The nine-valent human papilloma virus vaccine (9vHPV) is highly effective at preventing cervical cancer, yet U.S. vaccination rates remain low. The objective of this study was to evaluate integration of 9vHPV inpatient vaccination into routine postpartum care.

Herpesviruses undergo life-long latent infection which can be life-threatening in the immunocompromised. Models of latency and reactivation of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) include primary myeloid cells, cells known to be important for HCMV latent carriage and reactivation in vivo. However, primary cells are limited in availability, and difficult to culture and to genetically modify; all of which have hampered our ability to fully understand virus/host interactions of this persistent human pathogen. We have now used iPSCs to develop a model cell system to study HCMV latency and reactivation in different cell types after their differentiation down the myeloid lineage. Our results show that iPSCs can effectively mimic HCMV latency/reactivation in primary myeloid cells, allowing molecular interrogations of the viral latent/lytic switch. This model may also be suitable for analysis of other viruses, such as HIV and Zika, which also infect cells of the myeloid lineage.

Background:Patients with lung cancer often experience stressful delays throughout the diagnostic phase of care. To address that situation, our multidisciplinary team created a "Navigation Day," during which patients partake in a single-day visit that comprises nurse-led teaching, social work, smoking cessation counselling, symptom control, and dedicated test slots for integrated positron-emission tomography and computed tomography (pet/ct), pulmonary function tests (pfts), and magnetic resonance imaging (mri) of the brain. We evaluated the effects of that program on wait times and patient satisfaction. Methods:Patients with a suspicion of lung cancer on chest ct imaging referred during 3 time periods were reviewed: 1 year before launch of the Navigation Day, 1 year post-launch, and 2 years post-launch. Patients were further stratified according to concordance of their test date with a Navigation Day date. Mean wait times for pet/ct, pfts, and mri brain were calculated for each group. Patient satisfaction was measured using a standardized provincial survey. The Student t-test and analysis of variance were used to assess for significance. Results:After implementation, mean wait times in the first year improved to 9.2 days from 15.5 days for pet/ct (p < 0.0001), to 9.6 days from 15.7 days for pfts (p < 0.0001), and to 10.2 days from 16.0 days for mri brain (p < 0.0001). Patients who used a dedicated test slot experienced the shortest wait times, at 5.8 days for pet/ct, 5.8 days for pfts, and 6.3 days for mri brain (p < 0.0001). Those improvements were sustained at 2 years post-launch. Patient satisfaction in the categories of assistance, emotional support, and clarity remained high post-launch. Conclusions:Navigation Day significantly improved the timeliness of diagnostic testing services in patients with suspected lung cancer.

Lung cancer patients often experience stressful wait times and delays throughout the diagnostic phase of care. In an effort to streamline this process, a multidisciplinary team at The Ottawa Hospital (TOH) created a “Navigation Day” whereby patients and their family partake in a day-long visit and receive concurrent coordinated testing. At the Navigation Day, patients have teaching, introduction to social work, access to specialist care for symptom control, and same day appointments via dedicated test slots for positron emission tomography–computed tomography (PET-CT) scans, pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head. We evaluated the impact of this program on wait times and patient satisfaction. Patients with a suspicion of lung cancer on chest CT who were referred during three time periods relative to the implementation of Navigation Day were included: one year pre-launch, one year post-launch, and two years post-launch. Mean wait times for PET, PFT, and/or MRI tests were calculated for each time period. To specifically assess the impact of dedicated slots on wait times, patients within each time period were stratified according to whether they underwent their test on the same day or different day from their Navigation Day. Student’s t-test and ANOVA were used to assess for significance. Patient satisfaction was measured by examining provincially-collected data from a standardized survey used by all diagnostic assessment programs in Ontario, and data from program-specific feedback surveys distributed at TOH. At one year post-launch, mean wait times improved from 15.5 to 9.2 days for PET (p<0.0001, t-test), from 15.7 to 9.6 days for PFT (p<0.0001), and from 16.0 to 10.2 days for MRI (p<0.0001). These improvements were sustained at two years post-launch, and MRI wait time improved even further from 10.2 to 6.6 days (p<0.0001, t-test). Those patients who underwent tests within a dedicated slot experienced the shortest wait times for all tests, at 5.8 days for PET, 5.8 days for PFT, and 6.3 days for MRI (p<0.0001, ANOVA). Wait time dispersion also improved by 11.2% for PET, 10.1% for PFT, and 19.1% for MRI. Patient satisfaction in the categories of quality of care, rapidity of care, coordination of care, and being informed remained high following the implementation of Navigation Day. Implementation of a Navigation Day significantly improved timeliness of diagnostic services (PET, PFT, and MRI) for potential lung cancer patients. This program represents an innovative service delivery model for other lung cancer care centers.

Although interest in assessing risk of TTIs, very few trends in blood safety epidemiological data from resource‐limited blood services are reported in the literature. This analysis aims at reporting trends in seroprevalences of TTIs in blood donations in the Yaoundé University Teaching Hospital (UTH) from 2011 to 2015 and to describe reasons for these changes.

The announcement of the death of Professor Jean-Jacques Lefrère caused considerable emotion and surprise within the francophone Africa blood transfusion research network. The group was created in 2007 in Paris. Each member that works within this group wanted to pay their last respects through dedicated publication for a brilliant researcher and writer. The tribute describes the creation of the group, its goals, its operations, its achievements and the prospects of its activities while emphasizing the essential role that Professor Lefrère played within the group.

An 8-year-old Holsteiner gelding was presented for evaluation of anorexia, obtundation, icterus, and mild colic signs of 48 hours duration. History, physical examination, and initial diagnostics were suggestive of hepatic disease and encephalopathy. Microcystin toxicosis was suspected based on historical administration of a cyanobacteria supplement, associated serum biochemistry abnormalities, and characteristic histopathological changes. Microcystin contamination was confirmed in both supplement containers fed to the horse. Fulminant hepatic failure and encephalopathy progressed resulting in euthanasia. Necropsy findings were consistent with microcystin induced liver failure.

Cognitive impairment after critical illness is common and debilitating. We developed a cognitive therapy program for critically ill patients and assessed the feasibility and safety of administering combined cognitive and physical therapy early during a critical illness.