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Enhancing privacy protection of physical examination data through synthetic algorithms based on differential privacy
No full textBackground: Health physical examinations play a crucial role in early detection of cancer and chronic disease. However, privacy concerns limit the utilization of this kind of data for health interventions and research. Synthetic data methods based on differential privacy are increasingly used to create complete datasets that protect privacy while enabling data analysis and result interpretation. Hence, the use of synthetic algorithms based on differential privacy for privacy protection of physical examination data is a promising research direction. Methods: Three synthetic algorithms, PrivBayes, PeGS, and DP-Gibbs were used to generate complete synthetic datasets that adhere to differential privacy standards using physical examination data composed of categorical data, which compared with the existing algorithm Private-PGM. Results: Compared with the existing algorithm, DP-Gibbs can provide privacy preserving capacity of 4.686 (ε = 0.5), while the existing algorithm only with 2.012. In addition, DP-Gibbs provides 0.620 of precision, 0.539 of F1-score, 0.342 of Kappa Coefficient, and 0.765 of AUC-score. The corresponding statistical results of existing algorithm are 0.520, 0.321, 0.188 and 0.695. Conclusions: The main contributions of this study are the exploration of combination models incorporating different noise forms and Bayesian synthetic algorithms, alongside a comparative analysis against existing algorithms. This study explored the balance between privacy protection and data utility under different levels of privacy protection, and DP-Gibbs offers more stable technical support for de-identifying physical examination data prior to sharing and analysis, which realized the mining and application of a wider range of medical data under the requirements of privacy protection. By leveraging this effective privacy protection technique, clinical researchers can extract valuable insights on diseases and population health from the physical examination data without the risk of leaking private information
The influence of dietary protein intake on body composition, bone health, and circulating cytokines in adults with obesity
No full textObesity is associated with altered body composition and increased fracture risk, challenging prior assumptions that excess adiposity provides skeletal protection. Emerging evidence suggests that dietary protein intake and cytokine activity may influence musculoskeletal health, yet limited research has examined these associations specifically in adults with obesity. This cross-sectional study evaluated the relationships among dietary protein intake, including animal and plant sources, body composition, bone mineral density (BMD), and select circulating cytokines in individuals with obesity.
Eighty-seven adults (mean age 49 ± 11 years; body mass index 37.0 ± 6.0 kg/m²) were assessed for dietary intake via 3-day food records, body composition by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and plasma concentrations of osteocalcin and cytokines (adiponectin, leptin, irisin, myostatin). Participants consuming ≥1.0 g/kg/day protein had significantly lower body fat mass (45 ± 7% vs. 49 ± 7%), higher lean mass (52 ± 6% vs. 48 ± 7%), and greater intake of energy, fat, carbohydrate and select micronutrients (thiamine, vitamin D, niacin, vitamin B12, sodium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, and calcium) compared to those consuming <1.0 g/kg/day. No significant differences were observed between groups in visceral adipose tissue, adipokines, total body BMD, or osteocalcin. However, a trend toward higher plasma irisin and myostatin concentrations was observed in participants with higher protein intake, with elevated plasma irisin in those with greater animal protein consumption. Furthermore, irisin levels were positively correlated with total body BMD (r =0.339).
These findings highlight the importance of higher protein intake, beyond the Recommended Dietary Allowance of 0.8 g/kg/d, in supporting lean mass in individuals with obesity. Future research is needed to clarify the role of irisin and other cytokines with dietary protein intake, body composition, and bone health in individuals with obesity.October 202
Investigating the role of Semaphorin 3E in airway epithelial- mesenchymal transition and remodeling in allergic asthma
No full textAsthma is a chronic, heterogeneous respiratory disorder marked by airway inflammation, epithelial dysfunction, and progressive structural remodeling, including epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), mucus hypersecretion, and fibrosis. While Th2 cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-13, are established mediators of airway pathology, the mechanisms underlying epithelial remodeling and maintaining tissue homeostasis remain incompletely understood. Recent attention has focused on Semaphorin 3E (Sema3E), which has been increasingly recognized for its immunomodulatory and anti-fibrotic properties in peripheral tissues. Our study investigates the regulatory role of Sema3E in modulating airway remodeling in the context of EMT in bronchial epithelial cells (BEC) during allergic asthma.
Using secondary analysis of publicly available transcriptomic datasets (GSE63142, GSE206510), we identified a significant downregulation of Sema3E expression in airway epithelial cells from individuals with severe asthma and following IL-13 stimulation. Sema3E levels inversely correlated with markers of goblet cell metaplasia, mucus hypersecretion (e.g., MUC5AC, SPDEF), and remodeling-associated genes (e.g., SERPINB3/B4, ZEB1, TGF-β1), while positively associated with epithelial integrity markers such as CDH1 and CLDN22. Functional validation in in-vitro BEC models demonstrated that exogenous Sema3E attenuated IL-13-, TGF-β–, and HDM- induced EMT, suppressed goblet cell hyperplasia, and restored epithelial junctional proteins. Proteomic profiling further revealed that Sema3E co-treatment reversed IL-13-induced upregulation of EMT and inflammatory effectors (e.g., MCM3/5, RRM1, SERPINB3), while promoting proteins involved in interferon signaling and oxidative phosphorylation, suggesting a shift toward a differentiated, anti-inflammatory epithelial phenotype.
Gene set enrichment and over-representation analysis further highlighted the involvement of Sema3E-responsive proteins in canonical EMT, KRAS, MYC, phospholipase-2, and mucin O- glycosylation pathways.
Together, these findings establish Sema3E as a negative regulator of airway remodeling, acting through transcriptional, proteomic, and immunological mechanisms to maintain homeostasis in airway epithelium. By countering IL–13–driven epithelial reprogramming and dampening key drivers of EMT and fibrosis, Sema3E emerges as a potential therapeutic target for restoring airway integrity and halting disease progression in severe asthma.October 202
Identifying priority challenges affecting mental health in adult Manitobans Receiving facility-based hemodialysis: a mixed methods study
No full textBackground: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major public health concern in Canada. As CKD progresses, it can lead to kidney failure, often requiring hemodialysis. Manitoba has the highest per capita rates of CKD and kidney failure, with facility-based hemodialysis as the most common treatment. While this modality presents numerous physical and psychological challenges, mental health care in hemodialysis care remains underprioritized. Untreated mental health issues are linked to poor health outcomes. Yet, limited research has explored these challenges in Manitoba's hemodialysis population.
Objective: This study aimed to identify and prioritize mental health challenges experienced by adults receiving facility-based hemodialysis in Manitoba and to explore potential mental health support strategies.
Methods: We used an observational, embedded mixed methods design, conducting a cross-sectional survey at two urban dialysis centres in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Two community-approved instruments captured both quantitative (closed-ended) and qualitative (open-ended) responses from adults receiving hemodialysis, their caregivers, and healthcare providers. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Fisher’s exact/chi-square tests, stratified by age, gender, role, dialysis vintage, and relocation status. Summative content and thematic analysis were applied to qualitative data.
Results: A total of 124 responses were collected: 95 from hemodialysis recipients and caregivers, and 29 from healthcare providers. We identified and ranked 24 mental health challenges. The top five priorities were: (1) loss of control, (2) difficulty coping, (3) depression, (4) loneliness/isolation, and (5) grief/dealing with loss. Priorities differed between people on hemodialysis/caregivers and healthcare providers, but did not vary by demographic or clinical factors. Four potential support strategies emerged: recipients and caregivers prioritized peer support and counselling, while providers emphasized healthcare system improvements. Both groups supported enhancing the availability and accessibility of mental health resources.
Conclusion: This is the first study to identify priority mental health challenges and support strategies for adults receiving facility-based hemodialysis in Manitoba. These findings will inform the next phases of the CanSOLVE CKD Mind the Gap project, guiding the development and implementation of targeted mental health interventions.University of Manitoba - Manitoba Training Program for Health Services Research (2023- 2024);
University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship (2023-2024)October 202
Single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with decreased HIV set-point viral load in African populations modify expression of interferon signaling pathways
No full textHuman immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV) is responsible for over 40 million deaths since its identification in the 1980s and continues to pose a significant threat to global well-being. Despite advances in prevention and treatment, the lack of a functional cure or vaccine places a heavy reliance on treatment as prevention to reduce global transmission. Our lab conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in 3,879 individuals of African ancestry as part of the International Collaboration for Genomics of HIV (ICGH), identifying a novel region of chromosome 1 associated with lower of HIV set-point viral load (spVL). This region is centered on three coding genes: PRKAB2, FMO5, and CHD1L, none of which were previously associated with HIV infection. Initial bioinformatics and in vitro validation identified CHD1L as a novel HIV inhibitory factor in myeloid cells. Functional fine-mapping of the region identified a combination of three variants: rs72999655-A-G, rs7525622-G-A, and rs73004025-C-T, that collectively explained more HIV spVL variance than the lead SNP, rs59784663-A-G, suggesting a causal role. Using elastic net models trained on large, admixed cohort transcriptomes, candidate causal variants were associated with increased CHD1L and decreased PRKAB2 expression in monocytes, and decreased CHD1L expression in whole blood. Gene expression analysis from people living with HIV (PLWH) revealed that individuals heterozygous for protective alleles exhibited reduced CHD1L expression and no significant change to PRKAB2 expression in monocytes, highlighting cell-type-specific regulatory effects. No genotype-associated differences were observed in either unstimulated or CD3/CD28-stimulated CD4+ T cells. Transcriptome analysis of 11 healthy individuals showed that protective alleles were associated with differential expression of 25 genes, including significant enrichment for interferon stimulating genes in monocytes. This result was not replicated in naïve CD4+ T cells, further emphasizing myeloid-specific regulation. Together, these findings characterize a novel genomic region regulating HIV control and support a putative mechanism in which GWAS variants influence CHD1L and/or PRKAB2 to alter immune activation and reduce HIV spVL. These insights advance our understanding of HIV host genetics in African populations and highlight CHD1L as a potential therapeutic target in chronic infection.October 202
Development of a fast and simplified model of HVdc converter in PSCAD and performance comparison with LCC configurations
No full textHVdc systems are facing increasing complications in simulation because of the need to combine various types of converters to achieve better performance results. In practice, most of the HVdc systems operate by utilizing line-commutated converters (LCCs). The LCCs use thyristors as switching devices to convert alternating currents (ac) to dc and vice versa. There are advantages and disadvantages associated with the employment of LCCs in HVdc transmission systems. One aspect of challenges related to LCC-based HVdc systems is their simulation run time, as the switching functionality of LCC components causes considerable delay in the simulation run time. For complex simulation cases, decent hardware (in terms of CPU and GPU) is required to run successfully even though they will still be time-consuming.
In this research, a new simplified and fast model of converters has been designed and developed in PSCAD/EMTDC. The new component is built upon steady-state equations governing the LCCs without taking the detailed switching behavior into account. The new component relies on the measurement of the dc current using the existing multimeter in PSCAD. A dc voltage source is customized for the dc side of the converter, while the ac side is modelled as an ac current injected source. The new model can be utilized in place of the LCCs (either on inverter or rectifier sides of HVdc transmission systems for screening studies. The simulation results show that the new component reduces the simulation run time compared to the equivalent LCC-based model without significant accuracy loss. The new component could also handle commutation failures. The application of the new component could be highlighted in complicated HVdc models when there is a need for multiple runs to tune the system’s control parameters.October 202
Janelle Monáe and Billie Eilish as models for alternate expressions of gender in female led pop music
No full textThis thesis examines the expectations of women in the pop music industry, which emphasizes beauty and sex appeal over talent or musical content, and discusses how two contrasting pop artists, Janelle Monáe and Billie Eilish, confront those expectations. Relying on Judith Butler’s theory of gender as a set of constantly replicated performances and Kimberlé Crenshaw’s theory of intersectional feminism, I analyze how Monáe and Eilish perform gender through their personas, fashion, music videos, lyrics, and musical content, how these performances challenge the dominant culture’s views of race, gender, mental illness, and sexuality, and how they help to expand the roles available to women in the pop music industry.
Janelle Monáe challenges the perception of pop music as surface level entertainment through her grand sci-fi concept albums, android personas, and use of genre as a tool to unify pop audiences of differing backgrounds. Her tuxedo “uniform” throughout the first part of her career, alongside the open sexuality of her persona in 2018’s Dirty Computer and 2023’s The Age of Pleasure, presents a diverse and fluctuating model for female pop performers and is especially important for Black performers and audiences, who are often presented with fewer options than white performers and audiences.
The dark themes and imagery of Billie Eilish’s music, paired with her candid demeanor and uncomfortably honest lyrics portray the anxieties of youth in the 21st century. Her tomboyish fashion sense has become a core aspect of her persona and has been received by fans and critics as a symbol against the pop music industry’s obsession with young female bodies and their sexuality. Eilish’s involvement in every aspect of the writing process, from lyrics and composition to music production and recording techniques, has the potential to strengthen women’s place as creators, authors, and engineers in the music industry – roles that women have historically struggled to be taken seriously in.October 202
Differences in the short-term cardiovascular response to active standing orthostatic stress test between individuals with and withougt long-COVID
No full textLong-COVID, attributed to infection by the severe acute respiratory distress syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), affects approximately 400 million individuals globally. The condition, clinically characterized as a multi-system condition, with persistent, worsening, or fluctuating symptoms, lasting at least three months after the acute phase and not explainable by alternative diagnosis, is profoundly debilitating and associated with all-cause morbidity. While emerging research identifies the prevalence of associated symptoms, a significant gap exists in characterizing patterns of physiological responses across body systems, especially during physiological stress. This thesis is structured in two parts: (1) a systematic review and (2) an observational cross-sectional study. The systematic review aims to synthesize existing literature on physiological system responses (e.g. cardiovascular, respiratory, autonomic) to an active standing orthostatic stress test, and the cross-sectional study addresses identified gaps by examining cardiovascular response patterns in individuals with long-COVID compared to individuals without long-COVID. Investigating and analyzing these responses over time will contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the underlying mechanisms of dysfunction such as orthostatic hypotension, often observed and reported in individuals with long-COVID. It would also aid in our understanding of compensatory dynamics during an active standing orthostatic stress test in the long-COVID population.University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship
Ruth Asper Scholarhip in Kinesiology and Recreation ManagementOctober 202
Combining machine learning and CRISPRi to discover novel antimicrobials against Pseudomonas aeruginosa
No full textThe rise in antibiotic-resistant infections has led to an increasing need for novel antibiotics. However, traditional methods are becoming obsolete, as they provide hit rates lower than 1%. Moreover, these methods do not provide any insight into the mechanism of action of the discovered drugs, hindering compound prioritization and further increasing the costs and time associated with drug discovery.
Machine learning approaches offer a promising alternative to traditional methods, increasing hit rates and reducing costs. In this thesis, we use these methods to find promising growth inhibitor compounds against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Nonetheless, because the predictive accuracy of machine learning models depends on the quality of the training dataset, we also analyzed how different datasets and model architectures influence the model’s performance in antibiotic discovery.
Additionally, we validated the results of a previous chemical-genetic interaction profile in Burkholderia cenocepacia, which identified active compounds against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other high-public health threat pathogens. Using a rhamnose-inducible CRISPRi system in P. aeruginosa PA14, we explored the mechanism of action of ZR50, a promising compound that inhibits fda knockdown mutants, suggesting it targets glycolysis.
By integrating ML-driven prediction with CRISPRi-based validation, this study advances antibiotic discovery and the determination of mechanisms of action, providing a comprehensive strategy for combating antimicrobial resistance.University of Manitoba (UMGF)October 202
Exploring the ongoing effects of COVID-19 and other seasonal respiratory illnesses on direct support workers and supervisors supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Manitoba
Get PDFThe study investigated the impact of COVID-19 and Seasonal Respiratory Illnesses (SRIs) on the physical and mental well-being of Direct Support Workers (DSWs) and supervisors working in group homes across Manitoba. In addition, it explored workplace challenges experienced by staff and their coping strategies.
A cross-sectional survey was administered to DSWs and supervisors supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in group homes across Manitoba. A total of 96 individuals responded to the survey, which consisted of closed-ended and open-ended questions. Physical and mental health were measured using the SF-12v2 Health-Related Quality of Life questionnaire. Other study factors were organized according to the socio-ecological model (SEM) and were classified into individual, interpersonal, organizational, and community-level factors. Descriptive analyses were conducted to describe the study population and their mental and physical health. Bivariate analyses were conducted to identify factors that were significantly associated with the physical and mental health status of the study participants. Significant variables were entered into hierarchical multivariable regression models by SEM levels. Factors with significant independent effects on physical and mental health of DSWs and supervisors were identified. Responses to open-ended questions were also analyzed using directed content analysis to identify challenges in the provision of care during COVID-19 or other SRIs and the coping strategies used.
Results showed that the physical and mental health of study participants were significantly below the United States (U.S.) norm (Mean = 50, SD = 10). In predicting physical health, work hours change at the organizational level was the only significant independent predictor in both the COVID-19 and SRI models (R² = .31 for COVID-19; R² = .30 for SRI). For mental health, family support at the interpersonal level and role change at the organizational level emerged as significant independent predictors across both contexts (R² = .59 for COVID-19; R² = .60 for SRI).
Five themes emerged to describe the challenges the DSWs and supervisors experienced, including communication challenges, managing behavioural challenges, infection-prevention and safety concerns, resource access and staffing constraints, and implementing evolving public health guidelines. Six types of strategies were reported to address the noted challenges, including maintaining routine and consistency, creative engagement, self-care and personal coping, accessible communication, telehealth and remote access and person-centred care.
Community organizations supporting persons with IDD should prioritize staffing stability, role clarity, transparent communication, and targeted support for supervisors during public health crises.February 202