Genetic Characterization of the Tick-Borne Orbiviruses

The International Committee for Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) recognizes four species of tick-borne orbiviruses (TBOs): Chenuda virus, Chobar Gorge virus, Wad Medani virus and Great Island virus (genus Orbivirus, family Reoviridae). Nucleotide (nt) and amino acid (aa) sequence comparisons provide a basis for orbivirus detection and classification, however full genome sequence data were only available for the Great Island virus species. We report representative genome-sequences for the three other TBO species (virus isolates: Chenuda virus (CNUV); Chobar Gorge virus (CGV) and Wad Medani virus (WMV)). Phylogenetic comparisons show that TBOs cluster separately from insect-borne orbiviruses (IBOs). CNUV, CGV, WMV and GIV share low level aa/nt identities with other orbiviruses, in 'conserved' Pol, T2 and T13 proteins/genes, identifying them as four distinct virus-species. The TBO genome segment encoding cell attachment, outer capsid protein 1 (OC1), is approximately half the size of the equivalent segment from insect-borne orbiviruses, helping to explain why tick-borne orbiviruses have a ~1 kb smaller genome

Conceptualizations of test bias and adverse impact : implications of recent policy proposals

The purpose of this study was to investigate selected implications of recent proposals for the imposition of a set of test assembly procedures called the "Golden Rule procedures" in a wide variety of testing situations. These test assembly procedures stipulate that items selected for test inclusion should exhibit differences in performance between groups below a specified level, and should not be more difficult than specified, for either majority or minority groups. This study used data from the performances of 1807 examinees on four standardized tests completed during their eighth and tenth school grades. Synthetic tests composed of items from the original tests which conformed to the stipulations of the Golden Rule procedure were created. The effects of applying the procedures on the adverse impact and racial bias of test use were examined through comparisons between and among the properties of and results of using original tests and corresponding synthetic tests

West Nile virus infection in the golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus): a model for West Nile encephalitis.

This report describes a new hamster model for West Nile (WN) virus encephalitis. Following intraperitoneal inoculation of a New York isolate of WN virus, hamsters had moderate viremia of 5 to 6 days in duration, followed by the development of humoral antibodies. Encephalitic symptoms began 6 days after infection; about half the animals died between the seventh and 14th days. The appearance of viral antigen in the brain and neuronal degeneration also began on the sixth day. WN virus was cultured from the brains of convalescent hamsters up to 53 days after initial infection, suggesting that persistent virus infection occurs. Hamsters offer an inexpensive model for studying the pathogenesis and treatment of WN virus encephalitis

A Writing Intensive Introductory Course for RN to BSN Students

This article describes learning strategies used with RN to BSN students in their 1st nursing course to successfully learn how to write formal papers using the American Psychological Association (APA) format. This 1st nursing course, a writing intensive, requires 4 short papers with self, peer, and teacher critiques and opportunities to rewrite. Students learn the style of professional nursing discourse, mastery of APA format, and development of additional skills in following directions and in critiquing their own work. An additional benefit is to enhance learning about professional nursing topics. By mastering writing skills in this initial course, students are able to successfully complete writing assignments in future courses and, in some cases, move on to publication

Teaching Pathophysiology: Strategies to Enliven the Traditional Lecture

The depth and breadth of pathophysiology content, foundational for nursing practice, is well suited for traditional lecture delivery. Use of creative strategies can deepen students’ understanding while respecting students’ diverse talents and ways of learning. The authors discuss strategies they used, including case studies, questions asked during lecture using immediate feedback technology, creative visual demonstrations, group pathophysiologic theory projects, short videos, and games, to enhance students’ understanding and retention of content

Older Adults: What Every Paediatric Nurse Should Know

Older adults have always been important parts of children's lives, playing a variety of roles including grandparent, caregiver, friend, and neighbour. Grandparents also play a variety of roles in families. Often a child's first encounter with serious illness or death involves a grandparent or other older adult. Grandparents are also increasingly serving as primary caregivers for children. Paediatric nurses have long recognised their role in helping children cope with grief and loss associated with illness or death of a grandparent. Paediatric nurses need to be able to provide appropriate interventions and teaching when older adults are primary caregivers or assisting parents in the day-to-day care of the child. They also need to have sufficient knowledge about older adults to help parents and children understand the normal changes they will see in their aging loved ones, and to help parents effectively incorporate grandparents and older adults into children's lives

The effect of critical care hospitalization on family members: Stress and responses

Family members of intensive care patients may experience stressors that threaten both personal health and family integrity. This study found that family members endure multiple concurrent stressors and exhibit numerous behavioral responses, including changes in eating, sleeping, activity, and family roles and responsibilities. Nurses can promote family integrity with interventions that address these behavioral changes and promote normal behavior patterns

Physical Activity, Obesity, Nutritional Health and Quality of Life in Low-Income Hispanic Adults With Diabetes

The study examined relationships among age, body mass index (BMI), physical activity, nutritional health, quality of life, and health-related quality of life in Hispanic adults with diabetes (N = 59) using the PRECEDE-PROCEED planning model as a framework. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews at clinics and communities. A regression model with predisposing factors (age, BMI), and behavior (nutritional health and physical activity) significantly predicted quality of life (R2 = 0.21, F = 3.63, p < .05) explaining 21% of variance. Physical activity and nutrition were the strongest predictors. Culturally competent intervention strategies must include factors that improve and enhance quality of life

Gallbladder mucocoele : a review

Gallbladder mucocoele (GBM) is an abnormal, intraluminal accumulation of inspissated bile and/or mucous within the gallbladder. Older, small- to medium-breed dogs seem to be predisposed, but no sex predilection has been identified. Clinical signs are often non-specific and include vomiting, lethargy, anorexia, abdominal pain, icterus and polyuria–polydipsia. Results of a complete blood count may be unremarkable, but serum biochemistry usually reveals increased liver enzymes. The ultrasonographic appearance is diagnostic and well described in the literature. Surgical intervention for the treatment of GBM remains the therapeutic gold standard, with short- and long-term survival for biliary surgery being 66%. The worst outcome is seen in those dogs requiring cholecystoenterostomy. With GBM becoming an apparently increasingly common cause of extrahepatic biliary disease in canines, it is essential that clinicians become familiar with the current literature pertaining to this condition. Numerous predisposing factors are highlighted in this review article and the role of certain endocrinopathies (e.g. hyperadrenocorticism and hypothyroidism) in the development of GBM is touched upon. Furthermore, the aetiopathogenesis of this disease is discussed with reference to the latest literature. Cholecystectomy remains the treatment of choice, but other options are considered based on a current literature review.http://www.jsava.co.zaam201

Gallbladder mucocoele : a review

Gallbladder mucocoele (GBM) is an abnormal, intraluminal accumulation of inspissated bile and/or mucous within the gallbladder. Older, small- to medium-breed dogs seem to be predisposed, but no sex predilection has been identified. Clinical signs are often non-specific and include vomiting, lethargy, anorexia, abdominal pain, icterus and polyuria–polydipsia. Results of a complete blood count may be unremarkable, but serum biochemistry usually reveals increased liver enzymes. The ultrasonographic appearance is diagnostic and well described in the literature. Surgical intervention for the treatment of GBM remains the therapeutic gold standard, with short- and long-term survival for biliary surgery being 66%. The worst outcome is seen in those dogs requiring cholecystoenterostomy. With GBM becoming an apparently increasingly common cause of extrahepatic biliary disease in canines, it is essential that clinicians become familiar with the current literature pertaining to this condition. Numerous predisposing factors are highlighted in this review article and the role of certain endocrinopathies (e.g. hyperadrenocorticism and hypothyroidism) in the development of GBM is touched upon. Furthermore, the aetiopathogenesis of this disease is discussed with reference to the latest literature. Cholecystectomy remains the treatment of choice, but other options are considered based on a current literature review.http://www.jsava.co.zaam201