October

Infective endocarditis (IE) is an uncommon but potentially serious infection of the inner layer of the heart. As a heterogeneous disease IE has been associated with various pathogens and clinical presentations, and a significant mortality and morbidity burden. 

Typically the risk for developing IE is highest in those with complex congenital cardiac abnormalities, acquired valvular dysfunction (post-rheumatic or degenerative), valvular replacement, or mitral valve prolapse with valvular regurgitation with or without thickened leaflets. 

Background
Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in Canadian men (ex­cluding non-melanoma skin cancer), with an estimated 22300 cases and 4300 deaths in 2007. Approximately one in eight men will eventually develop prostate cancer, yet much controversy surrounds prostate cancer screening.[1]

In April of this year the Harper government introduced Bill C-51: An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act. The bill was intended to update consumer protection legislation dating from the 1950s and to bring Canada’s legislative framework in line with the international community. The bill covers all therapeutic products and devices including regular drugs and natural health products.

It started in the night and I wasn’t even naked. My generalized abdominal pain gradually worsened but was only a mild ache by the morning. I vomited after eating my lunch and thought I must have the flu that my colleague had the previous week. 

That night the pain progressed and localized to my right lower quadrant. I found some old oxycocet tablets in my cupboard and after quaffing a couple had a decent night’s sleep. “So this is what mesenteric adenitis must feel like,” I thought to myself. 

Fifty years ago, as we have read (ad nauseam), the British Columbia Medical Journal was born. Fifty years ago, I was not yet born; I was not even a twinkle in my father’s eye! I arrived on the scene when the Journal was into its sixth year, so I am hardly qualified to wax poetic on its illustrious history.