WB Games Montréal Inc. is a Canadian video game developer based in Montreal, Quebec. It is a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and is best known for developing Batman: Arkham Origins.
Common genetic variation detected by genome-wide association studies (GWAS) partially explains variability in the spectrum of cardiac phenotypes. In this work, we explore genetic correlations among 58 cardiac-related traits/diseases, detecting novel ones. We subsequently employ multi-trait analysis of GWAS (MTAG), which meta-analyzes genetically correlated traits, to improve genomic loci discovery and prediction in atrial fibrillation (AF), coronary artery disease (CAD), and heart failure (HF). We identify 19 novel loci specific for AF, 131 for CAD, and 141 for HF. Polygenic scores (PGS) in 15,177 Canadian individuals show similar results when PGS are derived from conventional GWAS versus MTAG summary statistics, although MTAG-PGS improve prediction and discrimination of CAD in females [∆R2 1.735
Although meta-analytic studies have shown that 25-33% of those at Clinical High Risk (CHR) for psychosis transition to a first episode of psychosis within three years, less is known about estimating the risk of transition at an individual level. Digital phenotyping offers a novel approach to explore the nature of CHR and may help to improve personalized risk prediction. Specifically, digital data enable detailed mapping of experiences, moods and behaviors during longer periods of time (e.g., weeks, months) and offer more insight into patterns over time at the individual level across their routine daily life. However, while novel digital health technologies open up many new avenues of research, they also come with specific challenges, including replicability of results and the adherence of participants. This paper outlines the design of the digital component of the Accelerating Medicines Partnership® Schizophrenia Program (AMP SCZ) project, a large international collaborative project that follows individuals at CHR for psychosis over a period of two years. The digital component comprises one-year smartphone-based digital phenotyping and actigraphy. Smartphone-based digital phenotyping includes 30-item short daily self-report surveys and voice diaries as well as passive data capture (geolocation, on/off screen state, and accelerometer). Actigraphy data are collected via an Axivity wristwatch. The aim of this paper is to describe the design and the three goals of the digital measures used in AMP SCZ to: (i) better understand the symptoms, real-life experiences, and behaviors of those at CHR for psychosis, (ii) improve the prediction of transition to psychosis and other health outcomes in this population based on digital phenotyping and, (iii) serve as an example for replicable and ethical research across geographically diverse regions and cultures. Accordingly, we describe the rationale, protocol and implementation of these digital components of the AMP SCZ project. **Link to video interview: https://vimeo.com/1060935583 *.
Advances in proteomic assay methodologies and genomics have significantly improved our understanding of the blood proteome. Schizophrenia and psychosis risk are linked to polygenic scores for schizophrenia and other mental disorders, as well as to altered blood and saliva levels of biomarkers involved in hormonal signaling, redox balance, and chronic systemic inflammation. The Accelerating Medicines Partnership® Schizophrenia (AMP®SCZ) aims to ascertain biomarkers that both predict clinical outcomes and provide insights into the biological processes driving clinical outcomes in persons meeting CHR criteria. AMP®SCZ will follow almost 2000 CHR and 640 community study participants for two years, assessing biomarkers at baseline and two-month follow-up including the collection of blood and saliva samples. The following provides the rationale and methods for plans to utilize polygenic risk scores for schizophrenia and other disorders, salivary cortisol levels, and a discovery-based proteomic platform for plasma analyses. We also provide details about the standardized methods used to collect and store these biological samples, as well as the study participant metadata and quality control measures related to preanalytical factors that could influence the values of the biomarkers. Finally, we discuss our plans for analyzing the results of blood- and saliva-based biomarkers. Watch Dr. Perkins discuss their work and this article: https://vimeo.com/1062879582?share=copy#t=0 .
Although there has been attention paid to decolonizing global health, there is no consensus around the concept. To act in the face of various crises, including neocolonialism, there is a need to understand the key components of this concept within mainstream global health, how it can be acted on, and who is contributing to these discussions. A scoping review was undertaken to assess the academic literature for discussions on decolonizing global health. The PRISMA guidelines for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) were used to guide reporting. OVID Medline, OVID Embase, EBSCO CINAHL Plus, Web of Science Core Collection, PAIS Index, Worldwide Political Science Abstracts, and the International Bibliography of the Social Sciences databases were searched from inception to August 8, 2023. The inclusion criterion was that texts had to: (i) use the exact phrasing of “decoloni* global health” or “anticolonial global health,” (ii) include substantive discussion of what decolonizi* global health or anticolonial global health means (i.e., single mentions that do not include an explanation, elaboration, or context were excluded), and (iii) be published in English. When analyzing how scholars understand “decolonizing global health”, its meaning is rooted in three key components: (i) power asymmetries between the global north and south; (ii) a legacy of colonialism in global health or neocolonialism; and (iii) epistemic injustice. The second part of the analysis looked to understand if decolonizing global health can be acted on, and if so, how? The analysis demonstrated that decolonization of global health involves: (i) overhauling existing power structures; (ii) establishing agency and self-determination of the global south; (iii) epistemic reformation and epistemic and ontological pluralism; (iv) education; and (v) inclusivity, solidarity, and allyship. Lastly, in assessing which scholars’ work was retrieved in this systematic search of the literature, most first authors were situated in the Americas Region (n = 45/99; 46
To compare the outcomes of premature infants stabilized in the delivery room using either the T-piece resuscitator (TPR) or flow-inflating bag (FIB). Data from five participating level III NICUs within the Canadian Neonatal Network were reviewed. Infants born between 24+0 and 29+6 weeks’ gestational age (GA) from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2022, receiving mask ventilation in the delivery room were included. Infants who were outborn or had major congenital abnormalities were excluded. The primary composite outcome was death or bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) or severe neurologic injury (intraventricular hemorrhage grade III–IV or periventricular leukomalacia). Logistic regression models adjusted for potential confounders were used to estimate odds ratios with 95
