Saskatoon City Hospital

Bronchiolitis-associated apneas are a life-threatening complication that are observed more frequently in younger infants born premature. Although apneas associated with viral bronchiolitis are relatively common, at present there is no consensus on management. This study was a retrospective chart review of viral bronchiolitis in children less than 2 years old, admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) between July 1st 2020 and June 30th 2024, with at least one reported pre-hospital apnea. Electronic chart reviews were completed and documented demographics, pre-PICU clinical metrics, and PICU interventions including maximal respiratory support, caffeine use, and antibiotics. Descriptive statistics were used for demographic data, and the difference of means or Fisher's exact test was used for further data analysis of PICU outcomes. A total of 48 charts met inclusion criteria. Young age (x̄ = 97.7 days), female (n = 28, 58%), and respiratory syncytial virus infections (n = 30, 64.6%) were common presenting variables, with a history of prematurity in 33.3% (n = 16) of cases. CRP was not significantly different between infants with or without bacterial infections. There was variability in caffeine use, antibiotics, and respiratory supports utilized. There were no deaths, and the mean PICU stay was 3.9 days. Our study documented wide variability in the clinical management of patients with bronchiolitis-associated apneas. Discussions around standardized care may include the initial modality for respiratory support, completion of a partial septic workup, biomarkers for bacterial infections, antimicrobial initiation, and the role of short duration caffeine.

Abstract Background Laboratory tests are increasingly important for diagnosing multiple sclerosis (MS). Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) laboratory testing, including detection of CSF oligoclonal bands (OCB), aids in the diagnosis of MS but significant variability in reporting practices across Canadian clinical laboratories has been shown. To address this issue, the Harmonized CSF Analysis for MS Investigation (hCAMI) subcommittee of the Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists (CSCC) Reference Interval Harmonization (hRI) Working Group was formed. Methods The hCAMI subcommittee, comprised of clinical chemists and neurologists, identified key areas of CSF laboratory testing for MS investigation that require harmonization and formulated specific questions for targeted recommendations. The subcommittee comprehensively reviewed the literature, surveyed clinical chemists regarding current practices and neurologists on reporting preferences, and conducted studies to answer these questions. Recommendation statements were drafted and will undergo the Delphi process for refinement to ultimately generate evidence-based consensus statements. Results Six key areas for harmonization were identified: (1) quality control practices, (2) timing considerations for matched CSF and serum sample collection, (3) reporting protocols for band counts, (4) interpretation and follow-up for other patterns (i.e., monoclonal gammopathy, inflammatory response), (5) handling of matched band intensity variations, and (6) defining panel components and reference intervals/decision limits. Literature and data were reviewed for each key area. Draft recommendations were developed and will undergo iterative refinement via the Delphi process. Conclusion Harmonized laboratory reporting recommendations will lead to consistency and alignment of CSF laboratory testing for diagnosis of MS across Canada. This subcommittee’s efforts will promote evidence-based standardized reporting practices to improve diagnostic accuracy and patient care.

In Canada, Indigenous Peoples are underrepresented in the engineering profession. In a step towards reconciliation, USask’s Re-Engineered first year program includes a fall-term course that introduces fundamental concepts of an Indigenous Cultural Contextualization of Engineering. The course aims to provide structured discussion about engineers’ responsibilities to the recommendations of the TRC and UNDRIP commitments, the importance of meaningful consultation, and the notable Indigenous traditions of technology and design, while allowing students to learn about Indigenous worldviews and reflect on their own positionality. The course assessments provide opportunities for feedback and adaptation through the competency-based assessment system used in Re-Engineered. The course has now been offered three times since the fall of 2021. The development and refinement of the course and the way in which collected student feedback has been used to guide its general evolution will be discussed with hopes that aspects of the course may be adopted more broadly within the profession.

From the early days of agricultural production in the 1800s through to the present day, farmers, agronomists, and other motivated people have worked to improve crop production through pest management and surveillance, selection of crop genotypes and agronomic innovations such as reduced and zero-tillage. These essential contributions also helped raise awareness of the practical problems that farmers have faced, of the potential solutions to those problems, and the problems that remain to be solved. In many cases, farmers have organized their efforts to support research to address agricultural challenges through commodity organizations who actively fund research, raise awareness of science, and encourage participation in activities such as pest monitoring and on-farm research trials. This review highlights some of the important contributions of Canadian community scientists. The future of a biovigilance approach to crop production depends on the continued participation of agricultural community members.

Light is a critical management factor for broiler production, and the wavelength spectrum, one of its components, can affect bird physiology, behavior and production. Among all the senses, sight is important to birds, and their visual system possess several adaptations that allow them to perceive light differently from humans. Therefore, it is critical to consider whether the exposure to monochromatic light colors influences broiler visual ability, which could affect behavioral expression. The present study examined the effects of various light colors on the visual systems of broiler chickens. Ross 708 males were raised from 0 to 35 days under three wavelength programs [blue (dominant wavelengths near 455 nm), green (dominant wavelengths near 510 nm) or white]. Broilers were given a complete ophthalmic examination, including chromatic pupillary light reflex testing, rebound tonometry, anterior segment biomicroscopy and indirect ophthalmoscopy (n = 36, day 21). To assess ocular anatomy, broilers were euthanized, eyes were weighed, and dimensions were taken (n = 108, day 16 and day 24). An autorefractor was used to assess the refractive index and the corneal curvature (n = 18, day 26). To evaluate spatial vision, broilers underwent a grating acuity test at one of three distances–50, 75, or 100 cm (n = 24, day 29). Data were analyzed as a one-way ANOVA using the MIXED procedure or Proc Par1way for non-normally distributed data. Significant differences were observed for refractive index and spatial vision. Birds raised under blue light were slightly more hyperopic, or far-sighted, than birds raised under white light (P = 0.01). As for spatial vision, birds raised under blue light took less time to approach the stimulus at distances of 50 cm (P = 0.03) and 75 cm (P = 0.0006) and had a higher success rate (choosing the right feeder, P = 0.03) at 100 cm than birds raised under white light. Improvements in spatial vision for birds exposed to blue light can partially explain the behavioral differences resulting from rearing broilers under different wavelengths.

Abstract Over the past 20 years, ash trees (Oleaceae) in parts of the western United States of America and Canada have been subject to infestations with the psyllid Psyllopsis discrepans (Flor) (Hemiptera: Psyllidae). Infested trees show a series of symptoms, including pseudogalls, canopy loss, and in many cases, tree death. This is an expensive problem for urban forests, particularly in the context of emerald ash borer (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) and Dutch elm disease (Ophiostomataceae), which also impact the diversity of urban forests. This paper presents results from a study on the efficacy of two tree-injected insecticides, Orthene® (acephate) and TreeAzin® (azadirachtin). Trees were treated with these insecticides, and egg and adult psyllids were counted. In addition, canopy cover and severity of pseudogalling were visually assessed. Orthene reduced canopy loss and severity and amount of pseudogalling compared to what occurred on control trees; however, there were more eggs on Orthene-treated trees, indicating that any potential benefit was offset by higher egg counts after treatment. Due to the rapid decline of the ash trees, TreeAzin could not be successfully injected.

Quantify resident caseload during call and determine if there are consistent differences in call volumes for individuals or resident subgroups. Accession codes for after-hours computed tomography (CT) cases dictated by residents between July 1, 2012 and January 9, 2017 were reviewed. Case volumes by patient visits and body regions scanned were determined and categorized according to time period, year, and individual resident. Mean shift Relative Value Units (RVUs) were calculated by year. Descriptive statistics, linear mixed modeling, and linear regression determined mean values, differences between residents, associations between independent variables and outcomes, and changes over time. Consistent differences between residents were assessed as a measure of good or bad luck / karma on call. During this time there were 23,032 patients and 30,766 anatomic regions scanned during 1,652 call shifts among 32 residents. Over the whole period, there were on average 10.6 patients and 14.3 body regions scanned on weekday shifts and 22.3 patients and 29.4 body regions scanned during weekend shifts. Annually, the mean number of patients, body regions, and RVUs scanned per shift increased by an average of 0.2 (1%), 0.4 (2%), and 1.2 (5%) (all p < 0.05) respectively in regression models. There was variability in call experiences, but only 1 resident had a disproportionate number of higher volume calls and fewer lower volume shifts than expected. Annual increases in scan volumes were modest. Although residents' experiences varied, little of this was attributable to consistent personal differences, including luck or call karma.