Neurophysiological impact of childhood sexual abuse in men: A diffusion tensor imaging study.

Background: Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) can cause lasting neurodevelopmental changes, posing significant challenges for survivors. Its specific impact on men remains heavily stigmatized and under-researched. This study examined neurophysiological correlates of CSA in men using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).

Plasma transfusion practice: A five-year audit of plasma transfusion at 23 hospitals.

Background: There is limited high-quality evidence to guide plasma transfusion, and plasma transfusion practices remain variable.

Study Design And Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study that included adult medical and intensive care unit (ICU) inpatients (age ≥ 18 years) admitted to 23 hospitals in Canada between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2022, when both whole blood derived (~290 mL) and apheresis plasma (~250 mL) were available for transfusion. Nine additional hospital sites with missing plasma data or coagulation testing were excluded.

Global Consensus Statement on the Management of Pregnancy in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Background & Aims: Pregnancy can be a complex and risk-filled event for women with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). High-quality studies in this population are lacking, with limited data on medications approved to treat IBD during pregnancy. For patients, limited knowledge surrounding pregnancy impacts pregnancy rates, medication adherence, and outcomes.

Structural Dynamics of Dengue Virus UTRs and Their Cyclization.

The dengue virus (DENV) poses a significant threat to human health, accounting for approximately 400 million infections each year. Its genome features a circular structure that facilitates replication through long-range RNA-RNA interactions, utilizing cyclization sequences located in the untranslated regions (UTRs). To gain new insights into the organization of the DENV genome, we purified the 5' and 3' UTRs of DENV in vitro and examined their structural and binding properties using various biophysical techniques combined with computational methods.

Influence of dietary components on the gut microbiota of middle-aged adults: the gut-Mediterranean connection.

Background: A plant-focused, healthy dietary pattern, such as the Mediterranean diet enriched with dietary fiber, polyphenols, and polyunsaturated fats, is well known to positively influence the gut microbiota. Conversely, a processed diet high in saturated fats and sugars negatively impacts gut diversity, potentially leading to weight gain, insulin resistance, and chronic, low-grade inflammation. Despite this understanding, the mechanisms by which the Mediterranean diet impacts the gut microbiota and its associated health benefits remain unclear.

Chronic kidney disease and incident cancer risk: an individual participant data meta-analysis.

Background: Studies examining the association of chronic kidney disease (CKD) with cancer risk have demonstrated conflicting results.

Methods: This was an individual participant data meta-analysis including 54 international cohorts contributing to the CKD Prognosis Consortium. Included cohorts had data on albuminuria [urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR)], estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), overall and site-specific cancer incidence, and established risk factors for cancer.

Perinatal depressive symptoms and child temperament at two years: The moderating role of child sleep duration.

Background: Perinatal depression has been linked to higher negative affectivity (NA) in children, though the strength of this association is variable. Infant sleep, a known protective factor, may moderate this relationship though this has not been tested.

Objective: To examine whether within-person changes in depressive symptoms across pregnancy and postpartum were linked to child NA, and whether infant sleep duration moderated these effects.

Sensitivity of the Patient-Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) items to change in three clinical trials in low- and middle-income countries.

Background: The 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) is a valid and widely used self-reported tool for assessing depressive symptoms. Although previous studies have demonstrated its sensitivity to change at the summary score level, there is limited investigation of the sensitivity of individual PHQ-9 items to change over time. This study aims to evaluate the sensitivity of PHQ-9 items to change using data from three separate samples.

Effects of sand, asphalt, and a three degrees hind toe or heel elevation on equine cervical and thoracolumbosacral kinematics at walk and trot.

Background: Effects of ground surface and hoof angles on equine cervical and thoracolumbosacral kinematics are poorly understood. However, the equine cervical and thoracolumbosacral areas present frequent lesions and he management of factors that might improve treatment and rehabilitation outcomes, such as ground surface and hoof angles, requires more investigation.

Aims: Our objectives were to determine the influence of ground surface (asphalt versus sand) and a 3 degrees hind toe or heel elevation on cervical and thoracolumbosacral kinematics during walking and trotting.

Rationale and Design of the Comparative Effectiveness of ICD Versus Non-ICD Therapy in Contemporary Heart Failure Patients at a Low Risk for Arrhythmic Death (CONTEMP-ICD) trial.

Background: Current recommendations for a prophylactic (primary prevention) implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) in patients with both ischemic and non-ischemic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) originate from clinical trials conducted in selected patients over 20 years ago that showed an overall statistically significant survival benefit associated with a primary prevention ICD in the range of 23%-34%. The recent introduction of angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors [ARNI] and sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors [SGLT2i]) was shown to further reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in patients with HFrEF. Thus, there is an unmet need appropriately designed comparative effectiveness clinical trials aimed to reassess the survival benefit of a primary prevention ICD in contemporary patients with HFrEF.

Genomic and Transcriptomic Analysis of the Whirling Disease-Resistant Gunnison River Rainbow Trout.

Whirling disease is a debilitating disease of Rainbow Trout caused by Myxobolus cerebralis. The parasite invasion leads to skeletal deformities, neurological impairment, and high mortality. Since its introduction to North America, M.

Obesity in Cardiac Rehabilitation: Considerations in Offering Weight Management as Part of Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs.

Despite its relevance to cardiovascular health, obesity is rarely targeted during cardiac rehabilitation (CR). The objective of this paper was to review evidence regarding whether measures to address excess body fat should be offered as a standard component of CR for patients with obesity. We organize the paper around three themes: 1) outcomes of obesity management, 2) the complexity of obesity management, and 3) patient attitudes, experiences, and preferences.

Clinical Phenotype, Predictors and Early Biomarkers of Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy Prognosis.

Background: Dyskinetic cerebral palsy (DCP) is a severe subtype of cerebral palsy in which children often present substantial functional impairment and multiple comorbidities. Our knowledge of the clinical picture of DCP is limited and our understanding of which markers best predict later impairment is scarce. This study aims to describe the presentation of DCP and examine the value of gestational age (GA) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings as early markers of eventual DCP prognosis.

Language dysfunction as a primary feature of cognitive decline in neurological populations.

Cognitive decline is a common feature of neurologic conditions, with language functions often affected. Word finding difficulties are commonly reported to neurologists in clinic. Receptive language dysfunction (i.

Patient-reported efficacy of adjunctive brexpiprazole in major depressive disorder in a phase 4, open-label, interventional study.

Objectives: In ENGAGE, patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) demonstrated improvements in patient-reported depression and life engagement while taking adjunctive brexpiprazole. This analysis aimed to further characterize patient perspectives on the effects of adjunctive brexpiprazole, using patient diary data from ENGAGE, and describe development of a 'word of the day' activity.

Methods: Prior to ENGAGE, word lists describing a 'good,' 'average,' and 'bad' day with depression were generated from semi-structured interviews with patients with MDD.

Optimum Push-off for Uneven Walking Based on the Just-in-Time Strategy: Walking with Interrupted Push-Off is Mechanically Costly.

Using a powered simple walking model (point mass with rigid massless legs), the optimal analytical push-off was derived based on walking speed and step elevation changes. It was observed that higher speeds increased the available push-off to attain greater step-up e.g.

Validity evidence for communication skills assessment in health professions education: a scoping review.

Objective: Communication skills assessment (CSA) is essential for ensuring competency, guiding educational practices and safeguarding regulatory compliance in health professions education (HPE). However, there appears to be heterogeneity in the reporting of validity evidence from CSA methods across the health profession that complicates our interpretation of the quality of assessment methods. Our objective was to map reliability and validity evidence from scores of CSA methods that have been reported in HPE.

Sex-specific relationships between gray matter volume and executive function in young children with and without prenatal alcohol exposure.

Sex differences in brain volume are well established across ages however, limited research has investigated if sex differences in brain structure associate with early cognitive outcomes. Moreover, associations among sex, brain structure, and cognition in individuals with prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE), the most common known cause of developmental delay in North America, are unclear. Here, we investigated associations between executive function (measured by the BRIEF or BRIEF-P Global Executive Composite (GEC) and the Statue subtest of the NEPSY-II) and volumes of 36 gray matter regions in a longitudinal MRI sample of 169 young children (N=37; 534 total scans) aged 2-8 years.

Characterization of a real-world population with pediatric epilepsy point-of-care standardized data collection as a tool for healthcare quality improvement and disparities research in Canada.

Objective: Electronic health records offer the opportunity for quality-improvement (QI) initiatives addressing health disparities in epilepsy care. The Pediatric Epilepsy Outcome-Informatics Project (PEOIP) at Alberta Children's Hospital implemented point-of-care data entry into a standardized pediatric epilepsy electronic note as part of routine clinical care to support QI initiatives. Our study validated collected data by assessing the prevalence of patient characteristics, ethno-racial background, and 4 of the most common severe epilepsy syndromes: infantile epileptic spasms, Dravet, Lennox-Gastaut, and developmental epileptic encephalopathy with spike-wave action in sleep.

Reproductive and maternal child health experiences of Indigenous women in prison: A scoping review.

In the context of the over-representation of women who are Indigenous in prisons and historical and structural barriers to health, we undertook a scoping review to understand research regarding the reproductive and maternal health experiences of Indigenous women in prison in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the USA. We searched online databases in May 2022 since inception, as well as Google and governmental websites between December 2022 and March 2023. We identified 8 eligible articles.

Anthropometric Profiles, Adiposity, and Physical Fitness in Long-Haul Truck Drivers: Implications for Chronic Disease Risk.

Long-haul truck drivers (LHTD) face unique occupational challenges, including prolonged sedentary periods, irregular meal patterns, and limited access to physical activity, contributing to high levels of adiposity and elevated risks for chronic diseases. This study examined relationships between anthropometric measures, body composition, physical fitness, and occupational factors among Canadian LHTD and compared field-testing equipment for assessments of body composition. 197 LHTD underwent assessments of body anthropometry (body mass index, skinfold thickness, bioelectrical impedance analysis, segment circumference), grip strength, and completed a survey on physical activity and the work environment.

Metabolomics reveal distinct molecular pathways associated with future risk of Crohn's Disease.

Host - microbiome interactions are central to Crohn'sdisease (CD) pathogenesis; yet the early metabolic alterations that precededisease onset remain poorly defined. To explore preclinical metabolicsignatures of CD, we analyzed baseline serum metabolomic profiles in a nestedcase-control study within the Crohn's and Colitis Canada - Genetics, Environment, Microbiome (CCC-GEM) Project, a prospective cohort of 5,122 healthyfirst-degree relatives (FDRs) of CD patients. We included 78 individuals wholater developed CD and 311 matched FDRs who remained disease-free.

Cannabis Use Characteristics and Reasons for Product Choices Among Patients Accessing Treatment for Substance Use Disorders: A Mixed-Methods Study.

Objective: The diversity and potency of cannabis products have increased in recent years, underscoring the importance of understanding which products are being used and why. Patients with substance use disorders (SUDs) use have a high prevalence of risky cannabis use, making it especially important to understand use patterns in this group. We aimed to first describe cannabis product characteristics and then explore reasons for choosing products in our sample.

Intraocular hemorrhage in patients misdiagnosed with central retinal artery occlusion treated with thrombolysis.

Introduction: The diagnosis of acute central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) is commonly delayed in emergency departments (ED) where ophthalmologists are rarely available for immediate consultation. Thrombolysis is sometimes given empirically for presumed CRAO without confirmation of the diagnosis with ocular funduscopic examination.

Methods: We describe one case of severe intraocular hemorrhage following intravenous thrombolysis for a retinal detachment misdiagnosed as a CRAO, and two cases of worsening intraocular hemorrhage following intravenous thrombolysis for misdiagnosed CRAO, and review the literature.