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The integration of somatosensory information is generally assumed to be a function of the central nervous system (CNS). Here we describe fully functional GABAergic communication within rodent peripheral sensory ganglia and show that it can modulate transmission of pain-related signals from the peripheral sensory nerves to the CNS. We found that sensory neurons express major proteins necessary for GABA synthesis and release and that sensory neurons released GABA in response to depolarization. In vivo focal infusion of GABA or GABA reuptake inhibitor to sensory ganglia dramatically reduced acute peripherally induced nociception and alleviated neuropathic and inflammatory pain. In addition, focal application of GABA receptor antagonists to sensory ganglia triggered or exacerbated peripherally induced nociception. We also demonstrated that chemogenetic or optogenetic depolarization of GABAergic dorsal root ganglion neurons in vivo reduced acute and chronic peripherally induced nociception. Mechanistically, GABA depolarized the majority of sensory neuron somata, yet produced a net inhibitory effect on the nociceptive transmission due to the filtering effect at nociceptive fiber T-junctions. Our findings indicate that peripheral somatosensory ganglia represent a hitherto underappreciated site of somatosensory signal integration and offer a potential target for therapeutic intervention., Introduction Peripheral nerves convey to the central nervous system (CNS) versatile information about the body's environment. An important function of these nerves is informing the brain about ongoing or imminent [...]

Assessment of student learning in complex areas is challenging, particularly when there is interest in students' deeper understanding and connectivity of concepts. Assessment of ethics learning has been limited by lack of consensus regarding what is effective and an overfocus on quantification at the expense of clinical or ethical relevance. Cognitive maps provide one means to evaluate depth and personal meaning of students' ethics knowledge. A pre-/post-test design using cognitive maps and the structure of observed learning outcome (SOLO) taxonomy was used to assess student learning on completion of a six-week intensive ethics course. Thirty-seven students completed the research. Student learning was supported by significant changes in component (content, labelling, relationships and structure/visual message), and total pre- and post-test cognitive map scores, and significant change in pre- and post-test SOLO scores. A strong relationship was found between cognitive map improvement and SOLO improvement. Student written commentaries describing their post-test cognitive map provided a richer, more elaborated account of their understanding that qualitatively enhanced their cognitive maps. Cognitive maps offer an alternative to traditional ethics assessment strategies.

Also shown are protected areas (dark grey polygons; UNEP-WCMC and IUCN, 2021), forest cover >15% (olive green; Hansen/UMD/Google/USGS/NASA; Hansen et al., 2013), and current northern range extents for giant pangolin (purple line), white-bellied pangolin (dark blue line) and black-bellied pangolin (light blue line; IUCN, 2021). Three species of pangolin occur in West Africa (IUCN, 2021), which include the two small arboreal species, the white-bellied and black-bellied pangolins ( I Phataginus tricuspis i and I Phataginus tetradactyla i , respectively), and the fossorial giant pangolin ( I Smutsia gigantea i ). While a few studies have now investigated the local uses of pangolins in several West African countries, knowledge on the distribution and local uses of pangolins remains limited in the western-most countries (e.g. Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, Sierra Leone), at the periphery of currently reported pangolin distributions. Mali borders several pangolin range countries and is currently not listed as a pangolin range state on the IUCN Red List. [Extracted from the article]

Abstract Background Evidence-based care should improve acute stroke outcomes with the same magnitude of effect for stroke patients of all ages. However, there is evidence to suggest that, in some instances, older stroke patients may receive poorer quality care than younger patients. Our aim was to systematically review evidence of the quality of care provided to patients with acute stroke related to their age. Quality of care was determined by compliance with recommended care processes. Methods We systematically searched MEDLINE, CINAHL, ISI Web of Knowledge, Ageline and the Cochrane Library databases to identify publications (1995-2009) that reported data on acute stroke care process indicators by patient age. Data extracted included patient demographics and process indicator compliance. Included publications were critically appraised by two independent reviewers using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tool, and a comparison was made of the risk of bias according to studies' findings. The evidence base for reported process indicators was determined, and meta-analysis was undertaken for studies with sufficient similarity. Results Nine from 163 potential studies met the inclusion criteria. Of the 56 process indicators reported, eleven indicators were evidence-based. Seven of these indicators (64%) showed significantly poorer care for older patients compared to younger ones, while younger patients received comparatively inferior care for only antihypertensive therapy at discharge. Our findings are limited by the variable methodological quality of included studies. Conclusion Patients' age may be a factor in the care they receive after an acute stroke. However, the possible influence of patients' age on clinicians' decision-making must be considered in terms of the many complex issues that surround the provision of optimal care for older patients with acute stroke.

Introduction: Early career occupational therapists experience considerable learning. This research sought to develop a theory of how they learn once practising. Method: The research employed a constructivist grounded theory methodology. Interviews were conducted with 20 participants who were either experienced (n = 8), early career occupational therapists (n = 10) or in supporting roles for early career occupational therapists (n = 2). Participants were asked their views about what early career occupational therapists find troublesome and how they respond. Data were collected and analysed concurrently. Open, focused and theoretical coding were used to develop a theory. Findings: The theory of learning-to-practise occupational therapy included four learning thresholds: consolidating professional reasoning; navigating into the workplace; building competence and confidence; and developing a personal theory and practise style. There were 11 strategies identified that early career occupational therapists use to cross the learning thresholds. Early career occupational therapists' understanding and value of knowledge shifted, which culminated in them 'realising' their personal theory and practice style. They refined their values and beliefs and learned to be more deliberate and reflective in their thinking and actions. Conclusion: Early career occupational therapists were challenged, which promoted learning. This research extends understanding of the learning needs, thinking and actions taken by early career occupational therapists to cross learning thresholds and to develop their personal theory and practice style. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND On 2010 Australia launched a personally controlled electronic health record (PCEHR) later renamed and augmented by the My Health Record Act 2012 Cth. The main goal of the present systematic literature review was to assess if the system has improved Australia's healthcare system according to the objectives stated by the federal government in the My Health Record Act 2012 Cth. METHODS The methodological approach taken in this study was a Systematic Review based on nine peer-reviewed articles of the last five years using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA). RESULTS Despite the MyHR system being available for seven years, there is limited empirical evaluation regarding its progress in achieving the stated goals. The results were segregated in four themes: (1) health information fragmentation, (2) Health information quality and management, (3) adverse medical events and duplication of treatment and (4) coordination of care. Regarding theme 1, it was evidenced that the system could reduce health information fragmentation; however, gaps in the workforce adoption were identified as a problem. About topic 2, improved access to information and possible misinterpretation were found. Theme 3 lacked research and theme 4 presented contradiction in the results. CONCLUSION The My Health Record (MyHR) system is founded on four key objectives. However, there is insufficient evidence that any outcomes have been achieved relating to any of the objectives. Research is required to determine whether the MyHR system helped improve Australia's healthcare system according to the objectives stated in the Act 2012. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate and summarise available research on nurse staffing methods and relate these to outcomes under three overarching themes of: (1) management of clinical risk, quality and safety; (2) development of a new or innovative staffing methodology; and (3) equity of nursing workload. Methods: The PRISMA method was used. Relevant articles were located by searching via the Griffith University Library electronic catalogue, including articles on PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) and Medline. Only English language publications published between 1 January 2010 and 30 April 2016 focusing on methodologies in acute hospital in-patient units were included in the present review. Results: Two of the four staffing methods were found to have evidenced-based articles from empirical studies within the parameters set for inclusion. Of the four staffing methodologies searched, supply and demand returned 10 studies and staffing ratios returned 11. Conclusions: There is a need to develop an evidence-based nurse-sensitive outcomes measure upon which staffing for safety, quality and workplace equity, as well as an instrument that reliability and validly projects nurse staffing requirements in a variety of clinical settings. Nurse-sensitive indicators reflect elements of patient care that are directly affected by nursing practice In addition, these measures must take into account patient satisfaction, workload and staffing, clinical risks and other measures of the quality and safety of care and nurses' work satisfaction. i. What is known about the topic?: Nurse staffing is a controversial topic that has significant patient safety, quality of care, human resources and financial implications. In acute care services, nursing accounts for approximately 70% of salaries and wages paid by health services budgets, and evidence as to the efficacy and effectiveness of any staffing methodology is required because it has workforce and industrial relations implications. Although there is significant literature available on the topic, there is a paucity of empirical evidence supporting claims of increased patient safety in the acute hospital setting, but some evidence exists relating to equity of workload for nurses. What does this paper add?: This paper provides a contemporary qualitative analysis of empirical evidence using PRISMA methodology to conduct a systematic review of the available literature. It demonstrates a significant research gap to support claims of increased patient safety in the acute hospital setting. The paper calls for greatly improved datasets upon which research can be undertaken to determine any associations between mandated patient to nurse ratios and other staffing methodologies and patient safety and quality of care. What are the implications for practitioners?: There is insufficient contemporary research to support staffing methodologies for appropriate staffing, balanced workloads and quality, safe care. Such research would include the establishment of nurse-sensitive patient outcomes measures, and more robust datasets are needed for empirical analysis to produce such evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wheat NAM-B1 and NAM-A1 genes are positively associated with grain protein content (GPC) in wheat. We conducted molecular characterisation of the NAM-1 genes in 51 Australian wheat varieties (Triticum aestivum L.), with the aim of improvingGPCand nitrogen-usage efficiency in Australian wheat. In summary, the wild typeNAM-B1gene, which originated from Israel, was identified in two Australian wheat varieties. Five varieties contained a deletion allele, whereas the majority (43) harboured a non-functional NAM-B1 allele and one variety contained both functional and non-functional alleles. Twenty-six Australian wheat varieties contained the NAM-A1a haplotype, which was similar to its well-characterised homoeolog NAM-B1 wild type and associated with high GPC. The NAM-D1 gene in the 51 wheat varieties was also characterised, and no gene variation in the exon regions was noted; only two single-nucleotide polymorphisms in introns 1 and 2 were found among the 51 varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shows how the quantization of a Hamiltonian which is not canonically related to the energy is ambiguous and thereby results in conflicting physical interpretations. Concludes that only the Hamiltonian corresponding to the total energy of a classical system or one canonically related to it is suitable for consistent quantization. (GA)

Introduction: Information about challenges for occupational therapists is typically provided in small-scale studies from different perspectives. The purpose of this meta-synthesis was to synthesise and report about challenges in occupational therapy practice that appear to penetrate across the profession. Method: Databases searched were Ovid Medline, EMBASE, AMED and CINAHL. Search terms were selected after gaining understanding of the topic: occupational therap* AND Exp burnout / OR Exp morals / OR retention OR clinical reasoning OR new graduate OR novice OR transition-to-practice. Studies were critically appraised using the criteria of credibility, transferability, confirmability and dependability. Findings, along with direct quotes, were extracted and data compared and contrasted through first, second and third order analysis. Findings: Twenty-four studies were included in the meta-synthesis and three constructs were identified: 'challenges in context'; 'personal challenges' and 'social and cultural challenges'. These findings inform knowledge about constraining factors on clinical reasoning and the alignment of practice with the occupational therapy philosophy, and give insight into satisfaction with practice, ethical and professional behaviours. Conclusion: These findings could inform provision of professional support, education for students and enhance agency to reform practice. More research is needed about professional socialisation, clinical reasoning and ethical issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The region surrounding the central canal (CC) of the spinal cord is a highly plastic area, defined as a postnatal neurogenic niche. Within this region are ependymal cells that can proliferate and differentiate to form new astrocytes and oligodendrocytes following injury and cerebrospinal fluid contacting cells (CSFcCs). The specific environmental conditions, including the modulation by neurotransmitters that influence these cells and their ability to proliferate, are unknown. Here, we show that acetylcholine promotes the proliferation of ependymal cells in mice under both in vitro and in vivo conditions. Using whole cell patch clamp in acute spinal cord slices, acetylcholine directly depolarized ependymal cells and CSFcCs. Antagonism by specific nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) antagonists or potentiation by the α7 containing nAChR (α7*nAChR) modulator PNU 120596 revealed that both α7*nAChRs and non-α7*nAChRs mediated the cholinergic responses. Using the nucleoside analogue EdU (5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine) as a marker of cell proliferation, application of α7*nAChR modulators in spinal cord cultures or in vivo induced proliferation in the CC region, producing Sox-2 expressing ependymal cells. Proliferation also increased in the white and grey matter. PNU 120596 administration also increased the proportion of cells coexpressing oligodendrocyte markers. Thus, variation in the availability of acetylcholine can modulate the rate of proliferation of cells in the ependymal cell layer and white and grey matter through α7*nAChRs. This study highlights the need for further investigation into how neurotransmitters regulate the response of the spinal cord to injury or during aging. S tem C ells 2015;33:2864-2876 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Many patients with acute stroke do not receive recommended care in tertiary hospital settings. Allied health professionals have important roles within multidisciplinary stroke teams and influence the quality of care patients receive. Studies examining the role of allied health professionals in acute stroke management are scarce, and very little is known about the clinical decision making of these stroke clinicians. In this study we aimed to describe factors that influence the complex clinical decision making of these professionals as they prioritise acute stroke patients for recommended care. This qualitative study was part of a larger mixed methods study. Methods The qualitative methodology applied was a constructivist grounded theory approach. Fifteen allied health professionals working with acute stroke patients at three metropolitan tertiary care hospitals in South Australia were purposively sampled. Semi-structured interviews were conducted face to face using a question guide, and digital recording. Interviews were transcribed and analysed by two researchers using rigorous grounded theory processes. Results Our analysis highlighted 'predicted discharge destination' as a powerful driver of care decisions and clinical prioritisation for this professional group. We found that complex clinical decision making to predict discharge destination required professionals to concurrently consider patient's pre-stroke status, the nature and severity of their stroke, the course of their recovery and multiple factors from within the healthcare system. The consequences of these decisions had potentially profound consequences for patients and sometimes led to professionals experiencing considerable uncertainty and stress. Conclusions Our qualitative enquiry provided new insights into the way allied health professionals make important clinical decisions for patients with acute stroke. This is the first known study to demonstrate that the subjective prediction of discharge destination made early in an acute admission by allied health professionals, has a powerful influence over the care and rehabilitation provided, and the ultimate outcomes for stroke patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessment of student learning in complex areas is challenging, particularly when there is interest in students’ deeper understanding and connectivity of concepts. Assessment of ethics learning has been limited by lack of consensus regarding what is effective and an overfocus on quantification at the expense of clinical or ethical relevance. Cognitive maps provide one means to evaluate depth and personal meaning of students’ ethics knowledge. A pre-/post-test design using cognitive maps and the structure of observed learning outcome (SOLO) taxonomy was used to assess student learning on completion of a six-week intensive ethics course. Thirty-seven students completed the research. Student learning was supported by significant changes in component (content, labelling, relationships and structure/visual message), and total pre- and post-test cognitive map scores, and significant change in pre- and post-test SOLO scores. A strong relationship was found between cognitive map improvement and SOLO improvement. Student written commentaries describing their post-test cognitive map provided a richer, more elaborated account of their understanding that qualitatively enhanced their cognitive maps. Cognitive maps offer an alternative to traditional ethics assessment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: Pericytes play important roles in vascular control and may form an important part of the blood brain barrier. Here we introduce a simple method for fluorescently labelling pericytes to enable further studies in live or fixed tissue of rats and mice. Following intraperitoneal injection, the fluorescent tracer Fluorogold was rapidly taken up into vascular endothelial cells, and within 3h in the central nervous system appeared within small perivascular cells with a morphology consistent with pericytes. These Fluorogold labelled cells were pericytes since they displayed immunoreactivity for platelet derived growth factor receptor β and were closely associated with isolectin B4 binding to endothelial cells. Pericytes in skeletal muscle were also labelled with this method, but not those within the heart, lungs or kidney. This simple method could therefore be applied for labelling pericytes in a wide variety of studies, including live cell imaging or immunohistochemistry. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Na+/K+ ATPase (NKA) is an essential membrane protein underlying the membrane potential in excitable cells. Transmembrane ion transport is performed by the catalytic a subunits (αl-4). The predominant subunits in neurons are αl and α3, which have different affinities for Na+ and K+, impacting on transport kinetics. The exchange rate of Na+ /K- markedly influences the activity of the neurons expressing them. We have investigated the distribution and function of the main isoforms of the a subunit expressed in the mouse spinal cord. NKAal immunoreactivity (IR) displayed restricted labeling, mainly confined to large ventral horn neurons and ependymal cells. NKAα3 IR was more widespread in the spinal cord, again being observed in large ventral horn neurons, but also in smaller interneurons throughout the dorsal and ventral horns. Within the ventral horn, the αl and α3 isoforms were mutually exclusive, with the α3 isoform in smaller neurons displaying markers of γ-motoneurons and al in α-motoneurons. The α3 isoform was also observed within muscle spindle afferent neurons in dorsal root ganglia with a higher proportion at cervical versus lumbar regions. We confirmed the differential expression of a subunits in motoneurons electrophysiologically in neonatal slices of mouse spinal cord. γ-Motoneurons were excited by bath application of low concentrations of ouabain that selectively inhibit NKAα3 while α-motoneurons were insensitive to these low concentrations. The selective expression of NKAα3 in γ-motoneurons and muscle spindle afferents, which may affect excitability of these neurons, has implications in motor control and disease states associated with NKAα3 dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the addition of boranes to ( E)-(η-CH)Zr(CH=CHPh)Cl ( 3) has been examined in order to investigate the regioselectivity of these 'hydroboration' reactions. We have found that these additions proceed with remarkable selectivity to give exclusive formation of a saturated organic molecule where one carbon atom has both the boron and the zirconium fragments. These reactions do not proceed via a conventional hydroboration reaction, but instead go through an initial transmetalation step to generate ( E)-(η-CH)Zr(H)Cl (1) and the corresponding alkenyl boron intermediate, whereupon subsequent hydrozirconation of this latter species gives the geminal products. An x-ray diffraction study has been conducted on gem-(η-CH)Zr(CH(Bpin)CHPh)Cl (pin = 1, 2-OCMe) (2). Crystals of 2 were orthorhombic with a = 18.545(3) Å, b = 15.713(3) Å, c = 16.157(3) Å in the space group Pccn. An x-ray diffraction study has also been conducted on the trinuclear zirconium oxide species (η-CH)ZrO[ZrCl(η-CH)] (4). Crystals of 4 were orthorhombic with a = 13.6000(8) Å, b = 14.2252(8) Å, c = 17.6500(10) Å in the space group P2(1)2(1)2(1). [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]