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This paper explores the ways in which consumers assess the safety of food in restaurants and other eating-out establishments, and the resulting impact on restaurant choice. The analysis builds on the existing literature on restaurant choice more generally and a growing body of studies on the impact of official inspection information on the perceived safety of restaurants. Based on a two-stage consumer study in the City of Hamilton in Ontario, Canada, involv- ing focus groups and a postal survey, the research highlights how consumers base their assessment of food safety in restaurants using a range of visible 7

A novel assay for the determination of l-asparaginase activity in human plasma is described that is based on the HPLC quantitation of l-aspartic acid produced during enzyme incubation. Methods for monitoring l-asparagine depletion are also described. Chromatography of l-aspartic acid, l-asparagine and l-homoserine (the internal standard) involved derivatization with o-pthaldialdehyde, then separation from other amino acids on a Phenomenex Luna C(18) column using a 1 mL/min flow rate and a mobile phase consisting of di-potassium hydrogen orthophosphate propionate buffer, pH 6, with 10% methanol and 10% acetonitrile. Fluoresence detection was at excitation/emission wavelengths of 357/455 nm. Under these conditions l-aspartic acid, l-asparagine and l-homoserine had retention times of 3.5, 9.8 and 17.7 min, respectively. The l-asparaginase assay was linear from 0.1 to 10 U/mL activity and interday precision and accuracy were less than 13%. The limit of quantitation was approximately 0.03 U/mL. The assay utility was established in 12 children who received E. coli l-asparaginase as treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

Background In Canada, the legal responsibility for the condition of private water supplies, including private wells and cisterns, rests with their owners. However, there are reports that Canadians test these water supplies intermittently and that treatment of such water is uncommon. An estimated 45% of all waterborne outbreaks in Canada involve non-municipal systems. An understanding of the perceptions and needs of Canadians served by private water supplies is essential, as it would enable public health professionals to better target public education and drinking water policy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the public perceptions of private water supplies in the City of Hamilton, Ontario (Canada), with the intent of informing public education and outreach strategies within the population. Methods A cross-sectional postal survey of 246 residences with private water supplies was conducted in May 2004. Questions pertained to the perceptions of water quality and alternative water sources, water testing behaviours and the self-identified need for further information. Results Private wells, cisterns or both, were the source of household water for 71%, 16% and 13% of respondents, respectively. Although respondents rated their water quality highly, 80% also had concerns with its safety. The most common concerns pertained to bacterial and chemical contamination of their water supply and its potential negative effect on health. Approximately 56% and 61% of respondents used in-home treatment devices and bottled water within their homes, respectively, mainly due to perceived improvements in the safety and aesthetic qualities compared to regular tap water. Testing of private water supplies was performed infrequently: 8% of respondents tested at a frequency that meets current provincial guidelines. Two-thirds of respondents wanted more information on various topics related to private water supplies. Flyers and newspapers were the two media reported most likely to be used. Conclusion Although respondents rated their water quality highly, the majority had concerns regarding the water from their private supply, and the use of bottled water and water treatment devices was extensive. The results of this study suggest important lines of inquiry and provide support and input for public education programs, particularly those related to private water testing, in this population.

BACKGROUND Vincristine (VCR) is used widely in oncology practice, and regular dosing is commonly associated with the development of sensorimotor or autonomic neuropathies. However, the incidence of VCR-related central nervous system (CNS) toxicity is comparatively low, suggesting that the blood-brain barrier may limit drug penetration into the brain parenchyma. This study determined whether measurable concentrations of VCR could be detected in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), as a surrogate marker of brain parenchyma penetration, after bolus intravenous injection in children without primary CNS pathology. METHODS The authors studied 17 pediatric patients ages 2.5–14.1 years (median, 6.8 years) with acute lymphoblastic leukemia or non-Hodgkin lymphoma without evidence of leptomeningeal disease. Patients received VCR 1.5 mg/m2 by intravenous bolus injection followed at varying intervals by lumbar puncture for scheduled intrathecal methotrexate administration under general anesthesia. Paired VCR concentrations in both plasma and CSF were measured in each patient simultaneously at times ranging from 8 minutes to 146 minutes after the VCR injection. Three patients were studied twice. The paired samples were stored at −40 °C until analysis using a high performance liquid chromatography assay with a sensitivity of 0.1 μg/L in CSF and 0.4 μg/L in plasma. RESULTS Plasma VCR concentrations ranged from 2.2 μg/L to 91.2 μg/L. No measurable VCR concentrations were detected in the CSF samples. CONCLUSIONS Measurable concentrations of VCR in CSF are not achieved after the administration of standard intravenous bolus doses of VCR. The current observations are consistent with the relative rarity of VCR-related CNS neurotoxicity compared with the commonly observed sensorimotor and autonomic neuropathies. These findings suggest that the penetration of VCR into the brain parenchyma of patients with a relatively intact blood-brain barrier is low and that VCR may have a limited role in the CNS-directed therapy of these patients. Cancer 2002;94:1815–20. © 2002 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.10397