United Kingdom dredge disposal returns data, and associated disposal site dataset, for meeting obligations under OSPAR and London Convention/London Protocol.

This paper describes the data that is collected and analysed annually by the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), on behalf of the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland) and Jersey, Guernsey, and Isle of Man. The respective regulatory authorities provide data on the permits to dispose of dredged material that have been issued in a reporting year (January to December) as well as the amount of material that has been disposed within designated disposal sites within the same reporting year. The data are analysed to determine the contaminant loading that is placed at the respective disposal sites.

A reassessment of TBT action levels for determining the fate of dredged sediments in the United Kingdom.

As part of reviewing the United Kingdom (UK) action levels (ALs) of contaminants for managing the disposal of dredged marine sediment material, tributyl tin (TBT) has been reassessed. TBT is a banned biocide capable of causing severe harm to the marine environment. Its presence is routinely screened for prior to marine disposal of dredged sediment material.

A novel systematic, risk based approach to support the designation of aquatic disposal sites.

Humans rely fundamentally on the marine environment, which is at the same time subject to an increasingly broad range of anthropogenic pressures, leading to growing concerns and the need for effective management for marine protection. One activity is the dredging of ports and harbours which is necessary to maintain safe channels for commercial and recreational navigation. Regulatory authorities in developing countries have few resources to conduct full EIAs for determining dredged material disposal sites but are required to do so under international obligations.

Genetic Discrimination Between LADA and Childhood-Onset Type 1 Diabetes Within the MHC.

Objective: The MHC region harbors the strongest loci for latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA); however, the strength of association is likely attenuated compared with that for childhood-onset type 1 diabetes. In this study, we recapitulate independent effects in the MHC class I region in a population with type 1 diabetes and then determine whether such conditioning in LADA yields potential genetic discriminators between the two subtypes within this region.

Research Design And Methods: Chromosome 6 was imputed using SNP2HLA, with conditional analysis performed in type 1 diabetes case subjects ( = 1,985) and control subjects ( = 2,219).

A standardised approach to the environmental risk assessment of potentially polluting wrecks.

The potential risk to the marine environment of oil release from potentially polluting wrecks (PPW) is increasingly being acknowledged, and in some instances remediation actions have been required. However, where a PPW has been identified, there remains a great deal of uncertainty around the environmental risk it may pose. Estimating the likelihood of a wreck to release oil and the threat to marine receptors remains a challenge.

A Clinical Phase II Study to Assess Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Waterfree Cyclosporine Formulation for Treatment of Dry Eye Disease.

Purpose: To compare the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of waterfree cyclosporine formulation (CyclASol) at 2 concentrations (0.1% and 0.05% of cyclosporine [CsA]) to vehicle when applied twice daily for 16 weeks in patients with dry eye disease (DED).

First Genome-Wide Association Study of Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults Reveals Novel Insights Linking Immune and Metabolic Diabetes.

Objective: Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) shares clinical features with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes; however, there is ongoing debate regarding the precise definition of LADA. Understanding its genetic basis is one potential strategy to gain insight into appropriate classification of this diabetes subtype.

Research Design And Methods: We performed the first genome-wide association study of LADA in case subjects of European ancestry versus population control subjects ( = 2,634 vs.

A user's guide to coping with estuarine management bureaucracy: An Estuarine Planning Support System (EPSS) tool.

Estuaries are amongst the most socio-economically and ecologically important environments however, due to competing and conflicting demands, management is often challenging with a complex legislative framework managed by multiple agencies. To facilitate the understanding of this legislative framework, we have developed a GISbased Estuarine Planning Support System tool. The tool integrates the requirements of the relevant legislation and provides a basis for assessing the current environmental state of an estuary as well as informing and assessing new plans to ensure a healthy estuarine state.

Linkage Analysis of Genomic Regions Contributing to the Expression of Type 1 Diabetes Microvascular Complications and Interaction with HLA.

We conducted linkage analysis to follow up earlier work on microvascular complications of type 1 diabetes (T1D). We analyzed 415 families (2,008 individuals) previously genotyped for 402 SNP markers spanning chromosome 6. We did linkage analysis for the phenotypes of retinopathy and nephropathy.

Integrating management tools and concepts to develop an estuarine planning support system: A case study of the Humber Estuary, Eastern England.

Estuaries are important because of their multiple uses and users which often makes them challenging to manage since management must strike a balance between the needs of users, the estuaries' ecological and economic value and the context of multiple legislative drivers. To facilitate management we have therefore developed an Estuarine Planning Support System (EPSS) framework using the Humber Estuary, Eastern England, as a case study which integrates the current legislation tools and concepts. This integrated EPSS framework is an improvement on previous approaches for assessing cumulative impacts as it takes into account legislative drivers, management tools and other mechanisms for controlling plans/projects specific to the estuary.

Lifitegrast ophthalmic solution 5.0% for treatment of dry eye disease: results of the OPUS-1 phase 3 study.

Purpose: To assess the efficacy and safety of lifitegrast ophthalmic solution 5.0% compared with placebo in subjects with dry eye disease.

Design: Prospective, randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled, parallel arm, multicenter clinical trial.

Safety and efficacy of MIM-D3 ophthalmic solutions in a randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 2 clinical trial in patients with dry eye.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of ophthalmic MIM-D3, a tyrosine kinase TrkA receptor agonist, in patients with dry eye.

Design: A prospective, two-center, randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled Phase 2 study.

Methods: A total of 150 dry eye patients were randomized 1:1:1 to study medication (1% MIM-D3, 5% MIM-D3, or placebo) and dosed twice daily (BID) for 28 days.

Dabigatran - a case history demonstrating the need for comprehensive approaches to optimize the use of new drugs.

Background: There are potential conflicts between authorities and companies to fund new premium priced drugs especially where there are safety and/or budget concerns. Dabigatran, a new oral anticoagulant for the prevention of stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF), exemplifies this issue. Whilst new effective treatments are needed, there are issues in the elderly with dabigatran due to variable drug concentrations, no known antidote and dependence on renal elimination.

HLA class I and II alleles are associated with microvascular complications of type 1 diabetes.

Although HLA alleles are associated with type 1 diabetes, association with microvascular complications remains controversial. We tested HLA association with complications in multiplex type 1 diabetes families. Probands from 425 type 1 diabetes families from the Human Biological Data Interchange (HBDI) collection were analyzed.

Involving school students in selecting candidates for children's nursing.

This year-long project involved 26 academy school students aged 13-15 years taking an active role in selecting from candidates for children's nursing places at the University of the West of England. Meticulous planning, preparation, debriefing and awareness of safeguarding needs were all needed. Further aspects relating to increased pressures on academic time, recruitment and preparation of university student supporters, and project funding, also required attention.

A phase 2 randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled study of a novel integrin antagonist (SAR 1118) for the treatment of dry eye.

Purpose: To investigate the efficacy and safety of an investigational integrin antagonist (SAR 1118) ophthalmic solution compared to placebo (vehicle) in subjects with dry eye disease.

Design: Multicenter, prospective, double-masked, placebo-controlled trial.

Methods: A total of 230 dry eye subjects selected with use of a controlled adverse environment were randomized 1:1:1:1 to receive SAR 1118 (0.

Initiatives to enhance the quality and efficiency of statin and PPI prescribing in the UK: impact and implications.

Aim: To assess the impact of a range of national and regional initiatives introduced in the North Lancashire Teaching Primary Care Trust (NLTPCT) since 2004 to enhance the quality and efficiency of prescribing proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), statins and ezetimibe. In addition, to suggest additional measures that could be introduced in NLTPCT to further enhance the quality and efficiency of prescribing based on initiatives in other European countries.

Method: A before-and-after observational study was undertaken on the utilization and expenditure of prescriptions dispensed in ambulatory care in NLTPCT from 2004 to 2007.

Policies to enhance prescribing efficiency in europe: findings and future implications.

Introduction: European countries need to learn from each other to address unsustainable increases in pharmaceutical expenditures.

Objective: To assess the influence of the many supply and demand-side initiatives introduced across Europe to enhance prescribing efficiency in ambulatory care. As a result provide future guidance to countries.

Familial risk factors for microvascular complications and differential male-female risk in a large cohort of American families with type 1 diabetes.

Context: Type 1 diabetes (T1D) complications are responsible for much of the disease morbidity. Evidence suggests that familial factors exert an influence on susceptibility to complications.

Objectives: We investigated familial risk factors and gender differences for retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy.

The association between acculturation and needle sharing among Puerto Rican injection drug users.

Background: Base-line data from a community-based HIV outreach effort serving Puerto Rican injection drug users (IDUs) in Massachusetts identified that approximately half of their clients were born on the mainland and half on the island.

Methods: Logistic regression methods examined the relationship between place of birth, primary language spoken, primary residence of family and needle sharing for a sample of 200 Puerto Rican IDUs residing in Massachusetts. Focus groups were used to interpret quantitative findings.

What factors are associated with high-frequency drug treatment use among a racially and ethnically diverse population of injection drug users?

This study explored the frequency of drug treatment utilization by 36,081 injection drug users (IDUs) in Massachusetts, 1996-2002. A number of multiple and logistic regression analyses examined the relationship between demographic characteristics, parental status, level of and type of drug use, history of mental health treatment use, types of drug treatment entered, and the number of times an IDU had entered drug treatment for the seven-year time period. Homelessness, using heroin as the primary drug of choice, and health insurance status were all associated with number of treatments entered.