Reducing medical cannabis use risk among Veterans: A descriptive study.

Background: Canadian Veterans experiencing chronic pain report concerns about accessing accurate information on the risks associated with medical cannabis (MC) use. The Lower Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines (LRCUG) were developed to equip individuals who use cannabis recreationally with safer-use strategies. Many of the harm reduction recommendations for recreational cannabis use are relevant and important considerations for MC use.

Rational Design of Porous Organic Framework (POF) for Efficient Conversion of CO2 to Cyclic Carbonates and 2-Oxazolidinones at Atmospheric Pressure Conditions.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) capture and its subsequent catalytic fixation into usable compounds represent a potential approach for addressing the energy problem and the implications of global warming. Hence, it is necessary to develop effective catalytic systems required for the transformation of CO2 into valuable chemicals/fuels. Herein, we rationally designed a hydroxyl-functionalized porous organic framework (OH-POF) consisting of both acidic (OH) as well as basic N sites for the transformation of CO2 using epoxides for the production of cyclic carbonates (CCs), a useful commodity chemical under environmental-friendly, metal/solvent/co-catalyst-free conditions.

Trop-2 and Ephrin B2 expression in urothelial carcinoma with divergent differentiation and aggressive urothelial carcinoma subtypes.

Objectives: Urothelial carcinomas (UCs) encompass a heterogeneous group of tumors. Several histopathologic features are associated with poor clinical outcomes and limited treatment options. With new rising therapeutic modalities, we aimed to determine the pattern of expression of Trop-2 and ephrin B2 in UC with aggressive subtype histology and/or divergent differentiation (SH/DD).

Improving the Quality of Intravenous Procedures in a Pediatric High Dependency Unit.

A pilot project was done to improve the quality of intravenous cannulation procedures at the pediatric high-dependency unit (PHDU) of a tertiary eye care hospital. In a nurses-led initiative, baseline data was collected, fishbone root cause analysis was done, and a custom checklist was prepared to test improvement. Plan Do Study Act (PDSA) cycles were done to test change ideas.

Exploring role of citrus fruits in comorbid neurodegenerative disorders associated with psoriasis.

A neurodegenerative illness is a disorder in which the brain and/or spinal cord's neurons, or nerve cells, gradually deteriorate and disappear. These illnesses often get worse with time and can seriously affect movement, cognition, and other neurological functions. Psoriasis is a long-term autoimmune skin condition marked by fast skin cell growth that results in red, elevated areas coated in silvery-white scales.

Non-Noble Metal Anchored 2D Covalent Organic Framework for Ambient CO Fixation to High-Value Compounds.

The catalytic functionalization of CO into high-value compounds comprises a promising approach to mitigate its atmospheric content and sustainable generation of fine chemicals. In this respect, covalent organic frameworks (COFs) offer great potential in carbon dioxide capture and utilization. Herein, we report application of a crystalline, nanoporous 2D COF (ET-BP-COF) obtained by condensation of 4,4',4'',4'''-(ethene-1,1,2,2-tetrayl) tetraaniline (ET-NH) and 2,2'-bipyridyl-5,5'-dialdehyde (BP-CHO) building blocks for strategic utilization of CO.

Ruthenium complex based nanocomposite film with enhanced and selective electrochemical sensing of bifenthrin pesticide.

Bifenthrin (BF), a widely used pyrethroid pesticide in farming, lacks highly sensitive and selective sensors despite its extensive application. Ruthenium complexes are very effective for selective sensing applications but suffer from structural instability at elevated conditions, electrochemical activity, and the use of costly electrolytes. This work improves their electrochemical activity and mechanical strength by incorporating silver nanowires and replacing the costly electrolyte with abundant KCl + PBS, resulting in enhanced signal performance.

Highly selective and flexible silver nanoparticles-based paper sensor for on-site colorimetric detection of paraquat pesticide.

Paper-based sensors or paper-based analytical devices (PADs) have recently emerged as the cost-efficient, and portable, on-site detection tools for various biological and environmental analytes. However, paper-based sensors often suffer from poor selectivity. Here, a single-step paper-based flexible sensor platform has been developed for the on-site detection of paraquat (PQ) pesticide in real samples, utilizing chitosan and citrate-capped silver nanoparticles integrated with a flexible paper.

The Rocker Technique for Atlantoaxial Dislocation With or Without Basilar Invagination: A Prospective Observational Study.

Background And Objectives: Atlantoaxial dislocation (AAD) poses a complex surgical challenge. Surgical approaches vary for reducible and irreducible cases. Challenges persist in reducing the atlantodental interval, especially in cases with oblique or vertical C1-C2 joints.

A Model with Feedback Mechanism for Learning Hand-Eye Coordination: A Pilot Study.

Background: Practicing neuroendoscopic skills like hand-eye coordination is mandatory before embarking on actual surgeries. Synthetic models are able alternatives for cadavers and animals. Presently available models in the literature are either very costly or lack a feedback mechanism, which makes training difficult.

Endoscopic Management of Chronic Subdural Hematoma Using a Novel Brain Retractor.

Background: Endoscopic procedures are useful in chronic subdural hematoma especially when there are septations, solid/organized hematoma, and the presence of bridging or neovessels in the cavity. Visualizing the distal hematoma cavity by a rigid scope is challenging in large and curved ones due to the hindrance by the brain surface. Combining rigid endoscopy and brain retractor can overcome this limitation.

Screening for undiagnosed pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI) in a cohort of diabetic patients using faecal elastase testing and PEI scoring system.

Introduction: Type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) are often accompanied by mild forms of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI). The prevalence rates of PEI in diabetic patients are unclear and variable depending on the testing modality and the studies published. The clinical consequences of PEI in diabetics are also not well defined.

Antimicrobial Potential of Polyphenols: An Update on Alternative for Combating Antimicrobial Resistance.

The last decade has encountered an increasing demand for plant-based natural antibiotics. This demand has led to more research-based investigations for natural sources of antimicrobial agents and published reports demonstrating that plant extracts are widely applied in modern medicine, reporting potential activity that may be due to polyphenol compounds. Interestingly, the effects of polyphenols on the sensitivity of bacteria to antibiotics have not been well-studied.

Exploring role of natural compounds in molecular alterations associated with brain ageing: A perspective towards nutrition for ageing brain.

Aging refers to complete deterioration of physiological integrity and function. By midcentury, adults over 60 years of age and children under 15 years will begin to outnumber people in working age. This shift will bring multiple global challenges for economy, health, and society.

Mechanically robust, transparent, and UV-shielding composite of Na-Alginate and maleic acid-functionalized boron nitride nanosheets with improved antioxidant property.

Maleic acid functionalized boron nitride nanosheets (BNNS-MA)/Na-Alginate composite with enhanced mechanical, UV-shielding and antioxidation properties have been fabricated for the first time by solvent evaporation from a homogeneous aqueous dispersion of BNNS-MA/Na-Alginate composite solution. The composite fabrication was driven by homogenous nano-integrations and chemistry of compatibilization of BNNS-MA with Na-Alginate through H-bonding interactions between -COOH functional group of BNNS-MA and -OH, -COONa groups of Na-Alginate. The BNNS-MA/Na-Alginate composites show significant enhancement of mechanical, UV-blocking and antioxidant properties compared to the Na-Alginate.

Views on and experiences with medicinal cannabis among Canadian veterans who live with pain: A qualitative study.

Background: During fiscal year 2021-2022, Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) reimbursed 18,388 veterans for medicinal cannabis at a cost of $153 million. Yet, it is not known whether the reimbursement program is producing a net benefit for veterans.

Aims: This study investigated the views and experiences Canadian that veterans who live with pain have about medicinal cannabis use, including its use for the management of chronic pain, poor sleep, and emotional distress.

Early B-cell development and B-cell maturation are impaired in patients with active hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is characterized by hyperinflammation and multiorgan dysfunction. Infections, including the reactivation of viruses, contribute to significant disease mortality in HLH. Although T-cell and natural killer cell-driven immune activation and dysregulation are well described, limited data exist on the status of B-cell compartment and humoral immune function in HLH.

Regulation of antigen-specific T cell infiltration and spatial architecture in multiple myeloma and premalignancy.

Entry of antigen-specific T cells into human tumors is critical for immunotherapy, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we combined high-dimensional spatial analyses with in vitro and in vivo modeling to study the mechanisms underlying immune infiltration in human multiple myeloma (MM) and its precursor monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). Clustered tumor growth was a feature of MM but not MGUS biopsies, and this growth pattern was reproduced in humanized mouse models.

pH-Responsive Gallol-Functionalized Hyaluronic Acid-Based Tissue Adhesive Hydrogels for Injection and Three-Dimensional Bioprinting.

The major challenges of hyaluronic acid-based bioinks in extrusion-based three-dimensional bioprinting are poor printability and low printing accuracy. To tackle the challenges, we developed a bioink in which two components are blended: gallic acid-functionalized hyaluronic acid (HAGA) and hyaluronic acid methacrylate (HAMA). In the precursor phase, the blend's HAGA component enables pH-dependent viscosity modulation that results in improved injectability and printability at physiological temperature.