Construct validity and reliability of the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index for Queensland nurses

Parker D, Tuckett A, Eley R, Hegney D. International Journal of Nursing Practice 2010; 16 : 352–358
Construct validity and reliability of the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index for Queensland nurses This article reports on construct validity and reliability of 30 items of the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index (PES‐NWI). Australia, like other countries, is experiencing a shortage of nurses; a multifactor approach to retention of nurses is required. One significant factor that has received increasing attention in the last decade, particularly in the USA, is the nursing practice environment. The reliability of the 30 items of the PES‐NWI was assessed by Cronbach's alpha and factor analysis was performed using principal component analysis. The PES‐NWI was completed by nurses working in the aged‐care, private and public sectors in Queensland, Australia. A total of 3000 surveys were distributed to a random sample of members of the Queensland Nurses Union. Of these, 1192 surveys were returned, a response rate of 40%. The PES‐NWI was shown to be reliable demonstrating internal consistency with a Cronbach's alpha of the total scale of 0.948. The 30 items loaded onto five factors explaining 57.7% of the variance. The items across the factors differed slightly from those reported by the original author of the PES‐NWI. This study indicates that the PES‐NWI has construct validity and reliability in the Australian setting for nurses.     

Interaction of FkpA, a peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase with EspP autotransporter protein

The serine protease autotransporters of Enterobacteriaceae (SPATEs) represent a large class of proteases with contributions to virulence. They are synthesized with a C-terminal domain that forms a β-barrel pore in the outer membrane implicated in translocation of the N-terminal 'passenger' domain across the outer membrane. The most recent model for autotransporter secretion comprises entry to the periplasm via the Sec apparatus, followed by the insertion of the C-terminus into the outer membrane as a β-barrel protein and accompanied by translocation of the passenger domain to the bacterial cell surface, all of this with the assistance of the Bam complex insertase/foldase and periplasmic chaperone proteins. We have recently observed direct involvement of periplasmic chaperones in the biogenesis of EspP, a prototypical autotransporter protein produced by Escherichia coli O157:H7. Using molecular and biophysical approaches we demonstrated for the first time, direct protein-protein interactions between the periplasmic SurA and DegP chaperones and either the EspP-β or EspP passenger domains. Such chaperone interactions took place on conserved aromatic residues on the SPATE family. In this report, we now demonstrate direct binding of the periplasmic chaperone FkpA to the EspP passanger domain in Surface Plasmon Resonance experiments with relatively high affinity. We also provide evidence of interaction between the SurA and Skp chaperones with the Bam. These findings in conjunction with newly published data support the role of chaperones in preventing misfolding of AT passenger domains before translocation throughout the Bam complex.     

Family presence during resuscitation and invasive procedures

The practice of allowing family to be present during patient resuscitation or invasive procedures (Family Presence) is gaining acceptance in North America and the United Kingdom in controlled circumstances. Research into Family Presence has demonstrated multiple benefits for the patient, family and health care team. These advantages include helping the family to understand the severity of the illness/trauma and to see that appropriate attempts were undertaken to save their loved one. Family Presence can also facilitate improved communication between the health care team and family. In spite of evidence supporting Family Presence as a useful practice for patient, family and health care team, the use of Family Presence is uncommon within Australian emergency departments and hospitals. Clear expectations at organisational, governmental and professional levels are essential to effectively implement this approach. To be supported in the clinical area, the success of a Family Presence program requires an inclusive approach to program development. A critical component of a successful Family Presence program is a family facilitator who is adequately prepared for the role and committed to supporting the family during resuscitation or invasive procedures. Research exploring Family Presence in Australia is lacking and highlights the need for context specific research in this area.     

ototoxicity of styrene

Styrene is extensively used in industry,but its ototoxicity,in particular in the pregnant female and the offspring,is still not well understood.In the current study,young adult male rats and pregnant f...