Pediatric Rheumatology IDEA Lab News and Views

Arthritis Society Canada Awards Research Funding to Support IDEA Lab Antibody Studies in Childhood Arthritis

The Saskatchewan Pediatric Rheumatology Research IDEA Lab received a 2023 Arthritis Society Canada Ignite Innovation Grant. The Ignite Innovation Grant supports high-risk, high-reward research led by exceptionally creative scientists, with the potential to unlock novel, transformative, lasting impacts. The Project is titled: Discovering the targets for antinuclear antibodies in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Towards precision diagnosis to improve care. Further information can be found here.

Blind Trust: A Guide Dog's Journey - A New Documentary Series

We are thrilled to share an exciting project by Becki Zerr, a nurse with lived experience with rheumatic disease, has co-written a captivating six-part documentary series called "Blind Trust: A Guide Dog's Journey." This heartwarming and insightful series delves into the extraordinary partnership between guide dogs and their handlers, shedding light on the profound bond they share and the life-changing impact these incredible dogs have on their human companions.

This series offers a unique glimpse into the training process at CNIB Guide Dogs, showcasing the dedication and hard work that goes into preparing these remarkable animals to become trusted guides for individuals with visual impairments. Through this series, viewers will gain a deeper understanding of the invaluable role that guide dogs play in enhancing the lives of those they serve.

We hope you enjoy this heartwarming and inspiring exploration of the extraordinary partnership between guide dogs and their handlers.

Stream Blind Trust: A Guide Dog's Journey anytime on AMI.ca and the AMI-tv App.

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Pediatric Rheumatology Research IDEALab to Undertake Study of Digital Health Literacy

The IDEALab is conducting a research study to identify the facilitators and barriers to digital health literacy in children with rheumatic diseases and their families. This study will help to know what factors assist children and families to use digital technologies to improve their care and also to learn more about what factors might make accessing digital health technologies more difficult. The IDEALab is grateful for funding support for this project from the Canadian Initiative for Outcomes in Rheumatology cAre (CIORA), the funding arm of the Canadian Rheumatology Association.

Funding received to study antibodies in children with arthritis

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The Pediatric Rheumatology IDEA Lab received a research grant from the University of Saskatchewan's College of Medicine. This research project aims to understand a specific difference in the immune systems of children who have Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA), which is the most common type of arthritis in kids.

What We Will Look At

The study focuses on something called Antinuclear Antibodies (ANAs). These are special proteins in the blood that, by mistake, attack the body's own healthy components (specifically the nucleus of cells). When we test a child's blood for these ANAs, a lab technique called immunofluorescence is used. This technique makes the antibodies light up and create specific, glowing pictures, or patterns, inside the cells. The main goal of this project is to figure out if certain immunofluorescent patterns are more common or appear differently in children with JIA compared to children who have other health issues or who are healthy. In simple terms, we want to know: Do the patterns of the immune "self-attackers" (ANAs) look different in children who have arthritis?

Why It Matters

If a specific pattern is strongly linked to JIA, it could become a helpful tool for doctors:

It could help doctors confirm the diagnosis of JIA more quickly.
It might help predict which children are more likely to develop certain complications or a more severe form of the disease.

Ultimately, this study aims to improve how we diagnose and manage juvenile arthritis by using these immune "fingerprints."

About our Pediatric Rheumatology IDEA LAB Name and Logo!

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THE NAME

The Pediatric Rheumatology Research IDEA Laboratory, established at the University of Saskatchewan in 1981, contributes to improving the lives of children with rheumatic diseases through research. The IDEA Laboratory achieves success through research Innovation and Discovery, by Engagement with other research scientists and with patients, families, and communities, and by mobilizing the new knowledge resulting from research into Action that improves the lives of children and families with rheumatic diseases.

THE LOGO

This LOGO concept is based on the famous Leonardo de Vinci drawing ‘Vitruvian Man’. Ranked among one of the all-time iconic images of Western civilization, the work is a synthesis of artistic and scientific ideals. The child in the circle is jumping, stretching, and active. The colours used are the green and gold of Saskatchewan along with blue and orange representing the prairie sky. The symbol also is reminiscent of an Indigenous medicine wheel. The lettering for the acronym ‘Idea’ reflects flexibility, bending, and stretching of joints and muscles.