Are Mediators of Grief Reactions Better Predictors Than Risk Factors? A Study Testing the Role of Satisfaction With Rituals, Perceived Social Support, and Coping Strategies.

The present study aimed to assess the mediating role of adjustment processes in known risk factors associated with prolonged grief disorder. Data were collected in March-April 2021 through an online survey of 542 Canadian adults bereaved since March 2020. The mediating role of satisfaction with funeral rituals, bereavement support, and coping strategies on grief outcomes was tested using structural equation modeling.

Designing a resilience-based intervention program for children with cancer and their families: a study protocol.

Background: Advances in pediatric oncology have significantly increased survival rates, yet have introduced challenges in managing long-term treatment side effects. This study process introduces an interdisciplinary clinical intervention program rooted in the family resilience framework, aimed at improving well-being across the cancer trajectory for children and their families, especially those in Canadian communities far from specialized oncology centers with limited access to resources.

Methods: Employing an intervention mapping approach, this program collaboratively involves patients, families, professionals, and researchers.

Scoping Review on Transitions in the Context of Pediatric Palliative Care.

Children with complex and chronic conditions receiving palliative care will likely experience many transitions during their life and their treatments. Transition periods for children with life-limiting conditions and their families can be bewildering and highly anxiety-inducing. However, clinical observations seem to point to a more heterogenous care offer, including a lack or discontinuity of services, at the expense of their quality of life.

EPAC1 and 2 inhibit K currents via PLC/PKC and NOS/PKG pathways in rat ventricular cardiomyocytes.

The exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (EPAC) has been implicated in cardiac proarrhythmic signaling pathways including spontaneous diastolic Ca leak from sarcoplasmic reticulum and increased action potential duration (APD) in isolated ventricular cardiomyocytes. The action potential (AP) lengthening following acute EPAC activation is mainly due to a decrease of repolarizing steady-state K current (IK) but the mechanisms involved remain unknown. This study aimed to assess the role of EPAC1 and EPAC2 in the decrease of IK and to investigate the underlying signaling pathways.

[End-of-life support experiences at home during the Covid-19 pandemic: Issues and challenges].

Objective The aim of this text is to describe the challenges and issues associated with family caregivers during the experience of caring for a person at the end of life at home, in the context of a pandemic. This support situation, already normally demanding, turned out to be more difficult and complicated than usual due to the many challenges and issues associated, in particular, with the health restrictions imposed at the time. Here, we present an analysis of comments gathered from family caregivers during the pandemic.

Exploring pregnant individuals' counseling needs regarding urgent imaging to rule out pulmonary embolism.

Background: Computed tomography pulmonary angiogram and lung scintigraphy with ventilation/perfusion scan are needed to diagnose pulmonary embolism (PE) in pregnancy. Their associated ionizing radiation doses are considered safe in pregnancy. A standardized patient information tool may improve patient counseling and reduce testing hesitancy.

Standardized direct oral anticoagulants prescription for treatment of acute venous thromboembolism in the emergency department: A quality improvement initiative.

Introduction: Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are commonly used for the treatment and prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, prescription errors with DOACs can lead to patient dissatisfaction and harm. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a standardized prescription for DOACs for VTE on prescription appropriateness.

Factor XI Inhibitors: Potential Role in End-Stage Kidney Disease.

Patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) experience a high thrombotic risk but are also at increased risk of bleeding. There is an unmet need for safer antithrombotic therapy in patients with ESKD on hemodialysis. Factor XI (FXI) represents an attractive therapeutic target for anticoagulation because of the potential to mitigate the bleeding risks associated with currently approved anticoagulants, especially in patients at high risk of bleeding.

[F]FDG PET-MR characterization of aortitis in the IL1rn mouse model of giant-cell arteritis.

Background: Metabolic imaging is routinely used to demonstrate aortitis in patients with giant-cell arteritis. We aimed to investigate the preclinical model of aortitis in BALB/c IL1rn mice using [F]fluorodeoxyglucose ([F]FDG) positron emission tomography-magnetic resonance (PET-MR), gamma counting and immunostaining. We used 15 first-generation specific and opportunistic pathogen-free (SOPF) 9-week-old IL1rn mice, 15 wild-type BALB/cAnN mice and 5 s-generation specific pathogen-free (SPF) 9-week-old IL1rn.

Selective Inhibition of Na1.8 with VX-548 for Acute Pain.

Background: The Na1.8 voltage-gated sodium channel, expressed in peripheral nociceptive neurons, plays a role in transmitting nociceptive signals. The effect of VX-548, an oral, highly selective inhibitor of Na1.

Stability of Opened Durvalumab (IMFINZI) Vials. The Beginning of the End of Costly Product Wastage?

Durvalumab is a monoclonal antibody approved for the treatment of lung, urothelial and biliary tract cancers. Durvalumab is supplied in vials as a solution containing no preservatives. Monographs recommend single use of durvalumab vials, and that any leftovers be discarded within 24 h.

Overview of Cardiac Arrhythmias and Treatment Strategies.

Maintenance of normal cardiac rhythm requires coordinated activity of ion channels and transporters that allow well-ordered propagation of electrical impulses across the myocardium. Disruptions in this orderly process provoke cardiac arrhythmias that may be lethal in some patients. Risk of common acquired arrhythmias is increased markedly when structural heart disease caused by myocardial infarction (due to fibrotic scar formation) or left ventricular dysfunction is present.

A Simple Admission Order-set Improves Adherence to Canadian Guidelines for Hospitalized Patients With Severe Ulcerative Colitis.

Background: Individuals hospitalized with severe ulcerative colitis represent a complex group of patients. Variation exists in the quality of care of admitted patients with inflammatory bowel disease. We hypothesized that implementation of a standardized admission order set could result in improved adherence to current best practice guidelines (Toronto Consensus Statements) for the management of this patient population.

TRPM4 contribution in mouse uterine contractions.

In Brief: Inappropriate uterine contractions are a matter of concern during pregnancy or menses. We identified the transient receptor potential melastatin 4 (TRPM4) ion channel as a new actor in mouse uterine contractions highlighting this protein as a potential pharmacological target for a better control of myometrial activity.

Abstract: Control of uterine contractions is of interest in the context of inappropriate myometrial activity during pregnancy and at time of delivery, but it is also a matter for menstrual pain.

Ion Channels in the Development and Remodeling of the Aortic Valve.

The role of ion channels is extensively described in the context of the electrical activity of excitable cells and in excitation-contraction coupling. They are, through this phenomenon, a key element for cardiac activity and its dysfunction. They also participate in cardiac morphological remodeling, in particular in situations of hypertrophy.

Tobramycin a Priori Dosing Regimens Based on PopPK Model Simulations in Critically Ill Patients: Are They Transferable?

Background: In recent years, multiple population pharmacokinetic models have been developed for drugs such as tobramycin that need therapeutic drug monitoring. Some of these models have been used to develop a priori dosing regimens for their respective populations. However, these dosing regimens may not apply to other populations.

Homologation of the Alkyl Side Chain of Antimitotic Phenyl 4-(2-Oxo-3-alkylimidazolidin-1-yl)benzenesulfonate Prodrugs Selectively Targeting CYP1A1-Expressing Breast Cancers Improves Their Stability in Rodent Liver Microsomes.

Phenyl 4-(2-oxo-3-alkylimidazolidin-1-yl)benzenesulfonates (PAIB-SOs) are a new family of antimitotic prodrugs bioactivated in breast cancer cells expressing CYP1A1. In this study, we report that the C-labeled prototypical PAIB-SO [C]CEU-818 and its antimitotic counterpart [C]CEU-602 are distributed in whole mouse body and they show a short half-life in mice. To circumvent this limitation, we evaluated the effect of the homologation of the alkyl side chain of the imidazolidin-2-one moiety of PAIB-SOs.

Development and Evaluation of a Height-Based Tobramycin Initial Dosing Nomogram for the Treatment of Adult Cystic Fibrosis Pulmonary Exacerbations.

Tobramycin is widely used to treat pulmonary exacerbations of cystic fibrosis. Height has been previously found to be significantly more predictive of tobramycin pharmacokinetics than body weight. This study aimed to develop a height-based initial dosing nomogram and evaluate its performance in peak concentration (Cmax) precision relative to standard and fixed dosing.

The psychosocial dimension of housing in Nunavik: does social support vary with household crowding?

Objectives: Studies show that living in overcrowded households can contribute to the erosion of social support, which is an important factor in health and well-being. In this study, we examine the relationship between household crowding and social support for Inuit living in Nunavik (hereafter referred to as Nunavimmiut), a region where housing shortages are considered a serious public health problem. We assess whether overcrowding is associated with lower levels of perceived social support and whether this association varies by gender and age group.