Institution
Saskatchewan Health
Government•Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada•
About: Saskatchewan Health is a government organization based out in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Health care. The organization has 442 authors who have published 489 publications receiving 7728 citations.
Papers published on a yearly basis
Papers
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TL;DR: A novel real-time PCR assay for identification of MRSA isolates containing PVL was developed and facilitates the rapid identification of PVL-positive isolates ofMRSA.
Abstract: Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus harboring Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) genes is an emerging pathogen. A novel real-time PCR assay for identification of MRSA isolates containing PVL was developed. The PVL assay was used in a triplex format allowing simultaneous amplification of mecA, nuc, and PVL genes in 614 clinical isolates. This assay facilitates the rapid identification of PVL-positive isolates of MRSA.
110 citations
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TL;DR: The optimal comorbidity measure depends on the health outcome and not on the disease characteristics of the study population, and the number of diagnoses had the best predictive performance.
Abstract: Background
Multiple comorbidity measures have been developed for risk-adjustment in studies using administrative data, but it is unclear which measure is optimal for specific outcomes and if the measures are equally valid in different populations. This research examined the predictive performance of five comorbidity measures in three population-based cohorts.
106 citations
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TL;DR: This chapter discusses case definitions, which are essential to epidemiological research and help clarify the role of language in epidemiology.
Abstract: Background
Case definitions are essential to epidemiological research.
Objectives
To evaluate ICD-9 codes 410 and 411 to identify cases of acute coronary syndromes (ACS), and the clinical information availability in the administrative and hospital discharge records of Saskatchewan, Canada.
Methods
In the context of a safety cohort study, we identified hospitalisations with primary discharge codes 410 (2260) and 411 (799). We selected all records with code 411, and a random sample (200) with code 410. Based on information obtained by trained abstractors from hospital records, events were classified by two cardiologists as definite or possible according to adapted AHA/ESC criteria. The validity of 410 and 411 codes was assessed by calculating the positive predictive value (PPV). Completeness of the recorded information on risk factors and use of aspirin was explored.
Results
The PPVs of the codes 410 and 411 for ACS were 0.96 (95%CI: 0. 92–0.98) and 0.86 (95%CI: 0.83–0.88), respectively. The PPV of 410 for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) was 0.95 (95%CI: 0.91–0.98). The PPV of 411 was 0.73 (95%CI: 0.70–0.77) for primary unstable angina (UA) and 0.09 (95%CI: 0.07–0.11) for AMI. Hospital charts review revealed key information for clinical variables, smoking, obesity and use of aspirin at admission.
Conclusions
ICD-9 410 code has high PPV for AMI cases, likewise 411 for UA cases. Case validation remains important in epidemiological studies with administrative health databases. Given the pathophysiology of ACS, both AMI and UA might be used as study end points. In addition to code 410, we recommend the use of 411 plus validation. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
105 citations
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TL;DR: Evidence is provided that Luman and VP16 share two important structural features: an acidic activation domain and a common mechanism for binding HCF that suggest that the HCF-Luman interaction may represent a conserved mechanism for transcriptional regulation in metazoans.
Abstract: In human cells infected with herpes simplex virus (HSV), viral gene expression is initiated by the virion protein VP16. VP16 does not bind DNA directly but forms a multiprotein complex on the viral immediate-early gene promoters with two cellular proteins: the POU domain protein Oct-1 and host cell factor (HCF; also called C1, VCAF, and CFF). Despite its apparent role in stabilizing the VP16-induced transcription complex, the natural biological role of HCF is unclear. Only recently HCF has been implicated in control of the cell cycle. To determine the role of HCF in cells and answer why HSV has evolved an HCF-dependent mechanism for the initiation of the lytic cycle, we identified the first human ligand for HCF (R. Lu et al., Mol. Cell. Biol. 17:5117–5126, 1997). This protein, Luman, is a member of the CREB/ATF family of transcription factors that can activate transcription from promoters containing cyclic AMP response elements (CRE). Here we provide evidence that Luman and VP16 share two important structural features: an acidic activation domain and a common mechanism for binding HCF. We found that Luman, its homolog in Drosophila, dCREB-A (also known as BBF-2), and VP16 bind to HCF by a motif, (D/E)HXY(S/A), present in all three proteins. In addition, a mutation (P134S) in HCF that prevents VP16 binding also abolishes its binding to Luman and dCREB-A. We also show that while interaction with HCF is not required for the ability of Luman to activate transcription when tethered to the GAL4 promoter, it appears to be essential for Luman to activate transcription through CRE sites. These data suggest that the HCF-Luman interaction may represent a conserved mechanism for transcriptional regulation in metazoans, and HSV mimics this interaction with HCF to monitor the physiological state of the host cell.
103 citations
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TL;DR: Analysis of possible predictors of mental health showed that the nature and quality of family life strongly affected adolescent mental health and positive evaluation of their school atmosphere and peer group life and their locus of control orientation also positively influenced their psychological well-being.
Abstract: This paper examines a comprehensive set of data on the prevalence and correlates of psychological distress in a sample of 1038 adolescent students in a major urban area of a Canadian prairie province. About 27% of the students reported 6 or more symptoms of psychological distress on the GHQ-30. The frequency of symptoms varied with age, grade level and average marks, with sex being the most significant variation. 'Anxiety' and 'social dysfunction' were the most frequent symptom dimensions reported. More detailed analysis of possible predictors of mental health showed that the nature and quality of family life strongly affected adolescent mental health. Adolescents' positive evaluation of their school atmosphere and peer group life and their locus of control orientation also positively influenced their psychological well-being.
93 citations
Authors
Showing all 449 results
Name | H-index | Papers | Citations |
---|---|---|---|
Gary R. Hunter | 71 | 337 | 16410 |
Lisa M. Lix | 59 | 462 | 13778 |
Peter O'Hare | 55 | 126 | 9246 |
Edward D. Chan | 54 | 224 | 9014 |
Paul Babyn | 54 | 307 | 11466 |
Roland N. Auer | 52 | 120 | 8564 |
Paul N. Levett | 44 | 137 | 8486 |
Alan A. Boulton | 39 | 183 | 5253 |
Carl D'Arcy | 38 | 129 | 5002 |
Vikram Misra | 37 | 116 | 4363 |
Andrew W. Lyon | 28 | 109 | 2449 |
Denis C. Lehotay | 27 | 52 | 1756 |
Gary F. Teare | 26 | 61 | 2749 |
Greg B. Horsman | 25 | 49 | 1727 |
Emina Torlakovic | 24 | 96 | 1899 |