Differentiating Genetic Forms of Pontocerebellar Hypoplasia From Acquired Lesions Resembling Pontocerebellar Hypoplasia: Clinical, Neurodevelopmental, and Imaging Insight From 19 Extremely Premature Patients.

It is well established that extreme prematurity can be associated with cerebellar lesions potentially affecting the neurologic prognosis. One of the commonly observed lesions in these cases is pontocerebellar hypoplasia resulting from prematurity, which can pose challenges in distinguishing it from genetically caused pontocerebellar hypoplasia. This confusion leads to unacceptable and prolonged diagnostic ambiguity for families as well as difficulties in genetic counseling.

Pediatric spinal pilocytic astrocytomas form a distinct epigenetic subclass from pilocytic astrocytomas of other locations and diffuse leptomeningeal glioneuronal tumours.

Pediatric spinal low-grade glioma (LGG) and glioneuronal tumours are rare, accounting for less 2.8-5.2% of pediatric LGG.

Natural history of Myhre syndrome.

Background: Myhre syndrome (MS) is a rare genetic disease characterized by skeletal disorders, facial features and joint limitation, caused by a gain of function mutation in SMAD4 gene. The natural history of MS remains incompletely understood.

Methods: We recruited in a longitudinal retrospective study patients with molecular confirmed MS from the French reference center for rare skeletal dysplasia.

Summary findings from Tracks surveys implemented by First Nations in Saskatchewan and Alberta, Canada, 2018-2020.

Background: The Public Health Agency of Canada's integrated bio-behavioural surveillance system-Tracks surveys-assesses the burden of HIV, hepatitis C and associated risks in key populations in Canada. From 2018-2020, Tracks surveys were successfully implemented by First Nations Health Services Organizations in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Methods: First Nations-led survey teams invited community members who identified as First Nations, Inuit or Métis to participate in Tracks surveys and testing for HIV, hepatitis C and syphilis.

Self extrusion on an ingested foreign body: a case report.

Foreign body ingestion is a frequent issue in paediatrician's practice. Foreign bodies often pass the gastro-intestinal tract spontaneously but can sometimes generate complications (1% of the cases). The migration of ingested foreign bodies is rare, but their spontaneous extrusion through the skin is even rarer and was previously described only in the neck.

Determinants of tuberculosis trends in six Indigenous populations of the USA, Canada, and Greenland from 1960 to 2014: a population-based study.

Background: Tuberculosis continues to disproportionately affect many Indigenous populations in the USA, Canada, and Greenland. We aimed to investigate whether population-based tuberculosis-specific interventions or changes in general health and socioeconomic indicators, or a combination of these factors, were associated with changes in tuberculosis incidence in these Indigenous populations.

Methods: For this population-based study we examined annual tuberculosis notification rates between 1960 and 2014 in six Indigenous populations of the USA, Canada, and Greenland (Inuit [Greenland], American Indian and Alaska Native [Alaska, USA], First Nations [Alberta, Canada], Cree of Eeyou Istchee [Quebec, Canada], Inuit of Nunavik [Quebec, Canada], and Inuit of Nunavut [Canada]), as well as the general population of Canada.

Early vedolizumab trough levels predict mucosal healing in inflammatory bowel disease: a multicentre prospective observational study.

Background: The correlation between vedolizumab trough levels during induction therapy and mucosal healing remains unknown.

Aim: To compare early vedolizumab trough levels in patients with and without mucosal healing within the first year after treatment initiation.

Methods: We prospectively collected vedolizumab trough levels in all inflammatory bowel disease patients at weeks 2, 6 and 14 of vedolizumab treatment in three French referral centres between 1 June 2014 and 31 March 2017.

Contact investigation outcomes of Canadian-born adults with tuberculosis in Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations in Alberta.

Objectives: Contact investigations are a critical component of tuberculosis control in high-income countries. However, the relative success of conventional methods by population group and place of residence is unknown. This study compares outcomes of contact investigations of Canadian-born Indigenous tuberculosis cases living on- and off-reserve with other Canadian-born cases.

Emergence of new CMRSA7/USA400 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus spa types in Alberta, Canada, from 2005 to 2012.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become one of the most significant pathogens affecting global public health and health care systems. In Canada and the United States, the spread of MRSA is primarily attributed to a single dominant epidemic clone: CMRSA10/USA300. Despite this, the CMRSA7/USA400 epidemic clone has been reported to be the predominate epidemic clone in several Canadian provinces and some parts of the United States.

Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) in Canadian children: a national surveillance study.

Purpose: Severe Combined Immune Deficiency (SCID) is universally fatal unless treated with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Following the identification of disseminated Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) infections in Canadian First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) children with unrecognized primary immune deficiencies, a national surveillance study was initiated in order to determine the incidence, diagnosis, treatment and outcome of children with SCID in Canada.

Methods: Canadian pediatricians were asked to complete a monthly reporting form if they had seen a suspected SCID case, from 2004 to 2010, through the Canadian Paediatric Surveillance Program (CPSP).

Significant reduction of wound infections with daily probing of contaminated wounds: a prospective randomized clinical trial.

Hypothesis: Local wound management using a simple wound-probing protocol (WPP) reduces surgical site infection (SSI) in contaminated wounds, with less postoperative pain, shorter hospital stay, and improved patient satisfaction.

Design: Prospective randomized clinical trial.

Setting: Academic medical center.

The tuberculin skin test is unreliable in school children BCG-vaccinated in infancy and at low risk of tuberculosis infection.

Background: The tuberculin skin test (TST) is often used to screen for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in school children, many of whom were bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG)-vaccinated in infancy. The reliability of the TST in such children is unknown.

Methods: TSTs performed in low-risk BCG-vaccinated and -nonvaccinated grade 1 and grade 6 First Nations (North American Indian) school children in the province of Alberta, Canada, were evaluated retrospectively.

Endoscopic ultrasound for early stage esophageal adenocarcinoma: implications for staging and survival.

Background: Patients often receive induction therapy based on endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-identified nodal spread (N1) or deep tumor invasion (T3), although controversy exists regarding the role of induction therapy for early stage disease. We aim to evaluate the reliability of EUS in identifying early stage disease and the subsequent impact on treatment and outcomes.

Methods: We retrospectively studied 149 patients who underwent EUS and esophagectomy for adenocarcinoma between January 2000 and December 2008.

An investigation of cancer incidence in a First Nations community in Alberta, Canada, 1995-2006.

Objective: To determine colorectal and overall cancer incidence as part of a three-pronged investigation in response to the concerns of a First Nations community in Alberta, Canada, located close to sulfur-rich natural gas installations, and to determine whether the incidence of cancers observed in this reserve was higher than expected.

Methods: A population dataset with information identifying First Nations status and band affiliation was linked to the Alberta Cancer Registry to determine cancer incidence cases between 1995 and 2006 for on- and off-reserve study populations. Using indirect standardized incidence ratios, observed cancer incidence cases for the study populations were compared with cases expected based on three separate reference populations.

Surgical resection in combination with lung volume reduction surgery for stage I non-small cell lung cancer.

Surgical resection remains the favored option of treatment for stage I lung cancer patients. Co-existing obstructive lung disease can reduce lung function and increase the risk of surgery. Severe emphysema may preclude resection of lung cancer due to concerns about low values of postoperative lung function.

Prediction of patients with acute cholecystitis requiring emergent cholecystectomy: a simple score.

The objective was to develop a score, to stratify patients with acute cholecystitis into high, intermediate, or low probability of gangrenous cholecystitis. The probability of gangrenous cholecystitis (score) was derived from a logistic regression of a clinical and pathological review of 245 patients undergoing urgent cholecystectomy. Sixty-eight patients had gangrenous inflammation, 132 acute, and 45 no inflammation.

Plasma DNA is more reliable than carcinoembryonic antigen for diagnosis of recurrent esophageal cancer.

Background: Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and plasma DNA are known to be elevated in patients with esophageal cancer and are higher in patients with disseminated disease. The sensitivity and specificity of these markers in the diagnosis of recurrent esophageal cancer have not been compared.

Study Design: Plasma DNA was measured using polymerase chain reaction in 45 patients with esophageal cancer and 44 asymptomatic volunteers.

Psoas abscess rarely requires surgical intervention.

Background: Surgeons are increasingly encountering psoas abscesses.

Methods: We performed a review of 41 adults diagnosed and treated for psoas abscess at a county hospital. Treatment modalities and outcomes were evaluated to develop a contemporary algorithm.

CT scan in patients with suspected appendicitis: clinical implications for the acute care surgeon.

Objective: To determine the influence of computed tomography (CT) scans on diagnosis and management of patients with suspected appendicitis.

Methods: Retrospective 2-year review of 1,630 patients with suspected appendicitis, categorized into three groups based on the likelihood (Alvarado scores) of having appendicitis. Group 1: low likelihood (Alvarado score < or =4); group 2: intermediate likelihood (Alvarado scores 5-7), and group 3: high likelihood (Alvarado score > or = 8).

Cluster of cases of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in Alberta, Canada.

In May 2005, a cluster of four hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) cases was confirmed in Alberta, Canada. The cluster is unusual given that three cases were from a single family and involved a 7-year-old child. This is the first family cluster reported in Canada and includes one of the youngest cases of HPS reported in North America.

Kicking butts: smoking cessation update.

Tobacco is one of the most commonly abused drugs in the history of mankind. Smoking cessation has occupied a significant amount of research to help smokers quit to avoid the health risks. In this paper, we will discuss the methods available for smoking cessation.

Plasma DNA as a molecular marker for completeness of resection and recurrent disease in patients with esophageal cancer.

Objective: To identify a marker for completeness of resection and recurrent disease in patients with esophageal cancer.

Design: Case series.

Setting: Department of Surgery of the University of Southern California.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in First Nations preschool children in Alberta: implications for BCG (bacille Calmette-Guérin) vaccine withdrawal.

Background: On April 1, 2004, BCG (bacille Calmette-Guérin), a tuberculosis (TB) control vaccine, was discontinued in all but four high-risk communities in Alberta. To confirm the safety of vaccine withdrawal, and for future planning, the annual risk of infection (ARI) was determined in preschool First Nations children.

Methods: First Nations children born into reserve communities in Alberta between April 1, 1998 and March 31, 2004, and still living on reserve in 2004-2005, were identified.

Pediatric tuberculosis in Alberta First Nations (1991-2000): outbreaks and the protective effect of bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine.

Background: The tuberculosis control strategy of vaccinating First Nations newborns with BCG (bacille Calmette-Guerin) is currently undergoing re-evaluation in Canada. Review of recent pediatric tuberculosis morbidity could inform this re-evaluation.

Methods: Potential source cases and pediatric cases of tuberculosis from Alberta First Nations were identified over the 10 years 1991-2000.