Search

Objectives This systematic review was designed to assess the importance of academic literacy for undergraduate nursing students and its relationship to future professional clinical practice. It aimed to explore the link between academic literacy and writing in an undergraduate nursing degree and the development of critical thinking skills for their future professional clinical practice. Design A systematic review of qualitative studies and expert opinion publications. Data Sources A systematic literature search was undertaken of the following databases: ERIC, PubMed, CINAHL, MEDLINE and Scopus. All papers reviewed were from 2000 to 2016 and were written in English. Review Methods We identified 981 studies and expert opinion papers from the selected databases. After reviewing key words and abstracts for the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 48 papers were selected for review. These were read and reread, with 22 papers, including one thesis, selected for quality appraisal. One paper was discarded due to the exclusion criteria. Results Three major themes were evident from this study. First, students need assistance to develop tertiary level academic literacy skills when they commence their undergraduate nursing degree. Second, that teaching practices need to be consistent in both designing assessments and in giving feedback to students, in order to assist improvement of academic literacy skills. And finally, academic literacy can facilitate critical thinking when students are assessed using discipline specific genres that relate to their future professional nursing practice. Conclusions This review highlights the importance of critical thinking in clinical nursing practice and its strong relationship with academic writing skills. It has shown critical thinking is discipline specific and nursing students need to be taught discipline specific literacy genres in undergraduate nursing degrees. Nursing has a diverse educational and cultural mix of students, and educators should not assume academic literacy skills upon commencement of an undergraduate nursing programme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fake websites extract an enormous financial and psychological toll on consumers across the globe, with some estimates reaching billions of dollars each year. Yet, there is a paucity of empirical data on why some consumers respond to fake websites while others remain immune. In nine studies (6 in the main text, 3 in Supplemental Materials) we tested the hypothesis that analytical reasoning promotes the ability to discriminate real from fake versions of popular consumer websites. We found evidence in support of this hypothesis in individual difference studies using both convenience (Supplemental Studies 1–2) and representative samples (Study 1) with expertise as a boundary condition of this effect (Study 2). We also found evidence for this hypothesis experimentally by inducing time pressure (Study 3) and priming participants to engage System 2 (analytic) versus System 1 (intuitive) processes (Study 4). This latter experimental effect was bounded by expertise (Study 5). Finally, we showed that the link between analytical reasoning and discriminability is mechanistically driven by memory recall (Study 6). Collectively, these studies provide convergent evidence that analytical reasoning may protect individuals from Internet fraud by helping them detect fraudulent websites. • Analytical reasoning promotes the ability to discriminate real from fake versions of popular Internet websites. • These effects emerged in correlational studies and experiments. • These effects did not emerge for participants with high levels of expertise. • These effects were mechanistically driven by memory recall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Collaborative and Proactive Solutions is an effective treatment for defiant youth. • Findings were on par with evidence-based treatment, Parent Management Training. • Gains were maintained at 6-months follow-up. • Community-based delivery affirms relevance to real-world clients and settings. • CPS represents a possible therapeutic alternative for youth with conduct problems. The aim of this study was to examine the relative effectiveness of Collaborative and Proactive Solutions (CPS) and Parent Management Training (PMT) for youth with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) in a community setting. Based on a semistructured diagnostic interview, 160 youth with ODD (ages 7–14; 72% male; ethnicity representative of the wider Australian population) were randomized to CPS (n = 81) or PMT (n = 79) for up to 16 weekly sessions. The primary hypothesis was that participants in the CPS group, treated in a community setting, would exhibit significant improvement in ODD, equivalent to that of an evidence-based treatment, PMT. Assessment was conducted at baseline, post-intervention, and at 6-month follow-up, using independently rated semistructured diagnostic interviews, parent ratings of ODD symptoms, and global ratings of severity and improvement. Analyses were conducted with hierarchical growth linear modeling, ANCOVA, and equivalence testing using an intent-to-treat sample. Both treatments demonstrated similar outcomes, with 45–50% of youth in the nonclinical range after treatment, and 67% considered much improved. No differences were found between groups, and group equivalency was shown on the independent clinician and parent-rated measures. Gains were maintained at the 6-month follow-up. In conclusion, CPS works as effectively as the well-established treatment, PMT, for youths with ODD, when implemented in a community-based setting. As such, CPS provides a viable choice for families who seek alternate treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study aimed to examine the expression and function of P2 receptors of the rat tail and mesenteric arteries during maturation and ageing (4, 6 and 12weeks, 8 and 24months). Functional studies and receptor expression by immunohistochemistry revealed a heterogeneous phenotype of P2 receptor subtypes depending on artery age. The purinergic component of nerve-mediated responses in the tail artery was greater in younger animals; similarly responses to ATP and α,β-meATP and the expression of P2X1 receptors decreased with age. Contractile responses to 2-MeSADP decreased with age, and were absent at 8 and 24months; P2Y1 receptor expression followed this pattern. UTP-induced contractions and P2Y2 receptor expression also decreased with age. The mesenteric artery contracted to UTP, responses at 4 and 6weeks were larger than at other ages although P2Y2 receptor expression did not significantly differ with age. 2-MeSADP induced relaxation of the mesenteric artery, responses being greatest at 6weeks and decreased thereafter, which was mimicked by the P2Y1 receptor immunostaining. We speculate that the dramatic changes in expression of P2 receptors in the rat tail artery, compared to the mesenteric artery, during development and ageing are related to the role of the tail artery in temperature regulation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction: Many patients exhibit subsyndromal clinical findings of schizophrenia prior to diagnosis. Early treatment may mitigate schizophrenia development, yet little is known about comorbidities and healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) in these patients before diagnosis.Methods: This retrospective, longitudinal cohort study, conducted between January 1, 2007 and April 30, 2016, used claims data from the US HealthCore Integrated Research Database. Newly diagnosed patients with schizophrenia (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision: 295.x or ICD 10 F20.%) were identified and matched (1:4) with non-schizophrenia comparators. Patients were 15-54 years of age with either ≥1 inpatient/emergency room claim with a primary schizophrenia diagnosis, or ≥2 claims in any setting with any schizophrenia diagnosis. Demographics, comorbidities, physician specialties, medications, and related services, and other HCRU were compared between cohorts for up to 5 years before diagnosis.Results: The schizophrenia cohort included 6732 patients (57.4% male, mean age 30.3 years for males and 36.2 years for females). All outcomes were more prevalent in the schizophrenia cohort than the comparator cohort. Substantial comorbidity, medication use, and HCRU were observed in the schizophrenia cohort even 4-5 years before diagnosis with increasing findings approaching diagnosis. From 4-5 years to 0-12 months before diagnosis, resource use increased from 20.5% to 53.3% for atypical antipsychotics, 29.3% to 48.2% for antidepressants, and 15.1% to 35.5% for psychiatric diagnostic examinations.Conclusions: Patients with schizophrenia extensively use healthcare resources up to 5 years before diagnosis. Our findings may help with developing predictive models to identify patients at high risk of schizophrenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims Despite recent attention to differences in access to livers for transplantation, research has focused on patients already on the wait list. We analyzed data from a large administrative database that represents the entire US population, and state Medicaid data, to identify factors associated with differences in access to wait lists for liver transplantation. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study of transplant-eligible patients with end-stage liver disease using the HealthCore Integrated Research Database (2006–2014; n = 16,824) and Medicaid data from 5 states (2002–2009; California, Florida, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania; n = 67,706). Transplant-eligible patients had decompensated cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and/or liver synthetic dysfunction, based on validated International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision–based algorithms and data from laboratory studies. Placement on the wait list was determined through linkage with the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network database. Results In an unadjusted analysis of the HealthCore database, we found that 29% of patients with HCC were placed on the 2-year wait list (95% confidence interval [CI], 25.4%–33.0%) compared with 11.9% of patients with stage 4 cirrhosis (ascites) (95% CI, 11.0%–12.9%) and 12.6% of patients with stage 5 cirrhosis (ascites and variceal bleeding) (95% CI, 9.4%–15.2%). Among patients with each stage of cirrhosis, those with HCC were significantly more likely to be placed on the wait list; adjusted subhazard ratios ranged from 1.7 (for patients with stage 5 cirrhosis and HCC vs those without HCC) to 5.8 (for patients with stage 1 cirrhosis with HCC vs those without HCC). Medicaid beneficiaries with HCC were also more likely to be placed on the transplant wait list, compared with patients with decompensated cirrhosis, with a subhazard ratio of 2.34 (95% CI, 2.20–2.49). Local organ supply and wait list level demand were not associated with placement on the wait list. Conclusions In an analysis of US healthcare databases, we found patients with HCC to be more likely to be placed on liver transplant wait lists than patients with decompensated cirrhosis. Previously reported reductions in access to transplant care for wait-listed patients with decompensated cirrhosis underestimate the magnitude of this difference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined whether emotional intelligence (EI) contributes to teachers' (N = 221) responses to vignettes portraying student peer conflicts characterizable as indirect bullying. They rated these vignettes (and others portraying direct bullying) on perceived seriousness, self-efficacy for intervening, and likelihood of intervening. EI was a positive predictor of seriousness of indirect bullying and self-efficacy, these two variables mediating the effect of EI on likelihood of intervening. However, the effect of EI was relatively small. Teachers also perceived indirect bullying as less serious than direct bullying, and felt less self-efficacious and less likely to intervene. Implications for teacher professional education are discussed. • Addressing indirect bullying may require teacher emotional intelligence (EI). • EI does influence how likely a teacher is to intervene. • EI operates via perceived seriousness and self-efficacy for intervening. • But seriousness and self-efficacy have much stronger effects on intervention. • Educating teachers in effective intervention methods may raise their self-efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) II (1976 to 1980), NHANES III (1988 to 1994), and NHANES 1999 to 2006 were examined to assess trends in total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides (TGs), lipid-lowering medication use, and obesity. Age-adjusted decreases in TC (210 to 200 mg/dl) and LDL cholesterol (134 to 119 mg/dl) were observed. Those with high TC showed a decrease of 9% from NHANES II to NHANES 1999 to 2006, whereas those with LDL cholesterol ≥160 mg/dl showed a decrease of 8%. A significant increase in mean high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was observed (50 to 53 mg/dl, p <0.001), most likely due to changes in methods. Those with TG levels ≥150 mg/dl showed a decrease from NHANES II to NHANES III from 30% to 27% but then an increase from NHANES III to NHANES 1999 to 2006 from 27% to 33%. Since NHANES III, mean TG levels have increased 12% from 130 to 146 mg/dl. In the 2 most recent surveys, self-reported “high cholesterol” increased from 17% to 27%, and self-reported lipid medication use by those with high cholesterol increased from 16% to 38%. Mean body mass index increased from 26 to 29 kg/m2, and prevalence of obesity doubled and was significantly associated with increased TG. In conclusion, recent favorable trends in TC and LDL cholesterol are likely due to increased awareness of high cholesterol and the greater use of lipid-lowering drugs. However, countertrends in obesity and TG levels, if continued, will likely have a negative impact on cardiovascular disease in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Noninfectious wound complications (NIWCs) after mastectomy are not routinely tracked and data are generally limited to single-center studies. Our objective was to determine the rates of NIWCs among women undergoing mastectomy and assess the impact of immediate reconstruction (IR).Study Design: We established a retrospective cohort using commercial claims data of women aged 18 to 64 years with procedure codes for mastectomy from January 2004 through December 2011. Noninfectious wound complications within 180 days after operation were identified by ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes and rates were compared among mastectomy with and without autologous flap and/or implant IR.Results: There were 18,696 procedures (10,836 [58%] with IR) among 18,085 women identified. The overall NIWC rate was 9.2% (1,714 of 18,696); 56% required surgical treatment. The NIWC rates were 5.8% (455 of 7,860) after mastectomy only, 10.3% (843 of 8,217) after mastectomy plus implant, 17.4% (337 of 1,942) after mastectomy plus flap, and 11.7% (79 of 677) after mastectomy plus flap and implant (p < 0.001). Rates of individual NIWCs varied by specific complication and procedure type, ranging from 0.5% for fat necrosis after mastectomy only, to 7.2% for dehiscence after mastectomy plus flap. The percentage of NIWCs resulting in surgical wound care varied from 50% (210 of 416) for mastectomy plus flap, to 60% (507 of 843) for mastectomy plus implant. Early implant removal within 60 days occurred after 6.2% of mastectomy plus implant; 66% of the early implant removals were due to NIWCs and/or surgical site infection.Conclusions: The rate of NIWC was approximately 2-fold higher after mastectomy with IR than after mastectomy only. Noninfectious wound complications were associated with additional surgical treatment, particularly in women with implant reconstruction, and with early implant loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]