947 results on '"Ricciardelli P."'
Search Results
2. Exploring the Occupational Lifestyle Experiences of the Families of Public Safety Personnel
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Richmond, Rachel, Ricciardelli, Rosemary, Dekel, Rachel, Norris, Deborah, Mahar, Alyson, MacDermid, Joy, Fear, Nicola T., Gribble, Rachael, and Cramm, Heidi
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- 2024
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3. The occipital interhemispheric transtentorial approach in infants and toddlers: efficacy and complications
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Ricciardelli, Ashley, Snyder, Rita, Whitehead, William E., Weiner, Howard L., Patel, Daxa, Gadgil, Nisha, and Aldave, Guillermo
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- 2024
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4. Aging affects regrowth of stealthperitoneal dissemination of advanced ovarian cancer: a multicenter retrospective cohort study
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Hiroki Fujimoto, Masato Yoshihara, Carmela Ricciardelli, Sho Tano, Shohei Iyoshi, Emiri Miyamoto, Kazumasa Mogi, Maia Hayashi, Sae Hayakawa, Satoshi Nomura, Kazuhisa Kitami, Kaname Uno, Nobuhisa Yoshikawa, Ryo Emoto, Shigeyuki Matsui, and Hiroaki Kajiyama
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Ovarian cancer ,Peritoneal dissemination ,Recurrence ,Aging ,Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Abstract Ovarian cancer (OvCa) is one of the most lethal gynecological malignancies, and most patients are diagnosed at advanced stage with peritoneal dissemination. Although age at diagnosis is considered an independent prognostic factor, its impact on peritoneal recurrence after combined cytoreductive surgery and chemotherapy is not clear. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of aging on peritoneal recurrence from stealth dissemination and gain insight of the pathophysiology of OvCa in elderly patients. A total of 243 patients with pT2b-pT3 epithelial ovarian who achieved complete surgery, no-residual tumor at first surgery, were selected to be analyzed the risk of peritoneal seeding and recurrence. We found that age over 65 years was independently associated with an increased risk of peritoneum-specific (PS) recurrence (. Furthermore, pT3 stages and positive ascites cytology also worsen the PS-relapse-free survival. Collectively, our findings suggest that age, especially over 65 years, predicts reduced peritoneum-specific tumor recurrence in patients with advanced ovarian cancer after complete cytoreduction surgery, particularly those with pT3 tumors and positive ascites cytology.
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- 2024
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5. Normalizing fentanyl: interpreting the perceived ‘risk’ of correctional officer work
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Rosemary Ricciardelli, Matthew S. Johnston, and Gillian Foley
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Opioids ,Overdose ,Naloxone ,Occupational stressors ,Misinformation ,Medicine (General) ,R5-920 ,Social pathology. Social and public welfare. Criminology ,HV1-9960 - Abstract
Abstract Background Scholarship on how fentanyl affects the complexities of correctional settings is limited in Canada, as scholars have focused on the prevalence of opioid use and overdose in prisons, as well as community treatment and access following release. Fentanyl constitutes a continuing challenge both in prisons and broader society. Results The current qualitative, interview-based empirical study examines how fentanyl is interpreted by correctional officers (COs, n = 99) across federal prisons in Canada, some of whom have worked in institutions with a high presence of fentanyl, while others have less exposure to the drug. We found that while many COs had responded to an overdose during their first or second year on the job, most COs who had did not perceive the event to be psychologically traumatic nor were concerned about the presence and availability fentanyl in their work environment, or they were indifferent. Yet this finding competes with the 41.4% of officers who did express concern about the presence of fentanyl – suggesting both a “normalization” of fentanyl as a workplace hazard as well as an underpinning social concern. Conclusions We discuss the implications of these complicated findings in relation to reducing workplace stressors and countering misinformation that, in addition to other potential occupational factors, may be responsible for the concerns of COs tied to the presence of fentanyl.
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- 2024
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6. Responding to Cyber Risk with Restorative Practices: Perceptions and Experiences of Canadian Educators
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Michael Adorjan, Rosemary Ricciardelli, and Mohana Mukherjee
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Restorative practices are gaining traction as alternative approaches to student conflict and harm in schools, potentially surpassing disciplinary methods in effectiveness. In the current article, we contribute to the evolving understanding of restorative practices in schools by examining qualitative responses from educators regarding restorative interventions for online-mediated conflict and harm, including cyberbullying and sexting. Participants include pre-service educators, as well as junior and senior teachers with varying levels of familiarity with restorative practices. Our findings highlight how educators who have implemented these practices largely hold positive perspectives of their effectiveness for resolving cyber conflicts and restoring a positive classroom environment. Educators emphasize the value of meaningful changes in student behaviour and acknowledge the potential of face-to-face mediation in mitigating online harm and promoting digital citizenship, though some educators raise questions about the appropriateness of restorative responses to serious incidents of online-mediated harm. This research offers fresh insights into the challenges and potential of restorative practices in schools, particularly in addressing cyber-based conflicts. We emphasize implementation challenges related to the distinct contexts in which schools operate and the influence of broader societal and systemic factors on the success of restorative practice initiatives.
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- 2024
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7. Aging affects regrowth of stealthperitoneal dissemination of advanced ovarian cancer: a multicenter retrospective cohort study
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Fujimoto, Hiroki, Yoshihara, Masato, Ricciardelli, Carmela, Tano, Sho, Iyoshi, Shohei, Miyamoto, Emiri, Mogi, Kazumasa, Hayashi, Maia, Hayakawa, Sae, Nomura, Satoshi, Kitami, Kazuhisa, Uno, Kaname, Yoshikawa, Nobuhisa, Emoto, Ryo, Matsui, Shigeyuki, and Kajiyama, Hiroaki
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- 2024
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8. Normalizing fentanyl: interpreting the perceived ‘risk’ of correctional officer work
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Ricciardelli, Rosemary, Johnston, Matthew S., and Foley, Gillian
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- 2024
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9. Anatomy of the uncertainty of satellite vicarious calibration using radiosondes: concepts and preliminary results for microwave radiometric observations
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Cimini, Domenico, Barlakas, Vasileios, Carminati, Fabien, De Angelis, Francesco, Di Paola, Francesco, Fassò, Alessandro, Gallucci, Donatello, Gentile, Sabrina, Hewison, Tim, Larosa, Salvatore, Madonna, Fabio, Mattioli, Vinia, Montopoli, Mario, Romano, Filomena, Rosoldi, Marco, Viggiano, Mariassunta, Von Engeln, Axel, and Ricciardelli, Elisabetta
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- 2024
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10. Pure epidural extraosseous cavernous hemangioma with thoracic myelopathy: case report and review of literature
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Guntin, Jordan, Ricciardelli, Ashley, Flores, Alex, Chen, Jeffrey, Treiber, Jeffrey, and Fuentes, Alfonso
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- 2024
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11. Sleep quality and mental disorder symptoms among correctional workers in Ontario, Canada
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Ricciardelli, Rosemary, Taillieu, Tamara L., McElheran, Megan, Cramm, Heidi, Ajith, Harsha, Johnston, Matthew S., and Carleton, R. Nicholas
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- 2024
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12. Psychological distress among healthcare professionals in Mbarara, following the 2022 Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in Uganda: a mixed methods study
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Abaatyo, Joan, Rukundo, Godfrey Zari, Twine, Margaret, Lutasingwa, Dan, Favina, Alain, Nyemara, Novatus, and Ricciardelli, Rosemary
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- 2024
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13. Inaugural editorial of Discover Cities
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Moreno-Munoz, Antonio, Fang, Zhixiang, Ricciardelli, Francesco, and Hu, Rachel
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- 2024
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14. The Continuum of Moral Harms: Correctional Officers’ Perspectives of Prison and the Influence on their Wellness
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Ricciardelli, Rosemary, Easterbrook, Bethany, and Turner, Jennifer
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- 2024
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15. Unveiling G-protein coupled receptors as potential targets for ovarian cancer nanomedicines: from RNA sequencing data analysis to in vitro validation
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Riya Khetan, Preethi Eldi, Noor A. Lokman, Carmela Ricciardelli, Martin K. Oehler, Anton Blencowe, Sanjay Garg, Katherine Pillman, and Hugo Albrecht
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Ovarian cancer ,GPCR ,Nanomedicine ,Personalised medicine ,Drug delivery ,RNA-seq ,Gynecology and obstetrics ,RG1-991 - Abstract
Abstract Genetic heterogeneity in ovarian cancer indicates the need for personalised treatment approaches. Currently, very few G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) have been investigated for active targeting with nanomedicines such as antibody-conjugated drugs and drug-loaded nanoparticles, highlighting a neglected potential to develop personalised treatment. To address the genetic heterogeneity of ovarian cancer, a future personalised approach could include the identification of unique GPCRs expressed in cancer biopsies, matched with personalised GPCR-targeted nanomedicines, for the delivery of lethal drugs to tumour tissue before, during and after surgery. Here we report on the systematic analysis of public ribonucleic acid-sequencing (RNA-seq) gene expression data, which led to prioritisation of 13 GPCRs as candidates with frequent overexpression in ovarian cancer tissues. Subsequently, primary ovarian cancer cells derived from ascites and ovarian cancer cell lines were used to confirm frequent gene expression for the selected GPCRs. However, the expression levels showed high variability within our selection of samples, therefore, supporting and emphasising the need for the future development of case-to-case personalised targeting approaches.
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- 2024
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16. Traumatic brain injury and justice-involved men in Canada: strategies and implications
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Matthew S. Johnston and Rosemary Ricciardelli
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traumatic brain injury ,neurodiversity ,incarcerated people ,correctional service canada ,mental health ,Medicine (General) ,R5-920 - Abstract
Recent longitudinal evidence reveals how sustaining a traumatic brain injury (TBI) increases risk for criminal justice involvement, including incarceration for serious or chronic offending (i.e., violent crime). In 2016, researchers from Correctional Service Canada (CSC) found between 01 July 1997 and 31 March 2011, the incidence of incarceration was higher among federally sentenced incarcerated people with prior TBI; in their sample, both men and women with TBI were approximately 2.5 times more likely to be incarcerated than men and women without TBI. More research is needed to understand how TBI may be related to neurodiversity and shape pathways to criminal justice system involvement, particularly among men who do not identify as White; for example, in 2020/2021, Indigenous men made up 32% of male admissions to federal custody in Canada. Engaging 11 reports produced by CSC which examine rates of TBI and other related factors among incarcerated people, as well as select international literature on TBI and the criminal justice system, our rapid report seeks to explicate the potential relationship between TBI, neurodiversity, and men as evidenced among federally incarcerated men in Canada. Policy, training, education, future areas of inquiry and practical implications for correctional services are discussed.
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- 2024
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17. Sleep quality and mental disorder symptoms among correctional workers in Ontario, Canada
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Rosemary Ricciardelli, Tamara L. Taillieu, Megan McElheran, Heidi Cramm, Harsha Ajith, Matthew S. Johnston, and R. Nicholas Carleton
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Sleep ,Correctional workers ,Canada ,Mental health and well-being ,Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Abstract Correctional workers (CWs) report high levels of work stressors, frequent exposures to potentially psychologically traumatic events (PPTEs), and substantial mental health challenges. There is evidence of associations between sleep disturbances and diverse mental health challenges, including preliminary evidence from public safety personnel; however, replications and extensions would better inform interventions to support mental health. The current study was designed to examine associations between quality of sleep, work stress, and mental health disorders in a sample of diverse CWs employed in a provincial correctional service in Ontario, Canada. Data were analyzed from 943 CWs who participated in the cross-sectional, web-based Ontario Provincial Correctional Worker Mental Health and Well-Being Study conducted from December 2017 to June 2018. Sleep quality indicators included symptoms of insomnia, total hours of sleep per night on work nights and off-shift nights, number of days feeling rested per week, and overall sleep quality. Descriptive statistics, analyses of variance, correlational analyses, and logistic regression were used to examine relationships among sleep quality, stress of shift work, and mental health disorder symptoms. CWs slept an average of 6.0 h per night when working and 7.2 h during off-shift nights. CWs reported waking up feeling rested an average of 2.6 days per week and rated their overall quality of sleep in the fair to poor range. Many CWs (64.9%) screened positive for clinically significant symptoms of insomnia. There were also differences across occupational groups such that CWs working as correctional officers reported the most sleep problems. There were statistically significant relationships between insomnia and mental health disorder symptoms. Higher levels of stress from shift work were associated with worse sleep quality. CWs, especially those working as correctional officers in a provincial prison, reported many indicators consistent with poorer quality of sleep. Poor quality of sleep was also associated with work stress and mental health disorders.
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- 2024
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18. Psychological distress among healthcare professionals in Mbarara, following the 2022 Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in Uganda: a mixed methods study
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Joan Abaatyo, Godfrey Zari Rukundo, Margaret Twine, Dan Lutasingwa, Alain Favina, Novatus Nyemara, and Rosemary Ricciardelli
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Psychological distress ,Health care professionals ,Ebola virus disease ,Psychiatry ,RC435-571 - Abstract
Abstract Background The 2022 Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak occurred at a time when Uganda was still battling the social and psychological challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic; placing health care professionals (HCPs) at a much higher risk of developing psychological distress. Psychological distress among HCPs can cause decreased workplace productivity and ineffective management of their patients. The current study aimed to investigate and understand psychological distress among HCPS in Mbarara city in Southwestern Uganda following the 2022 EVD outbreak. Method We enrolled 200 HCPs through convenient sampling from one private and one public health facility in Mbarara city in Southwestern Uganda, in a cross-sectional convergent parallel mixed method approach where qualitative and quantitative data were collected concurrently. Quantitative data, utilizing the Kessler Psychological Distress (K10) Scale, provided us with a quantitative measure of the prevalence of psychological distress among HCPs, and were analyzed using STATA version 16. Qualitative data, on the other hand, offered deeper insights into the nature, perceptions, and contextual factors influencing this distress, and were analyzed using emergent theme analysis. Results The prevalence of psychological distress was 59.5% and it was higher among females (63.9%) compared to males (36.1%). HCPs vividly expressed distress and anxiety, with heightened suspicion that every patient might be an EVD carrier, creating a pervasive sense of unsafety in the workplace. However, the outbreak had an educational affect where concerns about the announcement of another EVD outbreak were diverse, with HCPs expressing anxiety, despair, and dissatisfaction with the country’s management of potential outbreaks. Conclusion High levels of psychological distress were experienced by HCPs in Southwestern Uganda as a result of the 2022 EVD pandemic. HCPs express a wide range of feelings, such as dread, anxiety, despair, pessimism, and discontent with the way the outbreaks are handled throughout the nation. We recommend implementation of comprehensive psychosocial support programs tailored to the unique needs of HCPs, including counseling services, stress management workshops, and peer support networks.
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- 2024
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19. Radiation protection and natural building materials in cultural heritage
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Giuseppe La Verde, Alessio Ricciardelli, Elisa Ognibene, Fabrizio Ambrosino, and Mariagabriella Pugliese
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building material ,measurements ,ionizing radiation ,cultural heritage ,radiation protection ,indoor environment ,Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General) ,TA1-2040 ,City planning ,HT165.5-169.9 - Abstract
IntroductionBuildings that constitute cultural heritage and that are the identity of a defined geographical area are increasingly being restored to offer the community historical places to enjoy. Often the restoration preserves the original structure and building materials, which are usually natural stones. In this study, a radioprotection protocol dedicated to this kind of built environment was proposed and validated.MethodsAfter identifying the two predominant types of building material stones (Rosso ammonitico and Pietra Serena), radiometric measurements for natural gamma-emitting radionuclides (Ra-226, Th-232, and K-40) and measurements of the emanation coefficient and calculation of the exhalation rate of radon gas were carried out.ResultsThe two types of stone have a content of natural radionuclides that do not exceed the levels recommended by the regulations. The difference between the two types of stone is of an order of magnitude indicating that the red ammonite has a greater radiological impact than the pietra serena.DiscussionThe results, in addition to ensuring the radioprotection of the population, highlighted the need to increase the number of this kind of investigations to implement scientific knowledge and serve the stakeholders involved.
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- 2024
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20. 'Making a difference': Interpreting responsivity ambience for parole work
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Micheal P. Taylor, Rosemary Ricciardelli, and Randy Shively
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Science (General) ,Q1-390 ,Social sciences (General) ,H1-99 - Abstract
In this article, we draw on qualitative interview data (n = 150) from parole officers (POs) employed in Canada's federal correctional service. Our analysis interprets job satisfaction, accountability, and relational aspects of POs' work, taking a semi-grounded constructivist approach. We discovered correctional workers, such as probation and parole officers, engage in transformational relationships within their workplace environments. However, given economic, social, and political constraints, we question how these change agents actually ‘make a difference’ in practice. Fidelity to core correctional practices suggests therapeutic alliances are fundamental to intervention. Emergent in our discoveries is how the workplace environment, organizational climate and culture, and penal atmosphere mediate reflexive experiences that inspire motivation, morale, and change. However, our interpretation and situational awareness of parole adds to a lacuna in knowledge about therapeutic relationships in correctional work generally and the responsivity principle specifically for sensemaking about how interventions may sometimes become iatrogenic. We found that POs negotiate their relationships with those under supervision as much as with fellow correctional workers. Responsivity ambience pertains to consolidation and conceptual clarity concerning how corrections, in its public safety mandate, induces in/efficacy. Through discussion, we theorize how securitized settings affect well-being and provide practical insights to converge on the rehabilitative ideal and criminal desistance.
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- 2024
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21. Pain Scales: What Are They and What Do They Mean
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Robinson, Christopher L., Phung, Anh, Dominguez, Moises, Remotti, Edgar, Ricciardelli, Ryan, Momah, D. Uju, Wahab, Stephanie, Kim, Rosa S., Norman, Malcolm, Zhang, Evan, Hasoon, Jamal, Orhurh, Vwaire, Viswanath, Omar, Yazdi, Cyrus, Chen, Grant H., Simopoulos, Thomas T., and Gill, Jatinder
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- 2024
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22. 'I feel like it should be but I know it’s really not': exploring physical fitness priorities at the correctional training program in Canadian federal corrections
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Zachary Towns, Rosemary Ricciardelli, and Dale C. Spencer
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prison work ,correctional officer ,body work ,correctional services ,canada ,Medicine (General) ,R5-920 - Abstract
The correctional training program (CTP), composed of three stages, includes a 14 week in-person component that Correctional Officer Recruits (CORs) must complete prior to their employment as a federal Correctional Officer (CO) for Correctional Service Canada (CSC). The CTP prepares recruits for a plethora of CO responsibilities, some dependent on physical fitness, such as responding to codes being called, physical altercations, or violent situations. Unlike other public safety positions (e.g. policing, border services, or coast guard) CSC does not require occupational fitness testing. In the current article, we use data from a multiyear longitudinal study of federal COs from across Canada to unpack how CORs manage physical fitness expectations at CTP; CSCs’ expectations of COR physical fitness; and outline what types of physical fitness (e.g. weightlifting, cardiovascular, self-defence) are taught, thus valued most, during CTP. We situate the voices of CORs regarding physical fitness within the broader “body” literature and discuss policy recommendations tied to physical fitness, specifically COs’ interest in reinstating pre-employment physical fitness screening.
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- 2024
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23. Stimulus Inversion and Emotional Expressions Independently Affect Face and Body Perception: An ERP Study
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Francesco Bossi, Paola Ricciardelli, and Davide Rivolta
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ERP ,N170 ,body perception ,inversion effect ,emotional expression ,face perception ,Medical technology ,R855-855.5 ,Therapeutics. Pharmacology ,RM1-950 - Abstract
Faces and bodies provide critical cues for social interaction and communication. Their structural encoding depends on configural processing, as suggested by the detrimental effect of stimulus inversion for both faces (i.e., face inversion effect - FIE) and bodies (body inversion effect - BIE). An occipito-temporal negative event-related potential (ERP) component peaking around 170 ms after stimulus onset (N170) is consistently elicited by human faces and bodies and is affected by the inversion of these stimuli. Albeit it is known that emotional expressions can boost structural encoding (resulting in larger N170 components for emotional than for neutral faces), little is known about body emotional expressions. Thus, the current study investigated the effects of different emotional expressions on structural encoding in combination with FIE and BIE. Three ERP components (P1, N170, P2) were recorded using a 128-channel electroencephalogram (EEG) when participants were presented with (upright and inverted) faces and bodies conveying four possible emotions (happiness, sadness, anger, fear) or no emotion (neutral). Results demonstrated that inversion and emotional expressions independently affected the Accuracy and amplitude of all ERP components (P1, N170, P2). In particular, faces showed specific effects of emotional expressions during the structural encoding stage (N170), while P2 amplitude (representing top-down conceptualisation) was modified by emotional body perception. Moreover, the task performed by participants (i.e., implicit vs. explicit processing of emotional information) differently influenced Accuracy and ERP components. These results support integrated theories of visual perception, thus speaking in favour of the functional independence of the two neurocognitive pathways (one for structural encoding and one for emotional expression analysis) involved in social stimuli processing. Results are discussed highlighting the neurocognitive and computational advantages of the independence between the two pathways.
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- 2024
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24. Wind Speed Downscaling of the WRF Model at Subkilometer Scale in Complex Terrain for Wind Power Applications
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Francesco Di Paola, Domenico Cimini, Maria Pia De Natale, Donatello Gallucci, Sabrina Gentile, Edoardo Geraldi, Salvatore Larosa, Saverio Teodosio Nilo, Elisabetta Ricciardelli, Ermann Ripepi, Mariassunta Viggiano, and Filomena Romano
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Artificial neural network (ANN) ,downscaling ,remote sensing ,resolution enhancement ,wind speed ,weather research and forecasting (WRF) ,Ocean engineering ,TC1501-1800 ,Geophysics. Cosmic physics ,QC801-809 - Abstract
Mesoscale numerical weather prediction models are frequently utilized for wind speed analysis and forecasting in the planning and support of wind power generation. However, high computational costs only allow for routine use up to a kilometer scale, which is sometimes too coarse to support onshore wind power generation in areas with complex orography. To address this, an algorithm was developed in southern Italy to downscale the wind fields output using the weather research and forecasting (WRF) model for the first 250 m above ground level. The algorithm is based on artificial neural networks (ANNs) and uses the WRF model outputs on a 1.2 km regular grid, and the land surface height and orientation on a 240 m regular grid to downscale wind fields to a 240 m regular grid. To train the ANNs, a WRF simulation dataset in large eddy simulation (LES) mode was developed. Particular attention was paid to defining the ANN architectures and analyzing inputs to mitigate overfitting risk while maintaining manageable computation costs. The evaluation of outcomes conducted using independent test datasets from WRF-LES simulations reveals that the wind speed root-mean-square difference (RMSD) is 0.5 m/s over land and 0.2 m/s over the sea surface, respectively, at a spatial resolution of approximately 800 m. These figures are lower than the RMSD values of 1.6 m/s over land and 1.0 m/s over the sea surface, accompanied by a spatial resolution of 1.8 km, which were obtained through comparison with the spline interpolation method.
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- 2024
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25. Perspectives on Restorative Practices and Online-Mediated Harm in Schools: Implementation Challenges
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Adorjan, Michael, Ricciardelli, Rosemary, and Mukherjee, Mohana
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While many schools have gravitated away from an emphasis on 'zero tolerance' discipline, embracing a range of 'restorative practices' (RP), only a handful of empirical studies have examined how RP have been received by educators. Moreover, frameworks which embrace RP in the classroom often neglect newer forms of online-mediated conflict and harm (e.g., cyberbullying, 'sexting'). The current study, drawing on 77 qualitative interviews with Canadian pre-service and practicing educators, examines their responses regarding the effectiveness of RP in response to online conflict and harm. Challenges include educator emotional burnout, pressures on popular teachers to run RP, and the need for resources and administrative support in RP or an external mediator. These challenges, we argue, are difficult to overcome without a whole school framework that helps to instill cultural commitments attending to the wider goal of repairing harm situated at the level of a school's community.
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- 2023
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26. Pre-clinical validation of a pan-cancer CAR-T cell immunotherapy targeting nfP2X7
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Bandara, Veronika, Foeng, Jade, Gundsambuu, Batjargal, Norton, Todd S., Napoli, Silvana, McPeake, Dylan J., Tyllis, Timona S., Rohani-Rad, Elaheh, Abbott, Caitlin, Mills, Stuart J., Tan, Lih Y., Thompson, Emma J., Willet, Vasiliki M., Nikitaras, Victoria J., Zheng, Jieren, Comerford, Iain, Johnson, Adam, Coombs, Justin, Oehler, Martin K., Ricciardelli, Carmela, Cowin, Allison J., Bonder, Claudine S., Jensen, Michael, Sadlon, Timothy J., McColl, Shaun R., and Barry, Simon C.
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- 2023
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27. Effect of race on Gaze Cueing in adults with high and low autistic traits
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Ricciardelli, Paola and Pintori, Noemi
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- 2023
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28. Assessing Road to Mental Readiness (R2MR) training among correctional workers in Canada
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Johnston, Matthew S., Ricciardelli, Rosemary, Ghodrati, Maryam, and Czarnuch, Stephen
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- 2023
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29. A fatal rhabdomyolysis with the presence of Bacillus cereus on blood culture: description of a clinical case
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Lara Scoppapietra, Alessio Audino, Guido Ricciardelli, Giuseppina Amarù, Maura Millesimo, Cristina Crocillà, and Valentino Granero
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Bacillus cereus ,infection ,rhabdomyolysis ,virulence factors ,Microbiology ,QR1-502 - Abstract
Bacillus cereus is a Gram-positive bacterium that is ubiquitously present. It is often involved in gastrointestinal infections and food poisoning, but it can rarely cause serious non-gastrointestinal tract infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. The pathogenicity of B. cereus is predominantly derived from the production of tissue-destructive exoenzymes, including hemolysins, phospholipases, and proteases. Here, we present a case of bacteremia due to B. cereus in an elderly patient, admitted to the emergency room for respiratory failure and rhabdomyolysis after a fall. The microorganism was detected through blood culture and identified using the MALDI-TOF technique. Despite the rapid start of antibiotic therapy, laboratory data have highlighted how this bacterium, through its virulence factors, can be lethal in the case of rhabdomyolysis, worsening the inflammatory response and subverting the host-microorganism relationship in its favor.
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- 2024
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30. Exploring the impacts of COVID-19 on Alberta correctional workers
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Matthew S. Johnston, Rosemary Ricciardelli, and Ryan Coulling
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COVID-19 ,Correctional workers ,Incarcerated people ,Occupational stress ,Policy ,Science (General) ,Q1-390 ,Social sciences (General) ,H1-99 - Abstract
COVID-19 and the subsequent public health responses disrupted the routines and lives of people globally. The impact was felt by correctional workers who navigated rapidly changing public health policies and many disruptions to operations within both institutional and community correctional services. In the current study, we unpack qualitative findings emerging from an online mental health and well-being survey, during COVID-19, of 571 correctional workers employed in the Canadian province of Alberta. Results emphasize how correctional work was strained by the on-set of the COVID-19 pandemic, creating other risks and vulnerabilities for both staff and incarcerated people. Respondents highlighted impacts to their workload, routine, personal and institutional security, relationships with colleagues and incarcerated people, and their competing perspectives on the enforcement and ethics of ensuing public health measures intended to contain the spread of the virus. We discuss the empirical implications of these findings and areas for future research post pandemic.
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- 2024
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31. 'We are unique': organizational stressors, peer support and attitudes toward mental health treatment among airport firefighters
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Bridget Barry, Rosemary Ricciardelli, and Heidi Cramm
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Medicine (General) ,R5-920 - Abstract
IntroductionAirport firefighters are responsible for providing emergency responses to aviation incidents on a runway or in the vicinity of an airport, including airplane crashes, mass casualty events, emergency landings and many other concerns on airport grounds. While data exist on the occupational stressors of firefighters and public safety personnel in general, there is a gap in knowledge regarding the experiences of airport firefighters, particularly in relation to their organizational stressors, peer supports and attitudes toward mental health treatment. MethodsWe conducted two focus groups with 10 career firefighters working at an airport in Atlantic Canada in 2019. Focus groups were recorded; the recordings were transcribed and later coded using thematic analysis, which took an inductive, iterative, narrative approach. ResultsAirport firefighters face unique challenges, and operational stressors are overshadowed by organizational stressors. Additionally, peer support is an integral aspect of coping with both organizational stressors and critical incidents. Firefighters were found to have positive attitudes toward mental health treatment in general, but several barriers still remain, such as stigma, fear of being placed on leave and fear of confidentiality breach. ConclusionSpecialized treatment options for public safety personnel and airport firefighters who engage in serious incidents outside of their regular duties are needed.
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- 2023
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32. « Nous sommes uniques » : facteurs de stress organisationnels, soutien par les pairs et attitudes à l’égard des soins de santé mentale chez les pompiers d’aéroport
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Bridget Barry, Rosemary Ricciardelli, and Heidi Cramm
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Medicine (General) ,R5-920 - Abstract
IntroductionLes pompiers d’aéroport ont la responsabilité de fournir des services d’intervention d’urgence en cas d’incidents aéronautiques sur une piste d’atterrissage ou à proximité d’un aéroport, que ce soit en cas d’écrasement d’avion, d’incident faisant un grand nombre de victimes, d’atterrissage d’urgence ou de nombreux autres problèmes survenant sur les terrains de l’aéroport. Bien qu’il existe des données sur les facteurs de stress professionnels des pompiers et du personnel de la sécurité publique en général, il y a un manque de connaissances concernant les expériences des pompiers d’aéroport, en particulier en ce qui concerne leurs facteurs de stress organisationnels, le soutien par leurs pairs et leur attitude à l’égard des soins de santé mentale. MéthodologieEn 2019, nous avons dirigé deux groupes de discussion regroupant dix pompiers professionnels travaillant dans un aéroport du Canada atlantique. Les discussions ont été enregistrées et les enregistrements transcrits puis codés par analyse thématique à l’aide d’une méthode narrative, itérative et inductive. RésultatsLes pompiers d’aéroport sont confrontés à des défis spécifiques et les facteurs de stress opérationnels sont occultés par les facteurs de stress organisationnels. De plus, le soutien par les pairs est un aspect intégral de la gestion des facteurs de stress organisationnels et des incidents critiques. On a constaté que les pompiers avaient une attitude positive à l’égard des soins de santé mentale en général, mais plusieurs obstacles subsistent, en particulier la stigmatisation, la crainte d’être mis en congé et la crainte d’une violation de la confidentialité. ConclusionDes options de traitement spécialisées sont nécessaires pour le personnel de la sécurité publique et les pompiers d’aéroport qui interviennent en cas d’incidents graves en dehors de leurs fonctions habituelles.
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- 2023
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33. Understanding PTSD among correctional workers in Manitoba, Canada: Key considerations of social variables
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Laura McKendy, Tamara Taillieu, Matthew S. Johnston, Rosemary Ricciardelli, and R. Nicholas Carleton
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correctional workers ,mental health ,posttraumatic stress disorder ,socio‐demographic profiles ,treatment experiences ,Mental healing ,RZ400-408 ,Psychiatry ,RC435-571 - Abstract
Abstract Mounting evidence highlights the high prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among correctional workers. The current analysis draws on survey response data to present a social profile of correctional workers in the province of Manitoba (n = 580), Canada, who screened positive for PTSD (n = 196). We examined demographic information, professional history information, and adverse work exposure experiences, as well as treatment and support patterns. The analysis was not intended to identify correlates of PTSD development among correctional workers, but did identify the characteristics, professional and personal situations, and treatment experiences of correctional workers who screened positive for PTSD. The results highlight the multidimensional nature of work stressors, the pronounced problem of work–life conflict, and variations in seeking supports and treatments. Generally, participants screening positive for PTSD reported higher exposure to potentially psychologically traumatic events, higher environmental or occupational stressors at work, and many had prior work experience as public safety personnel. Correctional workers who screened positive for PTSD appeared more likely to access mental health supports. Promoting proactive support seeking for mental health treatment may help to mitigate the severity, frequency, stigma, and length of mental health challenges among correctional workers.
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- 2023
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34. Effect of race on Gaze Cueing in adults with high and low autistic traits
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Paola Ricciardelli and Noemi Pintori
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Gaze-cueing effect ,Ingroup bias ,Implicit race bias ,High and Low autistic traits ,Psychology ,BF1-990 - Abstract
Abstract Background Observing the direction of gaze of another person leads to shifting of attention in the same direction (gaze-cueing effect – GCE), a social-cognitive ability known as joint or social attention. Racial attitudes can influence the magnitude of GCE since it has been shown that White people showing a strong race ingroup preference follow the gaze only of White, and not Black, faces. Individuals with high autistic traits have difficulties in social-cognitive abilities that can disrupt the learning of socially shared racial attitudes. Our aim was to investigate in White Italian adults whether individuals with higher autistic traits (measured by the Autism Spectrum Quotient) show reduced implicit racial bias (measured by the Implicit Association Test) and if this bias would lead to differences in the gaze cueing effect (GCE) triggered by gaze direction of faces of different races (measured by the Gaze Cueing Task). Methods In an online study, participants (N = 165; 132 females; Mean age = 22.9; SD = 4.76) filled in the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) questionnaire, then performed a Gaze Cueing Task, followed and by an Implicit Association Test. Results Linear regression and linear mixed model analyses showed in the IAT task the presence of the same implicit ingroup bias for all participants, which was not predicted by the AQ score, while in the Gaze Cueing Task the GCE differed depending on the AQ score of the participants. Specifically, participants with low-medium, medium, and medium–high autistic traits (AQ = -1SD; AQ = mean; AQ = + 1SD respectively) presented the GCE for both ingroup and outgroup cueing faces, whereas participants with high autistic traits (AQ = + 2SD) only for ingroup faces. Conclusions In White Italian adults the presence of an implicit ingroup bias seems to influence the GCE, but it is not always true that the individuals showing an implicit ingroup bias do not orient their attention in the direction of gaze of the outgroup individuals. Instead, the GCE seems to be modulated by the level of autistic traits. That is, individuals with higher autistic traits seem to prioritize joint attention with only their ingroup members.
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- 2023
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35. Pre-clinical validation of a pan-cancer CAR-T cell immunotherapy targeting nfP2X7
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Veronika Bandara, Jade Foeng, Batjargal Gundsambuu, Todd S. Norton, Silvana Napoli, Dylan J. McPeake, Timona S. Tyllis, Elaheh Rohani-Rad, Caitlin Abbott, Stuart J. Mills, Lih Y. Tan, Emma J. Thompson, Vasiliki M. Willet, Victoria J. Nikitaras, Jieren Zheng, Iain Comerford, Adam Johnson, Justin Coombs, Martin K. Oehler, Carmela Ricciardelli, Allison J. Cowin, Claudine S. Bonder, Michael Jensen, Timothy J. Sadlon, Shaun R. McColl, and Simon C. Barry
- Subjects
Science - Abstract
Abstract Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell immunotherapy is a novel treatment that genetically modifies the patients’ own T cells to target and kill malignant cells. However, identification of tumour-specific antigens expressed on multiple solid cancer types, remains a major challenge. P2X purinoceptor 7 (P2X7) is a cell surface expressed ATP gated cation channel, and a dysfunctional version of P2X7, named nfP2X7, has been identified on cancer cells from multiple tissues, while being undetectable on healthy cells. We present a prototype -human CAR-T construct targeting nfP2X7 showing potential antigen-specific cytotoxicity against twelve solid cancer types (breast, prostate, lung, colorectal, brain and skin). In xenograft mouse models of breast and prostate cancer, CAR-T cells targeting nfP2X7 exhibit robust anti-tumour efficacy. These data indicate that nfP2X7 is a suitable immunotherapy target because of its broad expression on human tumours. CAR-T cells targeting nfP2X7 have potential as a wide-spectrum cancer immunotherapy for solid tumours in humans.
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- 2023
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36. The Cannabinoid Receptor Agonist, WIN-55212-2, Suppresses the Activation of Proinflammatory Genes Induced by Interleukin 1 Beta in Human Astrocytes
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Fields, Jerel Adam, Swinton, Mary K, Montilla-Perez, Patricia, Ricciardelli, Eugenia, and Telese, Francesca
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Cannabinoid Research ,Neurosciences ,Genetics ,Aetiology ,2.1 Biological and endogenous factors ,1.1 Normal biological development and functioning ,Development of treatments and therapeutic interventions ,Underpinning research ,5.1 Pharmaceuticals ,Neurological ,Animals ,Anti-Inflammatory Agents ,Astrocytes ,Benzoxazines ,Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists ,Endocannabinoids ,Humans ,Inflammation ,Interleukin-1beta ,Morpholines ,Naphthalenes ,Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors ,immunosuppression ,inflammation ,neurobiology ,synthetic cannabinoids - Abstract
Background: Alterations of astrocyte function play a crucial role in neuroinflammatory diseases due to either the loss of their neuroprotective role or the gain of their toxic inflammatory properties. Accumulating evidence highlights that cannabinoids and cannabinoid receptor agonists, such as WIN55,212-2 (WIN), reduce inflammation in cellular and animal models. Thus, the endocannabinoid system has become an attractive target to attenuate chronic inflammation in neurodegenerative diseases. However, the mechanism of action of WIN in astrocytes remains poorly understood. Objective: We studied the immunosuppressive property of WIN by examining gene expression patterns that were modulated by WIN in reactive astrocytes. Materials and Methods: Transcriptomic analysis by RNA-seq was carried out using primary human astrocyte cultures stimulated by the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin 1 beta (IL1β) in the presence or absence of WIN. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis was conducted on selected transcripts to characterize the dose-response effects of WIN, and to test the effect of selective antagonists of cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR). Results: Transcriptomic analysis showed that the IL1β-induced inflammatory response is robustly inhibited by WIN pretreatment. WIN treatment alone also induced substantial gene expression changes. Pathway analysis revealed that the anti-inflammatory properties of WIN were linked to the regulation of kinase pathways and gene targets of neuroprotective transcription factors, including PPAR and SMAD (mothers against decapentaplegic homolog). The inhibitory effect of WIN was dose-dependent, but it was not affected by selective antagonists of CB1 or PPAR. Conclusions: This study suggests that targeting the endocannabinoid system may be a promising strategy to disrupt inflammatory pathways in reactive astrocytes. The anti-inflammatory activity of WIN is independent of CB1, suggesting that alternative receptors mediate the effects of WIN. These results provide mechanistic insights into the anti-inflammatory activity of WIN and highlight that astrocytes are a potential therapeutic target to ameliorate neuroinflammation in the brain.
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- 2022
37. The Evolution of Meteorological Satellite Cloud-Detection Methodologies for Atmospheric Parameter Retrievals
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Filomena Romano, Domenico Cimini, Francesco Di Paola, Donatello Gallucci, Salvatore Larosa, Saverio Teodosio Nilo, Elisabetta Ricciardelli, Barbara D. Iisager, and Keith Hutchison
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cloud detection ,meteorological satellite ,remote sensing ,Science - Abstract
The accurate detection of clouds is an important first step in the processing of remotely sensed satellite data analyses and subsequent cloud model predictions. While initial cloud retrieval technology began with the exploitation of one or two bands of satellite imagery, it has accelerated rapidly in recent years as sensor and retrieval technology, creating a new era in space observation exploration. Additionally, the initial emphasis in satellite retrieval technology focused on cloud detection for cloud forecast models, but more recently, cloud screening in satellite-acquired data is playing an increasingly critical role in the investigation of cloud-free data for the retrieval of soil moisture, vegetation cover, ocean color concentration and sea surface temperatures, as well as the environmental monitoring of a host of products, e.g., atmospheric aerosol data, to study the Earth’s atmospheric and climatic systems. With about 60% of the Earth covered by clouds, on average, it is necessary to accurately detect clouds in remote sensing data to screen cloud contaminate data in remote sensing analyses. In this review, the evolution of cloud-detection methodologies is highlighted with advancement in sensor hardware technology and machine learning algorithmic advances. The review takes into consideration the meteorological sensors usually used for atmospheric parameters estimation (thermodynamic profiles, aerosols, cloud microphysical parameters). Moreover, a discussion is presented on methods for obtaining the cloud-truth data needed to determine the accuracy of these cloud-detection approaches.
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- 2024
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38. The effect of negative emotion processing on spatial navigation: an experimental study using virtual reality
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Linda Mohamed Aly, Matteo Masi, Massimo Montanaro, and Paola Ricciardelli
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spatial navigation ,faces ,emotions ,fear ,virtual reality ,Psychology ,BF1-990 - Abstract
Finding one’s way in unfamiliar environments is an essential ability. When navigating, people are overwhelmed with an enormous amount of information. However, some information might be more relevant than others. Despite the mounting knowledge about the mechanisms underlying orientational skills, and the notable effects of facial emotions on human behavior, little is known about emotions’ effects on spatial navigation. Hereby, this study aimed to explore how exposure to others’ negative emotional facial expressions affects wayfinding performances. Moreover, gender differences that characterize both processes were considered. Fifty-five participants (31 females) entered twice in three realistic virtual reality environments: the first time, to encode a route to find an object and then to recall the learned path to reach the same object again. In between the two explorations of the virtual environment, participants were asked to undergo a gender categorization task during which they were exposed to sixty faces showing either neutral, fearful, or angry expressions. Results showed a significant interaction between emotions, time, and gender. In particular, the exposition to fearful faces, but not angry and neutral ones, decreased males’ wayfinding performances (i.e., travel times and distance travelled), while females’ performances were unaffected. Possible explanations for such gender and emotional dissimilarities are discussed.
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- 2024
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39. Engineered CAR‐T cells targeting the non‐functional P2X purinoceptor 7 (P2X7) receptor as a novel treatment for ovarian cancer
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Veronika Bandara, Victoria M Niktaras, Vasiliki J Willett, Hayley Chapman, Noor A Lokman, Anne M Macpherson, Silvana Napoli, Batjargal Gundsambuu, Jade Foeng, Timothy J Sadlon, Justin Coombs, Shaun R McColl, Simon C Barry, Martin K Oehler, and Carmela Ricciardelli
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3D‐spheroid ,CAR‐T cells ,explant assays ,immunotherapy ,in vivo ,ovarian cancer ,Immunologic diseases. Allergy ,RC581-607 - Abstract
Abstract Objectives Recent studies have identified expression of the non‐functional P2X7 (nfP2X7) receptor on various malignant cells including ovarian cancer, but not on normal cells, which makes it a promising tumour‐associated antigen candidate for chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)‐T‐cell immunotherapies. In this study, we assessed the cytotoxic effects of nfP2X7‐CAR‐T cells on ovarian cancer using in vitro and in vivo models. Methods We evaluated the effects of nfP2X7‐CAR‐T cells on ovarian cancer cell lines (SKOV‐3, OVCAR3, OVCAR5), normal peritoneal cells (LP‐9) and primary serous ovarian cancer cells derived from patient ascites in vitro using monolayer and 3D spheroid assays. We also evaluated the effects of nfP2X7‐CAR‐T cells on patient‐derived tissue explants, which recapitulate an intact tumour microenvironment. In addition, we investigated the effect of nfP2X7‐CAR‐T cells in vivo using the OVCAR‐3 xenograft model in NOD‐scid IL2Rγnull (NSG) mice. Results Our study found that nfP2X7‐CAR‐T cells were cytotoxic and significantly inhibited survival of OVCAR3, OVCAR5 and primary serous ovarian cancer cells compared with un‐transduced CD3+ T cells in vitro. However, no significant effects of nfP2X7‐CAR‐T cells were observed for SKOV3 or normal peritoneal cells (LP‐9) cells with low P2X7 receptor expression. Treatment with nfP2X7‐CAR‐T cells increased apoptosis compared with un‐transduced T cells in patient‐derived explants and correlated with CD3 positivity. Treatment with nfP2X7‐CAR‐T cells significantly reduced OVCAR3 tumour burden in mice compared with un‐transduced CD3 cells for 7–8 weeks. Conclusion This study demonstrates that nfP2X7‐CAR‐T cells have great potential to be developed as a novel immunotherapy for ovarian cancer.
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- 2024
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40. 'We must be mentally strong': exploring barriers to mental health in correctional services
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Ryan Coulling, Matthew S. Johnston, and Rosemary Ricciardelli
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correctional workers ,mental health ,stigma ,occupational hierarchy ,organizational change ,Psychology ,BF1-990 - Abstract
IntroductionThe inherent nature of work in correctional services can have negative effects on correctional worker mental health and well-being.MethodsThe current study, a replication, analyzes survey data collected from provincial and territorial correctional workers staffed in six regions across Canada (n = 192). Specifically, participants were asked at the end of an extensive mental health and well-being survey an open-ended question requesting any additional feedback or information.ResultsFour predominant themes were identified in the data: (1) stigma pertaining to a need to recognize mental health concerns within correctional services; (2) the idea that correctional services wear on the mind and body; (3) a need for better relationships with and support from correctional supervisors, upper management, and ministerial leadership; and (4) suggestions to improve correctional services to help the sector realize its full potential and maximize workplace health.DiscussionWe discuss the implications of these findings, with an emphasis on finding ways to promote positive organizational and cultural change in correctional services.
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- 2024
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41. Disabled-2: a protein up-regulated by high molecular weight hyaluronan has both tumor promoting and tumor suppressor roles in ovarian cancer
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Price, Zoe K., Lokman, Noor A., Sugiyama, Mai, Koya, Yoshihiro, Yoshihara, Masato, Oehler, Martin K., Kajiyama, Hiroaki, and Ricciardelli, Carmela
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- 2023
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42. Heterogeneity of HSCs in a Mouse Model of NASH
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Rosenthal, Sara Brin, Liu, Xiao, Ganguly, Souradipta, Dhar, Debanjan, Pasillas, Martina P, Ricciardelli, Eugenia, Li, Rick Z, Troutman, Ty D, Kisseleva, Tatiana, Glass, Christopher K, and Brenner, David A
- Subjects
Biomedical and Clinical Sciences ,Cardiovascular Medicine and Haematology ,Biotechnology ,Digestive Diseases ,Liver Disease ,Aetiology ,2.1 Biological and endogenous factors ,Animals ,Cell Cycle Proteins ,Cells ,Cultured ,Diet ,Western ,Disease Models ,Animal ,Gene Regulatory Networks ,Genetic Heterogeneity ,Hepatic Stellate Cells ,Humans ,Liver ,Male ,Mice ,Mice ,Transgenic ,Mutation ,Myofibroblasts ,Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease ,Primary Cell Culture ,RNA-Seq ,Single-Cell Analysis ,Medical Biochemistry and Metabolomics ,Clinical Sciences ,Immunology ,Gastroenterology & Hepatology ,Clinical sciences - Abstract
Background and aimsIn clinical and experimental NASH, the origin of the scar-forming myofibroblast is the HSC. We used foz/foz mice on a Western diet to characterize in detail the phenotypic changes of HSCs in a NASH model.Approach and resultsWe examined the single-cell expression profiles (scRNA sequencing) of HSCs purified from the normal livers of foz/foz mice on a chow diet, in NASH with fibrosis of foz/foz mice on a Western diet, and in livers during regression of NASH after switching back to a chow diet. Selected genes were analyzed using immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time PCR, and short hairpin RNA knockdown in primary mouse HSCs. Our analysis of the normal liver identified two distinct clusters of quiescent HSCs that correspond to their acinar position of either pericentral vein or periportal vein. The NASH livers had four distinct HSC clusters, including one representing the classic fibrogenic myofibroblast. The three other HSC clusters consisted of a proliferating cluster, an intermediate activated cluster, and an immune and inflammatory cluster. The livers with NASH regression had one cluster of inactivated HSCs, which was similar to, but distinct from, the quiescent HSCs.ConclusionsAnalysis of single-cell RNA sequencing in combination with an interrogation of previous studies revealed an unanticipated heterogeneity of HSC phenotypes under normal and injured states.
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- 2021
43. Difficulties in Recognising Dynamic but Not Static Emotional Body Movements in Autism Spectrum Disorder
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Mazzoni, Noemi, Ricciardelli, Paola, Actis-Grosso, Rossana, and Venuti, Paola
- Abstract
In this study, we investigated whether the difficulties in body motion (BM) perception may led to deficit in emotion recognition in Autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To this aim, individuals with high-functioning ASD were asked to recognise fearful, happy, and neutral BM depicted as static images or dynamic point-light and full-light displays. Results showed slower response times in participants with ASD only in recognising dynamic stimuli, but no group differences in accuracy. This suggests that i) a deficit in action chaining mechanism in ASD may prevent the recognition of dynamic BM automatically and rapidly, ii) individuals with ASD and high cognitive resources can develop alternative--but equally successful--strategies to recognise emotional body expressions. Implications for treatment are discussed
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- 2022
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44. Differential blood DNA methylation across Lewy body dementias
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Nasamran, Chanond A, Sachan, Anubhav Nikunj Singh, Mott, Jennifer, Kuras, Yuliya I, Scherzer, Clemens R, Study, Harvard Biomarkers, Ricciardelli, Eugenia, Jepsen, Kristen, Edland, Steven D, Fisch, Kathleen M, and Desplats, Paula
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Biomedical and Clinical Sciences ,Neurosciences ,Parkinson's Disease ,Human Genome ,Aging ,Alzheimer's Disease Related Dementias (ADRD) ,Acquired Cognitive Impairment ,Alzheimer's Disease including Alzheimer's Disease Related Dementias (AD/ADRD) ,Dementia ,Lewy Body Dementia ,Genetics ,Neurodegenerative ,Brain Disorders ,Clinical Research ,Neurological ,biomarker ,blood ,cognitive scores ,dementia ,dementia with Lewy bodies ,DNA methylation ,epigenetics ,Lewy body diseases ,Parkinson&apos ,s disease dementia ,REM sleep behavior disorder ,Parkinson's disease dementia ,Biological psychology - Abstract
IntroductionDementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD) are characterized by cognitive alterations, visual hallucinations, and motor impairment. Diagnosis is based on type and timing of clinical manifestations; however, determination of clinical subtypes is challenging. The utility of blood DNA methylation as a biomarker for Lewy body disorders (LBD) is mostly unexplored.MethodsWe performed a cross-sectional analysis of blood methylation in 42 DLB and 50 PDD cases applying linear models to compare groups and logistic least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression to explore the discriminant power of methylation signals.ResultsDLB blood shows differential methylation compared to PDD. Some methylation changes associate with core features of LBD. Sets of probes show high predictive value to discriminate between variants.DiscussionOur study is the first to explore LBD blood methylation. Despite overlapping clinical presentation, we detected differential epigenetic signatures that, if confirmed in independent cohorts, could be developed into useful biomarkers.
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- 2021
45. Views on the Functionality and Use of the PeerConnect App Among Public Safety Personnel: Qualitative Analysis
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Gillian Foley and Rosemary Ricciardelli
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Medicine - Abstract
BackgroundResearch supports that public safety personnel (PSP) are regularly exposed to potentially psychologically traumatic events and occupational stress, which can compromise their well-being. To help address PSP well-being and mental health, peer support is increasingly being adopted (and developed) in PSP organizations. Peer support apps have been developed to connect the peer and peer supporter anonymously and confidentially, but little is known about their effectiveness, utility, and uptake. ObjectiveWe designed this study to evaluate the functionality and use of the PeerConnect app, which is a vehicle for receiving and administering peer support. The app connects peers but also provides information (eg, mental health screening tools, newsfeed) to users; thus, we wanted to understand why PSP adopted or did not adopt the app and the app’s perceived utility. Our intention was to determine if the app served the purpose of connectivity for PSP organizations implementing peer support. MethodsA sample of PSP (N=23) participated in an interview about why they used or did not use the app. We first surveyed participants across PSP organizations in Ontario, Canada, and at the end of the survey invited participants to participate in a follow-up interview. Of the 23 PSP interviewed, 16 were PeerConnect users and 7 were nonusers. After transcribing all audio recordings of the interviews, we used an emergent theme approach to analyze themes within and across responses. ResultsPSP largely viewed PeerConnect positively, with the Connect feature being most popular (this feature facilitated peer support), followed by the Newsfeed and Resources. App users appreciated the convenience of the app and felt the app helped reduce the stigma around peer support use and pressure on peer supporters while raising awareness of wellness. PSP who did not use the app attributed their nonuse to disinterest or uncertainty about the need for a peer support app and the web-based nature of the app. To increase app adoption, participants recommended increased communication and promotion of the app by the services and continued efforts to combat mental health stigma. ConclusionsWe provide contextual information about a peer support app’s functionality and use. Our findings demonstrate that PSP are open to the use of mental health and peer support apps, but more education is required to reduce mental health stigma. Future research should continue to evaluate peer support apps for PSP to inform their design and ensure they are fulfilling their purpose.
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- 2023
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46. Language use and intercomprehension in telecollaboration among Italian mentors and heritage Spanish speaker mentees
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Diego Cortés Velásquez, Clorinda Donato, and Francesca Ricciardelli
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heritage speakers ,intercomprehension ,telecollaboration ,l3 learning ,pivot language ,Language and Literature - Abstract
This study addresses multilingualism in the paradidactic setting of telecollaboration. During the Fall and Spring semesters of the 2018/2019 academic year, a telecollaborative program was implemented with students from Roma Tre University (R3) who served as native Italian speaker mentors and students enrolled in Italian classes at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB). CSULB offers targeted Italian learning courses for the substantial population of heritage speakers of Spanish to exploit the typological proximity of Italian and Spanish through intercomprehension. The telecollaborative program employed two different modalities: mentoring and partnership. In this study, we focus on the mentoring, to which 69 students participated: 15 native speaker mentors of Italian, (students of second language teaching at Roma Tre) and 54 mentees (first-year Italian language students at CSULB, some being speakers of Spanish). Our aim was to investigate the use of the languages in the linguistic repertoire of mentors and mentees to determine whether there were important differences between those who did and those who did not have Spanish as a heritage language in their linguistic repertoire. To do so, we observed the occurrence of meaning negotiation episodes and the languages used in 60 video-recorded Zoom-in-mentoring sessions of which the first and last five minutes were transcribed and coded. The results show that HSSs benefit from the presence of Spanish in their linguistic repertoire since they can use Spanish as a pivot language while learning Italian.
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- 2023
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47. Assessing Road to Mental Readiness (R2MR) training among correctional workers in Canada
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Matthew S. Johnston, Rosemary Ricciardelli, Maryam Ghodrati, and Stephen Czarnuch
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Road to Mental Readiness (R2MR) ,Stigma ,Mental Health ,Correctional Workers ,Public Safety Personnel ,Public aspects of medicine ,RA1-1270 ,Social pathology. Social and public welfare. Criminology ,HV1-9960 - Abstract
Abstract Background Mental health frameworks, best practices, and the well-being of public safety personnel in Canada are topics of increasing interest to both researchers and organizations. To protect and improve worker mental health, different training programs have been implemented to serve this population. The Road to Mental Readiness (R2MR) training regimen is one such program specialized to build cultural awareness of mental health, reduce stigma, and mitigate the cumulative impacts of exposures to potentially psychologically traumatic events among public safety personnel. However, limited research has been conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of R2MR, especially among correctional workers. Methods The current study analyzed 307 open-ended survey responses to four (4) questions about R2MR garnered from 124 Canadian provincial and territorial correctional workers between 2018–2020 to reveal their understandings and perceptions of R2MR training, and to identify what learned skills they found challenging or easy to implement. Results The results suggest that R2MR training plays a significant role in decreasing stigma and increasing mental health awareness. Across jurisdictions, R2MR creates a supportive space for open dialogue around mental health meant to shift cultural and individual barriers that often hinder treatment-seeking. Some respondents also indicated that R2MR was a starting point for intervention. Conclusions Further research is necessary to understand how R2MR and other programs could support the mental health and well-being of correctional workers.
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- 2023
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48. Assessing the impact of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) protocol and Emotional Resilience Skills Training (ERST) among diverse public safety personnel
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R. Nicholas Carleton, Michelle McCarron, Gregory P. Krätzig, Shannon Sauer-Zavala, J. Patrick Neary, Lisa M. Lix, Amber J. Fletcher, Ronald D. Camp, Robyn E. Shields, Laleh Jamshidi, Jolan Nisbet, Kirby Q. Maguire, Renée S. MacPhee, Tracie O. Afifi, Nicholas A. Jones, Ronald R. Martin, Jitender Sareen, Alain Brunet, Shadi Beshai, Gregory S. Anderson, Heidi Cramm, Joy C. MacDermid, Rosemary Ricciardelli, Rasheda Rabbani, Taylor A. Teckchandani, and Gordon J. G. Asmundson
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PTSD ,Posttraumatic stress injuries ,Potentially psychologically traumatic events ,Longitudinal ,Risk ,Resiliency ,Psychology ,BF1-990 - Abstract
Public significance statements/highlights Research on how to mitigate posttraumatic stress injuries (PTSIs) among public safety personnel (PSP) who are exposed to potentially psychologically traumatic events is limited. The PSP PTSI Study has been designed to develop, implement, and assess the impact of tools and skills designed to proactively mitigate PTSIs. PSP recruited into the study to receive the augmented training are assessed before and after training, and again 1 year later. The PSP PTSI Study results are expected to benefit the mental health of all participants and other PSP by informing strategies to mitigate PTSI.
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- 2022
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49. Platinum-resistance in epithelial ovarian cancer: an interplay of epithelial–mesenchymal transition interlinked with reprogrammed metabolism
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Dilys Leung, Zoe K. Price, Noor A. Lokman, Wanqi Wang, Lizamarie Goonetilleke, Elif Kadife, Martin K. Oehler, Carmela Ricciardelli, George Kannourakis, and Nuzhat Ahmed
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Epithelial–mesenchymal transition ,Epithelial ovarian cancer ,AKR1B1 ,ITGAV ,TGFB1 ,Platinum-resistance ,Medicine - Abstract
Abstract Background Epithelial ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynaecological cancer worldwide. Chemotherapy resistance represents a significant clinical challenge and is the main reason for poor ovarian cancer prognosis. We identified novel expression of markers related to epithelial mesenchymal transitions (EMT) in a carboplatin resistant ovarian cancer cell line by proteomics. This was validated in the platinum resistant versus sensitive parental cell lines, as well as platinum resistant versus sensitive human ovarian cancer patient samples. The prognostic significance of the different proteomics-identified marker proteins in prognosis prediction on survival as well as their correlative association and influence on immune cell infiltration was determined by public domain data bases. Methods We explored the proteomic differences between carboplatin-sensitive OVCAR5 cells (parental) and their carboplatin-resistant counterpart, OVCAR5 CBPR cells. qPCR and western blots were performed to validate differentially expressed proteins at the mRNA and protein levels, respectively. Association of the identified proteins with epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) prompted the investigation of cell motility. Cellular bioenergetics and proliferation were studied to delineate any biological adaptations that facilitate cancer progression. Expression of differentially expressed proteins was assessed in ovarian tumors obtained from platinum-sensitive (n = 15) versus platinum-resistant patients (n = 10), as well as matching tumors from patients at initial diagnosis and following relapse (n = 4). Kaplan–Meier plotter and Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) databases were used to determine the prognostic significance and influence of the different proteomics-identified proteins on immune cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Results Our proteomics study identified 2422 proteins in both cell lines. Of these, 18 proteins were upregulated and 14 were downregulated by ≥ twofold (p
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- 2022
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50. ABCD2, ABCD2-I, and OTTAWA scores for stroke risk assessment: a direct retrospective comparison
- Author
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Spampinato, Michele Domenico, Covino, Marcello, Passaro, Angelina, Guarino, Matteo, Marziani, Beatrice, Ghirardi, Caterina, Ricciardelli, Adelina, Fabbri, Irma Sofia, Strada, Andrea, Gasbarrini, Antonio, Franceschi, Francesco, and De Giorgio, Roberto
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
Catalog
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