Providing feedback in research with human subjects.

Feedback provided to Ss and 3rd parties from intra- and extramural investigators following the completion of research involving an agency's clients or staff is described. Ss were from the division of a public health department that provides mental health and substance abuse services in a city with 740,000 people. The division's research requirements include submission of annual progress reports and final reports. Of 135 studies conducted over 12 yrs, annual reports were received from 37% of investigators, and final reports from 30%. There were no significant differences based on investigator discipline or affiliation. Professional and ethical implications are discussed, including adequacy of professional training, the need for mechanisms to ensure compliance with ethical standards, the obligations of clinic directors, and the impact on public academic liaison programs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Seroepidemiologic indicators for the evaluation of campaigns for the control of foot-and-mouth disease

A sero-epidemiological survey was conducted in two districts in Argentina between 1993 and 1995, to provide additional information on the epidemiology of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in Argentina and to assess the level of immunity in cattle populations, and the circulation of FMD virus. As part of the final stage of this survey, a comparison was made of the results obtained by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and agar gel immunodiffusion techniques. Levels of population immunity against the four types of virus included in the vaccine increased progressively during the period of the survey until, in 1995, at the end of the vaccination period, the percentage of animals possessing adequate levels of protection was approximately 77% in yearlings, and more than 94% in cattle over one year old. During the three-year study, there was a clear tendency for viral activity to diminish, until in 1995 when between 3% and 0.6% were positive to the agar gel immunodiffusion test for the antigen associated with viral infection. By contrast, the ELISA detected antibody in about five times as many animals. The authors show how the increase in the level of population immunity was accompanied by a fall in viral activity.