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Ruff JH, Tufts S, Robertson J, Horne C, Schnabel LV, Jacobs C. No correlation found between palpation and ultrasound for evaluation of effusion in the medial femorotibial and femoropatellar joint compartments of horses. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2024; 262:476-480. [PMID: 38183770 DOI: 10.2460/javma.23.10.0582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare palpation and ultrasound scores of effusion of the medial femorotibial and femoropatellar joints of horses. ANIMALS 40 horses (80 stifles) were evaluated over a 12-week period. METHODS Horses > 1 year of age without history of stifle disease were enrolled from September to December 2022. Palpation of right and left medial femorotibial and femoropatellar joint compartments was performed. Amount of effusion was scored by a board-certified large animal surgeon, a third-year large animal surgery resident, and an equine sports medicine intern. Effusion of right and left medial femorotibial and femoropatellar joints was quantified with ultrasound by a board-certified equine sports medicine and rehabilitation clinician. Amount of effusion on palpation and ultrasound was graded as none-mild (1), moderate (2), or severe (3). A 2-way intraclass correlation coefficient evaluated interrater reliability of palpation scores. The Spearman rank correlation determined association between palpation and ultrasound scores. RESULTS Interrater reliability for palpation of effusion was poor between all observers for all joint compartments. No significant correlation was identified between palpation and ultrasound scores for any joint compartment for any observer. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Clinicians often rely on palpation of joint effusion as an indication of stifle pathology. We found interrater reliability to be poor for palpation scores, indicating low agreement for palpation of joint effusion between clinicians within our group. No correlation was found between palpation and ultrasound scores for joint effusion, indicating that clinicians should not rely on palpation alone to quantify joint effusion of the medial femorotibial and femoropatellar joints.
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Best CS, Matheson C, Robertson J, Ritchie T, Cowden F, Dumbrell J, Duncan C, Kessavalou K, Woolston C, Schofield J. Association between benzodiazepine coprescription and mortality in people on opioid replacement therapy: a population-based cohort study. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e074668. [PMID: 38485490 PMCID: PMC10941108 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-074668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the association between opioid replacement therapy (ORT) and benzodiazepine (BZD) coprescription and all-cause mortality compared with the prescription of ORT alone. DESIGN Population-based cohort study. SETTING Scotland, UK. PARTICIPANTS Participants were people prescribed ORT between January 2010 and end of December 2020 aged 18 years or above. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES All-cause mortality, drug-related deaths and non-drug related deaths. SECONDARY OUTCOME ORT continuous treatment duration. ANALYSIS Cox regression with time-varying covariates. RESULTS During follow-up, 5776 of 46 899 participants died: 1398 while on coprescription and 4378 while on ORT only. The mortality per 100 person years was 3.11 during coprescription and 2.34 on ORT only. The adjusted HR for all-cause mortality was 1.17 (1.10 to 1.24). The adjusted HR for drug-related death was 1.14 (95% CI, 1.04 to 1.24) and the hazard for death not classified as drug-related was 1.19 (95% CI, 1.09 to 1.30). CONCLUSION Coprescription of BZDs in ORT was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality, although with a small effect size than the international literature. Coprescribing was also associated with longer retention in treatment. Risk from BZD coprescription needs to be balanced against the risk from illicit BZDs and unplanned treatment discontinuation. A randomised controlled trial is urgently needed to provide a clear clinical direction. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT04622995.
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McNiven M, Thevaranjan N, Yau D, Robertson J, Oluwole O, Buse J, Inman M. Dried Blood Spot Test for Glycated Hemoglobin Measurement in Pediatric Diabetes Care. Can J Diabetes 2024; 48:74-81. [PMID: 37839678 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcjd.2023.10.401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The dried blood spot (DBS) card is a novel collection method for measuring glycated hemoglobin (A1C) in individuals with diabetes mellitus. The potential benefits of DBS specimens compared with traditional phlebotomy include a reduction in required total blood volume, reduced procedural pain, and an ability for self-initiated collection. DBS cards for A1C measurement have been validated in the adult population, but there is a paucity of pediatric data. METHODS The aim of this study was to validate the use of A1C measurement by DBS cards in comparison to venous A1C and to identify potential barriers to implementing this novel approach. Venous and DBS card A1C samples were collected simultaneously from 62 patients at their local laboratory and transported to the central provincial lab for analysis. Correlation analyses compared venous and DBS A1C with data rescaling performed to account for the DBS-venous interassay difference. RESULTS Mean venous A1C was 7.49% and DBS A1C was 7.26%, with an interassay difference of 0.23%. Data showed a strong, positive correlation between A1C collection methods (r=0.86, p<0.001); this was further strengthened at lower A1C values (A1C <7.5%, r=0.87, p<0.0001). A stronger relationship emerged when the data were rescaled to account for the DBS-venous interassay difference (r=0.8935, p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Given the potential feasibility, practicality, accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and performance characteristics of the DBS A1C, especially at lower A1C values hovering around the diagnostic threshold for diabetes, this study provides supporting evidence for consideration of the use of DBS A1C testing in pediatric diabetes care.
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Schreeg ME, Cullen JM, Robertson J, Gookin JL. Histologic characterization of the major duodenal papilla and association with concurrent biliary, pancreatic, and intestinal pathology in cats. Vet Pathol 2024; 61:207-220. [PMID: 37560792 DOI: 10.1177/03009858231189450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Conjoining of the major pancreatic duct and common bile duct at the major duodenal papilla (MDP) is suspected to predispose cats to the clinical syndrome of "triaditis." However, microanatomy of the MDP or presence of lesions at the MDP has not been assessed in cats with or without triaditis. The aims of this study were to characterize feline MDP histomorphology and to identify associations between MDP anatomy/disease and the presence of biliary, pancreatic, or intestinal inflammation or neoplasia. Histologic assessment was prospectively performed on the MDP, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, liver, and pancreas from 124 client-owned cats undergoing postmortem examination. The majority of cats (104/124, 84%) had a complex ductular network at the MDP, with no distinction between pancreatic and common bile ducts. Lymphoid aggregates at the MDP were common (63/124, 51%). Inflammation of the MDP (MDPitis) was present in 35 of 124 cats (28%) and was often concurrent with cholangitis, pancreatitis, or enteritis (32/35, 91%), but was only associated with enteritis (19/35, 54%, P < .05). Triaditis was less common (19/124, 15%), but was associated with both conjoined MDP anatomy (19/19, 100%, P < .05) and MDPitis (12/19, 63%, P < .05). Neoplasia was present in 37 of 124 cats (29%), with lymphoma (28/37, 78%) predominating. Enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma type 2 (EATL2) was most common (n = 16/37, 43%) and was associated with triaditis and MDPitis (P < .05). These findings suggest that anatomy, immune activation, and/or inflammation of the MDP may play a role in the pathogenesis of triaditis. Further studies are needed to elucidate the relationships between triaditis, MDPitis, and EATL2.
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Aberle MG, de Caritat P, Robertson J, Hoogewerff JA. A robust interpolation-based method for forensic soil provenancing: A Bayesian likelihood ratio approach. Forensic Sci Int 2023; 353:111883. [PMID: 37977061 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2023.111883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Soil is a complex and spatially variable material that has a demonstrated potential as a useful evidence class in forensic casework and intelligence operations. Here, the capability to spatially constrain police search areas and prioritise resources by triaging areas as low and high interest is advantageous. Conducted between 2017 and 2021, a forensically relevant topsoil survey (0-5 cm depth; 1 sample per 1 km2) was carried out over Canberra, Australia, aiming to document the distribution of chemical elements in an urban/suburban environment, and of acting as a testbed for investigating various aspects of forensic soil provenancing. Geochemical data from X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF; for total major oxides) and Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS; for trace elements) following a total digestion (HF + HNO3) of the fused XRF beads were obtained from the survey's 685 topsoil samples (plus 138 additional quality control samples and six "Blind" simulated evidentiary samples). Using those "Blind" samples, we document a likelihood ratio approach where for each grid cell the analytical similarity between the grid cell and evidentiary sample is attributed from a measure of overlap between the two Cauchy distributions, including appropriate uncertainties. Unlike existing methods that base inclusion/exclusion on an arbitrary threshold (e.g., ± three standard deviations), our approach is free from strict binary or Boolean thresholds, providing an unconstrained gradual transition dictated by the analytical similarity. Using this provenancing model, we present and evaluate a new method for upscaling from a fine (25 m x 25 m) interpolated grid to a more appropriate coarser (500 m x 500 m) grid. In addition, an objective method using Random Match Probabilities for ranking individual variables to be used for provenancing prior to receiving evidentiary material was demonstrated. Our results show this collective procedure generates more consistent and robust provenance maps when applied to two different interpolation algorithms (e.g., inverse distance weighting, and natural neighbour), with different grid placements (e.g., grid shifts to the north or east) and by different theoretical users (e.g., different computer systems, or forensic geoscientists).
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Veerasammy B, Gonzalez G, Báez-Ramos P, Schaaf CR, Stewart AS, Ludwig EK, McKinney-Aguirre C, Freund J, Robertson J, Gonzalez LM. Changes in equine intestinal stem/progenitor cell number at resection margins in cases of small intestinal strangulation. Equine Vet J 2023; 55:995-1002. [PMID: 36716291 PMCID: PMC10387127 DOI: 10.1111/evj.13927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intestinal epithelial stem cells (ISC) are responsible for epithelial regeneration and are critical to the intestine's ability to regain barrier function following injury. Evaluating ISC biomarker expression in cases of small intestinal strangulation (SIS) may provide insight into clinical progression. OBJECTIVES Intestinal resection margins from cases of SIS were evaluated to determine if (1) evidence of injury could be identified using histomorphometry, (2) ISC biomarker expression was decreased in the proximal resection margin compared to control and distal resection margin, and (3) the ISC biomarker expression was associated with the number of preoperative risk factors negatively related to outcome, post-operative complications, or case outcome. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. METHODS Intestinal samples were obtained intraoperatively from resection margins of adult horses with SIS and horses euthanised for reasons unrelated to colic. Preoperative risk factors negatively related to outcome, post-operative complications, and case outcome were obtained from medical records. Horses were grouped as euthanised intraoperatively, postoperatively, or survived to discharge. Histomorphometry and immunofluorescence were performed to evaluate tissue architecture and ISC and progenitor cell number. Groups were compared using one-way ANOVA. Associations between biomarker expression and the number of preoperative risk factors and post-operative complications negatively related to outcome were determined using linear regression modelling. RESULTS Thirty-six cases of SIS were evaluated. Ki67+ cell counts were decreased in the proximal (mean = 15.45 cells; 95% CI = 10.27-20.63; SD = 4.17; p = 0.02) and distal resection margins (mean = 15.05; 95% CI = 8.46-21.64; SD = 4.141; p = 0.03) in horses euthanised postoperatively compared to control (mean = 23.62 cells; 95% CI = 19.42-27.83; SD = 5.883). In the distal resection margin, an increase in SOX9+ Ki67+ cells were associated with a decrease in the total number of preoperative risk factors negatively related to outcome (95% CI = 0.236-1.123; p = 0.008, SE = 0.1393). MAIN LIMITATIONS Small population size. CONCLUSIONS Proliferating cell and ISC numbers may be associated with case outcome.
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Michalski JM, Moughan J, Purdy JA, Bruner DW, Amin M, Bahary JP, Lau H, Duclos M, Yee D, Morton G, Dess RT, Doncals DE, Lock MI, Lukka H, Baumann BC, Vigneault E, Kwok Y, Robertson J, Schwartz DL, Sandler HM. Long-Term Outcomes of NRG/RTOG 0126, a Randomized Trial of High Dose (79.2 Gy) vs. Standard Dose (70.2 Gy) Radiation Therapy (RT) for Men with Localized Prostate Cancer. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2023; 117:S4-S5. [PMID: 37784491 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2023.06.210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S) NRG/RTOG 0126, a phase III trial for men with localized prostate cancer testing whether dose escalation to 79.2 Gy with 3DCRT/IMRT improved overall survival (OS). Long-term results of this trial are presented. MATERIALS/METHODS Patients with clinical stage T1b-T2b and either Gleason Score (GS) 2-6 and 10 ≤ PSA < 20 or GS 7 and PSA < 15 were eligible and randomized to receive 79.2 Gy or 70.2 Gy. No previous or concurrent androgen withdrawal therapy was administered. Treatment was delivered with 3DCRT/IMRT to a dose of 79.2 Gy in 44 fractions or 70.2 Gy in 39 fractions to the PTV encompassing the prostate and seminal vesicles. Image guidance was not required. ASTRO and Phoenix definitions were used for biochemical failure (ABF and PBF, respectively). OS was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and arms compared with the log-rank test. ABF, PBF, local progression (LP), distant metastases (DM) and time to late GI/GU toxicities were estimated by the cumulative incidence method and arms compared with Gray's test. RESULTS One thousand five hundred thirty-two men were randomized, 763 to 79.2 Gy and 769 to 70.2 Gy. 1499 were eligible, 748 and 751 in the 79.2 Gy and 70.2 Gy arms respectively. Median age was 71, 70% had PSA < 10 ng/ml, 84% with GS 7, 57% had T1 disease, and 66% treated with 3D-CRT. Outcomes are shown in the TABLE: . With a median follow up of 12 years, there was no significant difference in OS. There was a statistically significant decrease in the cumulative incidence of ABF, PBF, DM, LP, and salvage therapies in the 79.2 Gy arm. There were significantly higher rates of grade 2+ GI and GU toxicity in the 79.2 Gy arm. There were no statistically significant differences in the rates of grade 3+ GU or GI toxicity between either arm. CONCLUSION Long term follow up confirms no improvement in OS with dose escalation in this study population. However, there are significant improvements in ABF, PBF, DM, LP, and need for salvage therapy. Despite the use of more salvage therapy in the low dose arm, dose escalated RT resulted in lower rates of DM, a clinically relevant endpoint. Patients receiving dose escalation do experience a higher rate of grade 2+ GU and GI toxicity but no worse grade 3+ toxicities.
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Robertson J, Almahariq MF, Quinn TJ, Ye H, Rutka E, Qu L. Comparing Patient Reported Satisfaction Following Telehealth and In-Person Medical Encounters. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2023; 117:S125. [PMID: 37784322 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2023.06.467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S) Telehealth patient encounters can increase access to healthcare and allow for its provision in a safe manner during pandemics. Telehealth is particularly important for oncology patients who might be at risk of severe infections during potential periodic increases of COVID-19 infections. There is a lack of studies examining the impact of telemedicine on quality of care. Herein, we report our recent institutional experience with patient reported satisfaction and engagement during telehealth encounters. MATERIALS/METHODS Following each medical encounter in our radiation oncology department, patients are invited to complete a National Research Corporation (NRC) survey rating their satisfaction. We retrospectively analyzed the available survey results for patients who had a medical encounter between March 2020 and January 2022 at any of the four radiation oncology facilities within our institution. We examined patient responses to four questions including "provider would recommend" and "facility would recommend", both rated on a scale of 1-10, with 10 indicating the highest likelihood. The other two questions included "had enough input" into care, and "good communication with staff", both rated on a Likert scale from 1 to 4 (1 as "No", 2 as "Yes, somewhat", 3 as "Yes, mostly", 4 as "Yes, definitely"). We dichotomized the results for each question as favorable or unfavorable, with favorable being a score ≥9 for the first two questions, or ≥3 for the remaining questions. We used univariate (UVA) and multivariable (MVA) logistic regression analyses to compare telehealth and in-person encounters. Odds ratio (OR) were calculated for each question. RESULTS We collected 5,672 surveys, of which 1,027 (18%) were for telehealth encounters. For all four of the examined categories in the survey, patients reported less satisfaction following telehealth visits compared to in-person visits in UVA and MVA logistic regression analyses. For MVA, we included type of encounter, patient age, patient race, patient sex, facility location, type of insurance, and year of visit. The MVA OR of a patient reporting < 9 for a telehealth compared to an in-person encounter were 1.46 ((95% CI 1.1-1.9, P 0.007) for "had enough input" into care, 1.46 (95% CI 1.1-1.9, P 0.007) for "good communication with staff", 1.43 (95% CI 1.1-1.86, P 0.007) for "facility would recommend", and 1.57 (95% CI 0.92-2.59, P 0.08) for provider would recommend. CONCLUSION In this retrospective analysis, we found that patients were less likely to report high satisfaction with telehealth compared to in-person encounters. Further research is needed to address potential limitations of telemedicine encounters to increase access to health, particularly for patients at risk of severe infections, without compromising overall quality of care.
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Yang TS, LaDouceur EEB, Baumgartner WA, Marr HS, Karounos M, Robertson J, Whitehurst N, Miller LS, Birkenheuer AJ. A practical protocol to prepare paraffin-embedded whole tick histology sections. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2023; 14:102162. [PMID: 36965259 PMCID: PMC10652274 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2023]
Abstract
Ticks are important ectoparasites that are capable of transmitting multiple classes of pathogens and are currently linked with many emerging tick-borne diseases worldwide. With increasing occurrences of tick-borne diseases in both humans and veterinary species, there is a continuous need to further our understanding of ticks and the pathogens they transmit. Whole tick histology provides a full scope of the tick internal anatomy, allowing researchers to examine multiple organs of interest in a single section. This is in contrast to other techniques that are more commonly utilized in tick-borne disease research, such as electron microscopy and light microscopy of individual organs. There is a lack of literature describing a practical technique to process whole tick histologic sections. Therefore, the current study aims to provide researchers with a workable protocol to prepare high quality paraffin-embedded whole tick histology sections. Amblyomma americanum adults were used as an example species for this study. After a series of pilot experiments using a combination of various fixatives, softening agents and processing techniques, we elected to compare two common fixatives, 10% neutral-buffered formalin (NBF) and Bouin's solution for whole ticks. Equal numbers of A. americanum unfed adults (n = 10/fixative) were processed identically and their whole tick histology coronal sections were individually scored. Higher scores were assigned to whole tick sections that contained more internal organs that are crucial for tick-borne disease research (e.g. salivary glands and midgut), high integrity of tissues and exoskeleton on the section, and good fixation and staining quality of the tissues. The mean total scores for Bouin's-fixed ticks were significantly higher compared to NBF-fixed ticks (p = 0.001). To further assess our preferred technique, we also demonstrated the feasibility of producing high quality whole tick sections for three other common tick species of medical importance (Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Ixodes scapularis, and Dermacentor variabilis) using Bouin's solution. While this technique may require further optimization for other tick species, we described a feasible protocol that uses commonly available tools, reagents and standard histologic equipment. This should allow any investigator to easily make adjustments to this protocol as needed based on their experimental goals.
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Lucas SEM, Raspin K, Mackintosh J, Glaspole I, Reynolds PN, Chia C, Grainge C, Kendall P, Troy L, Schwartz DA, Wood-Baker R, Walsh SLF, Moodley Y, Robertson J, Macansh S, Walters EH, Chambers D, Corte TJ, Dickinson JL. Preclinical interstitial lung disease in relatives of familial pulmonary fibrosis patients. Pulmonology 2023; 29:257-260. [PMID: 36216738 DOI: 10.1016/j.pulmoe.2022.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
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Robertson J, Schonfeld J, Bessonov K, Bastedo P, Nash JHE. A global survey of Salmonella plasmids and their associations with antimicrobial resistance. Microb Genom 2023; 9. [PMID: 37200081 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.001002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
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Thomas R, Wiley CA, Droste EL, Robertson J, Inman BA, Breen M. Whole exome sequencing analysis of canine urothelial carcinomas without BRAF V595E mutation: Short in-frame deletions in BRAF and MAP2K1 suggest alternative mechanisms for MAPK pathway disruption. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1010575. [PMID: 37079639 PMCID: PMC10153751 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 04/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Molecular profiling studies have shown that 85% of canine urothelial carcinomas (UC) harbor an activating BRAF V595E mutation, which is orthologous to the V600E variant found in several human cancer subtypes. In dogs, this mutation provides both a powerful diagnostic marker and a potential therapeutic target; however, due to their relative infrequency, the remaining 15% of cases remain understudied at the molecular level. We performed whole exome sequencing analysis of 28 canine urine sediments exhibiting the characteristic DNA copy number signatures of canine UC, in which the BRAF V595E mutation was undetected (UDV595E specimens). Among these we identified 13 specimens (46%) harboring short in-frame deletions within either BRAF exon 12 (7/28 cases) or MAP2K1 exons 2 or 3 (6/28 cases). Orthologous variants occur in several human cancer subtypes and confer structural changes to the protein product that are predictive of response to different classes of small molecule MAPK pathway inhibitors. DNA damage response and repair genes, and chromatin modifiers were also recurrently mutated in UDV595E specimens, as were genes that are positive predictors of immunotherapy response in human cancers. Our findings suggest that short in-frame deletions within BRAF exon 12 and MAP2K1 exons 2 and 3 in UDV595E cases are alternative MAPK-pathway activating events that may have significant therapeutic implications for selecting first-line treatment for canine UC. We developed a simple, cost-effective capillary electrophoresis genotyping assay for detection of these deletions in parallel with the BRAF V595E mutation. The identification of these deletion events in dogs offers a compelling cross-species platform in which to study the relationship between somatic alteration, protein conformation, and therapeutic sensitivity.
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Wallace A, Love L, Gensler C, Jacob M, Robertson J, Messenger K. Comparative growth dynamics of bacterial and fungal contaminants in bupivacaine liposomal injectable suspension, bupivacaine 0.5%, and propofol. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0281768. [PMID: 36795683 PMCID: PMC9934369 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0281768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine whether bupivacaine liposomal injectable suspension (BLIS) supports microbial growth when artificially inoculated and to evaluate liposomal stability in the face of this extrinsic contamination as evidenced by changes in free bupivacaine concentrations. STUDY DESIGN A randomized, prospective in vitro study in which three vials of each BLIS, bupivacaine 0.5%, and propofol were individually inoculated with known concentrations of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans (n = 36) to quantify bacterial and fungal growth was conducted. Over 120 hours, aliquots from contaminated vials were withdrawn, plated, and incubated to determine microbial concentrations. High-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to evaluate free bupivacaine concentrations over time in BLIS. Data were analyzed using a mixed effects model with multiple comparisons. SAMPLE POPULATION Twelve vials of each BLIS, bupivacaine 0.5%, and propofol. RESULTS BLIS did not support significant growth of Staphylococcus aureus or Candida albicans at any time. BLIS supported significant growth of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa beginning at the 24 hour time point. Bupivacaine 0.5% did not support significant growth of any organisms. Propofol supported significant growth of all organisms. Free bupivacaine concentrations changed minimally over time. CONCLUSION Bacterial and fungal contaminant growth in artificially inoculated BLIS is organism dependent. BLIS supports significant growth of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Extra-label handling of BLIS should only be undertaken with caution and with adherence to strict aseptic technique.
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Eagle SHC, Robertson J, Bastedo DP, Liu K, Nash JHE. Evaluation of five commercial DNA extraction kits using Salmonella as a model for implementation of rapid Nanopore sequencing in routine diagnostic laboratories. Access Microbiol 2023; 5:000468.v3. [PMID: 36910509 PMCID: PMC9996181 DOI: 10.1099/acmi.0.000468.v3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxford Nanopore long-read sequencing offers advantages over Illumina short reads for the identification and characterization of bacterial pathogens for outbreak detection and surveillance activities within a diagnostic public health laboratory context. Compared to Illumina, Nanopore is more cost-effective for small batches, has a lower capital cost and has a faster turnaround time, in addition to the ability to assemble complete bacterial genomes. The quantity and quality of DNA required for Nanopore sequencing are greater than for Illumina, and the DNA extraction methods recommended for obtaining high-molecular-weight DNA are different from those typically used in diagnostic laboratories. Using a Salmonella isolate with a previously closed PacBio genome as a model Enterobacteriaceae organism, we evaluated the quantity, quality and fragmentation of five commercial DNA extraction kits. Nanopore sequencing performance was evaluated for the top three methods: Qiagen EZ1 DNA Tissue, Qiagen DNeasy Blood and Tissue, and a modified, in-house version of the MasterPure Complete DNA and RNA purification. To evaluate the effect of post-extraction DNA purification methods, we subjected extracted DNA from the three selected extraction methods to purification by AMPure beads or ethanol precipitation and compared these outputs with untreated DNA as a control. All methods are suitable for routine whole-genome sequencing (WGS), since all 60 replicates had very high genome recovery rates, with ≥98 % of the reference genome covered by mapped Nanopore reads. For 85 % of the replicates, assembly was able to produce a complete, circular chromosome using either Flye or Canu. In most cases, it is recommended to move directly from extraction to sequencing, as untreated DNA had the highest rates of genome closure regardless of extraction method. Using our evaluation criteria, the Qiagen DNeasy Blood and Tissue kit was found to be the best overall method due to its low cost, ability to scale from single tubes to 96-well plates, and high consistency in yield and sequencing performance.
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Tucker S, Simon K, McLaughlin C, Robertson J, Posner L. Retrospective analysis of post-operative pulmonary complications (POPC) in dogs following anesthesia including neuromuscular blockade (NMB). Vet Anaesth Analg 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vaa.2022.09.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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Feizpour A, Doré V, Doecke JD, Saad ZS, Triana-Baltzer G, Slemmon R, Maruff P, Krishnadas N, Bourgeat P, Huang K, Fowler C, Rainey-Smith SR, Bush AI, Ward L, Robertson J, Martins RN, Masters CL, Villemagne VL, Fripp J, Kolb HC, Rowe CC. Two-Year Prognostic Utility of Plasma p217+tau across the Alzheimer's Continuum. J Prev Alzheimers Dis 2023; 10:828-836. [PMID: 37874105 DOI: 10.14283/jpad.2023.83] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plasma p217+tau has shown high concordance with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and positron emission tomography (PET) measures of amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau in Alzheimer's Disease (AD). However, its association with longitudinal cognition and comparative performance to PET Aβ and tau in predicting cognitive decline are unknown. OBJECTIVES To evaluate whether p217+tau can predict the rate of cognitive decline observed over two-year average follow-up and compare this to prediction based on Aβ (18F-NAV4694) and tau (18F-MK6240) PET. We also explored the sample size required to detect a 30% slowing in cognitive decline in a 2-year trial and selection test cost using p217+tau (pT+) as compared to PET Aβ (A+) and tau (T+) with and without p217+tau pre-screening. DESIGN A prospective observational cohort study. SETTING Participants of the Australian Imaging, Biomarker and Lifestyle Flagship Study of Ageing (AIBL) and Australian Dementia Network (ADNeT). PARTICIPANTS 153 cognitively unimpaired (CU) and 50 cognitively impaired (CI) individuals. MEASUREMENTS Baseline p217+tau Simoa® assay, 18F-MK6240 tau-PET and 18F-NAV4694 Aβ-PET with neuropsychological follow-up (MMSE, CDR-SB, AIBL-PACC) over 2.4 ± 0.8 years. RESULTS In CI, p217+tau was a significant predictor of change in MMSE (β = -0.55, p < 0.001) and CDR-SB (β =0.61, p < 0.001) with an effect size similar to Aβ Centiloid (MMSE β = -0.48, p = 0.002; CDR-SB β = 0.43, p = 0.004) and meta-temporal (MetaT) tau SUVR (MMSE: β = -0.62, p < 0.001; CDR-SB: β = 0.65, p < 0.001). In CU, only MetaT tau SUVR was significantly associated with change in AIBL-PACC (β = -0.22, p = 0.008). Screening pT+ CI participants into a trial could lead to 24% reduction in sample size compared to screening with PET for A+ and 6-13% compared to screening with PET for T+ (different regions). This would translate to an 81-83% biomarker test cost-saving assuming the p217+tau test cost one-fifth of a PET scan. In a trial requiring PET A+ or T+, p217+tau pre-screening followed by PET in those who were pT+ would cost more in the CI group, compared to 26-38% biomarker test cost-saving in the CU. CONCLUSIONS Substantial cost reduction can be achieved using p217+tau alone to select participants with MCI or mild dementia for a clinical trial designed to slow cognitive decline over two years, compared to participant selection by PET. In pre-clinical AD trials, p217+tau provides significant cost-saving if used as a pre-screening measure for PET A+ or T+ but in MCI/mild dementia trials this may add to cost both in testing and in the increased number of participants needed for testing.
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Airlie M, Robertson J, Ma W, Airlie D, Brooks E. A novel application of deep learning to forensic hair analysis methodology. AUST J FORENSIC SCI 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/00450618.2022.2159064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Knutson KA, Petritz OA, Thomson A, Robertson J, Balko JA. Effects of Intramuscular Alfaxalone and Midazolam Compared With Midazolam and Butorphanol in Rhode Island Red Hens (Gallus gallus domesticus). J Avian Med Surg 2022; 36:287-294. [DOI: 10.1647/20-00087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Arriaga-Varela E, Tomaszewska W, Szawaryn K, Robertson J, Seidel M, Ślipiński A, Fikáček M. The resurrection of Cerasommatidiidae, an enigmatic group of coccinelloid beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinelloidea) based on molecular and morphological evidence. Zool J Linn Soc 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlac082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The family Cerasommatidiidae was proposed by Brèthes in 1925 for his new genus Cerasommatidia from Brazil, described as an intermediate taxon between Endomychidae and Coccinellidae (Coccinelloidea). This group was neglected for decades until 1994 when the resemblance of Cerasommatidia with the eupsilobiine genus Ibicarella was noticed, and Cerasommatidiidae was synonymized with Eupsilobiinae (Endomychidae). Based on the newly discovered material from the Neotropical and Afrotropical regions with clear resemblance to Cerasommatidia and Ibicarella, the phylogenetic placement of these taxa and new allied genera was reassessed based on phylogenetic analyses of molecular, morphological and combined datasets. The data were analysed under Bayesian (BI), maximum likelihood (ML) and parsimony (MP) frameworks. Our results support the restoration of Cerasommatidiidae as a distinct family in Coccinelloidea. Close affinity of Cerasommatidiidae with Coccinellidae, Eupsilobiidae and Mycetaeidae is recovered and the sister-relationship to Mycetaeidae is highly supported. Ibicarella is found to be a junior synonym of Cerasommatidia. Three new genera and six new species are described and illustrated: Yamuy gen. nov. (type species, Y. marginatus sp. nov.; and Y. constratus sp. nov.) and Karumbe gen. nov. (type species, K. geiseri sp. nov.; K. brethesi sp. nov. and K. pakaluki sp. nov.) from the Neotropics and Mahavelo gen. nov. (type species, M. madagasus sp. nov.) from Madagascar.
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Hetman BM, Pearl DL, Barker DOR, Robertson J, Nash JHE, Reid-Smith R, Agunos A, Carrillo C, Topp E, Van Domselaar G, Parmley EJ, Bharat A, Mulvey M, Allen V, Taboada EN. Combining analytical epidemiology and genomic surveillance to identify risk factors associated with the spread of antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Heidelberg. Microb Genom 2022; 8:mgen000891. [PMID: 36748560 PMCID: PMC9836098 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.000891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become a critical threat to public health worldwide. The use of antimicrobials in food and livestock agriculture, including the production of poultry, is thought to contribute to the dissemination of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and the genes and plasmids that confer the resistant phenotype (ARG). However, the relative contribution of each of these processes to the emergence of resistant pathogens in poultry production and their potential role in the transmission of resistant pathogens in human infections, requires a deeper understanding of the dynamics of ARB and ARG in food production and the factors involved in the increased risk of transmission.
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Broder J, Robertson J, Peterson T, Shaheen S. 364 A Dangerous Case of the “Goldilocks Effect”: Experimental Demonstration of Potential Vascular Injury Mechanism with Central Venous Catheter Insertion. Ann Emerg Med 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2022.08.393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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22
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Rowlison de Ortiz A, Belda B, Hash J, Enomoto M, Robertson J, Lascelles BDX. Initial exploration of the discriminatory ability of the PetPace collar to detect differences in activity and physiological variables between healthy and osteoarthritic dogs. FRONTIERS IN PAIN RESEARCH 2022; 3:949877. [PMID: 36147035 PMCID: PMC9485802 DOI: 10.3389/fpain.2022.949877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Accelerometry has been used to evaluate activity in dogs with osteoarthritis (OA) pain, especially in relation to effect of treatment; however no studies have compared accelerometry-measured activity in dogs with OA-pain and healthy dogs. The aims of this study were to (1) compare activity output from the PetPace collar with the validated Actical monitor and (2) determine if PetPace collar outputs (overall activity, activity levels, body position, and vital signs) differed between healthy dogs and dogs with OA-pain. Methods This was an observational, non-interventional study in healthy dogs and dogs with OA-pain. All dogs were outfitted with the PetPace collar and the Actical monitor simultaneously for 14 days. Output from these devices was compared (correlations), and output from the PetPace device was used to explore differences between groups across the activity and vital sign outputs (including calculated heart rate variability indices). Results There was moderate correlation between the PetPace collar and Actical monitor output (R2 = 0.56, p < 0.001). Using data generated by the PetPace collar, OA-pain dogs had lower overall activity counts and spent less time standing than healthy dogs. Healthy dogs spent more time at higher activity levels than OA-pain dogs. Certain heart rate variability indices in OA-pain dogs were lower than in healthy dogs. Conclusions and clinical relevance The results of this study suggest that the PetPace collar can detect differences between healthy dogs and those with OA-pain, and that OA-pain negatively impacts overall activity levels in dogs, and especially higher intensity activity.
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Sanderson H, Gray KL, Manuele A, Maguire F, Khan A, Liu C, Navanekere Rudrappa C, Nash JHE, Robertson J, Bessonov K, Oloni M, Alcock BP, Raphenya AR, McAllister TA, Peacock SJ, Raven KE, Gouliouris T, McArthur AG, Brinkman FSL, Fink RC, Zaheer R, Beiko RG. Exploring the mobilome and resistome of Enterococcus faecium in a One Health context across two continents. Microb Genom 2022; 8. [PMID: 36129737 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.000880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Enterococcus faecium is a ubiquitous opportunistic pathogen that is exhibiting increasing levels of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Many of the genes that confer resistance and pathogenic functions are localized on mobile genetic elements (MGEs), which facilitate their transfer between lineages. Here, features including resistance determinants, virulence factors and MGEs were profiled in a set of 1273 E. faecium genomes from two disparate geographic locations (in the UK and Canada) from a range of agricultural, clinical and associated habitats. Neither lineages of E. faecium, type A and B, nor MGEs are constrained by geographic proximity, but our results show evidence of a strong association of many profiled genes and MGEs with habitat. Many features were associated with a group of clinical and municipal wastewater genomes that are likely forming a new human-associated ecotype within type A. The evolutionary dynamics of E. faecium make it a highly versatile emerging pathogen, and its ability to acquire, transmit and lose features presents a high risk for the emergence of new pathogenic variants and novel resistance combinations. This study provides a workflow for MGE-centric surveillance of AMR in Enterococcus that can be adapted to other pathogens.
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Vaden SL, Mathews KG, Yoo J, Williams JK, Harris T, Secoura P, Robertson J, Gleason KL, Reynolds H, Piedrahita J. The use of autologous skeletal muscle progenitor cells for adjunctive treatment of presumptive urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence in female dogs. J Vet Intern Med 2022; 36:1686-1692. [PMID: 35930303 PMCID: PMC9511066 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence (USMI) is a common problem in female dogs, but some dogs fail to achieve continence with standard treatment. Urethral submucosal injection of autologous skeletal muscle progenitor cells (skMPCs) previously has been shown to restore urethral function in a canine model of USMI. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVE To determine if urethral submucosal injection of skMPC alters continence in dogs with USMI that had previously failed standard medical management. We hypothesized that the injections would lead to improved continence. ANIMALS Fifteen client-owned dogs with USMI that had failed standard medical management. METHODS Dogs were prospectively enrolled into a single-armed clinical trial. Once enrolled, a triceps muscle of each dog was biopsied; the tissue specimens were digested, cultured, and expanded to 100 million cells before injection into the urethral submucosa using a surgical approach. Continence was assessed at baseline and 3, 6, 12, and 24 months post-injection using continence scores and urethral pressure profilometry. RESULTS Median continence scores increased significantly from baseline at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. Increases were seen in 14 of 15 dogs with 7, 6 or 1 dog achieving scores of 5, 4 or 3, respectively. Additional medication was required to achieve continence in all but 2 dogs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Urethral submucosal injection of skMPC can be used adjunctively to improve continence in dogs with difficult to manage USMI. The procedure is labor intensive but well tolerated; most dogs will require continued medication to remain continent.
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Gorgeva E, Robertson J, Hoogewerff J. Acoustic monitoring of carrion fly activity on human remains: a preliminary study. AUST J FORENSIC SCI 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/00450618.2022.2104372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
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