Reusable learning objects for nurse education: development, evaluation, challenges and recommendations.

Online resources are expected within healthcare education, and a plethora of online or technology-based delivery methods are available. Reusable learning objects (RLOs) are a form of digitally supported education that can be used multiple times in various locations; they are especially favoured by nurses. Little is understood about the issues involved in their creation.

Central and peripheral pathology of kuru: pathological analysis of a recent case and comparison with other forms of human prion disease.

While the neuropathology of kuru is well defined, there are few data concerning the distribution of disease-related prion protein in peripheral tissues. Here we report the investigation of brain and peripheral tissues from a kuru patient who died in 2003. Neuropathological findings were compared with those seen in classical (sporadic and iatrogenic) Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) and variant CJD (vCJD).

Magnetic retention for obturators.

Prosthetic rehabilitation can be challenging in cases of maxillectomy or developmental defect. This article describes a case in which a magnetically retained, implant-supported denture was used to restore the maxilla following hemi-maxillectomy. Use of the Oral Health Impact Profile before and after treatment showed a marked diminution in the number of adverse impacts 2 weeks post-placement and during review 6 months later.

Changes in intraocular pressure in anesthetized prone patients.

Background: Postoperative visual loss occurs more commonly in patients placed prone. The mechanism may be raised intraocular pressure (IOP) causing an ischemic oculopathy.

Methods: IOP was measured in 20 patients undergoing spinal surgery.

Mouth opening: a new angle.

Background: The authors hypothesized that craniocervical extension occurs during normal mouth opening.

Methods: Twenty volunteers were studied. Interdental distance was measured at four different degrees of craniocervical extension.

Water use by forests, limits and controls.

Based on a review of several studies that have been carried out to determine the water use of forests in relation to other crops in different regions of the world, it is shown that the principal controls on evaporation from forests and shorter crops vary markedly between the temperate and tropical regions and between the wet and dry zones of these regions. Although there are detailed physical and physiological models available that allow calculation of forest water use, these models are not always readily applicable. It is proposed that a knowledge of the limits on evaporation can be used to devise models of varying complexity for estimating water use of forests in different regions and for predicting differences in water use between forests and shorter crops.

An evaluation of recent blood lead levels in Port Pirie, South Australia.

The Port Pirie Lead Program commenced in 1984. The abatement program involves identification of children with elevated blood lead levels, house decontamination, soil treatment, development of heavily vegetated buffer zones around the smelter, family education and support and community education. Since 1984 the smelter has also implemented substantial new emission controls and environmental improvements.