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Archibald A, Spronk E, Potvin S, Kovacs Burns K, Moran M, Peng HJ, Raso J, Bahari H, Khan S, Cruz AM, Sia W. Perspectives on Communication Technology Use for Alleviating the Impact of COVID-19 on Hospitalized Patients' Well-Being and Transitions in Care. Can J Aging 2024:1-8. [PMID: 38372162 DOI: 10.1017/s0714980824000060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic created many challenges for in-patient care including patient isolation and limitations on hospital visitation. Although communication technology, such as video calling or texting, can reduce social isolation, there are challenges for implementation, particularly for older adults. OBJECTIVE/METHODS This study used a mixed methodology to understand the challenges faced by in-patients and to explore the perspectives of patients, family members, and health care providers (HCPs) regarding the use of communication technology. Surveys and focus groups were used. FINDINGS Patients who had access to communication technology perceived the COVID-19 pandemic to have more adverse impact on their well-beings but less on hospitalization outcomes, compared to those without. Most HCPs perceived that technology could improve programs offered, connectedness of patients to others, and access to transitions of care supports. Focus groups highlighted challenges with technology infrastructure in hospitals. DISCUSSION Our study findings may assist efforts in appropriately adopting communication technology to improve the quality of in-patient and transition care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Archibald
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Elena Spronk
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Sacha Potvin
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Katharina Kovacs Burns
- Clinical Quality Metrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Martin Moran
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Hongwei J Peng
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Jim Raso
- Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Hosein Bahari
- Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Samina Khan
- Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Antonio Miguel Cruz
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- GRRIT Hub Glenrose Rehabilitation Research, Innovation & Technology, Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Winnie Sia
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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Falcione S, Spronk E, Munsterman D, Joy T, Boghozian R, Jickling GC. Sex Differences in Thrombin Generation in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke. Transl Stroke Res 2023:10.1007/s12975-023-01200-1. [PMID: 37987986 DOI: 10.1007/s12975-023-01200-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Sex differences in stroke exist, including variation in stroke risk and outcome. Differences in thrombin generation may contribute to this variation between females and males. To examine this, we assessed sex differences in thrombin generation between females and males with acute ischemic stroke and the relationship to blood cell gene expression. In 97 patients with acute ischemic stroke, thrombin generation was measured by thrombin generation assay. Blood cell gene expression was measured by microarray. Differences in thrombin generation between sexes were identified and the relationship to blood cell gene expression examined. Genes associated with sex differences in thrombin generation were analyzed by functional pathway analysis. Females and males had similar overall capacity to generate thrombin. The peak thrombin generated in females was 468.8 nM (SD 91.6), comparable to males (479.3nM;SD 90.8; p = 0.58). Lag time, time to peak thrombin, and endogenous thrombin potential were also similar between females and males. While overall thrombin generation was comparable between females and males with stroke, differences in genes that promote this thrombin generation exist. Females with high peak thrombin had an increase in genes that promote thrombosis, and platelet activation. In contrast, males with high peak thrombin had a decrease in genes involved in thrombus degradation. Females and males with acute ischemic stroke have similar capacity to generate thrombin, however, differences may exist in how this thrombin generation is achieved, with females having increased thrombin signaling, and platelet activation, and males having decreased thrombus degradation. This suggests regulatory differences in thrombosis may exist between females and males that may contribute to sex differences in stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarina Falcione
- Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, University of Alberta, 11315 87th Ave NW, Edmonton, T6G 2H5, Canada.
| | - Elena Spronk
- Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, University of Alberta, 11315 87th Ave NW, Edmonton, T6G 2H5, Canada
| | - Danielle Munsterman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, University of Alberta, 11315 87th Ave NW, Edmonton, T6G 2H5, Canada
| | - Twinkle Joy
- Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, University of Alberta, 11315 87th Ave NW, Edmonton, T6G 2H5, Canada
| | - Roobina Boghozian
- Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, University of Alberta, 11315 87th Ave NW, Edmonton, T6G 2H5, Canada
| | - Glen C Jickling
- Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, University of Alberta, 11315 87th Ave NW, Edmonton, T6G 2H5, Canada
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Dhaliwal R, Yap S, Talarico F, Al-Shamali H, Mcweeny R, Reeson M, Shalaby R, Chen T, Spronk E, Snodgrass R, Tu E, Erick T, Marshall T, Kennedy M, Greenshaw AJ, Winkler O, Burback L. Synchronous Web-Based Psychotherapy for Mental Disorders From a Health Quality Perspective: Scoping Review. J Med Internet Res 2023; 25:e40710. [PMID: 37921863 PMCID: PMC10656669 DOI: 10.2196/40710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated rapid changes to health care delivery, including a shift from in-person to digitally delivered psychotherapy. While these changes helped ensure timely psychotherapy provision, many concerns exist, including clinical, cultural, practical, privacy, and security issues. OBJECTIVE This scoping review systematically mapped existing peer-reviewed research on synchronous, therapist-delivered web-based psychotherapy for individuals with a diagnosed mental illness. Data were analyzed through the lens of the Alberta Quality Matrix for Health (AQMH) to assess to what degree this literature addresses key indicators of health care quality. This analysis aided in the identification and organization of knowledge gaps with regard to web-based psychotherapies, highlighting potential disparities between previously prioritized dimensions of care and those requiring further attention. METHODS This review adhered to the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews) guidelines. We included peer-reviewed primary research studies in the English language investigating synchronous, therapist-delivered remote psychotherapy delivered to adults (aged 18 years and older) with a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders or International Statistical Classification of Diseases diagnosed mental illness. All other citations were excluded. Relevant studies were identified through MEDLINE, APA PsycINFO, Embase (OVID), Web of Science: Core Collection (Clarivate), Cochrane Library (Wiley), and Scopus (Elsevier) databases. Databases were searched on March 18, 2021. For every publication that was taken into consideration, the data were charted independently by 2 reviewers, and in the event of a discrepancy, the principal investigator validated the choice of either extractor. Results were thematically described according to the 6 AQMH dimensions: acceptability, accessibility, appropriateness, effectiveness, efficiency, and safety. RESULTS From 13,209 publications, 48 articles were included, largely from North American studies. Most studies measured treatment effectiveness (n=48, 100%) and acceptability (n=29, 60%) health quality dimensions. Over 80% (40/48) of studies investigated either a cognitive or exposure intervention for either posttraumatic stress disorder or a mood or anxiety disorder, generally indicating comparable results to in-person therapy. Safety (n=5, 10%) was measured in fewer studies, while treatment accessibility, appropriateness, and efficiency were not explicitly measured in any study, although these dimensions were mentioned as a future direction, hypothesis, or potential outcome. CONCLUSIONS In relation to web-based therapist-delivered psychotherapies for those with a diagnosed mental illness, important aspects of health care quality (accessibility, appropriateness, efficiency, and safety) have received little scientific examination, underscoring a need to address these gaps. There are also significant issues related to the generalizability of this literature, including the underrepresentation of many geographic regions, cultures, populations, clinical contexts, and psychotherapy modalities. Qualitative research in underrepresented populations and settings may uncover important patient and contextual factors important for the future implementation of quality web-based psychotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raman Dhaliwal
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Sidney Yap
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Fernanda Talarico
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Huda Al-Shamali
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Robert Mcweeny
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Matthew Reeson
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Reham Shalaby
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Teresa Chen
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Elena Spronk
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Rayven Snodgrass
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Eileen Tu
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Taylor Erick
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Tyler Marshall
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Megan Kennedy
- Geoffrey and Robyn Sperber Health Sciences Library, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Andrew J Greenshaw
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Olga Winkler
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Lisa Burback
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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Ko CC, Merodio MM, Spronk E, Lehman JR, Shen H, Li G, Derscheid RJ, Piñeyro PE. Diagnostic investigation of Mycoplasma hyorhinis as a potential pathogen associated with neurological clinical signs and central nervous system lesions in pigs. Microb Pathog 2023; 180:106172. [PMID: 37230257 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2023.106172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Mycoplasma hyorhinis (M. hyorhinis) is a commensal of the upper respiratory tract in swine with the typical clinical presentations of arthritis and polyserositis in postweaning pigs. However, it has also been associated with conjunctivitis and otitis media, and recently has been isolated from meningeal swabs and/or cerebrospinal fluid of piglets with neurological signs. The objective of this study is to evaluate the role of M. hyorhinis as a potential pathogen associated with neurological clinical signs and central nervous system lesions in pigs. The presence of M. hyorhinis was evaluated in a clinical outbreak and a six-year retrospective study by qPCR detection, bacteriological culture, in situ hybridization (RNAscope®), and phylogenetic analysis and with immunohistochemistry characterization of the inflammatory response associated with its infection. M. hyorhinis was confirmed by bacteriological culture and within central nervous system lesions by in situ hybridization on animals with neurological signs during the clinical outbreak. The isolates from the brain had close genetic similarities from those previously reported and isolated from eye, lung, or fibrin. Nevertheless, the retrospective study confirmed by qPCR the presence of M. hyorhinis in 9.9% of cases reported with neurological clinical signs and histological lesions of encephalitis or meningoencephalitis of unknown etiology. M. hyorhinis mRNA was confirmed within cerebrum, cerebellum, and choroid plexus lesions by in situ hybridization (RNAscope®) with a positive rate of 72.7%. Here we present strong evidence that M. hyorhinis should be included as a differential etiology in pigs with neurological signs and central nervous system inflammatory lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Calvin C Ko
- Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Maria M Merodio
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - E Spronk
- Swine Vet Center P.A., 1608 South Minnesota Avenue, St. Peter, Minnesota, USA
| | - J R Lehman
- Swine Technical Services, Merck Animal Health, Lenexa, KS, USA
| | - H Shen
- Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - G Li
- Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Rachel J Derscheid
- Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Pablo E Piñeyro
- Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA.
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Kamtchum-Tatuene J, Nomani AZ, Falcione S, Munsterman D, Sykes G, Joy T, Spronk E, Vargas MI, Jickling GC. Non-stenotic Carotid Plaques in Embolic Stroke of Unknown Source. Front Neurol 2021; 12:719329. [PMID: 34630291 PMCID: PMC8492999 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.719329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Embolic stroke of unknown source (ESUS) represents one in five ischemic strokes. Ipsilateral non-stenotic carotid plaques are identified in 40% of all ESUS. In this narrative review, we summarize the evidence supporting the potential causal relationship between ESUS and non-stenotic carotid plaques; discuss the remaining challenges in establishing the causal link between non-stenotic plaques and ESUS and describe biomarkers of potential interest for future research. In support of the causal relationship between ESUS and non-stenotic carotid plaques, studies have shown that plaques with high-risk features are five times more prevalent in the ipsilateral vs. the contralateral carotid and there is a lower incidence of atrial fibrillation during follow-up in patients with ipsilateral non-stenotic carotid plaques. However, non-stenotic carotid plaques with or without high-risk features often coexist with other potential etiologies of stroke, notably atrial fibrillation (8.5%), intracranial atherosclerosis (8.4%), patent foramen ovale (5-9%), and atrial cardiopathy (2.4%). Such puzzling clinical associations make it challenging to confirm the causal link between non-stenotic plaques and ESUS. There are several ongoing studies exploring whether select protein and RNA biomarkers of plaque progression or vulnerability could facilitate the reclassification of some ESUS as large vessel strokes or help to optimize secondary prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Kamtchum-Tatuene
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Ali Z Nomani
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Sarina Falcione
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Danielle Munsterman
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Gina Sykes
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Twinkle Joy
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Elena Spronk
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Maria Isabel Vargas
- Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Glen C Jickling
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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Spronk E, Sykes G, Falcione S, Munsterman D, Joy T, Kamtchum-Tatuene J, Jickling GC. Hemorrhagic Transformation in Ischemic Stroke and the Role of Inflammation. Front Neurol 2021; 12:661955. [PMID: 34054705 PMCID: PMC8160112 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.661955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Hemorrhagic transformation (HT) is a common complication in patients with acute ischemic stroke. It occurs when peripheral blood extravasates across a disrupted blood brain barrier (BBB) into the brain following ischemic stroke. Preventing HT is important as it worsens stroke outcome and increases mortality. Factors associated with increased risk of HT include stroke severity, reperfusion therapy (thrombolysis and thrombectomy), hypertension, hyperglycemia, and age. Inflammation and the immune system are important contributors to BBB disruption and HT and are associated with many of the risk factors for HT. In this review, we present the relationship of inflammation and immune activation to HT in the context of reperfusion therapy, hypertension, hyperglycemia, and age. Differences in inflammatory pathways relating to HT are discussed. The role of inflammation to stratify the risk of HT and therapies targeting the immune system to reduce the risk of HT are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Spronk
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Gina Sykes
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Sarina Falcione
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Danielle Munsterman
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Twinkle Joy
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Joseph Kamtchum-Tatuene
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Glen C Jickling
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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