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The effect of different sizes of structure directing agents on the ordering of the fluoride ions in pure silica MFI zeolites has been determined using magic angle spinning solid state NMR. By synthesizing fluoride containing pure silica MFI zeolites using methyltributylammonium cations as the structure directing agent, it has been possible to change the type of ordering seen for the fluoride ions at room temperature from the previously reported dynamic to static disorder. An initial mechanism for how this fluoride ordering occurs is suggested based upon the coulombic interaction between the positive charge on the nitrogen and the negative fluoride ion, within the zeolite framework, with different sizes of tetraalkylammonium cations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background A randomized, masked, 2-arm parallel trial was conducted to assess the efficacy of a M oraxella bovis ( M . bovis) autogenous vaccine to prevent naturally occurring infectious bovine keratoconjunctivis ( IBK) in beef calves. Hypothesis The null hypothesis was that treatment group was not associated with either risk of IBK or last observed weight. Animals The trial was conducted between May and November 2009 and 2010 on a university-owned farm in Iowa. The vaccine contained 2 randomly selected M . bovis from IBK cases that occurred at the farm in 2008. Calves born between January and May 2009 and 2010 without visible corneal lesions were randomly allocated to receive vaccine (n = 191) or placebo (n = 178). Methods Two SC doses were administered 21-28 days apart. Allocation to treatment was concealed using bottles marked A or B. Staff observing the animals for IBK could not determine the treatment grouping. The herd met the 'at-risk' criteria (ie, >15% IBK in unvaccinated calves and M. bovis detection in IBK cases). Analysis was 'per-protocol'. Results The risk of IBK was 58/185 (31%) in vaccinated calves and 66/173 (38%) in unvaccinated calves (adjusted risk ratio = 0.78; 95% CI, 0.49-1.24). Average weight before sale did not differ between the vaccinated calves (196.6 kg, SD ± 39.9) and unvaccinated calves (198.1 kg, SD ± 42.7) ( P value = .19). No adverse effects were noted. Conclusion and Clinical Importance Combination of the study results with previous studies suggests that autogenous M. bovis vaccines often are ineffective in controlling naturally occurring IBK. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Christmas and New Year festivities notoriously result in increased attendance at emergency departments (EDs). The knock-on effect of this in Solihull, in the West Midlands, is that, when ambulance staff and police accompany patients to hospital, the locality is temporarily under-resourced by these services. To address this problem, a collaborative project was implemented to enable advanced clinical practitioners, with consultant support, to assess, treat and potentially discharge patients from a specially constructed emergency facility situated in Solihull town centre. This has reduced the number of ED admissions and transfers, and resulted in significant cost and time savings for the ambulance service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "ECA Rejects Plans to Abolish Four-Hour Service Standard," by N. Lipley in the 2010 issue.

The article focuses on a study related to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) that is the optimal reperfusion strategy for acute STEMI. A major shift in cardiology practice will be necessary to provide a countrywide primary PCI service for Great Britain. Researchers sought to examine the feasibility and impact of delivering a daytime primary PCI service in a large district hospital admitting 250 STEMIs per year. The centre has a single cardiac catheter laboratory with a throughput of 1650 diagnostic and 600 interventions procedures in 2002 covered by off-site cardiac surgery.

A letter to the editor is presented providing the solution to a mathematical problem.