Publications by authors named "Morgan Macdonald"

Introduction: Pediatric testicular torsion (TT) is a urologic emergency that may result in testicular loss if left untreated. Testicular salvage is dependent on prompt intervention, and thus delays in diagnosis and management may threaten testicular viability. Knowledge of real-world Canadian practice patterns for pediatric TT will allow optimization of practices based on resource availability and geographic limitations to improve care.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

This study examined the concentrations and compositions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contaminants in the surficial sediments of the Saint John Harbour (SJH) and assessed PAH exposure to local aquatic biota. Our findings suggest that sedimentary PAH contamination is heterogeneous and widespread in the SJH, with several sites exceeding the Canadian and NOAA recommended guidelines for the protection of aquatic life. Despite high concentrations of PAHs at some sites, there was no indication that local nekton was affected.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: Routine measurements of serum hemoglobin (sHgb) are common after abdominal surgery; however, prolonged measurements may be associated with patient anxiety, increased costs, and longer hospitalization without clinical benefit. The objective of this study was to determine the utility of routine sHgb measurements after radical cystectomy (RC) and factors associated with transfusion of packed red blood cell (pRB C) beyond postoperative day (POD ) 2.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent RC between 2009 and 2019 at a single academic tertiary care center.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature to evaluate the efficacy of the routine use of tranexamic acid (TXA) during percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). This systematic review was conducted following the updated reporting guidelines from PRISMA 2020. In total, 275 titles and abstracts were reviewed, of which 20 were screened to be eligible for full text review.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare, highly malignant endocrine tumor, often associated with a poor prognosis. Most patients who develop ACC are either children of ages 1-6, or adults in their fourth to fifth decade of life. Individuals with a functional cortisol-secreting ACC frequently present with Cushing syndrome.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Adaptation to drought is particularly challenging on remote island atolls, such as those found in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), a nation of 58,000 populating 29 low-lying coral atolls spread over >2 million km. Exposure to consecutive atmospheric hazards, such as meteorological floods and droughts diminish scarce water resources and erode the resilience of island communities. Drought impact mitigation measures must supply emergency drinking water to stricken communities, while simultaneously conserving natural sources in order to reduce their vulnerability to subsequent events.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: Although survival rates are highest among prostate cancer survivors compared to any other forms of cancer, nearly 60% suffer from mental distress. Here we examine urinary function and psychosocial stressors and their association with poor mental health in a younger group of prostate cancer survivors who have undergone curative treatment.

Methods: The study includes 128 men (47 to 70 years old) who received active treatment for prostate cancer, and completed a survivorship online survey between 2017 and 2018.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The zebrafish has become a popular human tumour xenograft model, particularly for solid tumours including prostate cancer (PCa). To date PCa xenotransplantation studies in zebrafish have not been performed in the presence of testosterone, even when employing androgen-dependent cell models, such as the LNCaP cell line. Thus, with the goal of more faithfully modelling the hormonal milieu in which PCa develops in humans, we sought to determine the effects of exogenous testosterone on the growth of LNCaP, or androgen-independent C4-2 cells xenografted into zebrafish embryos.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Point-of-use water treatment has received widespread application in the developing world to help mitigate waterborne infectious disease. This study examines the efficacy of a combined filter and chemical disinfection technology in removing bacterial contaminants, and more specifically changes in its performance resulting from seasonal weather variability. During a 12-month field trial in Chennai, India, mean log-reductions were 1.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

This article scrutinizes the boiling of water in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, India. Boiling, as it is commonly practiced, improves water quality, but its full potential is not being realized. Thus, the objective is to refine the method in practice, promote acceptability, and foster the scalability of boiling and household water treatment (HWT) writ large.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF