Automated transient grating spectroscopy mapping and signal control for large samples.

We present developments for the mapping of large areas using transient grating spectroscopy (TGS) that allow for smoother, larger, autonomous measurements of material samples. The addition of a precise linear stage in the direction parallel to laser sampling coupled with signal optimizing control allows for hands free, self-correcting measurements. In addition, the simplification of the sample holding design to a form that is small enough to mount directly to the linear stage exhibits a straightforward, low-cost solution for automated TGS applications.

The effectiveness of a multifaceted, group-facilitated audit and feedback intervention to increase tranexamic acid use during total joint arthroplasty.

Purpose: Intraoperative tranexamic acid (TXA) is used to reduce blood loss and the need for transfusions following total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Despite evidence in literature and local practice protocols supporting TXA as a part of standard of care for joint arthroplasty, TXA administration is underutilized. We aimed to use group-facilitated audit and feedback as the foundation of a knowledge translation strategy to increase TXA use for THA and TKA procedures.

Reporting of Model Performance and Statistical Methods in Studies That Use Machine Learning to Develop Clinical Prediction Models: Protocol for a Systematic Review.

Background: With the growing excitement of the potential benefits of using machine learning and artificial intelligence in medicine, the number of published clinical prediction models that use these approaches has increased. However, there is evidence (albeit limited) that suggests that the reporting of machine learning-specific aspects in these studies is poor. Further, there are no reviews assessing the reporting quality or broadly accepted reporting guidelines for these aspects.

Opioid prescribing among new users for non-cancer pain in the USA, Canada, UK, and Taiwan: A population-based cohort study.

Background: The opioid epidemic in North America has been driven by an increase in the use and potency of prescription opioids, with ensuing excessive opioid-related deaths. Internationally, there are lower rates of opioid-related mortality, possibly because of differences in prescribing and health system policies. Our aim was to compare opioid prescribing rates in patients without cancer, across 5 centers in 4 countries.

Emergency Department Pediatric Visits in Alberta for Cannabis After Legalization.

Background And Objectives: Canada legalized nonmedical cannabis possession and sale in October 2018. In the United States, state legalization has been tied to an increase in cannabis-related emergency department (ED) visits; however, little research exists on provincial changes in pediatric visits after nationwide legislation. We compared pre- and postlegalization trends in pediatric cannabis-related ED visits and presentation patterns in urban Alberta EDs.

Clearing the air: A study of cannabis-related presentations to urban Alberta emergency departments following legalization.

Objectives: Non-medical cannabis recently became legal for adults in Canada. Legalization provides opportunity to investigate the public health effects of national cannabis legalization on presentations to emergency departments (EDs). Our study aimed to explore association between cannabis-related ED presentations, poison control and telemedicine calls, and cannabis legalization.

Group-facilitated audit and feedback to improve bronchiolitis care in the emergency department.

Objective: Despite strong evidence recommending supportive care as the mainstay of management for most infants with bronchiolitis, prior studies show that patients still receive low-value care (e.g., respiratory viral testing, salbutamol, chest radiography).

Estimating Urine Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio from Protein-to-Creatinine Ratio: Development of Equations using Same-Day Measurements.

Background: Urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) and protein-to-creatinine ratio (PCR) are used to measure urine protein. Recent guidelines endorse ACR use, and equations have been developed incorporating ACR to predict risk of kidney failure. For situations in which PCR only is available, having a method to estimate ACR from PCR as accurately as possible would be useful.

Orthomageddon: A retrospective cohort study of weather-dependent variations in emergency department volume in a Canadian city.

Introduction: Unique weather patterns can dramatically increase the number of emergency department (ED) visits due to falls on snow or ice compared to winter averages. They can create "Orthomageddon" incidences; days when the number of orthopedic injuries dramatically exceeds average. The study objective was to identify weather-dependent differences in demographics, length-of-stay (LOS) predictors, and volume for fall-injury presenting to the ED.

A Cost Analysis and Cost-Utility Analysis of a Community Pharmacist-Led Intervention on Reducing Cardiovascular Risk: The Alberta Vascular Risk Reduction Community Pharmacy Project (REACH).

Background: A randomized trial (the Alberta Vascular Risk Reduction Community Pharmacy Project) showed that a community pharmacist-led intervention was efficacious for reducing cardiovascular (CV) risk. However, the cost of this strategy is unknown.

Objectives: We examined the short- and long-term cost of a pharmacist-led intervention to reduce CV risk compared to usual care.

Informing Primary Care Changes in Alberta: Continuity and Potential Impacts on Acute Care.

Health systems across Canada are embarking on initiatives to enhance access to primary care services, with the intent of improving patient outcomes and mitigating escalating healthcare costs. However, it is important that such initiatives be carefully weighed with the evidence that the changes will indeed have the desired impact. In Alberta, part of the informative process involved an analysis to examine links between continuity with primary care and utilization of acute care services.

Healthcare Costs Attributable to Hypertension: Canadian Population-Based Cohort Study.

Accurately documenting the current and future costs of hypertension is required to fully understand the potential economic impact of currently available and future interventions to prevent and treat hypertension. The objective of this work was to calculate the healthcare costs attributable to hypertension in Canada and to project these costs to 2020. Using population-based administrative data for the province of Alberta, Canada (>3 million residents) from 2002 to 2010, we identified individuals with and without diagnosed hypertension.

Analyzing hospitalization data: potential limitations of Poisson regression.

Background: Poisson regression is commonly used to analyze hospitalization data when outcomes are expressed as counts (e.g. number of days in hospital).

Exploring neurotherapeutic space: how many neurological drugs exist (or could exist)?

Objectives: Since high-throughput screening of compound libraries (virtual or real) against druggable targets is increasingly being used to discover therapies for brain disorders, it is crucial to ascertain if such screening methods adequately explore 'neurotherapeutic space (i.e. the total number of molecules that are or could be neuroactive)'.

A retrospective immunohistochemical study reveals atypical scrapie has existed in the United Kingdom since at least 1987.

Atypical scrapie is a relatively recent discovery, and it was unknown whether it was a new phenomenon or whether it had existed undetected in the United Kingdom national flock. Before 1998, the routine statutory diagnosis of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) in sheep relied on the presence of TSE vacuolation in the brainstem. This method would not have been effective for the detection of atypical scrapie.