Gratitude Predicts Meaning in Life in Family Caregivers of Persons with Alzheimer's Disease.

Gratitude is a well-known and researched internal positive psychological resource. Empirical data, however, on the association between gratitude, meaning in life, and burden in family caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease is scant. The aims of this study were to (1) investigate the relationships among these variables in a sample of family caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's; and (2) determine if gratitude mediates the effects of perceived burden on meaning in life in this population. One-hundred and twenty-six adult family caregivers, most of whom were an intimate partner or adult child of a person with Alzheimer's, completed the Gratitude Questionnaire-Six Item, the Meaning in Life Questionnaire, the Zarit Burden Inventory, and other relevant measures. A series of OLS regression models, guided by the caregiver stress process model, were conducted. These analyses demonstrated that gratitude was a predictor of the presence of meaning in life among the caregivers in this study even when other key variables were considered. Furthermore, analyses revealed that gratitude fully mediated the effects of caregiver burden on the presence of meaning in life in this sample. Thus, clinicians should consider gratitude as an important internal resource for cultivating meaning in life in this population, especially when caregiver burden is present. Gratitude-bolstering clinical interventions should be further developed and tested as both stand-alone and complimentary additions to empirically supported psychoeducational approaches for supporting health and well-being in this population.

Hope Mediates Stress to Reduce Burden in Family Caregivers of Persons with Alzheimer's Disease.

The experience of burden among family caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia may be deleterious for their health and well-being. Little is known, however, about the degree to which internal positive psychological resources, such as hope, influence burden perceptions in this population. The current study is novel in that it examined how multiple dimensions of hope, hope-agency and hope-pathway, influenced burden in a sample of one-hundred and fifty-five family caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease. The stress process model was used as the theoretical framework for variable specification in this study. Hope was conceptualized using Snyder and colleagues' hope theory. Supporting our first hypothesis, we found that burden was negatively associated with hope-agency, r = -0.33, p < 0.001 and hope-pathway, r = -0.24, p < 0.01. Multiple regression was used to determine if hope-agency and hope-pathway independently contributed to burden. Analysis revealed that hope-agency but not hope-pathway influenced burden when other key variables were taken into consideration. Findings from mediation analysis affirmed that hope-agency had a small but significant mediation effect between stress and burden in this sample. This study provides evidence for the relevance of assessing multiple dimensions of hope when working with caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's. Although replication studies are warranted, the current study confirms a need for further development and refinement of hope-bolstering behavioral interventions which may mediate stress and burden in this population. These interventions should be systematically assessed for efficacy and effectiveness via implementation studies in real-world settings.

Resilience mediates the effects of self-care activation and hope on medication adherence in heart failure patients.

Medication adherence is important to heart failure (HF) self-care. However, the rate of medication nonadherence is approximately 50%. Evidence suggests that self-care activation and hope may be internal motivators for medication adherence. Empirical data on the association between self-care activation, hope, and medication adherence among people with HF is sparse, and the mechanism by which these factors influence medication adherence is unclear. The findings of prior research studies suggest that resilience may help to explain the relationship between self-care activation, hope, and medication adherence. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate whether resilience mediated the effects of self-care activation and hope on medication adherence. A total of 174 adults with HF, between the ages of 19 and 92, completed the Patient Activation Measure, The Adult Hope Scale, the 14-item Resilience Scale, and the Domains of Subject Extent of Nonadherence Scale. Mediation analyses revealed that resilience fully mediated the effects of self-care activation and hope on medication adherence. Clinicians should consider the person related factors of self-care activation, hope, and resilience when promoting medication adherence in people with HF. Resilience may play an important role in improving medication adherence in HF patients. More research is needed to understand the connection between resilience, self-care activation, hope, and medication adherence.

Perinatal psychiatric practitioner consultation program delivers rapid response to OB/GYN practitioners.

INTRODUCTION: Screening and treatment initiation for perinatal psychiatric conditions is a recommended competency in OB/GYN practitioners, yet perinatal psychiatry is rapidly evolving. Practitioner-to-psychiatrist consultation programs have the potential to improve the management of psychiatric conditions in perinatal women. This study describes utilization of a statewide perinatal psychiatric consultation service by OB/GYN practitioners through examination of the volume, responsivity, content and outcomes of clinical inquiries, and satisfaction. METHODS: This quality improvement study describes the 460 telephone or e-mail consultations requested by OB/GYN practitioners over 2 years and housed within a REDCap database. Data include the characteristics of consult users, month-over-month and total utilization, the patient's perinatal status, the reason for contact, current symptoms and medications, and the consulting psychiatrist recommendations. Practitioner satisfaction with consultation is also described. RESULTS: After completion of triage, the psychiatrist returned the practitioner's call ≤5 min in 59% of consultations. The most common inquiries were for pregnant (64%) women for depressive (51%) or anxiety (46%) symptoms with 47% of inquiries reporting the patient was currently taking a psychiatric medication. Had consultation not been available, referral to mental health (41%) or starting a medication (15%) were most often reported. CONCLUSIONS: This perinatal psychiatric consultation service rapidly and effectively met the needs of practitioners practicing in OB/GYN settings across a state having a critical psychiatry shortage and varying urban and rural geography. Future recommendations include the assessment of direct patient outcomes, practitioner skill attainment, and long-term cost savings of this perinatal psychiatric consultation model.

The Impact of Resilience, Health Literacy, and Social Support on Medication Adherence and Self-care Among Adults With Heart Failure.

BACKGROUND: Personal and psychological factors, such as depression, have a considerable influence on nonadherence to medications and self-care in those with heart failure. More evidence is needed about positive personal factors that motivate adherence to medications and self-care in those with heart failure. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether there was a relationship between the personal resources of resilience, hope, health literacy, social support, and self-care activation and adherence to HF self-care and medications and whether race impacts adherence. METHODS: This study used a cross-sectional, correlational design. Stepwise regression was used to test whether resilience, hope, health literacy, self-care activation, and race significantly predicted medication adherence and self-care. A diverse sample was recruited for this study. RESULTS: Of the 174 participants, 51% were female, 51.7% were White, and the mean age was 62 years. After adjustment for differences in age and depressive symptoms, a predictive relationship remained between resilience, health literacy, and medication adherence. Hope, activation, and race were not selected in the final regression model. A high level of perceived social support was the only predictor of better HF self-care. CONCLUSION: Persons with heart failure may have better medication adherence and overall self-care if sufficiently resilient, health literate, and supported regardless of their degree of hope or activation. Race and age may be important factors to consider. More research is needed to understand the connection between resilience and medication adherence.

Diabetes Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Care in Asian American and Pacific Islanders of Texas: Data From the 2015-2019 Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance System.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the health status and needs of the Asian American/Pacific Islander (AAPI) population with diabetes in Texas. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional secondary analysis of data collected from the Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance System in Texas from 2015 to 2019 for non-Hispanic White (NHW) and AAPI adults. RESULTS: Although the overall crude diabetes prevalence was lower in AAPI adults, age-adjusted diabetes prevalence was higher than in NHWs. Significant risk factors associated with diabetes in the AAPI group included being male, marital status, lower education levels, lower income, being overweight/obese, and having a sedentary lifestyle. Engagement in self-management activities (checking blood glucose, checking feet, attending a diabetes management course) was lower in AAPIs than in NHWs. CONCLUSIONS: Given stiff barriers to adequate screening and self-management support in diabetes care among ethnic populations such as AAPIs, targeted efforts to improve diabetes screening and effective care are warranted. Because today's AAPI populations are predominantly first-generation immigrant groups who suffer from language barriers, efforts should be made to develop health surveys in multiple languages for wider inclusion of understudied groups like AAPIs in diabetes-related research.

Structure-Property Relationships of Inorganic-Organic Hybrid Semiconducting Se-Fe-Cu-CO Polymers.

A novel family of inorganic-organic-hybrid SeFe3(CO)9-dipyridyl two- and one-dimensional Cu polymers was synthesized via the three-component liquid-assisted grinding (LAG) of [Cu(MeCN)4]+, inorganic cluster [SeFe3(CO)9]2- (1), and rigid conjugated dipyridyls 4,4'-dipyridyl (dpy) and 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene (bpee) or flexible conjugation-interrupted dipyridyls 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane (bpea) and 1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)propane (bpp). They included a cluster-linked 2D polymer, [(µ4-Se)Fe3(CO)9Cu2(MeCN)(dpy)1.5]n (1-dpy-2D), a cluster-pendant 1D chain, [(µ3-Se)Fe3(CO)9Cu2(dpy)3]n (1-dpy-1D), cluster-blocked 1D polymers, [(µ3-Se)Fe3(CO)9Cu2(L)]n (1-L-1D, L = bpee, bpea), and a cluster-linked 2D polymer, [(µ4-Se)Fe3(CO)9Cu2(bpp)2]n (1-bpp-2D). The reversible dimensionality transformations of these three types of polymers accompanied by the change in coordination modes of 1 were achieved by the LAG addition of 1/[Cu(MeCN)4]+ or dipyridyl ligands. These polymers were found to possess tunable low-energy gaps (1.49-1.72 eV) that increased in the order regarding their structural features: cluster-linked 1-dpy-2D and 1-bpp-2D, cluster-blocked 1-bpea-1D and 1-bpee-1D, and cluster-pendant 1-dpy-1D and [(µ3-Se)Fe3(CO)9Cu2(L)2.5]n (L = bpee, 1-bpee-2D; bpea, 1-bpea-2D), indicative of the importance of the participation of cluster 1. The measured electrical conductivities of 1-bpp-2D, 1-bpea-1D, and 1-dpy-1D were 3.13 × 10-7, 2.92 × 10-7, and 2.30 × 10-7 S·cm-1, respectively, which were parallel for the trend in their energy gaps, revealing semiconducting behaviors, supported by XPS, XANES, and DFT calculations. The surprising semiconductivity of the conjugation-interrupted bpp-linked 1-bpp-2D was mainly ascribed to electron transport via C-H···O(carbonyl) hydrogen bonds and aromatic C-H···π contacts within its closely packed 2D layers. Water-/light-stable polymers 1-bpp-2D, 1-bpea-2D, and 1-dpy-1D were also demonstrated to exhibit excellent pseudo-first-order photodegradation toward nitroaromatics and organic dyes, where cluster-linked polymer 1-bpp-2D performed the best, as predicted by its structural features and narrow energy gap.

A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Physical Activity Intervention for Self-management of Fatigue in Adolescents and Young Adults With Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Fatigue remains a persistent and troubling symptom for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer. Physical activity (PA) is recommended as a strategy for self-management of fatigue. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to examine a PA intervention to improve the self-management of fatigue in AYAs during chemotherapy. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial enrolled AYAs (18-39 years) receiving chemotherapy. Adolescents and young adults in the intervention group received a 12-week PA intervention integrated into 5 clinic visits that included education, PA tracking, and collaboration. Physical activity was measured with an accelerometer, and participants completed measures of fatigue severity, self-efficacy for PA, and self-regulation at baseline and end of study. RESULTS: Forty-four AYAs completed the study. At baseline, AYAs averaged 4290 (SD, 2423) steps/day and 14.4 (SD, 20.6) minutes/day of moderate- to vigorous-intensity PA; their average Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System fatigue score was 55.0 (SD, 9.2). At end of study, there were no significant differences between groups in fatigue, self-efficacy, self-regulation, or PA, but trends in the desired direction were observed for each of the variables in the intervention group. CONCLUSION: During chemotherapy, AYAs had variable levels of PA and engaged in mostly light-intensity PA. Their average fatigue level was slightly worse than a national comparison group. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Tailored interventions are needed to promote PA in AYAs as a self-management strategy for fatigue. Enhancing self-efficacy and self-regulation may be important approaches to promote PA.

Public health nurses' workforce factors and population health outcomes in the United States.

OBJECTIVES: (a) To examine associations between public health nurse (PHN) workforce factors (PHNs' highest education and PHNs' mean years of employment) and health-risk behaviors (smoking and physical inactivity rates), and (b) to investigate the associations between PHN workforce factors and premature mortality rates across all counties of the United States. DESIGN: Secondary analysis. SAMPLE: A total of 5,705 PHNs from the 2015 National Nursing Workforce Survey and 2,977 U.S. counties from the 2016 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps data were included. METHODS: Multilevel linear regression was used. RESULTS: Bachelor's, and master's or doctorate-prepared PHNs accounted for 41.5% and 17.0%, respectively. The mean year of employment among PHNs was 17.3. The percentages of PHNs with bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees were significantly associated with decreased physical inactivity rates. The PHNs' mean year of employment was significantly associated with decreased physical inactivity rates and reduced premature age-adjusted mortality rates. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicated that PHNs with higher levels of education and more years of employment were important in improving health outcomes (health-risk behavior and premature mortality). Policymakers need to consider strategies to encourage more PHNs to obtain advanced degrees and to retain PHNs longer in the public health field.

Sexual Relationship Power and Safe Sex Communication Among Partnered Women in the Dominican Republic.

Introduction: Research is needed to identify influences on safe sex communication among specific culture groups. This study aimed to (1) describe sexual behaviors and indicators of sexual power among partnered Dominican women and (2) identify which of these indicators are significantly associated with safe sex communication. Methodology: Cross-sectional surveys, grounded in the theory of gender and power, were conducted with 100 partnered women at a clinic in southeastern Dominican Republic. Linear regression modeling was used to identify significant associations. Results: Self-efficacy (ß = 0.48), total personal monthly income (ß = 0.21), and history of sexually transmitted infection (ß = 0.19) were significantly associated with higher level of partner safe sex communication. Discussion: Nurse clinicians, educators, and researchers should consider self-efficacy, personal income, and history of sexually transmitted infection when addressing communication in HIV prevention efforts among Dominican women.

Factors Related to Medication Self-Management in African American Older Women.

Individuals with multiple chronic diseases are often prescribed medications for each condition and thus must manage a drug regimen. Medication self-management is challenging for most individuals with chronic diseases, but it can be especially difficult for African American older women. This study investigated how medical mistrust, caregiver role strain, and other relevant variables may be associated with medication self-management behaviors (MSMB) among African American older women, and whether goal congruence and self-efficacy mediated the relationship between the predictor variables and MSMB. A sample of 116 African American older (age >50 years) women from central Milwaukee participated in this correlational, cross-sectional study. Although goal congruence and self-efficacy were not found to act as mediators, the main finding was that goal congruence, self-efficacy, and age predicted 30% of the variance in MSMB. The results suggest that it is essential to strengthen individual self-efficacy, determine the goals that individuals have for their medication regimen, and develop support mechanisms to help patients attain these goals to better manage chronic disease. [Res Gerontol Nurs. 2019; 12(2):71-79.].

Impact of Safety-Related Regulations on Codeine Use in Children: A Quasi-Experimental Study Using Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database.

INTRODUCTION: Safety concerns regarding potential life-threatening adverse events associated with codeine have resulted in policy decisions to restrict its use in pediatrics. However, whether these drug safety communications have had an immediate and strong impact on codeine use remains in question. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the impact of the two implemented safety-related regulations (label changes and reimbursement regulations) on the use of codeine for upper respiratory infection (URI) or cough. METHODS: A quasi-experimental study was performed using Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database. Quarterly data of codeine prescription rates for URI/cough visits were reported, and an interrupted time series design was used to assess the impact of the safety regulations on the uses of codeine among children with URI/cough visits. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to explore patient and provider characteristics associated with the use of codeine. RESULTS: The safety-related regulations were associated with a significant reduction in codeine prescription rates of -4.24% (95% confidence interval [CI] -4.78 to -3.70), and the relative reduction compared with predicted rates based on preregulation projections was 60.4, 56.6, and 53.2% in the first, second, and third year after the regulations began, respectively. In the postregulation period, physicians specializing in otolaryngology (odds ratio [OR] 1.47, 95% CI 1.45-1.49), practicing in district hospitals (OR 6.84, 95% CI 5.82-8.04) or clinics (OR 6.50, 95% CI 5.54-7.62), and practicing in the least urbanized areas (OR 1.60, 95% CI 1.55-1.64) were more likely to prescribe codeine to children than their counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides a successful example of how to effectively reduce the codeine prescriptions in children in the 'real-world' settings, and highlights areas where future effort could be made to improve the safety use of codeine. Future research is warranted to explore whether there was a simultaneous decrease in the incidence rates of codeine-related adverse events following the safety-related regulations.

Hepatitis C virus load in parenchyma cells correlates with hepatic injury in infected patients.

The association between serum hepatitis C virus (HCV) load and hepatic injury in HCV-infected patients has been extensively investigated. The present study aimed to investigate the association between HCV load in hepatic parenchyma cells and hepatic injury in HCV-infected patients. A total of 56 HCV-infected patients were included in the present retrospective study. The serum HCV mRNA was determined using quantitative polymerase chain reaction, while the hepatic parenchyma cell volume and HCV mRNA in hepatic parenchyma cells were also determined. Hepatic injury was evaluated on the basis of the severity of inflammation and fibrosis. The results demonstrated that there were evident differences in the mean serum HCV RNA levels and the HCV load/parenchyma cell volume among the various grades of hepatic inflammation (G1-G4) when groups with the least and most inflammation were compared (G1 vs. G4; P<0.05). Significant differences in the HCV load existed between groups divided according to the fibrosis grade; in addition, differences existed between fibrosis grades S1 and S2, and S2 and S4 when comparing serum HCV RNA levels (P<0.05). Similarly, differences existed between every two fibrosis stages (S0 vs. S4, S2 vs. S3, and S2 vs. S4; P<0.05) when viral loads and parenchyma cell volumes were compared (F=2.860, P<0.05). Furthermore, the fibrosis staging was correlated with the viral load/parenchyma cell volume (F=2.670, P<0.05). In conclusion, hepatic fibrosis grade was found to be associated with HCV load in parenchyma cells. The results of the present study demonstrated that the viral load in parenchyma cells is a more appropriate index compared with the serum viral load for evaluating HCV replication in hepatocytes, and may function as an important factor in HCV-infected hepatic injury evaluation.

Transition of Experienced and New Graduate Nurses to a Pediatric Hospital.

This study reports on the 3-, 6-, 12-, and 18-month outcomes of 118 newly hired registered nurses (RNs) who completed a 12-month transition-to-practice program at a pediatric hospital. Experienced RNs (n = 42) and new graduate RNs (n = 76) showed improved organization, prioritization, communication, and leadership skills over time. The experienced RNs reported better communication and leadership skills than the new graduate nurses. Results inform transition program development for both new and experienced nurses.

Iron carbonyl cluster-incorporated Cu(I) NHC complexes in homocoupling of arylboronic acids: an effective [TeFe3(CO)9](2-) ligand.

A new type of TeFe3(CO)9-incorporated dicopper NHC complex was obtained directly from one-pot reactions. By the introduction of the cluster anion [TeFe3(CO)9](2-) and NHCs as the ligands, these di-Cu(i)-based complexes exhibited pronounced catalytic activities toward the homocoupling of arylboronic acids with low Cu loadings and high yields (up to 98%).

Lead-chromium carbonyl complexes incorporated with group 8 metals: synthesis, reactivity, and theoretical calculations.

The trichromium-lead complex [Pb{Cr(CO)5}3](2-) (1) was isolated from the reaction of PbCl2 and Cr(CO)6 in a KOH/MeOH solution, and the new mixed chromium-iron-lead complex [Pb{Cr(CO)5}{Fe(CO)4}2](2-) (3) was synthesized from the reaction of PbCl2 and Cr(CO)6 in a KOH/MeOH solution followed by the addition of Fe(CO)5. X-ray crystallography showed that 3 consisted of a central Pb atom bound in a trigonal-planar environment to two Fe(CO)4 and one Cr(CO)5 fragments. When complex 1 reacted with 1.5 equiv of Mn(CO)5Br, the Cr(CO)4-bridged dimeric lead-chromium carbonyl complex [Pb2Br2Cr4(CO)18](2-) (4) was produced. However, a similar reaction of 3 or the isostructural triiron-lead complex [Pb{Fe(CO)4}3](2-) (2) with Mn(CO)5Br in MeCN led to the formation of the Fe3Pb2-based trigonal-bipyramidal complexes [Fe3(CO)9{PbCr(CO)5}2](2-) (6) and [Fe3(CO)9{PbFe(CO)4}2](2-) (5), respectively. On the other hand, the Ru3Pb2-based trigonal-bipyramidal complex [Ru3(CO)9{PbCr(CO)5}2](2-) (7) was obtained directly from the reaction of PbCl2, Cr(CO)6, and Ru3(CO)12 in a KOH/MeOH solution. X-ray crystallography showed that 5 and 6 each had an Fe3Pb2 trigonal-bipyramidal core geometry, with three Fe(CO)3 groups occupying the equatorial positions and two PbFe(CO)4 or PbCr(CO)5 units in the axial positions, while 7 displayed a Ru3Pb2 trigonal-bipyramidal geometry with three equatorial Ru(CO)3 groups and two axial PbCr(CO)5 units. The complexes 3-7 were characterized spectroscopically, and their nature, formation, and electrochemistry were further examined by molecular orbital calculations at the B3LYP level of density functional theory.

Analysis of the sesquiterpenoids in processed Atractylodis Rhizoma.

In Asia, processed Atractylodis Rhizoma, the dried rhizome of Atractylodes ovata De Candolle (Compositae), is widely used as a tonic agent in herbal diets; stir-frying with soil is the most common processing method. In this study, we focused on determining variations in the function and concentrations of sesquiterpenoids in processed Atractylodis Rhizoma. Raw Atractylodis Rhizoma was processed by stir-frying it with different assistant substrates (i.e., red soil and burnt clay). The results indicated that there was less atractylon in stir-fried materials than in raw materials. However, there were higher levels of atractylenolides II and III in stir-fried materials than in raw materials. We also found that the heavy-metal content in burnt clay exceeded regulations set by the Taiwanese government. Moreover, commercial Atractylodis Rhizoma in Taiwan exhibited great differences in concentrations of the active components. In addition, atractylon showed stronger cytotoxicity than atractylenolides II and III in various cell lines. Therefore, we suggest that the toxic effects of atractylon are reduced following atractylon degradation to atractylenolides II and III. In conclusion, the toxicity of Atractylodis Rhizoma is reduced through processing.

A comparison of calorie and protein intake in hospitalized pediatric oncology patients dining with a caregiver versus patients dining alone: a randomized, prospective clinical trial.

Hospitalization and cancer therapy can contribute to decreased food intake in children and adolescents with cancer, making it a challenge to meet their nutritional needs. The affect of hospitalization and the eating environment for pediatric oncology patients has not been studied very well, and the effect of altering the social aspect of mealtime for hospitalized pediatric oncology patients has not been studied at all. The authors conducted a randomized, prospective clinical trial to determine if hospitalized pediatric oncology patients consume more protein and calories when eating with a family member or when eating alone in their room at mealtime. All food and beverage intake was recorded for 3 consecutive days, and a food service satisfaction survey was completed on Day 3. Food records were analyzed for calorie and protein intake, and surveys were analyzed for patient/parent satisfaction. The study was completed by 200 hospitalized patients and their parent/caregiver. Overall, neither calorie nor protein intake differed significantly between the two groups, but patient/parent satisfaction was significantly higher in the group of patients who dined with their caregiver. By using analysis of variance, the authors found that ideal body weight and years of sickness were significantly associated with calorie and protein intake.