Gonzalez back in French Open playoffs

Chile's Fernando Gonzalez returns the ball to Romania's Victor Hanescu during their fourth-round match on Sunday. (Christophe Ena/Associated Press)

Fernando Gonzalez is playoff-bound at the French Open for a third consecutive year.

The 12th-seeded Chilean became the first player at this year's tournament to reach the quarter-finals, downing Victor Hanescu of Romania 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 on Sunday at Roland Garros.

Gonzalez, who reached the 2007 Australian Open final, ended the match with his 21st forehand winner and finished with 50 winners and only 16 unforced errors.

Last year, he lost to eventual finalist Roger Federer in the quarter-finals, while Hanescu also lost to Federer in a quarter-final match in 2005.

Gonzalez reached the semifinals at the two other clay-court tournaments he entered this year, but missed a pair of others with an ankle injury.

In women's play, No. 20 Dominika Cibulkova reached the quarter-finals with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over No. 29 Agnes Szavay of Hungary in a sloppy match that included a combined 17 winners and 66 unforced errors.

Cibulkova, 20, won five straight games in the second set to lead 5-2, but she was broken while serving for the match and had to wait a few more minutes to serve again and advance to her first major quarter-final.

Szavay upset third-seeded Venus Williams in the previous round.

Later Sunday, defending champions Rafael Nadal and Ana Ivanovic were scheduled to play, while No. 3 Andy Murray and top-seeded Dinara Safina were already on court.

6 killed in Fatah raid in West Bank

Six Palestinians were killed Sunday in a shootout between Hamas fighters and police loyal to the Fatah party in the West Bank.

Hamas fighters arrive at a news conference in Gaza City on Sunday after the Fatah raid in the West Bank. Hamas fugitives lobbed grenades and fired automatic weapons early in the day to push back Palestinian security forces storming their hideout in the northern West Bank. (Hatem Moussa/Associated Press)

The incident in Qalqiliya began late Saturday when officers surrounded a hideout of Mohammed Samman, a leader of Hamas' military wing, Izzedine al-Qassam, and his assistant, Mohammed Yassin.

A battle followed as police tried to enter the house to arrest the pair before dawn.

The two operatives had been fugitives for six years, Palestinian security officials said. Palestinian Authority officials denied the arrests were politically motivated. They said the Hamas gunmen were involved in money laundering and stockpiling weapons.

"We found more than 150 kilograms of explosives in the house. We also found three explosive belts вЂ" two on the bodies of the gunmen who were killed," Palestinian security forces spokesman Adnan Damiri said.

Both Hamas men and the homeowner died in the shootout, along with three police officers.

In the Gaza Strip, a spokesman for Hamas's armed wing accused the forces supporting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of being "loyal to the Zionists."

Hamas, which won a parliamentary election in the Gaza Strip in 2006, ousted Fatah forces from the territory the following year.

Since then, members of the Fatah faction have detained hundreds of Hamas supporters in the West Bank and closed the group's institutions.

In recent months, the two factions have tried to reach a unity deal, but talks have run aground over Hamas' refusal to recognize Israel and renounce violence, a precondition for joining a coalition with supporters of Abbas.

With files from The Associated Press

Houston Dynamo need only 5 minutes to beat TFC

Toronto FC's Nana Attakora , left, plays the ball in front of Houston Dynamo's Ade Akinbiyi, right, during their game in Houston on Saturday. (Melissa Phillip/Associated Press)

Brad Davis, Kei Kamara and Stuart Holden scored in a five-minute span in the first half to lead the surging Houston Dynamo to a 3-0 victory over visiting Toronto FC on Saturday night.

Houston (5-2-3) improved to 5-0-2 in its last seven games, while Toronto (4-4-4) lost for the second time in three matches.

Davis gave Houston a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute, sending a direct kick from just outside the upper right box under the Toronto wall and into the centre of the net, freezing goalkeeper Stefan Frei.

Two minutes later, Kamara made it 2-0 after receiving a pass from Brian Ching in the centre box and sending it just inside the left post.

Stuart Holden extended the lead two minutes later.

Saturday's game marked the return of Dwayne De Rosario to Houston. The Toronto native played three seasons with the Dynamo before being traded to Toronto FC in the off-season.

De Rosario said he didn't have much time to be nostalgic during the loss.

"When the game is going on, you're playing. You're just trying to get three points, trying to get your team into the game," said De Rosario.

"After the game, you have a little moment reflecting a little bit on the good memories that I had there, watching them play in the second half sitting back was a pleasure to watch when a team plays like that. We got beat by a very good team."

Perfect Storm captain convicted of illegally fishing in Canadian waters

Linda Greenlaw

An American fishing captain best known for her depiction in the book The Perfect Storm and the film on which it was based has been convicted of illegally fishing in Canadian waters.

Linda Greenlaw maintained that when a Canadian fisheries patrol plane caught her boat the Sea Hawk in Canadian waters last September, she was there by mistake. Her crew had been searching for swordfish.

She said miles of her fishing lines had been accidentally cut and dragged about five miles (about eight kilometres) into Canadian jurisdiction

"This line, which is drawn on a piece of paper, you can't see it when you're fishing and working on deck," Greenlaw said outside the courtroom.

"There's no fence. There's no blinking lights," said Greenlaw, who provided key information about a fatal 1991 storm in the Atlantic Ocean to journalist Sebastian Junger for his book The Perfect Storm. She was portrayed in the hit movie by actor Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio.

Judge Joe Woodrow said he believed that Greenlaw had made an honest mistake, but he then said it was a mistake a reasonable skipper would not have made, because she should have checked her GPS equipment.

Woodrow convicted on counts of illegally entering Canadian waters as well as illegally fishing here.

The Crown said it wants Greenlaw to be fined $50,000. Her lawyer is recommending half that amount.

Greenlaw said either decision will hurt her, as well as her crew.

"It's a lot of money. It's a lot of money to be writing a cheque, to pay the crew or whatever," she said.

"But beyond the money, I've been convicted of two offences."

Greenlaw noted that she was catching swordfish, a species that has little commercial value in Canada.

No Nas: Audience rebels when hip-hop star skips N.L. show

Things got ugly at a concert outside St. John's Thursday night, when the headline performer didn't show up.

New York-based hip-hop performer Nas was scheduled to play in Torbay for a crowd of several hundred young people.

But the audience rebelled when it became clear after the end of opening act Kardinal Offishall's set that Nas would not be appearing.

"The crowd [was] getting out of control," CBC News reporter Zach Goudie said.

"By 10:30, Nas still hadn't taken the stage, and it started to become obvious he wasn't coming. There was a lot of beer can throwing … and very quickly the police were called in by security," said Goudie, who added police took away at least three people in handcuffs.

Many of the people in the audience lined up to demand refunds, Goudie said.

Red Wings' Lidstrom plans to play Game 1

Nicklas Lidstrom leads all defencemen with 13 playoff points. (Paul Sancya/Associated Press)

For a change, the Detroit Red Wings received encouraging news from the infirmary.

Nicklas Lidstrom revealed Thursday that he plans to return to the lineup for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final versus the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday (CBC, CBCSports.ca, 7:30 p.m. ET).

The Red Wings captain is nursing an undisclosed lower body injury that shelved him for two games, including Wednesday's series-clinching 2-1 overtime victory over the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 5 of the Western Conference final.

"I saw Lidstrom today [and] he is planning on playing Saturday night," Red Wings general manager Holland told ESPN. "That is what he told me.

"He skated today, he said he felt OK. Another 48 hours, he expects to feel better, so we will see."

Lidstrom, a six-time Norris Trophy winner, leads all defencemen with 13 playoff points, including four goals.

He had 13 points last spring, when he became the first European-born captain to hoist the Stanley Cup.

Jonathan Ericsson is listed as day-to-day following an emergency appendectomy, which forced him to miss Wednesday's clincher.

"He was at the rink today," Holland said. "He was feeling a little tender from surgery.

"[Andreas] Lilja had, basically, the same surgery earlier in the year, had it on a Wednesday and played Saturday in Nashville. But our trainer said everybody's body reacts a little differently and heals a little differently, so we're going to see how Ericsson feels Saturday morning."

Lilja (concussion) and Tomas Kopecky (fractured cheekbone) remain sidelined, but Kris Draper (groin strain) skated Thursday and, though doubtful to play Game 1, could return later in the series.

"He just wants to make sure when he comes back that he is 100 per cent," Holland said.

Pavel Datsyuk, a finalist for the Hart Trophy, has been shelved three games with a foot injury and, according to Holland, is "going to be more of a game-t

With files from The Associated Press

Red Wings bounce Blackhawks in overtime

Darren Helm scored 3:58 into overtime as the hometown Detroit Red Wings eliminated the Chicago Blackhawks 2-1 in Game 5 of the Western Conference final on Wednesday night.

Daniel Cleary tallied in regulation for the defending Stanley Cup champion Red Wings, who clinched the best-of-seven series 4-1, and will meet the Pittsburgh Penguins in a rematch of last year's Stanley Cup final.

Chris Osgood posted 30 saves in the win.

Patrick Kane scored the tying goal with 7:07 left in regulation and Cristobal Huet faced 46 shots in defeat for the fourth-ranked Blackhawks.

More to come

With files from The Associated Press

Hearsay testimony permitted in O'Brien trial

Justice Douglas Cunningham ruled Wednesday that testimony about conversations concerning an alleged job offer to former mayoral candidate Terry Kilrea would not be considered hearsay. (Francois Leclerc/CBC)

The judge in the influence-peddling trial of Ottawa Mayor Larry O'Brien ruled Wednesday that the most recent testimony heard in the courtroom is hearsay, but it will be allowed in the trial to establish context.

Justice Douglas Cunningham, the trial judge, decided to allow several people to testify before making the ruling about what evidence would be considered admissible.

On Wednesday, Lisa MacLeod, the MPP for Nepean-Carleton, testified about a meeting she had with O'Brien in July 2006. She said O'Brien had told her that he was talking to Terry Kilrea about an appointment.

Terry Kilrea, O'Brien's opponent in the 2006 mayoral race, has sworn an affidavit saying he was offered to have his campaign expenses paid and help getting an appointment to the National Parole Board if he dropped out of the race.

O'Brien has denied making that offer.

When the Crown asked MacLeod what appointment she was talking about, she replied, "I believe it was to the National Parole Board."

Court began on Tuesday with a discussion about what information would be considered hearsay in O'Brien's trial.

Cunningham allowed John Light, Greg Strong and Thom Bennett to testify about their knowledge of alleged incentives offered to Kilrea before making that ruling.

John Light is an assistant to Nepean-Carleton MP Pierre Poilievre, Greg Strong is a former Calian vice-president and Conservative, and Thom Bennett is a Conservative Party fundraiser.

Light told the court Tuesday that Bennett and Strong told him about an appointment for Kilrea in phone calls in early August 2007.

MacLeod is the only witness, apart from Kilrea, to state she heard about the alleged offer directly from O’Brien.

The Crown had argued that it wanted the testimony admitted not for its truth, but to help establish that the Parole Board issue was discussed long after the original meeting between O’Brien and Kilrea вЂ" when O'Brien's lawyer, Michael Edelson, said the matter "died."

Property crime falls but assault charges rise in Regina: new stats

Regina police have taken a bite out of property crime in the city, according to statistics released Wednesday. However, police also reported that crimes against people, like assault, have increased.

The statistics compare figures from the month of April 2008 to April 2009. They indicate a decrease in property crimes, such as auto theft, by 17.8 per cent.

Assaults and other crimes against people were up 10 per cent over the same time.

Regina police Chief Troy Hagen said the increase in the people-crime category was due to a spike in robbery cases.

"Assaults are up somewhat," Hagen said. "But also robberies are up over 24 per cent year-to-date over last year."

Hagen said most assaults are related to domestic disputes. He said robberies have become a concern.

"Street robberies have been the primary concern for our service," Hagen said. "It's really people that are stealing вЂ" robbing, actually вЂ" persons in the public of things like cellphones and things like that."

Hagen said it was too early to consider the increase a trend. He said he wants to study the numbers over a broader time frame.

"Each crime category fluctuates from month to month," Hagen said. "So what we want to do is look at a longer-term perspective."

He added that police will be using a number of tactics to deal with the areas of concern. He said that will include working with Crown prosecutors and the RCMP.

Police will also keep a close watch on repeat offenders.

"We monitor our habitual offenders," Hagen added. "So we have a number of different components to the strategy ... we also do some plainclothes work."

Deficit to top $50B this year: Flaherty

The federal government's budget deficit for the current fiscal year will top a record $50 billion, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said Tuesday.

Flaherty's statement came just one day after he said the deficit for the fiscal year that started April 1 would be larger than was predicted in his January budget. At that time, Flaherty said he expected a deficit of $33.7 billion for the 2009-10 fiscal year.

Flaherty said Monday that weak tax revenue and higher government expenses stemming from the economic downturn will lead to the bigger deficit.

Speaking to reporters following the finance ministers' meeting Monday at Meech Lake, Que., Flaherty said he would provide more details when he briefs the House of Commons in June.

Edmonton names hip-hop artist latest poet laureate

Roland Pemberton, who performs under the name Cadence Weapon, was named Edmonton's new poet laureate on Tuesday. (CBC)Roland Pemberton, the 23-year old hip-hop artist who performs as Cadence Weapon, was named Tuesday as the City of Edmonton's third poet laureate.

"I believe it's a valuable resource to have this post in the Edmonton arts community and I will make the most of this appointment," he said at the city's announcement Tuesday morning.

Pemberton has accumulated high-profile awards and recognitions in his music career. He was nominated for the prestigious Polaris Music Prize in 2006 for his debut album Breaking Kayfabe and has won the Canadian Independent Music Award for best urban artist/group.

His second studio album, Afterparty Babies, was released in 2008. Pemberton is also a DJ and producer and has written a music column for one of Edmonton's alternative weeklies.

Pemberton was born and raised in Edmonton and still makes his home in the city. His father was the late Teddy Pemberton, a CJSR radio host who is widely credited for introducing rap music to Edmonton. Pemberton's grandfather is Edmonton Eskimo great Rollie Miles, who played for the team from 1951 to 1961.

Pemberton was nominated as poet laureate by Edmonton filmmaker Trevor Anderson.

His initial reaction to the nomination was, "as if", he said, but he reconsidered as he thought more about it.

"I mean I'm an Edmonton guy, I'm a community guy. I talk about Edmonton in most of the pieces, work, I do," he said.

Pemberton said he would like to use his role as poet laureate to change people's perceptions about poetry.

"I'd like to broaden what people consider poetry to be. Basically I plan to do a lot of weird poems that people will definitely not think are poems and I'd like to … maybe make the idea of poet laureate something that people think about," he said.

Pemberton follows University of Alberta professor emeritus Ted Blodgett in the position. Alice Major was Edmonton's first poet laureate between 2005 and 2007.

Pemberton starts his two-year term on July 1.

Pat Quinn named Oilers head coach

Pat Quinn will be the Edmonton Oilers' new head coach. (Frank Gunn/Canadian Press)

Pat Quinn will take over as head coach of the Edmonton Oilers, with former New York Rangers head coach Tom Renney as an assistant, the team announced on Tuesday.

"If I think of leadership, I think of Pat. If I think of the way you want to be treated as a player, I think of someone like Pat Quinn," said Oilers general manager Steve Tambellini.

"I'm very excited that he accepted this job as head coach."

Former Oiler Kelly Buchberger was also retained as an assistant.

Quinn was last seen behind the Team Canada bench at the 2008 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships, where he won gold with the squad over Sweden.

Before that, Quinn led Team Canada's entry in the 2006 Spengler Cup to a finals appearance.

Knows area well

He knows the area well from his junior days, as he played for the Edmonton Oil Kings and was a member of their Memorial Cup-winning squad in 1963.

"The tradition is very, very important to this organization," said Quinn. "But I'm looking to the future obviously ... We're here to help this team win."

Quinn's last NHL coaching stint was a seven-year run with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 66-year-old has spent 19 seasons behind NHL benches, also coaching in Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and Vancouver. The Leafs made the playoffs in the first six years he was head coach, and went to the conference finals twice in that span.

But he was fired in 2005-06 after Toronto missed the post-season for the first time under his watch.

His record stands at 657-481-154, with 26 OT losses. He made it to the Stanley Cup final twice (once with Philadelphia in 1979-80, and again with Vancouver in 1993-94).

Jack Adams recipient

Quinn has won the Jack Adams award for NHL coach of the year twice, in 1980 with Philadelphia and again in 1992 with Vancouver.

Quinn also has an Olympic gold medal to his name, winning the prize as head coach of Team Canada at the 2002 Olympics. He also led the team to victory in the World Cup of Hockey two years later.

Renney coached the Rangers from 2003 to the middle of the 2008-09 season. He was fired in mid-February and replaced with John Tortorella.

His first job as NHL head coach came in 1996, when he was hired by then-general manager Quinn to coach the Canucks. Tambellini knows both Quinn and Renney from their days in the Canucks organization.

"I think any of us in this game understands the opportunity when it presents itself," Renney said. "It's something I completely embrace, without a doubt. ... It comes down to the people that you're able to surround yourself with."

The Oilers had been without a bench boss since they fired Craig MacTavish after nine years in mid-April. Edmonton has missed the playoffs for three straight years.

Tambellini also interviewed Marc Crawford and San Jose assistant coach Todd Richards for the job.

Havlat's early return 'shocking': concussion specialist

Havlat was a surprise in Chicago's lineup for Game 4 after he was knocked out by Detroit's Niklas Kronwall two days earlier. (Paul Beaty/Associated Press)

Martin Havlat was out cold for more than a minute with a vacant stare on his face.

Detroit's Niklas Kronwall had just crushed the Chicago Blackhawks' leading scorer, and once he regained consciousness, Havlat needed the help of a teammate and trainer to get up and off the ice. He didn't return.

But two days later, the 28-year-old was in the lineup for Game 4 of the Western Conference Final.

"I was shocked," concussion specialist Michael Czarnota told CBCSports.ca.

Czarnota, the neuropsychology consultant for the Canadian Hockey League, wasn't attending the game and is not treating Havlat. But alarm bells went off when he saw No. 24 return in time for Sunday's game.

"It's the NHL, it's the playoffs, so guys are willing to do a little bit more.… But it sure seemed that two days later was sort of pushing things."

Chicago's leading scorer in the regular season (77 points) and during the playoffs (15), Havlat was picking up a breakout pass off the boards when Kronwall ran him over. The Red Wings defender got a major and game misconduct for the hit.

Havlat's health the priority: coach

It looked like Havlat was unconscious before he hit the ice, because he did nothing to brace the fall.

Chicago's head coach Joel Quenneville had said Havlat's health was the No. 1 priority and that he'd be re-evaluated on Saturday before Sunday's Game 4.

"Our medical staff is pretty in tune to his health. His health's going to be the first criteria before he's even going to be considered to be playing," Quenneville said. "If he's ready to play and he passes all tests, he'll play."

Czarnota said he assumes doctors did everything to ensure Havlat returned only when it was safe to do so. This would usually involve biking or skating to ensure post-concussion symptoms like headaches don't return.

"But to do all that in a single day is really compressing that whole return-to-play process," he said.

Ideally a player would go through a practice and take some hits to ensure symptoms, including debilitating headaches and irritability, don't come back, he added.

Hit No. 2

Three-and-a-half minutes into the second period of Game 4, Brad Stuart laid a hit on Havlat in front of Chicago's bench, and he didn't return to the ice.

"It could have been an unrelated injury, but I think it's also just as possible that that caused his symptoms to come back, or the staff made some kind of decision вЂ" if he was involved in another big hit, we're not going to take a chance," Czarnota said.

Quenneville dismissed suggestions that one of his star forwards returned too early.

"Marty was fine," the coach said. "He was ready to go. He was flying out there and had a good start to the game, I think he really progressed the last two days.

"We did what we could and he did what he had to do. We'll see how he is going into Wednesday."

But if Havlat plays on Wednesday, Czarnota said, he'll be just as surprised as he was to see him suit up in Game 4.

Hockey has the highest rate of concussion of any sport, and it's not an injury one should "play through," he added.

"Players will say 'I've got all summer to heal.' There is no surgery for concussion symptoms, so you don't have that luxury of sacrificing today and paying the price next month."

Learning experience

Of course many players have played through concussions. Eric Lindros and Mike Richter are among the NHLers who were plagued by concussions throughout their careers, and Richter ultimately retired on a doctor's recommendation in 2003.

Czarnota said he hopes that after the playoffs, the NHL, Havlat and the Blackhawks talk publicly about the symptoms Havlat was or wasn't having, that they make their decision transparent, so everyone understands why he was able to return to the ice so quickly.

"These young kids are going to see Martin Havlat just completely out of it for almost two minutes. Two days later he shows up: 'What a warrior, holy cow, you can't keep him down, he's such an important player on this team.'

"A 14-year-old kid, you're going to say, 'You're different because you're 14, you can't go back and play. They're not going to listen to that," Czarnota said.

"It's just really hard to drive that message home when there's not some kind of a caveat to say this is why we did this. My wish list is that this is a learning case that gets discussed more openly in the summer. And maybe that's the best thing that comes out of it."

Date set for Philpott in-custody death inquest

The provincial coroner's office has set June 1 for the beginning of a five-day inquest into the death of Darren Philpott, who died while a remand inmate at the Regina Correctional Centre in September 2008.

At the time, Philpott was being housed in the medical wing of the jail, awaiting his next court date on several charges relating to allegations of sexual assault and making child pornography.

Reports at the time of his death indicate Philpott took his own life while in jail. He was discovered in a shower area of the jail, transported to hospital and passed away at the Regina General Hospital on Sept. 26.

The Coroner's Act requires all deaths of people in custody to be examined by an inquest, unless the coroner believes the death was due to natural causes.

Philpott was 39 at the time of his death and had been in custody for just under 12 months. His criminal charges attracted considerable attention in the community as the allegations related to his work as a volunteer working with youth and as an employee of a Christian college.

When they laid the charges, police said the incidents allegedly happened in a five-year period between August 2002 and October 2007 and involved young boys.

Moose Jaw lawyer Darin Chow has been assigned to preside over the inquest.

Man shot by police officer named

Police interview a witness following a standoff that ended with police shooting the hostage taker. (CBC)

The man shot and killed by a Calgary police officer ending a two-hour standoff has been identified as Melvin Donald Vanhouwe.

The 49-year-old was identified on Monday by Clifton Purvis, director of the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team, which looks into most deaths and serious complaints in the province involving police officers.

The shooting happened early Sunday morning in the community of Southwood.

Calgary police responded to a complaint at about 12:50 a.m. at the 500 block of Sabrina Road S.W. that a man with a sawed-off shotgun was holding his 19-year-old neighbour hostage.

Purvis said an officer shot Vanhouwe three times from about six metres away after he raised the shotgun and pointed it at two officers at 1:57 a.m. The hostage was unharmed, he added.

No officers were injured but Vanhouwe died in hospital.

Neighbours describe strange behaviour

Neighbours said tempers started flaring earlier Saturday night when Vanhouwe was drinking and appeared to be looking for a fight.

A next door neighbour, who would only identify himself as Jesse, said earlier in the night Vanhouwe accused him of stealing a part from his guitar that he had fixed months earlier for free.

"He threatened with kicking someone's ass, me and my neighbour, both of ours. That he was going to come over and kick our ass," he said. "I just thought he had probably been drinking. I just ignored it."

Witnesses said Vanhouwe later walked over to a house across the street with a sawed-off shotgun and took a 19-year-old man hostage. The father of the young man, who escaped unhurt, said his son is relieved with how things turned out.

"I am glad it was the other guy and not my kid," the man said.

On Sunday, Calgary police Chief Rick Hanson said the officer who shot and killed Vanhouwe had no other choice. The veteran officer who fired the fatal shots is a member of the tactical team and has about 20 years on the job, Hanson said.

"When confronted with a shotgun and the decision is made to shoot, you had better be very accurate in how you shoot because a wounded person with a shotgun is deadly," Hanson said.

Braves beat Blue Jays as slump reaches 5 straight

Atlanta Braves starter Derek Lowe, left, delivers to Toronto Blue Jays batter Alex Rios, foreground, during the first inning of his Saturday night victory. (Gregory Smith/Associated Press)

Derek Lowe pitched seven strong innings and singled home the go-ahead run himself to lead the Atlanta Braves to a 4-3 victory over the slumping Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday night in Georgia.

The loss was Toronto's fifth straight, a stretch that has seen the club's previously hot offence turn out just eight runs.

Casey Janssen, making his first appearance since coming back from more than a year off due to injury, took the loss despite a good six-inning outing.

More to come

Key Ontario cabinet minister Bryant quits to lead Invest Toronto

Michael Bryant, front, is shown with Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty at a September 2008 news conference after his appointment as minister of economic development. (Nathan Denette/Canadian Press)

Ontario Economic Development Minister Michael Bryant will step down from his cabinet post Monday to head a new corporation aimed at attracting investment to Toronto.

Bryant, 43, will become president and CEO of Invest Toronto, an economic development agency whose mission is to develop the city's extensive real estate holdings and promote investment through marketing and trade missions.

Liberal Premier Dalton McGuinty said Saturday that Bryant had advised him of his decision a day earlier. He also plans to resign as MPP.

Bryant has been Ontario's point man in the provincial and federal government talks with General Motors and Chyrsler Canada, which have sought billions in government aid.

News of his departure comes as General Motors heads into a crucial week of last-minute dealmaking to qualify for government loans. The company has until June 1 to present its restructuring plans to stave off financial collapse.

McGuinty, who has also been involved in the auto talks, will take over Bryant's portfolio temporarily.

Lauded by premier

"Michael has always tackled each new role with his trademark enthusiasm, intelligence and energy," McGuinty said in a statement.

"I know Michael will bring the same level of passion, insight and commitment to his new role with Invest Toronto that he has brought to the provincial government," he said.

"I'm excited to begin new duties with Invest Toronto after resigning as MPP for St. Paul's in the coming weeks," Bryant said in a release Saturday.

"I'm honoured to have served the people of St. Paul's under the incredible leadership of the premier for the past 10 years. I look forward to an announcement with Mayor David Miller about my future plans with Invest Toronto on Monday."

Bryant had long been considered a top contender to succeed McGuinty, despite his sometimes frosty relations with the premier.

His brash, attention-getting style didn't always go over well with his boss, and news of his hasty departure from cabinet immediately raised questions about whether the relationship had permanently soured.

Bryant raised eyebrows earlier this month when he trumpeted his vision for a stronger government role in business, a so-called "reverse Reaganism" plan that would have Ontario picking "winners and losers" on a case-by-case basis.

A few days later, McGuinty tried to temper those remarks, saying he was leery of picking specific companies to support.

Chicago's Khabibulin, Havlat question marks for Game 4

Martin Havlat of the Chicago Blackhawks is checked hard to the ice by Niklas Kronwall (55) of the Detroit Red Wings during the first period of Game 3 of their playoff series Friday in Chicago. (Jim Prisching/Getty Images)

It's uncertain whether two Chicago Blackhawks will return to the lineup for Game 4 after making early exits in their team's Game 3 overtime playoff win over the Detroit Red Wings.

Goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin and right-winger Martin Havlat did not practise with the team Saturday at the United Center and are listed as day-to-day.

Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville isn't ruling out either player when the NHL Western Conference teams to take the ice Sunday afternoon, with Detroit leading the best-of-seven series 2-1.

Quenneville told reporters that Khabibulin, who suffered an upper-body injury and was replaced by Cristobal Huet in the third period of Game 3, wil be re-examined before game time Sunday.

"Khabi is doing better today," Quenneville said. "We'll see how he presents himself (Sunday), but there's been good progress."

Quenneville, asked whether he'd go back to the well with Khabibulin as his starter, didn't tip his hand. "We'll see," Quenneville said. "We'll make that determination (Sunday)."

Huet indicated after practice that he knew the answer to that question and said he expects to start Game 4.

"We're still optimistic that Khabi could play," Quenneville said. "It's nice having the decision that we will have to face as we go along here. Hopefully, Khabi is part of the mix."

Quenneville is also optimistic that Havlat, crushed by a Niklas Kronwall check 13:08 into the opening frame and helped off the ice, will be good to go.

"I thought Marty really looked good," Quenneville said. "Hopefully, he progresses in the same fashion and there's a chance he could play."

If Havlat is a scratch, Quenneville said Colin Fraser would be the next candidate to join the lineup.

Swine flu will keep spreading globally: WHO chief

Swine flu is a "sneaky virus" that is likely to keep spreading to new parts of the world and within countries already affected, the head of the World Health Organization said Friday.

At least 42 countries have confirmed cases of the disease, which has sickened 11,168 people and caused 86 deaths, most of them in North America.

'[E]ven the best-laid plans need to be fluid and flexible when a new virus emerges and starts changing the rules.'вЂ" Margaret Chan

"This is a subtle, sneaky virus," WHO's director-general Margaret Chan said at the close of the global body's annual assembly in Geneva.

"It does not announce its presence or arrival in a new country with a sudden explosion of patients seeking medical care or requiring hospitalization."

Countries need to increase their laboratory testing capacity to detect and follow the virus, whose march around the world was virtually unstoppable, she said.

"We expect it to continue to spread to new countries and continue to spread within countries already affected," Chan said.

Discussions about swine flu took up much of the WHO's five-day meeting in Geneva, which was shortened from two weeks to allow government ministers to spend more time overseeing pandemic preparations at home.

Chan heeded the call of many of WHO's 193 member states to reconsider the agency's criteria for raising the pandemic alert to Phase 6 вЂ" its highest alert level вЂ" to avoid unnecessary panic and economic disruption.

The WHO's alert currently stands at Phase 5, meaning a pandemic is "imminent."

Chan indicated she was going along with the countries that had urged caution in declaring a pandemic, saying that "even the best-laid plans need to be fluid and flexible when a new virus emerges and starts changing the rules."

Pandemic criteria

With increasing numbers of cases in Japan and Europe, the world is inching closer to meeting WHO's criteria for a pandemic: ongoing spread in at least two world regions.

Chan conceded that phases 5 and 6 are "virtually identical in terms of the actions they launch." She said she would consult the WHO's emergency flu committee before declaring a global outbreak.

Countries taking part in the Geneva meeting agreed Friday to put off efforts to finalize a deal on sharing flu virus samples, instead instructing Chan to find a solution by early next year.

Developing countries lobbied hard to ensure they would benefit from any drugs created using their samples.

Against that, the United States and the European Union called for samples to be shared without restriction, arguing that this was in the best interest of science and global efforts to combat disease.

Both sides agreed Chan should form a task force to investigate unresolved questions, including whether countries should have to share samples and resulting drugs could be patented. They also want the task force to consider whether doses of any new pandemic flu vaccine should be reserved for developing countries, and to report back to members in January with recommendations.

WHO said confirmed cases of the new virus вЂ" termed A/H1N1 вЂ" increased by 134 since Thursday.

The U.S. has reported the most laboratory-confirmed cases with 5,764 вЂ" an increase of 54 cases вЂ" followed by Mexico with 3,892. It was unclear, however, if the increases reflected only a higher infection rate, or could also be partly explained by the fact that there has been more avid testing in those countries.

Also on Thursday, Mexico City lowered its swine flu alert level from yellow to green, and the mayor said "we can relax" now that there have been no new infections for a week.

Japan raised its tally by 35 to 294, while in Chile the caseload rose by 19 to 24.

Overall there have been 86 deaths linked to swine flu.

3 new locations considered for Ottawa parole office

The building at 1010 Somerset St. is no longer being considered as a possible location for Ottawa's parole office after residents protested that it is too close to homes and a school. (Kerry MacGregor/CBC)

The location of a new parole office in Ottawa has been a hot topic of debate among residents over the last few months, but on Thursday night, the argument finally cooled.

Correctional Service Canada announced at a public meeting Thursday that it has found three new possible locations вЂ" and a different approach.

June Blackburn, who is with the correctional service, said all three possible sites are now near office buildings rather than residential areas.

"I'm sure that the lessons taken from this consultation process will be applied to future consultation processes," said Blackburn.

Two sites now being considered are at 340 and 360 Laurier Ave. near Bank Street . The third, preferred, site is in the federally owned Jackson Building at 122 Bank St. and 257 Slater St., at Bank and Slater streets.

The 35 residents who came out to Thursday's meeting had a far different reaction than those who attended a previous meeting about the parole office's intended move.

"They have reassured me in the sense that there's a lot less parolees going through this place than I imagined there would be," said Jason Leclair, who just bought a condo at Bank and Laurier streets.

Residents protest

When the correctional service announced in March that it was considering a move to 1010 Somerset St. in Little Italy, residents came out to a public meeting to protest.

They argued that 1010 Somerset St. was too close to homes and a neighbourhood school.

Peter Van Loan, the federal minister of public safety, agreed and ordered the correctional service to come up with alternative downtown locations вЂ" the three that are now being proposed.

The parole office currently sits at Gilmour and Elgin streets, but in September, the correctional service's lease will run out.

Blackburn said the parole office still plans to be in its new location by then.

Charles Akben-Marchand, of the Centretown Citizens' Community Association, said he's optimistic that the issue will soon be resolved.

"It's had its ups and downs, and we think at the end of the day, it looks like it's gonna be a good result," he said.

Biden blasts 'spoilers of peace' ahead of Lebanon election

U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden reinforced America's support for Lebanon's sovereign democracy on Friday ahead of key parliamentary elections that could see the country's pro-Western majority ousted by a coalition led by the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah.

Speaking after a meeting with Lebanese President Michel Suleiman in Beirut, Biden said it was up to Lebanese voters to choose their own leaders, but the "enduring U.S. partnership" would depend on their commitment to "freedom."

Biden did not mention Hezbollah or its foreign backers by name, but issued a thinly veiled rebuke to the group while denying he or the United States was trying to influence the June 7 parliamentary vote.

"I urge those who would think about standing with the spoilers of peace not to miss this opportunity to walk away from the spoilers," he said.

Biden is the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit Lebanon in more than 25 years and the second in about a month from the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama, following in the footsteps of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

The attention underscores Washington's concerns about a possible win by Hezbollah, which the U.S. and Canada consider a terrorist group.

The White House said Biden's visit was meant "to reinforce the United States' support for an independent and sovereign Lebanon."

Hezbollah has accused the U.S. of interfering in the election in favour of pro-Western factions. The group said Friday that the visits by Biden and Clinton raised "strong suspicion and amounted to a clear and detailed interference in Lebanon's affairs."

With the election about two weeks away, this deepl

100 protest cellphone tower at convent

More than 100 people gathered Wednesday night at the Sisters of Saint Martha Convent in Charlottetown to protest the construction of a cell phone tower in the area.

'We don't have cell towers in residential areas. It doesn't make any sense.'вЂ" Coun. David MacDonald

Rogers Wireless is building the tower in a field that backs on to the convent and a row of houses along Mount Edward Road. City council voted against the project, but was overruled by Industry Canada.

Speaking at the protest, Coun. David MacDonald said Industry Canada shouldn't be allowed to overrule city council, and city planning should be left to local governments.

"Municipal governments are in place to look after the interests of the residents, and to ensure that municipalities are planned and orderly, and when planning does take place, it is done in such a way that protects the health of the residents, protects the freedom of the residents to enjoy their property and also ensures that there's clusters in community planning," said MacDonald.

"We have industrial areas, commercial areas, we have residential areas … we don't have cell towers in residential areas. It doesn't make any sense."

MacDonald said council proposed several alternative sites to Rogers, but the company decided the current location off Mount Edward Road was the best one.

Flaherty to announce new credit card rules: report

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty is set to announce new credit card regulations Thursday, says a report.

The Globe and Mail says the changes will require financial institutions to provide better disclosure about interest rates.

The government wants credit card companies to provide timely advance notice of changes to rates and fees, said the report.

However, the finance minister has reportedly ruled out tougher measures such as placing a ceiling on interest rates.

It comes a day after the U.S. Congress wrapped up legislation restricting when and how a credit card company can raise an

Flames dowsed, but 2 landmark Charlottetown businesses lost

At 9 p.m. Wednesday, the flames were concentrated on the pharmacy side of the building. (Tracy Lightfoot/CBC)

The building housing Maid Marian's Diner and the Sherwood Drug Mart on Brackley Point Road went up in flames Wednesday night.

By 9:30 p.m., an hour and a half after the fire began, the crowd of awestruck onlookers was six deep in places, watching as flames shot out of the roof of the building housing the diner and drugstore.

Robert Mitchell, the MLA for the area who was among the onlookers, said: "This is an unbelievable loss to the community: two mainstay businesses. At least three families affected and many, many employees, including two of my own children.

"My son and daughter both work at Maid Marian's. So a lot of emotion right now. A lot of emotion with everybody."

Employees from both businesses huddled off to the side and watched as their workplaces collapsed before their eyes. One woman who worked at the drugstore could say little when asked to comment.

"It's too personal," she said, wiping away tears.

The fire was fought from all four sides, with more than 50 firefighters.

Charlottetown fire Chief Bill Hogan said no one was injured, adding that was remarkable considering the challenges of fighting the fire.

"The restaurant of course and the grease that would be in a normal operation," said Hogan.

"Then in the pharmacy, well you take a walk through any pharmacy and just see everything that's in a modern-day pharmacy. We've had numerous small explosions. Those are probably aerosol cans. There's a huge fireload in these buildings. That's the contents inside the building to burn. And that's basically what's burning here now."

Hogan says it's too soon to say what caused the fire, but could say when firefighters arrived, the fire was mainly in the back between the two businesses.

Six propane tanks were inside Maid Marian's when the fire broke out.

Four tanks were removed but two were still inside at about 10 p.m. as the fire raged.

Hogan said at that time that the fire was contained, but still not under control.

YOUR VIEW: Will mediation help the Coyote battle?

NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly, centre, fields questions after an Arizona judge ordered the league and Phoenix Coyotes owner Jerry Moyes into mediation. (Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press)

At least 78 die in Hercules plane crash in Indonesia

A C-130 Hercules military transport.

At least 78 people died Wednesday morning in the crash of a C-130 Hercules military plane carrying more than 100 people on the Indonesian island of Java.

Many more are feared dead. Indonesian television showed video footage of burning jungle where the plane crashed. Soldiers were seen carrying bodies through a rice paddy on stretchers.

Air force spokesman Bambang Sulistyo said the plane was on a routine training mission when it crashed near an air force base in East Java province.

He said the plane was carrying 112 passengers and crew. It smashed into four houses in Gaplak village before skidding into a field.

The four-engine Hercules, in production since 1954, is one of the world's most successful military transports, perhaps rivalled only by the wartime Douglas DC-3, known to British and Canadian fliers as the Dakota.

The Hercules can carry 17 tonnes of cargo or 90 soldiers with light equipment. It has been a fixture of every U.S. war since Vietnam and played a key role in the 1976 Israeli raid on Entebbe, in which commandos swooped down to free hostages held at Uganda's international airport.

Government flexible on GM-CAW labour deadline: Clement

The federal and Ontario governments set last Friday as the deadline for GM to reach a new labour agreement with the Canadian Auto Workers, but the two sides were still mired in negotiations Tuesday. (Canadian Press)

Ottawa is flexible about when General Motors Canada and its union reach a new labour agreement, as long as it's part of a finished restructuring plan to be delivered by the end of May, Industry Minister Tony Clement says.

The federal and Ontario governments set last Friday as the deadline for GM to reach a new labour agreement with the Canadian Auto Workers, but the two sides were still mired in negotiations Tuesday.

Industry Minister Tony Clement says GM has until the end of May to provide governments in Canada and the United States with a restructuring plan. (Jacques Boissinot/Canadian Press)

"We need a resolution one way or the other by May 31," Clement told reporters Tuesday in Atlanta, where he was attending a biotechnology conference.

"GM is a very complex situation involving a multitude of countries and we are trying to exhibit as much patience as possible from Canada's perspective, though there are certain things that have to happen in order for there to be a deal."

The CAW said in a pamphlet sent to members that the federal and provincial governments are interfering in the talks, making an agreement difficult.

"Their lack of experience in labour relations, and their repeated threats to pull the plug entirely on GM Canada, have made this process all the more difficult," the pamphlet says.

Meanwhile, more than 250 General Motors dealerships across Canada will find out Wednesday that they will be shut down, according to TV news station CP24, which cited a source inside the company.

The company had initially slated the letters to be sent out by the end of the month, but will now send them to 264 auto outlets tomorrow instead.

Pension benefits a sticking point, union says

The union said the major sticking point is pension benefits. GM had a pension deficit of about $4.9 billion as of November 2007, but reports say that ballooned to $7 billion after financial markets crashed last year.

"We have moved mountains in trying to reduce the cost of pensions, without tampering with the level of benefits our retirees receive," the union said.

"We will not be blackmailed by governments and employers who see this as an opportunity to take away from all workers [not just CAW members], the principle that a worker deserves a fair and secure pension."

CAW members ratified a deal with GM in March, less than a year after settling a three-year contract, but the two levels of government almost immediately said it didn't do enough to cut costs.

Without a more stringent deal, the governments have said they won't give GM Canada the $6 billion in financial assistance it has requested, meaning in a worst-case scenario the company's Canadian assets could be liquidated.

GM has until the end of May to provide governments in Canada and the United States with a restructuring plan that could include filing for bankruptcy protection.

Clement will be in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday to discuss the progress of the talks with U.S. officials.

Where Does Magnesium Come From?

QUESTION: Every day I try to learn something new, for there seems to be so much that is changing in our world of today.
I have read that it is important for humans to have enough magnesium in their systems for good health.
I would like to know where magnesium comes from, what foods it might be in and how much is enough? Do you think you can put all that information in one column for me? Thank you for your kind attention.

ANSWER: I will be most happy to provide you with all this information.
There has been a lot of interest in magnesium lately, as investigators discover just how important it is for your health.
It is involved in a great many enzymatic processes that produces energy for the body.
Enzymes are proteins that help speed up chemical reactions that occur in our bodies.
Magnesium may also play a role in the electrical activity that goes on at the level of the cell membranes.
You don't need too much to keep up with you body's needs, since about 350 to 450 mg is the recommended dietary allowance for adults.
This amount is supplied by the average diet that contains vegetables and meats. Nuts and whole grains are also good sources for the magnesium needed by the body.
About 40 to 50 percent of the magnesium contained in the food you eat is absorbed in the small intestine, and then distributed around the body. Some of the symptoms that occur when there is too little magnesium in the system include depression and agitation, seizures, weakness and tremors in the muscles and difficulty in swallowing.
Of course these same symptoms can be brought about by many other medical problems, and so the diagnosis will depend upon the results of testing.
Magnesium deficiency can accompany parathyroid disease, thyroid disease, some endocrine disorders, kidney problems and cancer chemotherapy.
In some cases the use of thiazide diuretics (water pills) may be the principle cause for the low magnesium levels.
Restoring proper levels of magnesium can be quite simple as there are many preparations available for this purpose.
In cases of severe deficiency, the intravenous route may be needed.

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician.
Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.

Complicated Schedule for Medications

QUESTION: I am getting discouraged.
Each time I visit the doctor, I get a new schedule for my medications, and it is becoming very complicated.
With all your knowledge, why can't doctors figure out a way that reduces the number of times we have to take each medicine each day? Many of your patients really need this type of help.

ANSWER: Despite all our study and searching, we still don't know it all. There are a lot of medications that are prepared in ways to reduce the number of times per day they must be taken.
Some tricks have been to prepare "slow release" compounds which permit a small amount of medicine to be released at a time over a longer period of time.
Sometimes capsules can contain larger doses that can than last longer.
In the final analysis, however, it's the way our bodies work that makes once a day dosage impossible or impractical for certain kinds of medicines.
Just as we digest food by breaking our nourishment down into its basic components, medications are also "digested" by our body's metabolic processes.
Some chemicals break down faster, and so in order to keep enough in our system to do us some good, another pill must be taken after a rather brief period.
Our digestive system is another problem for oral medicines, as the stomach, small intestine, and large intestine all function in different ways.
That is why, when a patient is seriously ill, medicine is administered through solutions that pass directly into the blood stream, and thus avoid the problems of digestion. But don't let the problems of a complex schedule for medications stop you from taking them on time, and when you are supposed to.
Make a schedule, using a different color for each medicine, choosing a color that matches the pill color, to help you keep it all straight.
If you need more help ask for it, from your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse, or whoever is responsible for helping you.
And keep asking until you get answers you understand.
It is the right way to get the most from your medicines.

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician.
Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.

Medication Effects and the Elderly

QUESTION: Can the dullness we see in our mother, who is now in a nursing home, be due to the medication she is receiving? We saw the nurse give her 5 different pills all at the same time and got to wondering.
We hope you can answer this for us in the paper.

ANSWER: Yes, unfortunately.
Some drugs or drug combinations can cause what appears to be senility, depression, anxiety, or delirium in the elderly. Actually, many medications can have an effect on anyone's ability to think, but these effects are more frequently seen in the elderly since older people are more susceptible to the action of drugs and they get more prescriptions than younger individuals.
In addition, because many elderly take several medications for different problems, there may be adverse interactions between drugs that affect thinking. Before an elderly patient is diagnosed as having any mental impairment, a complete evaluation of their medications including what nonprescription drugs they use should be done by their physician.
Only medications that are absolutely necessary should be prescribed.
In some patients, the signs of mental illness or impaired thinking will go away if drug dosages are reduced or other drugs substituted.

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician.
Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.

The Current Thinking About Physical Examinations

QUESTION: I am used to going to my doctor each year for a complete physical examination.
I must admit I was somewhat surprised when he informed me that I wouldn't need one this year.
I don't mind skipping the bother, but I don't want to jeopardize my health.
Can you please advise me of the current thinking about these examinations.

ANSWER: Yes and no.
You don't need the complete annual physical anymore, every third year will do for most people under age 50, but certain medical tests should be done more frequently than that for some people. It used to be widely recommended that everyone have a complete physical, with a general examination and blood tests, every year to make sure they were in tip top health.
But, as medical costs soared in the 1970's, this idea came under fire as both a waste of time and money, especially for younger individuals.
Some tests and screening procedures simply don't need to be done every year, if a person is basically healthy. The primary purpose of a health exam is to catch any disease that is present in its earliest stage.
The exam must in itself be safe and effective. It is no use to run routine tests for uncommon diseases or tests that are not very accurate.
If screening every third year is just as effective as screening annually, there's no good excuse for doing it more frequently. The new system of physicals calls for selective tests for selected diseases at selected intervals.
In other words, a general physical exam, including exams for thyroid, testicle, prostate, ovarian, lymph node, and skin cancer, can be done every third year until age 40 or so.
Pap smears for women need to be done for two consecutive years to get a baseline reading, then every third year.
A baseline mammogram for breast cancer should be done between age 35 and 40 and then annually after age 50.
Women and men older than 50 should have yearly tests for colon cancer, including digital rectal exams and stool guaiac tests.
After age 50, sigmoidoscopy should be done every three to five years. Certain procedures can be individualized.
Blood tests for cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood lipids can be done annually if they are needed. Tests for hearing and visual acuity should be done only if needed. Immunizations for diphtheria/tetanus (needed every 10 years), flu (annually after age 65), and pneumonia (once after age 65), are a part of checkups. The only medical test that needs to be done yearly for everyone is a measurement of blood pressure.
If the first results are a bit high, then you should have the pressure rechecked a time or two before embarking on any costly testing.
Blood pressure can change rather dramatically depending upon the state of your emotions, circumstances and surroundings, as well as your physical state, and requires some rechecking before valid readings are obtained. Just because these tests are being done less often doesn't mean that you should be any less motivated about your own health care.
The fact is that you can really save some money without increasing your risks, if you assume some of the responsibility for your own wellness, and follow the rules of healthy living.
And if you are not too sure about those principles, keep reading, and I'll try to make you both healthier and wiser.

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician.
Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.

Anorexia Nervosa: The Deadliest of All Psychiatric Disorders

QUESTION: Please write something about the eating sickness that is causing my daughter to shrink away before my eyes.
Tell her it could affect her heart. Please help an anxious mother deal with this problem.

ANSWER: Anorexia nervosa is a serious illness.
Fifteen percent of all anorexia sufferers die, which makes it the deadliest of all psychiatric disorders.
Sudden deaths among anorexics are often due to the serious damage that the disorder causes to the heart. Researchers have known for a long time that anorexics have abnormal heart rhythms, including heart rates that are too fast or slow or that lack the proper rhythm.
Their hearts are also shrunken in size.
It had always been thought that when the body is starved, the heart and the brain are spared at the expense of other parts of the body, but an anorexic's heart appears to lose more weight and size proportionately than the rest of the body.
The size of the left ventricle, one of the chambers of the heart, in anorexics is especially reduced.
Bulimia eating and then vomiting can also cause heart problems due to chemical imbalances in the body. Because of these heart changes, anorexics cannot exercise as long as normal during exercise stress tests.
Their heart rates and blood pressures do not respond normally to the extra effort of exercise, as a healthy person's would.
It is still not known whether the heart returns to normal after the patient regains her weight or whether these changes are permanent.
Some studies have shown that the heart does increase in size as weight is gained. Your daughter needs professional treatment, and even the concern of a mother may not be enough to get her on the right path.
This warning should be clear enough to help make her seek medical care.

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician.
Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.

Ruptured Ascending Aortic Aneurysm

QUESTION: Can you provide info regarding ruptured ascending aortic aneurysm? Since my father died of it last year, I had several people tell me their fathers died of it too.
My father was an apparently healthy 56-year-old man who took good care of himself.
Anything you can tell me about this illness would be helpful.
Thank you.

ANSWER: Aortic dissection is not a rare disease, for there are about 2000 new cases diagnosed each year.
Men are affected about three times more frequently than women, and the disease is seen most frequently between the ages of 50 and 70, so your Dad falls right into the averages.
Many of the patients with the condition have atherosclerosis and hypertension, although it may occur when no hypertension has been found.
An aneurysm is the dilatation of an artery due to weakness and stretching of the artery wall forming a sac like structure. This wall has three layers, and all three layers are involved in the formation of the sac.
The most commonly accepted explanation of the formation of a dissecting aneurysm is that a tear develops in the inner layer of the wall. The pressure within the vessel, forces some of the blood into the tear, and it gradually works its way between two layers in a process known as "dissection". The ascending aorta is the part of the aorta that starts at the heart (right after the aortic valve and curves upward and around within the chest before it turns downward leading to the abdomen and the rest of the body (descending aorta).
This part of the aorta is the most common site for the origins of dissecting aneurysms.
The aneurysm may be present for some time before the dissection occurs, and can be totally without symptoms.
However when the dissection begins, there is usually sharp pain.
When this occurs, it is considered a true medical emergency for the possibility of death is quite high.
At one time as many as 90 percent of the patients died.
Treatment must start immediately, with the goal of lowering the blood pressure and stabilizing the patient's condition.
When rupture occurs there may be a sudden drop of blood pressure, in which case immediate surgical intervention is the only hope to save the patient's life.

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician.
Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.

Where Does Cystic Fibrosis Come From?

QUESTION: I would be very grateful to you if you would consider discussing cystic fibrosis in your column.
Can you please give me some information as to its causes or where it comes from? Thank you.

ANSWER: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a hereditary disease.
It is caused by a recessive gene, which means that a person can carry the gene without having CF, and that although the children of parents who carry the gene have a chance of getting CF, they also may be normal. In the United States, CF is most common in white people, affecting one in every 3,000 births, compared to only one in 17,000 black children, and it is even rarer among Oriental babies. Treatment of CF has improved to the point where half of children with CF live to adulthood.
Symptoms may include wheezing and coughing, but the clearest indicator of CF is that the child simply doesn't seem to thrive.
He or she will probably have a history of respiratory tract infections and poor digestion. Not only can tests diagnose whether a child has CF, new tests are helpful in identifying who is carrying the gene, in diagnosing the disease in newborns and even before birth, during the first trimester of pregnancy.
In families that already have at least one child with CF, DNA analysis can be used to diagnose CF during pregnancy.
The earlier CF is diagnosed, the sooner the family can begin to cope with it. Because CF runs in families, it is important for people who have a history of CF in their families to find out if they are carriers.
This information can help them to make informed choices about having children, and lead to early diagnosis and help for their children.
You can obtain further information from your doctor or by contacting your local Cystic Fibrosis Foundation that is listed in your local telephone book.

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician.
Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.

What Causes Diaper Rash?

QUESTION: Would you answer a rather simple question for a mother with a need for some information? Please explain what causes diaper rash?

ANSWER: More than 60 percent of all babies between four and fifteen months experience an occasional rash in the diaper area.
The symptoms may vary from a mild redness to painful open sores which extend into the folds of the thigh. In the past, diaper rash was blamed on such factors as teething, diet, and ammonia in the urine.
But experts now believe that diaper rash may be caused by too much moisture, as well as a wearing away of the skin's protective barrier from continual contact with urine and stool.
Wetness starts the process by removing the skin's natural oils.
Moist unprotected skin then becomes easily damaged by the constant rubbing action of the diaper, possibly leading to a stubborn long-lasting yeast infection. To prevent this, doctors advise prompt care of the diaper area, especially after a bowel movement.
Avoid excessive cleansing with soap and disposable wipes which can dry and irritate the skin.
If a rash still develops, despite every effort, a bland ointment containing zinc oxide may be of some help.

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician.
Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.

Is Douching With Products Found in the Drugstore Safe?

QUESTION: I need the answer to a question that is not discussed too frequently in columns like yours.
I would like to know if douching with products found in the drugstore are safe? My girlfriend claims she read that these products are the cause of PID (pelvic inflammatory disease), and I don't need more trouble than I already have.
Would you please answer this question for me?

ANSWER: This question involving feminine hygiene certainly does deserve an answer, and I have no problem responding to you in this column.
The simple answer is that when commercially prepared douching products are used as directed, and for the purposes indicated in the product literature, they pose no special problems for the user.
It is possible that there is some link between PID and douching, but it is not considered to be cause-effect relationship.
Douching may be used more frequently by woman who have multiple sexual partners, use this as a means of contraception or birth control (it is not), hope that it will prevent catching sexually transmitted disease (it won't), or to relieve symptoms of an already existing infection.
It for this reason we find that both douching and PID may exist in the same populations, but this fact alone does not establish a one to one tie.
Nor does everyone who does use this method of feminine cleanliness have some particular worry relating to their own sex life.
Since it seems as if you might wish to use douching for yourself, it is important to become fully informed.
Speak to your own doctor about the correct method, and ask counsel about products. Read the labels most carefully, and stick to the instructions that are provided.
If PID is a worry in your life, then openly ask your doctor about the disease, and find out just what the risk factors are and how to take precautions against Sexually Transmitted Disease, the types of infections that often lead to PID.
Now that I have made the first attempt to provide you with the information you requested, the next important steps are up to you.

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician.
Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.

Do You Consider Birth Control Pills Safe?

QUESTION: Maybe I am just over cautious, but I would like more information about the safety of birth control pills.
I am starting to take them again after a second child, but remember there were many articles about their dangers some years ago.
Do you consider them safe, and are they very effective? Our family is just the right size now.

ANSWER: In the early days of oral contraceptives, there were many reports of unwanted and undesirable side effects.
These were related to the dosage of hormones contained in those preparations.
However, as time progressed a whole array of new, low-dose formulations became available to physicians, the number and intensity of side effects diminished and the safety factor increased. These new low-dose varieties have demonstrated a high degree of effectiveness, and are now considered the most effective reversible method of birth control (other than injectable progestin).
Since there are so many combinations available, a physician can prescribe the dosage form that best suits the needs of a patient, and certainly the one with the least side effects.
There still are some commonly occurring side effects, nausea, headache and weight gain, but they frequently pass after a short time, or can be alleviated by switching to another combination of medications or to one with a different dose of hormones.
The often expressed concern of death from these prescriptions is not born out in fact, as this event is extremely rare.
In a nonsmoking patient, death from an auto accident is ten times more likely than from birth control pills.
Though there are a number of situations in which birth control pills should not be prescribed, history of stroke, clots in the veins, coronary artery disease, known or suspected cancer of the breast, or impaired liver function among others, there are also many benefits beside birth control that result from these medications.
They include lower incidence of pelvic inflammatory disease, ovarian cancer, fibrocystic disease, premenstrual tension syndrome and others.
In addition there are fewer menstrual cramps, less intense flow and more predictable menses.
You may have some concerns answered by asking your doctor about the specific type of medication prescribed for you, and requesting literature about your medication.

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician.
Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.

Is Morning Dizziness Something to Worry About?

QUESTION: When I first get up in the morning and get out of bed, I sometimes get very dizzy and have to hold on to something so I won't fall.
It doesn't happen every time, but often enough to have me concerned.
Is this something for me to worry about and do you think it is worth a visit to the doctor?

ANSWER: This situation, called "orthostatic hypotension," occurs when there is a sudden fall of blood pressure in the body after suddenly assuming an upright position, and is not a disease in and of itself, but rather a result of abnormal blood pressure regulation.
When you suddenly elevate your head to several feet above the ground, the pull of gravity is exerted on your blood flow, causing the blood to pool in your legs, thus reducing the amount available to the head and brain.
The heart may take several seconds to respond to the need, and during that time you experience the faintness, lightheadedness and dizziness that comes with a lack of oxygen to the brain. One solution is to arise in a more gradual fashion, placing your feet on the floor for a few seconds before actually standing up.
Since there are many possible causes for this condition, including the effects of some medications, a visit to your physician for a more complete answer in your case is not unwise.

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician.
Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.

What Connection Is There Between Paget's Disease and Breast Cancer?

QUESTION: Can you please tell me what connection there is between Paget's Disease and breast cancer? I know of Paget's as a bone disease, for which my husband is now taking medication.
However we have reports of an aunt with the same problem, and they are considering breast surgery.
We are totally confused and hope you can clear this one up for us.

ANSWER: The connection is Sir James Paget, a British surgeon who lived from 1814 to 1899, and who wrote on a number of medical subjects including an eczema of the breast nipple (Paget's I) and a bone growth problem called osteitis deformans (Paget's II).
In describing the breast rash, Paget wrote an article in 1874 for the St.
Bartholomew Hospital Reporter, a publication of the hospital with which he was associated for his entire life, and correctly noted that this skin lesion was almost invariably associated with an underlying mammary cancer.
It was a remarkable clinical observation by this exceptionally alert surgeon/pathologist.
The rash is an oozing, scaly red plaque with sharply marked edges.
It can provoke a burning sensation, itchiness, or be sore and tender.
However a biopsy examination reveals the typical Paget cells that may have entered into the skin from the cancer below. It is almost always seen in women between the ages of 50 and 60, but another form called Extramammary Paget's disease can be seen in men as well.
Another form has also been described on the penis as well as the vulva.
The condition is slowly progressive, and so surgery is advised for all cases where the biopsy has been performed and diagnosed as positive for cancer cells.
The extent of the surgery depends upon the size and location of the tumor, and the condition is treated as any other breast cancer.
Here is another case where the patient must remain alert and seek help at once.
The early discovery of the condition and the prompt and appropriate treatment gives the patient the best chances of a complete recovery, and since this is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I found your question most interesting and an appropriate one to answer at once.

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician.
Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.

Concern About the Chance of Getting Ill From Eating Eggs

QUESTION: We are very concerned about the chance of getting ill from eating eggs.
We would like more information about that.
We are also very curious about how the infection gets into the egg, for we always thought that everything inside of a whole egg shell would be pretty well protected.
Will you please provide us with these answers?

ANSWER: The illness you fear is brought on by an infection caused by the Salmonella enteritidis, which causes a serious condition called "gastroenteritis".
This starts about 12 to 48 hours after eating a food tainted with these bacteria, and may begin with nausea and cramp abdominal pain, followed by diarrhea, fever and sometimes vomiting.
In uncomplicated cases, it is treated symptomatically with fluids and a bland diet, antibiotics being reserved for the more serious cases.
There was a similar outbreak of this type of salmonella infection associated with chicken eggs back in the 1960's.
At that time it was felt that the infection had been spread by chicken feces on the outside of the eggs, with the bacteria penetrating into the egg itself through pores or cracks in the shell.
The rate of contamination was greatly reduced when a system of inspection, disinfection and grading of eggs was instituted by federal legislation.
Now it is felt that some of the chickens may have internal organs that are infected and that the bacteria is introduced into the egg before the shell has formed.
However, you may still eat any egg that has been properly cooked without fearing an infection.
Eggs should be boiled for seven minutes, poached for five minutes, or fried for three minutes on each side.
You may also greatly reduce any chances of infection by avoiding raw eggs, or foods made with raw eggs, and by storing your eggs properly at temperatures below 45 degrees F.
You can obtain more information about this subject in a consumer bulletin prepared by the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service entitled "Handling Eggs Safely At Home". Call the information division at (202) 447-2356 and ask them to mail you a free copy.

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician.
Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.

What is "Erythrasma"?

QUESTION: I have been trying to clear up a peculiar skin rash for some time. After one doctor diagnosed it as a fungal rash, I took a good deal of medicine that didn't work.
My new doctor claims it isn't a fungus at all but a different condition called "erythrasma" (I made him write it down so I am sure the spelling is right).
Can you explain condition to me and what special treatment may be necessary to cure it?

ANSWER: Good for you.
Getting the name of your condition properly spelled is a great first step towards understanding what it is and what must be done. Erythrasma is a superficial skin infection caused be a bacteria (Corynebacterium minutissimum) which is seen most commonly in adults.
It looks a lot like a fungal infection and forms irregular pink patches which often turn brown with a fine scale along the thighs, trunk, axilla or groin. It can also cause a scaly rash between the toes that looks like athlete's foot.
It will probably clear up quite quickly with 2 weeks of antibiotic therapy using either oral erythromycin or tetracycline.

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician.
Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.

Has the New Drug Etidronate Been Approved by the FDA?

QUESTION: Recently I read about the new drug etidronate which is supposedly a real break through in treating osteoporosis with very minimal side effects. Our doctor seems to know nothing of this drug, but our pharmacist says with a prescription he can order it and have it in the next day.
Could you please advise if and when this drug was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and when it will be on the market? I am sure many people are eager to learn more about this important drug.

ANSWER: Your letter brings up some important points that have been included in recent mail from other readers and so I am pleased to respond.
The articles you have been reading about etidronate followed the publication of two reports about new research using this medication presented in the New England Journal of Medicine in May and July of this year.
One study was conducted in Denmark, involved 66 patients and covered a three year period.
A much larger study involved 429 women with postmenopausal osteoporosis was conducted over a two year period in centers in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Atlanta, Seattle, Honolulu, Denver and Columbus, Ohio.
A method called "intermittent cyclic therapy" (ICT) was used in both studies.
Contrary to the thinking of many people, bone is not a dead tissue, but a dynamic one, constantly being torn down and rebuilt by special cells.
The osteoclasts are responsible for tearing down old bone, with the osteoblasts working to rebuild the bone and form new bony structures.
During most of our adult life these two processes are pretty much in balance, but after menopause, the osteoclasts get the upper hand, with more destruction of bone than new building.
The result is a thinner or more porous bone, thus the name osteoporosis.
In these experiments etidronate was given to slow down the osteoclastic activity for a period of time (15 days), and then stopped, permitting the osteoblasts to function and rebuild bone.
During the bone rebuilding portion of the cycle, calcium supplements were given to help the process.
The entire cycle spanned a three month period and then was repeated.
Both groups of researchers reported that bone mass improved (as measured by bone density techniques) during the therapy, and more important still, that the number of vertebral fractures (the type that cause the formation of a "dowager's hump" or spinal curvature) was significantly reduced in the group receiving etidronate when compared to the control group.
Etidronate is not unknown to doctors practicing in the United States.
It is currently marketed under the name Didronel by Norwich Eaton, and is already approved for use in treating Paget's Disease of the bone, and is considered safe and effective for this indication by the FDA.
However, when a medication that has been approved for one indication is found useful for a new disease or indication, the manufacturer must submit evidence and scientific data to the FDA to prove that it is an effective treatment for the new disorder as well.
The news is that the manufacturer has submitted the results of these two studies as well as other supportive data to the FDA at this time and is awaiting its decision.
Just how long the process will take is unknown, but I will be happy to let you know when it occurs.
So your pharmacist is correct, he can order the medication now, but I would strongly advise your physician to read these two articles before deciding to issue a prescription, because the medication must be taken in a very precise manner to obtain the same results as these investigations.

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician.
Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.

What Can be Done to Help an Anorexic?

QUESTION: I don't wish to be an over possessive mother, but my daughter's actions and condition make me very suspicious that she may be anorexic.
She is not at all her outgoing self, and we no longer can talk to one another. What can I do to help her? I need your help very much.

ANSWER: Thanks to a media that dwells on our nation's psyche, we've become somewhat of an educated people.
We are probably more alert to subtle character changes in the people that live and work around us and therefore can step forward to assist at a much earlier stage of a disease or condition than ever before.
This can be tremendously important in conditions such as the one you now face.
Challenged by the possibility of an eating disorder in one you love, suspicions may lead to more precise observations, which in turn can be the first necessary step towards decisive and appropriate actions.
Become an aware and concerned observer of your daughter's habits and seek the answers to these questions.
Are the amounts of food she eats much less than normal? Has she become suddenly secretive? Does she spend a great deal of time in the bathroom with the water running, possibly disguising the sounds of vomiting, common to the bulimic? The anorexic will starve away; the bulimic is a binge eater, who then purges herself of her food.
Both disorders are most common in female adolescents. If these signs are clear cut, gently but firmly confront your daughter with your suspicions.
Do not let your own anxiety affect your attitude, but be the warm, loving mother your letter shows you to be.
Convince your daughter that you only wish to help her, and stay away from any guilt producing comments.
Then get your doctor on board.
Though both disorders demand long psychological counseling, the primary consideration is the nutritional state of the patient, something which must be dealt with at once. So call your physician now for further guidance and assistance in following additional avenues of support for your daughter.

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician.
Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.

What Are Anti-Kell Antibodies?

QUESTION: I have been a regular blood donor since 1960.
Recently I received a letter from our local Red Cross Blood Bank informing me that I have anti-Kell antibodies and that doctors should be made aware of this if I ever need a blood transfusion.
Exactly what are anti-Kell antibodies?

ANSWER: There are many types of antigens present on red cells.
An antigen is any substance capable, under appropriate conditions, of producing a specific immune response.
Usually blood is typed for A, B, O and Rh-D antigens during a normal test, but the other antigens, including Kell, Duffy, Kidd (all named for their discoverers) and other Rh antigens may also produce an antibody response.
When blood containing these antibodies comes in contact with blood possessing the matching antigens, a reaction called "hemolysis" (destruction of red blood cells) may occur.
No treatment is necessary, but when continued transfusions are necessary, only blood that lacks the offending antigens should be used.
Specifically for you, you would need blood that has no Kell antigens, since your own blood now has anti-Kell antibodies.
It is nothing you should be concerned about now, but is important information for your physician should you require a transfusion.

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician.
Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.

Is it Possible to be Born Without an Anus?

QUESTION: My friend claims he was born without an "anus" (my translation: AHB).
Is this possible? How could he still be alive now? If this is just a gag, you don't have to answer it, but if it could be I would like to know how.

ANSWER: Yes, it is possible, and it's called an "Imperforate Anus" in medical circles.
It is the result of an inherited malformation, a membrane, and occurs in males.
It is present at birth, and the first sign of its presence may be the lack of any stools in the first days of life.
After two or three days, the abdomen begins to distend from accumulating gases in the colon and intestine.
The membrane can be felt on rectal examination if it is low down, but can also be shown on x-ray.
With the infant's head down, an object that is opaque to x-rays is inserted in the anus.
Gas in the colon rises, and can be shown to be separated from the opaque object by a membrane of varying thickness.
Once discovered, a surgical procedure is used to remove the obstruction, and restore the opening to normal.
The condition requires a most careful evaluation, for frequently it is associated with other malformations of the lower intestinal tract.

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician.
Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.