Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

R Elliott

Publications and source records attributed to R Elliott.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Symposium overview: the use of delayed matching-to-sample procedures in studies of short-term memory in animals and humans.

Behavioral paradigms applicable for use in both human and nonhuman subjects for investigating aspects of working/short-term memory are presented with a view towards exploring their strengths, weaknesses, and utility in a variety of experimental situations. Such procedures can be useful in teasing out specific aspects of mnemonic processes including discrimination, encoding, and retention. Delayed matching-to-position, delayed matching-to-sample (DMTS), and titrating matching-to-sample procedures are highlighted. Additionally, the application of DMTS tasks in preclinical and clinical settings is presented: drug effects on memory processes can be explored preclinically in animal models; normative data have been developed in human populations where they have been used in adults to explore the relationships between mnemonic processes and specific clinical entities such as Parkinsonism, senile dementia of the Alzheimer's type, schizophrenia, and depression. Studies in children indicate that encoding and retention processes improve rapidly in the early years, plateauing prior to puberty. Noninvasive imaging techniques such as positron emission tomography (PET) indicate that activity in specific brain areas is associated with DMTS task performance and may serve to confirm roles for such structures in mnemonic processes.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Supreme Court rules on disability discrimination.

On 3 May 2000, the Supreme Court of Canada released a unanimous decision involving the interpretation of the term "handicap" in Québec's anti-discrimination legislation in three complaints filed with the province's human rights commission. While none of the cases involved HIV-related discrimination, the Court's strong decision is of definite benefit in protecting and promoting the rights of people with HIV/AIDS, particularly for those living in Québec. The decision recognizes that people are protected against discrimination based on disability even if their condition does not give rise to any functional limitation and the discrimination is based on the perception that they are disabled.

Canada↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Man with HIV gets reprieve from deportation.

On 4 November 1999, the Federal Court (Trial Division) lifted a "removal order" just hours before a man with AIDS was to be deported to El Salvador, his country of origin.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Federal court of appeal strikes claim for extending patent term.

In a short October 1999 decision, Pfizer Inc v Canada, the Federal Court of Appeal affirmed a lower court decision that Canadian law currently provides only 17 years protection for drug patents filed before October 1989, and that the 20-year minimum period stated in intellectual property treaties negotiated under the auspices of the World Trade Organization have not (yet) taken effect in Canada with respect to these drugs.

Anti-HIV Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Reform MP proposes compulsory testing.

In October 1999, a Reform Party Member of Parliament introduced Bill C-244 (the Blood Samples Act) in the House of Commons as a private member's bill. The bill proposes to permit forced blood testing of persons for HIV or hepatitis B or C where peace officers, firefighters, and other emergency services personnel or other health-care workers, may have been exposed to the risk of infection. It also proposes imprisonment for up to six months of any person who refuses court-ordered testing. In January 2000, the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network wrote to the federal Minister of Justice, explaining why such legislation is unnecessary, unethical, contrary to existing law regarding "informed consent," and unconstitutional. On 21 March 2000, the Bill passed second reading unanimously. It now awaits committee hearings. This article sets out the concerns the Network raised about the proposal for compulsory HIV testing.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Rapid HIV screening at the point of care: legal and ethical issues.

In March 2000, the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network released a comprehensive report entitled Rapid HIV Screening at the Point of Care: Legal and Ethical Issues. The release of the report coincided with the issuing of the first license to sell rapid HIV test kits in Canada for use by health-care professionals at the "point of care," and received considerable media attention. The report makes 23 recommendations to federal and provincial/territorial health officials, health-care professionals and their professional associations and regulatory bodies, and test kit manufacturers, with a view to ensuring that the potential benefits of this testing technology are maximized and the potential harms are prevented or minimized. We reproduce here the executive summary of the report.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Criminal law and HIV/AIDS: update III.

This regular column reviews new developments in the area of criminal prosecutions for HIV transmission or exposure, or developments that have come to our attention since the last issue of the Newsletter. Canadian developments are the focus. Cases and legislation from other jurisdictions are only included if they represent a significant development in this area of the law or for the jurisdiction in question.

Canada↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Mixed WTO ruling on generic drug development.

On 17 March 2000, the World Trade Organization upheld the provision in Canada's patent laws that allows generic drug manufacturers to develop (but not sell) their cheaper versions of patented medicines before the 20-year patients expire. The decision prevents pharmaceutical companies from enjoying market monopolies beyond their patent terms, avoiding what would otherwise be even lengthier delays in the sale of cheaper, generic drugs in Canada. This decision is of significance not only to Canada, but also to other WTO member countries and to all individuals who use pharmaceutical products. However, the decision is not all positive: the WTO also ruled that Canada is violating international agreements by letting generic manufacturers stockpile their versions of patented drugs before patents expire. This article explains the issues, the arguments, and the decision.

Anti-HIV Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Panel rules against Canada on patent terms for pre-TRIPS patents.

On 5 May 2000, the WTO Panel issued another ruling regarding patents of relevance to pharmaceutical products. Upholding a complaint by the US, the Panel ruled that Canada's Patent Act was in breach of the minimum patent terms for inventions required by the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (the TRIPS Agreement).

Canada↗
PubMedDate not supplied

US Supreme Court allows limits on AIDS-related insurance benefits.

In a ruling issued on 10 January 2000 with respect to Doe v Mutual of Omaha Insurance, the US Supreme Court refused to review a lower-court decision allowing an insurance company to limit health-care benefits for AIDS-related claims to less than one-tenth of what it pays under the same policies for expenses related to other illnesses. The lower court had ruled that anti-discrimination legislation does not apply to insurance policies.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Medical treatment of children with HIV/AIDS.

In the last issue of the Newsletter, we reported on the case of a Montréal woman who sought an injunction from the Québec Superior Court to prevent physicians from administering antiretroviral medication to her HIV-positive sons, of whom she had previously lost custody because of her refusal to consent to such medication. In December 1999, the Court of Québec (Youth Division) heard the mother's application to regain custody and an application by the Director of Youth Protection for an order declaring that the children were in need of protection, as well as an order that the children be placed in the physical custody of another family for a period of two years, that the authority to make decisions regarding the children's medical care be removed from the mother and placed with the Director of Youth Protection, and that the children receive the necessary medications and diet. The Court issued its decision on 12 January 2000.

Anti-HIV Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Court rejects appeal for safe supply of medical marijuana.

As previously reported, in a May 1999 decision in Wakeford v Canada, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice granted an HIV-positive man an "interim constitutional exemption" from the provisions in the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act that make it an offence to possess or to produce or cultivate marijuana.

Canada↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Appeals heard on both medical and non-medical marijuana.

In October 1999, the Ontario Court of Appeal heard an appeal in the case of R v Parker. Terry Parker was charged in 1996, after a police raid on his home in which the marijuana plants he was growing to ensure a supply in order to control his epileptic seizures were confiscated.

Canada↗
PubMedDate not supplied

BC appellate court dismisses insurance appeal.

As reported in the last issue of the Newsletter, in September 1997 a British Columbia trial court had dismissed a "wrongful dismissal" claim by the estate of a gay man who died of AIDS against his former employer for damages arising out of his termination, including the loss of his life insurance coverage. The man's estate appealed that decision to the BC Court of Appeal. The Canadian AIDS Society and the BC Persons with AIDS Society were denied leave to intervene before the appellate court to make submissions. The case was heard in October 1999 by the British Columbia Court of Appeal. In December 1999, the Court released its judgment dismissing the appeal.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMedDate not supplied

HIV testing & treatment of children.

In the last year, courts in Canada, the US, and the UK have decided cases in which child welfare authorities have disputed parents' decisions to refuse HIV testing or treatment for their children. This article reviews recent US developments regarding refusal of treatment, and reports the outcome of a recent UK decision compelling the HIV testing of a minor against her parents' wishes. It then provides an update on two recent Canadian cases concerning a parent's refusal to treat an HIV-positive child with antiretroviral therapy, and a brief overview of the current state of Canadian law on the issue of minors and medical treatment.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗
PubMedDate not supplied

AIDS organizations denied leave to intervene in insurance case.

In October 1999, the BC Court of Appeal denied the request of the Canadian AIDS Society (CAS) and the BC Persons with AIDS Society (BCPWA) to intervene in the appellate hearing of a case raising questions about the responsibilities of employers and employees to preserve entitlement to life insurance coverage. In this case, the issue of the mental capacity of a man with AIDS-related dementia was a key issue.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Criminalization of assisted suicide challenged.

In September 1999, Jim Wakeford, a Toronto man with HIV/AIDS, launched a civil action against the Attorney General of Canada, challenging the constitutionality of sections of the Criminal Code that criminalize assisted suicide.

Crime↗