Infection with arginase-deficient Leishmania major reveals a parasite number-dependent and cytokine-independent regulation of host cellular arginase activity and disease pathogenesis.

The balance between the products of L-arginine metabolism in macrophages regulates the outcome of Leishmania major infection. L-arginine can be oxidized by host inducible NO synthase to produce NO, which contributes to parasite killing. In contrast, L-arginine hydrolysis by host arginase blocks NO generation and provides polyamines, which can support parasite proliferation.

Gestational exposure to antidepressants and the risk of spontaneous abortion: a review.

Background: Although the relationship between antidepressant use during pregnancy and its adverse effects has been widely investigated, very few studies have evaluated the impact of antidepressant use during pregnancy on the risk of spontaneous abortion. We present an overview of the evidence relating to the association between antidepressant use during gestation and the risk of spontaneous abortion.

Methods: We systematically searched PubMed and the reference lists of all relevant articles, including reviews, published in English or French from 1975 through 2009 for studies that examined the association between adverse pregnancy outcomes and gestational exposure to antidepressants with data on spontaneous abortions.

Prescriptions filled during pregnancy for drugs with the potential of fetal harm.

Objective: To assess the extent of prescriptions filled by pregnant women for drugs with recognised potential of fetal harm, and to document the outcomes of these pregnancies.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Population: Quebec Pregnancy Registry.

Relationship between adherence level to statins, clinical issues and health-care costs in real-life clinical setting.

Objective: Statins have been shown to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular disease. We recognize that there is a major gap between the use of statins in actual practice and treatment guidelines for dyslipidemia. Low adherence to statins may have a significant impact on clinical issues and health-care costs.

Serum free light chain immunoassay as an adjunct to serum protein electrophoresis and immunofixation electrophoresis in the detection of multiple myeloma and other B-cell malignancies.

Background: Protein and immunofixation electrophoresis of serum and urine are established as diagnostic aids for identifying monoclonal gammopathies. However, many patient sera sent to laboratories are not accompanied by urine samples and recent reports suggest the use of serum free light chain (sFLC) analysis in combination with serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) and immunofixation electrophoresis (lFE) could eliminate the need for urinalysis. The aim of the study was to assess the utility of sFLC measurement in addition to serum protein electrophoresis in the identification of patients with B-cell malignancies.

Avian reoviruses: propagation, quantification, and storage.

Avian reoviruses (ARVs) are pathogens that cause significant morbidity among commercial poultry. ARVs are prototypic representatives of non-enveloped viruses that can cause cell-cell fusion. They belong to the Reoviridae family, which contains many highly pathogenic viruses.

Mammalian reoviruses: propagation, quantification, and storage.

Mammalian reoviruses are pathogens that cause gastrointestinal and respiratory infections. In humans, the mammalian reoviruses usually cause mild or subclinical disease, and they are ubiquitous, with most people mounting immunity at a young age. Reoviruses are prototypic representations of the Reoviridae family, which contains many highly pathogenic viruses.

Growth and maintenance of quail fibrosarcoma QM5 cells.

This appendix describes techniques for culturing quail fibrosarcoma QM5 cell lines, one of the preferred cell lines in which many avian reovirus studies take place.

Discontinuation of antihypertensive drug use during the first trimester of pregnancy and the risk of preeclampsia and eclampsia among women with chronic hypertension.

Objective: The goal of this study was to investigate the association between the discontinuation of antihypertensive medication use during the first trimester of pregnancy and the risk of preeclampsia and eclampsia.

Study Design: We conducted a nested case-control approach within a cohort that was reconstructed from the linkage of 3 databases. To be included in the study, women had to match the following criteria: (1) between 15-45 years old on the first day of gestation, (2) covered by Québec's Drug Insurance Plan for at least 12 months before and during pregnancy, (3) exposed to an antihypertensive drug on the first day of gestation, and (4) have had a delivery.

Better adherence to antihypertensive agents and risk reduction of chronic heart failure.

Aims: Antihypertensive (AH) agents have been shown to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events including chronic heart failure (CHF). However, the impact of changes in patterns of AH agents use on CHF is unknown. Our objective was to estimate to which different patterns of AH agent use is associated with the occurrence of CHF in a population-based study.

Epidemiology of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy: prevalence, severity, determinants, and the importance of race/ethnicity.

Background: Studies that contributed to the epidemiology of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy have reported conflicting findings, and often failed to account for all possible co-variables necessary to evaluate the multidimensional associations. The objectives of this study were to: 1) Estimate the prevalence and the severity of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy during the 1st and the 2nd trimester of pregnancy, and 2) Identify determinants of presence and severity of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy during the 1st and 2nd trimesters separately, with a special emphasis on the impact of race/ethnicity.

Methods: A prospective study including pregnant women attending the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Sainte-Justine or René-Laennec clinics for their prenatal care was conducted from 2004 to 2006.

Effect of statin adherence on cerebrovascular disease in primary prevention.

Background: Evidence from meta-analyses shows that statin therapy reduces all-cause mortality and nonhemorrhagic strokes. Nonadherence to statins may reduce this protective effect. The association between statin adherence and incidence of cerebrovascular disease remains unexplored outside the context of clinical trials.

Validity of perinatal pharmacoepidemiologic studies using data from the RAMQ administrative database.

Background: The RAMQ prescription claims database (RAMQ-Rx) is increasingly being used in perinatal pharmacoepidemiologic studies; but, there are reasons to believe that results generated with the RAMQ-Rx might not be generalizable to all patient populations.

Objectives: Compare characteristics between pregnant women insured by the RAMQ-Rx and those insured by a private drug insurance plan.

Methods: A prospective study performed within the population of pregnant women receiving prenatal care at different obstetrics and gynecology clinics affiliated to the University of Montreal, Canada, was conducted from October 2004 to March 2006.

Antidepressant use during pregnancy: a critical systematic review of the literature.

Over the past 15 years, the number of studies investigating the potential teratogenic effects of antidepressants has drastically increased. Prescribing antidepressants during pregnancy is becoming a challenge for health care providers because of conflicting data on their teratogenic potential. A critical systematic review of studies describing the relationship between antidepressant use during pregnancy and its impact on congenital malformations, prematurity, low birth weight (LBW), and child development was undertaken to summarize the current evidence-based findings.

Impact of better adherence to statin agents in the primary prevention of coronary artery disease.

Background: Statins reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality after continuous treatment. Studies have shown that less than 50% of patients take 80% or more of prescribed doses 1 year after starting therapy.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of statin adherence on the incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD).

High-throughput single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping in wheat (Triticum spp.).

Over the past few years, considerable progress has been made in high-throughput single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping technologies, largely through the investment of the human genetics community. These technologies are well adapted to diploid species. For plant breeding purposes, it is important to determine whether these genotyping methods are adapted to polyploidy, as most major crops are former or recent polyploids.

Herbal products use during pregnancy: prevalence and predictors.

Purposes: (1) Measure the prevalence of herbal product (HP) use, alone, and concomitantly with prescribed medications during pregnancy, (2) identify the most frequently consumed HP during gestation and (3) determine predictors of HP use at the beginning of pregnancy, and during the third trimester.

Methods: A questionnaire was mailed to 8505 women selected from the Quebec Pregnancy Registry which was created by the linkage of three administrative databases: RAMQ, Méd-Echo and ISQ. Women were eligible if they were continuously insured by the RAMQ drug plan for at least 12 months before the first day of gestation and during pregnancy, and if they gave birth to a live born between January 1998 and December 2003 in one of the Quebec's hospitals.

Determinants of early medical management of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy.

Background: Early medical management of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy is desirable but less than optimal. The aims of this study were to describe the management of nausea and vomiting during the first prenatal visit and to identify the determinants of 1) addressing the subject of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy with the health practitioner and 2) receiving an antiemetic prescription.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted of 283 women who reported nausea and vomiting during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Health care providers' requests to Teratogen Information Services on medication use during pregnancy and lactation.

Background: Medication use during pregnancy and lactation is prevalent. However, current knowledge of the risks and benefits of medication use during pregnancy and lactation is incomplete as the best available evidence has been obtained from cohort studies of inadvertent exposures and registries. This situation may partly explain health care providers' (HCP) risk perceptions and thus the increasing number of calls to Teratogen Information Services (TIS).

[Construction-cost assessment of a program designed to promote physical and sports activities and prevent doping behaviors: PN-APSD - on 2002-2007].

Background: According to the framework legislation promulgated as part of the reform of finance laws in France, quality is a mandatory feature of all governmental actions. In this context, this work was conducted to assess the construction cost of a national health program designed to promote physical and sports activities and prevent doping behaviors. This program was considered to have the characteristic features of a successful governmental health intervention.

Metoclopramide and diphenhydramine in the treatment of hyperemesis gravidarum: effectiveness and predictors of rehospitalisation.

Objectives: Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is the second most common reason for hospitalisation during pregnancy. Since 2002, a new HG treatment protocol consisting of metoclopramide plus diphenhydramine was put in place at CHU Sainte-Justine, affiliated to University of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effectiveness of this new HG protocol regarding length of hospitalisation for HG, rate of rehospitalisation, evolution of nausea and vomiting symptoms, and rate of adverse events.

[What prevention programmes and which organizations are needed to support healthy ageing?].

Physical activity and exercise are recognized as one of the determinants of health. This study aims to produce a review of the logical foundations at work that support the identification of a public health problem for this determinant and how to address it through national action. The research is based on cross-analysis of data from semi-directed interviews and data extracted from documents on the development, implementation and follow-up of such actions and programmes.

A high-throughput multiplex method adapted for GMO detection.

A high-throughput multiplex assay for the detection of genetically modified organisms (GMO) was developed on the basis of the existing SNPlex method designed for SNP genotyping. This SNPlex assay allows the simultaneous detection of up to 48 short DNA sequences (approximately 70 bp; "signature sequences") from taxa endogenous reference genes, from GMO constructions, screening targets, construct-specific, and event-specific targets, and finally from donor organisms. This assay avoids certain shortcomings of multiplex PCR-based methods already in widespread use for GMO detection.

Impact of a better adherence to antihypertensive agents on cerebrovascular disease for primary prevention.

Background And Purpose: The benefits of antihypertensive (AH) drugs on the risks of major cardiovascular outcomes have been demonstrated in clinical trials. However, approximately half of hypertensive patients do not adhere well to their prescribed AH therapy in actual practice. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of adherence to AH agents on the incidence of cerebrovascular disease (CD) in real-world practice.