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Medical News New Zealand @beautynz.net: Latest medical news from New Zealand

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Validation of Brief Screening Tools for Mental Disorders Among New Zealand Prisoners [Articles]
Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:00:59 +0100 | Psychiatr Serv
CONCLUSIONS: Although the BJMHS and EMHS did not perform well in terms of screening for MINI diagnoses, they appeared to be good at identifying a core group of prisoners who are psychotic and most likely to require urgent or semi-urgent intervention by mental health services. The most favorable clinical outcomes were achieved by defining a positive screen as one in which either the EMHS or the BJMHS criteria were fulfilled. (Source: Psychiatr Serv)

Bipolar disorder with frequent mood episodes in the New Zealand Mental Health Survey
Wed, 01 Sep 2010 06:56:34 +0100 | Journal of Affective Disorders
Abstract: Background: Rapid cycling bipolar disorder has been studied almost exclusively in clinical samples.Methods: A national cross-sectional survey in 2003–2004 in New Zealand used the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI 3.0). Diagnosis was by DSM-IV. Depression severity was assessed with the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptoms (QIDS) and role impairment using Sheehan Scales. Complex survey analyses compared percentages and means, and used logistic regression and discrete-time survival analyses. Frequent mood episodes (FMEs) in the past 12months (4+) were used as an indicator of rapid cycling.Results: The lifetime prevalence of bipolar disorder (I + II) was 1.7%. Twelve-month prevalence was 1.0%: 0.3% with FME and 0.7% with No FME (1–3 episodes). Another 0.7% had ...

Conventional and advanced time series estimation: application to the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society (ANZICS) adult patient database, 1993–2006
Tue, 31 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100 | Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice
(Source: Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice)

Multilevel Posterior Lumbar Interlaminar Fusion in Rabbits Using Bovine Bone Protein Extract Delivered by a RP-synthesized 3D Biopolymer Construct
Tue, 31 Aug 2010 10:39:48 +0100 | Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers
Rapid prototyping (RP)-based highly porous poly(DL-lactic-co-glycolic acid)/tricalcium phosphate (PLGA/TCP(RP)) scaffolds were fabricated. PLGA/TCP constructs (PLGA/TCP(TS)) were also made via thermally induced phase separation with solvent casting and by particulate leaching approach. Both scaffolds were loaded with bovine bone protein extract (BBPE). Sixty-four New Zealand white rabbits were randomized into four groups (groups of A, B, C, and D) and unilaterally underwent posterior lumbar interlaminar fusion at L2—L4 level. Spinal fusions were systematically evaluated. In groups of A (PLGA/TCP (RP)/BBPE constructs) and C (autogenous iliac bone grafts), good bone fusions occurred in vivo. Histological analyses indicated that endochondral ossification played an essential role in init...

The role of drinking locations in university student drinking: Findings from a national web-based survey
Tue, 31 Aug 2010 05:33:05 +0100 | Drug and Alcohol Dependence
Conclusions: Certain drinking locations (i.e., pubs, residential halls, off-campus houses) appear to promote or facilitate heavy alcohol consumption among students. Better enforcement of laws prohibiting service to intoxication should be prioritized to reduce alcohol-related harm among university students. Consideration should be given to strengthening alcohol policies in residential halls and methods for managing heavy drinking in private residences. (Source: Drug and Alcohol Dependence)

Effects of Nuclear Factor-{kappa}B Small Interfering RNA on Posterior Capsule Opacification [Lens]
Mon, 30 Aug 2010 22:19:05 +0100 | Investigative Ophthalmology
Conclusions. NF-B seems to be related to migration and proliferation of LECs. NF-B siRNA was effective in inhibiting the migration and proliferation of LECs in vitro and decreased PCO formation after cataract surgery in an in vivo rabbit model. (Source: Investigative Ophthalmology)

Effect of Bevacizumab on Strabismus Surgery in Rabbits [Eye Movements, Strabismus, Amblyopia, and Neuro-Ophthalmology]
Mon, 30 Aug 2010 22:19:04 +0100 | Investigative Ophthalmology
Conclusions. The intraoperative use of bevacizumab reduced inflammatory cell infiltration in the early stage of the procedure, but it was insufficient to prevent postoperative adhesion in rabbit eyes after extraocular muscle surgery. (Source: Investigative Ophthalmology)

Seroprevalence of Measles Antibodies among High‐Risk Healthcare Workers in Auckland, New Zealand: Additional Justification for Assumption of Age‐Determined Immunity Based on Local Data
Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:52:05 +0100 | Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol Latest Issue
Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page 000, Latest Articles. An outbreak of measles in another region of New Zealand prompted our organization to review the measles immunity of healthcare workers. Some studies suggest that age‐specific immunity cannot be assumed. In our local setting, however, we found that 893 (98%) of 912 healthcare workers more than 40 years old tested seropositive for measles immunoglobulin G. (Source: Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol Latest Issue)

Assessment of Streptococcus pneumoniae Capsule in Conjunctivitis and Keratitis in vivo Neuraminidase Activity Increases in Nonencapsulated Pneumococci following Conjunctival Infection.
Mon, 30 Aug 2010 11:40:06 +0100 | Current Eye Research
Conclusions: Although more outbreaks of pneumococcal conjunctivitis are tied to nonencapsulated S. pneumoniae strains, this study showed that an encapsulated strain was capable of establishing conjunctivitis in a rabbit injection model and survive attack by the host immune system longer than its nonencapsulated isogenic mutant. Nonetheless, the nonencapsulated pneumococci had an increased neuraminidase activity level in vivo when compared to the parent strain. PMID: 20795860 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Current Eye Research)