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The Meducator
Number of Followers: 1

This is an Open Access Journal

Open Access journal
ISSN (Print) 1929-4220 - ISSN (Online) 1929-4239
Published by McMaster University

[14 journals]

α-GalCer, an α-Candidate in Tumour Suppression
- Authors: David Gou, Matthew Olejarz
  Abstract: Alpha-Galactosylceramide (α-GalCer, KRN7000) is an exogenous glycolipid ligand that is presented by CD1d molecules in antigen-presenting cells (APCs). It activatesinvariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells, characterized by semi-invariant T cell receptors (TCRs), which often leads to further downstream activation of the immune system. For example, iNKT cells release cytokines that regulate myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) to promote tumor suppression. This critical review aims to clarify the observed effects of α-GalCer by examining recent studies, ranging from in vitro experiments with mice to in vivo clinical trials with humans. Within the current literature, α-GalCer has demonstrated beneficial effects toward tumour suppression. Most pre-clinical studies evaluating α-GalCer have seen success in suppressing tumour growth and increasing patient lifespan, although clinical trials yield inconclusive results. For example, the use of α-GalCer comes with severe limitations, including the induction of immune cell anergy amongst other unwanted side effects. Future studies and trials will be necessary to evaluate the full potential of α-GalCer. Nonetheless, α-GalCer may be a promising agent in combating cancer.
  PubDate: 2023-04-11
  DOI: 10.15173/m.v1i43.3479
  Issue No: Vol. 1, No. 43 (2023)
Perinatal Mental Health in Hamilton and Montreal
- Authors: Shanzey Ali, Suraj Bansal, Ines Durant, Sofia Reynoso, Tiffany Spector, Jeffrey Sun, Yiming Zhang
  Abstract: Mental health concerns experienced by individuals during or up to one year after pregnancy fall under the umbrella of perinatal mental health. Estimates suggest that one in five people will experience a perinatal mental illness at some point during their pregnancy or up to one year postpartum. Racialized individuals with low socioeconomic status are at an increased risk to perinatal mental health. Perinatal mental illness is becoming an incredibly relevant topic in the sphere of public health and policy. Recently, the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care released a recommendation against screening individuals for depression during pregnancy and the postpartum period (up to 1 year after childbirth), stating that there is low certainty of evidence for such screening measures. This received backlash, with groups like the Canadian Perinatal Mental Health Collaborative (CPMHC) speaking out. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions aim to “ensure timely access to perinatal mental health services”, as identified in a recent mandate letter. Given its current salience, this piece seeks to explore perinatal mental health programs in Ontario and Quebec, critically analyze their effectiveness, and suggest future areas of improvement.
  PubDate: 2023-04-11
  DOI: 10.15173/m.v1i43.3482
  Issue No: Vol. 1, No. 43 (2023)
IWCH Abstracts
- Authors: Taylor Watkins, Katherine Tom, Keshini Sriarulnathan
  Abstract: This article represents a series of abstracts from the poster presentation winners of the 2023 IWCH conference.
  PubDate: 2023-04-11
  DOI: 10.15173/m.v1i43.3477
  Issue No: Vol. 1, No. 43 (2023)
MedPulse
- Authors: Audrey Dong, Aisling Zeng
  PubDate: 2023-04-11
  DOI: 10.15173/m.v1i43.3475
  Issue No: Vol. 1, No. 43 (2023)
Cover Page
- Authors: The Meducator
  PubDate: 2023-04-11
  DOI: 10.15173/m.v1i43.3469
  Issue No: Vol. 1, No. 43 (2023)
Staff
- Authors: The Meducator
  PubDate: 2023-04-11
  DOI: 10.15173/m.v1i43.3484
  Issue No: Vol. 1, No. 43 (2023)
Magic Mushrooms
- Authors: Zahra Alam, Bhavana Soma
  Abstract: Psilocybin is a naturally occurring compound present in numerous mushroom species characterised by its hallucinogenic and psychedelic effects. Although it has a negative reputation, psilocybin has demonstrated therapeutic potential for treating mental health disorders by allowing the brain to make new neural connections which help the neural pathways adapt and break out of certain cognitive patterns related to mental illness. In recent studies, psilocybin has shown antidepressant effects, significantly reducing depressive and anxious symptoms in affected individuals. After single or low dosage, mood disorder symptoms remained in remission for 6 to 12 months. In contrast, conventional antidepressants often require multiple doses over long treatment periods to achieve similar effects. Other findings have shown that therapeutic use of psilocybin helps combat substance abuse and addictive disorders and can be applied as a cessation tool. Despite years of controversy surrounding the benefits of psilocybin, recent scientific evidence supports psilocybin’s immense potential in helping those with mental health disorders like Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and addiction disorders. With such promising results, psilocybin could be incorporated into clinical use and its therapeutic effects should continue being researched.
  PubDate: 2023-04-11
  DOI: 10.15173/m.v1i43.3480
  Issue No: Vol. 1, No. 43 (2023)
MeduGallery
- Authors: Katelyn Moore
  PubDate: 2023-04-11
  DOI: 10.15173/m.v1i43.3478
  Issue No: Vol. 1, No. 43 (2023)
Prion Diseases
- Authors: Olivia Kim, Rida Tauqir
  Abstract: Prions refer to abnormal misfolded proteins which propagate rare, rapidly progressive, and inevitably fatal neurodegenerative infectious diseases affecting both humans and non-human mammals. The most common human prion disease is Creudtzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), aetiologically categorized as either (1) sporadic (sCJD), (2) acquired via infection (aCJD), (3) hereditary (hCJD), or (4) variant (vCJD). vCJD, in particular, is commonly known due to its contraction via consumption of beef infected with Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as Mad Cow Disease: a similarly fatal prion disease affecting cows. Regardless of the causative mechanism, all CJDs are characterized by the rapid decline in cognitive function, myoclonus (involuntary twitching and/or jerking of muscles), akinetic mutism, and ultimately, death in all cases. As suggested by the aforementioned symptoms, CJD is considered a rapidly progressive dementia (RPD), alongside Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, and Parkinson’s disease.
  PubDate: 2023-04-11
  DOI: 10.15173/m.v1i43.3476
  Issue No: Vol. 1, No. 43 (2023)
Table of Contents and Introduction
- Authors: The Meducator
  PubDate: 2023-04-11
  DOI: 10.15173/m.v1i43.3470
  Issue No: Vol. 1, No. 43 (2023)
Organ-on-a-Chip
- Authors: Anna McCracken, Raymond Qu
  PubDate: 2023-04-11
  DOI: 10.15173/m.v1i43.3483
  Issue No: Vol. 1, No. 43 (2023)
Healthcare Barriers of Sex Work
- Authors: Jacqueline Chen, Florence Deng, Dalraj Dhillon
  PubDate: 2023-04-11
  DOI: 10.15173/m.v1i43.3481
  Issue No: Vol. 1, No. 43 (2023)

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