Mortality among uranium miners in North America and Europe: the Pooled Uranium Miners Analysis (PUMA).

BACKGROUND: The Pooled Uranium Miners Analysis (PUMA) study draws together information from cohorts of uranium miners from Canada, the Czech Republic, France, Germany and the USA. METHODS: Vital status and cause of death were ascertained and compared with expectations based upon national mortality rates by computing standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) overall and by categories of time since first hire, calendar period of first employment and duration of employment as a miner. RESULTS: There were 51 787 deaths observed among 118 329 male miners [SMR = 1.05; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04, 1.06]. The SMR was elevated for all cancers (n = 16 633, SMR = 1.23; 95% CI: 1.21, 1.25), due primarily to excess mortality from cancers of the lung (n = 7756, SMR = 1.90; 95% CI: 1.86, 1.94), liver and gallbladder (n = 549, SMR = 1.15; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.25), larynx (n = 229, SMR = 1.10; 95% CI: 0.97, 1.26), stomach (n = 1058, SMR = 1.08; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.15) and pleura (n = 39, SMR = 1.06; 95% CI: 0.75, 1.44). Lung-cancer SMRs increased with duration of employment, decreased with calendar period and persisted with time since first hire. Among non-malignant causes, the SMR was elevated for external causes (n = 3362, SMR = 1.41; 95% CI: 1.36, 1.46) and respiratory diseases (n = 4508, SMR = 1.32; 95% CI: 1.28, 1.36), most notably silicosis (n = 814, SMR = 13.56; 95% CI: 12.64, 14.52), but not chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (n = 1729, SMR = 0.98; 95% CI: 0.93, 1.02). CONCLUSIONS: Whereas there are important obstacles to the ability to detect adverse effects of occupational exposures via SMR analyses, PUMA provides evidence of excess mortality among uranium miners due to a range of categories of cause of death. The persistent elevation of SMRs with time since first hire as a uranium miner underscores the importance of long-term follow-up of these workers.

Interfacial dielectric layer as an origin of polarization fatigue in ferroelectric capacitors.

Origins of polarization fatigue in ferroelectric capacitors under electric field cycling still remain unclear. Here, we experimentally identify origins of polarization fatigue in ferroelectric PbZr0.52Ti0.48O3 (PZT) thin-film capacitors by investigating their fatigue behaviours and interface structures. The PZT layers are epitaxially grown on SrRuO3-buffered SrTiO3 substrates by a pulsed laser deposition (PLD), and the capacitor top-electrodes are various, including SrRuO3 (SRO) made by in-situ PLD, Pt by in-situ PLD (Pt-inPLD) and ex-situ sputtering (Pt-sputtered). We found that fatigue behaviour of the capacitor is directly related to the top-electrode/PZT interface structure. The Pt-sputtered/PZT/SRO capacitor has a thin defective layer at the top interface and shows early fatigue while the Pt-inPLD/PZT/SRO and SRO/PZT/SRO capacitor have clean top-interfaces and show much more fatigue resistance. The defective dielectric layer at the Pt-sputtered/PZT interface mainly contains carbon contaminants, which form during the capacitor ex-situ fabrication. Removal of this dielectric layer significantly delays the fatigue onset. Our results clearly indicate that dielectric layer at ferroelectric capacitor interfaces is the main origin of polarization fatigue, as previously proposed in the charge injection model.

Isoprenylcysteine carboxylmethyltransferase function is essential for RAB4A-mediated integrin ß3 recycling, cell migration and cancer metastasis.

Isoprenylcysteine carboxylmethyltransferase (ICMT) catalyzes the post-translational modification of RAB GTPases that contain C-terminal CXC motifs. However, the functional impact of this modification on RAB proteins has not been actively explored. We found that inhibition of ICMT significantly reduced cell migration in vitro and cancer invasion and metastasis in vivo. This role of ICMT was found to be mediated by RAB4A, an essential regulator of the fast recycling of integrin ß3. Integrin ß3 regulates cell polarity and migration when localized appropriately to the plasma membrane, thereby having an essential role in cancer metastasis. ICMT catalyzed carboxylmethylation is critical for RAB4A activation and interaction with effectors, its localization to endosomes and recycling vesicles, and hence important for RAB4A-dependent integrin ß3 recycling to plasma membrane. These findings bring attention to the effects of C-terminal carboxylmethylation on RAB GTPases and provide a rationale for targeting ICMT in the treatment of metastatic cancer.

At-a-glance, Emergency department surveillance of thermal burns and scalds, electronic Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program, 2013. / Aperçu, Surveillance des brûlures thermiques et des échaudures dans les services d'urgence, d'après la base de données électronique du Système canadien hospitalier d'information et de recherche en prévention des traumatismes, 2013.

INTRODUCTION: Although fatality and hospitalization rates for burns in Canada have declined over time, less serious cases still commonly present to the emergency department (ED). METHODS: The Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program (CHIRPP) is an injury and poisoning surveillance system administered by the Public Health Agency of Canada, operating in emergency departments of 17 hospitals. RESULTS: Overall, cases reported in 2013 were scalds and contact burns from hot objects. The leading direct causes of scalds were hot beverages and hot water. The leading causes of contact burns were stoves/ovens and fireplaces/accessories. While the overall proportion of burns was highest among females, males comprised a higher proportion of burns from all mechanisms except scalds.

INTRODUCTION: Bien que les taux de mortalité et d'hospitalisation associés à des brûlures au Canada aient diminué avec le temps, des cas moins graves se présentent encore couramment aux services d'urgence. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Le Système canadien hospitalier d'information et de recherche en prévention des traumatismes (SCHIRPT) révèle les causes majeures de brûlures thermiques et échaudures en 2013. RÉSULTATS: Au total, la moitié des blessures déclarées cette même année étaient des échaudures et des brûlures résultant d'un contact avec un objet brûlant. Les deux principales causes d'échaudures étaient les boissons chaudes et l'eau chaude. Les deux principales causes directes des brûlures par contact étaient les cuisinières et fours.

Environmental factors associated with autism spectrum disorder: a scoping review for the years 2003-2013. / Facteurs environnementaux associés au trouble du spectre de l'autisme : étude de délimitation portant sur les années 2003 à 2013.

INTRODUCTION: The number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been rapidly rising in the past decade. The etiology of this disorder, however, is largely unknown, although the environmental relative to the genetic contribution is substantial. We conducted a scoping review to comprehensively assess the current state of knowledge of the environmental factors present from preconception to early life associated with ASD, and to identify research gaps. METHODS: We searched electronic databases MEDLINE, PsycINFO and ERIC for articles on potential risk factors or protective factors from the physical and social environments associated with ASD and its subclassifications published between 1 January, 2003, and 12 July, 2013. We categorized articles into broad themes: chemical, physiological, nutritional and social factors, based on environmental exposure. RESULTS: We identified over 50 000 publications, but after ineligible studies were screened out, 315 articles remained. Most of these studies examined physiological factors, followed closely by chemical factors, and to a much lesser extent, nutritional and social factors, associated with ASD. Despite a vast literature and many heterogeneous studies, several risk factors emerged consistently: chemical factors such as traffic-related air pollutants; physiological factors including advanced parental age, preterm birth, low birth weight, hyperbilirubinemia and clustering of pregnancy complications; and maternal immigrant status. Despite extensive research on vaccines, findings overwhelmingly demonstrate no support for an association with ASD. CONCLUSION: The lack of consistency, temporality and specificity of associations between environmental factors and ASD remains the largest barrier to establishing causal relationships. More robust research is required to resolve inconsistencies in the literature. Future research should explore underlying mechanisms of associations between the risk factors that we identified and ASD.

INTRODUCTION: Le nombre d'enfants chez lesquels on diagnostique un trouble du spectre de l'autisme (TSA) grimpe rapidement depuis une décennie. L'étiologie de ce trouble est toutefois en grande partie inconnue, même si la contribution de l'environnement est importante par rapport à celle de la génétique. Nous avons procédé à une étude de délimitation pour évaluer en détail l'état actuel des connaissances sur les facteurs environnementaux présents depuis le stade de la préconception jusqu'au début de la vie que l'on associe au TSA et pour dégager les lacunes de la recherche. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Nous avons cherché dans les bases de données électroniques MEDLINE, PsycINFO et ERIC des articles portant sur des facteurs de risque potentiels ou des facteurs de protection des environnements physiques et sociaux associés au TSA et à ses sous-catégories entre le 1er janvier 2003 et le 12 juillet 2013. Nous avons regroupé les articles en thèmes généraux en fonction de l'exposition environnementale : facteurs chimiques, physiologiques, nutritionnels et sociaux. RÉSULTATS: Nous avons trouvé plus de 50 000 publications, mais après élimination des études inadmissibles il est resté 315 articles. La plupart de ces études portaient sur les facteurs psychologiques, suivis de près par les facteurs chimiques et, à un degré beaucoup moindre, les facteurs nutritionnels et sociaux associés au TSA. En dépit d'une masse importante de publications et de nombreuses études hétérogènes, quelques facteurs de risque se sont démarqués régulièrement : facteurs chimiques comme les polluants atmosphériques causés par la circulation; facteurs physiologiques, dont l'âge avancé des parents, les naissances prématurées, l'insuffisance de poids à la naissance, l'hyperbilirubinémie et les grappes de complications de la grossesse et enfin le statut de la mère vis-à-vis de l'immigration. En dépit de recherches poussées sur les vaccins, les faits révèlent de façon écrasante que rien n'appuie l'existence d'un lien avec le TSA. CONCLUSION: Le manque d'uniformité, de temporalité et de spécificité des liens entre les facteurs environnementaux et le TSA demeure l'obstacle le plus important dans l'établissement de liens de cause à effet. Une recherche plus robuste s'impose pour supprimer le manque d'uniformité dans les publications. Les recherches futures devraient porter sur des mécanismes sous-jacents des liens entre facteurs de risque que nous avons identifiés et le TSA.

Emergency department presentations for hoverboard-related injuries: the electronic Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program, 2015 to 2016. / Blessures associées aux planches gyroscopiques traitées dans les services d'urgence au Canada : plate-forme électronique du Système canadien hospitalier d'information et de recherche en prévention des traumatismes, 2015-2016.

TITRE: Blessures associées aux planches gyroscopiques traitées dans les services d'urgence au Canada : plate forme électronique du Système canadien hospitalier d'information et de recherche en prévention des traumatismes, 2015-2016.

Childhood overweight and obesity trends in Canada. / Tendances en matière d'embonpoint et d'obésité chez les enfants au Canada.

INTRODUCTION: Excess weight is a key risk factor for chronic disease, and the systematic collection, analysis and reporting of key trends are important to surveillance of overweight and obesity. METHODS: We used univariate analyses to calculate current prevalence estimates of excess weight among Canadian children and youth. RESULTS: Almost 1 in 7 children and youth is obese. Rates vary based on sociodemographic factors such as age, sex, socioeconomic status and place of residence. Overall, the rates of excess weight have been relatively stable over the past decade. CONCLUSION: Ongoing monitoring of childhood obesity will provide useful information to assist with sustained actions to promote healthy weights.

INTRODUCTION: L'excès de poids est un facteur de risque important de maladies chroniques. La collecte, l'analyse et la diffusion systématiques des tendances clés dans ce domaine sont importantes pour la surveillance de l'embonpoint et de l'obésité. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Nous avons utilisé des analyses univariées pour calculer des estimations de la prévalence actuelle de l'excès de poids chez les enfants et les jeunes canadiens. RÉSULTATS: Près d'un enfant ou jeune sur sept est obèse. Les taux varient en fonction de facteurs sociodémographiques comme l'âge, le sexe, le statut socioéconomique et le lieu de résidence. Dans l'ensemble, les taux d'excès de poids sont demeurés relativement stables depuis dix ans. CONCLUSION: Faire le suivi de l'obésité juvénile fournit des renseignements utiles à la prise de mesures à long terme pour la promotion d'un poids santé.

Status report - The Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program: a dynamic and innovative injury surveillance system. / Rapport d'étape - Le Système canadien hospitalier d'information et de recherche en prévention des traumatismes : un système de surveillance des blessures dynamique et novateur.

This status report on the Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program (CHIRPP), an emergency department-based injury and poisoning surveillance system, describes the result of migrating from a centralized data entry and coding process to a decentralized process, the web-based eCHIRPP system, in 2011. This secure system is improving the CHIRPP's overall flexibility and timeliness, which are key attributes of an effective surveillance system. The integrated eCHIRPP platform enables near real-time data entry and access, has user-friendly data management and analysis tools, and allows for easier communication and connectivity across the CHIRPP network through an online collaboration centre. Current pilot testing of automated data monitoring and trend analysis tools-designed to monitor and flag incoming data according to predefined criteria (for example, a new consumer product)-is revealing eCHIRPP's potential for providing early warnings of new hazards, issues and trends.

RÉSUMÉ: Ce rapport d'étape sur le Système canadien hospitalier d'information et de recherche en prévention des traumatismes (SCHIRPT), un système de surveillance des blessures et des empoisonnements utilisé par les services d'urgence, décrit le résultat de la migration d'un processus d'entrée et de codage des données centralisé vers le processus décentralisé de l'eSCHIRPT, réalisée en 2011. Ce système sécurisé accroît la souplesse et la rapidité globales du SCHIRPT, attributs clés d'un système de surveillance efficace. La plate-forme intégrée de l'eSCHIRPT permet une entrée de données et un accès aux données en temps quasi réel, comprend des outils conviviaux de gestion et d'analyse des données et facilite la communication et la connectivité au sein du réseau du SCHIRPT grâce à un centre de collaboration en ligne. L'essai pilote mené actuellement sur les outils automatisés de contrôle de données et d'analyse des tendances ­ destinés à surveiller et à mettre en évidence les données d'entrée à partir de critères prédéfinis (par exemple un nouveau produit de consommation) ­ révèle le potentiel de détection rapide des nouveaux dangers, enjeux et tendances que possède l'eSCHIRPT.

Occupational injuries in Canadian youth: an analysis of 22 years of surveillance data collected from the Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program.

INTRODUCTION: Inexperience, inadequate training and differential hazard exposure may contribute to a higher risk of injury in young workers. This study describes features of work-related injuries in young Canadians to identify areas for potential occupational injury prevention strategies. METHODS: We analyzed records for youth aged 10-17 presenting to Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program (CHIRPP) emergency departments (EDs) from 1991-2012. We classified work-related injuries into job groups corresponding to National Occupational Classification for Statistics 2006 codes and conducted descriptive analyses to assess injury profiles by job group. Age- and sex-adjusted proportionate injury ratios (PIRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to compare the nature of injuries between occupational and non-occupational events overall and by job group. RESULTS: Of the 6046 injuries (0.72% of events in this age group) that occurred during work, 63.9% were among males. Youth in food and beverage occupations (54.6% males) made up 35.4% of work-related ED visits and 10.2% of work-related hospital admissions, while primary industry workers (76.4% males) made up 4.8% of work-related ED visits and 24.6% of work-related hospital admissions. PIRs were significantly elevated for burns (9.77, 95% CI: 8.94-10.67), crushing/amputations (6.72, 95% CI: 5.79-7.80), electrical injuries (6.04, 95% CI: 3.64-10.00), bites (5.09, 95% CI: 4.47-5.79), open wounds (2.68, 95% CI: 2.59-2.78) and eye injuries (2.50, 95% CI: 2.20-2.83) in occupational versus non-occupational events. These were largely driven by high proportional incidence of injury types unique to job groups. CONCLUSION: Our findings provide occupation group-specific information on common injury types that can be used to support targeted approaches to reduce incidence of youth injury in the workplace.

TITRE: Accidents de travail impliquant des jeunes Canadiens : analyse de 22 années de surveillance des données recueillies à partir du Système canadien hospitalier d'information et de recherche en prévention des traumatismes. INTRODUCTION: L'inexpérience, une formation inadéquate et une exposition accrue au danger sont susceptibles de contribuer à un risque plus élevé d'accidents chez les jeunes travailleurs. Cette étude décrit les caractéristiques des accidents de travail impliquant de jeunes Canadiens afin d'identifier les secteurs pour lesquels élaborer des stratégies de prévention en matière d'accidents de travail. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Nous avons analysé le dossier des jeunes de 10 à 17 ans qui se sont présentés à un service des urgences (SU) faisant partie du Système canadien hospitalier d'information et de recherche en prévention des traumatismes (SCHIRPT) entre 1991 et 2012. Nous avons classé les accidents de travail en fonction de groupes d'emploi correspondant à la Classification nationale des professions (codes statistiques 2006) et nous avons effectué des analyses descriptives afin d'établir le profil des accidents en fonction de ces groupes d'emploi. Nous avons calculé des rapports proportionnels de blessures (RPB) en fonction de l'âge et du sexe ainsi que des intervalles de confiance à 95 % pour comparer la nature des blessures survenues en contexte professionnel et en contexte non professionnel, à la fois dans l'ensemble et par groupe d'emploi. RÉSULTATS: Parmi les 6 046 blessures ayant eu lieu au travail (0,72 % des cas dans ce groupe d'âge), 63,9 % touchaient des garçons. Les jeunes (54,6 % de garçons) œuvrant dans l'industrie des aliments et des boissons ont formé 35,4 % des consultations aux SU en lien avec le travail et 10,2 % des admissions liées au travail, alors que les travailleurs du secteur primaire (76,4 % de garçons) représentaient 4,8 % des consultations aux SU liées au travail et 24,6 % des admissions liées au travail. Les RPB ont été significativement élevés pour les brûlures (9,77, IC à 95 % : 8,94 à 10,67), les blessures par écrasement et les amputations (6,72, IC à 95 % : 5,79 à 7,80), les blessures causées par l'électricité (6,04, IC à 95 % : 3,64 à 10,00), les morsures (5,09, IC à 95 % : 4,47 à 5,79), les plaies ouvertes (2,68, IC à 95 % : 2,59 à 2,78) et les lésions oculaires (2,50, IC à 95 % : 2,20 à 2,83) dans un contexte professionnel par rapport aux cas en contexte non professionnel. Ceci s'explique en bonne partie par l'incidence proportionnelle élevée de certains types de blessures spécifiques à des groupes d'emploi. CONCLUSION: Nos conclusions fournissent des renseignements relatifs à certains groupes professionnels sur des types de blessures courantes susceptibles de favoriser l'adoption d'approches ciblées à l'égard de la réduction de l'incidence des blessures chez les jeunes en milieu de travail.

Fall-related injuries among Canadian seniors, 2005-2013: an analysis of the Canadian Community Health Survey.

INTRODUCTION: We describe the epidemiology and trends of fall-related injuries among Canadian seniors aged 65 years and older by sex and age, as well as the circumstances and consequences of their injuries. METHODS: We analyzed nationally representative data from the 2005, 2009/2010 and 2013 samples of the Canadian Community Health Survey to calculate the number and rates of fall-related injuries for each survey year. Where possible, we combined data from two or more samples to estimate the proportion of fall-related injuries by type of injury, part of body injured, type of activity and type of treatment. RESULTS: The rate of fall-related injuries among seniors increased from 49.4 to 58.8 per 1000 population between 2005 and 2013, during which the number of fall-related injuries increased by 54% overall. Women had consistently higher rates than men across all survey years, while rates increased with advancing age. The upward trend in fall-related injury rates was more prominent among women and younger age groups. The most common type of injury was broken or fractured bones (37%), and the shoulder or upper arm (16%) was the most commonly injured body part. Many fall-related injuries occurred while walking on a surface other than snow or ice (45%). Over 70% of seniors seeking treatment for their injuries visited a hospital emergency department. CONCLUSION: Given the increase in both the number and rates of fall-related injuries over time, there is a need to continue monitoring trends and injury patterns associated with falls.

TITRE: Blessures liées à une chute chez les aînés canadiens entre 2005 et 2013 : une analyse de l'Enquête sur la santé dans les collectivités canadiennes. INTRODUCTION: Nous décrivons l'épidémiologie et les tendances des blessures liées à une chute chez les aînés canadiens de 65 ans et plus selon le sexe et l'âge, ainsi que les circonstances et les conséquences de ces blessures. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Nous avons utilisé des données représentatives tirées des échantillons de 2005, de 2009-2010 et de 2013 de l'Enquête sur la santé dans les collectivités canadiennes afin de calculer le nombre et les taux de blessures liées à une chute pour chaque année d'enquête. Nous avons combiné, dans la mesure du possible, les données d'au moins deux échantillons afin d'estimer la proportion de blessures liées à une chute par type de blessure, partie du corps affectée, type d'activité et type de traitement. RÉSULTATS: Le taux de blessures liées à une chute chez les aînés est passé de 49,4 à 58,8 pour 1 000 personnes entre 2005 et 2013, période durant laquelle le nombre de blessures liées à une chute a de façon générale augmenté de 54 %. Les femmes ont présenté des taux plus élevés que les hommes pour toutes les années d'enquête, ces taux augmentant avec l'âge. La tendance à la hausse dans les taux de blessures liées à une chute était plus marquée chez les femmes et les plus jeunes. Les cassures et les fractures (37 %) ont été les blessures les plus courantes, et l'épaule et le bras (16 %) ont été les parties du corps les plus couramment affectées. Plusieurs blessures liées à une chute se sont produites alors que la personne marchait sur une surface non enneigée ou glacée (45 %). Plus de 70 % des aînés qui ont cherché à obtenir des soins médicaux pour leur blessure se sont rendus au service d'urgence d'un hôpital. CONCLUSION: Compte tenu de l'augmentation du nombre et des taux de blessures liées à une chute au fil du temps, la surveillance des tendances et des profils de ces dernières demeure nécessaire.

Evidence Brief--Trends and projections of obesity among Canadians.

The prevalence of obesity, defined as body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or higher for adults and as 2 standard deviations above the World Health Organization growth standard mean for children, has increased in many parts of the world. Obese adults are at an increased risk of certain chronic conditions, including hypertension, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and some cancers, and of premature death. Obese children have increased cardiometabolic risk, including dyslipidemia, insulin resistance and elevated blood pressure. Excess childhood body weight that continues into adulthood can affect quality of life, educational attainment and earnings over the lifecourse. The Public Health Agency of Canada has projected an annual direct health care cost (including physician, hospitalization and medication costs) of those categorized as obese in Canada in constant 2001 Canadian dollars. Calculated as $7.0 billion in 2011, this annual direct health care cost is projected to rise to $8.8 billion by 2021, based on simulated average direct health care costs, which are higher among the obese ($2,283) than the overweight ($1,726), the underweight ($1,298) and those at normal weight ($1,284). Canadian estimates from 2006 and 2008 that used different methodologies place the annual economic burden (direct and indirect costs) of obesity between $4.6 billion and $7.1 billion. The purpose of this evidence brief is to show current Canadian obesity prevalence rates and estimates for the future using objectively measured height and weight to calculate BMI. The use of objectively measured height and weight to derive BMI is strongly recommended, especially for children and adolescents, as self- or proxy-reported height and weight tend to underestimate actual weight and consequently BMI and obesity prevalence.

TITRE: Synthèse portant sur les données probantes - Tendances et projections relatives à l'obésité chez les Canadiens. INTRODUCTION: La prévalence de l'obésité ­ soit un indice de masse corporelle (IMC) supérieur ou égal à 30 kg/m2 chez les adultes ou deux écarts-types au-dessus de la médiane de la norme de croissance de l'Organisation mondiale de la santé chez les enfants ­ a augmenté dans de nombreuses régions du monde. Les adultes obèses sont plus susceptibles d'être atteints de certaines affections chroniques, notamment d'hypertension, de diabète de type 2, de cardiopathies et de certains cancers, ainsi que de mourir prématurément. Les enfants obèses présentent aussi un risque cardiométabolique accru (dyslipidémie, résistance à l'insuline et hypertension artérielle). Un excès pondéral pendant l'enfance qui se poursuit à l'âge adulte peut nuire à la qualité de vie, au rendement scolaire et au revenu tout au long de la vie. L'Agence de la santé publique du Canada a estimé les coûts annuels directs, en dollars canadiens constants de 2001, des soins de santé (coûts liés aux médecins, aux hospitalisations et aux médicaments) pour les personnes classées comme obèses au Canada. Évalués à 7,0 milliards de dollars en 2011, ils devraient atteindre 8,8 milliards de dollars d'ici 2021, d'après un calcul à partir des moyennes actuelles qui font qu'ils sont plus élevés chez les obèses (2 283 $) que chez les personnes en surpoids (1 726 $), les personnes en insuffisance pondérale (1 298 $) et les personnes de poids normal (1 284 $). Des estimations canadiennes antérieures, de 2006 et 2008 et obtenues par des méthodologies différentes, ont évalué le fardeau économique annuel (coûts directs et indirects) de l'obésité dans une fourchette allant de 4,6 à 7,1 milliards de dollars. Cette synthèse fondée sur des données probantes vise à présenter les taux de prévalence de l'obésité au Canada à la fois actuels et projetés, à partir d'un calcul de l'IMC reposant sur des mesures objectives de la taille et du poids. L'utilisation de mesures objectives de la taille et du poids pour calculer l'IMC est fortement recommandée, particulièrement chez les enfants et les adolescents, car lorsque la taille et le poids sont autodéclarés ou obtenus par procuration, le poids réel est généralement sous-estimé, ce qui fait que l'IMC et la prévalence de l'obésité le sont également.

Controlled coupling of a single nanoparticle in polymeric microstructure by low one-photon absorption-based direct laser writing technique.

We investigated the coupling of a single nanoparticle (NP) into a polymer-based photonic structure (PS). The low one-photon absorption microscopy with a two-step technique allowed us first to accurately determine the location of a NP and then to embed it as desired into an arbitrary PS. The coupling of a gold NP and a polymer-based PS was experimentally investigated showing a six-fold photon collection enhancement as compared to that of a NP in unpatterned film. The simulation results based on finite-difference time-domain calculation method confirmed this observation and showed a 2.86-fold enhancement in extraction efficiency thanks to the NP/PS coupling.

Report summary - injury in review, 2012 edition: spotlight on road and transport safety.

Injury in Review, 2012 Edition: Spotlight on Road and Transport Safety, the first national public health report of its kind, synthesizes road- and transport-related injury statistics from a variety of sources. It profiles injury patterns among Canadians aged up to 24 years, explains risks and protective factors, and makes recommendations for action. The findings inform the development of targeted injury prevention efforts.

Melanopsin signalling in mammalian iris and retina.

Non-mammalian vertebrates have an intrinsically photosensitive iris and thus a local pupillary light reflex (PLR). In contrast, it is thought that the PLR in mammals generally requires neuronal circuitry connecting the eye and the brain. Here we report that an intrinsic component of the PLR is in fact widespread in nocturnal and crepuscular mammals. In mouse, this intrinsic PLR requires the visual pigment melanopsin; it also requires PLCß4, a vertebrate homologue of the Drosophila NorpA phospholipase C which mediates rhabdomeric phototransduction. The Plcb4(-/-) genotype, in addition to removing the intrinsic PLR, also essentially eliminates the intrinsic light response of the M1 subtype of melanopsin-expressing, intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (M1-ipRGCs), which are by far the most photosensitive ipRGC subtype and also have the largest response to light. Ablating in mouse the expression of both TRPC6 and TRPC7, members of the TRP channel superfamily, also essentially eliminated the M1-ipRGC light response but the intrinsic PLR was not affected. Thus, melanopsin signalling exists in both iris and retina, involving a PLCß4-mediated pathway that nonetheless diverges in the two locations.

Modeling of dynamic vehicle-road interactions for safety-related road evaluation.

Usually, road safety is assessed by following adequate highway geometric design standards and can be controlled later by measurement and expertise. Nevertheless, interactions between vehicle dynamics and road characteristics cannot be simultaneously analyzed for these two means of safety evaluation. In this study, an analytical method based on road/vehicle physical interactions applied to road diagnosis is proposed. Vehicle "point" and "bicycle" models are used in this first approach. French highway geometric design standards and a statistical method are presented and evaluated on a real curve case. The proposed numerical criterion, for the "bicycle" model, is then compared to these two classical methods for the considered road section. Its advantages are that it takes into account several combined parameters, that road defects are precisely localized and that it provides hierarchically classified solutions to the road managers. After this comparison step, further improvements should be focused on the modeling of successive curves and on the improvement of the informations given to the road manager.

Noninterferometric two-dimensional fourier-transform spectroscopy of multilevel systems.

We demonstrate a technique that determines the phase of the photon-echo emission from spectrally resolved intensity data without requiring phase-stabilized input pulses. The full complex polarization of the emission is determined from spectral intensity measurements. The validity of this technique is demonstrated using simulated data, and is then applied to the analysis of two-color data obtained from the light-harvesting molecule lycopene.

Spectrally resolved femtosecond 2-colour 3-pulse photon echoes: a new spectroscopic tool to study molecular dynamics.

We present a new multidimensional femtosecond spectroscopy technique based on spectrally resolved 2-colour 3-pulse photon echoes for investigating molecular dynamics in a variety of systems including proteins. In this technique the sample is illuminated by two femtosecond 'pump' pulses with wave vectors k1, k2 and wavelength lambda(pump) and a femtosecond 'probe' pulse with wave vector k3 and wavelength lambda(probe). Nonlinear signals are generated in the phase-matching directions k4 = - k1 + k2 + k3 and k6 = - k3 + k1 + k2. These signals are analysed in spectrometers equipped with CCD detectors and the spectra of the signals are recorded for various values of (i) the delay t12 between pulses 1 and 2, (ii) the delay t23 between pulses 2 and 3, and (iii) the wavelengths lambda(pump), lambda(probe). The technique has been used for studying vibrational and electronic dynamics of dye molecules, such as cresyl violet in methanol, and ultra-fast transient processes that occur during the photo-dissociation of carbonmonoxy myoglobin (MbCO) into myoglobin (Mb) and CO.

Expansion and characterization of T cells transduced with a chimeric receptor against ovarian cancer.

Adoptive immunotherapy with genetically modified T lymphocytes is being utilized in clinical trials for the treatment of a broad range of diseases including cancer and HIV infection. To improve on these treatments, and to better understand their mechanisms of action, it is necessary to develop techniques to generate large numbers of cells and characterize the functional heterogeneity of the cells produced. In this study, patient peripheral blood lymphocytes were transduced with a chimeric antigen receptor (MOv-gamma) derived from a mouse monoclonal antibody against folate-binding protein, which is overexpressed on many ovarian cancers. Thus, irrespective of their original specificity, normal human T lymphocytes were redirected to react against ovarian cancer cells. Lymphocytes from five patients were transduced and grown to large numbers, with a median expansion of more than 7000-fold. When proliferation was inadequate, the cells were expanded by stimulation utilizing anti-CD3, IL-2, and irradiated allogeneic PBMCs. The cells maintained their functional ability to recognize ovarian cancer over several months. Cloning of transduced cells was undertaken to determine the level of gene expression and function of individual cells making up the bulk population. Transduced CD4(+) and CD8(+) cell clones were isolated from the bulk and demonstrated antitumor activity. These clones had a diverse repertoire with respect to secretion of cytokines, and individual clones maintained their cytokine profile on subsequent expansion. These studies establish the feasibility of consistently generating large numbers of gene-modified tumor-reactive lymphocytes, with a stable and diverse cytokine repertoire, that could be utilized for patient treatment.

The Syk tyrosine kinase suppresses malignant growth of human breast cancer cells.

Syk is a protein tyrosine kinase that is widely expressed in haematopoietic cells. It is involved in coupling activated immunoreceptors to downstream signalling events that mediate diverse cellular responses including proliferation, differentiation and phagocytosis. Syk expression has been reported in cell lines of epithelial origin, but its function in these cells remains unknown. Here we show that Syk is commonly expressed in normal human breast tissue, benign breast lesions and low-tumorigenic breast cancer cell lines. Syk messenger RNA and protein, however, are low or undetectable in invasive breast carcinoma tissue and cell lines. Transfection of wild-type Syk into a Syk-negative breast cancer cell line markedly inhibited its tumour growth and metastasis formation in athymic mice. Conversely, overexpression of a kinase-deficient Syk in a Syk-positive breast cancer cell line significantly increased its tumour incidence and growth. Suppression of tumour growth by the reintroduction of Syk appeared to be the result of aberrant mitosis and cytokinesis. We propose that Syk is a potent modulator of epithelial cell growth and a potential tumour suppressor in human breast carcinomas.

Phagocytosis of cross-linked gelatin matrix by human breast carcinoma cells correlates with their invasive capacity.

During invasion and metastasis, cancer cells interact closely with the extracellular matrix molecules by attachment, degradation, and migration. We demonstrated previously the local degradation of fluorescently labeled gelatin matrix by cancer cells at invasive membrane protrusions, called invadopodia. Using the newly developed quantitative fluorescence-activated cell sorting-phagocytosis assay and image analysis of localized degradation of fluorescently labeled matrix, we document here that degradation and site-specific removal of cross-linked gelatin matrix is correlated with the extent of phagocytosis in human breast cancer cells. A higher phagocytic capacity is generally associated with increasing invasiveness, documented in other invasion and motility assays as well. Gelatin phagocytosis is time and cell density dependent, and it is mediated by the actin cytoskeleton. Most of the intracellular gelatin is routed to actively acidified vesicles, as demonstrated by the fluorescent colocalization of gelatin with acidic vesicles, indicating the intracellular degradation of the phagocytosed matrix in lysosomes. We show here that normal intracellular routing is blocked after treatment with acidification inhibitors. In addition, the need for partial proteolytic degradation of the matrix prior to phagocytosis is demonstrated by the inhibition of gelatin phagocytosis with different serine and metalloproteinase inhibitors and its stimulation by conditioned medium containing the matrix metalloproteinases MMP-2 and MMP-9. Our results demonstrate that phagocytosis of extracellular matrix is an inherent feature of breast tumor cells that correlates with and may even directly contribute to their invasive capacity. This assay is useful for screening and evaluating potential anti-invasive agents because it is fast, reproducible, and versatile.