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A loophole in the town charter creates a time zone free-for-all, Homer remembers when he was forced to choose between his high school sweetheart and Mr. Burn's debutante niece, and Ned moves in with the Simpsons.

Limited research has examined the neurodevelopmental health of Métis children from a functional perspective, which is essential for culturally sensitive service planning, and policy development. This population-based retrospective birth cohort study linked provincial administrative health data of Métis and non-Métis singleton live births (2006–2016) to follow them up to 10 years of age. A random 1:4 sample of non-Métis children served as a reference group. Neurodevelopmental disorders and disabilities (NDD/D) were examined across six functional NDD/D domains. Prevalence odds ratios (pOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using logistic regression models, adjusted for maternal and neonatal characteristics. Incidence rates (IR) per 1,000 person-years were estimated, and age-specific IR was modeled using longitudinal Poisson regression, adjusting for covariates. Associations between maternal and neonatal characteristics and NDD/D incidence among Métis children were examined using multivariable longitudinal Poisson regression models, with adjusted incidence rate ratios (IRR) and 95% CI reported. A total of 38,958 singleton live births were included (7,853 Métis and 31,105 non-Métis). Overall NDD/D prevalence among Métis (3.3%) and non-Métis (2.8%) children did not differ significantly after adjustment (adjusted pOR: 1.1, 95% CI: 0.9, 1.3). Learning-cognition was the most prevalent NDD/D domain. Métis children had a higher IR of NDD/D at age 2 (5.5 vs. 2.8 cases per 1,000 person-years, rate difference: 2.7 [95% CI: 0.8, 4.6]). Among Métis children, higher NDD/D incidence was associated with maternal age younger than 20 or older than 35 years, high pre-pregnancy weight, male sex, preterm birth, and congenital anomalies. While overall NDD/D prevalence was similar between Métis and non-Métis children, Métis children were more likely to be diagnosed at age 2, suggesting potential differences in early diagnosis, access to care, or underlying risk factors. A functional classification approach of neurodevelopmental health supports culturally responsive early screening and intervention strategies to address these differences.

Background Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS), a problem common in newborns exposed to substances in-utero, is an emerging health concern. In traditional models of care, infants with NAS are routinely separated from their mothers and admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) with long, expensive length of stay (LOS). Research shows a rooming-in approach (keeping mothers and infants together in hospital) with referral support is a safe and effective model of care in managing NAS. The model’s key components are facilitating 24-h care by mothers on post-partum or pediatric units with support for breastfeeding, transition home, and access to Opioid Dependency Programs (ODP). This study will implement the rooming-in approach at eight hospitals across one Canadian Province; support practice and culture shift; identify and test the essential elements for effective implementation; and assess the implementation’s impact/outcomes. Methods A stepped wedge cluster randomized trial will be used to evaluate the implementation of an evidence-based rooming-in approach in the postpartum period for infants born to mothers who report opioid use during pregnancy. Baseline data will be collected and compared to post-implementation data. Six-month assessment of maternal and child health and an economic evaluation of cost savings will be conducted. Additionally, barriers and facilitators of the rooming-in model of care within the unique context of each site and across sites will be explored pre-, during, and post-implementation using theory-informed surveys, interviews, and focus groups with care teams and parents. A formative evaluation will examine the complex contextual factors and conditions that influence readiness and sustainability and inform the design of tailored interventions to facilitate capacity building for effective implementation. Discussion The primary expected outcome is reduced NICU LOS. Secondary expected outcomes include decreased rates of pharmacological management of NAS and child apprehension, increased maternal ODP participation, and improved 6-month outcomes for mothers and infants. Moreover, the NASCENT program will generate the detailed, multi-site evidence needed to accelerate the uptake, scale, and spread of this evidence-based intervention throughout Alberta, leading to more appropriate and effective care and use of healthcare resources. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT0522662. Registered February 4 th , 2022.

The Escherichia coli cAMP receptor protein (CRP) utilizes the helix-turn-helix motif for DNA binding. The CRP’s recognition helix, termed F-helix, includes a stretch of six amino acids (Arg180, Glu181, Thr182, Val183, Gly184, and Arg185) for direct DNA contacts. Arg180, Glu181 and Arg185 are known as important residues for DNA binding and specificity, but little has been studied for the other residues. Here we show that Gly184 is another F-helix residue critical for the transcriptional activation function of CRP. First, glycine was repeatedly selected at CRP position 184 for its unique ability to provide wild type-level transcriptional activation activity. To dissect the glycine requirement, wild type CRP and mutants G184A, G184F, G184S, and G184Y were purified and their in vitro DNA-binding activity was measured. G184A and G184F displayed reduced DNA binding, which may explain their low transcriptional activation activity. However, G184S and G184Y displayed apparently normal DNA affinity. Therefore, an additional factor is needed to account for the diminished transcriptional activation function in G184S and G184Y, and the best explanation is perturbations in their interaction with RNA polymerase. The fact that glycine is the smallest amino acid could not fully warrant its suitability, as shown in this study. We hypothesize that Gly184 fulfills the dual functions of DNA binding and RNA polymerase interaction by conferring conformational flexibility to the F-helix.

Background Developmental and language outcomes at 2 years of age of children who had arterial switch operation (ASO) for transposition of the great arteries 2004–2010 are described. Methods In this prospective cohort study, 91/98 (93 %) children who underwent ASO were assessed at 2 years of age with the Bayley Scales of Infant & Toddler Development—3rd Edition. Outcomes were compared by patient and perioperative variables using bivariate and multivariate regression analyses to identify predictors of language delay. Results Infants without ventricular septal defect (VSD) (n = 60) were more likely to be outborn (73 vs 58 %, p = 0.038), require septostomy (80 vs 58 %, p = 0.026), have a shorter cross clamp time (min) (62.7 vs 73.0, p = 0.019), and a lower day 1 post-operative plasma lactate (mmol/L) (3.9 vs 4.8, p = 0.010). There were no differences in cognitive, motor and language outcomes based on presence of a VSD. Language delay (<85) of 29 % was 1.8 times higher than the normative sample; risk factors for this in multivariate analyses included <12 years of maternal education (AOR 19.3, 95 % CI 2.5–148.0) and cross-clamp time ≥70 min (AOR 14.5, 95 % CI 3.1–68.5). Maternal education <12 years was associated with lower Language Composite Scores (−20.2, 95 % CI −32.3 to −9.1). Conclusions Outcomes at 2 years of age in children who undergo ASO are comparable to the normative sample with the exception of language. There is a risk of language delay for which maternal education and cross-clamp duration are predictors. These findings suggest that focused post-operative early language interventions could be considered.

Secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure increases the prevalence and severity of sinopulmonary diseases in children. The primary source of SHS exposure in children is through adults who live in the same house; however, the level of exposure may vary based on the adult smoking habits at home. This prospective cross-sectional study in Alberta, Canada, investigated the relationship between self-reported caregiver smoking, location, outdoor temperature and children’s’ urine cotinine: creatinine ratio (CCR), a marker of nicotine metabolism. Participants aged 0–9 were recruited from the Child Health Clinics at the Misericordia Community Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta, from 8 January to 24 February 2016 and 30 June to 18 August 2016. Participant CCR levels were compared to caregiver-reported smoking location and environmental factors such as temperature and season. Of the 233 participants who reported smoking status, 21% reported smoking, in keeping with local smoking rates. More participants smoked indoors during the winter than the summer; however, some families limited indoor smoking to a garage. Of the 133 parent–child dyads who provided smoking information and a child urine sample, 18 had an elevated cotinine:creatinine ratio, suggestive of significant tobacco smoke exposure, 15 of whom were from homes that reported smoking. Age < 1 year and number of cigarettes smoked in the home weekly were risks for significant exposure while season, outdoor temperature and smoking location in the home did not reach significance. Smokers should be counseled to protect children, particularly infants, from exposure by limiting the number of cigarettes smoked and isolating smoking to outside the home. Segregated areas such as a garage may provide a useful harm mitigation strategy for indoor smokers, provided the garage does not share ventilation or is not in close proximity to high-traffic areas of the home.

Abstract Background Despite multiple published guidelines outlining the potential health risks caused by tobacco smoke, young children continue to be exposed to the detrimental effects of household smoking. Environmental factors also have the potential to influence levels of tobacco exposure in children. Many factors such as comfort can influence the decisions of smoking parents to smoke indoors, increasing potential harm for children. Understanding the correlation between various locations within the household and tobacco exposure is helpful in informing a harm reduction strategy for smokers. This project compared the location of reported tobacco use to detection of the nicotine byproduct cotinine in children’s urine samples. Objectives To determine the impact of smoking location on unintentional tobacco exposure in children. Design/Methods This prospective cross-sectional study focused on children under age ten, since 13% of Canadian children in grades 6 and up have tried a cigarette at least once. Of 286 parents approached during a pediatrician visit, 231 agreed to complete an exposure questionnaire and 132 children were able to provide a urine sample during the visit. A standard ELISA assay was used to measure urine cotinine. Results About half of the 31% of households that reported smoking had an indoor smoking ban. Some indoor smokers isolated their activity to the garage (56%). Of the 84 children with detectable urine cotinine, 62 lived in homes that reported smoking. This suggests that some children were exposed to tobacco smoke through other sources or the underestimation of potential tobacco exposure. Fifteen percent of children from smoking homes had cotinine levels similar to nonsmoking homes. Children of indoor smokers were more likely to have detectable cotinine than those of outdoor smokers. Conclusion Roughly 50% of smokers with children have an indoor smoking ban as a harm reduction strategy. In our study, children of smokers with an indoor smoking ban were less likely to have detectable urine cotinine. Although not smoking is the best strategy, limiting smoking to outside is an optimal harm mitigation strategy. For families with indoor smokers, encouraging them to isolate smoking to a single space like the garage may decrease unintentional pediatric exposure.

Abstract Introduction/Background Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) occurs in newborns exposed to drugs in-utero. In Canada, maternal opiate use in pregnancy has been steadily rising resulting in as many as 1850 babies born with NAS per year. Management of babies born with NAS requires supportive, interdisciplinary care. Depending on the severity of NAS, babies may be cared for with non-pharmacological interventions or some may need to be admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for extended hospital stays to receive medication and management of ongoing complex health care needs. Hospital and community health care providers have expressed concerns around the continuity of care for these babies in their stay in hospital and their transition to home. Objectives This study examined the experiences of hospital and community-based health care providers and families regarding the management of babies with NAS. The driving force behind our inquiry related to our interest in streamlining care for these babies in highly complex health and social systems. Design/Methods In total, 47 interdisciplinary participants were interviewed over a four-month period with individuals from Women’s and Child Health, Community, and family members. Interviewed transcripts were reviewed over several months and were completed in December 2019 using an inductive thematic analysis which culminated in the identification of an overarching theme linked with primary themes. ​ Results The study identified existing gaps in the management of these patients, determined how to improve communication between hospital and community networks, and provided a better understanding of the attitudes, perceptions and experiences of hospital and community personnel. The overarching theme identified was hope, with the primary themes being: system, mental health, mother/baby, judgement, and knowledge (see Figure 1). Several gaps identified in the system included fear, stigma, and language. Certain solutions proposed for improvement included focused care in a rooming in model for the mother and baby dyad, supporting mothers’ well-being, involving mothers and families, and supporting care providers in a family centered care model. In Figure 1, green lines indicate themes that are linked with and support hope, and red lines indicate themes that are barriers to hope. Conclusion This research demonstrates that programs and interventions implemented when working with mothers and babies with NAS must foster hope in mothers, families, and in the extended care provider team.

Abstract Background Despite improved survival of extreme preterm infants (<29 weeks’ gestation), neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) remains high. Certain sociodemographic characteristics (SDC) and limited family resources are known to adversely affect children health and development, particularly those born preterm. There is a dearth of recent data from large cohorts examining the impact of social determinants of health on the neurodevelopment of preterm children. Objectives (1) to describe SDC and family composition in a population-based cohort of extreme preterm children using the Canadian Neonatal Follow Up Network (CNFUN) database; (2) to develop a logistic regression model examining the association of significant NDI (sNDI any of: CP ≥ GMFCS stage 3, Bayley III < 70 in any domain, deafness requiring aids, or bilateral blindness) with SDC using a unique family descriptor. Design/Methods A retrospective review of a national cohort of extreme preterm infants (230 -286 weeks) born between April 2009 and December 2018. We included children who had neurodevelopmental assessment at 18-24 month corrected age at a CNFUN participating Centre. We compared SDC of infants and caregivers and family descriptors (moderating variables) between children with no NDI and those with any NDI and sNDI. Multivariate logistic regression models were developed in two steps to evaluate the effect of SDC (Model 1) and family composition (Model 2) on the primary outcome of sNDI. GEE was used to account for clustering by multiples and within site. Results Out of 10833 eligible infants, 6219 (57%) were included. Of those, 3412 (55%) had no NDI and 2807 (45%) had any NDI. sNDI accounted for 17% of the cohort and 37% of those with NDI. Comparison of the SDC and family descriptors between the three groups are shown in Table 1. On multivariate analysis using SDC, infant’s gestational age and male sex, and primary caregiver’s ethnicity and level of education were independently associated with sNDI. Immigration and employment status were associated with sNDI when family descriptors were added to the first model (Table 2). Conclusion In this national cohort, half of extreme preterm children developed NDI and 1 in 7 had sNDI. There were differences in sociodemographic and family characteristics between those with and without sNDI. The degree of prematurity and caregiver’s education, employment and immigration status were independently associated with sNDI in those children. Future research is needed to determine what interventions and support to benefit those children at risk.

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) are the most common form of nongenetic birth defect in North America with devastating, long-term consequences. Physicians are the primary providers of medical care for pregnant women and they play an important role in the prevention and diagnosis of FASD. We sought to determine whether differences exist between rural and urban health care providers in knowledge of, attitudes about and awareness of FASD and preconception counselling. Surveys were mailed to a national, random sample of Canadian health care providers (n = 5361) between October 2001 and May 2002. Bivariate data analysis was completed using SPSS 14.0. Compared with their urban counterparts, rural providers were more likely to report being prepared to access resources related to alcohol use and dependency, yet they were less likely to agree that it was the physician's role to manage these issues (78.4% v. 82.8%, p < 0.05). Rural providers were more likely than urban providers to use a standardized tool to screen patients for alcohol use, to ask all pregnant women if they were drinking, to have cared for a patient with an FASD (56.7% v. 48.8%), to agree that providers do not make a diagnosis because of lack of time and training, and to recognize legal issues and inappropriate behaviour as secondary outcomes of FASD. Rural and urban providers were similar in their diagnostic knowledge of FASD. Few differences between rural and urban providers exist with regard to knowledge and diagnosis of FASD; however, rural providers are more prepared to access resources for women with addiction issues and are more likely to care for patients with an FASD.