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PubMed2002

Neuroanatomy of the common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) as revealed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

In this study, magnetic resonance (MR) images of the brain of an adult common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) were acquired in the coronal plane at 66 antero-posterior levels. From these scans a computer-generated set of resectioned virtual images in orthogonal planes was constructed using the programs VoxelView and VoxelMath (Vital Images, Inc., Michigan State Univ.). Sections in all three planes reveal major neuroanatomical structures. These structures in the adult common dolphin brain are compared with those from a fetal common dolphin brain from a previously published study as well as with MR images of adult brains of other odontocetes. This study, like previous ones, demonstrates the utility of MR imaging (MRI) for comparative neuroanatomical investigations of dolphin brains.

Anatomy, Cross-Sectional↗

PubMed1985

Weathering the cuts: a Delphi survey on surviving cutbacks in community mental health.

Funding reductions and changes in the priorities of funding agencies have deeply affected community mental health programs. The burden of handling resource scarcity and shifting service priorities falls primarily on the community boards and staff of local agencies. We report a Delphi study in which an expert panel of 106 community mental health center executive directors and government officials generated a list of key strategies that local agencies could take to survive cutbacks. From an initial list suggested by the panel, a consensus was developed on the 15 most important and most feasible strategies. Discussion focuses on the implications and use of these strategies to promote the survival, even growth, of community-based mental health services during times of scarcity.

Community Mental Health Services↗

PubMed2001

Magnetic resonance imaging and three-dimensional reconstructions of the brain of a fetal common dolphin, Delphinus delphis.

To demonstrate the kinds of data that can be obtained non-destructively and non-invasively from preserved museum specimens using modern imaging technology the head region of a whole body fetal specimen of the common dolphin, Delphinus delphis, aged 8-9 months post-conception, was scanned using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Series of scans were obtained in coronal, sagittal and horizontal planes. A digital three-dimensional reconstruction of the whole brain was prepared from the coronal series of scans. Sectional areas and three-dimensional volumes were obtained of the cerebral hemispheres and of the brainstem-plus-cerebellum. Neuroanatomical features identified in the scans include the major sulci of the cerebral hemispheres, well-differentiated regions of gray and white matter, the mesencephalic, pontine, and cervical flexures, the "foreshortened" appearance of the forebrain, and the large auditory inferior colliculi. These findings show that numerous features of the fetal common dolphin brain can be visualized and analyzed from MRI scans.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Comparative milk composition of the bottlenosed dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), humpback dolphin (Sousa plumbea) and common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) from southern African waters.

1. Gross compositional data for milk samples of Tursiops truncatus, Sousa plumbea and Delphinus delphis are presented and compared with existing cetacean milk values. 2. Two factors appear to govern fat content and calorific value of the milk: (a) habitat, and (b) the stage of lactation. 3. Delphinus milk is unusual in that it has a higher P than Ca content. 4. The Fe content in cetacean milk is higher than that for terrestrial mammals and may be related to improved O2 binding requirements.

Africa, Southern↗

PubMed2004

Retinoid and lipid patterns in the blubber of common dolphins (Delphinus delphis): implications for monitoring vitamin A status.

We determined retinoid concentrations in various body positions of the blubber of 25 common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) to study topographical variation in concentrations. Specimens were obtained from incidental catches and were apparently healthy. We found concentrations to be high and therefore conclude that blubber represents a significant contribution to total retinoid body load. Consequently, blubber is proposed as a tissue of choice for monitoring retinoid status in this species. Anterior-ventral blubber had the highest vitamin A concentration and posterior-dorsal the lowest. Therefore, when assessing retinoid status, topographical variation should be taken into account to ensure consistent sampling. This pattern appeared to be explained by a parallel variation in lipid content. Thus, the dynamics and body distribution of retinoids appear to be basically governed by the lipophilicity of the molecules. The highest lipid richness found in the anterior-ventral region might indicate that this region is comparatively more important for insulation and lipid storage than the dorsal posterior region. Retinoid levels did not appear to vary according to sex, but they did vary with lipid content. This should be taken into account when designing sampling protocols; for monitoring purposes, biopsies from healthy, free-ranging individuals should be preferred to samples from stranded animals.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed2006

Estimation of terrestrial chemical spill risk factors using a modified Delphi approach.

The large number of chemical spills each year in the United States presents a potentially significant risk to human health and the environment. In an effort to manage this risk, the authors are developing a screening tool to assess the immediate threat to human and environmental receptors from land-based chemical spills. As part of this development effort, a modified Delphi survey was employed to determine the most important factors governing this risk and the relative importance of these factors. Results of the survey indicate that accounting for the attributes of the spilled chemical as well as the characteristics of the surrounding environment is imperative in making informed decisions regarding spill planning and mitigation. Survey results further indicate the greatest concern during spill events to be the risk to human health, which must be considered directly as well as factored into decisions concerning the protection of environmental receptors.

Accidents↗

PubMed2002

Cloning and characterisation of the GH gene from the common dolphin (Delphinus delphis).

The sequence of growth hormone (GH) is generally strongly conserved in mammals, but episodes of rapid change occurred during the evolution of primates and artiodactyls, when the rate of GH evolution apparently increased at least 50-fold. As a result, the sequences of human and ruminant GHs differ substantially from those of other non-primate GHs. Recent molecular studies have suggested that cetaceans are closely related to artiodactyls and may be deeply nested within the artiodactyl phylogenetic tree. To extend the knowledge of GH in Cetartiodactyla (Artiodactyla plus Cetacea), we have cloned and characterised a single GH gene from the common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), using genomic DNA and a polymerase chain reaction technique. As in other mammals, the dolphin GH gene comprises five exons and four introns. The deduced sequence for the mature dolphin GH differs from that of pig at two residues only, showing that the apparent burst of rapid evolution of GH occurred largely after the separation of cetaceans and ruminants.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2002

Heavy metals in soft tissues of Tursiops truncatus and Delphinus delphis from west Atlantic Ocean by X-ray spectrometry.

In this work, the concentration of heavy metals in muscle, liver, fat tissue and skin is studied in 15 Delphinus delphis and two Tursiops truncatus dolphins, stranded along the Portuguese coast of the Atlantic Ocean. Sample collection was performed post-mortem and the tissues were kept frozen until analysed. Sample preparation included lyophilising and grounding in a Teflon mill to avoid contamination by metals. The obtained powder was prepared as pellets for each sample and analysed directly by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. The concentrations of K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, Hg and Pb were obtained. Significant differences between the muscle, the skin and the fat tissues were detected. Cobalt concentrations were similar in liver, skin and muscle. The levels of Ni, Rb and Sr are at the level of the detection limit and whenever measurable are rather constant in all the analysed tissues. The results show that the highest concentrations of Mn, Cu and Hg are always in liver tissues. Zinc and Se concentrations are higher in skin and Pb is present in very low concentrations in all the analysed tissues except in skin; Fe and As are enhanced in muscle and liver. In general, the two studied species did not seem to differ significantly in their heavy metals concentration in a given tissue.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed1999

Delphi-panel analysis of appropriateness of high-dose therapy and bone marrow transplants in adults with acute myelogenous leukemia in 1st remission.

BACKGROUND: Despite considerable data, there is still controversy over which adults with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) in 1st remission should receive high-dose therapy and a bone marrow transplant rather than conventional-dose chemotherapy. Analyses of data from randomized trials are complex, conclusions sometimes contradictory and results not sufficiently detailed to allow subject-level decisions. OBJECTIVE: To determine appropriate use of high-dose therapy and bone marrow transplants in persons with AML in 1st remission with specific features. Develop a treatment algorithm. PANELISTS: Nine leukemia experts from diverse geographic sites and practice settings. EVIDENCE: Boolean MEDLINE searches of acute myelogenous leukemia and chemotherapy and/or transplants. CONSENSUS PROCESS: We used a modified Delphi-panel group judgment process. Age, WBC, cytogenetics and FAB-type were permuted to define 72 clinical settings. Each panelist rated appropriateness of high-dose therapy and a transplant versus conventional-dose chemotherapy on a nine-point ordinal scale (1, most inappropriate, 9, most appropriate) considering 3 types of donors: (1) HLA-identical siblings; (2) alternative donors (HLA-matched related or unrelated people other than an HLA-identical sibling); and (3) autotransplants. An appropriateness index was developed based on median rating and amount of disagreement. The relationship of appropriateness indices to the permuted clinical variables was considered by analysis of variance and recursive partitioning. Preference between donor types was analyzed by comparing mean appropriateness indices of comparable settings and a treatment algorithm developed. CONCLUSIONS: In people with an HLA-identical sibling, this type of transplant was rated appropriate in those with unfavorable cytogenetics and uncertain in all other settings. In people without an HLA-identical sibling, an alternative donor transplant was rated appropriate in those < 30 years with unfavorable cytogenetics, uncertain in those > 30 years and unfavorable cytogenetics and inappropriate in all other settings. Autotransplants were rated appropriate in people with unfavorable cytogenetics and uncertain in all other settings. An HLA-identical sibling donor, when available, was always preferred to an alternative donor transplant or autotransplant. In people without an HLA-identical sibling, an autotransplant was almost always favored over an alternative donor transplant with the magnitude of preference inversely correlated with transplant appropriateness.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Organochlorine compounds in common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) from the Atlantic and Mediterranean waters of Spain.

Blubber of free-ranging common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) from the northwestern coast of Spain (Atlantic), sampled in 1984 and 1996, and of common dolphins entangled in fishing nets in the southwestern Mediterranean, sampled during 1992 1994, was analysed for organochlorine pollutants. In the Atlantic, concentration of all pollutants was significantly higher in males than in females. The overall tPCB/tDDT ratio in this area was 3.35, which indicates a predominance of industrial inputs over those associated with agriculture. Individuals sampled in 1996 showed significantly lower DDT concentrations but a higher ppDDE/tDDT ratio than those sampled in 1984, which reflects the aging of the environmental load. In the same period, tPCB concentration remained constant and, as a consequence, the tPCB/tDDT ratio more than doubled. In the Mediterranean, the reduced sample size of adult individuals precluded proper statistical investigation of sex-related variation. The overall tPCB/tDDT ratio was 1.12, suggesting a higher contribution of pollutants of agricultural origin. Individuals had significantly higher levels of all DDT forms and a higher ppDDE/tDDT ratio than their counterparts from the Atlantic, but similar PCB concentrations. However, the relative frequency of the different congeners in relation to the total PCB load was different in the two areas. This indicates that the two populations do not mix, at least in the short- or medium-term. Organochlorine levels in both areas are at the mid to low end of the range of concentrations detected in other common dolphin populations and in that of other Delphinidae species from the same region. Although the impact of the organochlorine concentrations on the common dolphin populations surveyed cannot be assessed, it is considered unlikely that they have played a significant role in the decline that the species has suffered in recent decades in the western Mediterranean.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed1998

Which are the best information sources for identifying emerging health care technologies? An international Delphi survey.

The purpose of this survey was to assess potential information sources for identifying new health care technologies. A three-round Delphi study was conducted, involving 38 selected experts who suggested and assessed potential sources by applying agreed criteria. Twenty-six potential information sources were considered. Timeliness, time efficiency, and sensitivity were important criteria in determining which were the most important sources. The eight recommended sources were: pharmaceutical journals, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, specialist medical journals, key medical journals, medical engineering companies, private health care providers, newsletters and bulletins from other health technology assessment agencies, and groups of expert health professionals. There is a need to use a combination of sources because the most useful sources will vary according to the type of technology under consideration.

Communication↗

PubMed1998

The contribution of children to informal care: a Delphi study.

Sociological studies of informal care have documented the contributions of adults, both female and male, however, the contributions of children to care-giving has been relatively under-researched. This paper reports data from a Delphi study of eduction and welfare professionals with experience of children with care responsibilities in their family homes. According to these professionals, children are involved in a range of care activities, and often there is a strong emotional component to this care-giving. It is argued that research into informal care needs to recognize the contributions made by children, and that the emotional content of such care-giving is crucial in understanding the character of such care relations.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2002

Essential components of a medical student curriculum on chronic pain management in older adults: results of a modified delphi process.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to develop expert-based guidelines for a medical student curriculum on chronic pain evaluation and management in older adults. METHODS: A modified Delphi approach was used to survey an interdisciplinary panel (N = 12) with expertise in pain assessment, pharmacological and nonpharmacological pain management, and medical student education. A list of core knowledge/attitudes/skills (KAS) competency items was developed based upon a comprehensive literature review and clinical experience. The expert panel was then asked to consider the degree to which each item should be included in a pain education curriculum, using a 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree and 5 = strongly agree with inclusion of item). Items with a mean>4.0 (agree) and a standard deviation (SD) <1 were retained, while others were discarded. Retained items were refined, and new items were added based upon panel suggestions. The new KAS list was again scored by the expert panel, and items with a mean <4.0 and SD <1 were discarded. RESULTS: The original KAS list contained eight pain assessment knowledge, seven pain management knowledge, 12 pain attitudes, and 14 skills/abilities items. The final list, presented in this paper, consisted of 11 pain assessment knowledge, seven pain management knowledge, 12 pain attitudes, and 12 skills/abilities items. DISCUSSION: We have developed curriculum content guidelines for educating medical students about the evaluation and management of chronic pain in older adults. Once curricula are developed, their efficacy, in particular their influence on patient outcomes, must be evaluated.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2002

A Delphi study on the research priorities of European oncology nurses.

The importance of establishing priorities for cancer nursing research has been repeatedly acknowledged (Corner 1993, Hunt 2001). A Delphi survey designed to capture research priorities of European cancer nurses was undertaken to document issues perceived as important to European Oncology Nursing Society (EONS) members and to set priorities to underpin an evolving research strategy. The survey comprised three phases, beginning at the second EONS Spring Convention (2000) when European cancer nurses were approached to complete a phase 1 questionnaire. In phase 2, research priority categories generated from responses to the phase 1 questionnaire were reviewed by a group of European cancer nurses. The categories and the placement of all the research questions within these categories were comprehensively reviewed. The final phase involved the distribution of the second questionnaire. Two hundred and twenty three nurses responded to the first questionnaire and 117 responded to the second questionnaire. Prioritisation of research categories reflected diverse views between respondents, with many categories receiving similar overall scores, of almost equal priority. Nonetheless, a number of categories demonstrated high priority throughout Europe namely needs of patients related to communication, information and education; symptom management; experiences of disease and its treatment; cancer nursing research issues (e.g. research facilitation) and cancer nursing education issues. It is recommended that future research examines clusters of research questions around the highest ranked priorities. This may provide both direction and focus to European-wide cancer nursing research, whilst ensuring clinically relevant investigation.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1997

Researching complementary therapies: a Delphi study to identify the views of complementary and orthodox practitioners.

Twenty five participants were invited to a workshop looking at the role of research and development in complementary therapies. These participants took part in a modified Delphi study to ascertain a consensus from their broad spectrum of views and see how those views changed over time. Opinions were sought about respondents' perceptions of complementary therapies, the type and scope of research needed, and how such research should be coordinated. The workshop, arranged by the Regional Health Authority, included orthodox and complementary practitioners, purchasers, providers and academics. Questionnaires were administered at the beginning and end of the workshop and 6 months later. The group was small and potentially positively biased, having both pre-existing knowledge and interest in complementary therapies. In consensus, the more mainstream complementary therapies of osteopathy, acupuncture, and homeopathy were perceived to be the most beneficial to patients, and therefore, most likely to be recommended as treatments. These were also felt to be the priority areas for research. For some unknown reason homeopathy had lost its popularity in ranking 6 months later. The respondents agreed that research into complementary therapies was needed and ideally should be collaborative between practitioners, professional bodies, and academics. The workshop appeared to produce some changes in knowledge that were not always maintained over time. It was, however, formative in the decision of the Regional Health Authority to allocate research funding into complementary therapies.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Criteria for nursing information systems as a component of the electronic patient record. An international Delphi study.

In many countries nurses lack an adequate tool to assist in determining the essentials of an information policy in health care institutions and to outline the nursing component of the electronic patient record. In the United States criteria exist for systems that support the nursing process and for the electronic patient record, and the United Kingdom has the disposal of an Information Management and Technology Strategy that includes nursing information. The objective of this study was to determine international criteria for nursing information systems when such systems become part of the electronic patient record. Using the Delphi methodology, criteria for nursing information systems development, content, structure, and use are established by an international panel of 36 experts in three succeeding rounds. Most criteria gained consensus and are useful for application in practice for development of information policy and information systems for nursing. Eventually, the list of criteria will be included in a nursing information reference model. Nursing will benefit from the application of the reference model and the criteria to develop adequate information and communication technology.

Data Display↗

PubMed2001

Three-dimensional modeling of hearing in Delphinus delphis.

Physical modeling is a fertile approach to investigating sound emission and reception (hearing) in marine mammals. A method for simulation of hearing was developed combining three-dimensional acoustic propagation and extrapolation techniques with a novel approach to modeling the acoustic parameters of mammalian tissues. Models of the forehead and lower jaw tissues of the common dolphin, Delphinus delphis, were created in order to simulate the biosonar emission and hearing processes. This paper outlines the methods used in the hearing simulations and offers observations concerning the mechanisms of acoustic reception in this dolphin based on model results. These results include: (1) The left and right mandibular fat bodies were found to channel sound incident from forward directions to the left and right tympanic bulla and to create sharp maxima against the lateral surfaces of each respective bulla; (2) The soft tissues of the lower jaw improved the forward directivity of the simulated receptivity patterns; (3) A focal property of the lower-jaw pan bones appeared to contribute to the creation of distinct forward receptivity peaks for each ear; (4) The reception patterns contained features that may correspond to lateral hearing pathways. A "fast" lens mechanism is proposed to explain the focal contribution of the pan bones in this dolphin. Similar techniques may be used to study hearing in other marine mammals.

Acoustics↗

PubMed2000

Isolation and characterization of a Helicobacter sp. from the gastric mucosa of dolphins, Lagenorhynchus acutus and Delphinus delphis.

Gastric ulcerations in dolphins have been reported for decades. Some of these lesions were associated with parasitic infections. However, cases of nonparasitic gastric ulcers with no clearly defined etiology also have been reported in wild and captive dolphins. Considerable speculation exists as to whether dolphins have Helicobacter-associated gastritis and peptic ulcer disease. The stomachs of seven stranded Atlantic white-sided dolphins, Lagenorhynchus acutus, and 1 common dolphin, Delphinus delphis, were assessed for the presence of Helicobacter species. Novel Helicobacter species were identified by culture in the gastric mucosa of two of the eight dolphins studied and by PCR in seven of the eight dolphins. The gram-negative organisms were urease, catalase, and oxidase positive. Spiral to fusiform bacteria were detected in gastric mucosa by Warthin Starry staining. Histopathology revealed mild to moderate diffuse lymphoplasmacytic gastritis within the superficial mucosa of the main stomach. The pyloric stomach was less inflamed, and bacteria did not extend deep into the glands. The lesions parallel those observed in Helicobacter pylori-infected humans. Bacteria from two dolphins classified by 16S rRNA analysis clustered with gastric helicobacters and represent a novel Helicobacter sp. most closely related to H. pylori. These findings suggest that a novel Helicobacter sp. may play a role in the etiopathogenesis of gastritis and gastric ulcers in dolphins. To our knowledge this represents the first isolation and characterization of a novel Helicobacter sp. from a marine mammal and emphasizes the wide host distribution and pathogenic potential of this increasingly important genus.

Animals↗