Sex-related differences in pulmonary vascular volume distribution.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension affects females more frequently than males, and there are known sex-related differences in the lungs. However, normal sex-related differences in pulmonary vascular structure remain incompletely described. We aimed to contrast computed tomography-derived pulmonary vascular volume and its distribution within the lungs of healthy adult females and males.

Assessing the impact of COVID-19 on self-reported levels of depression during the pandemic relative to pre-pandemic among Canadian adults.

Objectives: This study aims to assess the impact of COVID-19 related risk factors on self-reported increases in depression among Canadian adults during the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic levels. We aim to investigate the interactive effects of stressors, including social isolation, financial stress, and fear of catching COVID-19, on mental health outcomes. Our study aims to provide insights for the development of prevention and intervention strategies to address the mental health effects of the pandemic by examining the psychological changes attributable to the pandemic and its impact.

Development of the Pediatric Integrated Nutrition Pathway for Acute Care (P-INPAC) using a modified Delphi technique.

One in three hospitalized children have disease-related malnutrition (DRM) upon admission to hospital, and all children are at risk for further nutritional deterioration during hospital stay; however, systematic approaches to detect DRM in Canada are lacking. To standardise and improve hospital care, the multidisciplinary pediatric working group of the Canadian Malnutrition Taskforce aimed to develop a pediatric, inpatient nutritional care pathway based on available evidence, feasibility of resources, and expert consensus. The working group ( = 13) undertook a total of four meetings: an in-person meeting to draft the pathway based on existing literature and modelled after the Integrated Nutrition Pathway for Acute Care (INPAC) in adults, followed by three online surveys and three rounds of online Delphi consensus meetings to achieve agreement on the draft pathway.

Urinary exosomal miRNA signature of IgA nephropathy: a case-control study.

IgA nephropathy is the most common primary glomerulonephritis worldwide and can progress to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). The current "gold standard" for diagnosis is kidney biopsy, which is invasive and associated with morbidity. miRNAs are small, non-coding endogenous RNA that may serve as non-invasive biomarkers, and that are found in urinary exosomes.

Outcomes Following Acute Severe Colitis at Initial Presentation: A Multi-centre, Prospective, Paediatric Cohort Study.

Aim: To assess contemporary outcomes in children with acute severe ulcerative colitis [ASUC] at initial presentation.

Methods: Between April 2014 and January 2019, children aged <17 years, with new onset ASUC (Paediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index [PUCAI ≥65) were prospectively followed in a Canadian inception cohort study. 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing captured microbial composition of baseline faecal samples.

Introduction to the pathways involved in the activation and regulation of sperm motility: A review of the relevance of ion channels.

To participate in sperm-oocyte fusion, spermatozoa need to be motile. In the testes, spermatozoa are immotile, although these gametes acquire the capacity for motility during the transit through the epididymis. During the period of epididymal transport from the male genital tract to the female genital tract, spermatozoa exhibit various types of motility that are regulated by complex signalling and communication mechanisms.

Rearing goat kids away from their dams 2. Understanding farmers' views on changing management practices.

Improving animal welfare is an important aim of livestock industries and is dependent on human management. Understanding attitudes to change and perceived barriers is therefore a key consideration for welfare scientists. A survey that aimed to investigate farmers' attitudes towards changing goat kid-rearing practices was distributed.

Deciphering the Mechanism of Binding Selectivity of Chlorofluoroacetamide-Based Covalent Inhibitors toward L858R/T790M Resistance Mutation.

Covalent modification of the oncogenic mutant epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) by small molecules is an efficient strategy for achieving an enhanced and sustained pharmacological effect in the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer. NSP-037 (), an irreversible inhibitor of the L858R/T790M double-mutant EGFR (EGFR) using α-chlorofluoroacetamide (CFA) as a novel warhead, has seven times the inhibition selectivity for EGFR over the wild type (EGFR), as compared to clinically approved osimertinib (). Here, we employ multiple computational approaches to elucidate the mechanism underlining this improved selectivity, as well as the effect of CFA on the selectivity enhancement of inhibitor over .

A Novel Frameshift Mutation, [p.Asp896ArgfsX79], Leading to Malignant Ventricular Arrhythmia, Identified After Treatment of Gastrointestinal Bleeding.

A novel frameshift mutation in the gene for long QT syndrome type 2 (LQTS2) was identified after torsades des pointes ventricular tachycardia in a 49-year-old patient managed with octreotide and nadolol for an acute variceal bleed. In spite of removal of offending medications, and correction of underlying electrolyte abnormalities, the patient's QT interval remained prolonged-at 521 ms-raising the suspicion of an underlying channelopathy. Genetic studies confirmed heterozygosity for a novel frameshift mutation for the gene, D896Rfs X79.

The impact of extended half-life factor concentrates on patient reported health outcome measures in persons with hemophilia A and hemophilia B.

Background: Recombinant factors VIII and IX Fc (rFVIIIFc/rFIXFc) were the only available extended half-life (EHL) products in Canada during 2016 to 2018.

Objectives: To evaluate if patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) improved in Canadian persons with hemophilia who switched from standard half-life (SHL) to EHL products (rFVIIIFc/rFIXFc).

Patients/methods: This prospective cohort study enrolled persons with moderate or severe hemophilia aged ≥6 years who switched to rFVIIIFc/rFIXFc (2016-2018) and those who remained on SHL.

Canadian Nationwide Survey on Pediatric Malnutrition Management in Tertiary Hospitals.

Disease-associated malnutrition (DAM) is common in hospitalized children. This survey aimed to assess current in-hospital practices for clinical care of pediatric DAM in Canada. An electronic survey was sent to all 15 tertiary pediatric hospitals in Canada and addressed all pillars of malnutrition care: screening, assessment, treatment, monitoring and follow-up.

Factor product utilization and health outcomes in patients with haemophilia A and B on extended half-life concentrates: A Canadian observational study of real-world outcomes.

Introduction: Recombinant factors VIII and IX Fc (rFVIIIFc/rFIXFc) became available in Canada in 2016 and were the only extended half-life (EHL) factor concentrates available in Canada until 2018.

Objectives: We aim to describe the change in product utilization in Canadians who switched to rFVIIIFc/rFIXFc.

Methods: This prospective and retrospective cohort study enrolled males aged ≥6 years with moderate or severe haemophilia who switched to rFVIIIFc/rFIXFc and those who remained on standard half-life (SHL) between 2016 and 2018.

Health Care Use Before First Heart Failure Hospitalization: Identifying Opportunities to Pre-Emptively Diagnose Impending Decompensation.

Objectives: This study sought to describe the pattern of health care contacts in patients ultimately presenting with incident hospitalization for acute heart failure (HF) compared with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation or stable HF.

Background: Little is known about how effectively HF is detected before the first acute hospitalization.

Methods: We compared 79,389 patients divided into 3 matched population cohorts in Ontario, Canada (2006-2013) with incident acute HF hospitalization, incident COPD hospitalization, or stable HF.

Effect of combining peri-hamstring injection or anterior obturator nerve block on the analgesic efficacy of adductor canal block for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a randomised controlled trial.

Background: Pain after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) with autologous hamstring graft can be attributed to both arthroscopic surgery and the graft donor site. This study investigated whether donor site pain control was superior with the addition of either peri-hamstring injection or anterior division obturator nerve block in comparison with adductor canal block (ACB) alone.

Methods: Patients scheduled to undergo knee arthroscopy with ACLR using a graft from the ipsilateral hamstring were randomised to one of three groups.

Neonatal coning secondary to hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy: A case study and literature review.

Introduction: Brain herniation is an extremely rare complication of hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) in the neonatal period with only a single report described. We report a 2-day-old term infant with severe HIE, who developed diffuse brain oedema and herniation.

Case Presentation And Description: A term female infant delivered by vacuum, required therapeutic hypothermia for severe encephalopathy.

Mobile Applications in Neurosurgery: A Systematic Review, Quality Audit, and Survey of Canadian Neurosurgery Residents.

Background: In the past decade, smartphone applications (Apps) have experienced remarkable development across all fields of medicine, including neurosurgery. However, owing to a lack of regulatory oversight and peer review, a clear need exists for a comprehensive review and audit of the existing available Apps. In the present study, we systematically reviewed the existing mobile Apps in neurosurgery, evaluated their clinical use by neurosurgery residents in Canada, and performed a quality audit of the most popular Apps.

Smartphone Usage Patterns by Canadian Neurosurgery Residents: A National Cross-Sectional Survey.

Background: Smartphones and their apps are used ubiquitously in medical practice. However, in some cases their use can be at odds with current patient data safety regulations such as Canada's Personal Health Information Protection Act of 2004. To assess current practices and inform mobile application development, we sought to better understand mobile device usage patterns among Canadian neurosurgery residents.

Demographics, Interests, and Quality of Life of Canadian Neurosurgery Residents.

Background: Neurosurgical residents face a unique combination of challenges, including long duty hours, technically challenging cases, and uncertain employment prospects. We sought to assess the demographics, interests, career goals, self-rated happiness, and overall well-being of Canadian neurosurgery residents.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was developed and sent through the Canadian Neurosurgery Research Collaborative to every resident enrolled in a Canadian neurosurgery program as of April 1, 2016.

Ultrasound-guided lateral-medial transmuscular quadratus lumborum block for analgesia following anterior iliac crest bone graft harvesting: a clinical and anatomical study.

Background: The anterior iliac crest (AIC) is one of the most common sites for harvesting autologous bone, but the associated postoperative pain can result in significant morbidity. Recently, the transmuscular quadratus lumborum block (TQL) has been described to anesthetize the thoraco-lumbar nerves. This study utilizes a combination of cadaveric models and clinical case studies to evaluate the dermatomal coverage and analgesic utility of TQL for AIC bone graft donor site analgesia.

Parathyroid adenoma with concurrent toxic thyroid adenoma: a rare combination.

Background: Hypercalcemia in association with hyperthyroidism is a well-recognized phenomenon. Primary hyperparathyroidism due to parathyroid adenoma in association with thyroid adenoma is extremely rare. These cases can present a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge to the treating physician as the patient may present with symptoms of either disease.

Post-Caesarean Section Surgical Site Infection Surveillance Using an Online Database and Mobile Phone Technology.

Background: Obstetric surgical site infections (SSIs) are common and expensive to the health care system but remain under reported given shorter postoperative hospital stays and suboptimal post-discharge surveillance systems. SSIs, for the purpose of this paper, are defined according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (1999) as infection incurring within 30 days of the operative procedure (in this case, Caesarean section [CS]).

Primary Objective: Demonstrate the feasibility of real-life use of a patient driven SSIs post-discharge surveillance system consisting of an online database and mobile phone technology (surgical mobile app - how2trak) among women undergoing CS in a Canadian urban centre.

Genetic Landscapes of Relapsed and Refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphomas.

Purpose: Relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (rrDLBCL) is fatal in 90% of patients, and yet little is known about its biology.

Experimental Design: Using exome sequencing, we characterized the mutation profiles of 38 rrDLBCL biopsies obtained at the time of progression after immunochemotherapy. To identify genes that may be associated with relapse, we compared the mutation frequency in samples obtained at relapse to an unrelated cohort of 138 diagnostic DLBCLs and separately amplified specific mutations in their matched diagnostic samples to identify clonal expansions.