Risk assessment in acute non-variceal upper GI bleeding: the AIMS65 score in comparison with the Glasgow-Blatchford score in a Scottish population.

Introduction: The early use of risk stratification scores is recommended for patients presenting with acute non-variceal upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeds (ANVGIB). AIMS65 is a novel, recently derived scoring system, which has been proposed as an alternative to the more established Glasgow-Blatchford score (GBS).

Objective: To validate the AIMS65 scoring system in a predominantly Caucasian population from Scotland and compare it with the GBS.

A methodology to establish a database to study gene environment interactions for childhood asthma.

Background: Gene-environment interactions are likely to explain some of the heterogeneity in childhood asthma. Here, we describe the methodology and experiences in establishing a database for childhood asthma designed to study gene-environment interactions (PAGES--Paediatric Asthma Gene Environment Study).

Methods: Children with asthma and under the care of a respiratory paediatrician are being recruited from 15 hospitals between 2008 and 2011.

Use of benchmarking in the development of biopharmaceutical products.

As the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry enters the 21st century, the pressure on companies to maintain the level of productivity required for consistent year-on-year growth is increasing. Benchmarking has become a tool for obtaining the information needed to support continuous improvement and gain a competitive advantage. During the process of benchmarking, best practices can be identified while giving management the ability to improve on existing performance in an objective, well-informed manner.