Computer-assisted robotic device for upper limb interventions for a patient with an incomplete cervical level spinal cord injury.

A man in his 50s with an incomplete cervical spinal cord injury underwent a 3-week occupational therapy programme using a computer-assisted robotic device for the upper limbs (Diego) in an acute care spinal injury unit. The patient and their partner reported their experience. Range of motion (ROM), muscle strength, pain, fatigue, independence and occupational performance are reported.

Multi-elemental analysis of human lung samples using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

The aim of this study was to establish concentrations of a wide range of elements in human lung samples to allow better identification of potential exposures in subsequent cases. This study reports concentrations of 48 elements (Al, As, Au, B, Ba, Be, Bi, Br, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Ga, Gd, Ge, Hf, Hg, In, Li, Mn, Mo, Nb, Ni, Os, Pb, Pd, Pt, Rb, Re, Ru, Sb, Se, Sm, Sn, Sr, Ta, Te, Ti, Tl, Tm, V, W, Y, Zn and Zr) in fresh lung tissue samples from 54 hospital patients, of which 93% exhibited various forms of neoplasia. The lung samples were taken from unaffected, background tissue.

The development of the modified blaylock tool for occupational therapy referral (MBTOTR): a preliminary evaluation of its utility in acute care.

Purpose: Acute hospitals are facing more complex admissions with older people at increased risk of functional decline. This study aimed to create and trial the feasibility of a new screening tool designed to identify patients at risk of functional decline who need an occupational therapy referral within acute care.

Method: Ten screening tools were reviewed and the Modified Blaylock Tool for Occupational Therapy Referral (MBTOTR) was developed.

The use of bio-monitoring to assess exposure in the electroplating industry.

Workers in the electroplating industry are potentially exposed to a range of hazardous substances including nickel and hexavalent chromium (chromium VI) compounds. These can cause serious health effects, including cancer, asthma and dermatitis. This research aimed to investigate whether repeat biological monitoring (BM) over time could drive sustainable improvements in exposure control in the industry.

A microsimulation model for the development and progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic lung disease that is thought to affect over one million people in Great Britain. The main factor contributing to the development of COPD is tobacco smoke. This paper presents a microsimulation model for the development of COPD, incorporating population dynamics and trends in smoking.

Determination of 61 elements in urine samples collected from a non-occupationally exposed UK adult population.

levels for 61 elements were established in urine samples collected from 132 occupationally unexposed UK adults. In this study all elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, but methods were 'tailored' to the elements; in total six analytical methods were undertaken. For the first time in a UK population 95th percentile values are reported for 19 elements for which there is no available comparison.

The cost of hypertension-related ill-health attributable to environmental noise.

Hypertension (HT) is associated with environmental noise exposure and is a risk factor for a range of health outcomes. The study aims were to identify key HT related health outcomes and to quantify and monetize the impact on health outcomes attributable to environmental noise-related HT. A reiterative literature review identified key HT related health outcomes and their quantitative links with HT.

μLC-ICP-MS determinations of unexposed UK urinary arsenic speciation reference values.

This study provides background levels for five arsenic species in urine, based on urinary data obtained from 95 nonoccupationally exposed volunteers based in the UK. Using a novel, sensitive, robust and reliable speciation methodology, five species of arsenic (arsenobetaine [AB], arsenite [As(3+)], arsenate [As(5+)], monomethylarsonic acid [MMA(5+)] and dimethylarsinic acid [DMA(5+)]) were determined in urine samples collected from 95 adults. The analytical instrumentation used to analyze the urine samples was a hyphenated micro liquid chromatography (μLC) system coupled to an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).