A5015281083- Gut microbiota and health
- Escherichia coli research studies
- SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
- Clostridium difficile and Clostridium perfringens research
- Vasculitis and related conditions
- Vitamin D Research Studies
- Infant Nutrition and Health
- IL-33, ST2, and ILC Pathways
- Renal Diseases and Glomerulopathies
- SARS-CoV-2 detection and testing
- Pediatric health and respiratory diseases
- Helicobacter pylori-related gastroenterology studies
- COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
- Coagulation, Bradykinin, Polyphosphates, and Angioedema
- Dietary Effects on Health
- Clinical Nutrition and Gastroenterology
- COVID-19 epidemiological studies
- Nuts composition and effects
- Vibrio bacteria research studies
- Bacterial biofilms and quorum sensing
- Medical and Biological Ozone Research
- Eosinophilic Esophagitis
- Gastrointestinal motility and disorders
- Inflammation biomarkers and pathways
- Skin Protection and Aging
British Columbia Children's Hospital
2016-2024
University of British Columbia
2015-2024
Okanagan University College
2021
Abstract Breast milk has many beneficial properties and unusual characteristics including a unique fat component, termed globule membrane (MFGM). While breast yields important developmental benefits, there are situations where it is unavailable resulting in need for formula feeding. Most formulas do not contain MFGM, but derive their lipids from vegetable sources, which differ greatly size composition. Here we tested the effects of MFGM supplementation on intestinal development microbiome as...
The recent worldwide rise in idiopathic immune and inflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) bowel (IBD) has been linked to Western society-based changes lifestyle environment. These include decreased exposure sunlight/UVB light subsequent impairment the production of vitamin D, well dysbiotic makeup gut microbiome. Despite their association, it is unclear if there are any direct links between UVB In this study we investigated whether exposing skin Narrow Band Ultraviolet B...
Significance To date, inadequate analytical methods have severely limited our ability to understand virulence strategies used by intracellular bacterial pathogens evade reactive oxygen species (ROS) during infection. We developed a system that is based on redox-sensitive GFP for real-time and nondisruptive measurement of redox stress experienced Salmonella inside phagocytic cells. Using this system, we directly report intrabacterial dynamics infection macrophages. This biosensor, which can...
Significance Group 3 innate lymphoid cells enriched in the gut mediate host resistance against intestinal pathogens. Their function and development can be regulated by diverse factors, including neuropeptides secreted enteric nervous system. We show that neuropeptide vasoactive peptide (VIP) promotes recruitment of these other immune to through a receptor. Mice lacking VIP or its receptor were highly susceptible an pathogen infection. Replenishing their products into mice was able partially...
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory condition linked to intestinal microbial dysbiosis, including the expansion of E. coli strains related extra-intestinal pathogenic coli. These "pathobionts" exhibit properties, but their potential promote UC unclear due lack relevant animal models. Here, we established mouse model using representative pathobiont strain (p19A), and mice lacking single immunoglobulin toll-interleukin 1 receptor domain (SIGIRR), deficiency increasing...
Few studies reported COVID-19 cases in schools during the 2020/21 academic year a setting of uninterrupted in-person schooling. The main objective was to determine SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among school staff Vancouver public schools.
Vitamin D deficiency affects more that 1 billion people worldwide. Although thought to increase risk of bacterial infections, the importance vitamin on host defense against intestinal pathogens is currently unclear since injection active form D, 1,25(OH)2D3, increased susceptibility enteric pathogen Citrobacter rodentium by suppressing key immune/inflammatory factors. To further characterize role during bacteria-induced colitis, we fed weanling mice either D3-deficient or D3-sufficient diets...
The objective of this study is to evaluate whether anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) seropositivity and antigen specificity at diagnosis have predictive utility in paediatric-onset small vessel vasculitis. Children adolescents with vasculitis (n=406) stratified according the absence (n=41) or presence ANCA for myeloperoxidase (MPO) (n=129) proteinase-3 (PR3) (n=236) were compared overall kidney-specific disease activity outcomes between 1 2 years using retrospective clinical data...
Reducing food intake is a common host response to infection, yet it remains unclear whether fasting detrimental or beneficial an infected host. Despite the gastrointestinal tract being primary site of nutrient uptake and route for studies have examine how alters host’s enteric infection. To test this, mice were fasted before during oral infection with invasive bacterium Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. Fasting dramatically interrupted subsequent gastroenteritis by suppressing...
Objective To determine the SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among school workers within Greater Vancouver area, British Columbia, Canada, after first Omicron wave. Design Cross-sectional study by online questionnaire, with blood serology testing. Setting Three main districts (Vancouver, Richmond and Delta) in metropolitan area. Participants Active staff enrolled from January to April 2022, testing between 27 8 2022. Seroprevalence estimates were compared data obtained Canadian donors weighted over...
Abstract Objective To determine the SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among school workers in setting of full in-person schooling and highly transmissible Omicron variants concern. Design Cross-sectional study staff, comparing to period-, age-, sex- postal code-weighted data from Canadian blood donors same community. Setting Three large districts greater Vancouver metropolitan area, British Columbia, Canada, with serology sampling done between January 26, 2022 April 8, 2022. Participants School...
Abstract Importance Contact-tracing studies suggest minimal secondary transmission in schools. However, there are limited school data accounting for asymptomatic cases, particularly late the 2020/21 year, and context of uninterrupted in-person schooling widespread community transmission. Objectives To determine SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence a sample staff, compared to community, COVID-19 rates among all students staff within same population. Design Incident cases using public health data, with...
Objective Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and microscopic (MPA) are chronic life‐threatening vasculitides requiring substantial immunotherapy. Adult trials identified rituximab (RTX) as an alternative to cyclophosphamide (CYC) for remission‐induction of GPA/MPA. Disease rarity has limited feasibility similar in pediatrics. We aim evaluate the relative efficacy toxicity CYC RTX childhood GPA/MPA through registry‐based comparative evaluation. Methods From A Registry Childhood Vasculitis...
Objectives We aimed to study the disease course, outcomes, and predictors of outcome in pediatric‐onset anti‐neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)‐associated vasculitis (AAV) affecting kidneys. Methods Patients eligible for this had a diagnosis granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), microscopic (MPA), or ANCA positive pauci‐immune glomerulonephritis, were ≤ 18 years at diagnosis, renal defined by biopsy dialysis dependence, clinical data either 12‐ 24‐months. Ambispective from...
Background Breastmilk provides the ideal nutrient source during development. However, in some cases it is not available adequate amounts, if at all (especially following premature delivery), to developing infant resulting a need for formula feeding. As achieving appropriate growth this early time essential proper development and protection from noxious stimuli, there composition of mimic that breastmilk as closely possible. Fat breastmilk, major energy newborn, contains unique very complex...
Abstract Background The recent worldwide rise in idiopathic immune and inflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis bowel has been linked to Western society-based changes lifestyle environment. These include decreased exposure sunlight/UVB light subsequent impairment the production of vitamin D, well dysbiotic makeup gut microbiome. Despite their association, it is unclear if there are any direct links between UVB Aims In this study we investigated whether exposing skin Narrow Band...
Abstract Ulcerative colitis (UC) is chronic inflammatory condition linked to intestinal microbial dysbiosis, including the expansion of E. coli strains related extra-intestinal coli. These “pathobionts” exhibit pathogenic properties, but their potential promote UC unclear due lack suitable animal models. Here, we established a mouse model using representative pathobiont strain (p19A), and mice lacking single immunoglobulin toll-interleukin 1 receptor domain (SIGIRR), deficiency increasing...
During periods of acute sickness, all animals including humans voluntarily decrease their food intake, a behavior known as “infection-induced anorexia”. Since infection-induced anorexia or fasting is highly conserved amongst mammals, we and others have proposed that it actually promotes host-defense. Several studies demonstrated indeed attenuates disease during systemic infection chronic inflammation. the Gastrointestinal tract first organ to be affected by deprivation, investigated if...
Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), a 28 amino acid neuropeptide, exhibits potent anti-inflammatory effects in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Interestingly, recent ex vivo studies suggest that VIP can promote the production of proinflammatory Th17 cells (primarily secrete cytokine IL-17A). While likely aggravate inflammation diseases, they are known to be protective against Citrobacter rodentium induced colitis-a mouse model colitis. The aim this study was examine significance...