Improving identification and audit of disability within Child Health Services

This project was commissioned by the Department of Health to survey existing data collections regarding childhood disability across the domains of education, health and social care and to collect definitions of disability from across three domains. A systematic review was conducted which addressed the two aims. The findings were discussed in consultation of findings with key professionals from across the UK and with some contacts in Europe, both electronically and in a professional working focus group. The review of published academic and grey literature identified vast disparities between the way that data is collected, coded and used across the three domains. The disparities between the definitions of disability used across the domains further prevent the data being drawn together in a cohesive manner that may then be used to facilitate effective planning of services both locally and nationally. The project did, however, identify one coding system that may potentially offer a solution to these difficulties, the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health – Children and Youth Version (ICF-CY, World Health Organisation, 2007). This coding system has demonstrated a capacity to resolve issues with data collections in Europe and has been the subject of policy recommendations presented to the European Parliament on the 16th September 2008. It is proposed that while immediate change is not possible, a staged approach, beginning with a pilot study of the utility of the ICF-CY, should be conducted to test its efficiency in providing effective harmonisation of data collections across the three domains and its applicability in the identification of childhood disability. Alongside this, it is important for the ICF-CY considered by the project group overseeing the implementation of the Child Health, Maternity and CAMHS Care Records

Conflicts, Concerns and Family Circumstances in Custodial Grandmothers Over 8 Years

Although many grandmothers raising grandchildren experience transitions in their roles as family strains and circumstances change, little longitudinal data has been examined. This qualitative study assessed the relationships between custodial grandmothers’ appraisals of their family conflicts and concerns and family circumstances across eight years. Participants were thirty-five Ohio grandmothers who were raising their grandchildren in 2006-2007 and provided additional self-report survey data in 2008-2009 and 2014-2015. Data were gathered from open-ended questions that were analyzed through conventional content analysis. The reported concerns were financial and emotional difficulties, grandchildren outcomes, mental and physical health of the grandchild and other family members, and difficulties coping with visitations and custody issues. Concurrently, grandmothers experienced several transitions in their caregiving status and family circumstances over time. Implications of the results are also discussed

Rapid Communication: TaqI Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism at the Porcine Bone Morphogenetic Protein 6 (BMPG) Locus

Source and Description of Probe. A 1.1-kb human cDNA clone for bone morphogenetic protein 6 (BMP6) was excised from the clone U2-7 (Celeste et al., 1990). Method of Detection. Genomic DNA was isolated from whole blood and digested with TuqI. Fragments were separated by agarose gel electrophoresis and akaline vacuum-transferred to charged nylon membranes. Hybridizations were at 65°C for 16 to 20 h (10% dextran sulfate, .5 M NaC1, .05 M sodium phosphate, pH 6.5, 5x Denhardt\u27s, .5% SDS, 100 pg/ mL sonicated, denatured salmon sperm DNA). Final washes were at 60°C in .7x SSC, 3% SDS for 15 to 20 mi

Rapid Communication: TaqI Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism at the Porcine Transporter Associated with Antigen Processing 2 [TAP2] Locus

Source and Description of Probe. A 2.7-kb human cDNA clone for TAP2 was excised from the XbaI site of the plasmid pRSV.5neo (Bahram et al., 1991). Method of Detection. DNA was isolated from whole blood and digested with TuqI. Fragments were separated by agarose gel electrophoresis and transferred to charged nylon membranes. Hybridizations were for 16 to 20 h at 65°C (10% dextran sulfate, 7% SDS, .263 M Na2HP04, 1% BSA, 1 mM EDTA, 100 pglmL sonicated denatured salmon sperm DNA). Final washes were at 65°C in .7x SSC, 5% SDS for 15 to 20 min

Rapid Communication: Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism at the Porcine Superoxide Dismutase Locus

PoZymorphism. An RFLP was detected in the superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) locus of swine using the restriction enzyme StuI. Source and Description of Probe. An 827-bp human cDNA clone for SOD2 was excised from the EcoRI site of plasmid phMnSOD4 (Xiang et al., 1987)

Rapid Communication: Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms at the Porcine Transporter Associated with Antigen Processing 1 (TAP1) Locus

Source and Description of Probe. A 2.7-kb human cDNA clone for TAP1 was excised from the XbaI site of the plasmid pRSV.5neo (Spies et al., 1990). Method of Detection. Hybridizations were performed at 65°C for 16 to 20 h (10% dextran sulfate, 7% SDS, .263 M NazHP04, 1% BSA, 1 mM EDTA, 100 pg/mL sonicated denatured salmon sperm DNA). Final washes were done at 65°C in .7x SSC, .5% SDS for 15 to 20 min

What does it mean to age well with bipolar disorder?

Background: Bipolar disorder is characterised by episodes of mania and depression that cause significant impairment and disruptions to people’s lives. This diagnosis has been linked to increased rates of suicide, reduced lifespan, and increased mortality, although there is limited research exploring the challenges faced by people with bipolar disorder as they age. It is possible that there is an important interaction effect between ageing and bipolar disorder that exacerbates the difficulties faced by this group, meaning further attention and support is required. This thesis investigated the challenges faced by older adults with bipolar disorder and explored their preferences, priorities, and needs in later life. Knowledge gathered from four studies helped to identify potential adaptations to care that can be used to improve quality of life in this population and enable them to age well with bipolar disorder. Methods: A range of methods were used to complete this thesis. First, a systematic review and narrative synthesis of 23 papers reporting on 19 studies was completed to investigate the prevalence and predictors of physical health comorbidities in older adults with bipolar disorder. Second, a qualitative study consisting of photo elicitation interviews with 17 participants used reflexive thematic analysis to analyse data and explore what it means to age well for older adults with bipolar disorder. Third, 16 biographical narrative interviews were analysed using narrative analysis to understand the changing care and care needs of older adults with bipolar disorder. Finally, a multilevel analysis of seven waves from The English Longitudinal Study of Ageing data was completed to examine quality of life in older adults with bipolar mood states and assess the predictors of quality of life in this group. Results: Ageing with bipolar disorder was associated with an increased prevalence of certain physical health comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease and some forms of cancer. To age well, participants highlighted the importance of lifelong learning to improve their understanding and management of bipolar disorder and find balance in later life. This learning also helped participants to feel confident in taking an active role in treatment decisions which enabled them to regain agency. Finding a sense of belonging, feeling accepted and building upon strengths all supported older adults with bipolar disorder to age well. Furthermore, giving back to others, such as helping younger age groups with bipolar disorder, allowed participants to develop confidence and self-worth. Participants indicated that there was a disconnect between the care they desired and the care that they currently received from services. Older adults with bipolar disorder appeared to have unique and changing care needs that were often neglected. To improve support, services should attempt to offer care that is consistent and facilitates the development of trusting relationships with professionals. The range of issues faced by this population was found to result in poorer quality of life that appeared to be partly driven by loneliness. Conclusions: Older adults with bipolar disorder face unique challenges and changing care needs that mean treatments require adaptation to improve outcomes in this group. At present, treatments appear to focus on symptom reduction, although participants indicated that treatments prioritising connection and consistency of care are desired. Further attention is required to understand the difficulties associated with ageing whilst experiencing bipolar disorder, to improve care and reduce the inequalities currently experienced by this population

The Strayed Reveller, No. 5

The fifth issue of The Strayed Reveller.https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/reveller/1004/thumbnail.jp

Efficacy of Aerial Spraying of Mosquito Adulticide in Reducing Incidence of West Nile Virus, California, 2005

One-sentence summary for table of contents: Aerial spraying reduced incidence of human infection