Inhibition of arachidonic acid metabolism and its implication on cell proliferation and tumour-angiogenesis

Arachidonic acid (AA) and its metabolites have recently generated a heightened interest due to growing evidence of their significant role in cancer biology. Thus, inhibitors of the AA cascade, first and foremost COX inhibitors, which have originally been of interest in the treatment of inflammatory conditions and certain types of cardiovascular disease, are now attracting attention as an arsenal against cancer. An increasing number of investigations support their role in cancer chemoprevention, although the precise molecular mechanisms that link levels of AA, and its metabolites, with cancer progression have still to be elucidated. This article provides an overview of the AA cascade and focuses on the roles of its inhibitors and their implication in cancer treatment. In particular, emphasis is placed on the inhibition of cell proliferation and neo-angiogenesis through inhibition of the enzymes COX-2, 5-LOX and CYP450. Downstream effects of inhibition of AA metabolites are analysed and the molecular mechanisms of action of a selected number of inhibitors of catalytic pathways reviewed. Lastly, the benefits of dietary omega-3 fatty acids and their mechanisms of action leading to reduced cancer risk and impeded cancer cell growth are mentioned. Finally, a proposal is put forward, suggesting a novel and integrated approach in viewing the molecular mechanisms and complex interactions responsible for the involvement of AA metabolites in carcinogenesis and the protective effects of omega-3 fatty acids in inflammation and tumour prevention

Adverse Event Investigation and Risk Assessment

AbstractThis chapter describes a comprehensive approach to adverse event investigation and risk assessment, as well as the characteristics of an integrated system for patient safety and clinical risk management. Drawing on evidence from other industries and healthcare organizations across the globe, the author's report how such a system can be developed with the active involvement of policy-makers, healthcare managers, health professionals, and patients. Human factors and ergonomics provide the theoretical framework in which the guiding principles, methods, and tools are selected and applied to identify, analyze, and prevent risks related to unsafe care in any healthcare setting

Interactive mechanism of working environments and construction behaviors with cognitive work analysis: an elevator installation case study.

Unsafe behavior is a leading factor in accidents, and working environment significantly affects behaviors. However, few studies have focused on detailed mechanisms for addressing unsafe behaviors resulting from environmental constraints. This study aims to delineate these mechanisms using cognitive work analysis (CWA) for a case study of elevator installation. Elevator installation was selected for study because it involves operations at heights: falls from heights remain a major cause of construction worker mortality. This study adopts a mixed research approach based on three research methodology stages. This research deconstructs the details of the working environment, workers' decision-making processes, the strategies chosen given environmental conditions, and the conceptual model for workers' behaviors, which jointly depict environment-behavior mechanisms at length. By applying CWA to the construction industry, environmental constraints can easily be identified, and targeted engineering suggestions can be generated