Potentially Inappropriate Prescribing and Potential Prescribing Omissions in 82,935 Older Hospitalised Adults: Association with Hospital Readmission and Mortality Within Six Months.

Polypharmacy with "potentially inappropriate medications" (PIMs) and "potential prescribing omissions" (PPOs) are frequent among those 65 and older. We assessed PIMs and PPOs in a retrospective study of 82,935 patients ≥ 65 during their first admission in the period March 2013 through February 2018 to the four acute-care Calgary hospitals. We used the American Geriatric Society (AGS) and STOPP/START criteria to assess PIMs and PPOs.

Pelvic floor disorders in women who consult primary care clinics: development and validation of case definitions using primary care electronic medical records.

Background: To date, there has been no validated method to identify cases of pelvic floor disorders in primary care electronic medical record (EMR) data. We aimed to develop and validate symptom-based case definitions for urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse in women, for use in primary care epidemiologic or clinical research.

Methods: Our retrospective study used EMR data from the Southern Alberta Primary Care Research Network (SAPCReN) and the Canadian Primary Care Sentinel Surveillance Network (CPCSSN) in southern Alberta.

Altered rPrP substrate structures and their influence on real-time quaking induced conversion reactions.

Background: Bacterially-produced recombinant prion protein (rPrP) has traditionally been used for in vitro fibrillation assays and reagent development for prion disease research. In recent years, it has also been used as a substrate for real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC), a very sensitive method of detecting the presence of the misfolded, disease-associated isoform of the prion protein (PrP). Multi-centre trials have demonstrated that RT-QuIC is a suitably reliable and robust technique for clinical practice; however, in the absence of a commercial supplier of rPrP as a substrate for RT-QuIC, laboratories have been required to independently generate this key component of the assay.

Implementation of data management and effect on chronic disease coding in a primary care organisation: A parallel cohort observational study.

Background: Consistent and standardized coding for chronic conditions is associated with better care; however, coding may currently be limited in electronic medical records (EMRs) used in Canadian primary care.Objectives To implement data management activities in a community-based primary care organisation and to evaluate the effects on coding for chronic conditions.

Methods: Fifty-nine family physicians in Toronto, Ontario, belonging to a single primary care organisation, participated in the study.

A prominent lack of IgG1-Fc fucosylation of platelet alloantibodies in pregnancy.

Immunoglobulin G (IgG) formed during pregnancy against human platelet antigens (HPAs) of the fetus mediates fetal or neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT). Because antibody titer or isotype does not strictly correlate with disease severity, we investigated by mass spectrometry variations in the glycosylation at Asn297 in the IgG Fc because the composition of this glycan can be highly variable, affecting binding to phagocyte IgG-Fc receptors (FcγR). We found markedly decreased levels of core fucosylation of anti-HPA-1a-specific IgG1 from FNAIT patients (n = 48), but not in total serum IgG1.

Fluorescent protein marker lines in maize: generation and applications.

Fluorescent proteins (FP) have significantly impacted the way that we study plants in the past two decades. In the post-genomics era, these FP tools are in higher demand by plant scientists for studying the dynamics of protein localization, function, and interactions, and to translate sequence information to biological knowledge that can benefit humans. Although FP tools have been widely used in the model plant Arabidopsis, few FP resources have been developed for maize, one of the most important food crops worldwide, and an ideal species for genetic and developmental biology research.

The chaperonin CCT8 facilitates spread of tobamovirus infection.

The homeodomain transcription factor KNOTTED1 (KN1) functions in shoot meristem maintenance and is thought to move from cell to cell in a similar fashion as viral movement proteins. Both types of transported proteins bind to RNA, and associate with intercellular bridges formed by plasmodesmata. In a mutant screen for KN1 transport deficiency, a component of a type II chaperonin complex, CCT8, was identified, and found to interact with non-cell-autonomous proteins.

An ex vivo model for suture-less amniotic membrane transplantation with a chemically defined bioadhesive.

Purpose: Chemically defined bioadhesives (CDB) are "two-component reactive adhesives" made from antibiotic food additives. They contain no animal-derived ingredients and are characterized by a high level of self-degradability, low toxicity, and strong bonding properties. Amniotic membrane (AM) transplantation is used to repair severe ocular surface disease in humans and horses.

The safety of yellow fever vaccine 17D or 17DD in children, pregnant women, HIV+ individuals, and older persons: systematic review.

Yellow fever vaccine provides long-lasting immunity. Rare serious adverse events after vaccination include neurologic or viscerotropic syndromes or anaphylaxis. We conducted a systematic review of adverse events associated with yellow fever vaccination in vulnerable populations.

Reporting rates of yellow fever vaccine 17D or 17DD-associated serious adverse events in pharmacovigilance data bases: systematic review.

Purpose: To assess the reporting rates of serious adverse events attributable to yellow fever vaccination with 17D and 17DD strains as reported in pharmacovigilance databases, and assess reasons for differences in reporting rates.

Methods: We searched 9 electronic databases for peer reviewed and grey literature (government reports, conferences), in all languages. Reference lists of key studies were also reviewed to identify additional studies.

Active and passive surveillance of yellow fever vaccine 17D or 17DD-associated serious adverse events: systematic review.

Purpose: To identify the rate of serious adverse events attributable to yellow fever vaccination with 17D and 17DD strains reported in active and passive surveillance data.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review of published literature on adverse events associated with yellow fever. We searched 9 electronic databases for peer reviewed and grey literature in all languages.

Molecular characterization of dermal lymphatic endothelial cells from primary lymphedema skin.

Background: Lymphatic endothelial cells from primary lymphedema skin have never been cultured nor characterized. A subgroup of patients with primary lymphedema undergo surgery to bring about an improvement in their quality of life. The aim of this study was to culture and characterize LECs from the skin of these patients.

Phenotype and mRNA expression of syncytiotrophoblast microparticles isolated from human placenta.

Fetal and neonatal alloimmune thromboctyopenia due to maternal human platelet antigen (HPA)-1a antibodies affects primigravidas. Immunization must occur early in pregnancy before fetal platelets enter maternal blood via fetomaternal hemorrhage. The HPA-1a antigen is located on platelet glycoprotein (GP)IIIa (CD61, beta3 integrin), which is also present on the placental syncytiotrophoblast (ST) and in direct contact with maternal blood.

Advances in maize genomics: the emergence of positional cloning.

Positional cloning has been and remains a powerful method for gene identification in Arabidopsis. With the completion of the rice genome sequence, positional cloning in rice also took off, including the cloning of several quantitative trait loci. Positional cloning in cereals such as maize whose genomes are much larger than that of rice was considered near impossible because of the vast amounts of repetitive DNA.

Ingestion of a dietary supplement containing dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and androstenedione has minimal effect on immune function in middle-aged men.

Objective: This study investigated the effects of four weeks of intake of a supplement containing dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), androstenedione and herbal extracts on immune function in middle-aged men.

Design: Subjects consumed either an oral placebo or an oral supplement for four weeks. The supplement contained a total daily dose of 150 mg DHEA, 300 mg androstenedione, 750 mg Tribulus terrestris, 625 mg chrysin, 300 mg indole-3-carbinol and 540 mg saw palmetto.