Conductive Polymer-Based Electrodes and Supercapacitors: Materials, Electrolytes, and Characterizations.

New materials and the interactions between them are the basis of novel energy storage devices such as supercapacitors and batteries. In recent years, because of the increasing demand for electricity as an energy source, the development of new energy storage materials is among the most actively studied topics. Conductive polymers (CPs), because of their intrinsic electrochemical activity and electrical conductivity, have also been intensively explored.

Evaluating Poly(Acrylamide-co-Acrylic Acid) Hydrogels Stress Relaxation to Direct the Osteogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

The aim of this study is to investigate polyacrylamide-based hydrogels stress relaxation and the subsequent impact on the osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). Different hydrogels are synthesized by varying the amount of cross-linker and the ratio between the monomers (acrylamide and acrylic acid), and characterized by compression tests. It has been found that hydrogels containing 18% of acrylic acid exhibit an average relaxation of 70%, while pure polyacrylamide gels show an average relaxation of 15%.

High dose versus low dose standardized cranberry proanthocyanidin extract for the prevention of recurrent urinary tract infection in healthy women: a double-blind randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: Our objective was to assess the efficacy of a high dose cranberry proanthocyanidin extract for the prevention of recurrent urinary tract infection.

Material And Methods: We recruited 145 healthy, adult women with a history of recurrent urinary tract infection, defined as ≥ 2 in the past 6 months or ≥ 3 in the past 12 months in this randomized, controlled, double-blind clinical trial. Participants were randomized to receive a high dose of standardized, commercially available cranberry proanthocyanidins (2 × 18.

Appraising 5 years in activity of the largest public Canadian vascular graft bank.

Background: In Canada, tissue distribution is managed by provincial entities. In 2014, Hema-Quebec established a cryopreserved vascular tissue bank accessible to all Canadian hospitals. The objectives of this report were to review the first 5 years of activity of Hema-Quebec's vascular bank and to briefly assess the competitiveness of its products.

Assessment of PARP-1 Distribution in Tissues of Cynomolgus Monkeys.

The poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP-1) enzyme has received much attention in the last decade due to its promising role in cancer therapeutics. Despite the expanding use of PARP inhibitors in cancer therapy, little is known about PARP-1 tissue distribution. Our study provides a detailed survey of PARP-1 tissue and cellular distribution using well-preserved cynomolgus monkey organs and a well-characterized, highly specific monoclonal PARP-1 antibody.

Medical Students' Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Shared Decision Making: Results From a Multinational, Cross-Sectional Survey.

We aimed to conduct a multinational cross-sectional online survey of medical students' attitudes toward, knowledge of, and experience with shared decision making (SDM). We conducted the survey from September 2016 until May 2017 using the following: 1) a convenience sample of students from four medical schools each in Canada, the United States, and the Netherlands ( = 12), and 2) all medical schools in the United Kingdom through the British Medical School Council ( = 32). We also distributed the survey through social media.

Some Multidimensional Unintended Consequences of Telehealth Utilization: A Multi-Project Evaluation Synthesis.

Background: Telehealth initiatives have bloomed around the globe, but their integration and diffusion remain challenging because of the complex issues they raise. Available evidence around telehealth usually deals with its expected effects and benefits, but its unintended consequences (UCs) and influencing factors are little documented. This study aims to explore, describe and analyze multidimensional UCs that have been associated with the use of telehealth.

Pancreatic desmoid tumor: A rare case with radiologic-pathologic correlation.

A 39-year-old female patient was referred to our tertiary oncologic center for additional investigations relating to a suspect pancreatic tail lesion. An abdominal computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging scan showed a solid lesion demonstrating progressive enhancement. Complete resection was obtained and the final diagnosis was that of a desmoid tumor of the pancreas, an exceptionally rare tumor demonstrating overlap with other solid and cystic lesions of the pancreas [1].

Coloseminal vesicle fistula after low anterior resection: Report of a case and review of the literature.

Introduction: A rectoseminal vesicle fistula after a low anterior resection for rectal cancer is a rare complication despite their anatomic proximity. From a Medline search from 1966 to date, a total of twenty-one previous cases of coloseminal vesicle fistula have been reported. From these cases, eleven were a complication of laparoscopic low anterior resection for rectal cancer.

Acceptability and Feasibility of a Shared Decision-Making Model in Work Rehabilitation: A Mixed-Methods Study of Stakeholders' Perspectives.

Purpose To establish the acceptability and feasibility of implementing a shared decision-making (SDM) model in work rehabilitation. Methods We used a sequential mixed-methods design with diverse stakeholder groups (representatives of private and public employers, insurers, and unions, as well as workers having participated in a work rehabilitation program). First, a survey using a self-administered questionnaire enabled stakeholders to rate their level of agreement with the model's acceptability and feasibility and propose modifications, if necessary.

Reduction of Arterial Stiffness After Kidney Transplantation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: End-stage kidney disease is associated with increased arterial stiffness. Although correction of uremia by kidney transplantation (KTx) could improve arterial stiffness, results from clinical studies are unclear partly due to small sample sizes.

Method And Results: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of before-after design studies performed in adult KTx patients with available measures of arterial stiffness parameters (pulse wave velocity [PWV], central pulse pressure [PP], and augmentation index) before and at any time post-KTx.

Effects of e-learning in a continuing education context on nursing care: a review of systematic qualitative, quantitative and mixed studies reviews (protocol).

Introduction: Continuing education (CE) is imperative to the future of professional nursing. The use of e-learning by registered nurses for CE is spreading. A review of systematic reviews will be conducted to develop a broad picture of the effects of e-learning in a CE context on nursing care.

Are mobile health applications useful for supporting shared decision making in diagnostic and treatment decisions?

Mobile health (mHealth) applications intended to support shared decision making in diagnostic and treatment decisions are increasingly available. In this paper, we discuss some recent studies on mHealth applications with relevance to shared decision making. We discuss the potential advantages and disadvantages of using mHealth in shared decision making in various contexts, and suggest some directions for future research in this quickly expanding field.

Assessing medical student knowledge and attitudes about shared decision making across the curriculum: protocol for an international online survey and stakeholder analysis.

Introduction: Shared decision making (SDM) is a goal of modern medicine; however, it is not currently embedded in routine care. Barriers include clinicians’ attitudes, lack of knowledge and training and time constraints. Our goal is to support the development and delivery of a robust SDM curriculum in medical education.

Five shared decision-making tools in 5 months: use of rapid reviews to develop decision boxes for seniors living with dementia and their caregivers.

Background: Decision support tools build upon comprehensive and timely syntheses of literature. Rapid reviews may allow supporting their development by omitting certain components of traditional systematic reviews. We thus aimed to describe a rapid review approach underlying the development of decision support tools, i.

Implementing shared decision-making in interprofessional home care teams (the IPSDM-SW study): protocol for a stepped wedge cluster randomised trial.

Introduction: The frail elderly in Canada face a tough decision when they start to lose autonomy: whether to stay at home or move to another location. This study seeks to scale up and evaluate the implementation of shared decision-making (SDM) in interprofessional (IP) home care teams caring for elderly clients or their caregivers facing a decision about staying at home or moving elsewhere.

Methods: A stepped wedge cluster randomised trial involving 8 Health and Social Service Centers (HSSCs) will be conducted with IP home care teams.

More primary care patients regret health decisions if they experienced decisional conflict in the consultation: a secondary analysis of a multicenter descriptive study.

Background: We sought to estimate the extent of decision regret among primary care patients and identify risk factors associated with regret.

Methods: Secondary analysis of an observational descriptive study conducted in two Canadian provinces. Unique patient-physician dyads were recruited from 17 primary care clinics and data on patient, physician and consultation characteristics were collected before, during and immediately after consultations, as well as two weeks post-consultation, when patients completed the Decision Regret Scale (DRS).

Training health professionals in shared decision making: Update of an international environmental scan.

Objective: To update an environmental scan of training programs in SDM for health professionals.

Methods: We searched two systematic reviews for SDM training programs targeting health professionals produced from 2011 to 2015, and also in Google and social networks. With a standardized data extraction sheet, one reviewer extracted program characteristics.

Do choosing wisely tools meet criteria for patient decision aids? A descriptive analysis of patient materials.

Objectives: Choosing Wisely is a remarkable physician-led campaign to reduce unnecessary or harmful health services. Some of the literature identifies Choosing Wisely as a shared decision-making approach. We evaluated the patient materials developed by Choosing Wisely Canada to determine whether they meet the criteria for shared decision-making tools known as patient decision aids.

Decision aids that support decisions about prenatal testing for Down syndrome: an environmental scan.

Background: Prenatal screening tests for Down syndrome (DS) are routine in many developed countries and new tests are rapidly becoming available. Decisions about prenatal screening are increasingly complex with each successive test, and pregnant women need information about risks and benefits as well as clarity about their values. Decision aids (DAs) can help healthcare providers support women in this decision.

The vectorial transport of salts and water is crucial for respiratory epithelial cell lines.

Primary culture of respiratory epithelial cells is useful to study the pathophysiology of respiratory diseases. However, such primary culture has been very limited because of its high dependence on the availability of biopsies and the long time required to reach confluence. Therefore, cell lines are an alternative to primary cultures because they reach confluence faster and some can maintain their differentiation abilities.

Impacts of information and communication technologies on nursing care: an overview of systematic reviews (protocol).

Background: Information and communication technologies (ICTs) used in the health sector have well-known advantages. They can promote patient-centered healthcare, improve quality of care, and educate health professionals and patients. However, implementation of ICTs remains difficult and involves changes at different levels: patients, healthcare providers, and healthcare organizations.

Prenatal developmental safety of functional polyurethanes for cardiovascular implants.

Historically, polyurethanes have been regarded as promising materials for cardiovascular implants such as vascular grafts and heart valves. Their biocompatibility has been thoroughly investigated. However, their developmental toxicity is seldom reported.

Improving Decision making On Location of Care with the frail Elderly and their caregivers (the DOLCE study): study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial.

Background: One of the toughest decisions faced by elderly people is whether to stay at home or move to a care facility. This study seeks to evaluate the impact of training interprofessional home-care teams in shared decision making combined with a decision aid on the proportion of elderly people who report being active in the decision-making process regarding whether to stay at home or move to a care facility.

Methods/design: We propose a multicenter cluster randomized trial conducted with home-care interprofessional teams in the Province of Quebec with 2 data collection phases: before and after the intervention.