Using behavioural science to improve antibiotic stewardship in Canadian long-term care homes: Protocol for a multi-center cluster randomized quality improvement study.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is associated with significant human and financial costs, particularly among vulnerable populations like older adults living in long-term care homes (LTCHs). Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the leading indication for antibiotic use in this population, with some estimates suggesting that up to 70% of these prescriptions may be avoidable.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to develop and test novel behavioural science-informed antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) quality improvement strategies in Canadian LTCHs, which aim to decrease unnecessary testing and treatment for residents who lack the minimum clinical signs and symptoms of UTI.

Impact of daily prompt to vaccinate inpatients awaiting rehabilitation against SARS-CoV-2 and influenza.

A daily prompt to offer vaccination to inpatients awaiting transfer to rehabilitation resulted in increased SARS-CoV-2 (OR 5.64, 95% CI 3.3-10.

Nanomaterial Texture-Based Machine Learning of Ciprofloxacin Adsorption on Nanoporous Carbon.

Drug substances in water bodies and groundwater have become a significant threat to the surrounding environment. This study focuses on the ability of the nanoporous carbon materials to remove ciprofloxacin from aqueous solutions under specific experimental conditions and on the development of the mathematical model that would allow describing the molecular interactions of the adsorption process and calculating the adsorption capacity of the material. Thus, based on the adsorption measurements of the 87 carbon materials, it was found that, depending on the porosity and pore size distribution, adsorption capacity values varied between 55 and 495 mg g.

Exploring the Influence of Ionic Liquid Anion Structure on Gas-Ionic Liquid Partition Coefficients of Organic Solutes Using Machine Learning.

This article presents an in-depth investigation into the influence of anionic structures of ionic liquids (ILs) on gas-ionic liquid partition coefficients (log ) of organic solutes in three ILs. While the primary objective was to examine whether there is a relationship between the molecular structure of the IL anion component and log , additionally it was looked at whether the molecular descriptors of the anion in the relationships encode possible molecular interactions during the miscibility and partitioning in the IL. The research involves the compilation of data series of experimental log values, where the cation component is constant.

Incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of patients with monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis and chronic lymphocytic leukemia who develop venous thromboembolism.

Background: The incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (MBL) are not well described.

Objectives: We aimed to determine the clinical characteristics, risk factors, and outcomes of incident VTE in patients with newly diagnosed MBL/CLL and compare the incidence to the age- and sex-matched general population.

Methods: Using the Mayo Clinic CLL Database, we identified 946 patients with newly diagnosed MBL/CLL between 1998 and 2021.

Process evaluation of two large randomized controlled trials to understand factors influencing family physicians' use of antibiotic audit and feedback reports.

Background: Unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions in primary care are common and contribute to antimicrobial resistance in the population. Audit and feedback (A&F) on antibiotic prescribing to primary care can improve the appropriateness of antibiotic prescribing, but the optimal approach is uncertain. We performed two pragmatic randomized controlled trials of different approaches to audit and feedback.

Hierarchically Porous Fe-N-C Single-Atom Catalysts via Ionothermal Synthesis for Oxygen Reduction Reaction.

Platinum group metal (PGM)-free electrocatalysts have emerged as promising alternatives to replace Pt for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs). However, traditional synthesis methods limit the single-atom site density due to metal agglomeration at higher temperatures. This work explores the preparation of hierarchically porous atomically dispersed electrocatalysts for the ORR.

Improving electronic health record documentation and use to promote evidence-based pediatric care.

Objective: Electronic health records (EHRs) often lack the necessary functionalities to support the full implementation of national clinical guidelines for pediatric care outlined in the American Academy of Pediatrics Bright Futures Guidelines. Using HealthySteps (HS), an evidence-based pediatric primary care program, as an exemplar, this study aimed to enhance pediatric EHRs, identify facilitators and barriers to EHR enhancements, and improve data quality for delivering clinical care as part of HS implementation and evidence building.

Methods: Three HS sites-each differing in location, setting, number of children served, and mix of child insurance coverage-participated in the study.

Measurable Residual Disease and Clinical Outcomes in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Importance: Measurable residual disease (MRD) refers to the presence of disease at low levels not detected by conventional pathologic analysis. The association of MRD status as a surrogate end point of clinical outcome in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has not been established in the era of targeted agents. Assessing the association of MRD with progression-free survival (PFS) may improve its role as a surrogate marker and allow its use to accelerate drug development.

One-Pot Synthesis of Pd Nanoparticles Supported on Carbide-Derived Carbon for Oxygen Reduction Reaction.

We explored two methods for synthesizing Pd nanoparticles using three different carbide-derived carbon (CDC) support materials, one of which was nitrogen-doped. These materials were studied for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in 0.1 M KOH solution, and the resulting CDC/Pd catalysts were characterized using TEM, XRD, and XPS.

Artificial Intelligence Electrocardiography to Predict Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.

Background: The use of an artificial intelligence electrocardiography (AI-ECG) algorithm has demonstrated its reliability in predicting the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) within the general population.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of the AI-ECG score in identifying patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) who are at high risk of developing AF.

Methods: We estimated the probability of AF based on AI-ECG among patients with CLL extracted from the Mayo Clinic CLL database.

Iron Triad-Based Bimetallic M-N-C Nanomaterials as Highly Active Bifunctional Oxygen Electrocatalysts.

The use of precious metal electrocatalysts in clean electrochemical energy conversion and storage applications is widespread, but the sustainability of these materials, in terms of their availability and cost, is constrained. In this research, iron triad-based bimetallic nitrogen-doped carbon (M-N-C) materials were investigated as potential bifunctional electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The synthesis of bimetallic FeCo-N-C, CoNi-N-C, and FeNi-N-C catalysts involved a precisely optimized carbonization process of their respective metal-organic precursors.

Association Between Periprosthetic Joint Infection and Mortality Following Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty.

Background: Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) remains a dreaded and unpredictable complication after total hip arthroplasty (THA). In addition to causing substantial morbidity, PJI may contribute to long-term mortality risk. Our objective was to determine the long-term mortality risk associated with PJI following THA.

Implementation of point-of-care molecular testing for respiratory viruses in congregate living settings.

Objective: To implement and evaluate a point-of-care (POC) molecular testing platform for respiratory viruses in congregate living settings (CLS).

Design: Prospective quality improvement study.

Setting: Seven CLS, including three nursing homes and four independent-living facilities.

Predictors of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in congregate living settings: a multicenter prospective study.

Background: Older adults residing in congregate living settings (CLS) such as nursing homes and independent living facilities remain at increased risk of morbidity and mortality from coronavirus disease 2019. We performed a prospective multicenter study of consecutive severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) exposures to identify predictors of transmission in this setting.

Methods: Consecutive resident SARS-CoV-2 exposures across 17 CLS were prospectively characterized from 1 September 2022 to 1 March 2023, including factors related to environment, source, and exposed resident.

Epidemiology of healthcare-associated Pseudomonas aeruginosa in intensive care units: are sink drains to blame?

Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is a common cause of healthcare-associated infection (PA-HAI) in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Aim: To describe the epidemiology of PA-HAI in ICUs in Ontario, Canada, and to identify episodes of sink-to-patient PA transmission.

Methods: This was a prospective cohort study of patients in six ICUs from 2018 to 2019, with retrieval of PA clinical isolates, and PA-screening of antimicrobial-resistant organism surveillance rectal swabs, and of sink drain, air, and faucet samples.

Utility of routine post-admission testing for SARS-CoV-2 in a rehabilitation facility.

Asymptomatic screening for SARS-CoV-2 is recommended in healthcare settings during periods of increased incidence, yet studies in rehabilitation settings are lacking. Routine weekly post-admission asymptomatic testing in a rehabilitation facility offered marginal gain beyond syndromic and targeted unit testing and was not associated with a reduced risk of healthcare-associated COVID-19.