Publications by authors named "John Knight"

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) poses a significant public health challenge in Canada, with the Atlantic provinces bearing a particularly high burden. The implementation of population-based colon screening programs is aimed to address this concern. However, limited research exists on the effect of these programs especially in Canada.

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Background: The health-care sector is responsible for 5·2% of global emissions, however, little data exist regarding the environmental impact of disease management strategies. SGLT2 inhibitors are now widely used to reduce the risk of hospital admission and kidney failure in people with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. This study aimed to estimate the impact of SGLT2 inhibitors on greenhouse gas emissions using data from the CREDENCE trial.

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Article Synopsis
  • - Hyperoxaluria leads to high levels of oxalate in urine, resulting in the formation of calcium oxalate (CaOx) kidney stones, and there's a need for better treatment options.
  • - Researchers discovered a new compound, l-lysine dioxalate (LH1513), which is a stronger inhibitor of CaOx crystallization than existing substances like citrate and pyruvate.
  • - A prodrug version of LH1513 shows good absorption when taken orally and has been tested in a preliminary study on mice, showing potential in preventing the formation of urinary CaOx crystals associated with hyperoxaluria.
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Hyperoxaluria is a condition in which there is a pathologic abundance of oxalate in the urine through either hepatic overproduction (primary hyperoxaluria [PH]) or excessive enteric absorption of dietary oxalate (enteric hyperoxaluria [EH]). Severity can vary with the most severe forms causing kidney failure and extrarenal manifestations. To address the current challenges and innovations in hyperoxaluria, the 14th International Hyperoxaluria Workshop convened in Perugia, Italy, bringing together international experts for focused presentation and discussion.

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Ribosome quality control (RQC) resolves collided ribosomes, thus preventing their cytotoxic effects. The chemotherapeutic agent 5-Fluorouracil (5FU) is best known for its misincorporation into DNA and inhibition of thymidylate synthase. However, while a major determinant of 5FU's anticancer activity is its misincorporation into RNAs, the mechanisms by which cancer cells overcome the RNA-dependent 5FU toxicity remain ill-defined.

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Article Synopsis
  • Stroke patients on clopidogrel may face risks from genetic variants that impair how their bodies process the medication; genetic testing can help identify these issues for better treatment targeting.* -
  • The study examined whether genetic testing for clopidogrel resistance can lead to a lower risk of future vascular events, especially when using alternative medications like ticagrelor instead of clopidogrel.* -
  • Results showed that while two studies indicated a reduced risk of events in genetically tested patients, the evidence was not very strong, and ticagrelor was found to be more effective than clopidogrel in those with genetic variants.*
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Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant clinical challenge in Sri Lanka. The present study presents histopathological diagnoses from native renal biopsies in Kandy District, 2011-2020.

Methods: Reports of 5,014 renal biopsies principally performed at Kandy Teaching Hospital over 2011-2020 were reviewed.

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In Canada, most people prefer to die at home. However, the proportion of deaths that occur in hospital has increased over time. This study examined mortality rates and proportionate mortality in Innu communities in Labrador, and compared patterns to other communities in Labrador and Newfoundland.

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Primary Hyperoxaluria Type 3 (PH3) results from 4-hydroxy-2-oxoglutarate (HOG) aldolase (HOGA) deficiency, which causes an increase in endogenous oxalate synthesis leading to calcium oxalate kidney stone disease. The mechanisms underlying HOG metabolism and increased oxalate synthesis in PH3 are not well understood. We used a knock-out mouse model of PH3 to investigate two aspects of HOG metabolism: reduction to dihydroxyglutarate (DHG), a pathway that may limit oxalate synthesis in PH3, and metabolism to glyoxylate, which is a direct precursor to oxalate.

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Background: IL4, IL5, IL13, and IL17-producing CD4 T helper 2 (Th2)-cells and IL17-producing CD4 T helper 17 (Th17)-cells contribute to chronic eosinophilic and neutrophilic airway inflammation in asthma and allergic airway inflammation. Chemokines and their receptors are upregulated in Th2/Th17-mediated inflammation. However, the ability of CXCR1 and CXCR2 modulate Th2 and Th17-cell-mediated allergic lung inflammation has not been reported.

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Key Points: Automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) had a higher carbon impact than continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). This was due to higher emissions from the manufacture and disposal of APD consumables, and their higher weight, meaning greater transport emissions. Polyvinyl chloride recycling can partially mitigate peritoneal dialysis–associated emissions.

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Article Synopsis
  • Long wait times in emergency departments (EDs) are a global concern, and using artificial intelligence (AI) is a new approach being explored to address this issue more effectively than previous methods.
  • This study aims to summarize current evidence on AI's impact on ED wait times, examine its applications, and establish a continuous review process to keep the findings up-to-date.
  • The research is being conducted as a living systematic review, with a thorough literature search that identified over 17,000 articles, and it will involve ongoing updates and collaboration with knowledge users to ensure relevance and usability.
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Objectives: To assess the racial and sociodemographic distribution of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening uptake in Canada, identify disparities, and evaluate the potential predictors and barriers to CRC screening.

Methods: Data from the 2017 cycle of the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) were analyzed, focusing on individuals aged 50-74 years. CRC screening participation rates were evaluated at both national and provincial levels and across various sociodemographic characteristics.

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The global unmet need for kidney replacement therapy means that millions of people die every year as they cannot afford treatment. Peritoneal dialysis (PD) offers comparable survival to haemodialysis and is often more affordable, but one barrier to increasing access is that conventional manufacturing and distribution of PD fluid is costly. Here we report the results from a pilot proof-of-principal study demonstrating for the first time that the Ellen Medical Devices Point-of-Care system can be used by patients to produce sterile PD fluid at the point-of-care.

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Objectives: This study examined the dental insurance coverage, dentist visits, self-perceived oral health status, and dental problems among Asian immigrant women of childbearing age in contrast to Canadian women of childbearing age and non-Asian immigrant women of childbearing age. Potential barriers to dental care services among Asian immigrant women were explored.

Methods: This analysis utilized data from the combined Canadian Community Health Survey from 2011 to 2014.

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Objective: This study examined the dental care utilization and self-preserved dental health of Asian immigrants relative to non-immigrants in Canada. Factors associated with oral health-related disparities between Asian immigrants and other Canadians were further examined.

Methods: We analyzed 37,935 Canadian residents aged 12 years and older in the Canadian Community Health Survey 2012-2014 microdata file.

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A new species of Pethia from Nagaland, northeastern India is distinguished from all its congeners in the Ganges-Brahmaputra drainage, Kaladan drainage and the Chindwin- Ayeyarwady drainage by the following combination of characters: lateral line complete with 22-23 pored scales up to tail-fin base, 3rd and 4th lateral line scales with minute humeral spot, a large elliptical to rounded black blotch covering 16th to 18th, or 17th to 19th lateral-line scales; live male specimens with reddish-green body above lateral line and reddish-orange beneath; dorsal, pectoral, pelvic, anal and caudal fins reddish-orange; dorsal fin in both sexes with broad black submargin. Genetic analysis based on the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase unit I (cox1) suggests that the species is distinct from other known species of Pethia for which data are available.

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The marine ecosystem around the Island of Newfoundland is contaminated by thyroid disrupting chemicals (TDCs). Coastal inhabitants may be exposed to TDCs through consumption of contaminated local seafood products and affecting thyroid functions. The aim of this study was to explore: (1) consumption frequency of local seafood products consumed by rural residents, (2) thyroid hormones (THs) and TDCs concentrations in residents, (3) relationships between local seafood consumption, TDC concentrations, and THs.

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Chronic exposure to airborne carbon black ultrafine (nCB) particles generated from incomplete combustion of organic matter drives IL-17A-dependent emphysema. However, whether and how they alter the immune responses to lung cancer remains unknown. Here, we show that exposure to nCB particles increased PD-L1 PD-L2 CD206 antigen-presenting cells (APCs), exhausted T cells, and T cells.

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Background And Objectives: Climate change is the biggest global health threat of the twenty-first century. Health care itself is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, and dialysis programs contribute disproportionately. Nephrology societies have called for increased recognition and action to minimize the environmental effect of dialysis care, but little data exist regarding environmental sustainability practices within dialysis facilities worldwide.

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