The Existential Dimension of Palliative Care: The Mirror Effect of Death on Life.

The WHO has included the spiritual dimension in its definition of palliative care since 1990, but this dimension is frequently confused with notions of religion. Yet, the spiritual suffering experienced by palliative care patients is primarily a matter of existential suffering. The objective of this study was to examine the ways in which the existential dimension was manifested in the experiences of those present in a palliative care unit.

Prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens in Canadian hospitals: results of the Canadian Ward Surveillance Study (CANWARD 2008).

A total of 5,282 bacterial isolates obtained between 1 January and 31 December 31 2008, inclusive, from patients in 10 hospitals across Canada as part of the Canadian Ward Surveillance Study (CANWARD 2008) underwent susceptibility testing. The 10 most common organisms, representing 78.8% of all clinical specimens, were as follows: Escherichia coli (21.

Comparison of CMY-2 plasmids isolated from human, animal, and environmental Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. from Canada.

A total of 244 CMY-2 plasmids from 5 separate studies involving Escherichia coli and Salmonella human clinical cases as well as E. coli from feedlots and water sources were examined. Genetically similar CMY-2 plasmids isolated from either E.

First description of an extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase-producing multidrug-resistant Escherichia fergusonii strain in a patient with cystitis.

Extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing organisms have captured the attention of clinicians and laboratorians and are agents of nosocomial and community onset infections (J. D. Pitout and K.

Characterization of plasmids encoding CMY-2 AmpC beta-lactamases from Escherichia coli in Canadian intensive care units.

The dissemination of CMY-2 AmpC beta-lactamases among Escherichia coli in Canadian intensive care units occurs through a combination of clonal spread of virulent strains and the horizontal transfer of genetically similar IncI1, IncA/C, and IncK/B plasmids.

Determination of the pharmacodynamic activity of clinically achievable tigecycline serum concentrations against clinical isolates of Escherichia coli with extended-spectrum beta-lactamases, AmpC beta-lactamases and reduced susceptibility to carbapenems using an in vitro model.

Background: Escherichia coli harbouring extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs), AmpC beta-lactamases and reduced susceptibility to carbapenems (CRS) are increasing worldwide. This study assessed the in vitro pharmacodynamic activity of tigecycline against E. coli with ESBLs, AmpCs and CRS.

Differences in antimicrobial susceptibility in Escherichia coli from Canadian intensive care units based on regional and demographic variables.

Objectives: Escherichia coli resistance to antimicrobials varies according to many factors. E coli isolates from Canadian intensive care units (ICUs) were studied to determine the distribution and demographics associated with antimicrobial resistance in this population.

Methods: The Canadian National Intensive Care Unit (CAN-ICU) study characterized pathogens isolated in Canadian ICUs from July 2005 to June 2006.

Characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant enterococci and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli in intensive care units in Canada: Results of the Canadian National Intensive Care Unit (CAN-ICU) study (2005-2006).

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are important hospital pathogens in Canada and worldwide.

Objectives: To genotypically and phenotypically characterize the isolates of MRSA, VRE and ESBL-producing E coli collected from patients in Canadian intensive care units (ICUs) in 2005 and 2006.

Methods: Between September 1, 2005, and June 30, 2006, 19 medical centres participating in the Canadian National Intensive Care Unit (CAN-ICU) study collected 4133 unique patient isolates associated with infections in ICUs.

Characterization of cefoxitin-resistant Escherichia coli isolates from recreational beaches and private drinking water in Canada between 2004 and 2006.

A total of 142 cefoxitin-resistant Escherichia coli isolates from water sources were collected across Canada. Multidrug resistance was observed in 65/142 (45.8%) isolates.

Mechanisms of resistance and mobility among multidrug-resistant CTX-M-producing Escherichia coli from Canadian intensive care units: the 1st report of QepA in North America.

We studied the molecular mechanisms of resistance and mobility of 18 multidrug-resistant CTX-M-producing Escherichia coli isolates isolated from patients in Canadian intensive care units. Fluoroquinolone-resistant isolates (83.3%) had mutations in gyrA and parC.

Antimicrobial susceptibility of 3931 organisms isolated from intensive care units in Canada: Canadian National Intensive Care Unit Study, 2005/2006.

We tested the in vitro activity of 15 antimicrobials against Gram-positive cocci and 12 antimicrobials against Gram-negative bacilli versus 3931 isolates (20 most common organisms) obtained between September 1, 2005, and June 30, 2006, from 19 intensive care units (ICUs) across Canada. The most active (based upon MIC only) agents against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis were dalbavancin, daptomycin, linezolid, tigecycline, and vancomycin with MIC(90) (microg/mL) of 0.06 and < or =0.

Comparison of antimicrobial resistance profiles among extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase-producing and acquired AmpC beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli isolates from Canadian intensive care units.

Resistance profiles were compared among 18 extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase-producing (ESBL) and 27 acquired AmpC beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli isolates collected from Canadian intensive care units from 2005 to 2006. ESBL-producing E. coli isolates were more likely to be gentamicin resistant (P < 0.

Antimicrobial-resistant pathogens in intensive care units in Canada: results of the Canadian National Intensive Care Unit (CAN-ICU) study, 2005-2006.

Between 1 September 2005 and 30 June 2006, 19 medical centers collected 4,180 isolates recovered from clinical specimens from patients in intensive care units (ICUs) in Canada. The 4,180 isolates were collected from 2,292 respiratory specimens (54.8%), 738 blood specimens (17.

Pharmacodynamic activity of ertapenem versus multidrug-resistant genotypically characterized extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli using an in vitro model.

Background: This study assessed the pharmacodynamic activity of ertapenem against multidrug-resistant (MDR) genotypically characterized extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli using an in vitro model.

Methods: Six ESBL-producing E. coli with the CTX-M-15 genotype were studied.

Heredity: a prognostic factor for acne.

Background: The role of heredity in acne severity and therapeutic response remains unclear.

Objective: A prospective epidemiologic study was performed to compare clinical and evolutive features of acne and response to treatment in 151 patients with acne with (A+) or without (A-) family history of acne.

Methods: A+ and A- patients were compared on clinical and therapeutic criteria.

Decreased nocturnal plasma melatonin levels in patients with recurrent acute intermittent porphyria attacks.

Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is a hereditary disease characterized biochemically by a defect in the heme pathway enzyme porphobilinogen deaminase. There is wide variability in the neurologic clinical expression of AIP, and the disorder remains latent in most gene carriers. The natural history of the disease and results in a porphyric rat model suggest a significant relationship between tryptophan metabolites and clinical expression of the disease.