Development of a predictive model for loss of functional and cognitive abilities in long-term care home residents: a protocol.

Introduction: Long-term care (LTC) residents require extensive assistance with daily activities due to physical and cognitive impairments. Medical treatment for LTC residents, when not aligned with residents' wishes, can cause discomfort without providing substantial benefits. Predictive models can equip providers with tools to guide treatment recommendations that support person-centred medical decision-making.

Exploration of the Fasting Hypoglycemic Mechanism of Casein Hydrolysate Enriched with Glu/Gln and Glu/Gln-Containing Peptides in db/db Diabetic-like Mice Using Multiomics Analysis.

The fasting hypoglycemic effect of casein hydrolysate (CH) was investigated in db/db diabetic-like mice using a multiomics integrated analysis of peptidome, transcriptome, and metabolome. Results showed that the oral administration of CH at a dose of 600 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks reduced the fasting blood glucose levels by 14.73 ± 9.

A gender breakdown of unexpected benefits generated by work from home in STEM fields - A qualitative analysis of the WiMPBME Task Group survey.

Background: Working from home during the Covid-19 pandemic was perceived differently by men and women working in STEM fields. The aim of this paper is to highlight the unexpected benefits generated by working from home during the pandemic.

Methods: Qualitative methodology was used to analyze data, collected via survey.

Spatial unfolding of an extended La-140 source within a 0.5 km-wide exclusion zone using Compton gamma imaging measurements.

Results from applying an advanced spatial-unfolding technique to outdoor-trial data acquired with a Silicon photomultiplier-based Compton Telescope for Safety and Security (SCoTSS) gamma imager during perimeter survey of a distributed La-140 source lying within a 500 m x 500 m exclusion zone are presented. A synthetic-data version of the experiment was also modelled using Monte Carlo simulations and reconstructed. For both experimental and synthetic data the method faithfully reproduces the shape of the activity distribution, and for synthetic data the total activity is reproduced as well.

Covert Vascular Brain Injury and Cognitive Dysfunction Among Chinese Adults Living in Canada and China: The CAHHM and PURE-MIND Studies.

Background And Objective: It is unclear whether variation in covert cerebrovascular disease prevalence is attributable to ethnic differences or to other factors. We aimed to examine the associations of country of residence with covert vascular brain injury (VBI) and cognitive dysfunction among Chinese adults residing in Canada and China.

Methods: This was a multisite cross-sectional study of Chinese adults aged 40-80 years in the Canadian Alliance for Healthy Hearts and Healthy Minds (CAHHM; January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2018) and Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiological-Mind (PURE-MIND; November 1, 2010, to July 31, 2015) cohorts living in Canada and China.

Health-Care Utilization of Children Born to Women with and Without Inflammatory Bowel Disease in the First Five Years of Life: A Population-Cohort Study.

Background: Children born to women with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may have increased healthcare utilization in early life due to genetic susceptibilities and exposure to inflammation in utero, though this has not been robustly evaluated. We aimed to characterize healthcare use between these groups.

Methods: We accessed province-wide health administrative databases to identify children born to women with and without IBD between 2002-2019.

Systematic Review: Efficacy of Medical Therapy on Outcomes Important to Pediatric Patients with X-Linked Hypophosphatemia.

Objective: To examine the evidence addressing the management of X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) in children to inform treatment recommendations.

Methods: We searched Embase, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central up to May 2023. Eligible studies included RCTs and observational studies of individuals less than 18yrs with clinically or genetically confirmed XLH.

Patient safety indicators for virtual consultations in primary care: A systematic review protocol.

Background: Virtual consultations are being increasingly incorporated into routine primary care, as they offer better time and geographical flexibility for patients while also being cost-effective for both patients and service providers. At the same time, concerns have been raised about the extent to which virtual care is safe for patients. As of now, there is no validated methodology for evaluating the safety nuances and implications of virtual care.

A National Survey of Caregiver Needs and Experiences When Attending the Emergency Department.

Objectives: Despite being a frequent entry point of care, it remains unknown if families' needs are being met across pediatric emergency departments (PEDs). Study objectives were to describe caregivers' perceived overall PED experience and needs and to what extent these needs were met.

Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional survey with medical record review was conducted in 10 Canadian PEDs.

Artificial Intelligence in Health Professions Education assessment: AMEE Guide No. 178.

Health Professions Education (HPE) assessment is being increasingly impacted by Artificial Intelligence (AI), and institutions, educators, and learners are grappling with AI's ever-evolving complexities, dangers, and potential. This AMEE Guide aims to assist all HPE stakeholders by helping them navigate the assessment uncertainty before them. Although the impetus is AI, the Guide grounds its path in pedagogical theory, considers the range of human responses, and then deals with assessment types, challenges, AI roles as tutor and learner, and required competencies.

Exploring the link between sex hormone-binding globulin levels and prostate cancer risk: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) plays a critical role in regulating androgen bioavailability and has been hypothesized to influence prostate cancer risk, though existing evidence is inconsistent. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the association between SHBG levels and prostate cancer risk.

Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science for studies published up to December 1, 2024.

Resistance-Associated Substitution Testing Trends and Impact on HCV Treatment Outcomes in Canada: A CanHepC-CANUHC Analysis.

Resistance-associated substitutions (RASs) are mutations within the hepatitis C (HCV) genome that may influence the likelihood of achieving a sustained virological response (SVR) with direct acting antiviral (DAA) treatment. Clinicians conduct RAS testing to adapt treatment regimens with the intent of improving the likelihood of cure. The Canadian Network Undertaking against Hepatitis C (CANUHC) prospective cohort consists of chronic HCV patients enrolled between 2015 and 2023 across 17 Canadian sites.

Residual Fatigue in Unipolar and Bipolar Depression: A Systematic Review.

Background: Residual fatigue is a common and debilitating symptom in patients with unipolar and bipolar depression, even after achieving partial or full remission. It significantly impacts patients' quality of life and increases the risk of relapse. This systematic review aims to evaluate the prevalence and effectiveness of therapeutic options for residual fatigue in individuals with unipolar major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD).

Mandibular Distraction Osteogenesis vs. Tracheostomy in the Management of Pierre Robin Sequence: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: This study compares mandibular distraction osteogenesis (MDO) and tracheostomy in managing severe airway obstruction in patients with the Pierre Robin sequence (PRS).

Design: A systematic review and meta-analysis following PRISMA guidelines was performed. Literature searches were conducted across PubMed, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, Scopus, E.

Combination Antithrombotic Therapy for Reduction of Recurrent Ischemic Stroke in Intracranial Atherosclerotic Disease.

Background: Stroke secondary to intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) is associated with high recurrence risk despite currently available secondary prevention strategies. In patients with systemic atherosclerosis, a significant reduction of stroke risk with no increase in intracranial or fatal hemorrhage was seen when rivaroxaban 2.5 mg twice daily was added to aspirin.

Genital porokeratosis: A case report and review of pathogenesis and genitogluteal subtypes of porokeratosis.

Porokeratosis is a condition characterized by abnormal epidermal keratinization with a unique morphology of papules or plaques surrounded by a thread-like border of scale corresponding to the cornoid lamella on histology. Many established subtypes have been described; however, genitogluteal porokeratosis is a rare entity. We present the case of a 58-year-old male with pruritic reddish lesions affecting the genitals and thighs, diagnosed with genital porokeratosis.

Long-Term Effectiveness of Scleral Lens Treatment in the Management of Keratoconus: A Systematic Review.

This systematic review evaluates the long-term effectiveness of scleral lenses in improving visual outcomes, patient satisfaction, and safety in patients with keratoconus. A systematic search of six databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and MEDLINE) was performed following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The inclusion criteria included studies with more than or equal to three months of follow-up, included a minimum of 20 keratoconus patients, published after year 2020 and outcomes reporting visual acuity, comfort or quality of life.

Summary of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) Statement-Updated guidance on Imvamune in the context of a routine immunization program.

Background: Mpox is a viral illness related to smallpox. It can cause flu-like symptoms and a rash, and in severe cases, can lead to hospitalization or death. The Imvamune® vaccine offers protection against mpox.

The prevalence of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (HIV-PrEP) use and HIV-PrEP-to-need ratio in nine Canadian provinces, 2018-2021.

Background: Measuring trends in HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (HIV-PrEP) uptake is important to inform planning for prevention programs and policies. The HIV-PrEP-to-need ratio (PnR) is a construct used by public health organizations to explore disparities in the provision of HIV-PrEP across geographic areas and demographic categories (e.g.

Using behavioural science to improve antibiotic stewardship in Canadian long-term care homes: Protocol for a multi-center cluster randomized quality improvement study.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is associated with significant human and financial costs, particularly among vulnerable populations like older adults living in long-term care homes (LTCHs). Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the leading indication for antibiotic use in this population, with some estimates suggesting that up to 70% of these prescriptions may be avoidable.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to develop and test novel behavioural science-informed antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) quality improvement strategies in Canadian LTCHs, which aim to decrease unnecessary testing and treatment for residents who lack the minimum clinical signs and symptoms of UTI.

Burden of disease of respiratory syncytial virus in older adults and adults considered at high risk of severe infection.

Background: Availability of new vaccines for adults has increased interest in understanding Canada's respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) burden in older adults and adults considered at high risk of severe infection.

Objective: To characterize the burden of RSV disease in Canada by joint analysis of the published literature and hospitalization data from a healthcare administrative database.

Methods: Electronic databases of published literature were searched to identify studies and systematic reviews reporting data on outpatient visits, hospitalizations, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions and deaths associated with RSV infection in adults.

Diet diversity score might be associated with reproductive health in women and infant outcomes: a systematic review.

Lifestyle and diet may affect the reproductive cycle. A dietary index called Diet Diversity Score (DDS) may be related to various reproductive outcomes. The present review aims to look over and conclude the prior studies on the relationship between the diversity of food ingredients and issues related to reproductive health and pregnancy.

Fertility journey of a patient with McCune-Albright syndrome associated with bilateral ovarian involvement.

Objective: To report a patient with McCune-Albright syndrome (MAS) with bilateral ovarian involvement who had achieved a pregnancy through in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Design: Case report.

Setting: Academic fertility center.

Changing or validating physician opioid prescribing behaviors through audit and feedback and academic detailing interventions in primary care.

Background: In Ontario, Canada, province-wide initiatives supporting safer opioid prescribing in primary care include voluntary audit and feedback reports and academic detailing. In this process evaluation, we aimed to determine the fidelity of delivery and receipt of the interventions, the observed change strategies used by physicians, potential mechanisms of action, and how complementary the initiatives can be to each other.

Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with academic detailers and with physicians who received both interventions.