Innovative Projects Realized

Plateforme Opérationnelle d’analyse de Données sur la pratique de l’activitéphysique appliqué à la santé (POD-iSanté)

Ce projet vise à développer une plateforme web d’évaluation de l’activité physique auprès de personne souffrant de maladies chroniques (Diabète, Maladies Cardiaques, Haute Pression Artérielle…). Elle sera facile d’utilisation et destinée aux intervenants travaillant dans les cliniques médicales. Elle exploitera les données provenant d’un capteur de pas (podomètre) et d’un questionnaire pour calculer des indicateurs statistiques. Grâce à l’intelligence artificielle, la plateforme émettra des recommandations personnalisées pour améliorer la motivation des patients à être plus actifs. Ainsi, cette plateforme pourra contribuer à améliorer l’efficacité des interventions de promotion des activités physiques par les professionnels de la santé.

Long-term effects of tillage, crop rotation, cover crop, and fertilizer nitrogen on soil organic carbon and total nitrogen storage – Year two

Soil organic matter and soil organic carbon (SOC) are the important drivers of soil health. Although winter wheat and red clover have improved the soil health and system resiliency in Ontario (Gaudin et al., 2013), little is known on how quickly changes to soil health can be made and under which management systems. With Federal and Provincial government policies on carbon trading, a better understanding of the impact of management on carbon sequestration would be valuable. However, meaningful Ontario data are needed. The long-term tillage system-crop rotation-fertilizer nitrogen trial at Ridgetown is well suited to provide this information and is unique to North America. Established in 1995, the trial consists of different tillage systems (no-till vs. fall plow), crop rotations (corn, soybean, winter wheat with/without red clover), and 4 rates of fertilizer nitrogen (to corn and wheat). Previous research demonstrated that winter wheat increased SOC after 11-yrs of production. Our proposed research will evaluate the impact of management on soil health, quantify SOC and total N stores and sequestration rates from 2006-2019, and identify the management practices that provide resiliency to the system by relating soil health with crop yield and variability between years.

Long-term effects of tillage, crop rotation, cover crop, and fertilizer nitrogen on soil organic carbon and total nitrogen storage

Soil organic matter and soil organic carbon (SOC) are the important drivers of soil health. Although winter wheat and red clover have improved the soil health and system resiliency in Ontario (Gaudin et al., 2013), little is known on how quickly changes to soil health can be made and under which management systems. With Federal and Provincial government policies on carbon trading, a better understanding of the impact of management on carbon sequestration would be valuable. However, meaningful Ontario data are needed. The long-term tillage system-crop rotation-fertilizer nitrogen trial at Ridgetown is well suited to provide this information and is unique to North America. Established in 1995, the trial consists of different tillage systems (no-till vs. fall plow), crop rotations (corn, soybean, winter wheat with/without red clover), and 4 rates of fertilizer nitrogen (to corn and wheat). Previous research demonstrated that winter wheat increased SOC after 11-yrs of production. Our proposed research will evaluate the impact of management on soil health, quantify SOC and total N stores and sequestration rates from 2006-2019, and identify the management practices that provide resiliency to the system by relating soil health with crop yield and variability between years.

A Novel Cognitive Remediation Intervention for Public Safety Personnel with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – Year two

Urgent calls exist to address the mounting crisis of mental illness, and in particular posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), among public safety personnel (PSP; e.g., firefighters, police, paramedics) in Canada. Critically, PTSD is associated with alterations in cognitive functioning (e.g., poor memory and attention) that disrupt the ability of PSP to engage in activities such as work and family life. To date, however, no evidence-based treatment intervention exists to address cognitive dysfunction among PSP with PTSD. The objective of the current proposal is to examine potential durable improvements in cognitive and functional outcomes (e.g., return to work, family interactions) in PSP via Goal Management Training (GMT). GMT is a remediation strategy with demonstrated efficacy in improving cognitive function across a host of neurological conditions and healthy aging. This includes medium to large effect sizes (r = 0.45-0.69) on memory, attention, and complex reasoning observed in a small pilot study conducted by the proposed project supervisor’s laboratory (McKinnon) among severely ill inpatients (including PSP) with PTSD. A larger scale randomized control trial will inform the development of an evidence-based treatment that can assist in reducing the substantial disability and societal loss associated with PTSD among PSP.

A Novel Cognitive Remediation Intervention for Public Safety Personnel with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Urgent calls exist to address the mounting crisis of mental illness, and in particular posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), among public safety personnel (PSP; e.g., firefighters, police, paramedics) in Canada. Critically, PTSD is associated with alterations in cognitive functioning (e.g., poor memory and attention) that disrupt the ability of PSP to engage in activities such as work and family life. To date, however, no evidence-based treatment intervention exists to address cognitive dysfunction among PSP with PTSD. The objective of the current proposal is to examine potential durable improvements in cognitive and functional outcomes (e.g., return to work, family interactions) in PSP via Goal Management Training (GMT). GMT is a remediation strategy with demonstrated efficacy in improving cognitive function across a host of neurological conditions and healthy aging. This includes medium to large effect sizes (r = 0.45-0.69) on memory, attention, and complex reasoning observed in a small pilot study conducted by the proposed project supervisor’s laboratory (McKinnon) among severely ill inpatients (including PSP) with PTSD. A larger scale randomized control trial will inform the development of an evidence-based treatment that can assist in reducing the substantial disability and societal loss associated with PTSD among PSP.

Development of a stable and printable carbon nanotube based bioink for E.coli detection

Early detection of pathogen biomarkers such as E. coli is important for management of water bodies and agricultural farms. This information is invaluable to municipalities, provincial governments and private enterprises. Such information could have probably prevented the worst-ever outbreak of E. coli contamination in Bruce County, Ont. in 2010 where 2,300 people fell ill and seven died (Source: CBC News, Canada). At present, live detection of biological contaminants in water supply has no solution. The project will focus on developing printable sensors that can sense the bacteria rapidly. The completion of this project will address a real-world application of the technology by incorporating the sensor into a viable product (i.e. handheld or autonomous monitoring device) and will allow the company to create sensing solution for liquid borne bacteria that would be sold worldwide. Municipalities, wastewater treatment facilities, government agencies, businesses, and individual users will be able to use the monitor directly to assess water quality in their communities or private wells in real time.

Resistant Starch Prebiotic Effects in Chronic Kidney Disease (ReSPECKD) study – Year two

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is associated with a reduced quality of life and an increased risk of kidney failure, cardiovascular events, and all-cause mortality. The goal of this project is to investigate whether the consumption of resistant potato starch (RPS) in addition to current standard care for CKD will reduce uremic toxins and symptoms by altering gut microbiota in patients with CKD. Strategies to reduce the production of these toxins by the gut microbiome in patients with CKD are highly desirable because they may lead to reduced symptoms and delay the onset of dialysis. A clinical trial will be conducted at the partner’s site, the Chronic Disease Innovation Centre (CDIC), to investigate the impact of RSP consumption on gut microbiota and whether these changes impact the concentrations of uremic toxins and uremic symptoms in patients with CKD. Delaying the onset of dialysis in a patient by 6 months has the potential to save upwards of $30,000 in healthcare expenditures. CDIC works with the Manitoba Renal Program which oversees the care of patients with CKD in Manitoba. The Elevate Fellow will support the start up and completion of the clinical trial at CDIC.

Resistant Starch Prebiotic Effects in Chronic Kidney Disease (ReSPECKD) study

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is associated with a reduced quality of life and an increased risk of kidney failure, cardiovascular events, and all-cause mortality. The goal of this project is to investigate whether the consumption of resistant potato starch (RPS) in addition to current standard care for CKD will reduce uremic toxins and symptoms by altering gut microbiota in patients with CKD. Strategies to reduce the production of these toxins by the gut microbiome in patients with CKD are highly desirable because they may lead to reduced symptoms and delay the onset of dialysis. A clinical trial will be conducted at the partner’s site, the Chronic Disease Innovation Centre (CDIC), to investigate the impact of RSP consumption on gut microbiota and whether these changes impact the concentrations of uremic toxins and uremic symptoms in patients with CKD. Delaying the onset of dialysis in a patient by 6 months has the potential to save upwards of $30,000 in healthcare expenditures. CDIC works with the Manitoba Renal Program which oversees the care of patients with CKD in Manitoba. The Elevate Fellow will support the start up and completion of the clinical trial at CDIC.

Modification d’une embouteilleuse automatisée, amélioration de l’utilisation des ressources énergétiques et desrésidus d’une micro-brasserie

Les Brasseurs de la Mauricie est une micro brasserie qui existe depuis près de quatre ans. L’entreprise brasse

présentement sous licence à Laval chez AMB (Au Maître Brasseur). Cette année, l’entreprise procèdera à

l’installation d’une nouvelle brasserie dans le secteur industriel de Trois-Rivières. L’entreprise espère limiter au

maximum les investissements de départ afin de réduire les emprunts et permettre un remboursement plus

rapide de ces derniers. Elle veut aussi faire un choix judicieux lors de l’achat de leurs équipements de façon à

économiser de l’énergie à long terme lors de leur utilisation.

Partie 1 :

Cette partie consiste à apporter les modifications nécessaires à une embouteilleuse à bière usagée Meheen

(ancienne génération) afin de permettre une meilleure purge de CO2 et l’embouteillage des trois formats de

bouteille (341ml-500ml-750ml). Le projet permettrait à l’entreprise d’économiser un minimum de 25000$. De

plus, l’amélioration de la flexibilité de la machine permettrait de sauver temps et argent supplémentaire.

Partie 2 :

Cette partie vise à optimiser…..TOBECONTINUED

Automated Multi-Factor Medium Optimization of Human Hematopoietic Stem Cell Expansion Using Design of Experiments

This project aims to support ExCellThera’s current clinical trial (ECT-001) to improve blood stem cell transplantation outcomes for patients suffering from a host of blood malignancies. A critical aspect of developing clinical therapies using stem cells involves accurate and robust control of stem cell behavior in controlled laboratory conditions. Cell growth conditions (media) should mimic the native environment of the cell of interest. With the correct media composition, blood stem cells will expand in number and can be directed to produce a functional cell type(s) of interest, such as antibody-producing B-cells or oxygen-carrying erythrocytes. The expansion and production of functional blood cells is a critical step to enhancing existing bone marrow transplants, and for developing new, targeted therapies. We anticipate that an engineered blood stem cell graft can be tuned to meet the clinical needs of specific diseases in a precise manner.

To optimize media composition, we propose developing a high-throughput, automated platform capable of preparing and analyzing large numbers of culture conditions in a programmable manner. This platform will allow us to identify, in an automated and efficient manner, significant positive conditions to expand blood stem cells, or produce specific cell types for therapeutic applications.

Understanding the impact of changes to blood donation deferral screening and criteria for men who have sex with men – Year two

Available evidence suggests that up to 71% of individuals will require blood or blood products at some point in their lives. To meet this demand, Canadian Blood Services estimates that approximately 100,000 new donors are required annually. However, current blood donation guidelines in Canada require a 3-month deferral period for men who have sex with men (MSM) due to the elevated incidence of HIV in this population, guidelines many see as discriminatory. Given the the improvement in HIV testing technology in recent years, re-evaluation of these guidelines would optimize donor eligibility. The proposed project will examine attitudes to revised donation guidelines among the general population and blood users, using a bilingual, representative national survey and semi-structured interviews with blood users. This will provide a better understanding of how moving towards gender-blind, behaviour-based screening of potential donors, and the inclusion of sensitive questions in the screening questionnaire, may affect donation rates and therefore the sufficiency of blood and blood products in Canada. This research will allow the partner organization, the Community-Based Research Centre for Gay Men’s Health, who have been studying the issue for several years, to develop recommendations for Canadian Blood Services and Héma-Québec regarding screening and deferral criteria.

Understanding the impact of changes to blood donation deferral screening and criteria for men who have sex with men

Available evidence suggests that up to 71% of individuals will require blood or blood products at some point in their lives. To meet this demand, Canadian Blood Services estimates that approximately 100,000 new donors are required annually. However, current blood donation guidelines in Canada require a 3-month deferral period for men who have sex with men (MSM) due to the elevated incidence of HIV in this population, guidelines many see as discriminatory. Given the the improvement in HIV testing technology in recent years, re-evaluation of these guidelines would optimize donor eligibility. The proposed project will examine attitudes to revised donation guidelines among the general population and blood users, using a bilingual, representative national survey and semi-structured interviews with blood users. This will provide a better understanding of how moving towards gender-blind, behaviour-based screening of potential donors, and the inclusion of sensitive questions in the screening questionnaire, may affect donation rates and therefore the sufficiency of blood and blood products in Canada. This research will allow the partner organization, the Community-Based Research Centre for Gay Men’s Health, who have been studying the issue for several years, to develop recommendations for Canadian Blood Services and Héma-Québec regarding screening and deferral criteria.