Background: Intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) therapy may benefit stroke patients by eliciting more intensive training sessions that may result in better health, mobility and ultimately quality of life. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to assess the effect of using a home-based IPC device on functional outcomes and vascular health in individuals with chronic stroke.
Methods: Thirty-one stroke survivors (64.
Background & Aims: PNPLA3(148M) (patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3) is the most impactful genetic risk factor for steatotic liver disease (SLD). A key unresolved issue is whether PNPLA3(148M) confers a loss- or gain-of-function. Here we test the hypothesis that PNPLA3 causes steatosis by sequestering ABHD5 (α/β hydrolase domain-containing protein 5), the cofactor of ATGL (adipose TG lipase), thus limiting mobilization of hepatic triglyceride (TG).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: In response to the devastating drug toxicity crisis in Canada driven by an unregulated opioid supply predominantly composed of fentanyl and analogues, safer supply programs have been introduced. These programs provide people using street-acquired opioids with prescribed, pharmaceutical opioids. We use six core components of safer supply programs identified by people who use drugs to explore participant perspectives on the first year of operations of a safer supply program in Victoria, BC, during the dual public health emergencies of COVID-19 and the drug toxicity crisis to examine whether the program met drug-user defined elements of an effective safer supply model.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) allows for rapid bedside assessment and guidance of patient care. Recently, POCUS was included as a mandatory component of Canadian anesthesiology training; however, there is no national consensus regarding the competencies to guide curriculum development. We therefore aimed to define national residency competencies for basic perioperative POCUS proficiency.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Within North America and worldwide, drug related overdoses have increased dramatically over the past decade. COVID-19 escalated the need for a safer supply to replace unregulated substances and to reduce toxicity and overdoses. Service providers play an integral role in the delivery of safer supply but there is little empirical evidence that conceptualizes effective safer supply from their perspectives.
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