NCube/papyrus huggingface dataset:
Connaissances, croyances, attitudes et comportements concernant les commotions cérébrales chez les joueurs de soccer universitaire québécois

Background. Considering the risks that athletes face when they return to play prematurely after a concussion, it is essential to understand the specific determinants of safe return to play behavior following a concussion. This study aims at developing a clear understanding of the knowledge, beliefs, attitudes and behaviours that Quebec soccer players face following a concussion. Methods. A self-reported online survey of the level of concussion knowledges, cerebral concussion beliefs, attitudes, and behaviours was administered to 164 athletes from the Réseau du Sport Étudiant Québécois (RSEQ). Results. A total of 42.1 % of athletes reported having a concussion while practicing their sport, but only a minority (23.2 %) have always reported their symptoms. In addition, regression analyzes to predict safe return to play behavior showed that knowledge predicts 2.4 % of behaviors borrowed, while beliefs and attitudes account for 20.6 % and 41.5 %, respectively. Conclusions. Athletes with good knowledges but especially with good beliefs and attitudes are those that are adopting more safer behaviors when returning back to play after a concussion. Therefore, interventions that specifically target beliefs and attitudes should be offered to optimize safe return-to-play behaviors following a concussion.

Keyphrases: Attitudes, Concussion, Knowledge, Attitudes, Believes, Behaviors, Athletes
Rôle de la voie de signalisation Hippo dans les organes stéroïdiens

Hippo is an evolutionary conserved signaling pathway with well-established roles in cell fate determination, differentiation, and proliferation during embryonic and postnatal development, as well as tissue homeostasis throughout adulthood. The main effectors of the Hippo pathway are the transcriptional coregulators YAP (Yes associated protein) and TAZ (Transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif). The Hippo pathway has been studied in many tissues for its diverse roles in physiology and pathology, however few studies have been done to elucidate its role in the testis and the adrenal gland. We hypothesized that the Hippo pathway could play a major role in testicular development (male sexual determination) and function (testosterone production) as well as adrenal gland physiology. The objectives of the present thesis are to elucidate the function of the Hippo effectors YAP and TAZ in the development and function of the Sertoli and Leydig cells, as well as in adrenocortical cells. The results of this thesis highlighted the role of YAP/TAZ for the maintenance of the male identity of the Sertoli cells. We found that Yap/Taz inactivation in primary cultured immature Sertoli cells leads to a downregulation of male sex determination genes and an upregulation of genes involved in female differentiation. Then, we generated a mouse model in which Yap and Taz were conditionally deleted in Sertoli cells (Yap(flox/flox);Taz(flox/flox);Amh(cre/+)). Despite slight modifications in the expression of genes associated with sex determination, Yap/Taz inactivation didn’t cause sex reversal in adults. In order to evaluate the role of Hippo in gonadal (and adrenal gland) development, we generated a new mouse model to direct Yap/Taz inactivation in Sertoli, Leydig and adrenocortical progenitors cells (Yap(flox/flox);Taz(flox/flox);Nr5a1(cre/+)). Recombination wasn’t efficient in Sertoli and Leydig cells but was highly efficient in the adrenocortical cells. Characterization of Yap(flox/flox);Taz(flox/flox);Nr5a1(cre/+) the mouse model allowed us to define a role for YAP/TAZ in adult adrenal gland maintenance. Finally, to determine the role of the Hippo pathway in Leydig cells, we evaluated the YAP’s role in the Leydig cell lines MLTC-1. Using a pharmacological inhibitor of YAP and siRNAs targeting Yap, we showed that YAP negatively regulates steroidogenesis in these Leydig cell line models. We also demonstrated that YAP can recruit the proximal promoter of Star, and that this recruitment decreases following PKA-dependent YAP phosphorylation, suggesting a mechanism of action whereby YAP regulates steroidogenesis. To resume, combining in vitro and in vivo approaches, we elucidated for the first time a role of the Hippo signaling pathway in Sertoli cell differentiation, in steroidogenesis regulation in Leydig cells, as well as in adrenocortical homeostasis.

Keyphrases: YAP, TAZ, Sertoli cells, Leydig cells, adrenocortical cells, development, homeostasis, steroidogenesis
Élucidation du rôle de la voie Hippo dans l’ovaire chez la souris

The Hippo signaling pathway is an evolutionarily conserved pathway with well-defined roles in embryonic development, tissue homeostasis, and cancer. The Hippo pathway has no specific ligands or receptors but is regulated by a variety of extracellular and intracellular cues that vary depending on the cell type.  Activation of the Hippo pathway begins with phosphorylation of MST1/2 that phosphorylate and bind to an adaptor protein SAV1. Together, they phosphorylate and activate LATS1/2 and its adaptor protein MOB1. This complex then phosphorylates and inactivates the key downstream effectors of the pathway, the transcriptional co-activators YAP and TAZ.  Disruption of Hippo signaling allows YAP and TAZ to translocate to the nucleus to bind notably to members of the TEAD family of transcription factors to mediate the transcription of target genes that promote cell proliferation and inhibit apoptosis.  An increasing amount of evidence in the literature suggests a role for Hippo signaling in the postnatal ovary, however, regulators of (and specific roles for) Hippo effectors remain unknown.  The global objective of this thesis was therefore to characterize Hippo signaling in the murine ovary by investigating the regulation of and roles of LATS1, LATS2, YAP, and TAZ specifically in granulosa cells.  Results from our first study identified that luteinizing hormone (LH) activates Hippo signaling by inducing the phosphorylation of LATS1 and YAP and that this occurs via protein kinase A (PKA). In addition, we found that LH is unable to induce the transcription of its target genes in the absence of Yap/Taz, and that this might be due in part to the loss of the expression of the gene encoding the LH receptor (Lhcgr).  In our second study, generation and analyses of Lats1flox/flox;Lats2flox/flox;CYP19-cre mice revealed that LATS1/2 are critical mediators of granulosa cell fate maintenance and in their absence, granulosa cells lose their identity and function, undergo epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and transdifferentiate into Sertoli-like cells, osteoblasts, and neural crest cell derivatives.  We suspect that these cell processes occur as a result of aberrant transcriptional activity induced by an overaccumulation of YAP/TAZ. This thesis presents novel and exciting findings that confirm important roles for Hippo pathway effectors in the LH signaling cascade and in the maintenance of the female gonad, as well as pave the way for future studies that will elucidate the mechanisms underlying these processes.

Keyphrases: Hippo pathway, Large tumor suppressors 1 and 2, Yap, Taz, Ovary, Granulosa cells, Transgenic mice, Lats1, Lats2
Étude de l’effet des sucres dérivés du mucus et du régulateur NagC sur la formation de biofilm d’E. coli de différents pathotypes incluant les E. coli adhérentes et invasives (AIEC)

The mucous layer is a physical barrier that limits the contact between bacteria and host epithelial cells. There is growing evidence that microbiota-produced metabolites can also be specifically sensed by pathogens as signals to induce or repress virulence genes. Many commensal and pathogenic E. coli are able to form biofilm. This property can promote their colonization and resistance to immune mechanism. We show that the mucin sugars N-acetyl-glucosamine (NAG) and sialic acid can reduce biofilm formation of E. coli strains. We demonstrated that the inactivation of the regulatory protein NagC, by addition of NAG or by mutation, reduced the biofilm formation of adherent and invasive strain LF82 in static condition. Thus, NagC could be an activator of biofilm formation. Interestingly, the real-time monitoring of biofilm formation of LF82 Biofilm using microfluidic system showed that the mutation of nagC impairs the early process of biofilm promotion of LF82.

Keyphrases: Escherichia coli, AIEC, Mucine, Intestinal biofilms, Mucins
Caractérisation du statut en fer chez des chiennes en santé avant et après une intervention chirurgicale

Background: Anemia of inflammation is a frequent condition in veterinary and human medicine. Hepcidin, a recently discovered protein, is a key player in iron metabolism and consequently in anemia of inflammation. Objective: To characterize the iron status in healthy female dogs before and after an ovariohysterectomy (OVH). Methods: Prospective study. 29 healthy female dogs had an OVH surgery. Before and 14-18 hours after the beginning of the surgery, the following tests were performed on blood or serum: complete blood count, iron, ferritin, hepcidine, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and C-reactive protein (CRP). IL-6 and hepcidine were measured with a canine and human ELISA, respectively. Results: Mean leukocytes, neutrophils, CRP and IL-6 concentration were significantly higher following the surgery (p < 0.0001). A marked and significant decrease in serum iron (p < 0.0001) accompanied by a significant increase in hepcidin (p = 0.04) without changes in ferritin concentration (p = 0.75) following the surgery were also observed. Conclusion: The results indicate that OVH surgery is a model of systemic inflammation and that it has an impact on iron homeostasis. With further validation in dogs, a serum hepcidin assay may become a key tool in characterizing functional iron deficiency and anemia of inflammation in this species.

Keyphrases: Hepcidine, Fer, Inflammation, Hepcidin, Iron, Anemia, Ovariohysterectomy, Dog, C-reactive protein, Interleukin-6
Évaluation de la satisfaction des besoins psychologiques fondamentaux suite à un traumatisme craniocérébral léger et relations avec les symptômes post-traumatiques, l’anxiété et la dépression

Purpose: Self-Determination Theory (SDT) proposes that the satisfaction of the basic psychological needs (competence, autonomy and relatedness) is essential to psychological well-being. This study aims to explore the acute impact of a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) on the perception of need satisfaction as well as to better understand which variables among post-concussive symptoms and mood are associated with the satisfaction of these psychological needs. Material and methods: A total of 179 adults with mTBI were included. During the first few weeks post mTBI, patients were asked to complete the Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction Scale (pre and post-injury) (BPNS) as well as the Rivermead Post-Concussive Questionnaire (RPQ) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Results: A significant difference between pre and post perception of need satisfaction was shown on the total BPNS score where the scores were lower in the post evaluation (less satisfaction). Moreover, a higher score at the HADS (higher levels of depression and anxiety) was associated with a lower total score on the BPNS (less satisfaction). Conclusions: These results suggest that suffering from mTBI may have a negative impact on the satisfaction of competence, autonomy, and relatedness needs. To conclude, it is recommended to include these concepts in psychological interventions programs following mTBI.

Keyphrases: Mild traumatic, Brain injury, Self-determination theory, Depression, Anxiety, Post-concussive symptoms
L'impact des contraintes économiques sur le développement de services forensiques

The aim of this study is to understand how the development of forensic services is influenced by the financial constraints weighing down on institutions such as the service expertise of the École des sciences criminelles (ESC) of the University of Lausanne in Switzerland or the Laboratoire de sciences judiciaires et de médecine légale in Montreal (LSJML). To achieve this, interviews were conducted with forensic laboratory directors or managers working in targeted institutions knowing about the financing methods and the process of developing forensic services in the field of their organization. Overall, two people are met within the first organization while four are for the second. The results of this research made it possible to understand that the financial constraints will have as an important impact to slow down the process of innovation in these institutions. They will mainly influence the factors related to the development of services such as the knowledge acquisition, because training is a costly process, and access to human resources by the fact that financial constraints limit hiring skills. Beyond the financial constraints, other elements will also have an impact on the development of services, including the lack of competition in the market, the risk of loss of internal expertise and the presence of strict bureaucratic procedures at the LSJML. All in all, the influence of financial constraints seems to have a slightly more significant impact on the development of forensic services than the impact of other types of constraints. This study also highlights the importance of the privileged link between the ESC laboratory and the University of Lausanne. The association with the university field significantly reduces the impact of financial constraints on the development of forensic services by facilitating access to knowledge and material resources at a lower cost.

Keyphrases: Innovation, Financial constraints, Innovation, Knowledge management, Forensic laboratories, Forensic science
Comprendre le stade compensatoire de la maladie d'Alzheimer et agir pour promouvoir la cognition et la plasticité cérébrale

Alzheimer‘s disease begins with a phase of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), characterized by the presence of minor symptoms that have little or no impact on functional independence. The study of patients with MCI has led to spectacular advances in understanding the prodrome of the disease. It has also produced a typical cognitive profile: an impairment of episodic memory, especially delayed recall and associative memory, deficit in executive functions or working memory and certain semantic problems. Recent studies have also examined compensatory processes that take place during the early phase of the disease. Functional magnetic resonance imagery indicates that the brain is more active in persons with MCI than in normal people. Some researchers have interpreted this hyperactivity as playing a compensatory role. Intervention studies have relied on cognitive training programs to promote adaptation and compensatory plasticity processes. These studies have shown that the memory and well-being of people with MCI could be improved by such programs. They have also revealed changes in the level of cerebral activation among persons with MCI who received this type of intervention. In Summary, studies in neuropsychology and in cognitive neuroscience have greatly contributed to characterizing this critical phase of Alzheimer’s disease and offer avenues for intervention that could increase adaptation and improve the quality of life of people suffering from the disease.

Keyphrases: Cognition, Cognitive training, Cognition, Early diagnosis, Mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer‘s disease
Gestion des équipements d’imagerie médicale

This report is the subject of the experience gained from my internship / project at Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux du Centre-Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal (CIUSSS-CODIM), and more specifically at the Jewish General Hospital for a period of four months, in the context of the Master's degree in Clinical Engineering. During this internship, my mandate was the replacement and acquisition of medical imaging equipment in various departments including hemodynamics, cardiology, angiography, mammography, CT, MRI, emergency, operating room, orthopedics, radiology and urology. To this end, the report presents a description of the imagery and summarizes the acquisition projects and activities carried out within these departments.

Keyphrases: Acquisition, CT, Biomedical engineering, Clinical engineering, Project, Imaging, Replacement, Radiology, Cardiology, Angiography, Mammography, CT, MRI, Emergency, Operating room, Orthopedics, Urology
Caractérisation de l'oxydoréduction de la protéine tyrosine phosphatase 1B dans la signalisation du récepteur à l'EGF

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) inactivate protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) by oxidizing their catalytic cysteine, initiating important conformational changes. To characterize the redox regulation of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), we modeled the tridimensional structure of its oxidized and reduced forms and we detected a newly exposed peptide derived from its phosphotyrosine binding loop (BLP) in its oxidized form. To find new proteins interacting with the oxidized form of PTP1B, we used this BLP peptide in pull-down assays and identified the 14-3-3z protein as a BLP-interacting protein. We stimulated cells with the epidermal growth factor (EGF) to characterize the interaction between oxidized PTP1B and 14-3-3z with co-immunoprecipitations. As expected, our results indicate that this interaction depends on intracellular ROS production. In addition, 14-3-3z interaction was prevented by preincubating cells with R18, a 14-3-3 inhibitor, or by triciribine, a PKB inhibitor, prior to EGF stimulation. Furthermore, several cell-penetrating BLP peptides prevented the interaction between oxidized PTP1B and 14-3-3z and promoted its reduction and reactivation. Our results suggest that the interaction between 14-3-3z and PTP1B is essential to stabilize the oxidized form of the phosphatase. Given the important role of PTPs in many human diseases, the development of PTP activating peptides represents a significant progress.

Keyphrases: PTP1B, Phosphatase, 14-3-3, ROS, EGFR, Peptide, Tyrosine, Protein, Oxidation, Intracellular signaling
Les représentations d’attachement de mères d’accueil

This article outlined the relevance of attachment theory in the placement of children in foster families. The authors present the results of a study conducted on a sample of foster families from Quebec Province. The main goal of the research was to explore and describe feature characteristics of attachment representations in foster mothers. Findings revealed that the proportion of foster mothers with unresolved attachment style is similar to that found in clinical populations. Issues related to those results are discussed.

Keyphrases: Mothers, Foster families, Representations, Attachment styles, Adult attachment interview
La pertinence de l'inquiétude parentale pour le développement langagier du jeune enfant référé en psychiatrie

The prevalence of unsuspected language deficits, high in clinical settings, was examined in a sample of 167 clinic-referred preschoolers (aged 3 to 5): 73.1 % were diagnosed with a language disorder, which is consistent with rates reported by the literature. The sensitivity of parental worry for language development was particularly high (88.5 %). However, for 25.5 % of non-worried parents, the child also had language deficits. The non-detection of language deficits can lead to significant negative consequences for the development of the child who presents behavioral problems. It therefore needs to be prevented as soon as possible.

Keyphrases: Preschool, Psychiatry, Language disorder, Parental worry, Sensitivity, Specificity
L’évaluation développementale et cognitive de l’enfant d’âge préscolaire en clinique psychiatrique

All available French or English measures designed to assess preschool age children’s general, cognitive, language and sensorimotor development where identified. Experts (n=26) where then asked to review the 181 measures documented. Results revealed that 66.8 % of the tools where known, 38.7 % were recommended by two or more experts and 6.7 % by 10 experts or more. The majority of the more popular measures were in English and some had very little or outdated validation. An increased interest toward evidence-based assessment taking local aspects into account is necessary to improve clinical practice with young children.

Keyphrases: Development, Preschool age children, Assessment tools, Evidence-based psychiatry, Clinical practice, Multidisciplinary
La quotidienneté en logement chez des personnes ayant connu l’incarcération et l’itinérance : le Projet Logement Montréal

This project was undertaken following a masters internship in criminology-intervention with Projet Logement Montréal (PLM). This organization works to fight homelessness in Montreal and puts housing at the core of social integration. The subject of the internship was a study in the day-to-day dealings, with regards to housing, of Projet Logement Montréal participants who have experienced both homelessness and incarceration.  Homelessness is a life-changing experience that has a profound negative impact on the individual’s stability. In this context, the objective of this study is to question and understand the process of returning these individuals to a home and of re-establishing a routine after the individuals have been marginalized or in vulnerable living situations. The people encountered in the study lived through several years of homelessness and served time in prison before joining PLM. The four participants involved are men of at least 45 years old, who have served prison terms and have been homeless for several years before participating in PLM. Resolutely inductive in its data analysis, this research relies on a qualitative methodology and is the result of analyzing material stemming from various sources.  The analysis finds that housing represents a potential pathway to social integration and citizenship. It is still apparent, however, that returning to housing and resuming a daily routine does occasionally lead to hardships and challenges for participants. These involve a multitude of facets of these individuals’ lives. They may include mental and physical health issues, a lack of capacity for taking care of one’s self, difficulties developing and maintaining social networks, problems solving legal issues or getting accustomed to newfound social rights.   The processes of leaving a vulnerable situation and of re-establishing one’s self are complex and inevitably influenced by societal constraints and the individuals’ own limitations. Hence, a part of the challenges is shared while others are unique to the individuals, their path and their history.

Keyphrases: Logement, Projet Logement Montréal, Homelessness, Housing, Social integration