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Towards the Synthesis of a C-glycoside Serine Tn Antigen
Get PDFTowards the Synthesis of a C-glycoside Serine Tn Antigen Thomson Ly, Advait Desai, Iraj Sadraei, John F. Trant Many biological processes including bacterial and viral infections (notably HIV and the flu), immunogenic responses, and cancer pathogenesis/metastasis are mediated by carbohydrate interactions. An example of such a carbohydrate is the Tn antigen. The Tn antigen is particularly interesting as it shows up in a large number of different cancer cells including: gastric, colon, breast, lung, esophageal, prostate, and endometrial cancer. If the immune system could be trained to target this molecule, then the immune system could be used to help cure cancer. A key drawback to using this method is the inherent low in vivo half-lives of carbohydrate containing materials. This Trant Team project aims to remove the unstable acetal functionality of the Tn antigen by replacing the exocyclic anomeric oxygen with a methylene (C-glycoside) to make new acetal-free C-glycoside analogues of the Tn antigen. Removing the labile functionality should result in greatly enhanced lifetime, and bioavailability relative to the native system with no loss of activity as the exocyclic oxygen is not involved in the vast majority of molecular recognition events. This molecule is being made by total synthesis for its incorporation into new anti-cancer vaccines
Achieving long-term effectiveness of nutrition counseling for indigenous older adults with type 2 Diabetes
No full textBackground: The prevalence of diabetes has sharply increased after the age of 40 years since 2008/09. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in the Indigenous population is 17.2% higher compared to the non-Indigenous population in Canada. Canadian Indigenous older adults are disproportionately affected by nutrition-related chronic diseases. The socio-cultural, biological, environmental, and lifestyle changes seen in this population group in the last half-century have contributed significantly to increased rates of T2DM and its complications. Ongoing lifestyle optimization including nutrition counselling and healthy eating patterns is essential for all patients with diabetes. Objective: The objectives of the study is to co-create a culturally safe nutrition plan. Method: We will invite the older adults from Caldwell First nation (target population) to focus group discussions to co-create the intervention following social constructivist approach. Implication: It is the intention of our study to respect and uphold traditional beliefs about Indigenous wholistic wellness - that our emotional, spiritual, physical and mental selves are not separate and that there can be no good health in one area if there remains sickness in another. A culturally sensitive nutrition counselling education material offers a promising strategy for improving the access to nutrition knowledge that may sustain a positive behavior change in older adults from Caldwell First Nation
TREATMENT OF SCREW LOOSENING IN THE SPINE
No full text['UNSDG 3: Good Health and Well-being (https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal3)']Viable, Healthy and Safe CommunitiesPedicle screws have been used in many surgeries including those treating issues such as spinal fractures, spinal tumors, and degenerative scoliosis, etc. Screw loosening is a post-operative complication of these procedures where the vertebrae do not fuse together and the screw placed begins to cause damage to the patients. This is a complication which has been established as especially problematic and does not currently have a standardized method of treatment. This complication has major consequences for patients and can significantly impeded the quality of their life and health by causing continuous and potentially more severe pain after the operation, nerve compression, or damage the nerve root. In addition, the methods used to diagnose screw loosening in current literature varies as there is not a clear standard, and it is often left up to the discretion of the surgeon. This literature review and case study compares 2 case studies of patients who have been treated at Windsor Regional Hospital with differing methods, in addition to reviewing 13 recent publications involving a multitude of treatments for the loosening of pedicle screws as a post-operative complication of spinal surgery. Some of the treatments evaluated include the use of minimally invasive procedures through the injection of bone cement into the cavity of the loosened screw, removal of the screw and revision of the surgery with different screws or trajectories
Time Will Tell: The Involvement of the Circadian Clock in Colorectal Cancer
Get PDFA circadian rhythm is a 24 hour recurring biological process. A group of core genes and transcription factors (CLK, BMAL1, PER, CRY) called the circadian clock regulates these 24 hour rhythms through a transcription/translation feedback loop. Over 40% of the genome is transcribed rhythmically implicating the clock in many cellular processes. Recently, it has been shown that WNT, a mediator of intestinal stem cell proliferation is transcribed rhythmically. Uncontrolled cell proliferation can lead to cancer, which is seen with the mutation of APC, a regulator of Wnt mutated in 80% of all colorectal cancer cases. Colorectal cancer incidence has been steadily increasing due to chronic photoperiod disruptions such as shift work. My project will examine how the disruption of the circadian clock in the intestine affects cancer incidence. I hypothesize that a dysfunctional clock will lead to enhanced tumorigenesis. Due to the implication of APC in colorectal cancer, we will use a mouse that is heterozygous for the APC gene, APCmin/+ to model colorectal cancer in a mouse. I will compare APCmin/+; BMAL1+/+ intestines, which have a normal circadian clock, to APCmin/+; BMAL1-/- intestines, where the clock is dysfunctional. I will count polyps, and use H&E stained tissue sections to quantify the size of each tumour. The Wnt pathway, cell cycle activity and the circadian clock will be examined using immunofluorescence to study the potential relationship between cancer development and the clock. PER2, a core clock protein as well as cMYC, a Wnt target will be investigated. I predict that the APCmin/+; BMAL1+/+ mice, will have fewer tumors than the APCmin/+; BMAL1-/-. My preliminary data shows that the APCmin/+; BMAL1+/+ tissue has more tumours than APC+/+; BMAL1+/+ suggesting this colorectal mouse model works. Implicating the circadian clock in colorectal cancer may allow for greater understanding in how to treat or avoid it
Exploratory Study on Microbiome Friendly Skin Products for Ultimate Skin Wellness
No full textThis exploratory study conducts the literature review of different studies for game-changing potential of skincare products that support the skin microbiome. Right after birth the skin, the biggest organ in our body, is colonized by a variety of microorganisms like gram-positive bacteria. Along with producing substances necessary for skin health, the microbiome also serves as a barrier of defense and immune system regulator. Therefore, there is a pressing need for novel therapies since imbalances in this microbial community are strongly associated with a range of skin diseases. Exploring the intersection of probiotics, genetic engineering, and synthetic biology, the paper aims to advance microbiome-compatible skincare. Our study analyzed several publications from scientific databases (e.g., PubMed) and based on existing research highlights application of CRISPR-Cas9 in genetically modified bacteria to achieve accurate modifications for targeted functionality. Moreover, this project is aligned with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (UN Goals 3 and 9) by upgrading skincare treatment and preserving skin health. Overall, this project significantly developed our team's analytical, critical thinking, and research capabilities, augmenting our communication, time management, teamwork and enhancing our academic and professional ability
Social Theory From The Second Person Perspective
Get PDFThis paper relies on the work of Charles Taylor, Rahel Jaeggi, and Harmut Rosa to develop a method of ‘second-person critique.’ This is developed in opposition to first-person critique, otherwise known as self criticism, and third-person critique, which I take to be representative of instrumental reason. I criticize instrumental reason from Taylor’s perspective, while also relying on Martin Heidegger and Martin Buber to do the same. To further develop Rosa’s theory of resonance, I rely on David Graeber. I conclude by suggesting that while phenomenology has long accounted for our embodied relationship to the world, a ‘resonant phenomenology’ that includes the preceding authors can account for an understanding of others as embodied in the same manner that we are
Pressing Healthcare Needs in a Windsor-based Shelter Health Initiative
No full textBackground: Windsor Shelter Health (WSH) offers = on-site medical services at shelters and drop-in centres for people experiencing homelessness (PEH) in Windsor, Ontario. PEH face barriers to health, including competing demands that may outweigh their desire for healthcare, transportation barriers, and being lost to follow up. WSH was established to improve healthcare experiences and outcomes for PEH by enhancing access to care that addresses their needs and improves population health. Approach: A survey was developed, validated, and distributed to client-facing staff at shelters and drop-in centres to understand the current state of healthcare access for PEH in Windsor and identify unmet healthcare service needs of PEH in Windsor as understood by client-facing workers to enhance the WSH model. Results: Survey results (n = 60) indicated strong support (96.7%) for continuous, ongoing, and direct shelter health supports accessible to PEH. Services felt to be most important included access to physicians for primary care, psychiatric care, addictions medicine, access to harm reduction, wound care, and counselling. Delays in access to care were felt to be due to clients' fear and mistrust of the healthcare system, clients' concerns regarding stigma experienced, and a lack of transportation. Conclusion: Results of the project will serve as a baseline for the development of targeted programs and services to effectively support and improve health care access and outcomes for people experiencing homelessness in Windsor. This may serve as a model for similar jurisdictions on how to build a well-integrated shelter-health model
Implementation of a Medical Education Service Learning Program Centred on International Agricultural Workers (IAWs) in Southwestern Ontario
No full textBackground International Agricultural Workers (IAWs) are vital to Canadian agriculture but face significant language and cultural barriers. Windsor-Essex is uniquely situated to support programs serving IAWs, as over 50% of Canada's IAW population resides in this region. An English language support program was established with the University of Windsor (UoW) and Schulich School of Medicine (SsoM) to address barriers exacerbating healthcare challenges. Objectives This work seeks to report on the program's implementation and protocols and assess effectiveness in enhancing language proficiency, community integration, and medical student engagement with IAWs. Proposed Methods IAWs were recruited from the South Essex Community Council (SECC), and English partners from UoW and SSoM. Following an oral presentation outlining the program, 18 IAWs and 15 medical students enrolled. Participants were paired based on availability and language proficiency. Partners were given a weekly slide deck that guided conversations aligned with IAWs' language lessons. Weekly reflections, monthly meetings, surveys and interviews will be conducted with medical student volunteers to evaluate their experiences and program impact. Future Directions Preliminary survey and interview results indicate positive outcomes for both IAWs and participating medical students. IAWs reported improved English proficiency and a greater sense of community inclusion. Medical students demonstrated increased cultural awareness and understanding of challenges faced by IAWs, fostering a deeper commitment to addressing inequities in healthcare. This work underscores the potential of a language support program to enhance cultural competency among future healthcare professionals while improving quality of life and access to resources for IAWs