Use of radiotherapy in patients with oesophageal, stomach, colon, rectal, liver, pancreatic, lung, and ovarian cancer: an International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership (ICBP) population-based study.

Background: There is little evidence on variation in radiotherapy use in different countries, although it is a key treatment modality for some patients with cancer. Here we aimed to examine such variation.

Methods: This population-based study used data from Norway, the four UK nations (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales), nine Canadian provinces (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Saskatchewan), and two Australian states (New South Wales and Victoria).

Use of chemotherapy in patients with oesophageal, stomach, colon, rectal, liver, pancreatic, lung, and ovarian cancer: an International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership (ICBP) population-based study.

Background: There are few data on international variation in chemotherapy use, despite it being a key treatment type for some patients with cancer. Here, we aimed to examine the presence and size of such variation.

Methods: This population-based study used data from Norway, the four UK nations (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales), eight Canadian provinces (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Saskatchewan), and two Australian states (New South Wales and Victoria).

Risk factors and prognostic implications of diagnosis of cancer within 30 days after an emergency hospital admission (emergency presentation): an International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership (ICBP) population-based study.

Background: Greater understanding of international cancer survival differences is needed. We aimed to identify predictors and consequences of cancer diagnosis through emergency presentation in different international jurisdictions in six high-income countries.

Methods: Using a federated analysis model, in this cross-sectional population-based study, we analysed cancer registration and linked hospital admissions data from 14 jurisdictions in six countries (Australia, Canada, Denmark, New Zealand, Norway, and the UK), including patients with primary diagnosis of invasive oesophageal, stomach, colon, rectal, liver, pancreatic, lung, or ovarian cancer during study periods from Jan 1, 2012, to Dec 31, 2017.

Mapping Canadian Data Assets to Generate Real-World Evidence: Lessons Learned from Canadian Real-World Evidence for Value of Cancer Drugs (CanREValue) Collaboration's RWE Data Working Group.

Canadian provinces routinely collect patient-level data for administrative purposes. These real-world data (RWD) can be used to generate real-world evidence (RWE) to inform clinical care and healthcare policy. The CanREValue Collaboration is developing a framework for the use of RWE in cancer drug funding decisions.

Bayesian latent class model estimates of diagnostic accuracy for three test methods designed to detect spring viremia of carp virus.

Spring viremia of carp virus (SVCV) causes a systemic hemorrhagic disease that poses a significant risk to wild and cultured fish and is listed as notifiable by the World Organization for Animal Health. Validated molecular diagnostic tools for SVCV are required to accurately describe and analyze the ecology of the virus. Here, the diagnostic specificity (DSp) and sensitivity (DSe) (i.

Measures of diagnostic precision (repeatability and reproducibility) for three test methods designed to detect spring viremia of carp virus.

Spring viremia of carp virus (SVCV) is a rhabdovirus of the Sprivivirus genus and the etiological agent of an internationally regulated aquatic animal disease in several fish species, including koi carp Cyprinus carpio L. The virus has a complex lifecycle with both acute and persistent stages of infection and can cause high mortality in affected populations. In this study, the diagnostic repeatability (within laboratory agreement) and reproducibility (between laboratory agreement) of 3 tests were investigated to assess their fitness as SVCV diagnostic tools.

Colon and rectal cancer survival in seven high-income countries 2010-2014: variation by age and stage at diagnosis (the ICBP SURVMARK-2 project).

Objectives: As part of the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership (ICBP) SURVMARK-2 project, we provide the most recent estimates of colon and rectal cancer survival in seven high-income countries by age and stage at diagnosis.

Methods: Data from 386 870 patients diagnosed during 2010-2014 from 19 cancer registries in seven countries (Australia, Canada, Denmark, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway and the UK) were analysed. 1-year and 5-year net survival from colon and rectal cancer were estimated by stage at diagnosis, age and country, RESULTS: (One1-year) and 5-year net survival varied between (77.

Progress in cancer survival, mortality, and incidence in seven high-income countries 1995-2014 (ICBP SURVMARK-2): a population-based study.

Background: Population-based cancer survival estimates provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of cancer services and can reflect the prospects of cure. As part of the second phase of the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership (ICBP), the Cancer Survival in High-Income Countries (SURVMARK-2) project aims to provide a comprehensive overview of cancer survival across seven high-income countries and a comparative assessment of corresponding incidence and mortality trends.

Methods: In this longitudinal, population-based study, we collected patient-level data on 3·9 million patients with cancer from population-based cancer registries in 21 jurisdictions in seven countries (Australia, Canada, Denmark, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, and the UK) for seven sites of cancer (oesophagus, stomach, colon, rectum, pancreas, lung, and ovary) diagnosed between 1995 and 2014, and followed up until Dec 31, 2015.

Optimizing osteoporosis care in a rural primary health care center: Findings of a research study aimed to support seniors.

Background: Osteoporosis is one of the most under-diagnosed and under-treated health conditions in Canada. This study questioned whether an invitation to self-refer for osteoporosis risk evaluation would improve the number of patients who were tested for bone mineral density (BMD) at a rural Primary Health Care Center (PHCC).

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to improve osteoporosis care and decrease bone fracture risk in a population of patients 65 years of age and older.

Changes in colorectal cancer incidence in seven high-income countries: a population-based study.

Background: The overall incidence of colorectal cancer is decreasing in many high-income countries, yet analyses in the USA and other high-income countries such as Australia, Canada, and Norway have suggested increasing incidences among adults younger than 50 years. We aimed to examine longitudinal and generational changes in the incidence of colon and rectal cancer in seven high-income countries.

Methods: We obtained data for the incidence of colon and rectal cancer from 21 population-based cancer registries in Australia, Canada, Denmark, Norway, New Zealand, Ireland, and the UK for the earliest available year until 2014.

Diagnostic validation of three test methods for detection of cyprinid herpesvirus 3 (CyHV-3).

Cyprinid herpesvirus 3 (CyHV-3) is the aetiological agent of koi herpesvirus disease in koi and common carp. The disease is notifiable to the World Organisation for Animal Health. Three tests-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), conventional PCR (cPCR) and virus isolation by cell culture (VI)-were validated to assess their fitness as diagnostic tools for detection of CyHV-3.

Performance characteristics of polymerase chain reaction and histological methods for the detection of Haplosporidium nelsoni in the eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica).

Fitness for purpose and validation are increasingly becoming a benchmark in the development of test methods for the diagnosis of infectious diseases in aquatic animals. The design of the evaluation and the analysis of data are critical to demonstrate test method performance characteristics and fitness for purpose, as stated in the World Organization for Animal Health pathway for test validation. Three test methods for the detection of the oyster parasite Haplosporidium nelsoni were selected for the validation study described herein: histology, end-point polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and real-time PCR (qPCR).

Human papillomavirus vaccine uptake in boys and girls in a school-based vaccine delivery program in Prince Edward Island, Canada.

Background: In 2013, Prince Edward Island was the first province to introduce HPV vaccine universally to grade six boys in a school-based program. Because uptake rates in boys are unknown in this type of vaccination program, uptake of HPV vaccination in boys was measured and compared with uptake rates in girls and then analyzed with factors such as county, urban-rural location of the school, and school board to identify where the vaccine program could be improved.

Methods: HPV vaccination records from the provincial childhood immunization registry in PEI were merged with Department of Education data containing all grade six girls and boys in PEI.

Static tank depuration and chronic short-term experimental contamination of Eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) with Giardia duodenalis cysts.

Cysts of the protozoan parasite Giardia have been detected in many bivalve shellfish species worldwide. The detection of zoonotic Giardia duodenalis assemblages A and B is of public health concern, yet there is limited data available demonstrating the bioaccumulation and elimination of Giardia cysts in bivalve shellfish. This study quantified G.

Bioaccumulation and elimination of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts in experimentally exposed Eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) held in static tank aquaria.

A variety of human enteropathogens, including viruses, bacteria, and parasites, have been shown to bioaccumulate in suspension-feeding bivalve shellfish. Cryptosporidium parvum is a zoonotic protozoan parasite that has been detected in many shellfish species within both fecally contaminated and clean oyster growing areas across the globe. For this study, C.

Use of emergency departments and primary care visits for asthma related conditions in the 3 years following an asthma education program.

Background: This study examines changes in Primary Care Visits (PCVs) and Emergency Department Visits (EDVs) among 1918 patients with asthma who attended either two visits, one visit or were no-show referrals at the Dr. Patrick Gill Asthma Education Center (AEC) in Charlottetown Prince Edward Island (PEI) between January 1, 2003 and March 31, 2008 compared to 2799 controls selected from a list of PEI asthma patients developed for the Canadian Chronic Disease Surveillance System (CCDSS).

Methods: Hurdle regression was used to model counts of PCVs and negative binomial models were used to model counts of EDVs at 12 months prior to AEC contact and 0-1, >1 to 2 and >2 to 3 years after AEC contact.

The effect of a smoking ban on hospitalization rates for cardiovascular and respiratory conditions in Prince Edward Island, Canada.

Background: This is the first study to have examined the effect of smoking bans on hospitalizations in the Atlantic Canadian socio-economic, cultural and climatic context. On June 1, 2003 Prince Edward Island (PEI) enacted a province-wide smoking ban in public places and workplaces. Changes in hospital admission rates for cardiovascular (acute myocardial infarction, angina, and stroke) and respiratory (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma) conditions were examined before and after the smoking ban.

Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detection of aquatic animal pathogens in a diagnostic laboratory setting.

Real-time, or quantitative, polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) is quickly supplanting other molecular methods for detecting the nucleic acids of human and other animal pathogens owing to the speed and robustness of the technology. As the aquatic animal health community moves toward implementing national diagnostic testing schemes, it will need to evaluate how qPCR technology should be employed. This review outlines the basic principles of qPCR technology, considerations for assay development, standards and controls, assay performance, diagnostic validation, implementation in the diagnostic laboratory, and quality assurance and control measures.

Development and validation of a reverse transcription quantitative PCR for universal detection of viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus.

Viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV) infects over 70 fish species inhabiting marine, brackish or freshwater environments throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Over its geographic range, 4 VHSV genotypes and multiple subtypes exist. Here, we describe the development and validation of a rapid, sensitive and specific real-time reverse transcription quantitative PCR assay (RT-qPCR) that amplifies sequence from representative isolates of all VHSV genotypes (I, II, III and IV).

Evaluation of a reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction test and virus isolation on field samples collected for the diagnosis of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus in cultured Atlantic salmon in British Columbia.

Infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) has been found to cause disease in cultured salmon of the Pacific Northwest region of North America. Diagnosis of IHNV by virus isolation (VI) can take over 2 weeks. Recently, a rapid reverse transcriptase (RT) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test on fish tissues has been used for diagnosis.

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccination in Canadian infants and children younger than five years of age: Recommendations and expected benefits.

Introduction: Streptococcus pneumoniae infection may result in invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), such as bacteremia, meningitis and bacteremic pneumonia, or in non-IPD, such as pneumonia, sinusitis and otitis media. In June 2001, a heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) (Prevnar, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Canada) was approved for use in children in Canada. The objective of the present paper is to review S pneumoniae-induced disease incidence and vaccine recommendations in Canadian infants and children younger than five years of age.

Seroprevalence of Lawsonia intracellularis in different swine populations in 3 provinces in Canada.

Porcine proliferative enteropathy caused by Lawsonia intracellularis is an important enteric disease in swine throughout the world. Information regarding the distribution of this pathogen in Canadian swine herds would be beneficial for the creation of control protocols. Pigs from Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta were tested by using an indirect immunofluorescence assay for antibodies to L.

Risk factors for outbreaks of infectious salmon anemia in farmed Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar.

Infectious salmon anemia (ISA) is a viral disease occurring in farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) that is characterized by lethargy, anorexia, anemia and death. To control the disease in New Brunswick, Canada, 7.5 million fish from outbreak cages have been destroyed since 1997.

Application of surveillance data in evaluation of diagnostic tests for infectious salmon anemia.

Infectious salmon anemia (ISA) is a viral disease in farmed Atlantic salmon Salmo salar, characterized by lethargy, anorexia, anemia and death. Test methods used for regulatory decisions to remove infected cages include the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction test (RT-PCR), and virus isolation (VI). However, no thorough evaluation of these diagnostic tests has been carried out on field samples.

Lack of evidence of infectious salmon anemia virus in pollock Pollachius virens cohabitating with infected farmed Atlantic salmon Salmo salar.

The infectious salmon anemia (ISA) virus causes lethargy, anemia, hemorrhage of the internal organs, and death in farmed Atlantic salmon Salmo salar. It has been a cause of disease in Norwegian farmed Atlantic salmon since 1984 and has since been identified in Canada, Scotland, the United States, and the Faroe Islands. Wild fish have been proposed as a viral reservoir because they are capable of close contact with farmed salmon.