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Psychological Trauma : Theory,... Jun 2024Despite growing attention to the intergenerational effects of trauma, including racial trauma, within Black communities, little empirical evidence exists. This...
OBJECTIVE
Despite growing attention to the intergenerational effects of trauma, including racial trauma, within Black communities, little empirical evidence exists. This qualitative study explored intergenerational trauma and storytelling within Black families in the United States, with two key aims: (1) explore if and how family members talk about their trauma experiences with one another, and (2) explore if and how sharing stories may impact family members' mental health and well-being.
METHOD
Semistructured interviews were conducted with 17 adults across eight self-identifying Black families, examining the stories they share. Interviews were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.
RESULTS
Four primary themes were identified: (1) Sharing is Caring …, (2) Family Ties, (3) The Reality of Racism, and (4) Safety in Silence. These themes underscore the direct effects of the traumas on those who experience and talk about them, and the meaning and impact that these traumas and stories carry across generations.
CONCLUSION
Parents who shared stories of their trauma with their adult children described that doing so had a positive impact on their well-being. Adult children endorsed feeling similarly in some instances. However, they also experienced an internal conflict, feeling connected to yet burdened by these stories. Silence and protection also played a significant role. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
PubMed: 38934938
DOI: 10.1037/tra0001746 -
Journal of Family Psychology : JFP :... Jun 2024Bisexuality in fatherhood is largely invisible, with very little known about the experiences of bisexual fathers. Conducted by researchers in the United Kingdom, this...
Bisexuality in fatherhood is largely invisible, with very little known about the experiences of bisexual fathers. Conducted by researchers in the United Kingdom, this study is one of the first to explore the experiences of bisexual fathers, and, using an identify-focused approach, it aims to understand bisexual fathers' experiences of managing their bisexuality and role as a father. Twenty-four bisexual fathers in Europe and North America took part in qualitative, semistructured interviews that focused on their bisexual identity, becoming a parent, experiences of family life, and community involvement. Reflexive thematic analysis was conducted, and four themes were identified: valuing different types of authenticity, seeking safety in the community, reconciling bisexuality with the traditional family, and sharing and learning across age groups. Despite describing their identity as often invisible, fathers indicated that their personal identity had a significant impact on their social interactions as well as their individual parenting and family practices. Findings contrast stage models of LGBTQ+ identity development, as fathers' identity work practices were often more important for their identity development and integration than aspiring for full "outness." Findings expand our scholarly understanding of the role of identity in parenting and highlight the need to improve representation and support for bisexual fathers. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
PubMed: 38934911
DOI: 10.1037/fam0001244 -
Equine Veterinary Journal Jun 2024Disease outbreaks present a significant challenge to horse health and welfare and the economic stability of horse industries internationally. This is a particular...
BACKGROUND
Disease outbreaks present a significant challenge to horse health and welfare and the economic stability of horse industries internationally. This is a particular concern in Ontario, Canada, where there have been frequent outbreaks of respiratory infectious diseases among horses. Despite these risks, there has been limited research on whether Ontario horse owners engage in biosecurity measures sufficient to mitigate risk of equine diseases, and whether current events such as the COVID-19 pandemic influence attitudes towards equine biosecurity practices.
OBJECTIVE
To explore Ontario horse owners' perceptions, attitudes and experiences relating to on-farm biosecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
STUDY DESIGN
Qualitative study using virtual semi-structured interviews.
METHODS
Participants (horse owners, frequent horse riders and part boarders) were recruited using social media snowball sampling where advertisements were shared by equine and veterinary organisations. Interviews were conducted virtually between June and September 2022 and were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.
RESULTS
Three key themes relating to biosecurity perceptions among the 14 participants were identified. Participants relied on minimal preventative measures (such as vaccines) where perceived risk of disease was low, but implemented additional measures including quarantine and handwashing when perceived risk of disease was high. Participants' choice of biosecurity practices often mirrored those recommended by the barn manager. Moreover, participants felt that responsibility for biosecurity was not shared equally across horse owners, with more emphasis placed on those engaging in high-risk situations for disease spread. Despite experiencing biosecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic, horse owners were not consistently applying these practices to their horse care routines.
MAIN LIMITATIONS
The perspectives reported here are from a small sample of horse owners and may not be generalisable to all populations.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings indicate that horse owners need improved access to and engagement with educational initiatives that emphasise the importance and purpose of all biosecurity measures.
PubMed: 38934765
DOI: 10.1111/evj.14115 -
Social Work in Public Health Jun 2024African American men face chronic illness earlier in life and earlier death due to higher severity of illness and poor control of chronic diseases than their white male...
African American men face chronic illness earlier in life and earlier death due to higher severity of illness and poor control of chronic diseases than their white male counterparts. Preexposure and post-exposure prophylaxis PrEP and PREP have improved the odds of survival among those living with HIV. However, the anti-retroviral treatments, though effective, are only as effective as early prevention and detection and in cases where patients can adhere to treatment regimens. The mean age of participants ( = 11) was 56.44 ( = 5.175, range = 47-63). The current study employs qualitative methodology to propose an ecosystems-driven intersectional model to identify resilience and the influence of personal, social, and societal forces shaping the lives of older African American men living with HIV. Findings determine stigma, community violence, and structural barriers to care as crucial stress areas. Participants discussed self-advocacy and family as constituent elements of resilience. Several implications for practice and research emerged. Practice must design and deploy assessment instruments to include exposure to racism and violence, including emotional and structural violence. Practice must include advocacy at the micro, meso, and macro levels. Assessment must also be self-reflexive. Organizational assessment should involve internal and structural reviews of barriers to meeting client preferences.
PubMed: 38934701
DOI: 10.1080/19371918.2024.2371966 -
Neural Regeneration Research Jun 2024Successful polyethylene glycol fusion (PEG-fusion) of severed axons following peripheral nerve injuries for PEG-fused axons has been reported to: (1) rapidly restore...
Successful polyethylene glycol fusion (PEG-fusion) of severed axons following peripheral nerve injuries for PEG-fused axons has been reported to: (1) rapidly restore electrophysiological continuity; (2) prevent distal Wallerian Degeneration and maintain their myelin sheaths; (3) promote primarily motor, voluntary behavioral recoveries as assessed by the Sciatic Functional Index; and, (4) rapidly produce correct and incorrect connections in many possible combinations that produce rapid and extensive recovery of functional peripheral nervous system/central nervous system connections and reflex (e.g., toe twitch) or voluntary behaviors. The preceding companion paper describes sensory terminal field reorganization following PEG-fusion repair of sciatic nerve transections or ablations; however, sensory behavioral recovery has not been explicitly explored following PEG-fusion repair. In the current study, we confirmed the success of PEG-fusion surgeries according to criteria (1-3) above and more extensively investigated whether PEG-fusion enhanced mechanical nociceptive recovery following sciatic transection in male and female outbred Sprague-Dawley and inbred Lewis rats. Mechanical nociceptive responses were assessed by measuring withdrawal thresholds using von Frey filaments on the dorsal and midplantar regions of the hindpaws. Dorsal von Frey filament test was a more reliable method than plantar von Frey filament test to assess mechanical nociceptive sensitivity following sciatic nerve transections. Baseline withdrawal thresholds of the sciatic-mediated lateral dorsal region differed significantly across strain but not sex. Withdrawal thresholds did not change significantly from baseline in chronic Unoperated and Sham-operated rats. Following sciatic transection, all rats exhibited severe hyposensitivity to stimuli at the lateral dorsal region of the hindpaw ipsilateral to the injury. However, PEG-fused rats exhibited significantly earlier return to baseline withdrawal thresholds than Negative Control rats. Furthermore, PEG-fused rats with significantly improved Sciatic Functional Index scores at or after 4 weeks postoperatively exhibited yet-earlier von Frey filament recovery compared with those without Sciatic Functional Index recovery, suggesting a correlation between successful pPEG-fusion and both motor-dominant and sensory-dominant behavioral recoveries. This correlation was independent of the sex or strain of the rat. Furthermore, our data showed that the acceleration of von Frey filament sensory recovery to baseline was solely due to the PEG-fused sciatic nerve and not saphenous nerve collateral outgrowths. No chronic hypersensitivity developed in any rat up to 12 weeks. All these data suggest that PEG-fusion repair of transection peripheral nerve injuries could have important clinical benefits.
PubMed: 38934383
DOI: 10.4103/NRR.NRR-D-23-01846 -
Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2024A spayed, 8-year-old female Poodle, weighing 5.7 kg, was presented with the chief complaint of vision impairment. Vision assessment, including pupillary light...
Case report: Unilateral papilledema in a dog with a large suprasellar mass and suspected intracranial hypertension: insights from funduscopy, optical coherence tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging.
A spayed, 8-year-old female Poodle, weighing 5.7 kg, was presented with the chief complaint of vision impairment. Vision assessment, including pupillary light reflexes, menace response, dazzle reflex, and maze navigation in photopic and scotopic circumstances, revealed a negative response in both eyes except for positive direct pupillary light reflex in the right eye and positive consensual pupillary light reflex from the right eye to the left eye. Systemic evaluation, including neurologic status, blood profile, and thoracic radiographs, did not reveal any abnormalities. Complete ophthalmic examinations, ocular ultrasonography, and electroretinography did not identify a cause of blindness. Upon funduscopy, the left eye exhibited an increased optic disk diameter, blurred optic disk borders, and loss of the physiologic pit, as well as an increase in vascular tortuosity. In the right eye, there were multifocal depigmented areas in the non-tapetal fundus and several pigmented spots surrounded by a region of dull tapetal reflection in the tapetal fundus. The optical coherence tomography revealed severe anterior deformation of the optic nerve head and Bruch's membrane in the peripapillary region of the left eye. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an irregular, broad-based suprasellar mass, with features suggestive of intracranial hypertension, including dorsal displacement of third ventricles, a rightward shift of the falx cerebri, -tentorial herniation, perilesional edema, flattening/protrusion of the posterior sclera, and lager optic nerve sheath diameter in left side than right side. This is the first comprehensive report that describes unilateral papilledema in a dog with a brain tumor, using advanced ophthalmic and neuro-imaging modalities.
PubMed: 38933701
DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1372802 -
Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare 2024Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) placed a significant strain on nursing homes, leading to numerous outbreaks and high mortality rates. This situation created...
PURPOSE
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) placed a significant strain on nursing homes, leading to numerous outbreaks and high mortality rates. This situation created considerable stress and challenges for residents, their physicians and nurses, as well as family caregivers. By understanding these challenges, we can gain new insights and learn valuable lessons. Thus, the purpose of this study is to examine the treatment and care provided to nursing home residents with COVID-19, as experienced by physicians, nurses, and family caregivers.
PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS
This study is a secondary analysis of 35 interviews with physicians, nurses, and family caregivers, each with personal experience caring for nursing home residents diagnosed with COVID-19. The interviews took place from December 2020 to April 2021. We analyzed the transcriptions based on Braun and Clarke's reflexive thematic analysis model and followed a qualitative descriptive design as outlined by Sandelowski.
FINDINGS
The analysis produced three themes: 1) Balancing medical treatment, 2) The need for increased systematic monitoring of vital functions, and 3) Determining the treatment level for nursing home residents. These themes were explored through the unique perspectives of the three participant groups: physicians, nurses, and family caregivers. The findings revealed several challenges related to treatment and care for nursing home residents diagnosed with COVID-19. This applied both to relief of symptoms, monitoring of vital functions, assessment of treatment level and use of advance care planning.
CONCLUSION
Drawing from the experiences of physicians, nurses, and family caregivers, there should be a unified plan at the municipal or national level for competency development in nursing homes to prepare for future crises like pandemics or epidemics. Additionally, the safe engagement of family caregivers and relatives should be given priority.
PubMed: 38933696
DOI: 10.2147/JMDH.S467459 -
Frontiers in Psychology 2024Bilateral stimulation is a core element of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy, a psychotherapeutic intervention for the treatment of Posttraumatic...
Apples and oranges: PTSD patients and healthy individuals are not comparable in their subjective and physiological responding to emotion induction and bilateral stimulation.
OBJECTIVES
Bilateral stimulation is a core element of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy, a psychotherapeutic intervention for the treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Promising previous findings showed measurable physiological effects of bilateral stimulation in healthy individuals, but studies that replicated these findings in PTSD patients are sparse.
METHODS
23 patients with PTSD and 30 healthy controls were confronted with affective standard scripts (pleasant, neutral, unpleasant) while bilateral tactile stimulation was applied. Monolateral and no stimulation served as control conditions. Noise-induced startle reflex response (valence measure) and galvanic skin response (arousal measure) were used for physiological responses and the valence and arousal scale of the Self-Assessment-Manikin for subjective responses.
RESULTS
Both groups showed a subjective distress reduction for unpleasant scripts and a subjective attention increase for positive scripts under bilateral stimulation. In healthy individuals, this was also for physiological measures, and a general startle-reducing effect of bilateral stimulation in the absence of affective stimuli was found. In PTSD patients, however, the effects were restricted on the subjective level, and no concomitant physiological effects were observed.
CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE
The findings indicate, that generalizing the effects of BLS in healthy individuals to PTSD patients may be problematic. The herein-reported group differences can be explained by PTSD-specific peculiarities in emotion processing and cognitive processing style.
PubMed: 38933577
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1406180 -
Cureus Jun 2024This study investigated the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of chronic epipharyngitis, which presents a variety of symptoms, with a focus on autonomic neuropathy... (Review)
Review
This study investigated the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of chronic epipharyngitis, which presents a variety of symptoms, with a focus on autonomic neuropathy symptoms, and also investigated the literature for information on EAT, which is useful as a treatment method. The mechanism of action of EAT has recently been clarified in terms of its immune system-stimulating and endocrine system-stimulating effects. However, the autonomic nerve-stimulating effects of EAT are still largely unexplained. This study was conducted to collect and integrate previous studies and papers focusing on the autonomic nerve-stimulating effects of EAT and to provide insight into the still not fully elucidated autonomic nerve-stimulating effects of EAT on chronic epipharyngitis. The local stimulating effects of zinc chloride and the bleeding and pain effects of EAT are also summarized, suggesting that EAT exerts its therapeutic effects through the interaction of the immune system, the endocrine system, and the autonomic nervous system. It is important to determine which mechanism is predominantly involved in each case of chronic epipharyngitis and to utilize it in treatment. Elucidating the effects of EAT on the autonomic nervous system will be an important guideline in determining the treatment strategy for chronic epipharyngitis.
PubMed: 38933344
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.63182 -
Frontiers in Medicine 2024Propofol and etomidate are the most commonly used sedative agents in procedural sedation, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. However, there remains...
OBJECTIVE
Propofol and etomidate are the most commonly used sedative agents in procedural sedation, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. However, there remains considerable controversy regarding the optimal ratio for the mixture of these two drugs, warranting further investigation. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the optimal ratio for combining propofol and etomidate during gastroscopy.
METHODS
This study is a prospective, double-blinded, randomized controlled clinical trial. One hundred and sixty-two patients from July 2019 to December 2022 were evenly classified into three groups using a random number table as follows: (1) P group (propofol); (2) EP1 group (5 mL etomidate +10 mL propofol); (3) EP2 group (10 mL etomidate +10 mL), 54 patients per group. The medications, including a pre-sedation dose of 50 μg/kg dezocine followed by sedatives, ceasing when the patient's eyelash reflex vanished, indicating adequate sedation. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), and peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO) measurements taken before anesthesia (T1), immediately after the administration of sedatives (T2), immediately gastroscopic insertion (T3) and immediately recovery (T4) were determined. Additional, perioperative related outcomes and adverse events were also recorded.
RESULTS
The EP2 group exhibited a higher MAP at T2 compared to the P and EP1 groups ( < 0.05). Calculated decreases in MAP revealed values of 19.1, 18.8, and 13.8% for the P, EP1, and EP2 groups at T2, respectively. Adverse events: Group EP2 exhibited a significantly lower hypotension incidence (11.1%) compared to the Propofol group (50%) and EP1 (31.5%). Concerning injection pain, Group EP2 also showing a significant decrease in comparison to P and EP1 groups ( < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
The use of a mixture of 10 mL etomidate and 10 mL propofol (at a 1:1 ratio) combined with dezocine for painless gastroscopy demonstrates hemodynamic stability, a low incidence of adverse reactions.
CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION
https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=39874.
PubMed: 38933106
DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1392141