2,304 results match your criteria: " University of British Columbia[Affiliation]"

Abstract: Despite the increasing utilization of total ankle replacement (TAR) for end-stage ankle arthritis, there remains a paucity of long-term follow-up data comparing arthroplasty to arthrodesis. The aim of the current paper was to provide the long-term clinical outcomes of TAR and ankle arthrodesis (AA), measured with use of validated scoring instruments, in a prospective multicenter cohort of patients with ankle arthritis. This cohort from the Canadian Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (COFAS) Prospective Ankle Reconstruction Database comprised patients who underwent TAR or AA between 2001 and 2007.

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Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptor 1 Gain-of-Function Increases the Risk for Cardiac Arrhythmias in Mice and Humans.

Circulation

December 2024

Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Libin Cardiovascular Institute, University of Calgary, Canada (B.S., M. Ni, Y.L., Z.S., H.W., H.-L.Z., J.W., D.B., S.C., W.G., J.Y., S.T., J.P.E., R.W., S.R.W.C.).

Article Synopsis
  • * Researchers identified 21 human ITPR1 GOF variants and created a mouse model with one of these variants (ITPR1-W1457G), which was found to be prone to stress-induced ventricular arrhythmias.
  • * Both mouse models and human data suggest that ITPR1 GOF variants increase Ca handling abnormalities and arrhythmia risk, with 7 rare ITPR1 variants in a human database showing similar GOF behavior linked to cardiac
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Background: In the ESCAPE-NA1 trial (Efficacy and Safety of Nerinetide for the Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke), treatment with nerinetide was associated with a smaller infarct volume among patients who did not receive intravenous alteplase. We assessed the effect of nerinetide on the surrogate imaging outcome of final infarct volume in patients who did not receive intravenous alteplase and explored predictors of outcome and modifiers of nerinetide's effect on infarct volume.

Methods: ESCAPE-NA1 was a multicenter, randomized trial in which patients with acute stroke with a baseline Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score >4, undergoing endovascular thrombectomy, were randomized to receive intravenous nerinetide or placebo.

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Safety and Efficacy of Posterior Chamber Phakic Implantable Collamer Lenses in Patients with Keratoconus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Am J Ophthalmol

November 2024

Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (M.H.K., S.N., T.H.A.L., and S.J.), McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada; Département de Ophtalmologie (A.S.P. and S.J.), Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada. Electronic address:

Article Synopsis
  • The study aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of implantable collamer lenses (ICLs) for patients with keratoconus through a systematic review and meta-analysis of existing research.
  • A total of 16 observational studies involving 397 eyes were analyzed, showing significant improvements in uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) and various refractive measures, but no substantial changes in corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA).
  • Overall, the findings suggest that ICLs are safe and beneficial for vision correction in keratoconus patients, though limitations such as study design and follow-up duration were noted.
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The sinoatrial node regulates the heart rate throughout life. Failure of this primary pacemaker results in life-threatening, slow heart rhythm. Despite its critical function, the cellular and molecular composition of the human sinoatrial node is not resolved.

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The accurate staging of breast cancer is fundamental for guiding treatment decisions and predicting patient outcomes. However, there can be considerable variation in routine clinical practice based on individual interpretation of guidelines and depending on the healthcare provider initially involved in working up patients newly diagnosed with breast cancer, ranging from primary care providers, triage nurses, surgeons, and/or oncologists. The optimal approach for clinical staging, particularly in asymptomatic patients presenting with intermediate-risk disease, remains a topic of dialogue among clinicians.

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Catheter Ablation or Antiarrhythmic Drugs for Ventricular Tachycardia.

N Engl J Med

November 2024

From the QEII Health Sciences Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS (J.L.S., R.P., A.A.), Western University, London, ON (A.S.L.T., L.J.G.), the Population Health Research Institute (J.S.H.) and Hamilton Health Sciences Centre (G.A.), Hamilton, ON, the University of Ottawa Heart Institute (G.M.N., P.B.N.), the McGill University Health Centre (V.E.), the Montreal Heart Institute (L.R., K.D.), and Centre Hospitalier de l'Universitaire de Montreal (J.-M.R.), Montreal, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC (J.-F.R.), Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Quebec (J.-F.S., I.N.), the University of British Columbia, Vancouver (M.D.), Kelowna General Hospital, Kelowna, BC (C.L.), the University of Ottawa, Ottawa (G.A.W.), and the University of Calgary, Calgary, AB (V.K., S.W.) - all in Canada; Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville (W.G.S., A.K.); Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Bordeaux, L'institut des Maladies du Rythme Cardiaque, Bordeaux (F.S.), and Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nancy, Nancy (C.C.) - both in France; and St. Mary's General Hospital, Passaic, NJ (U.J.).

Background: Patients with ventricular tachycardia and ischemic cardiomyopathy are at high risk for adverse outcomes. Catheter ablation is commonly used when antiarrhythmic drugs do not suppress ventricular tachycardia. Whether catheter ablation is more effective than antiarrhythmic drugs as a first-line therapy in patients with ventricular tachycardia is uncertain.

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The gut microbiota has a significant impact on the development and function of intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) by modifying bile acid (BA) metabolites. Recently, specific gut microbiome-derived BAs, such as 7-oxo-deoxycholic acid (7-oxo-DCA) and isodeoxycholic acid (isoDCA), have been identified to be shifted inversely in colitis and hepatic liver diseases. Although the responsible gut microbes have been identified, metabolites' effects on IECs remain largely unclear.

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Neuroinflammation that is caused by microglia, the main immune cells of the brain, contributes to neurodegenerative diseases. Psychedelics, including psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), possess certain anti-inflammatory properties and, therefore, should be considered as drug candidates for treating neuroinflammatory pathologies. When ingested, psilocybin is rapidly dephosphorylated to yield psilocin, which crosses the blood-brain barrier and exerts psychotropic activity by interacting with the 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A receptors (5-HTRs) on neurons.

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Polygenic and transcriptional risk scores identify chronic obstructive pulmonary disease subtypes in the COPDGene and ECLIPSE cohort studies.

EBioMedicine

December 2024

Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA; Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA. Electronic address:

Background: Genetic variants and gene expression predict risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but their effect on COPD heterogeneity is unclear. We aimed to define high-risk COPD subtypes using genetics (polygenic risk score, PRS) and blood gene expression (transcriptional risk score, TRS) and assess differences in clinical and molecular characteristics.

Methods: We defined high-risk groups based on PRS and TRS quantiles by maximising differences in protein biomarkers in a COPDGene training set and identified these groups in COPDGene and ECLIPSE test sets.

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A novel approach to engineering three-dimensional bladder tumor models for drug testing.

Sci Rep

November 2024

Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, H.B. 2660 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC, V6H3Z6, Canada.

Article Synopsis
  • Bladder cancer primarily impacts men with higher rates of incidence and mortality, highlighting the need for better predictive models in treatment.
  • This study presents a novel 3D in vitro tumor model using decellularized pig bladders, which effectively replicates the tumor microenvironment and overcomes limitations of traditional 2D cultures.
  • The model demonstrated efficacy in drug screening with significant predictive reliability (83.3%) for treatment responses, outperforming conventional 2D systems.
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Predictive gene expression signature diagnoses neonatal sepsis before clinical presentation.

EBioMedicine

December 2024

Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada. Electronic address:

Article Synopsis
  • Neonatal sepsis is a serious condition with vague symptoms, making early diagnosis challenging; researchers aimed to identify gene expression biomarkers at birth to improve early detection.
  • In a study of 720 healthy full-term newborns, they compared gene expression data from those later hospitalized for early-onset sepsis (EOS) and others who remained healthy, identifying significant genetic differences.
  • A 4-gene signature (HSPH1, BORA, NCAPG2, PRIM1) was developed, showing high predictive accuracy for EOS at birth, indicating that even healthy-appearing infants may already exhibit signs of future sepsis through gene expression changes.
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Article Synopsis
  • The study updates findings from the CREST study on the 8-week treatment of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (GLE/PIB) for patients with chronic hepatitis C and compensated cirrhosis.
  • It analyzes 437 patients, showing a high sustained virologic response (SVR12) of 98.9%, especially among those with certain comorbidities and those on other medications.
  • The research highlights safety aspects, noting only a small percentage experienced adverse events, and emphasizes variations in healthcare resource use based on patients' employment status and drug use history.
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Introduction: Niraparib, a PARP1/2 inhibitor, is newly approved in combination with abiraterone acetate (AA) plus prednisone or prednisolone (niraparib/AA+P) for the treatment of adult patients with BRCA-mutated, treatment-naïve metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Detailed guidance beyond the prescribing information may be helpful in managing the side effect profile and dosing practicalities of this combination therapy.

Materials And Methods: A panel of specialists convened to design management algorithms for four common niraparib/AA+P treatment-related adverse events (AEs) in mCRPC; anemia, thrombocytopenia, hypertension, and nausea.

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Background: Internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Nigeria face a high burden of mental health disorders, with limited access to evidence-based, culturally relevant interventions. Life skills education (LSE) is a promising approach to promote mental health and psychosocial well-being in humanitarian settings. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and implementation of a culturally adapted LSE program delivered through in-person and mobile platforms among IDPs in Northern Nigeria.

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Emerging interactions between RNA methylation and chromatin architecture.

Curr Opin Genet Dev

December 2024

Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada; Terry Fox Laboratory, British Columbia Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver, Canada. Electronic address:

Epitranscriptomics, the study of chemical modifications of RNA molecules, is increasingly recognized as an important component of gene expression regulation. While the majority of research has focused on N-methyladenosine (mA) RNA methylation on mRNAs, emerging evidence has revealed that the mA modification extends beyond mRNAs to include chromatin-associated RNAs (caRNAs). CaRNAs constitute an important class of RNAs characterized by their interaction with the genome and epigenome.

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Background: Phenylketonuria (PKU) is caused by phenylalanine hydroxylase deficiency. Treatment is primarily a low-Phe diet combined with l-amino acid-based products (l-AA). Protein requirements in adults with PKU have not been directly determined.

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Glycosaminoglycans are often deprioritized as targets for synthetic immunotherapy due to the complexity of glyco-epitopes and limited options for obtaining specific subtype binding. Solid tumors express proteoglycans that are modified with oncofetal chondroitin sulfate (CS), a modification normally restricted to the placenta. Here, we report the design and functionality of transient chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells with selectivity to oncofetal CS.

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Article Synopsis
  • Current antidepressants show limited effectiveness, prompting research to identify biological targets for new treatments and understand their mechanisms.
  • The study utilized EEG data from two Canadian trials to examine how changes in brain wave patterns (neural oscillations) correlate with symptom improvement in patients undergoing pharmacological and CBT treatments.
  • Findings indicate that early increases in theta waves and late changes in delta and alpha waves are linked to better treatment outcomes, with common patterns observed in both treatment methods, enhancing our understanding of how depression treatments work.
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Background/objective: In implementing competence-based medical education (CBME), some Canadian residency programmes recruit clinicians to function as Academic Advisors (AAs). AAs are expected to help monitor residents' progress, coach them longitudinally, and serve as sources of co-regulated learning (Co-RL) to support their developing self-regulated learning (SRL) abilities. Implementing the AA role is optional, meaning each residency programme must decide whether and how to implement it, which could generate uncertainty and heterogeneity in how effectively AAs will "monitor and advise" residents.

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Many patients cannot tolerate low-dose weekly methotrexate (MTX) therapy for inflammatory arthritis treatment due to life-threatening toxicity. Although biologics offer a target-specific therapy, it raises the risk of serious infections and even cancer due to immune system suppression. We introduce an anti-inflammatory arthritis MTX ester prodrug using a long-circulating biocompatible polymeric macromolecule: folic acid (FA) functionalized hyperbranched polyglycerol (HPG).

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Article Synopsis
  • * Recently, there have been great breakthroughs for MS, with new medications being approved, but people with PD still have not gotten new treatments and only have old ones that don't work as well.
  • * Experts from around the world gathered in Toronto to discuss how to improve treatment for PD by learning from what worked for MS, focusing on things like better clinical trials and understanding the diseases better.
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Interfacial modulation of TiCT MXene using functionalized cellulose nanofibrils for enhanced electrochemical actuation.

Int J Biol Macromol

November 2024

State Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, Shandong Province 250353, PR China; Bioproducts Institute, Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Department of Chemistry and Department of Wood Science, The University of British Columbia, 2360 East Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada; International Joint Research Center for Biomass Materials, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China. Electronic address:

Electrochemical actuators (ECAs) with low voltage actuation and large deformation ranges generally require electrode materials with high ion kinetic energy transport, high charge storage, and excellent electrochemical-mechanical properties. However, the fabrication of such actuators remains a major challenge. In the present work, hybrid electroactive films were fabricated by self-assembling one-dimensional functionalized cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) with two-dimensional MXene (TiCT).

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Article Synopsis
  • * A study comparing 54 AA patients to 66 controls found increased CRHR1 expression primarily in circulating monocytes of AA patients, suggesting a strong immunological component linked to stress.
  • * Higher CRHR1 levels were correlated with chronic AA and larger lesion sizes, indicating that stress factors may worsen the condition and highlighting the importance of immune system interactions in AA progression.
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