Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Does Improved Physical Function Following A Nustep® Seated All Extremity Exercise Intervention Reduce The Fear Of Falling And Improve Quality Of Life In Older Adults With Fear Of Falling Living In Community Care Homes?, Navjot Gill, Denise Connelly

Western Research Forum

Background:

Decreased physical activity associated with fear of falling invokes a dangerous cycle of more fear, reduced activity and falls. NuStep is a seated all-extremity recumbent cross trainer which provides safe and efficient exercise training.

Hypotheses/Objectives:

The objectives of this study are to:

i. improve physical function and mobility of older adults living with a fear of falling with a NuStep;

ii. assess change in self-reported fear of falling and quality of life before and after the exercise intervention; and

iii. determine whether there is a relationship between exercise-related improved physical function/mobility with change in fear of falling and/or quality …

Role Of Gp120 Glycosylation In Sexual Transmission Of Hiv, Yingxue Sun, Adam Meadows, Najwa Zebian, Eric Arts, Carole Creuzenet

Western Research Forum

Background:

In chronic HIV patients, the viral populations are genetically diverse due to mutations introduced by the viral reverse transcriptase during HIV replication. However, more than 80% new infections result from single transmission founder (TF) viruses; therefore, targeting the TFs is key to control AIDS worldwide.

Gp120 is a glycosylated envelope protein required for HIV infection, propagation, and transmission. Glycans on gp120 influence HIV infectivity through their interactions with lectins, the carbohydrate-binding immune proteins in the host mucosa. To transmit sexually, viruses must overcome the lectin traps to access more target T cells.

Hypothesis:

TF viruses are less likely to …

The Healthesteps™ Lifestyle Prescription Program To Improve Physical Activity And Modifiable Risk Factors For Chronic Disease: A Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial., Dawn P. Gill, W Blunt, N C Boa Sorte Silva, C Stiller-Moldovan, G Y Zou, R J Petrella

Family Medicine Publications

BACKGROUND: Our objective was to determine the influence of the HealtheSteps™ lifestyle prescription program on physical activity and modifiable risk factors for chronic disease in individuals at risk.

METHODS: One hundred eighteen participants were recruited from 5 sites in Southwestern Ontario, Canada and randomized to either the intervention (HealtheSteps™ program, n = 59) or a wait-list control group (n = 59). The study comprised three phases: an Active Phase (0 to 6 months) consisted of bi-monthly in-person lifestyle coaching with access to a suite of eHealth technology supports (Heathesteps app, telephone coaching and a private HealtheSteps™ social network) followed by …

An Application Of The Modifiable Areal Unit Problem: Optimizing Cluster Method Parameters To Produce Predictive Data For Hiv Outbreaks, Connor J. Chato, Art Fy Poon

Western Research Forum

Background

A popular approach to study HIV outbreaks is to cluster cases based on genetic similarity. However, there is no widely-used statistical criterion which optimizes the parameters for sequence-based clustering methods. The relationship between a cluster-defining similarity threshold and it’s associated set of clusters can be analogized to the aggregation level in the Modifiable Areal Unit Problem (MAUP).

Hypothesis

Based on the selection of aggregation level for study partitions in MAUP, we present a statistical framework to optimize the similarity threshold for pairwise distance algorithm TN93 (http://github.com/veg/tn93). We hypothesize that defining this threshold includes case connections such that …

The Wet Bridge Transfer System: An Novel In Vitro Tool For Assessing Exogenous Surfactant As A Pulmonary Drug Delivery Vehicle, Brandon J. Baer

Western Research Forum

Background:

Due to its complex branching structure, direct drug delivery to the remote areas of the lung is a major challenge. Consequently, most therapies, such as those treating pulmonary infection and inflammation, must utilize large systemic dosing, with the potential for adverse side effects. A novel alternative strategy is to use exogenous surfactant, a material capable of distributing throughout the lung, as a pulmonary drug delivery vehicle.

Objective:

Utilize an in vitro transferring system to assess exogenous surfactant (BLES) as a pulmonary delivery vehicle for different therapeutics.

Methods:

An in vitro technique was developed to simultaneously study surfactant delivery and …

Psychometric Properties Of Standardized Balance Confidence, Fear Of Falling, And Falls-Efficacy Measures In People With Lower Limb Amputations, Jack Y. Wang, Susan W. Hunter, Ricardo Viana, Jeffrey D. Holmes, Michael Payne

Western Research Forum

Background:

In Canada, >50% of community-dwelling lower limb amputees (LLA) fall at least once each year, a rate that is almost twice that of community-dwelling older adults. While the physical consequences of falls may be readily apparent, psychological sequelae that follow may be just as, if not more, detrimental than an actual fall itself. Current measures of balance confidence show no change in LLA following discharge from rehabilitation. The limited detectable change may be due to content validity challenges of the measures as they were not developed for the unique challenges faced by LLA.

Objectives:

1) Review items from standardized …

Depression Affects Recovery Following Distal Radius Fracture: A Latent Class Analysis, Shirin Modarresi, David M. Walton, Joy C. Macdermid

Western Research Forum

Background: Most people recover within six months following distal radius fractures (DRFs) but some experience pain and disability for one year or longer. Therefore, it is important to understand the factors that can help predict recovery. According to the biopsychosocial model of pain, psychological aspects of a condition can play important roles in explaining recovery.

Objectives: To identify the recovery trajectories of patients with DRFs and to determine the degree to which depression affects these trajectories.

Methods: Recovery was assessed in 318 patients using the Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation scale at baseline, three, six, and 12 months. Demographic information was collected …

Where On Ice? Algorithmically Deconstructing Nhl Shot Locations As A Method For Player Classification, Devan Becker, Douglas G. Woolford, Charmaine B. Dean

Western Research Forum

Where do hockey players shoot from? How does this vary from player to player? We present the results of a study that uses data-driven statistical methods to investigate these questions. The locations of shots by National Hockey League (NHL) players from 2011 to 2017 are analyzed using a combination of an image recognition algorithm and spatial statistical methodology. An unsupervised classifier is applied to output from a spatial point process model in order to determine which shot locations best characterize a given player. We define the number of regions a priori, but the image recognition algorithm chooses the shape …

Phylogenetic Estimates Of Hiv-1 Gp120 Indel Rates Across The Group M Subtypes, John Palmer, Art Poon

Western Research Forum

Insertions and deletions (indels) in the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp120 play a significant role in the evolution of HIV pathogenesis and transmission fitness. While substitution rates in HIV-1 are well characterized by phylogenetic models, there is a lack of quantitative measures of indel rates in HIV-1. Here we use a dated-tip phylogenetic analysis of gp120 sequences to estimate indel rates for 7 subtypes and CRFs of HIV-1 group M.

We obtained and processed 26,359 HIV-1 gp120 sequences from the Los Alamos National Laboratory HIV Sequence database. After filtering these sequences, we extracted the conserved and variable regions from the remaining …

Mouse Performance On A Novel Touchscreen Continuous Performance Task Is Dependent On Signaling In The Prelimbic Cortex, Tyler D. Dexter, Daniel Palmer, Amy C. Reichelt, Anita Taksokhan, Lisa M. Saksida, Tim J. Bussey

Western Research Forum

Attention is the cognitive processing that facilitates the ability to target and attend to relevant environmental stimuli, while filtering out irrelevant or distracting stimuli. Control over selective attention is theorized to be dependent on organized neural communication that stems from the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). To evaluate selective and sustained attention, mice were trained on the novel touchscreen rodent continuous performance task (rCPT), a task designed to emulate the human CPT. In the rodent version, images are continuously presented on a touchscreen, where mice have been trained to selectively respond to one image type while suppressing responses to all others. …

Dairy Intake And Cognitive Function In Canadian Older Adults, Mariam R. Ismail Miss, Alan Salmoni

Western Research Forum

Background: Dietary intake is one of the modifiable factors that may affect older adults’ cognitive function in their later years. Few research has considered the potential role of dairy foods on cognitive function. Methods: Across-sectional study was undertaken in 2014. Cognitive function was assessed using The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Rey Complex Figure Test and Recognition Trial (RCFT), Trail-Making Test (TMT), Victoria Stroop Test (VST) and the Digit Span Test (DST). Dietary intake was assessed via estimated 5-day food intake records and analyzed for saturated fat, vitamin D and calcium. Results: A total of 32 participants (8 males and 24 …

Using Molecular Dynamics To Study Qs21 Interactions And Penetration Of Lipid-Cholesterol Bilayers, Sarai Guerrero, Mikko Karttunen

Western Research Forum

Saponins have been used as adjuvant agents for decades in vaccines and therapies, but none are as well studied or heavily used as QS-21. This achievement is notwithstanding the fact that QS-21 usage is limited by its stability, toxicity, and scarcity. These shortcomings have only pushed researchers to develop and experiment with artificial recreations of the saponin to harness its unique benefits. A considerable number of research hours have been poured into this topic, but like QS-21 there is a shortcoming here as well. The number of articles that look at QS-21 interactions with the bilayer or the conditions under …

Cell-Free Dna Release During Programmed Cell Death In Ischemia Reperfusion Injury, Alexander Dionne, Anthony M. Jevnikar, Zhu-Xu Zhang

Western Research Forum

Transplantation is invariably associated with acute allograft injury caused by ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI). This injury causes cells of the allograft to undergo various forms of programmed cell death including apoptosis and necroptosis. During programmed cell death, immunogenic molecules are released from cells, one of which is cell-free DNA (cfDNA). We hypothesize that cfDNA is released by microvascular endothelial cells (MVECs) during programmed cell death of IRI and that cfDNA acts as both a biomarker for cellular injury as well as a biologically active molecule capable of amplifying inflammation and organ injury.

Our results indicate that cfDNA is released by …

Placental Micrornas In Pregnancies With Early Onset Intrauterine Growth Restriction And Preeclampsia: Potential Impact On Gene Expression And Pathophysiology., Zain Awamleh, Gregory B Gloor, Victor K M Han

Paediatrics Publications

BACKGROUND:
A normally developed placenta is integral to a successful pregnancy. Preeclampsia (PE) and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) are two common pregnancy related complications that maybe a result of abnormal placental development. Placental microRNAs (miRNAs) have been investigated as potential biomarkers for these complications, as they may play a role in placental development and pathophysiology by influencing gene expression. The purpose of this study is to utilize next-generation sequencing to determine miRNA and gene expression in human placental (chorionic villous) samples from three distinct patient groups with early-onset (EO) PE, IUGR, or PE + IUGR.

METHODS:
Placental tissues were collected …

The Stability Of Retrospective Pre-Injury Symptom Ratings Following Pediatric Concussion., Elizabeth F Teel, Roger L Zemek, Kenneth Tang, Gerard Gioia, Christopher Vaughan, Maegan Sady, Isabelle J Gagnon, Gurinder Sangha

Paediatrics Publications

Objective:
To determine the stability of children's retrospective ratings of pre-injury levels of symptoms over time following concussion.

Methods:
Children and adolescents (n = 3,063) between the ages of 5–17 diagnosed with a concussion by their treating pediatric emergency department (PED) physician within 48 h of injury completed the Post-Concussion Symptom Inventory (PCSI) at the PED and at 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12-weeks post-injury. At each time point, participants retrospectively recalled their pre-injury levels of post-injury symptoms. The PCSI has three age-appropriate versions for children aged 5–7 (PCSI-SR5), 8–12 (PCSI-SR8), and 13–18 (PCSI-SR13). Total scale, subscales (physical, cognitive, …

Pparg Signaling In The Nucleus Accumbens Regulates Mesolimbic Dopamine Activity, Tony Jung, Roger Hudson, Hanna Szkudlarek, Walter Rushlow, Steve Laviolette

Western Research Forum

Background: The mesolimbic dopamine system consists of dopamine neuron projections from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) to the nucleus accumbens (NAc). The NAc regulates VTA dopamine release through inhibitory GABA projections to the VTA. Hyperactive mesolimbic dopamine signaling is implicated in anxiety. Cannabidiol, a compound found in cannabis, demonstrates promising therapeutic potential for anxiety through the regulation of the mesolimbic dopamine system. Previous studies have revealed that cannabidiol infusions into the NAc decreases mesolimbic dopamine activity - potentially through the inhibitory GABA signaling to the VTA. However, the receptor mechanism in the NAc through which CBD produces its effects is …

Using Implementation Science To Engage Stakeholders And Improve Outcome Measurement In A Preschool Speech-Language Service System, Barbara Jane Cunningham, Janis Oram Cardy

PRECISe Preschool Speech and Language Publications

This tutorial presents one example of collaborative implementation research in a preschool speech-language service system - Ontario Canada’s Preschool Speech and Language Program. Working collaboratively with stakeholders including policy makers, managers, and speech-language pathologists (SLPs), four webinar modules were developed to support implementation of the Focus on the Outcomes of Communication Under Six (FOCUS), a new participation-focused outcome measurement tool in pediatric speech-language pathology. The webinar modules were pilot tested at two community sites to determine whether they were effective at increasing SLPs’ knowledge, perceptions, and intentions for practice. The Knowledge-to-Action framework was used to inform all phases of this …

Exercise To Combat Neurocognitive Decline In Older Adults, Joyla Furlano

Western Research Forum

Background: Older adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) experience cognitive decline and neural atrophy, and therefore are at high risk for developing dementia. Consequently, older adults at-risk for developing T2D (i.e., overweight or pre-diabetic individuals) are at higher risk for cognitive decline, and intervening at this point may prevent or delay the onset of such decline. One promising lifestyle intervention that may improve neurocognitive function is exercise. For example, 6 months of aerobic training improves cognitive function in overweight or pre-diabetic older adults, but research has not examined whether resistance training (RT) can produce comparable results in this population.

Hypothesis: …

A National Survey Of Resources To Address Sepsis In Children In Tertiary Care Centers In Nigeria., Odiraa C Nwankwor, Brianna Mckelvie, Meg Frizzola, Krystal Hunter, Halima S Kabara, Abiola Oduwole, Tagbo Oguonu, Niranjan Kissoon

Paediatrics Publications

Background:
Infections leading to sepsis are major contributors to mortality and morbidity in children world-wide. Determining the capacity of pediatric hospitals in Nigeria to manage sepsis establishes an important baseline for quality-improvement interventions and resource allocations.

Objectives:
To assess the availability and functionality of resources and manpower for early detection and prompt management of sepsis in children at tertiary pediatric centers in Nigeria.

Methods:
This was an online survey of tertiary pediatric hospitals in Nigeria using a modified survey tool designed by the World Federation of Pediatric Intensive and Critical Care Societies (WFPICCS). The survey addressed all aspects of pediatric …

The Impact Of Pediatric Emergency Department Crowding On Patient And Health Care System Outcomes: A Multicentre Cohort Study., Quynh Doan, Hubert Wong, Garth Meckler, David Johnson, Antonia Stang, Andrew Dixon, Scott Sawyer, Tania Principi, April J Kam, Gary Joubert, Jocelyn Gravel, Mona Jabbour, Astrid Guttmann

Paediatrics Publications

BACKGROUND:
Emergency department overcrowding has been associated with increased odds of hospital admission and mortality after discharge from the emergency department in predominantly adult cohorts. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between crowding and the odds of several adverse outcomes among children seen at a pediatric emergency department.

METHODS:
We conducted a retrospective cohort study involving all children visiting 8 Canadian pediatric emergency departments across 4 provinces between 2010 and 2014. We analyzed the association between mean departmental length of stay for each index visit and hospital admission within 7 days or death within 14 days …

Women's Freedom Of Movement And Participation In Psychosocial Support Groups: Qualitative Study In Northern India, Nicola Gailits, Kaaren Mathias, Elysée Nouvet, Pooja Pillai, Lisa Schwartz

Health Studies Publications

© 2019 The Author(s). Background: Depression, the world's leading cause of disability, disproportionately affects women. Women in India, one of the most gender unequal countries worldwide, face systemic gender disadvantage that significantly increases the risk of common mental disorders. This study's objective was to examine the factors influencing women's participation in psychosocial support groups, within an approach where community members work together to collectively strengthen their community's mental health. Methods: This community-based qualitative study was conducted from May to July 2016, across three peri-urban sites in Dehradun district, Uttarakhand, Northern India. Set within an NGO-run mental health project, data were …

Phase Iii Randomized Pair Comparison Of A Barrier Film Vs. Standard Skin Care In Preventing Radiation Dermatitis In Postlumpectomy Patients With Breast Cancer Receiving Adjuvant Radiation Therapy, Andrew Lam, Edward Yu, Danielle Vanwynsberghe, Melissa O'Neil, David D'Souza, Jeffrey Cao, Michael Lock

Data and Test Instruments

IntroductionPatients undergoing adjuvant radiotherapy to the breast often experience radiation dermatitisranging from mild erythema to moist desquamation. In post-lumpectomy patients, the axillaand inframammary fold are at an increased risk for friction dermatitis. Dermatitis can impactpatients’ quality-of-life and may require treatment break/cessation. Our objectives are to assessthe efficacy of 3M Cavilon Barrier Film (BF) in preventing and/or delaying the onset of gradetwodermatitis and reducing patient-reported sensation scores.MethodsA total of 55 patients were randomized to receive BF on the medial or lateral breast. BF wasapplied twice weekly during treatment. Skin toxicity was evaluated weekly by a blinded clinicalinvestigator using the Skin Toxicity …

Twelve Tips For Enhancing Student Engagement., Harm Peters, Marko Zdravkovic, Manuel João Costa, Antonio Celenza, Kulsoom Ghias, Debra Klamen, Liz Mossop, Michael Rieder, Vishna Devi Nadarajah, Danai Wangsaturaka, Martin Wohlin, Margot Weggemans

Paediatrics Publications

Student engagement refers to a broad range of activities where students participate in management, education, research, and community activities within their institutions. It is a mutually beneficial collaborative approach between students and their institutions. This article provides practical advice for the implementation or further development of student engagement at medical, dental, and veterinary schools. The tips provided are based on the experiences of a group of universities recently recognized for best practice in student engagement, and are supported by evidence from the literature. The tips cover overarching themes which include the creation of an institutional culture and formal framework for …

External Cold And Vibration For Pain Management Of Children Undergoing Needle-Related Procedures In The Emergency Department: A Randomised Controlled Non-Inferiority Trial Protocol., Ariane Ballard, Christelle Khadra, Samara Adler, Evelyne D Trottier, Benoit Bailey, Naveen Poonai, Jean Théroux, Sylvie Le May

Paediatrics Publications

INTRODUCTION: Needle-related procedures are considered as the most important source of pain and distress in children in hospital settings. Considering the physiological and psychological consequences that could result from these procedures, management of pain and distress through pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods is essential. Therefore, it is important to have interventions that are rapid, easy-to-use and likely to be translated into clinical practice for routine use. The aim of this study will be to determine whether a device combining cold and vibration (Buzzy) is non-inferior to a topical anaesthetic (liposomal lidocaine 4% cream) for pain management of children undergoing needle-related procedures …

Unanticipated Admissions To Paediatric Cardiac Critical Care After Cardiac Catheterisations., Erin Peebles, Michael R Miller, Lee N Benson, Tilman Humpl

Paediatrics Publications

OBJECTIVES: Cardiac catheterisation is commonly used for diagnosis and therapeutic interventions in paediatric cardiology. The inherent risk of the procedure can result in unanticipated admissions to critical care. Our goals were to provide a qualitative description of characteristics and evaluation of children admitted unexpectedly to the cardiac critical care unit (CCCU).

METHODS: A retrospective single centre review of cardiac catheterisation procedures was done between 1 January, 2003 and 30 April, 2013.

RESULTS: Of 9336 cardiac catheterisations performed, 146 (1.6%) were admitted from the catheterisation laboratory to the CCCU and met inclusion criteria. Of these 146 patients, 117 (1.3%) met criteria …

Poly(Ester Amide) Particles For Controlled Delivery Of Celecoxib, Ian J. Villamagna, Trent N. Gordon, Mark B. Hurtig, Frank Beier, Elizabeth R. Gillies

Physiology and Pharmacology Publications

© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Many potential pharmacological treatments for osteoarthritis can result in undesirable side effects due to the systemic administration of drugs, making the direct delivery of drugs to joints an attractive alternative. Poly(ester amide)s (PEAs) have been shown to exhibit promising properties for the development of particle-based intra-articular delivery vehicles. However, a limited range of PEA structures has been investigated. In this study, we prepared and characterized the properties of two different PEA particles composed of l-phenylalanine, sebacic acid, and either 1,4-butanediol or 1,8-octanediol (PBSe and POSe, respectively). The anti-inflammatory drug celecoxib (CXB) was encapsulated into the …

Use Of A Radial Artery ‘Slender’ Sheath For Facilitating Transfemoral Arterial Access For Neuroendovascular Embolization In A Very Young Infant, Timothy L. Miao, Enriqueta Lucar Figueroa, Khalid Bajunaid, Michael Mayich, Sandrine De Ribaupierre, Sachin K. Pandey

Paediatrics Publications

Pediatric neuroendovascular procedures are increasingly performed as several studies have shown the safety of these interventions. In the literature, an upper limit of 4 French catheter size is conventionally used for femoral access in neuroangiography of very young infants. However, this constraint in luminal size may not allow for more complex procedures. We present the previously unreported use of a radial 5 French slender catheter with ultrathin walls for femoral access for aneurysm embolization in a 3-month-old boy presenting with left M2 aneurysm rupture.

Involuntary Hospitalization Among Young People With Early Psychosis: A Population-Based Study Using Health Administrative Data., Rebecca Rodrigues, Arlene G Macdougall, Guangyong Zou, Michael Lebenbaum, Paul Kurdyak, Lihua Li, Salimah Z Shariff, Kelly K Anderson

Epidemiology and Biostatistics Publications

OBJECTIVE: Early psychosis is an important window for establishing long-term trajectories. Involuntary hospitalization during this period may impact subsequent service engagement in people with newly diagnosed psychotic disorder. However, population-based studies of involuntary hospitalization in early psychosis are lacking. We sought to estimate the proportion of people aged 16 to 35 years with early psychosis in Ontario who are hospitalized involuntarily at first admission, and to identify the associated risk factors and outcomes.

METHODS: Using linked population-based health administrative data, we identified incident cases of non-affective psychosis over a five-year period (2009-2013) and followed cases for two years to ascertain …

Maga Expression Attenuates Iron Export Activity In Undifferentiated Multipotent P19 Cells, Linshan Liu, Kobra Alizadeh, Sarah C. Donnelly, Praveen Dassanayake, Tian Tian Hou, Rebecca Mcgirr, R. Terry Thompson, Frank S. Prato, Neil Gelman, Lisa Hoffman, Donna E. Goldhawk

Bone and Joint Institute

© 2019 Liu et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive imaging modality used in longitudinal cell tracking. Previous studies suggest that MagA, a putative iron transport protein from magnetotactic bacteria, is a useful gene-based magnetic resonance contrast agent. Hem-agglutinin-tagged MagA was stably expressed in undifferentiated embryonic mouse teratocarcinoma, multipotent P19 cells to provide a suitable model for tracking these cells during differentiation. Western blot …

Lateral Compartment Contact Pressures Do Not Increase After Lateral Extra-Articular Tenodesis And Subsequent Subtotal Meniscectomy, Tomoyuki Shimakawa, Timothy A. Burkhart, Cynthia E. Dunning, Ryan M. Degen, Alan M. Getgood

Bone and Joint Institute

© The Author(s) 2019. Background: Modified Lemaire lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LET) has been proposed as a method of addressing persistent anterolateral rotatory laxity after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR). However, concerns remain regarding the potential for increasing lateral compartment contact pressures. Purpose: To investigate changes in tibiofemoral joint contact pressures after isolated ACLR and combined ACLR plus LET with varying states of a lateral meniscal injury. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Eight fresh-frozen cadaveric knee specimens (mean age, 60.0 ± 3.4 years) were utilized for this study, with specimens potted and loaded on a materials testing machine. A …