Evaluation and treatment of lead toxicosis in rehabilitated avian species: 95 cases (2014-2023).

Objective: To evaluate avian patients presented to a wildlife rehabilitation facility with confirmed lead toxicity for clinical signs associated with blood lead level groups, efficacy of subcutaneous chelation therapy with calcium disodium EDTA, and case outcome based on presenting blood lead levels.

Methods: A retrospective record review of 95 avian cases representing 19 species treated for lead toxicosis from a wildlife rehabilitation center in Wisconsin between 2014 and 2023 was conducted. Data were evaluated for presenting complaints, clinical signs, radiographic findings, chelation therapy protocol, clinical pathology data, and case outcome.

Confidence and barriers: Analysis of factors associated with timely routine childhood vaccination in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Routine childhood vaccination is a crucial component of public health in Canada and worldwide. To facilitate catch-up from the global decline in routine vaccination caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and toward the ongoing pursuit of coverage goals, vaccination programs must understand barriers to vaccine access imposed or exacerbated by the pandemic. We conducted a regionally representative online survey in January 2023 including 2036 Canadian parents with children under the age of 18.

O-glycan determinants regulate VWF trafficking to Weibel-Palade bodies.

von Willebrand factor (VWF) undergoes complex posttranslational modification within endothelial cells (ECs) before secretion. This includes significant N- and O-linked glycosylation. Previous studies have demonstrated that changes in N-linked glycan structures significantly influence VWF biosynthesis.

Endothelial cell activation, Weibel-Palade body secretion, and enhanced angiogenesis in severe COVID-19.

Background: Severe COVID-19 is associated with marked endothelial cell (EC) activation that plays a key role in immunothrombosis and pulmonary microvascular occlusion. However, the biological mechanisms through which SARS-CoV-2 causes EC activation and damage remain poorly defined.

Objectives: We investigated EC activation in patients with acute COVID-19, and specifically focused on how proteins stored within Weibel-Palade bodies may impact key aspects of disease pathogenesis.

Inland Waterways and Population Health and Wellbeing: A Cross-Sectional Study of Waterway Users in the UK.

Natural environments, such as inland waterways (IWs), have been identified as a potential means to increase physical activity and promote health and wellbeing. However, further information on predictors of IW usage and their relationship with health and wellbeing outcomes is needed. Data were taken from the cross-sectional UK Waterways Engagement Monitor survey of waterway users (n = 21,537) in 2019/2020.

Sustained VWF-ADAMTS-13 axis imbalance and endotheliopathy in long COVID syndrome is related to immune dysfunction.

Background: Prolonged recovery is common after acute SARS-CoV-2 infection; however, the pathophysiological mechanisms underpinning Long COVID syndrome remain unknown. VWF/ADAMTS-13 imbalance, dysregulated angiogenesis, and immunothrombosis are hallmarks of acute COVID-19. We hypothesized that VWF/ADAMTS-13 imbalance persists in convalescence together with endothelial cell (EC) activation and angiogenic disturbance.

Comparison of four commercial solid-phase micro-extraction (SPME) fibres for the headspace characterisation and profiling of gunshot exhausts in spent cartridge casings.

Headspace solid-phase micro-extraction (SPME) is a promising technique for the characterisation and profiling of gunshot exhausts in spent cartridge casings, especially for health and environmental risk assessments, as well as forensic purposes. To date, however, no comprehensive investigation has been carried out to objectively assess the kinds of compound released during a discharge that can be recovered by this approach, the selectivity of the main commercially available fibres, and their relative performances for the analysis of gunshot exhausts and the discrimination of different ammunition types. This study aimed to fill this gap.

High Number of Positive Rapid Plasma Reagin With Low Titers Using the Automated AIX 1000 RPR System.

This study evaluated the performance of manual rapid plasma reagin (RPR) and automated AIX1000 RPR tests for the diagnosis of syphilis. Manual RPR showed a 3% reactive result compared with 5.8% for the automated test mainly because of RPR reactive results with low titers not confirmed by Treponema pallidum particle agglutination.

Promoting Patient and Nurse Safety in Acute Dialysis Units Through Advocacy and Collaboration.

Hospitals face the increasing challenge of balancing the need to provide quality care with that of being cost-effective. While guidelines and benchmarks for quality care exist in many areas within the hospital, those guidelines can be lacking for the acute (inpatient) dialysis setting. Nephrology nurses working in this setting may provide hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, continuous kidney replacement therapy, and apheresis treatments at the patient's bedside and in an acute dialysis unit.

The HEART Pathway Randomized Controlled Trial One-year Outcomes.

Objective: The objective was to determine the impact of the HEART Pathway on health care utilization and safety outcomes at 1 year in patients with acute chest pain.

Methods: Adult emergency department (ED) patients with chest pain (N = 282) were randomized to the HEART Pathway or usual care. In the HEART Pathway arm, ED providers used the HEART score and troponin measures (0 and 3 hours) to risk stratify patients.

Adherence to an Accelerated Diagnostic Protocol for Chest Pain: Secondary Analysis of the HEART Pathway Randomized Trial.

Objectives: Accelerated diagnostic protocols (ADPs), such as the HEART Pathway, are gaining popularity in emergency departments (EDs) as tools used to risk stratify patients with acute chest pain. However, provider nonadherence may threaten the safety and effectiveness of ADPs. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency and impact of ADP nonadherence.

Fertility after uterine artery embolization: a review.

Uterine artery embolization (UAE) research has largely been focused on women over 40 years, yet women of reproductive age undergo UAE without any increased morbidity. Some physicians refrain from recommending UAE to women in this age group because of some research findings showing a negative effect on fertility. This review presents a comprehensive discussion of the fertility potential of women undergoing UAE, in terms of pregnancy rates and complications as well as ovarian function and reserve.

The HEART Pathway randomized trial: identifying emergency department patients with acute chest pain for early discharge.

Background: The HEART Pathway is a decision aid designed to identify emergency department patients with acute chest pain for early discharge. No randomized trials have compared the HEART Pathway with usual care.

Methods And Results: Adult emergency department patients with symptoms related to acute coronary syndrome without ST-elevation on ECG (n=282) were randomized to the HEART Pathway or usual care.

Cloning of a functional 25-hydroxyvitamin D-1α-hydroxylase in zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Activation of precursor 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25D) to hormonal 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25D) is a pivotal step in vitamin D physiology, catalysed by the enzyme 25-hydroxyvitamin D-1α-hydroxylase (1α-hydroxylase). To establish new models for assessing the physiological importance of the 1α-hydroxylase-25D-axis, we used Danio rerio (zebrafish) to characterize expression and biological activity of the gene for 1α-hydroxylase (cyp27b1). Treatment of day 5 zebrafish larvae with inactive 25D (5-150 nM) or active 1,25D (0.