CRC 'Regional Combinations' project — effects of genetics and growth paths on beef production and meat quality: experimental design, methods and measurements

As a component of the second term of the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Cattle and Beef Quality, a project to further test and validate the effects of varying nutritional growth paths pre-finishing and slaughter on cattle of varying genetic potential for meat yield and eating quality was designed and implemented. This project, ‘Regional Combinations’, was a multi-site experiment, using Bos taurus cattle generated at 4 locations across southern Australia. The design of imposing different growth paths between weaning and finishing on cattle with specific genetic potential is common across sites. Treatment and interaction effects on beef production and meat quality were examined within and across sites. This paper describes the experimental designs, generation of experimental cattle at the various sites and the measurements, collection and storage of the data for multi-site analyses.

Preliminary evidence from Queensland that rural clinical schools have a positive impact on rural intern choices

INTRODUCTION

The unequal and inequitable distribution of the medical workforce between rural and urban parts of Australia has been well documented. Commonwealth and state governments have introduced several significant initiatives in an attempt to address this imbalance, including recruitment of many overseas trained doctors. One longer-term initiative is the funding of university departments of rural health and rural clinical schools in medical schools.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the impact of the rural clinical division of the School of Medicine at the University of Queensland (UQ), Australia, on the intern workforce in central and southern Queensland, Australia.

METHODS

Time series analysis of first preferences for intern allocation among UQ graduates and source of interns (UQ, interstate and overseas) from 2001-2005, and comparison of trends between Rockhampton and Toowoomba (UQ student placements since 2003) with Mackay (no placements).

RESULTS

First preferences for Rockhampton increased from six in 2001 to 10 in 2005, and for Toowoomba from five in 2002 to 12 in 2005, while for Mackay preferences were stable at two. At Rockhampton while two interns came from overseas in 2001 and three were from interstate in 2002, UQ provided all interns in 2004 or 2005. UQ has provided 12/13 interns in 2004 and 13/14 in 2005 for Toowoomba. Mackay continues to source interns from interstate and overseas with UQ providing only 3/5 interns in 2004 and 2005. At Rockhampton, among non-bonded UQ graduates the number of interns choosing to work there increased from zero in 2001 to six in 2005. For Toowoomba, numbers were seven and 10 respectively, while for Mackay it was zero.

CONCLUSIONS

UQ's rural clinical division is having a positive impact on the intern workforce in the regional hospitals most closely allied with it.

The consent process in interventional radiology: the role of specialist nurses

AIMS

To evaluate the impact of patient education by specialist nurses on patients' understanding of interventional procedures, their anxiety levels and satisfaction with the given information.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty patients attending the radiology department for gastrointestinal interventional procedures were interviewed. Patients were assessed using a combination of categorical and visual analogue scales. Parameters were assessed on admission and after additional information had been given by specialist nurses. After the procedure patients were asked to rate the quality of information given and their overall satisfaction.

RESULTS

Four of the 60 patients were excluded due to a Mini Mental Test score of <7. Only 35 (62.5%) claimed to have been given information by the referring consultant. Fifty-three patients received additional information before formally giving consent, 50 (96.2%) from the specialist nurses. Patient anxiety before and after information did not significantly change (p=0.52) but there was significant improvement in levels of satisfaction (p=0.001) and perceived understanding (p<0.001). Patients rated overall quality of information at an average of 9.2/10 and overall satisfaction was high (median=9.1/10).

CONCLUSION

The use of specialist nurses to educate patients greatly increases patient understanding. The process of informed consent is improved and patient satisfaction is increased.

Randomised controlled trial of cognitive-behavioural therapy in early schizophrenia: acute-phase outcomes

BACKGROUND

Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) improves persistent psychotic symptoms.

AIMS

To test the effectiveness of added CBT in accelerating remission from acute psychotic symptoms in early schizophrenia.

METHOD

A 5-week CBT programme plus routine care was compared with supportive counselling plus routine care and routine care alone in a multi-centre trial randomising 315 people with DSM-IV schizophrenia and related disorders in their first (83%) or second acute admission. Outcome assessments were blinded.

RESULTS

Linear regression over 70 days showed predicted trends towards faster improvement in the CBT group. Uncorrected univariate comparisons showed significant benefits at 4 but not 6 weeks for CBT v. routine care alone on Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale total and positive sub-scale scores and delusion score and benefits v. supportive counselling for auditory hallucinations score.

CONCLUSIONS

CBT shows transient advantages over routine care alone or supportive counselling in speeding remission from acute symptoms in early schizophrenia.

Comparison of the effectiveness of inhaler devices in asthma and chronic obstructive airways disease: a systematic review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are common diseases of the airways and lungs that have a major impact on the health of the population. The mainstay of treatment is by inhalation of medication to the site of the disease process. This can be achieved by a number of different device types, which have wide variations in costs to the health service. A number of different inhalation devices are available. The pressurised metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) is the most commonly used and cheapest device, which may also be used in conjunction with a spacer device. Newer chlorofluorocarbons (CFC)-free inhaler devices using hydrofluoroalkanes (HFAs) have also been developed. The drug is dissolved or suspended in the propellant under pressure. When activated, a valve system releases a metered volume of drug and propellant. Other devices include breath-actuated pMDIs (BA-pMDI), such as Autohaler and Easi-Breathe. They incorporate a mechanism activated during inhalation that triggers the metered-dose inhaler. Dry powder inhalers (DPI), such as Turbohaler, Diskhaler, Accuhaler and Rotahaler, are activated by inspiration by the patient. The powdered drug is dispersed into particles by the inspiration. With nebulisers oxygen, compressed air, or ultrasonic power is used to break up solutions or suspensions of medication into droplets for inhalation. The aerosol is administered by mask or by a mouthpiece. There has been no previous systematic review of the evidence of clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of these different inhaler devices.

OBJECTIVES

To review systematically the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of inhaler devices in asthma and COPD.

METHODS

The different aspects of inhaler devices were separated into the most clinically relevant comparisons. Methods involved systematic searching of electronic databases and bibliographies for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews. Pharmaceutical companies and experts in the field were contacted for further information. Trials that met the inclusion criteria were appraised and data extraction was under-taken by one reviewer and checked by a second reviewer, with any discrepancies being resolved through agreement. RESULTS--IN VITRO CHARACTERISTICS VERSUS IN VIVO TESTING AND CLINICAL RESPONSE: There is evidence that when comparative testing is performed on inhaler devices using the same methods, there is some correlation between particle size measurements and clinical response. However, the measurements are dependent upon the methods used, and a single measure of a device in isolation is of limited value. Also, there is little data on comparing devices of different types. There is currently insufficient data to verify the ability of in vitro assessments to predict inhaler performance in vivo. RESULTS--EFFECTIVENESS OF METERED-DOSE INHALERS FOR THE DELIVERY OF CORTICOSTEROIDS IN ASTHMA: The review of three trials in children and 21 trials in adults demonstrated no evidence to suggest clinical benefits of any other inhaler device over a pMDI in corticosteroid delivery. RESULTS--EFFECTIVENESS OF METERED-DOSE INHALERS FOR THE DELIVERY OF BETA-AGONISTS IN STABLE ASTHMA: In children, 11 studies were reviewed, of which seven compared the Turbohaler with the pMDI. One study found a significant treatment difference in peak expiratory flow rate, although there were differences in the patients' baseline characteristics. In adults, a review of 70 studies found no demonstrable difference in the clinical bronchodilator effect of short-acting b2-agonists delivered by the standard pMDI compared with that produced by any other DPI, HFA-pMDI or the Autohaler device. The finding that HFA-pMDIs may reduce treatment failure and oral steroid requirement in beta-agonist delivery needs further confirmatory research in adequately randomised clinical trials. RESULTS--EFFECTIVENESS OF NEBULISERS VERSUS METERED-DOSE INHALERS FOR THE DELIVERY OF BRONCHODILATORS IN STABLE ASTHMA: In children, three included trials compared different devices with a nebuliser and demonstrated no evidence of clinical superiority of nebulisers over inhaler devices in bronchodilator delivery. A total of 23 studies in adults found no equivalence for the main pulmonary outcomes and no evidence of difference in other outcomes. RESULTS--EFFECTIVENESS OF METERED-DOSE INHALERS FOR THE DELIVERY OF BETA-AGONISTS IN COPD: Only two studies were included in this review. No evidence of clinical difference was found in beta-agonist delivery. RESULTS--EFFECTIVENESS OF NEBULISERS VERSUS METERED-DOSE INHALERS FOR THE DELIVERY OF BRONCHODILATORS IN COPD: Evidence from 14 trials demonstrated equivalence for the main outcomes of pulmonary function. For other outcomes there was no evidence of treatment difference in bronchodilator delivery. RESULTS--PATIENTS' ABILITY TO USE METERED-DOSE INHALERS: Differences among studies and the heterogeneity of the results make it difficult to draw conclusions about inhaler technique differences between device types. The review of technique after teaching the correct technique suggests that there is no difference in patients' ability to use DPI or pMDIs. RESULTS--ECONOMIC ANALYSIS: The total number of NHS prescriptions for inhaler therapy for asthma in 1998 was over 31 million, with a net ingredient cost in excess of 392 million GB pounds. This economic assessment uses decision analysis to estimate the relative cost-effectiveness of inhaler devices for the delivery of bronchodilator and corticosteroid inhaled therapy. Overall, there were no differences in patient outcomes among the devices. On the assumption that the devices were clinically equivalent, pMDIs were the most cost-effective devices for asthma treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review examined the evidence from clinical trials evaluating the clinical effectiveness of different inhaler devices in the delivery of inhaled corticosteroids and beta2-bronchodilators for patients with asthma and COPD. The evidence from the published clinical literature demonstrates no difference in clinical effectiveness between nebulisers and alternative inhaler devices compared to standard pMDI with or without a spacer device. The cost-effectiveness evidence therefore favours pMDIs (or the cheapest inhaler device) as first-line treatment in all patients with stable asthma unless other specific reasons are identified. Patients can use pMDIs as effectively as other inhaler devices as long as the correct inhalation technique is taught. CONCLUSIONS--RECOMMENDATIONS FOR RESEARCH: Further clinical trials are required to demonstrate any differences in the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of inhaler devices and nebulisers compared with pMDIs. These should be of sufficient statistical power and methodological rigour to demonstrate any clinical benefit. Trials should be undertaken in community settings to ensure the generalisability of results. Outcome measures should be more patient-centred and report adverse effects more completely. Reporting of data from trials should be improved.

SCH-C (SCH 351125), an orally bioavailable, small molecule antagonist of the chemokine receptor CCR5, is a potent inhibitor of HIV-1 infection in vitro and in vivo

We describe here the identification and properties of SCH-C (SCH 351125), a small molecule inhibitor of HIV-1 entry via the CCR5 coreceptor. SCH-C, an oxime-piperidine compound, is a specific CCR5 antagonist as determined in multiple receptor binding and signal transduction assays. This compound specifically inhibits HIV-1 infection mediated by CCR5 in U-87 astroglioma cells but has no effect on infection of CXCR4-expressing cells. SCH-C has broad and potent antiviral activity in vitro against primary HIV-1 isolates that use CCR5 as their entry coreceptor, with mean 50% inhibitory concentrations ranging between 0.4 and 9 nM. Moreover, SCH-C strongly inhibits the replication of an R5-using HIV-1 isolate in SCID-hu Thy/Liv mice. SCH-C has a favorable pharmacokinetic profile in rodents and primates with an oral bioavailability of 50-60% and a serum half-life of 5-6 h. On the basis of its novel mechanism of action, potent antiviral activity, and in vivo pharmacokinetic profile, SCH-C is a promising new candidate for therapeutic intervention of HIV infection.

The relationship among homocysteine, creatinine clearance, and albuminuria in patients with type 2 diabetes

OBJECTIVE

Although it is accepted that elevated plasma homocysteine (tHcy) levels occur in end-stage renal disease and type 2 diabetes, the changes with milder renal dysfunction (e.g., microalbuminuria) are less clearly established. This study explores the relationship among tHcy, creatinine clearance (Ccr), and albumin excretion rate (AER) in a population with type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A total of 260 patients with type 2 diabetes were screened in our outpatient clinic during 10 months. Fasting blood samples were collected, and AER was calculated from an overnight timed urine sample. Ccr was calculated using the Cockroft-Gault formula.

RESULTS

A total of 198 subjects (76%) had normoalbuminuria (<20 microg/min), 50 subjects (19%) had microalbuminuria (20-200 microg/min), and 12 subjects (5%) had macroalbuminuria (>or=200 microg/min). Those with microalbuminuria had higher levels of tHcy than those with normoalbuminuria (13.2 +/- 7.8 vs. 11.3 +/- 4.6 micromol/l, P < 0.05). Patients were then subdivided based on low Ccr (<80 ml x min(-1) x 1.73 m(-2)) and normal Ccr (>or=80 x min(-1) x 1.73 m(-2)). None of the patients with macroalbuminuria had normal Ccr. In those with normoalbuminuria, tHcy levels were higher than in those with low Ccr than in those with normal Ccr (12.0 +/- 4.6 vs. 10.0 +/- 4.4 micromol/l, P < 0.01). The same was found for those with microalbuminuria (low Ccr versus normal Ccr: 14.6 +/- 9.0 vs. 10.2 +/- 2.8 micromol/l, P < 0.02). For normal Ccr, tHcy was similar irrespective of AER (normoalbuminuria versus microalbuminuria: 10.0 +/- 4.4 vs. 10.2 +/- 2.8 micromol/l, NS). For low Ccr, tHcy was higher in those with microalbuminuria versus normoalbuminuria (14.6 +/- 9.0 vs. 12.0 +/- 4.6 micromol/l, P = 0.01). Using multivariate regression, Ccr, but neither AER nor the presence of albuminuria, was an independent predictor of tHcy.

CONCLUSIONS

These data strongly suggest that in patients with type 2 diabetes, the relationship between plasma tHcy and AER is largely due to associated changes in renal function, as defined by Ccr.

Dystrophin expression in muscle following gene transfer with a fully deleted ("gutted") adenovirus is markedly improved by trans-acting adenoviral gene products

Helper-dependent adenoviruses (HDAd) are Ad vectors lacking all or most viral genes. They hold great promise for gene therapy of diseases such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), because they are less immunogenic than E1/E3-deleted Ad (first-generation Ad or FGAd) and can carry the full-length (Fl) dystrophin (dys) cDNA (12 kb). We have compared the transgene expression of a HDAd (HDAdCMVDysFl) and a FGAd (FGAdCMV-dys) in cell culture (HeLa, C2C12 myotubes) and in the muscle of mdx mice (the mouse model for DMD). Both vectors encoded dystrophin regulated by the same cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter. We demonstrate that the amount of dystrophin expressed was significantly higher after gene transfer with FGAdCMV-dys compared to HDAdCMVDysFl both in vitro and in vivo. However, gene transfer with HDAdCMVDysFl in the presence of a FGAd resulted in a significant increase of dystrophin expression indicating that gene products synthesized by the FGAd increase, in trans, the amount of dystrophin produced. This enhancement occurred in cell culture and after gene transfer in the muscle of mdx mice and dystrophic golden retriever (GRMD) dogs, another animal model for DMD. The E4 region of Ad is required for the enhancement, because no increase of dystrophin expression from HDAdCMVDysFl was observed in the presence of an E1/E4-deleted Ad in vitro and in vivo. The characterization of these enhancing gene products followed by their inclusion into an HDAd may be required to produce sufficient dystrophin to mitigate the pathology of DMD by HDAd-mediated gene transfer.

Antimicrobial management of acute exacerbation of chronic airflow limitation

Antibiotics are frequently administered for exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma, yet their role remains unclear. We prospectively audited the antimicrobial management of 167 patients aged >50 years hospitalized for exacerbations of chronic airflow limitation. Antibiotics were commenced on admission for 151 (90%) patients (oral 52%, intravenous 38%), including 17/23 (74%) with no evidence of fever, purulent sputum, leucocytosis or inflammatory chest X-ray changes. The mean number of different antibiotics prescribed was 1.8 (range 0-6); a wide range of antibiotics and antibiotic combinations were used. Sputum samples were sent for microbiological examination in 101 (61%) patients. Sputum culture was positive in 34, but only 11 (7% of the total) had amoxycillin-resistant organisms in their sputum. Seventeen patients (10%) developed diarrhoea while in hospital. Under logistic regression analysis, total number of antibiotics prescribed (p<0.0001) and age (p=0.0062) were the two factors associated with hospital-acquired diarrhoea. Only 34% of patients had received an influenza vaccination in the winter of the study, and 10% a pneumococcal vaccination within the last 5 years. In routine clinical practice, aggressive antibiotic therapy was frequently administered to patients admitted with chronic airflow limitation, despite limited clinical, radiological and microbial indications. Excessive use of antibiotics has important implications, including morbidity (antibiotic-associated diarrhoea), cost and the potential for increased microbial antibiotic resistance. A minority of patients with chronic airflow limitation are being vaccinated against influenza and Pneumococcus.

Corticobasal syndrome with tau pathology

Six cases with a clinical corticobasal syndrome (progressive asymmetric apraxia and parkinsonism unresponsive to levodopa) and tau pathology were selected from 97 brain donors with parkinsonism. Postmortem volumetric measures of regional brain atrophy (compared with age/sex-matched controls) were correlated with clinical features and the degree of underlying cortical and subcortical histopathology. At death, no significant asymmetry of pathology was detected. All cases had prominent bilateral atrophy of the precentral gyrus (reduced by 22-54%) with other cortical regions variably affected. Subcortical atrophy was less severe and variable. Two cases demonstrated widespread atrophy of basal ganglia structures (44-60% atrophy of the internal globus pallidus) and substantial subcortical pathology consistent with a diagnosis of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). The remaining four cases had typical pathology of corticobasal degeneration. In all cases, neuronal loss and gliosis corresponded with subcortical atrophy, while the density of cortical swollen neurons correlated with cortical volume loss. Atrophy of the internal globus pallidus was associated with postural instability, while widespread basal ganglia histopathology was found in cases with gaze palsy. This study confirms the involvement of the precentral gyrus in the corticobasal syndrome and highlights the variable underlying pathology in these patients.

Function of Pulmonary Neuronal M2Muscarinic Receptors in Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Anticholinergic drugs often cause a considerable degree of bronchodilation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Pulmonary neuronal M(2) muscarinic receptors function to limit the magnitude of vagally induced bronchoconstriction. We hypothesized that the effectiveness of anticholinergic agents in patients with COPD may reflect increased vagal reactivity due to dysfunction of M(2) muscarinic receptors. The function of M(2) receptors and the magnitude of vagally induced bronchoconstriction were assessed in subjects with normal lung function and in subjects with COPD. A nasal cold dry air challenge was used to induce a bronchoconstriction, measured as a change in airway resistance (Raw) at 5 Hz (R5) using impulse oscillometry. In subjects with COPD R5 rose from 0.68 +/- 0.06 to 0.74 +/- 0.07 kPa/L/s after the cold dry air challenge (p < 0.01) and in the control subjects R5 rose from 0.34 +/- 0.03 to 0.39 +/- 0.03 kPa/L/s (p < 0.01). The bronchoconstriction was inhibited by pretreatment with ipratropium bromide, indicating that it was vagally mediated. In both groups of subjects pretreatment with the selective M(2) muscarinic receptor agonist pilocarpine (5 mg/ml) prevented the cold air-induced bronchoconstriction, indicating normal function of M(2) receptors. These studies indicate that M(2) muscarinic receptors are functional in subjects with stable COPD.

Reversible delayed leukoencephalopathy following intravenous heroin overdose

We present serial neuropsychological, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and EEG changes in a case of widespread CNS myelinopathy due to intravenous heroin overdose complicated by a period of prolonged unconsciousness. Following recovery from the acute overdose, the subject had the delayed onset of akinetic mutism with urinary incontinence. Sequential formal neuro-psychological assessments over 9 months showed evolution from severe global cerebral dysfunction to moderate disturbance of frontal lobe function. Almost complete resolution of diffuse white matter signal changes, accompanied by the development of a degree of volume loss, was evident on serial MR imaging over the same period, and generalized arrhythmic delta-range slowing on the EEG evolved int o a near normal pattern.

Paraneoplastic brain stem encephalitis in a woman with anti-Ma2 antibody

A woman developed brain stem encephalopathy in association with serum anti-Ma2 antibodies and left upper lobe lung mass. T2 weighted MRI of the brain showed abnormalities involving the pons, left middle and superior cerebellar peduncles, and bilateral basal ganglia. Immunohistochemical analysis for serum antineuronal antibodies was confounded by the presence of a non-neuronal specific antinuclear antibody. Immunoblot studies showed the presence of anti-Ma2 antibodies. A premortem tissue diagnosis of the lung mass could not be established despite two CT guided needle biopsies, and the patient died as a result of rapid neurological deterioration. The necropsy showed that the lung lesion was an adenocarcinoma which expressed Ma2 immunoreactive protein. Neuropathological findings included prominent perivascular inflammatory infiltrates, glial nodules, and neuronophagia involving the brain stem, basal ganglia, hippocampus and the dentate nucleus of the cerebellum. Ma2 is an autoantigen previously identified in patients with germ cell tumours of the testis and paraneoplastic brain stem and limbic encephalitis. Our patient's clinical and immunopathological findings indicate that this disorder can affect women with lung adenocarcinoma, and that the encephalitic changes predominate in those regions of the brain known to express high concentrations of Ma proteins.

"Hospital at home" versus hospital care in patients with exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: prospective randomised controlled trial

OBJECTIVES

To compare "hospital at home" and hospital care as an inpatient in acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

DESIGN

Prospective randomised controlled trial with three months' follow up.

SETTING

University teaching hospital offering secondary care service to 350 000 patients.

PATIENTS

Selected patients with an exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease where hospital admission had been recommended after medical assessment.

INTERVENTIONS

Nurse administered home care was provided as an alternative to inpatient admission.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Readmission rates at two weeks and three months, changes in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)) from baseline at these times and mortality.

RESULTS

583 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease referred for admission were assessed. 192 met the criteria for home care, and 42 refused to enter the trial. 100 were randomised to home care and 50 to hospital care. On admission, FEV(1) after use of a bronchodilator was 36.1% (95% confidence interval 2.4% to 69.8%) predicted in home care and 35.1% (6.3% to 63. 9%) predicted in hospital care. No significant difference was found in FEV(1 )after use of a bronchodilator at two weeks (42.6%, 3.4% to 81.8% versus 42.1%, 5.1% to 79.1%) or three months (41.5%, 8.2% to 74.8% versus 41.9%, 6.2% to 77.6%) between the groups. 37% of patients receiving home care and 34% receiving hospital care were readmitted at three months. No significant difference was found in mortality between the groups at three months (9% versus 8%).

CONCLUSIONS

Hospital at home care is a practical alternative to emergency admission in selected patients with exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Distribution of accidents, injuries, and illnesses by family type. ALSPAC Study Team. Avon Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy and Childhood

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether family type and psychosocial risks indexed by family type were systematically associated with differences in health outcomes in children.

DESIGN AND SUBJECTS

The study is based on a longitudinal, prospective study of a large (n = approximately 10 000) community sample of families, the Avon Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy and Childhood.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Frequency of accidents, illnesses, and medical interventions.

RESULTS

At 2 years of age, children in single-parent and stepfamilies were disproportionately likely to experience accidents and receive medical treatment for physical illnesses. In addition, children in single-parent families and stepfamilies were more likely to be hospitalized or receive attention from a hospital doctor for an injury or illness. Exposure to psychosocial risks also were elevated in single-parent families and stepfamilies, compared with intact or nonstepfamilies, and these factors primarily accounted for the connection between family type and children's physical health.

CONCLUSIONS

The consequences of family transitions on children's health extend beyond traditional mental health and behavioral outcomes and include accident proneness, illness, and receipt of medical attention. The mediating processes are not entirely attributable to social class differences connected to family type and may instead be associated with a range of psychosocial risks that are more frequently found in single-parent families and stepfamilies, compared with intact or nonstepfamilies. Prevention and intervention efforts directed toward children at risk for poor behavioral and mental health adjustment secondary to family disruption should consider children's physical health and health-related behaviors.

An educational intervention for front-line health professionals in the assessment and management of suicidal patients (The STORM Project)

BACKGROUND

Suicide prevention is a health priority in many countries. Improved management of suicide risk may improve suicide prevention. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of health district-wide training in the assessment and management of people at risk of suicide; and to assess the impact of training on assessment and management skills.

METHODS

Staff in three health care settings, namely primary care, accident and emergency departments and mental health services (N = 359), were offered suicide risk management training in a district-wide programme, using a flexible 'facilitator' approach. The main outcomes were the rate of attendance at training, and changes in suicide risk assessment and management skills following training.

RESULTS

It was possible to deliver training to 167 health professionals (47 % of those eligible) during a 6 month training period. This included 95 primary care staff (39%), 21 accident and emergency staff(42%) and 51 mental health staff (78%). Of these, 103 (69%) attended all training. A volunteer sample of 28 staff who underwent training showed improvements in skills in the assessment and management of suicide risk. Satisfaction with training was high. The expected costs of district-wide training, if it were able to produce a 2.5% reduction in the suicide rate, would be 99,747 pound sterling per suicide prevented and 3,391 pound sterling per life year gained.

CONCLUSIONS

Training in the assessment and management of suicide risk can be delivered to approximately half the targeted staff in primary care, accident and emergency departments and mental health services. The current training package can improve skills and is well accepted. If it were to produce a modest fall in the suicide rate, such training would be cost-effective. However, a future training programme should develop a broader training package to reach those who will not attend.

Prioritizing investments in health technology assessment. Can we assess potential value for money?

OBJECTIVE

The objective was to develop an economic prioritization model to assist those involved in the selection and prioritization of health technology assessment topics and commissioning of HTA projects.

METHODS

The model used decision analytic techniques to estimate the expected costs and benefits of the health care interventions that were the focus of the HTA question(s) considered by the NHS Health Technology Assessment Programme in England. Initial estimation of the value for money of HTA was conducted for several topics considered in 1997 and 1998.

RESULTS

The results indicate that, using information routinely available in the literature and from the vignettes, it was not possible to estimate the absolute value of HTA with any certainty for this stage of the prioritization process. Overall, the results were uncertain for 65% of the HTA questions or topics analyzed. The relative costs of the interventions or technologies compared to existing costs of care and likely levels of utilization were critical factors in most of the analyses. The probability that the technology was effective with the HTA and the impact of the HTA on utilization rates were also key determinants of expected costs and benefits.

CONCLUSIONS

The main conclusion was that it is feasible to conduct ex ante assessments of the value for money of HTA for specific topics. However, substantial work is required to ensure that the methods used are valid, reliable, consistent, and an efficient use of valuable research time.

Pediatric postoperative abdominal wound dehiscence: transverse versus vertical incisions

BACKGROUND

Fascial dehiscence is uncommon in children but can have serious consequences when it occurs. There are multiple risk factors for fascial dehiscence, including the type of incision used. Pediatric surgeons often use a supraumbilical transverse incision particularly in infants because of the access this incision provides to the entire abdomen. This article details the experience with fascial wound dehiscence at a large tertiary children's hospital and focuses on problems with the types of incision used.

STUDY DESIGN

This is a retrospective review of 2,785 intraabdominal operations performed over a 5-year period at Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center in Seattle. Risk factors for dehiscence were reviewed for each case of fascial dehiscence. Statistical analysis using chi-square was used to examine for differences in complication rates between transverse and vertical incisions.

RESULTS

In this series, 2,442 children (88%) had transverse incisions and 343 (12%) had vertical incisions. Twelve children had abdominal fascial dehiscence post-operatively. Six cases involved transverse incisions and six involved vertical incisions. Five of the children suffered evisceration. One child died as a direct result of the dehiscence. There were multiple risk factors for dehiscence in 10 of the 12 children. Vertical incisions were found to be much more likely to dehisce than were transverse incisions, especially in children under 1 year of age (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Vertical incisions are more apt to dehisce than transverse incisions in children, particularly babies. We recommend the use of transverse incisions whenever possible in babies less than 1 year of age, especially when other risk factors for dehiscence are present.