Impact of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and of seasonal variations on the innate immune inflammatory response.

Introduction: The innate immune response is an important first checkpoint in the evolution of an infection. Although adaptive immunity is generally considered the immune component that retains antigenic memory, innate immune responses can also be affected by previous stimulations. This study evaluated the impact of vaccination on innate cell activation by TLR7/8 agonist R848, as well as seasonal variations.

Infection Rate and Risk Factors of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Retail Workers at the Onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Quebec, Canada.

During the pandemic, client-facing workers were perceived to be at greater risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. This study investigated the risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection among a cohort of 304 retail workers in the Quebec City metropolitan area. After providing consent, participants were interviewed to gather information on demographic, socioeconomic, behavioural, and occupational variables.

Longitudinal determination of seroprevalence and immune response to SARS-CoV-2 in a population of food and retail workers through decentralized testing and transformation of ELISA datasets.

Background: Since the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, numerous studies have been conducted worldwide to understand our immune response to the virus and to vaccination. This study investigates the humoral response elicited by SARS-CoV-2 infection and by vaccination in the poorly studied population of food and retail workers. These occupations were classified as essential by the Public Health Agency of Canada, potentially placing this population at greater risk of infection.

Total Synthesis and Structural Reassignment of the Antitubercular Natural Product Evybactin.

The escalating threat posed by antibiotic resistance is a global concern and underscores the need for new antibiotics. In this context, the recent discovery of evybactin, a nonribosomal depsipeptide antibiotic that selectively and potently inhibits the growth of M. tuberculosis, is particularly noteworthy.

Live virus neutralizing antibodies against pre and post Omicron strains in food and retail workers in Québec, Canada.

Background: Measuring the ability of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies to neutralize live viruses remains an effective approach to quantify the level of protection of individuals. We assessed the neutralization activity against the ancestral SARS-CoV-2, Delta, Omicron BA.1, BA.

Imaging of breast cancer-beyond the basics.

Imaging of breast cancer is the backbone of breast cancer screening, diagnosis, preoperative/treatment assessment and follow-up. The main modalities are mammography, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. New emerging technologies have also enabled each modality to improve on their weaknesses.

Iron limitation in M. tuberculosis has broad impact on central carbon metabolism.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the cause of the human pulmonary disease tuberculosis (TB), contributes to approximately 1.5 million deaths every year. Prior work has established that lipids are actively catabolized by Mtb in vivo and fulfill major roles in Mtb physiology and pathogenesis.

A retrospective study evaluating outcomes of surgical excision versus radiologic follow-up of benign breast papillomas without atypia.

Background: There is uncertainty whether benign breast papillomas without atypia (BP) can be followed by imaging or require surgical resection.

Methods: A single-center, retrospective cohort study of patients diagnosed with BP (2011-2021) to determine the upgrade rate on surgery, and factors associated with surgical intervention and upgrade.

Results: 139 BPs were included.

A Liquid Hydrogel to Restore Long Term Corneal Integrity After Perforating and Non-Perforating Trauma in Feline Eyes.

To evaluate long-term functionality of corneas regenerated using a cell-free, liquid hydrogel filler (LiQD Cornea) after deep corneal trauma in the feline model. Two healthy cats underwent 4 mm diameter stepwise 250/450 µm deep surgical corneal ablation with and without needle perforation. The filler comprising 10% (w/w) collagen-like peptide conjugated to polyethylene glycol (CLP-PEG) and 1% fibrinogen and crosslinked with 2% (w/w) 4-(4,6-dimethoxy-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)-4-methylmorpholinium chloride (DMTMM), was applied to the wound bed previously coated with thrombin (250 U/ml).

Estimate of the contemporary live-birth prevalence of recurrent 22q11.2 deletions: a cross-sectional analysis from population-based newborn screening.

Background: Although pathogenic 22q11.2 deletions are an important cause of developmental delays and lifelong disease burden, their variable and complex clinical expression contributes to under-recognition, delayed molecular diagnosis and uncertainty about prevalence. We sought to estimate the contemporary live-birth prevalence of typical 22q11.

Single cell analysis of M. tuberculosis phenotype and macrophage lineages in the infected lung.

In this study, we detail a novel approach that combines bacterial fitness fluorescent reporter strains with scRNA-seq to simultaneously acquire the host transcriptome, surface marker expression, and bacterial phenotype for each infected cell. This approach facilitates the dissection of the functional heterogeneity of M. tuberculosis-infected alveolar (AMs) and interstitial macrophages (IMs) in vivo.

Hydrodynamic forces influence the gene transcription of mechanosensitive intercellular junction associated genes in corneal endothelial cells.

Mechanicals forces are known to influence cell behavior. In vivo, the corneal endothelium is under the influence of various mechanical forces, such as intraocular pressure (IOP) and fluid flow. In this study, we used a corneal bioreactor to understand the effect of these hydrodynamic forces on the transcription of intercellular junctions associated genes in the corneal endothelium.

Matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy.

Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is characterized by a progressive loss of corneal endothelial cells (CECs) and an abnormal accumulation of extracellular matrix in Descemet's membrane leading to increased thickness and formation of excrescences called guttae. Extracellular matrix homeostasis is modulated by an equilibrium between matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their endogenous tissue inhibitors (TIMPs). This study aimed to investigate MMPs and TIMPs profile in FECD, taking into account cell morphology.

In Vitro Expansion of Corneal Endothelial Cells for Transplantation.

The corneal endothelium forms a leaky barrier between the corneal stroma and the aqueous humor of the anterior chamber. This cell monolayer maintains the corneal stroma in a state of relative dehydration, a process called deturgescence, which is required in order to obtain corneal stromal transparency. Endothelial dysfunctions lead to visual impairment that ultimately can only be treated surgically via the corneal transplantation of a functional endothelium.

North American survey and systematic review on caudal Septoplasty.

Background: Surgical correction of caudal septal deviation is a technically challenging step of functional rhinoplasty. Multiple surgical techniques have been described in the literature but comparing the efficacy of each in relieving obstruction presents a challenge. Outcome measures are necessary to adequately compare techniques.

Endometrial ablation or resection versus levonorgestrel intra-uterine system for the treatment of women with heavy menstrual bleeding and a normal uterine cavity: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

Background: Endometrial ablation/resection and the levonorgestrel intra-uterine system (LNG-IUS) are well-established treatment options for heavy menstrual bleeding to avoid more invasive alternatives, such as hysterectomy.

Objective: The aim was to compare the efficacy and safety of endometrial ablation or resection with the LNG-IUS in the treatment of premenopausal women with heavy menstrual bleeding and to investigate sources of heterogeneity between studies.

Search Methods: We searched the databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, Web of Science, Biosis and Google Scholar as well as citations and reference lists published up to August 2019.

Two cases of meningitis associated with ocrelizumab therapy.

Ocrelizumab is a monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody approved for the treatment of both relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS). Its increasing use for MS has been due in part to its efficacy, unique indication for PPMS, and convenient dosing, combined with a favorable side effect and risk profile. In this case report we describe two cases of meningitis developing within 1 year of initiating ocrelizumab therapy in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Nurse staffing models in acute care: A descriptive study.

Aims: To identify nurse staffing groups in acute care facilities.

Design: This retrospective descriptive study used a configurational approach.

Methods: Data from a two-month target period from January-March 2016 were collected for 40 facilities in four different hospitals in one of the largest regions of Quebec.

The incremental benefit of EUS for the identification of malignancy in indeterminate extrahepatic biliary strictures: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This systematic review aims to assess the literature to determine the impact of EUS for diagnosing malignancy among indeterminate extrahepatic biliary strictures. A systematic review was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, and conference proceedings from inception to July 2016. Pooled results were calculated using random-effects model, and heterogeneity was explored using stratified meta-analysis and meta-regression.

Value of Shear Wave Elastography for the Differentiation of Benign and Malignant Microcalcifications of the Breast.

The objective of our study was to evaluate whether shear wave elastography (SWE) can differentiate benign from malignant microcalcifications of the breast when detected on ultrasound (US). Between February 9, and June 23, 2016, 74 patients with mammographically detected suspicious microcalcifications underwent breast US. When microcalcifications were identified on US, stiffness was assessed using SWE.

Case report of an unusual and catastrophic presentation of coral reef aorta.

Background: Coral reef aorta (CRA) is a rare condition characterized by atherosclerosis and overt calcification of the aorta leading to severe luminal stenosis of the vessel. Most patients present with hypertension and intermittent claudication at the time of diagnosis. Risk factors associated with this condition are essentially the same as those associated with atherosclerosis.

Can strain elastography improve the characterization of breast lesions identified during second-look MRI-directed sonographic examination?

Purpose: To evaluate strain elastography as a complementary tool for characterization of lesions identified during second-look MRI-directed sonographic examination.

Methods: We reviewed 83 breast lesions evaluated with MRI, secondlook ultrasound (US) and strain elastography in 75 consecutive patients (median age, 56 years). US-guided biopsies were performed in all cases.