Relevant Safety Issues Research Articles

Rule–based reasoning and neural network perception for safe off–road robot mobility

Operational safety and health monitoring are critical matters for autonomous field mobile robots such as planetary rovers operating on challenging terrain. This paper describes relevant rover safety and health issues and presents an approach to maintaining vehicle safety in a mobility and navigation context. The proposed rover safety module is composed of two distinct components: safe attitude (pitch and roll) management and safe traction management. Fuzzy logic approaches to reasoning about safe attitude and traction management are presented, wherein inertial sensing of safety status and vision–based neural network perception of terrain quality are used to infer safe speeds of traversal. Results of initial field tests and laboratory experiments are also described. The approach provides an intrinsic safety cognizance and a capacity for reactive mitigation of robot mobility and navigation risks.

Eplerenone, a selective aldosterone blocker, in mild-to-moderate hypertension

Background Eplerenone, a selective aldosterone blocker (SAB) that is highly specific for the aldosterone receptor, has the potential to be efficacious in the treatment of hypertension. Methods This 8-week, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial assessed the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of eplerenone in eligible patients randomized to eplerenone 50, 100, or 400 mg once daily; eplerenone 25, 50, or 200 mg twice daily; spironolactone 50 mg twice daily; or placebo. The primary efficacy variable was the adjusted mean change in baseline to final visit for seated diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Results Of 417 randomized patients, 409 were evaluated for efficacy. The adjusted mean change from baseline to final visit in seated and standing systolic blood pressure (SBP) and DBP was significantly greater ( P < .05) in all eplerenone groups than in the placebo group. The adjusted mean change in 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) measurements of SBP and DBP also documented a 24-h duration significantly greater ( P < .05) than placebo in eplerenone-treated patients. For all measurements, the antihypertensive effect of eplerenone increased in a dose–response fashion. Eplerenone (100 mg) reduced BP by 75% compared with spironolactone (100 mg) and had an adverse events incidence rate similar to placebo. No antiandrogenic or progestational effects or clinically relevant safety issues were observed in eplerenone-treated patients. However, one spironolactone-treated patient reported menstrual irregularities. Conclusions Eplerenone doses of 50 to 400 mg once daily are well tolerated and effective in reducing BP in patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension during a 24-h period.

Bioflavonoids: Proanthocyanidins and Quercetin and Their Potential Roles in Treating Musculoskeletal Conditions

As a clinician treating musculoskeletal conditions, one is continually in search of safe and more effective treatment methods that will hasten tissue healing. Chronic inflammation has been shown to cause connective tissue degradation. Typically, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and/or corticosteroids are used to control the inflammatory process, however, long-term use has been associated with potentially serious side effects. The purpose of this article is to introduce and describe literature on 2 natural compounds, namely, proanthocyanidin (PCO) and quercetin, which are 2 specific types of bioflavonoids, and to discuss their potential benefits in treating musculoskeletal conditions. There is evidence to suggest that flavonoids may be beneficial to connective tissue for several reasons, which include the limiting of inflammation and associated tissue degradation, the improvement of local circulation, as well as the promoting of a strong collagen matrix. An overview of bioflavonoids as well as relevant research, safety issues, absorption, and specific sources of PCO and quercetin in foods and through supplementation is included.

CATHETER LOCKING SOLUTIONS

Avoidance of clotting in catheter lumens between treatments usually entails locking with an anticoagulant solution such as heparin. Catheter manufacturers specify internal volume of the catheters and it is commonly assumed that injection of this precise volume is safe and efficient. However, it has been shown that aPTT increases after instillation of the heparin lock volume specified by the manufacturer. We have investigated this phenomenon in-vitro, employing dye and saline dilution and found that injection of the catheter volume results in spillage of up to 15 % of the catheter volume into the patient's blood. Depending on fluid dynamics of the instillation process and catheter compliance, the concentration of the locking solution at the catheter tip is much reduced. Side holes contribute to the initial loss of the locking solution during injection is well as to the subsequent loss to flowing blood. Thus, the locking solution composition and instillation methods are relevant safety issues. These aspects are especially important for antimicrobial or antibiotic catheter locking solutions intended to prevent catheter related infection. Antibiotics and antibiotic/anticoagulant mixtures have the potential to promote bacterial resistance. Concentrated citric acid was sold previously as a lock solution but was withdrawn in the US market after a fatal overdose. In order to achieve uniform concentration of the locking solute throughout the catheter lumen, “overfilling” is necessary which is only sate if the systemic effect of the locking solution is negligible.

Safety aspects of novel foods

Cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops with benefits to farmers (pest resistance, herbicide tolerance) has rapidly gained adoption since 1996. Future GM crops are envisioned that will also provide health benefits to their consumers. To assess the food safety of GM crops, internationally recognised strategies have been developed. These strategies focus at the characteristics of the genetic modification process, the properties of newly expressed compounds and at possible alterations in composition of the new crop. Substantial equivalence has been proven to be an adequate guidance principle in order to identify relevant safety issues of GM crops. New profiling methods are described for the detection of unintended effects, which may occur in GM foods as a result of the genetic modification. These profiling techniques are of particular relevance for those food crops in which profound changes in metabolic pathways may have taken place as a result of the genetic modification process.

Evaluation of Mining Activities Using a Scenario Interview Approach

NIOSH researchers have been examining underground coal mining activities in order to evaluate work crew hazards. In 1994 a continuous mining machine operator was killed by falling roof during extended cut mining. Many aspects of the incident were used by NIOSH researchers to develop a scenario interview. The goal was to provide a realistic framework for acquiring frank and detailed insights. The interview consists of two sections. The first describes the underground mining conditions. The second recounts the fatal incident. Each section is supplemented by a diagram and a set of questions addressing relevant safety issues. The interview was administered at three mines that actively take extended cuts. Researchers found the scenario approach to be an effective interview tool as well as an effective hazard awareness and safe work practices training platform.

Exemplifying guidelines for preparation of recombinant DNA products in phase I trials in cancer: preparation of a genetically engineered anti-CEA single chain Fv antibody.

Products of recombinant DNA technology have potential for the diagnosis or treatment of cancer. There is a need to investigate whether they function by the intended mechanism in small phase I clinical trials before their suitability for more extensive studies can be assessed. Quality and safety of these products should be assured prior to their use in humans in a way which is appropriate to the preliminary nature of the trials but not inhibitory to progress. The Cancer Research Campaign control recommendations for products derived from recombinant DNA technology (Begent RHJ and associates. Eur J Cancer 1993, 29A, 13, 1907-1910) provide guidelines for the production of new biotechnology products in academic research units within a relatively short time, while ensuring appropriate quality and safety. The practical application of the guidelines requires that solutions are found for the quality and safety issues during the production of recombinant products. We describe an approach to the relevant quality and safety issues during and after the production and purification of a genetically engineered anti-carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) single chain Fv (scFv) antibody for a phase I trial of radioimmunoguided surgery with the intention of providing a model for other products.