Canadian

Purpose A eutectic mixture of local anesthetics (EMLA) is commonly used to provide topical anesthesia for intravenous (iv) cannulation. One of its side effects is vasoconstriction, which may render cannulation more difficult. A gel formulation of amethocaine (Ametop™) is now commercially available. The aim of this study was to compare EMLA and Ametop™ with regard to the degree of topical anesthesia afforded, the incidence of vasoconstriction and the ease of iv cannulation. Methods Thirty two ASA 1 adult volunteers had a # 16 gauge iv cannula inserted on two separate occasions using EMLA and Ametop™ applied in a double blind fashion for topical anesthesia. Parameters that were recorded after each cannulation included visual analogue pain scores (VAPS), the presence of vasoconstriction and the ease of cannulation, graded as: 1 = easy, 2 = moderately difficult, 3 = difficult and 4 = failed. Results The mean VAPS ± SD after cannulation with Ametop™ M was 12 ± 9.9 and with EMLA was 25.3 ± 16.6 (P = 0.002). Vasoconstriction occurred after EMLA application on 17 occasions and twice after Ametop™ (P = 0.001). The grade of difficulty of cannulation was 1.44 ± 0.88 following EMLA and 1.06 ± 0.25 with Ametop™ (P = 0.023). Conclusions Intravenous cannulation was less painful following application of Ametop™ than EMLA. In addition, Ametop™ caused less vasoconstriction and facilitated easier cannulation. Its use as a topical anesthetic agent is recommended, especially when iv access may be problematic. Objectif Un mélange eutectique d’anesthésiques locaux (MEAL) est souvent utilisé pour l’anesthésie topique lors d’une canulation intraveineuse (iv). La vasoconstriction, qui est l’un des effets secondaires du MEAL, peut compliquer la mise en place d’une canule. Une présentation en gel d’améthocaïne (Ametop™) est maintenant offerte dans le commerce. Le but de la présente étude était de comparer le MEAL et l’Ametop™ en regard du degré d’anesthésie topique fourni, de l’incidence de la vasoconstriction et de la facilité de la canulation iv. Méthode: On a inséré, en deux occasions séparées chez 32 volontaires adultes d’état physique ASA 1, une canuleiv de calibre 16 en utilisant en double aveugle le MEAL et Ametop™ pour réaliser l’anesthésie topique. Après chaque canulation, on a enregistré les paramètres suivants: les scores de douleur à l’échelle visuelle analogue (EVA), la présence de vasoconstriction et la facilité de canulation notée 1 = facile, 2 = modérément difficile, 3 = difficile et 4 = impossible. Résultats Les scores moyens à l’EVA ± l’écart type ont été de 12 ± 9,9 à la suite de la canulation avec Ametop™ M et de 25,3 ± 16,6 après le MEAL (P = 0,002). La vasoconstriction est survenue en 17 occasions après l’application du MEAL et deux fois plus souvent après Ametop™ (P = 0,001). Le degré de difficulté de canulation a été de 1,44 ± 0,88 après le MEAL et de 1,06 ± 0,25 après Ametop™ (P = 0,023). Conclusion La canulation intraveineuse est moins douloureuse après l’application d’Ametop™ que celle du MEAL. De plus, l’Ametop™ a provoqué moins de vasoconstriction et a facilité l’introduction d’une canule. Son usage comme anesthésique topique est recommandé, surtout lorsqu’une action rapide est nécessaire ou que l’accèsiv peut être problématique.

During the 1960s Double-crested Cormorants breeding on Lake Huron experienced a decline in numbers and an elevation in body and egg contaminant burdens. In 1972 and 1973 the Canadian Wildlife Service visited their colonies to collect demographic data and eggs for residue analysis. In 1972, colonies were small. They suffered high egg breakage and loss (95%) and nearly total reproductive failure (0.06–0.11 young per nest). Eggshells were 23.9% thinner than normal. Clutch size (2.0 ± 1.2 eggs) was low but egg production (4.1 ± 1.9 eggs) appeared normal. Subsequent clutches appeared in 45% of the nests. Levels of DDE (14.5 ± 5.6 ppm, wet weight) and PCBs (23.8 ± 9.6 ppm) in the eggs were higher than in other cormorant populations in Canada. Levels of DDT, DDD, dieldrin, heptachlor epoxide, hexachlorobenzene, and mercury were less than 1 ppm. Organochlorine levels in eggs from Georgian Bay were similar to those from the North Channel, but mercury levels were higher. Colony size continued...

To measure total public and private expenditures on mental health in each province. Data for expenditures on mental health services were collected in the following categories: physician expenditures (general and psychiatrist fees for service and alternative funding), inpatient hospital (psychiatric and general), outpatient hospital, community mental health, pharmaceuticals, and substance abuse. Data for 2 years, 2003 and 2004, were collected from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (hospital inpatient and fees for service physicians), the individual provinces (pharmaceuticals, alternative physician payments, hospital outpatient, and community), and the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse. Totals were expressed in terms of per capita and as a percentage of total provincial health spending. Total spending on mental health was $6.6 billion, of which $5.5 billion was from public sources. Nationally, the largest portion of expenditures was for hospitals, followed by community me...

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease an inherited systemic disorder is characterized by the development of multiple cysts in the kidneys and other organs. When nephrectomy is indicated, the laparoscopic approach is challenging due to the massive size of these kidneys. We present our technique and evaluate the surgical outcomes of laparoscopic versus open nephrectomy for patients with such condition. A retrospective review was done for six laparoscopic and six open nephrectomies performed by two laparoscopic surgeons in two university hospitals between January 2004 and December 2004. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data are presented. A standard subcostal incision was used for the open cases while for the laparoscopic approach a 3-4-port transperitoneal laparoscopic approach was used to dissect the involved kidney, which is then removed intact or morcellated through pfannenstiel, midline, or expanded port site incision. The laparoscopic patients had a longer o...

Extensive logging of the boreal forest rejuvenates landscapes once dominated by old-growth stands. As black bear ( Ursus americanus Pallas, 1780) fitness and behavior are known to be primarily related to the abundance of shade-intolerant soft mast species in northern forests, we hypothesized that logging will influence habitat and space use patterns of black bears. We used VHF telemetry on 12 female black bears in the Réserve faunique des Laurentides (Quebec, Canada) to investigate seasonal patterns of habitat selection in an exploited heterogeneous boreal landscape at different spatial scales. Habitat characterization based on seven forest cover types allowed us to compare the productivity of key forage species in various post-logging age classes. Regenerating stands (6–20 years old) had the uppermost ground vegetation cover, providing both the highest density and a high biomass of berries. Black bears preferred regenerating stands (6–20 years old) and avoided mature coniferous for...

To present the one-year prevalence of 14 psychiatric disorders in a community sample of Ontarians aged 15 to 64 years. Data on psychiatric disorders were collected on 9953 respondents using the University of Michigan revision of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (UM-CIDI). DSM-III-R criteria were used to define the psychiatric disorders. Almost 1 in 5 Ontarians (18.6%) had one or more of the disorders measured in the survey. Among 15-to 24-year-olds, 1 in 4 was affected. The distribution of individual disorders varied by sex and age. Because of the immense burden of suffering associated with psychiatric disorders, clinical and research efforts in this area should receive high priority within the health budget.

Deoxyfluoro sugars were synthesized rapidly by the reaction of trifluoromethanesulfonyl derivatives of partially protected sugars with tris(dimethylamino)sulfonium difluorotrimethylsilicate (TASF) under mild conditions. The displacements occurred with inversion of configuration; fluorine has been introduced stereospecifically at each of the secondary alcoholic sites of aldohexopyranosides and in one example of a furanoid system. In some instances unsaturated compounds that contained no fluorine were produced.

Very few economic analyses have been done about functional foods and nutraceuticals. The current paper seeks to characterize Canadian consumers' attitudes, beliefs, knowledge and willingness-to-pay for functional foods. In the spring of 2001, a telephone survey of 1008 ...

The Late Cretaceous Grassy Lake and Cedar Lake amber deposits of western Canada are among North America’s most famous amber-producing localities. Although it has been suggested for over a century that Cedar Lake amber from western Manitoba may be a secondary deposit having originated from strata in Alberta, this hypothesis has not been tested explicitly using geochemical fingerprinting coupled to comparative analyses of arthropod faunal content. Although there are many amber-containing horizons associated with Cretaceous coals throughout Alberta, most are thermally mature and brittle, thus lacking the resilience to survive long distance transport while preserving intact biotic inclusions. One of the few exceptions is the amber found in situ at Grassy Lake. We present a suite of new analyses from these and other Late Cretaceous ambers from western Canada, including stable isotopes (H and C), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, and an updated faunal compendium for the Grassy an...

Purpose This review on ultrarapid detoxification examines the pharmacology, techniques, and efficacy of this potentially promising technique and contrasts it with conventional treatment modalities. Source The information found here is derived from experiences at the Texas Tech University, government reports, and peer reviewed journals. Principal findings Incidence and prevalence of heroin use is on the rise. Social and treatment costs suggest that this problem is staggering. Approximately 400,000 patients are enrolled in or are actively seeking methadone therapy. While many of these individuals want to undergo detoxification, traditional techniques, including methadone tapering are usually unsuccessful. The withdrawal syndrome is extremely unpleasant, may be fatal, and deters patients from completing the detoxification process. Ultrarapid detoxification entails general anesthesia in conjunction with large boluses of narcotic antagonists. This combination allows the individual to com...

Acid-base, serum electrolyte, plasma protein, and packed cell volume (PCV) values were determined in venous blood samples from 30 red deer (Cervus elaphus) of both sexes showing no clinical signs of disease. The animals were 5 months of age and kept on pasture in the Valley of Mexico, at an altitude of 2450 m. Blood samples were collected without sedation. Mean blood values were: pH 7.411 +/- 0.041, pCO2 37.7 +/- 4.4 mmHg, base excess 0.7 +/- 3.2 mmol/L, actual bicarbonate 24.3 +/- 3.1 mmol/L, total CO2 25.3 +/- 3.2 mmol/L and anion gap 23.5 +/- 5.5 mmol/L. Mean serum electrolyte levels were: Na+ 142.3 +/- 2.5 mmol/L, Cl- 100.5 +/- 2.3 mmol/L, and K+ 7.03 +/- 1.03 mmol/L. Plasma protein and PCV values were 60.0 +/- 6.6 g/L and 0.47 +/- 0.05 L/L, respectively. Blood values determined in this study can be considered reference data for health control and disease diagnosis.

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of 3 diet formulations containing different protein sources (animal, plant, and a combination of animal and plant) on the colonization of Campylobacter jejuni in the gastrointestinal tract of broiler chickens. A freshly isolated strain of C. jejuni (biotype IV, serotype HS O:21, O:29, HL untypable) from a broiler chicken was used to infect 3-day-old chicks that had been free of C. jejuni; 0.5 mL of an inoculum containing 10(8) colony-forming units was administered orally. Shedding of the organism was studied, and C. jejuni in the ceca, jejuni, and crop were enumerated by quantitative culture. The isolates recovered from the birds during the study period of 35 d were characterized and confirmed as C. jejuni by the use of standard methods and underwent biotyping, serotyping, antimicrobial susceptibility testing by disk diffusion and the E-test, and flagellin gene typing. A cyclical pattern of shedding of C. jejuni was observed in ...

Abstract: A new species of the sphenacodontid synapsid Dimetrodon, D. teutonis, is described on the basis of a single, adult specimen consisting of a large portion of the presacral vertebral column. The holotype was collected from the Lower Permian Tambach Formation, ...