Potters Bar Research Articles

Compensation for lifting accidents in community nursing.

British Journal of Community NursingVol. 24, No. 6 LegalCompensation for lifting accidents in community nursingJohn FinchJohn FinchCorresponding author: E-mail Address: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorJohn FinchPublished Online:5 Jun 2019https://doi.org/10.12968/bjcn.2019.24.6.296AboutSectionsView articleView Full TextPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail View article References BBC News. Back pain nurse awarded £420 000. 2002. https://tinyurl.com/y2fm8hpg (accessed 21 May 2019) Google ScholarBBC News. Potters Bar crash: Network Rail fined £3m. 2011. https://tinyurl.com/y2hhg46b (accessed 21 May 2019) Google ScholarCharney W. Handbook of modern hospital safety. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press; 1999 Google ScholarCross ARN, Harris JW. Precedent in English law. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 1991 Google ScholarHealth and Safety Executive. Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. 1974. https://tinyurl.com/y9oaahp2 (accessed 21 May 2019) Google ScholarHealth and Safety Executive. Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992. 1992. https://tinyurl.com/czgjd7a (accessed 21 May 2019) Google ScholarHeil v Rankin, Court of Appeal, 13 June, 2000; [2000] EWCA Civ. 187 Google ScholarLaw Commission. Damages for personal injury: non-pecuniary loss. 1996. https://tinyurl.com/y5186qlz (accessed 21 May 2019) Google ScholarTelegraph. The Priory Group fined £300 000 by judge over death of teenage girl at psychiatric hospital. 2019. https://tinyurl.com/y4zrbwg5 Google Scholar FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsCited byNovel Coronavirus and Emerging Mental Health Issues—A Timely Analysis of Potential Consequences and Legal Policies Perspective28 January 2021 | Fudan Journal of the Humanities and Social Sciences, Vol. 14, No. 1Legal aspects of COVID-19 pandemic management for community nursesJohn Finch8 April 2020 | British Journal of Community Nursing, Vol. 25, No. 4 2 June 2019Volume 24Issue 6ISSN (print): 1462-4753ISSN (online): 2052-2215 Metrics History Accepted 1 June 2019 Published online 5 June 2019 Published in print 2 June 2019 Information© MA Healthcare LimitedPDF download

Flow cytometry for the analysis of virusneytralizing activity of antirabies serum and immunoglobulin drug

Here, we discuss development of f low cytometry technique for determining level of rabies antibodies in immune sera and immunoglobulin preparations, which is based on measuring fluorescence level in Vero cell line added with a mix of serially diluted anti-rabies serum or immunoglobulin preparation together with Moscow 3253 attenuated rabies virus strain, adapted for reproduction in cell lines. For this, rabies sera and immunoglobulin preparation were diluted 1:20 and 1:200 with PBS, respectively, whereas rabies virus was recommended for use at dose of 0.1 ID50/cell. Cell membrane fixation and permeabilization were performed by using a Cytoperm/Cytofix reagent (BD Pharmingen, USA) containing formaldehyde able to inactivate rabies virus, thus complying with biological safety regulations. Anti-rabies FITC-conjugated immunoglobulin (FGBI ARRIAH, Russia) was recommended for staining, that does not limit using similar reagents. Then, a f low cytometer equipped with a 20 mW argon laser (488 nm emission wavelength, throughput 500 cells per second) was used for analysis. Vero cells displaying a fluorescence intensity exceeding 10 arbitrary units were considered infected. Flow cytometry allows to precisely measure amount of experimental infected cells as well as degree of infection by evaluating cell f luorescence intensity. Amount of antibodies in the samples examined by us was calculated by building a calibration curve based on depicting data for a standard rabies immunoglobulin with activity of 30 IU/ml (NIBSC, Potters Bar, United Kingdom). A high correlation between the data obtained by us and results from other detection methods used to assess activity of anti-rabies preparations such as biological neutralization of rabies virus in white mice (0.92) and modified FAVN test (0.98) was demonstrated. The comparison of the results of the analysis of the level of rabies antibodies obtained using f low cytometry, and the results obtained in tests in vivo, was carried out for the first time. Moreover, it is worth noting that for the first time the level of anti-rabies antibodies assessed by f low cytometry and in vivo tests was compared. An opportunity to perform rapid and easy-to-do analysis on assessing amount of infected cells by measuring fluorescence intensity in f low cytometry assay would allow to apply this approach for quality control while developing and manufacturing immunobiological anti-rabies preparations.

Scientific consultation on the safety and containment of new poliovirus strains for vaccine production, clinical/regulatory testing and research. Report of a meeting held at NIBSC, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, UK, 6/7th July 2016

When poliomyelitis is totally eradicated from the natural world containment will be vital to prevent its re-emergence. The matter has become pressing as type 2 component of oral polio vaccine was completely withdrawn by May 2016 as wild ty[e 2 was declared eradicated. Work on polioviruses must be contained in accordance with GAPIII (the third version of the Global Action Plan of WHO). Some activities will be essential for years after eradication. Vaccine production and control, surveillance and supportive applied and academic research must all continue. Most laboratories do not currently comply with GAPIII and could not do so in the short term without disruption of essential activities including vaccine supply. The development and use of safer strains is raised in GAPIII and the meeting considered the strains available and the uses to which they could be put to facilitate compliance with the aims of GAPIII.

Setting their own goals

Pedagogy, curriculum and assessment all have equal weighting at Wroxham School in Potters Bar, where children enjoy a system of ‘choice and challenge’.

Correction for Wilton et al., Effect of Formaldehyde Inactivation on Poliovirus

Thomas Wilton,* Glynis Dunn, David Eastwood, Philip D. Minor, Javier Martin Divisions of Virology, and Biotherapeutics, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom Volume 88, no. 20, p. 11955–11964. Page 11955: The byline should appear as shown above. Page 11955, column 2, shaded box: The corresponding author e-mail and present address footnote should read “t.a.wilton@ btinternet.com” and “*Present address: Thomas Wilton, Crucell Holland B.V., Leiden, Netherlands.”

Measurement of non-coumarin anticoagulants and their effects on tests of Haemostasis: Guidance from the British Committee for Standards in Haematology.

Steve Kitchen, Elaine Gray, Ian Mackie, Trevor Baglin and Mike Makris on behalf of the BCSH committee Sheffield Haemophilia and Thrombosis Centre, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Sheffield, Haemostasis section, Biotherapeutics Group, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, Potters Bar, Haemostasis Research Unit, Department of Haematology, University College London, London, Department of Haematology, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, and Department of Cardiovascular Science, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK

Sir Alan Marshall Muir Wood FREng FICE. 8 August 1921 — 1 February 2009

Sir Alan Muir Wood was a civil engineer who gained worldwide recognition for his pioneering and innovative tunnelling design and construction. In the early years of his career he was much concerned with coastal erosion and landslides. Later he became involved in some of the world’s major tunnelling projects, among them the Potters Bar railway tunnels, the Clyde Tunnel, the Channel Tunnel and the 50-mile water-carrying Orange–Fish Tunnel in South Africa. Each project saw him pushing forwards innovation in different aspects of design. The cargo tunnel at Heathrow Airport has been described as his most influential design and a testament to his analytical skills, his creativity in design and his vast experience in the handling of the inevitable uncertainties and risks associated with tunnelling. As might be expected for such an innovative engineer he took a keen interest in research and in engineering education. He relished robust technical debate and intellectual challenge and, even after ‘retirement’, was regularly involved in construction litigation and arbitration, for which he developed a formidable reputation for his clarity of thought and penetrating evidence. Although extremely modest, he was a natural leader in his profession and was widely respected for his absolute integrity (being elected President of the Institution of Civil Engineers).

“Of Gods and Men”: Selected Print Media Coverage of Natural Disasters and Industrial Failures in Three Westminster Countries

This article examines selected print media coverage of a domestic natural disaster and domestic industrial failure in each of three Westminster countries: Australia, Canada, and the UK. It studies this coverage from several perspectives: the volume of coverage; the rate at which the articles were published; the tone of the headlines; and a content analysis of the perceived performance of key public and private institutions during and following the events. Its initial findings reveal that the natural disasters received more coverage than the industrial failures in each of the newspapers considered. There was also no significant difference in the publication rate across event type or newspaper. In each case, government was assessed at least as frequently and negatively as non-government actors, particularly during and following industrial failures. The manner in which government and non-government actors were assessed following these events suggests that, contrary to government claims that owners and operators of critical infrastructure (CI) are responsible for its successful operation, government in fact is “in the frame” as frequently as the industry owners and operators are. In addition, the negative assessments of governments following industrial failures in particular may prompt over-reaction by policy makers to industrial failures and under-reaction to natural disasters. This inconsistency is indeed ironic because the latter occur more often and cost more, both financially and socially. We reviewed 340 newspaper articles from three different newspapers: The Australian ’s coverage of the Canberra bushfires and the Waterfall train accident, The Globe and Mail ’s (Canada) coverage of Hurricane Juan and the de la Concorde overpass collapse, and The Daily Telegraph ’s (UK) coverage of the 2007 floods and the Potters Bar train wreck. Our sample size is small; our ability to compare across newspapers and countries limited. Further research is warranted.

Recent European Legal Developments on Second Medical Uses and Dosage Regimes

1Mylan, Albany Gate, Darkes Lane, Potters Bar, Herts, EN6 1AG, UK 2Innovate Legal, 107 Fleet Street, London EC4A 2AB, UK. *Author for correspondence: E-mail: fiona.bor@mylan.co.uk A short history of patenting second & further medical uses in Europe Patent applications made to the EPO are prosecuted according to the rules laid down in the European Patent Convention (EPC), the first iteration of which was the EPC 1973. This contains a provision, Article 52(4), which states that methods for the treatment of the human body by therapy are not to be regarded as inventions that are susceptible to industrial application. The original rationale behind this provision was to exempt the activities of physicians from patent infringement. Initially, ‘use’ claims purporting to protect a novel and inventive second or further medical use of an existing drug molecule were thought not to be available under the EPC 1973 because they were said to claim methods of treatment that were ‘deemed’ unsusceptible to industrial application under Article 52(4) and, therefore, unpatentable under the EPC 1973. However, in its landmark ruling in the Eisai/Second medical indication [1] case, the Enlarged Board of Appeal of the EPO ruled that the EPC 1973 did not exclude second and further medical indications of existing products from patent protection. The Enlarged Board decided that a claim for a second medical use would be valid if phrased in the form set out in a statement of practice issued by the Swiss Federal IPO, namely, “the use of compound X in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of disease Y ” [2]. This type of claim became known in the jargon of patent attorneys as a ‘Swiss’-type claim. For the purpose of grant, the EPO considered claim wording in Swiss form not to give rise to a contravention of Article 52(4), based on the somewhat artificial premise that the claim was for the ‘manufacture’ of a substance and not to a method of treatment. Following the decision in Eisai, not only were novel and inventive second and further medical uses of existing molecules deemed patentable but, in addition, it was subsequently held that patentable inventions could also include a new formulation or dosage regime of an existing drug product.

Special issue in quantitative mass spectrometric proteomics

Proteomics research has increased exponentially since the 1980s upon the simultaneous and continuous development of biochemical purification and chromatography separation techniques, ionisation sources, fast scanning high mass accuracy mass spectrometers and bioinformatic tools. Completion of the human genome project in 2003 was instrumental in advancing research in this field by creating access to more complete protein sequence information. In order for molecules to be analysed by mass spectrometry, they have to be ionised in an ionisation source prior to entering the mass spectrometer. In 2002, Koichi Tanaka and John Fenn jointly won the Nobel Prize in chemistry for the development of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation (MALDI) and electrospray ionisation (ESI) sources, respectively. In the 1980s Koichi Kanaka, Franz Hillencamp, and Michael Karas discovered that amino acids, proteins, and polypeptides could be ionised in a solid phase when mixed with a matrix and organic solvent, and laser ablated into a mass spectrometer (Karas et al. 1985; Tanaka et al. 1988; Hillenkamp et al. 1991; Beavis and Chait 1996). MALDI was particularly useful for the analysis of proteins subjected to endopeptidase digestion that generates peptides of specific mass, which can then be compared to a protein or genomic database to determine the identity of the protein (Yates et al. 1993; Cottrell 1994). This analysis is termed peptide mass finger printing (PMF). The concurrent development of electrospray ionisation (ESI) sources facilitated the analysis of biological macromolecules in liquid phase (Whitehouse et al. 1985). In this method molecules are ionised upon the application of a voltage to a capillary. In the charging process molecules are desolvated by electrospray dispersion and enter the mass spectrometer. ESI enabled the online analysis of molecules, including proteins and peptides, separated and purified by liquid chromatography. Development of nanoscale high performance liquid chromatography (nanoHPLC) meant that samples in the femtomole range could be analysed thereby significantly increasing analytical sensitivity. In addition, during the last decade major technological improvements of mass spectrometers have been made. In particular, the development of Thermofisher’s hybrid linear ion trap/orbitrap mass spectrometers and new generation Q-TOFs in 2005 was a breakthrough. These instruments fast-scan and measure the mass of ions with a mass accuracy at sub part per million levels significantly increasing the amount of ions that could be analysed and the sensitivity of their detection. These improvements led to a more accurate analysis of complex samples. Today in mass spectrometry these analyses are performed not only on the MS level where accurate masses of peptides are measured, but also on the tandem MS (MS/MS) level where peptides or proteins are fragmented in the gas-phase into various lengths mainly between amino acid residues that enable the determination of their sequence from either the N or C-termini. The resulting masses from MS and MS/ MS fragment ions spectra are matched with a protein sequence database with bioinformatic search engines. With all these ground-breaking advances, most of today’s biological mass spectrometrists work on developing applications while hardware improvements is now largely the realm of biotechnology companies. K. Barnouin (&) Protein Analysis and Proteomics Laboratory, Clare Hall Laboratories, London Research Institute, Cancer Research UK, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire EN6 3LD, UK e-mail: karin.barnouin@cancer.org.uk

Landscapes of diasporic religious belonging in the edge-city: the Jain temple at Potters Bar, outer London

This paper extends current debates about diaspora cities to the suburbs, arguing that new forms of diasporic religious architecture in suburban and edge-city locations are indicative of complex geographies of migration, settlement, mobility, transnational networks and diasporic material cultures. Drawing on a detailed analysis of the building of a new Jain Temple built in Potters' Bar, on the edge of London, by the Oshwal Community of Jains, we argue that the temple reflects the distinctive hybridities of new suburban faith spaces. The paper also illustrates some of the conflicts between diasporic faith groups and other suburbanites which are shaped by contested narratives of distinctively suburban landscapes and society.

Value assignment of the WHO 6th International Standard for blood coagulation factor VIII and von Willebrand factor in plasma (07/316).

Value assignment of the WHO 6th International Standard for blood coagulation factor VIII and von Willebrand factor in plasma (07/316).

Tetanus toxoid purification: Chromatographic procedures as an alternative to ammonium-sulphate precipitation

Given an existing demand to establish a process of tetanus vaccine production in a way that allows its complete validation and standardization, this paper focuses on tetanus toxoid purification step. More precisely, we were looking at a possibility to replace the widely used ammonium-sulphate precipitation by a chromatographic method. Based on the tetanus toxin's biochemical characteristics, we have decided to examine the possibility of tetanus toxoid purification by hydrophobic chromatography, and by chromatographic techniques based on interaction with immobilized metal ions, i.e. chelating chromatography and immobilized metal affinity chromatography. We used samples obtained from differently fragmented crude tetanus toxins by formaldehyde treatment (assigned as TTd-A and TTd-B) as starting material for tetanus toxoid purification. Obtained results imply that purification of tetanus toxoid by hydrophobic chromatography represents a good alternative to ammonium-sulphate precipitation. Tetanus toxoid preparations obtained by hydrophobic chromatography were similar to those obtained by ammonium-sulphate precipitation in respect to yield, purity and immunogenicity. In addition, their immunogenicity was similar to standard tetanus toxoid preparation (NIBSC, Potters Bar, UK). Furthermore, the characteristics of crude tetanus toxin preparations had the lowest impact on the final purification product when hydrophobic chromatography was the applied method of tetanus toxoid purification. On the other hand, purifications of tetanus toxoid by chelating chromatography or immobilized metal affinity chromatography generally resulted in a very low yield due to not satisfactory tetanus toxoid binding to the column, and immunogenicity of the obtained tetanus toxoid-containing preparations was poor.

Generation of a Family-specific Phage Library of Llama Single Chain Antibody Fragments That Neutralize HIV-1

Recently, we described llama antibody fragments (VHH) that can neutralize human immunodeficiency virus, type 1 (HIV-1). These VHH were obtained after selective elution of phages carrying an immune library raised against gp120 of HIV-1 subtype B/C CN54 with soluble CD4. We describe here a new, family-specific approach to obtain the largest possible diversity of related VHH that compete with soluble CD4 for binding to the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein. The creation of this family-specific library of homologous VHH has enabled us to isolate phages carrying similar nucleotide sequences as the parental VHH. These VHH displayed varying binding affinities and neutralization phenotypes to a panel of different strains and subtypes of HIV-1. Sequence analysis of the homologs showed that the C-terminal three amino acids of the CDR3 loop were crucial in determining the specificity of these VHH for different subtype C HIV-1 strains. There was a positive correlation between affinity of VHH binding to gp120 of HIV-1 IIIB and the breadth of neutralization of diverse HIV-1 envelopes. The family-specific approach has therefore allowed us to better understand the interaction of the CD4-binding site antibodies with virus strain specificity and has potential use for the bioengineering of antibodies and HIV-1 vaccine development.

Rail Safety and Rail Privatization

Abstract Privatisation of the state-owned British railway system was completed in 1997. The following 6 years saw four serious fatal train accidents, leading to 49 deaths. These were the train collisions at Southall in 1997 and Ladbroke Grove in 1999, each caused by trains passing red signals, and the derailments at Hatfield in 2000 and Potters Bar in 2002, each caused by defective track. Has safety been compromised by the sell-off of the railways? Andrew Evans looks at the evidence and asks has privatisation led to more accidents?

Signal Processing for Remote Condition Monitoring of Railway Points

Abstract: The dependability of railway points (turnouts or switches) is a key part of any railway system; the Potters Bar crash (10 May 2002) in the UK, which led to seven fatalities is a key example of a failure of this subsystem. Present maintenance of points involves overly frequent inspection by maintenance staff. A remote condition monitoring approach would lead to more efficient inspection routines and directed anticipatory maintenance trips. To assist the creation of a suitable fault‐detection algorithm, the authors analysed existing force and current data for the ‘as commissioned’ case of a turnout and for situations with different fault conditions. Signal processing of this data revealed several different methods that can be used to distinguish between fully functioning points, and different fault conditions of the points. Specifically, clustering of statistical parameters and their application to wavelet levels and coefficients, provided clear discrimination of most critical faults. This demonstrates a good first step towards a condition monitoring‐based maintenance regime for points that is both safer for passengers and maintenance personnel and that has the potential to be more effective and economical.

A systemic analysis of railway accidents

Over the last 15 years many railway accidents have happened in Britain and worldwide. Following these train accidents, there has been a large amount of public debate about safety management on the British railways. These accidents have raised issues regarding the effectiveness of the safety management of the railway system. This paper presents a summary of the results of a preliminary systemic analysis of several British rail accidents, i.e. those at Clapham Junction (1988), Paddington (1999), Hatfield (2000), Selby (2001), and Potters Bar (2002). It also includes the train accident at Eschede, Germany (1998). It is hoped that this systemic analysis will help to identify ‘learning points’, which are relevant for preventing accidents in the railway industry. The model is described in the context of the British railway industry. However, the model itself is general and not specific to any particular country.

Maturation and Release of Interleukin-1β by Lipopolysaccharide-primed Mouse Schwann Cells Require the Stimulation of P2X7 Receptors

The P2X7 receptor, mainly expressed by immune cells, is a ionotropic receptor activated by high concentration of extracellular ATP. It is involved in several processes relevant to immunomodulation and inflammation. Among these processes, the production of extracellular interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), a pro-inflammatory cytokine, plays a major role in the activation of the cytokine network. We have investigated the role of P2X7 receptor and of an associated calcium-activated potassium conductance (BK channels) in IL-1beta maturation and releasing processes by Schwann cells. Lipopolysaccharide-primed Schwann cells synthesized large amounts of pro-IL-1beta but did not release detectable amounts of pro or mature IL-1beta. ATP on its own had no effect on the synthesis of pro-IL-1beta, but a co-treatment with lipopolysaccharide and ATP led to the maturation and the release of IL-1beta by Schwann cells. Both mechanisms were blocked by oxidized ATP. IL-1beta-converting enzyme (ICE), the caspase responsible for the maturation of pro-IL-1beta in IL-1beta, was activated by P2X7 receptor stimulation. The specific inhibition of ICE by the caspase inhibitor Ac-Tyr-Val-Ala-Asp-aldehyde blocked the maturation of IL-1beta. In searching for a link between the P2X7 receptor and the activation of ICE, we found that enhancing potassium efflux from Schwann cells upregulated the production of IL-1beta, while strongly reducing potassium efflux led to opposite effects. Blocking BK channels actually modulated IL-1beta release. Taken together, these results show that P2X7 receptor stimulation and associated BK channels, through the activation of ICE, leads to the maturation and the release of IL-1beta by immune-challenged Schwann cells.

Report of a WHO workshop on the standardization and control of antivenoms

A workshop to discuss progress in the standardization and control of antivenoms, organized by the Quality Assurance and Safety of Biologicals Unit of WHO, was held at the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, Potters Bar, England, 7–9 February 2001. This was the first meeting convened by the WHO on this subject since 1979 and it brought together experts from academic institutions, antivenom manufacturers and national regulatory authorities from 21 countries. The meeting reviewed antivenom production and quality control measures and special consideration was given to the current crisis in antivenom production and supply in sub-Saharan Africa. The importance of snake bite and scorpion stings as public health issues was re-emphasised. The majority of commercial antivenoms are raised against snake or scorpion venoms. The review of antivenom production methods indicated that the vast majority of commercial antivenoms were still produced by traditional technology in horses, although some antisera were raised in sheep and rabbits. Methods used for plasma fractionation included salt and heat coagulation, caprylic acid stabilization or ion exchange chromatography, as well as immunoglobulin digestion with pepsin to produce F(ab′) 2 or with papain to produce Fab fragments. The meeting agreed that there was much room for improving the production, quality control and safety profile of these products and that lessons could be learnt from the experience gained with the preparation of human immunoglobulins. Many basic assumptions, such as the need to remove Fc fragments by enzyme digestion and to freeze–dry antivenom preparations, required critical re-examination and more attention should be given to clinical trials as a means of assessing efficacy and safety and of defining the average initial dose. The Workshop also discussed concerns about the risks of transmitting infectious agents to humans via animal blood products, especially those posed by viruses or prions and it was agreed that this aspect needed attention. However, there was no documented or even suspected example of this ever having occurred in the case of antivenom treatment. Current WHO Requirements for the production and control of antivenoms and for immune sera of animal origin date from the late 1960s. The Workshop recommended that these be updated to take account of the progress that had taken place in the production and quality control of biologicals in recent years. In addition, the Workshop discussed the need for better standardization of both the venoms and antivenoms, but concluded that international standards and reference materials were not appropriate in the antivenom field due to the considerable variation in venom characteristics from the same species from region to region. Instead, it was recommended that national or regional standards be prepared and used.

Future perspectives for biotechnology products: Regulatory and therapeutic implications: [formula omitted] National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, South Mimms, Potters Bar, Herts, EN6 3QG, UK

Future perspectives for biotechnology products: Regulatory and therapeutic implications: [formula omitted] National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, South Mimms, Potters Bar, Herts, EN6 3QG, UK