Heart rate variability as a digital biomarker for frailty in cardiovascular patients.

Background: Frailty is a syndrome associated with age-related impairments in multiple organ systems, of which the autonomic nervous system plays a fundamental role. Measurement of heart rate variability (HRV) is a non-invasive method to evaluate the autonomic activity and gain insights into cardiovascular health and potentially, frailty. A few small studies have explored the relationship between HRV and frailty, with promising but conflicting results.

First report of Toxocara vitulorum infection in a dairy calf in Tennessee.

The ascarid nematode, Toxocara vitulorum, is a destructive parasite of ruminants with a world-wide distribution that causes mortality in calves, especially those with poor nutrition. Reports of T. vitulorum are scarce in the continental U.

Environmental sampling for Dermacentor species (Acari: Ixodidae) in southern British Columbia, Canada in May, 2022.

Traditionally, the most commonly encountered Dermacentor spp. (Acari: Ixodidae) in southern British Columbia, Canada has been Dermacentor andersoni Stiles. However, with the novel detection of Dermacentor similis Lado in southern British Columbia, environmental sampling for Dermacentor spp.

Arsenic speciation in freshwater fish using high performance liquid chromatography and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

Arsenic speciation in freshwater fish is crucial for providing meaningful consumption guidelines that allow the public to make informed decisions regarding its consumption. While marine fish have attracted much research interest due to their higher arsenic content, research on freshwater fish is limited due to the challenges in quantifying and identifying arsenic species present at trace levels. We describe here a sensitive method and its application to the quantification of arsenic species in freshwater fish.

Arsenic speciation in more than 1600 freshwater fish samples from fifty-three waterbodies in Alberta, Canada.

We report here arsenic speciation in 1643 freshwater fish samples, representing 14 common fish species from 53 waterbodies in Alberta, Canada. Arsenic species were extracted from fish muscle tissue. Arsenic species in the extracts were separated using anion-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and quantified using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS).

Synergistic hydrogen production and organic pollutant removal via dual-functional photocatalytic systems.

Photocatalytic water splitting is a promising way to produce H, a green and clean energy source. However, efficient H production typically relies on the addition of electron donors, such as alcohols and acids, which are neither environmentally friendly nor cost-effective. Recently, we have witnessed a surge of studies in coupling photocatalytic H evolution with organic pollutant oxidation, which significantly promotes charge separation and improves the overall photocatalytic efficiency.

Effect of spring runoff on 2,6-dichloro-1,4-benzoquinone formation during water treatment.

This study investigated the impacts of spring runoff on the formation of halobenzoquinones (HBQs) and their correlation with common water quality parameters (WQPs) and aromatic amino acids (AAs) in source water. Source water and treated water samples were collected at two drinking water treatment plants in 2021, 2022, and 2023. HBQs and aromatic AAs were analyzed using solid phase extraction with high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry methods.

Cotreatment strategy for hazardous arsenic-calcium residue and siderite tailings via arsenic fixation as scorodite.

Siderite tailings is a potentially cost-free iron (Fe) source for arsenic (As) fixation in hazardous arsenic-calcium residues (ACR) as stable scorodite. In this study, a pure siderite reagent was employed to investigate the mechanism and optimal conditions for As fixation in ACR via scorodite formation, while the waste siderite tailings were used to further demonstrate the cotreatment method. The cotreatment method starts with an introduction of sulfuric acid to the ACR for As extraction and gypsum precipitation, and is followed by the addition of HO to oxidize As(III) in the extraction solutions and finalized by adding siderite with continuous air injection for scorodite formation.

International benchmarking of stage at diagnosis for six childhood solid tumours (the BENCHISTA project): a population-based, retrospective cohort study.

Background: International variation in childhood cancer survival might be explained by differences in stage at diagnosis, among other factors. As part of the BENCHISTA project, we aimed to assess geographical variation in tumour stage at diagnosis through the application, by population-based cancer registries working with clinicians, of the international consensus Toronto Childhood Cancer Stage Guidelines.

Methods: This population-based, retrospective cohort study involved 67 cancer registries from 23 European countries, Australia, Brazil, Japan, and Canada.

Characteristics of children and adolescents with multidrug-resistant and rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis and their association with treatment outcomes: a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis.

Background: There are few data on the treatment of children and adolescents with multidrug-resistant (MDR) or rifampicin-resistant (RR) tuberculosis, especially with more recently available drugs and regimens. We aimed to describe the clinical and treatment characteristics and their associations with treatment outcomes in this susceptible population.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis.

Real-world treatment patterns and clinical characteristics in patients with moderate-to-severe systemic lupus erythematosus: an analysis of the SLE Prospective Observational Cohort Study (SPOCS).

Objectives: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a disease with heterogeneous treatment patterns largely based on organ involvement and disease severity. The SLE Prospective Observational Cohort Study (SPOCS) collected data worldwide over 3 years from patients with moderate-to-severe SLE. We report real-world patterns of medication use in patients enrolled in SPOCS.

Clinical outcomes of patients with unsuccessful mechanical thrombectomy versus best medical management of medium vessel occlusion stroke in the middle cerebral artery territory.

Background: Current randomized controlled trials are investigating the efficacy and safety of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in patients with medium vessel occlusion (MeVO) stroke. Whether best medical management (MM) is more efficient than unsuccessful vessel recanalization during MT remains unknown.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study using data from 37 academic centers across North America, Asia, and Europe between September 2017 and July 2021.

Multimorbidity patterns and function among adults in low- and middle-income countries: a scoping review.

Objectives: To map the scope of available evidence on relationships between multimorbidity patterns and functioning among adults in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), and describe methods used.

Design: Scoping review guided by a five-step methodological framework and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews reporting guidelines.

Data Sources: PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, EBSCOhost (CINAHL) and Cochrane databases were searched from January 1976 to March 2023, plus reference lists of included studies.

Fingolimod and risk of skin cancer among individuals with multiple sclerosis: a population-based cohort study protocol.

Introduction: Long-term population-based safety studies, applying advanced causal inference techniques, including an active comparator with new-user design, are needed to investigate skin cancer outcomes among individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) treated with fingolimod. This study aims to describe a protocol for investigating the relationship between fingolimod use and the incidence of skin cancer among individuals with MS.

Methods And Analysis: We will use population-based administrative health data from two Canadian provinces (British Columbia and Alberta) to conduct an observational cohort 'trial emulation' study with an active comparator and new-user design.

Virtual consultation in kidney care: a mixed-methods study on a model for safe and effective integration into routine clinical care.

Rationale And Objective: Globally, the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a rapid introduction of virtual care delivery via telephone or videoconference. The rapid advancements in e-health technology facilitated options for virtual care, including asynchronous data transfer in virtual clinic models and patient-facing smartphone applications for communications and self-care. However, the clinical benefits of virtual consultation have not been consistently demonstrated in all facets of kidney care, and the adoption of this innovation alters workflows and health professionals' perceptions of care delivery.

A proposed screening strategy for evaluating the genotoxicity potential of botanicals and botanical extracts.

Botanicals have long been used to promote health and treat diseases, but the safety of many currently marketed botanicals has not been adequately evaluated. Given the chemical complexity of botanicals, which often contain numerous unknown constituents, and their widespread use, comprehensive toxicity assessments are needed. The Botanical Safety Consortium was established to address this challenge.

Barriers and new opportunities in developing effective therapies for diabetic neuropathy: International expert consensus recommendations.

Background: Diabetic neuropathy (DN) affects up to half of individuals with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Despite evidence that improving metabolic and cardiovascular health can slow its progression, DN remains a significant clinical challenge due to the lack of disease-modifying therapies and effective pain management strategies. This consensus aimed to identify gaps and recommend strategies to address these challenges.

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles - physicochemical characterization and cytotoxic risk.

Titanium dioxide (TiO) nanoparticles (NPs) are incorporated into numerous consumer products yet data as to potential adverse health effects remains inconclusive. In this paper we physically characterize 16 nanoforms of TiO from different manufacturers of different size, crystalline structure and with surface chemistry. Physical measurements of the particles were performed and compared with those provided by manufacturers revealing several discrepancies.

The effect of stressful life events on depressive symptoms in Chinese university students: Moderated mediating effect of interpersonal relationship and gender.

Background: This study aimed to examine the impact of stressful life events on the depressive symptoms of Chinese first-year university students, while considering the influence of interpersonal relationships and gender on this association.

Methods: A total of 8079 first-year Chinese university students were surveyed using the Adolescent Self-Rating Life Events Check List (ASLEC), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Comprehensive Diagnostic Scale of Interpersonal Relationship (CDSIR).

Results: Stressful life event were positively correlated with interpersonal relationships, depressive symptoms, and gender (r = 0.

Pediatric Transplant and Cellular Therapy Consortium RESILIENT Conference on Pediatric Chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease Survivorship after Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation: Part II. Organ Dysfunction and Immune Reconstitution Considerations for children with chronic GVHD after Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation.

While highly morbid forms of chronic graft versus host disease (cGVHD) and severe late effects of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) can impact children and adults alike, unique considerations arise in pediatric cases regarding diagnosis, monitoring, treatment, and likelihood of resolution. As children can present with atypical features of cGVHD, and with more significant disease due to inability to communicate symptoms, they may be at increased risk for highly morbid forms of cGVHD and incur greater subsequent late effects, which may be more pronounced in those with underlying chromosomal breakage syndromes, with higher prevalence in pediatric HCT recipients. The long-term effects of cGVHD and its therapies include impaired immune reconstitution, leading to increased risks of infection and secondary malignant neoplasms.