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Copyright of Canadian Journal of Plant Science is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Paleopathology, or the study of ancient injuries and diseases, can enable the ecology and life history of extinct taxa to be deciphered. Large‐bodied ornithopods are the dinosaurs with the highest frequencies of paleopathology reported to‐date. Among these, the crested hadrosaurid Parasaurolophus walkeri is one of the most famous, largely due to its dramatic elongated and tubular nasal crest. The holotype of Parasaurolophus walkeri at the Royal Ontario Museum, Canada, displays several paleopathologies that have not been discussed in detail previously: a dental lesion in the left maxilla, perhaps related to periodontal disease; callus formation associated with fractures in three dorsal ribs; a discoidal overgrowth above dorsal neural spines six and seven; a cranially oriented spine in dorsal seven, that merges distally with spine six; a V‐shaped gap between dorsal spines seven and eight; and a ventral projection of the pubic process of the ilium which covers, and is fused with, the lateral side of the iliac process of the pubis. These lesions suggest that the animal suffered from one or more traumatic events, with the main one causing a suite of injuries to the anterior aspect of the thorax. The presence of several lesions in a single individual is a rare observation and, in comparison with a substantial database of hadrosaur paleopathological lesions, has the potential to reveal new information about the biology and behavior of these ornithopods. The precise etiology of the iliac abnormality is still unclear, although it is thought to have been an indirect consequence of the anterior trauma. The discoidal overgrowth above the two neural spines also seems to be secondary to the severe trauma inflicted on the ribs and dorsal spines, and probably represents post‐traumatic ossification of the base of the nuchal ligament. The existence of this structure has previously been considered in hadrosaurs and dinosaurs more generally through comparison of origin and insertion sites in modern diapsids (Rhea americana, Alligator mississippiensis, Iguana iguana), but its presence, structure, and origin‐attachment sites are still debated. The V‐shaped gap is hypothesized as representing the point between the stresses of the nuchal ligament, pulling the anterior neural spines forward, and the ossified tendons pulling the posterior neural spines backward. Different reconstructions of the morphology of the structure based on the pathological conditions affecting the neural spines of ROM 768 are proposed. Finally, we review the history of reconstructions for Parasaurolophus walkeri showing how erroneous misconceptions have been perpetuated over time or have led to the development of new hypotheses, including the wide neck model supported in the current research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Native Studies is the property of Brandon University, CJNS, Faculty of Arts and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Please cite this paper as: Tran et al. (2012) Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza in Canadian pediatric cancer and hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 6(601), e105-e113. Background The impact of pandemic H1N1 influenza (pH1N1) virus in pediatric cancer is uncertain. The objectives of this study were to characterize the clinical course of pH1N1 and identify factors associated with severe outcomes. Methods We conducted a Canadian multicenter retrospective review of children with cancer and stem cell transplant (SCT) recipients who were diagnosed with laboratory-confirmed pH1N1 infection between May 1, 2009 and January 31, 2010. Results We identified 100 (19 in wave 1 and 81 in wave 2) cases of pH1N1 infection. Median age was 8·7 years. 71% had a hematologic malignancy, and 20% received SCT. Median duration of fever and illness was 2 and 12·5 days, respectively. 51 (51·5%) were hospitalized for a median of 5 days, with no deaths and only 1 requiring admission to the intensive care unit. Radiologically confirmed pneumonia was diagnosed in 10 (10%). Interruption of chemotherapy or conditioning occurred in 43 patients. In multivariable analyses, age <5 years (relative to ≥10 years) and neutropenia were associated with hospitalization while neutropenia was associated with pneumonia. Despite oseltamivir use in 89%, viral shedding was prolonged (median, 46 days) and often persisted after symptom resolution. However, an extended treatment course (>5 days) correlated with shortened duration of viral shedding ( P = 0·041). Conclusions pH1N1 infection in pediatric cancer and SCT patients infrequently caused complications but commonly interrupted cancer treatment. Persistent shedding of virus after illness resolution was common. Further research is needed to verify this finding as it could have implications for treatment guidelines and infection control practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The vast majority of research concerning street youth has focused upon etiology and street culture. Such investigations have been concerned with how young people enter street life and the myriad of activities associated with street survival. This paper takes a different, yet complimentary, approach and highlights the experiences of 20 Halifax street youth vis-à-vis information-communication technologies (ICTs). This study begins to explore how young people living on the street in one Canadian city understand, experience and access ICTs. Equally important, the study demonstrates the complexity, nuances and tensions of how and why street youth can feel both ‘hooked up’ and ‘left behind’ within an ever-emerging technology-driven global culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractBackground: In 1996 the number of deaths and admissions to hospital in Canada that could be attributed to the use of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs were estimated from 1992 data. In this paper we update these estimates to the year 1995.Methods: On the basis of pooled estimates of relative risk, etiologic fractions were calculated by age, sex and province for 90 causes of disease or death attributable to alcohol, tobacco or illicit drugs; the etiologic fractions were then applied to national mortality and morbidity data for 1995 to estimate the number of deaths and admissions to hospital attributable to substance abuse.Results: In 1995, 6507 deaths and 82 014 admissions to hospital were attributed to alcohol, 34 728 deaths and 194 072 admissions to hospital were attributed to tobacco, and 805 deaths and 6940 admissions to hospital were due to illicit drugs.Interpretation: The use and misuse of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs accounted for 20.0% of deaths, 22.2% of years of potential life lost and 9.4% of admissions to hospital in Canada in 1995. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canada is proposing a ban on asbestos, and the US Environmental Protection Agency has listed it among the first 10 materials it is investigating under the new Toxic Substances Control Act revisions. However, this effort is currently running up against enormous industry and political opposition. Here, we detail the activities in the early 1970s of the Friction Materials Standards Institute, an industry trade association, to stifle earlier attempts to regulate asbestos use in brake linings, one of the oldest and most obvious sources of asbestos exposure to mechanics, among others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It has been suggested that public awareness of aphasia is vital for extending services, research support, social inclusion and targeted raising of awareness. Earlier studies show that knowledge of aphasia varies across a range of variables, but is very low compared with other conditions. Aims: To report a series of surveys of public awareness of aphasia from six countries, the largest study conducted this far. Methods & Procedures: Surveys were conducted in Argentina ( N = 800), Canada ( N = 831), Croatia ( N = 400), Greece ( N = 800), Norway ( N = 251) and Slovenia ( N = 400) using the same methodology requesting information on age, sex and occupation, asking whether respondents had heard of aphasia and where they had heard of it. Respondents were tested on their levels of knowledge of aphasia. Outcomes & Results: Results revealed low levels of awareness of aphasia in countries surveyed with marked variability that appeared to interact with occupation, country, age and sex. We surveyed 3483 respondents (mean age = 43.16; SD = 17.68). Between 60% (Croatia) and 16% (Slovenia) said they had heard of aphasia (37.1% overall), but those with actual knowledge ranged from 13.9% (Norway) to 1.0% (Argentina). The combined mean of those with basic knowledge was 9.2%. Those who had heard of aphasia were younger; and females had higher levels of awareness. We also found associations between socio-economic status and awareness. Those working in health, social and educational spheres had the highest levels. Respondents mainly heard about aphasia through the media and work or personal contact with aphasia. Conclusions & Implications: Levels of awareness are low everywhere in absolute terms, and relative to the awareness of other conditions, with significant variability between countries, sex and socio-economic status. We examine how surveys can be utilized to plan ways to increase understanding and discuss the comparison of awareness of aphasia with other conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims Cannabis use is associated with several adverse health effects. However, little is known about the cannabis-attributable burden of disease. This study quantified the age-, sex- and adverse health effect-specific cannabis attributable (1)mortality, (2) years of life lost due to premature mortality (YLLs), (3) years of life lost due to disability (YLDs) and (4) disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in Canada in 2012. Design Epidemiological modeling. Setting Canada. Participants Canadians aged ≥ 15 years in 2012. Measurements Using comparative risk assessment methodology, cannabis-attributable fractions were computed using Canadian exposure data and risk relations from large studies or meta-analyses. Outcome data were obtained from Canadian databases and the World Health Organization. The 95% confidence intervals (CIs)were computed using Monte Carlo methodology. Findings Cannabis use was estimated to have caused 287 deaths (95% CI = 108, 609), 10 533 YLLs (95% CI = 4760, 20 833), 55 813 YLDs (95% CI = 38 175, 74 094) and 66 346 DALYs (95% CI = 47 785, 87 207), based on causal impacts on cannabis use disorders, schizophrenia, lung cancer and road traffic injuries. Cannabis-attributable burden of disease was highest among young people, and males accounted for twice the burden than females. Cannabis use disorders were the most important single cause of the cannabis-attributable burden of disease. Conclusions The cannabis-attributable burden of disease in Canada in 2012 included 55 813 years of life lost due to disability, caused mainly by cannabis use disorders. Although the cannabis attributable burden of disease was substantial, it was much lower compared with other commonly used legal and illegal substances. Moreover, the evidence base for cannabis-attributable harms was smaller. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Prevalence estimates contribute to our understanding of the magnitude of a particular health condition and in planning appropriate public health interventions.Objective: To estimate the prevalence of chronic Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, anti-HCV-positive status (anti-HCV) and the proportion of undiagnosed HCV infections in Canada.Methods: A combination of back-calculation and workbook methods was used. The back-calculation method estimated prevalent chronic HCV infection and the proportion undiagnosed using the Canadian Cancer Registry's data on hepatocellular carcinoma reported between 1992 and 2008 and the Canadian Notifiable Disease Surveillance System's data on Hepatitis C virus (HCV) cases reported between 1991 and 2009 in a Markov multi-state disease progression model with parameters adjusted to Canada. The workbook method divided the total population of Canada into population subsets and developed estimates of population size and anti-HCV prevalence for each. Sub-population size estimates were multiplied by anti-HCV prevalence measures to calculate the prevalence of anti-HCV by sub-population. A measure of spontaneous clearance was used to estimate the number of persons with chronic HCV from estimates of the number of anti-HCV-positive persons.Results: The back-calculation method estimated the prevalence of chronic HCV infection at 0.64% and the proportion of undiagnosed chronic HCV infection at 44% in 2011. The workbook method estimated the anti-HCV prevalence at 0.96% (plausibility range: 0.61% to 1.34%) and chronic HCV infection at 0.71% (0.45 - 0.99%).Interpretation: By combining mid-point estimates from both methods, it is estimated that between 0.64% to 0.71% of the overall Canadian population was living with chronic HCV infection in 2011 and 44% of these individuals were undiagnosed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Native Studies is the property of Brandon University, CJNS, Faculty of Arts and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Pathology is the property of Canadian Association of Pathologists and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article describes the rationale for the challenges involved and methods being used in strategic partnership Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow Project's cohort for the study of the causes of cancer and other chronic diseases in Canada. The aim is to understand the role of environment, lifestyle and genetics in development of chronic diseases. To provide the foundation for hundreds of studies, data collection methods include physical measurements, urine and blood samples and questionnaires.

Background: There is a growing body of evidence that where you live is important to your health. Despite numerous previous studies investigating the relationship between neighbourhood deprivation (and structure) and residents' health, the precise nature of this relationship remains unclear. Relatively few investigations have relied on direct observation of neighbourhoods, while those that have were developed primarily in US settings. Evaluation of the transferability of such tools to other contexts is an important first step before applying such instruments to the investigation of health and well-being. This study evaluated the performance of a systematic social observational (SSO) tool (adapted from previous studies of American and British neighbourhoods) in a Canadian urban context. Methods: This was a mixed-methods study. Quantitative SSO ratings and qualitative descriptions of 176 block faces were obtained in six Toronto neighbourhoods (4 low-income, and 2 middle/high-income) by trained raters. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted with the quantitative SSO ratings. Content analysis consisted of independent coding of qualitative data by three members of the research team to yield common themes and categories. Results: Factor analysis identified three factors (physical decay/disorder, social accessibility, recreational opportunities), but only 'physical decay/disorder' reflected previous findings in the literature. Qualitative results (based on raters' fieldwork experiences) revealed the tool's shortcomings in capturing important features of the neighbourhoods under study, and informed interpretation of the quantitative findings. Conclusions: This study tested the performance of an SSO tool in a Canadian context, which is an important initial step before applying it to the study of health and disease. The tool demonstrated important shortcomings when applied to six diverse Toronto neighbourhoods. The study's analyses challenge previously held assumptions (e.g. social 'disorder') regarding neighbourhood social and built environments. For example, neighbourhood 'order' has traditionally been assumed to be synonymous with a certain degree of homogeneity, however the neighbourhoods under study were characterized by high degrees of heterogeneity and low levels of disorder. Heterogeneity was seen as an appealing feature of a block face. Employing qualitative techniques with SSO represents a unique contribution, enhancing both our understanding of the quantitative ratings obtained and of neighbourhood characteristics that are not currently captured by such instruments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Discoveries in human genetics research over the last two decades could influence how the public views health risks and whether they assign genes a primary role in causing illness. Using data from the 2004 Canadian National Health Risk Perception Survey, this analysis explored the perceived risk of genetic makeup and its role in disease, as well as perceptions of the risk of developing cancer, heart disease, depression, long-term disabilities and asthma. A stratified random sample of 1503 Canadians participated in the telephone survey. Genetic makeup was thought to pose a moderate health risk to Canadians, with some notable demographic differences. Perceived risk of genetic makeup was related to the perceived risk of developing adverse health outcomes. However, genetic makeup, lifestyle and the environment were all endorsed as possible causes of cancer, with respondents agreeing that cancer depended on lifestyle more than genetic makeup or the environment. The current analysis provides little evidence that Canadians hold overly deterministic attitudes about the role of genes in the induction of human disease. Results have implications for the construction of health-risk messages and health promotion campaigns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Research has shown that ethnicity is a significant predictor of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). Variations in cancer incidence among ethnic groups in the same country can lead to important information in the search for etiological factors. Other risk factors important in the etiology of HL are medical history and exposure to pesticides. In this report we investigated the association between ethnicity and HL in the presence of medical history, and exposure to pesticides. Methods: The data resulting from a matched population-based case-control study conducted in six provinces of Canada (Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia) was analyzed to determine whether or not there was any association between ethnicity and incidence of HL when adjusted for personal medical history and pesticide exposure. Information on ethnicity, personal medical history, and pesticide exposure was collected by questionnaires via mail on 316 men diagnosed with HL; and on 1506 controls. A conditional logistic regression was utilized and results were presented as odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Results: In our study population, the distribution of ethnic groups was: 38.5% North American, 15% British, 8.4% Western European, 8.2% Eastern European, 1.7% Asian, 1.4% Scandinavian and 27% of other ethnic origin. Compared to North Americans (i) the risk of HL was greater among the Eastern European descendents (Odds Ratio (ORadj): 1.82; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02, 3.25) and Western European (ORadj: 1.62; 95% CI: 0.95-2.76) descent population (borderline significance at 5% level); and (ii) the risk of HL was lower in Asian descents. Diagnosis with measles (ORadj: 0.72, 95% C.I.: 0.53-0.98) and/or positive history of allergy desensitization shots (ORadj: 0.55, 95% C.I.: 0.30-0.99) were negatively associated with the incidence of HL, while diagnosis with acne (ORadj: 2.12, 95% C.I.: 1.19-3.78), shingles (ORadj: 2.41, 95% C.I.: 1.38-4.22) and positive family history of cancer (ORadj: 1.93, 95% C.I.: 1.40-2.65) increased the risk of HL. Exposure to individual herbicide dichlorprop showed an increased risk of HL (ORadj: 6.35, 95% C.I.: 1.56-25.92). Conclusion: In Canada, compared to North Americans descendents, the risk of HL was significantly greater among the Eastern European and Western European descent population. Our results related to association between ethnicity and HL support the findings reported by other researchers. Our data showed that subjects who were diagnosed with measles or had allergy desensitization shots negatively associated with the incidence of HL; and other medical conditions, ever diagnosed with acne, and positive family history of cancer were positively associated with the incidence of HL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the influence of season and birth month on sustained progression to Expanded Disability Status Scale 6 (requires a cane) through a database review of 2,319 definite multiple sclerosis (MS) patients followed for a mean 19.3 years, until July 2003 in British Columbia, Canada. The season of birth had a marginal effect on disease progression (p = 0.051), with winter babies exhibiting the slowest progression (p = 0.048). Birth month had a significant effect on progression (p = 0.038), mainly due to those January born having a 40% (95% CI 32.9–47.4) chance of requiring a cane later than those born in other months. There was some evidence to suggest that the gestational period had a small but long-lasting effect on later disease progression in British Columbia, Canada. Copyright © 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smoking-attributable mortality (SAM) is the number of deaths in a population caused by smoking. In this study, the authors examined and empirically quantified the effects of methodological problems in the estimation of SAM through population attributable fraction methods. In addition to exploring common concerns regarding generalizability and residual confounding in relative risks, the authors considered errors in measuring estimates of risk exposure prevalence and mortality in target populations and estimates of relative risks from etiologic studies. They also considered errors resulting from combining these three sources of data. By modifying SAM estimates calculated using smoking prevalence obtained from the 2000–2001 Canadian Community Health Survey, a population-based survey of 131,535 Canadian households, the authors observed the following effects of potential errors on estimated national SAM (and the range of effects on 87 regional SAMs): 1) using a slightly biased, mismatched definition of former smoking: 5.3% (range, 1.8% to 11.6%); 2) using age-collapsed prevalence and relative risks: 6.9% (range, 1.1% to 15.5%) and −15.4% (range, −7.9% to −21.0%), respectively; 3) using relative risks derived from the same cohort but with a shorter follow-up period: 8.7% (range, 4.5% to 11.8%); 4) using relative risks for all diseases with age-collapsed prevalence: 49.7% (range, 24.1% to 82.2%); and 5) using prevalence estimates unadjusted for exposure-outcome lag: −14.5% (range, −20.8% to 42.6%) to −1.4% (range, −0.8% to −2.7%), depending on the method of adjustment. Applications of the SAM estimation method should consider these sources of potential error. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Psychiatry is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objectives. This study estimated morbidity and mortality attributable to substance abuse in Canada. Methods. Pooled estimates of relative risk were used to calculate etiologic fractions by age, gender, and province for 91 causes of disease or death attributable to alcohol, tobacco, or illicit drugs. Results. There were 33498 deaths and 208 095 hospitalizations attributed to tobacco, 6701 deaths and 86076 hospitalizations due to alcohol, and 732 deaths and 7095 hospitalizations due to illicit drugs in 1992. Conclusions. Substance abuse exacts a considerable toll on Canadian society in terms of morbidity and mortality, accounting for 21% of deaths) 23% of years of potential life lost, and 8% of hospitalizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To understand the reasons for underreporting of occupational cancers, we investigated cases' perceptions of the causes of cancer. As part of a case-control study in the province of British Columbia, Canada, 105 bladder cancer cases, 48 nasal cancer cases, 51 mesothelioma cases, and 159 population-based controls (frequency matched to cases on age and sex) were interviewed using structured questions about their smoking, medical, residential, occupational, and carcinogen exposure histories. We asked cases what they thought caused their disease, and asked population controls about their understanding of the etiologies of the three cancers. Most cases and controls (69%) indicated that they had ''no idea about causes, with the exception that the majority of mesothelioma cases (70%) recognized asbestos as a cause. Smoking was perceived as a cause of bladder cancer by 21 percent of cases. Many cases knew about the asbestos and smoking etiologies from discussions with their physicians. Chemicals were commonly cited as causes of nasal and bladder cancer, but very few specific known or probable carcinogens for these sites were named. Cases (12%) more frequently than controls (2%) thought prior disease or trauma was a cause for all three types of cancer. Other etiologic factors less frequently listed by subjects included environmental pollution, hereditary factors, drugs, and radiation. Most cases recognized the major cause of mesothelioma, but few subjects knew about lifestyle or occupational causes of bladder cancer or nasal cancer, suggesting that education about the multiple cancer risks of smoking and about occupational carcinogens needs to be improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Psychiatry is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Discusses individual risk factors for prostate cancer in Canada. National and ethnic differences; Family history and genetic predisposition; Diet; Body mass and physical activity; Vasectomy; Hormonal and sexual factors; Sexual history; Occupational exposure; Conclusions.

Radon has been identified as the second leading cause of lung cancer after tobacco smoking. Information on indoor radon concentrations is required to assess the lung cancer burden due to radon exposure. Since radon in soil is believed to be the main source of radon in homes, measurements of soil gas radon concentrations can be used to estimate variations in radon potential of indoor environments. This study reports surveys of natural background variation in soil radon levels in four cities, Montreal, Gatineau, Kingston and the largest Canadian city of Toronto. A total of 212 sites were surveyed. The average soil gas radon concentrations varied significantly from site to site, and ranged from below detection limit to 157 kBq m−3. For each site, the soil radon potential (SRP) index was determined with the average soil radon concentration and average soil permeability measured. The average SRP indexes are 20±16, 12±11, 8±9 and 12±10 for Montreal, Gatineau, Kingston and Toronto, respectively. The results provide additional data for the validation of an association between indoor and soil radon potentials and for the development of radon potential map of Canada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Microbiology is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Reports on a research that studied the susceptibility locus for asthma. Number of subjects genotyped by the authors for the research; Haplotype pattern of asthmatics from North-eastern Quebec and individuals high serum immunoglobin E levels from North Karelia, Finland; Findings and results of the study.

The authors respond to a commentary by Stephen C. Redd and Ali H. Mokdad on their paper about the status of overweight and obesity as possible causes of asthma. They commend Redd and Mokdad for their perspective on the relation between obesity and asthma incidence in women in Canada. They recognize the importance of establishing the link between obesity and asthma to the prevention and control of both diseases. In addition, the authors note a higher risk of asthma among women who lost or gained weight.

Background: Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is a rare complication of pregnancy that involves persistent nausea and extreme vomiting to an intensity that differentiates HG from nausea and vomiting commonly experienced during pregnancy. Research has suggested potential biological and psychological etiological pathways for HG, but the augmented prevalence in immigrant populations, which is 4.5 times higher, remains unclear. Studies show that in order to better address the psychosocial needs of immigrant patients with HG, we must first improve our understanding of how they experience their illness. The objective of this study was to understand the meaning and experience of HG among immigrant women in Canada.Methods: Our "qualitative comparative analysis design" involved a sample of 15 pregnant mothers following their hospitalization for HG, including 11 immigrant women and 4 Canadian-born women recruited for comparison purposes. We used the Edinburgh Perinatal Depression Scale to assess distress, and the McGill Illness Narrative Interview Schedule to explore how pregnant women understood and experienced their HG and the health services that they received.Results: With the exception of a few women whose mothers suffered from HG, immigrant women and their loved ones did not have cultural knowledge to attribute meaning to HG symptoms. This left them vulnerable to criticism from family, as well as feelings of self-doubt, stress, and anxiety. We interpret this phenomenon as 'victim blaming'. Immigrant women's experience of HG was also characterised by high levels of depressive symptoms (40%) which they linked to the severity of their symptoms, high levels of stress associated with adapting to their new country, social isolation, and loss of female family members. Furthermore, in contrast to Canadian-born women, immigrant women frequently reported feeling that their symptoms were minimized by hospital emergency room medical staff, which led to delays in obtaining appropriate health care. However, once admitted to hospital, they perceived the care provided by dieticians and nurses as helpful in managing their symptoms.Conclusions: Wider awareness of the impact of HG may improve the quality of family support for immigrant women. There is a need to improve the delays and appropriateness of clinical care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contribution that current patterns of cannabis use make to the burden of disease is very useful information, but it cannot decide policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]