Objective: This study aimed to use an air-liquid interface (ALI) exposure system to simulate the inhalation exposure of motorcycle exhaust particulates (MEPs) and then investigate the benchmark dose (BMD) of MEPs by evaluating cell relative viability (CRV) in lung epithelial BEAS-2B cells. Methods: The MEPs dose was characterized by measuring the number concentration (NC), surface area concentration (SAC), and mass concentration (MC). BEAS-2B cells were exposed to MEPs at different concentrations Results: Our results reveal that BMD of NC and SAC were estimated by the best-fitting Hill model, while MC was estimated by Polynomial model. The BMDL for CRV following ALI exposure to MEPs were as follows: 364.2#/cm Conclusion These results indicate that MEPs exposure
Benchmarking/statistics & numerical data* ; Bronchi/physiology* ; Cell Line ; Cell Survival/drug effects* ; Epithelial Cells/physiology* ; Humans ; Motorcycles ; Particulate Matter/adverse effects* ; Vehicle Emissions/analysis*

Nephrectomy is the cornerstone therapy for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and continued refinement of the procedure through research may enhance patient outcomes. A national nephrectomy registry may provide the key information needed to assess the procedure at a national level. The aim of this study was to review nephrectomy data available at a population-based level in Australia and to benchmark these data against data from the rest of the world as an examination of the national nephrectomy registry model. A PubMed search identified records pertaining to RCC nephrectomy in Australia. A similar search identified records relating to established nephrectomy registries internationally and other surgical registries of clinical importance. These records were reviewed to address the stated aims of this article. Population-based data within Australia for nephrectomy were lacking. Key issues identified were the difficulty in benchmarking outcomes and no ongoing monitoring of trends. The care centralization debate, which questions whether small-volume centers provide comparable outcomes to high-volume centers, is ongoing. Patterns of adherence and the effectiveness of existing protocols are uncertain. A review of established international registries demonstrated that the registry model can effectively address issues comparable to those identified in the Australian literature. A national nephrectomy registry could address deficiencies identified in a given nation's nephrectomy field. The model is supported by evidence from international examples and will provide the population-based data needed for studies. Scope exists for possible integration with other registries to develop a more encompassing urological or surgical registry. Need remains for further exploration of the feasibility and practicalities of initiating such a registry including a minimum data set, outcome indicators, and auditing of data.
Australia ; Benchmarking ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell/*surgery ; Guideline Adherence ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms/*surgery ; Models, Theoretical ; Nephrectomy/*standards/*statistics & numerical data ; Practice Guidelines as Topic ; *Registries ; Treatment Outcome

AIMTo improve workflow and usability by introduction of a new electronic patient record (EPR) and database.

METHODSEstablishment of an EPR based on open source technology (MySQL database and PHP scripting language) in a tertiary care andrology center at a university clinic. Workflow analysis, a benchmark comparing the two systems and a survey for usability and ergonomics were carried out.

RESULTSWorkflow optimizations (electronic ordering of laboratory analysis, elimination of transcription steps and automated referral letters) and the decrease in time required for data entry per patient to 71%+/-27%, P<0.05, lead to a workload reduction. The benchmark showed a significant performance increase (highest with starting the respective system: 1.3+/-0.2 s vs. 11.1+/-0.2 s, mean+/-SD). In the survey, users rated the new system at least two ranks higher over its predecessor (P<0.01) in all sub-areas.

CONCLUSIONWith further improvements, today's EPR can evolve to substitute paper records, saving time (and possibly costs), supporting user satisfaction and expanding the basis for scientific evaluation when more data is electronically available. Newly introduced systems should be versatile, adaptable for users, and workflow-oriented to yield the highest benefit. If ready-made software is purchased, customization should be implemented during rollout.

Andrology ; organization & administration ; Benchmarking ; Databases as Topic ; standards ; Ergonomics ; Germany ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Male ; Medical Records Systems, Computerized ; standards ; Outpatient Clinics, Hospital ; organization & administration ; Systems Analysis ; User-Computer Interface ; Work Simplification ; Workload ; statistics & numerical data

Animals ; Benchmarking ; methods ; statistics & numerical data ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Humans ; Models, Statistical ; No-Observed-Adverse-Effect Level ; Risk Assessment ; methods ; statistics & numerical data ; Toxicology ; methods