Examining the approaches used to assess decision-making capacity in healthcare practice.

Aim: To examine the approaches that are being used in New Zealand when conducting decision-making capacity (DMC) assessments among the healthcare professionals that commonly conduct DMC assessments and those that are involved in, but do not conduct, the assessments.

Method: An online quantitative survey was conducted, lasting 10 minutes, including a mix of closed- and open-ended questions. The survey garnered responses from a total of n=78 participants.

Exploring training, involvement and confidence: a study of healthcare professionals in decision-making capacity assessments.

Aim: To explore the training, involvement and confidence of healthcare professionals involved in decision-making capacity (DMC) assessments, and to compare any differences between those conducting and those involved in, but not conducting DMC assessments.

Method: A 10-minute anonymous, online survey was conducted with both closed and open questions. A total of 78 participants completed the survey.

Sr-90 soil to plant transfer factor reduction using calcium and polymer soil amendments.

Introducing calcium into soils can inhibit Sr-90 uptake by plants. To test the efficacy of calcium amendments on the inhibition of Sr-90 uptake by edible plants, a number of different calcium applications, including calcium nitrate, calcium thiosulfate and a mixture of both liquid solutions, were used in this study. Pea plants (Pisum sativum 'Sabre') grown in Sr-90 contaminated soil from seeds to maturity were watered with these calcium solutions.

Bradykinin-stimulated prostaglandin synthesis in conscious rabbits.

1 Bradykinin was infused intravenously into conscious rabbits to determine its effect on the concentration of prostaglandins in plasma. 6-Oxo-prostaglandin (PG) F1 alpha, the stable hydrolysis product of prostacyclin, and 13,14-dihydro-15-oxo-PGF2 alpha, a metabolite derived from PGE2 and PGF2 alpha, were measured by gas chromatography-electron capture mass spectrometry. 2 Incremental infusions of bradykinin (0.

Identification of 13,14-dihydro-15-oxo-prostaglandin F2 alpha in the circulation during infusions of bradykinin and prostaglandin E2 in man.

Bradykinin, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), PGD2 and vehicle (saline) were each administered intravenously on separate occasions to 6 healthy men for a period of 60 min. 13,14-Dihydro-15-oxo-PGF2 alpha was identified in plasma samples obtained during intravenous infusions of bradykinin and PGE2 but not during infusions of PGD2 or saline. The structure of this metabolite was verified by comparison of three different derivatives with authentic standards, using gas chromatography/electron capture mass spectrometry.