Hospital for Sick Children

About: Hospital for Sick Children is a healthcare organization based out in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Medicine. The organization has 4097 authors who have published 3746 publications receiving 129066 citations. The organization is also known as: Sick Kids Hospital & SickKids.

Quantification of redox conditions in the nucleus.

Abstract: Many nuclear proteins contain thiols, which undergo reversible oxida- tion and are critical for normal function. These proteins include enzymes, transport machinery, structural proteins, and transcription factors with conserved cysteine in zinc fingers and DNA-binding domains. Uncontrolled oxidation of these thiols causes dysfunction, and two major thiol-dependent antioxidant systems provided protection. The redox states of these systems, including the small redox active pro- tein thioredoxin-1 (Trx1) and the abundant, low molecular weight thiol antioxidant glutathione (GSH), in nuclei provide means to quantify nuclear redox conditions. Redox measurements are obtained under conditions with excess thiol-reactive rea- gents. Here we describe a suite of methods to measure nuclear redox state, which include a redox Western blot technique to quantify the redox state of Trx1, a bioti- nylated iodoacetamide (BIAM) method for thioredoxin reductase-1 (TrxR1), GSH redox measurement using total protein S-glutathionylation, and a redox isotope- coded affinity tag (ICAT) method for measuring oxidation of specific cysteines in high-abundance nuclear proteins.

Normalizing physiological variables in acute illness: five reasons for caution

Abstract: Acute illness is accompanied by the development of abnormal physiology. The development and severity of illness, as well as recovery, is paralleled by changes in the physiological variables that clinicians commonly monitor. Several factors may prompt clinicians to address and treat the variables in isolation from addressing the underlying disease. This article explores why clinicians may target and attempt to normalize abnormal physiological variables and identifies five reasons why such an approach can be hazardous.

Color perception deficits in co-existing attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and chronic tic disorders

Abstract: Preliminary findings suggest that color perception, particularly of blue-yellow stimuli, is impaired in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as well as in chronic tic disorders (CTD). However, these findings have been not replicated and it is unclear what these deficits mean for the comorbidity of ADHD + CTD. Four groups (ADHD, CTD, ADHD + CTD, controls) of children with similar age, IQ and gender distribution were investigated with the Farnsworth-Munsell 100 Hue Test (FMT) and the Stroop-Color-Word Task using a factorial design. Color perception deficits, as indexed by the FMT, were found for both main factors (ADHD and CTD), but there were no interaction effects. A preponderance of deficits on the blue-yellow compared to the red-green axis was detected for ADHD. In the Stroop task only the 'pure' ADHD group showed impairments in interference control and other parameters of Stroop performance. No significant correlations between any FMT parameter and color naming in the Stroop task were found. Basic color perception deficits in both ADHD and CTD could be found. Beyond that, it could be shown that these deficits are additive in the case of comorbidity (ADHD + CTD). Performance deficits on the Stroop task were present only in the 'pure' ADHD group. Hence, the latter may be compensated in the comorbid group by good prefrontal capabilities of CTD. The influence of color perception deficits on Stroop task performance might be negligible.

Epilepsy: Transition from Pediatric to Adult Care. Recommendations of the Ontario Epilepsy Implementation Task Force (P6.273)

Abstract: Objective: Recently, the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care of the Province of Ontario, Canada created a Transition working group (TWG) to develop recommendations for the transition process for patients in the Province of Ontario. Here we present an executive summary of this work. Background: Transition from pediatric to adult health care system is challenging for most youth with epilepsy and their families. Design/Methods: The TWG was composed of pediatric and adult epileptologists, psychiatrists and family doctors from academia and from the community; pediatric and adult neurologists from the community; neuropsychologists; nurses and social workers from pediatric and adult epilepsy programs; adolescent medicine physician specialists; a team of physicians, nurses, and social workers dedicated to patients with complex care needs; a lawyer; representatives from community epilepsy agencies; patients with epilepsy; parents of patients with epilepsy and severe intellectual disability, and project managers. There were 4 main areas addressed: 1) Diagnosis and Management of Seizures 2) Mental Health and Psychosocial Needs 3) Financial, Community and Legal Supports and 4) Screening tools. Results: Although there are no systematic studies on the outcomes of transition programs, the TWG’s impressions are as follows. Teenagers at risk of poor transition should be identified early. The care coordination between pediatric and adult neurologists and other specialists should begin before the actual transfer. The transition period is also the ideal time to rethink the diagnosis and repeat diagnostic testing where indicated (particularly genetic testing, which now can uncover more etiologies than when patients were initially evaluated many years ago). Some screening tests should be repeated after the move to the adult system. Conclusions: The 7 steps proposed here may facilitate transition, thus promoting uninterrupted and adequate care for youth patients with epilepsy leaving the pediatric system. Disclosure: Dr. Andrade has nothing to disclose. Dr. Bassett has nothing to disclose. Dr. Bercovici has nothing to disclose. Dr. Borlot has nothing to disclose. Dr. Bui has nothing to disclose. Dr. Camfield has nothing to disclose. Dr. Clozza has nothing to disclose. Dr. Cohen has nothing to disclose. Dr. Gofine has nothing to disclose. Dr. Graves has nothing to disclose. Dr. Greenaway has nothing to disclose. Dr. Guttman has nothing to disclose. Dr. Guttman-Slater has nothing to disclose. Dr. Hassan has nothing to disclose. Dr. Henze has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kaufman has nothing to disclose. Dr. Lawless has nothing to disclose. Dr. Lee has nothing to disclose. Dr. Lindzon has nothing to disclose. Dr. Boisse Lomax has nothing to disclose. Dr. McAndrews has nothing to disclose. Dr. Menna-Dack has nothing to disclose. Dr. Minassian has nothing to disclose. Dr. Mulligan has nothing to disclose. Dr. Nabbout has nothing to disclose. Dr. Nejm has nothing to disclose. Dr. Secco has nothing to disclose. Dr. Sellers has nothing to disclose. Dr. Shapiro has nothing to disclose. Dr. Slegr has nothing to disclose. Dr. Smith has nothing to disclose. Dr. Szatmari has nothing to disclose. Dr. Tao has nothing to disclose. Dr. Vogt has nothing to disclose. Dr. Whiting has nothing to disclose. Dr. Snead has nothing to disclose.

In vivo and in vitro characterization of poly(styrene-b-isobutylene-b-styrene) copolymer stent coatings for biostability, vascular compatibility and mechanical integrity

Abstract: The TAXUS Express 2 Paclitaxel Eluting Coronary Stent System employs a coating consisting of the thermoplastic elastomer, poly(styrene-b-isobutylene-b-styrene; SIBS), selected for its drug-eluting characteristics, vascular compatibility, mechanical properties, and biostability. This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of different SIBS (17-51 mole % styrene) compositions on mechanical properties, chemical stability, and vascular compatibility. Mechanical property (stress-strain measurements) and stability studies were conducted on polymer films with five different styrene contents (17, 24, 32, 39, and 51 mole %). The ultimate tensile strength did not change significantly with composition, but the elongation at break decreased with increased styrene content. A pulsatile fatigue test further confirmed the mechanical stability of SIBS up to 39 mole % styrene. The vascular compatibility of five different SIBS compositions was assessed using SIBS-only coated stents, in the coronary and carotid arteries in a porcine model study. The stability of the vessel wall, rate/degree of endothelialization, inflammation, and thrombus at timepoints from 30 to 180 days were evaluated. The results confirm vascular compatibility over the range of 17-51 mole % styrene.