The Mitochondrial Connection: The Nek Kinases' New Functional Axis in Mitochondrial Homeostasis.

Mitochondria provide energy for all cellular processes, including reactions associated with cell cycle progression, DNA damage repair, and cilia formation. Moreover, mitochondria participate in cell fate decisions between death and survival. Nek family members have already been implicated in DNA damage response, cilia formation, cell death, and cell cycle control. Here, we discuss the role of several Nek family members, namely Nek1, Nek4, Nek5, Nek6, and Nek10, which are not exclusively dedicated to cell cycle-related functions, in controlling mitochondrial functions. Specifically, we review the function of these Neks in mitochondrial respiration and dynamics, mtDNA maintenance, stress response, and cell death. Finally, we discuss the interplay of other cell cycle kinases in mitochondrial function and vice versa. Nek1, Nek5, and Nek6 are connected to the stress response, including ROS control, mtDNA repair, autophagy, and apoptosis. Nek4, in turn, seems to be related to mitochondrial dynamics, while Nek10 is involved with mitochondrial metabolism. Here, we propose that the participation of Neks in mitochondrial roles is a new functional axis for the Nek family.

The Mediating Role of Family Functions Between Pregnancy-Related Anxiety and Sleep Quality: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Objective: To examine the relationship between pregnancy-related anxiety, family functions, and sleep quality, and to determine whether family functions mediate the relationship between pregnancy-related anxiety and sleep quality. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on pregnant women between April to August in 2022 in the obstetrics outpatient clinic of a tertiary care hospital in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region of China. A total of 1014 pregnant women aged 18 years and older were surveyed. They completed questionnaires, including: general demographic characteristics, the Pregnancy-related anxiety scale (PAQ), the Family Adaptation, Partnership, Growth, Affection, and Resolve (APGAR), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Questionnaire (PSQI). Model 4 in PROCESS was used to analyze the relationships among pregnancy-related anxiety, family functions, and sleep quality, with family functions as a mediator. Results: Among the 1014 pregnant women, the pregnancy-related anxiety scale score was (21.84 ± 5.64). The total score of the family functions scale was (8.10±2.26), and the overall sleep quality scale score was (7.89±2.99). When participants were grouped according to different socio-demographic characteristics, the study showed that all variables differed from anxiety, family functions or sleep quality, except for age, pre-pregnancy BMI and whether or not they had a first birth, which was not associated with anxiety, family functions, or sleep quality (P<0.05). The pregnancy-related anxiety was positively associated with sleep quality (P<0.01), while family functions were negatively associated with sleep quality (P<0.01). In addition, family functions mediate the relationship between pregnancy-related anxiety and sleep quality during pregnancy, on the first and second trimesters, intermediation rate is 9.31% (P<0.05), and on the third trimesters, intermediation rate is 21.38% (P<0.05). Conclusion: Pregnancy- related anxiety is a risk factor for sleep quality, however, family functions are protective factors for sleep quality. Family functions play an intermediary role in sleep quality caused by pregnancy-related anxiety, especially on the third trimesters. This finding may provide a scientific basis for developing intervention strategies to improve the sleep quality of pregnant women.

Should pediatric cardiologists refer all patients with unexplained chest pain to a psychiatrist?

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between unexplained chest pain in children with parents' mental problems, parental attitudes, family functionality, and the child's mental problems. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A total of 433 children (between 11 and 18 years of age) applied to the Pediatric Cardiology Outpatient Clinic due to chest pain in the last year. A clinical interview was conducted by a child psychiatrist with 43 patients and 33 controls included in the study due to unexplained chest pain. RESULTS: Family history of physical illness was significantly higher in the chest pain group. When evaluated in terms of psychosocial risk factors, life events causing difficulties, derangement in the family, loss of a close person, and exposure to violence were statistically significantly higher in the group with chest pain. Mental disorders were observed in 67.4% of the children in the chest pain group as a result of the clinical interview. The total score of the DSM-5 somatic symptoms scale, which evaluates other somatic complaints in the chest pain group, was also significantly higher. When the family functions of both groups were evaluated, communication, emotional response, behaviour control, and general functions sub-dimensions were statistically significantly higher in families in the chest pain group. CONCLUSION: We recommend that psychiatric evaluation be included in diagnostic research to prevent unnecessary medical diagnostic procedures in children describing unexplained chest pain, as well as to prevent the potential for diagnosing mental disorders in both children and adults.

Effects of physical and mental health factors and family function on the self-perception of aging in the elderly of Chinese community.

BACKGROUND: To examine the effects of physical and mental health factors and family functioning on the self-perception of ageing in elderly people. METHODS: A random cluster sampling method was used to select elderly people aged over 60 from three communities in Handan City. Subjects were evaluated via face-to-face interviews using the Chinese version of the Ageing Perception Questionnaire, the Family Function Scale, the SF-36 Short-Form Health Survey, and a self-compiled general questionnaire. A single factor and stepwise multiple regression analysis were evaluated using SPSS 17.0 software. RESULTS: Among the 1815 elderly people surveyed, the total negative dimension score was 91.67 ± 16.58 with an index of 73.34%, which is higher than the positive dimension score (6.01 ± 0.52, 60.10%). Elderly people with varying degrees of family dysfunction accounted for 11.63%, and the score for self-perceived ageing in elderly participants with good family function was 95.74 ± 12.63. The proportions with poor physical and mental health factors were 45.40% and 28.10%, respectively, and the scores for ageing self-perception in elderly participants with good or moderate mental health were 89.11 ± 12.65 and 86.22 ± 12.58, respectively. A stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that age, presence of a spouse, and family function were positive protective factors for ageing self-perception, while physical health factors were risk factors for the positive dimension of self-perceived ageing. Age and family function were risk factors for the negative dimension of ageing self-perception, while physical and mental health factors were protective factors for the negative dimension of self-perceived ageing. CONCLUSIONS: Younger elderly and elderly people with good family function have positive self-perceptions of ageing, while elderly participants with poor physical and mental health have a negative perception of ageing.

Improving the care stress, life quality, and family functions for family-caregiver in long-term care by home modification.

This study examined whether interventions through barrier-free home environment improvements could reduce family caregivers' care stress, improve their family functions, and increase their quality of life. This study recruited family caregivers of older people with disabilities from a long-term care management center in central Taiwan. These older people required improvements related to a barrier-free home environment. A pretest was conducted before and a post-test was conducted 2 months after the improvements. The content of the pretest and the post-test questionnaires included: demographic characteristics, Caregiver stress scale, Family functions scale, World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) Questionnaire. This study recruited 72 family caregivers; the average age was 56.25 ± 12.99 years. The results indicated that interventions through barrier-free home environment improvements could significantly reduce the family caregivers' care stress, improve their family functions (e.g., reducing conflicts), and enhance their quality of life. Additionally, after intervention, the family cohesion of family caregivers caring for those with mild disability improved to a greater extent than did that of those caring for people with other disease severities. This study revealed that interventions involving barrier-free home environment improvements have positive effects on family caregivers.

Parental Role Changes in Romanian Transnational Families: Consequences of Migration.

Even if there are consistent studies on the issue of transnational families, research is still needed to address the parental role changes in these families. The aim of this article was to identify the main changes in the parental roles of Romanian transnational families as a result of the parents' labor migration. We used interviewing as the research method and directed content analysis to analyze the data. Purposive sampling was conducted in order to identify the interviewees. The results captured important role changes regarding the income provider role of the parent, but especially the role of emotional support provider that the parent should take on for the children. These findings highlight the need to develop specific measures to address the possible negative effects that affect these transnational families.

The relationship between family function and personality traits with general self-efficacy (parallel samples studies).

BACKGROUND: General Self-efficacy is a key variable in clinical, educational, social, developmental, health and personality psychology that can affect the outcomes of people's lives. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between family functions and personality traits with general self-efficacy among university students and the general population. METHODS: To conduct this two-part study, the first part was carried out on a sample of 500 students, and in the second part the study was repeated on a larger sample consisting of 1000 participants from the general population data were collected from the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE), Family Assessment Device (FAD), and the Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO PI-R). The analysis was performed using Pearson's correlation coefficient, Fisher's z test and regression analysis. RESULTS: The results of the present study revealed that all the subscales of family functions and all personality traits are significantly related to general self-efficacy among university students and general population (p < 0.001). But in the general population, there was no significant correlation between openness to experience with general self-efficacy) (p > 0.05). Furthermore, the results of regression analysis showed subscales of family functions and all personality traits together can predict 27 and 35% of the variance in general self-efficacy among university students and the general population, respectively. CONCLUSION: Personality traits play a role in predicting general self-efficacy, but the personality trait of conscientiousness plays a greater role than other personality traits and also compared to family functioning, personality traits play a greater role in predicting general self-efficacy.

Profiles and sociodemographic correlates of Internet addiction in early adolescents in southern China.

Adolescent Internet addiction is currently one of the most common and serious publicly social problems. Understanding Internet addiction in early adolescents has become particularly important for early detection and intervention. This study examines profiles of Internet addiction among Chinese early adolescents and explores both the personal and familial correlates of Internet addiction based on a large random sample. A total of 2059 Chinese seventh-grade students were invited to complete the questionnaire, which included sociodemographic factors, family functions, and Internet addiction. The results reveal that 15.3% of the participating Chinese early adolescents were defined by Young (1998) criteria as expressing Internet addiction, in which boys were more likely to express Internet addiction than girls. Students with poor academic achievements were also more likely to fall into this addiction. Adolescents who did not live with their parents and who experienced more family conflicts and less family communication were more likely to report Internet addiction. These findings suggest that focusing on boys and academic under-performers as well as improving family environments can help early adolescents reduce their propensity to become addicted to the Internet.

The Prevalence and Socio-Demographic Correlates of Depressive Symptoms in Early Adolescents in China: Differences in Only Child and Non-Only Child Groups.

This study explores the prevalence and socio-demographic correlates of depressive symptoms in early adolescents in China, as well as the differences between an only child and non-only child group. A total of 2059 seventh-grade Chinese students were invited to complete a questionnaire, which included questions concerning socio-demographic factors, family function, and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). The results revealed the following things. (1) thirty-four point seven percent of the participating Chinese early adolescents display symptoms of depression according to Radloff's criteria. Differences are significant across the four dimensions (i.e., positive affect, negative affect, somatic symptoms and retarded activity, and interpersonal difficulties), as well as across total scores between only children and children with sibling(s). (2) Academic achievement, having sibling(s) or not, migration, and family function can significantly predict depressive symptoms. (3) Two significant interactions were found, which were between sibling(s) and gender as well as sibling(s) and family function. Girls from the non-only child group and adolescents from the only child group with poor family function were more likely to have depressive symptoms. These findings suggest that a greater focus should be placed on girls from non-only child families, academic under-performers, migrants, and adolescents from poor family environments, and especially only children, to prevent or reduce the propensity for depressive symptoms.

The effect of education on the family function of breast reconstruction after breast cancer / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective To evaluate the effect of education on the family function of breast reconstruction after breast cancer. Methods Totally 130 cases of breast reconstruction after breast cancer were selected from January 2015 to August 2017, and 65 cases were divided into observation group and control group by random number table method. The control group received routine education; The observation group and the spouse received synchronous education. In the preoperative and postoperative 3 months, 6 months after the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) to assess patients sexual function, the Family Intimacy and Adaptability Scale to assess the patient's family intimacy and adaptability, comparing the indicators of two groups of patients. Results After 6 months of operation, the two groups were compared, and the intervention group was (24.82 ± 3.75) points, and the control group was (22.32±4.75), with statistically significant difference(t=- 3.35, P < 0.05). Comparison of familial closeness and adaptability score of the two groups, the intervention group was (76.80 ± 8.14) points, (59.98 ± 3.56) points; The control group was (68.48 ± 11.46) points, (52.27 ± 9.49) points,with statistically significant difference(t=-4.81,-6.18, P<0.05). Conclusion The simultaneous education can improve the sexual function and familial intimacy and adaptability of breast reconstruction after breast cancer.

Composições familiares e filiação na contemporaneidade / Family compositions and filiation in contemporary times / Composiciones familiares y filiación en la contemporaneidad / Les compositions familiales et la filiation dans la contemporanéité

Neste artigo, reflete-se sobre a família contemporânea e suas caraterísticas. Os modelos culturais e sociais funcionam como marco para a mudança nos relacionamentos familiares no século XXI - nos vínculos e nas funções familiares. Coloca-se o foco na filiação como um processo de apropriação do lugar filial. Estabelece-se uma diferenciação, em quatro categorias, dentro da função filial, e usa-se o caso Mariana Zaffaroni para ilustrar essas categorias.

The article points out the contemporary family and its characteristics. Cultural and social models function as the background for the changes in the relationships within the 21st century family - in the bonds and functions of the family. The article focuses on filiation as a process of taking the filial place, and establishes four different categories within the offspring function. The author uses the Mariana Zaffaroni's case in order to illustrate these categories.

El artículo versa sobre la familia contemporánea y sus características. Los modelos culturales y sociales permanecen como marco de fondo para los cambios en las relaciones dentro de la familia del siglo XXI - en los vínculos y las funciones familiares. Se centra en el concepto de filiación como un proceso de apropiación del lugar filial. Se establece una diferenciación, en cuatro categorías, dentro de la función filial, y se usa el caso Mariana Zaffaroni para ilustrar esas categorías.

L'article montre la famille contemporaine et ses caractéristiques. Les modèles culturels et sociaux fonctionnent comme un repère de fond pour les changements des rapports dans la famille du XXIe siècle - des liens et des fonctions familiaux. On met l'accent sur la filiation, comme un processus d'appropriation de la place filial. On établit une différentiation composée par quatre catégories, dans la fonction filiale, et on utilise le cas Mariana Zaffaroni pour illustrer les catégories.

The Assessment of Family Functions, Dyadic Adjustment, and Parental Attitude in Adolescents with Substance Use Disorder.

INTRODUCTION: Family structure and family attitudes have been reported to be important factors in the development of substance use disorders. In this study, we aimed to assess the relationship between substance use and family functions, parental attitude, and parental dyadic adjustment of adolescents with substance use disorder. METHODS: The study was conducted on 50 patients, comprising 9 female and 41 male adolescents between the ages of 14 and 18 years, treated at Bakirköy Mental Health Hospital, Substance Abuse Research, Treatment and Education Center for Children Adolescents (ÇEMATEM), Turkey, with the diagnosis of substance use disorder according to DSM-5 and their parents and a control group comprising 50 healthy adolescents without any psychopathology or substance use disorder and their parents. The study was designed as a matched case-control study for age and gender. Sociodemographic Data Form (SDF), Parental Attitude Scale (PAS), Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS), and Family Assessment Device (FAD) were applied to both groups. RESULTS: When the study and control groups were compared with regard to the PAS, the study group scores determined for "involvement-acceptance," "psychological autonomy," and "control-supervision" dimensions were significantly lower than the control group scores. Compared with the control group, dyadic adjustment was lower in terms of "dyadic cohesion," "dyadic consensus," and "affectional expression." Living with biological parents and the togetherness of parents were lower in the study group. "Problem solving," "communication," "roles," "affective responsiveness," "affective involvement," "behavior control," and "general functioning" dimension scores according to FAD were also significantly higher in the study group. CONCLUSION: Compared with togetherness of the controls, the dyadic adjustment of their parents was lower and family functions as perceived by the parents and adolescents were unhealthier in the adolescents using substances. These findings indicate that the family functions, dyadic adjustment, and parental attitude styles need to be assessed in the risk groups to determine familial risk factors and to structure protective measures. These assessments may guide clinicians and policy-makers toward good clinical practice and help build protective measures.

Significado de las funciones familiares en adolescentes italianos: nuevas fronteras entre paterno y materno / Meaning of the familiar functions in Italian adolescents: new borders between paternal and maternal

El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo explorar el significado que una muestra de adolescentes y adolescentes tardíos del sur de Italia atribuye a las funciones familiares, para analizar la relación entre la percepción de las transformaciones de las funciones paternas y maternas —en particular la carencia de roles normativos y de contención afectiva— y la agresividad como modalidad preferencial de gestión del conflicto. Se aplicó un diferencial semántico (DF, De Rosa, Parrello, & Sommantico, 2006) y un instrumento de agresividad, adaptado a población europea (AQ, Buss & Perry, 1992, 2003) a 259 sujetos, de edad comprendida entre los 17 y los 35 años, divididos en dos grupos, 139 de bachillerato y 120 de licenciatura. Los resultados del análisis del DF indicaron un perfil monofactorial, a diferencia del trifactorial obtenido por Osgood, Suci y Tannembaum (1957), mientras que en el AQ se encontraron diferencias significativas entre la media de la agresividad general (ξ=2,73) y factores del instrumento como agresividad verbal (ξ=3,29), la rabia (ξ=2,86) y hostilidad (ξ=2,86). Se concluye que las cualidades de tamaño y seguridad le son atribuidas específicamente a la madre, y que el nivel de agresividad verbal supera el índice de agresividad general.

The main objective of this study was to explore the meaning attributed to family functions by a sample of adolescents and late adolescents of the southern part of Italy. Accomplishing this objective permitted to understand the relationship between the perception of the transformations in both paternal and maternal functions –specifically the lack of normative roles and of affective containment- and aggressiveness as the most preferable manner to deal with conflict. A semantic differential (DF, De Rosa, Parrello and Sommantico, 2006) and an instrument for measuring aggressiveness, adapted for the European population (AQ Buss and Perry, 1992, 2003) was applied to 259 participants, ranging from 17 to 35 years old; participants were divided in two groups, 139 of them in high school and the other 120 in college. The results of the DF analysis indicated a monofactorial profile, different from the trifactorial profile obtained by Osgood, Suci, &Tannembaum (1957). In the AQ analysis, significant differences between the average of general aggressiveness (ξ = 2,73) and other factors evaluated by the aggressiveness instrument were found, such as verbal aggression (ξ =3,29), anger (ξ =2,86) and hostility (ξ=2,86). It is concluded that the qualities of size and security could be attributed specifically to the mother, and that the level of verbal aggression goes beyond any other index of general aggression.