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Neuron Feb 2023Δ-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and its sibling, cannabidiol (CBD), are produced by the same Cannabis plant and have similar chemical structures but differ dramatically in... (Review)
Review
Δ-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and its sibling, cannabidiol (CBD), are produced by the same Cannabis plant and have similar chemical structures but differ dramatically in their mechanisms of action and effects on brain functions. Both THC and CBD exhibit promising therapeutic properties; however, impairments and increased incidence of mental health diseases are associated with acute and chronic THC use, respectively, and significant side effects are associated with chronic use of high-dose CBD. This review covers recent molecular and preclinical discoveries concerning the distinct mechanisms of action and bioactivities of THC and CBD and their impact on human behavior and diseases. These discoveries provide a foundation for the development of cannabinoid-based therapeutics for multiple devastating diseases and to assure their safe use in the growing legal market of Cannabis-based products.
Topics: Humans; Cannabidiol; Dronabinol; Siblings; Cannabinoids; Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists
PubMed: 36638804
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.12.022 -
Psycho-oncology Aug 2021Social support is essential in healthy adjustment to life stressors. This scoping review examines how social support has been conceptualized, operationalized, and... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Social support is essential in healthy adjustment to life stressors. This scoping review examines how social support has been conceptualized, operationalized, and studied among siblings of children with cancer. Gaps in the current literature are identified, and future research directions are proposed.
METHODS
A rigorous systematic scoping review framework guided our process. Medline, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Scopus were searched for literature regarding social support and siblings of children with cancer. After screening, 57 articles were identified (n = 26 quantitative, n = 21 qualitative, and n = 10 multi-method) and their content extracted for summarization.
RESULTS
The majority of studies (n = 43, 75.4%) were descriptive; 14 (24.6%) included interventions, and of those, four were experimental. Few studies used a clearly defined theoretical framework, or validated tools to measure social support. Studies explored perceived social support needs of siblings, the provision and availability of formal support through interventions and related outcomes, and informal family social supports. A variety of support types were found to be helpful to siblings in different ways.
CONCLUSIONS
Social support is a prevalent topic in the literature regarding siblings of children with cancer. It is unclear what types of support are most important due to how it has been conceptualized and measured. Despite some methodological limitations, greater levels of social support have been linked to better adaptation among siblings of children with cancer. Future work is warranted to identify the most beneficial types of support for siblings based on their age, developmental stage, and the cancer trajectory.
Topics: Adaptation, Psychological; Child; Humans; Neoplasms; Siblings; Social Support
PubMed: 33851490
DOI: 10.1002/pon.5689 -
Journal of the American Academy of... Sep 2019Familial recurrence risk is an important population-level measure of the combined genetic and shared familial liability of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Objectives...
OBJECTIVE
Familial recurrence risk is an important population-level measure of the combined genetic and shared familial liability of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Objectives were to estimate ASD recurrence risk among siblings and cousins by varying degree of relatedness and by sex.
METHOD
This is a population-based cohort study of livebirths from 1998 to 2007 in California, Denmark, Finland, Israel, Sweden and Western Australia followed through 2011 to 2015. Subjects were monitored for an ASD diagnosis in their older siblings or cousins (exposure) and for their ASD diagnosis (outcome). The relative recurrence risk was estimated for different sibling and cousin pairs, for each site separately and combined, and by sex.
RESULTS
During follow-up, 29,998 cases of ASD were observed among the 2,551,918 births used to estimate recurrence in ASD and 33,769 cases of childhood autism (CA) were observed among the 6,110,942 births used to estimate CA recurrence. Compared with the risk in unaffected families, there was an 8.4-fold increase in the risk of ASD following an older sibling with ASD and a 17.4-fold increase in the risk of CA following an older sibling with CA. A 2-fold increase in the risk for cousin recurrence was observed for the 2 disorders. There also was a significant difference in sibling ASD recurrence risk by sex.
CONCLUSION
The present estimates of relative recurrence risks for ASD and CA will assist clinicians and families in understanding autism risk in the context of other families in their population. The observed variation by sex underlines the need to deepen the understanding of factors influencing ASD familial risk.
Topics: Adolescent; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Child; Child, Preschool; Cohort Studies; Female; Gene-Environment Interaction; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Humans; Internationality; Male; Proportional Hazards Models; Recurrence; Risk Factors; Siblings
PubMed: 30851399
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2018.11.017 -
Translational Psychiatry Feb 2023Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), in addition to the core features of the disease, experience a higher burden of co-occurring medical conditions. This...
Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), in addition to the core features of the disease, experience a higher burden of co-occurring medical conditions. This study sought to describe the frequency and distribution of comorbidit conditions in individuals with ASD, and systematically evaluate the possibility that pre- and postnatal exposures (e.g., preterm birth, hypoxia at birth, traumatic brain injury, and fetal alcohol syndrome) associated with ASD may also be linked with distinct comorbidities. We used the SPARK study database, launched by the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI). Comorbidities considered in the study included neurological, cognitive, psychiatric, and physical conditions. The study sample consisted of 42,569 individuals with ASD and their 11,389 non-ASD siblings (full and half siblings). Majority (74%) of individuals with ASD had at least one comorbidity, and had a greater average number of comorbidities than their non-ASD siblings. Preterm birth and hypoxia at birth were the most common peri-natal exposures in the sample. In logistic regression models adjusted for covariates, these exposures were associated with several distinct comorbidities in ASD cases, including attention and behavior problems, psychiatric and neurological disorders, and growth conditions. A similar pattern of association was also observed in non-ASD siblings. Our findings underscore that individuals with ASD experience a greater burden of comorbidities, which could be partly attributable to the higher rates of perinatal exposures compared to their non-ASD siblings. Study findings, if replicated in other samples, can inform the etiology of comorbidity in ASD.
Topics: Infant, Newborn; Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Premature Birth; Comorbidity; Autistic Disorder; Siblings
PubMed: 36841830
DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02374-w -
CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association... Jul 2021
Topics: Adult; COVID-19; Child; Humans; Male; Oncologists; Pandemics; Siblings; Social Support; Swimming; Workload
PubMed: 34281976
DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.210514-f -
Current Opinion in Pediatrics Feb 2020This article reviews the current literature on psychosocial care of children with cancer with particular focus on evidence-based standards of care, including... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
This article reviews the current literature on psychosocial care of children with cancer with particular focus on evidence-based standards of care, including developments in systematic distress screening, utilization of patient-reported outcomes, evidence-based interventions, survivorship, palliative care and bereavement.
RECENT FINDINGS
Although attention to the psychosocial needs of the child and family is increasingly recognized as an essential element of care for children with cancer, implementing evidence-based care remains suboptimal. Recent efforts have focused on utilizing technology to improve the reach of these interventions and to enhance engagement with special populations, such as adolescents and young adults. Increasing data elucidate the long-term psychological and physical late effects of childhood cancer survivorship and the impact of cancer on siblings and the family. Gaps in clinical care and important directions for future research include the needs of infants and toddlers, overlooked minorities, and patients with hereditary tumor predisposition syndromes, and attention to the psychosocial impact of exciting new treatments, such as autologous chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy.
SUMMARY
The evidence base for the psychosocial standards of care for children with cancer and their families continues to grow, but more work is needed to successfully implement these standards across pediatric cancer centers.
Topics: Adolescent; Cancer Survivors; Child; Child, Preschool; Family; Humans; Immunotherapy, Adoptive; Infant; Neoplasms; Palliative Care; Psycho-Oncology; Siblings; Young Adult
PubMed: 31790025
DOI: 10.1097/MOP.0000000000000851 -
Child Maltreatment Nov 2022U.S. foster care policy prioritizes keeping siblings together while in foster care. However, prior research on the effects of sibling placement is limited in sample,...
U.S. foster care policy prioritizes keeping siblings together while in foster care. However, prior research on the effects of sibling placement is limited in sample, measures, and research design. In this study, we use data on 2,297 children from an urban county in years 2015-2019 and assess how sibling separation is associated with placement instability. We use multilevel parametric hazard modeling with adjustments for child, sibling, and placement characteristics. Findings indicate that children placed with at least one sibling are less likely to experience a placement move and are specifically less likely to experience a non-progress move (e.g., moves due to problems or negative experiences in their foster home). For larger sibling groups, sibling separation was not consistently associated with placement instability and there was little difference in placement instability for children placed with some versus all siblings. Results were robust to differences in measurement and model specification. Black or Hispanic race/ethnicity was also associated with increased risk of instability, and associations between sibling separation and instability were stronger for Black children, implying enhanced efforts to maintain sibling groups may be especially beneficial for Black children. Overall, findings provide support for the continuation and expansion of policies promoting sibling placement.
Topics: Child; Family; Foster Home Care; Hispanic or Latino; Humans; Siblings
PubMed: 33910412
DOI: 10.1177/10775595211012482 -
Indian Pediatrics Nov 2022The aim of this study was to evaluate the features of asymptomatic siblings of index celiac patients who were diagnosed with celiac disease (CD) at the initial screening. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to evaluate the features of asymptomatic siblings of index celiac patients who were diagnosed with celiac disease (CD) at the initial screening.
METHODS
We reviewed hospital records of 210 children with CD. The characteristics of sibling celiacs (n=24) were compared with index celiacs (n=186).
RESULTS
At diagnosis, sibling celiacs were older than index celiacs (mean (SD) 10.4 (2.7) vs 8.2 (4.3) years; P=0.02). There were no significant differences between sibling and index celiacs in terms of serum anti-tTG IgA titer (≥10xULN, 83.3% vs 85%), and most of the patients had moderate/severe villous atrophy in both groups. The rates of iron deficiency anemia, folic acid deficiency, wasting and stunting were comparable between sibling and index celiac patients.
CONCLUSIONS
Siblings with CD were older than index children with CD at diagnosis, and their characteristics were similar to symptomatic index children with CD, despite not having any complaints.
Topics: Child; Humans; Celiac Disease; Transglutaminases; Siblings; Autoantibodies; Immunoglobulin A
PubMed: 36148747
DOI: No ID Found -
BMJ Open May 2021The number and rank order of siblings could be of importance for risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality. Previous studies have used only fatal events for risk...
BACKGROUND
The number and rank order of siblings could be of importance for risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality. Previous studies have used only fatal events for risk prediction. We, therefore, aimed to use also non-fatal coronary and cardiovascular events in fully adjusted models.
METHODS
From the Multiple-Generation Register in Sweden, data were used from 1.36 million men and 1.32 million women (born 1932-1960), aged 30-58 years at baseline and with follow-up from 1990 to 2015. Mean age at follow-up was 67 years (range 55-83 years). Fatal and non-fatal events were retrieved from national registers.
RESULTS
Compared with men with no siblings, those with 1-2 siblings had a lower, and those with four or more siblings had a higher adjusted risk of cardiovascular events. Again, compared with men with no siblings, those with more than one sibling had a lower total mortality risk, and those with three or more siblings had an increased risk of coronary events.Correspondingly, compared with women with no siblings those women with three siblings or more had an increased risk of cardiovascular events, and those with two siblings or more had an increased risk of coronary events. Women with one sibling or more were at lower total mortality risk, following full adjustment.
CONCLUSION
Being first born is associated with a favourable effect on non-fatal cardiovascular and coronary events for both men and women. The underlying biological mechanisms for this should be studied in a sociocultural context.
Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cardiovascular Diseases; Cohort Studies; Female; Heart; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Risk Factors; Siblings; Sweden
PubMed: 34035122
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-042881 -
Circulation. Genomic and Precision... Apr 2023Complete atrioventricular block (CAVB) is a major reason for implantation of permanent pacemakers, but knowledge of CAVB inheritance is sparse. This nationwide study...
BACKGROUND
Complete atrioventricular block (CAVB) is a major reason for implantation of permanent pacemakers, but knowledge of CAVB inheritance is sparse. This nationwide study aimed to determine the occurrence of CAVB in first-, second-, and third-degree relatives (full siblings, half-siblings, and cousins).
METHODS
The Swedish multigeneration register was linked to the Swedish nationwide patient register for the period 1997 to 2012. All Swedish full sibling, half-sibling, and cousin pairs born to Swedish parents between 1932 and 2012 were included. Competing risks and time-to-event, subdistributional hazard ratios (SHRs) according to Fine and Gray and hazard ratios using Cox proportional hazards model were estimated using robust SEs and considering the relatedness of relatives (full siblings, half-siblings, cousins). Additionally, odds ratios (ORs) for CAVB were calculated for traditional cardiovascular comorbidities.
RESULTS
The study population (N=6 113 761) consisted of 5 382 928 full siblings, 1 266 391 half-siblings, and 3 750 913 cousins. In total, 6442 (0.11%) unique individuals were diagnosed with CAVB. Of these, 4200 (65.2%) were males. SHRs for CAVB were 2.91 for full siblings (95% CI, 2.43-3.49), 1.51 for half-siblings (0.56-4.10), and 3.54 for cousins (1.73-7.26) of affected individuals. Age-stratified analysis showed higher risk in young individuals born from 1947 to 1986: SHR, 5.30 (3.78-7.43) for full siblings, SHR, 3.30 (1.06-10.31) for half-siblings, and SHR, 3.15 (1.39-7.17) for cousins. Similar familial HRs according to Cox proportional hazard model and ORs were obtained without any major differences. Apart from familial relationship, CAVB was associated with hypertension (OR, 1.83), diabetes (OR, 1.41), coronary heart disease (OR, 2.08), heart failure (OR, 5.01), and structural heart disease (OR, 4.59).
CONCLUSIONS
Risk of CAVB among relatives of affected individuals depends on relationship degree, being strongest in young siblings. The familial association extending to third-degree relatives indicates presence of genetic components in the cause of CAVB.
Topics: Male; Humans; Female; Sweden; Atrioventricular Block; Family; Siblings; Parents
PubMed: 36802810
DOI: 10.1161/CIRCGEN.121.003654