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Inflammation and oxidative stress are both considered to be factors in the etiopathogenesis of schizophrenia. LOX-1 (lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1) and ox-LDL (oxidized low-density lipoprotein) have been reported to be active in neuroinflammation pathways in which they are involved in oxidative stress and inflammation. However, its relationship with schizophrenia is unclear. This study aimed to assess the potential connection between serum ox-LDL and LOX-1 levels in schizophrenia patients, their unaffected first-degree relatives, and healthy controls. The study comprised 63 schizophrenia patients, 57 first-degree relatives, and 63 healthy controls who were age, gender, and BMI-matched. Serum ox-LDL and LOX-1 levels were measured. PANSS was used to assess the severity of the disease. Levels of both ox-LDL and LOX-1 were markedly elevated in individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia when compared to both their relatives and a control group. While ox-LDL levels were significantly higher in relatives of patients compared to controls, there was no significant difference between relatives of patients and control groups for LOX-1 levels. Significant correlations were observed between PANNS general and total and ox-LDL levels and PANNS negative and LOX-1 levels. The relationship between ox-LDL and LOX-1 and schizophrenia is quite limited in the literature and is a new field of study. Future studies are needed to evaluate their role in etiopathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the experiences of living with glioblastoma from the perspective of patients themselves as well as their closest relatives, focusing on the changes in the life situation and the need for support. Methods: Twenty-two semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 patients (mean age 61 years, 7 male, 5 female) and 10 relatives (mean age 56 years, 3 male, 7 female). The relatives comprised of partners (n = 7), child (n = 1), sister (n = 1), or friend (n = 1). Questions focused on changes in the life situation and support needed to face these changes. Data was analyzed using inductive qualitative content analysis (QCA). Results: Living with glioblastoma dramatically changes the lives of both patients and relatives. Cognitive symptoms (e.g., speech and memory disturbances), deterioration of physical function (e.g., paresis), and psychological function (e.g., behavioral changes, anxiety) can lead to impaired family dynamics, social isolation, and fear of the future. Support from other family members, friends, and healthcare professionals is crucial. Timely, tangible, and easily available support from the healthcare system the entire disease trajectory is sought after, enabling individualized care with emotional support, clearer information, and faster feedback. Conclusion: The changes in life situations faced by patients with glioblastoma and their closest relatives are dramatic and underline the importance of providing integrated care throughout the entire healthcare continuum, encompassing specialist neuro-oncological care, municipal support, and palliative care. Individualized support for both patients and relatives can enhance the sense of safety amid the chaos in their life situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, restrictions to prevent its spread were formed, thereby hindering patients' relatives from maintaining contact with and visiting their loved ones, even saying goodbye at the end of life. This study aimed to gain an in-depth understanding of bereaved relatives' experiences of losing a loved one to COVID-19. Eight in-depth interviews were conducted and analysed using an interpretative phenomenological approach. The results revealed two superordinate themes: (a) the lonely and painful loss and (b) the double crises. The relatives were oscillating between hope and despair. During the time of their loved one's illness, they felt powerless, excluded, lonely and vulnerable. The death was unexpected, and it was painful to not be able to say goodbye in person or when the life support was terminated. Furthermore, the relatives were in crisis at the same time as the health care system was in crisis. Sometimes the relatives did not receive information, and they felt like bystanders waiting for answers. The health care professionals' attitudes were of importance in supporting the relatives. If there was a lack of empathy and understanding for the relative's situation, feelings of frustration and not being respected emerged. To meet relatives' needs when losing a loved one during circumstances such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the healthcare system needs to develop routines pertaining to providing adequate information, supporting relatives' need to say goodbye, and coping with ethical dilemmas, such as when there are insufficient life support machines for patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Life-curriculum vision is a reasoning plan for or of educating that guides human actions. A vision is a reasoning plan for educating, should a plan be prescribed as strictly guiding human actions; or a plan of educating, should a plan be generated after actions have already taken place. As such, this life-history study explored and interrogated lessons learnt by means of and through Prof M’s life-curriculum vision that helped him to understand his unique identities and to manage his life-objective reality. Prof M’s vision and pragmatic paradigm produced a natural identity framework for this purposive and convenient individual life-history study based on photo voices, semi-structured interviews, and reflective activities as the data-generation methods. Prof M’s narratives were evaluated by his family, relatives, colleagues, and friends. The findings revealed that, through his life-curriculum vision, he had become a pragmatist, naturalist, and agnostic, deploying his experiences of societal, professional, personal, and natural identities. Consequently, this study recommends that individuals reflect on and critique their experiences. Such reflection and critique may allow them to create their own relevant unique tools, enabling them to address both their personal needs (personal identity) and their societal and professional needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new mitochondrial genome is the most gene-rich one found in a major division of eukaryotes — and it shares remarkable features with that of one of its most distant relatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the acquisition of different functions of wh-words in Czech (Slavic) - a language where wh-words are highly polyfunctional. Our working hypothesis is that the acquisition proceeds in accordance with the growth of the syntactic tree (aka the growing trees hypothesis; Friedman et al. 2021), which in turn is matched by the growth of the semantic representation. More specifically, children are expected to first acquire wh-interrogatives, then conditionals, correlatives, and free relatives, and finally (light-)headed relatives. The working hypothesis is set against the background of what could be considered the null hypothesis, namely that children’s production matches the adult input. We have examined the Czech CHILDES corpus (Chromá et al. 2024; 6 children 1;07-3;09), tagging all wh-occurrences (nearly 11 thousand tokens) for the construction they appear in. Using both descriptive and inferential statistical methods, we have found evidence either supporting or being compatible with our hypothesis. At the same time, our results are not consistent with a simple input-based account. We also discuss some limitations of a corpus-based approach for addressing our research question. The most significant hurdle is the overall low frequency of non-interrogative wh-words. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We aimed to synthesize the qualitative evidence on the impacts of COVID-19-related restricted family presence policies from the perspective of patients, families, and healthcare professionals from neonatal (NICU), pediatric (PICU), or adult ICUs. Methods: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Databases of Reviews and Clinical Trials, CINAHL, Scopus, PsycINFO, and Web of Science. Two researchers independently reviewed titles/abstracts and full-text articles for inclusion. Thematic analysis was completed following appraising article quality and assessing confidence in the individual review findings using standardized tools. Results: We synthesized 54 findings from 184 studies, revealing the impacts of these policies in children and adults on: (1) Family integrated care and patient and family-centered care (e.g., disruption to breastfeeding/kangaroo care, dehumanizing of patients); (2) Patients, families, and healthcare professionals (e.g., negative mental health consequences, moral distress); (3) Support systems (e.g., loss of support from friends/families); and (4) Relationships (e.g., loss of essential bonding with infant, struggle to develop trust). Strategies to mitigate these impacts are reported. Conclusion: This review highlights the multifaceted impacts of restricted visitation policies across distinct care settings and strategies to mitigate the harmful effects of these policies and guide the creation of compassionate family presence policies in future health crises. Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=290263. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to estimate the familial risks of pterygium and assess its relative contributions to environmental and genetic factors using the 2000–2017 Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. The marginal Cox's model and the polygenic liability model were made. In Taiwan, the prevalence rate of pterygium in 2017 was 1.64% for individuals with affected first-degree relatives, higher than the general population (1.34%). The adjusted relative risk (RR) for pterygium was highest for twins of the same sex (15.54), followed by siblings of the same sex (4.69), offsprings (3.39), siblings of the different sex (2.88), spouse (2.12), parents (1.86), twins of the different sex (1.57), respectively. The phenotypic variance of pterygium was 21.6% from additive genetic variance, 24.3% from common environmental factors shared by family members, and 54.1% from non-shared environmental factors, respectively. Sensitivity analysis by restricting those with surgical pterygium reveals that aRRs and the three components were similar to those of the overall pterygium. In summary, the prevalence rate of pterygium was higher for individuals with affected first-degree relatives than for the general population. The non-shared environmental factors account for half of the phenotypic variance of pterygium; genetic and shared environmental factors explain the rest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Family reactions to coming out can affect the mental health of individuals who disclose their sexual orientation or gender identity. Therefore, it is important to have an appropriate tool to assess them. The Perceived Parental Reactions Scale (PPRS) assessed perceived parental reactions to the disclosure of gay, lesbian, or bisexual sexual orientation by their children. We adapted the PPRS so that it can be answered by any individual belonging to a sexual or gender minority, and can be answered regarding any member of the family, not just parents. A total of 2627 individuals from Spain participated in this study, with a mean age of 31.59 (SD = 11.26). Participants completed the adapted PPRS questionnaire, now named the Family Reaction to Coming Out (FRCO). The FRCO assessed family reactions when disclosing their sexual orientation or gender identity. The majority of participants identified as cisgender men (47.5%) or cisgender women (44.9%), and as gay/lesbian (51.9%). A one‐factor model emerged through exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The FRCO displayed excellent internal consistency and demonstrated good levels of invariance for participants' gender (male vs female vs nonbinary gender), family member's gender (male vs female), and type of family member (parents vs other family member). Supporting convergent validity, the FRCO has shown a positive correlation with fear of family reaction to coming out. These findings support the validity and reliability of the FRCO tool in assessing the reactions of any family member within the Spanish context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The interaction of health personnel with relatives is linked to the quality of care results in nursing homes. However, there is limited knowledge of how relatives perceive being an integral part of the nursing home context. This secondary analysis has its starting point in an ethical concern about relatives' experiences in a previous study. Aim: To critically discuss relatives' experiences of suffering when their next of kin live in a nursing home in a rural arctic context. Research Design, Participants and Context: The critical hermeneutic stance is informed by Habermas. The secondary analysis is conducted on original data from five semi-structured focus groups with 18 relatives of residents of two nursing homes in a rural part of Norway. The theoretical framework concerning dignity, well-being, and suffering, as developed by Galvin and Todres, contrasts the analysis. Ethical Considerations: The study followed the principles of the Helsinki Declaration. It was approved by the Norwegian Center for Research Data (NSD) (reg. no. 993360). Findings: The main theme of this study is: suffering while resigning to an unacceptable violation of dignity. This theme is deepened by two subthemes: (a) suffering while adapting to a relationship of dependence and (b) suffering while accepting the unacceptable. Conclusions: Relatives experience suffering as a cross-pressure in their struggle to interact responsibly with health personnel in nursing homes. This may have a negative outcome, where relatives end up adapting to being silent witnesses to missed care and a violation of dignity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

‘Pre-grief’ has been described as an adaptive process of preparation for the death of a loved one, through which the person gradually becomes accustomed to these prospects of separation and irremediable loss. However, this process can be disrupted, for example by an unexpected rebound, known as an episode of ‘terminal lucidity’, a sudden surge of cognitive functions previously altered (sometimes accompanied by physical changes), the hours or days immediately preceding death. Through the initial results of a study and two case studies of witnesses concerning the death of the same individual, we aim to illustrate various aftereffects of terminal lucidity episodes on relatives and the grieving process. The two cases used in this article demonstrate in fact contrasting ways of reacting to this phenomenon. We conclude that terminal lucidity episodes deserve more clinical attention, as they appear to have an impact on the grieving process, depending on contextual and personal variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Overgrowth syndromes (OGS) comprise a heterogeneous group of disorders whose main characteristic is that the weight, height or the head circumference are above the 97th centile or 2–3 standard deviations above the mean for age, gender, and ethnic group. Several copy‐number variants (CNVs) have been associated with the development of OGS, such as the 5q35 microdeletion or the duplication of the 15q26.1‐qter, among many others. In this study, we have applied 850K SNP‐arrays to 112 patients and relatives with OGS from the Spanish OverGrowth Registry Initiative. We have identified CNVs associated with the disorder in nine individuals (8%). Subsequently, whole genome sequencing (WGS) analysis was performed in these nine samples in order to better understand these genomic imbalances. All the CNVs were detected by both techniques, settling that WGS is a useful tool for CNV detection. We have found six patients with genomic abnormalities associated with previously well‐established disorders and three patients with CNVs of unknown significance, which may be related to OGS, based on scientific literature. In this report, we describe these findings and comment on genes associated with OGS that are located within the CNV regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractIn Chinese culture, the family is central to the decision-making around care provided to terminally-ill patients. Previous research examined the preferences that patients and relatives have in regard to the family’s role in end-of-life care. Our article takes a discourse analytic perspective and focuses on how familial dynamics are interactionally constructed by patients in audio-recorded end-of-life care consultations in Hong Kong hospitals. We document three ways that patients construct family dynamics. First, patients expressed a reluctance to talk to their family members about their condition. Second, patients talked about their families as being reluctant in accepting and “believing” the reality of their condition. Third, patients reported an epistemic divide between themselves and their family regarding knowledge and understanding of their illness. Our findings provide insights into how to conceptualize family dynamics in interactional terms. We also reflect on how our findings can complement existing research on end-of-life care in Chinese contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In recent years, serious games have been used as an educational method in various fields such as economy, marketing, military, education, and health as a training method. Pressure injuries (PIs) are a significant health problem and clinical quality improvement issue throughout the world. Implementation of prevention strategies has gained importance in all healthcare settings due to the negative effects of PIs. Educating patient relatives on PI prevention is essential. Aims: This study aimed to develop a serious game for the training of patient relatives on PI prevention and evaluate the game in terms of knowledge acquisition and its features. Methods: The study was carried out as a single-group quasi-experimental pre-test and post-test design in three stages between August 1, 2020-April 30, 2022. In the first stage educational content, knowledge assessment test, and game evaluation questionnaire were prepared. A web-based serious game (PreSore: Pressure Injury Prevention Game) was developed in the second stage. The participants played the game in the third stage, and data was collected. The study sample consisted of patient relatives (n=55). A knowledge assessment test (pre-test, post-test, and re-test) and a game evaluation questionnaire were administered for the data collection. Results: It was determined that there was a significant increase in knowledge scores after the PreSore game implementation (p <.001). Most of the participants indicated that the information in the game was easy to understand (98.2%), they wanted to share their educational experience with others with the digital game method (96.4%), and they found the game was authentic (94.5%). Conclusions: The study revealed that the PreSore game is a method that could be used to train patient relatives on PI prevention. Integrating the PreSore into daily practice in healthcare institutions and conducting prospective studies are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Empathy is a complex, multi‐dimensional capacity that facilitates the sharing and understanding of others' emotions. As our closest living relatives, bonobos (Pan paniscus) and chimpanzees (P. troglodytes) provide an opportunity to explore the origins of hominin social cognition, including empathy. Despite certain assumptions that bonobos and chimpanzees may differ empathically, these species appear to overlap considerably in certain socio‐emotional responses related to empathy. However, few studies have systematically tested for species variation in Pan empathic or socio‐emotional tendencies. To address this, we synthesise the growing literature on Pan empathy to inform our understanding of the selection pressures that may underlie the evolution of hominin empathy, and its expression in our last common ancestor. As bonobos and chimpanzees show overlaps in their expression of complex socio‐emotional phenomena such as empathy, we propose that group comparisons may be as or more meaningful than species comparisons when it comes to understanding the evolutionary pressures for such behaviour. Furthermore, key differences, such as how humans and Pan communicate, appear to distinguish how we experience empathy compared to our closest living relatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on the (in)definiteness of bare nouns has developed various proposals regarding which type-shifters exist in human language and which principles are needed to govern their distribution (Carlson 1977; Partee 1987; Chierchia 1998; Dayal 2004; i.a.). At the same time, literature on headless relative clauses (HRCs), primarily focusing on free relatives (FRs) in Indo-European languages, has also developed type-shifting principles (Jacobson 1995; Caponigro 2003, 2004). The type-shifting principles from the FR literature, however, are fundamentally different than those found in proposals for bare nouns. Here, we present case studies from two Mayan languages which diverge from one another in the behavior of bare nouns, and which possess several different kinds of headless relative clauses. We show that "super-free relative clauses" (Caponigro et al. 2021; Caponigro 2022), which lack a wh-word, pattern in ways parallel to bare nouns in the respective languages. We also demonstrate that HRCs headed by a wh-word—i.e., FRs—diverge from bare nouns; they pattern similarly to one another across the languages under investigation, and in ways similar to what has been reported for FRs crosslinguistically. We provide evidence that there is a dedicated FR type-shifter (FR-ι) used as a post-syntactic mechanism to repair a type-mismatch at the CP level, building on work by Caponigro (2004). Our novel contribution is that this type-shifter is available regardless of the presence or absence of other type-shifters in a language. This paper adds new data to our understanding of the range and applicability of different definiteness-related type-shifters as well as captures certain typological tendencies regarding HRCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Young-onset dementia (YOD) symptoms often first present in the workplace, resulting in work performance challenges and eventually loss of employment. This study aims to investigate the experiences, work values, and support needs of employees with YOD and their relatives. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore the experiences, work values, and support needs of (former) employees with YOD and their relatives. Subsequently, separate focus group discussions were conducted for employees and relatives to review and prioritize interview findings. Inductive thematic analysis was applied to both datasets. A total of 15 interviews (six employees; nine relatives) and four focus group discussions (ten employees; six relatives) were conducted. Six themes emerged, with five revolving around the central theme: desire to work. The other themes represent essential contributing factors, including importance of receiving a YOD diagnosis; knowledge, awareness, and understanding regarding YOD; open communication, joint decision making, and collaboration; work adjustments, involvement, and support; phasing out work and future perspectives. The findings highlight a strong desire to work post-YOD diagnosis, serving as a foundation for developing workplace support tools and guidance. This has the potential to help individuals with YOD preserve their self-confidence and identity while working within their capabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Background Design Methods Data Sources Results Conclusion Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care Reporting Method No Patient or Public Contribution To identify and map the evidence on interventions facilitating the involvement of relatives of patients with an acquired brain injury (ABI) or a malignant brain tumour (MBT).An ABI or a MBT are severe diseases that have profound impact on the lives of patients and their relatives. The well‐being of the patient may be deteriorated, and relatives may experience a new role and changing caregiving tasks. Involvement of relatives seems essential, and there is a need for identifying interventions facilitating the involvement.Scoping review.The Joanna Briggs Institute methodology was used in this review and the review was reported in accordance with the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews.The literature search was conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL and Cochrane Library. Reference lists of included studies, Google Scholar and Web of Science were also searched.In total, 46 studies were included of which 36 (78%) involved patients with stroke. Median duration of study interventions were 8 weeks, and nurses were involved as providers of the intervention in 23 (50%) studies. Thirty (65%) studies used a multicomponent intervention. Thirty‐five unique outcomes were identified using 60 unique outcome measurements.Interventions facilitating the involvement of relatives differed importantly in key characteristics of study interventions, and in relation to the context in which they were used. There was no consensus regarding choice of outcomes and outcome measurements. Our results highlight the complexity of interventions in this field.To our knowledge this is the first scoping review examining interventions facilitating the involvement of relatives of patients with an acquired brain injury or a malignant brain tumour. This review suggests a clear definition of ‘involvement’ in future research and there is a need of development of a core outcome set for use in interventions facilitating the involvement.The scoping review was reported in accordance with the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews.The authors decided to undertake this scoping review without patient and public contribution. However, the protocol was published prior to review conduct and available to the public but we did not receive any comments on it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microsporidia are intracellular parasites that all possess a unique infection apparatus involving a polar tube. Upon contact with a host cell, this tube forms the conduit through which the parasite enters the host. Infecting mostly animals, microsporidian species can be transmitted vertically or horizontally, and exert various effects on their hosts: infections range from being relatively benign to lethal. Microsporidian genomes possess highly divergent sequences and are often substantially reduced in size. Their divergent sequences and unique morphology created early challenges to our understanding of their phylogenetic position within the tree of eukaryotes. Over the last couple of decades, advances in both sequencing technology and phylogenetic methodology supported a clear relationship between microsporidia and fungi. However, the specifics of this relationship were muddied by the lack of known microsporidian relatives. With increased taxon discovery and the morphological and molecular characterization of microsporidia‐like taxa, rozellids and aphelids, a better resolved picture is emerging. Here we review the history of microsporidian taxonomy and current status of genomics of microsporidia and their nearest relatives, with an aim to understand their morphological and metabolic differences, along with their evolutionary relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IntroductionMethodResultsConclusionsThere is little research regarding quality of health care for people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD), who often are represented by their relatives, because of their limited communication. The aim of this study was to explore experiences and perspectives of relatives regarding healthcare services for adults with PIMD.Twelve semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted involving close relatives of people with PIMD: mothers (n = 7), fathers (n = 2), brothers (n = 2) and a sister (n = 1). Qualitative content analysis was used.Three themes emerged from the material: (1) Holistic view and responsibility, (2) Complexity and specialisation require coordination, and (3) Specific knowledge about the individual with PIMD.The relatives experienced that quality of health care should be based on a holistic view incorporating special competence and coordination. They emphasised the importance of an alliance, leveraging the relatives’ person-specific knowledge alongside healthcare professionals’ specialist competence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high intraspecific variability of the morphological characters of Acanthocephala can complicate their taxonomic classification. To solve this problem, molecular markers are used. Here, we present the identification and determination of genetic variability of four species of the Acanthocephala genera Pomphorhynchus, Acanthocephalus and Dentitruncus, obligate endoparasites of freshwater fishes. The DNA sequences of the three markers that evolve at different rates (18S rDNA, COI and ITS) were analysed. To put the genetic position of the Croatian Acanthocephala specimens in a broader context, the COI and ITS sequences of the other European specimens from the NCBI GenBank were used. Genetic structuring at the local level was minor or not visible at all, but in the context of European phylogeographic structuring, the Croatian P. laevis showed a clear grouping to the geographical subcluster Ponto-Caspian Balkans. Only two P. laevis Danubian haplotypes, which were not analysed morphologically, were assigned to the Ponto-Caspian Danube subclade together with the recently identified P. bosniacus from Austria. The haplotypes of P. tereticollis from Croatia were clustered within the two main European clades. In connection with the phylogeographic distribution of Acanthocephala and their hosts, we hypothesised possible phylogeographic patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Treatment pressures encompass communicative strategies that influence mental healthcare service users' decision-making to increase their compliance with recommended treatment. Persuasion, interpersonal leverage, inducements, and threats have been described as examples of treatment pressures. Research indicates that treatment pressures are exerted not only by mental healthcare professionals but also by relatives. While relatives play a crucial role in their family member's pathway to care, research on the use of treatment pressures by relatives is still scarce. Likewise, little is known about other strategies relatives may use to promote the treatment compliance of their family member with a serious mental health condition. In particular, no study to date has investigated this from the perspective of relatives of people with a serious mental health condition. Aim: The aim of this study was to answer the following research questions: Which types of treatment pressures do relatives use? Which other strategies do relatives use to promote the treatment compliance of their family member with a serious mental health condition? How do treatment pressures relate to these other strategies? Methods: Eleven semi-structured interviews were conducted with relatives of people with a serious mental health condition in Germany. Participants were approached via relatives' self-help groups and flyers in a local psychiatric hospital. Inclusion criteria were having a family member with a psychiatric diagnosis and the family member having experienced formal coercion. The data were analyzed using grounded theory methodology. Results: Relatives use a variety of strategies to promote the treatment compliance of their family member with a serious mental health condition. These strategies can be categorized into three general approaches: influencing the decision-making of the family member; not leaving the family member with a choice; and changing the social or legal context of the decision-making process. Our results show that the strategies that relatives use to promote their family member's treatment compliance go beyond the treatment pressures thus far described in the literature. Conclusion: This qualitative study supports and conceptually expands prior findings that treatment pressures are not only frequently used within mental healthcare services but also by relatives in the home setting. Mental healthcare professionals should acknowledge the difficulties faced and efforts undertaken by relatives in seeking treatment for their family member. At the same time, they should recognize that a service user's consent to treatment may be affected and limited by strategies to promote treatment compliance employed by relatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crop wild relatives (CWR) provide a valuable resource for improving crops. They possess desirable traits that confer resilience to various environmental stresses. To fully utilize crop wild relatives in breeding and conservation programs, it is important to understand the genetic basis of their adaptation. Landscape genomics associates environments with genomic variation and allows for examining the genetic basis of adaptation. Our study examined the differences in allele frequency of 15,416 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) generated through genotyping by sequencing approach among 153 accessions of 15 wild eggplant relatives and two cultivated species from Africa, the principal hotspot of these wild relatives. We also explored the correlation between these variations and the bioclimatic and soil conditions at their collection sites, providing a comprehensive understanding of the genetic signals of environmental adaptation in African wild eggplant. Redundancy analysis (RDA) results showed that the environmental variation explained 6% while the geographical distances among the collection sites explained 15% of the genomic variation in the eggplant wild relative populations when controlling for population structure. Our findings indicate that even though environmental factors are not the main driver of selection in eggplant wild relatives, it is influential in shaping the genomic variation over time. The selected environmental variables and candidate SNPs effectively revealed grouping patterns according to the environmental characteristics of sampling sites. Using four genotype–environment association methods, we detected 396 candidate SNPs (2.5% of the initial SNPs) associated with eight environmental factors. Some of these SNPs signal genes involved in pathways that help adapt to environmental stresses such as drought, heat, cold, salinity, pests, and diseases. These candidate SNPs will be useful for marker‐assisted improvement and characterizing the germplasm of this crop for developing climate‐resilient eggplant varieties. The study provides a model for applying landscape genomics to other crops' wild relatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to identify perspectives of relatives and healthcare professionals regarding self‐determination support for people with severe or profound intellectual and multiple disabilities, highlighting agreements and differences in their viewpoints. Method: Following a concept mapping study, online focus group meetings yielded statements on self‐determination support from relatives (residential facilities: n = 6, family homes: n = 7) and healthcare professionals (residential facilities: n = 9, family home: n = 5). Participants clustered and rated statements, resulting in four concept maps interpreted by experts (N = 6). Results: The 285 statements were categorised into 5–7 clusters per map, revealing key strategies for self‐determination support: communication and choice making (facilitated by aids), sensitivity, familiarity, and collaboration among involved parties. Conclusion: Each group placed different emphasis on these strategies, highlighting importance of continuous support in their implementation. Future research should prioritise practical implementations of these strategies to enhance self‐determination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The text "What is and what is not kinship" is a book written by Marshall Sahlins in 2023 and published in English in 2013. In this book, Sahlins examines studies on the body and personhood in Melanesia, Africa, and the South American Lowlands to identify the general attribute that defines kinship relationships. He concludes that both constructionist approaches and those focused on the notion of personhood fail to identify this enduring central attribute of kinship relationships. Sahlins argues that this general attribute is the "mutuality of being," which implies that families consider themselves as "people who belong to each other" and relatives as "people who belong to each other." However, questions are raised about the relevance of this notion as a "general attribute," and it is suggested to enrich the analysis of kinship with history, gender, and political economy. [Extracted from the article]

This article examines the horror of forced disappearance as depicted in the novels La Sombra de Orión and Recuerdos del río volador. It analyzes how the horror is not limited to the violence inflicted on the bodies or the perceived inadequacy of language to communicate the experience but is also revealed in the suspended mourning of the victims’ relatives. Therefore, the importance of memory devices such as photography, art, and literature to capture historical events and periods is highlighted, but also to access a language that allows symbolic processes crucial for victim’s reparation. The contribution of these novels to the current narrative is significant for their historical and literary richness, and, at the same time, for the discussion they raise about memory in territories affected by the dynamics of violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To understand whether domestication had an impact on susceptibility and responsiveness to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), we investigated two tomato cultivars (“M82” and “Moneymaker”) and a panel of wild relatives including S. neorickii, S. habrochaites and S. pennellii encompassing the whole Lycopersicon clade. Most genotypes revealed good AM colonisation levels when inoculated with the AMF Funneliformis mosseae. By contrast, both S. pennellii accessions analysed showed a very low colonisation, but with normal arbuscule morphology, and a negative response in terms of root and shoot biomass. This behaviour was independent of fungal identity and environmental conditions. Genomic and transcriptomic analyses revealed in S. pennellii the lack of genes identified within QTLs for AM colonisation, a limited transcriptional reprogramming upon mycorrhization and a differential regulation of strigolactones and AM‐related genes compared to tomato. Donor plants experiments indicated that the AMF could represent a cost for S. pennellii: F. mosseae could extensively colonise the root only when it was part of a mycorrhizal network, but a higher mycorrhization led to a higher inhibition of plant growth. These results suggest that genetics and functional traits of S. pennellii are responsible for the limited extent of AMF colonisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) is characterized by all three adverse survivorship dimensions: physical function, cognitive function and mental health status. Aim: This review aimed to describe the quality of life (QoL) of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) survivors with PICS after discharge and of their relatives with Family Post-intensive care syndrome (PICS-F) and to report anxiety, depression and Posttraumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD) in studies investigating PICS. Study Design: A systematic review was carried out. We searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature. This review was registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42022382123). Results: We included 19 studies of PICS and PICS-F in this systematic review. Fourteen observational studies report the effects of PICS on depression, 12 studies on anxiety and nine on post-traumatic stress disorder and 10 on QoL. Mobility, personal care, usual activities and pain/discomfort in QoL were the domains most affected by PICS. A significant association was demonstrated between a high level of ICU survivors' anxiety and high levels of ICU relatives' burden. Strain-related symptoms and sleep disorders were problems encountered by ICU relatives with PICS-F. Conclusion: PICS and PICS-F were widespread experiences among ICU survivors and their ICU relatives, respectively. The results of this review showed the adverse effects of PICS and PICS-F on QoL. Relevance to Clinical Practice: PICS and PICS-F strongly impact the rehabilitation process and are measured in terms of health costs, financial stress and potentially preventable readmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We prove two rigidity results on holomorphic isometries into homogeneous Kähler manifolds. The first shows that a Kähler-Ricci soliton induced by the homogeneous metric of the Kähler product of a special generalized flag manifold (i.e. a flag of classical type or integral type) with a bounded homogeneous domain is trivial, i.e. Kähler-Einstein. In the second one we prove that: (i) a flat space is not relative to the Kähler product of a special generalized flag manifold with a homogeneous bounded domain, (ii) a special generalized flag manifold is not relative to the Kähler product of a flat space with a homogeneous bounded domain and (iii) a homogeneous bounded domain is not relative to the Kähler product of a flat space with a special generalized flag manifold. Our theorems strongly extend the results of Cheng and Hao [Ann. Global Anal. Geom. 60 (2021), pp. 167–180], Cheng, Di Scala, and Yuan [Internat. J. Math. 28 (2017), p. 1750027], Loi and Mossa [Proc. Amer. Math. Soc. 149 (2021), pp. 4931–4941], Loi and Mossa [Proc. Amer. Math. Soc. 151 (2023), pp. 3975–3984] and Umehara [Tokyo J. Math. 10 (1987), pp. 203–214]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Persons with Parkinson's disease (PD) who have received genetic test results are faced with the decision of whether, and how, to share that information with family. Studies in other specialties have shown high rates of disclosure motivated by a sense of responsibility. Rates of, and attitudes surrounding, disclosure have yet to be reported in this population. Objectives: To explore the disclosure practices and motivations of patients with PD regarding genetic test results, allowing insight to guide genetic counseling and navigation of test result discussions. Methods: A cross‐sectional online survey was distributed to adults with PD and previous genetic test results. Survey questions assessed demographics, genetic testing results and delivery, sharing behaviors, perceptions of PD, and motivations and barriers to family disclosure. Results: Among respondents, 88.9% shared results with at least one family member, most often a child (73.5%) or sibling (65.4%). Seventy‐four percent reported sharing results with someone outside of their family, most frequently a friend (88.4%). The most common motivation for disclosure was the perception that family members would want to know. Barriers to disclosure were lack of close relationships, understanding results, and perceived utility. Conclusions: Disclosure rates in this PD population were consistent with those in previously reported populations. Motivations were anchored in perceptions of utility and family desire for information, suggesting a need to adjust patient education to improve retention and to explore family dynamics and perceptions of results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the impact of mental illness on the relationship between middle-class fathers and sons in late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century England. Using sources that include autobiographies, oral histories, press reports of violence, and records of appeals against conscription, the article argues that shame was not the dominant reaction. Many mentally ill men lost masculine status and agency within the family, but both fathers and sons were much more likely to respond to illness with loving concern, attempts at negotiation and pacification, than to use their power over vulnerable relatives with attempts to confine and hide them from sight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Societal Impact Statement: Rice wild relatives (RWR) provide valuable genetic resources for modern rice breeding, yet knowledge gaps constrain their conservation and further utilization. To address these gaps, the potential distributions of 22 RWR taxa were modeled, and their conservation statuses were assessed. Most taxa were identified as medium priority for further conservation. Further ex‐situ collecting hotspots are in Southeast and South Asia, Northern Australia, West Africa, and tropical Americas, while habitat protection lies in Southeast and South Asia, Northern Australia, and West Africa. Climate change may shift equatorial habitats to higher latitudes and mountain habitats to higher altitudes. Summary: Rice wild relatives (RWR) provide valuable genetic resources for modern rice breeding. However, knowledge gaps on their geographic distributions and conservation status constrain their conservation and further utilization.To fill these critical gaps, we modeled the potential distributions of 22 RWR taxa under current climate scenarios, assessed their conservation status, both ex situ (in genebanks or botanical gardens) and in situ (in protected areas), and examined changes in taxa richness of RWR in predicted areas under future climate scenarios.The RWR were primarily distributed in tropical Asia to tropical Australia, tropical Africa, and South and Central America. We identified 4 out of 22 taxa as high priority (HP) for further conservation action and 18 taxa as medium priority (MP).Hotspots requiring further collecting for ex situ conservation are concentrated in Southeast and South Asia, Northern Australia, West Africa, and tropical Americas. Meanwhile, habitat protection should be enhanced in Southeast and South Asia, Northern Australia, and West Africa. Under future climate change, suitable habitats near the equator are expected to shift toward higher latitudes and some in lower‐latitude basins may become unsuitable due to excessive heat, resulting in decreased taxa richness in these areas. Additionally, suitable habitats in high mountain areas may shift to higher altitudes, potentially augmenting taxa richness in the highlands. Our findings provide vital insights to guide future rescue conservation efforts for RWR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes content questions in Sm'algyax (or Coast Tsimshian, Maritime Tsimshianic) based on novel fieldwork. I outline the complex morphosyntactic reflexes of movement, or "extraction," including wh -movement, relativization, and focus. Despite behaving rigidly ergative in terms of number and person agreement, Sm'algyax exhibits a three-way distinction when extracting core arguments of the predicate: the extraction of an intransitive subject, a transitive subject, and a direct object are all marked uniquely. Extraction therefore reveals an underlying structural distinction between intransitive subjects and transitive objects that is not otherwise apparent in their in situ positions. We observe similar phenomena in the extraction of oblique arguments: a number of extraction configurations mark different types of adjunct and non-core argument extraction that are often marked identically in situ. Moving beyond local movement, I show that long-distance movement is possible and exhibits the same morphosyntactic marking found in local movement in each intermediate clause. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research note unveils a pivotal, yet underexplored, aspect of festival attendance: the impact of visiting friends and relatives (VFR) travel. Employing data from a 2019 attendee survey at the Taste of Little Italy Festival, Toronto, it reveals that 23.3% of respondents were engaged in VFR travel, exhibiting higher spending, yet often providing lower evaluations of their festival experience. The nuanced relationship between VFR travel, spending patterns, and festival experience opens a new avenue for exploration for festival researchers and practitioners. This note aims to encourage festival researchers and practitioners to consider the implications of VFR. A more comprehensive understanding of this topic could reveal strategies to engage this stable demand source, influencing not only event management strategies but also enhancing cultural engagement and community attachment. The note underscores the opportunity for festivals to engage residents and their visitors to optimize both economic and experiential outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the Second World War, the Hungarian state treated Jews as secondrank citizens, marginalized them socially and economically, confiscated all their property, and eventually handed them over to a foreign power to be killed. After the Holocaust, the remaining and returning Jews of Cluj faced serious difficulties. The survivors returning from deportation and labor service not only had to deal with the trauma of war, but also had to face the loss of family members and relatives, confiscation of their homes, and the closure of their institutions. Under these circumstances, the survivors’ primary goal was to rebuild their community and create a new livelihood, but they faced many legal and administrative obstacles in their efforts. In this study, we will trace the process of reorganization of the Jewish community in Cluj after the Holocaust, briefly discussing the problem of recovering confiscated property. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. There are complex and interrelated factors that lead to inequitable healthcare delivery in Canada. Many of the factors that underlie these inequities for Canada's geographically dispersed Indigenous peoples remain underexamined. Methods. A cohort of 831 First Nations (FN) individuals from urban and remote communities were recruited into a longitudinal study of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) risk from 2005 to 2017. Data from each participant's initial enrollment visit were assessed using a survey that captured concerns with healthcare access. Results. We found that remote participants with RA reported poor access compared to remote first-degree relatives (FDRs; P < 0.001); this difference was not observed for urban participants with RA. We observed substantial differences based on sex; female participants perceived access to care to be more difficult than male participants in both urban and remote cohorts (P < 0.001). We also observed that male participants with RA reported poor access to care compared to male FDRs. Importantly, access to care in remote communities appeared to improve over the duration of the study (P = 0.01). In a logistic regression analysis, female sex, remote location, and older age were independent predictors of poor access to care. Predictors of poor access in participants with RA also included female sex, remote location, and older age. Conclusion. FN peoples living in remote communities, particularly those with an established RA diagnosis, report more problems accessing health care. Sex-based inequities exist, with FN female individuals reporting greater difficulties in accessing appropriate health care, regardless of RA diagnosis. Addressing these sex-based inequities should be a high priority for improving healthcare delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Hypoglycemia constitutes a communication barrier between youth with type 1 diabetes, their family members and health professionals. A narrative tool may contribute to a more effective communication. Methods: Semi-structured interviews with six open-ended questions using narrative techniques collect and analyze (thematic and comparative analysis) different ways of "naming" the lived experience of hypoglycemia. Results: 103 participants, 40 with type 1 Diabetes aged 10–18 years (17 female), 63 relatives (40 female). Group 1 (G1), 10–14 years old (n = 21), Group 2 (G2), 15–18 years old (n = 19), Group 3 (G3) relatives, 30–59 years old. G3 was divided, G3.1: female (n = 42) and G3.2: male (n = 21). G1 and G2 presents greater attention to symptoms. G1 refers a greater need for help, G2 emphasizes autonomy. G2 and G3 describes better the medical protocol. G1 and G2 refer more topics such as "discomfort", "frustration", "obligation", "difficulty in verbalizing", G3 refers to "gilt", "fear" and "responsibility". G3.1 refer more "symptoms", "responsibility", "fault", "incapacity". Conclusions: A narrative tool enhances the singularity of a common experience, proving itself useful to adolescents, relatives, and healthcare professionals. Practice implications: In addition to gathering information that is usually acquired empirically, a narrative tool exposes knowledge gaps and may allow implementing intervention strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many of us at some point in our lives will likely be involved in providing care to an older family member who is sick. However, few of us anticipate or plan for it. As the boomer generation ages, the number of caregivers in the United States grows. Almost all aspects of caregiving have financial implications and strain. You have an opportunity to help clients plan ahead, particularly with clients who live long distances from their older relatives or friends and may not consider caregiver-related expenses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relatives of individuals with bipolar disorder (BD) are at higher risk of developing the disorder. Identifying brain alterations associated with familial vulnerability in BD can help discover endophenotypes, which are quantifiable biological traits more prevalent in unaffected relatives of BD (BD-RELs) than the general population. This review aimed at expanding our knowledge on endophenotypes of BD by providing an overview of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) alterations in BD-RELs. A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science was performed to identify all available rs-fMRI studies conducted in BD-RELs up to January 2024. A total of 18 studies were selected. Six included BD-RELs with no history of psychiatric disorders and 10 included BD-RELs that presented psychiatric disorders. Two investigations examined rs-fMRI alterations in BD-RELs with and without subthreshold symptoms for BD. BD-RELs presented rs-fMRI alterations in the cortico-limbic network, fronto-thalamic-striatal circuit, fronto-occipital network, and, to a lesser extent, in the default mode network. This was true both for BD-RELs with no history of psychopathology and for BD-RELs that presented psychiatric disorders. The direct comparison of rs-fMRI alterations in BD-RELs with and without psychiatric symptoms displayed largely non-overlapping patterns of rs-fMRI abnormalities. Small sample sizes and the clinical heterogeneity of BD-RELs limit the generalizability of our findings. The current literature suggests that first-degree BD-RELs exhibit rs-fMRI alterations in brain circuits involved in emotion regulation, cognition, reward processing, and psychosis susceptibility. Future studies are needed to validate these findings and to explore their potential as biomarkers for early detection and intervention. • Brain changes in BD-RELs are not affected by illness-related confounding factors. • This review summarizes resting-state fMRI changes in BD-RELs. • BD-RELs present alterations in cortical, limbic, striatal, and thalamic areas. • RELs of psychotic BD show fronto-occipital and fronto-thalamic-striatal changes. • Results are heterogeneous and need to be replicated in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of P -polynomial association schemes (distance-regular graphs) and Q -polynomial association schemes, and in particular P - and Q -polynomial association schemes, has been a central theme not only in the theory of association schemes but also in the whole study of algebraic combinatorics in general. Leonard's theorem (1982) says that the spherical functions (or the character tables) of P - and Q -polynomial association schemes are described by Askey-Wilson orthogonal polynomials or their relatives. These polynomials are one-variable orthogonal polynomials. It seems that the new attempt to define and study higher rank P - and Q -polynomial association schemes had been hoped for, but had gotten only limited success. The first very successful attempt was initiated recently by Bernard-Crampé-d'Andecy-Vinet-Zaimi, and then followed by Bannai-Kurihara-Zhao-Zhu. The general theory and some explicit examples of families of higher rank (multivariate) P - and/or Q -polynomial association schemes have been obtained there. The main purpose of the present paper is to prove that some important families of association schemes are shown to be bivariate Q -polynomial. Namely, we show that all the nonbinary Johnson association schemes and all the association schemes obtained from attenuated spaces are bivariate Q -polynomial. It should be noted that the parameter restrictions needed in the previous papers are completely lifted in this paper. Our proofs are done by explicitly calculating the Krein parameters of these association schemes. At the end, we mention some speculations and indications of what we can expect in the future study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering the impact of social determinants on the capacity and well-being of Ukrainian military personnel is critical in military conflicts. This study aims to investigate the influence of social and individual factors on the activity level, determination, and resilience of Ukrainian military personnel during wartime. A qualitative method was chosen to conduct the study. The study involved 130 military personnel who were divided into two groups: those in active combat zones (n = 50) and those in military hospitals for treatment and rehabilitation (n = 80). According to the study, individuals in active combat zones perceive life as a manifestation of the potential received at birth. It was also observed that military personnel receiving treatment and rehabilitation in a hospital understand “life” as a connection with loved ones and close acquaintances. According to the survey results, many respondents from both groups identified their relatives as the military’s primary vital connection during the war. The military’s understanding of “life” and their associations also play a role in determining their need for assistance. In both groups, it can be observed that social determinants, such as relatives and friends, significantly influence the activity of servicemen and women. Individual determinants, such as attitude towards life and the ability to perform under war conditions, are among the factors that impact the military. The study’s practical significance in developing the socio-humanitarian, educational, and cultural spheres is reflected in the formation of awareness of the military and their psycho-emotional conditions in military operations.

Abstract Background Parkinson’s disease (PD) significantly impacts the health-related quality of life of affected individuals and their relatives. In order to support the affected individuals and their families in coping with PD, it is essential to offer comprehensive information about their experiences. A comprehensive understanding of their lived experiences with the disease, the healthcare system, applied self-management strategies and their needs is considered crucial for developing a PD support program. Therefore, we aimed to explore the lived experiences and support needs of individuals with PD and their relatives in Germany. Methods This non-interventional, qualitative study conducted an explorative status quo and needs assessment. It generated knowledge through semi-structured focus groups and interviews with individuals with PD at various disease stages and their relatives. The interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using content analysis. Results Fifty-two individuals with PD and 29 relatives participated in eight focus groups and 13 paired and 13 individual interviews. Four themes with corresponding subthemes emerged: (1) experiences, revealing individuals’ experiences around their diagnosis and with disease-specific care provision; (2) management support offers, clarifying who provides support and the type of support offered; (3) self-management, including comprehensibility, meaningfulness and manageability; and (4) future needs, differentiating between deficits and needs. Most participants expressed a sense of abandonment when obtaining self-management strategies and mastering their lives with PD, often referred to as ‘life 2.0’. They identified the lack of structured and adequate provision of information, system orientation and social awareness. Conclusions In Germany, there is an urgent need for a comprehensive PD care program that addresses the needs of individuals with PD and their relatives from the start of their care trajectory. It could assist individuals in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the disease, obtaining self-management strategies, building a support network, and becoming experts in self-managing their disease. Moreover, it may positively influence their care trajectory and reduce burdens, such as overburdening, fear of progression, and health anxiety. Trial Registration German Clinical Studies Register ( https://www.drks.de/DRKS00030090 , No. DRKS00030090, Date of registration: 15.12.2022).

Abstract Aim Receiving a diagnosis of brain stem death poses significant challenges for families. While much research focuses on organ donation in the context of brain stem death, there is a notable dearth of studies examining the experiences of families themselves. The aim of this review is to explore the experiences of families facing brain stem death. Design Systematic review. Method A narrative synthesis was conducted, drawing on 11 studies that employed both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. The search encompassed four electronic databases: AHMED (Allied and Complementary Medicine), Emcare (1995-present), MEDLINE (Ovid), and APA PsycInfo (Ovid). Due to the limited research on this topic, no restrictions were placed on the publication dates. Results The synthesis revealed five main themes: The Unexpected Prognosis, Coming to Terms with Brain Stem Death—Grieving Process, Observing Brain Stem Death Testing, The Impact of Staff on Families’ Experience, and The Lasting Impact. Conclusion The review underscores the pervasive lack of understanding among families regarding the diagnosis and process of brain stem death, as well as the short- and long-term distress it can engender. There is a clear imperative to establish national or international protocols for brain stem death, ensuring more effective and consistent support for affected families.

Background Methods Results Conclusion In the field of prehospital emergency medicine, specialized emergency medical service (EMS) providers interact with acutely ill patients and their relatives. The influence of family presence during in‐hospital resuscitation is well described. However, no studies have previously assessed the influence of relatives' presence in the acute prehospital setting. The aim of this study was to investigate EMS providers' perspectives on relatives' impact on the acute prehospital treatment of adult patients.An online anonymous survey was distributed to all prehospital EMS providers in the Capital Region of Denmark. The survey included 25 research questions on a 5‐point Likert scale, investigating relatives' influence on treatment in three different domains: positive, negative, and resuscitation. A higher domain score indicates a high level of agreement or frequency.Two hundred forty‐six EMS providers completed the survey (84 ambulance technicians, 87 paramedics, and 75 physicians). There were no significant differences in the positive domain across professions (p = .175). Physicians had a statistically significant lower median score in the negative domain, compared with ambulance technicians and paramedics (2.50 vs. 2.63 and 2.63, p = .024). In the resuscitation domain, paramedics and physicians had a significant lower median score compared with ambulance technicians (3.00 and 3.00 vs. 3.14, p = .003).All professions were equally positive towards the relatives' presence and involvement in the acute prehospital setting. Physicians were less likely to be negatively influenced by the presence of relatives compared with ambulance technicians and paramedics. In all professions, increased experience led to improved comfort with handling relatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The life-long nature of adoption and recognition of the often-fragile nature of post-reunion relationships, means adoption agencies have a duty of care and moral onus to facilitate comprehensive support services that can be readily accessed. The Health and Social Care (HSC) Trust Post-Adoption Service was established in 1989, in response to the legislative changes brought about by The Adoption (Northern Ireland) Order 1987. This study employed retrospective file analysis and a purposive sample of 15 Case Files, drawn from a 10-year period (2009–2018), to explore reunifications between adopted adults and their birth relatives, from the time of initial involvement and over the longer term. The use of an Advisory Panel of professional experts, a Pilot Study and a specifically created Data Collection Form, enhanced overall rigour and robustness. Thematic analysis of the data identified common themes of curiosity; identity related; meeting the birth mother; and death of adoptive parents/loss; leading to meta-themes of identity and loss. Key findings include the diversity amongst service users accessing the service in terms of their gender, age and life stage; their motivations; the time-restricted nature of current involvement; protracted timescales from initial contact to search is not uncommon; that post-reunion social work involvement saw a marked drop from pre-contact levels, particularly for birth relatives. The study makes a compelling case for a well-resourced service that offers additional pre- and post-reunion support and argues for a more proactive professional approach, with further expansion of existing support provision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]