Impact of Clinical Trial Enrollment on Thrombolysis Workflow in a Mobile Stroke Unit: Results from the AcT Trial.

Background: The Edmonton-based mobile stroke unit (MSU), which transports patients to the University of Alberta Hospital (UAH), enrolled patients in the Intravenous Tenecteplase Compared with Alteplase for Acute Ischemic Stroke (AcT) trial. We examined the feasibility of trial enrollment in MSU, its impact on acute stroke workflow metrics and functional outcomes at 90-120 days.

Methods: In this post hoc analysis, patients were divided into three groups based on enrollment site: MSU ( = 43), UAH ( = 273) and non-UAH ( = 1261).

On-the-move heterogeneous face recognition in frequency and spatial domain using sparse representation.

Heterogeneity of a probe image is one of the most complex challenges faced by researchers and implementers of current surveillance systems. This is due to existence of multiple cameras working in different spectral ranges in a single surveillance setup. This paper proposes two different approaches including spatial sparse representations (SSR) and frequency sparse representation (FSR) to recognize on-the-move heterogeneous face images with database of single sample per person (SSPP).

Screening of Toxoplasmosis in Owned and Stray Dogs of District Faisalabad, Pakistan through Latex Agglutination and Indirect ELISA.

Introduction: (an intracellular protozoan) causes toxoplasmosis in warm-blooded animals, including humans and dogs. The present study was carried out to investigate the seroprevalence of canine toxoplasmosis in the owned and stray populations of dogs in Faisalabad District, Punjab, Pakistan.

Materials And Methods: Commercially available Latex Agglutination Test (LAT) kits were used for the screening of samples (139 stray and 150 owned), followed by confirmation through ELISA.

Adherence to Anticoagulation Interruption Guidelines in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation.

Introduction: Annually, 15% of patients who receive oral anticoagulation require interruption for surgery or an invasive procedure. This study evaluates the adherence of patients with atrial fibrillation with a history of stroke or transient ischemic attack to the Thrombosis Canada Perioperative guidelines for the discontinuation and reinitiation of anticoagulation treatment.

Methods: We collected data from a prospective patient survey at the Stroke Prevention Clinic in the University of Alberta hospital.

Trends in Stroke Presentations before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Meta-Analysis.

Background And Purpose: There are reports of decline in the rates of acute emergency presentations during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic including stroke. We performed a meta-analysis of the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on rates of stroke presentations and on rates of reperfusion therapy.

Methods: Following the Meta-analysis Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines, we systematically searched the literature for studies reporting changes in stroke presentations and treatment rates before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

White matter hyperintensities in patients with Parkinson's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Mechanisms driving neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease (PD) are unclear and neurovascular dysfunction may be a contributing factor. White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are commonly found on brain MRI in patients with PD. It is controversial if they are more prevalent or more severe in PD compared with controls.

Global Impact of COVID-19 on Stroke Care and IV Thrombolysis.

Objective: To measure the global impact of COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of IV thrombolysis (IVT), IVT transfers, and stroke hospitalizations over 4 months at the height of the pandemic (March 1 to June 30, 2020) compared with 2 control 4-month periods.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, observational, retrospective study across 6 continents, 70 countries, and 457 stroke centers. Diagnoses were identified by their ICD-10 codes or classifications in stroke databases.

Pre-hospital triage of suspected acute stroke patients in a mobile stroke unit in the rural Alberta.

Mobile Stroke Unit (MSU) expedites the delivery of intravenous thrombolysis in acute stroke patients. We further evaluated the functional outcome of patients shipped to a tertiary care centre or repatriated to local hospitals after triage by MSU in acute stroke syndrome in rural northern Alberta. Consecutive patients with suspected acute stroke syndrome were included.

Early Recanalization With Alteplase in Stroke Because of Large Vessel Occlusion in the ESCAPE Trial.

Background And Purpose: Quantitating the effect of intravenous alteplase on the technical outcome of early recanalization of large vessel occlusions aids understanding. We report the prevalence of early recanalization in patients with stroke because of large vessel occlusion treated with and without intravenous alteplase and endovascular thrombectomy, and its association with clinical outcome.

Methods: Patients with acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion from the ESCAPE trial (Endovascular Treatment for Small Core and Anterior Circulation Proximal Occlusion With Emphasis on Minimizing CT to Recanalization Times Trial) were included in this post hoc analysis.

Construction and Analysis of a Novel Wearable Assistive Device for a Visually Impaired Person.

In this paper, we have given the design and development of a new wearable device that assists visually impaired individuals to travel independently and confidently. The newly proposed device is based on range-based sensors and would work effectively in both indoor and outdoor conditions. It is constructed in the form of two separate modules; one module is designed such that it can be attached to the waist belt of the user, and the other module is designed to wear it on ankle of the user.

Circulating microRNA in cardiovascular disease.

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and heart failure (HF) are two major causes of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Early diagnosis of these conditions is essential to instigate immediate treatment that may result in improved outcomes. Traditional biomarkers of AMI include cardiac troponins and other proteins released from the injured myocardium but there are a number of limitations with these biomarkers especially with regard to specificity.

Circulating 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 mRNA and cardiovascular risk factors.

11beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11beta-HSD1) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of central obesity and metabolic syndrome. It has been shown that tissue-specific mRNA is present in blood, raising the possibility that quantifiable levels of 11beta-HSD1 mRNA may also be present in circulation. The aim of this study was to determine whether a relationship exists between circulating 11beta-HSD1 mRNA levels and various cardiovascular risk factors.

Effect of hypoxia on circulating levels of retina-specific messenger RNA in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Previously it was shown that the circulating rhodopsin mRNA level was higher in diabetic retinopathy (DR). Recent evidence suggests that hypoxia may also be associated with DR. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of oxygen desaturation on circulating retina-specific mRNA in type 2 diabetic patients.

Overview of circulating nucleic acids in plasma/serum.

The existence of circulating nucleic acids in plasma and serum (CNAPS) was first described almost six decades ago. However, the prognostic and diagnostic utility of this circulating DNA/RNA has only really begun to be appreciated in the last decade. Earlier studies concentrated mainly on investigations concerned with fetal medicine and oncology, and significant progress was made in both specialities.

Circulating nucleic acids and diabetic complications.

Diabetes mellitus is a major health problem across the world. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) and nephropathy are two of the major complications of diabetes. DR is the leading cause of blindness and diabetic nephropathy is the leading cause of end-stage renal failure.

Circulating nucleic acids in plasma and serum: recent developments.

Nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) have been detected in plasma, serum, urine, and other body fluids from healthy subjects as well as in patients. The ability to detect and quantitate specific DNA and RNA sequences has opened up the possibility of diagnosis and monitoring of diseases. With the recent developments in the field of circulating nucleic acids the application in the diagnostic field has increased.

Real-time quantitative PCR measurement of circulatory rhodopsin mRNA in healthy subjects and patients with diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy is the commonest complication of diabetes and is the biggest single cause of registered blindness in the UK. No biochemical tests exist to determine the precise state and rate of change of the eyes in the diabetic patient. In the present study, using real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), we measured mRNA encoding the retina-specific pigment protein rhodopsin (RHO) in the peripheral blood of healthy individuals (n = 20) and diabetic patients (n = 46) with and without retinopathy.

Real-time quantitative PCR measurement of thyroglobulin mRNA in peripheral blood of thyroid cancer patients and healthy subjects.

Follow-up of recurrent differentiated thyroid carcinoma involves the measurement of serum thyroglobulin (Tg). However, Tg autoantibodies are present in a high proportion of thyroid carcinoma patients (up to 25%) and these can interfere with the Tg immunoassays. To overcome this obstacle, investigators have used real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to measure Tg mRNA in the blood of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer, with varying degrees of success.

Role of cell-free plasma DNA as a diagnostic marker for prostate cancer.

Recent evidence has shown elevated levels of cell-free plasma DNA in cancer patients. The aim of the present study was to quantify and compare the levels of cell-free plasma DNA in patients with prostate cancer, prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN), and benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) to examine if it offered a useful diagnostic test. Blood samples were obtained from 37 patients attending a clinic for prostate biopsies.