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ABSTRACTAdipocyte-mediated inflammatory signalling has been proposed to alter adipose physiology in obesity and Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Novel targets for alteration of inflammatory signalling are needed to improve obesity-related outcomes. The γ-secretase enzyme complex has been suggested to play a role both in adipocyte function as well as in immune regulation. We hypothesized that adipocyte-specific γ-secretase inhibition could alter the inflammatory makeup of adipose tissue. We found that genetic blockade of γ-secretase in adipocytes leads to a decrease in EMR1(F4/80) expression, as a marker of macrophage presence, in adipose tissue without changes in expression of markers of other inflammatory cell types. To explore the mechanism by which adipocytes can alter macrophage function in vitro, fully differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes were treated with a γ-secretase inhibitor in the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and transcription of IL6and ccl2(MCP1) were quantified. IL-6 expression and secretion were significantly inhibited by γ-secretase blockade, with little effect on MCP1. Preconditioned media from 3T3-L1 adipocytes treated with a γ-secretase inhibitor also alters macrophage activation but did not affect macrophage translocation in vitro. Therefore, γ-secretase inhibition in fully differentiated adipocytes can alter IL-6 signalling to macrophages, consistent with our hypothesis that that γ-secretase is involved in adipocyte-initiated inflammatory signalling cascades.

Use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is increasing for insulin-requiring patients with diabetes. Although data on glycemic profiles of healthy, nondiabetic individuals exist for older sensors, assessment of glycemic metrics with new-generation CGM devices is lacking.

Background:Thyroid dyshormonogenesis continues to be a significant cause of congenital hypothyroidism. Over time, forms of thyroid dyshormonogenesis can result in goiter, which can lead to difficult management decisions as the pathologic changes can both mimic or lead to thyroid cancer.

Industrial biotechnology is an emerging industry in which firms are developing novel alternatives to petroleum-based goods. Canadian-based firms have an opportunity to capitalise on the availability of biomass from Canadian agriculture and Canada’s broad resource base. However, complexity of the product development process coupled with immaturity of this industry means little is currently known about these firms, their innovation activities and decision making. This study uses data from the 2003 and 2006 bioproduct development surveys to examine the Canadian bioproducts industry, focusing on factors conducive to innovative activity for bioproduct producing firms. Several factors are important in facilitating innovation, such as intellectual property, collaborations, focus on bioproducts relative to other business activities, the dominant product type and region in which the firm operates.

Advancement in biotechnology requires continued innovative activity by firms. To grow, biotechnology firms must understand the factors affecting their innovative activity. Such understanding also informs policy makers, and supports the development of policies promoting one's biotechnology sector. This study explores factors, which determine innovative activity within the Canadian biotechnology industry. Innovative activity is measured as the natural log of the number of products/processes a firm has at different stages of the innovation spectrum. A model is developed to regress this measure on several determinants of innovation. Significant drivers of innovation include: collaborative arrangements, transfer of intellectual property, firm size and age, whether the firm was in the agricultural or human health biotechnology sectors and whether the firm focused on development or commercialisation. Generally speaking, these factors all contributed to firms having more products/processes either under development, undergoing clinical trials or regulatory approval, or on the market.

Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), there has been a dramatic increase in the integration of markets for live cattle and beef products in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. These markets were severely disrupted in 2003 by the confirmation of single cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in Canada and the United States. The bulk of this disruption could have been avoided if the countries had developed more closely coordinated risk management programs based on the guidance of international standards. The BSE events illustrate that failure to address regulatory integration leaves integrated markets vulnerable to recurring disruptions.

Murgo Farms Inc., addresses the challenge of choosing between the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), International Organization of Standardization (ISO) 9000, and ISO 14000 systems for a business with grain farming, elevator and spraying enterprises. Murgo has recently entered markets that are more quality oriented and wishes to expand its activities in those markets. The President wonders whether HACCP or ISO 9000 might help that expansion. However, the company is also faced with significant environmental risks due to its spraying and manure spreading activities and its proximity to a local municipal water source. There are good reasons for Murgo to consider each of the systems, but there is also the question of whether the benefits for implementing any system are sufficient to do so immediately.

Succession planning for family farms is a complicated process, since the business is usually tied to the family home, heritage, and history. Family farming operations are also becoming larger, more valuable, and more complex to manage. Rol-Land Farms is a successful mushroom and specialty crop production and distribution company with 250 employees and annual sales of C$12M. Hank Vander Pol, the driving force behind Rol-Land for three decades, is considering retirement. The transition will not be easy. Three Vander Pol families are involved in the business and no obvious successor is in sight.

Succession planning for family farms is a complicated process, since the business is usually tied to the family home, heritage, and history. Family farming operations are also becoming larger, more valuable, and more complex to manage. Rol‐Land Farms is a successful mushroom and specialty crop production and distribution company with 250 employees and annual sales of C$12M. Hank Vander Pol, the driving force behind Rol‐Land for three decades, is considering retirement. The transition will not be easy. Three Vander Pol families are involved in the business and no obvious successor is in sight.

Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), there has been a dramatic increase in the integration of markets for live cattle and beef products in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. These markets were severely disrupted in 2003 by the confirmation of single cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in Canada and the United States. The bulk of this disruption could have been avoided if the countries had developed more closely coordinated risk management programs based on the guidance of international standards. The BSE events illustrate that failure to address regulatory integration leaves integrated markets vulnerable to recurring disruptions.

Sir.—I appreciated the careful study of the use of ambulatory medical records reported by Margolis and Porter (Journal 132:1115-1116, 1978). Although their observations are clearly presented, I had thought that the responsibility of the pediatrician at any acute ambulatory visit would involve review of the patient's total health status. Identification of chronic health problems and their current condition, review of health problems identified at the last visit or by telephone during the interval, determination of immunization status and currentness of preventive health care, inquiry regarding additional health problems, and identification of the time of the next appropriate ambulatory visit would be included. Furthermore, recurrent health problems are so much the rule in pediatrics that, except in the setting of the occasional emergency room visit, it would seem to me that the time expended in identifying the case with a nonrecurrent problem would outweigh the saving achieved by not pulling