Virtual scale endoscope versus snares for accuracy of size measurement of smaller colorectal polyps: a randomized controlled trial.

Accurate measurement of polyp size during colonoscopy is crucial for informing clinical decisions such as resection technique and surveillance scheduling. This study aimed to compare the accuracy of polyp size measurement when using a virtual scale endoscope (VSE) or snare-based polyp size measurement.This randomized controlled trial enrolled 221 patients undergoing screening, surveillance, or diagnostic outpatient colonoscopies.

The Impact of Balloon Use during Endobronchial Ultrasound: A Randomized Pilot Study.

Introduction: During endobronchial ultrasound transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA), a saline-filled balloon placed over the tip of the bronchoscope is used to improve coupling of the ultrasound transducer to the airway wall. However, it is unknown whether it objectively improves image quality or affects procedural outcomes. Our aim was to establish whether the use of a balloon during EBUS impacts image quality, diagnostic yield, procedure duration or complications.

Prediction of obstetric outcomes in sickle cell patients based on tricuspid regurgitant velocity.

Background: Transthoracic echocardiography, a validated tool for risk assessment in non-pregnant population with sickle cell disease (SCD), uses tricuspid regurgitant velocity (TRV) over 2.5 m/s is an independent mortality risk factor. Its applicability in obstetrics lacks sufficient evidence.

The protective power of dissent? A longitudinal study on cognitive and socio-emotional determinants of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among young people in Canada.

COVID-19 has elicited polarized reactions to public health measures, fueling anti-vaccination movements worldwide which indicate that vaccine hesitancy represents a common expression of dissent. We investigate changes in cognitive (i.e.

Evidence Supporting Conservative Scar Management Interventions Following Burn Injury: a review article.

Conservative management for hypertrophic scars (HSc) and scar contractures is of utmost importance to optimally reintegrate burn survivors into society. Many conservative treatment interventions have been described in the literature for the management of HSc. Recent advancements in the literature pertaining to post-burn scarring and HSc formation, have advanced our understanding of the mechanisms that support or refute the use of common rehabilitation treatment modalities after burn injury.

A Nature-Based Intervention and Mental Health of Schoolchildren: A Cluster Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Nature-based therapeutic or preventive interventions for mental health are increasingly popular, but their effectiveness for improving mental health is not well documented.

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of the Open Sky School Program (École à Ciel Ouvert), a 12-week nature-based intervention for elementary schoolchildren in grades 5 and 6, for reducing mental health symptoms.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This 2-arm, cluster randomized clinical trial was conducted from February 27 to June 16, 2023, in French-language elementary schools in Quebec, Canada, with green space within 1 km.

Defects in meiosis I contribute to the genesis of androgenetic hydatidiform moles.

To identify novel genes responsible for recurrent hydatidiform moles (HMs), we performed exome sequencing on 75 unrelated patients who were negative for mutations in the known genes. We identified biallelic deleterious variants in 6 genes, FOXL2, MAJIN, KASH5, SYCP2, MEIOB, and HFM1, in patients with androgenetic HMs, including a familial case of 3 affected members. Five of these genes are essential for meiosis I, and their deficiencies lead to premature ovarian insufficiency.

WATER versus WATER II 5-year update: Comparing Aquablation therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia in 30-80-cm and 80-150-cm prostates.

Objective: This study aims to compare the long-term outcomes of Aquablation for small-to-moderate (30-80 cm) prostates with the outcomes for large (80-150 cm) prostates at 5-year follow up.

Methods: The Waterjet Ablation Therapy for Endoscopic Resection of Prostate Tissue (WATER; NCT02505919) is a prospective, double-blind, international clinical trial encompassing 116 patients, examining Aquablation versus transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for LUTS/BPH in prostates sized between 30 and 80 cm. In parallel, WATER II (W-II; NCT03123250), a prospective, multicentre, single-arm international clinical trial, explores Aquablation outcomes in prostates ranging from 80 to 150 cm.

The Potential for Heart Donation After Death Determination by Circulatory Criteria in the Province of Québec.

Background: Heart donation (HD) by those with death determination by circulatory criteria (DDCC) has been proposed as a method to increase the heart donor pool in response to the growing need for heart transplantation (HT). However, the potential level of HD after DDCC in the province of Québec has not yet been reported. This study aims to assess the suitability for HD among donors with DDCC, and to estimate its impact on HT activity.

pSTAT3 Expression is Increased in Advanced Prostate Cancer in Post-Initiation of Androgen Deprivation Therapy.

Background: The transcription factor Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) plays a role in carcinogenesis and is involved in processes, such as proliferation, differentiation, drug resistance and immunosuppression. STAT3 can be activated by phosphorylation of tyrosine at position 705 (pSTAT3) or serine at 727 (pSTAT3). High expression levels of pSTAT3 are implicated in advanced stages of prostate cancer (PCa) and are known to interact with the androgen receptor signaling pathway.

Comment on Wróblewska-Czajka et al. Outcomes of Boston Keratoprosthesis Type I Implantation in Poland: A Retrospective Study on 118 Patients. 2024, , 975.

We read with interest the article "Outcomes of Boston Keratoprosthesis Type I Implantation in Poland: A Retrospective Study on 118 Patients" by Wróblewska-Czajka et al [...

Understanding the role of induction, intensions and extensions in pragmatic clinical research and practice.

Background: Pragmatic clinical research methods are poorly understood, but essential to practice outcome-based medical or surgical care. Pragmatic research aims to verify the connections between medical knowledge and the reality of practice. Its methods can be understood by reviewing the problems of induction, as well as the related linguistic and mathematical notions of intensions and extensions.

Understanding statistical populations and inferences.

Background: The term population is frequently used in clinical research and statistics, but concepts are multiple and confusing. Populations are a roundabout way of conceiving classifications, generalizations and inductive inferences. When misapplied, the term can lead to serious errors in study design, analysis and interpretation.

Generalizability of pharmaceutical randomized controlled trial eligibility criteria for progressive pulmonary fibrosis.

Background: Progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PFF) is of substantial interest for novel pharmacotherapy discovery, but little is known about clinical trial eligibility criteria. We evaluated eligibility criteria of PPF randomized controlled trials (RCTs), their representativeness in registry patients, and forced vital capacity (FVC) changes and mortality according to trial eligibility.

Methods: A systematic search was used to identify completed and in-progress phase II and III PPF RCTs.