Primary tumors induce neutrophil extracellular traps with targetable metastasis promoting effects.

Targeting the dynamic tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) can provide effective therapeutic strategies for cancer. Neutrophils are the predominant leukocyte population in mice and humans, and mounting evidence implicates these cells during tumor growth and metastasis. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are networks of extracellular neutrophil DNA fibers that are capable of binding tumor cells to support metastatic progression.

Improving ultrasound-based prostate volume estimation.

Background: To define a new coefficient to be used in the formula (Volume = L x H x W x Coefficient) that better estimates prostate volume using dimensions of fresh prostates from patients who had transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) imaging prior to prostatectomy.

Methods: The prostate was obtained from 153 patients, weighed and measured to obtain length (L), height (H), and width (W). The density was determined by water displacement to calculate volume.

Endoscopic scoring systems for the evaluation and monitoring of disease activity in Crohn's disease.

Crohn's disease is a chronic relapsing idiopathic condition that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract. It has been shown that mucosal healing is associated with improved clinical outcomes such as reduced risk of surgery, hospitalization and complications. Nowadays mucosal healing is considered the optimal target of medical therapy.

Melatonin MT and MT Receptors Exhibit Distinct Effects in the Modulation of Body Temperature across the Light/Dark Cycle.

Melatonin (MLT) is a neurohormone that regulates many physiological functions including sleep, pain, thermoregulation, and circadian rhythms. MLT acts mainly through two G-protein-coupled receptors named MT and MT, but also through an MLT type-3 receptor (MT). However, the role of MLT receptor subtypes in thermoregulation is still unknown.

Pathogenic variants in AIMP1 cause pontocerebellar hypoplasia.

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase-interacting multifunctional protein 1 (AIMP1) is a non-catalytic component of the multi-tRNA synthetase complex which catalyzes the ligation of amino acids to the correct tRNAs. Pathogenic variants in several aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases genes have been linked to various neurological disorders, including leukodystrophies and pontocerebellar hypoplasias (PCH). To date, loss-of-function variants in AIMP1 have been associated with hypomyelinating leukodystrophy-3 (MIM 260600).

Further validation of the Preference-Based Stroke Index three months after stroke.

Objective: To estimate the construct validity of the Preference-Based Stroke Index and its value added over a generic measure, the EuroQol-5D-3L at three months after stroke.

Design: This is a secondary analysis of an existing inception cohort. Pearson correlation coefficients were estimated to test construct validity and Generalized Estimating Equation analysis was conducted to compare the strength of the correlations of the Preference-Based Stroke Index and EuroQol-5D-3L with other measures.

Dissecting the neurological phenotype in children with callosal agenesis, interhemispheric cysts and malformations of cortical development.

Objectives: To describe the neurological phenotype of children with prenatal diagnosis of agenesis of corpus callosum (ACC) and interhemispheric cysts associated with malformations of cortical development (MCD).

Methods: We reviewed the neuroimaging, neurologic, EEG, and genetic data of 36 patients (21 males, mean age 7 years) with ACC and interhemispheric cysts. Associations were tested with Chi-squared and Fisher exact tests.

Diagnostic Yield of Intellectual Disability Gene Panels.

Background: Recent technological advances have improved the understanding and identification of the genetic basis of intellectual disability (ID) and global developmental delay (GDD). Next-generation sequencing panels of ID genes are now available for clinical testing; however, their overall yield in clinical practice has not yet been investigated.

Aim: We determined the diagnostic yield of ID gene panels in a clinical setting and explored whether any clinical features are associated with an increased diagnostic yield.

Mild Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase Deficiency Alters Inflammatory and Lipid Pathways in Liver.

Scope: Dietary and genetic folate disturbances can lead to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). A common variant in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR 677C→T) causes mild MTHFR deficiency with lower 5-methyltetrahydrofolate for methylation reactions. The goal is to determine whether mild murine MTHFR deficiency contributes to NAFLD-related effects.

Comparison Between Common Performance-Based Tests and Self-Reports of Physical Function in People With Multiple Sclerosis: Does Sex or Gender Matter?

Objective: To estimate the extent to which sex or gender differences affect the relations between tests of physical performance and self-reports about function in everyday life activities. Ecological validity is an important psychometric property when choosing tests of physical function, because they need to relate to everyday function. In multiple sclerosis (MS), the EQUI scale, modified Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test, grip strength, vertical jump, push-up, partial curl-up, gait speed (comfortable or fast), 6-minute walk test, and 9-hole peg test are commonly used but the extent to which they relate to everyday function is understudied and the extent to which ecological validity of these tests differ between women and men is unknown.

Psychopathological and sociodemographic features in treatment-resistant unipolar depression versus bipolar depression: a comparative study.

Background: Some authors have hypothesized that Treatment-Resistant Unipolar Depression (TRD-UP) should be considered within the bipolar spectrum disorders and that hidden bipolarity may be a risk factor for TRD-UP. However, there are neither studies comparing clinical and sociodemographic data of patients with TRD-UP versus Bipolar (BP) disorders nor are there any examining differences versus Bipolar type I (BP-I) and Bipolar type II (BP-II).

Methods: Charts analysis was conducted on 194 patients followed at the Mood Disorders Clinic of the McGill University Health Center.

Quality of life in bipolar disorder: towards a dynamic understanding.

Background: Although quality of life (QoL) is receiving increasing attention in bipolar disorder (BD) research and practice, little is known about its naturalistic trajectory. The dual aims of this study were to prospectively investigate: (a) the trajectory of QoL under guideline-driven treatment and (b) the dynamic relationship between mood symptoms and QoL.

Methods: In total, 362 patients with BD receiving guideline-driven treatment were prospectively followed at 3-month intervals for up to 5 years.

The Canadian HIV and aging cohort study - determinants of increased risk of cardio-vascular diseases in HIV-infected individuals: rationale and study protocol.

Background: With potent antiretroviral drugs, HIV infection is becoming a chronic disease. Emergence of comorbidities, particularly cardiovascular disease (CVD) has become a leading concern for patients living with the infection. We hypothesized that the chronic and persistent inflammation and immune activation associated with HIV disease leads to accelerated aging, characterized by CVD.

Epidemiology and outcome of antimicrobial resistance to gram-negative pathogens in bacteriuric kidney transplant recipients.

Background: In kidney transplant recipients, episodes of bacteriuria are often treated regardless of the presence of symptoms because of the lack of clear treatment guidelines suggesting otherwise. This practice may lead to the development of antimicrobial resistance. Our aim was to determine the incidence, determinants, and impact of antimicrobial resistance in kidney transplant recipients with gram-negative bacteriuria.

Dasatinib + Gefitinib, a non platinum-based combination with enhanced growth inhibitory, anti-migratory and anti-invasive potency against human ovarian cancer cells.

Background: Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death for gynecological cancers and the 6th cause of women cancer death in developed countries. The late stage detection, the peritoneal dissemination and the acquisition of resistance against carboplatin are the main reasons to explain this poor prognosis and strengthen the need of alternative treatments to improve the management of ovarian cancer and/or to sensitize tumors to platinum salts. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), hepatocyte growth factor receptor (Met) and cellular Src kinase (c-Src) are crucial kinases implied in ovarian tumor growth, survival, invasion and resistance to carboplatin.

Impact of an Infection Control and Antimicrobial Stewardship Program on Solid Organ Transplantation and Hepatobiliary Surgical Site Infections.

OBJECTIVE The goal of this long-term quasi-experimental retrospective study was to assess the impact of a 5-year serial infection control and antimicrobial stewardship intervention on surgical site infections (SSIs). METHODS This study was conducted in a tertiary-care public teaching institution over a 5-year period from January 2010 to December 2014. All patients undergoing hepatobiliary surgery and liver, kidney, pancreas, and simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation were included.

An unusual cause of Achilles tendon xanthoma.

Tendinous xanthomas are often thought to be pathognomonic for familial hypercholesterolemia. In this report, we present the case of a young man with a normal lipid profile and Achilles tendon xanthoma. Biochemical and genetic studies confirmed the diagnosis of cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis in this patient.

Left Ventricular Dilatation Assessed on the Lateral Chest Radiograph: The Classic Hoffman and Rigler Sign Falls Short in a Modern-Day Population.

Background: The classic Hoffman and Rigler (H&R) sign, originally described in 1965, suggests that left ventricular (LV) dilatation is present if the left ventricle extends more than 18 mm posterior to the inferior vena cava at a level 2 cm above their crossing on a lateral chest radiograph. This sign is still widely used by radiologists but has not been well evaluated against modern methods of noninvasive assessment. This study investigated the sensitivity and specificity of the H&R sign in a modern population.

Successful live birth after transfer of blastocyst and frozen blastocyst from rescue ICSI with application of polarized light microscopy for spindle examination on unfertilized eggs.

This article aims to report successful live births after transfer of fresh blastocyst or vitrified/warmed blastocyst derived from intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) on day-1 of unfertilized mature eggs (so-called "rescue ICSI") with spindle examination using polarized light microscopy. Two couples who had rescue ICSI performed achieved a positive pregnancy result after the transfer of a fresh or vitrified blastocyst. The two pregnancies led to the live births of a healthy baby boy of 2.

Getting on with the rest of your life following stroke: a randomized trial of a complex intervention aimed at enhancing life participation post stroke.

Objective: To enhance participation post stroke through a structured, community-based program.

Design: A controlled trial with random allocation to immediate or four-month delayed entry.

Setting: Eleven community sites in seven Canadian cities.

Noninvasive brain stimulation for persistent postconcussion symptoms in mild traumatic brain injury.

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is typically followed by various postconcussive symptoms (PCS), including headache, depression, and cognitive deficits. In 15-25% of cases, PCS persists beyond the usual 3-month recovery period, interfering with activities of daily living and responding poorly to pharmacotherapy. We tested the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) for alleviating PCS.