Publications by authors named "Acker A"

For patients undergoing abdominal surgery, postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) are a major source of morbidity and mortality. The use of point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS), and specifically POCUS of the lungs, has seen many advancements in recent years. We hypothesize that perioperative lung ultrasonography can be used as a predictor for PPCs.

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  • The study examines differences in foot deformities, specifically Progressive Collapsing Foot Deformity (PCFD) with and without Hallux Valgus (HV), using weightbearing computed tomography in patients aged 18 and over.
  • Findings show that PCFD with HV exhibits greater angles and pronation at key joints compared to PCFD without HV, indicating significant structural variations.
  • The results highlight important associations between HV deformity and specific foot angles, suggesting a need for targeted clinical assessment and treatment based on these deformities.
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Background: The main goal of this study was to evaluate postoperative changes in the length of the first metatarsal (M1) and the proximal phalanx of the hallux (P1) after acellular dermal allograft interpositional arthroplasty (ADA-IPA). We hypothesized that there would be a shortening of the first ray at the first metatarsal, the proximal phalanx, or both.

Methods: In this retrospective study, we assessed patients who underwent ADA-IPA between 2019 and 2022.

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  • - First metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint fusion is a common surgery for advanced joint issues, effective for both older and younger patients since the 1950s
  • - The procedure generally results in good long-term success and needs few revisions, but complications like arthritis in adjacent joints can happen
  • - Successful fusion can sometimes lead to problems like nonunion or malunion, highlighting the importance of selecting the right patients for the surgery
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Hallux rigidus is a degenerative arthritic condition affecting the first metatarsophalangeal joint. Prevalence in patients aged 50 years and above is estimated at 20% to 30%, with a portion being symptomatic. Conservative treatment's efficacy is linked to initial pain levels; though shoe modifications and insoles are commonly recommended, their true effectiveness lacks strong evidence.

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Cysteine-focused chemical proteomic platforms have accelerated the clinical development of covalent inhibitors for a wide range of targets in cancer. However, how different oncogenic contexts influence cysteine targeting remains unknown. To address this question, we have developed "DrugMap," an atlas of cysteine ligandability compiled across 416 cancer cell lines.

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Objectives: In 2017, Queen's University launched Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) across 29 programs simultaneously. Two years post-implementation, we asked key stakeholders (faculty, residents, and program leaders) within the Pediatrics program for their perspectives on and experiences with CBME so far.

Methods: Program leadership explicitly described the intended outcomes of implementing CBME.

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Introduction: Previous national registry studies have reported an increased risk of eating disorders in immune-mediated conditions (inflammatory bowel disease and celiac disease). Our objective was to examine the association between immune-mediated gastrointestinal (GI) diseases and incident eating disorders in Ontario.

Methods: This was a retrospective matched cohort study of individuals <50 years of age with a diagnosis of an immune-mediated GI disease between 2002 and 2020 ("cases").

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  • Stromal cells are crucial for maintaining the balance of epithelial and immune cells and are significant in the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
  • The research investigates the stromal response to inflammation in pediatric IBD, identifying specific inflammatory reactions in different parts of the colon and intestinal layers.
  • Findings show that certain fibroblasts and monocytes/macrophages interact closely in the intestine, with fibroblasts promoting the conversion of monocytes into a specific type of macrophage that resembles those found in young IBD patients, indicating the stroma's role in guiding macrophage development.
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Background: A 32 year old patient who sustained an ipsilateral Gustilo Anderson 3C open fractures of the distal femur and tibia, following an MVA (Motor Vehicle Accident). The femoral shaft fracture had a 6 cm gap, which was spanned with a tibial diaphyseal autograft harvested from the amputated ipsilateral leg and stabilized with a retrograde intramedullary nail, thus enabling preservation of the knee joint and a functional weight bearing below knee prosthesis.

Conclusion: Distal femur segmental gap reconstruction using ipsilateral amputated tibia in trauma setting was shown to be a feasible surgical technique.

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Cysteine-focused chemical proteomic platforms have accelerated the clinical development of covalent inhibitors of a wide-range of targets in cancer. However, how different oncogenic contexts influence cysteine targeting remains unknown. To address this question, we have developed , an atlas of cysteine ligandability compiled across 416 cancer cell lines.

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Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are considered innate counterparts of adaptive T cells; however, their common and unique transcriptional signatures in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (pIBD) are largely unknown. Here, we report a dysregulated colonic ILC composition in pIBD colitis that correlates with inflammatory activity, including accumulation of naive-like CD45RACD62L ILCs. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) reveals modules of genes that are shared or unique across innate and adaptive lymphocytes.

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Objective: Serious adverse events, such as wrong-side, wrong-organ, wrong-procedure, or wrong-person errors, still occur despite the implementation of preventative measures. In France, we describe the claims related to such errors based on the database from one of the main insurance companies.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of claims declared between January 2007 and December 2017 to Relyens, a medical liability insurance company (Sham), was performed.

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  • NVL-520 shows strong effectiveness in targeting ROS1 and can handle various ROS1 resistance mutations.
  • It selectively targets the ROS1 G2032R mutation better than TRK, making it a promising option.
  • The drug also penetrates the brain, offering potential benefits for ROS1 fusion-positive patients compared to older TKIs.
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Flail chest, a severe chest injury, is caused by multiple rib fractures. The open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of rib fractures is an effective treatment; however, the patients' subsequent condition remains unsatisfactory in terms of the activities of daily living (ADL) and pain. No research study has, as yet, reported on hospital-based rehabilitation of patients who had undergone an ORIF.

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Objectives: Quaternary care centres have an imperative to serve as hospitals of last resort and must also meet professional quality targets. We developed a high-risk committee (HRC) to evaluate cases meeting pre-defined predicted risk cut-offs as a part of an overall quality improvement drive.

Methods: We describe the structure, outcomes and effects of the Penn HRC.

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Coronary artery aneurysm and coronary cameral fistula are both often incidentally discovered, and uncommon diagnoses. A coronary artery aneurysm is defined as being 1.5x the size of the adjacent normal coronary artery, while a coronary cameral fistula is a coronary artery that has an abnormal tract directly into a chamber of the heart.

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Objective: Bariatric surgeries involve manipulation of the viscera and are associated with significant postoperative pain. Paracetamol is a nonopioid analgesic with a rapid onset, and it is effective and safe. The study compared the effects of pre- and postincisional intravenous paracetamol administration for optimal postoperative pain management in patients undergoing bariatric surgeries.

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Metazoans have developed strategies to protect themselves from pathogenic attack. These preserved mechanisms constitute the immune system, composed of innate and adaptive responses. Among the two kinds, the innate immune system involves the activation of a fast response.

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Individuals experiencing homelessness face unique barriers to oral health care. In collaboration with local universities in Ottawa, Canada, research was conducted to explore the experiences of Community Veterinary Outreach (CVO) clients in accessing oral health care. CVO utilizes a One Health approach, providing preventive veterinary care alongside human health care services to promote health service uptake among pet owners experiencing homelessness.

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Subacute groin complications associated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) cannulation are well recognized, yet their effects on clinical outcomes remain unknown. This single-center, retrospective study reviewed all patients receiving venoarterial ECMO from 01/2017 to 02/2020. Cohorts analyzed included transplanted patients (TPs) and non-transplanted patients (N-TPs) who did or did not develop ECMO-related subacute groin complications.

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  • Lorlatinib is the leading treatment for ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer, but patients can develop various mutations that make the drug less effective.
  • After studying these mutations, researchers found that the most common ones were ALK G1202R and I1171N/S/T, which contribute to resistance against lorlatinib.
  • The team also discovered new lorlatinib analogs that are more effective against specific mutations, suggesting a need for personalized treatment plans based on the type of mutation found in patients.
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