Newfoundland Generic Royalty Regime

This paper reviews the regulations under the Newfoundland and Labrador Petroleum and Natural Gas Act governing the Newfoundland generic royalty regime. The author also points to some unresolved issues; in particular he discusses transportation costs and the parameters of ministerial discretion

A Water-Damaged Home and Health of Occupants: A Case Study

A family of five and pet dog who rented a water-damaged home and developed multiple health problems. The home was analyzed for species of mold and bacteria. The diagnostics included MRI for chronic sinusitis with ENT and sinus surgery, and neurological testing for neurocognitive deficits. Bulk samples from the home, tissue from the sinuses, urine, nasal secretions, placenta, umbilical cord, and breast milk were tested for the presence of trichothecenes, aflatoxins, and Ochratoxin A. The family had the following diagnosed conditions: chronic sinusitis, neurological deficits, coughing with wheeze, nose bleeds, and fatigue among other symptoms. An infant was born with a total body flare, developed multiple Cafe-au-Lait pigmented skin spots and diagnoses with NF1 at age 2. The mycotoxins were detected in bulk samples, urine and nasal secretions, breast milk, placenta, and umbilical cord. Pseudomonas aueroginosa, Acinetobacter, Penicillium, and Aspergillus fumigatus were cultured from nasal secretions (father and daughter). RT-PCR revealed A. fumigatus DNA in sinus tissues of the daughter. The dog had 72 skin lesions (sebaceous glands and lipomas) from which trichothecenes and ochratoxin A. were detected. The health of the family is discussed in relation to the most recent published literature regarding microbial contamination and toxic by-products present in water-damaged buildings

A Framework for Understanding Modifications to Measures for Diverse Populations

Research on health disparities and determinants of health disparities among ethnic minorities and vulnerable older populations necessitates use of self-report measures. Most established instruments were developed on mainstream populations and may need adaptation for research with diverse populations. Although information is increasingly available on various problems using these measures in diverse groups, there is little guidance on how to modify the measures. We provide a framework of issues to consider when modifying measures for diverse populations

Translating the genomics revolution: the need for an international gene therapy consortium for monogenic diseases

Letter to the Edito

Newfoundland Generic Royalty Regime

This paper reviews the regulations under the Newfoundland and Labrador Petroleum and Natural Gas Act governing the Newfoundland generic royalty regime. The author also points to some unresolved issues; in particular he discusses transportation costs and the parameters of ministerial discretion

Chronic Illness Associated with Mold and Mycotoxins: Is Naso-Sinus Fungal Biofilm the Culprit?

It has recently been demonstrated that patients who develop chronic illness after prior exposure to water damaged buildings (WDB) and mold have the presence of mycotoxins, which can be detected in the urine. We hypothesized that the mold may be harbored internally and continue to release and/or produce mycotoxins which contribute to ongoing chronic illness. The sinuses are the most likely candidate as a site for the internal mold and mycotoxin production. In this paper, we review the literature supporting this concept

Reply to Comment on Detection of Mycotoxin in Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Toxins 2013, 5, 605-617” by Mark J. Mendell

The authors of [1] have received further correspondence from Mark J. Mendell [2] concerning the above paper.[...

Reply to Comment on Detection of Mycotoxins in Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Toxins 2013, 5, 605–617 by John W. Osterman, M.D.

This paper [1] was an observational case study.[...

Immunological Abnormalities in Humans Chronically Exposed to Chlorpyrifos

ABSTRACT.Twenty-nine individuals with chronic health complaints following exposure to chlorpyrifos were compared with 3 control groups (i.e., 1 positive and 2 negative) with respect to the following: (1) peripheral lymphocyte phenotypes; (2) autoantibodies (nucleic acids and nucleoproteins, parietal cell, brush border, mitochondria, smooth muscle, thyroid gland, and central nervous system/peripheral nervous system myelin); (3) mitogenesis to phytohemagglutinin and concanavillin. The data revealed an increase in CD26 expression, a decrease in percentage of CDS phenotype, decreased mitogenesis in response to phytohemagglutinin and concanavillin, and an increased frequency of autoantibodies. The alterations in these peripheral blood markers were unaffected by medications, age, sex, or season. The authors concluded that chronic exposure to chlorpyrifos causes immunological changes