(Rubiaceae, Rubieae), a new species from Lefkada (Ionian Islands, Greece) and its ecological position.

The new species, (Rubiaceae, Rubieae), a narrow endemic of the white cliffs of Lefkátas on the southwest coast of Lefkada (Greece) is described and illustrated and an IUCN assessment is presented. Vegetation relevés were performed at the single known locality, limestone cliffs facing the sea and revealed a new association, the -. The chromosome number of was determined as 2 = 4 = 44, being the single tetraploid species in the genus to date.

Use of probiotics for infection prevention in trauma patients.

Probiotics is a general term to describe the different species of healthy microbes that are usually found in our gastrointestinal tract and support our immune system. When ingested in adequate amounts, probiotics can provide health benefits to the host. Their ingestion is thought to replenish microbiota that may have been depleted from injury, medication or diet.

Dabigatran versus warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation is associated with an increased risk of ischaemic stroke and mortality. Guidelines recommend non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants, or novel oral anticoagulants, as first choice of drug. While they do not require the meticulous dose adjustments that are required for warfarin, a clinical evaluation of appropriate dose is still necessary.

Nurse awareness of patients who may have incident delirium.

Delirium is a disturbance of attention and cognition that cannot be explained by pre-existing neurocognitive disorders. It can have serious consequences, including falls, increased mortality, longer hospital stays and an increased risk of long-term cognitive impairment. Delirium may be present on admission to hospital but, where it is not, nurses should identify people at risk.

Autogenic training shows short-term benefits in patients with early Parkinson's disease.

A trial of people with early Parkinson's disease compared 32 having physiotherapy with a similar number who had an additional 15 minutes of autogenic training (AT).

Gout is more prevalent among older people.

Gout results from accumulation of uric acid crystals in joint spaces - often affecting the toe but also the foot, knee, ankle, hand or wrist - and the synovial lining, which triggers inflammation. It presents with sudden bouts of extreme pain, usually when sleeping. Patients cannot tolerate the weight of bedclothes and may have flu-like symptoms.

Pros and cons of drugs for motor symptom control.

Drug groups for control of motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease are: dopamine agonists, levodopa, enzyme inhibitors, glutamate antagonists, and anticholinergics.

Taking supplements is clinically unwarranted in dementia care.

Substances including B vitamins, vitamin D, vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids and gingko biloba are often consumed in the hope of combating memory complaints and treating dementia. These supplements may seem innocuous, but there is a possibility of drug interactions if they are used in combination with prescription medications. For example, vitamin E and gingko biloba can increase the risk of bleeding and should not be used with anticoagulants.

An overview of communication, movement and perception difficulties after stroke.

For many people who have had a stroke, weakness or paralysis on one side - hemiparesis or hemiplegia - is the most obvious symptom. However, brain damage, including stroke, can cause a range of impairments that may be less obvious but equally devastating for people and their families. This article provides an overview of communication, movement and perception difficulties, and the strategies nurses can use to help people cope with any changes to their lives.

Prevention and treatment of acute ischaemic stroke.

When someone has a stroke it can cause death or severe disability. However, advances in treatment have changed the way professionals need to respond. Nurses must recognise the signs of stroke and understand why prompt action can save more of the brain.

Raising end of life care issues for patients with learning disabilities.

This qualitative study explored the views of three learning disability nurses, and three district nurses, caring for people with learning disabilities at the end of their lives. Although they saw some good practice, the nurses identified several difficulties associated with end of life care.

Using MRI scans to detect osteoarthritis in patients' knees.

Rates of osteoarthritis are increasing due to an ageing population and increasing levels of obesity, however, about half of people with knee pain do not show any changes on X-ray. This study used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to examine the knees of 710 people over the age of 50 who had no radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis. X-rays can show osteophytes (bony outgrowths) and narrowing of the joint space but cannot show damage to soft tissue, such as cartilage and ligaments, which can be seen by MRI.

Flexibility and choice improved residents' feeling of wellbeing.

Moving into a care home involves changes that have a significant effect on a person's quality of life. These include substantial alterations in social interactions and adapting to issues involving privacy, dignity and independence.

Benefits of dark chocolate in treating metabolic syndrome.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. The risk of developing it is significantly increased by the metabolic syndrome cluster of risk factors: waist measurement and other factors, such as blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Exercise boosts immune response.

Ageing is associated with a decline in normal functioning of the immune system described as 'immunosenescence'. This contributes to poorer vaccine response and increased incidence of infection and malignancy seen in older people. Regular exercise can enhance vaccination response, increase T-cells and boost the function of the natural killer cells in the immune system.

Creating the right environment for end of life care in hospital.

Older people often experience repeated admissions to hospital towards the end of life but they have less access to palliative care services than younger people and those with cancer. People aged over 75 have the highest hospital death rates. This integrative review found that cleanliness, homeliness, accessibility and atmosphere are important to create the optimal environment for older people at the end of life.

Religion and wellbeing.

This survey of 115 older adults aimed to study the relationship between religious involvement and symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Problems eating after stroke.

Eating difficulties that can arise in patients after a stroke include problems managing food on the plate, transporting food to the mouth, swallowing and having enough energy to eat.

Detecting cognitive decline.

There is growing consensus that dementia has a long gestation period; it is known that neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid plaques, the hallmarks of pathological change in dementia, are present in the brains of young adults. This study aimed to examine if decline in cognitive function can be detected earlier than previously thought. The researchers collected data from 10,308 participants aged 45-70 and tested them three times over ten years.

Inflammatory changes and age-related hearing loss.

Lifestyle factors such as smoking and a high-fat diet are associated with hearing loss in older people. It is possible that this is because they cause cardiovascular disease which affects the blood supply to the cochlea. The authors suggest that it may also be due to the direct impact of inflammatory processes, associated with cardiovascular disease, on the cochlea.

Link between higher levels of homocysteine and depression.

Homocysteine is an amino acid derived from methionine that is found in the diet, especially in animal protein. Homocystcinc is reconstituted into methionine, which is essential to the production of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine which elevate mood. This reconstitution requires B-group vitamins, especially folic acid and B12.

The benefits of e-health.

The use of e-health and telemedicine has increased over the past decade. Telemedicine uses phone and video technology and is mainly used to diagnose and treat problems.

Alcohol and ageing.

Older adults are sensitive to the effects of alcohol as a consequence of physiological changes associated with ageing, a high prevalence of diseases and concomitant use of multiple drugs. This study investigated the medicinal use of alcohol by individuals aged 65 years and over. The most commonly mentioned conditions were cardiovascular disease, sleep disturbances, common cold and indigestion.

Talking about death.

A narrative approach was used to engage older adults in conversation about death in general and their own death in particular. Comments such as 'I am 89 now, how many more years do I have' and 'I don't want to go, I love this life. But it doesn't bother me,' suggest that people's anxiety about dying and fear decrease with age.

Foot care for people with diabetes.

Foot complications are common in people with diabetes. Ulcers often become infected and, if not treated promptly, can result in sepsis and gangrene requiring amputation. The specialised nursing intervention in this study varied according to the assessed risk.