Radiographic characterisation of spinal curvature development in farmed New Zealand Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha throughout seawater production.

Spinal anomalies are a recognised source of downgrading in finfish aquaculture, but identifying their cause(s) is difficult and often requires extensive knowledge of the underlying pathology. Late-onset spinal curvatures (lordosis, kyphosis, scoliosis) can affect up to 40% of farmed New Zealand Chinook (king) salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) at harvest, but little is known about their pathogenesis. Curvature development was radiographically documented in two related cohorts of commercially-farmed Chinook salmon throughout seawater production to determine (1) the timing of radiographic onset and relationships between (2) the curvature types, (3) the spinal regions in which they develop and (4) their associations with co-existing vertebral body anomalies (vertebral compression, fusion and vertical shift). Onset of curvature varied between individuals, but initially occurred eight months post-seawater transfer. There were strong associations between the three curvature types and the four recognised spinal regions: lordosis was predominantly observed in regions (R)1 and R3, kyphosis in R2 and R4, manifesting as a distinct pattern of alternating lordosis and kyphosis from head to tail. This was subsequently accompanied by scoliosis, which primarily manifested in spinal regions R2 and R3, where most of the anaerobic musculature is concentrated. Co-existing vertebral body anomalies, of which vertebral compression and vertical shift were most common, appeared to arise either independent of curvature development or as secondary effects. Our results suggest that spinal curvature in farmed New Zealand Chinook salmon constitutes a late-onset, rapidly-developing lordosis-kyphosis-scoliosis (LKS) curvature complex with a possible neuromuscular origin.

Myospora metanephrops (n. g., n. sp.) from marine lobsters and a proposal for erection of a new order and family (Crustaceacida; Myosporidae) in the Class Marinosporidia (Phylum Microsporidia).

In this study we describe, the first microsporidian parasite from nephropid lobsters. Metanephrops challengeri were captured from an important marine fishery situated off the south coast of New Zealand. Infected lobsters displayed an unusual external appearance and were lethargic. Histology was used to demonstrate replacement of skeletal and other muscles by merogonic and sporogonic stages of the parasite, while transmission electron microscopy revealed the presence of diplokaryotic meronts, sporonts, sporoblasts and spore stages, all in direct contact with the host sarcoplasm. Analysis of the ssrDNA gene sequence from the lobster microsporidian suggested a close affinity with Thelohania butleri, a morphologically dissimilar microsporidian from marine shrimps. Whilst morphological features of the lobster parasite are consistent with members of the family Nosematidae, molecular data place the parasite closer to members of the family Thelohanidae. Due to the contradiction between morphological and molecular taxonomic data, we propose the erection of a new genus in which the lobster parasite is the type species (Myospora metanephrops). Furthermore, we recommend the erection of a new family (Myosporidae) and a new order (Crustaceacida) to contain this genus. The taxonomic framework presented could be further applied to the re-classification of existing members of the Phylum Microsporidia.

Spirituality and spiritual care provided by parish nurses.

The high level of religious participation in the United States provides a venue for parish nursing, a holistic nursing specialty that emphasizes the relationship between spirituality and health. This descriptive study measured two aspects of spirituality (spiritual perspective and spiritual well-being) in a national sample of parish nurses and described variables related to their practice. Furthermore, it qualitatively examined the provision of spiritual care to clients in this parish nurse sample. Parish nurses scored high in spiritual perspective and spiritual well-being and reported an emphasis on health promotion and education in their activities. Three views of spiritual interventions (ideal, general, and specific) were reported. Types of spiritual interventions typically fell into one of four categories: religious, interactional, relational, and professional.

Spirituality and psychosocial factors in persons living with HIV.

AIM OF THE STUDY: This pilot study was designed to examine the relationships among spirituality and psychosocial factors in a sample of 52 adult males living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease and to determine the most reliable spirituality measure for a proposed longitudinal study. BACKGROUND: HIV disease is among the most devastating of illnesses, having multiple and profound effects upon all aspects of the biopsychosocial and spiritual being. Although research has suggested relationships among various psychosocial and spiritual factors, symptomatology and physical health, much more research is needed to document their potential influences on immune function, as well as health status, disease progression, and quality of life among persons with HIV disease. METHODS: This descriptive correlational study explored the relationships of spirituality and psychosocial measures. Spirituality was measured in terms of spiritual perspective, well-being and health using three tools: the Spiritual Perspective Scale, the Spiritual Well-Being Scale, and the Spiritual Health Inventory. Five psychosocial instruments were used to measure aspects of stress and coping: the Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale, Dealing with Illness Scale, Social Provisions Scale, Impact of Events Scale, and Functional Assessment of HIV Infection Scale. The sample was recruited as part of an ongoing funded study. The procedures from the larger study were well-defined and followed in this pilot study. Correlational analyses were done to determine the relationship between spirituality and the psychosocial measures. FINDINGS: The findings indicate that spirituality as measured by the existential well-being (EWB) subscale of the Spiritual Well-Being Scale was positively related to quality of life, social support, effective coping strategies and negatively related to perceived stress, uncertainty, psychological distress and emotional-focused coping. The other spirituality measures had less significant or non significant relationships with the psychological measures. CONCLUSIONS: The study findings support the inclusion of spirituality as a variable for consideration when examining the psychosocial factors and the quality of life of persons living with HIV disease. The spiritual measure that best captures these relationships is the EWB subscale of the Spiritual Well-Being Scale.

A comparative study of the spiritual perspectives and interventions of mental health and parish nurses.

Spirituality is an integral part of holistic nursing practice. Limited research has been done that explores nurses' spirituality and the spiritual interventions they have made with patients in their practice. Much of the extant research has been done on nurses involved in terminal care such as oncology and hospice nursing. This study explores spiritual perspectives and spiritual nursing interventions in two other nursing specialties that require holistic nursing care as well: mental health and parish nurses. The findings indicate that both groups report high spiritual perspective scores and provide a variety of interventions to patients in their practices.

Promoting the mental health of elderly African Americans: a case illustration.

Promoting mental health in an illness-oriented health care delivery system is challenging. Health promotion from a holistic perspective requires that mental health be viewed as important as physical health. The mental health needs of the elderly are numerous and often not addressed during routine visits for primary health care. Research consistently reports that elderly African Americans are not equal participants in the formal health care system. Consequently, promoting mental health in the African American elderly is a challenge made even more complicated because of this group's limited access to and use of mental health care services. Promoting the health of African Americans confronts many traditional values and practices of health care institutions and mental health practice. Therefore, health care providers must be innovative and creative to facilitate mental health promotion in this population of clients. The authors suggest that the Revised Health Promotion Model can serve as a framework for guiding the mental health care of elderly African Americans. Aspects of the model are particularly relevant for this population. The case of an elderly Black woman is presented as an illustration of ways in which the model may be applied with many cultural nuances.

Values expressed in philosophies of nursing services.

Do nurses value "caring"? Does it matter that nurses respect individual rights while caring for groups of patients? What values are shared by nurses and are they evident in institutions? How important are nursing values in a changing healthcare system? Should nurse administrators ensure that nursing values remain integral to managed care? What is the nurse's responsibility for communicating nursing values throughout the organization? The authors discuss the values expressed in nursing service philosophies and how they reflect a changing healthcare system.

A review of forgiveness literature with implications for nursing practice.

This article describes clinical practice where forgiveness is a central patient/family issue. In this case, the professional nurses learned substantively from the family about the tragic consequences of forgiveness withheld and the transformative nature of forgiveness extended. The concept of forgiveness is defined and forgiveness as a primary, secondary, and tertiary intervention is considered. Implications for professional practice are developed. Practical forgiveness-based assessment questions are included. A review of instrumentation from other disciplines measuring interpersonal dimensions of forgiveness is offered. Significant aspects of the process of forgiveness are elucidated and opportunities for forgiveness-related nursing research are identified.

Exploring parish nursing from an ethnographic perspective.

PURPOSE: This study examined a parish program as an evolving nursing specialty. DESIGN: This is an ethnographic study of a parish nursing program in a southeastern U.S. city that included interviews with key informants, participant observations, and document analysis. Data were content analyzed. FINDINGS AND RESULTS: Findings indicate positive perceptions of the parish nursing program. Cultural themes include the process of discovery, commitment to the parish nurse and program, and fit with values and missions. Taxonomies of parish nurse attributes, actions, offerings, roles, and entrance requirements were derived. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Parish nursing offers nurses the opportunity to bridge physical, social, emotional, and spiritual lives into one caregiving experience. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Findings provide clinical guidance for parish nurses.

Chronic fatigue syndrome: a woman's dilemma.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is an illness characterized by fatigue with varying levels of disability. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) there are 2 to 5 million people in the United States who suffer from CFS and a disproportionate number are women. There are many theories of etiology of the condition and controversy has surrounded recommendations for diagnosis and treatment. CFS can mimic other diseases and women are doubly affected since many have comorbid conditions. While diagnoses and treatment are critical to the health of women, having the disease and coping with the symptoms may have a greater impact on their well-being and quality of life. The authors report qualitative data describing the experience of having CFS (N = 22) and quantitative responses of 42 CFS sufferers reporting psychosocial factors. The psychosocial factors were measured by the Derogatis Stress Profile (DSP), Spielberger Trait-Anger Scale, Ways of Coping Survey, Profile of Moods States (POMS) Survey, and the Perceived Stress Scale. The findings indicate that CFS changes the lives of women who suffer with the disease and disrupts their relationships, careers, and perceptions of themselves.

Use of home and community-based services by elderly black and white females.

The study purpose was to determine the impact of demographic, social, environmental, and health indicators on utilization of community-based services among black and white female elders. Existing data from a regional Area Agency on Aging was used and the sample (N = 1816) included low income and rural females. Races differed in use and services most frequently used were case management, outreach, congregate meal, and home delivered meals. Multiple linear and logistic regression indicated that age, payment source, income adequacy, residence, health conditions, sensory impairment, and function were associated with the number and types of services used, but these differed by race. Study findings have implications for health care providers, educators, policy makers, and planners.

Research priorities in mental health nursing.

This study determined nursing research priorities that focused on mental health nursing in the published literature from 1990 to 1996. Determination of which priorities were related to mental health was completed using 18 sources (experts, organizations, and individual research projects). A content analysis of the 18 sources was completed, and 56 mental health related research priorities were identified. Six categories emerged from the data analysis: support, holism, mental health nursing practice, quality care outcomes, mental health etiology, and mental health delivery systems. As mental health nursing embraces evidenced-based practice, the need for clear research priorities is imperative for knowledge development in the field.

Care: a value expressed in philosophies of nursing services.

Philosophies are written to reflect the values of the institution. Nursing service philosophies describe the essential features of nursing as practiced in a specific site. In this study, 10 philosophies of nursing services from community and teaching hospitals were content analyzed. Care emerged as a theme in each of the philosophies. The care construct was further categorized as general care, care approaches, and care descriptors: goal-directed, quality, safe, cost-effective, effective, competent, and ethical. An exhaustive description of care as proposed by Colaizzi is presented.

The experience of living with chronic fatigue syndrome.

1. Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a condition that affects the total person, body, mind, and spirit. 2. CFS sufferers describe the experience as being in the illness, remembering life before the illness, and living with the symptoms. 3. Empathy and compassion are essential components of providing nursing care for clients with CFS.

Spiritual interventions provided by mental health nurses.

This descriptive qualitative study explored the spiritual nursing interventions provided by mental health nurses. Fifty mental health nurses responded to open-ended interrogative statements to report on nursing interventions in three situations that supported the spiritual needs of patients and families. Their responses were grouped into four categories, nurses being with the client, doing for the client, encouraging the client to look inward, and encouraging the client to look outward. Being with was demonstrated through the presence of the nurse. Doing for included interventions performed on the client's behalf and included the nurses using time, people, and space to provide care. Clients were encouraged to look inward for strength and look outward for people and objects that could be resources for them. A serendipitous findings was that mental health nurses were able to describe the ideal spiritual interventions but reported fewer instances of actually having intervened.

The experience of caring for an adult child with schizophrenia.

The experience of caring for an adult child with schizophrenia was explored using phenomenological methodology. Nine parents who were the primary caretakers of an adult child with schizophrenia participated in qualitative interviews. The resulting transcripts were analyzed to discover the structure of the lived experience. The study revealed that the diagnosis of schizophrenia in a child is experienced by the parent as a destructive force that interrupts and radically transforms the normative family life trajectory. This grief-filled experience involves both the loss of an imagined, idealized child and a transformation of the physically present child into a needy stranger. Implications are discussed and applied to community-based, family-centered mental health care. Importantly, the revealed dissatisfaction with initial mental health evaluations suggests that modification of current practices could produce significant benefits.

The cultural context of mental health nursing.

Culture includes the values, norms, and behaviors of a group. This article broadens the view of culture from that of a group of persons with common race or ethnicity and a shared belief system to include the clinical specialty of psychiatric-mental health nursing. Through a review of the American Nurses Association's (ANA, 1994), document A Statement on Psychiatric-Mental Health Clinical Nursing Practice and Standards of Psychiatric-Mental Health Clinical Practice, the values espoused by the leaders in the field are illuminated and compared with societal values reported in the literature. The implications of these values for nursing practice, education, and research are discussed.

Mental health nurses' spiritual perspectives.

Spiritual care has reemerged as a critical concern in nursing care. It is assumed that to provide spiritual care, nurses have a personal spiritual perspective. This study investigates the spiritual perspectives of a convenience sample of 50 mental health nurses employed in a public facility. The nurses' spiritual perspectives were measured using Reed's (1986a) Spiritual Perspective Scale (SPS). Due to the homogeneous nature of the sample and a clustering of SPS scores, the Wilcoxin Signed-Ranks Test was used to evaluate the data. Although no variables were identified as significant contributors to an individual nurse's spiritual perspective, an overall high SPS was found among the mental health nurses surveyed. The mental health nurses' SPS score mean (5.334, SD = .56) was notably higher than found i previous studies using the SPS (Reed, 1986a, 1991).

Milieu therapy: a review of development of this concept and its implications for psychiatric nursing.

Milieu therapy has long existed as an effective treatment modality for the mentally ill. It has also been a significant aspect of psychiatric-mental health nursing practice for several decades. This article reviews the history of milieu therapy and the role that psychiatric-mental health nursing staffs have in its implementation. The authors suggest strategies for milieu management and future implications for milieu therapy.