Prognostic Role of Serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Hepatocyte Growth Factor Post Stereotactic Body Radiation in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background/aims: Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) has evolved as a treatment alternative for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients who are ineligible for other local therapies. Posttreatment responses are assessed by imaging modalities, serum AFP, and protein induced by vitamin K absence-II (PIVKA) II levels. Despite good specificity, both AFP and PIVKA-II have low to medium sensitivity.

Association of Insomnia with Functional Outcomes Relevant to Daily Behaviors and Sleep-Related Quality of Life among First Nations People in Two Communities in Saskatchewan, Canada.

Insomnia is a common sleep complaint in Canada and is associated with increased use of health care services and economic burden. This paper examines the association of insomnia with functional outcomes relevant to daily behaviors and sleep-related quality of life among First Nations participants using the Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire (FOSQ-10). The First Nations Sleep Health Project follow-up survey was conducted in partnership with two Cree First Nations in the summer of 2022, where 355 individuals participated.

Association between insomnia and four domains of health based on an Indigenous Medicine Wheel: Findings from two Saskatchewan First Nation communities.

Objectives: Research has shown that insomnia and chronic diseases can simultaneously impact overall health, including physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. This study aims to find the association between insomnia and the four domains of health based on an Indigenous Medicine Wheel and to find the role of multimorbidity as a mediator between this relation among First Nations people.

Methods: We used data (n = 588) from the First Nations Sleep Health Project, a collaboration between two Cree First Nations communities in Saskatchewan and a research team at the University of Saskatchewan.

Impaired sleep, multimorbidity, and self-rated health among Canadians: Findings from a nationally representative survey.

Background: Self-rated health (SRH) is a globally recognized measure of health status. Both impaired sleep (IS) and the presence of multimorbidity are related to poorer SRH, but the precise nature of these associations remains unclear. This study explored the association between IS, multimorbidity, and SRH among Canadian adults.

Modulation of CD8T cells, NK cells and Th1cytokines by metabolic milieu in decline of HBV-viremia in pregnant women treated with tenofovir-disoproxil from second trimester of pregnancy.

High HBV DNA levels predispose to mother to child transmission (MTCT) of HBV. Early nucleotide analogue (NA) therapy can reduce HBV DNA and minimize MTCT. We analysed immune-metabolic profile in pregnant mothers who received NA from 2nd trimester compared with untreated mothers.

A systematic review for the development of Alzheimer's disease in models: a focus on different inducing agents.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common progressive neurodegenerative disease and is associated with dementia. Presently, various chemical and environmental agents are used to induce models of Alzheimer disease to investigate the efficacy of different therapeutic drugs. We screened literature from databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google scholar, emphasizing the diverse targeting mechanisms of neuro degeneration explored in models.

Metabolic alterations unravel the maternofetal immune responses with disease severity in pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2.

Pregnancy being an immune compromised state, coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) disease poses high risk of premature delivery and threat to fetus. Plasma metabolome regulates immune cellular responses, therefore we aimed to analyze the change in plasma secretome, metabolome, and immune cells with disease severity in COVID-19 positive pregnant females and their cord blood. COVID-19 reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction positive pregnant females (n = 112) with asymptomatic (Asy) (n = 82), mild (n = 21), or moderate (n = 9) disease, healthy pregnant (n = 18), COVID-19 positive nonpregnant females (n = 7) were included.

Exploring the Implications of COVID-19 on Food Security and Coping Strategies among Urban Indigenous Peoples in Saskatchewan, Canada.

The COVID-19 pandemic has notably impacted food security, especially among urban Indigenous communities. This study aimed to examine the impact of the pandemic and related lockdown measures on the food security of urban Indigenous peoples in Saskatchewan, Canada. In partnership with Indigenous co-researchers, we designed an online survey disseminated via SurveyMonkey (San Mateo, CA, USA) from August 2021 to August 2022.

An examination of willingness to participate and willingness to pay for a universal school food program in the Canadian context.

Objective: To examine parents'/caregivers' willingness to participate and willingness to pay (WTP) for a cost-shared school food program (SFP) and its associated factors.

Design: A quantitative survey design was used where WTP for a hypothetical SFP was elicited using a double-bounded dichotomous choice elicitation method. We used a double hurdle (logistic and truncated regression) model to examine WTP and positively or negatively associated factors.

The Contribution of Gestational Diabetes to Diabetes Risk Among First Nations and Non-First Nations Women in Saskatchewan: Results From the DIP: ORRIIGENSS Project.

Objectives: Our aim in this study was to determine the risk for diabetes mellitus (DM) among Saskatchewan First Nations (FN) and non-FN women with prior gestational DM (GDM).

Methods: Using Ministry of Health administrative databases, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of DM risk by GDM occurrence among FN and non-FN women giving birth from 1980 to 2009 and followed to March 31, 2013. We determined frequencies and odds ratios (ORs) of DM in women with/without prior GDM after stratifying by FN status, while adjusting for other DM determinants.

Association Between Insulin Resistance and the Inflammatory Marker C-reactive Protein in a Representative Healthy Adult Canadian Population: Results From the Canadian Health Measures Survey.

Objectives: Insulin resistance (IR) leads to type 2 diabetes mellitus. Multiple IR causes have been identified, including inflammation. This study determines the association between IR and the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP) in a healthy Canadian population and examines potential differences by sex and age.

Dietary Patterns of Off-Reserve Indigenous Peoples in Canada and Their Association with Chronic Conditions.

Nationally representative nutrition surveys (Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) Cycle 2.2, Nutrition 2004 and 2015) were used to examine dietary patterns and their association with socioeconomic/sociodemographic factors and chronic conditions in off-reserve Indigenous population in Canada. A cluster analysis was used to identify dietary patterns (DPs), and the Nutrient Rich Food Index (NRF 9.

Housing inadequacy in rural Saskatchewan First Nation communities.

Housing and house conditions on First Nation communities in Canada are important determinants of health for community members. Little is known about rural First Nation housing in the Canadian Prairies. The aim was to survey houses in two rural First Nation communities in Saskatchewan, Canada to understand housing conditions, prevalence of mold/mildew and dampness, and sources, locations and frequency of mold and dampness.

Association between liver enzymes and metabolic syndrome in Canadian adults: results from the Canadian health measures survey - cycles 3 &4.

Background: The relationship between liver enzymes and Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) in different populations, including Canadians, is not consistent and well understood. We used the Canadian Health Measures Survey data (Cycles 3 and 4) to examine the cross-sectional relationships between select liver biomarkers and MetS in the adult Canadian population. The biomarkers selected were gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALKP).

STOP-Bang Score and Prediction of Severity of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in a First Nation Community in Saskatchewan, Canada.

The STOP-Bang questionnaire is an easy-to-administer scoring model to screen and identify patients at high risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, its diagnostic utility has never been tested with First Nation peoples. The objective was to determine the predictive parameters and the utility of the STOP-Bang questionnaire as an OSA screening tool in a First Nation community in Saskatchewan.

Impact of low health literacy on patients' health outcomes: a multicenter cohort study.

Background: This study aims to assess the health literacy of medical patients admitted to hospitals and examine its correlation with patients' emergency department visits, hospital readmissions, and durations of hospital stay.

Methods: This prospective cohort study recruited patients admitted to the general internal medicine units at the two urban tertiary care hospitals. Health literacy was measured using the full-length Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults.

Current Profile of Physical Impairments in Children with Cerebral Palsy in Inclusive Education Settings: A Cross-Sectional Study.

 Cerebral palsy (CP) excerpts a heterogeneous corral of neurological disorders occurring due to injury to the developing brain leading to motor dysfunctions. The CP children enjoy success and progress in normal school education and curriculum program. The principle of inclusive education has been acknowledged over recent decades in all countries supporting the schooling of children with disabilities into mainstream settings for constructing an inclusive society.

Food Security Status of Indigenous Peoples in Canada According to the 4 Pillars of Food Security: A Scoping Review.

Food insecurity is a significant public health problem for Indigenous peoples in Canada. A comprehensive literature review is needed to organize the evidence according to the 4 pillars of food security (i.e.

Targeting mitochondrial bioenergetics as a promising therapeutic strategy in metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases.

Mitochondria are the organelles that generate energy for the cells and act as biosynthetic and bioenergetic factories, vital for normal cell functioning and human health. Mitochondrial bioenergetics is considered an important measure to assess the pathogenesis of various diseases. Dysfunctional mitochondria affect or cause several conditions involving the most energy-intensive organs, including the brain, muscles, heart, and liver.

Obesity, Sex, Snoring and Severity of OSA in a First Nation Community in Saskatchewan, Canada.

Sleep disorders have been related to body weight, social conditions, and a number of comorbidities. These include high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes, both of which are prevalent in the First Nations communities. We explored relationships between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and risk factors including social, environmental, and individual circumstances.

The Role of Immunomodulatory Nutrients in Alleviating Complications Related to SARS-CoV-2: A Scoping Review.

The recent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has warranted the need to investigate potential therapies or prophylaxis against this infectious respiratory disease. There is emerging evidence about the potential role of nutrients on COVID-19 in addition to using medications such as hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin. This scoping review aims to explore the literature evaluating the effect of immunomodulatory nutrients on the outcomes including hospitalization, intensive care unit admission, oxygen requirement, and mortality in COVID-19 patients.

Predictive biomarkers of cardiovascular disease in adult Canadian population.

Background: Elevated levels of the enzymes gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and C-reactive protein (CRP) have been shown to be associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Objective: To assess cross-sectional relationships between biomarkers GGT, ALT, AST, ALP and CVD in adult Canadian population.

Methods: The Canadian Health Measures Surveys (CHMSs) are a series of cross-sectional national surveys and collect information on indicators of general health and wellness of Canadians.