UCVMRESEARCH
WEEKLY

University of Calgary · Veterinary Medicine

This week in research.

21 Sep – 28 September 2026 From the archive

Explore publications
05Publications
06UCVM authors
05Journals & venues

The weekly brief

Research highlights

Automated summary
H1N1 preimmunity improves antibody responses to vaccination and alters draining lymph node germinal center signatures — npj Vaccines (2026-09-26); Cohort author: Alyson A. Kelvin. Notable findings: (1) H1N1 preimmune mice vaccinated with split virion quadrivalent vaccine show markedly higher H1-specific antibody responses and protection against an H1N1 challenge (log2 HAI titers: 8 vs 2); (2) Mediastinal lymph node RNA-seq after vaccination reveals altered germinal center–related gene regulation, including Bcl6; (3) H3N2 preimmune mice fail to show improved responses, indicating strain-specific imprinting in vaccine responsiveness. Colostrum Management to Nurture the Neonatal Calf Gut Microbiome and Promote Gut Health: Moving Beyond Passive Immunity — Animal Frontiers (2026-09-26); Cohort authors: Nilusha Malmuthuge; Miyuru Edirisinghe; Oshani C Warnapurage; Imasha S Jayathissa. Notable findings: (1) Colostrum management critically shapes the neonatal calf gut microbiome and gut health beyond passive antibody transfer; (2) Practical strategies are outlined to optimize colostrum timing, quality, and maternal vaccination to support microbial colonization and immune maturation; (3) Emphasizes integrated approaches linking colostrum composition, microbiota, and host development for improved neonatal outcomes. Somatosensory processing in long COVID fatigue and its relations with physiological and psychological factors — Experimental Physiology (2026-09-25); Cohort author: Jennifer L. Davies. Notable findings: (1) No baseline somatosensory differences or post-exertion changes between long COVID and controls; long COVID participants exhibit lower resting HRV, but HRV is not linked to fatigue; (2) Long COVID shows greater baseline fatigue and greater fatigue during exertion (64% meet criteria for severe fatigue), yet fatigability (performance change) is similar to controls; (3) within long COVID, higher depression and perceived illness threat correlate with greater trait fatigue, suggesting psychological factors contribute to fatigue more than somatosensory dysfunction. Impact of the colistin ban on antimicrobial use and resistance-related practices among layer farmers in Indonesia: a comparative KAP study — Frontiers in Veterinary Science (2026-09-23); Cohort authors: Diego B. Nóbrega; Mathieu Pruvot. Notable findings: (1) Pre-ban KAP indicators were modest (approx. 27.5% high knowledge, 30% positive attitude, 25% good practices) regarding antimicrobial use and resistance; (2) Post-ban, colistin use ceased but other antimicrobials’ use remained largely unchanged; (3) Awareness of the colistin ban was low (18.2%), with no clear sociodemographic predictors of awareness identified. Modulations of Electroencephalography Signals in Response to Experimental Muscle Pain During Rest and Cycling Exercise — Research Square (2026-09-21); Cohort author: Kent G. Hecker. Notable findings: (1) EEG signals modulate in response to experimentally induced muscle pain during both rest and cycling, indicating clear neural correlates of pain processing across activity states; (2) Patterns suggest state-dependent differences in pain-related neural activity with potential relevance for exercise and pain management applications; (3) As a preprint, findings await peer review and replication. By the numbers: - Journals represented (counts): npj Vaccines (1); Animal Frontiers (1); Experimental Physiology (1); Frontiers in Veterinary Science (1); Research Square (1) - Total works: 5

A closer look

Publications this week

5
npj Vaccines

H1N1 preimmunity improves antibody responses to vaccination and alters draining lymph node germinal center signatures · doi/link

UCVM authors Alyson A. Kelvin

Read abstract
Influenza viruses circulate annually in humans, accumulating mutations in the viral genome. In real-world conditions, people develop an immune history from multiple influenza virus infections and vaccinations, yet most experimental studies utilize naïve hosts to investigate viral pathogenesis or vaccine efficacy; a scenario that does not reflect actual human exposure and immune responses. Here, we report that mice previously infected with the mouse-adapted H1N1 virus mounted an increased antibody response after vaccination with the split virion quadrivalent seasonal influenza vaccine. Antibodies targeting the H1 antigen component of the vaccine in H1N1 preimmune mice had titers peaking at a log 2 HAI titer of 8 versus 2 in naïve-vaccinated mice at 14 days post-vaccination, whereas H3N2 pre-immune mice showed no improved vaccine responses. Increased total serum class-switched IgG subclass concentrations in the H1N1 preimmune-vaccinated mice accompanied protection from weight loss and mortality when these mice were challenged with an H1N1 pandemic 2009 strain. Temporal sampling and analysis of RNA from mediastinal lymph nodes from preimmune mice by RNA-seq at time points following vaccination revealed distinct regulation of lymphocyte and germinal center-specific genes, including Bcl6 , an essential gene for germinal-center-dependent B-cells. Taken together, H1N1 A/FM/1/1947 preimmunity led to a more efficient vaccine response accompanied by altered expression of germinal center-associated genes in the mediastinal lymph node, with implications for future vaccine design.
Celebrate this research
Experimental Physiology

Somatosensory processing in long COVID fatigue and its relations with physiological and psychological factors · doi/link

UCVM authors Jennifer L. Davies

Read abstract
We aimed to quantify somatosensory processing in long COVID and interactions between somatosensory processing, fatigability, fatigue, autonomic function, mood and illness beliefs. Eighty-eight participants (44 long COVID and 44 controls) were invited to complete two testing sessions, where fatigue was induced by either a cognitive or a physical task in a cross-over design; all participants completed at least one session. Baseline questionnaires assessed trait fatigue, autonomic symptoms, mood and illness beliefs. Pre- and post-task measures included somatosensory processing, state fatigue, perceived effort and heart rate variability (HRV). Group differences and task-related changes were analysed using multivariate and linear mixed models. There was no multivariate group effect on baseline somatosensory measures (P = 0.172), nor did they change following exertion or associate with post-exertion fatigue. Long COVID participants reported greater fatigue than controls, with 64% meeting criteria for severe fatigue. State fatigue was greater at baseline, throughout both exertion tasks (all P < 0.001), and increased more during exertion compared with controls. Despite this, cognitive and physical performance changed similarly across tasks, with no group differences in fatigability (P = 0.199-0.441). Long COVID participants had lower resting HRV, indicating autonomic dysfunction, but HRV was not associated with fatigue. Only group status (P < 0.001) and pre-task fatigue (P < 0.001) were associated with post-exertion fatigue. Within long COVID participants, greater depression (P < 0.001) and perceived illness threat (P = 0.033) were associated with greater trait fatigue. The absence of somatosensory abnormalities provides no support for the sensory attenuation model of fatigue in long COVID.
Celebrate this research
Frontiers in Veterinary Science

Impact of the colistin ban on antimicrobial use and resistance-related practices among layer farmers in Indonesia: a comparative KAP study · doi/link

UCVM authors Diego B. Nóbrega, Mathieu Pruvot

Read abstract
Background Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global public and animal health threat, to which the misuse of antimicrobials in humans and livestock contributes. Here we describe the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of Indonesian layer farmers regarding AMR and antimicrobial use (AMU) before the national ban on colistin use, as well as the awareness of farmers of the ban. Materials and methods The first phase, conducted in 2014 as part of a study carried out between 2013 and 2016, involved a cross-sectional survey of small-scale layer poultry farmers, assessing their KAP toward AMU and AMR through a structured questionnaire. Farmers’ responses were scored to determine KAP levels. The second study, conducted in 2023 among Indonesian layer farmers following the 2019 colistin ban, used a survey to evaluate 55 participants’ awareness of the ban and their current AMU practices. Results Before the colistin ban, 27.5% of layer farmers in Indonesia demonstrated a high level of knowledge regarding AMU and AMR, while the majority had moderate or low knowledge levels. Similarly, only 30% showed a positive attitude, and just 25% exhibited good practices related to AMU and AMR. Tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones, and macrolides were the most commonly used antimicrobials before the ban. After the ban, the use of colistin ceased, but no statistically significant changes in the usage profile of any other antimicrobial were observed. The post-ban survey revealed that 18.2% of the farmers were aware of the colistin ban, and none of the sociodemographic characteristics investigated were associated with awareness levels. Conclusion The findings highlight that, although the ban successfully eliminated colistin use in poultry production in Indonesia, limited KAP related to AMR and AMU may become critical bottlenecks to advancing future stewardship strategies.
Celebrate this research