Investigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the occurrence of medication incidents in Canadian community pharmacies.

As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded, community pharmacies adapted rapidly to broaden and adjust the services they were providing to patients, while coping with severe pressure on supply chains and constrained social interactions. This study investigates whether these events had an impact on the medication incidents reported by pharmacists. Results indicate that Canadian pharmacies were able to sustain such stress while maintaining comparable safety levels.

Organ Dysfunction in Children With Blood Culture-Proven Sepsis: Comparative Performance of Four Scores in a National Cohort Study.

Objectives: Previous studies applying Sepsis-3 criteria to children were based on retrospective analyses of PICU cohorts. We aimed to compare organ dysfunction criteria in children with blood culture-proven sepsis, including emergency department, PICU, and ward patients, and to assess relevance of organ dysfunctions for mortality prediction.

Design: We have carried out a nonprespecified, secondary analysis of a prospective dataset collected from September 2011 to December 2015.

Traumatic subgaleal hematoma drainage in an adolescent: a case report and review of the literature.

Background: Subgaleal hematoma is a well-known life-threatening complication of instrumentation at birth. Even though most cases of subgaleal hematomas occur in the neonatal period, older children and adults are also at risk for subgaleal hematomas and their complications, following head trauma.

Objective: We hereby report the case of a 14-year-old boy who presented with a traumatic subgaleal hematoma requiring drainage and review the relevant literature regarding potential complications and indications for surgical intervention.

Statistical multi-level shape models for scalable modeling of multi-organ anatomies.

Statistical shape modeling is an indispensable tool in the quantitative analysis of anatomies. Particle-based shape modeling (PSM) is a state-of-the-art approach that enables the learning of population-level shape representation from medical imaging data (e.g.

X-Ray to DRR Images Translation for Efficient Multiple Objects Similarity Measures in Deformable Model 3D/2D Registration.

The robustness and accuracy of the intensity-based 3D/2D registration of a 3D model on planar X-ray image(s) is related to the quality of the image correspondences between the digitally reconstructed radiographs (DRR) generated from the 3D models (varying image) and the X-ray images (fixed target). While much effort may be devoted to generating realistic DRR that are similar to real X-rays (using complex X-ray simulation, adding densities information in 3D models, etc.), significant differences still remain between DRR and real X-ray images.

Virtual Scoliosis Surgery Using a 3D-Printed Model Based on Biplanar Radiographs.

The aim of this paper is to describe a protocol that simulates the spinal surgery undergone by adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) by using a 3D-printed spine model. Patients with AIS underwent pre- and postoperative bi-planar low-dose X-rays from which a numerical 3D model of their spine was generated. The preoperative numerical spine model was subsequently 3D printed to virtually reproduce the spine surgery.

Persuasive Technologies and Social Interactions in Professional Environments: Embedded Qualitative Case Study.

Background: Although previous studies have highlighted the impact of interactions on the web in the context of patient-health care professional (HCP) dyads, this paper extends that context to a triad that includes the role of employers and associated settings with social groups.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate how the interactions between individuals and the social use of the platform affect individuals' use of persuasive technology and, in turn, their work environment actions and responses, by implementing a persuasive technology health and wellness platform in a work environment.

Methods: For 8 months, we deployed a persuasive technology platform with different combinations of health-related features and content in 1 embedded case design with 8 fire stations for a small Canadian city (total number of participant firefighters, n=141) assigned to 1 of 2 treatments-interactive or static webpages.

Combined Beneficial Effect of Voluntary Physical Exercise and Vitamin D Supplementation in Diet-induced Obese C57BL/6J Mice.

Purpose: Physical exercise (PE) combined with nutritional approaches has beneficial effects that are widely advocated to improve metabolic health. Here we used voluntary PE together with vitamin D (VD) supplementation, which has already shown beneficial effects in primary and tertiary prevention in obese mice models, to study their combined additive effects on body weight management, glucose homeostasis, metabolic inflammation, and liver steatosis as key markers of metabolic health.

Methods: Ten-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were fed a high-fat/sucrose (HFS) diet for 10 wk, then assigned to a 15-wk intervention period with PE, VD supplementation, or both PE and VD supplementation.

Age, thyroglobulin levels and ATA risk stratification predict 10-year survival rate of differentiated thyroid cancer patients.

Introduction: Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is the most common of endocrine cancers. Many studies have focused on recurrence-free survival of DTC patients, however, few studies have addressed overall survival rates. Given its very good prognosis, estimating overall or long-term survival in patients with DTC seems rational.

Toward Automated 3D Spine Reconstruction from Biplanar Radiographs Using CNN for Statistical Spine Model Fitting.

To date, 3D spine reconstruction from biplanar radiographs involves intensive user supervision and semi-automated methods that are time-consuming and not effective in clinical routine. This paper proposes a new, fast, and automated 3D spine reconstruction method through which a realistic statistical shape model of the spine is fitted to images using convolutional neural networks (CNN). The CNNs automatically detect the anatomical landmarks controlling the spine model deformation through a hierarchical and gradual iterative process.

Stimulated Thyroglobulin and Thyroglobulin Reduction Index Predict Excellent Response in Differentiated Thyroid Cancers.

Context: Despite its good prognosis, differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is characterized by high rates of disease persistence and recurrence. Estimation of long-term remission (excellent response) thanks to specific parameters could help to individualize the active surveillance schedule.

Objective: Evaluation of the ability of stimulated thyroglobulin (Tg) and Tg reduction index (TRI) to predict long-term remission in patients with DTC managed by thyroidectomy and radioactive iodine (RAI) remnant ablation.

Importance of whole genome sequencing for the assessment of outbreaks in diagnostic laboratories: analysis of a case series of invasive Streptococcus pyogenes infections.

Outbreaks of Streptococcus pyogenes hypervirulent clones are constant public health threats. In western Switzerland, an increase of severe cases of S. pyogenes invasive infections was observed between December 2015 and March 2016.

[Implementing new technology in radiation oncology: The French agency for nuclear safety (ASN) report].

In August 2013, the French nuclear safety agency (ASN) requested the permanent group of experts in radiation protection in medicine (GPMED) to propose recommendations on the implementation of new technology and techniques in radiation oncology. These recommendations were finalized in February 2015 by the GPMED. In April 2015, the ASN sent a letter to the French ministry of health (DGS/DGOS), and its national health agencies (ANSM, INCa, HAS).

Coronary stenosis risk analysis following Hodgkin lymphoma radiotherapy: A study based on patient specific artery segments dose calculation.

Background And Purpose: The dose effect-effect relationship for cardiac diseases following radiotherapy suffers from uncertainties. Three dimensional coronary artery (CA) dose calculation after mediastinal Hodgkin lymphoma radiotherapy was performed, using the patient's coronary CT angiography (CCTA), and the relationship between the coronary arteries' radiation doses and the risk of stenosis was estimated.

Materials And Methods: Radiotherapy simulation CT scans and CCTAs of patients treated for a mediastinal Hodgkin lymphoma were used to merge thoracic and detailed cardiovascular anatomies.

Evaluation of a Patient-Specific Finite-Element Model to Simulate Conservative Treatment in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

Study Design: Retrospective validation study.

Objectives: To propose a method to evaluate, from a clinical standpoint, the ability of a finite-element model (FEM) of the trunk to simulate orthotic correction of spinal deformity and to apply it to validate a previously described FEM.

Summary Of Background Data: Several FEMs of the scoliotic spine have been described in the literature.

Establishment of diagnostic reference levels in cardiac CT in France: a need for patient dose optimisation.

The objective of this study was to propose diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) for coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), in the context of a large variability in patient radiation dose, and the lack of European recommendations. Volume Computed Tomography Dose Index (CTDIvol) and dose-length product (DLP) were collected from 460 CCTAs performed over a 3-month period at eight French hospitals. CCTAs (∼50 per centre) were performed using the routine protocols of the centres, and 64- to 320-detector CT scanners.

Exposure of the French paediatric population to ionising radiation from diagnostic medical procedures in 2010.

Background: Medical examination is the main source of artificial radiation exposure. Because children present an increased sensitivity to ionising radiation, radiology practices at a national level in paediatrics should be monitored.

Objective: This study describes the ionising radiation exposure from diagnostic medical examinations of the French paediatric population in 2010.

Dependence of coronary 3-dimensional dose maps on coronary topologies and beam set in breast radiation therapy: a study based on CT angiographies.

Purpose: In left-side breast radiation therapy (RT), doses to the left main (LM) and left anterior descending (LAD) coronary arteries are usually assessed after delineation by prior anatomic knowledge on the treatment planning computed tomography (CT) scan. In this study, dose sensitivity due to interindividual coronary topology variation was assessed, and hot spots were located.

Methods And Materials: Twenty-two detailed heart models, created from heart computed tomography angiographies, were fitted into a single representative female thorax.

Local reference levels and organ doses from pediatric cardiac interventional procedures.

Interventional cardiology (IC) procedures can be responsible for relatively high radiation doses compared to conventional radiology especially for young patients. The aim of this study was to assess current exposure levels in a French reference centre of pediatric IC. Dosimetric data including dose area product (DAP), fluoroscopy time (FT) and number of cine frame (NF) were analysed taking into account patient weight.

The differential production cross section of the [Formula: see text](1020) meson in [Formula: see text] = 7 TeV [Formula: see text] collisions measured with the ATLAS detector.

A measurement is presented of the [Formula: see text] production cross section at [Formula: see text] = 7 TeV using [Formula: see text] collision data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 383 [Formula: see text], collected with the ATLAS experiment at the LHC. Selection of [Formula: see text](1020) mesons is based on the identification of charged kaons by their energy loss in the pixel detector. The differential cross section is measured as a function of the transverse momentum, [Formula: see text], and rapidity, [Formula: see text], of the [Formula: see text](1020) meson in the fiducial region 500 [Formula: see text] 1200 MeV, [Formula: see text] 0.

Predicted cancer risks induced by computed tomography examinations during childhood, by a quantitative risk assessment approach.

The potential adverse effects associated with exposure to ionizing radiation from computed tomography (CT) in pediatrics must be characterized in relation to their expected clinical benefits. Additional epidemiological data are, however, still awaited for providing a lifelong overview of potential cancer risks. This paper gives predictions of potential lifetime risks of cancer incidence that would be induced by CT examinations during childhood in French routine practices in pediatrics.

Evaluation of a Three-Dimensional Reconstruction Method of the Rib Cage of Mild Scoliotic Patients.

Study Design: Validation study.

Objective: To evaluate a method of 3-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the rib cage in a population of scoliotic patients.

Summary Of Background Data: Evaluation of the thoracic cage clinical parameters would be helpful in the management of spinal deformities.

Three-dimensional reconstruction of the lower limb from biplanar calibrated radiographs.

Three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of lower limbs is essential for surgical planning and clinical outcome evaluation. 3D reconstruction from biplanar calibrated radiographs may be an alternative to irradiation issues of CT-scan. A previous study proposed a two-step reconstruction method based on parametric models and statistical inferences leading to a fast Initial Solution (IS) followed by manual adjustments.

Comparison of organs' shapes with geometric and Zernike 3D moments.

The morphological similarity of organs is studied with feature vectors based on geometric and Zernike 3D moments. It is particularly investigated if outliers and average models can be identified. For this purpose, the relative proximity to the mean feature vector is defined, principal coordinate and clustering analyses are also performed.

Risk of cancer associated with cardiac catheterization procedures during childhood: a cohort study in France.

Background: Radiation can be used effectively for diagnosis and medical treatment, but it can also cause cancers later on. Children with congenital heart disease frequently undergo cardiac catheterization procedures for diagnostic or treatment purposes. Despite the clear clinical benefit to the patient, the complexity of these procedures may result in high cumulative radiation exposure.