Collection of Oral Fluids Using Cotton Ropes as a Sampling Method to Detect Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus Infection in Pigs.

In high-density farming practices, it is important to constantly monitor for infectious diseases, especially diseases that have the potential to spread rapidly between holdings. Pigs are known to amplify foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) by excreting large amounts of virus, and it is therefore important to detect the virus quickly and accurately to minimize the spread of disease. Ropes were used to collect oral fluid samples from pigs, and each sample was compared to saliva samples collected from individual animals by detecting FMD virus RNA using real-time PCR.

The ABC of health care team dynamics: understanding complex affective, behavioral, and cognitive dynamics in interprofessional teams.

Background: Interprofessional teams form the basis of many health care problem-solving and decision-making mechanisms. However, more than 70% of medical errors are attributable to dysfunctional team dynamics. The recent suggestion that health care teams are more complex than nonmedical teams suggests that we require more sophisticated knowledge of team dynamics and processes.

How health professionals conceive and construct interprofessional practice in rural settings: a qualitative study.

Background: Although interprofessional practice (IPP) offers the potential to enhance rural health services and provide support to rural clinicians, IPP may itself be problematic due to workforce limitations and service fragmentation. Differing socioeconomic and geographic characteristics of rural communities means that the way that IPP occurs in rural contexts will necessarily differ from that occurring in metropolitan contexts. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors contributing to effective IPP in rural contexts, to examine how IPP happens and to identify barriers and enablers.

Fermi-LAT observations of the gamma-ray burst GRB 130427A.

The observations of the exceptionally bright gamma-ray burst (GRB) 130427A by the Large Area Telescope aboard the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope provide constraints on the nature of these unique astrophysical sources. GRB 130427A had the largest fluence, highest-energy photon (95 GeV), longest γ-ray duration (20 hours), and one of the largest isotropic energy releases ever observed from a GRB. Temporal and spectral analyses of GRB 130427A challenge the widely accepted model that the nonthermal high-energy emission in the afterglow phase of GRBs is synchrotron emission radiated by electrons accelerated at an external shock.

The first pulse of the extremely bright GRB 130427A: a test lab for synchrotron shocks.

Gamma-ray burst (GRB) 130427A is one of the most energetic GRBs ever observed. The initial pulse up to 2.5 seconds is possibly the brightest well-isolated pulse observed to date.

Incident hepatitis B infection subsequent to the diagnosis of HIV infection in a Melbourne cohort: missed opportunities for prevention.

Unlabelled: Background The characteristics associated with incident hepatitis B (HBV) infection in HIV-positive individuals are not well described in the Australian setting. The aim of this study is to determine the characteristics of and risk factors for HBV infection within HIV-infected individuals in a Melbourne cohort between 1985 and 2011.

Methods: Individuals susceptible to HBV at their HIV diagnosis were identified using their HBV serology stored within the Victorian HIV database.

The experiences of head and neck cancer patients requiring major surgery.

Background: The prevalence of head and neck cancers is lower (3.5% of total cancers in Australia) than for a number of other cancers. Treatment for head and neck cancer is often drastic and debilitating and patient outcomes are poorer.

Promoting positive attitudes to breastfeeding: the development and evaluation of a theory-based intervention with school children involving a cluster randomised controlled trial.

The objective of this study was to design, implement and evaluate an intervention based on the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) to enhance young peoples' motivations to breastfeed/support a partner to breastfeed. Six semi-structured focus groups were first conducted with 48 13-14-year-olds from two schools in Northern Ireland. The salient beliefs elicited were subsequently used to design a TPB-based questionnaire that was then administered to 2021 13-14-year-old pupils (852 males; 1169 females) from 36 post-primary schools to identify the most important determinants of breastfeeding.

Isolated limb infusion chemotherapy for melanoma: an overview of early experience at the Adelaide Melanoma Unit.

Background: Isolated limb infusion (ILI) using cytotoxic agents has been demonstrated to be an effective and less invasive alternative modality than isolated limb perfusion for the treatment of melanoma localized to a limb. Percutaneous catheters were inserted into the axial artery and vein of the affected limb while using a pneumatic cuff to restrict limb vascular flow proximally to "isolate" the limb from the body and enable delivery of high-dose intra-arterial chemotherapy selectively to the limb. The ILI technique was developed at the Sydney Melanoma Unit (now renamed the Melanoma Institute Australia), and only a few other centers have reported separate results.

Reduction in early stroke risk in carotid stenosis with transient ischemic attack associated with statin treatment.

Background And Purpose: Statins reduce stroke risk when initiated months after transient ischemic attack (TIA)/stroke and reduce early vascular events in acute coronary syndromes, possibly via pleiotropic plaque stabilization. Few data exist on acute statin use in TIA. We aimed to determine whether statin pretreatment at TIA onset modified early stroke risk in carotid stenosis.

Transient neurological symptoms in the older population: report of a prospective cohort study--the Medical Research Council Cognitive Function and Ageing Study (CFAS).

Objective: Transient ischaemic attack (TIA) is a recognised risk factor for stroke in the older population requiring timely assessment and treatment by a specialist. The need for such TIA services is driven by the epidemiology of transient neurological symptoms, which may not be caused by TIA. We report prevalence and incidence of transient neurological symptoms in a large UK cohort study of older people.

Benefit finding and resilience in child caregivers.

Objectives: A substantial number of children are involved in informal caregiving and make a significant contribution to health care delivery. While this places high levels of demand on their coping resources, there is some evidence that these children find benefit in their caring role.

Design: A survey design using questionnaire data collection was used with a sample of 442 children (174 boys and 268 girls) between the ages of 12 and 16.

RApid Primary care Initiation of Drug treatment for Transient Ischaemic Attack (RAPID-TIA): study protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial.

Background: People who have a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or minor stroke are at high risk of a recurrent stroke, particularly in the first week after the event. Early initiation of secondary prevention drugs is associated with an 80% reduction in risk of stroke recurrence. This raises the question as to whether these drugs should be given before being seen by a specialist--that is, in primary care or in the emergency department.

Non-focal neurological symptoms associated with classical presentations of transient ischaemic attack: qualitative analysis of interviews with patients.

Background: Improving the recognition of transient ischaemic attack (TIA) at initial healthcare contact is essential as urgent specialist assessment and treatment reduces stroke risk. Accurate TIA detection could be achieved with clinical prediction rules but none have been validated in primary care. An alternative approach using qualitative analysis of patients' experiences of TIA may identify novel features of the TIA phenotype that are not detected routinely, as such techniques have revealed novel early features of other important conditions such as meningococcaemia.

Evaluating the preceptor role for pre-registration nursing and midwifery student clinical education.

Aim: The aim of this research is to evaluate the perceptions of the Registered Nurse (RN), Registered Midwife (RM) and Enrolled Nurse (EN) about their experience of preceptoring an undergraduate student within a large Local Health District in New South Wales (NSW) Australia.

Background: In the current Health Workforce Australia (HWA) literature, the term 'Clinical Supervisor' has subsumed the role of mentor, preceptor, buddy and facilitator of clinical practice. Preceptor in this paper describes the supervisory, facilitating and teaching role of the registered nurse in the clinical practice undergraduate nursing and midwifery educational pairing.

Recommendations for the development of e-modules for the continuing professional development of European dentists.

Aims: To provide evidence-based and peer-reviewed recommendations for the development of dental continuing professional development (CPD) learning e-modules.

Methods: The present recommendations are consensus recommendations of the DentCPD project team and were informed by a literature research, consultations from e-learning and IT expert, discussions amongst the participants attending a special interest group during the 2012 ADEE meeting, and feedback from the evaluation procedures of the exemplar e-module (as described in a companion paper within this Supplement). The main focus of these recommendations is on the courses and modules organised and offered by dental schools.

The development of an exemplar e-module for the continuing professional development of European dentists.

Aim: To present the development of an exemplar e-module for dental continuing professional development (CPD) provided by dental schools and other dental educational providers.

Materials And Methods: The exemplar e-module covered the topic of 'Sterilisation and cross-infection control in the dental practice' as this is one of the most recommended topics for dental CPD in Europe. It was developed by a group of topic experts, adult learning and distance learning experts and a technical developer.

Guidelines for the organisation of continuing professional development activities for the European dentist.

Aim: Free movement of dental professionals across the European Union calls for more uniform continuing education in dentistry to ensure up-to-date, high-quality patient care and patient safety. This article provides guidelines for the management and delivery of high-quality continuing professional development (CPD) by European dental schools and other CPD providers.

Method: The guidelines are based on an extensive literature inventory, a survey of existing practices (both available as separate publications), discussions during meetings of the Association for Dental Education in Europe in 2011 and 2012 and debate amongst the members of the DentCPD project team representing six dental schools.

Core continuing professional development (CPD) topics for the European dentist.

Introduction: In the context of free movement, EU-citizens need assurance that dental practitioners providing their care have a degree/license to practice that meets EU-standards and that they maintain their knowledge and skills through ongoing education.

Aim: One aim of the 'DentCPD' project (HYPERLINK 'http://www.dentcpd.

Continuing professional development systems and requirements for graduate dentists in the EU: survey results from the DentCPD project.

Introduction: By maintaining skills and keeping dentists up-to-date, continuing professional development (CPD) supports safe clinical practice. However, CPD for dentists across Europe is not harmonised.

Aim: One aim of the 'DentCPD' project (www.

Cytomegalovirus in pregnancy: to screen or not to screen.

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is now the commonest congenital form of infective neurological handicap, recognized by the Institute of Medicine as the leading priority for the developed world in congenital infection. In the absence of an effective vaccine, universal screening for CMV in pregnancy has been proposed, in order that primary infection could be diagnosed and- potentially- the burden of disability due to congenital CMV prevented.

Discussion: Universal screening for CMV to identify seronegative women at the beginning of pregnancy could potentially reduce the burden of congenital CMV in one of three ways.

Human immunodeficiency virus and menopause.

Objective: This article aims to review currently available evidence for women infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and menopause and to propose clinical management algorithms.

Methods: Key studies addressing HIV and menopause have been reviewed, specifically age of menopause onset in HIV-infected women, frequency of menopausal symptoms, comorbidities associated with HIV and aging (including cardiovascular disease and bone disease), treatment of menopausal symptoms, and prevention of comorbidities in HIV-infected women.

Results: Studies suggest an earlier onset of menopause in HIV-infected women, with increased frequency of symptoms.

Prevention of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) during pregnancy and the puerperium: current standards of care.

Background: Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of hepatitis B virus continues to occur despite the interventions of hepatitis B vaccination and immunoglobulin. The most significant risk factor in transmission is high maternal viral load. Being aware of viral replicative activity permits risk stratification and allows the opportunity for additional preventative measures such as antiviral therapy.

Effective interprofessional collaboration in rural contexts: a research protocol.

Aim: To describe the research protocol that will be used to investigate factors contributing to effective interprofessional practice in a rural context in Australia.

Background: Interprofessional practice is a key strategy for overcoming rural health challenges; however, our knowledge of interprofessional initiatives and consequences in rural areas is limited.

Design: A modified realistic evaluation approach will be used to explore the structures, systems, and social processes contributing to effective interprofessional outcomes.

Evaluation of a theory of planned behaviour-based breastfeeding intervention in Northern Irish schools using a randomized cluster design.

Objective: The aim of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of a school-based intervention designed to enhance young people's motivations to breastfeed.

Design: A cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 50 post-primary schools from across Northern Ireland. However, dropout and exclusion criteria utilized for the current study resulted in an effective sample size of 42 schools.