The Effect of Oral Colostrum Application on the Condition of the Mouth and Incidence of Late-Onset Sepsis Among Premature Infants: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Premature infants have higher risks of infection due to their underdeveloped immune systems and changes to the oral cavity's normal flora colonization. PURPOSE: To assess the effect of oral colostrum application on the condition of the mouth and the incidence of late-onset sepsis (LOS) among premature infants. METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, 70 newborn premature infants were randomly allocated to colostrum or sterile water groups. The Mouth Care Assessment Tool was used to evaluate the condition of the mouth for 5 days after oral colostrum application. The incidence of LOS was measured using clinical and laboratory indicators from 72 hours after birth until discharge. RESULTS: The condition of the mouth was significantly different on days 4 and 5, demonstrating that the colostrum group had less need for oral care ( P < .001) compared to the control group. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in clinical symptoms and laboratory values related to LOS ( P > .05). IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Oral colostrum application can benefit oral mucosal health and reduce the need for oral care among premature infants. It is also safe alternative oral care for premature infants who cannot breastfeed during the first few days of life. Future research should include infants of different gestational ages and mechanically ventilated infants to assess the effect of oral colostrum application on serum immune factors.

Understanding Network Meta-Analysis: A Practical Introduction for Nurses.

AIMS: This paper examines network meta-analysis (NMA) as a methodological advancement in nursing research and discusses considerations for interpreting and applying NMA results in clinical practice. DESIGN AND METHODS: Methodological discussion. RESULTS: The NMA method simultaneously evaluates multiple interventions by combining direct and indirect evidence. The publication of NMA articles in nursing journals has been increasing. However, interpreting NMA results can be complex and challenging. In this paper, we outline the prerequisites and assumptions of NMA, provide a graphical representation, discuss effect estimation and quality of evidence and give an overview of applying NMA results in clinical practice. CONCLUSION: NMA is a valuable analytical approach in nursing research that can provide high-level evidence to guide clinical decision-making. Accurate interpretation of NMA findings is necessary to inform clinical practice. This paper serves as an introduction to NMA for nurses unfamiliar with the approach. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION: NMA is a powerful statistical technique for assessing the relative effectiveness of different nursing interventions and informing evidence-based nursing guidelines. When interpreting the results, nurses should consider the certainty of evidence and the practical value of the results and be cautious of misleading conclusions. IMPACT: NMA is a recent analytical method in nursing research. This practical introduction seeks to enhance comprehension of NMA and the interpretation and application of NMA findings in clinical practice. NMA is a robust statistical technique to assess the relative effectiveness of various nursing interventions. REPORTING METHOD: In the methodological discussion guide, no new data was generated. A hypothetical dataset was used. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: This methodological paper contributes to understanding NMA and interpreting its results, integrating it into clinical practice, and improving patient outcomes.

Detecting Pathogenic Phytophthora Species Using Volatile Organic Compounds.

There are several highly damaging Phytophthora species pathogenic to forest trees, many of which have been spread beyond their native range by the international trade of live plants and infested materials. Such introductions can be reduced through the development of better tools capable of the early, rapid, and high-throughput detection of contaminated plants. This study utilized a volatilomics approach (solid-phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) to differentiate between several Phytophthora species in culture and discriminate between healthy and Phytophthora-inoculated European beech and pedunculate oak trees. We tentatively identified 14 compounds that could differentiate eight Phytophthora species from each other in vitro. All of the Phytophthora species examined, except Phytophthora cambivora, uniquely produced at least one compound not observed in the other species; however, most detected compounds were shared between multiple species. Phytophthora polonica had the most unique compounds and was the least similar of all the species examined. The inoculated seedlings had qualitatively different volatile profiles and could be distinguished from the healthy controls by the presence of isokaurene, anisole, and a mix of three unknown compounds. This study supports the notion that volatiles are suitable for screening plant material, detecting tree pathogens, and differentiating between healthy and diseased material.

When the Education System and Autism Collide: An Australian Qualitative Study Exploring School Exclusion and the Impact on Parent Mental Health.

Autistic students experience elevated rates of school exclusion, whether this be through expulsion, suspension, informal suspension, refusal of enrolment, or school refusal. This exclusion can come about from a range of factors, including sensory or cognitive overload, a lack of training in neurodiversity for teachers, an absent sense of safety by the student at school, or poor attitudes towards the inclusion of autistic students in schools. The impacts of this exclusion on parents can be logistical, financial, and psychological, with a range of mental health outcomes. This Australian qualitative study presents case studies of seven parents of autistic students, as well as four themes that capture the recommendations of parents to address school exclusion. The findings demonstrate that parents experience stress in finding a suitable school for their child, working with staff to meet the needs of the child, and attempting to maintain employment and other commitments when the child experiences exclusion. Parents recommend greater acceptance of autism by education systems, better communication and use of neuro-affirming language, the option for flexible learning, and individualised support by the school for the student.

Healing Stitches: A Scoping Review on the Impact of Needlecraft on Mental Health and Well-Being.

Encompassing many crafts, needlecraft has been popular, particularly amongst women, for centuries. This scoping review mapped and explored primary research on sewing, crocheting, knitting, lacemaking, embroidery and quilting and its impact on mental health and well-being. A comprehensive systematic search across PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus and Google Scholar was conducted in January 2024, identifying 25 studies that met the inclusion criteria. Four themes (and 15 subthemes) emerged from the data: (1) mental well-being; (2) social connection, sense of value and belonging; (3) sense of purpose, achievement and satisfaction; and (4) self-identity, family, culture and legacy. The review showed that needlecraft has an overwhelmingly positive effect on mental health and general well-being. This scoping review may be used to inform mental health nurses and other professionals of the benefits of needlecraft for a wide variety of consumers and may also find application in the well-being of healthcare workers.

Collateral Damage: The Impacts of School Exclusion on the Mental Health of Parents Caring for Autistic Children.

Despite legislative and policy mechanisms that promote inclusion in education for children with disabilities, many students still experience exclusion from the education setting. For example, autistic children are more likely than their neurotypical counterparts to be expelled or suspended from school or to refuse to attend school on an ongoing basis. This situation gives rise to various challenges for their parents. This discursive paper synthesizes current knowledge on school exclusion involving autistic children, including the causes and consequences of exclusionary practices. The paper also considers the negative impacts of these exclusionary practices on the emotional and psychological well-being of parents and caregivers. Mental health nurses who understand the issues related to school exclusion can better support the educational, social, and developmental needs of autistic children and the mental health needs of parents or caregivers.

'The Horse Weaves Magic': Parents and Service Providers on the Benefits of Horse-Based Therapies for Autistic Children-an Australian Qualitative Study.

Autistic children and adolescents experience a range of co-morbidities, including diagnoses of mental illness. Animal-assisted therapies have advanced rapidly over recent years as an effective and accessible intervention for autistic children and adolescents with various health issues. Horses offer a unique opportunity for interaction as the young person can physically ride the animal, thus creating a therapy with different physical interactions from other animals. This qualitative study had two main aims: first, to understand parents' experiences of their autistic child's involvement with horse-based therapies; and second, to understand the experiences of the staff of organisations offering horse-based therapies to those on the autism spectrum. Twelve interviews were conducted with six parents across four interviews (four mothers and two fathers), and eight staff of equine therapy services in eight individual interviews, to understand their perceptions of the child's experience with horse riding and the perceived mental health impacts. Three emergent themes were prominent among parents and service providers alike: physical and social benefits, including health, self-management skills and social skills; protecting mental health; and recommendations for improvements and accessibility of horse-based therapies. Specifically, service providers with long-standing associations with horse-based therapies saw the actual and potential benefits of horse-based therapies for autistic children, particularly in promoting happiness, calm, resilience, and good mental health.

A Scoping Review of Equine-Assisted Therapies on the Mental Health and Well-Being of Autistic Children and Adolescents: Exploring the Possibilities.

Animals are increasingly being utilized to assist with therapies for people with various health conditions. Horses are often used as a mechanism of engagement and development for autistic children and adolescents. Horses offer a unique opportunity for interaction as the child or adolescent can physically ride and interact with the animal, thus creating a therapy that involves contact that is different to other animals. Benefits derived from equine-assisted therapies can be physical, social, behavioral, emotional, sensory, and cognitive. However, a current and specific research gap exists in understanding the potential mental health impacts of horse riding on autistic children and adolescents, as perceived and experienced by their parents, carers, and horse-riding service providers. This scoping review examined research on parents' and service providers' perceptions of the benefits of horse-related therapies, with a particular focus on perceptions of positive mental health impacts. A comprehensive electronic search across PubMed, Scopus and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature identified 16 articles from 15 studies which met the inclusion criteria. Findings included non-mental health-related benefits (as perceived by parents and service providers), mental health-related benefits (as perceived by parents and service providers), benefits for those other than the child/adolescent, and limitations of equine-assisted therapies. With the increased use of equine therapy, and the mounting evidence of its positive impacts on mental health, it is timely to expand research on how to better harness interventions and maximize the mental health benefits for autistic children and adolescents.

A glimmer of hope - ash genotypes with increased resistance to ash dieback pathogen show cross-resistance to emerald ash borer.

Plants rely on cross-resistance traits to defend against multiple, phylogenetically distinct enemies. These traits are often the result of long co-evolutionary histories. Biological invasions can force naïve plants to cope with novel, coincident pests, and pathogens. For example, European ash (Fraxinus excelsior) is substantially threatened by the emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis, a wood-boring beetle, and the ash dieback (ADB) pathogen, Hymenoscyphus fraxineus. Yet, plant cross-resistance traits against novel enemies are poorly explored and it is unknown whether naïve ash trees can defend against novel enemy complexes via cross-resistance mechanisms. To gain mechanistic insights, we quantified EAB performance on grafted replicates of ash genotypes varying in ADB resistance and characterized ash phloem chemistry with targeted and untargeted metabolomics. Emerald ash borer performed better on ADB-susceptible than on ADB-resistant genotypes. Moreover, changes in EAB performance aligned with differences in phloem chemical profiles between ADB-susceptible and ADB-resistant genotypes. We show that intraspecific variation in phloem chemistry in European ash can confer increased cross-resistance to invasive antagonists from different taxonomic kingdoms. Our study suggests that promotion of ADB-resistant ash genotypes may simultaneously help to control the ADB disease and reduce EAB-caused ash losses, which may be critical for the long-term stability of this keystone tree species.

Mental Health Nurses Overcoming Adversity: A Discursive Review.

The mental health nursing profession has experienced various challenges since its inception. This discursive review considers these challenges, including how mental health nurses have and can continue to overcome adversity as individuals and as a profession. The discussion examines the influence of the profession's historical involvement in institutionalization and coercive care; the continuing impact of stigma; and the increasing demand for mental health services, amidst chronic staff shortages. Collectively, mental health nurses must harness strong therapeutic relationships, intra- and multi-disciplinary collaboration, personal and professional resilience, education that prepares them for the future, and sector-wide planning and innovation, to respond positively to these challenges. These approaches will support mental health nurses to overcome adversity and achieve positive outcomes for the profession and people with the lived experience of mental illness.

From 'Refrigerator Mothers' to Empowered Advocates: The Evolution of the Autism Parent.

A historical perspective offers a chance to reflect on unfolding narratives. The emergence of the diagnosis of autism attracted some positions of blame for "refrigerator mothers". With ensuing neuroscience and developmental research and more nuanced biopsychosocial models, this gave way to notions of strong neurological contributions to the disorder and the positive role of parents supporting the regulation of their child. The notion of co-regulation then emerges with collective agency by parents to offer advocacy and support for those with ASD and their parents and an important role in educating society around the needs and value of those with ASD.

Autism, Discrimination and Masking: Disrupting a Recipe for Trauma.

Outcomes of discrimination for autistic people include masking, social isolation and exclusion, trauma, and mental health problems. This discursive paper discusses the discrimination experienced by autistic people in health, education, employment, and media settings; and considers how to reduce the impact of discrimination. Addressing the impact of discrimination requires an improved understanding of the lived experience of the autistic person, the embedding of inclusive practices in communities, developing the person's life skills and supports, and enabling the person to work through their psychological trauma. Further research can aid in minimizing and preventing discrimination against people with autism.

Lunatic Asylums and Indigenous Australians during the Nineteenth Century.

Lunatic asylums formed part of the civic infrastructure that was constructed out of British colonists invading and subsequently colonising unceded, Indigenous Australian lands during the eighteenth and nineteenth century. This historical narrative examined nineteenth century primary and secondary sources including, patient lists, medical files, and government correspondence, to provide insight into the experiences of Indigenous Australians admitted to Australia's earliest lunatic asylums. Awareness that lunatic asylums formed part of the structure imposed during colonisation, provides nurses and other health professionals with greater historical literacy regarding the impact of colonial lunatic asylums on Indigenous Australians. Such impacts continue to be experienced through transgenerational trauma and emphasise the importance of culturally safe mental health services.

Two Halves of the Same Whole: A Framework to Integrate Autism and Mental Health Services.

Given the higher rates of co-occurring mental health issues experienced by autistic people, there is a pressing need to implement an effective framework that integrates autism services with appropriate mental health services. This paper discusses the impact of mental illness on the person with autism and their families, and the current challenges they face when accessing mental health support. A framework for service providers is proposed to support the mental health needs and preferences of autistic people. The paper concludes by highlighting the importance of health professionals utilising mental health interventions appropriate for autistic people, including autism-specific suicide prevention and awareness programs.

A Scoping Review of Autism and the Way It Changes the Presentation of Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior Compared to the General Population.

Autism spectrum conditions are a group of neurodevelopmental conditions that carries an array of co-occurring diagnoses, including a heightened risk of suicide attempts and suicide. This scoping review examined primary research focusing on autism and suicidality, to understand what is currently known on the topic, including how autism changes the presentation of suicidal thoughts and behavior; and to assess the suicide awareness and prevention education programs currently available for autistic people, their families, and health professionals and support workers. A comprehensive search (November 2021) across Scopus, PubMed and CINAHL identified 39 articles from 38 studies. Three themes emerged, with five subthemes. 1. The prevalence of suicidality in autistic people; 2. The presentation of suicidality in autistic people, including (a) risk of suicidality; (b) gender, age, employment and education; (c) co-occurring psychiatric conditions; (d) autism traits and social communication; (e) intellectual disability; and 3. Autism-specific approaches to suicidal thoughts, behavior and prevention. Findings were mixed, including conflicting evidence on the risk of autism and suicidality, and limited evidence of resources related to autism-specific suicide awareness or information, and education or prevention programs.

Putting Cats on the Spectrum: A Scoping Review of the Role of Cats in Therapy and Companionship for Autistic Adults and Children.

This scoping review brings together existing studies on the use of cats in animal-assisted interventions, as assistance animals and as companion animals for autistic people. A systematic search across PubMed, CINAHL and Scopus in September 2022 identified 13 articles from 12 studies meeting the selection criteria with analysis revealing two key findings, cat-assisted therapeutic interventions, and cats as companion animals. There were five themes that emerged: the characteristics and behaviours of cats that make them suitable for inclusion in homes with autistic people; the bond between the cat and the autistic person; the use of cats as human-substitutes; the multiple ways in which cats improved the lives and social functioning of autistic people; and, some noted drawbacks or considerations of cat ownership. The review generates a comprehensive knowledge base upon which to promote feline therapy in autism and to advocate for further targeted research.

Retention and turnover among migrant nurses: A scoping review.

AIM: To map and explore primary research about factors related to retention, turnover and turnover intention among migrant nurses. BACKGROUND: Understanding retention and turnover among migrant nurses is essential, especially in the context of nursing shortage. There is a range of factors motivating nurses to emigrate; however, factors related to retention and turnover among migrant nurses in the host country are unclear. METHODS: This review utilised Arksey and O'Malley's methodological framework for scoping reviews, and is reported with the PRISMA-ScR checklist. Four electronic databases were searched-CINAHL, PsycINFO, ProQuest and PubMed-to identify primary research published between January 2000 and May 2022. Titles and abstracts were reviewed against the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and then full-text versions were reviewed. Data extracted were summarised, and results synthesised. RESULTS: Fifteen studies were included, with studies mainly from the Middle East, the United Kingdom and the United States. Personal, organisational, financial, political and environmental factors were found to influence retention and turnover among migrant nurses. CONCLUSION: Retention and turnover rates among migrant nurses vary among host countries. The factors identified are related to each other; hence, retention and turnover among migrant nurses are best understood in the context of their source country, host country and individual circumstances. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING POLICY, SOCIAL POLICY, AND HEALTH POLICY: Host countries must promote strategies that foster retention, such as reviewing immigration policies to support long-term immigration and family unity. Organisations employing migrant nurses need to consider the presence of a social network to facilitate adaptation and integration. It is also recommended that source countries address the reasons for emigration and initiate policies encouraging return migration, including providing merit to overseas experience. International nursing organisations should call for an examination of the conditions of migrant nurses to ensure equality across all source countries.

Past, Present and Future: Perspectives on an Oral History of Intellectual Disability Nursing.

Thirty-one participants engaged in this oral history research study aimed at exploring the lived experience of intellectual disability nurses and healthcare assistants' knowledge of the trajectory of intellectual disability nursing over the last 30 years in the Republic of Ireland and England. This paper documents some of these experiences offering perspectives on intellectual disability nursing and what is important for the future. Findings from Ireland consider the nature of intellectual disability services and the registered nurse in intellectual disability. Findings from England focus on opportunities and restrictions in intellectual disability nursing, shared visions, the changing context within which work took place and also the internal and external supports that impacted their roles. It is evident that intellectual disability nurses must be responsive to the changing landscape of service provision and also the requirements for contemporary new roles to meet the changing needs of people with intellectual disabilities.

Grieving the loss of a pet: A qualitative systematic review.

Animal owners who experience the death of a beloved family pet or companion animal may experience feelings of grief and loss that are synonymous with the death of a human. This systematic review synthesized 19 qualitative papers from 17 studies that explored the psychosocial impact of bereavement and grieving the loss of a pet. The analysis revealed five themes: Their Relationship; Their Grief; Their Guilt; Their Supports; and Their Future. By looking beyond grief, health professionals can respond to bereaved pet owners the same way they would for other forms of human bereavement and provide the necessary support to transition bereavement.

The economic costs, management and regulation of biological invasions in the Nordic countries.

A collective understanding of economic impacts and in particular of monetary costs of biological invasions is lacking for the Nordic region. This paper synthesizes findings from the literature on costs of invasions in the Nordic countries together with expert elicitation. The analysis of cost data has been made possible through the InvaCost database, a globally open repository of monetary costs that allows for the use of temporal, spatial, and taxonomic descriptors facilitating a better understanding of how costs are distributed. The total reported costs of invasive species across the Nordic countries were estimated at $8.35 billion (in 2017 US$ values) with damage costs significantly outweighing management costs. Norway incurred the highest costs ($3.23 billion), followed by Denmark ($2.20 billion), Sweden ($1.45 billion), Finland ($1.11 billion) and Iceland ($25.45 million). Costs from invasions in the Nordics appear to be largely underestimated. We conclude by highlighting such knowledge gaps, including gaps in policies and regulation stemming from expert judgment as well as avenues for an improved understanding of invasion costs and needs for future research.