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BACKGROUND: Preterm infants are uniquely vulnerable to early toxic stress exposure while in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and also being at risk for suboptimal neurodevelopmental outcomes. However, the complex biological mechanisms responsible for variations in preterm infants’ neurodevelopmental outcomes because of early toxic stress exposure in the NICU remain unknown. Innovative preterm behavioral epigenetics research offers a possible mechanism and describes how early toxic stress exposure may lead to epigenetic alterations, potentially affecting short- and long-term outcomes. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to review the relationships between early toxic stress exposures in the NICU and epigenetic alterations in preterm infants. The measurement of early toxic stress exposure in the NICU and effect of epigenetic alterations on neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants were also examined. METHODS: We conducted a scoping review of the literature published between January 2011 and December 2021 using databases PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrance Library, PsycINFO, and Web of Science. Primary data-based research that examined epigenetics, stress, and preterm infants or NICU were included. RESULTS: A total of 13 articles from nine studies were included. DNA methylations of six specific genes were studied in relation to early toxic stress exposure in the NICU: SLC6A4, SLC6A3, OPRMI, NR3C1, HSD11B2, and PLAGL1. These genes are responsible for regulating serotonin, dopamine, and cortisol. Poorer neurodevelopmental outcomes were associated with alterations in DNA methylation of SLC6A4, NR3C1, and HSD11B2. Measurements of early toxic stress exposure in the NICU were inconsistent among the studies. DISCUSSION: Epigenetic alterations secondary to early toxic stress exposures in the NICU may be associated with future neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants. Common data elements of toxic stress exposure in preterm infants are needed. Identification of the epigenome and mechanisms by which early toxic stress exposure leads to epigenetic alterations in this vulnerable population will provide evidence to design and test individualized intervention.

Implementation of evidence-based practice (EBP) is essential for ensuring high-quality nursing care. In Portugal, nurses are responsible for care delivery to patients who require peripheral intravenous access. However, recent authors emphasized the predominance of a culture based on outdated professional vascular access practices in Portuguese clinical settings. Thus, the aim of this study was to map the studies conducted in Portugal on peripheral intravenous catheterization. A scoping review was conducted based on the Joanna Briggs Institute recommendations, with a strategy adapted to different scientific databases/registers. Independent reviewers selected, extracted, and synthesized the data. Of the 2128 studies found, 26 were included in this review, published between 2010 and 2022. Previous research shows that Portuguese nurses' implementation of EBP was found to be relatively low overall, while most studies did not attempt to embed EBP change into routine care. Although nurses are responsible for implementing EBP at an individual patient level, the studies conducted in Portugal report nonstandardized practices among professionals, with significant deviations from recent evidence. This reality, combined with Portugal's absence of government-endorsed evidence-based standards for peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) insertion and treatment and vascular access teams, may explain the country's unacceptably high incidence of PIVC-related complications reported over the last decade.

The objective of this review is to identify and characterize the use of the natural environment/outdoor space by occupational therapists working in mental health care.Research has shown that the natural environment is beneficial for our health and can be used to benefit people who are experiencing mental health problems. Occupational therapists are well placed to assess and utilize the environment when treating people with mental health problems, but the use of the natural environment/outdoor space by occupational therapists working in mental health is unclear.The scoping review will include both primary research and gray literature relating to the use of the natural environment/outdoor space in mental health occupational therapy practice. The review will be limited to studies published in English. There will be no geographical or age restrictions.Embase (Ovid), MEDLINE (Ovid), CINAHL (EBSCO), PsycINFO (ProQuest), AMED (EBSCO), Trip Database, EMCARE (Ovid), and OTSeeker will be search for studies. Unpublished studies and gray literature will be searched using GreyNet and National Grey Literature Collection, alongside professional magazines and websites. Titles and abstracts will be screened by 2 independent reviewers for assessment against the inclusion criteria, followed by a full-text review and data extraction. Any disagreements will be discussed with a third reviewer. Data will be extracted using a data extraction tool developed by the reviewers and presented in a tabular format, accompanied by a narrative summary describing how the results relate to the review objective and question.

This review will aim to examine the effectiveness of mobile-based technologies among young people (10 to 24 years) in low- and middle-income countries in order to promote their mental health and psychosocial well-being. Such promotional interventions may be in the form of mobile technology-based education, information, or psychosocial counseling.Young people in low- and middle-income countries have limited access to mental health services. Mobile-based technologies, such as remote consultations, telehealth, and smartphone applications, can offer improved access to mental health services; however, to the best of our knowledge, there are no systematic reviews of effectiveness on this topic.Evidence sources from low- and middle-income countries involving mobile-based technologies for mental health and psychosocial support interventions for young people will be included. All experimental and observational studies published in English from 2010 to 2022 will be included.The review will follow JBI methodology for systematic reviews of effectiveness. Embase (Ovid), CINAHL (EBSCO), PsycINFO (ProQuest), AMED (Ovid), HMIC (Ovid) MEDLINE (PubMed), and Web of Science will be searched. Gray literature will be identified through Directory of Open Access Journals, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, EThOs, Asia eHealth Information Network, Google Scholar, and Grey Literature Report. Retrieved articles will be screened against the inclusion criteria, followed by an assessment by 2 independent reviewers for methodological quality using standardized JBI appraisal tools. Data extraction will be done using standardized JBI data extraction tools. Narrative synthesis will be preferred if meta-analysis is not feasible and certainty of evidence will be assessed using the GRADE approach.PROSPERO CRD42022338749.

The objective of the review is to understand how academic literature on domestic violence has described or defined subtle, non-physical abuse in intimate heterosexual or same-sex relationships.Academic literature frequently refers to subtle or covert abuse in intimate relationships; however, this kind of abuse, while recognized by therapists who work with victims, has not yet been researched. Without understanding how clients experiencing subtle abuse present in therapy, therapists may misunderstand the cause of their distress and do more harm than good. This scoping review aims to understand how the current literature describes or defines subtle or covert abuse to inform future research to enable therapists to recognize subtle abuse in their clients.Academic work that describes or defines subtle or covert abuse in intimate partner relationships based on primary research or discussion papers published in English will be considered for inclusion. Work will be excluded if it only describes physical or overt non-physical abuse.MeSH terms and keywords relating to domestic violence literature found in preliminary searches were used to design the initial search strategies. Search terms based on these were chosen in discussion with a librarian. The following databases will be searched: PsycINFO (EBSCO), MEDLINE Complete (EBSCO), CINAHL (EBSCO), PsycArticles (EBSCO), and Scopus. Searches will be conducted for studies published between 1950 and 2021.

The objective of this scoping review is to map the available literature on the specialist lung cancer nurse role.The international literature acknowledges the importance of specialist cancer nurses who provide supportive care to patients. Historically, however, there has been a lack of consistent evidence to inform development and implementation of the role.This review will consider quantitative and qualitative studies of any design or methodology that report on role characteristics or behaviors, practices or activities, or other aspects of the specialist lung cancer nurse role in the acute care setting. Systematic reviews, professional body reports, as well as unpublished or published studies and reports will also be considered for inclusion. Textual or opinion papers will be excluded.This review will follow JBI methodology for scoping reviews. Relevant papers from 2006 to 2022, in any language, will be searched for in the following databases and registries: MEDLINE (PubMed), CINAHL (EBSCO), Web of Science, Embase, and the Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials. Websites to be searched will include the World Health Organization, International Council of Nurses, and Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses (ProQuest) and Grey Matters (CADTH) will be searched for unpublished literature. Results will be presented in tabular and narrative format and mapped according to the specified concepts of interest, as well as to the domains of practice for specialist nursing roles.