Constructing robust selves after brain injury: positive identity work among members of a female self-help group

Despite common experiences of identity damage, decline, and deterioration, many brain injury survivors succeed in reconstructing robust identities in the wake of injury. Yet, while this accomplishment greatly benefits survivors’ quality of life, little is known about how positive identity work might be facilitated or enhanced in therapeutic institutions. Drawing on data from a women’s self-help group, we argue that an egalitarian, reflective, strength-focused, and gender-segregated environment can provide female ABI (acquired brain injury) survivors with a fertile scene for identity enhancement and offer unique opportunities for collective identity development. Sociolinguistic interactional analysis revealed four types of positive identity work undertaken within the group: constructing competent selves; tempering the threat of loss and impairment; resisting infantilisation and delegitimisation; and asserting a collective gender identity. This identity work was facilitated by specific programme attributes and activities and contributed to the global project of decentring disability and destigmatising impairments and losses. We call for increased attention to identity issues in brain injury rehabilitation and argue that gender-segregated programming can provide a unique space for female survivors to construct empowering individual and collective identities after injury.     

Recent advances in preclinical in vitro approaches towards quantitative prediction of hepatic clearance and drug-drug interactions involving organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP) 1B transporters

Hepatic uptake mediated by organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP) 1B1 and 1B3 can serve as a major elimination pathway for various anionic drugs and as a site of drug-drug interactions (DDIs). This article provides an overview of the in vitro approaches used to predict human hepatic clearance (CL_h) and the risk of DDIs involving OATP1Bs. On the basis of the so-called extended clearance concept, in vitro–in vivo extrapolation methods using human hepatocytes as in vitro systems have been used to predict the CL_h involving OATP1B-mediated hepatic uptake. CL_h can be quantitatively predicted using human donor lots possessing adequate OATP1B activities. The contribution of OATP1Bs to hepatic uptake can be estimated by the relative activity factor, the relative expression factor, or selective inhibitor approaches, which offer generally consistent outcomes. In OATP1B1 inhibition assays, substantial substrate dependency was observed. The time-dependent inhibition of OATP1B1 was also noted and may be a mechanism underlying the in vitro–in vivo differences in the inhibition constant of cyclosporine A. Although it is still challenging to quantitatively predict CL_h and DDIs involving OATP1Bs from only preclinical data, understanding the utility and limitation of the current in vitro methods will pave the way for better prediction.     

Self-reported outcomes of a randomized trial comparing three community health worker interventions for diabetes prevention among Cambodian Americans with depression

ObjectiveCambodian Americans have complex, interrelated and persistent medical and mental health problems stemming from genocide and the social determinants of health. We examined changes in multiple domains of self-reported health outcomes from a diabetes prevention trial. Methods: Cambodian Americans with depression and high risk for diabetes (n = 188) were randomized to one of three community health worker interventions: lifestyle vs lifestyle plus medication therapy management vs social services. Assessments were at baseline, 12- and 15-months. Results: The typical participant was 55 years old, female, earned below $20,000 annually, and had 7 years of education. About one-third were taking antidepressant medication and over half had elevated depressive symptoms. Relative to social services, lifestyle and lifestyle plus medication therapy management were both similarly effective at increasing diabetes knowledge, nutrition habits, sleep quality and decreasing pain; 2) lifestyle alone was superior to social services for self-reported health; and, 3) all three groups showed improved anxiety and insomnia. There were no effects on physical activity or physical functioning. Conclusion: Community health worker interventions have multiple benefits beyond delaying diabetes. Practice Implications: Health promotion programs that are designed and delivered appropriately can impact even hard to reach and hard to treat groups.     

Self‐objectification in the context of breastfeeding: A concept analysis

To increase the overall rate of breastfeeding initiation and duration, factors involved in a mother's decision to breastfeed must be identified. Self‐objectification in the context of breastfeeding was a concept selected for exploring factors associated with negative views of breastfeeding. A concept analysis following the eight‐step Walker & Avant method provides clarity and context to the concept of self‐objectification in the context of breastfeeding. The antecedents of self‐objectification in the context of breastfeeding include living in a culture of sexualization and objectification of women and the internalization of the values of objectification. Attributes of self‐objectification in the context of breastfeeding are a prioritization of physical appearance attributes of the breast over the health benefits of breastfeeding and a preoccupation with physical appearance. Consequences include negative views toward breastfeeding initiation, duration, and public breastfeeding. A concept analysis on self‐objectification in the context of breastfeeding will provide definition and clarity to this phenomenon, lend to theory and measurement, and add literature to the sociocultural factors impacting breastfeeding decisions.     

快速康复内窥镜椎间盘切除术治疗腰椎间盘突出症的临床观察

目的:探讨快速康复外科理念联合内窥镜椎间盘切除术治疗腰椎间盘突出症的疗效。方法:选取2018年4月—2019年4月本院收治的86例腰椎间盘突出症患者,随机分为两组,每组43例,对照组通过内窥镜椎间盘切除术治疗,观察组予以快速康复外科理念联合内窥镜椎间盘切除术治疗,对比两组疗效和并发症发生情况。结果:观察组并发症发生率(4.65%)较对照组(18.60%)低,差异有统计学意义(P 0.05);观察组下床活动时间、住院时间较对照组短,术后7天的疼痛评分较对照组低,差异有统计学意义(P 0.05);术后3个月,观察组的Oswestry功能障碍指数问卷表评分较对照组低,日本骨科协会评估治疗分数较对照组高,差异有统计学意义(P 0.05)。结论:探讨快速康复外科理念联合内窥镜椎间盘切除术治疗腰椎间盘突出症可减少并发症,缩短术后恢复时间,进而促进患者功能有效康复。     

循经冥想训练干预大学生抑郁情绪的效果分析

背景　现有研究表明，抑郁是影响大学生心理健康的重要原因之一。因此，有必要采取有效的方法干预大学生抑郁情绪。目的　探究循经冥想训练干预大学生抑郁情绪的效果。方法　2018年4月，在以循经冥想课题组的名义招募的某大学本科生中，发放抑郁自评量表（SDS），筛选出自愿接受循经冥想训练的60人。根据受试者性别比例，采用随机数字表法随机分为循冥组和静息组。其中循冥组30人进行4周循经冥想训练，在开始循经冥想训练前和循经冥想训练结束后填写SDS并进行E-prime情绪图片评价任务。静息组30人进行静息训练，其余与循经冥想组相同。比较两组前测、后测及前后测差值有无差异。结果　两组前测积极、中性、消极情绪图片评分比较，差异均无统计学意义（P>0.05）；两组后测积极、中性、消极情绪图片评分比较，差异均无统计学意义（P>0.05）；两组积极、中性、消极情绪图片评分前测与后测差值比较，差异均无统计学意义（P>0.05）。静息组前测与后测积极、中性、消极情绪图片评分比较，差异均无统计学意义（P>0.05）。循冥组后测积极情绪图片评分低于前测、消极情绪图片评分高于前测（P<0.05）。两组前测SDS评分比较，差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。循冥组后测SDS评分低于静息组，SDS评分前测与后测差值高于静息组（P<0.05）。循冥组和静息组后测SDS评分均低于前测（P<0.05）。结论　循经冥想能降低大学生抑郁水平，可能是由于其能够改变人的情绪认知评价和睡眠质量，使人变得平和。     

Balance and gait improved in patients with MS after physiotherapy based on the Bobath concept

Background and Purpose . Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) tend to have movement difficulties, and the effect of physiotherapy for this group of patients has been subjected to limited systematic research. In the present study physiotherapy based on the Bobath concept, applied to MS patients with balance and gait problems, was evaluated. The ability of different functional tests to demonstrate change was evaluated. Method . A single‐subject experimental study design with ABAA phases was used, and two patients with relapsing–remitting MS in stable phase were treated. Tests were performed 12 times, three at each phase: A (at baseline); B (during treatment); A (immediately after treatment); and A (after two months). The key feature of treatment was facilitation of postural activity and selective control of movement. Several performance and self‐report measures and interviews were used. Results . After intervention, improved balance was shown by the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) in both patients, and improved quality of gait was indicated by the Rivermead Visual Gait Assessment (RVGA). The patients also reported improved balance and gait function in the interviews and scored their condition as ‘much improved’. Gait parameters, recorded by an electronic walkway, changed, but differently in the two patients. Among the physical performance tests the BBS and the RVGA demonstrated the highest change, while no or minimal change was demonstrated by the Rivermead Mobility Index (RMI) and Ratings of Perceived Exertion (RPE). Conclusion . The findings indicate that balance and gait can be improved after physiotherapy based on the Bobath concept, but this should be further evaluated in larger controlled trials of patients with MS. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Kindergarten children's representation and understanding of written number symbols

Two samples of kindergarten children's representation and understanding of written number symbols were examined in two time points in one academic year. About 85% of Chinese five year olds (mean = 5 years 10 months) were able to use conventional number symbols to represent the quantity of 30 or larger. At the end of the kindergarten year, 94% of Chinese six year olds (mean = 6 years 4 months) were able to use conventional number symbols to represent the quantity of 100 or larger. Some Chinese six year olds had problems in representing written addition and subtraction tasks. Children's ability to represent written number symbols, ability to represent written addition and subtraction formula and their performance on written addition and subtraction were closely related. The performance of children in a university-affiliated childcare center was better than that of the center serving working-class families in Time 1, but the performance reversed at the end of the kindergarten year.