Peer support provider and recipients' perspectives on compassion in virtual peer support stroke programs: "You can't really be supportive without compassion".

Background: Peer support programs demonstrate numerous benefits, including emotional, instrumental, informational, and affirmational social support. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, many peer support stroke programs in Canada have been delivered virtually. Compassion must be consistently applied to build meaningful interactions, but the shift to virtual services may have changed the quality of interaction and compassion in virtual services.

Towards an understanding of the biopsychosocial determinants of CVD in SLE: a scoping review.

Objective: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune condition with significant physical, mental, psychosocial and economic impacts. A main driver of SLE morbidity and mortality is cardiovascular disease (CVD). Both SLE and CVD exhibit disparities related to gender, race and other social dimensions linked with biological outcomes and health trajectories.

Enhancing mass spectrometry imaging accessibility using convolutional autoencoders for deriving hypoxia-associated peptides from tumors.

Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) allows to study cancer's intratumoral heterogeneity through spatially-resolved peptides, metabolites and lipids. Yet, in biomedical research MSI is rarely used for biomarker discovery. Besides its high dimensionality and multicollinearity, mass spectrometry (MS) technologies typically output mass-to-charge ratio values but not the biochemical compounds of interest.

Exploring the experiences of adults with stroke in virtual community-based stroke programs: a qualitative descriptive study.

Background: Stroke is among the top contributors to disability and can impact an individual's cognition, physical functioning, and mental health. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, several community-based organizations have started delivering stroke programs virtually. However, participants' experiences in these programs remain understudied, and evidence-based guidelines to inform and optimize virtual stroke program development and delivery are lacking.

Evaluations of virtual exercise programmes for adults with mobility limitations: a scoping review protocol incorporating an equity lens to inform the development of strategies to optimise participation of under-represented groups.

Introduction: For individuals with mobility limitations, virtual exercise programmes can address the challenges of in-person participation in community exercise programmes. A synthesis of studies of virtual exercise programmes targeting mobility limitations provided outside of conventional rehabilitation services and strategies used to optimise equitable access and inclusivity in these programmes is lacking. We aim to characterise evaluations of virtual exercise programmes for adults with mobility limitations, and the nature of and extent to which equity, diversity and inclusion considerations are integrated in the research process.

Thrombin generation, bleeding and hemostasis in humans: Protocol for a scoping review of the literature.

Introduction: Hemostasis and bleeding are difficult to measure. Thrombin generation assays (TGAs) can measure both procoagulant and anticoagulant contributions to coagulation. TGAs might prove useful for the study of bleeding disorders.

Advanced in vitro hemocompatibility assessment of biomaterials using a new flow incubation system.

Physiologically relevant in vitro hemocompatibility assessment of biomaterials remains challenging. We present a new setup that enables standardized whole blood incubation of biomedical materials under flow. A blood volume of 2 mL is recirculated over test surfaces in a custom-made parallel plate incubation system to determine the activation of hemostasis and inflammation.

Hemocompatibility tuning of an innovative glutaraldehyde-free preparation strategy using riboflavin/UV crosslinking and electron irradiation of bovine pericardium for cardiac substitutes.

Hemocompatibility tuning was adopted to explore and refine an innovative, GA-free preparation strategy combining decellularization, riboflavin/UV crosslinking, and low-energy electron irradiation (SULEEI) procedure. A SULEEI-protocol was established to avoid GA-dependent deterioration that results in insufficient long-term aortic valve bioprosthesis durability. Final SULEEI-pericardium, intermediate steps and GA-fixed reference pericardium were exposed in vitro to fresh human whole blood to elucidate effects of preparation parameters on coagulation and inflammation activation and tissue histology.

Orthotopic Glioblastoma Models for Evaluation of the Clinical Target Volume Concept.

In times of high-precision radiotherapy, the accurate and precise definition of the primary tumor localization and its microscopic spread is of enormous importance. In glioblastoma, the microscopic tumor extension is uncertain and, therefore, population-based margins for Clinical Target Volume (CTV) definition are clinically used, which could either be too small-leading to increased risk of loco-regional recurrences-or too large, thus, enhancing the probability of normal tissue toxicity. Therefore, the aim of this project is to investigate an individualized definition of the CTV in preclinical glioblastoma models based on specific biological tumor characteristics.

Longitudinal Changes in Quality of Life After Ureteroscopy for Nephrolithiasis.

Objective: To assess alterations in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with nephrolithiasis, given the limited prospective data on patient reported outcomes following surgical intervention with ureteroscopy.

Methods: Adults with either a renal or ureteral calculus who underwent ureteroscopy (URS) were recruited prospectively from 2017-2020. Participants completed the PROMIS-29 profile which measures the dimensions of physical function, fatigue, pain interference, depressive symptoms, anxiety, ability to participate in social roles and activities, and sleep disturbance at enrollment, 1-, 6-, and 12-months.

Neuronal effects of glabellar botulinum toxin injections using a valenced inhibition task in borderline personality disorder.

Previous studies have indicated that glabellar botulinum toxin (BTX) injections may lead to a sustained alleviation of depression. This may be accomplished by the disruption of a facial feedback loop, which potentially mitigates the experience of negative emotions. Accordingly, glabellar BTX injection can attenuate amygdala activity in response to emotional stimuli.

Influence of Systemic Therapy on the Expression and Activity of Selected STAT Proteins in Prostate Cancer Tissue.

Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (STAT) proteins have been identified as drivers of prostate cancer (PCa) progression and development of aggressive castration-resistant phenotypes. In particular, STAT3, 5, and 6 have been linked to resistance to androgen receptor inhibition and metastasis in in vitro and in vivo models. This descriptive study aimed to validate these preclinical data in tissue obtained from patients with PCa before and while under androgen-deprivation therapy.

Clinical effects of glabellar botulinum toxin injections on borderline personality disorder: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Inhibition of frowning via injections of botulinum toxin A (BTX) into the glabellar region has shown beneficial effects in the treatment of major depression. Preliminary research suggests that improvements in the affective domain are not depression-specific, but may also translate to other psychiatric disorders.

Aim: This 16-week, single-blind, two-center randomized controlled trial investigated the influence of BTX on clinical symptoms of borderline personality disorder (BPD).

Use of antidepressants and endometrial-cancer risk: a nationwide nested case-control study.

Background: Preclinical studies have suggested that antidepressant drugs may possess antineoplastic properties. In a nationwide case-control study, we examined the association between use of antidepressants and endometrial-cancer risk with a particular focus on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

Methods: From the Danish Cancer Registry, we identified all women with a histologically verified diagnosis of endometrial cancer between 2000 and 2016, and, for each woman, 15 age-matched controls.

Differences in the promoter methylation of atrial natriuretic peptide and vasopressin in alcohol use disorder. A longitudinal case-control-study during withdrawal therapy.

Background: Both atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and vasopressin (VP) influence alcohol intake and withdrawal as well as craving and are also regulated by epigenetic factors. Disturbances in expression and promoter methylation status have been described in patients suffering from alcohol use disorder and alcohol withdrawal therapy.

Objectives: In this study, we wanted to map the progression of cytosine-phosphatidyl-guanine (CpG) methylation of the respective gene promoter of ANP and VP immediately after starting alcohol withdrawal therapy when compared with healthy controls METHODS: We recruited 34 males suffering from alcohol addiction or harmful use alongside 43 healthy male controls.

Urinary Diversion: Core Curriculum 2021.

Urinary diversion after cystectomy has been a historical standard for the treatment of numerous benign and malignant diseases of the bladder. Since the first published description in the early 1900s, improvements in surgical technique and a better understanding of the metabolic sequelae postoperatively have greatly enhanced patient outcomes. Both continent and incontinent diversions are available to patients after cystectomy.

Non-aspirin NSAID use and mortality of endometrial cancer. A nationwide cohort study.

Purpose: Laboratory studies have shown anti-neoplastic properties of non-aspirin NSAID; however, no studies have examined the influence of non-aspirin NSAIDs as potential adjuvant cancer therapy in women with endometrial cancer. We therefore examined the association between post-diagnostic use of non-aspirin NSAIDs and endometrial cancer mortality in Denmark.

Methods: We identified all women with a primary endometrial cancer diagnosis between 2000 and 2012, who were alive one year after the diagnosis.

A Danish nationwide study of risk factors associated with Type I and Type II endometrial cancer.

Objective: To examine risk factors for Type I and Type II endometrial cancer (EC) and to directly compare the influence of risk factors for Type II with Type I tumors. Furthermore, to examine whether risk factors for high-grade Type I and Type II tumors differed from low-grade Type I tumors.

Methods: Women with EC diagnosed during 2000-2016 were identified in the Danish Cancer Registry.

Discovery of hemocompatible bacterial biofilm-resistant copolymers.

Blood-contacting medical devices play an important role within healthcare and are required to be biocompatible, hemocompatible and resistant to microbial colonization. Here we describe a high throughput screen for copolymers with these specific properties. A series of weakly amphiphilic monomers are combinatorially polymerized with acrylate glycol monomers of varying chain lengths to create a library of 645 multi-functional candidate materials containing multiple chemical moieties that impart anti-biofilm, hemo- and immuno-compatible properties.

Prevalence of human papillomavirus in oral epithelial dysplasia: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to estimate the overall and type-specific prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA in oral epithelial dysplasia and assess p16 overexpression in relation to HPV-status. A systematic literature search identified 31 eligible studies (832 cases) evaluating the presence of HPV DNA in oral epithelial dysplasia cases by PCR. Of these, six studies evaluated p16 overexpression in relation to HPV-status.

Epoxy-Anhydride Vitrimers from Aminoglycidyl Resins with High Glass Transition Temperature and Efficient Stress Relaxation.

Epoxy-anhydride vitrimers are covalent adaptable networks, which undergo associative bond exchange reactions at elevated temperature. Their service temperature is influenced by the glass transition temperature () as well as the topology freezing transition temperature (), at which the covalent bond exchange reactions become significantly fast. The present work highlights the design of high- epoxy-anhydride vitrimers that comprise an efficient stress relaxation at elevated temperature.

Economic Considerations in the Management of Nephrolithiasis.

Purpose Of Review: From health systems to individuals, nephrolithiasis is economically burdensome. The aim of the current paper is to characterize the financial burden of disease associated with nephrolithiasis with an emphasis on investigating treatment modality economic efficiency.

Recent Findings: For small volume practices and cases where there is high risk of scope damage, disposable flexible ureteroscope utilization seems to provide economic efficiency.

Human papillomavirus prevalence in oral potentially malignant disorders: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: We aimed to provide pooled estimates of human papillomavirus (HPV) prevalence in oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD) and evaluate the impact of presence of epithelial dysplasia.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases for studies that examined the prevalence of HPV DNA in OPMD tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Results: Across 52 eligible studies (2,677 cases), we found an overall pooled HPV prevalence of 22.