Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) research has recently focused on the use of rat and mouse models for in vivo SCI experiments. Such small rodent SCI models are invaluable for the field, and much has been discovered about the biologic and physiologic aspects of SCI from these models. It has been difficult, however, to reproduce the efficacy of treatments found to produce neurologic benefits in rodent SCI models when these treatments are tested in human clinical trials. A large animal model may have advantages for translational research where anatomical, physiological, or genetic similarities to humans may be more relevant for pre-clinically evaluating novel therapies. Here, we review the work carried out at the University of British Columbia (UBC) on a large animal model of SCI that utilizes Yucatan miniature pigs. The UBC porcine model of SCI may be a useful intermediary in the pre-clinical testing of novel pharmacological treatments, cell-based therapies, and the “bedside back to bench” translation of human clinical observations, which require preclinical testing in an applicable animal model.
Animals ; British Columbia ; Humans ; Mice ; Models, Animal ; Rats ; Rodentia ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; Spinal Cord ; Swine ; Translational Medical Research

OBJECTIVES: Studies examining healthcare workers' exposure to antineoplastic drugs have focused on the drug preparation or drug administration areas. However, such an approach has probably underestimated the overall exposure risk as the drugs need to be delivered to the facility, transported internally and then disposed. The objective of this study is to determine whether drug contamination occurs throughout a facility and, simultaneously, to identify those job categories that are potentially exposed. METHODS: This was a multi-site study based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Interviews were conducted to determine the departments where the drugs travel. Subsequent site observations were performed to ascertain those surfaces which frequently came into contact with antineoplastic drugs and to determine the job categories which are likely to contact these surfaces. Wipe samples were collected to quantify surface contamination. RESULTS: Surface contamination was found in all six stages of the hospital medication system. Job categories consistently found to be at risk of exposure were nurses, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy receivers. Up to 11 job categories per site may be at risk of exposure at some point during the hospital medication system. CONCLUSION: We found drug contamination on select surfaces at every stage of the medication system, which indicates the existence of an exposure potential throughout the facility. Our results suggest that a broader range of workers are potentially exposed than has been previously examined. These results will allow us to develop a more inclusive exposure assessment encompassing all healthcare workers that are at risk throughout the hospital medication system.
Antineoplastic Agents ; British Columbia ; Delivery of Health Care ; Drug Compounding ; Drug Contamination ; Humans ; Medication Systems ; Medication Systems, Hospital ; Occupational Exposure ; Pharmacists ; Pharmacy ; Porphyrins

Cancer has become a major cause of death in Korea since 1989. Despite the major advances in the treatment of cancer, prevention and early detection is the most effective strategy to decrease the mortality from cancer. The indicence of invasive cervical cancer has declined since the 1950s, and indirect evidence suggests that this decline is the result of the institution of screening with cervical smear. However, cervical cancer continues to be a major health problem in the developing world today, where screening is not universal. Among Korean women, the incidence of cervical cancer is still high and was the 3rd most common cancer following stomach and breast cancer in 2000. If preinvasive conditions would be included, the disease would be the most frequent. The first organized screening programmes were initiated in 1949 at British Columbia, Canada. Since then, cervical cancer screening programmes have been implemented in almost all developed countries. In Korea, opportunistic screening began in the late 1950s, and organized screening began in 1998 by Health Insurance without a consensus meeting. The guidelines for the screening of cervical cancer were developed by National Cancer Center and the Koean Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology in May, 2001 ; and the national screening programmes were developed by the Supporting Evaluation Board of National Cancer Screening Program in December, 2001. This article introduces these programmes.
Breast Neoplasms ; British Columbia ; Canada ; Cause of Death ; Consensus ; Developed Countries ; Early Detection of Cancer ; Female ; Gynecology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Insurance, Health ; Korea ; Mass Screening* ; Mortality ; Obstetrics ; Papanicolaou Test ; Stomach ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms* ; Vaginal Smears