Introduction to the Anti-Racism Virtual Issue of the Journal of Occupational Science

The anti-racism virtual issue of the Journal of Occupational Science (JOS) came about after the Editorial Board expressed its commitment to anti-racist work, publishing the position statement ‘A Pledge to Mobilize Against Racism’ (Stanley et al., 2020). In this statement, the Board promised to republish a collection of articles to call attention to racism and its impact on individuals’ doing and society. The intent is to stimulate critical reflection on the contribution occupational scientists can make to exposing and countering racism in everyday doing. As such, the anti-racism virtual issue helps meet a pressing need to recognize the power of occupation in shaping and reproducing social ideologies, attitudes, and behaviors. We, the authors, urge all occupational scientists to build on this knowledge and continue learning about racism to better understand and address how its different dimensions manifest through occupation and everyday life

Surfactant protein A and D polymorphisms and methylprednisolone pharmacogenetics in donor lungs

Objective: Surfactant proteins A and D are important molecules involved in lung allograft innate immunity. Genetic polymorphisms of surfactant proteins A and D are associated with various lung diseases. In this study, surfactant protein A and D expression responses were investigated during pharmacogenetics upon methylprednisolone treatment as observed during lung transplantation. Methods: A human cell line (NCI-H441) and precision-cut lung slices from 16 human donors were incubated with methylprednisolone, and surfactant protein A1, surfactant protein A2, and surfactant protein D messenger RNA and surfactant protein A protein expression were assayed. Surfactant protein A1, A2, and D polymorphisms and surfactant protein A gene and protein expressions were determined. Results: In NCI-H441 cells, methylprednisolone treatment at 10−5 M and 10−6 M reduced surfactant protein A1 and surfactant protein A2 messenger RNA and surfactant protein A protein expression (P <.05). A pharmacogenetic relationship was observed in human donor precision-cut lung slices between the surfactant protein A2 (1Ax) variants: Surfactant protein A1, A2, and D messenger RNA expression were greater for 1A0 versus 1A1 (P <.05); surfactant protein A1/surfactant protein A2 genotype 6A26A2/1A01A0 (n = 5) showed greater surfactant protein A1, A2, and D messenger RNA expression and surfactant protein A protein expression compared with the other surfactant protein A1/surfactant protein A2 genotypes (n = 11) (P <.05). Conclusions: The surfactant protein A genotype and methylprednisolone stimuli influence donor lung surfactant protein A and D expression. Lungs carrying the surfactant protein A2 variant 1A0 have a greater expression of surfactant protein A when treated with methylprednisolone. Surfactant protein A polymorphisms could be used to personalize immunosuppressive regimens

Motifs within the CA-repeat-rich region of Surfactant Protein B (SFTPB) intron 4 differentially affect mRNA splicing

The first half of the surfactant protein B (SP-B) gene intron 4 is a CA-repeat-rich region that contains 11 motifs. To study the role of this region on SP-B mRNA splicing, minigenes were generated by systematic removal of motifs from either the 5’ or 3’ end. These were transfected in CHO cells to study their splicing efficiency. The latter was determined as the ratio of completely to incompletely spliced SP-B RNA. Our results indicate that SP-B intron 4 motifs differentially affect splicing. Motifs 8 and 9 significantly enhanced and reduced splicing of intron 4, respectively.  RNA mobility shift assays performed with a Motif 8 sequence that contains a CAUC cis-element and cell extracts resulted in a RNA:protein shift that was lost upon mutation of the element. Furthermore, in silico analysis of mRNA secondary structure stability for minigenes with and without motif 8 indicated a correlation between mRNA stability and splicing ratio.  We conclude that differential loss of specific intron 4 motifs results in one or more of the following: a) altered splicing, b) differences in RNA stability and c)changes in secondary structure. These, in turn, may affect SP-B content in lung health or disease

Donor Surfactant Protein A2 Polymorphism and Lung Transplant Survival.

Purpose Gene polymorphisms of surfactant proteins, key players in lung innate immunity, have been associated with various lung diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential association between variations within the SP-A gene of the donor lung allograft and recipient post-transplant outcome. Methods Lung-Tx pts (n=192) were prospectively followed by PFTs, bronchoscopies with BAL and biopsies. Donor lungs were assayed for SP-A1 (6An) and SP-A2 (1An) gene polymorphism by using the pyrosequencing method. Unadjusted and adjusted stratified Cox survival models are reported. Results SP-A1 and SP-A2 genotype frequency and lung transplant recipient and donor characteristics as well as the cause of death are noted. Recipients were grouped per donor SP-A2 variants. Individuals that received lungs from donors with the SP-A2 1A0 (n=102) versus 1A1 variant (n=68) or SPA2 genotype 1A01A0 (n=54) versus 1A0A1 (n=38) had greater survival at one year (logrank p<0.025). No significant association was noted for SP-A1 variants. Stratified adjusted survival models for one year survival and diagnosis showed a reduced survival for 1A1 variant and the 1A01A1 genotype. Furthermore, when survival was conditional on one year survival no significance was observed, indicating that the survival difference were due to the first year's outcome associated with the 1A1 variant. Conclusion Donor lung SP-A gene polymorphisms are associated with post-transplant clinical outcome. Lungs from donors with the SP-A2 variant 1A1 had a reduced survival at one year. The observed donor genetic differences, via innate immunity relate to the post-transplant clinical outcome.PURPOSE: Gene polymorphisms of surfactant proteins, key players in lung innate immunity, have been associated with various lung diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential association between variations within the SP-A gene of the donor lung allograft and recipient post-transplant outcome. METHODS: Lung-Tx pts (n=192) were prospectively followed by PFTs, bronchoscopies with BAL and biopsies. Donor lungs were assayed for SP-A1 (6An) and SP-A2 (1An) gene polymorphism by using the pyrosequencing method. Unadjusted and adjusted stratified Cox survival models are reported. RESULTS: SP-A1 and SP-A2 genotype frequency and lung transplant recipient and donor characteristics as well as the cause of death are noted. Recipients were grouped per donor SP-A2 variants. Individuals that received lungs from donors with the SP-A2 1A0 (n=102) versus 1A1 variant (n=68) or SPA2 genotype 1A01A0 (n=54) versus 1A0A1 (n=38) had greater survival at one year (logrank p<0.025). No significant association was noted for SP-A1 variants. Stratified adjusted survival models for one year survival and diagnosis showed a reduced survival for 1A1 variant and the 1A01A1 genotype. Furthermore, when survival was conditional on one year survival no significance was observed, indicating that the survival difference were due to the first year's outcome associated with the 1A1 variant. CONCLUSION: Donor lung SP-A gene polymorphisms are associated with post-transplant clinical outcome. Lungs from donors with the SP-A2 variant 1A1 had a reduced survival at one year. The observed donor genetic differences, via innate immunity relate to the post-transplant clinical outcome

A Racist Attack Managing Complex Relationships with Traumatised Service Users – a Psychodynamic Approach

Notions of whiteness, white supremacy and racial hatred such as the recent multiple racist murders by a white supremacist in New Zealand are at the forefront of public consciousness. How does whiteness and racism play out in a clinical and social welfare context? This article illustrates the impact of trauma on a vulnerable young white woman who although was not the direct target of a racist assault was left traumatized by witnessing it. It discusses how initially she sought refuge in a racist solution synonymous with a psychic retreat to her own detriment. Working with such complex, unconscious and bewildering dynamics are extremely challenging for clinicians. It describes the impact of these dynamics on a clinician of colour who attempted to work with this young woman in a child and adolescent mental health service after the family were referred as a consequence of her assaulting her child shortly after witnessing the racist attack. The unconscious responses to trauma and challenges for clinicians and clinician of colour in particular when working with racism in the consulting room are also discussed

Genetic Association of Pulmonary Surfactant Protein Genes, SFTPA1, SFTPA2, SFTPB, SFTPC, and SFTPD With Cystic Fibrosis

Surfactant proteins (SP) are involved in surfactant function and innate immunity in the human lung. Both lung function and innate immunity are altered in CF, and altered SP levels and genetic association are observed in Cystic Fibrosis (CF). We hypothesized that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the SP genes associate with CF or severity subgroups, either through single SNP or via SNP-SNP interactions between two SNPs of a given gene (intragenic) and/or between two genes (intergenic). We genotyped a total of 17 SP SNPs from 72 case-trio pedigree (SFTPA1 (5), SFTPA2 (4), SFTPB (4), SFTPC (2), and SFTPD (2)), and identified SP SNP associations by applying quantitative genetic principles. The results showed (a) Two SNPs, SFTPB rs7316 (p = 0.0083) and SFTPC rs1124 (p = 0.0154), each associated with CF. (b) Three intragenic SNP-SNP interactions, SFTPB (rs2077079, rs3024798), and SFTPA1 (rs1136451, rs1059057 and rs4253527), associated with CF. (c) A total of 34 intergenic SNP-SNP interactions among the 4 SP genes to be associated with CF. (d) No SNP-SNP interaction was observed between SFTPA1 or SFTPA2 and SFTPD. (e) Equal number of SNP-SNP interactions were observed between SFTPB and SFTPA1/SFTPA2 (n = 7) and SP-B and SFTPD (n = 7). (f) SFTPC exhibited significant SNP-SNP interactions with SFTPA1/SFTPA2 (n = 11), SFTPB (n = 4) and SFTPD (n = 3). (g) A single SFTPB SNP was associated with mild CF after Bonferroni correction, and several intergenic interactions that are associated (p < 0.01) with either mild or moderate/severe CF were observed. These collectively indicate that complex SNP-SNP interactions of the SP genes may contribute to the pulmonary disease in CF patients. We speculate that SPs may serve as modifiers for the varied progression of pulmonary disease in CF and/or its severity

Successful outcome of six-level cervicothoracic corpectomy and circumferential reconstruction: case report and review of literature on multilevel cervicothoracic corpectomy

The authors report the successful outcome of a six-level corpectomy across the cervico-thoracic spine with circumferential reconstruction in a patient with extensive osteomyelitis of the cervical and upper thoracic spine. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of a corpectomy extending across six levels of the cervico-thoracic spine. Clinical relevance: the authors recommend anterior cage and plate-assisted reconstruction and additional posterior instrumentation using modern spinal surgical techniques and implants

Student Attitudes Contribute to the Effectiveness of a Genomics CURE

The Genomics Education Partnership (GEP) engages students in a course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE). To better understand the student attributes that support success in this CURE, we asked students about their attitudes using previously published scales that measure epistemic beliefs about work and science, interest in science, and grit. We found, in general, that the attitudes students bring with them into the classroom contribute to two outcome measures, namely, learning as assessed by a pre- and postquiz and perceived self-reported benefits. While the GEP CURE produces positive outcomes overall, the students with more positive attitudes toward science, particularly with respect to epistemic beliefs, showed greater gains. The findings indicate the importance of a student\u27s epistemic beliefs to achieving positive learning outcomes

Update on cervical disc arthroplasty: where are we and where are we going?

Despite the very good results of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, there are concerns of adjacent level degeneration. For this reason, interest has grown in the potential for motion sparing alternatives. Cervical disc arthroplasty is thus evolving as a potential alternative to fusion. Specific design characteristic and implants will be reviewed and outcomes summarized

Drosophila growth-blocking peptide-like factor mediates acute immune reactions during infectious and non-infectious stress

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), major innate immune effectors, are induced to protect hosts against invading microorganisms. AMPs are also induced under non-infectious stress; however, the signaling pathways of non-infectious stress-induced AMP expression are yet unclear. We demonstrated that growth-blocking peptide (GBP) is a potent cytokine that regulates stressor-induced AMP expression in insects. GBP overexpression in Drosophila elevated expression of AMPs. GBP-induced AMP expression did not require Toll and immune deficiency (Imd) pathway-related genes, but imd and basket were essential, indicating that GBP signaling in Drosophila did not use the orthodox Toll or Imd pathway but used the JNK pathway after association with the adaptor protein Imd. The enhancement of AMP expression by non-infectious physical or environmental stressors was apparent in controls but not in GBP-knockdown larvae. These results indicate that the Drosophila GBP signaling pathway mediates acute innate immune reactions under various stresses, regardless of whether they are infectious or non-infectious