Attenuated cardiac autonomic function in patients with long-COVID with impaired orthostatic hemodynamics.

Purpose: Long-coronavirus disease (long-COVID) is associated with initial orthostatic hypotension and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. Whether altered autonomic tone underlies these abnormalities is unknown. We compared autonomic function between patients with long-COVID and healthy controls, and within patients with long-COVID with different orthostatic hemodynamic phenotypes.

The association between pain, analgesia, and delirium among critically ill adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: We performed a systematic review with meta-analysis examining the relationship between pain or pain medications and delirium occurence, duration, and severity.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception to May 15, 2023. We included randomised or observational studies among critically ill adults, that reported data on pain or exposure to analgesics, and reported delirium presence, duration, or severity with no language or region restrictions.

Do you have depression? A summative content analysis of mental health-related content on TikTok.

Background: TikTok is a global social media platform with over 1 billion active users. Presently, there are few data on how TikTok users navigate the platform for mental health purposes and the content they view.

Objective: This study aims to understand the patterns of mental health-related content on TikTok and assesses the accuracy and quality of the advice and information provided.

Artificial intelligence in breast cancer survival prediction: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Breast cancer (BC), as a leading cause of cancer mortality in women, demands robust prediction models for early diagnosis and personalized treatment. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) algorithms offer promising solutions for automated survival prediction, driving this study's systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods: Three online databases (Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus) were comprehensively searched (January 2016-August 2023) using key terms ("Breast Cancer", "Survival Prediction", and "Machine Learning") and their synonyms.

Evidence-based Algorithms for Free Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flap Salvage in Autologous Breast Reconstruction.

Background: Breast reconstruction with the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) free flap has become the gold standard for autologous breast reconstruction. Flap take-back to the operating room (OR) is an uncommon but difficult situation, requiring prompt and accessible resources. We conducted a literature review and independent expert review to inform evidence-based perioperative algorithms in the event of DIEP flap compromise.

Prognostic impact of albuminuria in early-stage chronic kidney disease on cardiovascular outcomes: a cohort study.

Background: The impact of early-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD) on cardiovascular outcomes, particularly when albuminuria is present, remains unclear. This study examined the associations between early CKD (stages 1 and 2) with and without albuminuria and the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), heart failure (HF) and all-cause mortality.

Methods: A cohort of 456 015 participants from the UK Biobank was categorised by CKD stage using serum creatinine to calculate estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (≥3 mg/mmol) to define albuminuria.

Influence of DOAC Levels and Thrombin Generation on Postoperative Bleeding [SONAR]: A Nested Case-Control Study.

A DOAC concentration threshold above which an impact on surgical hemostasis starts to occur is unknown. Thrombin generation assays (TGAs) provide a measure of the coagulation phenotype. This study aimed to determine whether preoperative TGA parameters are associated with postoperative bleeding, and whether this is partly due to residual DOAC levels.

Ecomorphological correlates of grasping forces in strepsirrhine primates.

Powerful digital grasping is essential for primates navigating arboreal environments and is often regarded as a defining characteristic of the order. However, data on primate grip strength are limited. In this study, we collected grasping data from the hands and feet of eleven strepsirrhine species to assess how ecomorphological variables-such as autopodial shape, laterality, body mass and locomotor mode-influence grasping performance.

Human cathelicidin LL-37 rapidly disrupted colonic epithelial integrity.

The intestinal barrier, held together by epithelial cells and intercellular tight junction (TJ) proteins, prevents the penetration of microbial pathogens. Concurrently, intestinal epithelial cells secrete antimicrobial peptides, including cathelicidin. Cathelicidin has direct antibacterial and immunomodulatory functions, although its role in intestinal integrity remains elusive.

Viscous fingering and interface splitting instabilities in air-water-oil systems.

Hypothesis: Viscous fingering instabilities of air displacing water displacing mineral oil is controlled by the air injection rate. Given the lower viscosity of the water, air would tend to finger through the water and then after it reaches the oil, proceed to finger through the oil.

Experiments: In a radial Hele-Shaw cell, experiments were conducted on air injection into mineral oil and air injection into a volume of water at the center of the cell which in turn is surrounded by mineral oil.

Probing Autism and ADHD subtypes using cortical signatures of the T1w/T2w-ratio and morphometry.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are neurodevelopmental conditions that share genetic etiology and frequently co-occur. Given this comorbidity and well-established clinical heterogeneity, identifying individuals with similar brain signatures may be valuable for predicting clinical outcomes and tailoring treatment strategies. Cortical myelination is a prominent developmental process, and its disruption is a candidate mechanism for both disorders.

Use of Albumin-Adjusted Calcium Measurements in Clinical Practice.

Importance: Using albumin-adjusted calcium is commonly recommended for for measuring calcium, but with little empirical evidence to support the practice.

Objective: To assess the correlation between total calcium measurements (with or without adjustment) vs the ionized calcium level as a reference standard.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This was a population-based cross-sectional study in the province of Alberta, Canada, including adults tested for serum total calcium and ionized calcium simultaneously between January 1, 2013, and October 31, 2019.

Outcomes of a Population-Based Congenital Cytomegalovirus Screening Program.

Importance: Detection of congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection has previously relied on targeted screening programs or clinical recognition; however, these approaches miss most cCMV-infected newborns and fail to identify those infants who are asymptomatic at birth but at risk for late-onset sensorineural hearing loss.

Objective: To determine the feasibility of using routinely collected newborn dried blood spots (DBS) in a population-based cCMV screen to identify infants at risk for hearing loss and describe outcomes of infants screened.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This diagnostic study of a population-based screening program in Ontario, Canada, took place from July 29, 2019, to July 31, 2023.

Optimising Instrumented Mouthguard Data Analysis: Video Synchronisation Using a Cross-correlation Approach.

Purpose: Head acceleration events (HAEs) are a growing concern in contact sports, prompting two rugby governing bodies to mandate instrumented mouthguards (iMGs). This has resulted in an influx of data imposing financial and time constraints. This study presents two computational methods that leverage a dataset of video-coded match events: cross-correlation synchronisation aligns iMG data to a video recording, by providing playback timestamps for each HAE, enabling analysts to locate them in video footage; and post-synchronisation event matching identifies the coded match event (e.

Contrast-enhanced US of High-Risk Indeterminate Focal Liver Observations Categorized as LR-4 or LR-M at CT/MRI.

Background Indeterminate focal liver observations in patients at risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) may require invasive biopsy or follow-up, which could lead to delays in definitive categorization and to postponement of treatment. Purpose To examine clinical effect of contrast-enhanced US (CEUS) in participants with high-risk indeterminate liver observations categorized as Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) category LR-4 (probably HCC) or LI-RADS category LR-M (probably or definitely malignant but not HCC specific) at CT or MRI. Materials and Methods This was a secondary analysis of a prospective international multicenter validation study for CEUS LI-RADS (January 2018 to August 2021).

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio at diagnosis predicts colonoscopic activity in pediatric inflammatory bowel diseases (pIBD).

Background: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a novel biomarker studied in several autoimmune diseases including inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) in adults, but poorly characterized in pediatric IBD (pIBD). We aimed to primarily investigate the relationship between NLR and pIBD endoscopic disease severity. We also examined whether NLR predicted hospitalization, surgery, and therapy response by 52 weeks.

Comparative performance of risk prediction indices for mortality or readmission following heart failure hospitalization.

Aims: Risk prediction indices used in worsening heart failure (HF) vary in complexity, performance, and the type of datasets in which they were validated. We compared the performance of seven risk prediction indices in a contemporary cohort of patients hospitalized for HF.

Methods And Results: We assessed the performance of the Length of stay and number of Emergency department visits in the prior 6 months (LE), Length of stay, number of Emergency department visits in the prior 6 months, and admission N-Terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP (LENT), Length of stay, Acuity, Charlson co-morbidity index, and number of Emergency department visits in the prior 6 months (LACE), Get With The Guidelines Heart Failure (GWTG), Readmission Risk Score (RRS), Enhanced Feedback for Effective Cardiac Treatment model (EFFECT), and Acute Decompensated Heart Failure National Registry (ADHERE) risk indices among consecutive patients hospitalized for HF and discharged alive from January 2017 to December 2019 in a network of hospitals in England.

Return to On-Snow Performance in Ski Racing After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Background: The individual variation in on-snow performance outcomes after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) in elite alpine ski racers has not been reported and may be influenced by specific injury characteristics.

Purpose: To report the performance statistics of elite ski racers before and after ACLR and to identify surgical and athlete-specific factors that may be associated with performance recovery.

Study Design: Descriptive epidemiological study.

Improving access to services in neuro-developmental disability: proceedings of a national meeting to advance community capacity.

As part of a participatory project to advance navigational service delivery systems for children with neurodevelopmental disability (NDD) and their families, this paper addresses proceedings from a capacity-building conference in Vancouver, Canada. A total of 29 invited key stakeholders attended the meeting with the following aims: knowledge sharing amongst provincial/territorial regions advancing NDD navigation capacity; sustainable action-oriented knowledge exchange; and operationalizing next steps to build navigation resources across Canadian regions. Regional representation included multiple and inter-sectoral partners (e.

Understanding the experiences of young, urban, Indigenous mothers-to-be in British Columbia, Canada.

Background: Indigenous Peoples comprise the youngest and fastest growing demographic in Canada, with many living in urban-suburban areas. Given higher fertility rates, younger overall ages and higher adolescent pregnancy rates, perinatal research is needed-to inform policymaking and programming throughout pregnancy and childhood. Yet such data remain scarce in British Columbia (BC), Canada.

Parallel systems in healthcare: Addressing Indigenous health equity in Canada.

The Canadian public healthcare system faces significant challenges in performance. While the formal healthcare system addresses funding, access and policy, there is a critical need to prioritise the informal system of community-oriented networks. This integration aligns with the World Health Organization's primary health care approach, emphasising a whole-of-society strategy for health equity.

Medical complexity in emergency and urgent care settings: a scoping review protocol.

Introduction: Considering the impact of non-medical factors (personal and social) on patients with multiple chronic conditions, the term 'medical complexity' is gaining traction as it encompasses both medical and non-medical aspects of patients' medical needs. When primary care is not able to provide timely care for chronic challenges or acute concerns, complex patients require care in emergency or urgent care settings. The concept of medical complexity is continually evolving, although without a universally accepted or standardised definition that determines if an adult patient is considered complex.

Genome assembly variation and its implications for gene discovery in nematodes.

Genome assemblers are a critical component of genome science, but the choice of assembly software and protocols can be daunting. Here, we investigate genome assembly variation and its implications for gene discovery across three nematode species-Caenorhabditis bovis, Haemonchus contortus, and Heligmosomoides bakeri-highlighting the critical interplay between assembly choice and downstream genomic analysis. Selecting commonly used genome assemblers, we generated multiple assemblies for each species, analyzing their structure, completeness, and effect on gene family analysis.

Effects of Infant Formula Supplemented With Prebiotics on the Gut Microbiome, Gut Environment, Growth Parameters, and Safety and Tolerance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Context: Prebiotics are often added to infant formulas to mimic the benefits of oligosaccharides found in human milk.

Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effects of prebiotic-supplemented cow's milk-based formula on the gut microbiota, gut environment, growth parameters, and safety and tolerance in infants ≤6 months old, compared with a standard formula or human milk comparator.

Data Sources: Searches were performed in the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ProQuest Dissertations & Theses databases.