University of Manitoba Scholarship

Permanent URI for this collection

Overview

This collection contains open access research publications authored or co-authored by University of Manitoba researchers. Content within this collection includes pre and post-print versions of articles and book chapters, conference proceedings and technical reports. MSpace is where faculty and students can deposit their research output to meet the open access requirements of grant funding agencies and other related mandates. Deposit is subject to copyright compliance, distribution license and other license restrictions that may be imposed on the work.

Before You Submit

All submissions are subject to content and MSpace policies. Submitters are required to acknowledge compliance with these and copyright and publication licences to successfully deposit. Go to My MSpace to begin the submission process and, when prompted, choose the University of Manitoba Scholarship collection. Unfinished or rejected submissions can be restarted by accessing My MSpace.

Browse

Recent Submissions

Now showing 1 - 5 of 2203
  • Item
    Open Access
    Bartonella quintana detection among arthropods and their hosts: a systematic review and meta-analysis
    (2024-08-02) Boodman, Carl; Gupta, Nitin; van Griensven, Johan; Van Bortel, Wim
    Abstract Background Bartonella quintana is a body louse-borne bacterium causing bacteremia and infective endocarditis. We aimed to describe B. quintana detection among arthropods and their hosts. Methods We searched databases in PubMed Central/MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science from January 1, 1915 (the year of B. quintana discovery) to January 1, 2024, to identify publications containing specific search terms relating to B. quintana detection among arthropods. Descriptive statistics and meta-analysis of pooled prevalence using random-effects models were performed for all arthropods and body and head lice. Results Of 1265 records, 62 articles were included, describing 8839 body lice, 4962 head lice, and 1692 other arthropods, such as different species of fleas, bedbugs, mites, and ticks. Arthropods were collected from 37 countries, of which 28 had arthropods with B. quintana DNA. Among articles that reported B. quintana detection among individual arthropods, 1445 of 14,088 (0.1026, 95% CI [0.0976; 0.1077]) arthropods tested positive for B. quintana DNA, generating a random-effects model global prevalence of 0.0666 (95% CI [0.0426; 0.1026]). Fifty-six studies tested 8839 body lice, of which 1679 had B. quintana DNA (0.1899, 95% CI [0.1818; 0.1983]), generating a random-effects model pooled prevalence of 0.2312 (95% CI [0.1784; 0.2843]). Forty-two studies tested 4962 head lice, of which 390 head lice from 20 studies originating from 11 different countries had B. quintana DNA (0.0786, 95% CI [0.0713; 0.0864]). Eight studies detected B. quintana DNA exclusively on head lice. Five studies reported greater B. quintana detection on head lice than body lice; all originated from low-resource environments. Conclusions Bartonella quintana is a vector-borne bacterium with a global distribution, disproportionately affecting marginalized populations. Bartonella quintana DNA has been detected in many different arthropod species, though not all of these arthropods meet criteria to be considered vectors for B. quintana transmission. Body lice have long been known to transmit B. quintana. A limited number of studies suggest that head lice may also act as possible vectors for B. quintana in specific low-resource contexts. Graphical Abstract
  • Item
    Open Access
    NERD-seq: a novel approach of Nanopore direct RNA sequencing that expands representation of non-coding RNAs
    (2024-08-28) Saville, Luke; Wu, Li; Habtewold, Jemaneh; Cheng, Yubo; Gollen, Babita; Mitchell, Liam; Stuart-Edwards, Matthew; Haight, Travis; Mohajerani, Majid; Zovoilis, Athanasios
    Abstract Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are frequently documented RNA modification substrates. Nanopore Technologies enables the direct sequencing of RNAs and the detection of modified nucleobases. Ordinarily, direct RNA sequencing uses polyadenylation selection, studying primarily mRNA gene expression. Here, we present NERD-seq, which enables detection of multiple non-coding RNAs, excluded by the standard approach, alongside natively polyadenylated transcripts. Using neural tissues as a proof of principle, we show that NERD-seq expands representation of frequently modified non-coding RNAs, such as snoRNAs, snRNAs, scRNAs, srpRNAs, tRNAs, and rRFs. NERD-seq represents an RNA-seq approach to simultaneously study mRNA and ncRNA epitranscriptomes in brain tissues and beyond.
  • Item
    Open Access
    Focused allergic rhinitis practice parameter for Canada
    (2024-08-08) Ellis, Anne K.; Cook, Victoria; Keith, Paul K.; Mace, Sean R.; Moote, William; O’Keefe, Andrew; Quirt, Jaclyn; Rosenfield, Lana; Small, Peter; Watson, Wade
    Abstract Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a prevalent disease in Canada that affects both children and adults. Several guidelines for the management of AR have been published by professional allergy societies worldwide. However, there are regional differences in the clinical management of AR, and regulatory approval of some AR pharmacotherapies varies among countries. Thus, six research questions specific to the treatment of AR in Canada were identified for this focused practice parameter. Reviews of the literature published since 2016 were conducted to obtain evidence-based support for the responses of the Work Group to each research question. In response to research question 1 “In patients with symptoms indicative of AR, is serum-specific IgE sufficient to identify candidates for immunotherapy or is a skin prick test mandatory?” the Work Group concluded that either sIgE testing or skin prick test are acceptable for diagnosing AR and guiding immunotherapy. In response to research question 2 “When taking into account the preferences of the patient and the prescriber (stakeholder engagement) should second-generation oral antihistamine (OAH) or intranasal corticosteroid (INCS) be first line?” the Work Group concluded that existing guidelines generally agree on the use of INCS as a first-line therapy used for AR, however, patient and provider preferences and considerations can easily shift the first choice to a second-generation OAH. In response to research question 3 “Is a combination intranasal antihistamine (INAH)/INCS formulation superior to INCS plus OAH? Do they become equivalent after prolonged use?” the Work Group concluded that that the combination INAH/INCS is superior to an INCS plus OAH. However, there was insufficient evidence to answer the second question. In response to research question 4 “Do leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRA) have a greater benefit than OAH in AR for some symptoms to justify a therapeutic trial in those who cannot tolerate INCS?” the Work Group concluded that LTRAs have inferior, or at best equivalent, daytime or overall symptom control compared with OAH, but LTRAs may improve nighttime symptom control and provide benefits in patients with AR and concomitant asthma. In response to research question 5 “Should sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) tablets be considered first-line immunotherapeutic options over subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) based on the evidence of efficacy?” the Work Group concluded that the choice of SLIT or SCIT cannot be made on efficacy alone, and differences in other factors outweigh any differences in efficacy. In response to research question 6 “Based on efficacy data, should ALL patients seen by an allergist be offered SLIT or SCIT as a treatment option?” the Work Group concluded that the efficacy data suggests that SLIT or SCIT should be used broadly in patients with AR, but other clinical concerns also need to be taken into consideration.
  • Item
    Open Access
    Impact of the medical fitness model on long term health outcomes in older adults
    (2024-08-20) Brar, Ranveer; Katz, Alan; Ferguson, Thomas; Whitlock, Reid; Di Nella, Michelle; Bohm, Clara; Rigatto, Claudio; Komenda, Paul; Boreskie, Sue; Solmundson, Carrie; Kosowan, Leanne; Tangri, Navdeep
    Abstract Background Physical inactivity is common among older adults and is associated with poor health outcomes. Medical fitness facilities provide a medically focused approach to physical fitness and can improve physical activity in their communities. This study aimed to assess the relationship between membership in the medical fitness model and all-cause mortality, health care utilization, and major adverse cardiac events in older adults. Methods A propensity weighted retrospective cohort study linked individuals that attended medical fitness facilities to provincial health administrative databases. Older adults who had at least 1 year of health coverage from their index date between January 1st, 2005 to December 31st 2015 were included. Controls were assigned a pseudo-index date at random based on the frequency distribution of index dates in members. Members were stratified into low frequency attenders (< 1 Weekly Visits) and regular frequency attenders (> 1 Weekly Visits). Time to event models estimated the hazard ratios (HRs) for risk of all-cause mortality and major adverse cardiac event. Negative binomial models estimated the risk ratios (RRs) for risk of hospitalizations, outpatient primary care visits and emergency department visits. Results Among 3,029 older adult members and 91,734 controls, members had a 45% lower risk of all-cause mortality (HR: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.50 – 0.61), 20% lower risk of hospitalizations (RR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.75 – 0.84), and a 27% (HR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.66 – 0.77), lower risk of a major adverse cardiovascular event. A dose–response effect with larger risk reductions was associated with more frequent attendance as regular frequency attenders were 4% more likely to visit a general practitioner for a routine healthcare visit (RR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.01 – 1.07), but 23% less likely to visit the emergency department (RR: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.82 – 0.92). Conclusions Membership at a medical fitness facility was associated with a decreased risk of mortality, health care utilization and cardiovascular events. The medical fitness model may be an alternative approach for public health strategies to promote positive health behaviors in older adult populations.
  • Item
    Open Access
    Quality and safety of cheese shipped to the United Arab Emirates
    (2024-08-06) Osaili, Tareq M.; Bani Odeh, Wael A.; Mohd, Khalid A.; Shahdad, Mohamed K.; Bin Meskin, Fatma S. B.; Garimella, Vaidehi; Bahir, Wedad S.; Obaid, Reyad S.; Holley, Richard; Darra, Nada E.
    Abstract During an examination of 3299 cheeses imported into the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 2017 to 2021 for compliance with regulations regarding moisture and fat content, microbial quality, acidity, the presence of quinoline (a non-permitted colorant), sorbic acid, and the presence of rust discoloration, it was found that 91% of cheeses were compliant with UAE legislation. However, 9% were in violation of one or more of the mandated quality parameters, suggesting that adulteration had occurred. Within product categories the greatest level of non-conformity at 13% was noted for processed cheese, primarily due to violations caused by high moisture and low-fat content. This is important because moisture levels in processed cheese can influence its texture and shelf life. The microbial assessment of cheese showed that 85.7% of semi-hard and 77.5% of soft cheeses had non-compliant levels of E. coli. It was notable that 21.8% of non-compliant products originated from Turkey. Cheeses from Germany had the lowest level of non-conformity at 0.6%. This study illustrates the need for border scrutiny to include physicochemical examinations of cheese samples. The current initiative aims to promote the need for equity in global trade and to prevent the marketing of adulterated food items. Graphical Abstract