Health and Wellness

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https://hdl.handle.net/10388/14360

Research that combines aspects of the arts, population health, public health, biomedical, clinical, Indigenous, social and political science has the potential to increase the effectiveness of health care, health promotion and disease prevention in society.

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Medical cannabis in schools: The experiences of caregivers
(Oxford Academic, 2023) Mansell, Holly; Zaslawski, Zina; Mbabaali, Sophia; King, Patricia M; Kelly, Lauren E; Lougheed, Taylor; Anderson, Jennifer; Huntsman, Richard J; Alcorn, Jane
Objectives Implementing medical cannabis (MC) into a child’s daily routine can be challenging and there is a lack of guidance for its therapeutic use in schools in Canada. Our objective was to learn about the experiences of caregivers of school-aged children who require MC. Methods Qualitative description was used and caregivers were interviewed about MC in schools and in general. The transcripts were entered into Dedoose software for qualitative analysis and content analysis was performed. Sentences and statements were ascribed line by line into meaning units and labelled with codes, and organized according to categories and subcategories. Results Twelve caregivers of school-aged children who take MC participated. The most common reasons for treatment were drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE), autism, or other developmental disorders. Approximately half of the participants’ children (n = 6) took MC during the school day and most (5/6) perceived their experiences to be positive or neutral but reported a lack of knowledge about MC. While data saturation was not reached regarding MC in schools, rich dialogues were garnered about MC in general and three categories were identified: challenges (subcategories stigma, finding an authorizer, cost, dosing, and supply); parents as advocates (subcategories required knowledge, attitudes, skills, and sources of information); and caregiver relief for positive outcomes. Conclusions Caregivers demonstrate remarkable tenacity despite the many challenges associated with MC use. Education and practice change are needed to ensure that children using MC can benefit from or continue to experience its positive outcomes within the school environment and beyond.
Whole Exome Sequence Analysis for Inborn Errors of IL-12/IFN-γAxis in Patient with Recurrent Typhoid Fever
(Wiley, 2023-02-17) ul Hassan, Faaiz; Aljeldah, Mohammed; Fozia, Fozia; Hussain, Mubbashir; Khan, Taj Ali; Ahmad, Ijaz; Qasim, Muhammad; Khan, Imran; Giesy, John; Aboul-Soud, Mourad
Background. The IL-12/IFN-γ axis pathways play a vital role in the control of intracellular pathogens such as Salmonella typhi.Objective. The study is aimed at using whole exome sequencing (WES) to screen out genetic defects in IL-12/IFN-γ axis inpatients with recurrent typhoid fever. Methods. WES using next-generation sequencing was performed on a single patientdiagnosed with recurrent typhoid fever. Following alignment and variant calling, exomes were screened for mutations in 25genes that are involved in the IL-12/IFN-γ axis pathway. Each variant was assessed by using various bioinformatics mutationalanalysis tools such as SIFT, Polyphen2, LRT, MutationTaster, and MutationAssessor. Results. Out of 25 possible variations inthe IL-12/IFN-γ axis genes, only 2 probable disease-causing mutations were identiﬁed. These variations were rare and includemutations in IL23R and ZNFX I. Other pathogenic mutations were found, but they were not considered likely to cause diseasebased on various mutation predictors. Conclusion. Applying WES to the patient with recurrent typhoid fever detects variantsthat are not much important as other genes in the IL-12/IFN-γ axis. Results of the current study suggest that a largepopulation sizes would be needed to examine the functional relevance of IL-12/IFN-γ axis genes with recurrent typhoid fever.
Delphine von Schauroth, Corinna-Sister
(Cambridge University Press, 2024-02-22) Lalonde, Amanda
Despite her current marginal position, the nineteenth-century pianist and composer Delphine von Schauroth (1813–1887) once ranked among the most prominent virtuosos of the nineteenth century and had connections with Fanny Hensel, Ferdinand Hiller, Josephine Lang, Franz Liszt, Felix Mendelssohn, Robert Schumann and others. Drawing on large body of music criticism, as well as compositions, letters, images and literary works, this article presents a portrait of Schauroth as an artist, with an emphasis on the role of improvisation and the improvisatory in her pianism. In particular, the article fleshes out Robert Schumann's characterization of Schauroth as a ‘Corinna-sister’, a reference to the improvising poetess of Madame de Stäel's novel Corinne, or Italy. The article suggests that Schumann's comparison highlights key facets of Schauroth's status and character as a pianist and composer. Firstly, like Corinne, Schauroth was widely renowned as an eminent performer and was celebrated as a genius by critics, which was particularly notable for a woman musician in the early nineteenth century. Secondly, Schauroth was received as a creator, not only for her compositions, but also for her performances: in the late 1820s and early 1830s, in particular, critics responded to these performances with images of magical creation and an emphasis on the newness of her performance over the composer's work. Thirdly, Schauroth displayed a varied practice of improvisation, and her compositions were understood as having an improvisatory character.
Apoptosis-mediated anti-proliferative activity of Calligonum comosum against human breast cancer cells, and molecular docking of its major polyphenolics to Caspase-3
(Frontiers Media, 2022-10-09) Kumar, Ashok; Alfhili, Mohammad; Bari, Ahmed; Ennaji, Hanane; Ahamed, Professor Maqusood; Bourhia, Mohammed; CHEBAIBI, Mohamed; BENBACER, Laila; Ghneim, Hazem; Abudawood, Manal; Alghamdi, Khalid; Giesy, John; Al-Sheikh, Yazeed; Aboul-Soud, Mourad
Due to poor diagnosis breast cancer in women has emerged as the most common cause of death disease in developing countries. Medicinal plants have been used for thousands of years and can be useful in healthcare, especially in developing countries. Ethanol extracts of leaves of fire bush or arta (Calligonum comosum; EECC), exhibited significant anticancer potencies against two breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and MDA 231. These in vitro effects of EECC indicated potential anticancer activities that were determined to be specific since minimal toxicity was recorded against MCF-12, a non-cancerous breast cell line used as a reference. EECC also induced cell cycle arrest in MCF-7 and MDA 231 as revealed by the increased proportions of sub-G1 cells. Fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis (FACS), utilizing double staining by annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide, revealed that the observed cytotoxic effects were mediated via apoptosis and necrosis. FACS measurement of thegreater in fluorescence intensity, linked with oxidation of DCFH to DCF, revealed that apoptosis was attributable to production of free radicals. EECC-mediated apoptosis was further validated by observation of up-regulation in the “executioner” enzyme, caspase 3. The current findings reveal that EECC exhibits significant, selective cytotoxicity to breast cancer cells, that proceeds via the generation of ROS, which culminates in apoptosis. The anti-proliferative effects of EECC weres further verified by use of a structure-based, virtual screening between its major bioactive polyphenolic constituents and the apoptosis executioner marker enzyme, caspase-3. Based on their glide score values against the active site of caspase 3, some phyto-constituents present in EECC, such as DL-alpha-tocopherol and campesterol, exhibited distinctive, drug-like potential with no predicted toxicity to non-target cells. Taken together, the usefulness of natural phenolic and flavonoid compounds contained in Calligonum comosum were suggested to be potent anticancer agents.
Competitive enzyme linked aptamer based assay for salivary melatonin detection
(Springer Nature, 0024-04-20) Pundir, Meenakshi; Lobanova, Liubov; Papagerakis, Petros; Chen, Xiongbiao; Papagerakis, Silvana
Melatonin is a key hormone that regulates the sleep–wake cycle and plays an important role in maintaining circadian rhythm and sleep onset. The daily rise in melatonin secretion is associated with an increased tendency to sleep, occurring approximately 2 h before bedtime. This correlation between melatonin levels and sleep onset makes it a reliable biomarker for circadian rhythm sleep–wake disorders. An accurate assessment of dim light melatonin onset (DLMO) is vital for understanding circadian timing and diagnosing sleep–wake cycle disruptions. However, the traditional methods for detecting melatonin in saliva are either complex or lack the sensitivity required for the accurate assessment of DLMO, especially at low concentrations. Here, we present a novel competitive enzyme-linked aptamer-based assay developed to detect melatonin in saliva. Unlike conventional assays, this technique utilizes chemically synthesized single-stranded DNA or RNA aptamers, which bind to melatonin with high specificity and sensitivity. The assay measures melatonin, attaining a linear dynamic range from 8.62 × 10‒6 M to 3.9 × 10‒11 M, with a detection limit of 2.5 × 10‒12 M (~ 0.57 pg/mL). Additionally, the aptamer showed small binding to its counter targets and acceptable recovery of melatonin when spiked in four times diluted saliva in assay buffer. Overall, the assay portrayed the potential of aptamers to detect low melatonin levels in saliva that could be beneficial in accurately determining DLMO, particularly in individuals with very low melatonin levels, such as the elderly or those with neurodegenerative conditions. Determining precise measurement of DLMO will facilitate the accurate diagnosis of circadian rhythm disruption, enabling healthcare providers to optimize the timing and selection of therapeutic and behavioural interventions tailored to an individual’s unique circadian rhythm.
Glucagon-like Peptide-2 Acts Partially Through Central GLP-2R and MC4R in Mobilizing Stored Lipids from the Intestine
(MDPI, 2025-04) Mukherjee, Kundanika; Khan, Muhammad Saad Abdullah; Howland, John G.; Xiao, Changting
Background: Glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) is a gut hormone secreted in response to nutrient intake and regulates lipid metabolism in the gut. The present study aims to elucidate the underlying mechanism of GLP-2 in stimulating gut lipid secretion in the fasted state by testing whether GLP-2 signals through the brain’s GLP-2 receptor and melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R). Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were implanted with a mesenteric lymph duct cannula for measuring gut lipid secretion and an intracerebroventricular cannula for infusion of a GLP-2R antagonist (GLP-2(11-33)), an MC4R antagonist (SHU9119), or saline as a control. The rat received a lipid infusion into the small intestine and a peritoneal injection of GLP-2 five hours later. Results: Brain administration of a GLP-2R antagonist or an MC4R antagonist attenuated the stimulatory effects of peripheral GLP-2 on lymph triglyceride output. These effects were associated with differential changes in the expression of key genes in jejunal endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and neuronal cells. Conclusions: These results support the involvement of central GLP-2R and MC4R in a neural pathway for GLP-2 to mobilize lipids stored in the gut during the post-absorptive state.
GLP-1R/GIPR Dual Agonism on Gut Lipid Handling
(2025) Tabatabaeian, Farnoosh; Wang, Rita; Mukherjee, Kundanika; Minier, Ethan; Xiao, Changting
GLP-1R/GIPR Dual Agonism on Gut Lipid Handling Metabolic diseases (e.g., obesity and type 2 diabetes) are associated with atherogenic dyslipidemia, a condition with high levels of harmful blood lipids causing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and death. The gut mismanages lipids in metabolic diseases by generating excess harmful lipid particles known as chylomicrons. Tirzepatide is a peptide that simultaneously activates the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) and the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor (GIPR). It is an effective treatment for obesity and type 2 diabetes. It has also shown benefits in lipid metabolism and ASCVD risk reduction; however, whether these effects result from weight loss, systemic metabolic changes, or direct modulation of gut lipid handling remains unclear. This study investigates the direct effects of tirzepatide on gut lipid metabolism. We assessed tirzepatide’s effects on gut lipid secretion and metabolic regulation using a rat model. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a high-fat diet or a control diet for 8 weeks and received tirzepatide or placebo injections in the final week. Intraperitoneal glucose tolerance tests (IPGTT) were performed at week 6. Rats were surgically implanted with catheters for lipid infusion and mesenteric lymph collection. We measured body weight, energy intake, lymph flow rate, and triglycerides. Preliminary results suggest that high-fat feeding increases gut lipid output, which is attenuated by tirzepatide. Underlying mechanisms are being investigated via gut morphology and gene expression (qPCR, spatial transcriptomics). These findings provide insights into gut lipid metabolism regulation and potential therapeutic targets for dyslipidemia and ASCVD.
BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS ALTER SCAPULAR KINEMATICS DURING A PROGRESSIVE LIFTING TASK
(2025) Friesen, Kenzie B.; Lang, Angelica
Following breast cancer surgery, upper limb strength is affected and fatigue can ensue which can hinder quality of life. One in three BCS consider their post-surgery arm morbidity to interfere substantially with activities of daily living. Elucidating movement deficiencies post-surgery can inform intervention strategies to improve shoulder function and health longevity.
A method to determine reactive oxygen species production in intestinal and liver cell cultures using the 2 ′ ,7 ′ -dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate assay
(Elsevier, 2024-02-13) Engelbrecht, Ilzé; Horn, Suranie; Giesy, John; Pieters, Rialet
Exposure to xenobiotics can increase the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). When detoxification organs such as the intestines and liver cannot neutralise these xenobiotics, it can induce oxidative stress and cause damage to tissues. Therefore, cell-based bioassays that indicate intracellular ROS production are a useful screening tool to evaluate the effect of these chemicals. Although flow cytometry is commonly used to measure ROS in cells, many research laboratories in the Global South do not always have access to such specialised instrumentation. Therefore, we describe a sensitive but low-cost method that can easily be used to determine ROS production in vitro. This method employs the fluorogenic dye, 2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (H2DCF-DA), which emits fluorescence after being oxidised to a fluorescent derivative. Since the H2DCF-DA bioassay indicates non-specific ROS production it can be used as a marker of overall oxidative stress. This method was validated by exposing human duodenum epithelial adenocarcinoma (HuTu-80) and rat liver epithelial hepatoma (H4IIE-luc) cells to agricultural soil samples.
Chemical composition, sources, and ecological effect of organic phosphorus in water ecosystems: a review
(Springer Nature, 2023-03-15) Feng, Weiying; Wang, Tengke; Zhu, Yuanrong; Sun, Fuhong; Giesy, John; Wu, Fengchang
Phosphorus (P) affects the water–air CO2 flux through primary productivity, and affects the changes of carbon cycle and ecological environment in the global world. Organic phosphorus (Po) is an important P component in water environments. Various processes control the formation and transformation of Po and outbreaks of algal blooms. Here, research topics on Po in global water over the past 50 years are systematically reviewed to understand the progress in the (i) Po pretreatment techniques in various media, (ii) technical methods and qualitative and quantitative research on chemical composition of Po and bioavailability, (iii) source analysis of and factors affecting Po in different media of water environments and biogeochemical processes, (iv) interactions among Po, organic matter, and minerals, and their environmental behaviors, and (v) quantification of material exchanges at the sediment–water interface, interfacial processes, and ecological effects. Finally, the future research directives regarding Po in water environments are discussed. The findings provided an important scientific basis to formulate and revise global standards for water nutrients and a better understanding of water eutrophication and its control.
Solid-liquid distribution of SARS-CoV-2 in primary effluent of a wastewater treatment plant
(Elsevier, 2024-03-11) Oloye, Femi; Xie, Yuwei; Asadi, Mohsen; Karl Challis, Jonathan ; Osunla, Charles; Xia, Pu; Cantin, Jenna; Femi-Oloye, Oluwabunmi P.; Brinkmann, Markus; McPhedran, Kerry; Sadowski, Mike; Pandey, Sudhir; Jones, Paul; Mangat, Chand Singh; Servos, Mark; Giesy, John
Distributions of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and fecal viral biomarkers between solid and liquid phases of wastewater are largely unknown. Herein, distributions of SARS-CoV-2, Pepper Mild Mottle Virus (PMMoV), and F-RNA bacteriophage group II (FRNAPH-II) were determined by viral RNA RT-qPCR. Comparison of viral recovery using three conventional fractionation methods included membrane filtration, a combination of mid-speed centrifugation and membrane filtration, and high-speed centrifugation. SARS-CoV-2 partitioned to the solids fraction in greater abundance compared to liquid fractions in a combination of mid-speed centrifugation and membrane filtration and high-speed centrifugation, but not in membrane filtration method in a particular assay, while fecal biomarkers (PMMoV and FRNAPH-II) exhibited the reciprocal relationship. The wastewater fractionation method had minimal effects on the solids-liquids distribution for all viral and phage markers tested; however, viral RNA load was significantly greater in solid–liquid fractions viral RNA loads compared with the than whole-wastewater PEG precipitation. A RNeasy PowerWater Kit with PCR inhibitor removal resulted in greater viral RNA loads and lesser PCR inhibition compared to a QIAamp Viral RNA Mini Kit without PCR inhibitor removal. These results support the development of improved methods and interpretation of WBE of SARS-CoV-2.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1: history, current situation, and outlook
(American Society for Microbiology, 2025-03-27) Krammer, Florian; Hermann, Enikő; Rasmussen, Angela
The H5N1 avian panzootic has resulted in cross-species transmission to birds and mammals, causing outbreaks in wildlife, poultry, and US dairy cattle with a range of host-dependent pathogenic outcomes. Although no human-to-human transmission has been observed, the rising number of zoonotic human cases creates opportunities for adaptive mutation or reassortment. This Gem explores the history, evolution, virology, and epidemiology of clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 relative to its pandemic potential. Pandemic risk reduction measures are urgently required.
Transformation of Gardnerella vaginalis with a Bifidobacterium-Escherichia coli shuttle vector plasmid
(American Society for Microbiology, 2025-04-10) Kularatne, B.M.D.N; Hill, Janet
Gardnerella spp. significantly influence female reproductive health and are indicators of bacterial vaginosis, a common gynecological disorder. Lack of genetic tools for Gardnerella spp. is a hindrance to fully understanding their role in the vaginal microbiome, and no naturally occurring plasmids have yet been identified in these organisms. The aim of this study was to transform Gardnerella vaginalis and characterize transformants carrying Bifidobacterium-E. coli shuttle vector pKO403-lacZ′-Sp. G. vaginalis ATCC 49145 was selected for protocol development based on its high growth rate, lack of restriction activity, and susceptibility to spectinomycin. Low efficiency (~102 cfu/µg of plasmid DNA) but reproducible transformation was achieved. The expression of the spectinomycin resistance gene and the β-galactosidase gene of pKO403-lacZ′-Sp in G. vaginalis ATCC 49145 resulted in an increase in spectinomycin tolerance from 2 µg/mL (MIC) to >512 µg/mL, and an appreciable increase in β-galactosidase activity compared with the wild type. Plasmid copy number was determined to be ~3 per genome copy. Plasmid was lost rapidly in the absence of spectinomycin selection, with only ~5% of colony-forming units retaining the resistant phenotype after 24 h of growth without selection. These results demonstrate that G. vaginalis can be transformed by electroporation and that pKO403-lacZ′-Sp can be maintained and its genes expressed in this host, offering a starting point for the development of genetic tools for mechanistic studies of this important member of the vaginal microbiome.
Precision medicine within health professions education:Defining a research agenda for emergency medicine using aforesight and strategy technique (FaST) review
(Wiley, 2024-05-19) Chan, Teresa M.; Thoma, Brent; Finnell, John T.; Gordon, Bradley D.; Farrell, Susan; Pusic, Martin; Cabrera, Daniel; Gisondi, Michael A.; Caretta-Weyer, Holly A.; Stave, Christopher; Ankel, Felix
Background Precision medicine, sometimes referred to as personalized medicine, is rapidly changing the possibilities for how people will engage health care in the near future. As technology to support precision medicine exponentially develops, there is an urgent need to proactively improve our understanding of precision medicine and pose important research questions (RQs) related to its inclusion in the education and training of future emergency physicians. Methods A seven-step process was employed to develop a research agenda exploring the intersection of precision and emergency medicine education/training. A literature search of articles about precision medicine was conducted first, which informed the creation of future four scenarios in which trainees and practicing physicians regularly discuss and incorporate precision medicine tools into their discussions and work. Based on these futurist narratives, potential education RQs were generated by an expert panel. A total of 59 initial questions were subsequently categorized and refined to a priority list through a nominal group voting method. The top/priority questions were presented at the 2023 SAEM Consensus Conference on Precision Medicine, Austin, Texas, for further input. Results Eight high-value education RQs were developed, reflecting a holistic view of the challenges and opportunities for precision medicine education in the knowledge, skills, and attitudes relevant to emergency medicine. These questions contend with topics such as most effective pedagogical methods; intended resulting outcomes and behaviors; the generational differences between practicing emergency physicians, educators, and future trainees; and the desires and expectations of patients. Conclusions Emergency medicine and emergency physicians must be prepared to understand precision medicine and incorporate this information into their “toolbox” of thinking, problem solving, and communication with patients and colleagues. This research agenda on how best to educate future emergency physicians in the use of personalized data to provide optimal health care is the focus of this article.
Competence By Design: a transformational national model of time-variable competency-based postgraduate medical education
(Ubiquity Press, 2024-03-18) Frank, Jason R.; Sherbino, Jonathan; Atkinson, Adelle; Snell, Linda; Atkinson, Adelle; Oswald, Anna; Hall, Andrew Koch; Cooke, Lara; Dojeiji, Sue; Richardson, Denyse; Cheung, Warren J.; Cavalcanti, Rodrigo B.; Dalseg, Timothy; Thoma, Brent; Flynn, Leslie; Gofton, Wade; Dudek, Nancy; Bhanji, Farhan; Wong, Brian M.-F.; Razak, Saleem; Anderson, Robert; Dubois, Daniel; Boucher, Andree; Gomes, Marcio M.; Taber, Sarah; Gorman, Lisa J.; Fulford, Jane; Naik, Viren; Harris, Kenneth A.; Croix, Rhonda St.; Melle, Elaine Van
Postgraduate medical education is an essential societal enterprise that prepares highly skilled physicians for the health workforce. In recent years, PGME systems have been criticized worldwide for problems with variable graduate abilities, concerns about patient safety, and issues with teaching and assessment methods. In response, competency based medical education approaches, with an emphasis on graduate outcomes, have been proposed as the direction for 21st century health profession education. However, there are few published models of large-scale implementation of these approaches. We describe the rationale and design for a national, time-variable competency-based multi-specialty system for postgraduate medical education called Competence by Design. Fourteen innovations were bundled to create this new system, using the Van Melle Core Components of competency based medical education as the basis for the transformation. The successful execution of this transformational training system shows competency based medical education can be implemented at scale. The lessons learned in the early implementation of Competence by Design can inform competency based medical education innovation efforts across professions worldwide.
The 2023 World delirium awareness and quality Survey: A Canadian substudy
(Elsevier, 2025-03) Krewulak, Karla D.; Lee, Laurie A.; Strayer, Kathryn; Armstrong, Jennifer; Baig, Nadia; Brouillette, Judith; Deemer, Kirsten; Jaworska, Natalia; Kissel, Katherine A.; MacDonald, Christine; Mailhot, Tanya; Rewa, Oleksa; Sy, Eric; Nydahl, Peter; von Haken, Rebecca; Lindroth, Heidi; Liu, Keibun; Fiest, Kirsten
Objective This study aimed to evaluate the proportion of screened patients with delirium and the strategies used for its management in Canadian hospitals caring for critically ill children or adults. Methods This is a secondary analysis of a cross-sectional study completed on World Delirium Awareness Day (March 15, 2023). Respondents completed a 35-question survey on the proportion of screened patients with delirium (at 8:00 am and 8:00 pm), treatment, and management strategies employed. Results A total of 27 ICUs (22 adult and 5 pediatric) participated. Among adult ICU patients assessed for delirium, 18 % (n = 34/194) had delirium at 8:00 am and 18 % (32/181) had delirium at 8:00 pm. In pediatric ICUs, the proportion of screened patients with delirium was higher, with 50 % (n = 8/16) at 8:00 am and 44 % (n = 7/16) at 8:00 pm. Delirium management strategies varied: with non-pharmacological approaches such as multi-professional rounds (100 %), pain management (96 %), and mobilization (85 %) being most common. The most reported written delirium management protocols included spontaneous breathing trials in adult ICUs and physical restraint and sedation management in PICUs. Few ICUs reported written protocols for family engagement and empowerment. Conclusions Delirium remains a prevalent issue in Canadian ICUs, with variability in assessment and management strategies. Gaps in family engagement and pediatric-specific protocols persist. Addressing barriers like staff shortages and lack of training is critical to improving care. Implications for Clinical Practice: Improving delirium management requires standardized protocols, especially in PICUs, and better integration of family engagement in care. Addressing workforce challenges (e.g., staff shortages and educating new staff on delirium) will be crucial for enhancing delirium prevention and treatment in Canadian ICUs. Further research should focus on pediatric-specific interventions and pharmacological management.
Facilitators and barriers faced by community organizations supporting older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic
(BioMed Central (BMC), 2025-03-28) Hasse, Kristen R.; Sirois, Ailsa C.; Detwyler, Dmitri; Kardeh, Bahareh; Peacock, Shelley; Cosco, Theodore D.; Kamali, Marjan; O'Connell, Megan E.
Background During the COVID-19 pandemic, olderadult-focused community organizations played an essential role in supporting the wellbeing of older adults. Supporting older adults during this time required extensive modifications to existing programming but their adaptations during the COVID-19 pandemic are not well documented. The purpose of this study was to understand how older adult-focused community organizations adopted virtual delivery formats during the COVID-19 pandemic and their perspectives of the barriers and facilitators for organizations and older adults. Methods To understand the changes that were made, we conducted a qualitative environmental scan of community-based services across British Columbia. Online searches were complemented by snowball sampling and key informant interviews. We identified 90 older adult-serving community organizations and interviewed 26. We used reflexive thematic analysis to understand the main strategies. Results These community organizations described barriers related to older adults’ wellbeing, information technology proficiency, and personal/organizational losses related to changes in program structure. Facilitators for virtual activities and events included inter- and intra-organizational collaboration, intrinsic qualities of program design, physical resources to supporting virtual programming, and availability of technological resources. Organizations described meeting the challenge by increasing the ‘depth’ and ‘breadth’ of their reach. Conclusion Older adult-focused community organizations recognized the critical role they played for older adults and adapted their resources to meet those needs. Informational technology was quickly and effectively leveraged to promote social interaction for older adults when physical distancing was required during the COVID-19 pandemic. Barriers related to cost, time, and ultimately older adults’ interest in a virtual delivery format were critical limitations.
Lymphopoiesis is attenuated upon hepatocyte-specific deletion of the cytochrome c oxidase assembly factor Sco1
(Cell Press, 2025-04) Pioli, KimAnh T.; Ghosh, Sampurna; Boulet, Aren; Leary, Scot C.; Pioli, Peter
Mutations that negatively impact mitochondrial function are highly prevalent in humans and lead to disorders with a wide spectrum of disease phenotypes, including deficiencies in immune cell development and/or function. Previous analyses of mice with a hepatocyte-specific cytochrome c oxidase (COX) deficiency revealed an unexpected peripheral blood leukopenia associated with splenic and thymic atrophy. Here, we use mice with a hepatocyte-specific deletion of the COX assembly factor Sco1 to show that metabolic defects extrinsic to the hematopoietic compartment lead to a pan-lymphopenia represented by severe losses in both B and T cells. We further demonstrate that immune defects in these mice are associated with the loss of bone marrow lymphoid progenitors common to both lineages and early signs of autoantibody-mediated autoimmunity. Our findings collectively identify hepatocyte dysfunction as a potential instigator of immunodeficiency in patients with congenital mitochondrial defects who suffer from chronic or recurrent infections.
Combination therapy enhances the antiviral activity of IFN-λ against SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV
(Elsevier, 2025-03) Rajabali Zadeh, Vahid; Lew, Jocelyne M.; Zahoor, Muhammad Atif; Santer, Deanna; Feld, Jordan J.; Falzarano, Darryl
Therapeutic options against pathogenic human coronaviruses remain limited. In a recent clinical trial, we demonstrated the therapeutic efficacy of pegylated-IFN-λ in COVID-19 outpatients. However, the emergence of variants that have the potential to evade IFN-mediated antiviral responses raises concerns regarding the continued efficacy of this approach. In this work, we compared the sensitivity of SARS-CoV-2 variants and MERS-CoV to IFN-λ treatment in vitro and explored the potential of combination therapy with other FDA-authorized or approved antiviral agents. We observed that in contrast to the ancestral strain, all other SARS-CoV-2 lineages showed varying, but increased resistance to IFN-λ treatment, from a 5.7-fold increase in EC50 value for the P.1 strain to a 32.7-fold increase for the B.1.1.7 variant. We further show that combination treatment with remdesivir or nirmatrelvir enhanced the antiviral effect of IFN-λ against both SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV. These findings justify the initiation of further in vivo testing that ultimately can help inform the development of more effective therapeutic guidelines against pathogenic coronaviruses.
Exploring the role of service dogs for Canadian military Veterans experiencing suicidality
(2024-05-06) Pavelich, Alexandria R.; Dell, Colleen A.; De Groot, Paul
Despite ample anecdotal evidence, there are limited meaningful studies speaking to the important role of the human-animal bond (HAB) in reducing suicidality. However, research is increasingly showing the viability of service dogs (SDs) as a complementary approach for military Veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use harms – two of the strongest indicators of suicidality across any population. An original, exploratory study completed in 2020 focused on how SDs supported Canadian Veterans living with PTSD and substance use concerns. From this work, a secondary analysis was then undertaken: 28 transcripts were examined through thematic analysis to explore the experiences of the Veterans who were identified as being at high risk for suicide to better understand how SDs may assist with their suicidality. Our methodological approach for the secondary analysis employed affective coding to discover how the social support system enabled by the SDs reduced experiences of loneliness and hopelessness, as well as symptoms of PTSD, depression, and substance use concerns that are commonly associated with suicidality. The SDs were reported by the Veterans as being a catalyst in reducing self-harm and suicidality, as the HAB provided a unique and necessary form of social support for Veterans that was distinct from what other human-human interactions could provide. While acknowledgement of how context specificity and the lived experience of each individual remains crucial for making sense of suicidality, the significant finding from this research has been the identification of the critical impact that SDs have in the lives of Veterans when it comes to preventing suicide. The SD has been explained as a bridge to improve Veterans’ overall quality of life and reduce markers commonly recognized as precursors to suicide – a finding that may be critical in helping reduce future suicide risk among military Veterans, and warrants further investigation.

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