Publications by authors named "O'Brien S"

Mammographic breast density is widely accepted as an independent risk factor for the development of breast cancer. In addition, because dense breast tissue may mask breast malignancies, breast density is inversely related to the sensitivity of screening mammography. Given the risks associated with breast density, as well as ongoing efforts to stratify individual risk and personalize breast cancer screening and prevention, numerous studies have sought to better understand the factors that impact breast density, and to develop and implement reproducible, quantitative methods to assess mammographic density.

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  • Signet ring cell adenocarcinomas (SRCCs) are a rare cancer subtype mainly found in the stomach and colon, and they generally have a worse prognosis than typical adenocarcinomas, especially in patients over 50.
  • SRCCs in younger patients mainly affect the lower part of the stomach, while colorectal SRCCs have particularly poor outcomes across all ages, especially in younger patients.
  • This study analyzes data from the SEER database to better understand how tumor location, age, and stage influence outcomes for SRCCs compared to conventional adenocarcinomas.
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Objective: Mathematical models have gained traction when estimating cases of foodborne illness. Model structures vary due to differences in data availability. This begs the question as to whether differences in foodborne illness rates internationally are real or due to differences in modelling approaches.

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  • Heavy menstrual bleeding is a common issue among reproductive-aged women, leading to iron deficiency and anemia, which are often overlooked or normalized by society and healthcare providers.
  • Both conditions significantly impact quality of life, affecting cognitive functions and leading to absenteeism in work and school settings.
  • The authors emphasize the need for greater awareness and changes in healthcare policies to better prevent, diagnose, and manage heavy menstrual bleeding and iron deficiency in women, as these issues can also affect child development.
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Background: In ISCHEMIA-CKD, 777 patients with advanced chronic kidney disease and chronic coronary disease had similar all-cause mortality with either an initial invasive or conservative strategy (27.2% vs 27.8%, respectively).

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Background: Operative mortality risk models for adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) undergoing cardiac operations are essential, given the growing population of these patients, yet they are currently unavailable. Existing adult Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) models exclude congenital procedures, whereas existing congenital models exclude operations for acquired disease. We aimed to develop an STS mortality risk model for ACHD patients undergoing cardiac operations.

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Historically, invasive procedures and surgeries were deferred in patients with haematological malignancies including advanced stage chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) because of limited life expectancy. However, novel, and often continuous, treatments have markedly improved outcomes in CLL. Some patients may expect years of treatment response and disease control, overcoming the short life expectancy that deters interventionalists.

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Background: Risk estimation for surgical intervention is an essential component of heart team shared decision-making. However, current mitral valve (MV) surgery risk models used in practice lack etiologic or procedural specificity. The purpose of this study was to establish a comprehensive method for assessment of operative risk of MV repair of primary mitral regurgitation (MR).

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Background: Risk estimation for surgical intervention is an essential component of heart team shared decision-making. However, current mitral valve (MV) surgery risk models used in practice lack etiologic or procedural specificity.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to establish a comprehensive method for assessment of operative risk of MV repair of primary mitral regurgitation (MR).

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Background: There are limited randomized controlled trials with long-term outcomes comparing autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) versus alternative forms of surgical cartilage management within the knee.

Purpose: To determine at 5 years after surgery whether ACI was superior to alternative forms of cartilage management in patients after a failed previous treatment for chondral or osteochondral defects in the knee.

Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1.

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Importance: Nasal high-flow oxygen therapy in infants with bronchiolitis and hypoxia has been shown to reduce the requirement to escalate care. The efficacy of high-flow oxygen therapy in children aged 1 to 4 years with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure without bronchiolitis is unknown.

Objective: To determine the effect of early high-flow oxygen therapy vs standard oxygen therapy in children with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure.

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Background: Parenting interventions reduce antisocial behavior (ASB) in some children with conduct problems (CPs), but not others. Understanding the neural basis for this disparity is important because persistent ASB is associated with lifelong morbidity and places a huge burden on our health and criminal justice systems. One of the most highly replicated neural correlates of ASB is amygdala hypoactivity to another person's fear.

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We compared the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 anti-nucleocapsid antibodies in blood donors across Canadian regions in 2021. The seroprevalence was the highest in Alberta and the Prairies, and it was so low in Atlantic Canada that few correlates were observed. Being male and of young age were predictive of seropositivity.

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The combination of ponatinib, a third-generation BCR::ABL1 tyrosine kinase inhibitor, with hyper-CVAD chemotherapy resulted in high rates of complete molecular remissions and survival, without the need for stem cell transplantation (SCT) in most patients with Philadelphia chromosome(Ph)-positive acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). Confirming these results in a large cohort of patients with longer follow-up would establish this regimen as a new standard of care. Adults with newly diagnosed Ph-positive ALL were treated with the hyper-CVAD regimen.

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Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is associated with a high rate of morbidity and mortality as well as a high rate of relapse. The molecular mechanisms underlying the progression of the disorder or the relapses are largely unknown. Patients with AN have been shown to have increased oxidative stress, but its involvement in the development in the disease is unknown.

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Objectives: To describe and reflect on the consumer engagement approaches used in five living guidelines from the perspectives of consumers (i.e., patients, carers, the public, and their representatives) and guideline developers.

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Background: Perioperative anemia and transfusions are associated with adverse operative outcomes after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). Their individual association with long-term outcomes is unclear.

Methods: Patients aged 65 years and older who had undergone CABG and were in The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Adult Cardiac Surgery Database (n = 504,596) from 2011 to 2018 were linked to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service data to assess long-term survival.

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Objectives: Customised acoustic therapy aims to moderate the neural pathways implicated in the pathophysiology of tinnitus. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of customised acoustic therapy administered via a web-based treatment platform.

Design: Clinical trial with prospective recruitment.

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