Immune phenotyping in a pediatric multicenter transplant study: Suitability of a preformulated dry-antibody panel system.

Flow-cytometric immune phenotyping is influenced by cryopreservation and inter-laboratory variability limiting comparability in multicenter studies. We assessed a system of optimized, pre-mixed dry-antibody panel tubes requiring small amounts of whole blood for validity, reliability and challenges in a Canadian multicenter study (POSITIVE) with long-distance sample shipping, using standardized protocols. Thirty-seven children awaiting solid-organ transplant were enrolled for parallel immune-phenotyping with both validated, optimized in-house panels and the dry-antibody system.

The Use of Non-Person-First Language in Consecutive General Ophthalmology Referrals.

Purpose: To investigate the prevalence of non-person-first language (PFL) in consecutive general ophthalmology referrals to a single tertiary ophthalmology clinic.

Design: Retrospective cross-sectional study.

Methods: Participants included Ophthalmology patients seen for their initial visit to a single tertiary ophthalmology clinic from July 2018 to December 2022.

Predictors of anastomotic leak and conduit necrosis after oesophagectomy: Results from the oesophago-gastric anastomosis audit (OGAA).

Background: Both anastomotic leak (AL) and conduit necrosis (CN) after oesophagectomy are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Therefore, the identification of preoperative, modifiable risk factors is desirable. The aim of this study was to generate a risk scoring model for AL and CN after oesophagectomy.

Infantile atopic dermatitis - increasing severity predicts negative impacts on maternal and infant sleep: a mixed methods study.

Background: While the impacts of atopic dermatitis (AD) on maternal and child sleep outcomes have been previously explored, less is known about the associations between infantile AD and sleep quality and quantity.

Objective: To describe the perceived causes of AD-associated maternal sleep disturbances and the association between AD severity and infant sleep outcomes.

Methods: Mothers with infants aged < 19 months old with a diagnosis of AD were recruited from social media and medical clinics in Winnipeg, Canada between October 2021 and May 2022.

Virtual pulmonary rehabilitation approaches in patients with post COVID syndrome: a pilot study.

Background: The characteristics of optimal virtual pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) for individuals with post-COVID syndrome (PCS) have not been identified. This study aimed to assess the feasibility, safety, and satisfaction associated with a virtual PR program with the exercise component delivered through group or self-directed sessions.

Methods: Adults with PCS-respiratory symptoms were randomly assigned to the video conference (PR) or self-directed (PR) group and completed an exercise program (aerobic, strengthening, and breathing exercises) three times/week for eight weeks.

Perinatal Outcomes of Newborns of COVID-19-Infected Pregnant Women: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to review the characteristics and outcomes of the newborns of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infected pregnant women. We conducted an online bibliographic search using the following electronic databases: MEDLINE via PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central. Studies were deemed eligible if they recruited newborns from mothers with confirmed COVID-19 and reported the perinatal outcomes of neonatal COVID-19 cases.

Predictive Utility of Near-Infrared Spectroscopy for the Outcomes of Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the utility of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in predicting the perinatal outcomes of neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). We conducted a literature search on Medline via PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and CENTRAL Library. We included studies that utilized early NIRS monitoring to study the accuracy of NIRS in predicting the perinatal outcomes of neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.

Assessing the quality and value of metabolic chart data for capturing core outcomes for pediatric medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD) deficiency.

Background: Generating rigorous evidence to inform care for rare diseases requires reliable, sustainable, and longitudinal measurement of priority outcomes. Having developed a core outcome set for pediatric medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD) deficiency, we aimed to assess the feasibility of prospective measurement of these core outcomes during routine metabolic clinic visits.

Methods: We used existing cohort data abstracted from charts of 124 children diagnosed with MCAD deficiency who participated in a Canadian study which collected data from birth to a maximum of 11 years of age to investigate the frequency of clinic visits and quality of metabolic chart data for selected outcomes.

Infantile atopic dermatitis and maternal-infant bonding: a mixed methods study.

Background: Childhood atopic dermatitis can have a negative effect on caregivers' quality of life and stress levels due to the burdensome nature of its treatment. Given that the condition often emerges in infancy, atopic dermatitis-related stress also carries the potential to negatively affect the developing mother-infant bond. While it is plausible that atopic dermatitis has a negative impact on maternal-infant bonding, these relationships have not been studied directly.

The comorbidity and cognition in multiple sclerosis (CCOMS) neuroimaging protocol: Study rationale, MRI acquisition, and minimal image processing pipelines.

The Comorbidity and Cognition in Multiple Sclerosis (CCOMS) study represents a coordinated effort by a team of clinicians, neuropsychologists, and neuroimaging experts to investigate the neural basis of cognitive changes and their association with comorbidities among persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). The objectives are to determine the relationships among psychiatric (e.g.

[Interpretation of the clinical guideline for point-of-care ultrasonography in the neonatal intensive care unit in the United States].

In December 2022, the American Academy of Pediatrics released a clinical guideline for point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The guideline outlined the development and current status of POCUS in the NICU, and summarized the key elements and implementation guidelines for successful implementation of POCUS in the NICU. This article provides an overview of the key points of the clinical guideline and analyzes the current status of POCUS in China, providing a reference for the implementation of POCUS in neonatal care in China.

Development and characterization of a fecal-induced peritonitis model of murine sepsis: results from a multi-laboratory study and iterative modification of experimental conditions.

Background: Preclinical sepsis models have been criticized for their inability to recapitulate human sepsis and suffer from methodological shortcomings that limit external validity and reproducibility. The National Preclinical Sepsis Platform (NPSP) is a consortium of basic science researchers, veterinarians, and stakeholders in Canada undertaking standardized multi-laboratory sepsis research to increase the efficacy and efficiency of bench-to-bedside translation. In this study, we aimed to develop and characterize a 72-h fecal-induced peritonitis (FIP) model of murine sepsis conducted in two independent laboratories.

The development of the pediatric stroke neuroimaging platform (PEDSNIP).

Childhood stroke occurs from birth to 18 years of age, ranks among the top ten childhood causes of death, and leaves lifelong neurological impairments. Arterial ischemic stroke in infancy and childhood occurs due to arterial occlusion in the brain, resulting in a focal lesion. Our understanding of mechanisms of injury and repair associated with focal injury in the developing brain remains rudimentary.

Use of Point-of-Care Ultrasonography in the NICU for Diagnostic and Procedural Purposes.

Point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) refers to the use of portable imaging performed by the provider clinician at the bedside for diagnostic, therapeutic, and procedural purposes. POCUS could be considered an extension of the physical examination but not a substitute for diagnostic imaging. Use of POCUS in emergency situations can be lifesaving in the NICU if performed in a timely fashion for cardiac tamponade, pleural effusions, pneumothorax, etc, with potential for enhancing quality of care and improving outcomes.

Optimizing simulator-based training for emergency transesophageal echocardiography: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Resuscitative clinician-performed transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a relatively novel ultrasound application; however, optimal teaching methods have not been determined. Previous studies have demonstrated that variable practice (VP), where practice conditions are changed, may improve learning of procedural skills compared with blocked practice (BP), where practice conditions are kept constant. We compared VP and BP for teaching resuscitative TEE to emergency medicine residents using a simulator.

Development and Validation of Patient Education Tools for Deprescribing in Patients on Hemodialysis.

Background: Deprescribing is a patient-centered solution to reducing polypharmacy in patients on hemodialysis (HD). In a deprescribing pilot study, patients were hesitant to participate due to limited understanding of their own medications and their unfamiliarity with the concept of deprescribing. Therefore, patient education materials designed to address these knowledge gaps can overcome barriers to shared decision-making and reduce hesitancy regarding deprescribing.

How safe are paediatric emergency departments? A national prospective cohort study.

Background: Despite the high number of children treated in emergency departments, patient safety risks in this setting are not well quantified. Our objective was to estimate the risk and type of adverse events, as well as their preventability and severity, for children treated in a paediatric emergency department.

Methods: Our prospective, multicentre cohort study enrolled children presenting for care during one of 168 8-hour study shifts across nine paediatric emergency departments.

The Relationship Between Body Mass Index and the Magnitude of Curve at Diagnosis of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Retrospective Chart Review.

Purpose: To evaluate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and spinal curvature in patients presenting with idiopathic scoliosis at a major pediatric tertiary care centre.

Patients And Methods: Retrospective chart review (2015-2019). Data extracted from patient's first visit included age, sex, height, weight, spinal curvature (magnitude, location), referral source, physical activity participation (yes/no), pain (yes/no).

A Population-based Analysis of the COVID-19 Generated Surgical Backlog and Associated Emergency Department Presentations for Inguinal Hernias and Gallstone Disease.

Objective: To evaluate the downstream effects of the COVID-19 generated surgical backlog.

Background: Delayed elective surgeries may result in emergency department (ED) presentations and the need for urgent interventions.

Methods: Population-based repeated cross-sectional study utilizing administrative data.

Serological and cellular inflammatory signatures in end-stage kidney disease and latent tuberculosis.

Objectives: Tuberculosis comorbidity with chronic diseases including diabetes, HIV and chronic kidney disease is of rising concern. In particular, latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) comorbidity with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) is associated with up to 52.5-fold increased risk of TB reactivation to active tuberculosis infection (ATBI).

An Integrated Clinical and Genetic Prediction Model for Tacrolimus Levels in Pediatric Solid Organ Transplant Recipients.

Background: There are challenges in achieving and maintaining therapeutic tacrolimus levels after solid organ transplantation (SOT). The purpose of this genome-wide association study was to generate an integrated clinical and genetic prediction model for tacrolimus levels in pediatric SOT.

Methods: In a multicenter prospective observational cohort study (2015-2018), children <18 years old at their first SOT receiving tacrolimus as maintenance immunosuppression were included (455 as discovery cohort; 322 as validation cohort).

Interventions to Improve the Cast Removal Experience for Children and Their Families: A Scoping Review.

Background: Cast removal can be a distressing experience for a child. This scoping review aims to provide a comprehensive review of interventions designed to reduce anxiety and improve the child's and family's experience of pediatric cast removal.

Methods: A scoping review was conducted (Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Scopus, grey literature sources).

Reliability of caloric testing.

Objective: To assess the long-term stability of caloric testing in patients.

Methods: In this retrospective study, Cronbach's alpha was used to determine whether caloric testing results are stable over time (up to 7 years) in patients who have not undergone interventions. After excluding invalid records, two hundred patients who underwent repeated caloric testing in the same lab over varying periods of time were included.