Investigating Cardiac Temperature During Heart Transplantation Using the Static Cold Storage Paradigm.

Background: Static cold storage is a mainstay of the heart transplantation (HTx) process. However, the temperature distribution within the organ at each stage of HTx is unknown. In this study, we aimed to quantify how long it took for the heart to warm up and cool down and the nature of temperature distribution with the organ at each stage of HTx.

Neuro-mesenchymal interaction mediated by a β2 adrenergic-nerve growth factor feedforward loop promotes colorectal cancer progression.

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and nerves, components of the tumor microenvironment, have each been shown to directly promote gastrointestinal cancers. However, it remains unknown whether these cells interact with each other to regulate cancer progression. We found that in colorectal cancer (CRC) norepinephrine induces ADRB2-dependent nerve growth factor (NGF) secretion from CAFs, which in turn increases intra-tumor sympathetic innervation and norepinephrine accumulation.

Investigating factors influencing decision-making around use of breastmilk substitutes by health care professionals: a qualitative study.

Background: Breastfeeding is recognized as the gold standard of infant feeding and nutrition. The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) of infants for the first 6 months of life. A variety of factors may impact breastfeeding practices in-hospital which may continue after hospital discharge, such as the use of breastmilk substitutes (BMS).

The impact of isolated obesity compared with obesity and other risk factors on risk of stillbirth: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Maternal obesity is associated with stillbirth, but uncertainty persists around the effects of higher obesity classes. We sought to compare the risk of stillbirth associated with maternal obesity alone versus maternal obesity and additional or undiagnosed factors contributing to high-risk pregnancy.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the Better Outcomes Registry and Network (BORN) for singleton hospital births in Ontario between 2012 and 2018.

Sensory nerve release of CGRP increases tumor growth in HNSCC by suppressing TILs.

Background: Perineural invasion (PNI) and nerve density within the tumor microenvironment (TME) have long been associated with worse outcomes in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). This prompted an investigation into how nerves within the tumor microenvironment affect the adaptive immune system and tumor growth.

Methods: We used RNA sequencing analysis of human tumor tissue from a recent HNSCC clinical trial, proteomics of human nerves from HNSCC patients, and syngeneic orthotopic murine models of HPV-unrelated HNSCC to investigate how sensory nerves modulate the adaptive immune system.

An optimized protocol for isolation of murine pancreatic single cells with high yield and purity.

Here, we present a protocol for rapidly isolating single cells from the mouse pancreas, minimizing damage caused by digestive enzymes in exocrine cells. We guide you through steps to optimize the dissection sequence, enzyme composition, and operational procedures, resulting in high yields of viable pancreatic single cells. This protocol can be applied across a wide range of research areas, including single-cell sequencing, gene expression profiling, primary cell culture, and even the development of spheroids or organoids.

Tumor Growth Rate Informs Treatment Efficacy in Metastatic Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: Application of a Growth and Regression Model to Pivotal Trial and Real-World Data.

Background: Methods for screening agents earlier in development and strategies for conducting smaller randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are needed.

Methods: We retrospectively applied a tumor growth model to estimate the rates of growth of pancreatic cancer using radiographic tumor measurements or serum CA 19-9 values from 3033 patients with stages III-IV PDAC who were enrolled in 8 clinical trials or were included in 2 large real-world data sets.

Results: g correlated inversely with OS and was consistently lower in the experimental arms than in the control arms of RCTs.

Functional analysis of RYR1 variants in patients with confirmed susceptibility to malignant hyperthermia.

Background: A major bottleneck to the introduction of noninvasive presymptomatic diagnostic tests for the pharmacogenetic disorder malignant hyperthermia is the lack of functional data for associated variants.

Methods: We screened 50 genes having a potential role in skeletal muscle calcium homeostasis using the HaloPlex™ (Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, CA, USA) target enrichment system and next-generation sequencing. Twenty-one patients with a history of a clinical malignant hyperthermia reaction together with a positive in vitro contracture test were included.

Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among obstetric patients in Ottawa, Canada: a descriptive study.

Background: There is limited information on the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in obstetric settings in Canada, beyond the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic (February to June 2020). We sought to describe the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant people admitted to triage units at a tertiary care hospital in Ottawa, Canada.

Methods: We conducted a descriptive study of pregnant people admitted to obstetric triage assessment units at The Ottawa Hospital between Oct.

The psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and a SARS-CoV-2 testing programme on obstetric patients and healthcare workers.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the specific impact of a universal SARS-CoV-2 testing programme on obstetric patients and healthcare workers at The Ottawa Hospital.

Methods: This was a follow-up survey study of obstetric healthcare workers and then-pregnant patients who participated in a SARS-CoV-2 testing programme conducted in The Ottawa Hospital obstetrical triage units from 19 October to 17 November 2020. Surveys explored the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the testing programme on participants' psychological well-being.

Folic Acid Supplementation in Early Pregnancy, Homocysteine Concentration, and Risk of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.

We used a prospective cohort of pregnant women at 12 to 20 weeks gestation between 2002 and 2008 in Ottawa and Kingston to evaluate the impact of early pregnancy folic acid supplementation on the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus. Among 7552 eligible women, 84 (1.11%) were diagnosed of gestational diabetes mellitus.

Future directions in preclinical and translational cancer neuroscience research.

Recent advances in cancer neuroscience necessitate the systematic analysis of neural influences in cancer as potential therapeutic targets in oncology. Here, we outline recommendations for future preclinical and translational research in this field.

Birth outcomes following cesarean delivery on maternal request: a population-based cohort study.

Background: Data on the effect of cesarean delivery on maternal request (CDMR) on maternal and neonatal outcomes are inconsistent and often limited by inadequate case definitions and other methodological issues. Our objective was to evaluate the trends, determinants and outcomes of CDMR using an intent-to-treat approach.

Methods: We designed a population-based retrospective cohort study using data on low-risk pregnancies in Ontario, Canada (April 2012-March 2018).

Feasibility of patient-focused behavioral interventions to support adults experiencing chronic noncancer pain during opioid tapering: a systematic literature review.

Guidelines for chronic noncancer pain prioritize behavioral treatments. In clinical practice transition from opioids to behavioral treatments is often not endorsed by patients or providers. Feasible interventions to support opioid tapering are needed, particularly in primary care.

Impact of high-dose folic acid supplementation in pregnancy on biomarkers of folate status and 1-carbon metabolism: An ancillary study of the Folic Acid Clinical Trial (FACT).

Background: Periconceptional folic acid (FA) supplementation is recommended to prevent the occurrence of neural tube defects. Currently, most over-the-counter FA supplements in Canada and the United States contain 1 mg FA and some women are prescribed 5 mg FA/d. High-dose FA is hypothesized to impair 1-carbon metabolism.

Beyond the black stump: rapid reviews of health research issues affecting regional, rural and remote Australia.

Unlabelled: CHAPTER 1: RETAIL INITIATIVES TO IMPROVE THE HEALTHINESS OF FOOD ENVIRONMENTS IN RURAL, REGIONAL AND REMOTE COMMUNITIES: Objective: To synthesise the evidence for effectiveness of initiatives aimed at improving food retail environments and consumer dietary behaviour in rural, regional and remote populations in Australia and comparable countries, and to discuss the implications for future food environment initiatives for rural, regional and remote areas of Australia.

Study Design: Rapid review of articles published between January 2000 and May 2020.

Data Sources: We searched MEDLINE (EBSCOhost), Health and Society Database (Informit) and Rural and Remote Health Database (Informit), and included studies undertaken in rural food environment settings in Australia and other countries.

Integrated Primary Healthcare Opioid Tapering Interventions: A Mixed-Methods Study of Feasibility and Acceptability in Two General Practices in New South Wales, Australia.

Introduction: Integrated team-based primary healthcare is well positioned to support opioid tapering for patients experiencing chronic pain. This paper describes the development, implementation and acceptability of a primary healthcare opioid tapering intervention 'Assess Inform Manage Monitor' (AIMM) at two sites.

Methods: AIMM involved GP advice; nurse monitoring and potential engagement with: community pharmacist; psychologist; dietitian and exercise physiologist.

PD-1 Signaling Promotes Tumor-Infiltrating Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells and Gastric Tumorigenesis in Mice.

Background & Aims: Immune checkpoint inhibitors have limited efficacy in many tumors. We investigated mechanisms of tumor resistance to inhibitors of programmed cell death-1 (PDCD1, also called PD-1) in mice with gastric cancer, and the role of its ligand, PD-L1.

Methods: Gastrin-deficient mice were given N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) in drinking water along with Helicobacter felis to induce gastric tumor formation; we also performed studies with H/K-ATPase-hIL1B mice, which develop spontaneous gastric tumors at the antral-corpus junction and have parietal cells that constitutively secrete interleukin 1B.

Clinically Actionable Strategies for Studying Neural Influences in Cancer.

Neuro-glial activation is a recently identified hallmark of growing cancers. Targeting tumor hyperinnervation in preclinical and small clinical trials has yielded promising antitumor effects, highlighting the need of systematic analysis of neural influences in cancer (NIC). Here, we outline the strategies translating these findings from bench to the clinic.

Interleukin-1β-induced pancreatitis promotes pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma via B lymphocyte-mediated immune suppression.

Objective: Long-standing chronic pancreatitis is an established risk factor for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) has been associated in PDAC with shorter survival. We employed murine models to investigate the mechanisms by which IL-1β and chronic pancreatitis might contribute to PDAC progression.