Stable isotope analysis was used to determine the relative dietary importance of kelp-derived detritus to plankton and benthic organisms along a gradient of kelp abundance driven by recovering sea otter populations al...Stable isotope analysis was used to determine the relative dietary importance of kelp-derived detritus to plankton and benthic organisms along a gradient of kelp abundance driven by recovering sea otter populations along the west coast of Vancouver Island (WCVI), Canada. The study used region-specific kelp isotope values (δ<sup>13</sup>C and δ<sup>15</sup>N) and season-specific phytoplankton isotope values to model dietary contributions of kelp-derived detritus (KDD). In general, KDD contributions were moderate to high in most plankton size fractions during the summer and decreased during the winter, particularly in the kelp sparse region. Hypothesized regional and spatial (distance from the coast) differences in kelp detritus contributions to zooplankton w<span style="white-space:normal;"><span style="font-family:;" "="">ere<span style="white-space:normal;"><span style="font-family:;" "=""> not evident. Modeled estimates of the KDD contribution to benthic invertebrates w<span style="white-space:normal;"><span style="font-family:;" "="">ere<span style="white-space:normal;"><span style="font-family:;" "=""> high (>40%) and independent of the organism size, among regions and between seasons, with the exception of Astraea gibberosa in the kelp abundant region. Local oceanography, natural kelp isotope signature variation, and significant overlap between kelps’ and blooming phytoplankton isotope values led to a large uncertainty in the assessed KDD contributions in benthic organisms. These results highlighted the importance of the KDD as a widespread and stable year-round food source in coastal kelp populated regions.展开更多
Background: The distribution of forest vegetation within urban environments is critically important as it influences urban environmental conditions and the energy exchange through the absorption of solar radiation and...Background: The distribution of forest vegetation within urban environments is critically important as it influences urban environmental conditions and the energy exchange through the absorption of solar radiation and modulation of evapotranspiration. It also plays an important role filtering urban water systems and reducing storm water runoff.Methods: We investigate the capacity of ALS data to individually detect, map and characterize large(taller than15 m) trees within the City of Vancouver. Large trees are critical for the function and character of Vancouver’s urban forest. We used an object-based approach for individual tree detection and segmentation to determine tree locations(position of the stem), to delineate the shape of the crowns and to categorize the latter either as coniferous or deciduous.Results: Results indicate a detection rate of 76.6% for trees > 15 m with a positioning error of 2.11 m(stem location). Extracted tree heights possessed a RMSE of 2.60 m and a bias of-1.87 m, whereas crown diameter was derived with a RMSE of 3.85 m and a bias of-2.06 m. Missed trees are principally a result of undetected treetops occurring in dense, overlapping canopies with more accurate detection and delineation of trees in open areas.Conclusion: By identifying key structural trees across Vancouver’s urban forests, we can better understand their role in providing ecosystem goods and services for city residents.展开更多
The province of British Columbia, Canada, has established an Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) to protect the most suitable soil landscapes for agriculture. Increases in population and urbanization have resulted in deve...The province of British Columbia, Canada, has established an Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) to protect the most suitable soil landscapes for agriculture. Increases in population and urbanization have resulted in development challenges on ALR lands. The Metro Vancouver area is the most productive agricultural area in British Columbia as well as the most rapidly growing urban region. The increase in impervious areas has decreased the amount of arable land for soil-based agriculture and altered the hydrological cycle. Analysis using a combination of aerial imagery and GIS found that impervious areas comprise about 10 percent of the ALR within Metro Vancouver. Farm residences and greenhouses have the largest effect on reducing the soil surface for water infiltration. This decrease in area has negatively influenced the ecosystem heath of the region, as well as, decreasing the amount of agricultural land for soil based agriculture and both surface and groundwater dynamics.展开更多
Objectives: Immigrants of Chinese ethnicity and young people (between 18 and 30 years of age) are known to access health services less frequently and may be at greater risk for experiencing unmet health needs. The pur...Objectives: Immigrants of Chinese ethnicity and young people (between 18 and 30 years of age) are known to access health services less frequently and may be at greater risk for experiencing unmet health needs. The purpose of this study was to examine the health beliefs, health behaviors, primary care access, and perceived unmet healthcare needs of Chinese young adults.Methods: Semi-structured in-depth interviews were carried out with eight Chinese young adults in Vancouver, Canada. Results: A content analysis revealed that these Chinese young adults experienced unmet healthcare needs, did not have a primary care provider, and did not access preventive services. Cultural factors such as strong family ties, filial piety, and the practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine influenced their health behaviors and healthcare access patterns. Conclusion: Chinese young adults share similar issues with other young adults in relation to not having a primary care provider and accessing preventive care but their health beliefs and practices make their needs for care unique from other young adults.展开更多
Central nervous system(CNS) axons fail to regenerate following brain or spinal cord injury(SCI),which typically leads to permanent neurological deficits.Peripheral nervous system axons,howeve r,can regenerate followin...Central nervous system(CNS) axons fail to regenerate following brain or spinal cord injury(SCI),which typically leads to permanent neurological deficits.Peripheral nervous system axons,howeve r,can regenerate following injury.Understanding the mechanisms that underlie this difference is key to developing treatments for CNS neurological diseases and injuries characterized by axonal damage.To initiate repair after peripheral nerve injury,dorsal root ganglion(DRG) neurons mobilize a pro-regenerative gene expression program,which facilitates axon outgrowth.展开更多
While methodology for determining the mode of evolution in coding sequences has been well established,evaluation of adaptation events in emerging types of phenotype data needs further development.Here,we propose an an...While methodology for determining the mode of evolution in coding sequences has been well established,evaluation of adaptation events in emerging types of phenotype data needs further development.Here,we propose an analysis framework(expression variance decomposition,EVaDe)for comparative single-cell expression data based on phenotypic evolution theory.After decomposing the gene expression variance into separate components,we use two strategies to identify genes exhibiting large between-taxon expression divergence and small within-cell-type expression noise in certain cell types,attributing this pattern to putative adaptive evolution.In a dataset of primate prefrontal cortex,we find that such humanspecific key genes enrich with neurodevelopment-related functions,while most other genes exhibit neutral evolution patterns.Specific neuron types are found to harbor more of these key genes than other cell types,thus likely to have experienced more extensive adaptation.Reassuringly,at the molecular sequence level,the key genes are significantly associated with the rapidly evolving conserved non-coding elements.An additional case analysis comparing the naked mole-rat(NMR)with the mouse suggests that innateimmunity-related genes and cell types have undergone putative expression adaptation in NMR.Overall,the EVaDe framework may effectively probe adaptive evolution mode in single-cell expression data.展开更多
The advent of precision medicine has underscored the importance of biomarkers in predicting therapy response for bladder cancer,a malignancy marked by considerable heterogeneity.This review critically examines the cur...The advent of precision medicine has underscored the importance of biomarkers in predicting therapy response for bladder cancer,a malignancy marked by considerable heterogeneity.This review critically examines the current landscape of biomarkers to forecast treatment outcomes in bladder cancer patients.We explore a range of biomarkers,including genetic,epigenetic,proteomic,and transcriptomic indicators,from multiple sample sources,including urine,tumor tissue and blood,assessing their efficacy in predicting responses to chemotherapy,immunotherapy,and targeted therapies.Despite promising developments,the translation of these biomarkers into clinical practice faces significant challenges,such as variability in biomarker performance,the necessity for large-scale validation studies,and the integration of biomarker testing into routine clinical workflows.We also highlight the need for standardized methodologies and robust assays to ensure consistency and reliability.Future directions point towards longitudinal studies and the development of combination biomarker panels to enhance predictive accuracy.This review emphasizes the transformative potential of predictive biomarkers in improving patient outcomes and advocates for continued collaborative efforts to overcome existing barriers in this rapidly evolving field.展开更多
Hearing loss is the third leading cause of human disability.Age-related hearing loss,one type of acquired sensorineural hearing loss,is largely responsible for this escalating global health burden.Noise-induced,ototox...Hearing loss is the third leading cause of human disability.Age-related hearing loss,one type of acquired sensorineural hearing loss,is largely responsible for this escalating global health burden.Noise-induced,ototoxic,and idiopathic sudden sensorineural are other less common types of acquired hearing loss.The etiology of these conditions is complex and multi-fa ctorial involving an interplay of genetic and environmental factors.Oxidative stress has recently been proposed as a likely linking cause in most types of acquired sensorineural hearing loss.Short non-coding RNA sequences known as microRNAs(miRNAs)have increasingly been shown to play a role in cellular hypoxia and oxidative stress responses including promoting an apoptotic response.Sensory hair cell death is a central histopathological finding in sensorineural hearing loss.As these cells do not regenerate in humans,it underlies the irreversibility of human age-related hearing loss.Ovid EMBASE,Ovid MEDLINE,Web of Science Core Collection,and ClinicalTrials.gov databases over the period August 1,2018 to July 31,2023 were searched with"hearing loss,""hypoxamiRs,""hypoxia,""microRNAs,""ischemia,"and"oxidative stress"text words for English language primary study publications or registered clinical trials.Registe red clinical trials known to the senior author we re also assessed.A total of 222studies were thus identified.After excluding duplicates,editorials,retra ctions,secondary research studies,and non-English language articles,39 primary studies and clinical trials underwent full-text screening.This resulted in 11 animal,in vitro,and/or human subject journal articles and 8 registered clinical trial database entries which form the basis of this narrative review.MiRNAs miR-34a and miR-29b levels increase with age in mice.These miRNAs were demonstrated in human neuroblastoma and murine cochlear cell lines to target Sirtuin 1/peroxisome proliferato r-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1-alpha(SIRT1/P GC-1α),SIRT1p53,and SIRT1/hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha signaling pathways resulting in increased apoptosis.Furthermore,hypoxia and oxidative stress had a similar adve rse apoptotic effect,which was inhibited by resve ratrol and a myocardial inhibitorassociated transcript,a miR-29b competing endogenous mRNA.Gentamicin reduced miR-182-5p levels and increased cochlear oxidative stress and cell death in mice-an effect that was corrected by inner ear stem cell-derived exosomes.There is ongoing work seeking to determine if these findings can be effectively translated to humans.展开更多
1.Introduction Various geological phenomena on the surface and in the interior of the Earth,as well as their associated physical and chemical pro-cesses,are closely correlated with the action of in situ rock stress[1-...1.Introduction Various geological phenomena on the surface and in the interior of the Earth,as well as their associated physical and chemical pro-cesses,are closely correlated with the action of in situ rock stress[1-5].Understanding the rock stress state at great depths is not only an indispensable foundation for solving scientific problems associated with geology,geophysics,and geodynamics-such as plate-driving mechanisms,the earth’s energy equilibrium,earth-quake mechanisms,and tectonic activities-but also a necessary prerequisite for the evaluation,exploitation,and disposal of deep energy and resources,such as coal and metal minerals.Due to the complexity and uncertainty of the origin of in situ rock stress,it is a difficult quantity to evaluate,in comparison with other rock properties.Currently,reliable information on the stress state in a region can only be determined through field stress measurement.Therefore,a variety of stress measurement techniques have been developed and applied worldwide to provide information on crus-tal contemporary stress at specific depth ranges[6].展开更多
Objective:This study aimed to observe the effects of xiusanzhen acupuncture(olfactory three-needling therapy)on the behavior,hippocampal histopathology and microglial(MG)activation of rats with vascular dementia(VD),a...Objective:This study aimed to observe the effects of xiusanzhen acupuncture(olfactory three-needling therapy)on the behavior,hippocampal histopathology and microglial(MG)activation of rats with vascular dementia(VD),and to assess the role of the trigeminal nerve.Methods:Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were randomly assigned to the sham-operation,model,xiusanzhen,and trigeminal neurotomy groups(n=15 per group).Bilateral common carotid artery ligation was performed to prepare the VD models.Models of trigeminal neurotomy were prepared through the excision of the frontal nerve and infraorbital nerve.Xiusanzhen acupuncture was delivered via electric stimulation.The acupoints selected were bilateral“Yingxiang(LI20)”and“Yintang(EX-HN3)”,and the stimulation parameters were as follows:disperse-dense wave,at a frequency of 2/15HZ and intensity of 1 mA.The course of treatment was once daily,with one course lasting five days,followed by an interval of two days,yielding a total of four courses.Behavioral changes were detected using the Morris water maze,changes in histomorphology in the hippocampal CA1 region were determined with hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining,and MG activation in the hippocampal CA1 region was detected using immunofluorescence.Results:The escape latency:From days 3 to 5,the escape latency was higher in the model group compared to the sham-operation group(P<0.05),but was lower in the xiusanzhen group compared to the model and trigeminal neurotomy groups(P<0.05).The frequency for platform crossing and swimming distance:both were reduced in the model group compared to the sham-operation group(P<0.01);and were elevated in the xiusanzhen group compared to the model group and trigeminal neurotomy group(P<0.01).Hippocampal pathomorphological changes:In the sham-operation group,the morphological structure and nucleoli were well-defined;in the model group and the trigeminal neurotomy group,cell numbers were reduced and karyopyknosis increased;while in the xiusanzhen group,the cell numbers were elevated and karyopyknosis was reduced compared with the model group.MG:the positive rate was higher in the model group compared to the sham-operation group(P<0.05);lower in the xiusanzhen group compared to the model group(P<0.05);and higher in the trigeminal neurotomy group compared to the xiusanzhen group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Xiusanzhen acupuncture attenuates cognitive impairment in VD rats,inhibits MG activation,and reduces hippocampal tissue damage.Its effects depend on the structural integrity of the trigeminal nerve.展开更多
“civil discourse”amongst multiple individuals with diverse viewpoints is necessary to move toward truth,to maintain democratic buoyancy,and to get the most accurate read on how best to move forward toward our collec...“civil discourse”amongst multiple individuals with diverse viewpoints is necessary to move toward truth,to maintain democratic buoyancy,and to get the most accurate read on how best to move forward toward our collective good,civil discourse is nonetheless under catastrophic threat by contemporary forces that include the sloppy use of the term“hate speech”;the“libelling by labeling”(aka“cancelling”)in the public square of social media;technologically powered disinformation campaigns;and the growth of“safetyism”in academia.In light of these threats,the goal must be to convince educators,particularly philosophical educators,of the need to adopt a whole new focus in education,namely one that puts a spotlight on the fact that the utilization of the freedom of speech to destroy the freedom of speech of others utterly undermines the positive value of freedom of speech.In order to motivate individuals to turn their back on the dopamine rush of shutting someone down,educators must also spend a great deal of time showcasing the merits of“civil discourse”by providing young people with extensive experience in engaging in facilitated“civil discourse”(aka Communities of Philosophical Inquiry)so that its value can be woven into a personal commitment.展开更多
BACKGROUND Barrett esophagus(BE),a metaplastic adaptive process to gastrointestinal reflux,is associated with a higher risk of developing esophageal adenocarcinoma.However,the factors and mechanism that drive the mali...BACKGROUND Barrett esophagus(BE),a metaplastic adaptive process to gastrointestinal reflux,is associated with a higher risk of developing esophageal adenocarcinoma.However,the factors and mechanism that drive the malignant progression of BE is not well understood.AIM To investigate the role of bile acids,a component of the reflux fluid,in the malignant progression of BE.METHODS Using engineered green fluorescent protein-labeled adult tissue-resident stem cells isolated from BE clinical biopsies(BE-ASCs)as the target,we studied the effect of hydrophobic deoxycholic acid(DCA)and hydrophilic tetrahydroxylated bile acids(THBA)on cell viability by fluorescence intensity analysis,mucin production by dark density measurement,tissue structure by pathology analysis,expression of different pro-inflammatory factors gene by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and proteins by Western blot.RESULTS We found that hydrophobic DCA has cytotoxic and proinflammatory effects through activation of interleukin-1β(IL-1β)-nuclear factor kappa-B(NF-κB)inflammatory pathway on BE-ASCs.This action results in impaired cell viability,tissue intactness,reduced mucin production,and increased transition to disorganized atypical cells without intestinal features.In contrast,co-culture with hydrophilic THBA inhibited the IL-1β-NF-κB inflammatory pathway with maintenance of mature intestinal type cellular and histomorphology.CONCLUSION Our data indicates that the hydrophilic bile acid THBA can counteract the cytotoxic and proinflammatory effect of hydrophobic DCA and prevent the malignant progression of BE by inhibiting the IL-1β-NF-κB pathway.展开更多
An earlier version of this paper has been presented online at the annual Conference of Canadian Sociological Association,during the Congress of Humanities and Social Sciences in Toronto in June 2025.It explores how ra...An earlier version of this paper has been presented online at the annual Conference of Canadian Sociological Association,during the Congress of Humanities and Social Sciences in Toronto in June 2025.It explores how rap music in Quebec,particularly through the work of the rap artist Webster and his collective Limoilou Starz(LS),serves as a tool for meaning-making,political expression,and resistance against racial profiling and police brutality experienced by Black youth in Quebec City.The study focuses on the song“SPVQ”(Service de police de la Ville de Québec)as a case study to analyze the encoding and reception of anti-racist messages within rap culture.Webster draws from a global tradition of socio-political rap-like that of African-American rappers KRS-One,LL Cool J,and Tupac-while anchoring his critique in the local realities of Limoilou,a marginalized,racially diverse district of Quebec City.Through a narrative,figurative,semantic,and ideological analysis of the song,the paper reveals how Webster articulates themes of police brutality,structural discrimination,economic marginalization,and resistance.The rapper’s message is both a form of testimony and a civic intervention.His broader activism is analyzed through ethnographic techniques-including participant observation and interviews during workshops,media appearances,and online campaigns.It translates these messages into tangible social practices.To explain the persistence of these injustices,the paper situates the issue within Quebec’s interculturalism framework,which ostensibly promotes dialogue and integration but often masks or even reinforces structural racism.This model maintains a symbolic majority/minority duality and conditions inclusion on conformity to a dominant White Francophone identity,thus rendering racialized youth as perpetual outsiders.展开更多
Minimally invasive endoscopic resection techniques are the recommended firstline treatment strategy for the majority of large non-pedunculated colorectal polyps,with endoscopic mucosal resection(EMR)as a predominant r...Minimally invasive endoscopic resection techniques are the recommended firstline treatment strategy for the majority of large non-pedunculated colorectal polyps,with endoscopic mucosal resection(EMR)as a predominant resection modality due to its efficacy,efficiency,safety,and cost-effectiveness.A limitation of EMR is recurrence,which has historically occurred in 15%-20%of lesions.In the past 10 years,a number of effective mitigating strategies have been developed,including margin thermal ablation using snare-tip soft coagulation,argon plasma coagulation(APC),and hybrid-APC,alongside margin marking pre-resection.Moreover,techniques for effective recurrence management have also been developed.Herein,we appraise existing evidence on the frequency of recurrence,reasonings behind recurrence formation,as well as recurrence mitigating strategies and the effectiveness of recurrence management.展开更多
Antipsychotic(AP)medications are used to treat schizophrenia and a number off-label conditions.Although effective in reducing psychoses these drugs increase the risk of developing cardiometabolic disease,and are one o...Antipsychotic(AP)medications are used to treat schizophrenia and a number off-label conditions.Although effective in reducing psychoses these drugs increase the risk of developing cardiometabolic disease,and are one of the reasons why individuals with schizophrenia live∼15–20 years less than the general population.While weight gain has traditionally been thought to be the primary culprit linked to increases in rates of cardiometabolic disease,there are weight-gain independent effects of antipsychotics.The purpose of the current review was to highlight the acute metabolic complications of antipsychotics and to address the question:are exercise and targeting“exercise-activated”signaling pathways,a viable approach to offset the metabolic complications of APs?The possibility of fibroblast growth factor 21 being a common factor mediating the protective effects of exercise and certain nutritional approaches against the acute metabolic complications of antipsychotics was also discussed.The research highlighted in this narrative review provides evidence,in preclinical models,that exercise and certain exercise-activated pathways,can protect against acute perturbations in glucose metabolism.While promising,further work is needed to confirm these findings in clinical populations prescribed antipsychotics.展开更多
It is widely recognized by many within the scientific community that the field of seismology faces challenges in aligning with established scientific practices for studying earthquakes. Some views may suggest a relian...It is widely recognized by many within the scientific community that the field of seismology faces challenges in aligning with established scientific practices for studying earthquakes. Some views may suggest a reliance on methods that resemble divination rather than sound scientific inquiry. Despite efforts to understand seismic phenomena over the past three centuries [1], progress in seismology has been perceived as somewhat stagnant. Criticisms have been raised about certain theories, such as Mr. Reid’s Elastic Recoil theory from 1910 [2], and its purported advancements in comprehending seismic processes. While acknowledging various perspectives on this matter [3]-[7], it is important to reflect on the historical context and potential limitations in our understanding. Addressing concerns raised within the discipline involves examining educational practices and fostering a rigorous academic environment to promote scientific excellence. This article aims to explore the underlying factors contributing to the current state of seismology, offering insights into overcoming challenges and fostering advancements that benefit the scientific community and society as a whole.展开更多
The benefits of regular physical activity are well known.Yet,few studies have examined the effectiveness of integrating physical activity(PA)into curricula within a post-secondary setting.To investigate the incorporat...The benefits of regular physical activity are well known.Yet,few studies have examined the effectiveness of integrating physical activity(PA)into curricula within a post-secondary setting.To investigate the incorporation of PA into medical curriculum,we developed a series of optional exercise-based review sessions designed to reinforce musculoskeletal(MSK)anatomy course material.These synchronous sessions were co-taught by a group fitness instructor and an anatomy instructor.The fitness instructor would lead students through both strength and yoga style exercises,while the anatomy instructor asked questions about relevant anatomical structures related to course material previously covered.After the sessions,participants were asked to evaluate the classes on their self-reported exam preparedness in improving MSK anatomy knowledge,PA levels,and mental wellbeing.Thirty participants completed surveys;a majority agreed that the classes increased understanding of MSK concepts(90.0%)and activity levels(97.7%).Many(70.0%)felt that the classes helped reduce stress.The majority of respondents(90.0%)agreed that the classes contributed to increased feelings of social connectedness.Overall,medical students saw benefit in PA based interventions to supplement MSK course concepts.Along with increasing activity levels and promoting health behaviours,integrating PA into medical curriculum may improve comprehension of learning material,alleviate stress and foster social connectivity among medical students.展开更多
BACKGROUND We aimed to translate and culturally adapt the LIMB-Q Kids questionnaire for use in the Netherlands.The LIMB-Q Kids is a patient-reported outcome measure designed to assess functional,psychosocial,and aesth...BACKGROUND We aimed to translate and culturally adapt the LIMB-Q Kids questionnaire for use in the Netherlands.The LIMB-Q Kids is a patient-reported outcome measure designed to assess functional,psychosocial,and aesthetic aspects of living with a limb difference in paediatric populations.AIM To investigate the feasibility of a questionnaire in the Netherlands,which was translated into Dutch after having already been successfully translated and validated in several other languages.METHODS The translation and adaptation process followed best practice guidelines,including forward and backward translation,expert panel review,and cognitive debriefing interviews with patients.The interviews focused on the clarity and comprehensibility of the instructions,response options,and questionnaire items.RESULTS The rigorous process resulted in a linguistically and conceptually equivalent Dutch version of the LIMB-Q Kids questionnaire.While some challenges were encountered,no major difficulties were reported.The constructs and cultural relevance were found to be relatable to the Dutch context.Minor adjustments were made based on patient feedback,such as clarifying questions and modifying translations for technical terms.CONCLUSION We demonstrated the successful translation and cultural adaptation of the LIMB-Q Kids questionnaire for use in the Netherlands.By following best practices,the researchers have developed a version that is conceptually and linguistically equivalent to the original English version.The availability of this Dutch version will facilitate the assessment of outcomes in paediatric populations with limb differences,and potentially enable cross-cultural comparisons.展开更多
文摘Stable isotope analysis was used to determine the relative dietary importance of kelp-derived detritus to plankton and benthic organisms along a gradient of kelp abundance driven by recovering sea otter populations along the west coast of Vancouver Island (WCVI), Canada. The study used region-specific kelp isotope values (δ<sup>13</sup>C and δ<sup>15</sup>N) and season-specific phytoplankton isotope values to model dietary contributions of kelp-derived detritus (KDD). In general, KDD contributions were moderate to high in most plankton size fractions during the summer and decreased during the winter, particularly in the kelp sparse region. Hypothesized regional and spatial (distance from the coast) differences in kelp detritus contributions to zooplankton w<span style="white-space:normal;"><span style="font-family:;" "="">ere<span style="white-space:normal;"><span style="font-family:;" "=""> not evident. Modeled estimates of the KDD contribution to benthic invertebrates w<span style="white-space:normal;"><span style="font-family:;" "="">ere<span style="white-space:normal;"><span style="font-family:;" "=""> high (>40%) and independent of the organism size, among regions and between seasons, with the exception of Astraea gibberosa in the kelp abundant region. Local oceanography, natural kelp isotope signature variation, and significant overlap between kelps’ and blooming phytoplankton isotope values led to a large uncertainty in the assessed KDD contributions in benthic organisms. These results highlighted the importance of the KDD as a widespread and stable year-round food source in coastal kelp populated regions.
文摘Background: The distribution of forest vegetation within urban environments is critically important as it influences urban environmental conditions and the energy exchange through the absorption of solar radiation and modulation of evapotranspiration. It also plays an important role filtering urban water systems and reducing storm water runoff.Methods: We investigate the capacity of ALS data to individually detect, map and characterize large(taller than15 m) trees within the City of Vancouver. Large trees are critical for the function and character of Vancouver’s urban forest. We used an object-based approach for individual tree detection and segmentation to determine tree locations(position of the stem), to delineate the shape of the crowns and to categorize the latter either as coniferous or deciduous.Results: Results indicate a detection rate of 76.6% for trees > 15 m with a positioning error of 2.11 m(stem location). Extracted tree heights possessed a RMSE of 2.60 m and a bias of-1.87 m, whereas crown diameter was derived with a RMSE of 3.85 m and a bias of-2.06 m. Missed trees are principally a result of undetected treetops occurring in dense, overlapping canopies with more accurate detection and delineation of trees in open areas.Conclusion: By identifying key structural trees across Vancouver’s urban forests, we can better understand their role in providing ecosystem goods and services for city residents.
文摘The province of British Columbia, Canada, has established an Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) to protect the most suitable soil landscapes for agriculture. Increases in population and urbanization have resulted in development challenges on ALR lands. The Metro Vancouver area is the most productive agricultural area in British Columbia as well as the most rapidly growing urban region. The increase in impervious areas has decreased the amount of arable land for soil-based agriculture and altered the hydrological cycle. Analysis using a combination of aerial imagery and GIS found that impervious areas comprise about 10 percent of the ALR within Metro Vancouver. Farm residences and greenhouses have the largest effect on reducing the soil surface for water infiltration. This decrease in area has negatively influenced the ecosystem heath of the region, as well as, decreasing the amount of agricultural land for soil based agriculture and both surface and groundwater dynamics.
文摘Objectives: Immigrants of Chinese ethnicity and young people (between 18 and 30 years of age) are known to access health services less frequently and may be at greater risk for experiencing unmet health needs. The purpose of this study was to examine the health beliefs, health behaviors, primary care access, and perceived unmet healthcare needs of Chinese young adults.Methods: Semi-structured in-depth interviews were carried out with eight Chinese young adults in Vancouver, Canada. Results: A content analysis revealed that these Chinese young adults experienced unmet healthcare needs, did not have a primary care provider, and did not access preventive services. Cultural factors such as strong family ties, filial piety, and the practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine influenced their health behaviors and healthcare access patterns. Conclusion: Chinese young adults share similar issues with other young adults in relation to not having a primary care provider and accessing preventive care but their health beliefs and practices make their needs for care unique from other young adults.
基金supported by the Canada Foundation for Innovation (Project#44220)the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (RGPIN-2024-03986)+3 种基金the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research BCthe financial support of Health Canada,through the Canada Brain Research Fund,an innovative partnership between the Government of Canada (through Health Canada),Brain Canada Foundationthe Azrieli Foundationsupported by a Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Canada Graduate Scholarship–Master’s Award。
文摘Central nervous system(CNS) axons fail to regenerate following brain or spinal cord injury(SCI),which typically leads to permanent neurological deficits.Peripheral nervous system axons,howeve r,can regenerate following injury.Understanding the mechanisms that underlie this difference is key to developing treatments for CNS neurological diseases and injuries characterized by axonal damage.To initiate repair after peripheral nerve injury,dorsal root ganglion(DRG) neurons mobilize a pro-regenerative gene expression program,which facilitates axon outgrowth.
文摘While methodology for determining the mode of evolution in coding sequences has been well established,evaluation of adaptation events in emerging types of phenotype data needs further development.Here,we propose an analysis framework(expression variance decomposition,EVaDe)for comparative single-cell expression data based on phenotypic evolution theory.After decomposing the gene expression variance into separate components,we use two strategies to identify genes exhibiting large between-taxon expression divergence and small within-cell-type expression noise in certain cell types,attributing this pattern to putative adaptive evolution.In a dataset of primate prefrontal cortex,we find that such humanspecific key genes enrich with neurodevelopment-related functions,while most other genes exhibit neutral evolution patterns.Specific neuron types are found to harbor more of these key genes than other cell types,thus likely to have experienced more extensive adaptation.Reassuringly,at the molecular sequence level,the key genes are significantly associated with the rapidly evolving conserved non-coding elements.An additional case analysis comparing the naked mole-rat(NMR)with the mouse suggests that innateimmunity-related genes and cell types have undergone putative expression adaptation in NMR.Overall,the EVaDe framework may effectively probe adaptive evolution mode in single-cell expression data.
文摘The advent of precision medicine has underscored the importance of biomarkers in predicting therapy response for bladder cancer,a malignancy marked by considerable heterogeneity.This review critically examines the current landscape of biomarkers to forecast treatment outcomes in bladder cancer patients.We explore a range of biomarkers,including genetic,epigenetic,proteomic,and transcriptomic indicators,from multiple sample sources,including urine,tumor tissue and blood,assessing their efficacy in predicting responses to chemotherapy,immunotherapy,and targeted therapies.Despite promising developments,the translation of these biomarkers into clinical practice faces significant challenges,such as variability in biomarker performance,the necessity for large-scale validation studies,and the integration of biomarker testing into routine clinical workflows.We also highlight the need for standardized methodologies and robust assays to ensure consistency and reliability.Future directions point towards longitudinal studies and the development of combination biomarker panels to enhance predictive accuracy.This review emphasizes the transformative potential of predictive biomarkers in improving patient outcomes and advocates for continued collaborative efforts to overcome existing barriers in this rapidly evolving field.
文摘Hearing loss is the third leading cause of human disability.Age-related hearing loss,one type of acquired sensorineural hearing loss,is largely responsible for this escalating global health burden.Noise-induced,ototoxic,and idiopathic sudden sensorineural are other less common types of acquired hearing loss.The etiology of these conditions is complex and multi-fa ctorial involving an interplay of genetic and environmental factors.Oxidative stress has recently been proposed as a likely linking cause in most types of acquired sensorineural hearing loss.Short non-coding RNA sequences known as microRNAs(miRNAs)have increasingly been shown to play a role in cellular hypoxia and oxidative stress responses including promoting an apoptotic response.Sensory hair cell death is a central histopathological finding in sensorineural hearing loss.As these cells do not regenerate in humans,it underlies the irreversibility of human age-related hearing loss.Ovid EMBASE,Ovid MEDLINE,Web of Science Core Collection,and ClinicalTrials.gov databases over the period August 1,2018 to July 31,2023 were searched with"hearing loss,""hypoxamiRs,""hypoxia,""microRNAs,""ischemia,"and"oxidative stress"text words for English language primary study publications or registered clinical trials.Registe red clinical trials known to the senior author we re also assessed.A total of 222studies were thus identified.After excluding duplicates,editorials,retra ctions,secondary research studies,and non-English language articles,39 primary studies and clinical trials underwent full-text screening.This resulted in 11 animal,in vitro,and/or human subject journal articles and 8 registered clinical trial database entries which form the basis of this narrative review.MiRNAs miR-34a and miR-29b levels increase with age in mice.These miRNAs were demonstrated in human neuroblastoma and murine cochlear cell lines to target Sirtuin 1/peroxisome proliferato r-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1-alpha(SIRT1/P GC-1α),SIRT1p53,and SIRT1/hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha signaling pathways resulting in increased apoptosis.Furthermore,hypoxia and oxidative stress had a similar adve rse apoptotic effect,which was inhibited by resve ratrol and a myocardial inhibitorassociated transcript,a miR-29b competing endogenous mRNA.Gentamicin reduced miR-182-5p levels and increased cochlear oxidative stress and cell death in mice-an effect that was corrected by inner ear stem cell-derived exosomes.There is ongoing work seeking to determine if these findings can be effectively translated to humans.
基金financially supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2022YFC3004601)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(52204084)the Science,Technology and Innovation Project of Xiongan New Area(2023XAGG0061).
文摘1.Introduction Various geological phenomena on the surface and in the interior of the Earth,as well as their associated physical and chemical pro-cesses,are closely correlated with the action of in situ rock stress[1-5].Understanding the rock stress state at great depths is not only an indispensable foundation for solving scientific problems associated with geology,geophysics,and geodynamics-such as plate-driving mechanisms,the earth’s energy equilibrium,earth-quake mechanisms,and tectonic activities-but also a necessary prerequisite for the evaluation,exploitation,and disposal of deep energy and resources,such as coal and metal minerals.Due to the complexity and uncertainty of the origin of in situ rock stress,it is a difficult quantity to evaluate,in comparison with other rock properties.Currently,reliable information on the stress state in a region can only be determined through field stress measurement.Therefore,a variety of stress measurement techniques have been developed and applied worldwide to provide information on crus-tal contemporary stress at specific depth ranges[6].
基金Supported by The National Natural Science Foundation of China Young Scientists Fund:82004480。
文摘Objective:This study aimed to observe the effects of xiusanzhen acupuncture(olfactory three-needling therapy)on the behavior,hippocampal histopathology and microglial(MG)activation of rats with vascular dementia(VD),and to assess the role of the trigeminal nerve.Methods:Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were randomly assigned to the sham-operation,model,xiusanzhen,and trigeminal neurotomy groups(n=15 per group).Bilateral common carotid artery ligation was performed to prepare the VD models.Models of trigeminal neurotomy were prepared through the excision of the frontal nerve and infraorbital nerve.Xiusanzhen acupuncture was delivered via electric stimulation.The acupoints selected were bilateral“Yingxiang(LI20)”and“Yintang(EX-HN3)”,and the stimulation parameters were as follows:disperse-dense wave,at a frequency of 2/15HZ and intensity of 1 mA.The course of treatment was once daily,with one course lasting five days,followed by an interval of two days,yielding a total of four courses.Behavioral changes were detected using the Morris water maze,changes in histomorphology in the hippocampal CA1 region were determined with hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining,and MG activation in the hippocampal CA1 region was detected using immunofluorescence.Results:The escape latency:From days 3 to 5,the escape latency was higher in the model group compared to the sham-operation group(P<0.05),but was lower in the xiusanzhen group compared to the model and trigeminal neurotomy groups(P<0.05).The frequency for platform crossing and swimming distance:both were reduced in the model group compared to the sham-operation group(P<0.01);and were elevated in the xiusanzhen group compared to the model group and trigeminal neurotomy group(P<0.01).Hippocampal pathomorphological changes:In the sham-operation group,the morphological structure and nucleoli were well-defined;in the model group and the trigeminal neurotomy group,cell numbers were reduced and karyopyknosis increased;while in the xiusanzhen group,the cell numbers were elevated and karyopyknosis was reduced compared with the model group.MG:the positive rate was higher in the model group compared to the sham-operation group(P<0.05);lower in the xiusanzhen group compared to the model group(P<0.05);and higher in the trigeminal neurotomy group compared to the xiusanzhen group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Xiusanzhen acupuncture attenuates cognitive impairment in VD rats,inhibits MG activation,and reduces hippocampal tissue damage.Its effects depend on the structural integrity of the trigeminal nerve.
文摘“civil discourse”amongst multiple individuals with diverse viewpoints is necessary to move toward truth,to maintain democratic buoyancy,and to get the most accurate read on how best to move forward toward our collective good,civil discourse is nonetheless under catastrophic threat by contemporary forces that include the sloppy use of the term“hate speech”;the“libelling by labeling”(aka“cancelling”)in the public square of social media;technologically powered disinformation campaigns;and the growth of“safetyism”in academia.In light of these threats,the goal must be to convince educators,particularly philosophical educators,of the need to adopt a whole new focus in education,namely one that puts a spotlight on the fact that the utilization of the freedom of speech to destroy the freedom of speech of others utterly undermines the positive value of freedom of speech.In order to motivate individuals to turn their back on the dopamine rush of shutting someone down,educators must also spend a great deal of time showcasing the merits of“civil discourse”by providing young people with extensive experience in engaging in facilitated“civil discourse”(aka Communities of Philosophical Inquiry)so that its value can be woven into a personal commitment.
文摘BACKGROUND Barrett esophagus(BE),a metaplastic adaptive process to gastrointestinal reflux,is associated with a higher risk of developing esophageal adenocarcinoma.However,the factors and mechanism that drive the malignant progression of BE is not well understood.AIM To investigate the role of bile acids,a component of the reflux fluid,in the malignant progression of BE.METHODS Using engineered green fluorescent protein-labeled adult tissue-resident stem cells isolated from BE clinical biopsies(BE-ASCs)as the target,we studied the effect of hydrophobic deoxycholic acid(DCA)and hydrophilic tetrahydroxylated bile acids(THBA)on cell viability by fluorescence intensity analysis,mucin production by dark density measurement,tissue structure by pathology analysis,expression of different pro-inflammatory factors gene by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and proteins by Western blot.RESULTS We found that hydrophobic DCA has cytotoxic and proinflammatory effects through activation of interleukin-1β(IL-1β)-nuclear factor kappa-B(NF-κB)inflammatory pathway on BE-ASCs.This action results in impaired cell viability,tissue intactness,reduced mucin production,and increased transition to disorganized atypical cells without intestinal features.In contrast,co-culture with hydrophilic THBA inhibited the IL-1β-NF-κB inflammatory pathway with maintenance of mature intestinal type cellular and histomorphology.CONCLUSION Our data indicates that the hydrophilic bile acid THBA can counteract the cytotoxic and proinflammatory effect of hydrophobic DCA and prevent the malignant progression of BE by inhibiting the IL-1β-NF-κB pathway.
文摘An earlier version of this paper has been presented online at the annual Conference of Canadian Sociological Association,during the Congress of Humanities and Social Sciences in Toronto in June 2025.It explores how rap music in Quebec,particularly through the work of the rap artist Webster and his collective Limoilou Starz(LS),serves as a tool for meaning-making,political expression,and resistance against racial profiling and police brutality experienced by Black youth in Quebec City.The study focuses on the song“SPVQ”(Service de police de la Ville de Québec)as a case study to analyze the encoding and reception of anti-racist messages within rap culture.Webster draws from a global tradition of socio-political rap-like that of African-American rappers KRS-One,LL Cool J,and Tupac-while anchoring his critique in the local realities of Limoilou,a marginalized,racially diverse district of Quebec City.Through a narrative,figurative,semantic,and ideological analysis of the song,the paper reveals how Webster articulates themes of police brutality,structural discrimination,economic marginalization,and resistance.The rapper’s message is both a form of testimony and a civic intervention.His broader activism is analyzed through ethnographic techniques-including participant observation and interviews during workshops,media appearances,and online campaigns.It translates these messages into tangible social practices.To explain the persistence of these injustices,the paper situates the issue within Quebec’s interculturalism framework,which ostensibly promotes dialogue and integration but often masks or even reinforces structural racism.This model maintains a symbolic majority/minority duality and conditions inclusion on conformity to a dominant White Francophone identity,thus rendering racialized youth as perpetual outsiders.
文摘Minimally invasive endoscopic resection techniques are the recommended firstline treatment strategy for the majority of large non-pedunculated colorectal polyps,with endoscopic mucosal resection(EMR)as a predominant resection modality due to its efficacy,efficiency,safety,and cost-effectiveness.A limitation of EMR is recurrence,which has historically occurred in 15%-20%of lesions.In the past 10 years,a number of effective mitigating strategies have been developed,including margin thermal ablation using snare-tip soft coagulation,argon plasma coagulation(APC),and hybrid-APC,alongside margin marking pre-resection.Moreover,techniques for effective recurrence management have also been developed.Herein,we appraise existing evidence on the frequency of recurrence,reasonings behind recurrence formation,as well as recurrence mitigating strategies and the effectiveness of recurrence management.
文摘Antipsychotic(AP)medications are used to treat schizophrenia and a number off-label conditions.Although effective in reducing psychoses these drugs increase the risk of developing cardiometabolic disease,and are one of the reasons why individuals with schizophrenia live∼15–20 years less than the general population.While weight gain has traditionally been thought to be the primary culprit linked to increases in rates of cardiometabolic disease,there are weight-gain independent effects of antipsychotics.The purpose of the current review was to highlight the acute metabolic complications of antipsychotics and to address the question:are exercise and targeting“exercise-activated”signaling pathways,a viable approach to offset the metabolic complications of APs?The possibility of fibroblast growth factor 21 being a common factor mediating the protective effects of exercise and certain nutritional approaches against the acute metabolic complications of antipsychotics was also discussed.The research highlighted in this narrative review provides evidence,in preclinical models,that exercise and certain exercise-activated pathways,can protect against acute perturbations in glucose metabolism.While promising,further work is needed to confirm these findings in clinical populations prescribed antipsychotics.
文摘It is widely recognized by many within the scientific community that the field of seismology faces challenges in aligning with established scientific practices for studying earthquakes. Some views may suggest a reliance on methods that resemble divination rather than sound scientific inquiry. Despite efforts to understand seismic phenomena over the past three centuries [1], progress in seismology has been perceived as somewhat stagnant. Criticisms have been raised about certain theories, such as Mr. Reid’s Elastic Recoil theory from 1910 [2], and its purported advancements in comprehending seismic processes. While acknowledging various perspectives on this matter [3]-[7], it is important to reflect on the historical context and potential limitations in our understanding. Addressing concerns raised within the discipline involves examining educational practices and fostering a rigorous academic environment to promote scientific excellence. This article aims to explore the underlying factors contributing to the current state of seismology, offering insights into overcoming challenges and fostering advancements that benefit the scientific community and society as a whole.
文摘The benefits of regular physical activity are well known.Yet,few studies have examined the effectiveness of integrating physical activity(PA)into curricula within a post-secondary setting.To investigate the incorporation of PA into medical curriculum,we developed a series of optional exercise-based review sessions designed to reinforce musculoskeletal(MSK)anatomy course material.These synchronous sessions were co-taught by a group fitness instructor and an anatomy instructor.The fitness instructor would lead students through both strength and yoga style exercises,while the anatomy instructor asked questions about relevant anatomical structures related to course material previously covered.After the sessions,participants were asked to evaluate the classes on their self-reported exam preparedness in improving MSK anatomy knowledge,PA levels,and mental wellbeing.Thirty participants completed surveys;a majority agreed that the classes increased understanding of MSK concepts(90.0%)and activity levels(97.7%).Many(70.0%)felt that the classes helped reduce stress.The majority of respondents(90.0%)agreed that the classes contributed to increased feelings of social connectedness.Overall,medical students saw benefit in PA based interventions to supplement MSK course concepts.Along with increasing activity levels and promoting health behaviours,integrating PA into medical curriculum may improve comprehension of learning material,alleviate stress and foster social connectivity among medical students.
文摘BACKGROUND We aimed to translate and culturally adapt the LIMB-Q Kids questionnaire for use in the Netherlands.The LIMB-Q Kids is a patient-reported outcome measure designed to assess functional,psychosocial,and aesthetic aspects of living with a limb difference in paediatric populations.AIM To investigate the feasibility of a questionnaire in the Netherlands,which was translated into Dutch after having already been successfully translated and validated in several other languages.METHODS The translation and adaptation process followed best practice guidelines,including forward and backward translation,expert panel review,and cognitive debriefing interviews with patients.The interviews focused on the clarity and comprehensibility of the instructions,response options,and questionnaire items.RESULTS The rigorous process resulted in a linguistically and conceptually equivalent Dutch version of the LIMB-Q Kids questionnaire.While some challenges were encountered,no major difficulties were reported.The constructs and cultural relevance were found to be relatable to the Dutch context.Minor adjustments were made based on patient feedback,such as clarifying questions and modifying translations for technical terms.CONCLUSION We demonstrated the successful translation and cultural adaptation of the LIMB-Q Kids questionnaire for use in the Netherlands.By following best practices,the researchers have developed a version that is conceptually and linguistically equivalent to the original English version.The availability of this Dutch version will facilitate the assessment of outcomes in paediatric populations with limb differences,and potentially enable cross-cultural comparisons.
