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At any given moment, a notable proportion of parents worldwide have at least one child serving in the military. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress in the sample of parents of Israeli soldiers and to assess the difference in this prevalence by type of service (combat vs. non‐combat) and other demographic characteristics of parents and soldiers. A cross‐sectional study of a convenience sample of 202 Israeli parents who were interviewed during January‐September 2023. Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS‐21) was used to measure the emotional states of depression, anxiety, and stress (with cut‐off points of ≥5, ≥4, and ≥8, respectively). Having depression, anxiety, or stress was defined as psychological distress. Parents' demographics and child's service characteristics were included in the multivariable logistic regression model, with psychological distress as a dependent variable. Almost a quarter (22.8%) of parents experienced distress, defined as having high depression, anxiety, or stress score. In a multivariable model, combat service (vs. non‐combat) was significantly associated with distress: parents of combat soldiers were four times more likely to report distress than parents of non‐combat soldiers (OR = 3.9; 95% CI: 1.3–11.8). Highly classified service preventing the child from sharing information with the parents was significantly associated with distress (OR = 2.6; 95% CI: 1.2–5.3). Most distressed parents (78.3%) did not seek professional help, with the vast majority of those seeking assistance were female. Given the substantial proportion of parents suffering from mental distress found in this study, especially parents of combat soldiers and those serving in highly classified positions, healthcare professionals should be aware of parents' difficulties, be proactive in gathering information about their mental well‐being, and be prepared to provide professional help. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soon after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic outbreak, it became clear that vaccination will be the most useful tool to combat the disease. Despite the apparent safety and efficacy of the developed anti‐COVID‐19 vaccines, relatively high percentages of the population worldwide refused to get vaccinated, including many health workers and health students. The present cross‐sectional study examined the motives, attitudes, and personal characteristics of those who did not get vaccinated against COVID‐19 or vaccinated without complete willingness among nursing students and nursing faculty members in Israel (n = 472). Results show that the vast majority of the study participants (97%) received at least one dose of the anti‐COVID‐19 vaccine. Nearly 37% of the participants indicated that they received the vaccine without complete willingness. As compared to faculty members, nursing students reported lower trust in the efficacy of the vaccine, perceived the COVID‐19 pandemic as a health threat to a lesser extent, exhibited lower institutional and personal trust, and had higher levels of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms. Non‐Jewish participants were at risk of vaccinating without complete willingness. These findings underscore the need for developing evidence‐based strategies to promote the safety and efficacy of the anti‐COVID‐19 vaccines in nursing schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ondansetron is a widely administered medication for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. Further examination of its teratogenic capacity is necessary. This study examines the association between ondansetron treatment during pregnancy and birth defects and adverse obstetric outcomes. Patient data were extracted from Clalit Health Services, Israel. A propensity-score analysis was performed matching those exposed to ondansetron with those who were not. Findings identified 774 women exposed to ondansetron, matched 1:1 with unexposed control patients. No significant differences were found between the groups for: cleft palate, cardiovascular congenital abnormalities, spina bifida occulta, preterm delivery, or small for gestational age. Ondansetron may be a useful and safe alternative as treatment for women who suffer from hyperemesis gravidarum and do not respond to other antiemetic drugs. Notwithstanding, additional prospectively designed research is needed to establish the safety of ondansetron treatment during pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mounting evidence suggests that immune-system dysfunction and inflammation play a role in the pathophysiology and treatment of mood-disorders in general and of bipolar disorder in particular. The current study examined the effects of chronic low-dose aspirin and low-dose lithium (Li) treatment on plasma and brain interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated rats. Rats were fed regular or Li-containing food (0.1%) for six weeks. Low-dose aspirin (1 mg/kg) was administered alone or together with Li. On days 21 and 42 rats were injected with 1 mg/kg LPS or saline. Two h later body temperature was measured and rats were sacrificed. Blood samples, the frontal-cortex, hippocampus, and the hypothalamus were extracted. To assess the therapeutic potential of the combined treatment, rats were administered the same Li + aspirin protocol without LPS. We found that the chronic combined treatment attenuated LPS-induced hypothermia and significantly reduced plasma and brain cytokine level elevation, implicating the potential neuroinflammatory diminution purportedly present among the mentally ill. The combined treatment also significantly decreased immobility time and increased struggling time in the forced swim test, suggestive of an antidepressant-like effect. This preclinical evidence provides a potential approach for treating inflammation-related mental illness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Objective Methods Results Conclusion From October 7, 2023, until August 28, 2024, 187 posthumous sperm retrieval (PSR) procedures have been conducted on deceased men, 171 of whom are soldiers. PSR was predominantly initiated by parents to cope with their profound loss. However, the attitudes of Israeli men toward this procedure are unknown.This study aims to investigate the attitudes of Israeli men toward prior consent to PSR and posthumous‐assisted reproduction (PAR) initiated by partner or parents.A cross‐sectional study of 600 Israeli men aged 18–49 years who were questioned in February–April 2024 amid the ongoing armed conflict. The questionnaire included demographic details, role in the conflict, and attitudes toward PSR/PAR. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess agreement for PSR/PAR after adjustment for possible confounders.The average age of participants was 32 years, with 52% married or in a committed relationship and 6.5% self‐identified as having same‐sex relationships. The majority were secular (63%), 21% were traditional (21%), and 16% were religious. In terms of involvement in the ongoing conflict, 35% served in combat, 21% in non‐combat roles, and 44% did not participate. Most men (71%) prefer pre‐documenting their PSR preferences, with 70% advocating for consent during recruitment for regular military service and 78% before reserve service. Regarding PAR, 37% opposed it at their partner's request, while 47% opposed it at their parents’ request. In a multivariable model, the odds of approval of PAR following parental request were four‐ and three‐fold higher among traditional and secular versus religious men (odds ratio, OR = 4.1, 95% CI: 2.0–8.1 and OR = 3.3, 95% CI: 1.8–6.2, respectively) and following the request of a partner, twice higher among traditional and secular versus religious (OR = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.1–4.2 and OR = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.1–3.6, respectively).While it is understandable that grieving parents seek solace through PSR, consent should be obtained from the men themselves, as a considerable proportion do not support the process as it is currently performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite established efficacy in bipolar disorder patients, lithium (Li) therapy has serious side effects, particularly chronic kidney disease. We examined the safety and behavioral effects of combined chronic low-dose aspirin plus low-dose Li in rats to explore the toxicity and therapeutic potential of this treatment. Rats were fed regular or Li-containing food (0.1% [low-dose, LLD-Li] or 0.2% [standard-dose, STD-Li]) for six weeks. Low-dose aspirin (1 mg/kg) was administered alone or together with Li. Renal function and gastric mucosal integrity were assessed. The effects of the combination treatment were evaluated in depression-like and anxiety-like behavioral models. Co-treatment with aspirin did not alter plasma Li levels. Chronic STD-Li treatment resulted in significant polyuria and polydipsia, elevated blood levels of creatinine and cystatin C, and increased levels of kidney nephrin and podocin—all suggestive of impaired renal function. Aspirin co-treatment significantly damped STD-Li-induced impairments in kidney parameters. There were no gastric ulcers or blood loss in any treatment group. Combined aspirin and LLD-Li resulted in a significant increase in sucrose consumption, and in the time spent in the open arms of an elevated plus-maze compared with the LLD-Li only group, suggestive of antidepressant-like and anxiolytic-like effects, respectively. Thus, we demonstrate that low-dose aspirin mitigated the typical renal side effects of STD-Li dose and enhanced the beneficial behavioral effects of LLD-Li therapy without aggravating its toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fabricating data or creating fictitious datasets undermines research credibility with severe consequences., Purpose: To describe a data falsification incident that occurred during an undergraduate nursing research seminar and share the subsequent corrective measures employed at individual and class levels., Methods: The students involved in the falsification were asked to identify the incident's factors using an Ishikawa diagram and the 5M-Model approach, presenting their findings to the class., Results: In guided meetings, students offered diverse perspectives on the incident's causes, thoroughly examining the decision-making process behind data falsification, considering motives and emotions. Despite initial tension, the atmosphere improved as students displayed openness and honesty., Conclusions: The current case study uniquely combines educational concepts with an approach to establishing a constructive organizational culture, incorporating tools from risk management and treatment safety. Academia should study adverse events, engage students in learning, and emphasize the integration of ethical codes in academia and nursing., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic mental disease that substantially affects the patient's quality of life and causes significant morbidity and mortality. Although there are a variety of available treatments, therapeutic intervention is not beneficial in many cases and recurrence rates remain high. Recent data suggested tamoxifen, a drug with a wide range of activities, as a potential treatment for reducing manic symptoms of BD. Tamoxifen's therapeutic effect on bipolar mania has not been fully elucidated, but it is believed to biochemically operate on protein kinase C (PKC) inhibition. In this article, we review preclinical and clinical studies investigating the efficacy of tamoxifen as a potential treatment for bipolar manic patients., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (2021 authors.)

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of death and disability. Diffuse axonal injury (DAI) is the predominant mechanism of injury in a large percentage of TBI patients requiring hospitalization. DAI involves widespread axonal damage from shaking, rotation or blast injury, leading to rapid axonal stretch injury and secondary axonal changes that are associated with a long-lasting impact on functional recovery. Historically, experimental models of DAI without focal injury have been difficult to design. Here we validate a simple, reproducible and reliable rodent model of DAI that causes widespread white matter damage without skull fractures or contusions.