Phenotypic diversity within a Pseudomonas aeruginosa population infecting an adult with cystic fibrosis.

Chronic airway infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa contribute to the progression of pulmonary disease in individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF). In the setting of CF, within-patient adaptation of a P. aeruginosa strain generates phenotypic diversity that can complicate microbiological analysis of patient samples.

Heterozygous mutations in the PALB2 hereditary breast cancer predisposition gene impact on the three-dimensional nuclear organization of patient-derived cell lines.

PALB2/FANCN is a BRCA1- and BRCA2-interacting Fanconi Anemia (FA) protein crucial for key BRCA2 genome caretaker functions. Heterozygous germline mutations in PALB2 predispose to breast cancer and biallelic mutations cause FA. FA proteins play a critical role in the telomere maintenance pathway, with telomeric shortening observed in FA cells.

Effect of a preventive foot care program on lower extremity complications in diabetic patients with end-stage renal disease.

Background: Lower extremity complications are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and diabetes mellitus. Patient education programs may decrease the risk of diabetic foot complications.

Methods: A preventive program was instituted, consisting of regular assessments by a foot care nurse with expertise in foot care and wound management and patient education about foot care practices and footwear selection.

Impact of patient smoking behavior on empathic helping by family caregivers in lung cancer.

Purpose/objectives: To test the impact of patient smoking behavior on family caregiver judgments of responsibility, emotions, empathic responses, and helping behavior.

Design: Structural equation modeling.

Setting: Five oncology outpatient settings in Canada.

A comparison of patient and family caregiver prospective control over lung cancer.

Aim:   This paper is a report of our secondary analysis of patient and family caregiver prospective control in lung cancer.

Background:   Control beliefs underlie self-care in sickness and health. Self-care often involves 'shared' activities between the afflicted individual and caregiving family and friends.

A prospective population-based study of triggers of symptomatic flares in IBD.

Objectives: We aimed to determine whether any of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antibiotics, infections, and stress trigger symptomatic flares of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs).

Methods: Participants drawn from a population-based IBD research registry were surveyed every 3 months for 1 year. They simultaneously tracked the use of NSAIDs, antibiotics, infections, major life events, mood, and perceived stress.

Etiology and determinants of sexually transmitted infections in Karnataka state, south India.

Background: Syndromic case management remains the cornerstone for STI (sexually transmitted infection) treatment in many countries. We undertook this study to better understand the etiology of STIs in adults in south India and to inform STI management guidelines.

Methods: Adult males and females presenting with genital complaints were recruited from clinics in Karnataka state, south India.

Obstetrical and neonatal outcomes in obese parturients.

Objective: Obstetrical risk is increased with maternal obesity. This prospective study was designed to simultaneously evaluate the outcomes in obese parturients and their newborns.

Methods: Patients with a body mass index (BMI) > or =35 were prospectively identified and compared to an equal number of normal weight parturients.

Predictors of early inactive disease in a juvenile idiopathic arthritis cohort: results of a Canadian multicenter, prospective inception cohort study.

Objective: To determine early predictors of 6-month outcomes in a prospective cohort of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

Methods: Patients selected were those enrolled in an inception cohort study of JIA, the Research in Arthritis in Canadian Children Emphasizing Outcomes Study, within 6 months after diagnosis. The juvenile rheumatoid arthritis core criteria set and quality of life measures were collected at enrollment and 6 months later.

Immunogenetic risks of anti-cyclical citrullinated peptide antibodies in a North American Native population with rheumatoid arthritis and their first-degree relatives.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies in unaffected relatives of North American Native probands with rheumatoid arthritis (RA); and the associations of the shared epitope (SE) and HLA-DRB1*0901 with RA and anti-CCP antibodies.

Methods: The subjects were RA probands, affected relatives, unaffected first-degree (FDR) and more distant relatives, and unaffected controls from the same population. HLA-DRB1 typing was determined by DNA sequencing and anti-CCP antibodies were determined by ELISA.

Risk factors for acquisition of endemic blastomycosis.

Background: Blastomycosis is potentially fatal, but environmental risk factors for acquiring blastomycosis are not well established.

Method: Matched cross-sectional questionnaire of 112 patients with history of blastomycosis and 118 control subjects in Manitoba and northwestern Ontario.

Results: The most common tissues involved with blastomycosis were pulmonary, skin and soft tissues, and bone.

Computed tomographic scan evaluation of pulmonary blastomycosis.

Background: Blastomycosis is an uncommon granulomatous pulmonary and extrapulmonary infectious disease caused by the thermally dimorphic fungus Blastomyces dermatitidis. Diagnosis may be delayed or difficult because of varied presentation. The characteristics of blastomycosis on computed tomographic (CT) scan of the chest are not well characterized.

Multidisciplinary treatment of diabetic foot ulcers in Canadian Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.

Background: Diabetic foot ulcers are a major cause of morbidity and mortality. This study evaluated the clinical outcomes in Canadian non-Aboriginal and Aboriginal diabetic patients with foot ulcers managed at a multidisciplinary, tertiary care diabetic foot clinic.

Methods: A retrospective review of medical records was done for 325 patients receiving care during a 2-year period.

Impact of diabetes on maternal-fetal outcomes in Manitoba: Relationship with ethnic and environmental factors.

Purpose: To examine the impact of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) on maternal-fetal outcomes in Manitoba.

Methods: The rates of macrosomia, stillbirth, cesarean section (C/S) and shoulder dystocia (S/D) in 324,605 births in Manitoba during 1985-2004, and their relationships with diabetes and demographical factors were analyzed.

Results: The incidence of macrosomia, stillbirth, C/S and S/D were 15.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes in patients with pulmonary blastomycosis.

Background: Blastomycosis is an uncommon granulomatous infection caused by the thermally dimorphic fungus Blastomyces dermatitidis. The most frequent clinical infections involve the lung, skin, and bone. Pulmonary manifestations range from asymptomatic self-limited infection to severe diffuse pneumonia causing respiratory failure.

Systematic analysis of host immunological pressure on the envelope gene of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 by an immunobioinformatics approach.

As the number of HIV-1 sequences has increased in the public database and new tools of immunological bioinformatics have become available, making it possible to better understand at a population level how host immune response drives the evolution of HIV-1 envelope (Env). We analyzed 1100 unique full-length envelope sequences and systematically determined positive selection (PS) sites by QUASI analysis and found that PS sites were widely dispersed across Env. The frequency of Env PS sites appears to be relatively stable over time.

Does blaming the patient with lung cancer affect the helping behavior of primary caregivers?

Purpose/objectives: To examine whether primary caregivers' helping behaviors are predicted by their illness attribution reactions as proposed in Weiner's model.

Design: Latent-variable structural equation modeling.

Setting: Five oncology outpatient settings in central Canada.

Is obesity associated with an increased risk for airway hyperresponsiveness and development of asthma?

: We investigated the association between airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and obesity in adults referred for confirmation of asthma diagnosis. Data were analyzed for obesity class I (body mass index [BMI] 30-34.9 kg/m2), class II (BMI >/= 35-39.

Gestational diabetes in Manitoba during a twenty-year period.

Purpose: This retrospective cohort study was designed to examine the prevalence and risk factors of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in Manitoba.

Methods: A total of 324,605 deliveries by 165,969 women were reported to Manitoba Health in the years 1985-2004. Data on maternal ages, delivery dates, GDM, self-declared First Nation (FN) status, rural or urban residence and previous GDM were collected for the study.

Risk factors for infectious spondylodiscitis in patients receiving hemodialysis.

A retrospective case-control and cohort analysis of hemodialysis patients was done to identify risk factors for spondylodiscitis. These risk factors included bacteremia, receipt of blood products, invasive procedures, and establishment of vascular access. The death rate was greater for case subjects than for control subjects (odds ratio, 2.

Flow cytometric quantification of bacteria in vaginal swab samples self-collected by adolescents attending a gynecology clinic.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is an important risk factor in reproductive health outcomes, such as pre-term birth and sexually transmitted infections including HIV. However, its etiology, diagnosis and treatment remain poorly defined. We evaluated flow cytometry as a tool to quantify total bacterial cells in vaginal specimens self-collected longitudinally by adolescents.

Use of diagnostic tests for presumed lower respiratory tract infection in long-term care facilities.

Objectives: To describe the current use of diagnostic tests for management of presumed lower respiratory tract infection in selected long-term care facilities (LTCFs) in Canada and to correlate test use with facility and resident characteristics.

Design: Prospective, 12-month multicenter cohort study.

Setting: A convenience sample of 21 LTCFs in Canada.

Diarrheal disease among HIV-infected adults in Karnataka, India: evaluation of risk factors and etiology.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate characteristics associated with diarrhea, the effect of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) prophylaxis on diarrhea, the response to treatment with ciprofloxacin and tinidazole (Cipro-TZ), and presence of enteric pathogens. Adults infected with human immunodeficiency virus with and without diarrhea served as cases and controls, respectively. Participants provided a medical history and underwent a physical examination.

Biologically variable bypass reduces enzymuria after deep hypothermic circulatory arrest.

Background: Renal injury is common after open-heart surgery. Cardiopulmonary bypass contributes to the problem. We compared conventional nonpulsatile perfusion (NP) to biologically variable perfusion (BVP), which uses a computer controller to restore physiological beat-to-beat variability to roller pump flow.