Antimicrobial use among adult inpatients at hospital sites within the Canadian Nosocomial Infection Surveillance Program: 2009 to 2016.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance is a growing threat to the world's ability to prevent and treat infections. Links between quantitative antibiotic use and the emergence of bacterial resistance are well documented. This study presents benchmark antimicrobial use (AMU) rates for inpatient adult populations in acute-care hospitals across Canada.

Development of trauma symptoms following adversity in childhood: The moderating role of protective factors.

Background: Although the buffering effect of protective factors on children's outcomes following exposure to adverse childhood experiences has been well documented, research gaps remain as to whether this buffering effect differs based on the type of adversity experienced (i.e., maltreatment versus household dysfunction).

Ureaplasma urealyticum disseminated multifocal abscesses in an immunocompromised adult patient: a case report.

Background: Ureaplasma urealyticum is a fastidious bacteria which lacks a cell wall. Extragenital infections are rare in immunocompetent adults. There are few literature reports of perinephric abscess.

Cytokine Directed Chondroblast Trans-Differentiation: Inhibition Facilitates Direct Reprogramming of Fibroblasts to Chondroblasts.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease of the hyaline articular cartilage. This disease is progressive and may lead to disability. Researchers proposed many regenerative approaches to treat osteoarthritis, including stem cells.

A review and meta-analysis of anti-ribosomal P autoantibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus.

The discovery of autoantibodies to ribosomal proteins (anti-RibP) dates back more than fifty years when antibodies to ribosomes were identified in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) sera. Over the years, anti-RibP autoantibodies have been the subject of extensive study and became known as a highly specific biomarker for the diagnosis of SLE and were associated with neuropsychiatric SLE (NPSLE), lupus nephritis (LN) and hepatitis (LH). As demonstrated by studies on cultured human cells and of murine models, there is evidence to suggest that anti-RibP may have a pathogenic role in LN and NPSLE.

Systematic review of the clinical spectrum of CASPR2 antibody syndrome.

Background: Contactin-associated protein-like 2 (CASPR2) autoantibody disease has a variable clinical phenotype. We present a case report and performed a systematic review of the literature to summarize: (1) the clinical phenotype of patients with CASPR2 antibodies, (2) the findings in neurological investigations, and (3) the associated neuroimaging findings.

Methods: A chart review was performed for the case report.

Does the neuropsychiatric inventory predict progression from mild cognitive impairment to dementia? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Neuropsychiatric Symptoms (NPS) are common in Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). The Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) and its shorter version, the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q), are the most common measures to assess NPS. Our objective was to determine if NPI/NPI-Q ratings predict conversion from MCI to dementia.

"In the same boat"-a mixed-methods exploration of reasons why male gastrointestinal cancer patients joined a professionally led men-only cancer support group.

Purpose: Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer patients often suffer high rates of distress and social isolation, partially due to symptoms that are embarrassing or difficult to discuss with family or friends. Group support therapies mitigate illness-related stigma and standardization; however, men, in particular, are more averse to joining. Through an ongoing men-only GI cancer support group, this study sought to understand who joined the groups, what facilitated group uptake, and explore men's reasons for enrolling in the group.

Prediction of survival of HPV16-negative, p16-negative oral cavity cancer patients using a 13-gene signature: A multicenter study using FFPE samples.

Objectives: To test the performance of an oral cancer prognostic 13-gene signature for the prediction of survival of patients diagnosed with HPV-negative and p16-negative oral cavity cancer.

Materials And Methods: Diagnostic formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded oral cavity cancer tumor samples were obtained from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center/University of Washington, University of Calgary, University of Michigan, University of Utah, and seven ARCAGE study centers coordinated by the International Agency of Research on Cancer. RNA from 638 Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-negative and p16-negative samples was analyzed for the 13 genes using a NanoString assay.

Focal seizures associated with the chapeau de gendarme sign or ictal pouting of insular origin.

We report a teenager with childhood onset focal seizures associated with the chapeau de gendarme sign or ictal pouting of anterior insular lobe origin. The chapeau de gendarme sign has been associated with frontal lobe seizures in patients with focal epilepsy. However, in this case, stereo-electroencephalography (SEEG) localized seizures to the anterior insular cortex prior to her typical clinical manifestations.

Biological Functions of the ING Proteins.

The proteins belonging to the inhibitor of growth (ING) family of proteins serve as epigenetic readers of the H3K4Me3 histone mark of active gene transcription and target histone acetyltransferase (HAT) or histone deacetylase (HDAC) protein complexes, in order to alter local chromatin structure. These multidomain adaptor proteins interact with numerous other proteins to facilitate their localization and the regulation of numerous biochemical pathways that impinge upon biological functions. Knockout of some of the ING genes in murine models by various groups has verified their status as tumor suppressors, with ING1 knockout resulting in the formation of large clear-cell B-lymphomas and ING2 knockout increasing the frequency of ameloblastomas, among other phenotypic effects.

Pathogenic Cav3.2 channel mutation in a child with primary generalized epilepsy.

Two paternally-inherited missense variants in CACNA1H were identified and characterized in a 6-year-old child with generalized epilepsy. Febrile and unprovoked seizures were present in this child. Both variants were expressed in cis or isolation using human recombinant Cav3.

Association of circulating adipokine concentrations with indices of adiposity and sex in healthy, adult client owned cats.

Background: Both diabetes mellitus (DM) and obesity are common in cats. The adipokines leptin, adiponectin, resistin and omentin are thought to have important roles in human obesity and glucose homeostasis; however, their functions in the pathophysiology of feline diabetes mellitus and obesity are poorly understood. We determined whether sexual dimorphism exists for circulating concentrations of these adipokines, whether they are associated with adiposity, and whether they correlate with basic indices of insulin sensitivity in cats.

Technical Considerations and Clinical Outcomes in the Endovascular Management of Celiac Arterial Aneurysms.

This retrospective case series details a single-center experience of 8 patients (mean age, 54.4 years) with celiac artery aneurysms (CAAs) who underwent 1 parent vessel-sparing, 5 partial parent vessel-sparing, and 2 non-parent vessel-sparing procedures. Technical success was achieved in 6 of 8 (75%) patients.

Krüppel-like factor 14 inhibits atherosclerosis via mir-27a-mediated down-regulation of lipoprotein lipase expression in vivo.

Background And Aims: Krüppel-like factor 14 (KLF14) is known to play a role in atherosclerosis, but the underlying mechanisms are still largely unknown. The aim of our study was to explore the effects of KLF14 on lipid metabolism and inflammatory response, providing a potential target for lowering the risk of atherosclerosis-causing disease.

Methods And Results: mRNA and protein levels of KLF14 were significantly decreased in oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL)-treated macrophages and in the atherosclerotic lesion area.

Calorie Restriction Modulates Reproductive Development and Energy Balance in Pre-Pubertal Male Rats.

The objective was to determine effects of feed restriction and refeeding on reproductive development and energy balance in pre-pubertal male rats. Sprague Dawley rats ( = 32, 24 days old, ~65 g), were randomly allocated into four treatments ( = 8/treatment): (1) Control (CON, ad libitum feed; (2) Mild Restriction (MR, rats fed 75% of CON consumption); (3) Profound Restriction (PR, 50% of CON consumption); or (4) Refeeding (RF, 50% restriction for 14 days, and then ad libitum for 7 days). Feed restriction delayed reproductive development and decreased energy balance and tissue accretion, with degree of reproductive and metabolic dysfunctions related to restriction severity.

Patient classification based on volume and case-mix in the emergency department and their association with performance.

Predicting daily patient volume is necessary for emergency department (ED) strategic and operational decisions, such as resource planning and workforce scheduling. For these purposes, forecast accuracy requires understanding the heterogeneity among patients with respect to their characteristics and reasons for visits. To capture the heterogeneity among ED patients (case-mix), we present a patient coding and classification scheme (PCCS) based on patient demographics and diagnostic information.

Focused ultrasound resolves persistent radiosurgery related change in a patient with tremor.

We report on a patient who underwent magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) thalamotomy to treat tremor 3 years after a stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) thalamotomy. The SRS produced only limited and transient improvements and was associated with a persistent hyperintensity on T2-FLAIR MR images. The MRgFUS thalamotomy was successful, with tremor improvement at 3 months, no adverse effects, and radiological appearance of the MRgFUS lesion similar to other patients undergoing this therapy.

Using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling to understand murine embryonic stem cell aggregate size and pluripotency distributions in stirred suspension bioreactors.

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling can be applied to understand hydrodynamics in stirred suspension bioreactors, which can in turn affect cell viability, proliferation, pluripotency and differentiation. In this study, we developed a CFD model to determine the effects of average shear rates and turbulent eddies on the formation and growth of murine embryonic stem cell aggregates. We found a correlation between average eddy size and aggregate size, which depended on bioreactor agitation rates.

Trajectories of social support in pregnancy and early postpartum: findings from the All Our Families cohort.

Purpose: Low social support during the perinatal period can increase the risk of postpartum depression and anxiety after giving birth but little is known about women's trajectories of social support during this time. This study will identify trajectories of social support among women from second trimester to 4-month postpartum, and the characteristics associated with different trajectories.

Methods: Data from the All Our Families longitudinal birth cohort was used to assess women's perceived social support during their second trimester, third trimester, and at 4-month postpartum (n = 3387).

Interactions of Rabconnectin-3 with Cav2 calcium channels.

This study describes the interaction between Cav2 calcium channels and Rabconnectin-3, a di-subunit protein that is associated with synaptic vesicles. Immunostaining reveals that both Rabconnectin-3α (RB-3α) and Rabconnectin-3β (RB-3β) are colocalized in mouse hippocampal neurons. Co-immunoprecipitations from brain tissue is consistent with the formation of a protein complex between RB-3α and RB-3β and both Cav2.

Child and adolescent bicycling injuries involving motor vehicle collisions.

Background: Bicycle-related injuries are among the most common recreational injuries for children in Canada; moreover, bicycle-motor vehicle collisions often result in serious injuries. This study seeks to examine environmental, motorist, and bicyclist characteristics of bicycle-motor vehicle collisions that resulted in police reported severe injuries in youth (< 18 years old) bicyclists, in Alberta, Canada.

Findings: Using Calgary and Edmonton police collision reports, 423 youth bicycle-motor vehicle collisions were identified from 2010 to 2014.

CAPABLE: Calgary zone usage of Additional Prescribing Authorization By pharmacists in an inpatient setting: review of the prescribing Landscape and Environment.

Background: In Alberta, Canada, pharmacists have been granted the ability to prescribe most medications independently after completing an additional authorization process. While there are data to support the use of pharmacists' prescribing in the community setting, little is known about its use in the inpatient hospital setting.

Objectives: To describe the prescribing patterns of pharmacists in an inpatient setting including the percentage of pharmacists using their prescribing authority, the care areas where prescribing occurred, and the frequency of prescribing.

Stress and glucocorticoid modulation of feeding and metabolism.

This perspective highlights research presented as part of the symposium entitled, "Stress and Glucocorticoid Modulation of Feeding and Metabolism" at the 2018 Neurobiology of Stress Workshop held in Banff, AB, Canada. The symposium comprised five researchers at different career stages who each study different aspects of the interaction between the stress response and metabolic control. Their collective results reveal the complexity of this relationship in terms of behavioural and physiological outcomes.