Primary care in the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond: Lessons from Ontario.

Objective: To understand the role of primary care in the COVID-19 pandemic to provide insight into its functioning and inform potential reforms.

Composition Of The Committee: The now dissolved Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table (Science Table) was formed in July 2020 to provide decision makers and the public with a synthesis of rapidly evolving evidence related to COVID-19. The Science Table was based at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto, and supported by Public Health Ontario.

Swatting Flies: Biting Insects as Non-Invasive Samplers for Mammalian Population Genomics.

Advances in next-generation sequencing have allowed the use of DNA obtained from unusual sources for wildlife studies. However, these samples have been used predominantly to sequence mitochondrial DNA for species identification while population genetics analyses have been rare. Since next-generation sequencing allows indiscriminate detection of all DNA fragments in a sample, technically it should be possible to sequence whole genomes of animals from environmental samples.

Taming large-scale genomic analyses via sparsified genomics.

Searching for similar genomic sequences is an essential and fundamental step in biomedical research. State-of-the-art computational methods performing such comparisons fail to cope with the exponential growth of genomic sequencing data. We introduce the concept of sparsified genomics where we systematically exclude a large number of bases from genomic sequences and enable faster and memory-efficient processing of the sparsified, shorter genomic sequences, while providing comparable accuracy to processing non-sparsified sequences.

Influence of Sequencing Technology on Pangenome-level Analysis and Detection of Antimicrobial Resistance Genes in ESKAPE Pathogens.

Unlabelled: As sequencing costs decrease, short-read and long-read technologies are indispensable tools for uncovering the genetic drivers behind bacterial pathogen resistance. This study explores the differences between the use of short-read (Illumina) and long-read (Oxford Nanopore Technologies, ONT) sequencing in detecting antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes in ESKAPE pathogens ( and ). Utilizing a dataset of 1,385 whole genome sequences and applying commonly used bioinformatic methods in bacterial genomics, we assessed the differences in genomic completeness, pangenome structure, and AMR gene and point mutation identification.

Charting the epitranscriptomic landscape across RNA biotypes using native RNA nanopore sequencing.

RNA modifications are conserved chemical features found in all domains of life and across diverse RNA biotypes, shaping gene expression profiles and enabling rapid responses to environmental changes. Their broad chemical diversity and dynamic nature pose significant challenges for studying them comprehensively. These limitations can now be addressed through direct RNA nanopore sequencing (DRS), which allows simultaneous identification of diverse RNA modification types at single-molecule and single-nucleotide resolution.

Gender trends in orthopedic surgical residency programs in Canada over 20 years.

Background: Gender disparities exist in several surgical specialties, particularly in orthopedic surgery. The purpose of this study was to determine the current trends in gender diversity among orthopedic surgical residents in Canada over the last 20 years.

Methods: We analyzed gender distribution data for orthopedic trainees from the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS) for 2013-2022 and the Canadian Post-MD Education Registry for 2000-2022 using linear and quadratic regressions.

The acceptance of robots in the orthopedic joint replacement operating room.

Background: Robotic surgery has seen substantial growth over the years and continues to show promise, with recent implementation into orthopedic surgery. There is limited literature available on patient attitudes and comfort level with robotic compared with conventional surgery. We aimed to develop an understanding of patient views on robot-assisted knee replacement to help the development of patient education materials and facilitate successful implementation.

On the ability to extract MLVA profiles of Vibrio cholerae isolates from WGS data generated with Oxford Nanopore Technologies.

Objective: Multiple-Locus Variable Number of Tandem Repeats (VNTR) Analysis (MLVA) is widely used to subtype pathogens causing foodborne and waterborne disease outbreaks. The MLVAType shiny application was previously designed to extract MLVA profiles of Vibrio cholerae isolates from whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data, and provide backward compatibility with traditional MLVA typing methods. The previous development and validation work was conducted using short (pair-end 300 and 150 nt long) reads from Illumina MiSeq and Hiseq sequencing.

Evaluation of a next generation sequencing assay for Hepatitis B antiviral drug resistance on the oxford nanopore system.

Background: Next-generation sequencing (NGS) for Hepatitis B virus (HBV) antiviral resistance (AVR) testing is a highly sensitive diagnostic method, able to detect low-level mutant subpopulations. Our clinical virology laboratory previously transitioned from DNA hybridization (INNO-LiPA) to NGS, initially with the GS Junior System and subsequently the MiSeq. The Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT) sequencing system was evaluated for HBV resistance testing, with regards to sequencing accuracy and turn-around time.

Near complete genome assembly of Yadong trout (Salmo trutta).

The Yadong trout (Salmo trutta), a species endemic to the Yatung River in Tibet, China, was classified as a second-class protected species in the 20th century. Now, it is considered one of the most important fishery resources in China. In this study, we assembled a near-complete genome of the S.

[Urology : what's new in 2024].

In 2024, urology continues to evolve with remarkable innovations. The Da Vinci SP surgical robot simplifies procedures by reducing surgical trauma and accelerating patient recovery. Regarding oncological conditions, new therapies have significantly improved the management of urological cancers, leading to increased survival rates.

[Teratovigilance. Antiepileptics during pregnancy and paternal use].

The 2023-2024 updates on teratovigilance, with a focus on antiseizure medications, highlight several key points. American medical societies have revised their recommendations: maintaining effective seizure control is essential for both maternal and fetal health; lamotrigine, levetiracetam, and oxcarbazepine are preferred first-line treatments, whereas valproic acid and topiramate should be avoided if possible. In March 2024, an update on topiramate indicated an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders with prenatal exposure.

[Psychiatry : what's new in 2024].

The journal Lancet Psychiatry is launching a Commission for Youth Mental Health, in response to the widely reported finding in the media of a significant deterioration in the health of young people worldwide in recent years. The aim of this commission is to gain a better understanding of the factors that have led to this situation, and to offer care adapted to the needs of this segment of the population. In Lausanne, following the publication of a manual on psychotherapy for psychosis, a training course has been set up to promote this type of care, which is all too often denied to patients suffering from psychosis.

[Pneumology : what's new in 2024].

In 2024, several important innovations have enriched the management of respiratory diseases, including pulmonary hypertension, tuberculosis, COPD, and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Notable advancements include the introduction of sotatercept in Switzerland for pulmonary arterial hypertension and mediastinal cryobiopsies, reflecting a shift toward more personalized medicine. Meanwhile, biologic therapies for COPD offer promising perspectives, and a potential path is emerging for shortening the treatment of certain forms of tuberculosis.

[Ophthalmology : what's new in 2024].

Ophthalmology is notable for significant technological innovations (e.g laser, microscopy…) that allow for diagnostic and therapeutic advances every year. This article presents the main significant therapeutic progress and highlights the growing use of artificial intelligence in diagnosis of eye disease.

[Neurology: what's new in 2024].

In 2024, therapeutic and diagnostic advancements are shaping the field of neurology. Three new drugs show promise for treating myasthenia gravis and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. A new classification for Parkinson's disease has been proposed, while a neuroprosthesis is improving gait in advanced stages.

[Nephrology: what's new in 2024 (I)].

From immunoglobulin A nephropathy to primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, sparsentan expands its indications. Complement inhibitors offer new hope for patients with certain poor-prognosis glomerulonephritides. Semaglutide enjoys great success, promising nephro- and cardioprotection for type 2 diabetics.

[Integrative medicine : what's new in 2024].

This article reports on new findings on integrative and complementary medicine published in 2024. The implementation of guidelines for the management of pain in cancer patients is discussed. Then, a literature review is presented, that aims to clarify the role of complementary approaches in the management of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and provides a concrete example of how recommendations are established.