The effect of indomethacin on spontaneous activity in the isolated human myometrium and on the response to oxytocin and prostaglandin

The spontaneous activity of human myometrial strips obtained during the proliferative and secretory phases of the menstrual cycle and during the early and late stages of pregnancy was studied. Both prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) and oxytocin caused contractions which were superimposed on a low level of spontaneous activity but only PGF2alpha was seen to affect high levels of activity. Spontaneous contractions were ultimately abolished by the addition of indomethacin. The strips remained responsive to PGF2alpha but not to oxytocin.     

The effects of inhaled nitrous oxide on some measures of attention

This study compared the sensitivity of various measures of attention to the effects of CNS depression, using a randomised single-blind two-period cross-over study. Nineteen healthy volunteers, 10 males and nine females, aged 20-49 took part in a single session in which they inhaled 15% nitrous oxide in oxygen or 100% oxygen (placebo) through a face-mask for 45 min, followed by a 10-min interval after which they received the other treatment in counterbalanced order. They performed a battery of five attention tasks and completed visual analogue scales starting 10 min after the beginning of each inhalation period. The most sensitive measures of the effects of this dose of nitrous oxide were letter cancellation, which had three target letters to cancel, and an auditory attention task with different stimuli to the two ears. Measures of concentrated attention without distractors (continuous attention task and continuous performance task) were less sensitive, though clear effects were seen at these doses. Tests of differing complexities may involve distinct functions which could be differentially affected by different classes of drug. Thus both simple and more complex tasks should be represented in studies assessing attentional function in detail.     

The 'transfusion trigger' in three large West of Scotland hospitals: medical staff questionnaire survey

Efficient use of blood is desirable due to increased demand for blood, shortfall in donations, and the risk of mismatch transfusion accidents and transfusion-transmitted infections. We surveyed transfusion practice in three hospitals. Low haemoglobin was a feature in 91% of transfusion requests and is the commonest 'trigger' for transfusion. Forty-eight per cent of transfusions were initiated with the aim of restoring haemoglobin to 10 g dL(-1). Seventy-three per cent of transfusions were given when the patient's haemoglobin was between 7 and 10 g dL(-1). These figures suggest liberal blood use when compared with international practice. Major healthcare resource and patient safety implications result from this. Evidence-based guidelines issued at both local and national levels would be helpful.     

Perceptions and Understanding of Genetics and Genetic Eye Disease and Attitudes to Genetic Testing and Gene Therapy in a Primary Eye Care Setting

Background: Genetic eye pathology represents a significant percentage of the causes of blindness in industrialized countries. This study explores the level of understanding and perceptions of genetics and inherited eye diseases and the attitudes to genetic testing and gene therapy.

Methods: The study was conducted in two parts. Participant groups included were: undergraduate students of optometry, primary eye care professionals and members of the general public. A preliminary study aimed to understand perceptions and to explore the level of knowledge about genetics in general, eye genetics and gene therapy. A second survey was designed to explore attitudes to genetic testing and gene therapy.

Results: The majority of participants (82%) perceived genetics as an important science. However, none of them showed a high level of understanding of genetics and inherited eye diseases. Undergraduate students and primary eye care professionals were better informed about inherited eye diseases than the general public (p?=?0.001). The majority (80%) across all three groups had a positive attitude to genetic testing and gene therapy. There was a lack of knowledge about the genetic services available among all groups of participants.

Conclusion: This calls for serious thinking about the level of dissemination of information about genetics and inherited eye diseases. It shows a broadly supportive attitude to genomic medicine among the public. Improving public awareness and education in inherited eye diseases can improve the utility of genetic testing and therapy.