Ecotoxicological effects of leachate from e-cigarettes and e-liquid on the performance of perennial ryegrass (Loliumperenne).

Once littered, disposable e-cigarettes present a complex type of waste in the environment. They typically contain a lithium battery, electronics to produce vapour and remnant e-liquid, all of which could leach into the environment. The effects of littered e-cigarettes are not well understood, and they have not been tested in terrestrial ecosystems.

The effect of regional citrate anti-coagulation on the coagulation system in critically ill patients receiving continuous renal replacement therapy for acute kidney injury - an observational cohort study.

Background: Regional anticoagulation with citrate is the recommended first line treatment for patients receiving continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). There is wide variability in filter patency which may be due to differences in patient characteristics and local practice. It is also possible that citrate has effects on primary and secondary haemostasis, fibrinolysis and platelet function that are still unknown.

Correction of hyper- and hyponatraemia during continuous renal replacement therapy.

Background: Severe hyper- and hyponatraemia is associated with significant risks, yet its correction can also have serious consequences when implemented too fast or inadequately. The safe correction of serum sodium levels is particularly challenging when renal replacement therapy (RRT) is required.

Methods: Using 2 case scenarios, we aim to illustrate a simple method of correcting hyper- and hyponatraemia safely by step-wise manipulation of the dialysate/replacement fluid.

Beyond the randomized clinical trial: citrate for continuous renal replacement therapy in clinical practice.

Background: Premature circuit clotting is a major problem during continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). Six randomized controlled trials confirmed that regional anticoagulation with citrate is superior to heparin. Our objective was to compare circuit patency with citrate, heparin and epoprostenol in routine clinical practice.

Management of sodium disorders during continuous haemofiltration.

In patients with acute kidney injury and concomitant severe hyponatraemia or hypernatraemia, rapid correction of the serum Na+ concentration needs to be avoided. The present paper outlines the principles of how to adjust the Na+ concentration in the replacement fluid during continuous renal replacement therapy to prevent rapid changes of the serum Na+ concentration.

Heparin algorithm for anticoagulation during continuous renal replacement therapy.

Premature circuit clotting is a problem during continuous renal replacement therapy. We describe an algorithm for individualised anticoagulation with unfractionated heparin based on the patient's risk of bleeding and previous circuit life. The algorithm allows effective and safe nurse-led anticoagulation during continuous renal replacement therapy.

Efficacy and long term effects of antenatal prophylaxis with anti-D immunoglobulin.

Objective: To measure the safety and efficacy of antenatal treatment with anti-D immunoglobulin.

Design: Open study with historical controls.

Setting: Multicentre study in 17 hospitals in West Yorkshire.

Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for cytomegalovirus antibody in donor plasma.

An adaptation of an enzyme immunoassay technique was developed to screen donor plasma for high titres of antibodies to cytomegalovirus (CMV). The technique uses microtitre plates treated with glutaraldehyde and coated with CMV antigen and an anti-IgG alkaline phosphatase conjugate to detect the captured antibody. Using an anti-CMV standard with a 1/64 titre by complement fixation, 34 (6.

False positive results of tests for syphilis and outcome of pregnancy: a retrospective case-control study.

In a retrospective case-control study 64 women yielding a false positive result to a test for syphilis in pregnancy were compared with 128 controls individually matched for age, parity, hospital of delivery, and year of delivery. There were significantly more unsuccessful pregnancies, mainly spontaneous abortions during the first and second trimesters, among women with persistent false positive results. There was no significant difference between groups in the mean birth weights of liveborn infants.

Haemolytic disease of the newborn--the changing scene.

Between 1950 and 1970 there was a steady decline in the number of infant deaths from rhesus haemolytic disease of the newborn in the Yorkshire Region but no decrease in the number of pregnant women with antibodies. Following the introduction of Rh prophylaxis in 1970, the number of pregnant women sensitized has decreased by 70% and the number of infant deaths by 96%. The number of infants requiring exchange transfusion has also decreased by 70%.

Follow-up of normal individuals with a positive antiglobulin test.

Over a period of 20 yr (1962-1982), 67 apparently fit donors at a Regional Blood Transfusion Service were found to have an unexplained positive direct antiglobulin test (DAT). During 1983, 26 were traced and re-tested. 9 still had a positive DAT only 1 of whom had developed autoimmune haemolytic anaemia.