Non-Stenotic Carotid Plaques and Rate of DWI-positive MRI in Patients with Lower-Risk Transient or Persistent Minor Neurologic Events: DOUBT Sub Study.

Background & Purpose: Non-stenotic (< 50%) carotid plaques are increasingly recognized as a potential mechanism for ischemic stroke. We assessed the prevalence of such plaques in patients with low-risk neurologic events and evidence of DWI (Diffusion Weighted Imaging)-positive ischemia.

Methods: This is a post-hoc exploratory analysis from the DOUBT study, a prospective, observational, multicenter study of patients with low-risk transient or persistent minor focal neurological symptoms.

Proteomic and cytokine profiling of a CTRP8-RXFP1 glioma mouse model.

Glioblastoma (GB) is the most prevalent and aggressive primary brain tumor with fatal outcome due to a lack of effective treatments. We previously identified C1q-tumor necrosis factor-related protein 8 (CTRP8), a new member of the adiponectin family, as a novel agonist of the relaxin family peptide receptor 1 (RXFP1) and showed that the CTRP8-RXFP1 ligand-receptor system facilitates increased invasiveness and chemoresistance in GB cells. In the present study, we have investigated the role of the CTRP8-RXFP1 signaling axis in glioma progression using an orthotopic mouse model xenografted with human U251 glioma cells stably expressing CTRP8 and RXFP1.

Impact of a community-based peer-led eHealth wheelchair skills training program: A randomized control trial.

Objective: To measure the effect of a community-based peer-led eHealth manual wheelchair (MWC) skills training program on community participation, wheelchair skills capacity and performance, wheelchair-specific self-efficacy, and health-related quality of life.

Design: Randomized control trial with wait-list control group.

Setting: Community.

Exploratory study of erosion in cultivated organic soils using cesium-137 measurements.

Concerns about the sustainability of cultivated organic soils in Montérégie (Quebec, Canada), which can also be identified as histosols, led to this exploratory study aimed at quantifying erosion in these soils by using cesium-137 (Cs) measurements. Soil samples were taken from organic soils in twenty-two fields, and their Cs contents were measured by gamma spectrometry. The estimated mean annual erosion rates (±SD), adjusted with cropping history, ranged from 0.

Increased Infectious Risk Donor Status and Equity-Relevant Predictors of Organ Donation Organization Approach and Caregiver Consent for Deceased Organ Donation in a Canadian Province (2015-2021).

Background: Current donor risk assessments to identify risk of infectious transmission through transplantation have been criticized as unnecessarily discriminatory for sexual and gender minorities. Little is known about how increased infectious risk donor (IIRD) patients transition through the deceased donation system. We sought to evaluate how IIRD status and other equity-relevant identities impacted the likelihood of a caregiver of a deceased donor being approached for organ donation and the likelihood of caregiver consent.

Validation and in silico function prediction of circtial1 as a novel marker of abnormal lung development in nitrofen-induced congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).

Purpose: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are stable, non-coding RNAs with tissue- and developmental-specific expression making them suitable biomarkers for congenital anomalies. Current circRNA discovery pipelines have focused on human and mouse. We aim to bridge this gap by combining bioinformatics resources and used circtial1 as a model candidate in the nitrofen rat model of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).

Comparison of Management and Outcomes of Hip Fractures Among Low- and High-Income Patients in Six High-Income Countries.

Background: There is a perception that income-based disparities are present in most countries but may differ in magnitude. However, there are few international comparisons that describe income-based disparities across countries and none that focus on hip fractures.

Objective: To compare treatment patterns and outcomes of high- and low-income older adults hospitalized with hip fracture across six high-income countries.

Exploring robotic advances, applications, and challenges in neuroendovascular surgery: A scoping review of the CorPath GRX system.

Background: The integration of robotics into neuroendovascular surgery has the potential to revolutionize the field by enhancing precision, reducing procedure-related risks, and improving patient outcomes. The CorPath GRX system represents a significant advancement in this domain. In this systematically conducted scoping review, we explore the current applications, advances, and challenges associated with robot-assisted neuroendovascular surgery.

Long-term enteral nutrition with a nasogastric tube can be safe and effective: A case report.

Home enteral nutrition (HEN) is a vital feeding practice for those who have chronic disorders that prevent them from eating normally. Although short-term feeding is predominantly done via nasogastric (NG) tubes and long-term feeding is done via percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube, we present a case that demonstrates that the long-term use of NG tubes may be possible. Our case involves an adult woman who has been fed via an NG tube for >3 years with no complications.

NRF-Mediated Autophagy and UPR: Exploring New Avenues to Overcome Cancer Chemo-Resistance.

The development of chemo-resistance remains a significant hurdle in effective cancer therapy. NRF1 and NRF2, key regulators of redox homeostasis, play crucial roles in the cellular response to oxidative stress, with implications for both tumor growth and resistance to chemotherapy. This study delves into the dualistic role of NRF2, exploring its protective functions in normal cells and its paradoxical support of tumor survival and drug resistance in cancerous cells.

A national cross-sectional survey of health literacy of caregivers attending Canadian pediatric emergency departments.

Background: Health literacy assessment is key to better meeting family needs and developing informed strategies to promote positive health outcomes for children. The objective of this study was to describe the health literacy of caregivers who use Canadian pediatric emergency departments and relate it to demographic and visit-specific variables.

Methods: This study utilized a descriptive, cross-sectional survey design with medical record review.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police cadets' exposure to potentially psychologically traumatic events during the Cadet Training Program.

Lifetime exposures to potentially psychologically traumatic events (PPTEs) among Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) cadets starting the Cadet Training Program (CTP) appear lower than exposures reported by serving RCMP, but the prevalence of PPTE exposures during the CTP remains unknown. The current study assessed PPTE exposures during the CTP and examined associations with mental disorders among RCMP cadets. Participants were cadets (n = 449, 24.

Dynamics of Mucosal Integration of Machined versus Anodized Titanium Implants.

The long-term success of dental implants depends on the ability of soft tissues to form a protective barrier, limiting pathogen infiltration into peri-implant tissues. Here, we investigated the impact of an anodized surface modification on mucosal integration. Scanning electron microscopy and surface chemistry characterization were carried out on miniaturized implants.

A Systematic Review of Multimodal Analgesic Effectiveness on Acute Postoperative Pain After Adult Cardiac Surgery.

Aim: To synthesise the best available empirical evidence about the effectiveness of multimodal analgesics on pain after adult cardiac surgery.

Design: A systematic review with meta-analysis.

Methods: Indexed full-text papers or abstracts, in any language, of randomised controlled trials of adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery investigating multimodal postoperative analgesic regimen effect on mean level of patient-reported pain intensity at rest.

Safety and Efficacy of Intravenous Thrombolysis by Infarct Type in Patients with No Visible Occlusion: A Secondary Analysis of the AcT Trial.

Background: About 25% of patients with acute ischemic stroke have lacunar infarct on follow-up imaging. In this secondary analysis from the AcT (Alteplase Compared With Tenecteplase) trial, we assessed if there is variation in safety or efficacy of intravenous thrombolysis by infarct type in patients with no visible occlusion. We also determined if this effect differed between tenecteplase and alteplase.

Reduced Representation and Whole-Genome Sequencing Approaches Highlight Beluga Whale Populations Associated to Eastern Canada Summer Aggregations.

Effective conservation strategies inherently depend on preserving populations, which in turn requires accurate tools for their detection. Beluga whales () inhabit the circumpolar Arctic and form discrete summer aggregations. Previous genetic studies using mitochondrial and microsatellite loci have delineated distinct populations associated to summer aggregations but the extent of dispersal and interbreeding among these populations remains largely unknown.

SARS-CoV-2 Illumina GeNome Assembly Line (SIGNAL), a Snakemate workflow for rapid and bulk analysis of Illumina sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 genomes.

The incorporation of sequencing technologies in frontline and public health healthcare settings was vital in developing virus surveillance programs during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by transmission of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). However, increased data acquisition poses challenges for both rapid and accurate analyses. To overcome these hurdles, we developed the SARS-CoV-2 Illumina GeNome Assembly Line (SIGNAL) for quick bulk analyses of Illumina short-read sequencing data.

Current perspectives on vaccines and therapeutics for Lassa Fever.

Lassa virus, the cause of deadly Lassa fever, is endemic in West Africa, where thousands of cases occur on an annual basis. Nigeria continues to report increasingly severe outbreaks of Lassa Fever each year and there are currently no approved vaccines or therapeutics for the prevention or treatment of Lassa Fever. Given the high burden of disease coupled with the potential for further escalation due to climate change the WHO has listed Lassa virus as a priority pathogen with the potential to cause widespread outbreaks.

Primary prevention of food allergy: beyond early introduction.

Food allergy typically begins early in life and persists as a lifelong condition. Delayed introduction of allergenic foods followed by years of hesitancy to introduce these foods early may have contributed to the increase in food allergy prevalence in recent decades. Most infant feeding guidelines focus on the importance of early introduction of allergenic foods in infants at around age 4-6 months.

Bacteria-activated macrophage membrane coated ROS-responsive nanoparticle for targeted delivery of antibiotics to infected wounds.

Bacterial infections and antibiotic resistance represent significant global public health challenges, necessitating the development of innovative antibacterial agents with targeted delivery capabilities. Our study utilized macrophages' natural ability to recognize bacteria and the increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) at infection sites to develop a novel nanoparticle for targeted delivery and controlled release. We prepared bacteria-activated macrophage membranes triggered by Staphylococcus aureus (Sa-MMs), which showed significantly higher expression of Toll-like receptors (TLRs), compared to normal macrophage membranes (MMs).

The Misclassification of Depression and Anxiety Disorders in the Multiple Sclerosis Prodrome: A Probabilistic Bias Analysis.

Background: Studies suggest that depression/anxiety form part of the multiple sclerosis (MS) prodrome. However, several biases have not been addressed. We re-examined this association after correcting for: (i) misclassification of individuals not seeking healthcare, (ii) differential surveillance of depression/anxiety in the health system, and (iii) misclassified person-time from using the date of the first MS-related diagnostic claim (i.

Species diversity in the new lamprey genus Occidentis, formerly classified as western North American 'Lampetra'.

Accurate taxonomy is fundamental to the study and conservation of biodiversity. Because of their morphological similarities, most brook and river lampreys in western North America have been placed in the genus Lampetra along with lampreys from Eurasia and eastern North America. However, molecular-based phylogenetic studies dating back several decades indicate that lampreys from Pacific drainages are genetically distinct from Atlantic Lampetra.

Trends in Methanol-Solvated Actinide Ions and Actinide Expanded Porphyrin Complexes.

Trivalent actinide expanded porphyrin complexes have been of synthetic interest since the isolation of the series of trivalent lanthanide texaphyrin complexes in 1992, however, synthesis of these actinide-based complexes has not yet been achieved. In this work, a computational study with relativistic density functional theory was performed to determine how trivalent actinide ions (Ac through Lr) interact with Schiff base expanded porphyrin macrocycles in a methanol solvent as an alternate pathway to stabilization. A thorough analysis of structural parameters, electronic structure, stability of microsolvation environments, and relative binding energies provided insight into the most stable structures.

Canada's First National Oral Health Research Strategy (2024-2030).

Recent years have seen significant positive changes and developments in oral health-related policy and data on oral health and oral health care in Canada. Simultaneously, on the international stage, the momentum for oral health and related research continues to build. These changes have led to an initiative to create Canada's first National Oral Health Research Strategy (NOHRS), which was recently published by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research-Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis (Allison and Rock 2024).

Food Allergy Genetics and Epigenetics: A Review of Genome-Wide Association Studies.

In this review, we provide an overview of food allergy genetics and epigenetics aimed at clinicians and researchers. This includes a brief review of the current understanding of genetic and epigenetic mechanisms, inheritance of food allergy, as well as a discussion of advantages and limitations of the different types of studies in genetic research. We specifically focus on the results of genome-wide association studies in food allergy, which have identified 16 genetic variants that reach genome-wide significance, many of which overlap with other allergic diseases, including asthma, atopic dermatitis, and allergic rhinitis.