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Objective: The relationship between breast cancer risk and residential proximity to paper mills, pulp mills, petroleum refineries, steel mills, thermal power plants, alum smelters, nickel smelters, lead smelters, copper smelters, and zinc smelters was assessed. Methods: We conducted a population-based case-control study of 2343 cases with breast cancer and 2467 controls using residential proximity at some time between 1960 and 5 years before the completion of questionnaire in Canada. Results: Adjusted odds ratios were statistically significantly increased for residing near steel mills (0.8 to 3.2 km) and thermal power plants (

Background The effect of antioxidants on breast cancer is still controversial. Our objective was to assess the association between antioxidants and breast cancer risk in a large population-based case-control study. Methods The study population included 2,362 cases with pathologically confirmed incident breast cancer (866 premenopausal and 1,496 postmenopausal) and 2,462 controls in Canada. Intakes of antioxidants from diet and from supplementation as well as other potential risk factors for breast cancer were collected by a self-reported questionnaire. Results Compared with subjects with no supplementation, 10 years or longer supplementation of zinc had multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of 0.46 (0.25-0.85) for premenopausal women, while supplementation of 10 years or longer of multiple vitamin, beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc had multivariable-adjusted ORs (95% CIs) of 0.74 (0.59, 0.92), 0.58 (0.36, 0.95), 0.79 (0.63-0.99), 0.75 (0.58, 0.97), and 0.47 (0.28-0.78), respectively, for postmenopausal women. No significant effect of antioxidants from dietary sources (including beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium and zinc) or from supplementation less than 10 years was observed. Conclusions This study suggests that supplementation of zinc in premenopausal women, and supplementation of multiple vitamin, beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc in postmenopausal women for 10 or more years may protect women from developing breast cancer. However, we were unable to determine the overall effect of total dose or intake from both diet and supplement.

This period analysis provides Canadian predictions of the short- and long-term relative survival of people recently diagnosed with cancer. Long-term period and cohort-based estimates are also compared.Data are from the Canadian Cancer Registry, the Canadian Mortality Data Base, and Statistics Canada life tables.Relative survival analyses were conducted using the life-table method; expected survival proportions were derived using the Ederer II approach. Period analysis estimates were based on the survival experience of cancer cases followed up in 2002. The cohort analyses involved people diagnosed in 1997 (5-year survival) or 1992 (10-year survival). National estimates exclude Quebec.Relative survival ratios were highest for thyroid (5-year, 97.7%) and prostate (95.2%) cancer and lowest for pancreatic cancer. Survival for many forms of cancer is higher than previously estimated by cohort-based analysis. The largest increases in 10-year relative survival were predicted for cancers of the prostate (13.0%) and rectum (9.7%). The largest predicted increases for 5-year survival were for cancers of the cervix uteri (5.4%) and rectum (4.5%), and for leukemia (3.7%).

This article examines recent use of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test and presents trends in prostate cancer incidence, surgery and mortality.Data are from the 2000/01 Canadian Community Health Survey, the National Cancer Incidence Reporting System and the Canadian Cancer Registry, the Hospital Morbidity Database, and the Canadian Mortality Database.Descriptive data on PSA testing among men aged 40 or older were produced. Age-standardized prostate cancer incidence, surgery and mortality rates were calculated. Significant changes in linear trends were detected with joinpoint analysis. Provincial differences in incidence and mortality rates were tested using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).In 2000/01, 43% of Canadian men aged 40 or older reported having had a PSA test. Prostate cancer incidence rates rose in the early 1990s, but have since fallen. Prostate cancer mortality rates have decreased among men aged 60 or older, but show little change among younger men. While interprovincial differences in rates of PSA testing were significant, differences in incidence and mortality rates were not pronounced.

To explore the possible interaction between human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) in patients who have undergone organ transplantation, stored serum samples from 139 orthotopic liver transplant recipients were tested for HHV-6 immunoglobulin (Ig) G and IgM antibodies. HHV-6 reactivation occurred in 87 patients (62.6%) and was associated with CMV disease (P = .01), severe CMV-associated disease (P = .01), older age (P = .005), and use of muromonab-CD3 (Orthoclone; Orthobiotech) as treatment for rejection (P = .02). Trends for an association between HHV-6 reactivation and invasive fungal disease (P = .12), bacteremia (P = .10), and graft loss (P = .12) were seen. In a multivariate analysis of risk factors for severe CMV-associated disease, HHV-6 reactivation (relative risk [RR], 3.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2-10.2; P = .02), CMV donor-positive-recipient-negative match (RR, 5.7; 95% CI, 2.5-13.2; P

s / Can J Diabetes 37 (2013) S13eS84 S17 Mohawk Territory, Quebec, evaluated the Kateri Memorial Hospital Centre (KMHC) Health Education Program (HEP) for Diabetes Prevention for the years 2010 to 2012 at 2 elementary schools. The project goal was to understand how the HEP continued to be delivered since its inception in 1994. The project objectives were to identify the relevance and accuracy of the curriculum content; to identify the cultural appropriateness of the content and instructional methodology, and the successes and challenges of the implementation methodology; to identify facilitators and barriers of the HEP delivery; and to understand the overall effectiveness of the curriculum. Qualitative and quantitative data collection included individual interviews with principals; teacher questionnaires; talking circles with teachers and with key informants (authors); and a curriculum review of the content, instructional methodology and cultural appropriateness. The results indicated that participants and evaluators perceived the HEP as important to the children to increase knowledge regarding health behaviours to prevent type 2 diabetes. The strengths of the curriculum included factors involving a positive school environment and certain aspects of delivery and curriculum content. Weaknesses included lack of administrative support, instructional time and time management issues, a lack of Mohawk cultural representation, and outdated or missing resource materials. Recommendations addressed curriculum content, cultural integration, methodology development and administrative support to revitalize the curriculum and delivery. Knowledge transfer activities include discussions with local stakeholders (hospital, schools and KSDPP) with follow up strategizing to implement the recommendations.

The purpose of our study was to examine the nutritional status of patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (mean predicted FEV1, 30 +/- 11%) and to explore its relationship to functional capacity. Functional capacity was evaluated by measuring peak oxygen consumption (VO2max) using an incremental cycle ergometry test, a 6-min walk test, self-perceived level of dyspnea, and quality of life. The percentage ideal body weight (%IBW) was less than 90% in 33 of 135 subjects. Triceps skinfold thickness was less than 60% of normal in 19 of 33 of these subjects. Total lymphocyte count was not different between groups, whereas hemoglobin (14.9 versus 15.9 g/dl) and albumin (4.0 versus 4.1 g/dl) were marginally reduced in underweight subjects. Dyspnea and overall quality of life were unaffected by nutritional status. Maximal inspiratory (Pimax) and expiratory mouth pressures (PEmax) were weakly associated with %IBW (R2 = 0.04; p = 01 and R2 = 0.15; p less than 0.01, respectively). The %IBW was a predictor of VO2max (percent predicted) after controlling for FEV1 in regression analysis (partial R2 = 0.08; p less than 0.001). Despite the association of weight status with VO2max, the 6-min walk was not influenced by %IBW. The perceived intensity of exercise as judged by the Borg score was far greater with the bicycle exercise that with the 6-min walk (mean score, 10.6 +/- 1.2 versus 4.6 +/- 1.9). This was supported by the difference in heart rate after these two tests.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Rabbit kidney function was assessed in vitro after cryoprotection with either 3 or 4 M dimethyl sulfoxide. The introduction and removal of the cryoprotectant was carried out in a stepwise progressive manner and the removal in a stepwise progressive manner with hypertonic mannitol solutions. This in vitro model can be shown to respond to various ischemic-like states resulting in poor or absent function. Active tubular transport can be demonstrated. It has been used by many authors as an intermediate step prior to the ultimate test of reimplant and contralateral nephrectomy. Variations in the rate of cooling at cryoprotection levels of 3 and 4 M dimethyl sulfoxide concentration (Me2SO) were carried out. In general, at 3 M concentration of Me2SO, creatinine clearance, sodium and glucose reabsorption are preserved with a fair degree of success after cooling to -10, -15, and -20 degrees C in our model, when the rate of cooling to these levels is 1.0 degree C/min. When a cooling rate of 0.5 degree C/min is used, renal function is significantly reduced whether the final temperature is -10, -15, or -20 degrees C. Control rabbit kidneys will tolerate 4 M concentration of Me2SO and give fairly good function. When cooled to -15 or -20 degrees C, there is poor function at 0.1 and 0.5 degrees C/min. Fair function is obtained at the rate of 1 degree C/min to -10 degrees C. Therefore, at cryoprotectant levels of 3 and 4 M Me2SO, kidney function as assayed by in vitro perfusion, is better when the cooling rate is 1.0 degree C/min.

Successful preservation of small bowel by cryobiologic techniques would increase the feasibility of intestinal transplants. Immunosuppression by Cyclosporin A (CyA) has also increased interest in intestinal transplantation. We have investigated the effect of cryopreservation and immunosuppression in fetal rat intestinal transplantation. Segments of fetal bowel implanted isogeneically into the paravertebral gutter of young rats were found to grow in a high percentage of animals (53% to 100%). Segments frozen to -20 degrees C or -40 degrees C at two rates of cooling, grew isogeneically (50% to 89%), demonstrating the feasibility of cryopreservation. Histologic examination of this bowel showed preservation of structure. When these segments were cooled and implanted allogeneically, no immunosuppressive effect was found. Segments protected by daily CyA administration grew. No synergistic effect was seen by associating CyA and cryopreservation. These experiments suggest the possibility of creating fetal small bowel long-term banking.