Dialysis adequacy at two haemodialysis units in Jamaica.

A prospective study on adequacy of dialysis was conducted at the haemodialysis units of Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) and the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI). Dialysis adequacy was better at KPH and morbidity, as measured by patient admission days, was increased at UHWI. Diabetics had a lower mean serum albumin and urea reduction ratio (URR) than non-diabetics. Multiple regression analyses revealed that age of patient (F = 5.30; p = 0.0241) and hospital (F = 7.85; p = 0.007) were the variables significantly associated with serum albumin level when the effect of other variables was controlled (F = 2.12; p = 0.34). Similar analyses showed that the hospital at which dialysis was done was the only factor which accounted for significantly higher URR, with KPH having higher rates (F = 13; p = 0.006). The differences between hospitals necessitate further investigations, explanations and intervention strategies. The study provides opportunities for improving patient care and for dialysis health care professionals to assess clinical performance measures and reduce variation between dialysis centres.

Dialysis adequacy at two haemodialysis units in Jamaica

A prospective study on adequacy of dialysis was conducted at the haemodialysis units of Kingston Pubic Hospital (KPH) and the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI). Dialysis adequacy was better at KPH and morbidity, as measured by patient admission days, was increased at UHWI. Diabetics had a lower mean serum albumin and urea reduction ratio (URR) than non-diabetics. Multiple regression analyses revealed that age of patient (F = 5.30; p = 0.241) and hospital (F = 7.85; p = 0.007) were the variables significantly associated with serum albumin level when the effect of other variables was controlled (F = 2.12; p = 0.34). Similar analyses showed that the hospital at which dialysis was done was the only factor which accounted for significantly higher URR, with KPH having higher rates (F =13; p = 0.006). The differences between hospitals necessitate further investigations, explanations and further intervention strategies. The study provides opportunities for improving patient care and for dialysis health care professionals to assess clinical performance measures and reduce variation between dialysis centres.(Au)

Dialysis adequacy at two haemodialysis units in Jamaica

A prospective study on adequacy of dialysis was conducted at the haemodialysis units of Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) and the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI). Dialysis adequacy was better at KPH and morbidity, as measured by patient admission days, was increased at UHWI. Diabetics had a lower mean serum albumin and urea reduction ration (URR) than non-diabetics. Multiple regression analyses revealed that age of patient and hospital were the variables significantly associated with serum albumin level when the effect of other variables was controlled (F=2.12; p=0.34). Similar analyses revealed that the hospital at which dialysis was done was the only factor which accounted for significantly higher URR, with KPH having higher rates (F=13; p=0.006). The differences between hospitals necessitate further investigations, explanations and intervention strategies. The study provides opportunities for improving patient care and for dialysis health care professionals to assess clinical performance measures and reduce variation between dialysis centres (AU)

Historical aspects of international movement of living aquatic species.

The use of exotic aquatic species to increase both the level of food production and the income generated by this production has been an established practice since the mid 19th century. At present, advances in husbandry have enabled large-scale movements of many different species over great distances. Despite a gradual fall in the volume of such movements since the 1960s, the practice still persists and continues to generate controversy in regard to the protection of native biological diversity, the spread of pests and disease, and socio-economic factors. The author presents the results of a recent international questionnaire on species introductions, distributed in an attempt to gain further insight into the uses and effects of introduced species. Information was received on 654 introductions of aquatic organisms, mostly fish. Aquaculture was the main reason for most introductions, followed by the creation of fisheries, the ornamental fish trade, research, biological control, accident, natural diffusion, and the provision of bait and forage. National governments were responsible for 40% of the introductions, with the private sector accounting for 18%, individuals another 15% and international organisations 7%, with the remaining 20% being of unknown source. The impact and benefits of many of the introductions reported were unclear. Most introductions (62%) probably did not result in the establishment of the exotic species in natural waters. Respondents reported that 63% of the introductions probably had no effect on th ecosystem: 25% of the impacts were judged positive, while for 58% the nature of the impact (positive or negative) was undetermined. Furthermore, 62% of the introductions probably had no effect on the socio-economic system: 40% of the impacts were beneficial, while in 55% of cases the respondents were undecided whether or not the impact was beneficial. The authors recommend that planning, regulation and monitoring of introductions of aquatic species be imposed through adherence to international and national codes of practice. This will help to maximise benefits from the use of exotic species in the future.

Synthetic peptides of the amino-terminus of fibronectin inhibit endothelial cell growth.

Amino-terminal and carboxyl-terminal fragments of human plasma fibronectin, at nM concentrations, reversibly inhibit the growth of cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells. To define smaller active peptides, synthetic peptides corresponding to a carboxyl-terminal disulfide bonded loop segment of one of the fragments were tested for activity and found to be active at microM concentrations. The data suggest that the entire loop sequence is required for full expression of endothelial cell growth inhibitory activity in vitro.