Small-conductance (KCa2.1-2.3) and intermediate-conductance (KCa3.1) calcium-activated K ϩ channels are critically involved in modulating calcium-signaling cascades and membrane potential in both excitable and nonexcitable cells. Activators of these channels constitute useful pharmacological tools and potential new drugs for the treatment of ataxia, epilepsy, and hypertension. Here, we used the neuroprotectant riluzole as a template for the design of KCa2/3 channel activators that are potent enough for in vivo studies.

Background Nurse staffing interventions have been introduced across countries in recent years in response to changing patient requirements, developments in patient care, and shortages of qualified nursing staff. These include changes in skill mix, grade mix or qualification mix, staffing levels, nursing shifts or nurses' work patterns. Nurse staffing has been closely linked to patient outcomes, organisational outcomes such as costs, and staff-related outcomes. Objectives Our aim was to explore the effect of hospital nurse staffing models on patient and staff-related outcomes.

The femtosecond laser did not add to the endothelial damage caused by cataract surgery and might be beneficial in eyes with low preoperative endothelial cell values (eg, cornea guttata cases).

Interventions for pre-frail and frail older adults should include multi-component exercises, including in particular resistance training, as well as aerobic, balance and flexibility tasks. Future research should adopt a consistent definition of frailty and investigate the effects of other types of exercise alone or in combination with nutritional interventions so that more specific recommendations can be made.

The use of the femtosecond laser-assisted system in cataract surgery led to a lower EPT compared to the standard procedure.

Prostaglandins rise immediately after femtosecond laser treatment. Future patients should perhaps be treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to maintain mydriasis before undergoing femto-second laser treatment for cataract surgery.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the implementation of a TeamSTEPPS (Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety) program at an Australian mental health facility. Design, setting and participants: TeamSTEPPS is an evidence‐based teamwork training system developed in the United States. Five health care sites in South Australia implemented TeamSTEPPS using a train‐the‐trainer model over an 8‐month intervention period commencing January 2008 and concluding September 2008. A team of senior clinical staff was formed at each site to drive the improvement process. Independent researchers used direct observation and questionnaire surveys to evaluate the effectiveness of the implementation in three outcome areas: observed team behaviours; staff attitudes and opinions; and clinical performance and outcome. The results reported here focus on one site, an inpatient mental health facility. Main outcome measures: Team knowledge, skills and attitudes; patient safety culture; incident reporting rates; seclusion rates; observation for the frequency of use of TeamSTEPPS tools. Results: Outcomes included restructuring of multidisciplinary meetings and the introduction of structured communication tools. The evaluation of patient safety culture and of staff knowledge, skills and attitudes (KSA) to teamwork and communication indicated a significant improvement in two dimensions of patient safety culture (frequency of event reporting, and organisational learning) and a 6.8% increase in the total KSA score. Clinical outcomes included reduced rates of seclusion. Conclusion: TeamSTEPPS implementation had a substantial impact on patient safety culture, teamwork and communication at an Australian mental health facility. It encouraged a culture of learning from patient safety incidents and making continuous improvements.

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