Whole grapes or grape products on body weight, anthropometrics, and adipokines: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

This meta-analysis aims to compile all randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that examined the effects of grapes or grape products on adult anthropometric measures and serum adipokines. We searched PubMed, Scopus, Google scholar, Web of Science and CENTRAL databases published before January 2022. Random-effects model was used to combine mean differences between intervention and placebo groups.

Association of C4 Null Alleles and Persistently Low C4 in Asian Indian Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

The association between heterozygous C4 deficiency and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is unclear. There is a lack of data in South Asian Indians on any possible association of C4A and C4B null alleles with lupus. We aimed to study the prevalence of C4A and C4B null alleles in a cohort of SLE patients with persistently low C4 levels compared to healthy controls (HC).

Dietary sodium intake among youth.

Although there was an overall decreasing trend in the mean sodium intake and excess sodium intake, dietary sodium intake remained suboptimal in US youth.

Pulmonary Delivery of Nonviral Nucleic Acid-Based Vaccines With Spotlight on Gold Nanoparticles.

Nucleic acid-based vaccines are leading-edge tools in developing next-generation preventative care. Much research has been done to convert vaccine gene therapy from an invasive to a noninvasive administration approach. The lung's large surface area and permeability make the pulmonary route a promising noninvasive delivery option for vaccines, with systemic and local applications.

Impact of age-related changes in buccal epithelial cells on pediatric epigenetic biomarker research.

Cheek swabs, heterogeneous samples consisting primarily of buccal epithelial cells, are widely used in pediatric DNA methylation studies and biomarker creation. However, the decrease in buccal proportion with age in adults remains unexamined in childhood. We analyzed cheek swabs from 4626 typically developing children 2-months to 20-years-old.

Validation of a hypomorphic variant in CDK13 as the cause of CHDFIDD with autosomal recessive inheritance through determination of an episignature.

Autosomal dominant CDK13-related disease is characterized by congenital heart defects, dysmorphic facial features, and intellectual developmental disorder (CHDFIDD). Heterozygous pathogenic variants, particularly missense variants in the kinase domain, have previously been described as disease causing. Using the determination of a methylation pattern and comparison with an established episignature, we reveal the first hypomorphic variant in the kinase domain of CDK13, leading to a never before described autosomal recessive form of CHDFIDD in a boy with characteristic features.

Attenuation of progressive surface gravity waves by floating spheres.

Laboratory experiments were performed to investigate the attenuation of progressive deep-water waves by a mono-layer of loose- and close-packed floating spheres. We measured the decay distance of waves having different incident wave frequency and steepness. The attenuation of waves was strong if the surface concentration of particles was close-packed, with the decay distance being shorter for incident waves with higher frequency and steepness.

Developing novel Lin28 inhibitors by computer aided drug design.

Lin28 is a key regulator of cancer stem cell gene network that promotes therapy-resistant tumor progression in various tumors. However, no Lin28 inhibitor has been approved to treat cancer patients, urging exploration of novel compounds as candidates to be tested for clinical trials. In this contribution, we applied computer-aided drug design (CADD) in combination with quantitative biochemical and biological assays.

Transformation and articulation of clinical data to understand students' clinical reasoning: a scoping review.

Background: Despite the importance of effective educational strategies to promote the transformation and articulation of clinical data while teaching and learning clinical reasoning, unanswered questions remain. Understanding how these cognitive operations can be observed and assessed is crucial, particularly considering the rapid growth of artificial intelligence and its integration into health education. A scoping review was conducted to map the literature regarding educational strategies to support transformation and articulation of clinical data, the learning tasks expected of students when exposed to these strategies and methods used to assess individuals' proficiency METHODS: Based on the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology, the authors searched 5 databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO and Web of Science), ProQuest Dissertations & Theses electronic database and Google Scholar.

Understanding and measuring workplace violence in healthcare: a Canadian systematic framework to address a global healthcare phenomenon.

Background: Globally, healthcare institutions have seen a marked rise in workplace violence (WPV), especially since the Covid-19 pandemic began, affecting primarily acute care and emergency departments (EDs). At the University Health Network (UHN) in Toronto, Canada, WPV incidents in EDs jumped 169% from 0.43 to 1.

Dysfunctional eating attitudes and behaviors among athletes: The role and potential of virtual reality.

This brief article discusses the current state of knowledge on the use of virtual reality in assessing and/or treating body image and body image disturbances among athletes with dysfunctional eating attitudes and behaviors ( i.e., eating disorders and disordered eating).

Review - Insect farming for food and feed in the Global South: Focus on black soldier fly production.

Clear differences exist between the Global South and the Global North with respect to economic development. The majority of small and medium-sized insect production farms are located in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, which face challenges to food production and organic waste management in general. These regions have a long history of insect use, as well as environmental advantages, making production of insects in general - and the black soldier fly in particular - a promising option for sustainable food production and organic waste management.

Does using the Lung Clearance Index (LCI) inform clinical decisions in children with cystic fibrosis?

Introduction: The Lung Clearance Index (LCI) is an established research test, but its role in clinical decision-making is not well defined. This study estimated the proportion of treatment decisions that are changed or supported by the added information provided by LCI.

Methods: A mixed methods prospective observational study was conducted in North America.

Relationships between adrenal insufficiency and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with congestive heart failure.

Background And Aims: Patients with adrenal insufficiency (AI) face elevated risks during various hospitalizations including cardiovascular related admissions. Despite this, limited data exist specifically regarding congestive heart failure (CHF) in the context of AI. This investigation leveraged a comprehensive national database to examine the association between AI and cardiovascular outcomes among patients admitted with CHF.

Enhanced nano-LC-MS for analyzing dansylated oral cancer tissue metabolome dissolved in solvents with high elution strength.

Background: Tissue metabolomics analysis, alongside genomics and proteomics, offers crucial insights into the regulatory mechanisms of tumorigenesis. To enhance metabolite detection sensitivity, chemical isotope labeling (CIL) techniques, such as dansylation, have been developed to improve metabolite separation and ionization in mass spectrometry (MS). However, the dissolution of hydrophobic derivatized metabolites in solvents with high acetonitrile content limits the use of liquid chromatography (LC) systems with small-volume reversed-phase (RP) columns.

The impact of hypertension prevention and modification on dementia burden: A systematic review of economic studies.

Aim: Neurological disorders account for the largest proportion of disability-adjusted life years globally, with dementia being the third leading cause. Hypertension has been identified as a priority, targetable risk factor for dementia. This study aimed to systematically review economic studies that examine the impact of hypertension prevention and control on the costs and outcomes of dementia.

Blarcamesine for the treatment of Early Alzheimer's Disease: Results from the ANAVEX2-73-AD-004 Phase IIB/III trial.

Background: There are no approved oral disease-modifying treatments for Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess efficacy and safety of blarcamesine (ANAVEX®2-73), an orally available small-molecule activator of the sigma-1 receptor (SIGMAR1) in early AD through restoration of cellular homeostasis including autophagy enhancement.

Design: ANAVEX2-73-AD-004 was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 48-week Phase IIb/III trial.

Understanding the work-related challenges of organ and tissue donation coordinators during the COVID-19 pandemic: a mixed-method study.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the perceptions of donation coordinators in Canada and understand how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted their work activities.

Design: A sequential mixed-method design incorporating a cross-sectional survey investigating demographic data, substance use and abuse and perceived stress related to the pandemic and semistructured qualitative interviews to further investigate those.

Setting: Organ donation organisations across Canada.

Systematic review of health and social outcomes among Indigenous People exposed to the child welfare system: a protocol.

Introduction: The link between parent-child separation through child welfare systems and negative health and social outcomes is well documented. In contrast, despite the over-representation of Indigenous children and youth in child welfare systems, the relationship between child welfare system involvement and health and social outcomes among Indigenous populations has not been systematically reviewed. Our objective is to assess whether Indigenous People who have been exposed to a child welfare system personally or intergenerationally (ie, parents and/or grandparents) within Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the USA (CANZUS countries) and the circumpolar region are at an increased risk for negative health and social outcomes compared with other exposed and non-exposed groups.

Engaging with young professionals in transfusion medicine: Insights from a needs assessment survey targeting an international cohort.

Background And Objectives: Professionals who work or study in transfusion medicine under 40 years of age are considered young professionals (YPs) by the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT). While the ISBT provides opportunities for YPs, their needs have to be assessed to customize initiatives in a way that could potentially improve their engagement. This survey aimed to assess the needs of YPs in transfusion medicine and understand their perspectives on future ISBT initiatives.

First-in-human phase I trial of the bispecific CD47 inhibitor and CD40 agonist Fc-fusion protein, SL-172154 in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.

Background: SL-172154 is a hexameric fusion protein adjoining the extracellular domain of SIRPα to the extracellular domain of CD40L via an inert IgG-derived Fc domain. In preclinical studies, a murine equivalent SIRPα-Fc-CD40L fusion protein provided superior antitumor immunity in comparison to CD47- and CD40-targeted antibodies. A first-in-human phase I trial of SL-172154 was conducted in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.

Modified Delphi Consensus on Interventions for Acute Radiation Dermatitis in Breast Cancer: A Canadian Expert Perspective.

Acute radiation dermatitis (ARD) is a prevalent adverse effect of radiotherapy in patients with breast cancer, and there is a lack of high-quality data regarding its prevention and management. This study employs a systematic and iterative process to compile the perspectives of Canadian radiation oncology, nursing, and dermatology experts, aiming to establish consensus-based recommendations for the prevention and management of ARD in breast cancer patients. A modified Delphi consensus was conducted with the participation of 19 experts from across Canada.

Clinical Application Of Deep Learning-assisted Needles Reconstruction In Prostate Ultrasound Brachytherapy.

Purpose: High dose rate (HDR) prostate brachytherapy (BT) procedure requires image-guided needle insertion. Given that general anesthesia is often employed during the procedure, minimizing overall planning time is crucial. In this study, we explore the clinical feasibility and time-saving potential of artificial intelligence (AI)-driven auto-reconstruction of transperineal needles in the context of US-guided prostate BT planning.

Factors and mechanisms driving among-lake variability of mercury concentrations in a benthivorous fish in the Canadian subarctic.

Wild-caught fish are an important subsistence food source in remote northern regions, but they can also be a source of exposure to mercury (Hg), which has known health hazards. We investigated factors and mechanisms that control variability of Hg concentrations in Lake Whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) among remote subarctic lakes in Northwest Territories, Canada. Integrating variables that reflect fish ecology, in-lake conditions, and catchment attributes, we aimed to not only determine factors that best explain among-lake variability of fish Hg, but also to provide a whole-ecosystem understanding of interactions that drive among-lake variability of fish Hg.