Providing NHS staff with height-adjustable workstations and behaviour change strategies to reduce workplace sitting time: protocol for the Stand More AT (SMArT) Work cluster randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: High levels of sedentary behaviour (i.e., sitting) are a risk factor for poor health. With high levels of sitting widespread in desk-based office workers, office workplaces are an appropriate setting for interventions aimed at reducing sedentary behaviour. This paper describes the development processes and proposed intervention procedures of Stand More AT (SMArT) Work, a multi-component randomised control (RCT) trial which aims to reduce occupational sitting time in desk-based office workers within the National Health Service (NHS). METHODS/DESIGN: SMArT Work consists of 2 phases: 1) intervention development: The development of the SMArT Work intervention takes a community-based participatory research approach using the Behaviour Change Wheel. Focus groups will collect detailed information to gain a better understanding of the most appropriate strategies, to sit alongside the provision of height-adjustable workstations, at the environmental, organisational and individual level that support less occupational sitting. 2) intervention delivery and evaluation: The 12 month cluster RCT aims to reduce workplace sitting in the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust. Desk-based office workers (n = 238) will be randomised to control or intervention clusters, with the intervention group receiving height-adjustable workstations and supporting techniques based on the feedback received from the development phase. Data will be collected at four time points; baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months. The primary outcome is a reduction in sitting time, measured by the activPAL(TM) micro at 12 months. Secondary outcomes include objectively measured physical activity and a variety of work-related health and psycho-social measures. A process evaluation will also take place. DISCUSSION: This study will be the first long-term, evidence-based, multi-component cluster RCT aimed at reducing occupational sitting within the NHS. This study will help form a better understanding and knowledge base of facilitators and barriers to creating a healthier work environment and contribute to health and wellbeing policy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN10967042 . Registered 2 February 2015.

Rapid quantitative liquid chromatographic determination of caffeine levels in plasma after oral dosing.

A simple method is described for the rapid, quantitative analysis of caffeine in human plasma. Caffeine levels present in plasma following drug administration were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection at 273 nm after plasma protein precipitation. Caffeine was detectable at levels as low as 0.1 micrograms/mL. Mean recoveries of 98% with a coefficient of variation of 3% were obtained for plasma standards, in which concentrations ranged from 0.1 to 8 micrograms/mL. Interassay variability of the slope of the standard curve had a coefficient of variation of 3%. Application of this method during human bioavailability studies is described.

A rapid quantitative determination of acetaminophen in plasma.

A simple method is described for the rapid, quantitative analysis of acetaminophen in plasma. The nonconjugated acetaminophen present in the plasma following drug administration is determined after plasma protein precipitation by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) at a wavelength of 240 nm. Acetaminophen (I) is detectable at levels as low as 0.1 microgram/ml. Mean recoveries of 94% with a coefficient of variation of 3% were obtained for plasma standards whose concentrations ranged from 0 to 32 microgram/ml. Interassay variability of the slope of the standard curve had a coefficient of variation of 2.7%. Application and verification of this method by comparison with another procedure run simultaneously during several human bioavailability studies are described.

MR imaging of the wrist: normal findings that may simulate disease.

Twenty-six normal wrists in young adults were studied with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. The following conclusions were drawn regarding normal anatomic features: (a) Multiple slips of the abductor pollicis longus tendon simulate longitudinal tears; (b) the extensor pollicis longus and extensor carpi ulnaris tendons normally demonstrate increased signal intensity simulating tendinitis; (c) small quantities of fluid in the extensor tendon sheaths may be normal and not indicative of tenosynovitis; (d) the triangular fibrocartilage normally demonstrates increased signal intensity simulating tears at its radial and ulnar attachment sites; (e) the volar ulnocarpal ligaments are often indistinct, thereby simulating injury; and (f) the median nerve has signal intensity equivalent to that of fat, nor of muscle as commonly believed. Awareness of these normal features is critical in making the correct interpretation of MR images of the wrist.