A single immunization of -infected mice with Vanguard crLyme elicits robust antibody responses to diverse strains and variants of outer surface protein C.

Lyme disease, caused by and related species is a growing health threat to companion animals across North America and Europe. Vaccination is an important preventive tool used widely in dogs living in, or near, endemic regions. In this report, we assessed anti-outer surface protein (Osp) A and anti-OspC antibody responses in -infected and -naïve mice (C3H/HeN) after immunization with a murine-optimized single dose of the Lyme disease subunit vaccine, Vanguard crLyme.

Trace Elements' Contamination of Pediatric Parenteral Nutrition Solutions in Canada: A Cause for Concern.

Background: Trace elements' (TEs) contamination of parenteral nutrition (PN) solutions is an ongoing concern. The aims of this study were 1) to measure actual TE concentrations in PN admixtures compared with ordered concentrations and 2) compare TE intake with current recommendations.

Methods: PN admixtures from discarded bags were collected from patients receiving home PN and on inpatient wards.

Long-term Exposure of Children to a Mixed Lipid Emulsion Is Less Hepatotoxic Than Soybean-based Lipid Emulsion.

Lipid emulsions have been associated with liver injury. Newer mixed emulsions (ML), such as SMOFlipid (Fresenius Kabi, Germany), are thought to be more hepatoprotective than soybean-based emulsions (SL), such as Intralipid (Baxter). Pediatric studies comparing long-term use between the 2 are limited.

Long-term Follow-up After Pediatric Liver Transplantation: Predictors of Growth.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to describe long-term growth postpediatric liver transplantation and to conduct bivariate and multivariate analysis of factors that may predict post-transplantation growth in children who received a liver transplant from January 1999 to December 2008 at the Hospital for Sick Children.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted with follow-up of up-to 10 years post-transplantation. Mean height and weight z scores and annual differences in mean z scores were plotted against time after transplantation.

Prevalence of renal abnormality in pediatric intestinal failure.

Background: Outcomes of children with intestinal failure have improved over the last decade. However, with improved survival, other co-morbidities have become evident. The goal of our study was to evaluate the presence of renal nephrocalcinosis or increased echogenicity in a cohort of patients with pediatric intestinal failure (PIF).

Plasma Aluminum Concentrations in Pediatric Patients Receiving Long-Term Parenteral Nutrition.

Background: Patients receiving long-term parenteral nutrition (PN) are at increased risk of aluminium (Al) toxicity because of bypass of the gastrointestinal tract during PN infusion. Complications of Al toxicity include metabolic bone disease (MBD), Al-associated encephalopathy in adults, and impaired neurological development in preterm infants. Unlike the United States, there are no regulations regarding Al content of large- and small-volume parenterals in Canada.

Factors that influence vulnerability to STDs and HIV/AIDS among Hispanic women.

Self-esteem, motivation for sexual health, and sexual risk behaviors as indicated by condom use and number of sex partners was explored in a sample of 140 Hispanic women of childbearing age (18-44 years). The researchers used Cox's Interaction Model of Client Health Behavior (IMCHB) as the conceptual framework for the study. They found that 70% (n = 79) of single women reported condom use with their most recent sexual partner, and 49% (n = 55) of single women reported more than one sexual partner in the last 12 months.

Safer sexual decision making in adolescent women: perspectives from the conflict theory of decision-making.

Adolescent women are at risk for unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases, including human immune deficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency deficiency syndrome (AIDS), if they do not engage in safer sexual practices. Adolescent women are biologically, behaviorally, and socially more at risk for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and HIV than adolescent men. Although abstinence is the safest sexual health practice for adolescent women, once sexual activity begins, safer sexual practices involve condom and contraceptive use, and communicating with sexual partners to negotiate condom use.

Planning a sexual health promotion intervention with homeless adolescents.

Background: Homeless adolescents are at very high risk for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), but few street-based interventions have been developed, tested, and made available to reduce risk and promote sexual health within this growing population.

Objectives: This study, part of a larger study of the sexual health practices of homeless adolescents, explores participants' perceived need for more knowledge about sexual health and their ideas about developing a brief intervention to promote positive sexual health practices that would reflect their perspective.

Methods: Four focus groups with five to six participants each were conducted with 22 youth aged 16-20 years, randomly selected from the study sample of 425 homeless youth.