The use of population health and health promotion research by health regions in Canada.

This study examined the use of population health and health promotion (PH&HP) research by health regions in Canada. An 11-item survey was faxed to 137 (of 140) health regions. Eighty-three completed questionnaires were returned (60.8%). Results indicate that while research, in general, plays more than a moderate role in the majority of participating health regions, PH&HP research is not used frequently. The most frequent uses of PH&HP research include the development of health goals and objectives, the development of programs and services, and resource allocation. Health regions most frequently obtain PH&HP research from their own staff and from government departments. University-based researchers are not a commonly used source. This study provides a descriptive overview of health regions' engagement in evidence-based decision making related to PH&HP issues, and points to a number of strategies that both health regions and researchers can employ to enhance the use of PH&HP research by health regions.

Promotion of breast cancer screening in communities: a research agenda.

This paper used the National Cancer Institute of Canada (NCIC) cancer control framework to review research on participation in breast cancer screening programs and identify areas for further study. Cancer Lit, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Sociofile, Health and the Public Affairs Information Service databases were searched for literature published from 1990 to 1995. Information was also obtained from provincial breast cancer screening programs and Health Canada. Interventions designed to promote participation in screening programs have not been effective. Involvement of the target community, however, increased success and sustainability. Barriers to initial participation within screening programs include alternative sources of screening and the lack of funds to screen all eligible women. Studies show that participation decreases with successive screening rounds. The priorities for study are development of: a theoretical framework for recruitment strategies, a method to capture all Canadian screening results including those performed through provincial health insurance plans and a mechanism to deliver screening to all eligible Canadian women.

Reverse genetics of Drosophila brain structure and function.

A set of molecular genetic technologies are described, which will have far reaching consequences for the study of brain structure, function and development in Drosophila melanogaster. Site selected mutagenesis (a PCR-based screen for P-element insertion events) allows insertion mutants to be isolated for any cloned gene, and is being used in this laboratory to ask questions about the rolls of particular cellular components in learning and memory. Transposants have been isolated in genes encoding a regulatory (RI) and a catalytic (DCO) subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase, and in a gene encoding a Gi-like alpha subunit. The alternative use of I factors is described. The PKA RI homozygous mutants display a significant decrement in initial learning ability. Enhancer-trap strategies, for which the GAL-4 P-element system is particularly convenient, allow the identification of genes expressed in the developing fly brain. Strategies for the efficient detection of such events are described.

The determination of biogenic amines in four strains of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster.

A range of biogenic amines were measured in the heads from four strains of Drosophila melanogaster. Quantitation was carried out using gas chromatography-negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry (GC-NICIMS) with stable isotope dilution. The principal amines detected in the heads were dopamine, noradrenaline and 5 HT with small amounts of p- and m-tyramine; p-octopamine could not be detected in samples of 25 heads with a limit of detection of 10 pg per sample. In addition to conventional neurotransmitters or putative neurotransmitters the amines 5- and 6-hydroxydopamine were detected in the heads in substantial amounts.