bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thermal effects of a combined irrigation method during implant site drilling. A standardized in vitro study using a bovine rib model
Authors: Strbac Georg D. , Unger Ewald , Donner René , Bijak Manfred , Watzek Georg , Zechner Werner
Published: September 2012

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the temperature changes during implant osteotomies with a combined irrigation system as compared to the commonly used external and internal irrigation under standardized conditions.

Material and methods

Drilling procedures were performed on VII bovine ribs using a computer‐aided surgical system that ensured automated intermittent drilling cycles to simulate clinical conditions. A total of 320 drilling osteotomies were performed with twist (2 mm) and conical implant drills (3.5/4.3/5 mm) at various drilling depths (10/16 mm) and with different saline irrigation (50 ml/min) methods (without/external/internal/combined). Temperature changes were recorded in real time by two custom‐built thermoprobes with 14 temperature sensors (7 sensors/thermoprobe) at defined measuring depths.

Results

The highest temperature increase during osteotomies was observed without any coolant irrigation (median, 8.01°C), followed by commonly used external saline irrigation (median, 2.60°C), combined irrigation (median, 1.51°C) and ultimately with internal saline irrigation (median, 1.48°C). Temperature increase with different drill diameters showed significant differences (P < 0.05) regarding drill depth, confirming drill depth and time of drilling as influencing factors of heat generation. Internal saline irrigation showed a significantly smaller temperature increase (P < 0.05) compared with combined and external irrigation. A combined irrigation procedure appears to be preferable (P < 0.05) to an external irrigation method primarily with higher osteotomy depths.

Conclusions

Combined irrigation provides sufficient reduction in temperature changes during drilling, and it may be more beneficial in deeper site osteotomies. Further studies to optimize the effects of a combined irrigation are needed.
Plasma rich in growth factors in human extraction sockets: a radiographic and histomorphometric study on early bone deposition
Authors: Farina Roberto , Bressan Eriberto , Taut Andrei , Cucchi Alessandro , Trombelli Leonardo
Published: September 2012

Objectives

To determine whether and to what extent the additional application of plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) to an extraction socket may influence the early bone deposition, as assessed by micro‐computed tomography (micro‐CT) scan as well as histomorphometric markers.

Material and methods

Twenty‐eight patients (age range: 34–74 years) contributing 36 extraction sockets were included in the study. Sockets were either treated with PRGF (PRGF group; 18 sites in 11 patients) or left to spontaneous healing (control group; 18 sites in 17 patients). Radiographic and histomorphometric analysis was performed on bone cores trephined from each healing socket after 4–6 (T1) or 7–10 (T2) weeks of healing.

Results

Patients treated with PRGF application showed (i) similar bone volume and tissue mineral content, (ii) a trend, although not statistically significant, toward a greater number of CD68+ cells (at T1 and T2) and vVW+ cells (at T1), and (iii) a similar OCN staining score throughout the study, when compared with control group.

Conclusions

Plasma rich in growth factors‐treated group did not show any enhancement in early (4 and 8 weeks) bone deposition compared with control group.
Histological evaluation at different times after augmentation of extraction sites grafted with a magnesium‐enriched hydroxyapatite: double‐blinded randomized controlled trial
Authors: Canullo Luigi , Heinemann Friedhelm , Gedrange Tomasz , Biffar Reiner , Kunert‐Keil Christiane
Published: September 2012

Objectives

To histologically analyze the early angiogenesis–osteogenesis interplay in post‐extraction sockets augmented with magnesium‐enriched hydroxyapatite (Mg‐enriched HA).

Material and Methods

Ten post‐extraction sites underwent post‐extraction ridge preservation procedure. According to randomization, sites were divided into two balanced groups and bone specimens were collected 2 or 4 months after surgery. Sections were stained with hematoxylin/eosin, Masson–Goldner trichrome, and tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), respectively. Furthermore, indirect immunohistochemistry was performed using alkaline phosphatase, CD34 and caveolin‐1 antibodies. Mean values and standard deviations were calculated for each outcome variable. Data were then compared using one‐way ANOVA test. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Histomorphometric analysis presented 15.0% (±3.5) regenerated bone after 2 months of healing. After 4 months, regenerated bone increased 5.1‐fold up to 77.4% (± 8.6) (P < 0.001). On the contrary, vessels and capillary reduced from 645 (±33) to 255 (± 94) (caveolin‐1 expression, P = 0.008). These findings were confirmed by CD34 expression (301 ± 95 and 88 (±24), respectively, at 2 and 4 months (P = 0.046).

Conclusions

Within the limits of the present randomized controlled study, it can be concluded that Mg‐enriched HA is a suitable material for socket preservation and ensures early angiogenesis and early osteogenesis.
Where do they come from and where do they go?European natural habitats as donors of invasive alien plants globally
Authors: Kalusová Veronika , Chytrý Milan , Kartesz John T. , Nishino Misako , Pyšek Petr
Published: September 2012

Aim

The percentage of alien species found in a given habitat depends on the habitat vulnerability to invasion (invasibility) and the number of species introduced (propagule pressure). However, the global pool of alien species suited to a given habitat also varies. Here, we identify donor habitats of invasive alien plant species originating from Europe, examine the match between habitats they occupy inEurope and recipient areas and test whether donor habitats of invasive plants tend to be vulnerable or resistant to invasions.

Location

Europe (source area),NorthAmerica and theWorld (recipient areas).

Methods

NativeEuropean vascular plants invasive inNorthAmerica and other parts of theWorld were identified for 35European natural habitats. Percentages of species invasive outside Europe, of the total number of native species occurring in eachEuropean habitat, were used to compare these habitats as donors for invasion. Habitat preferences ofEuropean species in their recipient areas were compared with those inEurope.

Results

European alluvial forests, alder carrs and coastal sand‐dunes harbour the highest percentages of native species that are invasive outsideEurope. Outside their native range,European species tend to invade habitats that are similar to their donor habitats inEurope, but species of alluvial and coastal habitats also frequently invade other habitats. European habitats that are important donors of invasive species globally experience the highest levels of invasion by alien species from other regions; this relationship was, however, not confirmed for invasions toNorthAmerica if considered separately.

Main conclusions

Some European habitats are more important donors of invasive plants than others. Therefore, the level of invasion of different habitats is affected also by the differences in the number of invasive species provided by various donor habitats. At a global scale, more important donor habitats are also likely to be more invaded.
Resonance in neocortical neurons and networks
Authors: Dwyer Jennifer , Lee Hyong , Martell Amber , van Drongelen Wim
Published: September 2012

Neocortical networks produce oscillations that often correspond to characteristic physiological or pathological patterns. However, the mechanisms underlying the generation of and the transitions between such oscillatory states remain poorly understood. In this study, we examined resonance in mouse layer V neocortical pyramidal neurons. To accomplish this, we employed standard electrophysiology to describe cellular resonance parameters. Bode plot analysis revealed a range of resonance magnitude values in layer V neurons and demonstrated that both magnitude and phase response characteristics of layer V neocortical pyramidal neurons are modulated by changes in the extracellular environment. Specifically, increased resonant frequencies and total inductive areas were observed at higher extracellular potassium concentrations and more hyperpolarised membrane potentials. Experiments using pharmacological agents suggested that current through hyperpolarization‐activated cyclic nucleotide‐gated channels (Ih) acts as the primary driver of resonance in these neurons, with other potassium currents, such as A‐type potassium current and delayed‐rectifier potassium current (Kv1.4 and Kv1.1, respectively), contributing auxiliary roles. The persistent sodium current was also shown to play a role in amplifying the magnitude of resonance without contributing significantly to the phase response. Although resonance effects in individual neurons are small, their properties embedded in large networks may significantly affect network behavior and may have potential implications for pathological processes.
Temporal features of human tendon vibration illusions
Authors: Fuentes Christina T. , Gomi Hiroaki , Haggard Patrick
Published: September 2012

Muscle spindles provide information about the position and movement of our bodies. One method for investigating spindle signals is tendon vibration. Vibration of flexor tendons can produce illusions of extension, and vibration of extensor tendons can produce illusions of flexion. Here we estimate the temporal resolution and persistence of these illusions. In Experiments 1 and 2, sequences of alternating vibration of wrist flexor and extensor tendons produced position illusions that varied with alternation period. When vibrations alternated at 1 Hz or slower, perceived position at the end of the sequence depended on the last vibration. When vibrations alternated every 0.3 s, perceived position was independent of the last vibration. Experiment 2 verified and extended these results using more trials and concurrent electromyographic recording. Although tendon vibrations sometimes induce reflexive muscle activity, we found no evidence that such activity contributed to these effects. Experiment 3 investigated how long position sense is retained when not updated by current information from spindles. Our first experiments suggested that vibrating antagonistic tendons simultaneously could produce conflicting inputs, leaving position sense reliant on memory of position prior to vibration onset. We compared variability in position sense after different durations of such double vibration. After 12 s of double vibration, variability across trials exceeded levels predicted from vibrations of flexor or extensor tendons alone. This suggests that position sense memory had decayed too much to substitute for the current conflicting sensory information. Together, our results provide novel, quantitative insight into the temporal properties of tendon vibration illusions.
A double‐blind randomized placebo‐controlled study on the clinical and microbial effects of an essential oil mouth rinse used by patients in supportive periodontal care
Authors: Cosyn J , Princen K , Miremadi R , Decat E , Vaneechoutte M , De Bruyn H
Published: September 2012

Aim

This 3‐month double‐blind randomized placebo‐controlled study evaluated the clinical and microbial effects of an essential oil mouth rinse used as an adjunct to mechanical plaque control by patients in supportive periodontal care.

Material and methods

Fifty patients were randomly allocated to an essential oil group (Listerine® Coolmint; Johnson & Johnson, New Brunswick, NJ, USA) or placebo group to rinse twice per day as an adjunct to mechanical plaque control. At baseline and after 3 months, plaque index (PI), gingivitis index (GI), probing pocket depth, bleeding on probing (BoP) and clinical attachment level were registered. Subgingival plaque samples were collected for the detection and quantification of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, Treponema denticola, Micromonas micros, Prevotella intermedia, Fusobacterium genus and Streptococcus mutans by means of real‐time PCR (qPCR). Patient's compliance, satisfaction and side effects were registered.

Results

Twenty‐three patients in the essential oil group (mean age: 57) and 21 in the placebo group (mean age: 55) with acceptable oral hygiene at intake (mean PI <1.5 on a scale of 5) adhered to the study protocol. Gingivitis index, PI and BoP significantly reduced over time (P ≤ 0.029); however, between group analyses revealed no significant differences. There was no significant change over time neither in detection frequency nor load for any of the microbiota. Daily rinsing with an essential oil rinse was found safe and perceived beneficial by the patients.

Conclusion

Patients in supportive periodontal care who are fairly compliant with oral hygiene may not benefit from additional mouth rinsing using an essential oil solution.
Dental neglect and adverse birth outcomes: a validation and observational study
Authors: Acharya S , Pentapati KC , Bhat PV
Published: September 2012

Objectives

The objectives of this study were to validate the Indian translation of the Dental Neglect Scale (DNS) among a sample of parturient Indian women and to investigate dental neglect as a possible risk indicator in adverse birth outcomes.

Subjects and methods

Three hundred and sixteen parturient women were administered the DNS and the Modified Dental Beliefs Scale (MDBS) and were also clinically examined for oral health status. Information regarding socio‐economic status, weeks of gestation and birth weight was also collected. A gestation period of less than 37 weeks was considered as preterm and a birth weight of less than 2500 gm as ‘low birth weight’.

Results

The Indian version of the DNS was found to be reliable (Cronbach's Alpha = 0.72) and valid for assessing dental neglect among the women. Factor analysis of the DNS revealed a two‐factor structure accounting for 56% variance. Dental neglect was higher among those with poorer oral health status, lower socio‐economic and educational status. Multinomial logistic regression showed high dental neglect and negative dental beliefs and not poor oral health, as significant risk indicators for occurrence of adverse birth outcomes.

Conclusion

The finding of an association of adverse birth outcomes with dental neglect and beliefs, but not with poor oral health could be due to the influence of other more important general factors which had a direct bearing on birth outcomes. There is a need for further research to assess the role of behavioural factors like dental neglect as risk indicators for adverse birth outcomes.
Advances in the development of universal influenza vaccines
Authors: Gilbert Sarah C.
Published: September 2012

Please cite this paper as: Sarah C. Gilbert. (2012) Advances in the development of universal influenza vaccines. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses DOI:10.1111/irv.12013.

Despite the widespread availability and use of influenza vaccines, influenza still poses a considerable threat to public health. Vaccines against seasonal influenza do not offer protection against pandemic viruses, and vaccine efficacy against seasonal viruses is reduced in seasons when the vaccine composition is not a good match for the predominant circulating viruses. Vaccine efficacy is also reduced in older adults, who are one of the main target groups for vaccination. The continual threat of pandemic influenza, with the known potential for rapid spread around the world and high mortality rates, has prompted researchers to develop a number of novel approaches to providing immunity to this virus, focusing on target antigens which are highly conserved between different influenza A virus subtypes. Several of these have now been taken into clinical development, and this review discusses the progress that has been made, as well as considering the requirements for licensing these new vaccines and how they might be used in the future.
The rust transferred proteins—a new family of effector proteins exhibiting protease inhibitor function
Authors: Pretsch Klara , Kemen Ariane , Kemen Eric , Geiger Matthias , Mendgen Kurt , Voegele Ralf
Published: September 2012

Only few fungal effectors have been described to be delivered into the host cell during obligate biotrophic interactions. RTP1p, from the rust fungi Uromyces fabae and U. striatus, was the first fungal protein for which localization within the host cytoplasm could be demonstrated directly. We investigated the occurrence of RTP1 homologues in rust fungi and examined the structural and biochemical characteristics of the corresponding gene products. The analysis of 28 homologues showed that members of the RTP family are most likely to occur ubiquitously in rust fungi and to be specific to the order Pucciniales. Sequence analyses indicated that the structure of the RTPp effectors is bipartite, consisting of a variable N‐terminus and a conserved and structured C‐terminus. The characterization of Uf‐RTP1p mutants showed that four conserved cysteine residues sustain structural stability. Furthermore, the C‐terminal domain exhibits similarities to that of cysteine protease inhibitors, and it was shown that Uf‐RTP1p and Us‐RTP1p are able to inhibit proteolytic activity in Pichia pastoris culture supernatants. We conclude that the RTP1p homologues constitute a rust fungi‐specific family of modular effector proteins comprising an unstructured N‐terminal domain and a structured C‐terminal domain, which exhibit protease inhibitory activity possibly associated with effector function during biotrophic interactions.
The ESX/type VII secretion system modulates development, but not virulence, of the plant pathogen Streptomyces scabies
Authors: Fyans Joanna K. , Bignell Dawn , Loria Rosemary , Toth Ian , Palmer Tracy
Published: September 2012

Streptomyces scabies is a model organism for the investigation of plant–microbe interactions in Gram‐positive bacteria. Here, we investigate the type VII protein secretion system (T7SS) in S. scabies; the T7SS is required for the virulence of other Gram‐positive bacteria, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Staphylococcus aureus. The hallmarks of a functional T7SS are an EccC protein that forms an essential component of the secretion apparatus and two small, sequence‐related substrate proteins, EsxA and EsxB. A putative transmembrane protein, EccD, may also be associated with T7S in Actinobacteria. In this study, we constructed strains of the plant pathogen S. scabies carrying marked mutations in genes coding for EccC, EccD, EsxA and EsxB. Unexpectedly, we showed that all four mutant strains retain full virulence towards several plant hosts. However, disruption of the esxA or esxB, but not eccC or eccD, genes affects S. scabies development, including a delay in sporulation, abnormal spore chains and resistance to lysis by the Streptomyces‐specific phage ϕC31. We further showed that these phenotypes are specific to the loss of the T7SS substrate proteins EsxA and EsxB, and are not observed when components of the T7SS secretion machinery are lacking. Taken together, these results imply an unexpected intracellular role for EsxA and EsxB.
High incidence of skin cancer in the Channel Islands
Authors: Reilly G. D. , Muhlemann M. , Lai C. , Verne J. , Ives A. , Southall P. J. , Goulding H. , Healy E.
Published: September 2012

Background. Previous studies looking at rates of malignant melanoma (MM) and nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) in the UK have documented one of the highest rates in the southwest of England; however, the incidence of these tumours in Guernsey and Jersey, two of the Channel Islands, has not previously been reported.

Aims. To determine the incidence of cutaneous MM and NMSC in the Channel Islands.

Methods. Data for the period 2005–2009 were obtained from clinical and histopathological records for all MMs excised in the Channel Islands, and from the South-west Cancer Registry for MMs excised in the southwest of England and for NMSCs in both areas. The age-standardized incidence rate (ASRs) per 100 000 of the population in the Channel Islands were compared with those with the southwest of England, the UK and the rest of Europe where available. The MM characteristics of the Channel Islands were then compared with the southwest of England using standardized incidence ratios (SIRs).

Results. The ASR/100 000 for cutaneous MM for 2005–2009 was 30 for the Channel Islands (31.3 for Jersey, 28.2 for Guernsey), 20.3 for the southwest of England, and 15.6 for the UK. Comparison with the rest of Europe indicated that the incidence of MM in the Channel Islands is one of the highest in Europe. The highest incidence of MM was in the over 65 years age group on both Guernsey and Jersey, and when divided into 5-year age bands, the 70–74 years age group had the highest rate. This suggests that this particular age group may have previously received greater exposure to some environmental factor that promotes MM development. The ASR/100 000 for NMSC was also higher for the Channel Islands (263.3) than for the southwest of England (174.6) for 2005–2009, and for the UK in 2009 (104.9).

Conclusions. This study indicates that the Channel Islands have a high incidence of skin cancer (both MM and NMSC). In addition, the data show that the ASRs in older people in this population group differ from those in mainland UK, showing higher rates in the over 65 years age group.
Insect oviposition plasticity in response to host availability: the case of the tephritid fruit fly Bactrocera dorsalis
Authors: XU LINGLING , ZHOU CHUNMENG , XIAO YING , ZHANG PEIFEN , TANG YING , Xu YIJUAN
Published: September 2012

1. Insect oviposition behaviour is ecologically and physiologically plastic. For tephritid fruit flies, Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel, host availability varies spatially and temporally. Females are expected to adopt adaptive oviposition strategies to maximise lifetime reproductive fitness, including survival. Bactrocera dorsalis oviposition tactics in response to different host availabilities were investigated.

2. This study includes three treatments: (i) variable host densities (host density varied according to a fixed cycle from day to day over values of 1, 5, 10 and 20 hosts per cage), (ii) a fixed high host density (20 hosts per cage), and (iii) a fixed low host density (1 host per cage).

3. Daily egg‐laying number per female over the course of 27 days was entirely independent of host density and highly dependent on female age. As host availability increased, females accepted significantly more hosts, generally laid small egg clutches, and more broadly distributed the eggs.

4. Tephritid fruit flies adaptively adjusted egg clutches in ways that reflected the variability of host availability. Egg‐ and time‐limitation constraints appeared to drive these adjustments. Female egg maturation was triggered by oviposition activity and reflected marked lifetime trade‐offs. Such strategies involved specific time schedules for egg laying.

5.This study defined the oviposition plasticity of the tephritid fruit fly. These results have general implications for the behavioural ecology of insect herbivores and parasitoids.
The effect of parental intellectual disability status on child protection service worker decision making
Authors: Proctor S. N. , Azar S. T.
Published: September 2012

Background

There is evidence to suggest that parents with an intellectual disability (ID) constitute a higher proportion of child‐protective services (CPS) cases than would be expected based on the prevalence of ID in the general population. Researchers have suggested that the stereotypic assumptions and expectations that CPS workers have about parents with an ID might influence decisions and responses made to such parents. This study examined whether parental ID (having an ID vs. not) had an effect on CPS workers' emotional reactions, attributions and decisions about risk to the child, whether to remove the child and workers' general willingness to help the parent.

Method

Two hundred and twelve CPS workers read vignettes describing parents who were labelled as either having or not having an ID. Workers responded to the vignettes by making ratings of their emotional reactions, attributions and decisions regarding risk, removal and helping.

Results

CPS workers made significantly higher ratings of pity, willingness to help and risk for parents with an ID than for parents without an ID. Lower ratings of anger and disgust were found for parents with an ID than for parents without an ID. Parents' intellectual status did not have a direct effect on workers' attributions or removal decisions.

Conclusions

The results show evidence for the influence of stereotypes regarding parental ID due to its differential effect on CPS workers' emotional reactions and decisions about child risk and their willingness to help.
Non‐amyloid and amyloid prion protein deposits in prion‐infected mice differ in blockage of interstitial brain fluid
Authors: Rangel A. , Race B. , Striebel J. , Chesebro B.
Published: September 2012

Aims

Prion diseases are characterized by brain deposits of misfolded aggregated protease‐resistant prion protein (PrP), termed PrPres. In humans and animals, PrPres is found as either disorganized non‐amyloid aggregates or organized amyloid fibrils. Both PrPres forms are found in extracellular spaces of the brain. Thus, both might block drainage of brain interstitial fluid (ISF). The present experiments studied whether ISF blockage occurred during amyloid and/or non‐amyloid prion diseases.

Methods

Various‐sized fluorescein‐labelled ISF tracers were stereotactically inoculated into the striatum of adult mice. At times from 5 min to 77 h, uninfected and scrapie‐infected mice were compared. C57BL/10 mice expressing wild‐type anchored PrP, which develop non‐amyloid PrPres similar to humans with sporadic Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease, were compared with Tg44+/+ mice (transgenic mice secreting anchorless PrP) expressing anchorless PrP, which develop amyloid PrPres similar to certain human familial prion diseases.

Results

In C57BL/10 mice, extensive non‐amyloid PrPres aggregate deposition was not associated with abnormal clearance kinetics of tracers. In contrast, scrapie‐infected Tg44+/+ mice showed blockage of tracer clearance and colocalization of tracer with perivascular PrPres amyloid.

Conclusions

As tracer localization and clearance was normal in infected C57BL/10 mice, ISF blockage was not an important pathogenic mechanism in this model. Therefore, ISF blockage is unlikely to be a problem in non‐amyloid human prion diseases such as sporadic Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease. In contrast, partial ISF blockage appeared to be a possible pathogenic mechanism in Tg44+/+ mice. Thus this mechanism might also influence human amyloid prion diseases where expression of anchorless or mutated PrP results in perivascular amyloid PrPres deposition and cerebral amyloid angiopathy.
Open‐heart surgery increases cerebrospinal fluid levels of Alzheimer‐associated amyloid β
Authors: REINSFELT B. , WESTERLIND A. , BLENNOW K. , ZETTERBERG H. , RICKSTEN S.‐E.
Published: September 2012

Background

Neurocognitive dysfunction occurs frequently after open‐heart surgery. It has been suggested that cognitive decline after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) could be a functional consequence of Alzheimer's disease (AD)‐like neuropathological changes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of amyloid β peptide (Aβ1–42) and soluble fragments of amyloid precursor protein (sAPP) as well as the cerebral inflammatory response to open‐heart surgery.

Methods

Ten patients undergoing aortic valve replacement with CPB were included. CSF was obtained the day before and 24 h after surgery for assessment of CSF levels of Aβ1–42 α‐cleaved sAPP and β‐cleaved sAPP (sAPP‐β). Furthermore, CSF and serum levels of the inflammatory cytokines: tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) were also assessed.

Results

Cardiac surgery with CPB increased CSF levels of Aβ1–42 from 447 ± 92 to 641 ± 83 ng/l (P = 0.011), while CSF levels of sAPP‐β decreased from 276 ± 35 to 192 ± 21 ng/ml (P = 0.031). CSF levels of TNF‐α increased from ≤ 0.60 to 0.79 ± 0.26 ng/l (P = 0.043), IL‐6 from 1.89 ± 0.53 to 22.8 ± 6.9 ng/l (P = 0.003) and IL‐8 from 39.8 ± 7.8 to 139 ± 18.3 ng/l (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Cardiac surgery with CPB causes a profound cerebral inflammatory response, which was accompanied by increased post‐operative CSF levels of the AD biomarker Aβ1–42. We hypothesize that these changes may be relevant to Alzheimer‐associated amyloid build‐up in the brain and cognitive dysfunction after cardiac surgery with CPB.
‘Representative Genes’, is it OK to use a small amount of data to obtain a phylogeny that is at least close to the true tree?
Authors: Horreo J. L.
Published: September 2012

Despite the problems associated with the one‐gene‐constructed phylogenetic relationships, recently it has been shown that merely adding more sequences to the analyses is not enough to resolve all the inconsistencies present in these relationships. In this work, the existence of ‘representative’ genes for groups of species is evaluated in terms of efficiency (costs/benefits), employing the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and the penguins' phylogeny as a case study. ‘Representative’ genes are very useful and they could produce good results for first approaches or humble laboratories, especially if the gene is chosen depending on the time scale and objectives of our work.
The FIRST2ACT simulation program improves nursing practice in a rural Australian hospital
Authors: Kinsman Leigh , Buykx Penny , Cant Robyn , Champion Robert , Cooper Simon , Endacott Ruth , McConnell‐Henry Tracy , Missen Karen , Porter Jo , Scholes Julie
Published: September 2012

Objective: To measure the impact of the Feedback Incorporating Review and Simulation Techniques to Act on Clinical Trends (FIRST2ACT) simulation program on nursing observations and practice relevant to patient deterioration in a rural Australian hospital.

Design: Interrupted time series analysis.

Setting: A rural Australian hospital.

Participants: All registered nurses (Division 1) employed on an acute medical/surgical ward.

Intervention: The FIRST2ACT simulation program.

Outcome measures: Appropriate frequency of a range of observations and administration of oxygen therapy.

Results: Thirty‐four nurses participated (83% of eligible nurses) in the FIRST2ACT program, and 258 records were audited before the program and 242 records after. There were statistically significant reductions in less than satisfactory frequency of observations (P = 0.009) and pain score charting (P = 0.003). There was no measurable improvement in the administration of oxygen therapy (P = 0.143), while the incidence of inappropriate nursing practice for other measures both before and after the intervention was too low to warrant analysis.

Conclusion: FIRST2ACT was associated with measurable improvements in nursing practice.
Rural physicians' skills enrichment program: A cohort control study of retention in Alberta
Authors: Gorsche Ron G. , Woloschuk Wayne
Published: September 2012

Objective:  The Rural Physician Action Plan of Alberta introduced an enrichment program in 2001 to improve physician access to skills training. The objective of this study was to evaluate this program and measure retention compared with matched controls over 5 years.

Design:  Longitudinal, matched, case control study and program evaluation.

Setting:  Rural communities in Alberta, Canada.

Participants:  Rural physicians.

Interventions:  Thirty‐one rural physicians self‐selected their personal skills training program and listed three goals they wished to attain. They were matched by age, specialty, years in practice and size of community with rural physicians who did not participate in a skills training or upgrading program.

Main outcome measures:  Goal attainment for subject physicians, use of skills at 5 years and comparison of rural retention of physicians at 5 years.

Results:  Thirty‐two of thirty‐five physicians classified their goal attainment to be as expected or greater, and all were using their new skills at 5 years. Of the matched physicians, 29 training participants remained in rural practice at 5 years compared with only 22 of 29 matched control: relative risk 1.31, confidence interval 1.06–1.62 P < 0.05.

Conclusions:  The enrichment program provides focused, valued skills training for rural physicians and long‐term benefits to rural communities.
Telemedicine for rural cancer care in North Queensland: Bringing cancer care home
Authors: Sabesan Sabe , Larkins Sarah , Evans Rebecca , Varma Suresh , Andrews Athena , Beuttner Petra , Brennan Sean , Young Michael
Published: September 2012

Objective:  To describe the use of telemedicine in cancer care (teleoncology model of care) for rural patients in North Queensland.

Design:  This is a descriptive study. Data on demographical and clinical factors were retrieved from the teleoncology database of Townsville Hospital and review of medical records for the period between May 2007 and May 2011.

Setting and Participants:  The medical oncologists at the Townsville Cancer Centre, a regional cancer centre in North Queensland, have been providing their services to rural hospitals in Townsville and Mt Isa districts via videoconferencing since 2007.

Intervention:  Cancer care delivery to rural sites via Townsville teleoncology model.

Main Outcome Measures:  The ability of the teleoncology model to provide the following services to rural towns: (i) specialist consultations; (ii) urgent specialist medical care; (iii) care for Indigenous patients; and (iv) remote supervision of chemotherapy administration.

Results:  Between May 2007 and May 2011, 158 patients from 18 rural towns received a total of 745 consultations. Ten of these patients were consulted urgently and treatment plans initiated locally, avoiding interhospital transfers. Eighteen Indigenous patients received consultative services, being accompanied by more than four to six family members. Eighty‐three patients received a range of intravenous and oral chemotherapy regimens in Mt Isa and oral agents in other towns through remote supervision by medical oncologists from Townsville.

Conclusion:  Teleoncology model of care allows rural and Indigenous cancer patients to receive specialist consultations and chemotherapy treatments closer to home, thus minimising the access difficulties faced by the rural sector.
Teleoncology for Indigenous patients: The responses of patients and health workers
Authors: Mooi Jennifer K. , Whop Lisa J. , Valery Patricia C. , Sabesan Sabe S.
Published: September 2012

Problem:  Townsville Cancer Centre provides video‐consultation (VC) services to patients in rural/remote regions of North Queensland in order to improve access to specialist cancer care. The experience and responses of indigenous patients using this service have not been studied. Our objective is to assess the level of satisfaction and the responses of Indigenous patients, their families and health workers (HWs) to VC and such teleoncology service.

Design:  Descriptive study, using semistructured interviews.

Setting:  Tertiary referral centre (Townsville Cancer Centre) and various rural and remote towns in Queensland.

Key measures for improvement:  Satisfaction levels of Indigenous patients, their family members and Indigenous HWs with various aspects of the teleoncology service.

Lessons learnt:  Our evaluation suggests that teleoncology is an acceptable model of care for Indigenous patients, with high levels of satisfaction expressed from patients, families and HWs. Health professionals involved with providing this service need to be adaptive to the needs of individual patients and local communities in order to provide culturally appropriate care. Formal skills training for staff, effective communication between specialist and local HWs, and informed consent procedures are essential to maintain safety of practices. Strategies for change are:

Mandatory informed consent procedure for all patients offered with VC.

Formalised competency training for staff in skills essential to maintain safe practices in teleoncology.

Clear clinical documentation to facilitate improved communication in patient management between medical staff at main centre and distant sites.

Further efforts in promotion, education and support for staff to participate in telemedicine.
An exploratory study of complaints handling and nature
Authors: Hsieh Sophie Yahui
Published: September 2012

Different countries have different complaints handling systems. This study reveals general pathways to handling complaints that provide an overview at the case hospital as well as a general complaints handling picture in Taiwan. It explores hospital complaints and how hospital staff handle them. A large teaching hospital in Taiwan was purposefully chosen as a case study. Data were collected through in‐depth interviews, document analysis and interrogating a 3‐year complaints archive. The study found that dissatisfaction with ‘humaneness’ and ‘care/treatment’ commonly causes the case hospital patients to complain. Understanding complaint patterns, therefore, can help hospital managers improve organizational performance, which shows that certain service provision needs to be prioritized if hospital staff intend to improve service quality.
Exploring the structure and organization of information within nursing clinical handovers
Authors: Johnson Maree , Jefferies Diana , Nicholls Daniel
Published: September 2012

Clinical handover is the primary source of patient information for nurses; however, inadequate information transfer compromises patient safety. We investigated the content and organization of information conveyed at 81 handovers. A structure that captures and presents the information transferred at handover emerged: identification of the patient and clinical risks, clinical history/presentation, clinical status, care plan and outcomes/goals of care (ICCCO). This approach covers essential information while allowing for prioritization of information when required. Further research into the impact of ICCCO on patient safety is in progress.
Lipids in Australian children: Cause for concern? 2005–2007 Busselton Health Study
Authors: Bell Lana , Davis Elizabeth , Knuiman Matthew , Divitini Mark , Beilby John , Hunter Michael , Hung Joseph
Published: September 2012

Aim:  To report the current lipid status of Australian school children from a population‐based sample and compare this to international and Australian data.

Methods:  A cross section of school children aged 6 to 16.9 years in Busselton, Western Australia (WA) between 2005 and 2007 had fasting lipids tested. The first analysis compares the Busselton sample to data recommended by the American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) 2008. The second analysis compares the Busselton sample to data from the Schools Physical Activity and Nutrition Survey (SPANS) study, New South Wales (NSW), Australia, 2004 and the 1985 Australian Health and Fitness Survey (AHFS). The third analysis applies laboratory‐reported cut‐points in WA to report percentages over ‘healthy desirable norms’.

Results:  Analysis 1: higher levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides in Busselton children compared to AAP data source. Boys had higher low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) levels. Analysis 2: comparable rates of dyslipidaemia to SPANS 2004 but lower rates compared to the AHFS, 1985. Analysis 3: total and LDL‐cholesterol above recommended range in 32.7% and 19.4% of boys and 38.2% and 24.6% of girls.

Conclusion:  In a large population‐based sample of Australian school children, we found a higher frequency of abnormal lipid profiles when compared to American data. In addition, many children have levels outside reported healthy norms for Australian children. Research tracking lipid profiles of Australian children into adulthood is needed to understand the association of these levels with future cardiovascular risk.
Self‐esteem in 6‐ to 16‐year‐olds with monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis
Authors: Kanaheswari Yoganathan , Poulsaeman Veronica , Chandran Vijayalakshmi
Published: September 2012

Aim:  Childhood nocturnal enuresis (NE) and incontinence has been shown to be associated with increased behavioural problems and reduced self‐esteem (SE) in Western populations. The impact on Asian children, however, is not known. This study investigates the relationship between SE and monosymptomatic NE in Malaysian children aged 6 to 16 years.

Method:  Children with wetting frequency of at least 4 out of 14 nights were recruited with controls matched for age, gender and race. SE scores were obtained using the ‘I Think I Am’ questionnaire for five domains: body image, talents and skills, psychological well‐being, relationship with family and relationship with others.

Results:  A total of 126 children were recruited; 22 enuretics aged 6–9 years and their matched controls (Group1) and 41 enuretics aged 10–16 years and their matched controls (Group 2). SE scores were similar between the enuretic and controls in Group 1, whereas in Group 2, enuretics had significantly lower scores (P < 0.05) in ‘body image’, ‘relationship with others’ and total SE scores. This difference was more pronounced among girls, adolescents and those who wet more than 10/14 nights.

Conclusion:  The SE of Malaysian children with monosymptomatic NE aged 10 years and above is significantly lower than their peers. This effect is seen particularly among girls, adolescents and those with frequent wetting. In the light of these findings, the ‘wait and see’ approach by the Malaysian medical profession is no longer appropriate. Treatment should begin before the age of 10 years.
Patterns of Lake Balkhash water level changes and their climatic correlates during 1992–2010 period
Authors: Propastin Pavel
Published: September 2012

The variation in Lake Balkhash water levels during the period from 1992 to 2010 and their relationship with climate dynamics were investigated in this study, using satellite altimetry data and meteorological records from climate stations located in the lake catchment basin. The altimetry‐derived water level demonstrated a general water level increase, reaching a mean value of 8.1 cm year−1 in July 2005, with a maximum value of 342.52 m. The increased Lake Balkhash water level was accompanied by an overall upward trend in precipitation and temperature in the catchment basin during the study period. A strong increase in the winter and spring temperature was the main contributor to the general upward temperature trend, whereas a significant change of summer and autumn precipitation was the major contributor to the annual precipitation trend. Neither precipitation nor temperature increased uniformly across the entire lake drainage basin. The study results identified the most pronounced climate change occurring in the mountainous part (>2000 m above sea level) of the basin, in the upper reaches of the Ili river, which is the main water inflow to the lake. Statistical analysis indicated the Lake Balkhash water level is strongly correlated with both precipitation and temperature. The correlations were investigated for three altitudinal strata (<1000 m, 1000–2000 m, >2000 m) corresponding to the lower, middle and upper reaches of the Ili river. The best correlations were obtained for the upper reaches of the Ili river, indicating a changing snow cover and glacier equilibrium are the main factors controlling the water level trends in Lake Balkhash.
The influences of typhoon‐induced mixing in a shallow lake
Authors: Kimura Nobuaki , Liu Wen‐Cheng , Chiu Chih‐Yu , Kratz Tim
Published: September 2012

Vertical mixing affects the vertical transport of biochemical materials and modifies the characteristics of basin‐scale internal waves in subtropical, subalpine Yang Yuan Lake (YYL), in the north central region of Taiwan. Vertical mixing in YYL is generally caused by typhoons (strong winds and heavy rainfalls) during the spring, summer and early fall, or by cooling of the water column during late fall and winter. Vertical mixing caused by typhoons significantly affects internal thermal dynamics and biochemical processes, with basin‐scale internal waves enhanced before complete mixing occurs, and temporal variations of water temperature dramatically changing after typhoon events. This study quantitatively determines when the complete mixing (defined as homogenous temperature in a water column) occurs on the basis of the balance between kinetic energy and potential energy and also shows what meteorological conditions contribute to the vertical mixing. Data on water column thermal profiles and meteorological variables were collected by a wireless, instrumented buoy in the deepest location of YYL and from a nearby meteorological station, from spring 2004 to summer 2006. This study also investigated how a physical process (internal waves) is affected by the mixing associated with typhoons. Signal processing and a two‐layer model of the water column are used to understand the characteristics of basin‐scale internal waves.
A comparison of student motivation in selecting bachelors of nursing or paediatric nursing at an Italian university
Authors: Zampieron A. , Buja A. , Dorigo M. , Bonso O. , Corso M.
Published: September 2012

ZAMPIERON A., BUJA A., DORIGO M., BONSO O. & CORSO M. (2012) A comparison of student motivation in selecting bachelors of nursing or paediatric nursing at an Italian university. International Nursing Review

Aim:  To investigate students' reasons for choosing general or paediatric nursing, and to compare motivation factors and personal characteristics between the two professions.

Background:  In Italy, nursing students can choose between two distinct career paths: general and paediatric nursing. However, it is unclear what factors motivate a student to choose between these two pathways.

Methods:  A cross‐sectional approach was used to compare a sample of general and paediatric nursing students enrolled in a university in northeast Italy. We administered a questionnaire that covered socio‐demographic characteristics and included an instrument of motivation developed by Zysberg & Berry to 224 students enrolled in the 3‐year classes.

Results:  We analysed 215 questionnaires (96%). Paediatric nurses were generally younger, had attended a college preparatory high school and had previously failed another university programme. Many students, in both groups, had a relative who was a nurse, or had cared for a sick friend or family member. Students did not vary significantly in how they evaluated items included in the questionnaire.

Conclusion:  A career in nursing should be advised for students who are motivated to help other people. Paediatric nursing was identified as an acceptable career choice by students of college preparatory high schools or by students who had initially enrolled in a different university programme. General nursing was a satisfactory choice by students with previous work experience.