Sibling relationships in adults who have siblings with or without intellectual disabilities

There is relatively little research on the relationships between adults with intellectual disability and their siblings, despite the potential importance of these relationships for either individual's psychological well-being and future care roles that might be adopted by adult siblings. In the present study, sibling relationships of adults with adult siblings with (N = 63) and without (N = 123) intellectual disability were explored. Contact, warmth, conflict, and rivalry were measured using questionnaires available as an on-line survey. Expressed emotion was measured using the Five Minute Speech Sample over the telephone to establish an independently coded measure of criticism from the participant towards their sibling. Overall, there were few group differences in contact and sibling relationship. There was less telephone contact in the intellectual disability group, and less reported warmth in the relationship with siblings with intellectual disability although this was mainly associated with severe/profound intellectual disability. Exploratory analyses were conducted of the correlates of sibling relationships in both the intellectual disability and control groups. These analyses revealed a small number of different associations especially for conflict, which was lower when either the participant or sibling was younger in the control group but associated with relative age in the intellectual disability group.     

Contribution of income to self‐management and health outcomes in pediatric type 1 diabetes

Low income has been established as a risk factor for poorer outcomes in youth with type 1 diabetes; however, the effect of moderate income has not been studied. The purpose of this secondary analysis of baseline data from a multi‐site study was to compare glycemic control, self‐management, and psychosocial outcomes [depression, stress, and quality of life (QOL)] at different income levels in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Youth (n = 320, mean age = 12.3 + 1.1, 55% female, 64% white, mean A1C = 8.3 ± 1.4) completed established self‐management and psychosocial measures. A1C levels were collected from medical records. Caregivers reported annual family income, categorized as high (>$80K), moderate ($40–80K), or low (<$40K). Youth from high‐income families had significantly lower A1C (mean = 7.9 ± 1.2) than those from the moderate‐income group (8.6 ± 1.7, p < 0.001) or the low‐income group (mean A1C = 8.6 ± 1.5, p = 0.003). Youth from the high‐income group reported significantly better diabetes problem solving and more self‐management goals than those from the moderate‐ or low‐income groups (both p < 0.01). Youth from the high‐income group also reported significantly fewer symptoms of depression, lower levels of perceived stress, and better QOL than those in the moderate or low‐income groups (all p < 0.05). Multivariate linear regression models were used to test psychological and behavioral predictors of A1C and QOL. Parents' education status (p < 0.05) and self‐management activities (p < 0.01) were significant predictors of hemoglobin A1c, while income (p < 0.01) and self‐management activities (p < 0.05) were significant predictors of QOL.     

How important is it to investigate the whole of the colon after initial assessment at a rapid access colorectal clinic?

Background  

The Stirling Royal Infirmary Rapid Access Colorectal Clinic (RACC) is a one-stop clinic that uses flexible sigmoidoscopy as the initial investigation to diagnose patients referred urgently with colorectal symptoms. This study aimed to examine the diagnoses and outcomes of patients who attended the RACC in 2006.     

Onset and duration of action of benzodiazepines as determined by inhibition of (3H)-flunitrazepam binding

The present study examine ex vivo percent inhibition of (3H)-flunitrazepam ((3H)-FNZ) binding to brain tissue homogenates obtained from rats or mice at various time intervals after intravenous administration of benzodiazepines. The peak effect of benzodiazepines was observed within 1–10 min, and their intensity and duration of action could be increased by raising the dose administered. The benzodiazepines were found to differ with respect to onset of peak effect, duration of maximum effect, total length of action, and brain half-life. The ex vivo determination of (3H)-FNZ binding is thought measure benzodiazepine-like activity produced by the parent compound and its active metabolites.