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Asper School of Business 22
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Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies collections containing Graduate Theses and Practica. The content will include textual material with images of data when available.
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University of Manitoba Researchers 2635
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Recent Submissions

Access status: Open Access ,
Bile acid abnormality and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes modeling in patients with Fontan Circulation
(2026-06-01) Mittal, Ishika; Aukema, Harold (Food and Human Nutritional Sciences); Aliani, Michel (Food and Human Nutritional Sciences); Shah, Ashish; Dhingra, Sanjiv
Background Patients with Fontan circulation (FC) suffer from multisystem dysfunction, primarily cardiovascular reserve, progressive liver fibrosis, frailty, and metabolic abnormalities. However, the central biochemical derangement that links FC physiology to these symptoms remains unclear. Previous work from our group demonstrated dysregulation of bile acids (BA) and their association with various Fontan pathophysiologies. The temporal changes in BA concentrations and causative relationships between BA and FC-specific abnormalities have yet to be explored. Given the prolonged exposure to elevated BA levels in FC patients, cardiomyocytes derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC-CM) may be a useful model to study the effects of BA on CM function. Methods This research included three interrelated components: 1) longitudinal clinical data of patients with FC were assessed to identify the temporal changes in BA and vitamin D abnormalities. 2) Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from FC patients and healthy controls were reprogrammed into iPSC-CMs; the cells' identities were confirmed using immunocytochemistry. iPSC-CMs were exposed to primary and secondary BA and assessed for cytotoxic activity after 24 hours using the MTT/WST assay. 3) An untargeted lipidomic analysis was completed to identify changes in the myocardial lipid profile. Results Clinical data from patients with FC at St. Boniface General Hospital suggest that about two-thirds had both elevated and fluctuating levels of BA over time. Vitamin D deficiency was also common and generally persistent, but serial measurements exhibited variable responses despite supplementation. Reprogramming and differentiating iPSCs into beating CMs were successful for both FC and control cells, and both cell types expressed the cardiac marker Cardiac Troponin T. No clinically significant differences in cell viability were observed between cells exposed to or unexposed to BAs. The lipidomic data suggest altered lipid metabolic pathways in FC iPSC-CMs, resulting from elevations in triglycerides and bacterial lipids, leading to impaired mitochondrial transport and fatty acid oxidation, and possibly contributing to CM dysfunction. Conclusions The data indicate that patient-specific iPSC-CMs are a valuable translational tool for investigating FC-related cardiovascular defects. Although BAs can alter CM viability, further studies are required to determine how BAs impact cellular function and metabolism.
Access status: Open Access ,
Evaluating the impact reduced FBXO30 expression has on chromosome instability in colonic epithelial cell lines
(2026-05-25) Gerber, Nicole; Wigle, Jeffrey (Biochemistry and Medical Genetics); Hombach-Klonisch, Sabine (Human Anatomy and Cell Science); McManus, Kirk
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth most commonly diagnosed and second most lethal cancer in Canada. While there are effective screening programs and therapeutic options, individuals are often diagnosed with CRC at late disease stages. Despite the high morbidity and mortality rates facing Canadians, the underlying mechanisms driving CRC pathogenesis remain poorly understood. Chromosome instability (CIN), is an ongoing phenomenon defined by the increased changes in chromosome complements and occurs in ~85 % of all CRC cases. Recent evidence from the McManus laboratory demonstrates that decreased expression of core SKP1-CUL1-F-box (SCF) E3 ubiquitin ligase complex members induce CIN and promote early CRC development. However, the role of the variable 69 F-box protein subunits in driving CIN remains largely unknown. Therefore, this thesis examines the impact of reduced FBXO30 expression on CIN in early CRC development. Quantitative imaging microscopy techniques coupled with siRNA-based silencing were used to assess CIN-associated phenotypes, including changes in nuclear areas, micronucleus formation, and chromosome numbers in karyotypically stable non-malignant and malignant colonic epithelial cell lines. As a result, reduced FBXO30 expression induced significant changes (increases and/or decreases) in nuclear areas, micronucleus formation, and chromosome numbers in non-malignant, non-transformed 1CT and A1309 cell lines. Additionally, in the malignant context, FBXO30 silencing induced significant increases in nuclear areas and aberrant chromosome numbers in HCT116 cells. Collectively, these data identify FBXO30 as a novel CIN gene and may provide novel insights into the etiological events promoting CRC pathogenesis.
Access status: Embargo ,
Niizhin Ajaakanaan Nimi’idiwinan: Two-Spirits dance for the people while reviving sleeping epistemologies in Miiskwaagamiwiziibiing
(2026-04-29) Huard, Adrienne; Igloliorte, Heather (Indigenous Studies); Whitehead, Joshua (Indigenous Studies); Belcourt, Billy-Ray (University of British Columbia); Gamache, Mylène Yannick (Indigenous Studies); Mattes, Cathy
This dissertation engages with Two-Spirit, trans, and queer Indigenous performance practices while highlighting their contributions to the continuance of Two-Spirit epistemologies on the so-called Canadian Prairies. I argue that Two-Spirit knowledges, aesthetics, and creative works are synonymous—these knowledges are simply translated through visual, auditory, and embodied languages. However, settler-colonialism has driven these epistemologies into a dormancy period as a result of Judeo-Christian indoctrination and Eurocentric violence against Indigenous understandings of sex, sexuality, and gender-expansiveness. This dissertation includes voices from prominent Two-Spirit, trans, and queer Indigenous drag performers, powwow dancers, artists, scholars, and Elders who are trailblazers within the Two-Spirit community in Miiskwaagamiwiziibiing (Winnipeg, Manitoba). They provide insight on local Two-Spirit histories, nation-specific teachings, and their perspectives on creative practices, such as drag, burlesque, and other embodied performances. Additionally, this research delves into Anishinaabe oral histories and narratives that reveal pre-colonial concepts of Indigenous sex, sexuality, and gender-expansiveness—concepts that have been silenced by settler-colonial tactics of erasure and eradication. These stories include expressions of the erotic, body autonomy, and ancestral corporeal knowledges. By engaging in dance and embodied storytelling, Two-Spirit, trans, and queer Indigenous performers are physically remembering dormant Two-Spirit knowledges while generating new ones, building safer spaces to actively share their ways of being and knowing with future generations. Lastly, this dissertation contextualizes trickster narratives as witnessed in Two-Spirit Indigenous performance practices, revealing their shape-shifting, gender-bending, and campy Two-Spirit ontologies. Although I incorporate Two-Spirit, trans, and queer Indigenous voices and knowledges from a broad range of communities and nations, I employ an Anishinaabe analytic framework to situate the research from my own positionality, as a Two-Spirit Anishinaabe person. In doing so, I resist settler-colonial scholarship’s desire to homogenize these vast and dynamic Indigenous ontologies. Through all of this, it is my hope that this research contributes to the revival of these sleeping Two-Spirit, trans, and queer Indigenous knowledges while celebrating the proliferation of Two-Spirit re-emergence.
Access status: Open Access ,
Is 24 Hours Enough? A Retrospective Review of Antibiotic Duration After Closure in Gastroschisis
(2025-06-20) Zrinyi, Anna
Background: Gastroschisis is a congenital abdominal wall defect exposing intestines to the uterine then external environments, increasing infection risk. Prophylactic antibiotics are often used postnatally but optimal duration remains unclear. The American Pediatric Surgical Association (APSA) recommends discontinuing antibiotics 24 hours after abdominal wall closure in clinically stable patients. Objective: To evaluate whether extending antibiotics beyond 24 hours post-closure reduces 30-day infection risk in neonates with gastroschisis. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of neonates with gastroschisis born between 1991 and 2022. Included patients had a silo placed, survived until closure, and had complete antibiotic data. Data collected included demographics, antibiotic use, timing of closure and infection. Patients were classified as receiving a short (≤24 hours post-closure) or prolonged course (>24 hours) of antibiotics. Infections were defined using clinical and microbiological criteria. Statistical analyses included t-tests and logistic regression. Results: 53 neonates were included (28 short course, 25 prolonged course). The 30-day post-closure infection rate was 57% (16/28) for the short course and 44% (11/25) for the prolonged course, which was not significantly different. Mean pre-closure prophylactic antibiotics was similar between those who did not develop an infection (15.6 days) and those who developed an infection (13.9 days), (p = 0.667). Prolonged antibiotics post-closure did not significantly reduce infection risks (OR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.255–2.65, p=0.74). Demographics, such as gestational age, birth weight and delivery type did not affect infections. Conclusions: Antibiotics beyond 24 hours after abdominal wall closure did reduce infection rates. This supports the APSA guidelines to discontinue antibiotics at 24 hours post-closure.
Access status: Open Access ,
A Survey Study Exploring the Perceived Communication Barriers and Facilitators Between Primary Care Providers and Patients with Intellectual Developmental Disabilities
(2025-06-20) Zhu, Sarah
Introduction: Patients with Intellectual and Developmental Disorder (IDD) have been found to have greater risks of developing physical illnesses and mental health conditions requiring access to tailored healthcare services. Effective communication is important in ensuring patient safety and optimal health outcomes. Hence, it is important to understand what features are lacking, and noted strengths in communications to provide further insights and next steps in improving patient-centered care. Methods: This survey study adopts a mixed methods design. Participants are recruited through convenience sampling from sites in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Survey questionnaires aim to evaluate primary care providers’ perceptions of barriers and facilitators encountered in health communications, and suggestions for next steps. Result: N=27 participants completed the survey. There are no statistically significant differences among the various variables. For barriers, cognitive impairment, insufficient stakeholders' involvement in health decision-making processes, and inadequate space and time for communication and collaboration are comparatively more significant. For facilitators, supporters' roles in advocating for the healthcare needs of individuals with IDDs, additional consultation time for patient education, and interprofessional collaboration were some of the more prominent factors positively influencing communications. Themes generated from the qualitative data provided further insights into the impacts support workers, teamwork, and the consent process have on health communications. Conclusion: This study suggested that more consistency in the roles of support workers, increased staff training, prolonged consultation duration, enhanced collaboration during the health consent process, and multidisciplinary collaboration are some of the strategies to further enhance health communications among patients with IDDs.
Access status: Open Access ,
Acceptance of human papillomavirus self-sampling in underserved and under-screened communities in Canada: a literature review
(2025-06-20) Wonitowy, Quinn
Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women. In Canada, the disease accounted for roughly 400 deaths from 1,550 diagnoses in 2017 alone. Nearly all cases of cervical cancer are due to persistent infection with human papillomavirus (HPV). Most cervical cancer cases can be prevented with screening, and those who develop cervical cancer tend to be classified as under-screened or never-screened. Often, these people belong to underserved groups such as immigrants, racialized individuals, and those living in rural communities. Traditional cervical cancer screening involves Pap (Papanicolaou) tests while self-sampling allows people with a cervix to collect their own sample, when and where they choose. This literature review examined Canadian studies exploring the acceptance of self-sampling amongst underserved populations. The findings of this review support the idea that most underserved and underscreened populations accept and support the idea of HPV self-sampling. Common reasons for acceptance of self-sampling included convenience, privacy, and timesaving. The most commonly reported concern was a lack of confidence in performing the test correctly. While the studies included in this review do not represent every underserved population in Canada, the results suggest that with proper education and support, HPV self-sampling could be a useful addition to cervical cancer screening in Canada.
Access status: Open Access ,
The Role of Physician Assistants in Ophthalmology: A Literature Review
(2025-06-20) Wijewardana, Nilusha
Introduction: Physician assistants (PAs) are trained medical professionals who work under the supervision of physicians to assess, diagnose, and treat patients across various specialties. While their role is well-established in many areas of medicine, the responsibilities of PAs within ophthalmology remain underexplored and unclear. Objective: This literature review examines the role of PAs in ophthalmology in North America. The objective is to identify and analyze primary research that explores their clinical responsibilities, integration into ophthalmic care teams, and the outcomes associated with their involvement. Methods: A structured search was conducted using PubMed and Scopus databases. Mesh terms and key words related to physician assistants and ophthalmology were used to identify relevant primary research articles, with inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: Seven articles met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed. These studies focused on the practice of PAs in ophthalmology within the United States. Key findings centered around four main themes: the scope of PA roles, the integration into ophthalmic practice and the facilitations and limitations of PAs in practice. Conclusion: Preliminary evidence suggests that PAs in ophthalmology contribute positively to both patient care and physician support. However, current research is limited and primarily focuses on their role within the United States. Further studies are needed to better understand the impact, scope, and potential of PAs in ophthalmology - particularly to explore how their role could be expanded and integrated within the Canadian healthcare system.
Access status: Open Access ,
Exploring the Impact of Physician Assistants on Orthopedic Surgery Service Efficiency: A Literature Review
(2025-06-20) Smith, Taylor
Introduction: Orthopedic surgery in Canada faces increasing patient volumes, long wait times, and a shortage of healthcare providers and resources. Physician Assistants (PAs) are increasingly becoming a consideration as a solution to improve healthcare delivery and surgical service efficiency, and continuity of care across the continuum of healthcare. Objectives: This literature review aims to evaluate the impact of PAs on efficiency metrics within orthopedic surgery services and discover what metrics could be positively affected. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using the University of Manitoba libraries, PubMed and MEDLINE Ovid databases. Inclusion criteria included peer-reviewed, published in English, within the past 25 years, and focus on physician assistants in the orthopedic surgery settings. Five studies – three Canadian and two American – met the criteria and were reviewed for common outcome themes. Results: Across five studies, PAs were found to have a positive impact which could be categorized into five main common themes. Increased surgical throughput and reduced wait times, operating room efficiency and surgeon time optimization, postoperative care and length of stay reduction, cost-effectiveness and resource optimization, and high patient and provider satisfaction. Conclusion: Physician assistants improve efficiency metrics such as surgical throughput, wait times, operating room efficiency, postoperative care, and provider/patient satisfaction, and provide a cost-effective solution to the challenges faced in orthopedic surgery in Canada. Future research should focus on Canadian multi-centre designs, and standardized outcome measures to further validate their impact.
Access status: Open Access ,
Efficacy and Safety of Romosozumab as a Medication for Osteoporosis in Postmenopausal Women: A Literature Review
(2025-06-20) Depali, Sharma
Introduction: Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal condition in which bone mineral density is markedly decreased. Romosozumab, a monoclonal antibody, has been approved for osteoporosis use in Canada since 2019. Further assessment of which patient population(s) and when to use romosozumab for greatest effect is needed. Methods: A literature search was conducted on the PubMed database, looking at any randomized controlled trial and clinical trial with the keyword “romosozumab” published between 2015 and 2025. Results: Four studies met the criteria for inclusion. All studies demonstrated significant improvements in bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and hip. Greatest BMD gains were observed at the lumbar spine uniformly throughout the studies. Most commonly observed adverse effects in romosozumab patients include mild injection site reactions and arthralgia. Incidence of serious events related to romosozumab use was noted in one study. Conclusion: Romosozumab was seen to significantly improve BMD and have a favorable safety profile in most patients, however limited insight into which patient population would benefit most from treatment. Currently, not enough evidence in literature to suggest romosozumab as first line treatment.
Access status: Open Access ,
GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and Substance Use Disorder: A Systematized Literature Review
(2025-06-20) Shantz, Jesse
Substance use disorder (SUD) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and the incentive to discover effective and safe treatments is high given the large socioeconomic and healthcare system burden associated with SUD. SUD is a considerable challenge in medicine, partly due to the limited options for pharmacological treatment. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), which have become increasingly common in recent years as the evidence of their efficacy in metabolic disorders mounts, have also demonstrated potential benefit in treatment of addiction and SUD in preclinical data. This systematized review aimed to evaluate the current clinical evidence of efficacy in GLP-1RAs in SUD. Following PRISMA guidelines, a literature search was performed using the PubMed database. A total of 14 studies met the inclusion criteria. Analysis of the studies included in this review identified significant heterogeneity in methodology, population, and reported outcomes, however the preliminary evidence presented here suggests GLP-1RAs may have therapeutic benefit and offer a promising target for further research as a potential pharmacological tool in the treatment of SUD.