Photoprocesses in statistical,end-labelled,and block copolymers containing naphthalene chromophores

Fluorescence spectroscopy in highly dilute solutions has been used to study the emission from naphthyl groups attached to poly(methyl methacrylate) molecules prepared by (i) free-radical polymerization, giving an essentially random distribution of naphthyl groups along the chain, and (ii) anionic polymerization, producing polymers with naphthyl groups in terminal units only. The influence of molecular architecture on the fluorescence is discussed. In particular it is shown that it is possible to incorporate one single naphthyl group at one end of a polymer chain but that attempts to introduce a controlled greater number lead to a product with a distribution of naphthyl-group constents.     

Colour tagging of medical records and age—sex cards

The colour tagging of medical records and age—sex cards is described. The system of eight colour tags originally recommended by the Royal College of General Practitioners was used as a basis but was modified and the number of colour tags extended to 13. These tags were applied to medical records and age—sex cards. The colour-coded age—sex registers thus serve as effective chronic morbidity and at-risk registers.     

Guidelines for Reducing the Risk of Disease Transmission in the Psychophysiology Laboratory

The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) pandemic has highlighted the need for safeguards against the inadvertent transmission of infectious disease in the psychophysiology laboratory. These Guidelines identify factors contributing to the risk of bloodborne disease transmission to subjects or technicians, and recommend procedures to minimize such risk, given current knowledge and techniques. The lowest risk is associated with the application of devices, such as surface electrodes, to nonabraded, intact skin. Such devices should be clean, but do not require disinfection. The potential risk of infection is higher when surface electrodes are applied to non-intact skin. Abrasion, or other breaks in the skin, can allow seepage of blood products carrying such pathogens as hepatitis B virus and the human immunodeficiency virus that causes AIDS. Thus electrodes require high-level disinfection before reuse on non-intact skin. In addition, technicians should wear gloves during skin preparation and should abrade the skin no more than necessary, using only sterile, preferably non-sharp materials. The highest risk is that associated with items that enter sterile tissue, such as subdermal electrodes and the needles and lancets sometimes used in skin preparation. Such items must be sterile at the time of use and must be handled with extreme caution.     

Identification of Bovine Serum Proteins by Quantitative Immunoelectrophoretic Methods

Line immunoelectrophoresis of bovine serum revealed a minimum of 37 bovine serum proteins. In line-absorption immunoelectrophoresis, 13 of these proteins were identified by their cross-reactivity with monospecific antisera against human serum proteins. One additional protein was identified by monospecific antisera against bovine immunoglobulins. Crossed immunoelectrophoresis revealed a minimum of 40 bovine proteins and demonstrated their electrophoretic mobility. In crossed-line immunoelectrophoresis all 37 line precipitates were related to their corresponding peak precipitates and the electrophoretic mobility of the 14 proteins identificd was determined.     

The preparation of plasma fibronectin antigen and antiserum

Affinity chromatography of human plasma, using either gelatin or fibrinogen coupled to Sepharose 4B, depletes the plasma of fibronectin. Other ‘contaminant’ proteins are also bound by this procedure on the column and elute with the fibronectin, as shown by using the bound and eluted fraction to immunise rabbits. Such antisera can be rendered specific for fibronectin by absorption with fibronectin depleted plasma.Alternatively, purified fibronectin can be obtained by a two-stage chromatographic procedure using a second separation on Sephacryl S300, and immunization with this as antigen produces monospecific antiserum. This reacts both with plasma and tissue fibronectin.     

Human variability in the renal elimination of foreign compounds and renal excretion-related uncertainty factors for risk assessment.

Renal excretion is an important route of elimination for xenobiotics and three processes determine the renal clearance of a compound [glomerular filtration (about 120 ml/min), active renal tubular secretion (>120 ml/min) and passive reabsorption (<120 ml/min)]. Human variability in kinetics has been quantified using a database of 15 compounds excreted extensively by the kidney (>60% of a dose) to develop renal-excretion related uncertainty factors for the risk assessment of environmental contaminants handled via this route. Data were analysed from published pharmacokinetic studies (after oral and intravenous dosing) in healthy adults and other subgroups using parameters relating primarily to chronic exposure [renal and total clearances, area under the plasma concentration time-curve (AUC)] and acute exposure (Cmax). Interindividual variability in kinetics was low for both routes of exposure, with coefficients of variation of 21% (oral) and 24% (intravenous) that were largely independent of the renal processes involved. Renal-excretion related uncertainty factors were below the default kinetic uncertainty factor of 3.16 for most subgroups analysed with the exception of the elderly (oral data) and neonates (intravenous data) for whom renal excretion-related factors of 4.2 and 3.2 would be required to cover up to 99% of these subgroups respectively.     

Do patient engagement interventions work for all patients? A systematic review and realist synthesis of interventions to enhance patient safety

BackgroundPatients are increasingly being asked for feedback about their healthcare and treatment, including safety, despite little evidence to support this trend. This review identifies the strategies used to engage patients in safety during direct care, explores who is engaged and determines the mechanisms that impact effectiveness.MethodsA systematic review was performed of seven databases (CINAHL, Cochrane, Cochrane‐Central, Embase, ISI Web of Science, Medline, PsycINFO) that included research published between 2010 and 2020 focused on patient engagement interventions to increase safety during direct care and reported using PRISMA. All research designs were eligible; two reviewers applied criteria independently to determine eligibility and quality. A narrative review and realist synthesis were conducted.ResultsTwenty‐six papers reporting on twenty‐seven patient engagement strategies were included and classified as consultation (9), involvement (7) and partnership (11). The definitions of ‘patient engagement’ varied, and we found limited details about participant characteristics or interactions between people utilizing strategies. Collaborative strategy development, a user‐friendly design, proactive messaging and agency sponsorship were identified as mechanisms to improve engagement about safety at the point of direct care.ConclusionsAgency sponsorship of collaboration between staff and patients is essential in the development and implementation of strategies to keep patients safe during direct care. Insufficient details about participant characteristics and patient–provider interactions limit recommendations for practice change. More needs to be learned about how patients are engaged in discussions about safety, particularly minority groups unable to engage with standard information.Patient or Public ContributionReview progress was reported to the CanEngage team, including the consumer steering group, to inform project priorities (PROSPERO CRD42020196453).     

Characterisation of the P53 status,BCL-2 expression and radiation and platinum drug sensitivity of a panel of human ovarian cancer cell lines

The P53gene is frequently mutated in late stage ovarian cancer and has been proposed as a determinant of radiation and chemosensitivity. We have therefore determined the p53 functional status, P53sequence, radiation sensitivity and cytotoxicity of cisplatin and the novel platinum analogue, AMD473, in a panel of 6 human ovarian cancer cell lines. Constitutive p53 protein levels were low in A2780, CH1, LK1, LK2 and PA1 but were markedly induced following irradiation. In OV1P, constitutive p53 protein was readily detectable and levels were induced slightly following irradiation. P21^WAF1/CIP1 and MDM-2 mRNA were constitutively expressed in all the cell lines and expression was induced markedly following irradiation. There was marked radiation induced G₁/S arrest in A2780 but only partial arrests in CH1, LK1, LK2, PA1 and OV1P lines. No mutations were found in A2780, CH1, LK1, LK2 and PA1 cells by single-strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) analysis but a heterozygous point mutation was found in exon 5 of OV1P. All the cell lines were radiation sensitive and also relatively sensitive to cisplatin; however, OV1P was the most resistant being consistent with its heterozygous P53 status. AMD473 was less potent than cisplatin but a similar pattern of drug sensitivity was observed with the exception of LK2, which was resistant. CH1, LK1, LK2 and PA1 all expressed BCL-2 protein but there was no expression in A2780 and OV1P. Our results suggest an overall association between wild type P53 and radiation and platinum drug sensitivity in these ovarian cancer cell lines. Int. J. Cancer 77:913–918, 1998.© 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.