The training program can be used for preparing generalist nurses of their nursing competencies in disaster preparedness, response and post-disaster recovery and rehabilitation.

A descriptive correlation study was conducted at the outpatient pulmonary clinic of a large medical center to describe family support and self-care behavior and to ascertain the relationship of these two variables among Chinese chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. A total of 98 COPD patients completed the questionnaires providing demographic data and information about perceived family support and self-care behavior. Results showed that most subjects perceived that they had received a high level of family support, and the majority of the subjects perceived that they had initiated an adequate amount of self-care behavior. A slightly statistically significant positive relationship between family support and self-care behavior was ascertained.

Health-care providers should develop gender-based strategies to improve mental health among older survivors in a long-term post-disaster recovery programme.

Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are congenital abnormalities involving the gross structures of the heart and large blood vessels. Environmental factors, genetic factors and their interactions may contribute to the pathogenesis of CHDs. Generally, trace elements can be classified into essential trace elements and non-essential trace elements. Essential trace elements such as copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), selenium (Se), and manganese (Mn) play important roles in human biological functions such as metabolic function, oxidative stress regulation, and embryonic development. Non-essential trace elements such as cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), lead (Pb), nickle (Ni), barium (Ba), chromium (Cr) and mercury (Hg) are harmful to health even at low concentrations. Recent studies have revealed the potential involvement of these trace elements in the pathogenesis of CHDs. In this review, we summarized current studies exploring exposure to essential and non-essential trace elements and risks of CHDs, in order to provide further insights for the pathogenesis and prevention of CHDs.