Promoting cancer screening among Ontario Chinese women.

Objectives: Cancer screening participation is typically low among newcomers to Canada. Consequently, mortality and morbidity rates are higher in ethno/cultural populations. There are inherent challenges in reaching these population groups to increase awareness and participation in cancer screening.

The contribution of clinical breast examination to the accuracy of breast screening.

Background: There is controversy about whether adding clinical breast examination (CBE) to mammography improves the accuracy of breast screening. We compared the accuracy of screening among centers that offered CBE in addition to mammography with that among centers that offered only mammography.

Methods: The cohort included 290 230 women aged 50-69 years who were screened at regional cancer centers or affiliated centers within the Ontario Breast Screening Program between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2003, and were followed up for 12 months.

Predisposing factors associated with compliance to biennial breast screening among centers with and without nurses.

Background: Previous research suggests that predisposing factors such as previous screening experience, participation in preventive health behaviors, and knowledge/beliefs about breast cancer and screening influence a woman's decision to make a timely return for a second screen.

Methods: A stratified random sample of compliers and noncompliers to biennial screening were selected from a cohort of 51,242 women ages 50 to 65 years who had their initial screen at the Ontario Breast Screening Program. In total, 1,901 women were telephone-interviewed.

Culture-independent identification of gut bacteria correlated with the onset of diabetes in a rat model.

Bacteria associated with the onset of type 1 diabetes in a rat model system were identified. In two experiments, stool samples were collected at three time points after birth from bio-breeding diabetes-prone (BB-DP) and bio-breeding diabetes-resistant (BB-DR) rats. DNA was isolated from these samples and the 16S rRNA gene was amplified using universal primer sets.

Fecal occult blood testing: people in Ontario are unaware of it and not ready for it.

Objective: To determine factors that influence awareness of, and readiness to undergo, fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening.

Design: Validated survey designed to ascertain respondents' stages of decision making regarding CRC screening using FOBT.

Setting: Ontario.

Biomarkers for infants at risk for necrotizing enterocolitis: clues to prevention?

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most common severe gastrointestinal emergency that affects premature newborns. This disease often has a rapid onset with few, if any, antecedent signs that can be used to reliably predict its occurrence. Its rapid onset and progression to death, as well as its severe morbidity when the infant survives, begs for early diagnostic tools that may be used in determining those infants who would be at greatest risk for development of the disease and for whom early preventative measures could be targeted.

Defining a strategy to evaluate cervical cancer prevention and early detection in the era of HPV vaccination.

Objective: The purpose of this paper is to outline the short-, medium- and long-term requirements of a strategy to evaluate the impact of HPV immunization and to define a framework to facilitate planning and evaluation.

Method: This strategy was developed in Ontario from January to August 2008. Literature review was completed to assess existing material relevant to vaccine evaluation, and HPV vaccine specifically.

Catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy.

Objective: To review the pathogenesis as well as the clinical and laboratory features of catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy associated with pheochromocytoma and other disorders and discuss the various treatment options available.

Methods: Materials used for this article were identified through MEDLINE, PubMed, and Google Scholar searches of the relevant literature from 1955 to the present.

Results: Catecholamines and their oxidation products cause a direct toxic effect on the myocardium.

Recent advances and remaining gaps in our knowledge of associations between gut microbiota and human health.

The complex gut microbial flora harbored by individuals (microbiota) has long been proposed to contribute to intestinal health as well as disease. Pre- and probiotic products aimed at improving health by modifying microbiota composition have already become widely available and acceptance of these products appears to be on the rise. However, although required for the development of effective microbiota based interventions, our basic understanding of microbiota variation on a population level and its dynamics within individuals is still rudimentary.

Intestinal microbiota development in the premature neonate: establishment of a lasting commensal relationship?

The gastrointestinal tract of premature infants is a highly fragile organ due to numerous developmental immaturities. Exposure to luminal microbes in the first several weeks of these infants' lives may play a significant role in the development of short-term disease and may have profound effects on long-term health. New non-culture-based techniques are providing exciting new insights into how the intestinal microbiota of premature infants develops and relates to health.

Factorial validity and invariance of a survey measuring psychosocial correlates of colorectal cancer screening in Ontario, Canada--a replication study.

Psychosocial constructs have been used to predict colorectal cancer screening and are frequently targeted as intermediate outcomes in behavioral intervention studies. Few studies have conducted analyses to adequately test construct validity. The psychometric analyses undertaken with U.

A roadmap for understanding and preventing necrotizing enterocolitis.

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most common severe gastrointestinal emergency that affects newborns. Its etiology is still undetermined. Most of our knowledge of this disease stems from epidemiologic studies, clinical experience, and studies using animal models that do not directly represent the disease in premature infants.

Cancer Care Ontario guaiac fecal occult blood test (FOBT) laboratory standards: evidentiary base and recommendations.

Objectives: To evaluate the evidence concerning gFOBT kits and to develop gFOBT standards to be implemented by the Ontario Colorectal Cancer (CRC) Screening Program (the "Program").

Design And Methods: We evaluated 3 aspects of gFOBT kits: 1) performance factors; 2) usability factors; and 3) laboratory factors. We obtained information from the published literature, other countries that use gFOBT, the internet, and gFOBT kit manufacturers' instructions.

Effect of DNA binding protein Ssh12 from hyperthermophilic archaeonSulfolobus shibatae on DNA supercoiling.

An 11.5-ku DNA binding protein, designated as Ssh12, was purified from the hyperthermophilic archaeonSulfolobus shibatae by column chromatography in SP Sepharose, DNA cellulose and phosphocellulose. Ssh12 accounts for about 4 % of the total cellular protein.

Discussions about self-obtained samples for HPV testing as an alternative for cervical cancer prevention.

Objectives: Patient-collected samples for human papillomavirus (HPV) testing have shown promise, thus opening up a new possibility for cervical cancer screening. The purpose of this study was to explore women's beliefs about collecting their own samples for HPV testing instead of participating in conventional Pap testing.

Methods: Three focus groups were conducted in diverse cities in Ontario, Canada.

Serum concentrations of insulin-like growth factor and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 and recurrent colorectal adenomas.

Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and its primary binding protein, IGFBP-3, have been associated with colorectal cancer incidence in prior epidemiologic studies. High concentrations of IGF-I generally result in increasing risk and high concentrations of IGFBP-3 in decreasing risk. Only one prior study of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 and adenoma recurrence has been reported.

Palpation thyroiditis causing new-onset atrial fibrillation.

Objective: Surgery-induced thyroiditis can pose a significant clinical problem that is underappreciated. We present a case of new-onset atrial fibrillation as a consequence of palpation thyroiditis in a 70-year-old man who underwent radical right neck dissection for malignant melanoma and review the limited literature on this topic.

Design: Biochemical parameters including thyrotropin, free thyroxine, triiodothyronine, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, thyroglobulin, thyroid stimulating immunoglobulins, thyroid binding inhibitory immunoglobulins, thyroid peroxidase, thyroglobulin antibodies, and 24-hour urine iodine were measured.

A Poincaré's approach for plasmonics: the plasmon localization.

A Poincaré's approach is employed to characterize the excitation of a plasmon, which in essence corresponds to a zero of a complex S-matrix. Throughout this work we study the plasmonic behaviour of gold, as this metal not only is frequently used in experimental arrays, but also requires an accurate dispersion model to properly excite plasmons. We investigate the plasmonic behaviour of gold nanogratings by means of Born's approximation and the Finite-Elements Method.

Chronic disease prevention and management: implications for health human resources in 2020.

Through improved screening, detection, better and more targeted therapies and the uptake of evidence-based treatment guidelines, cancers are becoming chronic diseases. However, this good-news story has implications for human resource planning and resource allocation. Population-based chronic disease management is a necessary approach to deal with the growing burden of chronic disease in Canada.

Plasma glucagon levels suppressed by a glucose load in a man with incidental pancreatic glucagonoma.

Objective: To describe a patient with a histologically proven pancreatic glucagonoma, noted incidentally during a follow-up visit for high aminotransferase levels, and to evaluate its autonomy with a standard 75-g oral glucose tolerance test.

Methods: We present the results of a 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test, with plasma glucagon and blood glucose levels measured every 30 minutes after an oral glucose load. In addition, we provide a brief review of the literature on the diagnosis and management of glucagonomas and the importance of long-term surveillance.

Influence of physician and patient characteristics on adherence to breast cancer screening recommendations.

Identifying physician and patient characteristics is important in implementing effective, targeted strategies to improve breast cancer detection rates through increased screening recommendations and uptake. The purpose of this study was to determine whether Ontario physicians recommend breast screening using mammography every 2 years for women aged 50-69 as encouraged by the Ontario Breast Screening Program. This study also aimed to identify physician and patient characteristics that may influence adherence to these recommendations.

Cancer Care Ontario Colonoscopy Standards: standards and evidentiary base.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common cause of non-tobacco-related cancer deaths in Canadian men and women, accounting for 10% of all cancer deaths. An estimated 7800 men and women will be diagnosed with CRC, and 3250 will die from the disease in Ontario in 2007. Given that CRC incidence and mortality rates in Ontario are among the highest in the world, the best opportunity to reduce this burden of disease would be through screening.

Self-collected samples for testing of oncogenic human papillomavirus: a systematic review.

Background: To investigate the role of self-sampling for human papillomavirus (HPV) testing as an alternative to cervical cancer screening by clinicians (i.e., Papanicolaou [Pap] test).

Attitudes toward HPV testing: interview findings from a random sample of women in Ontario, Canada.

As most women diagnosed with cervical carcinoma have been "inadequately screened," improvements in screening are critical. After abnormal Pap test findings (through liquid-based cytology), residual specimens now can be tested simultaneously for oncogenic types of Human Papilloma virus (HPV). If these "reflex" HPV tests are negative, Pap tests need not be repeated for 12 months.

Elevated serum concentrations of insulin and glucose increase risk of recurrent colorectal adenomas.

Background & Aims: Indicators of insulin resistance have been hypothesized to promote colorectal cancer.

Methods: We assayed fasting serum from 375 subjects with and 375 subjects without a recurrent adenoma during the course of the Polyp Prevention Trial to determine baseline concentrations of insulin and glucose, as well as changes in these measurements over the course of 4 years of follow-up evaluation. To estimate the relative risk of adenoma recurrence for each of these serum measures, we calculated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using multivariable logistic regression models adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, intervention group, and an interaction term for sex and intervention group.