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Biomedical subjects

S Fennell

Publications and source records attributed to S Fennell.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Current status of programmes to measure and reduce radon exposure in Irish workplaces.

National legislation, which implements European Council Directive 96/29/EURATOM in Ireland, sets a reference level of 400 Bq m(-3) averaged over any 3 month period for radon exposure in the workplace and also empowers the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland to direct employers to have radon measurements carried out. This legislation came into effect in May 2000. Radon measurements have already been completed in show caves and other underground workplaces. Between 1998 and 2001, over 33 800 individual radon measurements were carried out in all ground floor offices and classrooms in 3444 schools nationwide as part of a programme undertaken jointly with the Department of Education and Science. Where the average indoor radon concentration in one or more rooms exceeded 200 Bq m(-3), remedial measures were implemented. For concentrations up to 400 Bq m(-3) this involved increased ventilation while for higher concentrations an active sump was normally installed. The results of the survey, as well as the effectiveness of the different remedial strategies, are discussed. In the case of other above ground workplaces, different approaches have been adopted. As a first step, workplaces in two known high radon areas were directed to have radon measurements carried out. This programme had limited success because of problems in obtaining accurate workplace databases and a general lack of awareness on the part of employers of the issues involved. From a sample of 2610 employers directed to measure radon, only 408 actually completed measurements and 37 workplaces were identified as having average 3 month average radon concentrations above 400 Bq m(-3). A total of 1356 employers ignored all correspondence, some of which was sent by registered post and signed for on receipt. Current initiatives are focused on the provision of information and include newspaper advertising as well as publications aimed specifically at both employer and employee representative groups. The ability to provide accurate information that encourages both measurement and remediation is seen as central to an effective radon workplace programme.

Environmental Exposure↗
PubMed2000

Clinical governance is "ACE"--using the EFQM excellence model to support baseline assessment.

The introduction of clinical governance in the "new NHS" means that National Health Service (NHS) organisations are now accountable for the quality of the services they provide to their local communities. As part of the implementation of clinical governance in the NHS, Trusts and health authorities had to complete a baseline assessment of their capability and capacity by September 1999. Describes one Trust's approach to developing and implementing its baseline assessment tool, based upon its existing use of the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) Excellence Model. An initial review of the process suggests that the model provides an adaptable framework for the development of a comprehensive and practical assessment tool and that self-assessment ensures ownership of action plans at service level.

Community Health Services↗
PubMed1992

The bequest of human bodies for dissection: a case study in the Otago Medical School.

AIMS: To explore why and by whom body bequests to the Otago Medical School have been made since the 1960s. METHODS: We sent out a questionnaire to people who have bequeathed their bodies to the medical school, the people being randomly selected on the basis of the inclusion of the initial J in a forename. The questionnaire sought information on sex, marital status, age, occupation at the time of bequest and bequest information source, as well as reasons for the bequest, expectations of cadaver use and attitudes towards organ donation. RESULTS: The most common reasons for making a bequest were--to aid medical science, and gratitude to the medical profession. There was, however, widespread confusion between cadaver use for medical teaching and for research. CONCLUSIONS: These center around the ethical implications of our findings for organ donation and attitudes towards usage of the dead body.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Detection of polymorphic loci in Arachis germplasm using random amplified polymorphic DNAs.

The development of easily scoreable genetic markers in Arachis will facilitate the introgression of desirable traits from wild species into adapted germplasm. We have used random amplified polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs) to identify polymorphic molecular markers in a range of wild and cultivated Arachis species. From a total of sixty 10-mer oligonucleotide primers, 49 polymorphic loci were identified between cultivated A. hypogaea type (TMV-2) and a synthetic amphidiploid (B x C)2 created from a A. batizocoi and A. chacoense cross. The inheritance of polymorphic markers, both in the amphidiploid and in the F1 progeny in a TMV-2 x (B x C)2 cross, has also been demonstrated. The potential exploitation of RAPD markers in groundnut improvement programs is discussed.

Arachis↗
PubMed1992

Potentiation of brain natriuretic peptides by SQ 28,603, an inhibitor of neutral endopeptidase 3.4.24.11, in monkeys and rats.

The depressor, natriuretic and cyclic GMP responses to several species of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) were compared to atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) 99-126 in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and in conscious cynomolgus monkeys treated with vehicle or the selective neutral endopeptidase (NEP 3.4.24.11) inhibitor N-[2-(mercaptomethyl)-1-oxo-3-phenylpropyl]-beta- alanine (SQ 28,603). In the conscious SHR, the natriuretic and cyclic GMP responses to 3 nmol/kg i.v. rat BNP-32 greater than rat ANP 99-126 greater than pig BNP-26 and were significantly potentiated by 100 mumol/kg i.v. SQ 28,603. Human BNP-32 was inactive in the SHR treated with either vehicle or SQ 28,603. In contrast, 1 nmol/kg i.v. of human BNP-32 stimulated renal and depressor responses in the conscious monkeys that were greater than or equal to those elicited by human ANP 99-126, whereas 3 nmol/kg i.v. rat BNP-32 reduced mean arterial pressure without affecting renal function. Furthermore, SQ 28,603 (100 mumol/kg, i.v.) significantly enhanced the cumulative losses of sodium and cyclic GMP stimulated by each of these peptides. In conclusion, the renal and depressor activities of BNP are highly species specific and are significantly potentiated by an inhibitor of NEP 3.4.24.11 in conscious SHR and monkeys. Therefore, protection of endogenous BNP may contribute importantly to the activity of NEP 3.4.24.11 inhibitors in cardiorenal disorders such as hypertension and congestive heart failure.

Alanine↗
PubMed1991

Nurse empathy to caregivers of chronically ill elders.

1. Findings showed that differences exist with regard to the amount of strain family caregivers experience and how caregivers perceive the nurses' empathy. 2. Caregivers to older persons requiring more health care services experienced more objective strain (ie, lack of time or more physical demands) than caregivers to persons who required less health care services. 3. Caregivers in isolated environments viewed nurses as more empathic compared with caregivers residing in areas where there was opportunity for more interaction with others.

Adult↗