An Interview With Julie Hu – A Student Scientific Illustrator

Julie Hu is a student in Bowdoin College. She aspires to become a creative thinker and multidisciplinary designer. She is currently the founder of the STEAM education program Alchemy Science Visualization (the Facebook and Twitter accounts are both @alchemysciviz), and the creative editor of Young Scientists Journal based in the Great Britain. Her interests mainly lie in innovation, the history of science, illustration, character design, and world-building. She hopes to help more people to be interested in learning about the chemical world.

Weighing In The Evidence: Lifestyle Modification In The Treatment Of Atrial Fibrillation

Imagine if you suddenly felt your heart “jumping out of your chest” – this is the case for an estimated 1 in 4 Canadians who experience this rapid and chaotic heartbeat characteristic of atrial brillation (AF). The healthy heart works continuously to beat regularly under the control of electrical impulses originating from the sinoatrial (SA) node, the heart’s natural pacemaker. In AF, electrical impulses do not originate in the SA node, but rather, from a different part of the atrium or in nearby pulmonary veins. These abnormal electrical signals become rapid and disorganized, radiating throughout the atrial walls in an uncoordinated manner. This can cause the walls of the atrium to quiver, or brillate, which results in irregular electrical transmission from the atria to the ventricles. A normal heart rate at rest should be between 60-100 beats per minute at rest, but in AF, it can be considerably higher than 140 beats per minute1. Affecting more than 33 million individuals worldwide, AF is the most common sustained irregular heart rhythm encountered in clinical practice2. The progression and maintenance of AF results in adverse events, including an increase in hospitalizations and a ve-fold increase in the risk of stroke3. Given this evidence and anticipated increases in life expectancy within the next several decades, there are clear public health implications for the aging Canadian population.

The Effects of Vascular Cognitive Impairment on the Thickness of the Granular Cell Layer of the Dentate Gyrus within the Hippocampus in a Mouse Model

Vascular Cognitive Impairment (VCI) is a form of dementia, most prevalent after Alzheimer’s Disease. However, VCI remains the second leading cause for dementia because it restricts blood flow to the brain and there are currently no treatments. There has been a positive correlation between VCI and hippocampal atrophy reported. Diet such as deficiencies in folic acid, is a modifiable risk factor for neurodegeneration. In the present study, a mouse model of VCI was combined with a deficiency in folic acid to assess hippocampal morphology. Animals were split into 4 experimental groups where they were placed into a control diet (CD) or folic acid deficient diet (FADD), and later these animals either had microcoils implanted around their common carotid arteries to model VCI or a sham, control surgery. For hippocampal morphological analysis, the thickness of the granular cell layer of the dentate gyrus within the hippocampus was measured. It was hypothesized that a mouse model of VCI with microcoil treatment and reduced levels of folic acid would reduce blood flow, and increase cell death resulting in a reduced thickness of the granular cell layer within the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. Our results show that thickness had an increasing trend in the in the FADD microcoil group. These data suggest that there may be an additional factor coming into play such as compensation by neural stem cells that needs to be further researched.

Bacteriophage GH15: Developing A Novel Weapon Against MRSA

In recent years, numerous bacterial species have developed antibiotic resistance due to the overuse of antibiotics in the home, health care setting, and in agriculture. Alternative methods of treatment, including phage therapy (PT), have been proposed as solutions to this problem. PT is showing promise as an alternative method of treatment against the bacteria methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). MRSA is a virulent and antibiotic resistant bacterium capable of causing infections of the skin, respiratory system, and various other body systems. In this research proposal, we propose investigating the use of the Staphylococcal bacteriophage (phage) GH15 as a therapeutic agent against MRSA infections due to its broad host range, its lack of bacterial virulence genes, and its strong ability to lyse various strains of MRSA. Specifically, we propose to evaluate the tail fibre genes of GH15 contributing to the phage’s host range, in addition to the ability of the phage to induce antiphage humoral immune responses in human cells, in the interest of exploring GH15 as a therapeutic agent for use in PT, specifically against MRSA.

Factors Affecting Consent Rate for Whole Genome Sequencing of Patients with Congenital Heart Disease

The Whole Genome Sequencing Project initiated by The Hospital for Sick Children of Toronto intents to enroll patients between one to eighteen years of age with congenital heart disease to test the efficiency of such a method for potential personalized diagnoses and treatments. Twenty-five randomly approached patients were chosen to be observed of their consent rate to the project based on factors of age, gender, ethnicity, presence of heart diseases in the patient’s family, and type of congenital heart disease represented. Females and ethnicities not of European descent are considered to be a part of the minority groups, generally being under represented thus having a lower consent rate. There were no significant correlations between consent rates and familial history of heart disease, type of heart disease and age groups. All these findings can aid in future studies of the SickKids Hospital; which patients should be approached for higher consent rates, and the inclusivity of minority groups to alleviate bias in medical studies.

A review of the ecological effects of European Common Reed (Phragmites australis) on fishes and fish habitat in North America

The invasive European Common Reed (Phragmites australis), first established in North America in the early 1900’s, is now a dominant emergent aquatic plant in many coastal and inland wetlands. A review of the literature was conducted to evaluate the extent of ecological impacts on fishes and their habitat, such as changes in the composition and abundance of native fishes and wetland plants, and alterations to water availability and substrate. The review indicated that a reduction in the abundance of native fishes was common (54.54% of studies), as were impacts to fish habitat (e.g., 54.54% of studies documented a change in wetland plant composition). Many studies were conducted in the eastern and northern United States, which showed that the abundance of juvenile and larval fishes was significantly lower in marshes dominated by P. australis, relative to those dominated by native plant species (Spartina alterniflora); however, changes to wetland plant abundance and composition, water availability, water temperature, nutrient cycling, substrate, reproduction and spawning, genetics of native fishes, and general food web effects were also observed. These results indicate that P. australis poses numerous ecological impacts to the structure and function of wetland habitats, with implications for the ongoing productivity of aquatic ecosystems.

A Comparison of Particulate Matter Exposures Between a Student’s Private Vehicle and Public Bus Transit Commutes

Daily commuters of public transportation and private vehicles are exposed to a wide range of traffic-related air pollution (TRAP). However, evidence of differences between commuting method has been building. In this study, the personal ultrafine particle (UFP) and black carbon (BC) air pollution exposures of a high school student were measured during their daily commute. In total, 39 commutes made between the student’s home and school were measured. These commutes were either by bus or private vehicle. Data was analysed using box plots and T-tests of statistical significance. Levels of BC were not significantly higher on buses (mean(SD) = 849(645) ng/m3) than cars (650(689) ng/m3) (p-value = 0.199). For UFP, levels were significantly higher for bus commutes (9393(6923) pts/cm3) than those of private vehicle (4234(6446) pts/cm3) (p-value = 0.045). Our findings suggest that bus commuters may experience higher exposure to UFP relative to private vehicle commuters. The higher UFP exposure may be accounted by the fact that city buses can have a higher air exchange rate due to the constant opening of doors. As well, buses are mainly diesel vehicles, which are a strong source of UFP.

Influence of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) on human mating preferences

Several studies related to vertebrates have revealed that highly polymorphic genes within the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) may play a role in mate choice. Females gain direct or indirect fitness benefits by choosing between males with traits that are expressed from good genes, as females can obtain good genes for their offspring by mating with males whose genes are compatible or complementary to their own. There is a tendency for humans to prefer MHC-dissimilar mates, as it would favour the production of heterozygous offspring who would be more resistant to pathogens. This phenomenon has been reviewed on the similar concepts of the influence of MHC genes on human mating preferences, with potential but largely unknown in offspring fitness. The qualitative method can include surveying and interviewing people about their mate choices i.e. females select males with heterozygosity MHC genes over males with homozygous MHC genes. Chi-square test can be performed for statistical analysis. Mating with a MHC dissimilar individual can produce MHC heterozygous offspring that has strong immunocompetence against several parasite types. A heterozygous MHC gene combination has more capability to identify rapidly evolving parasites, which can escape recognition by immune systems containing common alleles.Plusieurs études reliées aux vertébrés ont révélé que les gènes extrêmement polymorphes au sein du complexe majeur d’histocompatibilité (MHC) peuvent jouer un rôle dans le choix d’un partenaire. Les femmes tirent des avantages directs ou indirects de valeur sélective en choisissant entre les hommes dont les traits sont exprimés avec les bons gènes, comme les femmes peuvent obtenir de bons gènes pour leur progéniture par accouplement avec des mâles dont les gènes sont compatibles ou complémentaires à leurs propres. Il y a une tendance pour les humains de préférer les camarades MHC-dissemblables, car ceci favoriserait la production de descendants hétérozygotes qui seraient plus résistants aux pathogènes. Ce phénomène était étudié sur les concepts similairesde l’influence des gènes du MHC sur les préférences d’accouplement humaines, avec un potentiel largement inconnu dans la valeur sélective de la progéniture. La méthode qualitative peut comprendre une enquête et l’interrogation des gens sur leur choix de partenaire, par ex. les femelles choisissent les mâles avec des gènes du CMH hétérozygote sur les hommes ayant des gènes du CMH homozygotes. Le test du chi carré peut être effectué pour faire l’analyse statistique. L’accouplement avec une personne avec un différent CMH peut produire la progéniture CMH hétérozygote qui a une forte immunocompétence contre plusieurs types de parasites. Une combinaison de gènes CMH hétérozygotes a plus de capacité d’identifier les parasites qui évoluent rapidement, qui peuvent échapper à la reconnaissance par le système immunitaire contenant des allèles communs.

Culturally appropriate health services for Black Canadians

Black Canadians are more likely to suffer health disparities compared to the majority of the population. This is an issue in regards to equity, where some people are not given the right tools needed for physical and/or mental wellness and prosperity. Black-White disparities are partially caused by socio-economic status (SES), sociocultural factors and the social determinants of health. According to public health studies, racism and perceiveddiscrimination, income, poverty and other factors affect adherence to physician referrals or advice and overall health among Black populations. Additionally, Afro-Caribbean cultures suffer from various health issues, such as obesity and hypertension, at a higher incidence than their White counterparts. Research shows that Community Health Clinics (CHCs) like TAIBU CHC in Scarborough, Ontario are likely to be effective in addressing disparities, as they provide care to those who need it most. To coordinate effective care to a specific community, they are using linguistic, sociocultural, evidential and other strategies. With these programs, however, it is important to still view the individual as having specific needs and issues and not just as a reflection of their culture when implementing cultural competence.Les Canadiens noirs font face à des disparités en matière de santé par rapport au reste de la population. Ceci est une question d’équité, car certaines personnes n’ont pas les outils nécessaires pour leur bien-être physique et/ou mental. Ces disparités sont partiellement causées par leur statut socioéconomique (SSE), les facteurs socioculturels et les déterminants sociaux de santé. Selon des études de santé publique, des facteurs tels que le racisme, la discrimination, le revenu et la pauvreté affectent l’adhésion des patients à des conseils médicaux ainsi que la santé globale de la population noire. En outre, la population afro-caribéenne souffre de problèmes de santé comme l’obésité et l’hypertension à une incidence plus élevée que leurs homologues blancs. La recherche montre que les cliniques de santé communautaire (CSC) comme TAIBU CHC à Scarborough, Ontario peuvent être efficaces en adressant les disparités, car elles fournissent des soins à ceux qui ont le plus besoin. Pour coordonner des soins efficaces pour une communauté spécifique, elles utilisent des stratégies linguistiques, socioculturelles, évidentielles, entre autres. Avec ces programmes, cependant, il reste important de répondre aux besoins individuels de la population tout en tenant compte de la culture lors d’une mise en oeuvre de compétences culturelles.