Federated repositories of X-ray diffraction images.

There is a pressing need for the archiving and curation of raw X-ray diffraction data. This information is critical for validation, methods development and improvement of archived structures. However, the relatively large size of these data sets has presented challenges for storage in a single worldwide repository such as the Protein Data Bank archive. This problem can be avoided by using a federated approach, where each institution utilizes its institutional repository for storage, with a discovery service overlaid. Institutional repositories are relatively stable and adequately funded, ensuring persistence. Here, a simple repository solution is described, utilizing Fedora open-source database software and data-annotation and deposition tools that can be deployed at any site cheaply and easily. Data sets and associated metadata from federated repositories are given a unique and persistent handle, providing a simple mechanism for search and retrieval via web interfaces. In addition to ensuring that valuable data is not lost, the provision of raw data has several uses for the crystallographic community. Most importantly, structure determination can only be truly repeated or verified when the raw data are available. Moreover, the availability of raw data is extremely useful for the development of improved methods of image analysis and data processing.

Effects of an exercise intervention for older heart failure patients on caregiver burden and emotional distress.

BACKGROUND: The impact of exercise programmes for heart failure on those close to the patient is largely unknown. We examined the effect of a hospital and home-based exercise intervention on burden, anxiety and depression of informal caregivers. DESIGN: The study was a randomized, controlled trial. Heart failure patients were randomized to a seated 12-week hospital-based exercise programme. Caregiver measures were gathered at baseline, 3 months later and 6 months following baseline. METHODS: Sixty caregivers (mean age 63.4 years, 65% female) of heart failure patients (n = 82, mean age 80.5 years, 44% female) participating in a trial of an exercise intervention were recruited. Caregiver burden, anxiety and depression were assessed. RESULTS: There were no differences in caregiver burden, depression or anxiety between the two groups of caregivers at baseline (caregiver burden, patient control 33.1 versus patient exercise 34.1; anxiety 4.1 versus 5.5; depression 2.8 versus 3.8). At 3 months there were no differences between caregivers in the two groups on outcomes. At 6-month follow-up caregivers of heart failure patients in the exercise group had burden scores that were significantly worse than the control group. There were no differences between the carers of exercise and control groups in anxiety and depression. Levels of anxiety and depression in the entire carer sample were marginally higher than reference values in a healthy non-clinical sample. CONCLUSION: The present exercise interventions for frail older patients did not benefit caregivers and was associated with an increase in caregiver burden. We suggest that future exercise interventions for heart failure patients should actively incorporate informal caregivers into research designs.

Effect of a seated exercise program to improve physical function and health status in frail patients > or = 70 years of age with heart failure.

Eighty-two patients aged > or = 70 years with heart failure were randomized to a gentle, seated exercise program or to usual care. Six-minute walk distance and quality of life did not change between groups, but daily activity as measured by accelerometry increased in the exercise group relative to the control group.

How safe is your endoscope disinfectant?

Glutaraldehyde may have been virtually eliminated from UK hospitals as a flexible endoscope disinfectant, but in many cases it has been replaced with alternatives that may not be as safe as was first thought. This article highlights the need for healthcare professionals and hospitals to take urgent action to review the way these newer disinfectants are used and handled.

Finding an alternative endoscope disinfectant to glutaraldehyde.

Glutaraldehyde poses an occupational health hazard or risk for staff, with up to 15% of UK hospitals using it as their first-choice endoscope disinfectant. One NHS trust yielded unexpected additional savings by introducing a safer alternative in a bid to reduce potential health, safety and environmental risks.