Facultative parthenogenesis discovered for the first time in Jamaican boa (Chilabothrus subflavus) using novel microsatellite markers.

The mode of reproduction most often seen in snakes is sexual, but studies have noted facultative parthenogenesis in at least six families. Here, we provide evidence for the first observed case of facultative parthenogenesis in a captive Jamaican boa (Chilabothrus subflavus). A 7-year-old female Jamaican boa, isolated since birth, was found to have produced a litter of 15 offspring.

Nuclear and Mitochondrial Phylogenomics of the Sifakas Reveal Cryptic Variation in the Diademed Sifaka.

The most comprehensive phylogenomic reconstruction to date was generated on all nominal taxa within the lemur genus Propithecus. Over 200 wild-caught individuals were included in this study to evaluate the intra and interspecific relationships across this genus. Ultraconserved Elements (UCEs) resulted in well-supported phylogenomic trees.

Continuity of care experiences: A national cross-sectional survey exploring the views and experiences of Australian students and academics.

Background: Continuity of Care Experiences (CoCEs) are a component of all entry-to-practice midwifery programs in Australia and facilitate an understanding of the central midwifery philosophy of woman-centred care and continuity of the therapeutic relationship. The aim of this research was to explore how CoCEs are viewed and experienced by students and academics across Australia.

Methods: Students enrolled in Australian midwifery programs and academics who teach into these programs were invited to participate in a cross sectional, web-based survey.

Telephone triage in midwifery practice: A cross-sectional survey.

Background: Childbearing women commonly access maternity services via the telephone. A midwife receiving these calls listens to the woman's concerns and then triages women according to their assessment. This may result in the provision of advice and instruction over the telephone or inviting the woman into the health service for further assessment.

Telephone triage and midwifery: A scoping review.

Background: Midwives use telephone triage to provide advice and support to childbearing women, and to manage access to maternity services. Telephone triage practises are important in the provision of accurate, timely and appropriate health care. Despite this, there has been very little research investigating this area of midwifery practice.

Phylogenomic Reconstruction of Sportive Lemurs (genus Lepilemur) Recovered from Mitogenomes with Inferences for Madagascar Biogeography.

The family Lepilemuridae includes 26 species of sportive lemurs, most of which were recently described. The cryptic morphological differences confounded taxonomy until recent molecular studies; however, some species’ boundaries remain uncertain. To better understand the genus Lepilemur, we analyzed 35 complete mitochondrial genomes representing all recognized 26 sportive lemur taxa and estimated divergence dates.

Therapeutic hypothermia post-cardiac arrest: a clinical nurse specialist initiative in Pakistan.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to assess the feasibility of an evidence-based therapeutic hypothermia protocol in adult post-cardiac arrest (CA) patients in a university hospital in Pakistan.

Background: Cardiac arrest has a deleterious effect on neurological function, and survival is associated with significant morbidity. The International Liaison Committee of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and the American Heart Association recommend the use of mild hypothermia in post-CA victims to mitigate brain injury caused by anoxia.

How effectively do midwives manage the care of obese pregnant women? A cross-sectional survey of Australian midwives.

Background: Obesity and overweight are common issues for pregnant women and their healthcare providers. Obesity in pregnancy is associated with poorer maternal and perinatal outcomes and presents particular challenges in day-to-day clinical practice.

Question: The aim of this study was to examine midwifery clinical practice for obese pregnant women.

Undergraduate midwifery students' sense of belongingness in clinical practice.

Background: Clinical placements form a large and integral part of midwifery education. While much has been written about nursing students' clinical placements, less is known about clinical experiences of undergraduate midwifery students. In nursing, belongingness has been demonstrated to be a key factor in clinical learning but little is known about this in midwifery education.

Complete sequence and gene organization of the mitochondrial genome for Hubbard's sportive lemur (Lepilemur hubbardorum).

The complete mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genome of Hubbard's or Zombitse sportive lemur (Lepilemur hubbardorum) was generated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification, primer-walking sequencing and fragment cloning. Comparative analyses of Hubbard's sportive lemur were conducted with available complete mitochondrial genome sequences from eight other lemur species. The mitochondrial genome of Hubbard's sportive lemur is 16,854 base pairs (bp) and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, two ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes and one control region.

Demonstration of enhanced endogenous fibrinolysis in thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor-deficient mice.

To investigate the importance of thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) in the stabilization of plasma clots, we have compared fibrinolysis in TAFI-deficient (KO) and wild-type (WT) littermate mice. TAFI-deficient mice were previously generated by targeted gene disruption. The level of TAFI activity generated in plasma from WT mice in the presence of added thrombin and thrombomodulin (activatable TAFI) is twice that of plasma from TAFI heterozygous mice (HET); no activatable TAFI is detected in TAFI KO plasma.

Imidazole acetic acid TAFIa inhibitors: SAR studies centered around the basic P(1)(') group.

Structural modifications of the aminopyridine P(1)(') group of imidazole acetic acid based TAFIa inhibitors led to the discovery of the aminocyclopentyl analog 28, a 1 nM TAFIa inhibitor with CLT(50) functional activity of 14 nM but without selectivity against CPB. While not as active, aminobutyl derivative 27 provided an improved 6.7-fold selectivity for TAFIa versus CPB.

Characterization of the inhibition of hepatitis C virus RNA replication by nonnucleosides.

The RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is necessary for the replication of viral RNA and thus represents an attractive target for drug development. Several structural classes of nonnucleoside inhibitors (NNIs) of HCV RNA polymerase have been described, including a promising series of benzothiadiazine compounds that efficiently block replication of HCV subgenomic replicons in tissue culture. In this work we report the selection of replicons resistant to inhibition by the benzothiadiazine class of NNIs.

Synthesis and evaluation of imidazole acetic acid inhibitors of activated thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor as novel antithrombotics.

Thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) is an important regulator of fibrinolysis, and inhibitors of this enzyme have potential use in antithrombotic and thrombolytic therapy. Appropriately substituted imidazole acetic acids such as 10j were found to be potent inhibitors of activated TAFI and selective versus the related carboxypeptidases CPA, CPN, and CPM but not CPB. Further, 10j accelerated clot lysis in vitro and was shown to be efficacious in a primate model of thrombosis.

Electrochemiluminescence assay for basic carboxypeptidases: inhibition of basic carboxypeptidases and activation of thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor.

Carboxypeptidases catalyze the removal of the C-terminal amino acid residues in peptides and proteins and exert important biological functions. Assays for carboxypeptidase activity that rely on change of absorbance generally suffer from low sensitivity and are difficult to adapt to high-throughput screening. We have developed a sensitive, robust assay for basic carboxypeptidase activity that makes use of electrochemiluminescent (ECL) detection of reaction product.

Miniaturizable homogenous time-resolved fluorescence assay for carboxypeptidase B activity.

An epitope-unmasking, homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence (HTRF) assay has been developed for measuring carboxypeptidase B (CPB) activity in a miniaturized high-throughput screening format. The enzyme substrate (biotin-RYRGLMVGGVVR-OH) is cleaved by CPB at the C terminus, causing release of the C-terminal Arg residue. The product (biotin-RYRGLMVGGVV-OH) is recognized specifically by a monoclonal antibody (G2-10) which is labeled with Eu(3+)-cryptate ([Eu(3+)]G2-10 mAb), and the complex is detected by fluorescence resonance energy transfer using streptavidin labeled with allophycocyanin ([XL665]SA).

Description of an early discharge post-acute care program: length of hospital stay, patient and carer needs and cost.

The objective of the project was to evaluate a pilot Post Acute Community Care (PACC) program for orthopaedic patients. A series of cross-sectional surveys elicited responses of patient and home carer needs and GP and hospital staff acceptability while a cost-minimisation analysis compared the average cost of the PACC program with general orthopaedic hospital care. Patients were classified according to Australian National Diagnosis Related Groups (DRGs).