Search Results (58)

B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) is characterized by a constellation of somatic pathogenic variants associated with malignant transformation. These variants have implications for clinical management by providing clinical biomarkers. Most B-ALL cases have a sporadic presentation. However, some patients may present the disease as the neoplastic manifestation of cancer predisposition syndromes caused by germline pathogenic variants. In these cases, genetic counseling and personalized oncologic management is mandatory, considering the patient’s sensitivity to conventional therapies. In this review, we have summarized current knowledge on the biological role and clinical relevance of somatic and germline pathogenic variants associated with B-ALL, and discuss three aspects of their application as biomarkers: (1) their usefulness to determine specific molecular subtypes, predicting prognosis and response to specific therapies, (2) their influence in genetic counseling and therapy adaptation for B-ALL in the context of underlying cancer predisposition syndromes, and (3) their detection and interpretation through methodologies. We also included a brief discussion on the need to reclassify variants of uncertain significance to clarify their clinical relevance. Finally, we discuss cases illustrating the impact of somatic and germline pathogenic variants in personalized medicine. Full article

The present study aimed to develop and validate a brief, two-factor scale assessing career decision-making in high school students. The scale captures the following two key dimensions: (1) access to resources and exploration of career options and (2) career choice self-efficacy. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted on data from a sample of 778 Romanian high school students. The results supported a two-factor structure with good internal consistency and construct validity. Measurement invariance across gender revealed configural invariance, although metric and scalar invariance were not confirmed, suggesting potential differences in how male and female students interpret career decision constructs. No significant gender differences emerged in mean scores, yet students in technological educational tracks reported significantly greater access to career-related resources than their peers in theoretical and vocational profiles. These findings underscore the scale’s sensitivity to educational context and its potential utility in comparative studies and needs assessments. Future research should examine the scale’s predictive validity, longitudinal stability, and cross-cultural applicability. This tool offers a practical means to assess career decision-making processes and inform targeted interventions in educational and counselling settings. Full article

Background and Objectives: Tobacco smoking is the most important cause of chronic diseases and premature death worldwide. Very brief advice (VBA) and brief advice (BA) represent evidence-based interventions designed to increase quit attempts. These are appropriate for all smokers, regardless of their motivation to quit, and involve several steps regarding the assessment, advice, and action. This review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of these brief interventions offered by general practitioners (GPs) in smoking cessation. Materials and Methods: A systematic search for articles that presented these interventions as an aid to support smoking cessation was conducted. The rate of successful smoking cessation was evaluated following interventions offered by general practitioners, regardless of the patients’ present motivation to quit. Results: We have checked if these interventions can be used as an innovative method to help active smokers make an informed decision regarding their behaviour. Conclusions: Assisted/supported/guided by a general practitioner, current cigarette smokers can decide to quit smoking and identify the best way of cessation. We processed relevant data where brief interventions were used as the main counselling method to aid smoking cessation, regardless of using nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), heated tobacco products (HTPs), or vaping. Full article

Background/objectives: Smoking increases the risk for multiple lifestyle-related diseases. In Japan, consumption of heated tobacco products (HTPs), a novel cigarette type, is rising. However, no studies have yet compared dietary habits among HTP smokers. This study assessed food and nutrient intake and alcohol consumption by smoking status (non-smokers, cigarette smokers, HTP smokers). Methods: This cross-sectional study included 237 HTP smokers, 242 cigarette smokers, and 178 non-smokers (50% each male and female). The Brief Self-Administered Diet History Questionnaire was administered as a nutritional survey, and smokers were asked about their smoking status, including smoking history and the number of puffs smoked per day. Results: A significantly higher intake of meat was seen in HTP smokers than in cigarette smokers (p = 0.038), and HTP smokers showed the lowest intake of vitamin D in all groups. HTP and cigarette smokers had a lower intake of certain vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber compared with non-smokers. The rate of habitual drinkers (at least one drink a month) and their alcohol consumption (g/day) were significantly lower in non-smokers (58%, 1.3 g) than in HTP smokers (67%, 4.8 g) and cigarette smokers (70%, 7.1 g) (p = 0.031). Additionally, after adjusting for sex and smoking status in a multiple regression analysis, the number of puffs was a significant contributor to alcohol intake in HTP smokers (β = 0.296, p < 0.001). Conclusions: This study identified significant dietary, nutritional, and alcohol consumption differences based on smoking status, underscoring the need to consider both diet and smoking type in nutritional counseling and smoking cessation guidance. Full article

The increasing mental health challenges among elders demand specialized interventions, especially within Thai communities where resources are limited and stigma persists. While monks offer spiritual support, there is a gap in addressing complex mental health needs. This research aims to develop a monk-led elderly mental health counseling program in Thai Buddhist communities. From January 2023 to March 2024, this study underwent four phases. Initially, qualitative interviews with thirty-six monk and elder participants elucidated requirements. The program development integrated findings from the requirement study, the Solution-Focused Brief Therapy process, and Buddhist mindfulness principles to create a prototype. The quality assessment involved expert content validation, feasibility examination by stakeholders, and a small-scale pilot testing with five monks. Finally, the feasibility of the program was assessed with thirty-two monks. The study reveals three key components of the monk-led elderly counseling program focused on mental health: the counseling process known as MPS-MAV-PI (an Introduction to Mindfulness, Identifying Problems, Assessing the Severity, Mindfully Observing Thoughts and Emotions, Acceptance, Visualizing Success, Planning Strategies for Problem-solving, and Implementation and Subsequent Monitoring), the C-TIME strategy (Collaboration, Training Manual, Implementation, the Monitoring, and Evaluation), and the program manual. Moreover, feasibility assessments among monks show the high feasibility of the program for implementation. The monk-led counseling program holds promise in addressing these challenges, with high feasibility indicating potential effectiveness and scalability. Future research will prioritize evaluating its cost-effectiveness and overall effectiveness. Full article

Psychedelics, combined with talk therapy, indicate promise with challenging clients, such as those struggling with PTSD. Furthermore, groupwork, with the emphasis on social connections, can be an effective modality. There appears, however, little movement with integrating psychedelics with professional counseling and even less in groupwork. Societal perceptions of psychedelics and the concern of practicing outside one’s scope may cause practitioners to hesitate. This article provides a brief overview for the lack of progression in implementing psychedelics in group counseling. I explain what potentially inhibits the utilization of psychedelics, then offer a resolution to these issues by advocating for a psychedelic-assisted groupwork (PAG) model. The argument is that psychedelic approaches can be an innovative and transformative method for group facilitators. I conclude with an overview depicting what a PAG with an interdisciplinary team could entail, including recruitment, screening, selection, therapeutic processes, and termination. Full article

Objective: Two brief computerized motivational interventions for excessive-drinking university students were evaluated. Method: Participants (N = 88, females = 61.5%, mean age = 21.05 years) were randomly assigned to a control group or one of two experimental groups: Computerized Brief Intervention (CBI) or Computerized Brief Intervention-Enhanced (CBI-E). CBI followed the principles of Motivational Interviewing to motivate participants to change their drinking behavior. CBI-E additionally used the principles of Systematic Motivational Counseling to identify and discuss with participants their dysfunctional motivational patterns that were interfering with their attainment of emotional satisfaction. At baseline and a three-month follow-up, the participants completed a battery of measures of alcohol consumption and related problems. Results: At baseline, the participants were confirmed to be heavy drinkers with many drink-related negative consequences. Males and females responded differently to the interventions. During follow-up, males’ alcohol use was ordered: CBI-E < CBI < Controls. The females in all three groups reduced their alcohol use, but there were no significant group differences. Conclusions: Males responded to the interventions as expected. For females, the assessment itself seemed to serve as an effective intervention, and there were no post-intervention differences among the three groups. Suggestions for future research using CBI and CBI-E are discussed. Full article

Preparing the next generation of pharmacists to succeed in practice and provide premier care starts with ensuring pharmacy education standards are met and align with innovative practices and that education incorporates topics that are important to promoting health. For example, recent reports link endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) to numerous diseases such as reproductive disorders, metabolic diseases, and developmental abnormalities. Considering the suboptimal awareness and knowledge about EDCs, it is imperative to provide public health education through a pharmacy curriculum. The objective of this study was to evaluate student pharmacists’ perceptions of the impact of a role play activity on their knowledge of EDCs and counseling skills. A secondary objective was to explore student pharmacists’ perceptions of how role play might impact their future career as a pharmacist. A retrospective qualitative study consisting of a lecture, a pre-brief, a low-fidelity simulation centered on role-play, and debrief to develop knowledge of EDCs to practice counseling skills, and a post reflection was implemented to explore this aim. Third year student pharmacists who were enrolled on the public health elective course were eligible to participate in the study. All reflections were de-identified, imported into a qualitative software, Dedoose^®, Version 9.2.6 and thematically analyzed using an inductive approach. Thematic analysis revealed three master themes, which tell the story of an initial lack of familiarity with EDCs that was rectified by the lecture and low-fidelity simulation. In the first theme, we can see that all of the participants noted their positive perceptions of the low-fidelity simulation, especially the role playing on a topic they lacked familiarity with. In the second theme, participants revealed the activity’s impact on their performance or behaviors. Finally, the third theme explores the future implications of a pharmacist’s impact on public health. This novel study contributes to a growing body of literature on the impact of pharmacy education practices and instruction on public health. The findings suggest that pharmacy educators might consider incorporating role playing instruction for public health topics, EDCs, or topics not traditionally taught in the pharmacy curriculum. Full article

Background: Pregnancy involves complex hemodynamic and immune adaptations to support the developing fetus. The kidney assumes a pivotal role in orchestrating these mechanisms. However, renal disease poses a potential risk for adverse maternal–fetal outcomes. While kidney function, hypertension, and proteinuria are recognized as key influencers of risk, the mere presence of glomerular disease, independent of these factors, may wield significant impact. Methods: A brief review of the existing literature was conducted to synthesize current knowledge regarding the interplay between glomerulonephritis and pregnancy. Results: The review underscores the centrality of the kidney in the context of pregnancy and highlights the role of glomerular disease, particularly when active. It emphasizes multifaceted risk modulators, including kidney function, hypertension, and proteinuria. Conclusion: Understanding the dynamics between pregnancy and glomerulonephritis is crucial for optimizing maternal and fetal outcomes. Preconception counseling and collaborative nephro-gynecological management emerge as pivotal components in addressing the unique challenges posed by this medical interplay. Full article

Objectives: The objectives of the current study are twofold. First, it aimed to explore the prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress symptoms (i.e., psychological disorders) among Kuwait University students. Second, it sought to identify and quantify the associated risk factors as well as the students’ coping strategies utilized to address these psychological disorders. Methods: We used a cross-sectional study at Kuwait University and selected students using a multistage stratified cluster sampling design among the 15 faculties of Kuwait University. To serve the study purposes, two cross-cultural and validated instruments were used, including the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21) and the Brief-COPE scale. Descriptive statistics, as well as logistic regression analysis, were used to analyze the study findings. Results: A sample of 1142 students from various faculties participated in this study. We found that 681 (59.6%), 791 (69.3%) and 588 (51.5%) of the participants had depression, anxiety and stress symptoms, respectively. The highest coping strategies for stressors and challenges faced were moderate and high emotion-based coping strategies (n = 1063, 93.1%). Students from the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences as well as students from the Faculty of Engineering had significantly higher stress levels compared with students from other faculties (p < 0.05). Our results demonstrated that family problems were consistently a significant predictor of depression, anxiety and stress symptoms among Kuwait University students (p < 0.05). We further found that students who presented with stress and anxiety symptoms and those who practiced avoidant-focused coping strategies were substantially more likely to experience depression (ORs ≥ 2.7, p < 0.01). Conclusions: Our findings inferred that the majority of Kuwait University students have a remarkably high prevalence of mental health problems, mainly anxiety, depression, and stress symptoms along with inconsistent coping strategies toward the faced challenges during their studies. Therefore, the most important recommendation of the current study is the establishment of counselling centers in all faculties at Kuwait University. In turn, doing so facilitates the integration of wellness programs and the provision of comprehensive educational seminars, specialized training sessions and self-management techniques for Kuwait University students, leading to desired academic outcomes. Full article

Refugees and migrants experience an elevated risk for mental health problems and face significant barriers to receiving services. Interpersonal counseling (IPC-3) is a three-session intervention that can be delivered by non-specialists to provide psychological support and facilitate referrals for individuals in need of specialized care. We piloted IPC-3 delivered remotely by eight Venezuelan refugee and migrant women living in Peru. These counselors provided IPC-3 to Venezuelan refugee and migrant clients in Peru (n = 32) who reported psychological distress. Clients completed assessments of mental health symptoms at baseline and one-month post-intervention. A subset of clients (n = 15) and providers (n = 8) completed post-implementation qualitative interviews. Results showed that IPC-3 filled a gap in the system of mental health care for refugees and migrants in Peru. Some adaptations were made to IPC-3 to promote its relevance to the population and context. Non-specialist providers developed the skills and confidence to provide IPC-3 competently. Clients displayed large reductions in symptoms of depression (d = 1.1), anxiety (d = 1.4), post-traumatic stress (d = 1.0), and functional impairment (d = 0.8). Remote delivery of IPC-3 by non-specialists appears to be a feasible, acceptable, and appropriate strategy to address gaps and improve efficiency within the mental health system and warrants testing in a fully powered effectiveness study. Full article

Around 14% of pregnancies globally are affected by gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), making it one of the most common disorders experienced by women in pregnancy. While dietary, physical activity and supplement interventions have been implemented to prevent GDM, with varying levels of success, altering the gut microbiota through diet is a promising strategy for prevention. Several studies have demonstrated that women with GDM likely have a different gut microbiota to pregnant women without GDM, demonstrating that the gut microbiota may play a part in glycemic control and the development of GDM. To date, there have been no randomized controlled trials using diet to alter the gut microbiota in pregnancy with the aim of preventing GDM. Here, we present the study protocol for a single-blind randomized controlled trial which aims to determine the effectiveness of the Healthy Gut Diet on reducing the diagnosis of GDM in pregnant women with one or more risk factors. Consenting women will be randomized into either the Healthy Gut Diet intervention group or the usual care (control) group after 11 weeks gestation. The women in the intervention group will receive three telehealth counseling appointments with an Accredited Practicing Dietitian with the aim of educating and empowering these women to build a healthy gut microbiota through their diet. The intervention was co-designed with women who have lived experience of GDM and incorporates published behavior change techniques. The control group will receive the usual care and will also be shown a brief (3 min) video on general healthy eating in pregnancy. The primary outcome is the diagnosis of GDM at any stage of the pregnancy. Secondary outcomes include changes to gut microbiota composition and diversity; gestational weight gain; maternal and infant outcomes; management of GDM (where relevant); dietary quality and intake; physical activity; and depression scoring. We aim to recruit 120 women over 16 months. Recruitment commenced in January 2023. The trial has been registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12622001285741). Full article

Background: The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to a global health crisis that has affected the psychological well-being of individuals across the world. The persistence of the pandemic and measures to curtail it have tested people’s ability to cope successfully and bounce back from the pandemic, otherwise referred to as resilience. The present study examined resilience levels among residents of Fort McMurray and identified the demographic, clinical and social factors associated with resilience. Methods: The study used a cross-sectional survey design and collected data from 186 participants using online questionnaires. The survey included questions assessing sociodemographic information, mental health history and COVID-19-related variables. The main study outcome was resilience measured using the six-item Brief Resilience Scale (BRS). The data from the survey were analyzed using chi-squared tests and binary logistic regression analyses in the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 25. Results: The results showed that seven independent variables (age, history of depression, history of anxiety, willingness to receive mental health counselling, support from the government of Alberta and support from employer) were statistically significant within the context of the logistic regression model. A history of an anxiety disorder was demonstrated to best predict low resilience. Participants who had a history of anxiety disorder were five times more likely to show low resilience compared to those without such a history. Participants with a history of depression showed a three-fold likelihood of having low resilience in comparison to those who did not have a history of depression. Individuals who expressed a desire to receive mental health counselling had a four-times likelihood of having low resilience than those who did not express a desire to receive mental health counselling. The results also showed that younger participants were more prone to low resilience compared to older participants. Receiving support from the government and one’s employer is a protective factor. Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of examining resilience and its associated factors during a pandemic such as COVID-19. The results demonstrated that a history of anxiety disorder, depression and being younger were important predictors of low resilience. Responders who reported the desire to receive mental health counselling also reported expressing low resilience. These findings could be used to design and implement interventions aimed at improving the resilience of individuals affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Full article

Subjective tinnitus is a highly prevalent sound sensation produced in most cases by persistent neural activity in the auditory pathway of the patient. Audiologists should be confident that they can employ elements of sound therapy and related counseling to support patients in coping. However, patients with bothersome tinnitus may be challenged by mental health complications, and they struggle to find adequate care when tinnitus and psychological distress co-occur. Audiologists in many cases lack the confidence to provide in-depth counseling while mental health providers lack basic understanding of tinnitus, its mechanisms, and the elements of audiologic management that could support patients in coping. At the very least, audiologists should be able to explain the mechanisms involved in and contributing to negative tinnitus effects, conduct valid measures of these effects, and offer reasonable options for managing the consequences linked by the patient to bothersome tinnitus and sound-related sensations. This brief communication summarizes the current state of tinnitus-related opportunities offered in US audiology training programs, and the substantial need to improve both the education of practitioners and the delivery of services to patients in need. Full article

Certification as a prostate cancer center requires the offer of several supportive measures to patients undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP). However, it remains unclear how patients estimate the relevance of these measures and whether the availability of these measures differs between certified prostate cancer centers (CERTs) and non-certified centers (NCERTs). In 20 German urologic centers, a survey comprising questions on the relevance of 15 supportive measures was sent to 1000 patients at a median of 15 months after RP. Additionally, patients were asked to rate the availability of these measures using a four-item Likert scale. The aim of this study was to compare these ratings between CERTs and NCERTs. The response rate was 75.0%. In total, 480 patients underwent surgery in CERTs, and 270 in NCERTs. Patients rated 6/15 supportive measures as very relevant: preoperative medical counselling concerning treatment options, a preoperative briefing answering last questions, preoperative pelvic floor exercises (PFEs), postoperative PFEs, postoperative social support, and postoperative rehabilitation addressing physical fitness recovery. These ratings showed no significant difference between CERTs and NCERTs (p = 0.133–0.676). In addition, 4/9 of the remaining criteria were rated as more detailed by patients in CERTs. IMPROVE represents the first study worldwide to evaluate a patient-reported assessment of the supportive measures accompanying RP. Pertinent offers vary marginally between CERTs and NCERTs. Full article