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Introduction: Research in intensive care is necessary for the continuing advancement of patient care. In research, informed consent is considered essential for patient protection. In intensive care, the modalities of informed consent are currently being debated by both lawyers and the medical community. The preferences of patients and their relatives regarding informed consent for research in intensive care have never been assessed. The aim of this study was to investigate these preferences. Methods: A pilot study conducted via a questionnaire mailed to patients and relatives who had experienced intensive care. Results: 52/400 patient-relative pairs completed the questionnaire fully. If the patient was imagined to be conscious, 75% of patients and 77% of relatives believed the patient should be the person who should consent. If the patient was imagined to be unconscious, 72% of patients and 67% of relatives thought that a relative should be asked to consent. The majority of responders thought that at least two persons should consent. Their answers were concordant in 61-80% of cases, depending on the question. Patients (25%) and relatives (30%) did not feel free in their decision to participate in a study. The majority of patients and relatives wanted to consent by writing, indifferently with or without a witness. Conclusion: Patients are willing to decide on their own participation in a study. If they lose their capacity to decide for themselves, in the great majority of cases, they would agree to delegate the decision to a relative. J Med Ethics 2009:35:709-712. doi: 10.1136/jme.2009.028068

This study examined the relationships between individual sow aggressive behavior and sow welfare, based on aggression, skin injuries, and stress, in a total of 275 pregnant domestic sows. Over 4 time replicates, sows were randomly mixed into groups of 10 (floor space of 1.8 m2/sow) within 7 d of insemination in both their first and second gestations (200 sows per gestation with 126 sows observed in both gestations). Measurements were taken on aggression (both delivered and received) at feeding, skin injuries, and plasma cortisol concentrations at d 2, 9, and 51 after mixing. Live weight gain, nonreproductive removals, litter size (born alive, total born, and stillborn piglets), and farrowing rate were also recorded. In both the first and the second gestations, sows were classified at d 2 after mixing as “submissive” (delivered little or no aggression at feeding relative to aggression received), “subdominant” (received more aggression at feeding than delivered), and “dominant” (delivered more aggression at feeding than received). In both gestations, sows classified as dominant at d 2 subsequently delivered more (gestation 1, P< 0.01; gestation 2, P< 0.01) and received less (gestation 1, P< 0.01; gestation 2, P< 0.01) aggression and gained the most weight (gestation 1, P< 0.01; gestation 2, P< 0.01). Dominant sows had the least skin injuries throughout gestation 1 (P= 0.04), and although submissive sows sustained the most skin injuries at d 9 and 51 of gestation 2, at d 2 the classifications did not differ in skin injuries (P< 0.01). Subdominant sows had the highest cortisol concentrations at d 2 of gestation 2, but there were no differences between classifications at d 9 and 51 in either gestation (gestation 1, P> 0.05; gestation 2, P= 0.02). There were no significant relationships between aggression classification and reproduction and nonreproductive removals (P> 0.05). In conclusion, sows classified as dominant at feeding at d 2 subsequently received less aggression at feeding, sustained fewer skin injuries, and had higher live weight gain. Submissive and subdominant sows in groups are likely to benefit from the provision of increased resources such as space and access to feed.

Factors that have been shown to impact the welfare of group-housed sows are discussed in this review. Floor space allowance markedly affects sow welfare. In addition to quantity of floor space, the quality of space is important: spatial separation between sows can be provided with visual or physical barriers and stalls. Whereas 1.4 m2/sow is insufficient, further research is required to examine space effects in the range of 1.8 to 2.4 m2/sow in more detail. The period immediately after mixing has the most pronounced effects on aggression and stress, and therefore, well-designed mixing pens offer the opportunity to reduce aggression, injury, and stress while allowing the social hierarchy to quickly form. Because hunger is likely to lead to competition for feed or access to feeding areas, strategies to reduce hunger between meals through higher feeding levels, dietary fiber, or foraging substrate should be examined. However, feeding systems, such as full-body feeding stalls, can also affect aggression and stress by providing protection at feeding, but deriving conclusions on this topic is difficult because research directly comparing floor feeding, feeding stalls, and electronic sow feeder systems has not been conducted. Familiar sows engage in less aggression, so mixing sows that have been housed together in the previous gestation may reduce aggression. Although there is evidence in other species that early experience may affect social skills later in life, there are few studies on the effects of early “socialization” on aggressive behavior of adult sows. Genetic selection has the potential to reduce aggression, and therefore, continued research on the opportunity to genetically select against aggressiveness and its broader implications is required. Most research to date has examined mixing sows after insemination and knowledge on grouping after weaning is limited.

The safety and efficacy of ofloxacin, 400 mg orally, were compared with those of amoxicillin, 3.0 g, plus probenecid, 1.0 g orally, as single-dose therapy in 201 heterosexual patients (101 men and 100 women) with uncomplicated gonococcal infection. Treatment groups were comparable in age, duration of symptoms, number of sexual partners within the previous month, and number of previous episodes of sexually transmitted diseases. The cure rate for men treated with ofloxacin was 98% (47 of 48), and that for women was 100% (52 of 52). Cure rates for both men and women treated with amoxicillin-probenecid were 96% (51 of 53 men; 46 of 48 women). All 13 patients with positive rectal cultures and 7 of 8 patients with positive pharyngeal cultures treated with ofloxacin were cured. Neither regimen reliably eradicated coexistent infection with Chlamydia trachomatis. The MIC of ofloxacin for all but two of 198 pretreatment isolates was 0.3 microgram/ml or less. The MIC of amoxicillin for 90% of isolates tested was 1.0 microgram/ml. Single oral doses of ofloxacin and of amoxicillin plus probenecid were equally effective for treatment of urethral and cervical gonorrhea. Ofloxacin appears promising as treatment for rectal and pharyngeal infection, but studies with larger numbers of patients with rectal or pharyngeal infection or both are required for confirmation. Relative contraindications in children and possibly pregnant women plus the potential for single-step, high-level resistance may limit the usefulness of quinolone therapy for gonorrhea.

Examines five of the hottest motor boats around that are fun, fast and affordable. Bayliner 2051 Capri; Formula 252 Bowrider; Sea Ray 240 Overnighter; ChrisCraft Concept 258; Wellcraft Nova 200.

Offers a preview of some of the hottest boating gear for summer. Zeiss's marine binoculars; Several medical packs designed by Medical Sea Pak; The Air Support Jacket by Mustang.

Offers a look at Regal's new Ventura 8.3 SE, a 27-foot sportboat that can be used for cruising. Engine; Performance; The cuddy cabin; Cockpit; Price.

Describes Jeantot Marine's new Privilege 482, a 48-foot sailing catamaran. The cockpit; Cabin; Performance; Engines; Lack of heel; Price.

Focuses on hovercrafts which are getting closer to mainstream boating. The many virtues of hovering; Growing number of companies that offer Coast Guard-approved, turn-key production models; How they work; Prices of some that are currently available.

Takes a look at 11 of the best new powerboats and sailboats ranging from 24 to 55 feet. Intrepid 30; Hunter 43; Florida Bay Coaster 55; Albin 24.

Takes a look at some of the most innovative gear from the Chicago (trade-only) boat show. Brite Lite, a submersible spotlight; The Softouch line, a new mooring line that has a spring in its center to act as a shock absorber; Boston Whaler's new 14-foot Jetboat.

Recounts a cruise aboard a new Pacemaker 37 Convertible motorboat from New Jersey to Minnesota. Description of the boat; The boat's performance; Cruising on the Great Lakes.

Recounts the authors' trip on Yamaha personal watercraft across Florida's Okeechobee Waterway. They discovered alligators, backwoods Florida and a whole new way of cruising.

Describes the newest marine innovation, the Airfish manufactured by Flarecraft. This vessel cruises above the water at 70 miles per hour and will become available to the public early next year.

Presents a preview of one of the season's newest cruising boats, the Regal Commodore 380. Performance; Helm station; Below deck; Engines.

Highlights the best ideas from this year's New York boat show. Standard's new HX230S VHF; Sevylor's Ski-Hawk, an ideal skiing device for beginners; Azimuth 314AC, KVH's latest and most advanced digital compass.

Presents a roundup of this year's hot new inflatables. Avon's Rover R.250; Achilles LSR-4; Bombard's AX 300 and AX 400; Novurania's MX 650; Zodiac's ProJet; More.

Focuses on the Euphorie, a 40-foot power catamaran from Jeantot Marine of France. Advantages of a catamaran; Hull composition; The large amount of open spaces; Safety features; The absence of roll; Cabin.

Presents a preview of next year's most innovative gear selected from the best at the Chicago boat show. Nite Tracker's cordless spotlight; Heads Up flotation devices by Stearns; The Eliminator from BoatSafe, an electronic control that starts yourbilge blower when the engine drops beneath a certain rpm.

Examines the sleek new 60-foot 600 Super Sun Sport express cruiser by Sea Ray. With this boat Sea Ray enters the express market, formerly thriving on smaller, less luxurious boats. Description of cockpit; Performance; Engine; Interior.

Examines boating in Lake Michigan's premier port, Chicago, in a Cruisers 2870 Holiday. Description of the boat; Upgrading of the harbor; Types of boats seen here. INSET: Boating events.;Chicago's hot spots..

Looks back at Sam and Irene Jacob's 35,000-mile odyssey by boat from San Francisco to Maine. The boat; Length of cruise so far; Amusing tales.

Beta-lactamase-negative Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections were treated with single-dose cefoperazone (0.5 or 1.0 g) or spectinomycin (2.0 g). Anogenital infections were cured in 36 (83%) of 43 volunteers given 0.5 g of cefoperazone, 61 of 61 volunteers given 1.0 g of cefoperazone, and 99 of 100 volunteers given spectinomycin. The cefoperazone geometric mean MIC for 242 isolates was 0.028 microgram/ml. Cefoperazone (1.0 g) and spectinomycin (2.0 g) are comparable for the therapy of anogenital gonorrhea in men.

Presents a preview of one of the season's newest cruising boats, the Tiara 4300 Open. Exterior options; Cabin.

Examines Mainship's 35 Open Bridge boat that combines Eurostyle with comfort. Helm station; Cabin; Quality features.

Single 500-mg intramuscular doses of imipenem-cilastatin cured 116 (95%) of 122 men and 9 of 9 women with uncomplicated gonorrhea due to beta-lactamase-negative Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Most co-existing Chlamydia trachomatis infections persisted. Imipenem-cilastatin is effective for uncomplicated gonorrhea in men but has no advantages over other available regimens.

The article evaluates the 340 CR cruise boat from Crownline.

The article evaluates the Targa 185 Sport boat from Tracker.

Takes a look at Carver's new 26 Command Bridge cruiser. Engine; Performance; Cabin; Optional cabin helm station.

Evaluates the new Regal Valanti 260, an express cruiser built for the weekend boater. Engine; Helm station; Cabin.

Examines Altech's new 44 sportfisherman. Flybridge, Cockpit; Engines; Cabin.

Examines the new 31L Boston Whaler sportfishing boat. Engine; How the cockpit cabin, engine layout, and helm station have been revised; Features that would delight any serious angler.

Examines the new Viking 58 motor boat. Renovations made; Hull; Interior; Engine; Cockpit.