potassium channels encoded by the KCNQ genes and ether-à-go-go-related (ERG) genes. Voltage-gated potassium channels encoded by KCNQ and ERG (termed Kv7 and Kv11, respectively) are accepted as major determinants of neuronal excitability and the duration of the cardiac action potential. However, there is now growing appreciation that these ion channels have a major functional impact in vascular and non-vascular smooth muscle. Moreover, Kv7 channels may be potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of preterm labour

Some aspects of the physiology of ageing in the blowfly, calliphora erythrocephala meig

Not availabl

The treatment of depression and simple phobia through an interpreter in the North East of England : a case study.

A 35-year-old Middle Eastern woman, experiencing moderate depression compounded by animal phobia was referred to an Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service. Shared understandings were gradually developed using written functional analyses translated in session. Activity scheduling was integrated with graded exposure to increase access to positive reinforcement. Questionnaires and subjective data indicated a reduction in phobic avoidance and functioning increased. Despite the complexity of working as a triad, a positive therapeutic relationship was achieved with increased mutual cultural understanding. Indirect communication led to difficulties maintaining guided discovery and focus. There is limited evidence to support CBT when delivered through an interpreter. IAPT recommendations suggest staff reflect the community; the North East has one of the lowest foreign-born populations in the UK indicating that IAPT services may be ill prepared to work with ethnic minorities. Learning points for the therapist were: maintain simplicity, take time to formulate incorporation of cultural difference, and use transcultural interventions. The interpreter brought advantages; providing means of communication and understanding of cultural differences. Disadvantages were the potential for bias or lost information, increased time and complexity of delivering therapy. This case indicates a deficit in high intensity training and lack of literature to support therapists

The Impact of Stroke on the Quality of Life (QOL) of Stroke Survivors in the Southeast (SE) Communities of Nigeria: A Qualitative Study

Purpose: This study aims to explore the Quality of Life (QOL) amongst ten stroke survivors in the SE communities of Nigeria. Design: Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was utilized. Setting: Medical institutes in the southeast communities of Nigeria. Participants: 10 participants ranging in age from 29 to 72 years old. Stroke is typically a life-changing catastrophe, claiming over 55 million lives and disabling 44 million people each year. According to the research, stroke incidence has decreased by 42% in high-income nations worldwide but has increased by 100% in low-income areas such as Africa. Surviving a stroke can be a long-term process that impacts numerous elements of an individual’s life. Stroke-related QOL is a major health care issue in Nigeria that has received insufficient attention. The primary objective for survivors is to improve their QOL. Thus, it is critical to understand the true impact of stroke on the QOL of stroke survivors from their perspective. Individual, semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 10 stroke survivors were conducted. An IPA approach shaped the interview process and the analysis of the data. Three main themes arose from the data: an ‘unfamiliar self’ which illuminated the altered body (unpredictable body), the ‘recovery of the embodied self’ (the transitional stage of recovery) and the ‘reconstruction of the embodied self, which reflected a continuous process of belonging and becoming. The impact of stroke on survivors’ QOL was twofold: negative and positive. The physical dimension had the largest detrimental impact on the survivors’ QOL, according to the findings. Spirituality, on the other hand, had the most positive impact on survivors’ QOL in Nigeria’s southeast communities

Zoo Tourism

This paper reviews and evaluates zoo tourism worldwide, including the scope of the industry, its key issues and its impacts on wildlife, host communities and economies, and provides guidelines for its further development and sustainability. It is a paper that has been widely used by the zoo industry particularly as a basis for evaluating its scope, impact and development. Tribe, A. was the sole author

Mind your language: working with interpreters in healthcare settings and therapeutic encounters

The National Health Service and specialist agencies within the UK are striving to ensure that they offer services that are inclusive, accessible and appropriate to all users seeking their services. As such, language interpreters will be required to work alongside health professionals to ensure that service users who are not fluent in the English language can gain full access to health and therapeutic provisions. In addition to reasons of governance, equity of service provision and national legislation there are also sound clinical practice reasons with respect to facilitating work with interpreters. Language is not merely a neutral, descriptive medium but has an active role in shaping and constructing how people view and experience the world. The range of meaning-making possibilities that lay or professional language opens up is always already greatly indebted to the speaker’s local culture and has particular relevance in the therapeutic encounter. Working with an interpreter can be a challenging but enriching experience. The benefits of working in close partnership with an interpreter are discussed both at generic level when working as a therapist/clinician in any adult mental health setting and, more specifically, when working with sex and relationships problems using clinical material as illustrations

Preparing for and writing up your doctoral thesis

This paper will outline how to prepare for, and write up, a good doctoral thesis. It will review strategies to help candidates through the whole process. It will start by looking at the purpose of a thesis, and the importance of developing a good academic and personal support structures for candidates. It will go on to outline the pivotal role of planning and preparation of the structure and content, not only at the start, but by reviewing and amending the plan throughout the process. Some of the common psychological and practical dilemmas and experiences that are likely to unfold during the writing up process will be reviewed and a range of strategies for dealing with these will be provided, including some given by recent doctoral graduates. It will explain the importance of developing a relationship with the supervisory team that supports and facilitates the doctoral candidate’s progress and the importance of complying with departmental/university requirements. The authors also give suggestions about the organisation and structure of a thesis and map out core milestones and a time line which should makes successful completion of a doctorate more likely and less stressful

Careif Position Statement on Migration and Mental Health

People have moved from one place to another within the same country or across national borders for millennia. The reasons for such movements have varied, as does the duration for which people migrate. With globalisation and global connections across countries, migration has increased. The process of migration and its impact on the mental health of individuals has been and will remain heterogeneous. The responses of migrants to the process vary, depending upon a number of factors. Individuals may migrate individually, with their families or in groups. They may move to avoid political or religious persecution and seek political asylum in another country (forced migration) or migrate for personal, employment, economic or educational reasons (voluntary migration). Although these two categorisations are often a little more complex than this. Not all migrants will feel negatively affected by migration. People may migrate on a seasonal, recurrent, permanent or temporary basis. It may be within or across generations. Many migrants will never access mental health services, whilst others may use these in varying ways and with diverse requirements or presentations. The experiences and requirements of voluntary and involuntary migrants may differ. Mental health Services may need to ensure that they are accessible and appropriate to all members of society including those who have migrated. This paper makes some suggestions in relation to this

Berom cultural beliefs and attitudes towards mental health problems in Nigeria: a mixed-methods study

Beliefs and attitudes are essential in mental health discourse. However, cultural beliefs and attitudes towards mental health problems (ATMHPs) among the Berom people of Nigeria are under-researched. The present studies made original contributions using the Cultural Identity Model (CIM) as predictors to investigate ATMHPs, and semi-structured interviews to further explain the potential impact of cultural beliefs on MHPs. In study-1, N = 140 participants responded to questionnaires on ATMHPs and were analysed using multivariate multiple regression in RStudio. Study-2 interviewed N = 13 participants (n = 7 laypeople; n = 6 practitioners). Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically. Study-1 findings showed CIM as a non-significant predictor of ATMHPs. However, in study-2, four themes emerged: Cultural beliefs that MHPs are caused by spiritual forces; Berom indigenous preference for traditional healing; Christian religious healing in Berom communities; and Western-trained mental health practitioners' perception of lay service-users. The authors concluded that the Berom traditional and Christian religious healings are beneficial