A lived experience perspective on communication challenges in mental health

A lived experience perspective on communication challenges in mental health

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Weak ties and the value of social connections for autistic people as revealed during the COVID-19 pandemic

A diverse portfolio of social relationships matters for people’s wellbeing, including both strong, secure relationships with others (‘close ties’) and casual interactions with acquaintances and strangers (‘weak ties’). Almost all of autism research has focused on Autistic people’s close ties with friends, family and intimate partners, resulting in a radically constrained understanding of Autistic sociality. Here, we sought to understand the potential power of weak-tie interactions by drawing on 95 semi-structured interviews with Autistic young people and adults conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. We analysed the qualitative data using reflexive thematic analysis within an essentialist framework. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, Autistic people deeply missed not only their close personal relationships but also their “incidental social contact” with acquaintances and strangers. These weak-tie interactions appear to serve similar functions for Autistic people as they do for non-autistic people, including promoting wellbeing. These findings have important implications both for future research into Autistic sociality and for the design of practical services and supports to enhance Autistic people’s opportunities to flourish.

Clinical practice recommendations for the diagnosis and management of X-linked hypophosphataemia

X-linked hypophosphataemia (XLH) is a rare metabolic bone disorder caused by pathogenic variants in the PHEX gene, which is predominantly expressed in osteoblasts, osteocytes and odontoblasts. XLH is characterized by increased synthesis of the bone-derived phosphaturic hormone fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), which results in renal phosphate wasting with consecutive hypophosphataemia, rickets, osteomalacia, disproportionate short stature, oral manifestations, pseudofractures, craniosynostosis, enthesopathies and osteoarthritis. Patients with XLH should be provided with multidisciplinary care organized by a metabolic bone expert. Historically, these patients were treated with frequent doses of oral phosphate supplements and active vitamin D, which was of limited efficiency and associated with adverse effects. However, the management of XLH has evolved in the past few years owing to the availability of burosumab, a fully humanized monoclonal antibody that neutralizes circulating FGF23. Here, we provide updated clinical practice recommendations for the diagnosis and management of XLH to improve outcomes and quality of life in these patients.

Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for treatment of multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder — recommendations from ECTRIMS and the EBMT

Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) is a treatment option for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) that are refractory to disease-modifying therapy (DMT). AHSCT after failure of high-efficacy DMT in aggressive forms of relapsing–remitting MS is a generally accepted indication, yet the optimal placement of this approach in the treatment sequence is not universally agreed upon. Uncertainties also remain with respect to other indications, such as in rapidly evolving, severe, treatment-naive MS, progressive MS, and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). Furthermore, treatment and monitoring protocols, rehabilitation and other supportive care before and after AHSCT need to be optimized. To address these issues, we convened a European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis Focused Workshop in partnership with the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation Autoimmune Diseases Working Party, in which evidence and key questions were presented and discussed by experts in these diseases and in AHSCT. Based on the workshop output and subsequent written interactions, this Consensus Statement provides practical guidance and recommendations on the use of AHSCT in MS and NMOSD. Recommendations are based on the available evidence, or on consensus when evidence was insufficient. We summarize the key evidence, report the final recommendations, and identify areas for further research.

Professional demand analysis for teaching Chinese to speakers of other languages: a text mining approach on internet recruitment platforms

The rapid development of international education in China highlights the growing importance of employment analysis in Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages (TCSOL). This study explores the enterprise demands for TCSOL professionals using text mining techniques to analyze recruitment data collected from four major platforms: Boss Zhipin, Zhaopin.com, 51job.com, and Liepin.com. Combining descriptive statistics, LDA topic modeling, BERT-BiLSTM-CRF-based named entity recognition, and co-occurrence network analysis were used. Results show that there is a high demand for TCSOL professionals, especially for small-scale enterprises located in first-tier cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. Employers tend to favor candidates with at least a bachelor’s degree and 1–3 years of work experience. The topic model highlighted three central themes in job descriptions, emphasizing a shift toward a more diverse skill set. Named entity recognition identified essential attributes such as “communication ability”, “teaching experience”, “bachelor’s degree or above” and “responsibility” as core recruitment requirements. The co-occurrence network analysis revealed the importance of “teaching” and “priority” as core skill nodes. Time series analysis showed seasonal fluctuations in recruitment demand, peaking during spring recruitment and graduation periods. A hierarchical model of talent demand and development in TCSOL is proposed, integrating the perspectives of employers, job seekers, educators, and policymakers. This study provides valuable insights for aspiring TCSOL professionals, offering guidance to better align talent training with market needs and improve employment prospects.

Iron homeostasis and ferroptosis in muscle diseases and disorders: mechanisms and therapeutic prospects

The muscular system plays a critical role in the human body by governing skeletal movement, cardiovascular function, and the activities of digestive organs. Additionally, muscle tissues serve an endocrine function by secreting myogenic cytokines, thereby regulating metabolism throughout the entire body. Maintaining muscle function requires iron homeostasis. Recent studies suggest that disruptions in iron metabolism and ferroptosis, a form of iron-dependent cell death, are essential contributors to the progression of a wide range of muscle diseases and disorders, including sarcopenia, cardiomyopathy, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Thus, a comprehensive overview of the mechanisms regulating iron metabolism and ferroptosis in these conditions is crucial for identifying potential therapeutic targets and developing new strategies for disease treatment and/or prevention. This review aims to summarize recent advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying ferroptosis in the context of muscle injury, as well as associated muscle diseases and disorders. Moreover, we discuss potential targets within the ferroptosis pathway and possible strategies for managing muscle disorders. Finally, we shed new light on current limitations and future prospects for therapeutic interventions targeting ferroptosis.

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