Chronic stroke patients show early and robust improvements in muscle and functional performance in response to eccentric-overload flywheel resistance training: a pilot study.

Background: Resistance exercise comprising eccentric (ECC) muscle actions enhances muscle strength and function to aid stroke patients in conducting daily tasks. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of a novel ECC-overload flywheel resistance exercise paradigm to induce muscle and functional performance adaptations in chronic stroke patients.

Methods: Twelve patients (~8 years after stroke onset) performed 4 sets of 7 coupled concentric (CON) and ECC actions using the affected limb on a flywheel leg press (LP) device twice weekly for 8 weeks.

Studies on microbial contamination of reused disposable plastic insulin syringes.

The microbial contamination of reused disposable insulin syringes and bottles was studied. Fourteen patients, aged 16-64 years, took part in the study. 50 syringes and 52 bottles were examined for sterility at different stages of use.

A study of routines followed and equipment used in 430 hospital wards handling antineoplastic agents.

The routines followed and the equipment used by hospital staff when handling antineoplastic drugs were studied. A questionnaire was sent via the hospital pharmacies to hospital wards which administered antineoplastic drugs at least once a week. The answers received from 430 wards indicate a good understanding and awareness of the risks.

Studies on in-use microbial contamination of sterile medicines at an animal hospital.

Eye drops, injection solutions and infusion fluids in-use were collected from the various wards of an animal hospital and tested for sterility. Medicines from the stationary wards showed a contamination frequency of 17.5%, whereas 62% of those from the ambulatory ward were contaminated.