Cerebellar asymmetries.

The cerebellum is a subcortical structure tucked underneath the cerebrum that contains the majority of neurons in the brain, despite its small size. While it has received less attention in the study of brain asymmetries than the cerebrum, structural asymmetries in the cerebellum have been found in cerebellar volume that mirror cerebral asymmetries. Larger cerebellar structures have been reported on the right compared to the left, either for the whole cerebellar hemisphere or the anterior part of the cerebellum, with the latter accompanied by a left increase in the posterior cerebellum.

The lateralization of reading.

Reports in the 1890s described reading disorders from left hemisphere damage. Subsequent work converging from a variety of research approaches have confirmed a strong dependence of reading on the left ventral occipitotemporal cortex, though there is also evidence for some reading capacity of the right hemisphere. The development of this leftward bias parallels reading acquisition in children and adults and is blunted in developmental dyslexia.

A peer-led group intervention based on relaxation (soRELAX) to improve well-being and mental health in nursing students: A mixed method pilot study.

Background: The well-being of nursing students is strongly affected by their mental health.

Purpose: The aim was to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of a peer-led support group intervention based on autogenic training (soRELAX) on the well-being and mental health of nursing students.

Methods: A pilot mixed convergent design was used with a single group and three assessments: baseline, at 7 weeks, and at 12 weeks.

Cancer incidence in male and female Canadian Armed Forces personnel and Veterans enrolled between 1976 and 2016: a retrospective population-based cohort study.

Objectives: To describe rates of overall and type-specific primary cancers in Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel and Veterans with a first enrolment in the CAF between 1976 and 2016, with comparisons to the Canadian general population (CGP).

Methods: This retrospective cohort study linked CAF administrative data to national cancer registries. Primary cancer diagnoses were ascertained from 1976 to 2017.

The impact of paramedics working in primary care teams on other professionals and patient experiences: a qualitative study.

Background: Paramedics are among the professional groups identified in recent policy initiatives aimed at addressing the unsustainable workload and workforce crises in primary care. Their support aims to enhance patient access to care and alleviate the burden of workload pressures.

Aim: To explore the impact of paramedics working in primary care on primary care teams and the experiences of patients who have a clinical consultation with a paramedic in primary care.

Lesson learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative inquiry into patient and family experiences in Pakistan.

Objectives: This study aims to explore the perceptions of patients affected by COVID-19 and their families regarding the challenges faced, coping strategies used and lessons learnt in Pakistan.

Design: A qualitative exploratory descriptive approach was used to explore the real-time experiences of the participants.

Setting: The study was carried out in a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan.

Research quality and dissemination of paediatric randomised controlled trials with and without patient and family engagement: systematic review.

Objectives: Authentic patient and family engagement in child health research is defined as researchers working in partnership with patients and families on all aspects of the research process, including refining the research question, tailoring the intervention, devising study procedures and disseminating study findings. While there is good evidence of a positive impact of patient engagement on the research process, on research teams and on patient partners, there are few empirical data on the impact of patient and family engagement on research quality and dissemination. We conducted a systematic review to compare research quality and dissemination metrics for paediatric randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that engaged patients and families in the research process with trials that did not.

Enhancing the experience and outcomes of children with complex care needs in acute paediatric settings: a realist review protocol.

Introduction: The number of babies, children and young people with complex care needs (henceforth children with complex care needs (CCCN)) in England has increased in recent decades, and this has also been recognised globally. CCCN may have frequent and lengthy hospital admissions, but during these episodes, their needs are not always met, potentially resulting in suboptimal experiences and outcomes. Despite increased numbers of CCCN accessing acute care and displaying greater complexity, much of the contemporary literature has focused on primary care coordination between health, education and social care.

Outcome measurement for gender-affirming care in Canada: a systematic review.

Introduction: Gender-affirming care (GAC) includes interventions aimed at supporting an individual's gender identity. Canada is experiencing an increase in referrals for GAC, higher than any other health service; therefore, there is a need for a systematic approach to health outcome measurement to effectively evaluate care. This review aims to analyse health outcome measurement in Canadian GAC, focusing on what is measured, how it is measured and associated barriers and enablers.

Improving peer review of systematic reviews and related review types by involving librarians and information specialists as methodological peer reviewers: a randomised controlled trial.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of adding librarians and information specialists (LIS) as methodological peer reviewers to the formal journal peer review process on the quality of search reporting and risk of bias in systematic review searches in the medical literature.

Design: Pragmatic two-group parallel randomised controlled trial.

Setting: Three biomedical journals.

Special Issue on CDS Failures: A Case Study: Optimizing CDS for Pediatric Oncology Trials by Transitioning from Interruptive to Passive Alerts.

Background: Many children with cancer are treated as part of interventional clinical trials. Ensuring that the correct chemotherapy treatment plan is used is paramount.

Objectives: The objectives of this report were to: (1) highlight the initial design of a clinical decision support (CDS) tool that was intended to help ensure the correct matching of research studies to research chemotherapy medications, (2) discuss the issues identified with the CDS tool, and (3) review the redesign of the tool that was done to overcome the issues identified.

Brain Network Alterations in Fragile X Syndrome.

Fragile X syndrome (FXS), caused by FMR1 gene mutations, leads to widespread brain alterations significantly impacting cognition and behaviour. Recent advances have provided a deeper understanding of the neural substrates of FXS. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge of neuronal network alterations in FXS.

Scale-up of a low-temperature spray-drying process for a tuberculosis vaccine candidate using lab-scale equipment.

Laboratory-scale spray drying can be a useful tool in developing new dry powder formulations for the delivery of biologics such as therapeutic proteins or vaccines. Low-temperature drying is often used in these processes to prevent the exposure of biologics to harsh conditions that could potentially lead to degradation or instability of the final product. However, low-temperature drying on small-scale equipment can result in very low production rates that may not be practical for generating sufficient material for studies requiring larger sample quantities, such as key preclinical or toxicology studies.

Closed-Incision Negative Pressure Wound Dressing Improves Outcomes in Obese Aseptic Revision Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty.

Background: The burden of revision total joint arthroplasty (rTJA) is increasing. Revision procedures are associated with an increased risk of perioperative complications. Obese patients undergoing rTJA may have a higher risk of wound complications due to their soft-tissue envelope.

Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 controls triacylglycerol hydrolysis in cardiomyocytes.

Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDK) 1 is one of four isozymes that inhibit the oxidative decarboxylation of pyruvate to acetyl-CoA via pyruvate dehydrogenase. PDK activity is elevated in fasting or starvation conditions to conserve carbohydrate reserves. PDK has also been shown to increase mitochondrial fatty acid utilization.

Structural analyses of apolipoprotein A-IV polymorphisms Q360H and T347S elucidate the inhibitory effect against thrombosis.

Apolipoprotein A-IV (apoA-IV) is an abundant lipid-binding protein in blood plasma. We previously reported that apoA-IV, as an endogenous inhibitor, competitively binds platelet αIIbβ3 integrin from its N-terminal residues, reducing the potential risk of thrombosis. This study aims to investigate how the apoA-IV and apoA-IV mutations affect the structure and function of apoA-IV.

Risk and Dose-Response Relationship for Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium Maculopathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Topic: To determine the pooled relative risk (RR) of Pentosan Phosphate Sodium Maculopathy (PPSM) in patients using PPS and model the dose-response relationship of this association from existing literature.

Clinical Relevance: PPSM is an acquired, progressive retinal pigmentary disease associated with oral PPS use. Though several observational studies suggest a dose-response relationship of this association, to-date, there remains no literature-pooled synthesis on risk of PPSM across strata of cumulative dose.

Transfusion of Fresh Frozen Plasma and Platelets in Critically Ill Adults An American College of Chest Physicians Clinical Practice Guideline.

Background: Platelets and fresh frozen plasma (FFP) are frequently administered to critically ill patients. Considering the variability in indications and thresholds guiding these transfusions, a comprehensive review of current evidence was conducted to provide guidance to critical care practitioners. This CHEST guideline examined the literature on platelet transfusions in critically ill patients with thrombocytopenia, with and without active bleeding, as well as data on prophylactic platelet and FFP transfusions for common procedures in the critical care setting.

Drosophila Model of HPV18-Induced Pathogenesis Reveals a Role for E6 Oncogene in Regulation of NF-κB and Wnt to Inhibit Apoptosis.

Cancers caused by high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) remain a significant health threat resulting in more than 300,000 deaths, annually. Persistent expression of two HPV oncogenes, E6 and E7, are necessary for cancer development and progression. E6 has several functions contributing to tumorigenesis one of which is blocking programmed cell death, apoptosis.

Next generation of porphysomes for improved photodynamic therapy applications.

Porphysomes are a class of liposome-like nanoparticles that have demonstrated efficacy in photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) against cancer. These nanoparticles results from the self-assembly of amphiphilic phospholipid-porphyrin (PL-Por) conjugates. Despite their potential, porphysomes exhibit a high photothermal effect and a weak photodynamic activity as long as they remain intact within the body.

A Square Peg in A Round Hole: Social Experiences of Living with Diabetes in Canada in 2024.

Introduction: Diabetes self-management often occurs in social contexts, around others without diabetes. International consensus identifies the pervasive presence of social stigma towards those with diabetes, negatively impacting health, well-being, social and professional lives. We aimed to determine the social experiences of Canadian adults living with type 1(T2D) or type 2 (T2D) diabetes.

What's in a Proton FLASH Beam? Characterizing Ultra-High Dose Rate Protons Using a Commercial Plastic Scintillator.

While biological studies of the FLASH effect in proton beams have mainly been performed in the plateau region at maximum beam energy and current, this type of delivery has limited clinical applications. Naturally, it is anticipated that plans to treat patients clinically with FLASH-radiotherapy (FLASH-RT) will capitalize on the Bragg peak. However, as the proton spot widens with depth, the time required to deliver the entire dose to any single point increases.

CD4 T cells take center stage during dengue infection.

Ansari et al. identified a subset of CD4 T cells (CXCR5PD-1) resembling T follicular helper (Tfh) cells in patients with severe dengue. This subset helps B cell responses via IL-21 and can also differentiate into cytotoxic CD4 T cells.

Emergency department patients' self-perceived medical severity and urgency of care: The role of health literacy, stress and coping.

Objectives: This study aimed to (1) compare the agreement between triage acuity and emergency department (ED) patients' self-perceived medical severity and urgency, and (2) examine how health literacy, stress, and coping relate to patients' perceptions of medical need and urgency.

Methods: In this cross-sectional, observational study, 171 patients from a large acute care teaching hospital in Southwestern Ontario were recruited in autumn 2020. English-speaking adults (18 + years) with Canadian Triage Acuity Scale (CTAS) scores from 2 (emergent) to 5 (non-urgent) were included.