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Secretion Of Salivary Proteins And Their Interactions, Karla Tonelli Bicalho Crosara

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Saliva’s clinical application for disease diagnosis and monitoring is limited by incomplete knowledge of salivary protein interactions, the effect of stimulation on the salivary proteome, and if these factors impact protein identification. This thesis expands knowledge of the salivary interactome and effects of stimulation intensity and duration on parotid saliva’s proteome. First, previous in vitro studies identified 43 proteins in the histatin 1-protein network and demonstrated histatin 1’s increased stability in whole saliva when interacting with amylase. We hypothesized that protein-protein-interaction databases could enlarge the histatin 1-protein network. A comprehensive histatin 1-protein network was created using STRING database, merging previous …

Social Determinants Of Access To Primary Care In Canada, Feben W. Alemu

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Despite the promise of universal care, many Canadians report having unmet healthcare needs. We conducted two studies: (1) a systematic review of studies on social determinants of health (SDH) and unmet need; and (2) a secondary analysis using the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) to investigate the association of SDH and (2a) self-reported unmet need and (2b) having a family physician. The review (n=40) found a positive association between unmet need and lower income, mental health and chronic conditions, and negative association with older age, better perceived health and having a family physician. The CLSA analysis found the odds …

The Traumatic Injuries Distress Scale: Manual And Questionnaire, David Walton

Physical Therapy Publications

No abstract provided.

Noninvasive Quantification Of Tissue Sodium Concentration In The Kidney Disease Spectrum Using 23na Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Fabio R. Salerno

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Chronic kidney disease (CKD), especially when requiring kidney replacement therapy (hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD)), is associated with extracellular water expansion with increased total body sodium. Sodium can also be accumulated in tissues independently of extracellular water. Sodium-23 magnetic resonance imaging (²³Na MRI) can quantify the concentration of sodium nuclei in tissues. Applied to the human leg, quantification of tissue sodium concentrations mainly at the skin and muscle level is possible. We hypothesized that increased tissue sodium concentrations exert toxic effects in CKD and dialysis. We aimed to (1) compare tissue sodium concentrations in adults, children and …

Evaluating Public Participation In A Deliberative Dialogue: A Single Case Study., Tiffany Scurr, Rebecca Ganann, Shannon L Sibbald, Ruta Valaitis, Anita Kothari

Health Studies Publications

BACKGROUND: Deliberative dialogues (DDs) are used in policy-making and healthcare research to enhance knowledge exchange and research implementation strategies. They allow organized dissemination and integration of relevant research, contextual considerations, and input from diverse stakeholder perspectives. Despite recent interest in involving patient and public perspectives in the design and development of healthcare services, DDs typically involve only professional stakeholders. A DD took place in May 2019 that aimed to improve the social environment (eg, safety, social inclusion) and decrease social isolation in a rent-geared-to-income housing complex in a large urban community. Tenants of the housing complex, public health, primary care, …

Examining The Barriers, Facilitators And Attitudes Towards Covid-19 Vaccine And Public Health Measures For Black Communities In Canada: A Qualitative Study Protocol., Obidimma Ezezika, Bethelehem Girmay, Toluwalope Adedugbe, Isaac Jonas, Yanaminah Thullah, Chris Thompson

Health Studies Publications

INTRODUCTION: Black communities claim the highest number of cases and deaths due to COVID-19 in Canada. Generating culturally/contextually appropriate public health measures and strategies for vaccine uptake in black communities within Canada can better support the disproportionate impact of this pandemic. This study explores the barriers and enablers to public health measures limited to mask-wearing, disinfection, sanitation, social distancing and handwashing, as well as the barriers and attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccines among the black community.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will use qualitative approaches informed by the widely accepted Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to aid our investigation. We will …

Data-Driven Neuroanatomical Subtypes In Various Stages Of Schizophrenia: Linking Cortical Thickness, Glutamate, And Language Functioning, Liangbing Liang

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The considerable variation in the spatial distribution of cortical thickness changes has been used to parse heterogeneity in schizophrenia. We aimed to recover a ‘cortical impoverishment’ subgroup with widespread cortical thinning. We applied hierarchical cluster analysis to cortical thickness data of three datasets in different stages of psychosis and studied the cognitive, functional, neurochemical, language and symptom profiles of the observed subgroups. Our consensus-based clustering procedure consistently produced a subgroup characterized by significantly lower cortical thickness. This ‘cortical impoverishment’ subgroup was associated with a higher symptom burden in a clinically stable sample and higher glutamate levels with language impairments in …

Engaging Clinical End Users In The Development Of An Outcome Measurement Protocol For Pediatric Communicative Health Systems, Victoria Sherman, Danielle Glista, Barbara Jane Cunningham

PRECISe Preschool Speech and Language Publications

Purpose: To develop a conceptual framework of the factors likely to influence clinicians' use of a new participation-focused outcome measurement protocol in a large paediatric speech-language pathology program.Method: A convenience sample of 27 end users (clinicians, managers) were recruited from Ontario, Canada's Preschool Speech and Language Program. Participants engaged in one virtual concept mapping session in groups of five to six during which they learned about the new protocol, and generated statements in response to a prompt asking them to identify factors that would influence their use of the protocol. Following all sessions, participants asynchronously sorted and …

Comparison Of Hip Navigation System Accuracy In Direct Anterior Approach, Jeremy Loh

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Introduction

Malposition of the acetabular component has been thought to have an influence on increasing increase the risk instability, impingement, and ultimately revision surgery. Hip navigation technology has been developed to provide the surgeon with real time intraoperative metrics to make critical decisions in implant placement. The goal of this study was to compare the accuracy of acetabular component positioning in direct anterior approach hip replacements using conventional fluoroscopy only technique, fluoroscopic image dependent navigation, and imageless navigation.

Methods

A retrospective data collection and prospective analysis was conducted for this study. After sample size calculations, fifty patients were collected for …

Postexercise Executive Function Benefits And Cerebral Blood Flow: In The Lab And At Home, Benjamin Tari

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

A single bout of aerobic exercise improves executive function; however, the mechanism, or mechanisms, supporting this improvement remain unclear. One candidate mechanism is an exercise-mediated increase in cerebral blood flow (CBF) that enhances the efficiency of executive-related frontoparietal networks. To evaluate the link between exercise, CBF and executive function, three separate experiments were conducted. In the first study, separate 10-min sessions of moderate-to-heavy-intensity aerobic exercise, and a hypercapnic environment (i.e., 5% CO₂) were implemented. The hypercapnic condition was included because it increases CBF independent of the metabolic demands of exercise. The second study investigated whether exercise intensity-specific changes …

Speech-Language Pathologists’ Treatment Goals For Preschool Language Disorders: An Icf Analysis, Elaine Yl Kwok, Peter Rosenbaum, Barbara Jane Cunningham

PRECISe Preschool Speech and Language Publications

Purpose: The World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) provides a comprehensive framework to conceptualise clinical services. This study explored how speech-language pathologists (SLPs) conceptualised therapy goals for preschoolers with language difficulties and disorders within the ICF framework.Method: An online survey was distributed to SLPs practising in a publicly funded Preschool Speech and Language program in Ontario, Canada. SLPs rated their familiarity with the ICF framework, and then reported all therapy goals for one child with language difficulty/disorder on their caseload. For each reported goal, SLPs indicated the ICF component(s) they felt the …

The Effect Of Oral And Topical Antibiotics On Foreskin Inflammation And Hiv Target Cells In Ugandan Men., Zhongtian (Eric) Shao

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Penile circumcision reduces HIV susceptibility by up to 60% in men; however, many men prefer to remain uncircumcised for personal or cultural reasons. Penile circumcision protects against HIV by reducing anaerobic bacteria on the penis. Penile anaerobes cause local inflammation and the recruitment of HIV-susceptible CD4+CCR5+ cells, increasing the likelihood that exposure to HIV during intercourse results in infection. To determine if a non-surgical intervention can reduce penile anaerobes and HIV target cells, we randomized men to antimicrobial treatment prior to circumcision. To be able to quantify the effect of antimicrobials, we developed a novel deep-learning algorithm to quantify HIV …

Mindfulness With Children And Youth: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Inquiry Into Paediatric Therapists' Experiences, Kirsten S. Smith

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Background: Mindfulness has become popular as a treatment approach for many health conditions and has been taken up by diverse health practitioners in recent years. While research into mindfulness-based interventions is on the rise, much of this research originates in the field of psychology and is aimed toward adult populations. Occupational therapists, including those working with children and youth, have begun to take up mindfulness to support their clients to participate in daily activities, and there is evidence that clinical uptake has outpaced research in this area.

Method: A scoping review was undertaken to understand the breadth of literature regarding …

Total Hip Arthroplasty In Young Patients, Aaron G. Chen

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is the gold standard in treatment of hip arthritis yet is often avoided in young patients due to concerns of inferior survivorship. We aim to explore the role of THA in young patients and assess whether these historical concerns are valid in contemporary THA by presenting the results of: (1) a systematic review and meta-analysis of the current literature, (2) a retrospective database review, and (3) a retrospective population-based study. We found excellent long-term survivorship with modern THA in young patients, demonstrating greater than 90% revision-free survival up to 15 years. Factors that may increase risk …

Decompression Vs. Decompression And Fusion In Cauda Equina Syndrome Secondary To Massive Lumbar Disc Herniation, Ruheksh Raj

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Posterior spinal surgery through either a decompression or additional fusion procedure is the widely accepted standard of care for patients presenting with cauda equina syndrome (CES) secondary to massive disc herniation. A plethora of literature has been published regarding post- surgical outcome, particularly in regards to improvement of lower sacral nerve symptoms in relation to timing of surgery. There is a paucity of data with regards to long term clinical outcomes in patients between the decompression and decompression and fusion groups. We initially hypothesized was that there would be no longer term clinical differences in outcome between the two groups, …

Virtual Hearing Aid Care: Clinical Practice Guideline V2.0, Danielle Glista, Robin O'Hagan, Danielle Leah Difabio, Sheila Theresa Frances Moodie, Karen Munoz, Frances Richert, Ioan Curca, Christine Meston, David Pfingstgraef, Keiran Joseph, Christine L. Brown

Communication Sciences and Disorders Publications

This clinical practice guideline (CPG) provides guidance around the delivery of virtual hearing aid care according to hearing healthcare professional practices and responsibilities, informed implementation strategies, clinical decision frameworks, and technology and infrastructure requirements. Guidance aligns with person-centred care approaches across four virtual care types: hearing aid management, programming, verification, and validation. CPG recommendations are based on evidence resulting from systematic literature review and co-creation efforts from an international team of hearing healthcare providers and clinician/scientist leaders in the field.

Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behavioural Therapy For People With Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Feasibility Study, Ujjoyinee France Barua

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Individuals with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) can experience high levels of emotional distress, leading to decreased quality of life and increased health care costs. Bowen's feasibility framework was used to examine the feasibility, acceptability, and limited efficacy of an innovative clinician-guided internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy program (ICBT) specialized for people with mTBI to improve their wellbeing. The data illustrated strong adherence and program satisfaction from participants. Likewise, statistically and clinically significant changes in symptoms of unhappiness and anxiety were found, along with improved self-efficacy and quality of life. The findings of this study contribute new knowledge to the emerging …

Social Isolation, Third Places, And Precarious Employment Circumstances: A Scoping Review, Debbie Laliberte Rudman, Rebecca M. Aldrich

Occupational Therapy Publications

No abstract provided.

Kinematic And Kinetic Gait Characteristics In People With Patellofemoral Pain: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Harvi Hart Dr.

Physical Therapy Publications

Abstract

Background

Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is a prevalent knee condition with many proposed biomechanically orientated etiological factors and treatments.

Objective

We aimed to systematically review and synthesize the evidence for biomechanical variables (spatiotemporal, kinematic, kinetic) during walking and running in people with PFP compared with pain-free controls, and determine if biomechanical variables contribute to the development of PFP.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data sources

We searched Medline, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, Embase, and Web of Science from inception to October 2021.

Eligibility criteria for selecting studies

All study designs (prospective, case–control [± interventional component, provided pre-intervention data were reported for both …

Predictors And Outcomes Of Patient Stigma Perception Appraisal: Developing And Testing Of A Dynamic Stigma Model Of Mental Illness, Sebastian Kwadwo Gyamfi

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Background

The psychosocial perspectives of stigma have been explored over the years. However, research that encompasses the study of stigma as a socio-cultural, religious, and moral phenomenon is lacking. This study aimed to develop and test a Dynamic Stigma Model of Mental illness (DYSMO) among a cohort of Outpatients receiving care in Ghana.

Methods

The study examined hypothesized relationships within a newly developed stigma model using structural equation modeling techniques. A non-probabilistic convenience sampling technique was used to recruit 330 participants at the Out-Patient Department of two psychiatric hospitals in Southern Ghana.

Results

Confirmatory factor analysis produced a final model …

Who’S Cooking Tonight? A Time-Use Study Of Coupled Adults In Toronto, Canada, Bochu Liu, Michael J. Widener, Lindsey G. Smith, Steven Farber, Dionne Gesink, Leia M. Minaker, Zachary Patterson, Kristian Larsen, Jason Gilliland

Geography & Environment Publications

Understanding how coupled adults arrange food-related labor in relation to their daily time allocation is of great importance because different arrangements may have implications for diet-related health and gender equity. Studies from the time-use perspective argue that daily activities such as work, caregiving, and non-food-related housework can potentially compete for time with foodwork. However, studies in this regard are mostly centered on individual-level analyses. They fail to consider cohabiting partners’ time spent on foodwork and non-food-related activities, a factor that could be helpful in explaining how coupled partners decide to allocate time to food activities. Using 108 daily time-use logs …

The Lived Experiences Of Pain And Fatigue In Persons Living With Neurological Conditions: A Phenomenological Study, Lauren L. Kane

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Purpose: The aim of the study was to understand the experiences and impact of pain and fatigue and to further explore the relationship between participants' descriptions of their lived experiences with these phenomena within and across multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and cerebral palsy. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were used to interview nine participants about their experiences of living with pain and fatigue in their respective conditions. A new phenomenological approach was adopted, and data was analyzed inductively using interpretive phenomenological analysis. Results: Three final themes including a lack of understanding, negative perceptions of pain and fatigue, and coping strategies used to …

The Experiences And Challenges Of Community Health Volunteers As Agents For Behaviour Change Programming In Africa: A Scoping Review, Mary Ndu, Ellena Andoniou, Sorcha Mcnally, Francisco Olea Popelka, Marisa Tippet, Elysee Nouvet

Health Studies Publications

ommunity health volunteers are considered a vital part of the community health structure in Africa. Despite this vital role in African health systems, very little is known about the community health volunteers’ day-to-day lived experiences providing services in communities and supporting other health workers. This scoping review aims to advance understanding of the day-to-day experiences of community health volunteers in Africa. In doing so, this review draws attention to these under-considered actors in African health systems and identifies critical factors and conditions that represent challenges to community health volunteers’ work in this context. Ultimately, our goal is to provide a …

Highlighting The Mechanistic Relationship Between Perinatal Depression And Preeclampsia: A Scoping Review, Mei Yuan, Samantha Bedell, Barbra De Vrijer, Genevieve Eastabrook, Jefferson C. Frisbee, Stephanie J. Frisbee

Obstetrics & Gynaecology Publications

Background: Although there is scientific literature supporting an association between depression and preeclampsia (PE), little is known about the underlying mechanistic pathways that may explain these observed associations. Thus, this study aimed to outline the relationship between depression and PE, and to highlight the underlying cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors that are common to both. Methods: A scoping review of the literature was conducted in Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science. Results: From 706 articles initially identified, 23 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Although some studies reported a positive association between PE and postpartum …

Examining Bourdieu’S Concepts Of Capital, Habitus, And Field In Women’S Health Research In Nigeria: A Feminist Perspective, Mary Ndu

Health Studies Publications

Global health’s persistent focus on women’s health-seeking behaviour necessitates a philosophical understanding of the meaning behind women’s health decision-making. In studying health-seeking behaviour, researchers use philosophical paradigms to explicate and understand complex social concepts that continue to maintain health inequities and injustices. A commonly used theory is Bourdieu’s Theory of Practice. This paper examines the scholastic application of Bourdieu’s theory of practice to theorize women’s health-seeking behaviour in qualitative research to understand the rationale behind using health services. The theory of practice consists of four concepts: practice, habitus, field, and capital. Each concept conceptualizes the theory to find a logical …

Long Term Outcomes After Norse: Treatment With Vagus Nerve Stimulation, Poul H. Espino, Jorge G. Burneo, Gaby Moscol, Teneille Gofton, Keith Macdougall, Ana Suller-Marti

Brain and Mind Institute Researchers' Publications

New-onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE) is associated with high mortality, therapy resistant epilepsy (TRE) and poor cognitive and functional outcomes. Some patients develop multifocal TRE, for whom surgery with a curative intention, is not an option. In these patients, Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) is performed as a palliative treatment. We report the long-term outcomes regarding seizure frequency, functional and cognitive outcome, and effectiveness of VNS in two patients with TRE as a consequence of NORSE. In the first patient with cryptogenic NORSE, VNS implantation occurred during the acute stage, probably contributing to the cessation of her status epilepticus. However, in …

Multi-Scale Computational Modeling Of Coronary Blood Flow: Application To Fractional Flow Reserve., Jermiah Joseph

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Introduction. Fractional flow reserve (FFR) is presently an invasive coronary clinical index. Non-invasive CT imaging combined with computational coronary flow modelling may reduce the patient’s burden of undergoing invasive testing.

Research statement. The ability to obtain information of the hemodynamic significance of detected lesions would streamline decision making in escalation to invasive angiography.

Methods. A reduced order (lumped parameter) model of the coronary vasculature was further developed. The model was used in the assessment of the roles of structure and function on the FFR. Sophisticated methods were used to elicit numerical

solutions. Further, CT imaging (n = …

A Narrative Review Of The Disenfranchisement Of Single Mothers In Highland Ecuador, Lisbeth Alexandra Pino Gavidia, Joy C. Macdermid, Laura K. Brunton, Samantha Doralp

Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Publications

Background:

The Andean South American country of Ecuador presents social challenges that contribute to inequities. The social determinants of health have impacts on the physical, psychological and social health of individuals across all societies. Ecuador is an example of how the interactions of gender roles and social determinants of health impact the health of single mothers and their children.

Methods:

A retrospective historical literature review was conducted on gender role expectations within the rural context Ecuador to inform future public health strategies and health interventions.

Results:

Gender inequality contributes to higher rates of single parenting, child labour, and migration. Food …

Determination Of The Protective Capacity Of Hand Wraps In Combat Athletes Using Force Analysis, Eva M. Gusnowski

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Upper extremity injuries are common in combat athletes, and are highest in the hand/wrist. Although protective hand gear is used, there is a paucity of research investigating its effectiveness. This study addressed this knowledge gap by measuring the level of force transmitted to the hand during striking using two types of hand wraps. This prospective cross over study included six combat athletes. A load cell was placed over the proximal phalanges/metacarpophalangeal joints and was used to measure sustained peak force during striking while covered with either standard linear or gel-reinforced hand wraps and boxing gloves. The gel reinforced wraps consistently …

The Effects On Gait Of 4-Wheeled Walker Use In People With Alzheimer's Disease Dementia And Gait Impairment: A Pilot Study, Humberto Omaña, Edward Madou, Susan W. Hunter

Physical Therapy Publications

In people with dementia, provision of mobility aids is standard treatment for those with impaired gait. However, mobility aid use is independently associated with increased falls risk. In this short communication, gait velocity and stride time variability were recorded in eleven adults with Alzheimer's disease dementia. Three conditions were tested: single-task (no aid), walking with a walker, and dual-task (walker use and counting backwards) under both a straight path and Figure-of-8 walking configuration. Gait velocity increased when using a walker compared to no aid in the Figure-of-8 walking configuration. Walker use improved gait in simple walking, but benefits diminished upon …