123129 research outputs found
Sort by
Reducing the Regulatory Burden of Plant Biotechnology Regulations in Canada
Full text linkRegulations within the crop agriculture industry exist to ensure that products undergoing risk assessment prior to commercialization are safe for the environment and human consumption. Since 1995, these regulations have provided safe crops and foods for Canadians to consume, as no commercialized innovative product has caused any post-commercialization health or environmental problems. However, Canada suffers from a gap in its innovation pipeline in that far more investments go into the innovation pipeline than products come out. Canada is a global top ten nation in terms of innovation investments yet drops over ten positions when it comes to outputs. Additionally, Canada is one of the lowest ranked on the G30 list of countries in terms of regulatory burden on the economy. This article describes updates to the regulatory framework for plant biotechnology, highlighting recent changes regarding regulation of gene editing technologies and how these changes respond to previously identified innovation barriers.The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the pdf file of the accepted manuscript may differ slightly from what is displayed on the item page. The information in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript reflects the original submission by the author
Gender Diversity in Canadian Surgical Residency
Full text linkBackground: Diversity of gender representation in surgery is known to positively influence patient outcomes and predict career trajectories for female trainees. This study aims to identify the current and recent past state of gender diversity amongst trainees entering Canadian surgical residency programs. Methods: Data were sourced from the Canadian Post-M.D. Education Registry (CAPER) and the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMs) for ten surgical specialties. CAPER data include PGY-1 trainees in all surgical specialties for the academic years 2012–2013 to 2021–2022. CaRMs provided data of total applicants and matched applicants for Canadian Medical Graduates (CMGs) in the match years 2013–2022. Results: From 2012–2022, there were 4011 PGY-1 surgical residents across Canada (50.4% female, 49.6% male). The surgical specialties with the most female representation were obstetrics/gynecology (82.1–91.9%), general surgery (40.2–70.7%), and plastic surgery (33.3–55.6%). The surgical specialties with the least female representation were neurosurgery (18.7–35.3%), urology (11.8–42%), and orthopedic surgery (17.5–38.5%). The number of female applicants to surgical programs has increased since 2013 and outnumbers male applicants each subsequent year. The match rate to surgical programs for female applicants has varied by year, with the highest being 63.9% in 2014 and the lowest in 2018 at 48.8%. Conclusions: Our study shows promising trends that reflect increased representation of female trainees. However, while the number of female trainees in general surgery and obstetrics/gynecology programs matches and even exceeds Canadian demographic proportions, this is not true for most other surgical specialties. This calls for continued efforts to improve and retain gender equity across surgical specialties in Canada
Tuning of Tellurium Particles Derived from the Displacement Reaction of a Tellurourea with a Phosphinidene
Full text linkWhile attempting to prepare a N-heterocyclic carbene-based tellurourea adduct of trifluoromethylphosphinidene, detelluration was observed, forming a carbene-PCF3 adduct alongside nano-/micro-particles of tellurium, which could subsequently have their growth controlled via concentration and substrate changes. Use of steel, copper, silicon, or glass substrates affords different morphologies of particles, while concentration impacts the size, growth, and general distribution of isolated or fused particles.The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the pdf file of the accepted manuscript may differ slightly from what is displayed on the item page. The information in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript reflects the original submission by the author
Retrospective Analysis of the Impact of a Dietitian and the Canadian Nutrition Screening Tool in a Geriatric Oncology Clinic
Full text linkIntroduction: Canada’s aging population is leading to an increased number of older adults being diagnosed with cancer. This population faces unique challenges, including frailty, comorbidities, polypharmacy, and malnutrition, which can negatively affect treatment outcomes. The role of registered dietitians (RDs) in managing nutrition-related issues in this population is well-documented, but there is limited research on their integration into geriatric oncology clinics. We evaluated the impact of integrating a registered dietitian (RD) into the Older Adult with Cancer Clinic (OACC) at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Canada. Materials and Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted of older adult cancer patients seen at the OACC, comparing outcomes before and after the RD’s integration. The focus was on weight characteristics and change, malnutrition screening/identification, and management. The two-item Canadian Nutrition Screening Tool (CNST) was introduced during the RD’s integration and was also examined to see its usefulness in identifying malnutrition risk. Chi-squared tests and t-tests were used for data analysis. Results: The pre-cohort (n = 140) had a mean age of 80.2 years, 48.6% female, and 77.9% vulnerable (Vulnerable Elders Survey (VES-13) ≥ 3). The post-cohort (n = 117) had a mean age of 81.4 years, 59.8% female, and 80.3% vulnerable (VES-13 ≥ 3). Weight change within 3 ± 1 months after the initial OACC consult was similar between pre and post groups with −1.4 kg and −1.2 kg, respectively (p = 0.77). Patients at nutritional risk, as determined by the OACC team, generated significantly more referrals to the RD in the post group (100% vs. 36.4%, p < 0.001). Among patients who had CNST screening and saw the RD, there was a higher rate of high nutrition risk among CNST-positive compared to CNST-negative patients (67.2% versus 44.4%, respectively). After the integration of the RD, a greater number of patients at nutritional risk received nutritional education and referrals to other healthcare professionals (43 versus 1). Conclusions: The integration of an RD into the OACC led to improved referral rates, nutritional education, and referrals to other healthcare professionals. Moreover, patients who were CNST positive were more likely to have high nutritional risk
Student Journal Growth & Quality Control
Full text linkSlides presented at Student Journal Forum (SJF), February 18-20, 2025.
Presenting journal: SpectrumAs we continue to see an increasing number of submissions to our student journal, Spectrum, our commitment to publishing high-quality work must simultaneously evolve. During this presentation, we hope to discuss some of our observations regarding the uptick in submissions we receive and the resultant growth of our editorial team, as well as some practical suggestions we implemented to effectively use our resources. To handle a larger volume of submissions, we’ve implemented a submission-tracking system and created workflows to smoothly handle a submission as it transitions through the various editorial stages. We are also continuing to refine our editorial onboarding process, as well as our peer review training. Lastly, with the widespread growth and usage of artificial intelligence (AI), it becomes imperative for journals to learn how to detect and respond to AI-written submissions and peer reviews, and we aim to discuss some of our relevant experiences during this presentation
Clinical Validation of Commercial AI Software for the Detection of Incidental Vertebral Compression Fractures in CT Scans of the Chest and Abdomen
Full text linkBackground/Objectives: The objective of this study was to clinically validate the performance of the Nanox.AI HealthOST software in detecting incidental vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) on outpatient chest and abdomen CT scans using sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV). A secondary aim was to assess the rate of missed VCFs using initial radiologist reports. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 590 outpatient CT scans. HealthOST, an artificial intelligence solution from Nanox.AI that allows for automated spine analysis using CT images was evaluated against a consensus ground truth established by two radiologists, including a senior musculoskeletal radiologist. Two vertebral body height reduction thresholds were tested: mild (>20%) and moderate (>25%). Original radiologist reports were reviewed to identify missed VCFs. Results: At the 20% threshold, the AI achieved a sensitivity of 92.0%, a specificity of 52.7%, a PPV of 16.5%, and an NPV of 98.5%. At the 25% threshold, sensitivity decreased to 78.0%, while specificity improved to 94.2%, with a PPV of 51.1% and an NPV of 98.2%. The AI identified 88% and 92% of fractures missed by radiologists at the 20% and 25% thresholds, respectively. Conclusions: The Nanox HealthOST AI solution demonstrates potential as an effective screening tool, with threshold selection adaptable to clinical needs with a secondary review by a radiologist that is advisable to ensure diagnostic accuracy. The study further indicates that radiologists often overlook VCFs in reporting non-indicated cases and that AI has a role in enhancing the detection and reporting of vertebral compression fractures in routine clinical practice
Autophagy-Related Proteins (ATGs) Are Differentially Required for Development and Virulence of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum
Full text linkSclerotinia sclerotiorum is a devastating fungal pathogen that can colonize numerous crops. Despite its economic importance, the regulation of its development and pathogenicity remains poorly understood. From a forward genetic screen in S. sclerotiorum, six UV mutants were identified with loss-of-function mutations in SsATG1, SsATG2, SsATG4, SsATG5, SsATG9, and SsATG26. Functional validation through gene knockouts revealed that each ATG is essential for sclerotia formation, although the morphology of appressoria was not significantly altered in the mutants. Different levels of virulence attenuation were observed among these mutants. Autophagy, monitored using GFP-ATG8, showed dynamic activities during sclerotia development. These findings suggest that macroautophagy and pexophagy contribute to sclerotia maturation and virulence processes. Future work will reveal how autophagy controls target organelle or protein turnover to regulate these processes
Validation of Quantitative Ultrasound and Texture Derivative Analyses-Based Model for Upfront Prediction of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Response in Breast Cancer
Full text linkThis work was conducted in order to validate a pre-treatment quantitative ultrasound (QUS) and texture derivative analyses-based prediction model proposed in our previous study to identify responders and non-responders to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer. The validation cohort consisted of 56 breast cancer patients diagnosed between the years 2018 and 2021. Among all patients, 53 were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and three had unplanned changes in their chemotherapy cycles. Radio Frequency (RF) data were collected volumetrically prior to the start of chemotherapy. In addition to tumour region (core), a 5 mm tumour-margin was also chosen for parameters estimation. The prediction model, which was developed previously based on quantitative ultrasound, texture derivative, and tumour molecular subtypes, was used to identify responders and non-responders. The actual response, which was determined by clinical and pathological assessment after lumpectomy or mastectomy, was then compared to the predicted response. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and F1 score for determining chemotherapy response of all patients in the validation cohort were 94%, 67%, 96%, 57%, and 95%, respectively. Removing patients who had unplanned changes in their chemotherapy resulted in a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and F1 score of all patients in the validation cohort of 94%, 100%, 100%, 50%, and 97%, respectively. Explanations for the misclassified cases included unplanned modifications made to the type of chemotherapy during treatment, inherent limitations of the predictive model, presence of DCIS in tumour structure, and an ill-defined tumour border in a minority of cases. Validation of a model was conducted in an independent cohort of patient for the first time to predict the tumour response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy using quantitative ultrasound, texture derivate, and molecular features in patients with breast cancer. Further research is needed to improve the positive predictive value and evaluate whether the treatment outcome can be improved in predicted non-responders by switching to other treatment options
Student Open-Access Journal Guide
No full textThis guide is for student groups and departments on campus who want to begin their own journals, revive a journal, or are interested in learning more about being involved in the publication process.
This guide was presented at the Student Journal Forum, February 18-20, 2025. View the presentation slides here: https://hdl.handle.net/1807/14275
Recent Advances in Pineoblastoma Research: Molecular Classification, Modelling and Targetable Vulnerabilities
Full text linkPineoblastoma (PB) is a rare yet lethal pediatric brain cancer of the pineal gland, a small endocrine organ that secretes melatonin to regulate the circadian rhythm. For PB patients ≤5 years of age, the overall survival rate is approximately 15%; metastatic PB is incurable. Standard treatment, including surgical resection, radiation, and systemic chemotherapy, improves survival but compromises neurocognitive function. A better understanding of the disease and the generation of preclinical models may enable re-evaluation of previous clinical trials, development of precision therapeutic strategies and improve patient outcome. Over the past 5 years, PB has been recognized to include several major subtypes driven by (i) loss of microRNA processing factors DICER and DROSHA characterized by a relatively good prognosis; (ii) loss of the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor RB1; and (iii) amplification or induction of the cMYC protooncogene, with the latter two subtypes exhibiting exceedingly poor prognosis. Recently, mouse models for the major PB subtypes (RB1-, DICER1- and DROSHA-) except MYC- have been established. This progress, including better understanding of the disease, cell of origin, tumor progression, role of autophagy, and targetable vulnerabilities, holds promise for novel therapeutic strategies to combat each subtype of this lethal childhood malignancy