Genome-based taxonomic analysis of the genus Pseudoalteromonas reveals heterotypic synonyms.

The Pseudoalteromonas genus comprises members that have been demonstrated to play significant ecological roles and produce enzymes, natural products, and activities that are beneficial to the environment and economy. A comprehensive evaluation of the genus revealed that the genomes of several Pseudoalteromonas species are highly similar to each other, exceeding species cutoff values. This evaluation involved determining and comparing the average nucleotide identity, in silico DNA-DNA hybridization, average amino acid identity, and the difference in G + C% between Pseudoalteromonas type strains with publicly available genomes.

The views of patients, mentors and adult field nursing students on patients' participation in student nurse assessment in practice.

In recent years, changes to undergraduate nursing curricula in the United Kingdom have been coupled with increasing expectations that service users be involved in assessment of student nurses. These factors lead to the development of a tool to facilitate gathering of feedback from patients/carers on the competency of adult field student nurses in practice. This study evaluated experiences of those involved in the process of using the feedback tool.

Genome Sequences of Pseudoalteromonas Strains ATCC BAA-314, ATCC 70018, and ATCC 70019.

The assembly and annotation of the draft genome sequences for Pseudoalteromonas strains ATCC BAA314, ATCC 700518, and ATCC 700519 reveal candidates for promoting symbiosis between Pseudoalteromonas strains and eukaryotes. Groups of genes generally associated with virulence are present in all three strains, suggesting that these bacteria may be pathogenic under specific circumstances.

A seven-day diabetes service for inpatients and the emergency department in an acute hospital setting - the East and North Herts Diabetes Outreach Team (DOT).

There is evidence that all hospital-based care needs to improve across 7 days. Inpatients with diabetes require better specialist attention and improved clinical outcomes. The East and North Herts inpatient diabetes service has responded to this challenge with care now delivered by consultants and diabetes nurses, 365 days per year.

A 'roll-on, roll-off' preceptorship pathway for new registrants.

The need to support high numbers of new registrants simultaneously at the Royal United Hospital, Bath, led to the development of a preceptorship pathway. The 'roll-on, roll-off' structure allows newly registered nurses and allied health professionals to start preceptorship as soon as they take up their roles. Essential competencies are negotiated with managers and achieved through subject-focused teaching sessions, workplace preceptorship, reflection, peer support and the use of distance-learning materials that link to the NHS knowledge and skills framework and appraisal requirements.

Community matrons--an exploratory study of patients' views and experiences.

Aim: The aim of the study was to explore patients' views and experiences of the community matron role in one primary care provider organization.

Background: Community matrons manage the needs of people living with long-term conditions in the community and aim to improve patient self-management and education, and enhance co-ordination between in primary and social care.

Methods: A purposive sample of 14 service users (ten women, four men; aged 45-89 years) with a range of chronic conditions took part in interviews in 2007.

Using supported learning to ensure nurse recruits are skilled to care for acutely ill patients.

Recruiting registered nurses to acute care wards can be difficult as applicants often lack the necessary skills to work with acutely ill patients. To overcome this problem the Royal United Hospital Bath Trust set up an acute care training programme. Through partnership working between managers, clinical, education and human resource staff, it provides an opportunity for nurses to develop confidence and competence to meet the needs of the acutely ill.

Community matrons: primary care professionals' views and experiences.

Aim: This article is a report of a study exploring how the role of the community matron is progressing and any barriers or facilitators to performing the role.

Background: Long-term conditions are distressing for patients and costly for healthcare services. Government policy in western countries has increasingly focussed on more integrated and pro-active management of patients with multiple long-term conditions to maintain the ability of the aging population to function independently.

The implementation and evaluation of an oral healthcare best practice guideline in a paediatric hospital.

The oral health of the New Zealand population now compares unfavourably with other countries. A number of strategies have been introduced at a government and health provider level to improve the oral health status of children. One such strategy was the introduction of a recommended best practice (RBP) within Starship Children's Hospital.

Improving patient care through work-based learning.

Aim: To record post-registration community nurses' perceptions of the impact of work-based learning on the quality of patient care.

Method: Ten nurses were interviewed. Each interviewee, who had successfully completed work-based learning programmes, was asked to describe their impact on the quality of patient care.

Posttraumatic stress symptoms in children after mild to moderate pediatric trauma: a longitudinal examination of symptom prevalence, correlates, and parent-child symptom reporting.

Background: Full recovery from injury may be hindered by both physical ailments and psychologic distress. Little information is available on the psychologic response of children to physical trauma, although long-term dysfunction may result if psychologic needs are not identified and addressed. This study examined the prevalence and correlates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in children and adolescents after an acute traumatic event resulting in mild to moderate physical injury.

Purification and characterization of a recombinant alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase from Clostridium perfringens.

Clostridium perfringens alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase (alphaNAG) hydrolyzed the terminal N-acetyl-alpha-d-galactosamine from the blood type A(2) antigen producing H antigen, blood type O. Blood type O is universally compatible in the ABO system. Purification of the native enzyme is difficult with very low yields.

Work-based learning: making a difference in practice.

Nurses play an increasingly crucial role in ensuring that patients receive the best possible care, and strive to lead innovations in health care. Changing practice is not easy and many nurses do not have the leadership skills or confidence to push for change. Therefore, they need to know that they are supported and encouraged to bring about change in nursing practice.

Identification, molecular cloning and expression of an alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase gene from Clostridium perfringens.

The Clostridium perfringens gene encoding the previously characterized alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase (alphaNAG) was identified by protein microsequencing and database searching. The alphaNAG protein, designated AagA, was found to be encoded by a hypothetical gene of unknown function in the recently completed genome sequence of C. perfringens strain 13.

Developing a learing culture.

A KEY ELEMENT to retaining and recruiting a nursing workforce is making sure that nurses are empowered to develop their practice and that they know their managers and other health professionals value their work. Although patients and relatives may well be effusive in their thanks to nurses, which in itself is an important aspect for job satisfaction, it is not enough.