Postoperative complications among dialysis-requiring patients undergoing splenectomy.

Background: Dialysis patients are at high risk for surgery, but their outcomes after splenectomy are unclear. We compared postoperative complications between dialysis and non-dialysis patients.

Methods: Data were retrieved from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program for this retrospective cohort.

Driving pressure in mechanical ventilation: A review.

Driving pressure (∆P) is a core therapeutic component of mechanical ventilation (MV). Varying levels of ∆P have been employed during MV depending on the type of underlying pathology and severity of injury. However, ∆P levels have also been shown to closely impact hard endpoints such as mortality.

The Use of Silver Oxynitrate Wound Dressings in the Treatment of Chronic Wounds: A Feasibility Pilot Study.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a silver oxynitrate (Ag 7 NO 11 ) dressing on wound healing in patients with stalled chronic wounds.

Methods: A prospective pilot study was conducted to determine the feasibility and effect of using silver oxynitrate dressings within an outpatient setting in Alberta, Canada. A total of 23 patients (12 women and 11 men; mean age, 66.

Co-infection of SARS-CoV-2 with human coronavirus OC43 in a patient with underlying lung disease: A case report.

Co-infections with SARS-CoV-2 remain relatively rare and there is limited published data on the consequences of these events. We present the case of a 26-year-old man with SARS-CoV-2 and human coronavirus OC43 who had a severe infection resulting in prolonged hospitalization. Consideration of co-infections should be considered in high-risk patients.

Prevalence and impact of human papillomavirus (HPV) in adults with cystic fibrosis: A self-reported cross-sectional Canadian survey.

Background: In persons with cystic fibrosis (pwCF), little is known about the prevalence or impact of HPV on quality of life and attitudes towards vaccination.

Methods: We conducted a national online survey of adult pwCF. We sought to determine the prevalence of self-reported HPV infection, disease-associated complications and effects on quality of life.

Assessments of Perfusion, Blood Flow, and Vascular Structure in Ambulatory Subjects: Guidance for Translational Research Scientists.

Research involving human subjects in ambulatory settings is a critical link in the chain comprising translational research, spanning preclinical research to human subject and patient cohort studies. There are presently a wide array of techniques and approaches available to investigators wishing to study blood flow, perfusion, and vascular structure and function in human subjects. In this multi-sectioned review, we discuss capillaroscopy, carotid intima-media thickness, flow-mediated dilation, laser Doppler flowmetry, near-infrared spectroscopy, peripheral arterial tonometry, pulse wave velocity, retinal fundus imaging, and vascular plethysmography.

A survey of Alberta pharmacists' actions and opinions in regard to administering vaccines and medications by injection.

Background: Pharmacists in Alberta have been authorized to administer vaccines and other medications by injection for more than 10 years; however, little is known about the provision of this service and their opinions regarding this service. Understanding pharmacists' experiences regarding injection services would inform development of strategies to improve provision of injection services.

Objectives: To describe the actions related to administering an injection, including identification of commonly administered medications, and to identify perceived barriers and facilitators pharmacists face when providing injection services.

Risk factors for intensive care unit admission and mortality among adult meningitis patients.

Objective: To assess the risk factors for intensive care unit admission and inpatient all-cause mortality among adult meningitis patients.

Methods: The retrospective study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, and comprised of patients of either gender aged ≥18 years diagnosed with bacterial, viral, or tuberculous meningitis between July 2010 and June 2019. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to explore independent predictors of inpatient mortality and intensive care unit admission.

Aboard the Smile Train: Outcomes of Primary Cleft Palate Repair at a Tertiary Care Center: À bord du Smile Train : les résultats cliniques de réparations de fentes palatines dans un centre de soins tertiaires.

Introduction: Cleft palate repair is considered to be a safe procedure, yet still carries a 5% to 30% risk of complications. This study sought to assess the outcomes of this procedure in a high-burden Asian country that partners with the Smile Train to perform cleft surgeries.

Methods: The Aga Khan University medical records database was queried for pediatric patients undergoing cleft surgery between 2014 and 2017.

Pediatric Brainstem Gliomas: An Institutional Experience.

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical profiles and outcomes of pediatric brainstem gliomas treated at our institute.

Methodology: We reviewed the files of 18 pediatric age group patients diagnosed with brainstem glioma at our institution. The following variables were recorded: age, sex, duration of symptoms, date of diagnosis, main clinical symptoms, Karnofsky performance status score, magnetic resonance imaging findings, histopathology findings, details of the treatment given, disease progression, and date of mortality/last follow-up.

Treatment options for paediatric brainstem gliomas.

Paediatric brainstem gliomas (BSGs) can be classified broadly into two distinct categories: focal brainstem gliomas (FBSGs) and diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPG). The former account for 20% of paediatric BSGs and are mostly indolent lesions with good prognosis. DIPGs constitute the remaining 80%, and are highly aggressive, malignant tumours having a dismal prognosis; being the foremost cause of death in children with brain tumours.