For the increasing numbers of patients undergoing fusion procedures for the degenerative lumbar spine, infection and re-operation can negatively impact outcomes. Numerous observational and retrospective reviews have shown advantages to para-median versus midline approaches; however, recent systematic reviews have shown a need for a well-powered, prospective randomized control trials comparing both exposures. As a step towards a long-term goal of an RCT to address this issue, the purpose of this pilot study is to gather initial data to examine whether operative approach impacts the short-term infection rate, re-operation rate, length of stay, and overall costs to the system. Patients deemed appropriate surgical candidates with single or two-level degenerative spondylolisthesis will be approached for participation, and randomized into either the midline or paramedian group. Initial follow-ups will be at 2 and 6 weeks, and 3 months. Infection rates, inpatient and outpatient adverse events, re-operation rates, radiation exposure and costs will be determined. Cost effectiveness analysis will be estimated comparing each procedure using a bottom-up estimation. Post-operative wound infection can have a significant effect on patient short and long term outcomes. If a significant difference in infection rate is demonstrated, as well as lower re-operation rates, shorter stays, and decreased overall costs, adoption of paramedian approaches to single or two-level fusions of the lumbar spine might be suggested, providing fuel for a full-scale RCT.

Anxiety disorders usually start in childhood and adolescence and are associated with social and occupational difficulties in adulthood. Children who have a parent with an anxiety disorder and who find new situations distressing and avoid them are at an increased risk for developing an anxiety disorder. Research suggests that anti-anxiety parenting can help children grow up courageous and calm. It is, however, difficult to parent in an anti-anxiety way when the parent has an anxiety disorder himself or herself. This research study will test the efficacy of a new program designed to prevent the onset or persistence of anxiety disorders in children at risk for anxiety disorders. The investigators will first help parents learn skills to cope with their own anxiety and then coach them to share these skills with their children and parent in an anti-anxiety way. The goal is to intervene early enough in the children's lives so that they can be free of anxiety disorders and lead happy, healthy and productive lives in adulthood.

The primary objective of this study is to determine, in a healthcare setting, the effectiveness of actual tDCS in reducing pain compared with placebo tDCS. This is a multicenter randomized controlled trial with parallel groups (real tDCS vs. placebo) blinded to participants, assessors and tDCS providers. The real tDCS group will receive a daily 20-minute session of tDCS (current intensity = 2 mA), for 5 consecutive days, while the placebo tDCS group will receive an equivalent treatment, but the current will be stopped after the first 30 seconds. The study will take place in 5 rehabilitation clinics in 3 Quebec regions. One hundred and fifty (150) seniors aged 65 years or older with chronic (\> 6 months), moderate to severe musculoskeletal pain will be recruited (50 participants/region). Follow-ups will take place at 1 week and 3 months post-treatment. The primary dependent variable is pain intensity (numerical scale from 0 to 10). Secondary variables will be measured using standardized and validated questionnaires: 1) pain-related interferences (physical function, mood, quality of life) and 2) perception of post-TDCS changes. Neurophysiological measures (pain control pathways).

The primary objective of the pilot study is to assess the feasibility of a definitive trial to determine the effect of arthroscopic soft tissue stabilization vs. non-operative management on the risk of recurrent anterior dislocation rates and functional outcomes following in patients presenting with a first-time dislocation (FTD) over a 24-month period.

The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of inhaled methoxyflurane (Penthrox) as an analgesic for patients undergoing minor rhinology and sinus procedures, specifically comparing it to a placebo control. The primary question the study aims to answer is: Does methoxyflurane provide superior pain relief compared to placebo during minor sinus procedures, as measured by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS)? If there is a comparison group: Researchers will compare the effects of Penthrox to the placebo (saline + one drop of methoxyflurane) to see if it provides better pain relief, reduces anxiety, and leads to fewer complications, including bleeding. Participants will be asked to: Inhale 3 mL of Penthrox or placebo during their procedure. Complete a VAS scale to assess pain. Complete anxiety assessments pre- and post-operatively. Be monitored for complications such as bleeding and other adverse effects. This study will help determine the effectiveness of Penthrox as a non-invasive, quick-acting analgesic for minor sinus surgeries.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in men in Canada. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may become a valuable tool to non-invasively identify prostate cancer and assess its biological aggressiveness, which in turn will help doctors make better decisions about how to treat an individual patient's prostate cancer. Despite the promise of MRI for detecting and characterizing prostate cancer, there are several recognized limitations and challenges. These include lack of standardized interpretation and reporting of prostate MRI exams. The investigators propose to validate and improve a computer program computerized prediction tool that will use information from MR images to inform us how aggressive a prostate cancer is. The hypothesis is that this computer-aided approach will increase the reproducibility and accuracy of MRI in predicting the tumor biology information about the imaged prostate cancer.

The overall aim of the project is to elucidate the primary bio-psycho-social (BPS) risk factors for albuminuria in youth with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and the mechanisms by which they cause renal injury. The Study aims include: 1. Characterize the primary BPS risk factors associated with prevalent and progressive albuminuria in youth with T2D. 2. Determine individual, family and community level factors that influence biological and psychological risk factors and behaviors (adherence) that could be modified to protect against prevalent and progressive albuminuria. 3. Determine if systemic and renal inflammation is the common pathway through which BPS risk factors lead to albuminuria in youth with T2D. Study Hypotheses include: 1. Biological factors (poor glycemic control and systolic ambulatory hypertension), and psychological and social adversity (stress, mental distress and poverty) are significant predictors of prevalent and progressive albuminuria in youth with T2D. 2. Community and family support will be negatively associated with stress, and a lower risk of both prevalent and progressive albuminuria. 3. Systemic and renal inflammation is the common pathway through which BPS risk factors lead to albuminuria in youth with T2D.

The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of the retinal vascular changes that occur in response to the optical effect of a myopic defocus daily disposable soft contact lens (MDSL) in a group of healthy young myopic adults (18-35 years; myopia -1.00D to -4.00D; all genders). It will also learn about the acceptance of this visual correction modality compared to regular contact lenses. The main questions to be answered are: * To evaluate changes in retinal blood flow by visualizing retinal vascular density in the superficial and deep plexus after one week of MDSL wear. * To evaluate changes in choroidal thickness at the macular level after one week of MDSL wear. * To evaluate the visual comfort provided by this MDSL design using a questionnaire. Researchers will compare the MDSL to a daily disposable single vision soft lens (SVSL) used to correct myopia to determine if the addition of a defocus area makes a difference in the retinal response to the visual signal. Participants will be required to * Wear both MDSL and SVSL for one week each, in a random order. * Read letters to measure visual acuity * Have a deep scan of their retina with an optical coherence tomography (OCT) device * Rate the comfort and vision provided by both devices using a questionnaire.

People with IDD (intellectual and developmental disability) have very high rates of obesity and die prematurely from cardiometabolic disease. While antipsychotics contribute to this problem, their use is necessary and appropriate in a significant subgroup of individuals with IDD. Exercise and diet interventions have limitations and may not be sufficient, requiring effective adjunctive pharmacological approaches to target obesity and related comorbidities in IDD. However, persons with IDD treated with antipsychotics are systematically excluded from clinical trials hindering development of evidence to help guide safe and effective treatment of these comorbidities. Moreover, evidence from other disorders cannot be extrapolated to IDD given inherent biological differences between disorders. This trial will address the identified gaps, which extend beyond cardiovascular morbidity and negatively impact psychosocial outcomes, in a hugely underserviced population.This is the the first RCT (randomized control trial) to examine the efficacy of metformin in overweight or obese adults with IDD who have experienced antipsychotic-induced weight gain. By generating efficacy data for a very accessible and scalable intervention, allows for guideline and implementation strategies to address a recalcitrant health problem.

Patient-centered medical care considers a patient's values and goals for their health and well-being. Healthcare providers use this information to formulate a medical care plan that is aligned with these expectations. This shared-decision making process should occur with every medical decision, but it is especially important whenever decisions about end-of-life care are being considered. Eliciting patient preferences about resuscitation and life-support treatments in the event of life-threatening illnesses are considered to be a standard of excellent and appropriate medical care. Unfortunately, these discussions don't happen consistently and even when they do occur, are rarely ideal. The consequences can be devastating, often resulting in the delivery of unwanted medical care that can be associated with significant physical and mental suffering among patients and their families. In response to this problem, the investigators developed a novel tool to help guide these difficult conversations between healthcare providers and patients. The investigators previously tested this tool in a small group of hospitalized patients who found it acceptable and helpful. In this larger study, the investigators will compare how effective this tool is compared to usual care in ensuring hospitalized patients have their treatment preferences identified, documented and result in end-of-life care that is consistent with their preferences.