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This position statement aims to provide rapid guidance for resumption of pulmonary function services during the post-peak phase1 of the COVID-19 pandemic (i.e., period of low community prevalence)....

BackgroundFew studies have quantified aerosol concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 in hospitals and long-term care homes, and fewer still have examined samples for viability. This information is needed to clarify transmission risks beyond close contact.MethodsWe deployed particulate air samplers in rooms with COVID-19 positive patients in hospital ward and ICU rooms, rooms in long-term care homes experiencing outbreaks, and a correctional facility experiencing an outbreak. Samplers were placed between 2 and 3 meters from the patient. Aerosol (small liquid particles suspended in air) samples were collected onto gelatin filters by Ultrasonic Personal Air Samplers (UPAS) fitted with 3), and with a Coriolis Biosampler over 10 minutes (total 1.5m3). Samples were assayed for viable SARS-CoV-2 virus and for the viral genome by multiplex PCR using the E and N protein target sequences. We validated the sampling methods by inoculating gelatin filters with viable vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), and with three concentrations of viable SARS-CoV-2, operating personal samplers for 16hrs, and quantifying viable virus recovery by TCID50 assay.ResultsIn total, 138 samples were collected from 99 rooms. RNA samples were positive in 9.1% (6/66) of samples obtained with the UPAS 2.5µm samplers, 13.5% (7/52) with the UPAS 10µm samplers, and 10.0% (2/20) samples obtained with the Coriolis samplers. Culturable virus was not recovered in any samples. Viral RNA was detected in 10.9% of the rooms sampled. There was no significant difference in viral RNA recovery between the different room locations or samplers. Method development experiments indicated minimal loss of SARS-CoV-2 viability via the personal air sampler operation.Key FindingsAlthough a subset of aerosol samples exhibited detectable SARS-CoV-2 RNA at low titres, the presence of viable SARS-CoV-2 virus in aerosols appears to be infrequent at >2m distance.

Background Pediatrician and pediatric subspecialist density varies substantially among the various Canadian provinces, as well as among various states in the US. It is unknown whether this variability impacts health outcomes. To study this knowledge gap, we evaluated pediatric asthma admission rates within the 2 Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, which have similarly sized pediatric populations and substantially different physician densities. Methods This was a retrospective cross-sectional cohort study. Health regions defined by the provincial governments, have, in turn, been classified into “peer groups” by Statistics Canada, on the basis of common socio-economic characteristics and socio-demographic determinants of health. To study the relationship between the distribution of the pediatric workforce and health outcomes in Canadian children, asthma admission rates within comparable peer group regions in both provinces were examined by combining multiple national and provincial health databases. We generated physician density maps for general practitioners, and general pediatricians practicing in Manitoba and Saskatchewan in 2011. Results At the provincial level, Manitoba had 48.6 pediatricians/100,000 child population, compared to 23.5/100,000 in Saskatchewan. There were 3.1 pediatric asthma specialists/100,000 child population in Manitoba and 1.4/100,000 in Saskatchewan. Among peer-group A, the differences were even more striking. A significantly higher number of patients were admitted in Saskatchewan (590.3/100,000 children) compared to Manitoba (309.3/100,000, p

Cigarette smoking represents the single most preventable cause of premature morbidity and mortality in the United States and the burden of tobacco use is apparent world-wide. Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the third leading cause of death in the United States in 2004. The American Thoracic Society (ATS) and its members have contributed significantly to an understanding of the biological and pathophysiologic mechanisms responsible for the development and management of tobacco-attributable disease and disability. The society's active involvement in tobacco control advocacy and policy-related initiatives are central to its mission. Within the ATS, there is also increased interest in accelerating the society's efforts to understand the mechanisms responsible for the uptake, persistence, and cessation of tobacco use. Scientific, clinical, and educational activities that include an examination of these underlying mechanisms are warranted. This paper describes findings from an ATS initiative that developed a preliminary strategy for enhancing scientific, clinical, educational, and policy-related tobacco control efforts that are consistent with the vision of the ATS. The specific aims of this project included the identification of existing mechanisms, as well as the current governance in place within the ATS infrastructure, to address tobacco control issues related to scientific inquiry, policy initiatives, and advocacy for tobacco control. This assessment generated recommendations to inform the ATS leadership with regard to the future development of relevant tobacco control initiatives.

Background: Inuit infants have the highest reported rate of hospital admissions because of lower respiratory tract infections in the world. We evaluated the prevalence of reduced ventilation in houses in Nunavut, Canada, and whether this was associated with an increased risk of these infections among young Inuit children. Methods: We measured ventilation in 49 homes of Inuit children less than 5 years of age in Qikiqtaaluk (Baffin) Region, Nunavut. We identified the occurrence of lower respiratory tract infections using a standardized questionnaire. Associations between ventilation measures and lower respiratory tract infection were evaluated using multiple logistic regression models. Results: The mean number of occupants per house was 6.1 people. The mean ventilation rate per person was 5.6 L/s (standard deviation [SD] 3.7); 80% (37/46) of the houses had ventilation rates below the recommended rate of 7.5 L/s per person. The mean indoor carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) concentration of 1358 (SD 531) ppm was higher than the recommended target level of 1000 ppm. Smokers were present in 46 homes (94%). Of the 49 children, 27 (55%) had a reported history of lower respiratory tract infection. Reported respiratory infection was significantly associated with mean CO 2 levels (odds ratio [OR] 2.85 per 500-ppm increase in mean indoor CO 2 , 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.23–6.59) and occupancy (OR 1.81 for each additional occupant, 95% CI 1.14–2.86). Interpretation: Reduced ventilation and crowding may contribute to the observed excess of lower respiratory tract infection among young Inuit children. The benefits of measures to reduce indoor smoking and occupancy rates and to increase ventilation should be studied.

The aim of this study was to describe the changes in respiratory system compliance and other measures of respiratory mechanics associated with peritoneal insufflation (12 mmHg pressure) with carbon dioxide (PNP12) and 20° Trendelenburg positioning (TDG20) in pediatric patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery for abdominal cryptorchidism. Twelve subjects with abdominal cryptorchidism undergoing orchiopexy were enrolled in the study. General anesthesia was conducted with sevoflurane/O2/air, fentanyl, and rocuronium. Pressure-controlled ventilation with a peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) of 10-15 cm H2O and a positive end-expiratory pressure of 5 cm H2O was titrated to achieve a tidal volume (VT/kg) of 6-10 mL·kg−1 and end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO2) of 35-40 mmHg. Adjustments of PIP and respiratory rate (RR) were made to maintain the initial VT/kg and EtCO2

Asthma is a serious health problem for First Nations and Inuit children. In children younger than one year of age, asthma needs to be distinguished from viral bronchiolitis, which is unusually common in Canadian Aboriginal children. In children younger than six years of age, the diagnosis depends on the presence of typical symptoms, the absence of atypical features and the documentation of response to therapy - particularly a rapid, transient response to bronchodilators. In older children, the presence of reversible airway obstruction should be determined using spirometry whenever feasible to confirm the diagnosis. Environmental triggers should be evaluated and corrected whenever possible. Regular use of inhaled steroids is the most important measure for maintaining good asthma control in children with asthma. Clients and their families should receive asthma education. Control should be regularly reassessed at follow-up visits in health centres, with therapy adjusted to the lowest level capable of maintaining good control.L’asthme est un grave problème de santé pour les enfants inuits et des Premières nations. Chez les enfants de moins d’un an, il faut distinguer l’asthme de la bronchiolite virale, anormalement fréquente chez les enfants autochtones du Canada. Chez les enfants de moins de six ans, le diagnostic dépend de la présence de symptômes classiques, de l’absence de caractéristiques atypiques et de la consignation de la réponse au traitement, notamment la réponse rapide et transitoire aux bronchodilatateurs. Chez les enfants plus âgés, il faut, dans la mesure du possible, déterminer la présence d’une obstruction réversible des voies aériennes par spirométrie afin de confirmer le diagnostic ainsi qu’évaluer et corriger les déclencheurs environnementaux. L’utilisation régulière de corticoïdes en aérosol est la principale mesure à prendre pour maintenir un bon contrôle de l’asthme chez les enfants asthmatiques. Les clients et leur famille devraient recevoir une formation sur l’asthme. Il faut réévaluer régulièrement le contrôle aux visites de suivi dans des centres de santé et rajuster le traitement à la dose la plus basse possible pour le maintien de ce contrôle.

A nine-year-old girl presented to the emergency department in the fall of 2009 with a one-week history of cough, neck swelling, sore throat and mild diarrhea, but no fever or vomiting. She had a history of asthma, which was treated with montelukast. Her physical examination showed subcutaneous

Billy, who is 2 years old, presents to the physician’s office with his fourth episode of wheezing in the past 18 months. He was admitted to hospital at 6 months of age with bronchiolitis caused by respiratory syncytial virus. At 9 months, he was seen in the local emergency department with a cold

Air travel has become increasingly difficult, with tightened security restrictions and a decreased number of services. It should not include easily avoidable health risks. But it does on some major airlines, at least for passengers with allergies to pets. Travellers in Canada lost their access to

BACKGROUND: The fractional concentration of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) appears to be a good marker for airway inflammation in children with asthma.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of environmental exposures on exhaled nitric oxide in a community sample of children.METHODS: The relationship among exhaled nitric oxide, underlying disease and home environmental exposures was examined using questionnaire data and measurement of exhaled nitric oxide in a cross-sectional study of 1135 children that included healthy children, and children with allergies and/or asthma who were attending grades 4 through 6 in Windsor, Ontario.RESULTS: Among healthy children, there was a positive association between FeNO and occupancy (PCONCLUSIONS: The type of heating system, but not previously reported environmental tobacco smoke or mold exposure appears to affect exhaled nitric oxide in children. Exposure to different types of pets may have disparate effects on airway inflammation.

Background: Although guidelines for the diagnosis and management of asthma have been published over the last 15 years, there has been little focus on issues relating to asthma in childhood. Since the last revision of the 1999 Canadian asthma consensus report, important new studies, particularly in children, have highlighted the need to incorporate this new information into asthma guidelines. Objectives: To review the literature on asthma published between January 2000 and June 2003 and to evaluate the influence of new evidence on the recommendations made in the Canadian Asthma Consensus Report, 1999 and its 2001 update with a major focus on pediatric issues. Methods: Diagnosis of asthma in young children, prevention strategies, pharmacotherapy, inhalation devices, immunotherapy and asthma education were selected for review by small expert resource groups. In June 2003, the reviews were discussed at a meeting under the auspices of the Canadian Network For Asthma Care and the Canadian Thoracic Society. Data published up to December 2004 were subsequently reviewed by the individual expert resource groups. Results: This report evaluates early life prevention strategies and focuses on treatment of asthma in children. Emphasis is placed on the importance of an early diagnosis and prevention therapy, the benefits of additional therapy and the essential role of asthma education. Conclusion: We generally support previous recommendations and focus on new issues, particularly those relevant to children and their families. This guide for asthma management is based on the best available published data and the opinion of health care professionals including asthma experts and educators.

The objective of the present document is to review the impact of new information on the recommendations made in the last (1999) Canadian Asthma Consensus Guidelines. It includes relevant published studies and observations or comments regarding what are considered to be the main issues in asthma management in children and adults in office, emergency department, hospital and clinical settings. Asthma is still insufficiently controlled in a large number of patients, and practice guidelines need to be integrated better with current care. This report re-emphasises the need for the following: objective measures of airflow obstruction to confirm the diagnosis of asthma suggested by the clinical evaluation; identification of contributing factors; and the establishment of a treatment plan to rapidly obtain and maintain optimal asthma control according to specific criteria. Recent publications support the essential role of asthma education and environmental control in asthma management. They further support the role of inhaled corticosteroids as the mainstay of anti-inflammatory therapy of asthma, and of both long acting beta2-agonists and leukotriene antagonists as effective means to improve asthma control when inhaled corticosteroids are insufficient. New developments, such as combination therapy, and recent major trials, such as the Children’s Asthma Management Project (CAMP) study, are discussed.

Our research team landed in Igloolik, Nunavut, to find the village in shock. A young high-school student had just committed suicide in the girls' washroom. I too was stunned by the unexpected violence, and sheer desperation of her act. It was made worse by the enormity of the problem: of about a dozen research assistants helping us in various communities in Nunavut, 2 stopped work after a friend or family member committed suicide, and another temporarily stopped working after a family member was murdered. I see Inuit society as one turned upside down by rapid change. With families tied down in villages, rather than following the migratory patterns of the wildlife, people have yet to find sufficient employment or a new purpose, and despair is all too common. The elders — the traditional sources of wisdom — have no answers. The loss of research assistants was becoming a major problem for our study. Despite high levels of unemployment, there are few individuals able to assist with research, and the core of such individuals in each community are sought after by numerous other investigators and organizations. Our study was also facing other significant obstacles. Developing ventilation units for houses when the outside temperature, at least unofficially, was –72°C, was challenging. Igloolik is a community where the kids play street hockey — wearing skates. A shortage of trained technicians meant that the Heat Recovery Ventilators we had installed, to evaluate whether they could prevent respiratory infections, had not been balanced according to specifications. Some study participants felt the units were drafty, and had unplugged the units or boarded them up. Fortunately, our study also had crucial supports. At a town hall meeting I'd held in Cape Dorset several years earlier, I'd asked the elders whether babies used to get sick in years past, and was told “only when the Qallunaat [southerners] arrive in their ships.” A group of mothers in Igloolik had banded together to help infants avoid the now-annual community outbreaks of respiratory syncytial virus infection by helping ensure our study would succeed. Next year, we'll fine-tune our heat recovery ventilators, and plan to recruit high-school students to assist our researchers with the health surveys and to introduce them to research. Hopefully, the day will come when respiratory syncytial virus season no longer means rows of nebulizer masks labelled with each child's name, in nearly every community's nursing station. — Tom Kovesi MD, Ottawa Figure. Igloolik is a community where the kids play street hockey — wearing skates. Photo by: Dr. Tom Kovesi

In general, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors should be discontinued in pregnancy, as they can induce an ACE fetopathy. For the treatment of the latter, early peritoneal dialysis is recommended for in utero exposure to captopril and enalapril, although the outcome is poor. Early peritoneal dialysis has not previously been reported for lisinopril induced multiorgan failure. A case is reported in which treatment was given on postnatal day 3. The patient recovered from oligoanuria to almost normal renal function, and heart, brain, and musculoskeletal injury was reversible. This is despite relatively poor clearance of the drug through peritoneal dialysis. Analysis of the pharmacokinetic data suggests that haemodialysis or haemofiltration would be more efficacious for removal of the drug, and these treatments should be performed if available.