The involvement of nurses and midwives in screening and brief interventions for hazardous and harmful use of alcohol and other psychoactive substances

This report provides details of a review of the literature on the involvement of nurses and midwives in screening and brief interventions for hazardous and harmful use of alcohol and other psychoactive substances

Albumin concentrations are primarily determined by the body cell mass and the systemic inflammatory response in cancer patients with weight loss

The association between hypoalbuminemia and poor prognosis in patients with cancer is well recognized. However, the factors that contribute to the fall in albumin concentrations are not well understood. In the present study, we examined the relationship between circulating albumin concentrations, weight loss, the body cell mass (measured using total body potassium), and the presence of an inflammatory response (measured using C- reactive protein) in male patients (n=40) with advanced lung or gastrointestinal cancer. Albumin concentrations were significantly correlated with the percent ideal body weight (r=0.390, p lt 0.05), extent of reported weight loss (r=-0.492, p lt 0.01), percent predicted total body potassium (adjusted for age, height, and weight, r=0.686, p lt 0.001), and logo C-reactive protein concentrations (r=-0.545, p lt 0.001). On multiple regression analysis, the percent predicted total body potassium and log(10) C-reactive protein concentrations accounted for 63% of the variation in albumin concentrations (r(2) = 0.626, p lt 0.001). The interrelationship between albumin, body cell mass, and the inflammatory response is consistent with the concept that the presence of an ongoing inflammatory response contributes to the progressive loss of these vital protein components of the body and the subsequent death of patients with advanced cancer

Screening and brief interventions for hazardous and harmful use of alcohol and other psychoactive substances: How are nurses and midwives involved?

AbstractGlobally, about two billion people use alcohol and between 172 and 250 million people used illicit drugs at least once in 2007. Harmful alcohol use accounts for 4.5% of the global burden of disease and is responsible for 3.8% of all deaths. Hazardous and harmful drinkers may constitute up to 20% of patients in primary health care in some countries. Given the extent of the problem and the risks of hazardous and harmful substance use to health, nurses and midwives are well placed to deliver appropriate interventions. Effective screening and brief interventions are central to the public health effort. This literature review focused on the role of nurses and midwives in both screening and delivering brief interventions and entailed review of  literature published in English in which nurses or midwives various databases.Findings from the review are important for developing strategies for maximizing the role nurses and midwives can play in brief interventions. Key words: nursing, midwifery, brief interventions, harmful alcohol use, psychoactive substance us

A survey of stroke nurses’ knowledge of secondary prevention lifestyle issues

Nurses have an important role to play in providing information and advice on lifestyle risk factors for recurrent stroke. However, patients report receiving little or no lifestyle information. Aim: This study aimed to explore stroke nurses' knowledge and practice in relation to the provision of secondary prevention lifestyle information following stroke. Design: Cross-sectional survey methods were used. Participants were members of the Scottish Stroke Nurse Forum (n=97). Methods: A self-completed questionnaire was used to collect the data, with descriptive statistics summarizing the results. Results: Respondents stated that they assessed lifestyle risk factors following stroke; however, they focused on some but not all risk factors. While written and verbal information and advice was provided, knowledge of guidelines and health-related recommendations was limited. Conclusions: Stroke nurses require improved access to continuing professional development with regard to secondary prevention of stroke. They also require easy access to information resources which support evidence-based practice. </jats:p

The involvement of nurses and midwives in screening and brief interventions for hazardous and harmful use of alcohol and other psychoactive substances

This report provides details of a review of the literature on the involvement of nurses and midwives in screening and brief interventions for hazardous and harmful use of alcohol and other psychoactive substances. The literature review was limited to publications in English in which there was evidence of the involvement of nurses and midwives

Breaking the habit: a qualitative exploration of barriers and facilitators to smoking cessation in people with enduring mental health problems

BACKGROUND: Smoking in people with mental health problems (MHPs) is an important public health concern as rates are two to three times higher than in the general population. While a strong evidence base exists to encourage and support smoking cessation in the wider population, there is limited evidence to guide the tailoring of interventions for people with MHPs, including minimal understanding of their needs. This paper presents findings from theoretically-driven formative research which explored the barriers and facilitators to smoking cessation in people with MHPs. The aim, guided by the MRC Framework for the development and evaluation of complex interventions, was to gather evidence to inform the design and content of smoking cessation interventions for this client group. METHODS: Following a review of the empirical and theoretical literature, and taking a critical realist perspective, a qualitative approach was used to gather data from key stakeholders, including people with enduring MHPs (n = 27) and professionals who have regular contact with this client group (n = 54). RESULTS: There was a strong social norm for smoking in participants with MHPs and most were heavily addicted to nicotine. They acknowledged that their physical health would improve if they stopped smoking and their disposable income would increase; however, more important was the expectation that, if they attempted to stop smoking, their anxiety levels would increase, they would lose an important coping resource, they would have given up something they found pleasurable and, most importantly, their mental health would deteriorate. Barriers to smoking cessation therefore outweighed potential facilitators and, as a consequence, impacted negatively on levels of motivation and self-efficacy. The potential for professionals to encourage cessation attempts was apparent; however, they often failed to raise the issue of smoking/cessation as they believed it would damage their relationship with clients. The professionals’ own smoking status also appeared to influence their health promoting role. CONCLUSIONS: Many opportunities to encourage and support smoking cessation in people with MHPs are currently missed. The increased understanding provided by our study findings and literature review have been used to shape recommendations for the content of tailored smoking cessation interventions for this client group

Future Island-Island Impact Cards:Submersible Experience

ChallengeRathlin Island receives 50,000 visitors yearly, creating challenges for preserving its natural and cultural heritage while meeting accessibility needs. This project explores how immersive and virtual technologies can improve access to remote areas, raise awareness of sustainability and plastic pollution, and inspire positive environmental behaviours through engaging, game-based experiences. ApproachThis project uses photogrammetry, LIDAR, and Gaussian Splatting to 3D scan Rathlin’s key sites, creating digital twins for the Green Digital Transition. It includes co-design with stakeholders to ensure authentic representation of the island’s ecosystem and community, culminating in a VR submersible experience of the Rathlin seabed.OutcomesPlastic debris collected by Rathlin Stickybeak has been digitised, archived with provenance data, and integrated into a VR submersible experience. The current prototype phase incorporates island scans, potential shipwrecks, and seabed topography. Future development will include endemic marine wildlife and refined seabed representation. LearningsThe project delivered insights into sustainable digital twin production, defining efficient 3D scanning methods using photogrammetry, LIDAR, and Gaussian Splatting which was tested on the NI-HPC system for ethical AI training. Narrative, animation, and gamification helped researchers understand plastic pollution’s impact on Rathlin’s ecosystems and its broader global significance. ImpactThe VR submersible experience is expected to deliver impactful R&amp;D outcomes, guiding sustainable digital content creation. It addresses ethical AI and 3D digital twin use for education, media production, and museums. It supports the Green Digital Transition by enabling access to remote areas and promoting sustainable plastic use via in-game narratives

Effects of antiplatelet therapy on stroke risk by brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases: subgroup analyses of the RESTART randomised, open-label trial

Background Findings from the RESTART trial suggest that starting antiplatelet therapy might reduce the risk of recurrent symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage compared with avoiding antiplatelet therapy. Brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases (such as cerebral microbleeds) are associated with greater risks of recurrent intracerebral haemorrhage. We did subgroup analyses of the RESTART trial to explore whether these brain imaging features modify the effects of antiplatelet therapy