Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization of Hepatocellular Carcinoma as a Bridge to Liver Transplantation: A Retrospective Study

Background. Transcatheter arterial lipiodol chemoembolization (TACE) can be used in cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma to avoid tumor progression before transplantation. Objective. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of TACE used as a bridge to liver transplantation. Methods. TACE was performed in 30 cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Milan criteria were used to select patients for transplant. Patients had a good or moderately impaired liver function, no arterioportal fistulae, and a good portal perfusion. Results. 48 TACE were performed in 30 patients. Before transplantation, 4 patients were dropped off the list due to tumor extension or liver failure. Complete necrosis of the tumor was observed in 11 patients and partial necrosis in 15 patients. After transplantation, 6 patients died and tumor recurrence was observed in 5 patients with a tumor beyond Milan criteria or no response to TACE. Conclusion. TACE is useful as a bridge to liver transplantation in a selected group of cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. A combined therapeutic approach before surgery might improve the prognosis in these patients

Green Edge ice camp campaigns : understanding the processes controlling the under-ice Arctic phytoplankton spring bloom

The Green Edge initiative was developed to investigate the processes controlling the primary productivity and fate of organic matter produced during the Arctic phytoplankton spring bloom (PSB) and to determine its role in the ecosystem. Two field campaigns were conducted in 2015 and 2016 at an ice camp located on landfast sea ice southeast of Qikiqtarjuaq Island in Baffin Bay (67.4797∘ N, 63.7895∘ W). During both expeditions, a large suite of physical, chemical and biological variables was measured beneath a consolidated sea-ice cover from the surface to the bottom (at 360 m depth) to better understand the factors driving the PSB. Key variables, such as conservative temperature, absolute salinity, radiance, irradiance, nutrient concentrations, chlorophyll a concentration, bacteria, phytoplankton and zooplankton abundance and taxonomy, and carbon stocks and fluxes were routinely measured at the ice camp. Meteorological and snow-relevant variables were also monitored. Here, we present the results of a joint effort to tidy and standardize the collected datasets, which will facilitate their reuse in other Arctic studies

High methylmercury in Arctic and subarctic ponds is related to nutrient levels in the warming eastern Canadian Arctic

Permafrost thaw ponds are ubiquitous in the eastern Canadian Arctic, yet little information exists on their potential as sources of methylmercury (MeHg) to freshwaters. They are microbially active and conducive to methylation of inorganic mercury, and are also affected by Arctic warming. This multiyear study investigated thaw ponds in a discontinuous permafrost region in the Subarctic taiga (Kuujjuarapik-Whapmagoostui, QC) and a continuous permafrost region in the Arctic tundra (Bylot Island, NU). MeHg concentrations in thaw ponds were well above levels measured in most freshwater ecosystems in the Canadian Arctic (>0.1 ng L−1). On Bylot, ice-wedge trough ponds showed significantly higher MeHg (0.3−2.2 ng L−1) than polygonal ponds (0.1−0.3 ng L−1) or lakes (<0.1 ng L−1). High MeHg was measured in the bottom waters of Subarctic thaw ponds near Kuujjuarapik (0.1−3.1 ng L−1). High water MeHg concentrations in thaw ponds were strongly correlated with variables associated with high inputs of organic matter (DOC, a320, Fe), nutrients (TP, TN), and microbial activity (dissolved CO2 and CH4). Thawing permafrost due to Arctic warming will continue to release nutrients and organic carbon into these systems and increase ponding in some regions, likely stimulating higher water concentrations of MeHg. Greater hydrological connectivity from permafrost thawing may potentially increase transport of MeHg from thaw ponds to neighboring aquatic ecosystems

Life in the fast lane: Revisiting the fast growth—High survival paradigm during the early life stages of fishes

Early life survival is critical to successful replenishment of fish populations, and hypotheses developed under the Growth-Survival Paradigm (GSP) have guided investigations of controlling processes. The GSP postulates that recruitment depends on growth and mortality rates during early life stages, as well as their duration, after which the mortality declines substantially. The GSP predicts a shift in the frequency distribution of growth histories with age towards faster growth rates relative to the initial population because slow-growing individuals are subject to high mortality (via starvation and predation). However, mortality data compiled from 387 cases published in 153 studies (1971–2022) showed that the GSP was only supported in 56% of cases. Selection against slow growth occurred in two-thirds of field studies, leaving a non-negligible fraction of cases showing either an absence of or inverse growth-selective survival, suggesting the growth-survival relationship is more complex than currently considered within the GSP framework. Stochastic simulations allowed us to assess the influence of key intrinsic and extrinsic factors on the characteristics of surviving larvae and identify knowledge gaps on the drivers of variability in growth-selective survival. We suggest caution when interpreting patterns of growth selection because changes in variance and autocorrelation of individual growth rates among cohorts can invalidate fundamental GSP assumptions. We argue that breakthroughs in recruitment research require a comprehensive, population-specific characterization of the role of predation and intrinsic factors in driving variability in the distribution and autocorrelation of larval growth rates, and of the life stage corresponding to the endpoint of pre-recruited life. -- Keywords : critical period ; growth-mortality ; individual characteristics ; larval physiology ; predation ; recruitment endpoint

Donner une voix à l’élève : propositions pour une vision plus inclusive du processus d’élaboration et de révision du plan d’intervention

Le droit qu’ont les enfants de s’exprimer sur les enjeux qui les concernent est défendu par la Convention relative aux droits de l’enfant des Nations Unies. Conséquemment, leur voix est censée être prise en compte dans le cadre du processus d’élaboration et de révision du plan d’intervention. Considérant que de nombreux enfants se voient toutefois écartés de ce processus, le présent article en propose une révision. En nous appuyant sur un cadre conceptuel traitant des enjeux éthiques associés à la prise de parole de l’enfant, nous proposons un modèle dialogique où l’élève peut réellement faire entendre sa voix

La formation des parents d’accueil au Québec. Premier portrait provincial

L’importance de la formation des parents d’accueil en contexte de protection de la jeunesse n’est plus à démontrer. Pourtant, au Québec, depuis que la Loi sur la représentation des ressources (LRR) a modifié les structures qui encadrent la formation, il n’existe pas de portrait clair de la formation des parents d’accueil. Objectifs. La présente étude vise à décrire la structure et l’offre de formation québécoises et à identifier les besoins de formation des parents d’accueil, les facteurs associés à leur participation et les enjeux affectant la qualité de l’offre de formation. Méthodologie. Des entrevues semi-dirigées ont été réalisées avec des informateurs-clé siégeant sur les instances de concertation qui encadrent la formation : parents d’accueil qui représentent leur associations de familles d’accueil, gestionnaires des établissements de protection de la jeunesse et représentants du ministère de la santé et des services sociaux (N=34), dont le contenu a été soumis à une analyse thématique. Résultats. L’étude révèle que l’offre de formation répond de manière limitée aux besoins de formation des parents d’accueil. Plusieurs facteurs susceptibles de favoriser la participation sont identifiés tels que : des contenus de formations variées et concrets; un recrutement concerté et personnalisé; des modalités favorisant la conciliation travail-famille; et l’utilisation des formations à titre d’occasion de ressourcement. La structure qui encadre la formation, enchâssée dans la structure syndicale, pose plusieurs enjeux, notamment parce qu’elle génère d’importantes disparités dans les offres de formations régionales. L’importance de développer un cursus de formation uniforme, structuré et rigoureux est soulignée.The importance of training foster parents in the context of youth protection is no longer disputed. However, in Quebec, since the Act respecting the representation of resources (ARR) modified the framework that governs training, there is no clear picture of foster parent training. Objectives. The purpose of this study was to describe the structure and provision of training in Quebec and to identify the training needs of foster parents, the factors associated with their participation, and the issues affecting the quality of the training offered. Methodology. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with key individuals who sit on the consultation bodies that oversee the training: foster parents who represent their foster family associations, managers of youth protection institutions and representatives of the Ministry of Health and Social Services (N=34). These interviews were the subject of a thematic analysis. Results. The study found that the training offered was limited in meeting the training needs of foster parents. Several factors likely to encourage participation have been identified, such as varied and concrete training content; concerted and personalized recruitment; procedures that encourage work-family balance; the use of training as a resourcing opportunity. The framework for training, ensconced in a union system, poses several challenges, particularly because it generates significant disparities in regional training offerings. The importance of developing a uniform, structured and rigorous training curriculum is stressed