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In this article, we take a strength-based approach to understand how applied theatre as a vehicle provides opportunities for embodied voices to have a positive influence on the well-being, and attitudes to health, of young people who have been "pushed" to the margins. We begin by explaining the concepts of well-being, embodiment and embodied voices, and applied theatre. Following this we explore an example of a theatre project developed in Canada with Indigenous youth to illustrate how the well-being of those who might be termed "marginalised" in this context, is enhanced through a process of embodied reflexivity using applied theatre approaches. Finally, we discuss challenges with this approach to working with "marginalised" youth, and also present some recommendations for professionals using applied theatre for co-creation with "marginalised" youth for their well-being. We share how our research led us to conclude that a commitment to the arts as a fundamental and core process for developing wellness and wellbeing is necessary. This would mean professionals associated with any programmes or projects generated to explore embodied work with young people need see the arts as a philosophical underpinning, rather than as just an additional activity that can be inserted into any programme.

Background: Throughout their careers, doctors and other healthcare professionals experience numerous transitions. When supporting transitions, opportunities for development and learning should be maximized, while stressors having negative impacts on well-being should be minimized. Building on our international data, this study aimed to develop a conceptual model of the trainee-trained transition (i.e. the significant transitions experienced by doctors as they complete postgraduate training moving from trainee/resident status to medical specialist roles). Methods: Employing Multiple and Multidimensional Transitions (MMT) theory and current conceptualizations of clinical context, this study undertook secondary analysis of 55 interviews with doctors from three countries (Netherlands, Cananda and the UK) undergoing trainee-trained transitions. Results: Through this analysis, the Transition-To-Trained-Doctor (T3D) conceptual model has been developed. This model takes into consideration the multiple contexts and multiple domains in which transitions take place. Discussion: This model is significant in that it has several uses and is applicable across countries: to remind doctors, managers and medical educators of the complexity of transitions; to frame and facilitate supportive conversations; and as a basis to teach about transitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To explore parents’ perspectives on rehabilitation of their child with cerebral palsy and their information needs. Methods: Semistructured interviews were conducted with parents of children with CP from India (n = 11) and Canada (n = 7). Data were analyzed through an interpretive description approach using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health framework. Results: Body Structure and Function: Indian parents were more focused on fixing body structure and function challenges, and independent walking, than Canadian parents. Activity and Participation: All Canadian children were actively involved in school and fun activities in the community. Due to lack of accessible services, Indian children had less school and community participation. Environmental factors: accessible communities, occupational therapy services and greater use of assistive devices enabled Canadian children. Social and cultural beliefs, lack of access to services and inaccessible communities were the barriers experienced by Indian parents. Information needs: both groups needed information to make their child more functional. Conclusion: Canadian parents experience a more enabling environment and express a more social view of their child’s health, suggesting both education on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health principles and services are needed to better enable and empower Indian parents. There remains a need for healthcare professionals and services in both countries to be more family-centered. Implications for rehabilitation: To help parents in rehabilitating their children with cerebral palsy (CP), in India, there is a need to (1) incorporate ICF education into medical curricula and clinical practice; (2) increase the availability of skilled healthcare professionals and centers; (3) make infrastructural and policy reforms to make the society more accessible for the disabled children. Education, counseling and awareness about CP might help both groups of parents, society, and HCPs to change their beliefs and attitudes regarding CP and its rehabilitation. Both countries would benefit from user-friendly and transparent policies. This will help parents to become more aware of them and use them in the rehabilitation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Goss’s bacterial wilt and leaf blight, caused by Clavibacter nebraskensis (syn. C. michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis), is a serious disease of corn. It is not new to North America, but in 2006, the number of outbreaks increased and the pathogen was reported in areas of the USA and Canada where it had not previously been found. The disease is increasing in distribution and severity and new areas such as the northern Prairies may be at higher risk as corn production acreage rises. Therefore, Goss’s wilt monitoring and subsequent management should be priorities in areas where the disease has appeared relatively recently, such as the Canadian Prairie provinces. This update summarizes the current status of Goss’s bacterial wilt and leaf blight in Canada including its geographic distribution as determined through recent monitoring activities and new detection methods. It also discusses current knowledge regarding pathogen biology, disease development, epidemiology and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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One of the most energy efficient systems of biofuel production uses the sugar extracted from sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) for fermentation into ethanol; while sugarcane will not grow in Canada, corn (Zea mays L.), another C4 crop can. The overall objective of our study was to determine if there was corn germplasm, adapted to the short-season regions of Canada, with high stalk sugar content. Thirty-nine genotypes from diverse backgrounds were evaluated for stalk sucrose accumulation and associated traits (juice percentage, plant height, weight, and moisture) in field trials from 2007 to 2009. Genotypic differences for stalk sucrose and juice percentage were highly significant. Mean stalk sucrose ranged from 5.1 to 16.4 Brix (°Bx) and fresh biomass from 45 to 135 Mg ha-1 suggesting the presence of exploitable genetic variation. Mean stalk sucrose concentration was significantly higher in plants where pollination was prevented. Calculated sucrose yield of experimental hybrids ranged from 4.3 to 6.0 Mg ha-1. At the current conversion efficiency, the products of sucrose and fresh biomass can be translated into 3600 L ha-1 ethanol plus 47 Mg ha-1 silage, indicating that this high stalk sugar corn (or "sugarcorn") would be a valuable and an economically viable crop for Canada and elsewhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses guidelines for chronic kidney disease management that were developed by the Canadian Society of Nephrology. The guidelines explains key aspects of the management of the disease to promote shared care for these patients by general practitioners and specialists. In particular, these guidelines are for the care of patients who are not undergoing dialysis. The authors offer recommendations from the guidelines on aspects of management of chronic kidney disease. These include strategies for treatment, targets for different abnormalities and frequency of follow-up based on the evidence available.

Examines the association between recombinant human erythropoetin and quality of life and exercise capacity of patients receiving hemodialysis in Canada. Performance of a randomized placebo controlled study; Use of the time trade off technique; Description of recombinant human erythropoietin.

Comparative hospitalization of hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients in Canada. Background. Most comparisons of hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) have used mortality as an outcome. Relatively few studies have directly compared the hospitalization rates, an outcome of perhaps equal importance, of patients using these different dialysis modalities. Methods. Eight hundred twenty-two consecutive patients at 11 Canadian institutions with irreversible renal failure had an extensive assessment of comorbid illness and initial mode of dialysis collected prospectively immediately prior to starting dialysis therapy. The cohort was assembled between March 1993 and November 1994. The mean follow-up was 24 months. Admission data were used to compare hospitalization rates in HD and PD. Results. Thirty-four percent of patients at baseline and 50% at three months used PD. Twenty-five percent of HD and 32% of PD patients switched dialysis modality at least once after their first treatment (P = NS). Nine percent of HD patients and 30% of PD patients switched modality after three months (P < 0.001). Total comorbidity was higher in HD patients at baseline (P < 0.001) and at three months (P = 0.001). The overall hospitalization rate was 40.2 days per 1000 patient days after baseline and 38.0 days per 1000 patient days after three months. When an adjustment was made for baseline comorbid conditions, patients on PD had a lower rate of hospitalization in intention-to-treat analysis according to the type of dialysis in use at baseline (RR 0.85, 95% CI, 0.82 to 0.87, P < 0.001), but a higher rate according to the type of dialysis in use three months after study entry (RR 1.31, 95% CI, 1.27 to 1.34, P < 0.001). In analyses based on the amount of time actually spent on each treatment modality, PD was associated with a higher rate of hospitalization when analyzed according to the type of dialysis in use at baseline (RR 1.10, 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.13, P < 0.001) and according... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comparative mortality of hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis in Canada. Background. Comparisons of mortality rates in patients on hemodialysis versus those on peritoneal dialysis have been inconsistent. We hypothesized that comorbidity has an important effect on differential survival in these two groups of patients. Methods. Eight hundred twenty-two consecutive patients at 11 Canadian institutions with irreversible renal failure had an extensive assessment of comorbid illness collected prospectively, immediately prior to starting dialysis therapy. The cohort was assembled between March 1993 and November 1994; vital status was ascertained as of January 1, 1998. Results. The mean follow-up was 24 months. Thirty-four percent of patients at baseline, 50% at three months, and 51% at six months used peritoneal dialysis. Values for a previously validated comorbidity score were higher for patients on hemodialysis at baseline (4.0 vs. 3.1, P < 0.001), three months (3.7 vs. 3.2, P = 0.001), and six months (3.6 vs. 3.2, P = 0.005). The overall mortality was 41%. The unadjusted peritoneal dialysis/hemodialysis mortality hazard ratios were 0.65 (95% CI, 0.51 to 0.83, P = 0.0005), 0.84 (95% CI, 0.66 to 1.06, P = NS), and 0.83 (95% CI, 0.64 to 1.08, P = NS) based on the modality of dialysis in use at baseline, three months, and six months, respectively. When adjusted for age, sex, diabetes, cardiac failure, myocardial infarction, peripheral vascular disease, malignancy, and acuity of renal failure, the corresponding hazard ratios were 0.79 (95% CI, 0.62 to 1.01, P = NS), 1.00 (95% CI, 0.78 to 1.28, P = NS), and 0.95 (95% CI, 0.73 to 1.24, P = NS). Adjustment for a previously validated comorbidity score resulted in hazard ratios of 0.74 (95% CI, 0.58 to 0.94, P = 0.01), 0.94 (95% CI, 0.74 to 1.19, P = NS), and 0.88 (95% CI, 0.68 to 1.13, P = NS) at baseline, three months, and six months. There was no survival advantage for either modality in any of the major subgroups defined... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]