Physicians' beliefs and perceived importance of traumatic brain injury-associated agitation in critically ill patients: a survey of Canadian intensivists.

Purpose: Agitation is a common behavioural problem following traumatic brain injury (TBI). Intensive care unit (ICU) physicians' perspectives regarding TBI-associated agitation are unknown. Our objective was to describe physicians' beliefs and perceived importance of TBI-associated agitation in critically ill patients.

Calcineurin Inhibition in Deceased Organ Donors: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Preclinical Studies.

Background: Preconditioning deceased organ donors with calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) may reduce ischemia-reperfusion injury to improve transplant outcomes.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and conference proceedings for animal models of organ donation and transplantation, comparing donor treatment with CNIs with either placebo or no intervention, and evaluating outcomes for organ transplantation. Reviewers independently screened and selected studies, abstracted data, and assessed the risk of bias and clinical relevance of included studies.

Expression of Interleukin-1β protein in vitro,exvivo and in vivo salmonid models.

Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) is one of the first cytokines expressed during immune responses, and its levels are affected by many factors, including stress. To date, it has only been possible to measure IL-1β transcript (mRNA) expression quantitatively in fish using qPCR. This is because previous studies that measured IL-1β protein concentrations in these taxa used western blotting, which only provides qualitative data.

Vasopressin Use in the Support of Organ Donors: Physiological Rationale and Review of the Literature.

Unlabelled: The objective of this review was to depict the physiological and clinical rationale for the use of vasopressin in hemodynamic support of organ donors. After summarizing the physiological, pharmacological concepts and preclinical findings, regarding vasopressin's pathophysiological impacts, we will present the available clinical data.

Data Sources: Detailed search strategies in PubMed, OVID Medline, and EMBASE were undertaken using Medical Subject Headings and Key Words.

Self-perceived role and knowledge of community pharmacists in organ donation.

Background: Although a majority of North Americans is in favor of organ donation, registration remains challenging. Community pharmacists are highly accessible frontline health care professionals that could contribute to a new common registration donation consent system.

Aim: The objective of the study was to assess self-perceived professional role and organ donation knowledge of community pharmacists in Quebec.

Pharmacotherapeutic Interventions in People Living With HIV Undergoing Solid Organ Transplantation: A Scoping Review.

Unlabelled: The pharmacotherapeutic management of people living with HIV (PLWHIV) undergoing solid organ transplantation (SOT) is clinically challenging, mainly due to the frequent occurrence of complex drug-drug interactions. Although various strategies have been proposed to improve treatment outcomes in these patients, several uncertainties remain, and consensus practice guidelines are just beginning to emerge. The main objective of this scoping review was to map the extent of the literature on the pharmacotherapeutic interventions performed by healthcare professionals for PLWHIV undergoing SOT.

The Suitability of Potential Organ Donors Using Real Case-Scenarios; Do we Need to Create a "Donor Board" Process for Donors Perceived as Unlikely Suitable?

Despite availability of selection criteria, different interpretations can lead to variability in the appreciation of donor eligibility with possible viable organs missed. Our primary objective was to test the perception of feasibility of potential organ donors through the survey of a small sample of external evaluators. Clinical scenarios summarizing 66 potential donors managed in the first year of our Organ Recovery Center were sent to four critical care physicians to evaluate the feasibility of the potential donors and the probability of organ procurement.

EXperienceS and aTtitudes towards Agitated behaviours in Traumatic brain injury in the Intensive Care unit patients (EXSTATIC): a protocol for an interprofessional mixed-method study.

Introduction: Agitation and violent behaviours are common conditions developed by patients with acute traumatic brain injury (TBI) in intensive care units (ICUs). Healthcare professionals caring for these patients have various tools to manage these behaviours, but lack of a formal protocol to assess and manage them makes caring for these patients a challenge. Moreover, safety may often be compromised for both ICU professionals and patients encountering such situations.

Attitude and knowledge of medical students about organ donation - training needs identified from a Canadian survey.

Background: Appropriate training of health professionals has been recommended to increase organ donation rates. Some studies have shown insufficient knowledge among medical students. This survey aims to describe their knowledge and attitude toward organ donation (OD).

Most Japanese individuals are genetically predisposed to recognize an immunogenic protein fragment shared between COVID-19 and common cold coronaviruses.

In the spring of 2020, we and others hypothesized that T cells in COVID-19 patients may recognize identical protein fragments shared between the coronaviruses of the common cold and COVID-19 and thereby confer cross-virus immune memory. Here, we look at this issue by screening studies that, since that time, have experimentally addressed COVID-19 associated T cell specificities. Currently, the identical T cell epitope shared between COVID-19 and common cold coronaviruses most convincingly identified as immunogenic is the CD8 T cell epitope VYIGDPAQL if presented by the MHC class I allele HLA-A*24:02.

Reliability of ultrasound imaging of pelvic floor morphology and function among females who have undergone pelvic radiotherapy.

Aims: To investigate the intra- and inter-rater reliability of two-dimensional (2D) transperineal ultrasound imaging (USI) measures of bladder wall thickness (BWT), urethral length (UL), and parameters related to levator plate length (LP) and transient changes in LP during pelvic floor muscle (PFM) contraction, and on Valsalva in women who received radiation therapy (RT) for treatment of pelvic cancer.

Methods: Twenty women with a history of RT for the treatment of pelvic cancer were assessed independently by two raters on the same day. Five outcomes were assessed for reliability: BWT, UL, and LP at rest (LP-R), during a maximal voluntary contraction of the PFMs (LP-MVC), and during a maximal-effort Valsalva maneuver (LP-MVM).

Safety of dexmedetomidine for the control of agitation in critically ill traumatic brain injury patients: a descriptive study.

Background: Behavioural disturbances such as agitation are common following traumatic brain injury and can interfere with treatments, cause self-harm and delay rehabilitation. As there is a lack of evidence on the optimal approach to manage agitation in recovering TBI patients, various pharmacological agents are used including antipsychotics, anticonvulsants and sedative agents. Among sedatives, the safety and efficacy of dexmedetomidine to control agitation in traumatic brain injury patients is not well documented.

Agitation, confusion, and aggression in critically ill traumatic brain injury-a pilot cohort study (ACACIA-PILOT).

Background: Agitated behaviors are problematic in intensive care unit (ICU) patients recovering from traumatic brain injury (TBI) as they create substantial risks and challenges for healthcare providers. To date, there have been no studies evaluating their epidemiology and impact in the ICU. Prior to planning a multicenter study, assessment of recruitment, feasibility, and pilot study procedures is needed.

Antigen presentation genes in gadoid species (haddock: Melanogrammus aeglefinus and Atlantic cod: Gadus morhua) raise questions about cross-presentation pathways and glycosylated beta-2-microglobulin.

The Atlantic cod immune system deviates from antigen presentation processes seen in other vertebrates in that it lacks the necessary genes for exogenous antigen presentation (i.e., MHC-II and li) and a key MHC-II interacting molecule necessary for T-helper cell function (i.

Worldwide management of donors after neurological death: a systematic review and narrative synthesis of guidelines.

Objective: The objectives of this study were to systematically identify and describe guidelines for the care of neurologically deceased donors and to evaluate their methodological quality, with the aim of informing and supporting the new Canadian guidelines for the management of organ donors.

Methodology: Following a systematic search, we included any document endorsed by an organ donation organization, a professional society, or a government, that aims to direct the medical management of adult, neurologically deceased, multi-organ donors. We extracted recommendations pertaining to six domains: the autonomic storm, hemodynamic instability, hormone supplementation, ventilation, blood product transfusions, and general intensive care unit (ICU) care.

Early experience with critically ill patients with COVID-19 in Montreal.

Purpose: Montreal has been the epicentre of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in Canada. Given the regional disparities in incidence and mortality in the general population, we aimed to describe local characteristics, treatments, and outcomes of critically ill COVID-19 patients in Montreal.

Methods: A single-centre retrospective cohort of consecutive adult patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal with confirmed COVID-19 were included.

Potential risks in using midodrine for persistent hypotension after cardiac surgery: a comparative cohort study.

Background: Persistent hypotension is a frequent complication after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Midodrine, an orally administered alpha agonist, could potentially reduce intravenous vasopressor use and accelerate ICU discharge of otherwise stable patients. The main objective of this study was to explore the clinical impacts of administering midodrine in patients with persistent hypotension after CPB.

Strategies for the Prevention and Treatment of Iatrogenic Withdrawal from Opioids and Benzodiazepines in Critically Ill Neonates, Children and Adults: A Systematic Review of Clinical Studies.

Background: Critically ill patients are at high risk of iatrogenic withdrawal syndrome (IWS), due to exposure to high doses or prolonged periods of opioids and benzodiazepines.

Purpose: To examine pharmacological management strategies designed to prevent and/or treat IWS from opioids and/or benzodiazepines in critically ill neonates, children and adults.

Methods: We included non-randomised studies of interventions (NRSI) and randomised controlled trials (RCTs), reporting on interventions to prevent or manage IWS in critically ill neonatal, paediatric and adult patients.

Variability in deceased donor care in Canada: a report of the Canada-DONATE cohort study.

Purpose: Canadian donor management practices have not been reported. Our aim was to inform clinicians and other stakeholders about the range of current practices.

Methods: This prospective observational cohort study enrolled consecutive, newly consented organ donors from August 1 2015 to July 31 2018 at 27 academic and five community adult intensive care units in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec.

Research Consent Models Used in Prospective Studies of Neurologically Deceased Organ Donors: A Systematic Review.

Research to inform the care of neurologically deceased organ donors is complicated by a lack of standards for research consent. In this systematic review, we aim to describe current practices of soliciting consent for participation in prospective studies of neurologically deceased donors, including the frequency and justification for these various models of consent. Among the 74 studies included, 14 did not report on any regulatory review, and 13 did not report on the study consent procedures.

Successful Percutaneous Treatment of an Arteriovenous Malformation of the Toe.

Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) of the toe are a rare entity. To the author's knowledge, there are only 2 published case reports, and both patients underwent amputation of the affected digits. Little is known about the optimal treatment of AVMs involving the toe.