Canada is addicted to pilot projects
Multiple funding streams have launched thousands of pilot projects across Canada. Regardless of their merit, these projects usually die when their initial funding runs out, says Monique Bégin. See Editorial, page 1185
Micronutrient supplements during pregnancy
Prenatal multimicronutrient supplementation was associated with a significantly reduced risk of low birth weight and improved birth weight when compared with iron and folate supplementation. Shah and colleagues come to this conclusion from their meta-analysis of 13 trials. See Research, page E99
Multimicronutrient supplementation during pregnancy should replace iron and folate supplementation in susceptible populations if it is proven effective and safe, say Bhutta and Haider. See Commentaries, page 1188
Myocardial infarction in Romania
Patients with myocardial infarction in Romania have low reperfusion rates and high in-hospital case fatality. These findings emerge from a study by Tatu-Chitoiu and colleagues of more than 9000 patients from a registry for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. See Research, page 1207
Registries in developed and developing countries should have standardized protocols to foster international comparisons and improve disease outcomes, say Bobak and Hemingway. See Commentary, page 1190
Spacewalking the talk
With 16 daily sunsets and sunrises, astronauts risk losing awareness of impending dusk or dawn. Canadian Dr. Robert Thirsk, who will spend the next 6 months on the International Space Station, and fellow astronauts describe the space-flight environment. See Review, page 1216
Lyme disease
Passive surveillance for tick vectors has identified new areas in Canada where ticks are spreading. Further studies will identify precisely where Lyme disease is emerging in Canada. Vigilance by clinicians in areas where ticks are presumed to not be endemic will help surveillance efforts. See Review, page 1221
Hydatid cyst
A 30-year-old man in India with hemoptysis coughed up a white membranous structure that turned out to be a hydatid cyst. He had more cysts in his lungs and liver. See Clinical images, page 1227
Disaster planning
While Canada has bolstered its capacity to respond to disasters and emergencies over the past few years, major challenges remain. See News, page 1193
Fortifying junk food
Health Canada is proposing to allow the processed food industry the discretionary right to fortify junk foods with vitamin and mineral additives. See News, page 1196