Burden of Influenza in Children

Background: Most children with influenza are treated as outpatients but, especially among young children, influenza-attributable illnesses often result in hospitalization. However, relatively scarce data exist on the clinical picture and the full disease burden of pediatric influenza. Prompt diagnosis of influenza could enable the institution of antiviral therapy and adequate cohorting of patients. Data are needed to help clinicians correctly suspect influenza at the time of hospital admission. Aims and methods: We conducted a prospective 2-year cohort study of respiratory infections in children aged ≤13 years to determine the incidence of influenza in outpatient children and to assess the clinical presentation of influenza in various age groups seen in primary care. We also determined the rates of different complications attributable to influenza and the absenteeism of the children and their parents due to the child’s influenza infection. We then conducted a further 16-year retrospective study of children ≤16 years of age, hospitalized with virologically confirmed influenza. We estimated the population-based rates of hospitalizations and determined the primary admission diagnoses of the hospitalized children in different age groups. Results: The average annual rate of influenza was highest (179 / 1000) among children <3 years old. In this age group, acute otitis media was diagnosed as a complication of influenza in 40% of children. High fever was the most prominent sign of influenza, and 20% of children <3 years of age had a fever ≥40oC. Most children had rhinitis already during the first days of the illness. The average annual incidence of influenzarelated hospitalization was highest (276 / 100,000) among infants <6 months of age, of whom 52% were primarily admitted due to sepsis-like illnesses. Respiratory symptoms accounted for 38% of the hospitalizations. Conclusions: Influenza causes a substantial burden of illness on outpatient children and their families. The clinical presentation of influenza is most severe in children <3 years of age. The high incidence of influenza-associated hospitalizations among infants aged <6 months calls for more effective ways to prevent influenza in this age group. The clinical manifestations of influenza vary widely in different age groups of children at the time of hospital admission. Awareness of this phenomenon is important for the early recognition of the illness and the potential initiation of effective antiviral treatment of these patients.

Vasopressor mechanisms in acute aortic coarctation hypertension

Angiotensin II (ANG II) and vasopressin (AVP) act together with the mechanical effect of aortic constriction in the onset of acute aortic coarctation hypertension. Blockade of ANG II and AVP V1 receptors demonstrated that ANG II acts on the prompt (5 min) rise in pressure whereas AVP is responsible for the maintenance (30-45 min) of the arterial pressure elevation during aortic coarctation. Hormone assays carried out on blood collected from conscious rats submitted to aortic constriction supported a role for ANG II in the early stage and a combined role for both ANG II and AVP in the maintenance of proximal hypertension. As expected, a role for catecholamines was ruled out in this model of hypertension, presumably due to the inhibitory effect of the sinoaortic baroreceptors. The lack of afferent feedback from the kidneys for AVP release from the central nervous system in rats with previous renal denervation allowed ANG II to play the major role in the onset of the hypertensive response. Median eminence-lesioned rats exhibited a prompt increase in proximal pressure followed by a progressive decline to lower hypertensive levels, revealing a significant role for the integrity of the neuroaxis in the maintenance of the aortic coarctation hypertension through the release of AVP. In conclusion, the important issue raised by this model of hypertension is the likelihood of a link between some vascular territory - probably renal - below the coarctation triggering the release of AVP, with this vasoconstrictor hormone participating with Ang II and the mechanical effect of aortic constriction in the acute aortic coarctation hypertension

Volatile cardioplegia: fast normothermic cardiac arrest induction and recovery with halothane in isolated rat hearts

To study the effect of halothane as a cardioplegic agent, ten Wistar rats were anesthetized by ether inhalation and their hearts were perfused in a Langendorff system with Krebs-Henseleit solution (36oC; 90 cm H2O pressure). After a 15-min period for stabilization the control values for heart rate, force (T), dT/dt and coronary flow were recorded and a halothane-enriched solution (same temperature and pressure) was perfused until cardiac arrest was obtained. The same Krebs-Henseleit solution was reperfused again and the parameters studied were recorded after 1, 3, 5, 10, 20 and 30 min. Cardiac arrest occurred in all hearts during the first two min of perfusion with halothane-bubbled solution. One minute after reperfusion without halothane, the following parameters reported in terms of control values were obtained: 90.5% of control heart rate (266.9 ± 43.4 to 231.5 ± 71.0 bpm), 20.2% of the force (1.83 ± 0.28 to 0.37 ± 0.25 g), 19.8% of dT/dt (46.0 ± 7.0 to 9.3 ± 6.0 g/s) and 90.8% of coronary flow (9.9 ± 1.5 to 9.4 ± 1.5 ml/min). After 3 min of perfusion they changed to 99.0% heart rate (261.0 ± 48.2), 98.9% force (1.81 ± 0.33), 98.6 dT/dt (45.0 ± 8.2) and 94.8% coronary flow (9.3 ± 1.4). At 5 min 100.8% (267.0 ± 40.6) heart rate, 105.0% (1.92 ± 0.29) force and 104.4% (48.2 ± 7.2) dT/dt were recorded and maintained without significant differences (P>0.01) until the end of the experiment. These data demonstrate that volatile cardioplegia with halothane is an effective technique for fast induction of and prompt recovery from normothermic cardiac arrest of the rat heart

Low-cost automatic activity data recording system

We describe a low-cost, high quality device capable of monitoring indirect activity by detecting touch-release events on a conducting surface, i.e., the animal's cage cover. In addition to the detecting sensor itself, the system includes an IBM PC interface for prompt data storage. The hardware/software design, while serving for other purposes, is used to record the circadian activity rhythm pattern of rats with time in an automated computerized fashion using minimal cost computer equipment (IBM PC XT). Once the sensor detects a touch-release action of the rat in the upper portion of the cage, the interface sends a command to the PC which records the time (hours-minutes-seconds) when the activity occurred. As a result, the computer builds up several files (one per detector/sensor) containing a time list of all recorded events. Data can be visualized in terms of actograms, indicating the number of detections per hour, and analyzed by mathematical tools such as Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) or cosinor. In order to demonstrate method validation, an experiment was conducted on 8 Wistar rats under 12/12-h light/dark cycle conditions (lights on at 7:00 a.m.). Results show a biological validation of the method since it detected the presence of circadian activity rhythm patterns in the behavior of the rats

Treatment delay and radiological errors in patients with bone metastases

During routine investigations, we are surprised to find that therapy for bone metastases is sometimes delayed for a considerable period of time. To determine the extent of this delay and its causes, we reviewed the medical records of symptomatic patients seen at our hospital who had been recently diagnosed as having bone metastases for the last four years. The treatment delay was defined as the interval between presentation with symptoms and definitive treatment for bone metastases. The diagnostic delay was defined as the interval between presentation with symptoms and diagnosis of bone metastases. The results of diagnostic radiological examinations were also reviewed for errors. The study population included 76 males and 34 females with a median age of 66 years. Most bone metastases were diagnosed radiologically. Over 75% of patients were treated with radiotherapy. The treatment delay ranged from 2 to 307 days, with a mean of 53.3 days. In 490 radiological studies reviewed, we identified 166 (33.9%) errors concerning 62 (56.4%) patients. The diagnostic delay was significantly longer for patients with radiological errors than for patients without radiological errors (P < 0.001), and much of it was due to radiological errors. In conclusion, the treatment delay in patients with symptomatic bone metastases was much longer than expected, and much of it was caused by radiological errors. Considerable efforts should therefore be made to more carefully examine the radiological studies in order to ensure prompt treatment of bone metastases.

Risk factors for excess weight loss and hypernatremia in exclusively breast-fed infants

Data were prospectively obtained from exclusively breast-fed healthy term neonates at birth and from healthy mothers with no obstetric complication to determine risk factors for excess weight loss and hypernatremia in exclusively breast-fed infants. Thirty-four neonates with a weight loss > or = 10% were diagnosed between April 2001 and January 2005. Six of 18 infants who were eligible for the study had hypernatremia. Breast conditions associated with breast-feeding difficulties (P < 0.05), primiparity (P < 0.005), less than four stools (P < 0.001), pink diaper (P < 0.001), delay at initiation of first breast giving (P < 0.01), birth by cesarean section (P < 0.05), extra heater usage (P < 0.005), extra heater usage among mothers who had appropriate conditions associated with breast-feeding (P < 0.001), mean weight loss in neonates with pink diaper (P < 0.05), mean uric acid concentration in neonates with pink diaper (P < 0.0001), fever in hypernatremic neonates (P < 0.02), and the correlation of weight loss with both serum sodium and uric acid concentrations (P < 0.02) were determined. Excessive weight loss occurs in exclusively breast-fed infants and can be complicated by hypernatremia and other morbidities. Prompt initiation of breast-feeding after delivery and prompt intervention if problems occur with breast-feeding, in particular poor breast attachment, breast engorgement, delayed breast milk "coming in", and nipple problems will help promote successful breast-feeding. Careful follow-up of breast-feeding dyads after discharge from hospital, especially regarding infant weight, is important to help detect inadequate breast-feeding. Environmental factors such as heaters may exacerbate infant dehydration.

The first report in Brazil of severe infection caused by community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA)

Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) is an emergent pathogen in Brazil. However, there are no data on the prevalence of CA-MRSA. We report here the first well-characterized case of severe life-threatening CA-MRSA infection in a child living in Rio de Janeiro city. The patient had many complications including hematogenous osteomyelitis and involvement of multiple sites requiring drainage of soft-tissue abscess, and pleural and pericardial empyema. The MRSA isolates recovered were genotyped using PFGE, SCCmec typing and multilocus sequence typing. Disk diffusion tests were performed following Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute recommendations. In addition, the presence of Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) was assessed by PCR amplification, using specific primers for lukF-pv (encoding for the F subunit of the PVL). The bacterial isolates were related to the ST30-SCCmecIV lineage (Oceania Southwest Pacific clone), a PVL producer CA-MRSA previously detected in Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. Also, the isolates analyzed were susceptible to all non-β-lactam antibiotics tested. The present report demonstrates that disseminated CA-MRSA disease is also occurring in Rio de Janeiro. Thus, the empirical treatment of moderate or severe infections suspected of being associated with CA-MRSA needs to be reviewed in order to allow prompt initiation of an effective therapy that also covers these microorganisms.

Identification of fungemia agents using the polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis

Prompt and specific identification of fungemia agents is important in order to define clinical treatment. However, in most cases conventional culture identification can be considered to be time-consuming and not without errors. The aim of the present study was to identify the following fungemia agents: Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis, Candida tropicalis, Candida glabrata, Cryptococcus neoformans, Cryptococcus gattii, and Histoplasma capsulatum using the polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (PCR/RFLP). More specifically: a) to evaluate 3 different amplification regions, b) to investigate 3 different restriction enzymes, and c) to use the best PCR/RFLP procedure to indentify 60 fungemia agents from a culture collection. All 3 pairs of primers (ITS1/ITS4, NL4/ITS5 and Primer1/Primer2) were able to amplify DNA from the reference strains. However, the size of these PCR products did not permit the identification of all the species studied. Three restriction enzymes were used to digest the PCR products: HaeIII, Ddel and Bfal. Among the combinations of pairs of primers and restriction enzymes, only one (primer pair NL4/ITS5 and restriction enzyme Ddel) produced a specific RFLP pattern for each microorganism studied. Sixty cultures of fungemia agents (selected from the culture collection of Fundação de Medicina Tropical do Amazonas - FMTAM) were correctly identified by PCR/RFLP using the prime pair NL4/ITS5 and Ddel. We conclude that the method proved to be both simple and reproducible, and may offer potential advantages over phenotyping methods.

A novel noninvasive method to detect rejection after heart transplantation

Prompt and accurate detection of rejection prior to pathological changes after organ transplantation is vital for monitoring rejections. Although biopsy remains the current gold standard for rejection diagnosis, it is an invasive method and cannot be repeated daily. Thus, noninvasive monitoring methods are needed. In this study, by introducing an IL-2 neutralizing monoclonal antibody (IL-2 N-mAb) and immunosuppressants into the culture with the presence of specific stimulators and activated lymphocytes, an activated lymphocyte-specific assay (ALSA) system was established to detect the specific activated lymphocytes. This assay demonstrated that the suppression in the ALSA test was closely related to the existence of specific activated lymphocytes. The ALSA test was applied to 47 heart graft recipients and the proliferation of activated lymphocytes from all rejection recipients proven by endomyocardial biopsies was found to be inhibited by spleen cells from the corresponding donors, suggesting that this suppression could reflect the existence of activated lymphocytes against donor antigens, and thus the rejection of a heart graft. The sensitivity of the ALSA test in these 47 heart graft recipients was 100%; however, the specificity was only 37.5%. It was also demonstrated that IL-2 N-mAb was indispensible, and the proper culture time courses and concentrations of stimulators were essential for the ALSA test. This preliminary study with 47 grafts revealed that the ALSA test was a promising noninvasive tool, which could be used in vitro to assist with the diagnosis of rejection post-heart transplantation.

Application of mathematical models for the prediction of adsorption isotherms in solid mixture for mango powder refreshment

Solid mixtures for refreshment are already totally integrated to the Brazilian consumers' daily routine, because of their quick preparation method, yield and reasonable price - quite lower if compared to 'ready-to-drink' products or products for prompt consumption, what makes them economically more accessible to low-income populations. Within such a context, the aim of this work was to evaluate the physicochemical and mineral composition, as well as the hygroscopic behavior of four different brands of solid mixture for mango refreshment. The BET, GAB, Oswim and Henderson mathematical models were built through the adjustment of experimental data to the isotherms of adsorption. Results from the physiochemical evaluation showed that the solid mixtures for refreshments are considerable sources of ascorbic acid and reductor sugar; and regarding mineral compounds, they are significant sources of calcium, sodium and potassium. It was also verified that the solid mixtures for refreshments of the four studied brands are considered highly hygroscopic.

Diálise peritoneal (DP) como tratamento da insuficiência cardíaca congestiva (ICC) em pacientes com doença renal crônica estágio IV

A Insuficiência Cardíaca Congestiva (ICC) é uma patologia com incidência crescente e que representa uma condição de grande impacto na saúde pública, com alta morbidade e mortalidade. O excesso de volume é uma complicação prevalente, presente em 80% dos pacientes atendidos com o diagnóstico de ICC. Estratégias farmacológicas e não farmacológicas no manejo terapêutico da ICC visam ao melhor manejo do volume e à redução no uso de diuréticos. A ultrafiltração extracorpórea tem evidenciado melhor controle de peso, redução nos dias de hospitalização e re-hospitalização dos pacientes com ICC. Neste artigo, relatamos dois casos atendidos no Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, relativos a pacientes com diagnóstico de ICC tratados com diálise peritoneal.

Cat Scratch Disease in kidney transplant receptors: is it a rare or underdiagnosed pathology?

Cat Scratch Disease (CSD) is an infectious disorder which appears after cat scratching particularly in children and adolescents. Bartonella henselae is the etiologic agent more frequently involved. There are only a few recent reports demonstrating the disease after transplantation, although the illness is not infrequent in immunologically competent people. Indeed CSD in transplant receptors has only been recently emphasized in the literature and it was concluded that fever and lymphadenopathy in patients who had been exposed to cats should prompt clinicians to maintain a suspicion for the infection. In this report CSD infecting a renal transplanted adolescent complaining of headache, blurred vision and fever, presenting a cat scratching lesion in the right arm, with a bilateral painful cervical lymphadenopathy was related. He also presented indirect immunofluorescency identifying that the two subtype's titles of Bartonella-henselae and quintana- were elevated. Treatment with doxicicline e rifampicin was introduced and the patient became asymptomatic in about 3 weeks.

Respiratory activity for the differentiation of vigor on soybean seeds lots

Currently, the highest interest with respect to the assessment of seed physiological quality is to obtain reliable results in a relatively short period of time. This initiative allows for prompt decisions during different phases of seed production primarily after physiological maturity. This research was performed to verify the efficiency and rapidity of the method of Pettenkofer to determine the respiratory activity and to differentiate vigor levels of soybean seed lots. Three lots of soybean seeds cv. 8000 were used. Seed performance was determined by respiratory activity, compared to the following tests: standard germination, germination first count, electrical conductivity, seedling emergence, seedling shoot and root length and total dry mass. Results ranked seed lots according to defferences in physiological quality. Seed imbibition and conditioning period in Pettenkofer's equipment were enough to detect differences in vigor among seed lots, showing that the determination of the respiratory activity is a promising procedure to identify differences in vigor levels among soybean seed lots.

Recueil de lettres et de pièces originales.

Contient : 1 Lettre du roi « HENRY » II au connétable Anne de Montmorency ; 2 Lettre du roi « HENRY » II à « monsyeur le connetable » Anne de Montmorency ; 3 Lettre du roi « HENRY [II]... à messyeurs le connetable [Anne de Montmorency] et d'Aumalle » ; 4 Lettre du roi « HENRY [II]... à messyeurs le connetable [Anne de Montmorency] et d'Aumalle » ; 5 Lettre du roi « HENRY » II au connétable Anne de Montmorency ; 6 Lettre du roi « HENRY » II au connétable Anne de Montmorency ; 7 Lettre du roi « HENRY [II]... à mes cousins les conestable [Anne de Montmorency] et duc d'Aumalle » ; 8 Lettre du roi « HENRY » II au connétable Anne de Montmorency ; 9 Lettre du roi « HENRY [II]... à messyeurs le connetable [Anne de Montmorency] et d'Aumalle » ; 10 Lettre de « CATERINE [DE MEDICIS]... à ma cousine madame la connetable » de Montmorency ; 11 Lettre d'«ANTOYNE [DE BOURBON, duc DE VENDOME]... à monseigneur... le conestable [Anne de Montmorency]... Escript à La Fere, ce XXIme jour de juillet » ; 12 Lettre d'«ANTOYNE [DE BOURBON]... à monseigneur... le conestable [Anne de Montmorency]... D'Abbeville, ce XXVIme juillet » ; 13 Lettre de « J[EAN], cardinal DU BELLAY,... De Paris, le XIe jour de janvier M.D.XXXVII » ; 14 Lettre du roi « HENRY » II au connétable de Montmorency ; 15 Rôle des « chevalliers de l'ordre du roy » ; 16 Lettres closes « de par le roy... HENRY [II]... à nostre amé et feal le prevost de Paris ou son lieutenant... Donné à Chantilly, le XVIIe jour de septembre mil V.C.XLIX » ; 17 Lettre du roi « HENRY [II]... à mon cousin le Sr de Danville, cappitaine de deux cens chevaulx legers... Escript à Paris, le XVIIIme jour de janvier 1553 » ; 18 « Estat de la gendarmerie » ; 19 Lettre de l'amiral GASPARD DE COLIGNY, Sr DE « CHASTILLON,... à monseigneur... le duc de Montmorency, per et conestable de France... De Chastillon, ce XXVIe d'aoust 1556 » ; 20 Lettre de l'amiral GASPARD DE COLIGNY, Sr DE « CHASTILLON,... à monseigneur... le duc de Montmorency, per et connestable de France... Du chasteau de Gand, ce premier jour d'apvril 1557 » ; 21 Lettre de PHILIBERT « BABOU, evesque d'Angoulesme... à monseigneur... le duc de Montmorency, pair et conestable de France... De Romme, ce XXVe fevrier » ; 22 Lettre de « monseigneur le connestable... [ANNE DE] MONTMORENCY,... à monseigneur de La Pommeraye, conseiller et maistre d'hostel ordinaire du roy... De Vateville, ce VIIe jour de aoust... M.V.C.XL » ; 23 Lettre de « l'admyral [GASPARD DE COLIGNY, Sr DE] CHASTILLON,... à monseigneur de Humyeres, gentilhomme de la chambre du roy, capitaine et gouverneur de la ville de Peronne... D'Abbeville, le XXIme jour de juing 1557 » ; 24 Lettre du connétable ANNE DE « MONTMORENCY,... à monseigneur de Boisrigault, ambassadeur pour le roy devers messrs des ligues... De Sainct Germain, le IIIIme jour de fevrier » ; 25 Lettre de FRANÇOIS DE COLIGNY, Sr D'«ANDELOT,... à monseigneur le connestable [Anne de Montmorency]... Du chasteau de Millan » ; 26 Lettre de l'amiral GASPARD DE COLIGNY, Sr DE « CHASTILLON », à « madame de La Rochepot,... De Peronne, ce XXVe d'apvril 1557 » ; 27 Lettre de « DYANNE DE POYTIERS » à « monsieur le connestable [Anne de Montmorency]... A Annet, ce jourd'huy XVIIme jour de juing 1561 » ; 28 Lettre, en langue turque, adressée par HADJI AHMED, fils d'Abd el-Hamid, etc. (probablement reis-effendi ou ministre des affaires étrangères de la Porte), à un ambassadeur chrétien, qui n'est pas nommé, pour l'informer que, par ordre du sultan, des instructions sont données à Ibrahim Pacha, grand vizir, relativement à l'affaire d'un capitaine de vaisseau, sujet de cet ambassadeur, avec un certain Tougout Bey. Vers 1600 ; 29 Lettre, en italien, de « CARLO SFORZA, priore di Lombardia... Il di XIII di ottobre 1551 » ; 30 Lettre de FRANÇOIS DE COLIGNY, Sr D'«ANDELOT,... à madame... de La Rochepot,... A Paris, ce XXVIIe de avril 1557 » ; 31 « Estat des compaignies tant de cheval que de pied dont le roy s'entend ayder du cousté de Pietmont... » ; 32 Lettre d'«H[ENRI] DE MONTMORENCY,... à madame la connestable, duchesse de Montmorency,... De Cazal, ce XXVIIe jour d'avril 1557 » ; 33 Lettre de FRANÇOIS DE COLIGNI, Sr D'« ANDELOT,... à madame... de La Rochepot,... De Onarty, se XIIIe de mars » ; 34 Lettre de « F[RANÇOIS] DE MONTMORENCY,... à monseigneur... le duc de Montmorency, pair et connestable de France... D'Odon, ce XXXe septembre 1555 » ; 35 Lettre de « F[RANÇOIS] DE MONTMORENCY,... à monseigneur... le connestable [Anne de Montmorency]... De Ferrare, ce IIIIe septembre » ; 36 Lettre du baron de « SAINCT BLANCART,... à monseigneur... le grant maistre... De gallere devant Savonne, le XIme jour de septambre » ; 37 « Le Nombre des gallaires et des cappitaines qui en ont la charge » ; 38 Lettre d'«H[ENRI] DE MONTMORENCY,... à monseigneur... le duc de Montmorency, pair et connestable de France... De Montenare, le Xe septembre 1555 » ; 39 Lettre d'«H[ENRI] DE MONTMORENCY,... à monsieur... de Thore,... cappitaine de cinquante hommes d'armes, collonnel de la cavallerye legiere en Piedmont... De Paris, ce XIII may 1568 » ; 40 Lettre d'«OUDART DU BIES,... à monseigneur... le grant maistre, maressal de France, gouverneur et lieutenant general pour le roy en Languedocq... A Boullongne, ce XVIme jour de may » ; 41 « Le Faict des vivres et municions du camp et armée estant nagueres en Bollenois... Année [M.]V.C.XLIX » ; 42 Lettre de « F[RANÇOIS] DE MONTMORENCY,... à monseigneur... le duc de Montmorency, pair et connestable de France... De Venise, ce premier avril 1556 » ; 43 Projet d'«articles... en forme de edict... concernaus la gendarmerie et... le siege de la table de marbre ». Minute ; 44 « Copia de la lettere del duca D'ALVA al cardinale Pacecco,... Di Napoli, a 25 di gennaro 1557 » ; 45 « Copia de la lettere d'el duca D'ALVA al cardinale Carafa,... Di Napoli » ; 46 Lettre d'«ANTOYNE [DE BOURBON, duc] DE VENDOSME,... à monsieur de La Rochepot,... Escript à Ys sur Tille, le XXVIIe jour de juing... 1547 » ; 47 Lettre d'«ANTOYNE [DE BOURBON]... à monseigneur... le conestable [Anne de Montmorency]... A La Fere, ce XXIIIme mars » ; 48 Lettre du Sr « LA BROSSE,... à monseigneur... le connestable [Anne de Montmorency]... Du fort de Broctay, ce XXme jour de juillet 1552 » ; 49 « Estat abregé des parties receues par le tresorier Laguette des deniers prouvenans des empruntz » ; 50 « Autres Parties d'empruntz qui sont seures et que ledict Laguette espere recouvrer avant le temps qu'il fault fournir argent à l'Empereur » ; 51 « Autres Parties desquelles n'y a grant espoir de prompt recouvrement, lesquelles estoient couchées au premier estat des emprunctz » ; 52 Déclaration de « CAFARA » et de « DOMERGUE FABRERO,... consulz de Marselle... A Masseille, le douziesme jour d'octobre, l'an mil cinq cens cinquante ung » ; 53 Lettre de « JEHAN DE BRETAYGNE [comte DE PENTHIEVRE]... à monsieur... le duc de Montmorancy, pair et connestable de France... A Paris, ce XXme jour de febvrier 1559 » ; 54 Lettre, en italien, du gouverneur de Milan. « Da Milano, a III di junio 1548 » ; 55 Lettre, en espagnol, du Sr « MACUELO,... al illustrissimo señor el condestable de Francia... De Brussellas, a ultimo de março 1558 » ; 56 « Certiffication de... LODOWICO BIRAGO,... Di Chivasso, alli VIII di maggio 1548 ». En italien ; 57 « Estat des despences ordinaires qui se paient à Parme et La Mirandola... Faict à Ferrare, le IIIe jour de decembre 1555 »

Academic advising, eh : a profile of undergraduate academic advising at Ontario universities

Despite its importance to postsecondary students' success, there is little known about academic advisement in Canada. Academic advising can be a very intensive and demanding job, yet it is not well understood what duties or student populations of advising make it so. On a practical level, this study sought to learn more about academic advisement in Ontario universities and provide a general overview of who advisors are and what they do. This study also investigated academic advising duties and time allocation for these responsibilities in an attempt to relate theory to practice incorporating Vilfredo Pareto's theoretical underpinnings to confirm or negate the applicability of the Pareto Principle in relationship to time utilization by advisors. Essentially this study sought to discover which students require the greatest advisement time and effort, and how advisors could apply these findings to their work. Academic advising professionals in Ontario universities were asked to complete a researcher-designed electronic survey. Quantitative data from the responses were analyzed to describe generalized features of academic advising at Ontario universities. Discussion and implications for practice will prompt advisors and institutions using the results of this study to measure themselves against a provincial assessment. Advisors' awareness of time allocation to different student groups can help focus attention where new strategies are needed to maximize time and efforts. This study found that caseload and time spent with student populations were proportional. Regular undergraduate students accounted for the greatest amount of caseload and time followed by working with students struggling academically. This study highlights the need for further evaluation, education, and research in academic advising in Canadian higher education.