Can all roads lead to competency? School levels effects in Licensing examinations scores.

At the foundation of research concerned with professional training is the idea of an assumed causal chain between the policies and practices of education and the eventual behaviours of those that graduate these programs. In medicine, given the social accountability to ensure that teaching and learning gives way to a health human resource that is willing and able to provide the healthcare that patients and communities need, it is of critical importance to generate evidence regarding this causal relationship. One question that medical education scholars ask regularly is the degree to which the unique features of training programs and learning environments impact trainee achievement of the intended learning outcomes.

Diagnostic Test Accuracy of the YEARS Algorithm for Pulmonary Embolism: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of the YEARS algorithm in excluding pulmonary embolism, as well as to compare the utilisation of advanced imaging modalities between the YEARS approach and standard clinical practice. Eligible studies were identified from multiple databases spanning July 2017 to September 2022, following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for diagnostic accuracy reviews. A total of 10 studies, involving approximately 14,000 participants, were included in the analysis.

Plasma arginine as a predictive biomarker for outcomes with immune checkpoint inhibition in metastatic colorectal cancer: a correlative analysis of the CCTG CO.26 trial.

Background: Nutritional stress is a mechanism that allows tumor cells to evade the immune system. Arginine (ARG), an amino acid involved in immunomodulation, aids in regulating T-lymphocyte cell activity and the antitumor response. ARG deficiency in the tumor microenvironment can impair T-cell response while ARG supplementation may promote antitumor immune activity.

Examining the prevalence of hepatic steatosis and advanced fibrosis using non-invasive measures across Canada: A national estimate using the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) from 2009-2019.

Introduction And Objectives: Prevalence estimates are crucial for enhancing preparedness to prevent and manage chronic diseases. This is the first study to estimate the prevalence of hepatic steatosis and advanced fibrosis in Canada, leveraging a nationally representative survey and multiple validated non-invasive tests (NITs).

Materials And Methods: The Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) is Canada's largest direct health measures survey, which collects data on sociodemographic, clinical factors, and blood chemistry.

Multilevel associations of peer cognitive factors and adolescent cannabis use in a legal recreational cannabis region.

Background: Cannabis use can have unintended, harmful consequences for adolescents, a developmental group that struggles with heightened pressure to align with peer attitudes and behaviors. The role of social-cognitive factors in shifting cannabis use dynamics remains under explored, particularly in states where recreational cannabis use is legal.

Objectives: The present study examined multilevel longitudinal associations between resistance to peer influence, peer norms, and adolescent cannabis use over the course of 12 months.

Comparative efficacy of non-pharmacological management for chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: a systematic review and network meta-analysis protocol.

Background: Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) has posed a significant burden on affected individuals and healthcare systems. While pharmacological treatments are commonly used, non-pharmacological management strategies have gained attention for their potential benefits in improving CP/CPPS symptoms. However, the comparative efficacy of these non-pharmacological interventions remains unclear.

CKD Progression following Acute Kidney Injury: A Secondary Analysis of the STARRT-AKI Trial.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common complication after acute kidney injury (AKI). We aimed to evaluate whether RRT initiation strategy had an effect on CKD progression. Secondarily, we aimed to identify factors that influenced the development or progression of CKD following severe AKI.

Point-of-care ultrasound in palliative medicine residency programs: report of a national survey and local workshop.

Purpose: Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is used in various clinical specialties to improve diagnostic and procedural accuracy and has many potential applications in palliative care. However, it is unclear what is the current state of training and use of POCUS in palliative care in Canada. Our objectives were to understand the current state of training and use of POCUS in Canadian Palliative Medicine subspecialty residency programs and to develop and implement a local training workshop for POCUS in palliative care.

Application of Artificial Intelligence in Symptom Monitoring in Adult Cancer Survivorship: A Systematic Review.

Purpose: The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in health care may afford new avenues for personalized and patient-centered care. This systematic review explored the role of AI in symptom monitoring for adult cancer survivors.

Methods: A comprehensive search was performed from inception to November 2023 in seven bibliographic databases and three clinical trial registries.

The : A practical guide for the application of meta-analyses to clinical cases.

Despite efforts to incorporate evidence-based practice into mental health settings, there has been inconsistent success doing so. Several barriers to the implementation of evidence-based practice have been identified, including limitations in time and statistical training. One promising approach to further bridge the science-practice gap is the greater use of meta-analytic studies to clarify the magnitude of treatment effects and to understand components of treatments that are more effective within specific populations.

Anemia Near Delivery Is Prevalent, Pernicious, and Associated With Lower Neighbourhood Income: An Analysis of Over 50 000 Pregnancies.

Objectives: Anemia in pregnancy has negative impacts on maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality and has been described as an issue of health equity. The primary aim of our study was to describe the rates of anemia near delivery and assess whether this correlates with neighbourhood-level income status.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of pregnant persons delivering from January 2012 through December 2022 at 2 large academic centres.

Physical activity and mental health: a systematic review and best-evidence synthesis of mediation and moderation studies.

Background: While evidence consistently demonstrates that physical activity is beneficial to mental health, it remains relatively unknown how physical activity benefits mental health, and which factors influence the effect of physical activity on mental health. This understanding could vastly increase our capacity to design, recommend, and prescribe physical activity in more optimal ways. The purpose of this study was to systematically review and synthesise evidence of all mediators and moderators of the relationship between physical activity and mental health.

Ezh2 Delays Activation of Differentiation Genes During Normal Cerebellar Granule Neuron Development and in Medulloblastoma.

Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant brain tumour in children. The Sonic Hedgehog (SHH)-medulloblastoma subtype arises from the cerebellar granule neuron lineage. Terminally differentiated neurons are incapable of undergoing further cell division, so an effective treatment for this tumour could be to force neuronal differentiation.

The relationship between ethnicity and place of birth in England: a mixed-methods study.

Background: UK maternity policy advocates a choice of birthplace in an obstetric-led unit (OU), a midwife-led unit (MLU) or at home. Although robust evidence supports the safety of birth in midwife-led settings, particularly for women with uncomplicated pregnancies, most births are in the OU. Women and babies from ethnic minority communities experience major health disparities and inequitable care, but there is limited research examining birthplace choices through an ethnicity lens.

A core outcome set for prophylaxis and perioperative treatment of von Willebrand disease: The coreVWD initiative.

Introduction: Treatment options are expanding for von Willebrand disease (VWD). A core outcome set (COS)-a minimum set of agreed-upon outcomes to be used in every clinical trial for a given condition-provides guidance on which outcomes are most important to measure to ensure necessary data is collected for a variety of stakeholders and enable comparison across products and trials.

Aim: coreVWD aimed to develop a COS for trials for prophylaxis and perioperative treatments for VWD.

Integrating asthma care guidelines into primary care electronic medical records: a review focused on Canadian knowledge translation tools.

Introduction: Asthma is one of the most common chronic respiratory diseases globally. Despite national and international asthma care guidelines, gaps persist in primary care. Knowledge translation (KT) electronic tools (eTools) exist aiming to address these gaps, but their impact on practice patterns and patient outcomes is variable.