Characteristics of e-cigarette users and their perceptions of the benefits, harms and risks of e-cigarette use: survey results from a convenience sample in Ottawa, Canada. / Caractéristiques des utilisateurs de cigarettes électroniques et leurs perceptions des avantages, des dangers et des risques de la cigarette électronique : résultats d'un sondage auprès d'un échantillon de commodité à Ottawa (Canada).

INTRODUCTION: Although e-cigarette use ("vaping") is increasing in Canada, few attempts have been made to describe e-cigarette users ("vapers"). In this context, we conducted a study in Ottawa, Canada, to describe e-cigarette users' perceptions of the benefits, harms and risks of e-cigarettes. We also collected information on why, how and where they use e-cigarettes as well as information on side effects. METHODS: A 24-item online survey was administered to individuals who purchased e-cigarettes or e-cigarette-related supplies at one of Ottawa's 17 e-cigarette shops. Descriptive analyses characterized respondents, and logistic regression models were fitted to evaluate the relationship between respondents' characteristics and their perception of e-cigarette harms. RESULTS: The mean age of the 242 respondents was 38.1 years (range: 16-70 years); 66% were male. Nearly all had smoked 100 or more cigarettes in their lifetime (97.9%). More than 80% indicated that quitting smoking was a very important reason for starting to use e-cigarettes and 60% indicated that they intend to stop using e-cigarettes at some point. About 40% reported experiencing some side effects within 2 hours of using e-cigarettes. Those who did not report experiencing any of the listed side effects had approximately 3.2 times higher odds of perceiving e-cigarettes as harmless than those who reported having side effects (odds ratio = 3.17; 95% confidence interval: 1.75-5.73). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that most e-cigarette users are using them to reduce or stop smoking cigarettes and perceive them as harmless. Due to our use of convenience sampling, the reader should be cautious in generalizing our findings to all Canadian e-cigarette users.

INTRODUCTION: Bien que l'utilisation de la cigarette électronique (« vapotage ¼) soit en hausse au Canada, peu d'efforts ont été consacrés à la description des utilisateurs de cigarettes électroniques (« vapoteurs ¼). C'est dans ce contexte que nous avons mené une étude à Ottawa (Canada) afin de décrire les perceptions qu'ont les utilisateurs de cigarettes électroniques des avantages, des dangers et des risques de ces dernières. Nous avons également recueilli de l'information pour savoir pourquoi, comment et où ils utilisent la cigarette électronique ainsi que sur les effets secondaires. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Un sondage en ligne de 24 questions a été soumis à des personnes ayant acheté des cigarettes électroniques ou des fournitures connexes dans l'un des 17 commerces de cigarettes électroniques à Ottawa. On a caractérisé les répondants au moyen d'analyses descriptives, puis nous avons appliqué des modèles de régression logistique pour évaluer la relation entre ces caractéristiques et la perception par les répondants des dangers de la cigarette électronique. RÉSULTATS: L'âge moyen des 242 répondants était de 38,1 ans (plage : 16 à 70 ans) et, de ce nombre, 66 % étaient des hommes. Près de la totalité (97,9 %) des répondants avaient fumé 100 cigarettes ou plus au cours de leur vie. Plus de 80 % des répondants ont indiqué que la volonté d'arrêter de fumer constituait l'une des principales raisons de recourir à la cigarette électronique, et 60 % ont mentionné qu'ils avaient l'intention de cesser l'utilisation de la cigarette électronique un jour. Environ 40 % des répondants ont fait état d'effets secondaires au cours des 2 heures suivant l'utilisation des cigarettes électroniques. Les répondants ayant signalé n'avoir ressenti aucun des effets secondaires énumérés étaient environ 3,2 fois plus nombreux à ne percevoir aucun danger dans la cigarette électronique que les personnes ayant signalé des effets secondaires (rapport de cotes = 3,17; intervalle de confiance à 95 % : 1,75 à 5,73). CONCLUSION: D'après nos constatations, la majorité des utilisateurs de cigarettes électroniques ont recours à ces dernières pour réduire ou cesser leur consommation de tabac et ils les perçoivent comme inoffensives. Étant donné que nous avons utilisé un échantillonnage de commodité, le lecteur doit faire preuve de prudence dans la généralisation de nos constatations à tous les utilisateurs de cigarettes électroniques au Canada.

Identification and typing of Francisella tularensis with a highly automated genotyping assay.

A PCR assay was developed to genotypically characterize Francisella tularensis and F. novicida. An integrated and partially redundant set of markers was selected to provide positive identification of these species, identify subspecies of F. tularensis and genotype 14 variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) markers. Assay performance was evaluated with 117 Francisella samples. Sample DNA was amplified, and the masses of the PCR products were determined with electrospray ionization/time of flight mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The base compositions of the PCR amplicons were derived from these high-accuracy mass measurements and contrasted with databased information associated with each of the 25 assay markers. Species and subspecies determinations for all samples were fully concordant with results from established typing methods, and VNTR markers provided additional discrimination among samples. Sequence variants were observed with a number of assay markers, but these did not interfere with sample characterization, and served to increase the genetic diversity detected by the assay.

Inherited polyglutamine spinocerebellar ataxias in South Africa.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency and distribution of polyglutamine spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) from referrals over a 24-year period to the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) in South Africa (SA). METHODS: Paper-based clinical reports in the University of Cape Town laboratory and the NHLS electronic patient record database spanning a 24-year period were mined for information regarding the molecular diagnosis, ethnicity and CAG repeat length for individuals referred for molecular genetic testing for the polyglutamine SCAs. RESULTS: SCA1 and 7 are the most frequent types of polyglutamine SCA in the SA patient population, followed by SCA2, 3 and 6. SCA1 is the most common type in the coloured, white and Indian populations, whereas the majority of indigenous black African patients are affected with SCA7 and 2. Of individuals tested, 22% were found to be positive for one of the polyglutamine SCAs. CONCLUSION: Although trends in the frequency and distribution of the polyglutamine SCAs in SA have not changed significantly since our previous study in 2003, they differ remarkably from those reported elsewhere, and reflect the unique genetic and demographic background of SA. The provision of accurate and complete patient information and family history is crucial to the diagnostic process, to enable comprehensive epidemiological studies and assist in developing therapeutic and patient management strategies.

Suppression of the cysteine protease, aleurain, delays floret senescence in Brassica oleracea.

An aleurain-like protein, BoCP5, is up-regulated during harvest-induced senescence in broccoli floret and leaf tissue. BoCP5 is most closely related to an Arabidopsis protein (91%, AAF43041) and has 71% identity to barley aleurain (P05167). The mRNA for this gene accumulates within 6 h after harvest in broccoli florets, and its expression is reduced in tissue that has been held in senescence-delaying treatments (e.g. water, sucrose feeding, controlled atmosphere). The gene is also expressed in leaves during aging-related and harvest-induced senescence. Analysis of protein bands that cross-react with antibodies raised to the bacterial BoCP5 fusion protein, revealed prominent immunoreactive bands at ca. 26, 28, 31, and 38 kD in floret tissue. The 31 kD band was absent in protein extracts from leaf tissue. Agrobacterium-mediated transformation was used to produce transgenic broccoli plants with down-regulated BoCP5. A reduction in the postharvest expression of BoCP5 in floret tissue was achieved for four transgenic lines in the current study. In three of these lines postharvest floret senescence (yellowing) was delayed, and florets contained significantly greater chlorophyll levels during postharvest storage at 20 degrees C than wild-type plants. Line 4 showed the greatest down-regulation of BoCP5, and in this line postharvest protease activity remained at pre-harvest levels, and the yield of soluble proteins extracted from florets after harvest was significantly greater than that of wild-type tissue.

Vehicle entrapment rescue and pre-hospital trauma care.

From 1 April 1991 to 31 March 1993 the Royal London Hospital Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) attended 737 road traffic accidents, 90 (12 per cent) of which involved entrapments. Nine casualties (10 per cent) died, of which five died at the scene. Thirty-two patients with a median ISS 17 (range 1-59) were transported by helicopter to the Royal London Hospital. Of these, four subsequently died in hospital. The median ISS of the non-survivors was 44 (range 24-59). The remaining 53 patients were transported to the nearest hospital. In 45 cases (50 per cent) patient extrication took longer than 30 min. The methods and standards for the release of trapped road traffic accident victims were reviewed to allow physicians a working understanding of Fire Service techniques. Entrapment rescue should create rapid access to the accident victim, allowing stabilization and release with minimum delay. Immediate and uncontrolled release of trapped victims is only indicated if there is immediate danger to life from the surroundings. We recommend a rigorous target of less than 30 min for the release of the casualty. To achieve this will require systematic extrication training for Fire Service crews and medical teams who are involved in immediate care.

Illness-specific cards--a feasibility study.

To reinforce and extend advice given at consultations, take-home cards for 12 conditions were devised. They were assessed by 32 general practitioners and 306 patients. The response on the whole was favourable and we suggest that this form of patient education could be helpful in primary care.