Adjustment experiences of adolescents living with well-controlled type 1 diabetes using closed-loop technology.

Aim: This study aimed to obtain an in-depth understanding of the experiences of adolescents with well-controlled type 1 diabetes who were adjusting to closed-loop technology.

Method: Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was conducted. Five participants (aged 15-18) were recruited from the Centre for Diabetes and Endocrinology in Parktown, South Africa, to participate in semi-structured interviews about their experiences of adjusting to closed-loop technology.

Reviewing identity development in young people living with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.

Introduction: Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) is a chronic condition increasing among young people. Identity development occurs during an individual's life and can be significantly influenced by a chronic disease such as T1DM. We have critically reviewed the relevant scientific literature to understand young people's identity development with T1DM.

Validation of the parents' version of the KINDL and Kiddy Parents questionnaire in a South African context.

Background: This study aimed to assess the usefulness of the parent version of the KINDL and the additional items of the Kiddy Parents questionnaire in the South-African context and to validate it as an appropriate tool for measuring health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Method: The ExAMIN Youth SA study was designed to investigate lifestyle behaviours, including psychosocial factors that may adversely impact on cardiovascular health of children. Construct validity was examined by using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, while internal consistency was tested by Cronbach's alpha.

Exploring the thoughts, emotions, and behaviours related to the self-management practices of adults with type 2 diabetes.

This qualitative research study explored the thoughts, emotions, and behaviours of adults aged between 35 and 45 who managed their type 2 diabetes effectively and adults who struggled with diabetes self-management in a South African setting. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 adults who engaged in either successful self-management or who struggled with self-management. Effective management was characterised by an HbA1c level of 8% or lower.

The Association Between Serum Vancomycin Level and Clinical Outcome in Patients With Peritoneal Dialysis Associated Peritonitis.

Introduction: Intraperitoneal (IP) vancomycin is often first-line empiric therapy and then maintenance therapy for peritoneal dialysis (PD) peritonitis. However, how vancomycin serum levels correlate with clinical outcomes remains unclear.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective single-center adult cohort study of 98 patients with PD peritonitis treated with IP vancomycin between January 2016 and May 2022.

Identification of psychological constructs for a positive psychology intervention to assist with the adjustment to closed loop technology among adolescents living with type 1 diabetes.

Aim: Adolescents have been identified as the group who struggle most with successful adjustment to closed loop technology. This study aims to identify the psychological constructs that should form part of a positive psychology intervention to assist with the adjustment to closed loop technology among adolescents living with type 1 diabetes.

Method: Qualitative document analysis was employed to integrate findings from two documents: a published ongoing intervention study and a recent phenomenological study by the authors.

Exploring the role of CBT in the self-management of type 2 diabetes: A rapid review.

Background: Type 2 diabetes has been recognised as a global health concern: one that requires intervention to lessen the incumbrance caused by the chronic illness. This rapid review was conducted to determine the scientific evidence available on how Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) interventions improved the self-management of individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Aim: The aim of the review was to synthesise current scientific evidence regarding CBT-based interventions and self-management practices.

β-Catenin in the kidney stroma modulates pathways and genes to regulate kidney development.

Background: Kidney development is regulated by cellular interactions between the ureteric epithelium, mesenchyme, and stroma. Previous studies demonstrate essential roles for stromal β-catenin in kidney development. However, how stromal β-catenin regulates kidney development is not known.

Smile with diabetes: reflections on illness perception and diabetes management behaviors of adolescents in private health care in South Africa.

Background: The association between illness perception and diabetes management has been well established in adults but is not clearly understood for adolescents. This article reflects on qualitative findings on illness perception from the perspective of adolescents, and suggests future research to operationalize findings.

Methods: Qualitative document analysis was conducted on four research projects forming part of the project, which aims to investigate psychosocial variables in diabetes management, including illness perception, within the adolescent and youth populations.

The role of self-compassion in diabetes management: A rapid review.

Aim: This study aimed to assemble and critically reflect on previously acquired insights from investigations that have already been conducted into the role of self-compassion in diabetes and its management.

Methods: This study implemented a rapid review approach to assess the pre-existing knowledge in a time-sensitive manner. A rapid review involves the synthesis of existing knowledge using a simplified systematic review process.

Continuous glucose monitoring empowers adolescents to take responsibility of diabetes management.

Background: Managing diabetes is especially challenging for adolescents, and they often struggle to believe they can manage the condition. Illness perception has been widely associated with better diabetes management outcomes, but the influence of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) on adolescents has been largely neglected.

Aim: The study aimed to explore the illness perception of a group of adolescents living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) using CGM.

A critical review of the relationship between type 1 diabetes mellitus, inhibition, and behavioral management.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a chronic and lifelong condition that requires adequate behavior management in order to meet desired health outcomes. The effects of T1DM on the neurocognitive functioning of affected individuals raise concerns about how the disease may influence executive functioning. Inhibition is a core component of executive functioning, and plays a vital role in self-regulation and the restriction of impulsive behaviors.

Predictors of serum vancomycin levels in peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis.

Background: Intraperitoneal (IP) vancomycin is often first-line empiric therapy for peritoneal dialysis (PD) peritonitis; however, whether dosing should be adjusted for patient-specific characteristics remains unclear. We sought to identify factors associated with the day 3 vancomycin serum level in patients receiving vancomycin for PD peritonitis.

Methods: Retrospective single-centre adult cohort of 58 patients with PD peritonitis treated with IP vancomycin between January 2016 and May 2022.

Young adult women's meaning-making of living with type 1 diabetes: towards growth and optimism.

Type 1 diabetes is primarily researched as a medical condition; an examination of the subjective experience of it appears to be neglected. This study explored young women's meaning-making of living with type 1 diabetes in an attempt to uncover possible positive outcomes of growth and optimism. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) enabled the in-depth exploration of the journeys of a group of young female adults living with type 1 diabetes from distress to positive outcomes.

'It kinda sucks': Illness perception of a group of South African adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Background: Living with diabetes is challenging, especially for adolescents at risk of poor glycaemic control. Understanding the illness perceptions of this group is important to be able to develop interventions for this growing population in need.

Aim: This study explored the illness perception amongst adolescents living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and how these perceptions interacted with the management of T1D.

Quercetin treatment reduces the severity of renal dysplasia in a beta-catenin dependent manner.

Renal dysplasia, the major cause of childhood renal failure, is characterized by defective branching morphogenesis and nephrogenesis. Beta-catenin, a transcription factor and cell adhesion molecule, is markedly increased in the nucleus of kidney cells in human renal dysplasia and contributes to its pathogenesis by altering target genes that are essential for kidney development. Quercetin, a naturally occurring flavonoid, reduces nuclear beta-catenin levels and reduces beta-catenin transcriptional activity.

The Exercise, Arterial Modulation and Nutrition in Youth South Africa Study (ExAMIN Youth SA).

The impact of a sedentary and unhealthy lifestyle on cardiovascular health is well-documented, however the current obesity and hypertension trends among children is concerning. The ExAMIN Youth SA study aims to investigate the impact of lifestyle behaviors (physical fitness/activity, dietary intake and psychosocial factors) involved in early vascular aging among South African children. This study is an analytical, multidisciplinary, observational cohort study in a school-based setting.

Meaning in life experienced by parents of children living with diabetes.

In this study, nine parents of children living with well-controlled diabetes participated in semi-structured interviews to explore how they make meaning of living with a child with diabetes. Creating a state of normalcy that incorporates the diabetes care plan, empowering their children to successful transition to independent care, positive relationships with their medical team as well as acquiring and sharing diabetes-related knowledge and skills add to the meaning in life of these parents. Health practitioners should facilitate conversations with parents to help them realise their motivation for adhering to the diabetes care plan.

Illness perception of adolescents with well-controlled type 1 diabetes mellitus.

In this study, to explore the illness perceptions of adolescents with well-controlled type 1 diabetes mellitus in South Africa, semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine, purposively selected adolescents (mean = 13.9 years; median = 12). Themes that emerged from the thematic analysis include the following: accepting diabetes and the diabetes care plan as part of their lives; viewing diabetes as manageable and as their responsibility; and the important role of gaining information on diabetes and diabetes management.

Generation of diacylglycerol molecular species through the cell cycle: a role for 1-stearoyl, 2-arachidonyl glycerol in the activation of nuclear protein kinase C-betaII at G2/M.

Protein kinase C (PKC) is a family of 11 isoenzymes that are differentially involved in the regulation of cell proliferation. PKC-betaII, a mitotic lamin kinase, has been shown previously to translocate to the nucleus at G(2)/M and this was coupled to the generation of nuclear diacylglycerol. However, it is not clear how isoenzyme selective translocation and nuclear targeting is achieved during cell cycle.

PKC-delta is an apoptotic lamin kinase.

Protein kinase C-delta is activated during apoptosis, following proteolytic cleavage by caspase 3. Furthermore, overexpression of the catalytic kinase fragment of PKC-delta induces the nuclear phenotype associated with apoptosis, though the molecular basis of this effect has not been determined. In these studies we have examined the role of PKC-delta in the disassembly of the nuclear lamina at apoptosis.

Serine/threonine protein kinases and apoptosis.

Over the past decade, our understanding of apoptosis, or programmed cell death, has increased greatly, with the identification of some of the major components of the apoptotic programme and the processes regulating their activation. Although apoptosis is an intrinsic process present in all cells, it can be regulated by extrinsic factors, including hormones, growth factors, cell surface receptors, and cellular stress. The actions of both pro- and antiapoptotic factors are often affected by modulation of the phosphorylation status of key elements of the apoptotic process.

Spontaneous neutrophil apoptosis involves caspase 3-mediated activation of protein kinase C-delta.

Neutrophils are short-lived leukocytes that die by apoptosis. Whereas stress-induced apoptosis is mediated by the p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway (Frasch, S. C.