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Marzban S, Dastgheib Z, Lithgow B, Moussavi Z. Using principal component analysis to determine which vestibular stimuli provide best biomarkers for separating Alzheimer's from mixed Alzheimer's disease. Med Biol Eng Comput 2024:10.1007/s11517-024-03110-2. [PMID: 38735986 DOI: 10.1007/s11517-024-03110-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is often mixed with cerebrovascular disease (AD-CVD). Heterogeneity of dementia etiology and the overlapping of neuropathological features of AD and AD-CVD make feature identification of the two challenging. Separation of AD from AD-CVD is important as the optimized treatment for each group may differ. Recent studies using vestibular responses recorded from electrovestibulography (EVestG™) have offered promising results for separating these two pathologies. An EVestG measurement records responses to several different physical stimuli (called tilts). In previous research, the number of EVestG features from different tilts was selected based on physiological intuition to classify AD from AD-CVD. As the number of potential characteristic features from all tilts can be very large, in this study, we used an algorithm based on principal component analysis (PCA) to rank the most effective vestibular stimuli for differentiating AD from AD-CVD. Analyses were performed on the EVestG signals of 28 individuals with AD and 24 with AD-CVD. The results of this study showed that tilts simulating the otolithic organs (utricle and saccule) generated the most characteristic features for separating AD from AD-CVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Marzban
- University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Z Dastgheib
- University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - B Lithgow
- University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Z Moussavi
- University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
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2
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Sen P, Zhang Z, Sakib S, Gu J, Li W, Adhikari BR, Motsenyat A, L'Heureux-Hache J, Ang JC, Panesar G, Salena BJ, Yamamura D, Miller MS, Li Y, Soleymani L. High-Precision Viral Detection Using Electrochemical Kinetic Profiling of Aptamer-Antigen Recognition in Clinical Samples and Machine Learning. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202400413. [PMID: 38458987 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202400413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2024] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
High-precision viral detection at point of need with clinical samples plays a pivotal role in the diagnosis of infectious diseases and the control of a global pandemic. However, the complexity of clinical samples that often contain very low viral concentrations makes it a huge challenge to develop simple diagnostic devices that do not require any sample processing and yet are capable of meeting performance metrics such as very high sensitivity and specificity. Herein we describe a new single-pot and single-step electrochemical method that uses real-time kinetic profiling of the interaction between a high-affinity aptamer and an antigen on a viral surface. This method generates many data points per sample, which when combined with machine learning, can deliver highly accurate test results in a short testing time. We demonstrate this concept using both SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A viruses as model viruses with specifically engineered high-affinity aptamers. Utilizing this technique to diagnose COVID-19 with 37 real human saliva samples results in a sensitivity and specificity of both 100 % (27 true negatives and 10 true positives, with 0 false negative and 0 false positive), which showcases the superb diagnostic precision of this method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Payel Sen
- Department of Engineering Physics, McMaster University, Canada
| | - Zijie Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Canada
| | - Sadman Sakib
- Department of Engineering Physics, McMaster University, Canada
| | - Jimmy Gu
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Canada
| | - Wantong Li
- Department of Engineering Physics, McMaster University, Canada
| | | | - Ariel Motsenyat
- Department of Integrated Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences, McMaster University, Canada
| | | | - Jann C Ang
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Canada
- McMaster Immunology Research Centre, McMaster University, Canada
- Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, Canada
| | - Gurpreet Panesar
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Canada
| | | | - Debora Yamamura
- Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Canada
| | - Matthew S Miller
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Canada
- McMaster Immunology Research Centre, McMaster University, Canada
- Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, Canada
| | - Yingfu Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Canada
- Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, Canada
- School of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, Canada
| | - Leyla Soleymani
- Department of Engineering Physics, McMaster University, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Canada
- Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, Canada
- School of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, Canada
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3
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Hochachka G. When concern is not enough: Overcoming the climate awareness-action gap. Ambio 2024:10.1007/s13280-024-01999-5. [PMID: 38709448 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-024-01999-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 02/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Climate concern is on the rise in many countries and recent research finds that lifestyle- and behaviour-change could advance climate action; yet, individuals struggle to move their climate concern into action. This is known as the 'awareness-action inconsistency,' 'psychological climate paradox,' or 'values-action gap.' While this gap has been extensively studied, climate action implementation and policy-design seldom sufficiently apply that body of knowledge in practice. This Perspective presents a comprehensive heuristic to account for how individuals bring climate change into their awareness (climate action-logics), how they keep climate change out of their awareness (climate shadow), how social narratives contribute to shaping choices (climate discourses), and how systems and structures influence and constrain agency (climate-action systems). The heuristic is illustrated with an example of 15-Minute Cities in Canada. Understanding the multifaceted dilemma that weighs on people's sense-making and behaviours may help policy-makers and practitioners to ameliorate the climate awareness-action gap.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gail Hochachka
- Department of Wood Science, Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia, Office 2223, 2424 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada.
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4
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Poirier N, Kottmann JS, Aspuru-Guzik A, Mongeau L, Najafi-Yazdi A. Range-separated density functional theory using multiresolution analysis and quantum computing. J Comput Chem 2024. [PMID: 38709143 DOI: 10.1002/jcc.27384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Quantum computers are expected to outperform classical computers for specific problems in quantum chemistry. Such calculations remain expensive, but costs can be lowered through the partition of the molecular system. In the present study, partition was achieved with range-separated density functional theory (RS-DFT). The use of RS-DFT reduces both the basis set size and the active space size dependence of the ground state energy in comparison with the use of wave function theory (WFT) alone. The utilization of pair natural orbitals (PNOs) in place of canonical molecular orbitals (MOs) results in more compact qubit Hamiltonians. To test this strategy, a basis-set independent framework, known as multiresolution analysis (MRA), was employed to generate PNOs. Tests were conducted with the variational quantum eigensolver for a number of molecules. The results show that the proposed approach reduces the number of qubits needed to reach a target energy accuracy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Poirier
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Anyon Systems Inc., Dorval, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jakob S Kottmann
- Institute for Computer Science, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Alán Aspuru-Guzik
- Chemical Physics Theory Group, Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Computer Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR), Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Luc Mongeau
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Alireza Najafi-Yazdi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Anyon Systems Inc., Dorval, Quebec, Canada
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5
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Ethier O, Chan HO, Abdolahnejad M, Morzycki A, Fansi Tchango A, Joshi R, Wong JN, Hong C. Using Computer Vision and Artificial Intelligence to Track the Healing of Severe Burns. J Burn Care Res 2024; 45:700-708. [PMID: 38126807 DOI: 10.1093/jbcr/irad197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Burn care management includes assessing the severity of burns accurately, especially distinguishing superficial partial-thickness burns from deep partial-thickness burns, in the context of providing definitive, downstream treatment. Moreover, the healing of the wound in the subacute care setting requires continuous tracking to avoid complications. Artificial intelligence (AI) and computer vision (CV) provide a unique opportunity to build low-cost and accessible tools to classify burn severity and track changes in wound parameters, both in the clinic by physicians and nurses and asynchronously in the remote setting by the patient themselves. Wound assessments can be achieved by AI-CV using the principles of image-guided therapy using high-quality 2D color images. Wound parameters can include wound 2D spatial dimension and the characterization of wound color changes, which demonstrates physiological changes such as the presentation of eschar/necrotic tissue, pustulence, granulation tissue, and scabbing. Here we present the development of AI-CV-based Skin Abnormality Tracking Algorithm pipeline. Additionally, we provide the results on a single localized burn tracked for a 6-week period in the clinic and an additional 2-week period of home monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Ethier
- Montreal Institute of Learning Algorithms (MILA), University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H2S 3H1, Canada
| | - Hannah O Chan
- Skinopathy Research, Skinopathy Inc., North York, ON M2N1N5, Canada
- Scarborough Health Network, Centenary Hospital, Scarborough, ON M1E 4B9, Canada
| | | | - Alexander Morzycki
- Deaprtment of Surgery, University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, AB T6G 2B7, Canada
| | - Arsene Fansi Tchango
- Montreal Institute of Learning Algorithms (MILA), University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H2S 3H1, Canada
| | - Rakesh Joshi
- Skinopathy Research, Skinopathy Inc., North York, ON M2N1N5, Canada
| | - Joshua N Wong
- Skinopathy Research, Skinopathy Inc., North York, ON M2N1N5, Canada
- Deaprtment of Surgery, University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, AB T6G 2B7, Canada
| | - Collin Hong
- Skinopathy Research, Skinopathy Inc., North York, ON M2N1N5, Canada
- Scarborough Health Network, Centenary Hospital, Scarborough, ON M1E 4B9, Canada
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Locke B, Campbell E, Lu R. CREB3 mediates the transcriptional regulation of PGC-1α, a master regulator of energy homeostasis and mitochondrial biogenesis. FEBS Lett 2024. [PMID: 38697949 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
Lipid metabolism hinges on a balance between lipogenesis and fatty acid oxidation (FAO). Disruptions in this balance can induce endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress triggering the unfolded protein response (UPR) and contribute to metabolic diseases. The UPR protein, Luman or CREB3, has recently been implicated in metabolic regulation-CREB3 knockout mice exhibit resistance to diet-induced obesity and altered insulin sensitivity. Here, we show that CREB3 activated PPARGC1A transcription from a 1 kb promoter region. An increase in CREB3 expression correlated inversely with endogenous PPARGC1A mRNA levels and genes involved in FAO. As PGC-1α encoded by PPARGC1A is a master regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis and energy homeostasis, these findings demonstrate that CREB3 is a transcriptional regulator of PGC-1α, underlining the potential role of CREB3 in energy metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Briana Locke
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Canada
| | - Elena Campbell
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Canada
| | - Ray Lu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Canada
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7
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Dubois C, Ducas É, Laforce-Lavoie A, Robidoux J, Delorme A, Live LS, Brouard D, Masson JF. A portable surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor for the detection of immunoglobulin A in plasma. Transfusion 2024; 64:881-892. [PMID: 38591151 DOI: 10.1111/trf.17818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A life-threatening anaphylactic shock can occur if a patient with undiagnosed immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency (i.e., IgA levels <500 ng/mL) receives IgA-containing blood, hence the need for a rapid, point-of-care (POC) method for IgA deficiency screening. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is routinely used to detect IgA, but this method requires trained specialists and ≥24 h to obtain a result. We developed a surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based protocol to identify IgA-deficient patients or donors within 1 h. MATERIALS AND METHODS The SPR sensor relies on the detection of IgAs captured by primary antibodies adsorbed on the SPR chip and quantified with secondary antibodies. The sensor was calibrated from 0 to 2000 ng/mL in buffer, IgA-depleted human serum, and plasma samples from IgA-deficient individuals. A critical concentration of 500 ng/mL was set for IgA deficiency. The optimized sensor was then tested on eight plasma samples with known IgA status (determined by ELISA), including five with IgA deficiency and three with normal IgA levels. RESULTS The limit of detection was estimated at 30 ng/mL in buffer and 400 ng/mL in diluted plasma. The results obtained fully agreed with ELISA among the eight plasma samples tested. The protocol distinguished IgA-deficient from normal samples, even for samples with an IgA concentration closer to critical concentration. DISCUSSION In conclusion, we developed a reliable POC assay for the quantification of IgA in plasma. This test may permit POC testing at blood drives and centralized centers to maintain reserves of IgA-deficient blood and in-hospital testing of blood recipients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Dubois
- Département de Chimie, Quebec Center for Advanced Materials, Regroupement Québécois sur les Matériaux de Pointe, and Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche sur le Cerveau et l'Apprentissage, Institut Courtois, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Éric Ducas
- Héma-Québec, Affaires Médicales et Innovation, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | | | - Jonathan Robidoux
- Héma-Québec, Affaires Médicales et Innovation, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Alexandre Delorme
- Département de Chimie, Quebec Center for Advanced Materials, Regroupement Québécois sur les Matériaux de Pointe, and Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche sur le Cerveau et l'Apprentissage, Institut Courtois, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | | | - Danny Brouard
- Héma-Québec, Affaires Médicales et Innovation, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Jean-François Masson
- Département de Chimie, Quebec Center for Advanced Materials, Regroupement Québécois sur les Matériaux de Pointe, and Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche sur le Cerveau et l'Apprentissage, Institut Courtois, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
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8
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Turgeon S, MacKenzie A, Batcho CS, D'Amour J. Making physical activity fun and accessible to adults with intellectual disabilities: A pilot study of a gamification intervention. J Appl Res Intellect Disabil 2024; 37:e13213. [PMID: 38404069 DOI: 10.1111/jar.13213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Only about 9% of individuals with intellectual disabilities reach the government's physical activity (PA) recommendations. Combining gamification and technology seems particularly promising in overcoming personal and environmental barriers to PA participation. METHOD Eighteen adults with varying levels of intellectual disabilities completed a pilot study to assess the initial effects of a cycling gamification intervention on levels of PA, fitness, psychosocial outcomes, and challenging behaviours. The study comprised three designs: pre-post single group, AB single-case, and qualitative. Social validity, implementation barriers and facilitators were also explored. RESULTS Nearly all 18 participants cycled daily. Time and distance cycled daily increase during the intervention while a decrease in stereotyped behaviours was observed. Participants and staff found the intervention enjoyable and socially valid. CONCLUSIONS Results of the multiple-design study suggest that gamification interventions may be a suitable, enjoyable, and promising way to contribute to PA participation of adults with intellectual disabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphanie Turgeon
- Département de psychoéducation et de psychologie, Université du Québec en Outaouais, Gatineau, Canada
| | - Alexandra MacKenzie
- Département de psychoéducation et de psychologie, Université du Québec en Outaouais, Gatineau, Canada
| | - Charles Sebiyo Batcho
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de la Capitale-Nationale, Quebec, Canada
- School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jason D'Amour
- Département de psychologie, Université du Québec à Trois Rivières, Quebec, Canada
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Durand M, Paillard J, Ménard MP, Suranyi T, Grondin P, Blarquez O. Pollen identification through convolutional neural networks: First application on a full fossil pollen sequence. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0302424. [PMID: 38687746 PMCID: PMC11060525 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The automation of pollen identification has seen vast improvements in the past years, with Convolutional Neural Networks coming out as the preferred tool to train models. Still, only a small portion of works published on the matter address the identification of fossil pollen. Fossil pollen is commonly extracted from organic sediment cores and are used by paleoecologists to reconstruct past environments, flora, vegetation, and their evolution through time. The automation of fossil pollen identification would allow paleoecologists to save both time and money while reducing bias and uncertainty. However, Convolutional Neural Networks require a large amount of data for training and databases of fossilized pollen are rare and often incomplete. Since machine learning models are usually trained using labelled fresh pollen associated with many different species, there exists a gap between the training data and target data. We propose a method for a large-scale fossil pollen identification workflow. Our proposed method employs an accelerated fossil pollen extraction protocol and Convolutional Neural Networks trained on the labelled fresh pollen of the species most commonly found in Northeastern American organic sediments. We first test our model on fresh pollen and then on a full fossil pollen sequence totalling 196,526 images. Our model achieved an average per class accuracy of 91.2% when tested against fresh pollen. However, we find that our model does not perform as well when tested on fossil data. While our model is overconfident in its predictions, the general abundance patterns remain consistent with the traditional palynologist IDs. Although not yet capable of accurately classifying a whole fossil pollen sequence, our model serves as a proof of concept towards creating a full large-scale identification workflow.
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Affiliation(s)
- Médéric Durand
- Département de Géographie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Jordan Paillard
- Département de Géographie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Marie-Pier Ménard
- Département de Géographie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Thomas Suranyi
- Département de Géographie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Laboratoire Chrono-Environnement, UMR 6249 CNRS, Université de Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
| | - Pierre Grondin
- Direction de la recherche forestière, Ministère des Ressources naturelles et des Forêts, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Olivier Blarquez
- Département de Géographie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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Izquierdo-Tort S, Alatorre A, Arroyo-Gerala P, Shapiro-Garza E, Naime J, Dupras J. Exploring local perceptions and drivers of engagement in biodiversity monitoring among participants in payments for ecosystem services schemes in southeastern Mexico. Conserv Biol 2024:e14282. [PMID: 38660922 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.14282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Payments for ecosystem services (PES) are widely applied incentive-based instruments with diverse objectives that increasingly include biodiversity conservation. Yet, there is a gap in understanding of how to best assess and monitor programs' biodiversity outcomes. We examined perceptions and drivers of engagement related to biodiversity monitoring through surveys among current PES participants in 7 communities in Mexico's Selva Lacandona. We conducted workshops among survey participants that included training and field deployment of tools used to monitor biodiversity and land cover, including visual transects, camera traps, acoustic recorders, and forest cover satellite images. We conducted pre- and postworkshop surveys in each community to evaluate changes in respondents' perceptions following exposure to biodiversity monitoring training and related field activities. We also reviewed existing research on participatory environmental management and monitoring approaches. One quarter of current PES participants in the study area participated in our surveys and workshops. The majority stated interest in engaging in diverse activities related to the procedural aspects of biodiversity monitoring (e.g., planning, field data collection, results dissemination) and acknowledged multiple benefits of introducing biodiversity monitoring into PES (e.g., knowledge and capacity building, improved natural resource management, and greater support for conservation). Household economic reliance on PES was positively associated with willingness to engage in monitoring. Technical expertise, time, and monetary constraints were deterrents. Respondents were most interested in monitoring mammals, birds, and plants and using visual transects, camera traps, and forest cover satellite images. Exposure to monitoring enhanced subsequent interest in monitoring by providing respondents with new insights from their communities related to deforestation and species' abundance and diversity. Respondents identified key strengths and weaknesses of applying different monitoring tools, which suggests that deploying multiple tools simultaneously can increase local engagement and produce complementary findings and data. Overall, our findings support the relevance and usefulness of incorporating participatory biodiversity monitoring into PES.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santiago Izquierdo-Tort
- Instituto de Investigaciones Económicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Andrea Alatorre
- Département Des Sciences Naturelles, Université du Québec en Outaouais, Ripon, Quebec, Canada
- Institute of Development Policy, University of Antwerp, Antwerpen, Belgium
| | | | | | - Julia Naime
- Center for International Forestry Research, Bogor, Indonesia
| | - Jérôme Dupras
- Institut des Sciences de la Forêt tempérée, Université du Québec en Outaouais, Université du Québec en Outaouais, Ripon, Quebec, Canada
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Mutschler C, McShane K, Liebman R. Psychosocial Outcomes of Canadian Clubhouse Members: A Multi-Site Longitudinal Evaluation. Community Ment Health J 2024:10.1007/s10597-024-01280-9. [PMID: 38653870 DOI: 10.1007/s10597-024-01280-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
The Clubhouse model of psychosocial rehabilitation supports individuals with mental health challenges using a person centered and recovery-oriented approach. Clubhouses around the world have been found to be effective in supporting their member's recovery. However, there is a lack of multi-site and longitudinal studies on the Clubhouse model. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to longitudinally assess the psychosocial outcomes of Clubhouse members across six accredited Clubhouses in Canada. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic occurring midway through the study, a secondary aim was to assess the impact of the pandemic on the psychosocial outcomes of Clubhouse members. A total of 462 Clubhouse members consented to participate in the study. Members completed a questionnaire battery every 6 months over a 2-year period (five data points total). The last three data points were collected during the COVID-19 pandemic. Psychosocial outcomes included mental health symptoms, substance use, community integration, and satisfaction with life, and were analyzed using multilevel growth models. The results indicated that satisfaction with life and psychological integration increased over the study period, while mental health symptoms, substance use, and physical integration decreased. Examining Clubhouse participation, length of Clubhouse membership and frequency of Clubhouse use predicted higher life satisfaction, lower substance use, and fewer mental health symptoms over the study period. The results of the present study provide invaluable insight into the psychosocial impact of Clubhouses on Canadian Clubhouse members, particularly during COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kelly McShane
- Ted Rogers School of Management, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Rachel Liebman
- Department of Psychiatry, Centre of Mental Health, Toronto General Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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12
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Kalita K, Zeng B, You JB, Li Y, Moyo A, Xu BB, Zhang X. Spontaneous Rise of Hydrogen Microbubbles in Interfacial Gas Evolution Reaction. Small 2024:e2400849. [PMID: 38644168 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202400849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Liquid organic hydrogen carrier is a promising option for the transport and storage of hydrogen as a clean energy source. This study examines the stability and behavior of organic drops immobilized on a substrate during an interfacial hydrogen-evolution reaction (HER) at the drop surface and its surrounding aqueous solution. Hydrogen microbubbles form within the drop and rise to the drop apex. The growth rate of the hydrogen in-drop bubble increases with the concentration of the reactant in the surrounding medium. The drop remains stable till the buoyancy acting on the in-drop bubble is large enough to overcome the capillary force and the external viscous drag. The bubble spontaneously rises and carries a portion drop liquid to the solution surface. These spontaneous rising in-drop bubbles are detected in measurements using a high-precision sensor placed on the upper surface of the aqueous solution, reversing the settling phase from phase separation in the reactive emulsion. The finding from this work provides new insights into the behaviors of drops and bubbles in many interfacial gas evolution reactions in clean technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kangkana Kalita
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 1H9, Canada
| | - Binglin Zeng
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 1H9, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Jae Bem You
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehak-ro, Buk-gu, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Yifan Li
- Department of Mechanical and Construction Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Environment, Northumbria University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 8ST, UK
| | - Anotidaishe Moyo
- Department of Mechanical and Construction Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Environment, Northumbria University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 8ST, UK
| | - Ben Bin Xu
- Department of Mechanical and Construction Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Environment, Northumbria University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 8ST, UK
| | - Xuehua Zhang
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 1H9, Canada
- Physics of Fluids Group and Max Planck Center for Complex Fluid Dynamics, University of Twente, 7500 AE, Enschede, The Netherlands
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13
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Leshuk TC, Young ZW, Wilson B, Chen ZQ, Smith DA, Lazaris G, Gopanchuk M, McLay S, Seelemann CA, Paradis T, Bekele A, Guest R, Massara H, White T, Zubot W, Letinski DJ, Redman AD, Allen DG, Gu F. A Light Touch: Solar Photocatalysis Detoxifies Oil Sands Process-Affected Waters Prior to Significant Treatment of Naphthenic Acids. ACS ES T Water 2024; 4:1483-1497. [PMID: 38633367 PMCID: PMC11019557 DOI: 10.1021/acsestwater.3c00616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Environmental reclamation of Canada's oil sands tailings ponds is among the single largest water treatment challenges globally. The toxicity of oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) has been associated with its dissolved organics, a complex mixture of naphthenic acid fraction components (NAFCs). Here, we evaluated solar treatment with buoyant photocatalysts (BPCs) as a passive advanced oxidation process (P-AOP) for OSPW remediation. Photocatalysis fully degraded naphthenic acids (NAs) and acid extractable organics (AEO) in 3 different OSPW samples. However, classical NAs and AEO, traditionally considered among the principal toxicants in OSPW, were not correlated with OSPW toxicity herein. Instead, nontarget petroleomic analysis revealed that low-polarity organosulfur compounds, composing <10% of the total AEO, apparently accounted for the majority of waters' toxicity to fish, as described by a model of tissue partitioning. These findings have implications for OSPW release, for which a less extensive but more selective treatment may be required than previously expected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy
M. C. Leshuk
- H2nanO
Inc., Kitchener, Ontario, Canada N2R 1E8
- Department
of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3E5
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1
- Waterloo
Institute for Nanotechnology, University
of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1
| | - Zachary W. Young
- H2nanO
Inc., Kitchener, Ontario, Canada N2R 1E8
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1
- Waterloo
Institute for Nanotechnology, University
of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1
| | - Brad Wilson
- H2nanO
Inc., Kitchener, Ontario, Canada N2R 1E8
- Stantec, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 0A4
| | - Zi Qi Chen
- H2nanO
Inc., Kitchener, Ontario, Canada N2R 1E8
- Department
of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3E5
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1
- Waterloo
Institute for Nanotechnology, University
of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1
| | - Danielle A. Smith
- H2nanO
Inc., Kitchener, Ontario, Canada N2R 1E8
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1
- Waterloo
Institute for Nanotechnology, University
of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1
- P&P
Optica, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2 V 2C3
| | - Greg Lazaris
- H2nanO
Inc., Kitchener, Ontario, Canada N2R 1E8
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1
- Waterloo
Institute for Nanotechnology, University
of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1
- Department
of Mining and Materials Engineering, McGill
University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 0C5
| | - Mary Gopanchuk
- H2nanO
Inc., Kitchener, Ontario, Canada N2R 1E8
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1
- Waterloo
Institute for Nanotechnology, University
of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1
| | - Sean McLay
- H2nanO
Inc., Kitchener, Ontario, Canada N2R 1E8
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1
- Waterloo
Institute for Nanotechnology, University
of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1
| | - Corin A. Seelemann
- H2nanO
Inc., Kitchener, Ontario, Canada N2R 1E8
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1
- Waterloo
Composite Biomaterials Systems Lab, University
of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1
- Waterloo
Institute for Nanotechnology, University
of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1
| | - Theo Paradis
- Canadian
Natural Resources Ltd., Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2P 4J8
| | - Asfaw Bekele
- Imperial
Oil Ltd., Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2C 5N1
- ExxonMobil
Biomedical Sciences, Inc., Annandale, New Jersey 08801, United States
| | - Rodney Guest
- Suncor Energy Inc., Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2P 3E3
| | - Hafez Massara
- Suncor Energy Inc., Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2P 3E3
- Trans-Northern Pipelines Inc., Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada L4B 3P6
| | - Todd White
- Teck Resources Ltd., Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6C 0B3
| | - Warren Zubot
- Syncrude Canada Ltd., Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada T9H 0B6
| | - Daniel J. Letinski
- ExxonMobil
Biomedical Sciences, Inc., Annandale, New Jersey 08801, United States
| | - Aaron D. Redman
- ExxonMobil
Biomedical Sciences, Inc., Annandale, New Jersey 08801, United States
| | - D. Grant Allen
- Department
of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3E5
| | - Frank Gu
- H2nanO
Inc., Kitchener, Ontario, Canada N2R 1E8
- Department
of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3E5
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1
- Waterloo
Institute for Nanotechnology, University
of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1
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14
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Shearer J, Shah S, Shen-Tu G, Schlicht K, Laudes M, Mu C. Microbial Features Linked to Medication Strategies in Cardiometabolic Disease Management. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2024; 7:991-1001. [PMID: 38665607 PMCID: PMC11040554 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.3c00261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Human gut microbiota are recognized as critical players in both metabolic disease and drug metabolism. However, medication-microbiota interactions in cardiometabolic diseases are not well understood. To gain a comprehensive understanding of how medication intake impacts the gut microbiota, we investigated the association of microbial structure with the use of single or multiple medications in a cohort of 134 middle-aged adults diagnosed with cardiometabolic disease, recruited from Alberta's Tomorrow Project. Predominant cardiometabolic prescription medication classes (12 total) were included in our analysis. Multivariate Association with Linear Model (MaAsLin2) was employed and results were corrected for age, BMI, sex, and diet to evaluate the relationship between microbial features and single- or multimedication use. Highly individualized microbiota profiles were observed across participants, and increasing medication use was negatively correlated with α-diversity. A total of 46 associations were identified between microbial composition and single medications, exemplified by the depletion of Akkermansia muciniphila by β-blockers and statins, and the enrichment of Escherichia/Shigella and depletion of Bacteroides xylanisolvens by metformin. Metagenomics prediction further indicated alterations in microbial functions associated with single medications such as the depletion of enzymes involved in energy metabolism encoded by Eggerthella lenta due to β-blocker use. Specific dual medication combinations also had profound impacts, including the depletion of Romboutsia and Butyriciocccus by statin plus metformin. Together, these results show reductions in bacterial diversity as well as species and microbial functional potential associated with both single- and multimedication use in cardiometabolic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Shearer
- Department
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine,
University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
- Libin
Cardiovascular Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
- Faculty
of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Shrushti Shah
- Libin
Cardiovascular Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
- Faculty
of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Grace Shen-Tu
- Alberta’s
Tomorrow Project, Cancer Control Alberta, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta T2T 5C7, Canada
| | - Kristina Schlicht
- Institute
of Diabetes and Clinical Metabolic Research, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel 24105, Germany
| | - Matthias Laudes
- Institute
of Diabetes and Clinical Metabolic Research, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel 24105, Germany
- Division
of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Clinical Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, 24105 Kiel, Germany
| | - Chunlong Mu
- Department
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine,
University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
- Libin
Cardiovascular Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
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15
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Jeffrey MP, Saleem L, MacPherson CW, Tompkins TA, Clarke ST, Green-Johnson JM. A Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus secretome induces immunoregulatory transcriptional, functional and immunometabolic signatures in human THP-1 monocytes. Sci Rep 2024; 14:8379. [PMID: 38600116 PMCID: PMC11006683 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56420-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Macrophage responses to activation are fluid and dynamic in their ability to respond appropriately to challenges, a role integral to host defence. While bacteria can influence macrophage differentiation and polarization into pro-inflammatory and alternatively activated phenotypes through direct interactions, many questions surround indirect communication mechanisms mediated through secretomes derived from gut bacteria, such as lactobacilli. We examined effects of secretome-mediated conditioning on THP-1 human monocytes, focusing on the ability of the Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus R0011 secretome (LrS) to drive macrophage differentiation and polarization and prime immune responses to subsequent challenge with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Genome-wide transcriptional profiling revealed increased M2-associated gene transcription in response to LrS conditioning in THP-1 cells. Cytokine and chemokine profiling confirmed these results, indicating increased M2-associated chemokine and cytokine production (IL-1Ra, IL-10). These cells had increased cell-surface marker expression of CD11b, CD86, and CX3CR1, coupled with reduced expression of the M1 macrophage-associated marker CD64. Mitochondrial substrate utilization assays indicated diminished reliance on glycolytic substrates, coupled with increased utilization of citric acid cycle intermediates, characteristics of functional M2 activity. LPS challenge of LrS-conditioned THP-1s revealed heightened responsiveness, indicative of innate immune priming. Resting stage THP-1 macrophages co-conditioned with LrS and retinoic acid also displayed an immunoregulatory phenotype with expression of CD83, CD11c and CD103 and production of regulatory cytokines. Secretome-mediated conditioning of macrophages into an immunoregulatory phenotype is an uncharacterized and potentially important route through which lactic acid bacteria and the gut microbiota may train and shape innate immunity at the gut-mucosal interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael P Jeffrey
- Applied Bioscience Graduate Program and the Faculty of Science, Ontario Tech University, Oshawa, ON, L1G 0C5, Canada
| | - Lin Saleem
- Applied Bioscience Graduate Program and the Faculty of Science, Ontario Tech University, Oshawa, ON, L1G 0C5, Canada
- Guelph Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Guelph, ON, N1G 5C9, Canada
| | - Chad W MacPherson
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, H3T 1E2, Canada
| | | | - Sandra T Clarke
- Applied Bioscience Graduate Program and the Faculty of Science, Ontario Tech University, Oshawa, ON, L1G 0C5, Canada
- Guelph Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Guelph, ON, N1G 5C9, Canada
| | - Julia M Green-Johnson
- Applied Bioscience Graduate Program and the Faculty of Science, Ontario Tech University, Oshawa, ON, L1G 0C5, Canada.
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16
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Gohari H, Hassan M, Shi B, Sadek A, Attia H, M’Saoubi R. Cyber-Physical Systems for High-Performance Machining of Difficult to Cut Materials in I5.0 Era-A Review. Sensors (Basel) 2024; 24:2324. [PMID: 38610535 PMCID: PMC11014020 DOI: 10.3390/s24072324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
The fifth Industrial revolution (I5.0) prioritizes resilience and sustainability, integrating cognitive cyber-physical systems and advanced technologies to enhance machining processes. Numerous research studies have been conducted to optimize machining operations by identifying and reducing sources of uncertainty and estimating the optimal cutting parameters. Virtual modeling and Tool Condition Monitoring (TCM) methodologies have been developed to assess the cutting states during machining processes. With a precise estimation of cutting states, the safety margin necessary to deal with uncertainties can be reduced, resulting in improved process productivity. This paper reviews the recent advances in high-performance machining systems, with a focus on cyber-physical models developed for the cutting operation of difficult-to-cut materials using cemented carbide tools. An overview of the literature and background on the advances in offline and online process optimization approaches are presented. Process optimization objectives such as tool life utilization, dynamic stability, enhanced productivity, improved machined part quality, reduced energy consumption, and carbon emissions are independently investigated for these offline and online optimization methods. Addressing the critical objectives and constraints prevalent in industrial applications, this paper explores the challenges and opportunities inherent to developing a robust cyber-physical optimization system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossein Gohari
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0G4, Canada; (H.G.); (H.A.)
- Aerospace Manufacturing Technologies Center (AMTC), National Research Council Canada, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada; (B.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Mahmoud Hassan
- Aerospace Manufacturing Technologies Center (AMTC), National Research Council Canada, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada; (B.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Bin Shi
- Aerospace Manufacturing Technologies Center (AMTC), National Research Council Canada, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada; (B.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Ahmad Sadek
- Aerospace Manufacturing Technologies Center (AMTC), National Research Council Canada, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada; (B.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Helmi Attia
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0G4, Canada; (H.G.); (H.A.)
- Aerospace Manufacturing Technologies Center (AMTC), National Research Council Canada, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada; (B.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Rachid M’Saoubi
- R&D Material and Technology Development, Seco Tools AB, SE-73782 Fagersta, Sweden;
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17
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Tafech B, Rokhforouz MR, Leung J, Sung MM, Lin PJ, Sin DD, Lauster D, Block S, Quon BS, Tam Y, Cullis P, Feng JJ, Hedtrich S. Exploring Mechanisms of Lipid Nanoparticle-Mucus Interactions in Healthy and Cystic Fibrosis Conditions. Adv Healthc Mater 2024:e2304525. [PMID: 38563726 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202304525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Mucus forms the first defense line of human lungs, and as such hampers the efficient delivery of therapeutics to the underlying epithelium. This holds particularly true for genetic cargo such as CRISPR-based gene editing tools which cannot readily surmount the mucosal barrier. While lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) emerge as versatile non-viral gene delivery systems that can help overcome the delivery challenge, many knowledge gaps remain, especially for diseased states such as cystic fibrosis (CF). This study provides fundamental insights into Cas9 mRNA or ribonucleoprotein-loaded LNP-mucus interactions in healthy and diseased states by assessing the impact of the genetic cargo, mucin sialylation, mucin concentration, ionic strength, pH, and polyethylene glycol (PEG) concentration and nature on LNP diffusivity leveraging experimental approaches and Brownian dynamics (BD) simulations. Taken together, this study identifies key mucus and LNP characteristics that are critical to enabling a rational LNP design for transmucosal delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belal Tafech
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Mohammad-Reza Rokhforouz
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Jerry Leung
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Molly Mh Sung
- Acuitas Therapeutics, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Paulo Jc Lin
- Acuitas Therapeutics, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Don D Sin
- Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Daniel Lauster
- Institute of Pharmacy, Biopharmaceuticals, Freie Universität Berlin, 12169, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stephan Block
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bradley S Quon
- Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
- Adult Cystic Fibrosis Clinic, St Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| | - Ying Tam
- Acuitas Therapeutics, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Pieter Cullis
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - James J Feng
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
- Department of Mathematics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z2, Canada
| | - Sarah Hedtrich
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
- Center of Biological Design, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Respiratory Medicine, Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), 13125, Berlin, Germany
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18
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Clerget M, Gagnon E, Claverie JP. Photopolymerization of Limonene Dioxide and Vegetable Oils as Biobased 3D-Printing Stereolithographic Formulation. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:965. [PMID: 38611223 PMCID: PMC11013986 DOI: 10.3390/polym16070965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Epoxidized vegetable oils and limonene dioxide, a bis-epoxide derived from the terpene limonene, are photo-copolymerized to yield highly crosslinked networks with high conversion of all epoxide groups at ambient temperature. However, the slow polymerization of such biobased formulation polymerizes is not compatible for a use in a commercial SLA 3D printer. Adding an acrylated epoxidized vegetable oil to the bis-epoxide leads to a decrease of curing time and an increase in LDO conversion to polymer. For example, in a 60:40 wt:wt mixture of LDO and epoxidized soybean oil, the conversions of both exocyclic and endocyclic epoxide groups of LDO are ≥95%. These formulations were successfully used in SLA 3D printers, leading to generation of hard and dry complex objects using biobased formulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mégane Clerget
- Chemistry Department, Université de Sherbrooke, 2500 Boulevard de l’Université, Sherbrooke, QC J1K 2R1, Canada
- Soprema Canada, 1688 rue Jean Berchmans Michaud, Drummondville, QC J2C 8E9, Canada
| | - Eric Gagnon
- Soprema Canada, 1688 rue Jean Berchmans Michaud, Drummondville, QC J2C 8E9, Canada
| | - Jerome P. Claverie
- Chemistry Department, Université de Sherbrooke, 2500 Boulevard de l’Université, Sherbrooke, QC J1K 2R1, Canada
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19
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Shayegh J, Sumantry D, Jagayat A, Choma B. Canadian politicians' rhetoric on Twitter/X: Analysing prejudice and inclusion towards Muslims using structural topic modelling and rhetorical analysis. Br J Soc Psychol 2024; 63:857-878. [PMID: 38059341 DOI: 10.1111/bjso.12707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
We analysed tweets from five English-speaking Canadian political parties in the year leading up to the 2019 federal election to explore both prejudicial and inclusive rhetoric in relation to Muslim identities on social media. We used structural topic modelling to understand what topics were discussed before moving to a rhetorical approach to analyse how topics were discussed. We identified 10 topics. Seven talked about Muslim groups in primarily inclusive ways, including depicting the positive contributions to Canadian society, creating ideological space for Muslim religious practices and invoking superordinate identities with victims of hate crimes to cultivate solidarity. However, the effectiveness of inclusive rhetoric was sometimes questioned due to omitting the subgroup-specific prejudice faced by Muslims. Prejudicial rhetoric occurred in three of the topics due to the nativist populist PPC party depicting Muslims as a threat to Canadian values, as hostile to people from other religious faiths, and depicting 'elites' in society as concealing the 'true' information concerning Muslims. The study contributes to understanding how politicians attempt to cultivate minority inclusion/exclusion in multicultural contexts through social media, as well as understanding the rhetoric of nativist populism in Canada and its similarities to other Global North contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Shayegh
- School of Psychology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - David Sumantry
- Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Arvin Jagayat
- Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Becky Choma
- Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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20
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Hennessy A, Nichols ES, Al-Saoud S, Brossard-Racine M, Duerden EG. Identifying cognitive profiles in children with neurodevelopmental disorders using online cognitive testing. Clin Child Psychol Psychiatry 2024; 29:591-607. [PMID: 38282296 PMCID: PMC10945998 DOI: 10.1177/13591045241228889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) tend to exhibit similar deficits in attention and memory ability. Early screening of cognitive deficits in children with NDDs, particularly in preschool children, is fundamental to improving cognitive and academic outcomes. In order to determine cognitive profiles in children with ASD and ADHD, we developed accessible audiovisual instructions for an online battery of 13 cognitive tests. Children ages 4-16 who were diagnosed with ADHD (n = 83), or ASD (n = 37), or who were typically developing children (TD) (n = 86) were recruited. Data were analyzed using a stepwise Discriminant Analysis to determine which cognitive tasks were the strongest discriminators between the diagnostic groups. Results revealed four tasks reflective of working memory, reasoning, and attentional processes, which correctly classified approximately 53-60% of each group. The ADHD group had lower scores on attentional tasks compared to TD, while ASD group had lower scores on reasoning tasks compared to the TD children, and made more attempts across all four tasks. The results from this study stress the need for cognitive screening assessments that include domain-specific items to improve the characterization of executive function deficits and promote academic achievement in all children with NDDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abagail Hennessy
- Applied Psychology, Faculty of Education, Western University, Canada
| | - Emily S Nichols
- Applied Psychology, Faculty of Education, Western University, Canada
- Western Institute for Neuroscience, Western University, Canada
| | - Sarah Al-Saoud
- Applied Psychology, Faculty of Education, Western University, Canada
| | | | - Emma G Duerden
- Applied Psychology, Faculty of Education, Western University, Canada
- Western Institute for Neuroscience, Western University, Canada
- Neuroscience, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, Canada
- Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, Canada
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21
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Diallo TM, Hanuš T, Patriarche G, Ruediger A, Boucherif A. Unraveling the Heterointegration of 3D Semiconductors on Graphene by Anchor Point Nucleation. Small 2024; 20:e2306038. [PMID: 38009786 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202306038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
The heterointegration of graphene with semiconductor materials and the development of graphene-based hybrid functional devices are heavily bound to the control of surface energy. Although remote epitaxy offers one of the most appealing techniques for implementing 3D/2D heterostructures, it is only suitable for polar materials and is hugely dependent on the graphene interface quality. Here, the growth of defect-free single-crystalline germanium (Ge) layers on a graphene-coated Ge substrate is demonstrated by introducing a new approach named anchor point nucleation (APN). This powerful approach based on graphene surface engineering enables the growth of semiconductors on any type of substrate covered by graphene. Through plasma treatment, defects such as dangling bonds and nanoholes, which act as preferential nucleation sites, are introduced in the graphene layer. These experimental data unravel the nature of those defects, their role in nucleation, and the mechanisms governing this technique. Additionally, high-resolution transmission microscopy combined with geometrical phase analysis established that the as-grown layers are perfectly single-crystalline, stress-free, and oriented by the substrate underneath the engineered graphene layer. These findings provide new insights into graphene engineering by plasma and open up a universal pathway for the heterointegration of high-quality 3D semiconductors on graphene for disruptive hybrid devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thierno Mamoudou Diallo
- Institut Interdisciplinaire d'Innovation Technologique (3IT), Université de Sherbrooke, 3000 Boulevard de l'Université, Sherbrooke, QC, J1K 0A5, Canada
- Laboratoire Nanotechnologies Nanosystèmes (LN2)-CNRS IRL-3463 Institut Interdisciplinaire d'Innovation Technologique (3IT), Université de Sherbrooke, 3000 Boulevard Université, Sherbrooke, Québec, J1K0A5, Canada
| | - Tadeáš Hanuš
- Institut Interdisciplinaire d'Innovation Technologique (3IT), Université de Sherbrooke, 3000 Boulevard de l'Université, Sherbrooke, QC, J1K 0A5, Canada
- Laboratoire Nanotechnologies Nanosystèmes (LN2)-CNRS IRL-3463 Institut Interdisciplinaire d'Innovation Technologique (3IT), Université de Sherbrooke, 3000 Boulevard Université, Sherbrooke, Québec, J1K0A5, Canada
| | - Gilles Patriarche
- Centre de Nanosciences et de Nanotechnologies (C2N), CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Palaiseau, 91120, France
| | - Andreas Ruediger
- Nanoelectronics-Nanophotonics INRS-EMT, 1650, Boulevard Lionel-Boulet, Varennes, QC, J3×1P7, Canada
| | - Abderraouf Boucherif
- Institut Interdisciplinaire d'Innovation Technologique (3IT), Université de Sherbrooke, 3000 Boulevard de l'Université, Sherbrooke, QC, J1K 0A5, Canada
- Laboratoire Nanotechnologies Nanosystèmes (LN2)-CNRS IRL-3463 Institut Interdisciplinaire d'Innovation Technologique (3IT), Université de Sherbrooke, 3000 Boulevard Université, Sherbrooke, Québec, J1K0A5, Canada
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22
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Bernard AR, ElSayed MSA. Crashworthiness of 3D Lattice Topologies under Dynamic Loading: A Comprehensive Study. Materials (Basel) 2024; 17:1597. [PMID: 38612115 PMCID: PMC11012503 DOI: 10.3390/ma17071597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Periodic truss-based lattice materials, a particular subset of cellular solids that generally have superior specific properties as compared to monolithic materials, offer regularity and predictability that irregular foams do not. Significant advancements in alternative technologies-such as additive manufacturing-have allowed for the fabrication of these uniquely complex materials, thus boosting their research and development within industries and scientific communities. However, there have been limitations in the comparison of results for these materials between different studies reported in the literature due to differences in analysis approaches, parent materials, and boundary and initial conditions considered. Further hindering the comparison ability was that the literature generally only focused on one or a select few topologies. With a particular focus on the crashworthiness of lattice topologies, this paper presents a comprehensive study of the impact performance of 24 topologies under dynamic impact loading. Using steel alloy parent material (manufactured using Selective Laser Melting), a numerical study of the impact performance was conducted with 16 different impact energy-speed pairs. It was possible to observe the overarching trends in crashworthiness parameters, including plateau stress, densification strain, impact efficiency, and absorbed energy for a wide range of 3D lattice topologies at three relative densities. While there was no observed distinct division between the results of bending and stretching topologies, the presence of struts aligned in the impact direction did have a significant effect on the energy absorption efficiency of the lattice; topologies with struts aligned in that direction had lower efficiencies as compared to topologies without.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mostafa S. A. ElSayed
- Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada;
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23
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Deng P, Xu A, Grin PM, Matthews K, Duffy SP, Ma H. Auto-amplification and spatial propagation of neutrophil extracellular traps. Commun Biol 2024; 7:386. [PMID: 38553656 PMCID: PMC10980821 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06074-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The release of cellular DNA as neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) plays a pivotal role in the immune response to pathogens by physically entrapping and killing microbes. NET release occurs at a greater frequency within neutrophil clusters and swarms, indicating a potential for collective behavior. However, little is known about how dense clustering of cells influences the frequency of NET release. Using an image-based assay for NETosis in nanowells, we show that the frequency of NETosis increases with cell density. We then co-incubate NETotic neutrophils with naïve neutrophils and find that NETotic neutrophils can induce secondary NETosis in naïve neutrophils in a cell density-dependent manner. Further mechanistic studies show that secondary NETosis is caused by a combination of DNA and protein factors. Finally, we immobilize NETotic neutrophils in a plaque, and then place the plaque near naïve neutrophils to characterize the spatial propagation of secondary NETosis. We find that secondary NETosis from naïve neutrophils increases over time, but remains spatially restricted to the periphery of the plaque. Together, we show that NETosis is an auto-amplified process, but that the spatial propagation of NET release is strictly regulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan Deng
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2054-6250 Applied Science Lane, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Centre for Blood Research, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Alec Xu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2054-6250 Applied Science Lane, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Centre for Blood Research, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Peter M Grin
- Centre for Blood Research, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Kerryn Matthews
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2054-6250 Applied Science Lane, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Centre for Blood Research, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Simon P Duffy
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2054-6250 Applied Science Lane, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Centre for Blood Research, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- British Columbia Institute of Technology, 3700 Willingdon Avenue, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Hongshen Ma
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2054-6250 Applied Science Lane, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
- Centre for Blood Research, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2222 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver General Hospital, 2660 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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24
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Fagbohun OF, Thilakarathna WPDW, Zhou J, Lehmann C, Jiao G, Rupasinghe HPV. Sea Cucumber and Blueberry Extracts Suppress Inflammation and Reduce Acute Lung Injury through the Regulation of NF-κB/MAPK/JNK Signaling Pathway in Lipopolysaccharide-Treated C57BL/6 Mice. Molecules 2024; 29:1511. [PMID: 38611791 PMCID: PMC11013731 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29071511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2024] [Revised: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Acute lung injury (ALI) represents a life-threatening condition with high morbidity and mortality despite modern mechanical ventilators and multiple pharmacological strategies. Therefore, there is a need to develop efficacious interventions with minimal side effects. The anti-inflammatory activities of sea cucumber (Cucumaria frondosa) and wild blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) extracts have been reported recently. However, their anti-inflammatory activities and the mechanism of action against ALI are not fully elucidated. Thus, the present study aims to understand the mechanism of the anti-inflammatory activity of sea cucumber and wild blueberry extracts in the context of ALI. Experimental ALI was induced via intranasal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) instillation in C57BL/6 mice and the anti-inflammatory properties were determined by cytokine analysis, histological examination, western blot, and qRT-PCR. The results showed that oral supplementation of sea cucumber extracts repressed nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways, thereby downregulating the expression of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in the lung tissue and in the plasma. Wild blueberry extracts also suppressed the expression of IL-4. Furthermore, the combination of sea cucumber and wild blueberry extracts restrained MAPK signaling pathways by prominent attenuation of phosphorylation of NF-κB, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) while the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were significantly suppressed. Moreover, there was a significant and synergistic reduction in varying degrees of ALI lesions such as distorted parenchyma, increased alveoli thickness, lymphocyte and neutrophil infiltrations, fibrin deposition, pulmonary emphysema, pneumonia, intra-alveolar hemorrhage, and edema. The anti-inflammatory effect of the combination of sea cucumber and wild blueberry extracts is associated with suppressing MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways, thereby significantly reducing cytokine storm in LPS-induced experimental ALI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oladapo F. Fagbohun
- Department Plant, Food, and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, NS B2N 5E3, Canada; (O.F.F.); (W.P.D.W.T.)
- Department of Biology, Center for Agriculture and Sciences, Wilmington College, 1870 Quaker Way, Wilmington, OH 45177, USA
| | - Wasitha P. D. W. Thilakarathna
- Department Plant, Food, and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, NS B2N 5E3, Canada; (O.F.F.); (W.P.D.W.T.)
| | - Juan Zhou
- Departments of Anaesthesia, Pain Management and Perioperative Medicine, Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada; (J.Z.); (C.L.)
| | - Christian Lehmann
- Departments of Anaesthesia, Pain Management and Perioperative Medicine, Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada; (J.Z.); (C.L.)
| | - Guangling Jiao
- Department of Process Engineering and Applied Science, Faculty of Engineering, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada;
| | - H. P. Vasantha Rupasinghe
- Department Plant, Food, and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, NS B2N 5E3, Canada; (O.F.F.); (W.P.D.W.T.)
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
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25
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Cheema K, Dunn T, Chapman C, Rockwood K, Howlett SE, Sevinc G. A systematic review of goal attainment scaling implementation practices by caregivers in randomized controlled trials. J Patient Rep Outcomes 2024; 8:37. [PMID: 38530578 DOI: 10.1186/s41687-024-00716-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Goal attainment scaling (GAS), an established individualized, patient-centred outcome measure, is used to capture the patient's voice. Although first introduced ~60 years ago, there are few published guidelines for implementing GAS, and almost none for its use when caregivers GAS is implemented with caregiver input. We conducted a systematic review of studies that implemented GAS with caregiver input; and examined variations in GAS implementation, analysis, and reporting. METHODS Literature was retrieved from Medline, Embase, Cochrane, PsycInfo and CINAHL databases. We included randomized controlled trials (published between 1968 and November 2022) that used GAS as an outcome measure and involved caregiver input during goal setting. RESULTS Of the 2610 studies imported for screening, 21 met the inclusion criteria. Most studies employed GAS as a primary outcome. The majority (76%) had children as study participants. The most common disorders represented were cerebral palsy, developmental disorders, and dementia/Alzheimer's disease. The traditional five-point GAS scale, with levels from -2 to +2, was most often implemented, with -1 level typically being the baseline. However, most studies omitted essential GAS details from their reports including the number of goals set, number of attainment levels and whether any training was given to GAS facilitators. CONCLUSIONS GAS with caregiver input has been used in a limited number of randomized controlled trials, primarily in pediatric patients and adults with dementia. There is a variability in GAS implementation and many crucial details related to the specifics of GAS implementation are omitted from reports, which may limit reproducibility. Here we propose catalog that may be utilized when reporting research results pertaining to GAS with caregivers to enhance the application of this patient-centered outcome measure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kulpreet Cheema
- Ardea Outcomes, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | | | | | - Kenneth Rockwood
- Ardea Outcomes, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Geriatric Medicine Research Unit, Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Susan E Howlett
- Ardea Outcomes, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
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26
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Camilli MP, Simko OM, Bevelander B, Thebeau JM, Masood F, da Silva MCB, Raza MF, Markova S, Obshta O, Jose MS, Biganski S, Kozii IV, Zabrodski MW, Moshynskyy I, Simko E, Wood SC. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: The Honey Bee as a Social Animal Model. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:434. [PMID: 38672706 PMCID: PMC11051024 DOI: 10.3390/life14040434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Animal models have been essential for advancing research of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) in humans, but few animal species effectively replicate the behavioural and clinical signs of FASD. The honey bee (Apis mellifera) is a previously unexplored research model for FASD that offers the distinct benefit of highly social behaviour. In this study, we chronically exposed honey bee larvae to incremental concentrations of 0, 3, 6, and 10% ethanol in the larval diet using an in vitro rearing protocol and measured developmental time and survival to adult eclosion, as well as body weight and motor activity of newly emerged adult bees. Larvae reared on 6 and 10% dietary ethanol demonstrated significant, dose-responsive delays to pupation and decreased survival and adult body weight. All ethanol-reared adults showed significantly decreased motor activity. These results suggest that honey bees may be a suitable social animal model for future FASD research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo P. Camilli
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B4, Canada; (M.P.C.)
| | - Olena M. Simko
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B4, Canada; (M.P.C.)
| | - Breanne Bevelander
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B4, Canada; (M.P.C.)
| | - Jenna M. Thebeau
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B4, Canada; (M.P.C.)
| | - Fatima Masood
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B4, Canada
| | - Marina C. Bezerra da Silva
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B4, Canada; (M.P.C.)
| | - Muhammad Fahim Raza
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B4, Canada; (M.P.C.)
| | - Sofiia Markova
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B4, Canada; (M.P.C.)
| | - Oleksii Obshta
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B4, Canada; (M.P.C.)
| | - Midhun S. Jose
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B4, Canada; (M.P.C.)
| | - Sarah Biganski
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B4, Canada; (M.P.C.)
| | - Ivanna V. Kozii
- Prairie Diagnostic Services Inc., Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B4, Canada
| | | | - Igor Moshynskyy
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B4, Canada; (M.P.C.)
| | - Elemir Simko
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B4, Canada; (M.P.C.)
| | - Sarah C. Wood
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B4, Canada; (M.P.C.)
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27
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Prudhomme N, Pastora R, Thomson S, Zheng E, Sproule A, Krieger JR, Murphy JP, Overy DP, Cossar D, McLean MD, Geddes-McAlister J. Bacterial growth-mediated systems remodelling of Nicotiana benthamiana defines unique signatures of target protein production in molecular pharming. Plant Biotechnol J 2024. [PMID: 38516995 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.14342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
The need for therapeutics to treat a plethora of medical conditions and diseases is on the rise and the demand for alternative approaches to mammalian-based production systems is increasing. Plant-based strategies provide a safe and effective alternative to produce biological drugs but have yet to enter mainstream manufacturing at a competitive level. Limitations associated with batch consistency and target protein production levels are present; however, strategies to overcome these challenges are underway. In this study, we apply state-of-the-art mass spectrometry-based proteomics to define proteome remodelling of the plant following agroinfiltration with bacteria grown under shake flask or bioreactor conditions. We observed distinct signatures of bacterial protein production corresponding to the different growth conditions that directly influence the plant defence responses and target protein production on a temporal axis. Our integration of proteomic profiling with small molecule detection and quantification reveals the fluctuation of secondary metabolite production over time to provide new insight into the complexities of dual system modulation in molecular pharming. Our findings suggest that bioreactor bacterial growth may promote evasion of early plant defence responses towards Agrobacterium tumefaciens (updated nomenclature to Rhizobium radiobacter). Furthermore, we uncover and explore specific targets for genetic manipulation to suppress host defences and increase recombinant protein production in molecular pharming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Prudhomme
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | | | - Sarah Thomson
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Edison Zheng
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Amanda Sproule
- Ottawa Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | | | - J Patrick Murphy
- Department of Biology, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PE, Canada
| | - David P Overy
- Ottawa Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Doug Cossar
- PlantForm Corporation Canada, Toronto, ON, Canada
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28
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Goodchild SJ, Shuart NG, Williams AD, Ye W, Parrish RR, Soriano M, Thouta S, Mezeyova J, Waldbrook M, Dean R, Focken T, Ghovanloo MR, Ruben PC, Scott F, Cohen CJ, Empfield J, Johnson JP. Molecular Pharmacology of Selective Na V1.6 and Dual Na V1.6/Na V1.2 Channel Inhibitors that Suppress Excitatory Neuronal Activity Ex Vivo. ACS Chem Neurosci 2024; 15:1169-1184. [PMID: 38359277 PMCID: PMC10958515 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Voltage-gated sodium channel (NaV) inhibitors are used to treat neurological disorders of hyperexcitability such as epilepsy. These drugs act by attenuating neuronal action potential firing to reduce excitability in the brain. However, all currently available NaV-targeting antiseizure medications nonselectively inhibit the brain channels NaV1.1, NaV1.2, and NaV1.6, which potentially limits the efficacy and therapeutic safety margins of these drugs. Here, we report on XPC-7724 and XPC-5462, which represent a new class of small molecule NaV-targeting compounds. These compounds specifically target inhibition of the NaV1.6 and NaV1.2 channels, which are abundantly expressed in excitatory pyramidal neurons. They have a > 100-fold molecular selectivity against NaV1.1 channels, which are predominantly expressed in inhibitory neurons. Sparing NaV1.1 preserves the inhibitory activity in the brain. These compounds bind to and stabilize the inactivated state of the channels thereby reducing the activity of excitatory neurons. They have higher potency, with longer residency times and slower off-rates, than the clinically used antiseizure medications carbamazepine and phenytoin. The neuronal selectivity of these compounds is demonstrated in brain slices by inhibition of firing in cortical excitatory pyramidal neurons, without impacting fast spiking inhibitory interneurons. XPC-5462 also suppresses epileptiform activity in an ex vivo brain slice seizure model, whereas XPC-7224 does not, suggesting a possible requirement of Nav1.2 inhibition in 0-Mg2+- or 4-AP-induced brain slice seizure models. The profiles of these compounds will facilitate pharmacological dissection of the physiological roles of NaV1.2 and NaV1.6 in neurons and help define the role of specific channels in disease states. This unique selectivity profile provides a new approach to potentially treat disorders of neuronal hyperexcitability by selectively downregulating excitatory circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel J. Goodchild
- Department
of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Xenon
Pharmaceuticals, Burnaby, BC V5G 4W8, Canada
| | - Noah Gregory Shuart
- Department
of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Xenon
Pharmaceuticals, Burnaby, BC V5G 4W8, Canada
| | - Aaron D. Williams
- Department
of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Xenon
Pharmaceuticals, Burnaby, BC V5G 4W8, Canada
| | - Wenlei Ye
- Neurocrine
Biosciences, San Diego, California 92130, United States
| | - R. Ryley Parrish
- Department
of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Xenon
Pharmaceuticals, Burnaby, BC V5G 4W8, Canada
| | - Maegan Soriano
- Department
of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Xenon
Pharmaceuticals, Burnaby, BC V5G 4W8, Canada
| | - Samrat Thouta
- Department
of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Xenon
Pharmaceuticals, Burnaby, BC V5G 4W8, Canada
| | - Janette Mezeyova
- Department
of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Xenon
Pharmaceuticals, Burnaby, BC V5G 4W8, Canada
| | - Matthew Waldbrook
- Department
of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Xenon
Pharmaceuticals, Burnaby, BC V5G 4W8, Canada
| | - Richard Dean
- Department
of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Xenon
Pharmaceuticals, Burnaby, BC V5G 4W8, Canada
| | - Thilo Focken
- Department
of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Xenon
Pharmaceuticals, Burnaby, BC V5G 4W8, Canada
| | - Mohammad-Reza Ghovanloo
- Department
of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Xenon
Pharmaceuticals, Burnaby, BC V5G 4W8, Canada
- Department
of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
- Department
of Neurology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06519, United States
| | - Peter C. Ruben
- Department
of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Fiona Scott
- Neurocrine
Biosciences, San Diego, California 92130, United States
| | - Charles J. Cohen
- Department
of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Xenon
Pharmaceuticals, Burnaby, BC V5G 4W8, Canada
| | - James Empfield
- Department
of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Xenon
Pharmaceuticals, Burnaby, BC V5G 4W8, Canada
| | - JP Johnson
- Department
of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Xenon
Pharmaceuticals, Burnaby, BC V5G 4W8, Canada
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29
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Storlund RL, Cottrell PE, Cottrell B, Roth M, Lehnhart T, Snyman H, Trites AW, Raverty SA. Aquaculture related humpback whale entanglements in coastal waters of British Columbia from 2008-2021. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0297768. [PMID: 38507405 PMCID: PMC10954164 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Over the past two decades, increasing numbers of humpback whales have been returning to feed in the inshore waters of British Columbia (BC) where marine aquaculture farms are situated. This has led to growing concerns that the presence of aquaculture farms may pose an entanglement threat to humpback whales. However, it is not known whether aquaculture facilities attract humpback whales, or whether there are factors that increase the likelihood of humpback whale, becoming entangled and dying. We examined eight reports of humpback whales interacting with Atlantic salmon farms in BC from 2008 to 2021 to evaluate the conditions that may have contributed to their entanglements. Of the eight entangled humpbacks, three individuals died and five were successfully disentangled and released. All were young animals (1 calf, 7 subadults). Multiple factors were associated with two or more of the reported incidents. These included facility design, environmental features, seasonality, humpback whale age, and feeding behaviour. We found that humpback whales were most commonly entrapped in the predator nets of the aquaculture facilities (6/8 incidents), and were less often entangled in anchor support lines (2/8). The presence of salmon smolts did not appear to be an attractant for humpback whales given that half of the reported entanglements (4/8) occurred at fallowed salmon farms. Almost all of the entanglements (7/8) occurred in late winter (prior to the seasonal return of humpbacks) and during late fall (after most humpbacks have migrated south). Overall, the number of humpback whales impacted by fish farms was small compared to the numbers that return to BC (> 7,000) and accounted for <6% of all types of reported entanglements in BC. Human intervention was required to release humpback whales at fish farms, which points to the need to have well-established protocols to minimize entanglements and maximize successful releases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhea L. Storlund
- Marine Mammal Research Unit, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Paul E. Cottrell
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Fisheries and Aquaculture Management, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Brendan Cottrell
- Applied Remote Sensing Lab, Department of Geography, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Myron Roth
- Aquaculture and Marine Fisheries, BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Taylor Lehnhart
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Fisheries and Aquaculture Management, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Heindrich Snyman
- Animal Health Laboratory, Laboratory Services Division, University of Guelph, Kemptville, ON, Canada
| | - Andrew W. Trites
- Marine Mammal Research Unit, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Stephen A. Raverty
- Marine Mammal Research Unit, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Animal Health Center, Ministry of Agriculture, Abbotsford, BC, Canada
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McInnes JD, Lester KM, Dill LM, Mathieson CR, West-Stap PJ, Marcos SL, Trites AW. Foraging behaviour and ecology of transient killer whales within a deep submarine canyon system. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0299291. [PMID: 38507673 PMCID: PMC10954312 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0299291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Transient killer whales have been documented hunting marine mammals across a variety of habitats. However, relatively little has been reported about their predatory behaviours near deep submarine canyons and oceanic environments. We used a long-term database of sightings and encounters with these predators in and around the Monterey Submarine Canyon, California to describe foraging behaviour, diet, seasonal occurrence, and habitat use patterns. Transient killer whales belonging to the outer coast subpopulation were observed within the study area 261 times from 2006-2021. Occurrences, behaviours, and group sizes all varied seasonally, with more encounters occurring in the spring as grey whales migrated northward from their breeding and calving lagoons in Mexico (March-May). Groups of killer whales foraged exclusively in open water, with individuals within the groups following the contours of the submarine canyon as they searched for prey. Focal follows revealed that killer whales spent 51% of their time searching for prey (26% of their time along the shelf-break and upper slope of the canyon, and 25% in open water). The remainder of their time was spent pursuing prey (10%), feeding (23%), travelling (9%), socializing (6%), and resting (1%). Prey species during 87 observed predation events included California sea lions, grey whale calves, northern elephant seals, minke whales, common dolphins, Pacific white-sided dolphins, Dall's porpoise, harbour porpoise, harbour seals, and sea birds. The calculated kill rates (based on 270 hours of observing 50 predation events) were 0.26 California sea lions per killer whale over 24 hours, 0.11 grey whale calves, and 0.15 for all remaining prey species combined. These behavioural observations provide insights into predator-prey interactions among apex predators over submarine canyons and deep pelagic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josh D. McInnes
- Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, Marine Mammal Research Unit, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Pacific WildLife Foundation, Port Moody, BC, Canada
- Oceanic Ecology Research Group, Monterey Bay, California, United States of America
| | - Kevin M. Lester
- Oceanic Ecology Research Group, Monterey Bay, California, United States of America
| | - Lawrence M. Dill
- Department of Biological Sciences, Evolutionary and Behavioural Ecology Research Group, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
| | - Chelsea R. Mathieson
- Oceanic Ecology Research Group, Monterey Bay, California, United States of America
- School of Resource and Environmental Management, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
| | | | | | - Andrew W. Trites
- Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, Marine Mammal Research Unit, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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31
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França TC, Saïdi F, Ajamian A, Islam ST, LaPlante SR. Molecular Dynamics of Outer Membrane-Embedded Polysaccharide Secretion Porins Reveals Closed Resting-State Surface Gates Targetable by Virtual Fragment Screening for Drug Hotspot Identification. ACS Omega 2024; 9:13217-13226. [PMID: 38524450 PMCID: PMC10955716 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c09970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
Recent advances in iterative neural network analyses (e.g., AlphaFold2 and RoseTTA fold) have been revolutionary for protein 3D structure prediction, especially for difficult-to-manipulate α-helical/β-barrel integral membrane proteins. These model structures are calculated based on the coevolution of amino acids within the protein of interest and similarities to existing protein structures; the local effects of the membrane on folding and stability of the calculated model structures are not considered. We recently reported the discovery, 3D modeling, and characterization of 18-β-stranded outer-membrane (OM) WzpX, WzpS, and WzpB β-barrel secretion porins for the exopolysaccharide (EPS), major spore coat polysaccharide (MASC), and biosurfactant polysaccharide (BPS) pathways (respectively) in the Gram-negative social predatory bacterium Myxococcus xanthus DZ2. However, information was not obtained regarding the dynamic behavior of surface-gating WzpX/S/B loop domains or on potential treatments to inactivate these porins. Herein, we developed a molecular dynamics (MD) protocol to study the core stability and loop dynamism of neural network-based integral membrane protein structure models embedded in an asymmetric OM bilayer, using the M. xanthus WzpX, WzpS, and WzpB proteins as test candidates. This was accomplished through integration of the CHARMM-graphical user interface (GUI) and Molecular Operating Environment (MOE) workflows to allow for a rapid simulation system setup and facilitate data analysis. In addition to serving as a method of model structure validation, our molecular dynamics simulations revealed a minimal movement of extracellular WzpX/S/B loops in the absence of an external stimulus as well as druggable cavities between the loops. Virtual screening of a commercial fragment library against these cavities revealed putative fragment-binding hotspots on the cell-surface face of each β-barrel, along with key interacting residues, and identified promising hits for the design of potential binders capable of plugging the β-barrels and inhibiting polysaccharide secretion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanos
C. C. França
- Institut
National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Centre Armand-Frappier
Santé Biotechnologie, Université
du Québec, Institut Pasteur International Network, Laval, QC H7V 1B7, Canada
- PROTEO,
the Quebec Network for Research on Protein Function, Engineering,
and Applications, Université Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Laboratory
of Molecular Modeling Applied to Chemical and Biological Defense, Military Institute of Engineering, Rio de Janeiro 22290-270, Brazil
- Department
of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University
of Hradec Kralove, Rokitanskeho
62, 50003 Hradec
Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Fares Saïdi
- Institut
National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Centre Armand-Frappier
Santé Biotechnologie, Université
du Québec, Institut Pasteur International Network, Laval, QC H7V 1B7, Canada
- PROTEO,
the Quebec Network for Research on Protein Function, Engineering,
and Applications, Université Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Alain Ajamian
- Chemical
Computing Group, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2R7, Canada
| | - Salim T. Islam
- Institut
National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Centre Armand-Frappier
Santé Biotechnologie, Université
du Québec, Institut Pasteur International Network, Laval, QC H7V 1B7, Canada
- PROTEO,
the Quebec Network for Research on Protein Function, Engineering,
and Applications, Université Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Steven R. LaPlante
- Institut
National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Centre Armand-Frappier
Santé Biotechnologie, Université
du Québec, Institut Pasteur International Network, Laval, QC H7V 1B7, Canada
- PROTEO,
the Quebec Network for Research on Protein Function, Engineering,
and Applications, Université Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
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Couture F, Christensen V, Walters C. The combined effects of predation, fishing, and ocean productivity on salmon species targeted by marine mammals in the northeast Pacific. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0296358. [PMID: 38483870 PMCID: PMC10939214 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Along the northeast Pacific coast, the salmon-eating southern resident killer whale population (SRKW, Orcinus orca) have been at very low levels since the 1970s. Previous research have suggested that reduction in food availability, especially of Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), could be the main limiting factor for the SRKW population. Using the ecosystem modelling platform Ecopath with Ecosim (EwE), this study evaluated if the decline of the Pacific salmon populations between 1979 and 2020 may have been impacted by a combination of factors, including marine mammal predation, fishing activities, and climatic patterns. We found that the total mortality of most Chinook salmon populations has been relatively stable for all mature returning fish despite strong reduction in fishing mortality since the 1990s. This mortality pattern was mainly driven by pinnipeds, with increases in predation between 1979 and 2020 mortality ranging by factors of 1.8 to 8.5 across the different Chinook salmon population groups. The predation mortality on fall-run Chinook salmon smolts originating from the Salish Sea increased 4.6 times from 1979 to 2020, whereas the predation mortality on coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) smolts increased by a factor of 7.3. The model also revealed that the north Pacific gyre oscillation (NPGO) was the most important large-scale climatic index affecting the stock productivity of Chinook salmon populations from California to northern British Columbia. Overall, the model provided evidence that multiple factors may have affected Chinook salmon populations between 1979 and 2020, and suggested that predation mortality by marine mammals could be an important driver of salmon population declines during that time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanny Couture
- Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Marine Mammals Research Program, Ocean Wise Research Institute, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Villy Christensen
- Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Carl Walters
- Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Bietar K, Chu S, Mandl G, Zhang E, Chabaytah N, Sabelli R, Capobianco JA, Stochaj U. Silica-coated LiYF 4:Yb 3+, Tm 3+ upconverting nanoparticles are non-toxic and activate minor stress responses in mammalian cells. RSC Adv 2024; 14:8695-8708. [PMID: 38495986 PMCID: PMC10938293 DOI: 10.1039/d3ra08869c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Lanthanide-doped upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) are ideal candidates for use in biomedicine. The interaction of nanomaterials with biological systems determines whether they are suitable for use in living cells. In-depth knowledge of the nano-bio interactions is therefore a pre-requisite for the development of biomedical applications. The current study evaluates fundamental aspects of the NP-cell interface for square bipyramidal UCNPs containing a LiYF4:Yb3+, Tm3+ core and two different silica surface coatings. Given their importance for mammalian physiology, fibroblast and renal proximal tubule epithelial cells were selected as cellular model systems. We have assessed the toxicity of the UCNPs and measured their impact on the homeostasis of living non-malignant cells. Rigorous analyses were conducted to identify possible toxic and sub-lethal effects of the UCNPs. To this end, we examined biomarkers that reveal if UCNPs induce cell killing or stress. Quantitative measurements demonstrate that short-term exposure to the UCNPs had no profound effects on cell viability, cell size or morphology. Indicators of oxidative, endoplasmic reticulum, or nucleolar stress, and the production of molecular chaperones varied with the surface modification of the UCNPs and the cell type analyzed. These differences emphasize the importance of evaluating cells of diverse origin that are relevant to the intended use of the nanomaterials. Taken together, we established that short-term, our square bipyramidal UCNPs are not toxic to non-malignant fibroblast and proximal renal epithelial cells. Compared with established inducers of cellular stress, these UCNPs have minor effects on cellular homeostasis. Our results build the foundation to explore square bipyramidal UCNPs for future in vivo applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kais Bietar
- Department of Physiology, McGill University Canada
| | - Siwei Chu
- Department of Physiology, McGill University Canada
| | - Gabrielle Mandl
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Centre for Nanoscience Research, Concordia University Canada
| | - Emma Zhang
- Department of Physiology, McGill University Canada
| | | | | | - John A Capobianco
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Centre for Nanoscience Research, Concordia University Canada
| | - Ursula Stochaj
- Department of Physiology, McGill University Canada
- Quantitative Life Sciences Program, McGill University Montreal Canada
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Dolbec A, Doucet C, Pohlman KA, Sobczak S, Pagé I. Assessing adverse events associated with chiropractic care in preschool pediatric population: a feasibility study. Chiropr Man Therap 2024; 32:9. [PMID: 38481318 PMCID: PMC10938841 DOI: 10.1186/s12998-024-00529-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Manual therapies are commonly used by healthcare professionals when caring for children. However, few prospective studies have evaluated their adverse events (AEs). This study aims to assess the feasibility of a pragmatic prospective study aiming to report the immediate and delayed (48-hours post-treatment) AEs associated with manual therapies in children aged 5 or younger. Preliminary data on AEs frequency are also reported. METHODS Between July 2021 and March 2022, chiropractors were recruited through purposive sampling and via a dedicated Facebook group for Quebec chiropractors interested in pediatrics. Legal guardians of patients aged 5 or younger were invited to fill out an online information and consent form. AEs were collected using the SafetyNET reporting system, which had been previously translated by the research team. Immediate AEs were collected through a questionnaire filled out by the legal guardian immediately after the treatment, while delayed AEs were collected through a questionnaire sent by email to the legal guardian 48 h after the treatment. Feasibility was assessed qualitatively through feedback from chiropractors and quantitatively through recruitment data. RESULTS Overall, a total of 28 chiropractors expressed interest following the Facebook publication, and 5 participated. An additional two chiropractors were enrolled through purposive sampling. In total, 80 legal guardians consented to their child's participation, and data from 73 children were included for the analysis of AEs. At least one AE was reported in 30% of children (22/73), and AEs were mainly observed immediately following the treatment (16/22). The most common AEs were irritability/crying (11 children) or fatigue/tiredness (11 children). Feasibility analysis demonstrated that regular communication between the research team and clinicians, as well as targeting clinicians who showed great interest in pediatrics, were key factors for successful research. CONCLUSION Results suggest that it is feasible to conduct a prospective pragmatic study evaluating AEs associated with manual therapies in private practices. Direct communication with the clinicians, a strategic clinicians' recruitment plan, and the resulting administrative burden should be considered in future studies. A larger study is required to confirm the frequency of AEs reported in the current study. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov., NCT05409859, Registered on June 3 2022. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05409859 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Dolbec
- Département d'anatomie, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, 3351 Boul. des Forges, G8Z 4M3, Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada
- Groupe de recherche sur les affections neuromusculosquelettiques (GRAN), Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, 3351 Boul. des Forges, G8Z 4M3, Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada
| | - Chantale Doucet
- Département de chiropratique, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, 3351 Boul. des Forges, G8Z 4M3, Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada
| | - Katherine A Pohlman
- Research Center, Parker University, 2540 Walnut Hill Lane, 75229, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Stéphane Sobczak
- Département d'anatomie, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, 3351 Boul. des Forges, G8Z 4M3, Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada
- Groupe de recherche sur les affections neuromusculosquelettiques (GRAN), Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, 3351 Boul. des Forges, G8Z 4M3, Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada
- Chaire de recherche en anatomie fonctionnelle, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, 3351 Boul. des Forges, G8Z 4M3, Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada
| | - Isabelle Pagé
- Département de chiropratique, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, 3351 Boul. des Forges, G8Z 4M3, Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada.
- Centre Interdisciplinaire de recherche en réadaptation et intégration sociale (Cirris), Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et de Services Sociaux de la Capitale-Nationale (CIUSS-CN), 525 Boul. Wilfrid-Hamel, G1M 2S8, Québec, Québec, Canada.
- Groupe de recherche sur les affections neuromusculosquelettiques (GRAN), Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, 3351 Boul. des Forges, G8Z 4M3, Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada.
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Kennedy AM, Tsakonas K, Berman-Hatch F, Conradi S, Thaysen M, Gillespie MA, Gislason MK. Promoting community health and climate justice co-benefits: insights from a rural and remote island climate planning process. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1309186. [PMID: 38532965 PMCID: PMC10964719 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1309186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Climate change is an environmental crisis, a health crisis, a socio-political and an economic crisis that illuminates the ways in which our human-environment relationships are arriving at crucial tipping points. Through these relational axes, social structures, and institutional practices, patterns of inequity are produced, wherein climate change disproportionately impacts several priority populations, including rural and remote communities. To make evidence-based change, it is important that engagements with climate change are informed by data that convey the nuance of various living realities and forms of knowledge; decisions are rooted in the social, structural, and ecological determinants of health; and an intersectional lens informs the research to action cycle. Our team applied theory- and equity-driven conceptualizations of data to our work with the community on Cortes Island-a remote island in the northern end of the Salish Sea in British Columbia, Canada-to aid their climate change adaptation and mitigation planning. This work was completed in five iterative stages which were informed by community-identified needs and preferences, including: An environmental scan, informal scoping interviews, attending a community forum, a scoping review, and co-development of questions for a community survey to guide the development of the Island's climate change adaptation and mitigation plan. Through this community-led collaboration we learned about the importance of ground truthing data inaccuracies and quantitative data gaps through community consultation; shifting planning focus from deficit to strengths- and asset-based engagement; responding to the needs of the community when working collaboratively across academic and community contexts; and, foregrounding the importance of, and relationship to, place when doing community engagement work. This suite of practices illuminates the integrative solution-oriented thinking needed to address complex and intersecting issues of climate change and community health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angel M. Kennedy
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
- Women’s Health Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Kiera Tsakonas
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
- Cortes Island Academy, Cortes Island, BC, Canada
| | - Forrest Berman-Hatch
- Anthropology and Political Science, Faculty of Arts, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Cortes Island Community Foundation, Cortes Island, BC, Canada
| | - Sophia Conradi
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Max Thaysen
- Friends of Cortes Island, Cortes Island, BC, Canada
- BC Emergency Health Services, Cortes Island, BC, Canada
| | - Manda Aufochs Gillespie
- Cortes Island Academy, Cortes Island, BC, Canada
- Cortes Island Community Foundation, Cortes Island, BC, Canada
- Folk University, Cortes Island, BC, Canada
| | - Maya K. Gislason
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
- Women’s Health Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Narváez-Torres PR, Guthrie NK, Brichieri-Colombi TA, Razafindravelo CP, Jacobson ZS, Tera F, Rafidimanana DV, Rahasivelo ZE, Petersen MA, Ramangason H, Randall L, McPherson JM, Frasier CL, Moehrenschlager A, Holmes SM, Louis EE, Johnson SE. Losing lemurs: Declining populations and land cover changes over space and time. Am J Primatol 2024:e23615. [PMID: 38467477 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Forest loss and degradation due to land cover changes imperil biodiversity worldwide. Subtropical and tropical ecosystems experience high deforestation rates, negatively affecting species like primates. Madagascar's endemic lemurs face exceptionally high risks of population declines and extirpation. We examined how short-term land cover changes within a fragmented landscape in southeastern Madagascar impacted the density of lemur species. Using line transects, we assessed density changes in nine lemur species across five forest fragments. Diurnal surveys were conducted monthly from 2015 to 2019 on 35 transects (total effort = 1268 km). Additionally, 21 transects were surveyed nocturnally in 2015 and 2016 (total effort = 107.5 km). To quantify forest cover changes, we generated land use/land cover (LULC) maps from Sentinel-2 imagery using supervised classification for each year. For the LULC maps, we overlayed species-specific buffers around all transects and calculated the proportion of land cover classes within them. We observed declines in the annual densities of four diurnal and cathemeral lemur species between 2015 and 2019, with species-specific declines of up to 80% (Varecia variegata). While the density of two nocturnal species decreased, one increased fivefold (Cheirogaleus major) between 2015 and 2016. By 2019, Grassland was the dominant land type (50%), while Paddy Fields had the smallest coverage (1.03%). Mature Agricultural Land increased the most (63.37%), while New Agricultural Land decreased the most (-66.36%). Unexpectedly, we did not find evidence that higher forest cover supported a higher lemur population density within sampled areas, but we found support for the negative impact of degraded land cover types on three lemur species. Our study underscores the urgent need to address land-use changes and their repercussions for primate populations in tropical ecosystems. The diverse responses of lemur species to modified habitats highlight the complexity of these impacts and emphasize the importance of targeted conservation efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicola K Guthrie
- Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | | | | | - Zachary S Jacobson
- Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Fredo Tera
- Madagascar Biodiversity Partnership, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | | | - Zé-Elinah Rahasivelo
- Faculty of Sciences, Technologies, and Environment, University of Mahajanga, Mahajanga, Madagascar
| | | | - Hasinala Ramangason
- Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Lea Randall
- Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | | | - Cynthia L Frasier
- Conservation Genetics Department, Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | | | - Sheila M Holmes
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Edward E Louis
- Madagascar Biodiversity Partnership, Antananarivo, Madagascar
- Conservation Genetics Department, Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Steig E Johnson
- Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Csordas M, Starko S, Neufeld CJ, Thompson SA, Baum JK. Multiscale stability of an intertidal kelp (Postelsia palmaeformis) near its northern range edge through a period of prolonged heatwaves. Ann Bot 2024; 133:61-72. [PMID: 37878014 PMCID: PMC10921842 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcad148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Climate change, including gradual changes and extreme weather events, is driving widespread species losses and range shifts. These climatic changes are felt acutely in intertidal ecosystems, where many organisms live close to their thermal limits and experience the extremes of both marine and terrestrial environments. A recent series of multiyear heatwaves in the northeast Pacific Ocean might have impacted species even towards their cooler, northern range edges. Among them, the high intertidal kelp Postelsia palmaeformis has traits that could make it particularly vulnerable to climate change, but it is critically understudied. METHODS In 2021 and 2022, we replicated in situ and aerial P. palmaeformis surveys that were conducted originally in 2006 and 2007, in order to assess the state of northern populations following recent heatwaves. Changes in P. palmaeformis distribution, extent, density and morphometrics were assessed between these two time points over three spatial scales, ranging from 250 m grid cells across the entire 167 km study region, to within grid cells and the individual patch. KEY RESULTS We found evidence consistent with population stability at all three scales: P. palmaeformis remained present in all 250 m grid cells in the study region where it was previously found, and neither the extent within cells nor the patch density changed significantly between time points. However, there was evidence of slight distributional expansion, increased blade lengths and a shift to earlier reproductive timing. CONCLUSIONS We suggest that apparent long-term stability of P. palmaeformis might be attributable to thermal buffering near its northern range edge and from the wave-exposed coastlines it inhabits, which may have decreased the impacts of heatwaves. Our results highlight the importance of multiscale assessments when examining changes within species and populations, in addition to the importance of dispersal capability and local conditions in regulating the responses of species to climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Csordas
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, V8W 2Y2, Canada
| | - Samuel Starko
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, V8W 2Y2, Canada
- UWA Oceans Institute and School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Christopher J Neufeld
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, V8W 2Y2, Canada
- The Kelp Rescue Initiative, Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre, Bamfield, BC, V0R 1B0, Canada
- Department of Biology, University of British Columbia Okanogan, Kelowna, BC, V1V 1V7, Canada
| | | | - Julia K Baum
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, V8W 2Y2, Canada
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Abdur-Rashid K, Saha SK, Mugisha J, Teale S, Wang S, Saber M, Lough AJ, Sargent EH, Fekl U. Organic Polar Crystals, Second Harmonic Generation, and Piezoelectric Effects from Heteroadamantanes in the Space Group R3m. Chemistry 2024; 30:e202302998. [PMID: 38231551 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202302998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Polar crystalline materials, a subset of the non-centrosymmetric materials, are highly sought after. Their symmetry properties make them pyroelectric and also piezoelectric and capable of second-harmonic generation (SHG). For SHG and piezoelectric applications, metal oxides are commonly used. The advantages of oxides are durability and hardness - downsides are the need for high-temperature synthesis/processing and often the need to include toxic metals. Organic polar crystals, on the other hand, can avoid toxic metals and can be amenable to solution-state processing. While the vast majority of polar organic molecules crystallize in non-polar space groups, we found that both 7-chloro-1,3,5-triazaadamantane, for short Cl-TAA, and also the related Br-TAA (but not I-TAA) form polar crystals in the space group R3m, easily obtained from dichloromethane solution. Measurements confirm piezoelectric and SHG properties for Cl-TAA and Br-TAA. When the two species are crystallized together, solid solutions form, suggesting that properties of future materials can be tuned continuously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kareem Abdur-Rashid
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St. George St., Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5S 3H6
- Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences, 3359 Mississauga Road, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, L5L 1 C
| | - Shraman K Saha
- Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences, 3359 Mississauga Road, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, L5L 1 C
| | - Jules Mugisha
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St. George St., Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5S 3H6
- Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences, 3359 Mississauga Road, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, L5L 1 C
| | - Sam Teale
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, 10 King's College Road, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5S 3G8
| | - Sasa Wang
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, 10 King's College Road, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5S 3G8
| | - Meelad Saber
- Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences, 3359 Mississauga Road, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, L5L 1 C
| | - Alan J Lough
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St. George St., Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5S 3H6
| | - Edward H Sargent
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, 10 King's College Road, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5S 3G8
| | - Ulrich Fekl
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St. George St., Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5S 3H6
- Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences, 3359 Mississauga Road, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, L5L 1 C
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Javadzadeh Y, Santos A, Aquilino MS, Mylvaganam S, Urban K, Carlen PL. Cannabidiol Exerts Anticonvulsant Effects Alone and in Combination with Δ 9-THC through the 5-HT1A Receptor in the Neocortex of Mice. Cells 2024; 13:466. [PMID: 38534310 DOI: 10.3390/cells13060466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Cannabinoids have shown potential in drug-resistant epilepsy treatment; however, we lack knowledge on which cannabinoid(s) to use, dosing, and their pharmacological targets. This study investigated (i) the anticonvulsant effect of Cannabidiol (CBD) alone and (ii) in combination with Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), as well as (iii) the serotonin (5-HT)1A receptor's role in CBD's mechanism of action. Seizure activity, induced by 4-aminopyridine, was measured by extracellular field recordings in cortex layer 2/3 of mouse brain slices. The anticonvulsant effect of 10, 30, and 100 µM CBD alone and combined with Δ9-THC was evaluated. To examine CBD's mechanism of action, slices were pre-treated with a 5-HT1A receptor antagonist before CBD's effect was evaluated. An amount of ≥30 µM CBD alone exerted significant anticonvulsant effects while 10 µM CBD did not. However, 10 µM CBD combined with low-dose Δ9-THC (20:3 ratio) displayed significantly greater anticonvulsant effects than either phytocannabinoid alone. Furthermore, blocking 5-HT1A receptors before CBD application significantly abolished CBD's effects. Thus, our results demonstrate the efficacy of low-dose CBD and Δ9-THC combined and that CBD exerts its effects, at least in part, through 5-HT1A receptors. These results could address drug-resistance while providing insight into CBD's mechanism of action, laying the groundwork for further testing of cannabinoids as anticonvulsants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasaman Javadzadeh
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5S 0T8, Canada
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada
| | - Alexandra Santos
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5S 0T8, Canada
| | - Mark S Aquilino
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5S 0T8, Canada
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada
| | - Shanthini Mylvaganam
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5S 0T8, Canada
| | | | - Peter L Carlen
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5S 0T8, Canada
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada
- Department of Medicine (Neurology), University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4, Canada
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Grandmont A, Rhouma M, Létourneau-Montminy MP, Thériault W, Mainville I, Arcand Y, Leduc R, Demers B, Thibodeau A. Characterization of the Effects of a Novel Probiotic on Salmonella Colonization of a Piglet-Derived Intestinal Microbiota Using Improved Bioreactor. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:787. [PMID: 38473172 DOI: 10.3390/ani14050787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The carriage of Salmonella in pigs is a major concern for the agri-food industry and for global healthcare systems. Humans could develop salmonellosis when consuming contaminated pig products. On the other hand, some Salmonella serotypes could cause disease in swine, leading to economic losses on farms. The purpose of the present study was to characterize the anti-Salmonella activity of a novel Bacillus-based probiotic using a bioreactor containing a piglet-derived intestinal microbiota. Two methods of probiotic administration were tested: a single daily and a continuous dose. Salmonella enumeration was performed using selective agar at T24h, T48h, T72h, T96h and T120h. The DNA was extracted from bioreactor samples to perform microbiome profiling by targeted 16S rRNA gene sequencing on Illumina Miseq. The quantification of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) was also assessed at T120h. The probiotic decreased Salmonella counts at T96 for the daily dose and at T120 for the continuous one. Both probiotic doses affected the alpha and beta diversity of the piglet-derived microbiota (p < 0.05). A decrease in acetate concentration and an increase in propionate proportion were observed in the continuous condition. In conclusion, the tested Bacillus-based product showed a potential to modulate microbiota and reduce Salmonella colonization in a piglet-derived intestinal microbiota and could therefore be used in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amely Grandmont
- Chaire de Recherche en Salubrité des Viandes, Département de Microbiologie et Pathologie, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC J2S 2M2, Canada
- Groupe de Recherche et d'Enseignement en Salubrité Alimentaire, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC J2S 2M2, Canada
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie Porcine et Avicole, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC J2S 2M2, Canada
| | - Mohamed Rhouma
- Chaire de Recherche en Salubrité des Viandes, Département de Microbiologie et Pathologie, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC J2S 2M2, Canada
- Groupe de Recherche et d'Enseignement en Salubrité Alimentaire, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC J2S 2M2, Canada
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie Porcine et Avicole, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC J2S 2M2, Canada
| | - Marie-Pierre Létourneau-Montminy
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie Porcine et Avicole, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC J2S 2M2, Canada
- Chaire de Recherche sur les Stratégies Alternatives d'Alimentation des Porcs et des Volailles: Approche Systémique pour un Développement Durable, Faculté des Sciences de l'Agriculture et de l'Alimentation, Université Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - William Thériault
- Chaire de Recherche en Salubrité des Viandes, Département de Microbiologie et Pathologie, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC J2S 2M2, Canada
- Groupe de Recherche et d'Enseignement en Salubrité Alimentaire, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC J2S 2M2, Canada
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie Porcine et Avicole, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC J2S 2M2, Canada
| | | | - Yves Arcand
- Agriculture et Agroalimentaire Canada, St-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 8E3, Canada
| | - Roland Leduc
- NUVAC Éco-Sciences, Valcourt, QC J0E 2L0, Canada
| | - Bruno Demers
- NUVAC Éco-Sciences, Valcourt, QC J0E 2L0, Canada
| | - Alexandre Thibodeau
- Chaire de Recherche en Salubrité des Viandes, Département de Microbiologie et Pathologie, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC J2S 2M2, Canada
- Groupe de Recherche et d'Enseignement en Salubrité Alimentaire, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC J2S 2M2, Canada
- Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie Porcine et Avicole, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC J2S 2M2, Canada
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Yalcin Z, Liang M, Abdelrazek IM, Friedrich C, Bareke E, Nabil A, Tüttelmann F, Majewski J, Abdalla E, Tan SL, Slim R. A report of two homozygous TERB1 protein-truncating variants in two unrelated women with primary infertility. J Assist Reprod Genet 2024; 41:751-756. [PMID: 38277113 PMCID: PMC10957843 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-024-03031-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the genetic etiology of patients with female infertility. METHODS Whole Exome Sequencing was performed on genomic DNA extracted from the patient's blood. Exome data were filtered for damaging rare biallelic variants in genes with possible roles in reproduction. Sanger sequencing was used to validate the selected variants and segregate them in family members. RESULTS A novel homozygous likely pathogenic variant, c.626G>A, p.Trp209*, was identified in the TERB1 gene of the patient. Additionally, we report a second homozygous pathogenic TERB1 variant, c.1703C>G, p.Ser568*, in an infertile woman whose azoospermic brother was previously described to be homozygous for her variant. CONCLUSIONS Here, we report for the first time two homozygous likely pathogenic and pathogenic TERB1 variants, c.626G>A, p.Trp209* and c.1703C>G, p.Ser568*, respectively, in two unrelated women with primary infertility. TERB1 is known to play an essential role in homologous chromosome movement, synapsis, and recombination during the meiotic prophase I and has an established role in male infertility in humans. Our data add TERB1 to the shortlist of Meiosis I genes associated with human infertility in both sexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeynep Yalcin
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Manqi Liang
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Ibrahim M Abdelrazek
- Department of Human Genetics, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Corinna Friedrich
- Institute of Reproductive Genetics, University of Münster, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Eric Bareke
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Amira Nabil
- Department of Human Genetics, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Frank Tüttelmann
- Institute of Reproductive Genetics, University of Münster, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Jacek Majewski
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Ebtesam Abdalla
- Department of Human Genetics, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Seang-Lin Tan
- OriginElle Fertility Clinic, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Rima Slim
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Décarie Blvd, Montréal, Québec, H4A 3J1, Canada.
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Hung L, Wong KLY, Mann J, Berndt A, Wong L, Wang C, Liao D, Pan D, Ren H. The Perspective of Nurses and Healthcare Providers on the use of Television Videos with People with Moderate to Severe Dementia. Can J Nurs Res 2024; 56:49-60. [PMID: 37844601 PMCID: PMC10804870 DOI: 10.1177/08445621231208220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nurses and healthcare providers need practical tools to deliver person-centred care in hospitals and long-term care homes. Few non-pharmacological interventions are designed to meet the needs of people with moderate to severe dementia. Dementia-friendly television videos (TV videos) offer a familiar stimulation with the potential for meaningful engagement in the relational space of technology. TV videos refer to moving visuals with audio that can be shown on TV and other devices. They can be used for different purposes for people with dementia, such as stimulating memories and facilitating expressions. PURPOSE This study aims to understand the perspectives of nurses and healthcare providers on the potential function and practice considerations of using TV videos for people with moderate to severe dementia. METHODS We conducted five focus groups with 23 nurses and healthcare providers in a long-term care home and a geriatric hospital unit. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis and guided by Kitwood's person-centred care model. RESULTS Our analysis identified five themes about the use of TV videos: (1) calm the person with dementia who is in emotional distress, (2) form connections with the person with dementia, (3) bring people with dementia together, (4) facilitate the Person's Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), (5) help the person connect with their past. CONCLUSION TV videos should be designed to match the person's cognitive abilities, interests, and cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Our findings supplemented Kitwood's model by identifying the person's cultural and language needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lillian Hung
- IDEA Lab, The University of British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - Jim Mann
- Community Engagement Advisory Network, Vancouver Coastal Health, Canada
| | - Annette Berndt
- Community Engagement Advisory Network, Vancouver Coastal Health, Canada
| | - Lily Wong
- Community Engagement Advisory Network, Vancouver Coastal Health, Canada
| | - Carly Wang
- IDEA Lab, The University of British Columbia, Canada
| | - Deborah Liao
- IDEA Lab, The University of British Columbia, Canada
| | - Diane Pan
- IDEA Lab, The University of British Columbia, Canada
| | - Haopu Ren
- IDEA Lab, The University of British Columbia, Canada
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Qiao C, Agnelli F, Pokkalla DK, D'Ambrosio N, Pasini D. Anisotropic Morphing in Bistable Kirigami through Symmetry Breaking and Geometric Frustration. Adv Mater 2024:e2313198. [PMID: 38413013 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202313198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Shape morphing in bistable kirigami enables remarkable functionalities appealing to a diverse range of applications across the spectrum of length scale. At the core of their shape shifting lies the architecture of their repeating unit, where highly deformable slits and quasi-rigid rotating units often exhibit multiple symmetries that confer isotropic deployment obeying uniform scaling transformation. In this work, symmetry breaking in bistable kirigami is investigated to access geometric frustration and anisotropic morphing, enabling arbitrarily scaled deployment in planar and spatial bistable domains. With an analysis on their symmetry properties complemented by a systematic investigation integrating semi-analytical derivations, numerical simulations, and experiments on elastic kirigami sheets, this work unveils the fundamental relations between slit symmetry, geometric frustration, and anisotropic bistable deployment. Furthermore, asymmetric kirigami units are leveraged in planar and flat-to-3D demonstrations to showcase the pivotal role of shear deformation in achieving target shapes and functions so far unattainable with uniformly stretchable kirigami. The insights provided in this work unveil the role of slit symmetry breaking in controlling the anisotropic bistable deployment of soft kirigami metamaterials, enriching the range of achievable functionalities for applications spanning deployable space structures, wearable technologies, and soft machines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuan Qiao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Deep Earth Science and Engineering, College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, H3A 0C3, Canada
| | - Filippo Agnelli
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, H3A 0C3, Canada
| | - Deepak Kumar Pokkalla
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, H3A 0C3, Canada
| | - Nicholas D'Ambrosio
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, H3A 0C3, Canada
| | - Damiano Pasini
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, H3A 0C3, Canada
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Akbarian-Saravi N, Basar IA, Margoto OH, Abdollahi G N, Crawford B, Magel B, Gharibnavaz M, Eskicioglu C, Milani AS. Characterization of the Mechanical, Biodegradation, and Morphological Properties of NBR/Biopolymer Blend, Integrated with a Risk Evaluation. ACS Omega 2024; 9:9256-9268. [PMID: 38434901 PMCID: PMC10906039 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c08301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Biopolymer blends have attracted considerable attention in industrial applications due to their notable mechanical properties and biodegradability. This work delves into the innovative combination of butadiene-acrylonitrile (referred to as NBR) with a pectin-based biopolymer (NGP) at a 90:10 mass ratio through a detailed analysis employing mechanical characterization, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and morphology studies using SEM. Additionally, biopolymer's biodegradability under aerobic and anaerobic conditions is tested. The study's findings underscore the superior tensile strength and elongation at break of the NGP/NBR blend in comparison to pure NBR, while also exhibiting a decrease in puncture resistance due to imperfect bonds at the particle-matrix interfaces, necessitating the use of a compatibilizer. In anaerobic conditions, evaluation of biodegradable properties reveals 2% and 12% biodegradability in NBR and NGP/NBR blend, respectively. The degradation properties were also aligned with TGA results highlighting a lower decomposition temperature for NGP. Additionally, this research integrates the application of a conditional value-at-risk (CVaR)-based analysis of the blend's tensile properties to evaluate the uncertainty impact in the experiment. Under risk, a significant enhancement in the tensile performance (by 80%) of the NGP/NBR blend was shown compared to pure NBR. Ultimately, the study shows that adding pectin to the NBR compound amplifies the overall performance of the biopolymer significantly under select criteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niloofar Akbarian-Saravi
- Composites
Research Network-Okanagan Laboratory, School of Engineering, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, British Columbia V1V 1V7, Canada
| | - Ibrahim Alper Basar
- Bioreactor
Technology Group, School of Engineering, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, British Columbia V1V 1V7, Canada
| | - Olivia Helena Margoto
- Composites
Research Network-Okanagan Laboratory, School of Engineering, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, British Columbia V1V 1V7, Canada
| | - Nadia Abdollahi G
- Composites
Research Network-Okanagan Laboratory, School of Engineering, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, British Columbia V1V 1V7, Canada
| | - Bryn Crawford
- Composites
Research Network-Okanagan Laboratory, School of Engineering, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, British Columbia V1V 1V7, Canada
| | - Benjamin Magel
- Composites
Research Network-Okanagan Laboratory, School of Engineering, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, British Columbia V1V 1V7, Canada
| | | | - Cigdem Eskicioglu
- Bioreactor
Technology Group, School of Engineering, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, British Columbia V1V 1V7, Canada
| | - Abbas S. Milani
- Composites
Research Network-Okanagan Laboratory, School of Engineering, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, British Columbia V1V 1V7, Canada
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Delsart A, Otis C, Leung VSY, Labelle É, Moreau M, Frezier M, Drag M, Martel-Pelletier J, Pelletier JP, Troncy E. Concurrent Validation of MI-CAT(V), a Clinical Metrology Instrument for Veterinarians Assessing Osteoarthritis Pain in Cats, through Testing for Firocoxib Analgesic Efficacy in a Prospective, Randomized, Controlled, and Blinded Study. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:711. [PMID: 38473097 DOI: 10.3390/ani14050711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Veterinarians face the lack of a rapid, reliable, inexpensive, and treatment-sensitive metrological instrument reflecting feline osteoarthritis (OA) pain. The Montreal Instrument for Cat Arthritis Testing, for Use by Veterinarians (MI-CAT(V)) has been refined in 4 sub-sections, and we proposed its concurrent validation. Cats naturally affected by OA (n = 32) were randomly distributed into 4 groups of firocoxib analgesic (Gr. A: 0.40; B: 0.25; C: 0.15, and P: 0.00 mg/kg bodyweight). They were assessed during Baseline, Treatment, and Recovery periods using MI-CAT(V) and objective outcomes (effort path, stairs assay compliance, and actimetry). The MI-CAT(V) total score correlated to the effort path and actimetry (RhoS = -0.501 to -0.453; p < 0.001), also being sensitive to treatment responsiveness. The pooled treatment group improved its total, gait, and body posture scores during Treatment compared to the Baseline, Recovery, and placebo group (p < 0.05). The MI-CAT(V) suggested a dose-(especially for Gr. B) and cluster-response. Cats in the moderate and severe MI-CAT(V) clusters responded to firocoxib with a remaining analgesic effect, while the mild cluster seemed less responsive and experienced a negative rebound effect. The MI-CAT(V) was validated for its OA pain severity discriminatory abilities and sensitivity to firocoxib treatment, providing a new perspective for individualized care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aliénor Delsart
- Groupe de Recherche en Pharmacologie Animale du Québec (GREPAQ), Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 2M2, Canada
| | - Colombe Otis
- Groupe de Recherche en Pharmacologie Animale du Québec (GREPAQ), Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 2M2, Canada
| | - Vivian S Y Leung
- Groupe de Recherche en Pharmacologie Animale du Québec (GREPAQ), Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 2M2, Canada
| | - Émilie Labelle
- Groupe de Recherche en Pharmacologie Animale du Québec (GREPAQ), Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 2M2, Canada
| | - Maxim Moreau
- Groupe de Recherche en Pharmacologie Animale du Québec (GREPAQ), Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 2M2, Canada
- Osteoarthritis Research Unit, University of Montreal Hospital Research Center (CRCHUM), Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada
| | - Marilyn Frezier
- Groupe de Recherche en Pharmacologie Animale du Québec (GREPAQ), Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 2M2, Canada
| | - Marlene Drag
- Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, Fulton, MO 65251, USA
| | - Johanne Martel-Pelletier
- Osteoarthritis Research Unit, University of Montreal Hospital Research Center (CRCHUM), Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada
| | - Jean-Pierre Pelletier
- Osteoarthritis Research Unit, University of Montreal Hospital Research Center (CRCHUM), Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada
| | - Eric Troncy
- Groupe de Recherche en Pharmacologie Animale du Québec (GREPAQ), Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 2M2, Canada
- Osteoarthritis Research Unit, University of Montreal Hospital Research Center (CRCHUM), Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada
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46
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Perveen S, Yazdi AK, Hajian T, Li F, Vedadi M. Kinetic characterization of human mRNA guanine-N7 methyltransferase. Sci Rep 2024; 14:4509. [PMID: 38402266 PMCID: PMC10894281 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55184-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The 5'-mRNA-cap formation is a conserved process in protection of mRNA in eukaryotic cells, resulting in mRNA stability and efficient translation. In humans, two methyltransferases, RNA cap guanine-N7 methyltransferase (hRNMT) and cap-specific nucleoside-2'-O-methyltransferase 1 (hCMTr1) methylate the mRNA resulting in cap0 (N7mGpppN-RNA) and cap1 (N7mGpppN2'-Om-RNA) formation, respectively. Coronaviruses mimic this process by capping their RNA to evade human immune systems. The coronaviral nonstructural proteins, nsp14 and nsp10-nsp16, catalyze the same reactions as hRNMT and hCMTr1, respectively. These two viral enzymes are important targets for development of inhibitor-based antiviral therapeutics. However, assessing the selectivity of such inhibitors against human corresponding proteins is crucial. Human RNMTs have been implicated in proliferation of cancer cells and are also potential targets for development of anticancer therapeutics. Here, we report the development and optimization of a radiometric assay for hRNMT, full kinetic characterization of its activity, and optimization of the assay for high-throughput screening with a Z-factor of 0.79. This enables selectivity determination for a large number of hits from various screening of coronaviral methyltransferases, and also screening hRNMT for discovery of inhibitors and chemical probes that potentially could be used to further investigate the roles RNMTs play in cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumera Perveen
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7, Canada
| | | | - Taraneh Hajian
- Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, 661 University Ave, Toronto, ON, M5G 0A3, Canada
| | - Fengling Li
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Masoud Vedadi
- Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, 661 University Ave, Toronto, ON, M5G 0A3, Canada.
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada.
- QBI COVID-19 Research Group (QCRG), San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA.
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47
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Davoudi P, Do DN, Rathgeber B, Colombo S, Sargolzaei M, Plastow G, Wang Z, Miar Y. Characterization of runs of homozygosity islands in American mink using whole-genome sequencing data. J Anim Breed Genet 2024. [PMID: 38389405 DOI: 10.1111/jbg.12859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
The genome-wide analysis of runs of homozygosity (ROH) islands can be an effective strategy for identifying shared variants within a population and uncovering important genomic regions related to complex traits. The current study performed ROH analysis to characterize the genome-wide patterns of homozygosity, identify ROH islands and annotated genes within these candidate regions using whole-genome sequencing data from 100 American mink (Neogale vison). After sequence processing, variants were called using GATK and Samtools pipelines. Subsequent to quality control, 8,373,854 bi-allelic variants identified by both pipelines remained for further analysis. A total of 34,652 ROH segments were identified in all individuals, among which shorter segments (0.3-1 Mb) were abundant throughout the genome, approximately accounting for 84.39% of all ROH. Within these segments, we identified 63 ROH islands housing 156 annotated genes. The genes located in ROH islands were associated with fur quality (EDNRA, FGF2, FOXA2 and SLC24A4), body size/weight (MYLK4, PRIM2, FABP2, EYS and PHF3), immune capacity (IL2, IL21, PTP4A1, SEMA4C, JAK2, CCNA2 and TNIP3) and reproduction (ADAD1, KHDRBS2, INSL6, PGRMC2 and HSPA4L). Furthermore, Gene Ontology and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses revealed 56 and 9 significant terms (FDR-corrected p-value < 0.05), respectively, among which cGMP-PKG signalling pathway, regulation of actin cytoskeleton, and calcium signalling pathway were highlighted due to their functional roles in growth and fur characteristics. This is the first study to present ROH islands in American mink. The candidate genes from ROH islands and functional enrichment analysis suggest possible signatures of selection in response to the mink breeding targets, such as increased body length, reproductive performance and fur quality. These findings contribute to our understanding of genetic characteristics, and provide complementary information to assist with implementation of breeding strategies for genetic improvement in American mink.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pourya Davoudi
- Department of Animal Science and Aquaculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Duy Ngoc Do
- Department of Animal Science and Aquaculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Bruce Rathgeber
- Department of Animal Science and Aquaculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Stefanie Colombo
- Department of Animal Science and Aquaculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Mehdi Sargolzaei
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
- Select Sires Inc., Plain City, Ohio, USA
| | - Graham Plastow
- Livestock Gentec, Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Zhiquan Wang
- Livestock Gentec, Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Younes Miar
- Department of Animal Science and Aquaculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada
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48
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Oren O, McTaggart-Cowan G, Khan S. Enhancing soot oxidation using microtextured surfaces. Sci Rep 2024; 14:4247. [PMID: 38378782 PMCID: PMC10879092 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54320-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Biomass combustion provides energy needs for millions of people worldwide. However, soot accumulation on the combustors' walls significantly reduces heat transfer efficiency. Herein, we demonstrate how microtextured surfaces minimize soot accumulation by enhancing soot oxidation. We investigate soot layers from the combustion of paraffin wax as a model for wood-based soot, and find that randomly microtextured glass obtained by sandblasting shows a 71% reduction in the time taken to oxidize 90% of surface soot coverage when compared to smooth glass at 530 °C. We also study grooved microtextures fabricated via laser ablation and find that grooves with widths between 15 and 50 µm enhance soot oxidation, while the expedited advantage is lost when the groove width is 85 µm. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy validates the superior extent of soot removal on microtextures down to a sub-nanometer length-scale. The high density of sharp features such as peaks and edges on microtextures, and the conformality of the soot layer to the microtextures contribute to increased soot oxidation. We also demonstrate enhanced soot oxidation on microtextured stainless steel, the principal material of construction in biomass combustors. Microtextured surfaces that facilitate soot oxidation upon contact could significantly improve performance and longevity in various combustion applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oz Oren
- School of Sustainable Energy Engineering, Simon Fraser University, Surrey, V3T 0N1, Canada
| | - Gordon McTaggart-Cowan
- School of Sustainable Energy Engineering, Simon Fraser University, Surrey, V3T 0N1, Canada
| | - Sami Khan
- School of Sustainable Energy Engineering, Simon Fraser University, Surrey, V3T 0N1, Canada.
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49
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Khandelwal K, Dalai AK. Catalytic Supercritical Water Gasification of Canola Straw with Promoted and Supported Nickel-Based Catalysts. Molecules 2024; 29:911. [PMID: 38398661 PMCID: PMC10891835 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29040911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Lignocellulosic biomass such as canola straw is produced as low-value residue from the canola processing industry. Its high cellulose and hemicellulose content makes it a suitable candidate for the production of hydrogen via supercritical water gasification. However, supercritical water gasification of lignocellulosic biomass such as canola straw suffers from low hydrogen yield, hydrogen selectivity, and conversion efficiencies. Cost-effective and sustainable catalysts with high catalytic activity for supercritical water gasification are increasingly becoming a focal point of interest. In this research study, novel wet-impregnated nickel-based catalysts supported on carbon-negative hydrochar obtained from hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL-HC) and hydrothermal carbonization (HTC-HC) of canola straw, along with other nickel-supported catalysts such as Ni/Al2O3, Ni/ZrO2, Ni/CNT, and Ni/AC, were synthesized for gasification of canola straw on previously optimized reaction conditions of 500 °C, 60 min, 10 wt%, and 23-25 MPa. The order of hydrogen yield for the six supports was (10.5 mmol/g) Ni/ZrO2 > (9.9 mmol/g) Ni/Al2O3 > (9.1 mmol/g) Ni/HTL-HC > (8.8 mmol/g) Ni/HTC-HC > (7.7 mmol/g) Ni/AC > (6.8 mmol/g) Ni/CNT, compared to 8.1 mmol/g for the non-catalytic run. The most suitable Ni/ZrO2 catalyst was further modified using promotors such as K, Zn, and Ce, and the performance of the promoted Ni/ZrO2 catalysts was evaluated. Ni-Ce/ZrO2 showed the highest hydrogen yield of 12.9 mmol/g, followed by 12.0 mmol/g for Ni-Zn/ZrO2 and 11.6 mmol/g for Ni-K/ZrO2. The most suitable Ni-Ce/ZrO2 catalysts also demonstrated high stability over their repeated use. The superior performance of the Ni-Ce/ZrO2 was due to its high nickel dispersion, resilience to sintering, high thermal stability, and oxygen storage capabilities to minimize coke deposition.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ajay K. Dalai
- Catalysis and Chemical Reaction Engineering Laboratories, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A9, Canada;
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50
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Tossou P, Wognum C, Craig M, Mary H, Noutahi E. Real-World Molecular Out-Of-Distribution: Specification and Investigation. J Chem Inf Model 2024; 64:697-711. [PMID: 38300258 PMCID: PMC10865358 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c01774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
This study presents a rigorous framework for investigating molecular out-of-distribution (MOOD) generalization in drug discovery. The concept of MOOD is first clarified through a problem specification that demonstrates how the covariate shifts encountered during real-world deployment can be characterized by the distribution of sample distances to the training set. We find that these shifts can cause performance to drop by up to 60% and uncertainty calibration by up to 40%. This leads us to propose a splitting protocol that aims to close the gap between the deployment and testing. Then, using this protocol, a thorough investigation is conducted to assess the impact of model design, model selection, and data set characteristics on MOOD performance and uncertainty calibration. We find that appropriate representations and algorithms with built-in uncertainty estimation are crucial to improving performance and uncertainty calibration. This study sets itself apart by its exhaustiveness and opens an exciting avenue to benchmark meaningful algorithmic progress in molecular scoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prudencio Tossou
- Valence
Labs, Montréal, Québec H2S3G9, Canada
- Department
of Computer Science and Software Engineering, Université Laval, Montréal, Québec G1 V 0A6, Canada
| | - Cas Wognum
- Valence
Labs, Montréal, Québec H2S3G9, Canada
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