Comparative risk of mortality in new users of prescription opioids for noncancer pain: results from the International Pharmacosurveillance Study.

Although opioids continue to be used internationally for noncancer pain, evidence to date on the comparative safety of different opioids is sparse and conflicting. The aim of this study was to examine the comparative risk of all-cause mortality in patients newly initiated on opioids for noncancer pain, across 3 jurisdictions in the United Kingdom (UK), United States, and Canada. A multicentre retrospective, population-based cohort study was conducted.

Tofacitinib Safety and Effectiveness in Canadian Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis by Cardiovascular Risk Enrichment: Subanalysis of the CANTORAL Study.

Introduction: ORAL Surveillance, a post-authorisation safety study of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) enriched for cardiovascular (CV) risk, demonstrated increased risk of major adverse CV events (MACE) and malignancies (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer [NMSC]) for tofacitinib versus tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi). This analysis of a real-world Canadian observational study evaluated tofacitinib safety/effectiveness in patients meeting or not meeting CV risk criteria.

Methods: CANTORAL included patients with moderate-to-severe RA initiating tofacitinib (10/2017-07/2020; N = 504).

Characterising the genetic architecture of changes in adiposity during adulthood using electronic health records.

Obesity is a heritable disease, characterised by excess adiposity that is measured by body mass index (BMI). While over 1,000 genetic loci are associated with BMI, less is known about the genetic contribution to adiposity trajectories over adulthood. We derive adiposity-change phenotypes from 24.

Pain during primary molar local anaesthesia with SleeperOne5 computerized device versus conventional syringe: A randomized, split-mouth, crossover, controlled trial.

Background: Because of controversial results from clinical studies comparing different dental local anesthesia methods in children, the primary objective of this randomized, split-mouth, crossover, controlled trial was to compare pain intensity during local anaesthesia (LA) performed with a computer-controlled LA delivery system (C-CLADS) versus a conventional syringe (CONV). Secondary objectives included comparisons during dental treatment.

Methods: Participants (4-8 years) with tooth pair requiring similar treatment were recruited from five French hospitals.

Synthesis, Physicochemical Characterization, Biological Evaluation, In Silico and Molecular Docking Studies of Pd(II) Complexes with P, S-Donor Ligands.

One homoleptic () and three heteroleptic (-) palladium(II) complexes were synthesized and characterized by various physicochemical techniques, i.e., elemental analysis, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, H, C, and P NMR.

A Canadian National Survey of the Neurosurgical Management of Intracranial Abscesses.

Objective: Intracerebral abscess is a life-threatening condition for which there are no current, widely accepted neurosurgical management guidelines. The purpose of this study was to investigate Canadian practice patterns for the medical and surgical management of primary, recurrent, and multiple intracerebral abscesses.

Methods: A self-administered, cross-sectional, electronic survey was distributed to active staff and resident members of the Canadian Neurosurgical Society and Canadian Neurosurgery Research Collaborative.

Crystallinity and Gas Permeability of Poly (Lactic Acid)/Starch Nanocrystal Nanocomposite.

The present work seeks to determine the impact of weight percentage (wt%) of grafted starch nanocrystals (g-SNCs) on the oxygen and water vapour permeability of poly (lactic acid), PLA. Changes in the oxygen and water vapour permeability of PLA due to changes in PLA's crystalline structures and lamellar thickness were quantified. To this end, 3, 5, and 7 wt% of g-SNC nanoparticles were blended with PLA using the solvent casting method in order to study impact of g-SNC nanoparticles on crystallization behaviour, long spacing period, melting behavior, and oxygen and water barrier properties of PLA nanocomposites.

Effectiveness and Safety of Tofacitinib in Canadian Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis: Primary Results From a Prospective Observational Study.

Objective: The Canadian Tofacitinib for Rheumatoid Arthritis Observational (CANTORAL) is the first Canadian prospective, observational study assessing tofacitinib. The objective was to assess effectiveness and safety for moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Coprimary and secondary outcomes are reported from an interim analysis.

Improving radiographic diagnosis of pulpo-periodontal complications in primary molars by training: Application in education and clinical research.

Introduction: The objective of this study was to assess an original learning intervention to train students and paediatric dentistry teachers in radiographic diagnostic accuracy of pulpo-periodontal complications in primary molars.

Materials And Methods: The learning intervention was based on 250 different randomly ordered radiographs of primary molars within three quizzes (A, B and C) for 5 sessions (S): quiz A (50 X-rays), B and C (100 X-rays) were, respectively, completed in S1 to assess the extent of agreement with 5 experts' diagnoses, in S2 and S3 (B at days 8 and 23) and in S4 and S5 (C at days 90 and 105). During S1 and at the end of S3 and S5, the participants (48 students and 16 teachers) were informed of correct diagnoses.

Effects of therapeutic levels of dietary antibiotics on the cecal microbiome composition of broiler chickens.

Dietary antibiotics, including antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs), have been commonly used to improve health and growth of poultry. The present study investigated the effects of therapeutic doses of dietary antibiotics, including bacitracin methylene disalicylate (BMD), penicillin G potassium (PP) and an ionophore (salinomycin, SA), on the cecal microbiome of chickens. BMD and SA treatments were given as dietary supplements from d 1 to 35 of age.

Opioid prescribing among new users for non-cancer pain in the USA, Canada, UK, and Taiwan: A population-based cohort study.

Background: The opioid epidemic in North America has been driven by an increase in the use and potency of prescription opioids, with ensuing excessive opioid-related deaths. Internationally, there are lower rates of opioid-related mortality, possibly because of differences in prescribing and health system policies. Our aim was to compare opioid prescribing rates in patients without cancer, across 5 centers in 4 countries.

Vocal imitation between mothers and infants.

The aim of the present mixed cross-sectional and longitudinal study was to observe and describe some aspects of vocal imitation in natural mother-infant interaction. Specifically, maternal imitation of infant utterances was observed in relation to the imitative modeling, mirrored equivalence, and social guided learning models of infant speech development. Nine mother-infant dyads were audio-video recorded.

Effectiveness of pit and fissure sealants on primary molars: A 2-yr split-mouth randomized clinical trial.

The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of sealants in preventing pit and fissure caries in primary molars. The secondary objective was to assess the sealant retention during a 2-yr study period. A 2-yr split-mouth randomized clinical trial including 90 3-7-yr-old children was conducted in the paediatric dental department of Montpellier hospital.

Cerebral small vessel disease genomics and its implications across the lifespan.

White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are the most common brain-imaging feature of cerebral small vessel disease (SVD), hypertension being the main known risk factor. Here, we identify 27 genome-wide loci for WMH-volume in a cohort of 50,970 older individuals, accounting for modification/confounding by hypertension. Aggregated WMH risk variants were associated with altered white matter integrity (p = 2.

Identification of triglycerides in liquid and fire debris samples by triple quadrupole liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Analysis of fire debris for triglyceride-based oils may be of interest to fire investigators depending on the circumstances of a particular fire. Such circumstances include accidental or intentionally set cooking oil fires, fires involving triglyceride-based "eco" fire log products, and spontaneous ignition fires that involve drying oils on rags. Many forensic laboratories utilize gas chromatography-mass spectrometry following fatty acid methyl esterification to identify triglyceride residues in fire debris extracts.

Artificial Intelligence Applications in Otology: A State of the Art Review.

Objective: Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) are driving innovative new health care solutions. We aim to review the state of the art of AI in otology and provide a discussion of work underway, current limitations, and future directions.

Data Sources: Two comprehensive databases, MEDLINE and EMBASE, were mined using a directed search strategy to identify all articles that applied AI to otology.

Exploring Cognitively Loaded Physical Activity Compared With Control to Improve Global Cognitive Function in Older Community-Dwelling Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment: Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis.

Objective: A systematic review with a meta-analysis explored effects of cognitively loaded physical activity interventions on global cognition in community-dwelling older adults (≥65 years of age) experiencing mild cognitive impairment (MCI), compared to any control.

Methods: A literature search was conducted in 4 databases (MEDLINE [OvidSP], PubMed, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials [Wiley]) from inception until January 30, 2018. The meta-analysis was conducted with Review Manager 5.

Quantifying the medical student learning curve for ECG rhythm strip interpretation using deliberate practice.

Obtaining competency in medical skills such as interpretation of electrocardiograms (ECGs) requires repeated practice and feedback. Structured repeated practice and feedback for ECGs is likely not provided to most medical students, so skill development is dependent on opportunistic training during clinical rotations. Our aim was to describe: the amount of deliberate practice completed for learning ECG rhythm strip diagnoses in first year medical students, the learning curve for rhythm strip diagnosis, and student experiences with deliberate practice.

Development and validation of the Scleroderma Clinical Trials Consortium Damage Index (SCTC-DI): a novel instrument to quantify organ damage in systemic sclerosis.

Objective: We sought to develop the first Damage Index (DI) in systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Methods: The conceptual definition of 'damage' in SSc was determined through consensus by a working group of the Scleroderma Clinical Trials Consortium (SCTC). Systematic literature review and consultation with patient partners and non-rheumatologist experts produced a list of potential items for inclusion in the DI.