6 g of potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate in 1000 mL of HPLC gra

6 g of potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate in 1000 mL of HPLC grade water. Vildagliptin was eluted in Agilent XDB C18, 150 × 4.6 mm, 5 μ, selleckchem column using a mobile phase mixture of phosphate buffer and acetonitrile in the ratio of 85:15% v/v. The lambda max of the drug in mobile phase was 210 nm, so column outlet was monitored at 210 nm. The injection volume is 25 μL. The total runtime was 8 min. Hundred milligrams of pure vildagliptin was weighed accurately and transferred in to a 100 mL volumetric flask. The content was dissolved by using HPLC grade water, after complete dissolution the volume was made up to the mark by using the same which gives 1000 μg/mL of the drug. The standard vildagliptin solution was further

diluted in 10 mL volumetric flask to get various concentrations ranging from 10 to 150 μg/mL of drug using mobile phase. From this each calibration standard solutions 25 μL was injected in to the HPLC system. The chromatograms were recorded. The concentration of the vildagliptin in μg/mL is taken in X axis and peak area of the individual concentrations of calibration standards was taken in Y axis. The calibration graph was plotted. MEK inhibitor review This is

used for the estimation of vildagliptin in tablets. Twenty tablets of vildagliptin were weighed accurately; average weight was calculated and powdered well. The powder equivalent to 100 mg of the drug was transferred in to a 100 mL calibrated standard flask. 70 mL of HPLC grade water was added. The content of the flask was sonicated for 15 min to dissolve vildagliptin and made up to the volume with the same and the resulting mixture was filtered through 0.45 μm filter. Subsequent dilution of this solution was made with mobile phase to get concentration of 50 μg/mL. This solution (25 μL) was injected six times into the HPLC system. The mean value of peak areas of six such determinations was calculated

and the drug content in the tablet was quantified. Vildagliptin pure drug is soluble in water and acetonitrile. Different mobile phase compositions were tried to elute the drug from the column and adequate resolution Thymidine kinase is achieved with phosphate buffer and acetonitrile in the ratio of 85:15% v/v with Agilent Eclipse XDB C18, 150 × 4.6 mm, 5 μ, column and this solvent system was found to be most suitable for method development and validation. Vildagliptin shows the maximum absorbance [λ-max] at 210 nm in mobile phase, so the column outlet was detected at 210 nm in the proposed method. A typical chromatogram of vildagliptin standard solution and tablets sample solution are shown in Fig. 1a and b respectively. Chromatogram of the excipients is shown in Fig. 2. The retention time was 3.04 min. The system suitability tests were carried out on freshly prepared standard stock solution and summery is given in Table 1. These parameters indicate good sensitivity and selectivity of the developed method.

No specific changes of the inner retinal layers were observed Th

No specific changes of the inner retinal layers were observed. This very characteristic oblique and concentric laser lesion pattern was observed in all patients at day 1 and was representative of alterations of the Henle fiber layer. At week 1,

the changes at the level of the RPE and the photoreceptor layer remained clearly demarcated; however, the borders of the pathway through the ONL became blurred. At 3 months, therapeutically induced changes were detected only at the level of the RPE and the photoreceptor layer, and changes in the ONL were no longer detectable. In a more detailed analysis of the morphologic changes in the RPE, the images showing RPE segmentation (based on DOPU) generated by the polarization-sensitive OCT and images produced by the Spectralis HRA+OCT were used for further evaluation. In total, 379 laser lesions were evaluated over the Selleck PFI-2 course of the study. The RPE, segmented by its find more polarization-scrambling effect, is shown as a continuous red layer at baseline (Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 5, Figure 6 and Figure 7).

One day after photocoagulation a reduction of the polarization-scrambling layer, ranging from focal thinning to the presence of a gap, could be seen, depending on the individually applied laser energy fluence. Also, the light transmission of the SD-OCT signal into the choroid below the laser lesion indicated a local loss of RPE cells and/or of their pigmentation. At week 1 after laser treatment, the lesions showed a column-like growth of polarization-scrambling tissue reaching the ELM. Although the healing response proceeded homogenously until week 1, the morphology of the lesions could be classified into 3 different types by month 1. Most of the

lesions (243/379 lesions, 64.1%) showed persistence of the polarization-scrambling columns, reaching the ELM, and remained unchanged throughout Levetiracetam the 3-month follow-up period (Figure 2 and Figure 3 [lesions indicated by “I”], and Figure 4). The second most frequently observed healing response was an involution of the polarization-scrambling column (77/379 lesions, 20.3%). Although by month 1 a hyperreflective hump and discrete increase of polarization-scrambling tissue was still detectable in SD-OCT and polarization-sensitive OCT, respectively, the laser lesion induced a thinning of the outer hyperreflective layer (SD-OCT) and a gap in the polarization-scrambling layer (polarization-sensitive OCT). Additionally, a partial restoration of the IS/OS line at the respective lesion site was detected accompanying these changes in the RPE (Figure 2 [lesions indicated by “II”] and Figure 5). Thirdly, in certain cases (29/379 lesions, 7.7%), growth of the polarization-scrambling column toward the inner layers of the retina was seen.

The utility of NP carriage as a surrogate marker for pneumococcal

The utility of NP carriage as a surrogate marker for pneumococcal disease http://www.selleckchem.com/products/jq1.html is not equal for all pneumococcal serotypes. Some serotypes are rarely found in carriage though they

are known to cause disease (serotypes 1, 5, 7 and 12F). This is presumably due to short duration of carriage or difficulty detecting such serotypes on NP sampling when other dominant serotypes are present. However, even for these serotypes, the progressive steps in disease pathogenesis from acquisition, to movement across the nasopharyngeal epithelium and extension to mucosal or invasive disease, are thought to be the same even if some steps in this chain are short in duration. As summarized by Professor Ron Dagan, the direct effect of PCV

can be measured only in clinical efficacy trials conducted in settings where most children are unvaccinated against the pneumococcal vaccine serotypes, thus minimizing any confounding by herd immunity [2]. Various vaccine efficacy trials have looked at impact on pneumococcal NP carriage using different PCV formulations and in different country settings (summarized in Table 1 and Ref. [19] Section III), and all studies have demonstrated a reduction in VT carriage among vaccinated children. The magnitude of VE-col across studies is around 50% which is lower than vaccine efficacy against www.selleckchem.com/products/abt-199.html disease (VE-disease): Dipeptidyl peptidase vaccine efficacy against invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) is about 80%, against VT pneumococcal acute otitis media (AOM) about 60%, and approximately 35% against radiologically confirmed pneumonia. Assuming that about half of the latter episodes are caused by VT pneumococcus,

the inferred vaccine efficacy against VT pneumococcal pneumonia is 70% [2]. PCV may reduce pneumococcal disease in two ways: (1) by preventing pneumococcal NP acquisition, duration or density of carriage, or (2) by preventing progression of pneumococcal carriage to disease. A considerable proportion of the NP effect of vaccination may be in reducing VT acquisition. While some evidence suggests PCV decreases density of carriage, it is still unclear whether this is always the case [2]. There is also evidence demonstrating a dose effect on VT carriage reduction, with three primary doses having a greater effect on VT NP reduction than two doses and one dose being more effective than no PCV. Indirect effects of vaccination were discussed by Professor Anthony Scott and are defined as those effects observed in unvaccinated persons (See Ref. [19]: Section III). Post-PCV licensure surveillance has revealed reductions in both VT pneumococcal disease and carriage in unvaccinated populations, including the elderly and infants too young to be immunized.

At the end of the intervention period, the groups were again simi

At the end of the intervention period, the groups were again similar. Thirteen (57%) participants in the experimental group and 15 (65%) participants in the control group reported suprapubic and lumbar pain, with no significant difference between groups (RR = 0.87,95% Cl 0.54 to 1.38). Therefore, massage did not change the characteristics or the location of the pain in the active phase of labour. selleck screening library The mean duration of labour was longer in the experimental group by 1.1 hr but this was of borderline statistical significance (95% Cl 0.2 to 2.0). The mean time to pain medication was 2.6 hr (SD 1.3) in

the experimental group and 1.9 hr (SD 1.2) in the control group. However, this was not statistically significant, with a mean difference of 0.7 hr

(95% Cl −0.1 to 1.5). The anthropometric measures of the newborns were not significantly different between the groups. All these data are presented in Table 4, with individual patient data presented in Table 3 (on the eAddenda.) Anti-diabetic Compound Library order The participants in the massage group were more likely to adopt a sitting position during the intervention period than those in the control group (RR = 1.8, 95% Cl 1.1 to 3.0). Path of delivery was unaffected by the intervention, with six Caesarean deliveries in the experimental group and four in the control group (RR = 1.5, 95% Cl 0.5 to 4.6). Around 90% of the newborns in both groups had normal APGAR scores by the first minute after delivery, and all had normal APGAR scores by the fifth minute after delivery. All these

data are presented in Table 5, with individual patient data presented in Table 3 (on the eAddenda.) Regarding satisfaction with the attending physiotherapist, all participants stated that the quality of care received during labour was important. The intervention was rated as excellent by 65% of the experimental group and 70% of the control group. Sixteen participants (70%) in the experimental group and nine (39%) in the control group reported that the intervention they received promoted the relief of pain, stress, and anxiety during the active phase of labour. All participants in the experimental group and 96% in the aminophylline control group stated that they would like to receive the same care in future childbirths. None of these differences reached statistical significance. Labour pain is progressive, with rapid alterations of its location and an increase in severity with advancing dilation and intensity of uterine contractions (Melzack et al 1981). In the first stage of labour, pain is located in the lower portion of the abdomen and radiates to the lumbar area, increasing with the intensity of uterine contractions (Mamede et al 2007, Sabatino et al 1996).

In response to this waning pertussis immunity, a booster vaccinat

In response to this waning pertussis immunity, a booster vaccination containing a tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) was developed in 2005 for individuals aged 11–64 years of age [9]. However, infants who are too young to receive a full series of immunizations against pertussis are greatly susceptible to the complications of pertussis infection. It has been estimated that 76–83% of infant pertussis cases are contracted from adolescents and adults with BI 6727 clinical trial waning immunity, including close contacts and adult family members [10] and [11]. Deaths due to pertussis infection occur primarily in children younger than 6 months of age, and research suggests

that the B. pertussis pathogen may also contribute to sudden infant death syndrome [12] and [13]. The Global Pertussis Initiative of 2001 recommended implementation of the

“cocoon strategy” – immunizing parents, grandparents, childcare providers, healthcare personnel, and any other close contacts of neonates, within the prenatal period or 4 weeks of birth, in order to reduce the risk of transmission to susceptible newborns [14] and [15]. In 2006, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended that adolescents and adults aged <65 years (e.g., parents, siblings, grandparents, A-1210477 nmr child-care providers, and healthcare personnel) who have or anticipate having close contact with an infant aged <12 months should receive a single dose of Tdap to protect

against pertussis if they have not received 4-Aminobutyrate aminotransferase Tdap previously [9]. Subsequently in 2011, the ACIP expanded its recommendations for adults aged 65 years and older to receive a single dose of Tdap if they have or anticipate having close contact with an infant aged <12 months and previously have not received Tdap [16]. Despite recommendations, Tdap vaccination rates are estimated at 56% for adolescents [16] and 3.6% for adults [17]. Cost, lack of access, and inconvenience are likely to be barriers to vaccination among adults. Retail community pharmacies, especially those located onsite at hospitals, are uniquely positioned to increase immunization rates in the United States for vaccine-preventable diseases and to address this specific sub-optimal Tdap vaccination rate. Pharmacists currently provide clinical services beyond traditional dispensing roles, including providing immunizations [18] and [19], medication therapy management services [20] and [21], and disease state management [22] and [23]. The CDC refers to pharmacies as non-traditional locations to receive vaccines, offering advantages such as community-based locations, access, and convenience [24]. The CDC indicates that in the 2010–2011 influenza season, 18.4% of people were vaccinated in a store (e.g., supermarket or drug store) [25].

Its sensitivity and specificity is higher than other screening qu

Its sensitivity and specificity is higher than other screening questionnaires for neuropathic pain, including the Douleur Neuropathique 4 (DN4), Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (LANNS), and the Neuropathic Pain Questionnaire (NPQ) (Freynhagen et al 2006). The painDETECT questionnaire has been used to identify neuropathic pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis (Ohtori et al 2012) and to identify sensory profiles in patients with diabetic neuropathy and postherpetic neuralgia (Baron et al 2009). However, further research is needed to demonstrate its clinimetric properties in these conditions. The painDETECT questionnaire,

in either the electronic or paper format, is a useful PLX-4720 in vitro tool ABT-199 nmr for clinicians, to screen for neuropathic pain in patients with low back pain and aid in patient management. Screening tools should not replace clinical judgment but can alert clinicians of neuropathic pain that may need further diagnostic evaluation. “
“The Work Instability Scale (RA-WIS) is a 23-item self-report questionnaire developed in 2003

to assess risk of work instability in people with rheumatoid arthritis (Gilworth et al 2003). Work instability was defined as a mismatch between an individual’s functional ability and his/her work tasks that place the individual at risk for work disability (lowered productivity/premature job loss, etc). Although the RA-WIS was originally developed to measure work instability in people diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, it has subsequently been validated for other musculoskeletal disorders (Roy isothipendyl et al 2011). It has 23 items with a dichotomous response option of yes/no, dealing with the daily demands of work. It has no subscales.

Instructions to client and scoring: Patients are asked to read the question and answer in terms of yes/no only; it is scored by counting the number of Yes responses. The total score ranges from 0 to 23 with a higher score indicating great work instability. The WIS results can be classified into three categories indicating the risk of work instability, low (less than 10), medium (10–17), and high (above 17). Clinical measurement properties: The RA-WIS has been found to be reliable,valid, and responsive in people with rheumatoid arthritis ( Gilworth et al 2003), osteoarthritis ( Tang et al 2011), and with work related upper extremity disorders ( Tang et al 2009). It has exhibited unidimensionality in both RA and OA populations ( Williams et al 2007, Roy et al 2011). Reliability: It has demonstrated high internal consistency (0.92) and test-retest reliability (0.89) in workers with arthritis ( Beaton et al 2010). Gilworth et al 2003 also found RA-WIS to exhibit excellent test-retest reliability in RA patients (Spearman’s rho = 0.89).

Benveniste et al , Paris, France Therapy

of polymyositis

Benveniste et al., Paris, France Therapy

of polymyositis and dermatomyositis I. Marie, Rouen, France As reminded by D. Hilton-Jones in this issue’s review [1], the classification of myositides is currently changing. Since 1975, when Peter and Bohan [2] defined the diagnostic criteria for polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM), the development of new pathological tools [3] and [4] permitted to refine the diagnosis criteria, but also, together with fundamental research in immunology [5] and neurosciences [4] to approach the various physiopathological events leading to the different acquired inflammatory and/or autoimmune myopathies. Beside the now “classical and well recognized” PM and DM, new insights have been IPI-145 mouse done for the recognition of inclusion body myositis (IBM) [4] that must be distinguished from PM, but also, for the recognition of immune-mediated necrotizing myopathies (IMNM) [5] that clearly differ from inherited myopathies or dystrophies [6]. Among IMNM, some are related to the presence of particular specific auto-antibodies (anti-SRP), others are associated with neoplasia and the remaining are also recognized [7] for their property to be treatable by immunosuppressants. The recent discovery of a new auto-antibody specifically UMI-77 associated to IMNM (neither paraneoplastic,

nor anti-SRP positive) [8] highlights the potential toxic trigger role of statins in the genesis of IMNM/myositis, since the presence of this antibody was frequently associated with statin exposure [8]. A few weeks later, the same team also discovered

and published Urease the target of this antibody, which is the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) [9], the key enzyme in the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway specifically inhibited by statins. They also showed that statins up-regulate the expression of HMGCR on regenerative muscle fibers [9] (HMGCR being the major target of autoantibodies in statin-associated IMNM). Undoubtedly, commercial kits for the routine dosage of this auto-antibody will soon be available, facilitating the diagnosis of this condition. We will then see if all the myopathies due to the statins are due to the presence of this antibody. In the same vein, during the past few years, the burden of the dosages of the different myositis-specific (or associated) auto-antibodies has increased, an important step forward, since it may facilitate, at a modest cost, the diagnosis of these diseases. Within a very short time, we have now a routine access to the dosage of different antisynthetase antibodies anti-J0-1 (histidyl-tRNA synthetase), PL-7 (threonyl-tRNA synthetase), PL-12 (alanine-tRNA synthetase), OJ (isoleucil-tRNA synthetase), EJ (glycyl-tRNA synthetase), but also of anti-SRP, Mi-2, Ku, PM-Scl, RNP antibodies.

On

day 7, cells transduced with the vector ID-LV-G2α show

On

day 7, cells transduced with the vector ID-LV-G2α showed typical DC morphology similar to SmartDCs generated with the ID-LV-G24 vector, but the cells were conspicuously smaller ( Fig. 1a). We named these cells “self-differentiated myeloid-derived lentivirus-induced DCs”, or SmyleDCs. PD-0332991 in vitro The number of immunophenotypically stable iDCs recovered 14 days after transduction was approximately 12% of the number of monocytes used for transduction, which probably reflects the LV transduction efficiency leading to selective advantage of autonomously differentiated DCs ( Fig. 1b). Measurement of the transgenic cytokines that accumulated in the cell supernatant of SmyleDC and SmartDC cultures demonstrated that the levels of GM-CSF (1–2 ng/ml) were constant and comparable between the two cultures ( Fig. 1c). However, whereas the levels of IFN-α remained stable (4–6 ng/ml) from days 7 to 14, IL-4 levels substantially decreased ( Fig. 1c). The more persistent co-expression of both transgenes by SmyleDCs may explain the slightly higher stability of SmyleDCs in vitro. In addition to the cytokines expressed due to the lentiviral gene delivery, we also evaluated if other cytokines were endogenously produced by iDCs. Analyses of ten cytokines accumulated in the cell culture medium were performed by bead array (Fig. 1d). Cytokines detectable in SmyleDC and SmartDC

cultures were IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8 (the later is a chemotactic factor and was produced at significantly higher levels by SmyleDCs than by SmartDCs). TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-10 were not detectable. The mixed pattern Enzalutamide ic50 of the cytokines indicated that several types of immune effectors (CTL, Th1, Th2, NK, GBA3 B cells, neutrophils, eosinophils) could be potentially stimulated by iDCs. Flow cytometry analyses of class II Major Histocompatibility

Complex (MHCII or HLA-DR for humans) and of co-stimulatory ligands such as CD80 and CD86 provide important correlates of the DC differentiation and functional status. Immunophenotypic analyses of SmyleDCs and SmartDCs showed high frequencies (70%) of cells expressing these immunorelevant DC markers at day 7 of culture, which further increased for HLA-DR and CD86 on day 14 (CD80 expression decreased slightly) (Figs. 2a, b, S4a and b). As expected, CD14, a monocyte marker, was down-regulated throughout the culture. SmyleDCs showed significantly lower expression of CD209 (also known as dendritic cell specific ICAM 3-Grabbing non-integrin, DC-SIGN) than SmartDCs. As IL-4 is involved in up-regulation of CD209 in conventional DCs generated with GM-CSF/IL-4, this recapitulates previous findings described for DCs cultured in the presence of GM-CSF/IFN-α [27]. CD123 (IL-3 receptor) which is a putative plasmacytoid DC (pDC) marker, was expressed at low levels (7%), indicating that, despite expression of IFN-α, SmyleDCs maintained essentially myeloid DC characteristics (Figs. 2a, b, S4a and b).

graphpad com) The data were not normally distributed and hence s

graphpad.com). The data were not normally distributed and hence statistical significance was tested using the Kruskal–Wallis test. When the results were significant, differences among the individual medians were examined using the Mann–Whitney test. Significant effects were declared when P < 0.05. The incorporation efficiency of PTd in the MPs was estimated to be around 78% for PTd and 95%

for CpG and HDP. Previous studies showed that particles less than 10 μm are preferentially taken up by APC [12], [15] and [16]. As such, SEM of MPs that comprised of PCEP with CpG ODN, and IDR-1002 was performed to ensure that the resulting size of the particles was compatible with uptake into APC to ensure that an effective dosage of antigen would be processed. Our previous studies of encapsulated CpG ODN using the same methodology http://www.selleckchem.com/products/Fasudil-HCl(HA-1077).html not only showed that the MPs generated were less than 10 μm, but also revealed 99% uptake into murine macrophages [12] and [15]. Indeed, the addition of IDR-1002 into the MP was consistent with these previous findings revealing particles ranging in size from 0.5 to 5 μm in diameter (Fig. 1A and B). At higher magnification (20,000×), a close inspection of the surface of these MP revealed that it was not smooth; instead, the surface of these MP seem to be composed

of smaller nanoparticle structures (Fig. 1C). To assess the efficacy of MP formulation, we compared the levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines Bcl-2 inhibitor TNFα, IL-6 and IL-12p40 in murine J774 macrophages treated with CpG ODN-IDR (AQ), PCEP-CpG ODN-IDR (SOL) and MP co-encapsulating PCEP-CpG ODN-IDR. Other than measuring pro-inflammatory responses, we also looked for the chemokine MCP-1, a chemotactic agent for monocytes/macrophages, T cells, NK cells, and neutrophils, since

it was previously shown that both CpG ODN and the IDR-HH2 alone enhanced MCP-1 Bumetanide production [17], while their complexes demonstrated a synergistic increase in production [11]. The induction of MCP-1 was strongest with the SOL formulation compared to the MP formulation (Fig. 2A) co-encapsulating CpG ODN-IDR complexes or CpG ODN and HDP delivered in uncomplexed MP. The release of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 was significantly higher in MP treated macrophages than AQ or SOL formulation treated groups (Fig. 2B and D). The IL-12p40 levels were two-fold higher in the MP than SOL or AQ formulation treated groups (Fig. 2C). LPS was used as a positive control to demonstrate the viability of the cells. Based on these results, we conclude that the MP delivery induced higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in mouse macrophages.

3) In contrast, however, among children aged less than 10 years,

3). In contrast, however, among children aged less than 10 years, the rates of medically attended shingles were much lower for the publicly available period of 2002–2010 than for either the years when vaccine was only available by private purchase (1999–2001)

or those of the pre-vaccine (1994–1998) period. Table 3 and Table 4 display results from this Poisson model. The effect of co-morbidities is much more pronounced find more in the younger age groups than in the older age groups (Table 3). For males aged <10 years, the relative risk of shingles is 2.6 times higher for those with co-morbidities than for those without; this relative risk declines to 0.93 for the 65+ age group. There is a notably sharp decline in the rate of shingles for both females and males under the age of 10 years (Table 4). The annual percentage change of minus 10% represents an annual decrease in the shingles rate starting Rigosertib concentration in and persisting through the public availability period (2002–2010). Prior to this, all age groups had similar trends with slightly increasing rates,

though females had higher annual percentage changes. A sensitivity analysis that included only first episodes did not change estimated parameters. This paper expands the data available on secular trends in shingles incidence by providing additional data from outside the United States. It thus captures data from a population for whom health care and chickenpox vaccination is universally publicly funded and which differs demographically from that of the United States [14]. Our study is population based and we used data from Alberta’s universal publicly funded healthcare system in our analyses. Thus selection bias due to direct financial

costs for health services does not affect our findings. We also have data for both the pre-vaccine era and for a longer period after public funding of chickenpox vaccine than for other reports from Canada [15]. In prior work, we described the epidemiology of medically attended shingles in Alberta between 1986 and 2002 [9]. As in our prior report, we find a continuing trend of increase in crude medically attended shingles rates that began in the pre-vaccine era. Concerns have been raised that chickenpox PD184352 (CI-1040) vaccination programs might lead to a decrease in the hypothesized ‘immune boosting’ effect of exposure to wild virus [2]. One might thus anticipate that there would be an increase in shingles rates in the age groups representing older unvaccinated cohorts [3]. This pattern while present in the publicly available period was also present prior to vaccine licensure. We do not think that this trend would be explained by an increase in health service utilization over the period because the age-specific rates of health service utilization for both males and females in Alberta have been stable until 2010 when a decline was observed for all age groups of both sexes (Alberta Health, unpublished).