Enhancing oncolytic virotherapy by extracellular vesicle mediated microRNA reprograming of the tumour microenvironment.

Background: There has been limited success of cancer immunotherapies in the treatment of ovarian cancer (OvCa) to date, largely due to the immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment (TME). Tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs) are a major component of both the primary tumour and malignant ascites, promoting tumour growth, angiogenesis, metastasis, chemotherapy resistance and immunosuppression. Differential microRNA (miRNA) profiles have been implicated in the plasticity of TAMs.

Geny: a genotyping tool for allelic decomposition of killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor genes.

Introduction: Accurate genotyping of Killer cell Immunoglobulin-like Receptor (KIR) genes plays a pivotal role in enhancing our understanding of innate immune responses, disease correlations, and the advancement of personalized medicine. However, due to the high variability of the KIR region and high level of sequence similarity among different KIR genes, the generic genotyping workflows are unable to accurately infer copy numbers and complete genotypes of individual KIR genes from next-generation sequencing data. Thus, specialized genotyping tools are needed to genotype this complex region.

Pediatric Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension; is it Possible to Predict its Outcome?

Objectives: To assess the outcome of pediatric pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and to identify the predictors of morbidity and mortality of this progressive disease.

Patients And Methods: This prospective observational cohort study was conducted on consecutive pediatric patients with PAH. Medical history was taken with a grading of the WHO functional class as well as the serum N-terminal pro-BNP (NT pro-BNP), 6 min' walk test (6MWT), and echocardiography at the initial assessment and at follow-up.

Trauma and the default mode network: review and exploratory study.

While PTSD continues to be researched in great depth, less attention has been given to the continuum of traumatic responses that resides outside this diagnosis. This investigation begins with a literature review examining the spectrum of responses through the lens of the default mode network (DMN). To build upon this literature, a systematic exploratory study was incorporated, examining DMN-related neuropsychological functioning of 27 participants (16 trauma-exposed, and 11 non-trauma-exposed), with a subset (15 participants) completing neuroimaging.

Behavioral analysis of motor and non-motor impairment in rodent models of Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the degeneration of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, leading to motor and non-motor symptoms. While motor symptoms such as rigidity, tremor, bradykinesia/akinesia, and postural instability are well-recognized, non-motor symptoms including cognitive decline, depression, and anxiety also significantly impact patients' quality of life. Preclinical research utilizing animal models has been instrumental in understanding PD pathophysiology and exploring therapeutic interventions.

Enhancing safety monitoring in post-stroke rehabilitation through wearable technologies.

Objective: Current clinical practice guidelines support structured, progressive protocols for improving walking after stroke. Technology enables monitoring of exercise and therapy intensity, but safety concerns could also be addressed. This study explores functional mobility in post-stroke individuals using wearable technology to quantify movement smoothness-an indicator of safe mobility.

Development of a gradual hypoxia chamber for assessing copper toxicity on air-breathing behavior in .

Behavioral endpoints are of increasing interest in toxicology because of their sensitivity, but require clear guidance for experimental design. This study describes the design of a hypoxia chamber for use with pond snails, . Studies assessing the switch from water- to air-breathing in hypoxic conditions have previously utilized methods that neglect intricacies of animal behavior such as handling stress and acclimation.

Aberrant controllability of functional connectome during working memory tasks in patients with schizophrenia and unaffected siblings.

Background: Working memory deficit, a key feature of schizophrenia, is a heritable trait shared with unaffected siblings. It can be attributed to dysregulation in transitions from one brain state to another.

Aims: Using network control theory, we evaluate if defective brain state transitions underlie working memory deficits in schizophrenia.

A comparison of seasonal flexibility in pectoralis muscle fiber type and enzyme activity in migratory and resident sparrow species.

The pectoralis muscle in birds is important for flight and thermogenesis. In migratory songbirds this muscle exhibits seasonal flexibility in size, but whether this flexibility reflects changes in muscle fiber type has not been well documented. We investigated how seasonal changes in photoperiod affected pectoralis muscle fiber type and metabolic enzymes, comparing among three closely-related sparrow species: two seasonal migrants and one year-round, temperate climate resident.

Equitable health care delivery for adult Nova Scotians: a scoping review protocol.

Objective: The objective of this review is to identify international and Nova Scotian standards of care, CPGs, and policies informing equitable health care.

Introduction: The lack of attention given to intersectional health care needs of diverse populations perpetuates health inequities among under-served groups, creating an urgent need for health care reform globally.

Inclusion Criteria: This scoping review will include standards of care, CPGs, and policies focusing on equity-related health indicators.

Defining and characterizing the role of the liaison in supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ people to navigate health-service settings: a scoping review protocol.

Objective: This scoping review seeks to identify what is known about the role of liaisons who support two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, intersex, and asexual (2SLGBTQIA+) people receiving care in health-service settings, and specifically, how the 2SLGBTQIA+ liaison role is defined and characterized.

Introduction: To mitigate the stigma and discrimination experienced by 2SLGBTQIA+ people in health-service settings, a 2SLBGTQIA+ liaison position was initiated at a Canadian hospital. A comprehensive understanding of the 2SLGBTQIA+ liaison role is integral to the implementation of 2SLGBTQIA+ liaison positions in health-service settings globally.

The literature exploring the perspectives and experiences of racialized students in entry-level health professional education programs: a scoping review protocol.

Objective: The objective of this scoping review will be to determine the breadth of literature exploring the perspectives and experiences of racialized students in entry-level health professional education programs.

Introduction: Despite the implementation of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) policies and alternative admission criteria for minority students, racialized minorities continue to be underrepresented and have the highest attrition rate in health professional education programs. Furthermore, the students who eventually work in health care settings report experiences of microaggression and prejudice.

Paramedic assessment of suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients in the out-of-hospital environment: a scoping review protocol.

Objective: The objective of this review is to develop a comprehensive collection of information about the current processes for paramedics assessing and referring suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients in the out-of-hospital environment.

Introduction: Patients with COVID-19 are frequently encountered by paramedics and ambulance service clinicians. Increased demand on ambulance services has resulted in many of these services developing alternative referral pathways to avoid unnecessary conveyance to emergency departments.

Analysis of real-world safety, tolerability, and cost efficiency of Sub-Cutaneous administration of Daratumumab in Manitoba.

Introduction: Daratumumab is an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody used in the treatment of myeloma and other related disorders. To mitigate the risk of infusion related reactions with IV Daratumumab the product monograph suggested a slow administration schedule that extends over several hours. This leads to a significant burden for the outpatients' treatment administration units and indirect costs to the patients such as time toxicity.

Factors influencing direct breastfeeding of preterm infants in neonatal wards and the provision of breastfeeding support: a qualitative systematic review protocol.

Objective: The objective of this review will be to synthesize the qualitative evidence on factors that influence direct breastfeeding of preterm infants in neonatal wards and the provision of breastfeeding support.

Introduction: Breastmilk is critical for the health of preterm neonates, and infants who directly feed at the breast are more likely to receive breastmilk exclusively for longer periods. Direct breastfeeding is associated with improved maternal coping and development of maternal identity.

Facilitator development for pre-registration health professions simulation: a scoping review protocol.

Introduction: The growing demand for health professional education intensifies the need for learning innovations such as simulation: facilitating predictable, realistic, experiential learning that prepares students for practice. To achieve this, facilitators must provide pedagogically sound, psychologically safe simulation. High-quality simulation enhances students' self-efficacy, critical thinking, and clinical reasoning.

The impact of oral contraceptive pill use on sympathetic transduction at rest in young females.

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Perinatal care experiences of women living with disability in Africa: a qualitative systematic review protocol.

Objective: This review will explore the perinatal care experiences of women living with disability in African countries.

Introduction: In many African countries, most women with disability face stigma and discrimination. They are also at risk of unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases due to gender-based violence and sexual abuse.

Identifying and Understanding Seizure Liability in Drug Development.

Seizures are complex electrophysiological disturbances affecting one or more populations of brain neurons. Seizures following test article (TA) exposure pose significant challenges in drug development. This paper considers the diverse neurological manifestations, mechanisms, and functional and structural assessments needed to investigate TA-related seizure liabilities, with a particular focus on nonclinical species.

Nanoparticles for the Delivery of Pro-regenerative Cardiac Progenitor Secretory Proteins Targeting Cellular Senescence and Vasculogenesis.

Contemporary therapies following heart failure center on regenerative approaches to account for the loss of cardiomyocytes and limited regenerative capacity of the adult heart. While the delivery of cardiac progenitor cells has been shown to improve cardiac function and repair following injury, recent evidence has suggested that their paracrine effects (or secretome) provides a significant contribution towards modulating regeneration, rather than the progenitor cells intrinsically. The direct delivery of secretory biomolecules, however, remains a challenge due to their lack of stability and tissue retention, limiting their prolonged therapeutic efficacy.

Meaningful Engagement as a Cornerstone for Implementing the Key Recommendations to Advance the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights of Women Living With HIV Across Policy, Practice, and Research in Canada.

In 2022, a community-academic collaborative team published 5 key recommendations for developing a national action plan to advance the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of women living with HIV in Canada. In 2023, a national gathering was convened to strategize implementation of the recommendations across policy, practice, and research settings. Discussions highlighted that meaningful engagement of women living with HIV (recommendation 1) is foundational to implementing the other recommendations.

High Intensity Physician-Based Service Use for Mental Health Concerns in a General-Population Sample of Children and Youth: Utilisation des services de haute intensité dispensés par des médecins pour les problèmes de santé mentale dans un échantillon d'enfants et de jeunes de la population générale.

Objective: To examine factors associated with high intensity physician-based mental health care services in a population-based sample of children and youth in Ontario, Canada.

Methods: Data from the 2014 Ontario Child Health Study (OCHS) were linked at the person-level to longitudinal health administrative databases containing physician contacts in outpatient settings, emergency departments and hospitals. Our analytical sample (15.