BC Research (Canada)

Abstract Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder that is characterized by epidermal immune dysregulation, barrier dysfunction, and persistent inflammation. There is no cure for AD yet. Topical treatments often struggle with poor skin absorption, necessitating frequent applications and higher medication doses, which can lead to systemic side effects. In this study, we explore the use of nanotechnology-based topical delivery systems to enhance the therapeutic management of AD. Nanoparticles encapsulating anti-inflammatory drugs enable targeted delivery to the epidermis and upper dermis, where inflammatory processes are most active. This localized release at the site of immune cell infiltration leads to higher local drug concentrations, prolonged skin retention, and reduced systemic exposure. This approach offers several clinical benefits, including a faster therapeutic response, reduced dosing frequency, and improved overall efficacy. Drug delivery represents a promising strategy for optimizing topical AD treatment while minimizing adverse effects.

Abstract Introduction Post-discharge mortality among children following an acute illness in low-resource settings is high and demands urgent attention. We aimed to assess the impact of Smart Discharges, a mortality prevention risk-differentiated approach to peri-discharge care among children under five years admitted with suspected sepsis. Methods We conducted a before-after two-phase study with staggered implementation at six hospitals in Uganda. During a baseline period (Phase-1), clinical prediction algorithms for post-discharge mortality were developed based on clinical and socio-demographic data collected at hospital admission. Outcomes, primarily mortality within six months of discharge, were compared against an interventional period (Phase-2). In the Smart Discharges intervention each family was given soap, a mosquito net, their risk category (low/medium/high/very high), counselling, and educational materials regardless of risk stratification, after which the intensity of recommended follow-up care was determined by age (0-6, 6-60 months) and predicted post-discharge mortality risk. Results Overall, 13,051 children were enrolled: Phase-1, n=6,955; Phase-2, n=6,096. Characteristics were similar between groups, including mean predicted post-discharge mortality risk (6.3% Phase-1 vs. 5.9% Phase-2). With Smart Discharges, 2,331/3,891 (59.9%) medium/high/very high-risk families attending all their scheduled visits. The observed post-discharge mortality rate was 439 (6.3%) in Phase-1 vs. 296 (4.9%) in Phase-2; adjusted hazard ratio 0.77 (95%CI 0.67 to 0.90) favouring the intervention. In Phase-1, 1,313 (18.9%) children were re-admitted to hospital vs. 1,024 (16.8%) in Phase-2. Conclusion A simple approach of risk assessment paired with education and engagement through scheduled follow-up after discharge is an appropriate strategy to improve child survival in low-resource settings.

Introduction. Depression is a common mental health condition characterized by disrupted neural activity in cortical and subcortical networks involved in emotion and memory. While alpha and theta oscillations have been linked to depression, their specific roles in symptom domains remain unclear. This study examines these relationships using quantitative EEG (qEEG) and low-resolution electromagnetic tomography analysis (LORETA). Methods. Fifty-eight adults with depression underwent resting-state, eyes-closed qEEG. Absolute power and coherence of alpha (8–12 Hz) and theta (4–8 Hz) bands were analyzed across 19 scalp electrodes and hippocampal and amygdala regions using LORETA. Depressive symptom severity was assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). Statistical analyses evaluated associations between EEG parameters and symptom scores. Results. Alpha coherence between the left hippocampus and amygdala negatively correlated with somatic symptoms (r = −0.298, p = .027), explaining 26% of variance in total BDI-II scores. Increased theta coherence in the right frontotemporal network was associated with reductions in affective and somatic symptoms. Conclusions. The findings identify neural oscillatory patterns within hippocampal-amygdala and frontotemporal networks as potential biomarkers for depressive symptoms, providing insights into novel therapeutic targets.

Most organizations have interventions to address new graduate nurse (NGN) turnover, but one nursing professional development department created, implemented, and sustained a rounding program on NGNs during their onboarding process to provide additional support for this vulnerable population. The project was piloted in seven hospitals, with expansion to 25. Interventions included celebrating wins, setting goals, and assisting with orientation requirements. NGN retention increased an average of 3% for this period.

The international debate on HDTV continues, particularly on the question of transmission formats for the picture. Whether or not, in the long run, a single system will become the standard, the picture will need to be supported bya matching sound system, i.e. one which complements the visual presentation. In a previous paper [1], the author presented the background information and the then current studies on HDTV sound systems. This paper is in the form of an up date on that and presents the current consensus on the likely service improvements beyond simple two channel stereo for an HDTV sound system. The international discussions and standards making process are discussed, as are the practical experiments both completed and still continuing. IMPROVED SERVICES

Microplastics (MPs), particularly microplastic fibers (MFs), released during laundry processes, constitute a major source of primary MPs in the water environment, raising growing ecological and environmental concerns. This study developed and evaluated a microbubble-enhanced flotation approach to effectively remove MPs/MFs and surfactants─essential components of commercial detergents and common pollutants─from laundry wastewater (LW). Through bench-scale and pilot-scale experiments, we investigated a wide range of parameters affecting recovery efficiency, focusing on MP properties (5 plastic types, 3 particle size ranges, and 4 concentration levels), water chemistry (5 detergent concentrations), and operational conditions (2 types of gases, 3 bubble size ranges, and 3 gas flow rates). Our results showed that under optimized conditions, microbubble flotation could effectively remove over 98 wt % of MPs/MFs and over 95 wt % of surfactants from LW. Moreover, the high removal rates achieved in bench-scale microbubble flotation processes were successfully reproduced in upscaling trials using a pilot-scale bubble column of 5.7 m in height. This work demonstrates the robustness and reliability of microbubble flotation for industrial LW treatment, providing a straightforward, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly solution for the concurrent removal of MPs and surfactants.

The Royal Society of Canada Working Group on Health Research System Recovery developed actionable recommendations for organizations to implement to strengthen Canada’s health research system. Recommendations were based on input from participants from G7 countries and Australia and New Zealand. Participants included health research funding agency leaders; research institute leaders; health, public health, and social care policy-makers; researchers; and members of the public. The recommendations were categorized using the World Health Organization’s framework for health research systems and include governance/stewardship: (1) Outline research logistics as part of emergency preparedness to streamline research in future pandemics. (2) Embed equity and inclusion in all research processes. (3) Facilitate streamlined, inclusive, and rigorous processes for grant application preparation and review. (4) Create knowledge mobilization infrastructure to support the generation and use of evidence. (5) Coordinate research efforts across local, provincial, national, and international entities. Financing: (6) Reimagine the funding of health research. Capacity building: (7) Invest in formative training opportunities rooted in equity, diversity, and anti-racism. (8) Support researchers’ career development throughout their career span. (9) Support early career researchers to establish themselves. Producing and using research: (10) Strengthen Indigenous health research and break down systemic barriers to its conduct. (11) Develop mechanisms to produce novel research. (12) Enhance research use across the health research ecosystem.

Abstract Fall-sown cereal rye has gained popularity as a cover crop in vegetable production due to its weed-suppressive capabilities. However, previous research has shown that replacing preemergence and/or postemergence herbicide applications with roller-crimped rye has variable success at controlling weeds and maintaining vegetable cash crop yields. The objective of this research was to determine whether roller-crimped rye can provide season-long weed control and maintain sweet corn yield. Two rye cultivars (early vs. standard maturity) were compared at three seeding rates (150, 300, and 600 seeds m−2) for their effect on weed control and sweet corn yield. The trial was conducted at three locations: Harrow, ON, and St. Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC, from 2019 to 2021; and Agassiz, BC, in 2019 and 2021. Results suggest that although the early-maturing cultivar allowed for earlier roller crimping in some locations, it was inferior at weed control and resulted in lower sweet corn yield than local standard cultivars. The average rye biomass was lower than the current literature recommendations, and the resulting level of weed control was not high enough to prevent sweet corn yield loss in cover crop treatments. Weed control provided by roller-crimped rye peaked between crimping and 8 wk after crimping and was highest in the standard cultivars sown at 300 and 600 seeds m−2. Preliminary testing of supplemental postemergence weed control showed evidence for sweet corn yields comparable to the weed-free no-cover crop check. However, more research is needed. Overall, with the cultivars and seeding rates tested, roller-crimped rye is not a suitable stand-alone weed control option in sweet corn production. Given the benefits of cover crops, further research should evaluate its potential as a component of an integrated weed management program.