Publications by authors named "N J Robertson"

Background: Multiple sclerosis is a chronic neurological disease that is commonly diagnosed in middle age and disproportionately affects women. Consequently, middle-aged men (as partners and husbands) are often the caregivers, a unique group in comparison with carers for people with other long-term neurological conditions, who are predominately women. Previous research has indicated that male carers respond differently from their female counterparts in terms of carer burden.

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The first of several phase 3 trials examining efficacy in relapsing MS has not been able to demonstrate a significant benefit and has also raised important safety concerns. More results are on their way and it will be important to understand whether the safety signals identified are drug- or class-specific and whether other BTKi also fail to reach their endpoints for relapsing MS. However, as reported in preliminary data for another BTKi, it may be that they will have more of a role in progressive disease as hinted by the unraveling of relevant molecular mechanisms and pathways.

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While PTSD continues to be researched in great depth, less attention has been given to the continuum of traumatic responses that resides outside this diagnosis. This investigation begins with a literature review examining the spectrum of responses through the lens of the default mode network (DMN). To build upon this literature, a systematic exploratory study was incorporated, examining DMN-related neuropsychological functioning of 27 participants (16 trauma-exposed, and 11 non-trauma-exposed), with a subset (15 participants) completing neuroimaging.

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Background: The prevalence of chronic respiratory diseases is increasing globally. There is evidence that those with spirometric impairment, and no evidence of obstruction, termed preserved ratio impaired spirometry (PRISm), have increased risk of morbidity and mortality, compared to those with normal lung function. There remain several gaps in characterizing PRISm.

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Purpose: Social work is an intrinsically challenging profession, with high levels of distress and burnout reported amongst professionals. Self-compassion has been suggested as a coping resource that may benefit social workers and reduce levels of distress. There is reason to believe that low self-compassion may confer a vulnerability in social workers, particularly student social workers.

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