Bile acids in the lower airways is associated with airway microbiota changes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: an observational study.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a complex disorder with a high degree of interindividual variability. Gastrointestinal dysfunction is common in patients with COPD and has been proposed to influence the clinical progression of the disease. Using the presence of bile acid(s) (BA) in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid as a marker of gastric aspiration, we evaluated the relationships between BAs, clinical outcomes and bacterial lung colonisation.

Assessing a safety climate tool adapted to address respiratory illnesses in Canadian hospitals.

Background: Studies have shown an association between workplace safety climate scores and patient outcomes. This study aimed to investigate (1) performance of the hospital safety climate scale that was adapted to assess acute respiratory illness safety climate, (2) factors associated with safety climate scores, and (3) whether the safety scores were associated with following recommended droplet and contact precautions.

Methods: A survey of Canadian healthcare personnel participating in a cohort study of influenza during the 2010/2011-2013/2014 winter seasons.

Factors influencing self-reported facial-protective equipment adherence among home care nurses and personal support workers: A multisite cross-sectional study.

Background: Facial-protective equipment (FPE) use increased during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. This study explored factors influencing home care personal support workers' (PSWs) and nurses' self-reported adherence to FPE.

Methods: A cross-sectional, electronic, survey was distributed to PSWs and nurses (1,108 complete responses) at 3 home care agencies in Ontario, Canada, in May to June 2022.

Factors influencing nursing professionals' adherence to facial protective equipment usage: A comprehensive review.

Background: Facial protective equipment (FPE) adherence is necessary for the health and safety of nursing professionals. This review was conducted to synthesize predisposing, enabling, and reinforcing factors that influence FPE adherence, and thus inform efforts to promote adherence.

Methods: Articles were collected using Cumulated Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature and MEDLINE and screened for inclusion.

Feasibility study of microburst VNS therapy in drug-resistant focal and generalized epilepsy.

Background: Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) at low frequencies (≤30 Hz) has been an established treatment for drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) for over 25 years.

Objective: To examine the initial safety and efficacy performance of an investigational, high-frequency (≥250 Hz) VNS paradigm herein called "Microburst VNS" (μVNS). μVNS consists of short, high-frequency bursts of electrical pulses believed to preferentially modulate certain brain regions.