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BMJ Open Aug 2023Dementia-related stigma reduces the quality of life of people living with dementia and their care partners. However, there is a dearth of literature synthesising...
INTRODUCTION
Dementia-related stigma reduces the quality of life of people living with dementia and their care partners. However, there is a dearth of literature synthesising knowledge on stigma of dementia during the COVID-19 pandemic. This scoping review protocol outlines a methodology that will be used to understand the impact of stigma on people living with dementia during the pandemic. Addressing dementia-related stigma is critical to promoting timely dementia diagnoses and enhancing the quality of life for people living with dementia and their care partners.
METHODS AND ANALYSIS
This review will follow the Arksey and O'Malley methodological framework and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews checklist. The review will focus on English-language, peer-reviewed literature published between 13 January 2020 and 30 June 2023. Stigma will be broadly defined according to pre-established components (stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination). We will search six databases including CINAHL, EMBASE, Google Scholar, Medline, PsycINFO and Web of Science. We will also hand-search the reference lists of relevant articles to identify additional manuscripts. Two reviewers will develop the data extraction table, as well as independently conduct the data screening. Any disagreements will be resolved through open discussion between the two researchers, and if necessary, by consulting the full team to achieve consensus. Data synthesis will be conducted using an inductive thematic analysis approach.
ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION
This review will be the first to explore the impact of dementia-related stigma during the COVID-19 pandemic. An advisory panel including a person living with dementia and a care partner will be consulted to inform our review's findings and support the data dissemination process. The results of this scoping review will be shared and disseminated through publication in a peer-reviewed journal, presentations at academic conferences, a community workshop and webinars with various stakeholders.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Dementia; Pandemics; Quality of Life; Review Literature as Topic; Social Stigma
PubMed: 37643852
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-076300 -
Affective Science Dec 2023Studying facial expressions is a notoriously difficult endeavor. Recent advances in the field of affective computing have yielded impressive progress in automatically...
UNLABELLED
Studying facial expressions is a notoriously difficult endeavor. Recent advances in the field of affective computing have yielded impressive progress in automatically detecting facial expressions from pictures and videos. However, much of this work has yet to be widely disseminated in social science domains such as psychology. Current state-of-the-art models require considerable domain expertise that is not traditionally incorporated into social science training programs. Furthermore, there is a notable absence of user-friendly and open-source software that provides a comprehensive set of tools and functions that support facial expression research. In this paper, we introduce Py-Feat, an open-source Python toolbox that provides support for detecting, preprocessing, analyzing, and visualizing facial expression data. Py-Feat makes it easy for domain experts to disseminate and benchmark computer vision models and also for end users to quickly process, analyze, and visualize face expression data. We hope this platform will facilitate increased use of facial expression data in human behavior research.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42761-023-00191-4.
PubMed: 38156250
DOI: 10.1007/s42761-023-00191-4 -
PLoS Pathogens Aug 2023Most humans have a lifelong imperceptible BK Polyomavirus (BKPyV) infection in epithelial cells lining the reno-urinary tract. In kidney transplant recipients,...
Most humans have a lifelong imperceptible BK Polyomavirus (BKPyV) infection in epithelial cells lining the reno-urinary tract. In kidney transplant recipients, unrestricted high-level replication of donor-derived BKPyV in the allograft underlies polyomavirus-associated nephropathy, a condition with massive epithelial cell loss and inflammation causing premature allograft failure. There is limited understanding on how BKPyV disseminates throughout the reno-urinary tract and sometimes causes kidney damage. Tubule epithelial cells are tightly connected and have unique apical and basolateral membrane domains with highly specialized functions but all in vitro BKPyV studies have been performed in non-polarized cells. We therefore generated a polarized cell model of primary renal proximal tubule epithelial cells (RPTECs) and characterized BKPyV entry and release. After 8 days on permeable inserts, RPTECs demonstrated apico-basal polarity. BKPyV entry was most efficient via the apical membrane, that in vivo faces the tubular lumen, and depended on sialic acids. Progeny release started between 48 and 58 hours post-infection (hpi), and was exclusively detected in the apical compartment. From 72 hpi, cell lysis and detachment gradually increased but cells were mainly shed by extrusion and the barrier function was therefore maintained. The decoy-like cells were BKPyV infected and could transmit BKPyV to uninfected cells. By 120 hpi, the epithelial barrier was disrupted by severe cytopathic effects, and BKPyV entered the basolateral compartment mimicking the interstitial space. Addition of BKPyV-specific neutralizing antibodies to this compartment inhibited new infections. Taken together, we propose that during in vivo low-level BKPyV replication, BKPyV disseminates inside the tubular system, thereby causing minimal damage and delaying immune detection. However, in kidney transplant recipients lacking a well-functioning immune system, replication in the allograft will progress and eventually cause denudation of the basement membrane, leading to an increased number of decoy cells, high-level BKPyV-DNAuria and DNAemia, the latter a marker of allograft damage.
Topics: Humans; Cytology; BK Virus; Polyomavirus; Kidney; Epithelial Cells; Polyomavirus Infections
PubMed: 37639485
DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011622 -
Frontiers in Bioscience (Landmark... Apr 2024Metastasis remains a leading cause of mortality for patients with solid tumors. An expanding body of literature suggests interplay between the host, gut, and tumoral... (Review)
Review
Metastasis remains a leading cause of mortality for patients with solid tumors. An expanding body of literature suggests interplay between the host, gut, and tumoral microbiomes may play a role in cancer initiation and distant dissemination. These associations have been particularly well-studied in colorectal cancer, where gut dysbiosis and an endotoxin-induced inflammatory milieu foster premalignant polyp formation, setting the stage for carcinogenesis. Subsequent violation of the gut vascular barrier enables dissemination of bacterial agents to sites such as the liver, where they contribute to establishment of pre-metastatic niches, which promote tumor cell extravasation and metastatic outgrowth. Intriguingly, breakdown of this vascular barrier has been shown to be aided by the presence of tumoral bacteria. The presence of similar species, including and , in both primary and metastatic colorectal tumors, supports this hypothesis and their presence is associated with chemotherapy resistance and an overall poor prognosis. Specific gut microbial populations are also associated with differential response to immunotherapy, which has a growing role in microsatellite unstable colorectal cancers. Recent work suggests that modulation of gut microbiome using dietary modification, targeted antibiotics, or fecal microbiota transplantation may improve response to immunotherapy and oncologic outcomes. Elucidation of the precise mechanistic links between the microbiome and cancer dissemination will open the doors to additional therapeutic possibilities.
Topics: Humans; Colorectal Neoplasms; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Neoplasm Metastasis; Dysbiosis; Bacteria; Fecal Microbiota Transplantation
PubMed: 38682201
DOI: 10.31083/j.fbl2904152 -
Journal of Korean Medical Science Feb 2024
Topics: Humans; Social Media; Video Recording; Information Dissemination
PubMed: 38412615
DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2024.39.e93 -
Research Square Dec 2023Uveal melanoma is the most common non-cutaneous melanoma and is an intraocular malignancy affecting nearly 7,000 individuals per year worldwide. Of these, approximately...
BACKGROUND
Uveal melanoma is the most common non-cutaneous melanoma and is an intraocular malignancy affecting nearly 7,000 individuals per year worldwide. Of these, approximately 50% will progress to metastatic disease for which there are currently no effective therapies. Despite advances in molecular profiling and metastatic stratification of uveal melanoma tumors, little is known regarding their underlying biology of metastasis. Our group has identified a disseminated neoplastic cell population characterized by co-expression of immune and melanoma proteins, circulating hybrid cells (hybrids), in patients with uveal melanoma. Compared to circulating tumor cells, which lack expression of immune proteins, hybrids are detected at an increased prevalence in peripheral blood and can be used as a non-invasive biomarker to predict metastatic progression.
METHODS
To ascertain mechanisms underlying enhanced hybrid cell dissemination we identified hybrid cells within primary uveal melanoma tumors using single cell RNA sequencing and evaluated their gene expression and predicted ligand-receptor interactions in relation to other melanoma and immune cells within the primary tumor. We then verified expression of upregulated hybrid pathways within patient-matched tumor and peripheral blood hybrids using cyclic immunofluorescence and quantified their protein expression relative to other non-hybrid tumor and disseminated tumor cells.
RESULTS
Among the top upregulated genes and pathways in hybrid cells were those involved in enhanced cell motility and cytoskeletal rearrangement, immune evasion, and altered cellular metabolism. In patient-matched tumor and peripheral blood, we verified gene expression by examining concordant protein expression for each pathway category: TMSB10 (cell motility), CD74 (immune evasion) and GPX1 (metabolism). Both TMSB10 and GPX1 were expressed on significantly higher numbers of disseminated hybrid cells compared to circulating tumor cells, and CD74 and GPX1 were expressed on more disseminated hybrids than tumor-resident hybrids. Lastly, we identified that hybrid cells express ligand-receptor signaling pathways implicated in promoting metastasis including GAS6-AXL, CXCL12-CXCR4, LGALS9-P4HB and IGF1-IGFR1.
CONCLUSION
These findings highlight the importance of TMSB10, GPX1 and CD74 for successful hybrid cell dissemination and survival in circulation. Our results contribute to the understanding of uveal melanoma tumor progression and interactions between tumor cells and immune cells in the tumor microenvironment that may promote metastasis.
PubMed: 38106024
DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3694879/v1 -
PLoS Pathogens Aug 2023Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in North America and Europe. The clinical manifestations of Lyme disease vary based on the genospecies of the...
Whole genome sequencing of human Borrelia burgdorferi isolates reveals linked blocks of accessory genome elements located on plasmids and associated with human dissemination.
Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in North America and Europe. The clinical manifestations of Lyme disease vary based on the genospecies of the infecting Borrelia burgdorferi spirochete, but the microbial genetic elements underlying these associations are not known. Here, we report the whole genome sequence (WGS) and analysis of 299 B. burgdorferi (Bb) isolates derived from patients in the Eastern and Midwestern US and Central Europe. We develop a WGS-based classification of Bb isolates, confirm and extend the findings of previous single- and multi-locus typing systems, define the plasmid profiles of human-infectious Bb isolates, annotate the core and strain-variable surface lipoproteome, and identify loci associated with disseminated infection. A core genome consisting of ~900 open reading frames and a core set of plasmids consisting of lp17, lp25, lp36, lp28-3, lp28-4, lp54, and cp26 are found in nearly all isolates. Strain-variable (accessory) plasmids and genes correlate strongly with phylogeny. Using genetic association study methods, we identify an accessory genome signature associated with dissemination in humans and define the individual plasmids and genes that make up this signature. Strains within the RST1/WGS A subgroup, particularly a subset marked by the OspC type A genotype, have increased rates of dissemination in humans. OspC type A strains possess a unique set of strongly linked genetic elements including the presence of lp56 and lp28-1 plasmids and a cluster of genes that may contribute to their enhanced virulence compared to other genotypes. These features of OspC type A strains reflect a broader paradigm across Bb isolates, in which near-clonal genotypes are defined by strain-specific clusters of linked genetic elements, particularly those encoding surface-exposed lipoproteins. These clusters of genes are maintained by strain-specific patterns of plasmid occupancy and are associated with the probability of invasive infection.
Topics: Humans; Borrelia burgdorferi; Lyme Disease; Genotype; Whole Genome Sequencing; Plasmids
PubMed: 37651316
DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011243 -
Nursing Reports (Pavia, Italy) Oct 2023To analyse recommended interventions for the safe and responsible dissemination of suicidal behaviour in the media for preventive purposes. (Review)
Review
AIM
To analyse recommended interventions for the safe and responsible dissemination of suicidal behaviour in the media for preventive purposes.
BACKGROUND
Suicide is a serious public health problem that leads to more than 700,000 deaths per year, which translates into one death every forty seconds. The media play a significant role in shaping public perceptions and reflecting societal issues. Because of its active role in the construction of reality, the way in which the media report and expose suicidal behaviour has the capacity to influence the population in either a preventive or harmful way.
DESIGN
An umbrella review was carried out and a report was written according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Overviews of Reviews.
METHODS
We systematically searched for reviews published from inception to February 2023 in MEDLINE (PubMed), CINAHL and PsycInfo (via EBSCOhost), Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library of Systematic Reviews, Scopus, and Google Scholar. A narrative synthesis of the results was conducted.
RESULTS
Six systematic reviews with a moderate to high quality level were selected. Among the recommended interventions were the inclusion of positive messages of hope, resilience, or of overcoming the event, narratives with information on available resources or the promotion of support-seeking attitudes as an effective prevention mechanism, as well as the avoidance of repetitive reporting of the same suicide. The appropriate and responsible dissemination of information on suicidal behaviour in the media with complete and up-to-date information on available centres, organisations, institutions, and resources has proven to be effective, especially in vulnerable populations.
CONCLUSION
Educating and training the media in an appropriate approach to disseminating suicidal behaviour helps to reduce the number of suicidal behaviours. Knowing what information is advisable to include in the news item as well as what information to avoid is a strong point. Guidelines to promote responsible media reporting are a key component of suicide prevention strategies. This study was prospectively registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) on 23 April 2022 with the registration number CRD42022320393.
PubMed: 37987404
DOI: 10.3390/nursrep13040125 -
Journal of Bone Oncology Feb 2024Epigenetic alterations, including DNA methylation and post translational modifications to histones, drive tumorigenesis and metastatic progression. In the context of...
Epigenetic alterations, including DNA methylation and post translational modifications to histones, drive tumorigenesis and metastatic progression. In the context of bone metastasis, epigenetic modifications in tumor cells can modulate dissemination of cancer cells to the bone, tumor progression in the bone marrow, and may be associated with patient survival rates. Bone disseminated tumor cells may enter a dormant state or stimulate osteolysis through the "vicious cycle" of bone metastasis where bone disseminated tumor cells disrupt the bone microenvironment, which fuels tumor progression. Epigenetic alterations may either exacerbate or abrogate the vicious cycle by regulating tumor suppressors and oncogenes, which alter proliferation of bone-metastatic cancer cells. This review focuses on the specific epigenetic alterations that regulate bone metastasis, including DNA methylation, histone methylation, and histone acetylation. Here, we summarize key findings from researchers identifying epigenetic changes that drive tumor progression in the bone, along with pre-clinical and clinical studies investigating the utility of targeting aberrant epigenetic alterations to treat bone metastatic cancer.
PubMed: 38304486
DOI: 10.1016/j.jbo.2024.100524 -
Aesthetic Surgery Journal. Open Forum 2023TikTok (San Jose, CA) is a popular and rapidly growing social media platform. With beauty and skincare among the top 5 most popular categories, TikTok represents an... (Review)
Review
TikTok (San Jose, CA) is a popular and rapidly growing social media platform. With beauty and skincare among the top 5 most popular categories, TikTok represents an important platform for plastic surgery education and communication. However, given the vast array of content shared daily, regulating content for veracity is challenging. It may also be an important and potentially overlooked avenue for the dissemination of inaccurate information pertaining to plastic surgery. This systematic review evaluates TikTok's impact on plastic surgery. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Guidelines, a systematic literature review was performed of the use of TikTok within the plastic surgery field. The following databases were queried: PubMed (National Institutes of Health; Bethesda, MD), EMBASE (Elsevier; Amsterdam, the Netherlands), and PsychInfo (American Psychological Association; Washington, DC). The search captured 31 studies of which 7 were included in the final analysis. The studies examined the following areas: gender-affirming surgery ( = 1), breast reconstruction ( = 1), aesthetic surgical procedures ( = 1), plastic surgeon profiles ( = 1), and profiles of videos relating to plastic surgery hashtags ( = 3). The videos' quality was assessed using the DISCERN scale. Physician videos scored notably higher than nonphysician videos. The mean DISCERN score across all the videos ( = 386) was 1.91 (range: 1.44-3.00), indicating poor quality. TikTok is a popular medium for sharing plastic surgery content. The existing literature has demonstrated overall poor-quality information on plastic surgery, and further study is needed to evaluate its impact in terms of perceptions of the specialty and healthcare behaviors. Future work should focus on promoting accurate, high-quality videos, potentially including a peer-review function for healthcare content. This can leverage TikTok's potential for disseminating content while upholding patient safety.
PubMed: 37868688
DOI: 10.1093/asjof/ojad081