Neighborhood socioeconomic status and homicides among children in urban Canada.

Objective: We sought to determine the influence of neighborhood income on homicides among children living in urban Canada.

Methods: Homicides among children <15 years of age living in any of Canada's census metropolitan areas in 1996, 1997, or 1998 were identified on the basis of vital statistics death registration data, by using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes. Deaths were assigned to census tracts through postal codes, and the tracts were then assigned to neighborhood income quintiles on the basis of the proportions of the population below the Statistics Canada low-income cutoff values.

Individualized outcome measures for evaluating life skill groups for children with disabilities.

Background: The challenge of evaluating life skill groups is the need to assess skills reflecting the priorities and abilities of the individuals as well as the program focus.

Purpose: This study describes the feasibility and utility of goal menus and individualized outcome measures in two life skill groups for children with disabilities.

Methods: Eleven children were evaluated at baseline and 5 weeks post-program using a modified Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) and modified Goal Attainment Scaling (mod-GAS).

Generation of platform human embryonic stem cell lines that allow efficient targeting at a predetermined genomic location.

Bacteriophage recombinases can target specific loci in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) at high efficiency, allowing for long-term expression of transgenes. In the present work, we describe a retargeting system where we used phiC31 integrase to target a plasmid to a pseudo-attP site in the cellular genome. The integration site was mapped and the chromosomal location evaluated for potential to be transcriptionally active in differentiated cells.

Ambulation in labour and delivery mode: a randomised controlled trial of high-dose vs mobile epidural analgesia.

Compared to high-dose epidurals where mobility is impossible, mobile epidurals have been shown to reduce instrumental vaginal delivery rates. The mechanism for this benefit may depend on women walking or adopting upright postures during labour. We investigated maternal motor power and ambulation of 1052 primparous women randomised to high-dose epidural (Control), Combined Spinal Epidural (CSE) or Low-Dose Infusion (LDI) as a pre-specified, secondary outcome of the Comparative Obstetric Mobile Epidural Trial.

Exercise to reduce vasomotor and other menopausal symptoms: a review.

Many women are reluctant to consider HRT as a therapeutic option for menopausal symptoms and are keen to use non-pharmacological treatments. Evidence from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) concerning the effects of aerobic exercise on vasomotor and other menopausal symptoms is limited but what evidence we do have suggests that aerobic exercise can improve psychological health and quality of life in vasomotor symptomatic women. In addition, several RCTs of middle-aged/menopausal-aged women have found that aerobic exercise can invoke significant improvements in several common menopause-related symptoms (e.

Antenatal peer support workers and initiation of breast feeding: cluster randomised controlled trial.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of an antenatal service using community based breastfeeding peer support workers on initiation of breast feeding.

Design: Cluster randomised controlled trial.

Setting: Community antenatal clinics in one primary care trust in a multiethnic, deprived population.

Dietary interventions for recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in childhood.

Background: Between 4% and 25% of school-age children complain of recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) of sufficient severity to interfere with daily activities. It is unclear whether the diagnosis includes children with different aetiologies for their pain. For the majority no organic cause for their pain can be found on physical examination or investigation.

Systematic review of effect of community-level interventions to reduce maternal mortality.

Background: The objective was to provide a systematic review of the effectiveness of community-level interventions to reduce maternal mortality.

Methods: We searched published papers using Medline, Embase, Cochrane library, CINAHL, BNI, CAB ABSTRACTS, IBSS, Web of Science, LILACS and African Index Medicus from inception or at least 1982 to June 2006; searched unpublished works using National Research Register website, metaRegister and the WHO International Trial Registry portal. We hand searched major references.

The effectiveness of exercise in the management of post-natal depression: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Post-natal depression (PND) is a serious mental health problem that may be reduced by exercise. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence in England have recommended that health professions should consider exercise as a treatment for PND.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of exercise in the management of PND.

Day of discharge and hospital readmission rates within 30 days in children: A population-based study.

Background: Adults discharged from hospital on a Friday are more likely to be readmitted within 30 days than are adults discharged midweek. No study has examined readmission rates for children by day of discharge.

Objective: To determine the risk of readmission within 30 days by day of discharge in the paediatric population.

Antenatal depression and male gender preference in Asian women in the UK.

Objective: to identify the prevalence of antenatal depression among Asian women living in the UK in one antenatal clinic, and to investigate the possible association with a desire for a male child and other risk factors.

Design: cross-sectional questionnaire-based study.

Setting: general antenatal clinic in a hospital in Birmingham.

Urinary catheterization in labour with high-dose vs mobile epidural analgesia: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Dense perineal block from epidural analgesia increases the risk of urinary catheterization in labour. Mobile epidurals using low-dose local anaesthetic in combination with opioid preserve maternal mobility and may reduce the risk of bladder dysfunction. We conducted a three-arm randomized controlled trial to compare high-dose epidural pain relief with two mobile epidural techniques.

Control of chronic otitis media and sensorineural hearing loss in C3H/HeJ mice: glucocorticoids vs mineralocorticoids.

Objective: The impact of glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids on chronic otitis media (COM) in toll-like receptor 4-deficient C3H/HeJ mice was investigated.

Study Design: To evaluate control of COM by steroids with differences in their anti-inflammatory (prednisolone, dexamethasone), and fluid absorption functions (fludrocortisone, aldosterone). A minimum sample size of five animals for each group was required based on power analysis calculations.

The effect of the palatoplasty method on the frequency of ear tube placement.

Objective: To determine whether the type of palate repair affects the frequency of subsequent ventilation tube placement.

Design: Combined retrospective and prospective cohort with more than 2 years clinical follow-up after palatoplasty.

Setting: Tertiary care children's hospital and clinic.

Exploring postinjury living environments for children and youth with acquired brain injury.

Objectives: To explore and describe the extent to which children and youth (10-18y) with acquired brain injury in Ontario are living in environments considered inappropriate, to describe the nature of services and supports in those environments, and to determine appropriate living environments for children and youth with acquired brain injury.

Design: A mixed-methods approach with a case-study design was used in which the living environment represented the case. This article reports on the qualitative component.

Multicenter interrater and intrarater reliability in the endoscopic evaluation of velopharyngeal insufficiency.

Objective: To explore interrater and intrarater reliability (R (inter) and R (intra), respectively) of a standardized scale applied to nasoendoscopic assessment of velopharyngeal (VP) function, across multiple centers.

Design: Multicenter blinded R (inter) and R (intra) study.

Setting: Eight academic tertiary care centers.

Sexual function, delivery mode history, pelvic floor muscle exercises and incontinence: a cross-sectional study six years post-partum.

Background: There is controversy over the effect of mode of delivery, pelvic floor muscle exercises (PFME), incontinence and sexual function.

Aim: To investigate the relationship of sexual function with delivery mode history, PFMEs and incontinence.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional postal survey of women, six years post-partum, who had given birth in maternity units in Aberdeen, Birmingham and Dunedin and had answered a previous questionnaire.

Psychometric properties of the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form in an ethnically diverse U.K. sample.

Objective: To psychometrically assess the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (BSES-SF) among a multicultural U.K. sample and to examine the relationship between breastfeeding self-efficacy and maternal demographic variables.

Feasibility of an exercise intervention for women with postnatal depression: a pilot randomised controlled trial.

Background: Postnatal depression is a serious mental health problem that may be reduced by exercise.

Aim: This study examined the feasibility of an exercise intervention for women with postnatal depression, and assessed which methods of recruitment are most effective.

Design Of Study: Randomised controlled trial.

Dietary interventions for recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in childhood.

Background: Between 4% and 25% of school-age children complain of recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) of sufficient severity to interfere with daily activities. It is unclear whether the diagnosis includes children with different aetiologies for their pain. For the majority no organic cause for their pain can be found on physical examination or investigation.

Pharmacological interventions for recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in childhood.

Background: Between 4% and 25% of school-age children complain of recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) of sufficient severity to interfere with daily activities. For the majority no organic cause for their pain can be found on physical examination or investigation and although most children are likely managed by reassurance and simple measures, a large range of interventions have been recommended.

Objectives: To determine the effectiveness of medication for recurrent abdominal pain in school-age children.

Psychosocial interventions for recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in childhood.

Background: Between 4% and 25% of school-age children complain of recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) of sufficient severity to interfere with daily activities. For the majority of such children, no organic cause for their pain can be found on physical examination or investigation. Although most children are managed by reassurance and simple measures, a large range of psychosocial interventions including cognitive and behavioural treatments and family therapy have been recommended.

Evaluating a school-based trachoma curriculum in Tanzania.

Trachoma remains a public health problem in a number of sub-Saharan Africa countries; behavioral change and environmental improvements are cornerstones of prevention efforts. Evidence of successful health education are few in Africa. Health education efforts through primary schools have recently been developed and adopted in Tanzania.

The role of evidence in public health policy: an example of linkage and exchange in the prevention of scald burns.

Is sound evidence sufficient to change public health practice and policy? In this paper, we describe a campaign to reduce scald burns among children based on compelling evidence of the effectiveness of an intervention to reduce hot tap water temperature. We provide an overview of the problem and the evidence to support our efforts, the context for addressing the scald problem and the lessons learned about why the relationship between evidence and change in practice is not straightforward.

Exercise for vasomotor menopausal symptoms.

Background: Evidence suggests that a high proportion of perimenopausal and early postmenopausal women will experience some menopause symptoms, hot flushes being the most common. The effects caused by falling levels of estrogen may be alleviated by hormone replacement therapy (HRT) but there has been a marked global decline in the prescription and use of HRT due to concerns about the risks and benefits of HRT; consequently many women are now seeking alternatives. As large numbers of women are choosing not to take HRT, it is increasingly important to identify evidence based lifestyle modifications, which can have a positive effect on menopausal symptoms.