An Overview of Medical, Surgical, and Rehabilitation Outcome Measures Used in Randomized Controlled Trials of Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury.

Optimal reporting of outcomes is critical for the interpretation of research findings. This review aimed to examine the utilization of outcome measures (OMs) in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of moderate to severe TBI (MSTBI). Systematic searches were conducted up to December 2022 in MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE and PsycINFO, in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.

An Overview of Randomized Controlled Trials Examining Prescription and Nonprescription Pharmacological Interventions for Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury.

To characterize randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of pharmacological interventions (prescription medications, nonprescription medications, and supplements) for the management of moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (MSTBI). Systematic searches were conducted in MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, and PsycINFO for RCTs up to December 2022 inclusive in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Inclusion criteria were RCT study design; participants' mean age ≥ 18 years and ≥ 50% had MSTBI; examined ≥ 1 pharmacological intervention(s), either alone or in combination with other interventions.

Sex Differences in Moderate-to-Severe Traumatic Brain Injury Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: Understanding sex differences among persons with moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is critical to addressing the unique needs of both males and females from acute care through to rehabilitation. Epidemiological studies suggest that 7 of every 10 persons with moderate-to-severe TBI are male, with females representing about 30%-33%.

Objective: To examine the proportion of female and male individuals included in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of interventions for moderate-to-severe TBI.

Psychological and educational interventions for preventing falls in older people living in the community.

Background: Older adults are at increased risk of both falls and fall-related injuries. Falls have multiple causes and many interventions exist to try and prevent them, including educational and psychological interventions. Educational interventions aim to increase older people's understanding of what they can do to prevent falls and psychological interventions can aim to improve confidence/motivation to engage in activities that may prevent falls.

Updated Canadian Clinical Practice Guideline for the Rehabilitation of Adults With Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: Behavioral Recommendations.

Objective: Behavioral changes following moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (MSTBI) are common and can include agitation or aggression, reduced arousal or apathy, and inappropriate sexual behavior. These changes can negatively affect recovery, function, and quality of life. Pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions are often used to address these challenges; however, there is limited evidence regarding the effectiveness of these treatments.

Evidence-Based Review of Randomized Controlled Trials of Interventions for the Management of Behavioral Issues in Individuals With Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury.

Objective: To present an evidence-based review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating interventions for the management of behavioral issues post moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (MSTBI), as part of an extensive database that has been conceptualized as a living systematic review.

Methods: Systematic searches were conducted in MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE and PsycINFO, up to and including December 2022, for articles published in the English language, in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The quality of RCT was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale, and level of evidence was assigned using a modified Sackett scale.

Updated Canadian Clinical Practice Guideline for the Rehabilitation of Adults With Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: Mental Health Recommendations.

Objective: Objective: After sustaining a moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (MSTBI), individuals often experience comorbid mental health conditions that can impair the rehabilitation and recovery process. The objective of this initiative was to update recommendations on the assessment and management of mental health conditions for the Canadian Clinical Practice Guideline for the Rehabilitation of Adults with MSTBI (CAN-TBI 2023).

Objective: Design: A systematic search was conducted by the Evidence-Based Review of Moderate to Severe Acquired Brain Injury to identify new and relevant articles.

Evidence-Based Review of Randomized Controlled Trials of Interventions for Mental Health Management Post-Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury.

Objective: To present an evidence-based review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating interventions for mental health post-moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (post-MSTBI), as part of an extensive database that has been conceptualized as a living systematic review.

Methods: Systematic searches were conducted for RCTs published in the English language in MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, and PsycINFO, up to and including December 2022, in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The methodological quality of RCTs was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale, and the level of evidence was assigned using a modified Sackett scale.

Experiences and Challenges Updating a Living Evidence-Based Review of Randomized Controlled Trials on Mental Health and Behavioral Disorders in Individuals With Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury.

Objective: To describe experiences and challenges when updating a living evidence-based review database of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on mental health and behavioral disorders in moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (MSTBI).

Method: This commentary derives from our experience developing an extensive database of RCTs on MSTBI that has been conceptualized as a living evidence-based review. Our working group focused on mental health and behavior RCTs and reflected upon their experiences and challenges using the living systematic approach.

Rh(I)-Catalyzed Regio- and Enantioselective Ring Opening of Vinyl Cyclopropanes.

We describe a Rh(I) catalyzed asymmetric ring opening of vinyl cyclopropanes using aryl boronic acids as C-nucleophiles. When ferrocene-based chiral bisphosphines are used as ligands, the products are obtained with regioselectivities typically 99:1 r.r.

Functional Noncentrosymmetric Nanoparticle-Nanofiber Hybrids via Selective Fragmentation.

Noncentrosymmetric nanostructures are an attractive synthetic target as they can exhibit complex interparticle interactions useful for numerous applications. However, generating uniform, colloidally stable, noncentrosymmetric nanoparticles with low aspect ratios is a significant challenge using solution self-assembly approaches. Herein, we outline the synthesis of noncentrosymmetric multiblock co-nanofibers by subsequent living crystallization-driven self-assembly of block co-polymers, spatially confined attachment of nanoparticles, and localized nanofiber fragmentation.

Ian Manners (1961-2023): Learning to Fly.

Ian Manners, an internationally renowned main-group and materials scientist, passed away on December 3, 2023. He will be remembered as a brilliant researcher, an avid birdwatching enthusiast, Pink Floyd fan, and champion of his students who had a profoundly positive impact on those around him.

Mortality and discharge disposition among older adults with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury.

Purpose: This study examined the research on older adults with a moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), with a focus on mortality and discharge disposition.

Method: Systematic searches were conducted in MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE and PsycINFO for studies up to April 2022 in accordance with PRISMA guidelines.

Results: 64 studies, published from 1992 to 2022, met the inclusion criteria.

Comparing Randomized Controlled Trials of Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury in Lower to Middle Income Countries Versus High Income Countries.

Outcomes from traumatic brain injury (TBI) including death differ significantly between high-, middle-, and low-income countries. Little is known, however, about differences in TBI research across the globe. The objective of this article was to examine randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of moderate-to-severe TBI in high-income countries (HICs) compared with low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), as defined by the World Bank income per capita cutoff of $13,205 US dollars.

Cognitive behavioral therapy for managing depressive and anxiety symptoms after brain injury: a meta-analysis.

Background: Individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) are at increased risk of depression and anxiety, leading to impaired recovery. While cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) addresses anxiety and depression maintenance factors, its efficacy among those with TBI has not been clearly demonstrated. This review aims to bridge this gap in the literature.

CONNECTing Concussion Care with Research Across Ontario.

Common data elements (CDEs) for concussion, as established by international bodies, are not being widely used in Ontario, resulting in significant variability in the data being assessed and collected across clinics. CDEs support standardization of care as well as large-scale data sharing for high impact research. A collaborative network - - comprised of health care professionals, researchers, members from advocacy groups, and patients was formed to establish and implement CDEs for concussion care and research.

A systematic review of methods of scoring inhaler technique.

Many inhaler devices are currently used in clinical practice to deliver medication, with each inhaler device offering different benefits to overcome technique issues. Inhaler technique remains poor, contributing to reduced airway drug deposition and consequently poor disease control. Scoring inhaler technique has been used within research as an outcome measure of inhaler technique assessment, and this systematic review collates and evaluates these scoring methods.

Tailored Energy Funneling in Photocatalytic π-Conjugated Polymer Nanofibers for High-Performance Hydrogen Production.

The creation of artificial high-performance photosynthetic assemblies with a tailorable antenna system to deliver absorbed solar energy to a photosynthetic reaction center, thereby mimicking biological photosynthesis, remains a major challenge. We report the construction of recyclable, high-performance photosynthetic nanofibers with a crystalline π-conjugated polyfluorene core as an antenna system that funnels absorbed solar energy to spatially defined sensitized Co(II) porphyrin photocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction. Highly effective energy funneling was achieved by tuning the dimensions of the nanofibers to exploit the very long exciton diffusion lengths (>200 nm) associated with the highly crystalline polyfluorene core formed using the living crystallization-driven self-assembly seeded growth method.

Surgeon proficiency gain and survival after gastrectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma: A population-based cohort study.

Objective: Quality of surgery is essential for survival in gastric adenocarcinoma, but studies examining surgeons' proficiency gain of gastrectomies are scarce. This study aimed to reveal potential proficiency gain curves for surgeons operating patients with gastric cancer.

Methods: Population-based cohort study of patients who underwent gastrectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma in Sweden between 2006 and 2015 with follow-up throughout 2020.

Tolerability of pharmacological agents in the treatment of headache following brain injury: a scoping review.

Background: While systematic reviews have examined medication effectiveness for post-traumatic headache (PTH), they have not assessed tolerability.

Objective: To conduct a scoping review to characterize the adverse effects of pharmacotherapy for PTH.

Methods: CINAHL, CMA Infobase, Cochrane Library, Embase, Epistemonikos, MEDLINE, PEDro, PsycInfo, Scopus, SportDiscus, TRIP and the University of York Center for Reviews and Dissemination were searched.

Optimizing tuberculosis screening for immigrants in southern New Brunswick: A pilot study protocol.

Introduction: Immigrants from high tuberculosis-burdened countries have been shown to have an increased risk of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). To reduce the risk of increased tuberculosis cases in Canada, the country has a comprehensive immigration medical examination process that identifies individuals with active tuberculosis using chest X-ray; however, it fails to identify LTBI. The lack of LTBI identification is concerning because immigrants with LTBI are at an increased risk of developing active tuberculosis within their first few years of migration due to stressful experiences common to many immigrants.

Detection parameters for managing invasive rats in urban environments.

Effective mitigation of the impacts of invasive ship rats (Rattus rattus) requires a good understanding of their ecology, but this knowledge is very sparse for urban and peri-urban areas. We radiomarked ship rats in Wellington, New Zealand, to estimate detection parameters (σ, ε, θ, and g) that describe the process of an animal encountering a device (bait stations, chew cards and WaxTags) from a distance, and then approaching it and deciding whether to interact with it. We used this information in simulation models to estimate optimal device spacing for eradicating ship rats from Wellington, and for confirming eradication.