Rapid ecotoxicological testing using transformed BF-2 cells incorporating a luminescent reporter gene.

Since there is an ethical need to minimise the experimental use of higher organisms such as fish, especially those used in acute toxicity testing, fish cells are considered to be useful surrogates for fish in toxicity screening. The use of fish cell lines in conventional bioassays such as neutral red retention assays is however labour intensive, lengthy and costly. The use of luminescent reporter genes has been explored in our laboratory.

The challenge of kidney transplantation among minority ethnic groups in the UK.

The increased rate of renal failure secondary to diabetes among minority ethnic groups compared to Caucasians in the UK has been well documented. However, the impact of this phenomenon on kidney transplant services has been relatively unexplored. The Government has recently published its 'Tackling Health Inequalities: A Programme for Action' report which emphasises the importance of reducing health inequalities at all levels of the health service.

The Journal of Inflammation.

Welcome to the Journal of Inflammation, the first open-access, peer-reviewed, online journal to focus on all aspects of the study of inflammation and inflammatory conditions. While research into inflammation has resulted in great progress in the latter half of the 20th century, the rate of progress is rapidly accelerating. Thus there is a need for a vehicle through which this very diverse research can be made readily available to the scientific community.

Effects of caffeine ingestion on rating of perceived exertion during and after exercise: a meta-analysis.

The purpose of this study was to use the meta-analytic approach to examine the effects of caffeine ingestion on ratings of perceived exertion (RPE). Twenty-one studies with 109 effect sizes (ESs) met the inclusion criteria. Coding incorporated RPE scores obtained both during constant load exercise (n=89) and upon termination of exhausting exercise (n=20).

Effect of cryopreservation on mitochondrial DNA of zebrafish (Danio rerio) blastomere cells.

Cryopreservation has been extensively used in human reproductive medicine, aquaculture and conservation programmes for endangered species. However, despite the growing successes of cryopreservation, post-thaw recovery of reproductive and embryonic cells very often remains poor. Many studies have been devoted to the mechanisms of cryodamage.

Effects of caffeine ingestion on exercise testing: a meta-analysis.

This study used the meta-analytic approach to examine the effects of caffeine ingestion on exercise testing. Forty double-blind studies with 76 effect sizes (ES) met the inclusion criteria. The type of exercise test was classified as endurance, graded, or short-term.

The effect of different warm-up stretch protocols on 20 meter sprint performance in trained rugby union players.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of different static and dynamic stretch protocols on 20-m sprint performance. The 97 male rugby union players were assigned randomly to 4 groups: passive static stretch (PSS; n = 28), active dynamic stretch (ADS; n = 22), active static stretch (ASST; n = 24), and static dynamic stretch (SDS; n = 23). All groups performed a standard 10-minute jog warm-up, followed by two 20-m sprints.

Improving patient safety and incident reporting.

Patient safety is currently an international priority in health care, as it is widely accepted that the quality of healthcare provision, in terms of reducing errors and other forms of unnecessary patient harm, needs to be improved significantly. This article describes the work and position of the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) in NHS-funded care. It outlines the contribution made by two nurses who, as clinical specialty advisers (CSAs) in the organisation, are charged with helping to ensure that nursing issues are considered as an integral part of developing solutions to patient safety issues.

The influence of step and ramp type protocols on the attainment of peak physiological responses during arm crank ergometry.

The present study examined the impact of two exercise protocols on the attainment of peak physiological responses during arm crank ergometry (ACE). Fourteen physically active, although non-specifically trained male subjects completed two V.O (2) peak tests using an electrically braked arm ergometer (Lode Angio, Groningen, Netherlands).

Patient-professional partnership in spinal cord injury rehabilitation.

There has been considerable pressure from both patients and professionals for greater patient involvement in the delivery of health services in recent years, particularly in the domain of rehabilitation. However, it has been suggested that involvement by patients is limited to rehabilitation. Accordingly, this study aimed to explore and describe patients' and professionals' experiences of patient participation in team decision-making processes.

Caffeine lowers perceptual response and increases power output during high-intensity cycling.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of caffeine ingestion on a 'preloaded' protocol that involved cycling for 2 min at a constant rate of 100% maximal power output immediately followed by a 1-min 'all-out' effort. Eleven male cyclists completed a ramp test to measure maximal power output. On two other occasions, the participants ingested caffeine (5 mg.

Studies on chilling sensitivity of zebrafish (Danio rerio) oocytes.

Human activity in the last few decades has had a devastating effect on the diversity of fresh water and marine fish. Further decline of fish population may have serious economic and ecological consequences. One of the most promising techniques to preserve fish population is to cryopreserve their germ cells.

The meanings of cancer and perceptions of cancer services among South Asians in Luton, UK.

Recent research has suggested that there is limited awareness of and information about cancer and cancer services among South Asian communities. This study explores the meanings of cancer and perceptions of cancer services among South Asians living in Luton. Six single-sex focus groups were conducted among the three main South Asian groups in Luton: (1) Punjabi-speaking Muslims originating from Pakistan (Pakistani Punjabi); (2) Sylheti-speaking Muslims originating from Bangladesh (Bangladeshi Sylheti); and (3) Punjabi-speaking Sikhs originating from the Indian Punjab (Indian Punjabi).

Effect of DNA repair inhibitor (3-aminobenzamide) on genetic stability of loach (Misgurnus fossilis) embryos derived from cryopreserved sperm.

Semen cryopreservation is widely used in clinical medicine, agriculture, aquaculture and biomedical research, but it is an inefficient technique that induces extensive cytoplasmic damage and loss of fertilising ability. Whether any genetic damage (i.e.

Improving the effectiveness of the link system in an acute trust.

Link staff are a valuable asset to any ward area. They can disseminate information to their colleagues from the clinical nurse specialist, act as role models and identify strengths and weakness. However, many trusts are discovering that, although sound in theory, practice is quite different.

Drug errors and patient safety: the need for a change in practice.

Concerns regarding drug errors and public safety have recently been raised in the British national newspapers and professional nursing journals. This literature review considers why nurses may continue to make drug errors in their practice. The findings suggest that drug errors are not caused by any one factor, but are multifaceted in nature.

Effect of an 8-week combined weights and plyometrics training program on golf drive performance.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a combined weights and plyometrics program on golf drive performance. Eleven male golfers' full golf swing was analyzed for club head speed (CS) and driving distance (DD) before and after an 8-week training program. The control group (n = 5) continued their normal training, while the experimental group (n = 6) performed 2 sessions per week of weight training and plyometrics.

Nurse reporting of adverse events caused by medicines.

Even though all drugs are extensively tested before marketing, the need for continuous postmarketing surveillance is now greater than ever. In 2002, 16,176 adverse drug reaction reports were received, of which 67 per cent related to reactions categorised as 'serious'. Nurse reporting of adverse drug reactions has almost doubled in the past year since nurses were officially allowed to participate in the yellow-card scheme for identifying adverse drug reactions (NT Clinical news, 2 December, p7).

Studies on the toxicity of dimethyl sulfoxide, ethylene glycol, methanol and glycerol to loach (Misgurnus fossilis) sperm and the effect on subsequent embryo development.

The process of sperm cryopreservation consists of several steps: equilibration of sperm in cryoprotectant medium, freezing of sperm to subzero temperatures, low temperature storage and thawing of the sperm suspension. It has been shown that cryopreservation can cause some damage to the genetic material of cells although the mechanism and significance of these changes are still unknown. The aim of this work was to study the effect of cryoprotectant equilibration process on genetic damage of Loach (Misgurnus fossilis) sperm, using embryo survival as an indicator.

Using remifentanil in labour via patient-controlled analgesia.

Pain relief during labour is problematic. The expectations of the mother have to be balanced against compromising the baby. A new drug that has been used in labour is remifentanil.

Real-time direct measurement of nitric oxide in bovine perfused eye trabecular meshwork using a clark-type electrode.

NO was detected in bovine trabecular meshwork (TM). Bovine eyes were perfused (posterior ciliary artery). In some eyes (operated eyes) a NO electrode was inserted adjacent to the TM (scleral flap).

Adverse health-care events: Part 4. Challenge of a blame-free culture.

This, the final paper in this series analysing the significance of adverse health-care events and near-miss reporting, explores the requirement of a shift towards a 'blame-free' culture and the potential contribution such a change could bring to health care in terms of reducing risk for patients. Barriers to achieving a blame-free, or 'blame-fair', culture are also examined.

Reliability of a combined 3-min constant load and performance cycling test.

Most fitness assessments either use a constant load to exhaustion (exercise capacity test) or an "all-out" effort (performance test). The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability of a high-intensity assessment that combined a constant load element with a performance test. Ten moderately trained male cyclists completed a ramp test to voluntary exhaustion in order to measure maximum minute power output (mean +/- s, 349.

Adverse health-care events: Part 1. The nature of the problem.

Adverse events are a significant cause of unnecessary harm in health care and can lead to both physical and psychological injury and, in some cases, death. This paper, the first in a series of four, outlines the nature and extent of the problem. The overall aim of the series is to enhance knowledge levels among nurses in an attempt to reduce the number of adverse events.