CD84 is a Suppressor of T and B Cell Activation during Mycobacterium tuberculosis Pathogenesis.

Interest in host-directed therapies as alternatives/adjuncts to antibiotic treatment has resurged with the increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant tuberculosis (TB). Immunotherapies that reinvigorate immune responses by targeting immune checkpoints like PD-1/PD-L1 have proved successful in cancer therapy. Immune cell inhibitory receptors that trigger Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific immunosuppression, however, are unknown.

Utilizing Pine Needles to Temporally and Spatially Profile Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS).

As concerns over exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are continually increasing, novel methods to monitor their presence and modifications are greatly needed, as some have known toxic and bioaccumulative characteristics while most have unknown effects. This task however is not simple, as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) CompTox PFAS list contains more than 9000 substances as of September 2020 with additional substances added continually. Nontargeted analyses are therefore crucial to investigating the presence of this immense list of possible PFAS.

Lateral cystic neck masses in adults: a ten-year series and comparative analysis of diagnostic modalities.

Background: In adults, the solitary lateral cystic neck mass remains a diagnostic challenge with little solid material to target for cytology and few clues on imaging modalities to suggest underlying malignancy.

Method: This study was a retrospective review of patients presenting with a lateral cystic neck mass to a tertiary academic head and neck centre over a 10-year period.

Results: A total of 25 of 157 cystic lesions were subsequently malignant on paraffin section histopathology, with the youngest patient being 42 years.

Impact of α-Linolenic Acid, the Vegetable ω-3 Fatty Acid, on Cardiovascular Disease and Cognition.

Given the evidence of the health benefits of plant-based diets and long-chain n-3 (ω-3) fatty acids, there is keen interest in better understanding the role of α-linolenic acid (ALA), a plant-derived n-3 fatty acid, on cardiometabolic diseases and cognition. There is increasing evidence for ALA largely based on its major food sources (i.e.

Inflammation and Myeloid Cells in Cancer Progression and Metastasis.

To date, the most immunotherapy drugs act upon T cell surface proteins to promote tumoricidal T cell activity. However, this approach has to date been unsuccessful in certain solid tumor types including pancreatic, prostate cancer and glioblastoma. Myeloid-related innate immunity can promote tumor progression through direct and indirect effects on T cell activity; improved understanding of this field may provide another therapeutic avenue for patients with these tumors.

APOBEC3A drives deaminase domain-independent chromosomal instability to promote pancreatic cancer metastasis.

Despite efforts in understanding its underlying mechanisms, the etiology of chromosomal instability (CIN) remains unclear for many tumor types. Here, we identify CIN initiation as a previously undescribed function for APOBEC3A (A3A), a cytidine deaminase upregulated across cancer types. Using genetic mouse models of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) and genomics analyses in human tumor cells we show that A3A-induced CIN leads to aggressive tumors characterized by enhanced early dissemination and metastasis in a STING-dependent manner and independently of the canonical deaminase functions of A3A.

Providing occupational and physical therapy services in a free community-based interprofessional primary care clinic.

Interprofessional care provided in a free community-based clinic that focuses on chronic health conditions and health promotion provides an innovative solution to improve societal health. Many existing clinics provide a range of professions, but few include allied health services such as occupational and physical therapy. This paper provides a description of the development and implementation of an expanded faculty-guided student-led community-based primary care clinic that includes occupational and physical therapists as part of an interprofessional collaborative practice model.

How does eco-driving make us feel? Considering the psychological effects of eco-driving.

Despite both the environmental and financial benefits of eco-driving being well known, the psychological impact of engaging in eco-driving behaviours has received less attention within the literature. It was anticipated that being asked to engage in eco-driving behaviours not only has an impact on vehicle fuel usage, but also on the driver, both in terms of their overall mood and willingness to re-engage with the task at a later time. Results from a simulated driving study suggest that although eco-driving was beneficial in reducing fuel consumption, being asked to eco-drive had a negative effect on overall journey time and mood.

Racial differences in breast cancer outcomes by hepatocyte growth factor pathway expression.

Purpose: Black women have a 40% increased risk of breast cancer-related mortality. These outcome disparities may reflect differences in tumor pathways and a lack of targetable therapies for specific subtypes that are more common in Black women. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a targetable pathway that promotes breast cancer tumorigenesis, is associated with basal-like breast cancer, and is differentially expressed by race.

Evaluating the effect of expert elicitation techniques on population status assessment in the face of large uncertainty.

Population projection models are important tools for conservation and management. They are often used for population status assessments, for threat analyses, and to predict the consequences of conservation actions. Although conservation decisions should be informed by science, critical decisions are often made with very little information to support decision-making.

Hip resection arthroplasty for acute femoral neck fractures in the non-ambulator.

Objectives: Hemiarthroplasty (HA) is the current standard of care for displaced femoral neck fractures (FNFs) in non-ambulators. Despite excellent outcomes, arthroplasty-specific risks remain, including dislocation, implant failure, periprosthetic fracture and infection, and fat embolization syndrome. To eliminate the possibility of these complications, should non-ambulatory patients with acute, native hip FNFs be treated with simple hip resection arthroplasty (HRA) instead of HA?

Design: Retrospective case series.

CES2 sustains HNF4α expression to promote pancreatic adenocarcinoma progression through an epoxide hydrolase-dependent regulatory loop.

Objective: Intra-tumoral expression of the serine hydrolase carboxylesterase 2 (CES2) contributes to the activation of the pro-drug irinotecan in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Given other potential roles of CES2, we assessed its regulation, downstream effects, and contribution to tumor development in PDAC.

Methods: Association between the mRNA expression of CES2 in pancreatic tumors and overall survival was assessed using The Cancer Genome Atlas.

Assessments of Functional Cognition Used with Patients following Traumatic Brain Injury in Acute Care: A Survey of Australian Occupational Therapists.

This study aimed to describe how occupational therapists working in acute care settings in Australia assess cognitive function in patients with TBI, the influences on assessment choice, and clinician perceptions of performance-based assessment. An online survey was completed by 81 occupational therapists. The most common method of cognitive assessment was reported as non-standardized observation of functional tasks (94.

Comprehensive Transcriptome Sequencing of Tanaidacea with Proteomic Evidences for Their Silk.

Tanaidaceans are small benthic crustaceans that mainly inhabit diverse marine environments, and they comprise one of the most diverse and abundant macrofaunal groups in the deep sea. Tanaidacea is one of the most thread-dependent taxa in the Crustacea, constructing tubes, spun with their silk, for shelter. In this work, we sequenced and assembled the comprehensive transcriptome of 23 tanaidaceans encompassing 14 families and 4 superfamilies of Tanaidacea, and performed silk proteomics of Zeuxo ezoensis to search for its silk genes.

Health Literacy in Surgical Oncology Patients: An Observational Study at a Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Background: Low health literacy is associated with increased resource use and poorer outcomes in medical and surgical patients with various diseases. This observational study was designed to determine (1) the prevalence of low health literacy among surgical patients with cancer at an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC), and (2) associations between health literacy and clinical outcomes.

Methods: Patients receiving surgery (N=218) for gastrointestinal (60%) or genitourinary cancers (22%) or sarcomas (18%) were recruited during their postsurgical hospitalization.

Pilot trial of remote monitoring to prevent malnutrition after hepatopancreatobiliary surgery.

Background: Patients undergoing hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) surgery, such patients with pancreatic, periampullary, and liver cancer, are at high risk for malnutrition. Malnutrition increases surgical complications and reduces overall survival. Despite its severity, there are limited interventions addressing malnutrition after HPB surgery.

CRISPR/Cas proteins are secreted virulence factors that trigger cellular immune responses.

The role of prokaryotic CRISPR/Cas system proteins as a defensive shield against invasive nucleic acids has been studied extensively. Non-canonical roles in pathogenesis involving intracellular targeting of certain virulence-associated endogenous mRNA have also been reported for some Type I and Type II CRISPR/Cas proteins, but no such roles have yet been established for Type III system proteins. Here, we demonstrate that (Type III-A system) CRISPR/Cas proteins Csm1, Csm3, Csm5, Csm6, and Cas6 are secreted and induce host immune responses.

Opioid Prescribing Patterns of Optometrists in the Medicare Part D Database.

Significance: This study aimed to determine the prescription rates and prescribing trends of opioids by optometrists in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) part D database from 2013 to 2017 and to assess opioid prescribing patterns of U.S. optometrists in the CMS part D database.

Surgical approach to pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma: uncomplicated ends justify the means.

Background: Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) remains the cornerstone of managing pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) of the pancreas head/neck, but it is associated with high morbidity. We hypothesize that, in absence of pancreatectomy-specific morbidity (PSM), minimally invasive PD (MIPD) provides improved short-term outcomes compared to open PD (OPD).

Methods: NSQIP pancreatectomy-targeted database 2014-2019 was utilized.

Effect of an Anterior Cruciate Ligament Rupture on Knee Proprioception Within 2 Years After Conservative and Operative Treatment: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis.

Background: The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) plays a major role in knee proprioception and is thus responsible for maintaining knee joint stability and functionality. The available evidence suggests that ACL reconstruction diminishes somatosensory feedback and proprioceptive functioning, which are vital for adequate joint positioning and movement control.

Objective: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the effect of an ACL rupture on knee proprioception after arthroscopic ACL repair surgery or conservative treatment.

Evaluating the model of offering expanded genetic carrier screening to high school students within the Sydney Jewish community.

Programs offering reproductive genetic carrier screening (RGCS) to high school students within the Ashkenazi Jewish community in several countries including Canada and Australia have demonstrated high uptake and retention of educational messages over time. This study was undertaken to evaluate whether testing for an expanded number of conditions in a high school setting would impact the effectiveness of education. In this questionnaire-based study, genetic carrier testing for nine conditions was offered to 322 year 11 students from five high schools, with students attending a compulsory 1-h education session prior to voluntary testing.

Management of sinonasal cancers: Survey of UK practice and literature overview.

Introduction: Sinonasal malignancy is a rare and heterogenous disease, with limited evidence to guide management. This report summarises the findings of a UK survey and expert workshop discussion which took place to inform design of a proposed UK trial to assess proton beam therapy versus intensity-modulated radiation therapy.

Method: A multidisciplinary working group constructed an online survey to assess current approaches within the UK to surgical and non-surgical practice.