Articles – Alzheimer's

1. Attacking Alzheimer's
By Dolgin, Elie.
Newsweek Global. 2/24/2017, Vol. 168 Issue 7, p24-33. 10p
Abstract: The article discusses a new tactics clinically trialed by researchers to treat Alzheimer's by preventing the disease rather than treating it. According to Reisa Sperling, neurologist who directs the Center for Alzheimer's Research and Treatment at Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital, even partial success of the new approach of drug therapy of slowing brain degeneration could have a big impact in dealing with Alzheimer's.

2. Current pharmacotherapy and putative disease-modifying therapy for Alzheimer's disease
By Kulshreshtha, Akanksha; Piplani, Poonam.
Neurological Sciences. Sep 2016, Vol. 37 Issue 9, p1403-1435. 33p
Abstract: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age-related neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system correlated with the progressive loss of cognition and memory. β-Amyloid plaques, neurofibrillary tangles and the deficiency in cholinergic neurotransmission constitute the major hallmarks of the AD. Two major hypotheses have been implicated in the pathogenesis of AD namely the cholinergic hypothesis which ascribed the clinical features of dementia to the deficit cholinergic neurotransmission and the amyloid cascade hypothesis which emphasized on the deposition of insoluble peptides formed due to the faulty cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein.

3. Social isolation 'a massive issue'
O'Keeffe, Darragh
Australian Ageing Agenda, Issue May/June 2017 (Jul 2017)
Abstract: As newly appointed CEO of Alzheimer's Australia, Maree McCabe tells Darragh O'Keeffe she wants to ensure the voice of people living with dementia is heard.

4. Health and wellbeing: Nutrition: How to be brain fit
McMillan, Joanna
LSJ: Law Society of NSW Journal, Issue 21 (Apr 2016)
Abstract: Just like all the organs in our body, your brain needs fuel to perform at its best. Nutritionist Joanna McMillan explains.

5. Regional gray matter correlates of memory for emotion-laden words in middle-aged and older adults: A voxel-based morphometry study
Saarela, Carina; Joutsa, Juho; Laine, Matti; Parkkola, Riitta; Rinne, Juha O; et al.
PLoS One; San Francisco12.8 (Aug 2017): e0182541.
Abstract: The neuroanatomical basis for emotional memory processes is not well understood in middle-aged and older healthy people. To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine regional gray matter correlates of immediate free recall and recognition memory of intentionally encoded positive, negative, and emotionally neutral words using voxel-based morphometry (VBM) in a sample of 50-to-79-year-old cognitively intact normal adults.

6. Can a tablet-based cancellation test identify cognitive impairment in older adults?Wu, Ya-Huei; Vidal, Jean-Sébastien; de Rotrou, Jocelyne; Sikkes, Sietske A M; Rigaud, Anne-Sophie; et al.
PLoS One; San Francisco12.7 (Jul 2017): e0181809.
Abstract: There has been a growing interest in using computerized cognitive assessment to detect age-related cognitive disorders. We have developed a tablet-based cancellation test (e-CT), previously shown as a reliable measure of executive functions and free of effect of familiarity with computer-based devices in healthy older adults. This study aimed to investigate the influence of demographics and current daily use of computer-based devices in older adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

7. Aerobic exercise for Alzheimer's disease: A randomized controlled pilot trial
Morris, Jill K; Vidoni, Eric D; Johnson, David K; Sciver, Angela Van; Mahnken, Jonathan D; et al.
PLoS One; San Francisco12.2 (Feb 2017).
Abstract: There is increasing interest in the role of physical exercise as a therapeutic strategy for individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD). We assessed the effect of 26 weeks (6 months) of a supervised aerobic exercise program on memory, executive function, functional ability and depression in early AD. This study was a 26-week randomized controlled trial comparing the effects of 150 minutes per week of aerobic exercise vs. non-aerobic stretching and toning control intervention in individuals with early AD.

Articles – New Zealand Medical Journal, September 2017

8. Editorial: Rethinking apprenticeship
Tim J Wilkinson
New Zealand Medical Journal, Vol 130 No 1461: 1 September 2017
Abstract: In this issue of the journal, Rassie wonders if the days of the old apprenticeship model are also gone.1 She calls for a structural change to the apprenticeship model. There certainly needs to be a rethink of apprenticeship—I’m less sure a structural change is the solution

9. Is the New Zealand Early Warning Score useful following cardiac surgery?
Kevin Niall Peek, Michael Gillham
New Zealand Medical Journal, Vol 130 No 1461: 1 September 2017
Abstract: An early warning score (EWS) is a tool used by medical providers to identify those patients who are at risk of developing organ dysfunction and/or death. In a survey of district health boards in New Zealand a large variance was found, between which parameters were used to compose the EWS, the weighting and thresholds of each parameter and the response to an elevated score

10. Media accounts of unintentional child injury deaths in New Zealand: a teachable moment?
Savesh John, Bridget Kool
New Zealand Medical Journal, Vol 130 No 1461: 1 September 2017
Abstract: The Convention on the Human Rights of the Child stipulates that countries have an obligation to take all necessary steps to protect children from all forms of injury.1 Unintentional injury is the leading cause of death in children (1–14 years) in New Zealand; there are approximately 8.4 unintentional injury-related deaths per 100,000 children (aged 0 to 14) annually.

11. BMI is a key risk factor for early periprosthetic joint infection following total hip and knee arthroplasty
Patrick Jung, Arthur J Morris, Sally A Roberts, Mark Zhu, Chris Frampton, Simon W Young
New Zealand Medical Journal, Vol 130 No 1461: 1 September 2017
Abstract: Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a devastating complication of total joint arthroplasty. It results in significant disability for the patient and burdens the healthcare system with significant costs.1–3 In New Zealand, each PJI adds an excess mean treatment cost of $40,121 and an additional 42 days in hospital, with an overall burden of $8 million per annum to the New Zealand healthcare system.

12. Mental health service use by Asians: a New Zealand census
Cheok Soon Chow, Roger T Mulder
New Zealand Medical Journal, Vol 130 No 1461: 1 September 2017
Abstract: There is consistent evidence that individuals from Asian cultures regardless of their age, gender and location have lower rates of mental health service utilisation than other ethnic groups.3–5 Data from local studies6,7 and the World Health Organization (WHO)8 suggest that Asian migrant communities are less likely to be diagnosed with a common mental disorder and may experience better mental wellbeing and lower rates of addiction than other ethnic communities.

13. Estimated reduction in expenditure on hospital-acquired pressure injuries after an intervention for early identification and treatment
New Zealand Medical Journal, Vol 130 No 1461: 1 September 2017
Heather Lewis, David Hughes, Dominic Madell, Christin Coomarasamy, Luis Villa, Brooke Hayward
Abstract: Localised injuries to the skin and/or underlying tissue that usually develop over bony parts of the body due to sustained pressure, or pressure combined with shear are known as pressure injuries.1 These can develop in hospitals where patients have health conditions that make it difficult to move, especially where patients are confined to a bed, sitting for long periods of time or undergoing lengthy surgical procedures.

14. The association between the first locating emergency ambulance being single crewed and cardiac arrest outcomes in New Zealand
Bridget Dicker, Paul Davey, Tony Smith
New Zealand Medical Journal, Vol 130 No 1461: 1 September 2017
Abstract: Sudden out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a significant health burden in New Zealand. During the one-year period from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015, St John attended 4,298 OHCAs. The majority of patients (98%) attended were adults greater than or equal to 16 years of age, with an incidence of 132.8 per 100,000 person-years.

15. Bionic balance organs: progress in the development of vestibular prostheses
Paul F Smith
New Zealand Medical Journal, Vol 130 No 1461: 1 September 2017
Abstract: The first cochlear implant was performed in 1961 by William House and John Doyle of Los Angeles, California.1 This was followed by stimulation tests conducted by Blair Simmons and Robert White at Stanford in 1962.1 Graeme Clark of Melbourne, Australia, implanted the first multi-electrode cochlear implant in 1978, which became the first successful commercially available multi-electrode cochlear implant.

Journal - Table of Contents

American Journal of Nursing, Vol. 11, No. 9, September 2017

16A. Editorial: Welcoming the class of 2021: Prepare for uncharted waters
16B. Viewpoint: A new charter on professionalism and health care organisations [Nurses should embrace and share this ethical framework]
16C. News: Gun violence and children; How long should routine health screening continue?
16D. Two studies suggest fewer opioids could be prescribed after cesarean sections
16E. Will rural community hospitals survive?
16F. Vitamin A supplementation for the prevention of morbidity and mortality in infants
16G. Drug Watch: New indication for cancer drug based on biomarkers; Diabetes drug receives boxed warning for increased risk of leg and foot amputations
16H. The experience of transitioning to a caregiving role for a family member with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia
16I. Can your older patients drive safely?: A review of the dysfunctional impairments and situations that put older drivers at risk
16J. Six things that you can do today to prevent hospital-onset C.difficile tomorrow: Some lesser-known advice on keeping patients
16K. Lessons learned from litigation: Legal and ethical consequences of social media
16L. Journal watch: Number of U.S. women taking maternity leave remains static; NSAIDs increase the risk of AMI; Routine glucose self-monitoring unnecessary for non-insulin-treated patients with type 2 diabetes; Proton pump inhibitors may reduce bleeding risk in older patients on antiplatelet therapy
16M. Supporting adjunct clinical faculty
16N. Those who comfort us [Thanking nurses for the care they provide]
16O. Palliative care in the acute care setting
16P. Empowering nurses across the globe
16Q. The squeeze: Why is the experience of violence a commonality in nursing?

Conferences & Workshops

17. Open forum: international speaker series – A one day workshop with Dr Helen Bevan
‘The power of one, the power of many: applying social movement thinking to healthcare improvement’
Date: 25 September 2017
Venue: Te Papa, Wellington
More information: https://www.hqsc.govt.nz/our-programmes/improving-leadership-and-capability/news-and-events/event/3019/

18. Mäori and Pakeha Nurses, the Interweaving of Practice: an Historical Narrative
Associate Professor: Pamela Wood
Date: Tuesday 10 October, 4.30pm
Venue: Executive Seminar Suite (ESS), Massey University, Wellington campus
More information: Yuzuki Sado, School of Nursing, Massey University, Wellington
Y.Sado@massey.ac.nz

19. The implementation of better primary health care for older adults in New Zealand and Canada
Professor Nicolette Sheridan
Date: Wednesday 11 October, 3.00pm
Venue: Horne Lecture Theatre, Wellington Hospital, Capital Coast District Health Board
More information: Yuzuki Sado, School of Nursing, Massey University, Wellington
Y.Sado@massey.ac.nz

20. International Council of Nurses: Global Roles and Responsibilities
Dr Frances Hughes
Date: Thursday 12 October, 2.30pm
Venue: Lecture Theatre LT200, Massey University, Wellington campus
More information: Yuzuki Sado, School of Nursing, Massey University, Wellington
Y.Sado@massey.ac.nz

21. Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Conference
Association of emergency care training providers inc.
Date: 28 Nov 2017
Venue: Brentwood Hotel, Wellington
Online registration: https://www.aectpnz.org/Cart/?product=11

News – National

22. Housing strategies of retirees
Stuff - September 20 2017
There's a silent housing crisis going on, but it's not the one making the headlines. There's been a vocal pre-election debate about affordable housing for the young, and rentals healthy enough to raise children in.
https://i.stuff.co.nz/business/money/96986251/housing-strategies-of-retirees

23. Better trauma care could save lives in the South
ODT – 15 September 2017
Up to six lives could be saved every year in Otago and Southland through planned changes to trauma care, Dunedin intensive care specialist Mike Hunter says.
https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/health/better-trauma-care-could-save-lives-south

News – International

24. It might not be the gluten making you
The Age – 22 September 2017
Researchers from the University of Newcastle have found that only 16 per cent of people with self-reported (non-coeliac) gluten intolerance have symptoms that are reproducible in a double-blinded trial (when they don't know if they are eating gluten or a placebo).
http://www.theage.com.au/lifestyle/health-and-wellbeing/nutrition/it-might-not-be-the-gluten-making-you-bloated-20170911-gyey9i.html