Life support

Social isolation exists when one has limited contact with others and is distinct from loneliness, an affective state on the perception of isolation. Less is known about the combined effects of social isolation and loneliness (SI/L) in older persons with HIV (OPWH). Using cross-sectional data on OPWH (age ≥50; N = 146), we assessed the overlap between SI/L and the separate and combined effects of SI/L on patient-reported outcomes (quality-of-life [QoL], HIV-related stigma, and depressive symptoms). Social isolation and loneliness were assessed using Social Network Index and the PROMIS-Social Isolation Scale, respectively, and based on each score, participants were grouped into four categories: "lonely only", "isolated only", "lonely+isolated", or "neither"...

BACKGROUND: The Scenario Test is recognised for its effectiveness in assessing the interactive aspects of functional communication in people with post-stroke aphasia (PWA). AIMS: To develop a Japanese version of the Scenario Test (Scenario Test-JP) and assess its reliability and validity. METHODS & PROCEDURES: Among 66 participants, we selected 61 individuals: 34 PWA and 27 healthy controls (HCs). We modified the Scenario Test-JP based on the UK version and subsequently evaluated its reliability (internal consistency, test-retest and intra-rater and inter-rater reliabilities) and validity (convergent and discriminant) by comparing PWA and HCs...

Research arising from conversion practices, also known as conversion therapy and sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts, has generally been underpinned by an emancipatory discourse that has evolved to counter harmful practices by evidencing associated harms and estimating prevalence. Little attention, however, has focused on what is required to support survivors, inclusive of those currently or those having previously experienced conversion efforts. Within a context of Aotearoa New Zealand having recently criminalised conversion practices, this study adopted an in-depth qualitative research design, informed by a dual adherence to life history and an empowerment methodology...

Dysphagia, difficulty in eating and drinking, remains the most common side effect of radiotherapy treatment for head and neck cancer (HNC) with devastating consequences for function and quality of life (QOL). Over the past decade, 5-year survival has improved due to multiple factors including treatment advances, reduction in smoking, introduction of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and more favourable prognosis of HPV-related cancers. Increased prevalence of HPV-positive disease, which tends to affect younger individuals, has led to an elevated number of people living for longer with the sequelae of cancer and its treatment...

UNLABELLED: Asthma during pregnancy is associated with a range of adverse perinatal outcomes. It is also linked to increased rates of neurodevelopmental conditions in the offspring. We aimed to assess whether fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO )-based asthma management during pregnancy improves child developmental and behavioural outcomes compared to usual care. The Breathing for Life Trial was a randomised controlled trial that compared FENO -based asthma management during pregnancy to usual care...

OBJECTIVE: Although life stress has been linked to adolescent suicidal ideation, most past research has been cross-sectional, and potential processes characterizing this relation remain unclear. One possibility may be a lack of emotional clarity. Informed by stress generation, the current study examined prospective relations between episodic life stress, lack of emotional clarity, and suicidal ideation in an adolescent clinical sample. METHODS: The sample consisted of 180 youths ( M age  = 14...

BACKGROUND: The frozen elephant trunk (FET) technique as a hybrid combining surgical and endovascular repair is an emerging concept to treat complex aortic dissection. Early experience showed technical feasibility and promising clinical outcomes. However, unsuspected complications still arise. CASE SUMMARY: A 25-year-old male presented to the emergency department with a 2-day history of chest pain. After exclusion of acute coronary syndrome, a computed tomography angiography (CTA) revealed Type A (DeBakey Type I) aortic dissection...

OBJECTIVE: There are few analyses of the current status of and responses to acute deteriorations encountered by physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists (rehabilitation professions [RPs]). The purpose of this study was to analyze the responses of RPs to acute deterioration in patients using the functional resonance analysis method (FRAM) based on the descriptions in "the Medical Accident Database". METHODS: Subjects were 413 cases with medical incidents reported by RPs to the database from 2012 to 2021...

Introduction Being the first in-line care providers, primary healthcare (PHC) physicians may encounter all forms of medical emergencies, ranging from minor complaints to major life-threatening events; therefore, this study aims to assess the PHC physicians' knowledge and attitude related to the diagnosis and management of emergency cases as well as their preferences for emergency medicine training courses and their preferred methods of training. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among physicians working at PHC in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia, between November and December 2023, excluding those who do not work at PHC...

BACKGROUND: Residents in long-term care homes (LTCHs) are often diagnosed with chronic, life-limiting illnesses, and it is now a common site to provide high levels of care and eventual death. There is an urgent need to address communication gaps and uncertainties surrounding resident's end of life preferences. Nurses are well situated to be key facilitators of necessary advance care planning (ACP), ensuring residents have discussions with family, substitute decision-makers and healthcare providers regarding future health and personal care preferences...

BACKGROUND: Mothers who have children with autism encounter significant difficulties in caring for their autistic youngsters, leading to higher stress levels and a reduced overall quality of life. External or internal factors can cause and respond to stress, affecting an individual's physical, psychological, and emotional health. Thus, it is crucial to examine the quality of life of mothers with autistic children. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the relationships between stress, self-efficacy, and quality of life (QoL) in mothers of children with autism...

Introduction: Erythroblastic island (EBI) macrophages play an essential role in the production and maturation of the vast numbers of red blood cells (RBCs) that are produced throughout life. Their location within the bone marrow makes it difficult to study the cellular and molecular interactions associated with their action so we have used an in vitro model of the EBI niche using macrophages derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). We previously demonstrated that the activation of the transcription factor KLF1 enhanced the activity of hiPSC-derived EBI macrophages...

AIM: To determine the level of knowledge and skill of basic life support (BLS) among undergraduate, postgraduate students, and general practitioners with and without regular attendance of the BLS Healthcare Provider course. METHODOLOGY: The study was carried out at two intervals with two groups. A random sample involving undergraduate students, postgraduate students, and dental professionals was selected for both study groups. Group 1 with 440 participants had not attended BLS for Healthcare Providers Course in the last two years...

INTRODUCTION: Victoria, Australia provides a centralised state ECMO service, supported by ambulance retrieval. Equity of access to this service has not been previously described. OBJECTIVE: Describe the characteristics of ECMO recipients and quantify geographical and socioeconomic influence on access. DESIGN: Retrospective observational study with spatial mapping. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Adult (≥18 years) ECMO recipients from July 2016-June 2022...

OBJECTIVE: To describe the training and accreditation process behind an intensivist-led extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) cannulation program, and identify the rate of complications associated with the ECMO cannulation procedure. DESIGN: A narrative review of the accreditation process, and a retrospective review of complications related to cannulation during the first four years of the intensivist program. SETTING: Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, a quaternary referral hospital in Sydney...

INTRODUCTION: The life expectancy of people living with HIV receiving effective combination antiretroviral therapy is approaching that of the general population and non AIDS-defining age-related comorbidities are becoming of greater concern. In order to support healthy aging of this population, we set out to explore the association between multimorbidity (defined as presence of 2 or more non AIDS-defining comorbidities) and quality of life (QoL). METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional analysis using data from the Correlates of Healthy Aging in Geriatric HIV (CHANGE HIV) study, a Canadian cohort of people living with HIV age 65  years and older...

BACKGROUND: Reduced work readiness is associated with elevated turnover rates, necessitating efforts to enhance the positive work readiness of newly graduated nurses to alleviate the shortage in the nursing workforce. Research into the work readiness of recent nursing graduates in China is still in its infancy. Most studies employ quantitative research methods, and further exploration of the self-perception of work readiness among new nurses in China is required. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate genuine experiences and self-perceptions of work readiness among new graduate nurses...

INTRODUCTION: Research related to parent-led neonatal pain management is increasing, as is the clinical implementation. Skin-to-skin contact, breastfeeding and parents' vocalizations are examples of pain reducing methods that give parents an opportunity to protect their infant from harm while alleviating their anxiety and developing their parenting skills. METHODS: In this paper we will provide a narrative review and describe the current research about parent-led neonatal pain management...

INTRODUCTION: Physical and mental health problems among pilots affect their working state and impact flight safety. Although pilots' physical and mental health problems have become increasingly prominent, their health has not been taken seriously. This study aimed to clarify challenges and support needs related to psychological and physical health among pilots to inform development of a more scientific and comprehensive physical and mental health system for civil aviation pilots. METHODS: This qualitative study recruited pilots from nine civil aviation companies...

Background Financial aid programs offered by multi-specialty tertiary care hospitals play a crucial role in ensuring equitable access to healthcare. This study investigates the effect of financial aid on the quality of life (QoL) of beneficiaries, aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted relationship between healthcare support and overall well-being. Aim The study's objectives included assessing changes in pre- and post-aid QoL, identifying influencing factors, understanding beneficiary experiences, and evaluating the effectiveness of financial aid programs...