Lavandula Species, Their Bioactive Phytochemicals, and Their Biosynthetic Regulation.

Lavandula species are one of the most useful aromatic and medicinal plants and have great economic potential. The phytopharmaceutical contribution of the secondary metabolites of the species is unquestionable. Most recent studies have been focusing on the elucidation of the genetic background of secondary metabolite production in lavender species. Therefore, knowledge of not only genetic but especially epigenetic mechanisms for the regulation of secondary metabolites is necessary for the modification of those biosynthesis processes and the understanding of genotypic differences in the content and compositional variability of these products. The review discusses the genetic diversity of Lavandula species in relation to the geographic area, occurrence, and morphogenetic factors. The role of microRNAs in secondary-metabolites biosynthesis is described.

Indigenous strengths-based approaches to healthcare and health professions education - Recognising the value of Elders' teachings.

Background: A strengths-based lens is essential for the pursuit of health equity among Indigenous populations. However, health professionals are often taught and supported in practice via deficit-based approaches that perpetuate inequity for Indigenous peoples. Deficit narratives in healthcare and health education are reproduced through practices and policies that ignore Indigenous strengths, disregard human rights, and reproduce structural inequalities. When strengths are recognised it is possible to build capacities and address challenges, while not losing sight of the structural factors impacting Indigenous peoples' health. Objective: In this paper, we examine Indigenous strengths-based approaches to policy and practice in healthcare and health professions education when delivered alongside teachings shared by Elders from the Cree, Blackfoot and Métis Nations of Alberta, Canada. Method: Literature and Elders' teachings were used to shift strengths-based approaches from Western descriptions of what might be done, to concrete actions aligned with Indigenous ways. Results: Four pointers for future action adopting a strengths-based approach are identified: enacting gifts - focusing on positive attributes; upholding relationality - centring good relationships; honouring legacy - restoring self-determination; and reconciling truth - attending to structural determinants of health. Conclusion: Identified directions and actionable strategies offer a promising means to advance Indigenous health equity through strengths-based actions that change existing narratives and advance health equity.

Magnetic Field Treatments Improves Sunflower Yield by Inducing Physiological and Biochemical Modulations in Seeds.

Magnetic seed enhancement has been practicing as a promising tool to improve germination and seedling growth of low vigor seeds stored under suboptimal conditions, but there is still ambiguity regarding the prospects for magnetism in oilseeds. Present study elucidates the potential of magnetic seed stimulation to improve sunflower germination, growth and yield. Germination and emergence tests were performed to optimize the strength of the magnetic field to sunflower seed enhancement. The seeds were directly exposed to magnetic field strengths of 50, 100 and 150 millitesla (mT) for 5, 10 and 15 min (min) and then standard germination tests were performed. Secondly, the emergence potential of untreated seeds was compared with seed exposed to hydropriming, priming with 3% moringa leaf extract (MLE), priming with magnetically treated water (MTW) for 10 min and priming with 3% MLE solution prepared in magnetically treated water (MTW + MLE). Germination, emergence, seedling growth and seed biochemical properties were used to select the best treatment for field evaluation. The results of the study revealed that magnetic seed treatment with 100 mT for 10 min and seed priming with 3% MLE solution in magnetically treated water (MTW + MLE) significantly improved emergence, crop growth rate and sunflower yield.

Planting seeds of community-engaged pedagogy: Community health nursing practice in an intergenerational campus-community gardening program.

As part of a participatory action research (PAR) study, nursing student participants collaborated with faculty, along with older adults, people with mixed abilities, and preschool aged children in order to 'sow the seeds of social change' and grow a campus community gardening project. The focus of this article is on the community-engaged pedagogy within a community health nursing practice course that supported student learning. Insights were gleaned over the course of four academic semesters (and four student cohort groups) with students as co-developers of the campus-community garden and participants in the PAR. Key themes emerged from student participants in the PAR process including: (1) planning in community to "think global, act local"; (2) discovering 'the people in your neighbourhood' as socially just partnerships; (3) revisiting landscapes of social inclusion; and (4) reflecting on "humble togetherness" across generational gaps. The findings showcased here attest to how community-engaged pedagogy, in conjunction with PAR, can facilitate student learning outside of traditional settings and grow social inclusion, intergenerational connection, and social justice.

Social isolation and exclusion: the parents' experience of caring for children with rare neurodevelopmental disorders.

Purpose: The experiences of parents caring for the complex care needs of children with rare neurodevelopmental disorders are not well understood. Parents struggle to meet their children's medical, behavioural, and social needs within and across health, social, and family systems. The purpose of this study was to explore the parents' experience of caring for medical and social care needs for children with rare neurodevelopmental disorders.Methods: Hermeneutic phenomenology was used for the data analysis. Fifteen parents participated in semi-structured interviews.Results: Interpretive analysis revealed four insights: (a) difference in children's behaviours and disease manifestations led to misunderstanding and vulnerability within social domains, (b) social taboo and stigma were experienced with rarity, (c) fragmented disconnected care from health and social systems impacted families, and (d) incomprehension from friends and family occurs when managing daily care.Conclusion: New interpretations and increased understanding of parents' experiences are required in supporting parents caring for children with complex needs. Understanding parents' experiences could reduce social isolation and exclusion, and mitigate appropriate and supportive practices and services within and across medical, social, and family systems.

'It would be much easier if we were just quiet and disappeared': Parents silenced in the experience of caring for children with rare diseases.

BACKGROUND: Parent experiences of caring for children with neurodevelopmental disease have been silenced and constrained by social, political and health influences. There is a need to co-construct new meanings and interpretations of parenting a child with complex disabilities by having an increased understanding of the struggles and barriers for parents. METHODS: A hermeneutic phenomenology approach was applied in this inquiry. Fifteen parents of children with rare neurodevelopmental diseases participated in semi-structured interviews. RESULTS: Parents experienced silencing or being silenced within interactions with health-care and social care systems and providers. Interpretive thematic analysis revealed three insights: (a) parents experience a sense of disconnect and silencing as little is known or understood by health-care providers about the experience of caring for children at home; (b) parents make strong efforts to be heard and acquire services within health and social systems as fighters, saviours and navigators; and (c) parents sacrifice themselves to the caregiving role and become therapists and caregivers to their medically fragile children at the cost of losing themselves as parents. CONCLUSION: An understanding of parents' experiences in caring for a child with a rare neurodevelopmental disease may provide insight to systemic health and social support challenges faced by families and mitigate appropriate and supportive policies and services.

"It is like a jungle gym, and everything is under construction": The parent's perspective of caring for a child with a rare disease.

DESCRIPTIVE TITLE: Parents of children with rare diseases face pervasive challenges in meeting medical and social care needs. Existing research on the parents' experience of caring for a child with a rare disease is limited. This paper offers suggestions for better supporting families living with rare disease as well as possible avenues of future research. BACKGROUND: Parents of children with rare diseases face pervasive challenges in meeting medical and social care needs. Existing research on the parent's experience of caring for a child with a rare disease is limited. METHODS: An interpretive phenomenological approach was applied in this inquiry. Fifteen parents of children with rare diseases participated in semistructured interviews. RESULTS: Interpretive thematic analysis revealed that due to the rarity of the disease and an overall lack of knowledge of the disease, there is an increase in the burden on the family in relation to "rarity" in addition to "disability." Four insights were also revealed: (a) Parents often know more about the disease then Health Care providers, and this leads to entanglements in communication and collaboration as experts and parents; (b) there is lack of coordination of care between providers and services caring for children with rare diseases; (c) there is a gap in accessibility to government supports; and (d) due to fragmented care, parents must fill the aforementioned gaps by juggling multiple roles including that of advocate, case manager, and medical navigator. CONCLUSION: This paper offers suggestions for better supporting families living with rare disease as well as possible avenues of future research.

Nursing: whose discipline is it anyway?

Nursing is variously described as a profession, a discipline, an occupation. The meanings we assign to such words and the expectations, demands, and responsibilities that each reveals to and/or exacts from those of us privileged to call ourselves registered nurse provides a splendid arena for viewing the struggle of nursing as an intellectual endeavor embedded in its own distinctive knowledge base, experiences, purposes, and values. Currently, pressure exerted within and without nursing to adopt the self-limiting potential and subordinated position that a professional discipline orientation and applied degree education confer on nursing is mounting. This article examines the relationships among historical events, contemporary influences, and confounding definitions that are integral to how we choose to guide and shape the evolution of nursing scholarship, practice, and education. The authors contend that the full significance of these relationships must be appreciated if nursing is to advance as a scholarly academic discipline and practice profession.