The Commonwealth Veterinary Association--what does it do?

Many UK vets may be aware that there is a Commonwealth Veterinary Association (CVA), but they may not be quite so sure about what it does. Karen Reed, the current CVA secretary, explains more.

Exploiting a fast neutron mutant genetic resource in Pisum sativum (pea) for functional genomics.

A fast neutron (FN)-mutagenised population was generated in Pisum sativum L. (pea) to enable the identification and isolation of genes underlying traits and processes. Studies of several phenotypic traits have clearly demonstrated the utility of the resource by associating gene deletions with phenotype followed by functional tests exploiting additional mutant sources, from both induced and natural variant germplasm.

Carers' responses to challenging behaviour: a comparison of responses to named and unnamed vignettes.

Background: The evidence supporting the application of Weiner's motivational model of helping to the behaviour of carers' of people with intellectual disabilities and challenging behaviour is inconsistent. One suggested reason for this is that many studies use stimuli that might generate different responses from those to actual instances of behaviour of real people.

Method: Sixty-two paid carers of people with intellectual disabilities reported attributions, emotions and intended behavioural responses to behaviour presented by an unnamed person and the same behaviour presented by a named and known person.

The psychometric properties of the Hospital Anxiety and Depressions Scale adapted for use with people with intellectual disabilities.

Background: There is increasing recognition of depression in people with intellectual disabilities (ID). There is a need to develop well-standardised self-report measures for both clinical and research purposes. This paper presents some psychometric properties of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) adapted for use with people with ID.

Improving governance at the United Nations level.

Under the doctrine of 'Responsibility to Protect' the United Nations is steadily moving towards a position of being prepared to intervene militarily against states that are committing gross human rights abuses. Before the UN takes such a step, it should have in place statutory instruments to identify and bring non-violent persuasion to bear on the regimes that run these states. The Index of Governance is a phased proposal that will measure and influence the behaviour of these regimes.

Staff judgements of responsibility for the challenging behaviour of adults with intellectual disabilities.

Background: This study examines the importance of staff judgements of responsibility for challenging behaviour in predicting their emotional and intended helping responses.

Methods: Sixty-two carers completed questionnaires rating attributions of internality, stability and controllability, emotions of sympathy and anger, judgements of responsibility for the development of challenging behaviour and for its resolution and intended effort in helping in response to a scenario describing an aggressive behaviour.

Results: Results showed significant correlations between judgements of responsibility and attributions, emotions and intended effort in helping.

Use and pitfalls of allometry: a valuable tool in comparisons and extrapolations between species and in ethical considerations concerning the use of one species to model another.

Where research on one species is justified on the grounds that it will provide benefits to another, the strength of the ethical case depends critically on whether findings can be extrapolated meaningfully. Valid extrapolation depends on the species being sufficiently similar in respects critical to the research and on knowledge of the bases and effects of salient differences. Many biological parameters vary with body weight (W) between species.

Relative efficacy of an angiotensin II antagonist compared with other antihypertensive agents. Olmesartan medoxomil versus antihypertensives.

Objective: To compare the relative efficacy and safety of olmesartan medoxomil (OM) with atenolol, captopril and losartan in phase III trials on mild to severely hypertensive patients.

Design: Multi-centre, randomized, double-blind, parallel group, with dose-titration studies lasting 12 or 24 weeks.

Methods: Two studies respectively compared 10 mg OM once daily (o.

Who cares about equity in the NHS?

The concept of equity in relation to the National Health Service in Britain encompasses not one but at least eight distinct principles. Until the 1980s the NHS had a good record of incorporating these principles into practice. Throughout the 1980s, however, there has been a pronounced change, with the gradual introduction of business values into the service, culminating in the market based reforms of the 1990s.

The concepts and principles of equity and health.

In 1984, the 32 member states of the World Health Organization European Region took a remarkable step forward in agreeing unanimously on 38 targets for a common health policy for the Region. Not only was equity the subject of the first of these targets, but it was also seen as a fundamental theme running right through the policy as a whole. However, equity can mean different things to different people.