YORKU MEDMAG SOCIETY

EDITION IMEDMAG

MEDICAL BREAKTHROUGHS

AND INNOVATIONS BROUGHT

TO YOU IN A MAGAZINE

YorkU Medmag Society is an organization that provides articles on medical news/innovations presented in a magazine. Our organization aims to cultivate a university experience where pre-med hopefuls can evolve themselves with other like-mind individuals who share an interest in medicine.

Our writers use scientific research data from multiple sources to create interesting articles backed up with empirical evidence. We are dedicated to ensure that every York student is given the chance to be educated on recent medical topics that occur in a rapidly expanding and dynamic world.

MISSION

Irteza Afzal

Co-Founder/PresidentYORKU MEDMAG

Maham Afzal

Co-Founder/PresidentYORKU MEDMAG

CONTENTSSLEEP PARALYSIS

ROBOCOP SURGEONS

PLAUSIBLE APPROACH FOR TREATING DIABETES

WILL WE ONE DAY BE ABLETO CLONE HUMANS

EDITION I WINTER 2019

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASETHROUGH THEDYNAMICS OF DNA

THE TRUTH ABOUT TATOOS

THE CURE TO CANCER WAS IN US ALL ALONG SYNETHESIA

CORRELATION BETWEEN TELOMERE LENGTH AND HERITABLE DISEASE

THE NOT SO GLAMOROUSSIDE OF COSMETICS

TREATING CANCER CAUSED BY FAE; TARGETING β-ENDORPHIN NEURONS

ADVANCING TECH ON SURGICAL TREATMENT OF PEDIATRIC STONE DISEASE

RADIOLIGAND TREATMENT FOR PROSTATE CANCER

FIGHTING ESOPHAGEALCANCER WITH SPONGES

BY: UMAR AZMI

BY: UMAR AZMI

BY: UMAR AZMI

BY: JOYCE JOHN

BY: JOYCE JOHN

BY: SYLVIA SIDAROUS

BY: SYLVIA SIDAROUS

BY: SYLVIA SIDAROUS

BY: ROMINA NOORMOHAMMADI

BY: MOHAMMAD ALI MIRZAZADEH

BY: MOHAMMAD ALI MIRZAZADEH

BY: JOYCE JOHN

BY: CAROL BOTROS

BY: ROMINANOORMOHAMMADI

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SLEEP PARALYSISIn the 17th century, a Dutch physician documented a case in which a 50 year old woman claimed the devil was sitting on her chest. She found herself unable to breathe or call out for help—paralyzed—all at night while she was asleep. Both mysterious and terrifying, the phy-sician, Isbrand Van Diembroeck, could do nothing but document it.

By: Joyce John

What happened to the woman is not entirely unheard of. In fact, research shows four in ten people will experience it at least once in their lifetime, although it may present differently in others. The condition is called sleep paralysis and is characterized by a sense of pressure or choking, and immobility coupled with consciousness. Researchers classify it as being innocuous, save for the fact that it provokes fear due to hallucinations.

The hallucinations themselves have been classified into three types; one in which the person can sense a presence, often an evil one. Others may feel as though someone is sitting on their chest or trying to choke them, referred to as “incubus hallucinations”. Some individuals might feel like they are having an out-of-body experience where they can see their physical body from above, referred to as “vestibular-motor hallucinations”. In a study conducted by James Allen Cheyne, at the University

“Research shows 4 in 10 people

will experience it at least once

in their lifetime”

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of Waterloo, it was found that those who experience vestibular-motor hallucinations tend to have a more positive experience. For most people however, the experience evokes fear and many have tried to explain away the phenomenon. In Japanese culture, for example, the term “kanashibari” was coined, the literal translation meaning, “old hag”, for which many claim to see an “ugly” woman dressed in white. Others may wake up and claim they were abducted by aliens, or visited by ghosts. Most who experience these hallucinations fear judgement and never outright tell friends or family; it is rare enough to be unheard of, but not so rare that the “old hag” was given a name.

Researchers have further identified types of sleep paralysis, based on when in the REM cycle they occur. For example, there is the hypnagogic (or predormital) sleep paralysis that occurs as the individual is falling asleep, and the hypnopompic (or postdormital) sleep paralysis that occurs as they are waking up.

There is no “cure” for sleep paralysis seeing as it is relatively harmless, however woman and students are more susceptible. The cause is still unknown but is linked to lack of sleep, disruption in sleep patterns, or even just sleeping face up. Those who attempt to experience will try some of these methods such as sleeping on their backs.

During REM sleep, the brain and the body “disconnect” in a matter of speaking. This feature is essential so the individual does not enact their dreams as they sleep, in essence, their muscles are “turned off”. However, in the instance of sleep paralysis, the person awakes before the REM cycle is finished, and the muscles are still paralyzed.

Many people have and will experience this phenomenon, and there are those who, out of curiosity, will try to induce it. Regardless, sleep paralysis is simply not as uncommon as one would think, simply a mystery in which the supernatural meets the natural.

References (n.d.). Retrieved from https://journals.scholarsportal.info/pdf/09621105/v08i0004/313_rahaheawsp.xml

Chasing Nightmares – Kanashibari. (2017, August 20). Retrieved from https://www.japanpowered.com/japan-culture/chasing-nightmares-kanashibari

Cohut, M. (2018, April 20). Sleep paralysis: What is it, and how can you cope with it? Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321569.php

Sleep Paralysis - Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/guide/sleep-paralysis

SO WHY EXACTLY IS THE BODY PARALYZED?

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The treatment method that will be discussed in this article is the radioligand therapy of prostate cancer using 177Lu-PSMA. The primary research paper used in this article on the evaluation of this method of treatment is entitled “The Iranian Society of Nuclear Medicine practical guideline on radioligand therapy in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer using 177Lu-PSMA” (Hojjat Ahmadzadehfar et al. 2017). In the study, the researchers have the goal of evaluating, treating and managing patients who are subjected to the treatment using 177Lu-PSMA.

First, it is important to understand some concepts before exploring the use of this treatment. PSMA (prostate-specific membrane antigen) is “a type II transmembrane protein anchored in the cell membrane of prostate epithelial cells” (Hojjat Ahmadzadehfar et al. 2017). When an individual has prostate cancer, the PSMA is highly expressed and the level of the expression is related to the cancer progression. The 177Lu-PSMA-617, developed in the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), is a DOTA derivative of the Glu-urea-Lys motif used for the treatment of prostate cancer patients. Furthermore, it is important to understand that radioligand therapy discussed in this article involves the intravenous administration of a radiopharmaceutical of a emitting radionuclide to deliver cytotoxic radiation to cancerous cells.

THE 177LU-PSMA RADIOLIGAND TREATMENT OF PROSTATE CANCER

By: Silvya Sidarous

o understand prostate cancer, one must be familiar with the function of the prostate first. The prostate is the “gland below a man’s bladder that produces fluid for semen” (National

Cancer Institute). Prostate cancer usually affects older men and has various risk factors such as being older than 65 years old, being African American and having a family history of this illness. Some of the symptoms to recognize if one has prostate cancer are the following according to the National Cancer Institute:

Methods of diagnosis include a digital rectal exam in order to locate any lumps or any unusual traits. A blood test to identify the prostate- related antigen PSA is also an option to check for the development of this cancer. These tests can identify the existence of the illness before the appearance of any of the known symptoms.

To treat prostate cancer, depending on the stage of the development of the cancer, one must be subjected to surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy or chemotherapy. Treatment method and efficacy is never the same for all individuals. Some may even need the combination of all treatments to fight back the development of cancer.

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Problems passing urine Low back pain Pain with ejaculation

ReferencesAhmadzadehfar H, Aryana K, Pirayesh E, Farzanehfar S, Assadi M, Fallahi B, Shafiei B, Ayati N and Amoui M. 2017. The Iranian Society of Nuclear Medicine practical guideline on radioligand therapy in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer using 177Lu-PSMA. Iran J Nucl Med 26(1): 2-8.

Von Eyben FE, Roviello G, Kiljunen T, Uprimny C, Virogolini I, Kairemo K and Joensuu T. 2017. Third-line treatment and 177Lu-PSMA radioligand therapy of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer: a systematic review. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 45(3): 295-508.

The study offers indications of the criteria for candidate patients, the preparation prior to the treatment, the administration as well as the possible side effects of this treatment. To begin, the patients who don’t have any other therapy option planned, “should undergo hormone therapy and chemotherapy as well as bone targeted therapy” (Hojjat Ahmadzadehfar et al. 2017). The preparations for this treatment include:

According to the results of the data, there exists various possible side effects that were observed. However, none of which that were observed immediately after the injection are severe. The most common side effect (reported by around 20% of the patients) in the first 2 days is mild nausea and vomiting. Fatigue was also frequently reported in the first 4 weeks period of the treatment. Dry mouth was a delayed side effect that was reported but is tolerable in most patients. In a study by Yordanova et al. cited by the researchers, the authors reported renal toxicity in 55 patients who received at least 3 cycles of 177Lu-PSMA-617. experience bone marrow toxicity.

However, none of them experience sever nephrotoxicity (toxicity in the kidneys, which are the most critical organs considered in this treatment). Less than 10% of the patients in this study

Overall, radioligand therapy with 177Lu-PSMA is still considered an investigational treatment option. In this study, the authors highlighted that the implementation of this kind of treatment need to comply with Iranian legislation and its requirements “as well as with the ethical principles regarding human studies” (Hojjat Ahmadzadehfar et al. 2017). The treatment should take place in an approved nuclear medicine department and under the supervision of a specialist with all the appropriate equipment following the safety regulations. Furthermore, another study performed by von Eyben FE et al. in 2017 compared the discussed treatment with a third-line treatment and found that the patients who were treated by 177Lu-PSMA-617 gave better effects and caused less side effects than a third-line treatment.

Cooling the salivary glands (it is not proved that cooling the glands will protect them from radiation injuries, but it is a harmless precaution that can be taken) Using a urinary catheter in the first 48 hours to avoid contamination The amount of activity of 177Lu-PSMA-617 is around 6 GBq (this can differ in case of impaired renal function) Injection of the activity intravenously as a slow bolus (dose given at about over 30 seconds) There are 4 cycles of the therapy every 6-8 weeks At least one whole body scan 24-48 after injection

THE 177LU-PSMA RADIOLIGAND TREATMENT OF PROSTATE CANCER

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A look at Alzheimer’s Disease through the dynamics of DNA

By: Silvya Sidarous

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

NA is defined as a molecule responsible for the transmission of hereditary characteristics from parent to offspring. The structure of DNA is

known to be composed of two polynucleotide chains (in a double helix form) that contain phosphate group, sugar deoxyribose and complementary bases bound by hydrogen bonds. The DNA molecule is dynamic, and its conformation is essential to the understanding of various biological functions. The usual conformation of the DNA molecule is right-handed B-DNA conformation. However, DNA is observed taking various forms such as A-form, left-handed Z-form, triplexes, tetraplexes, hairpins and cruciform. These

non-B-form conformations are thought to have a significant effect on the normal functions of the cell. They are also

implicated “in the pathophysiology of genetic diseases” (Bacolla et al.,

2004) and that’s why it is crucial to understand the events

leading to these alternatives forms of DNA. One of the diseases that are thought to be linked with these alternative forms of DNA is Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Alzheimer’s disease “is a complex disorder

observed in the elderly”. Its development is affected by

various factors, of which aging is the most significant. With age,

the defensive mechanisms in the brain are weakened and larger amounts

of metals such as Al and Zn get accumulated in the brain. The role of genetic alterations were thought to only be around 8%.

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D

However, according to a study by Suram et al. 2002 and Hedge et al. 2004, the DNA stability and conformation play a major role in the “etiology of neurodegeneration”. In particular, Suram et al. observed the implication of the Z-DNA form in the hippocampal region of AD brain. This transitional form of DNA was not observed in the brains of the control group of the same age. There are various possible factors that may be linked to the transition of the B-DNA into the Z-DNA form in AD brains such as an alteration in metal homeostasis, AB peptide aggregation, etc. As previously mentioned, metals in AD brains were observed in higher concentrations. These metals interfere in the biological process through their interactions with molecules such as nucleic acids, proteins, enzymes and receptors. This ultimately leads to a change of function and can therefore be a significant instigator of the B- Z transition in AD brains.

The transition of the 2 conformations of DNA have a significant impact in gene expression (Rich and Zhang, 2003). Since the normal B-DNA is implicated in gene expression, any alteration to its conformation has an effect on transcription. Z-DNA is mostly observed in the promoter region of specific genes. Therefore, in AD brains, there is a proposition that the Z-DNA forms in the promoter region of APP and Presenilin genes. This will absorb the negative super-coils and decrease its density in that region.

Going back to the effect of Z-DNA form on gene expression, it can facilitate the binding of effectors which “positively regulate gene expression of AD-related genes like APP and Presenilin”. This leads to overexpression of AD-related genes as well as the inhibition of genes involved in AB clearance and defense mechanism. Since both of these events are related to neuronal cell death, it is hypothesized that Z-DNA formation in AD-brains “may aggravate the disease pathways, but not affect the consequences of the disease process”.

All in all, with the study of the dynamics of the DNA molecule, we will eventually be able to understand the cause of various genetic diseases. Alzheimer’s disease is yet to be fully understood but through this study we can propose a relation between the B-Z transition of DNA to neural cell death which is essentially the cause of Alzheimer’s disease.

ReferencesVasudevaraju P., Bharathi, Garruto R.M. , Sambamurti K., Rao K.S.J. 2008. Role of DNA dynamics in Alzheimer’s disease. Brain research review 58: 136-148.

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Each cosmetic product is composed of hundreds or thousands of chemicals, as a result, we are constantly exposing our bodies to an unimaginable number of toxic compounds. It has been discovered that lead and other heavy metals are present in lipsticks, eyeliner, nail polish, foundation, eyeshadow, concealer and moisturizers. The heavy metals such as iron, nickel, chromium, zinc and mercury have been linked to an increased incidence of breast cancer in women. [2] The main problematic element, lead, has been linked to decreased cognitive learning capabilities as well as behavioral issues [3]. It has also been shown that increased exposure to lead results in decreased fertility in both men and women. Women who are pregnant are particularly the most at risk due to the lead as it can cross the placental wall, enter the fetal brain and cause serious and often irreversible damage [4]. All of this seems like a significant large price to pay for vanity!

THE NOT SO

GLAMOROUS SIDE

OF COSMETICS

n a world completely obsessed with beauty, it is no wonder that most women feel pressure to look their best. The media glamorizes the use of makeup through the hundreds of

advertisements convincing women that in order to feel more beautiful, it is essential that they take advantage of cosmetics. The application of makeup has been ingrained into women’s daily morning routines and studies have shown that 44% of women feel less attractive without makeup. Another study conducted has revealed that 25% of women regularly use makeup since the tender teen age of 13. [1] A shocking statistic reveals that the average woman will use about 12 different products every day ranging from facial moisturizers to base foundation and lip colours. However, behind the beautiful packaging and glitter of every product, there exists a side of makeup products that is not so glamorous, cosmetic manufacturers go to extensive lengths in order to conceal the many faults beauty products have.

By: Romina Noormohammadi

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GLAMOROUS SIDE

However, no such warnings are added to cosmetic labels. Consumers often apply makeup daily and for long periods at a time, resulting in prolonged exposure to this compound. Does that not seem

shocking to you? The FDA defines fragrances as being any combination of ingredients used in order to create distinct scent and they do not require producers to list those ingredients in order to protect their trade secrets [6]. The ingredients used are

often derived from petroleum and have been found to be correlated to allergies and cancer development. A specific chemical of concern in fragrances is Acetaldehyde. This compound has been found to irreparably damage kidneys, the respiratory and nervous systems. [7] In many countries, this chemical has been classified as being potentially carcinogenic; however, because the FDA allows producers to hide many of the ingredients used under the tab of “fragrances”, many products have been found to still contain Acetaldehyde. [8]

As a result, countries such as Canada and the United States have banned the use of lead in their cosmetic products. However, there is a greater issue because cosmetic products do not have to be approved by the Food and Drug Association (FDA) prior to their release to the public. Hence, many women think that they are being protected against the use of these toxic chemicals due to the false belief that all products are FDA approved. In reality, the majority of products are contaminated with a handful of heavy metals that are progressively causing damage to the human body.

Have you ever looked at the ingredient list of a product and saw the ingredient fragrance? Fragrances are a very common ingredient in cosmetics and most people simply assume that it is just a harmless scent added to the product in order to make it more appealing to consumers. However, cosmetic producers use the word “fragrance” in order to mask a plethora of other industrial grade ingredients used. Industrial grade ingredients are any ingredients that factory and construction workers use during construction projects [5]. Translucent cosmetic powders are primarily produced using concrete and asphalt filler called mica, and eye liner is produced using hard black coal. [6] Mica is used in cosmetics to give a shimmering effect in foundations and powders. [7] This ingredient is so toxic that the government has set a limit for the duration of time construction workers can be exposed to mica. [8]

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Apart from the cosmetic side of the spectrum, not only do beauty products hide long lists of harmful ingredients. Shampoos, soaps or any products that are meant to lather and bubble are always contaminated with a dangerous chemical called 1,4-dioxane. [9] Now you might be thinking, “how do the producers of these products get away with putting such unacceptable ingredients?” The simple answer to this question is that 1,4-dioxane is not by definition an ingredient put into the product; however, it is a by-product created by the reaction between other compounds used. [10] As a result, producers can get away with not putting it on the labels because it technically was never an explicit ingredient. 1,4-dioxane is a well-known carcinogen that easily penetrates the skin and is so dangerous that is has officially been banned in Canada. [11]

It is shocking to discover that the products used in order to maintain hygiene are able to cause an extensive amount of damage as well. Therefore, it is absolutely essential to take the time to read the ingredients of any product you are potentially buying. It is not enough to read the front label of a

product and believe that the product is “organic” or “all natural” because producers reserve the right to deceive consumers about various products on their front labels by law. Consumers should ensure that they remove their makeup before going to sleep in order to avoid complete absorption of the toxins and should completely avoid applying certain products that are known to be carcinogenic.

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References

[1] Needleman, Herbert L.; Schell, Alan; Bellinger, David; Leviton, Alan; Allred, Elizabeth N. (1990). The long-term effects of exposure to low doses of lead in childhood. An 11-year follow-up report. New England Journal of Medicine 322 (2): 83–88.

[2] Martin, M., Reiter, R., Pham, T., Avellanet, Y., Camara, J., Lahm, M., … Stoica, A. (2003). Estrogen-like activity of metals in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Endocrinology, 144, 2425–2436.

[3] Needleman, Herbert L.; Schell, Alan; Bellinger, David; Leviton, Alan; Allred, Elizabeth N. (1990). The long-term effects of exposure to low doses of lead in childhood. An 11-year follow-up report. New England Journal of Medicine 322 (2): 83–88.

[4] Snijder, C. A., te Velde, E., Roeleveld, N., & Burdorf, A. (2012). Occupational exposure to chemical substances and time to pregnancy: a systematic review.Human reproduction update, 18(3), 284-300.

[5] Zinman C, Richards GA, Murray J, Phillips JI, Rees DJ, and Glyn-Thomas R. “Mica dust as a cause of severe pneumoconiosis.” Am J Ind Med. 2002 Feb;41(2):139-44. Print.

[6] Skulberg KR, Gylseth B, Skaug V, and Hanoa R. “Mica pneumoconiosis – a literature review.” Scand J Work Environ Health. 1985 Apr;11(2):65-74. Print.

[7] CDC. Acetaldehyde. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, 2015.

[8] IFRA. IFRA Ingredients, 2015. Available

[9] Spath, D.P. “1,4-Dioxane Action Level.” March 24, 1998. Memorandum from Spath, Chief of the Division of Drinking Water and Environmental Management, Department of Health Services, 601 North 7th Street, Sacramento, California 95814 to George Alexeeff, Deputy Director for Scientific Affairs, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment.

[10] Environmental Working Group (2007). Impurities of Concern in Personal Care

[11] Spath, D.P. “1,4-Dioxane Action Level.” March 24, 1998. Memorandum from Spath, Chief of the Division of Drinking Water and Environmental Management, Department of Health Services, 601 North 7th Street, Sacramento, California 95814 to George Alexeeff, Deputy Director for Scientific Affairs, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment.

As I’m sure many movie buffs would agree, the future we live in does not live up to the expectations of some of the cult classics we grew up with. And while we have made some extraordinary technological advances that would have seemed inane to even the creatives back in the day, one aspect that was heavily drawn upon in those movies, AI, has not progressed as far as portrayed.

We do have some varying level of functionality and application of AI in daily and work lives, such as Siri and HR use. But one of the next and possibly most revolutionary applications may come in the form of AI-assisted surgery.

Thus far, AI-enabled robots have been used by surgeons to reduce the variations in a patient’s post-operative recovery time that may occur due to differing physicians. However, AI assistance in these procedures is still in its early stages, so there is plenty of room to improve and widen its uses, but the outlook is quite positive. Many critics of this change will question whether it’s really helping, or doctors are using it to attract patients who are comforted by the latest instruments available. Which is exactly what Dr. Robert Pearl states in his Forbes opinion piece,

“The problem is the outcome data doesn’t support the hype or the cost.” (McNamee, 2014). Dr. John Birkmeyer, the chief clinical officerat Sound Physicians, argues against this, “We know that a surgeon’s skill, particularly with new or difficult procedures, varies widely, with huge implications for patient outcomes and cost. AI can both reduce that variation, and help all surgeons improve – even the best ones. It’s important to leverage that digital feedback.” (Britt, 2018)

With the medical scene so divided it seems difficult to sense where exactly the future of medical technology lies. But, its important to remember many of the AI assisted machines are still in their infancy. If people had lost hope and vision due to the inefficient nature of the first computer or smartphones we would not have achieved what we have today. Similarly, the medical world will continue to explore the idea and applicability of AI in medicine, at least for the sake of a RoboCop Surgeon.

ROBOCOPSURGEONSBy: Umar Azmi

References[2]Britt, P. (2018, June 19). How AI-Assisted Surgery Is Improving Surgical Outcomes. Robotics Business Review. Retrieved from, https://www.roboticsbusinessreview.com/health-medical/ai-assisted-surgery-improves-patient-outcomes/

[1]McNamee, D. (2014, Aug 1). Are robots the future of surgery, or a pricey marketing gimmick? Medical News Today. Retreived from, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/280518.php

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ith all the funding going into cancerresearch we’ve seen breakthroughs in many areas, none as strange as the cytosponge pill though. That’s right, a sponge.

Researchers at Cambridge Universitywere using the cytosponge – a sponge in a pill that expands in the esophagus – on those with Barrett’s esophagus. They found that 35% of them are at low risk of developing esophageal cancer. [1]

Barrett’s esophagus is a result of acidreflux. When acid travels back up the throat, causing what we experience as heartburn. Over time, this acid can damage the lining of the esophagus, and this damage is linked to esophageal cancer.

The sponge pill is given and pulled backup once it expands in the stomach, collecting sample cells from the esophagus lining. During the analysis process, two markers on the cells can be tested, a process similar to pap smears in cervical cancer, to estimate the risk of developing esophageal cancer.

This pill could change the way practitioners test for esophageal cancer. The current method includes an endoscopy, an invasive and very expensive measure. Endoscopies involve putting a camera down patient’s throats to collect samples and must be performed by specialists. The cytosponge samples are faster and can be performed by a general physician during checkups.

Lead researcher at the cancer unit atCambridge University said that the percent of people with Barrett’s that will go on to develop cancer is very low. And that the cytosponge aims to identify and distinguish between those that will and will not.

Esophageal cancer has a very low survivalrate, partly due to the fact that diagnoses occur late. Having this cheaper method allows for earlier diagnoses, treatment, and better rates of survival.

While still in the trial steps, the cytospongeoffers a bright future for those looking to treat and diagnose patients. As an affordable, simple, and much less traumatic test than its alternative, it is revolutionary – and bizarre – in the benefits that it may bring about in the future.

By: Umar Azmi

Figure 1: Expansion of the cytosponge pill

FIGHTING ESOPHAGEAL CANCER WITH SPONGES

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References[1] Cancer Research UK. (2016, November 10). Sponge on a String Test Could Replace Endoscopies. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/11/161110212718.htm

By: Umar Azmi

For the last few decades, millions ofdollars of research had been put into cancer treatment research. The result of which has provided us with chemotherapy and radiation as the pillars of treatment. Knowing this, it is quite a surprise to learn that the newest ‘pillar’ of treatment is immunotherapy.

Immunotherapy is the use of enhancingthe immune system to fight the tumour on its own. The most popular approach to this is adoptive cell treatment (ACT), which enlists our own immune cells to fight.

The most advanced of the ACT types isCAR T-cell therapy. This therapy was mainly used in small clinical trials consisting ofmostly blood cancer patients. But due to the success in both kids and adults, it hascaptured the attention of researchers and the public. In 2017, the FDA even approved it for treatment of children with leukemia and adults with lymphoma. [1] It may still be too early to tell whether it will be effective in engaging solid tumours, but the research has greatly accelerated with dramatic progress seen within the knowledge and application.CAR T-cell therapy is dependent on T-cells, the lymphocytes responsible forattacking and killing pathogens

. The therapy draws blood from the patient, and separates the T-cells. Using a weakened virus, it then genetically engineers receptors on the T-cell called chimeric antigen receptors (CAR).

These receptors are completely synthetic,and target specific antigens on tumour cells. In lab, the engineered T-calls are then grown, and then infused into the patient where they hopefully target and kill tumour cells.

But like its counterparts, even CAR T-celltherapies have their side effects. One of the most recurring is cytokine release syndrome (CRS). Cytokine is a product of T-cell activity, and in CRS there is a huge influx of cytokine that causes fevers, and steep drops in blood pressure. Fortunately, they have discovered to manage CRS with steroid therapies. Another side effect is B-cell aplasia, which are antibody producing lymphocytes that are killed off by the infused T-cells. Patients will receive immunoglobin therapy for the necessary antibodies to fight off infections. There is also limited reporting of fatal brain swelling, cerebral edema.

While CAR-T cell therapy is still undergoing research and clinical trials, it offers a hopeful and promising future for cancer treatments. We have spent so much manpower and money as a society in our attempts to undress the phenomenon known as cancer. With research being conducted in all sorts of fields and so many dead-ends, it’s a little inspirational, and cheesy, to think that the cure was in us all along.

THE CURE TO CANCER WAS IN US ALL ALONG

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ADVANCING TECHNOLOGY ON SURGICAL TREATMENT OF PEDIATRIC STONE DISEASE

Urinary stones occur commonly in adults; it is usually composed of various materials such as the crystallization of solutes in the urine (where the urine is too concentrated because of dehydration or where there is a very high amount of stone-forming material in the urine). This disease is less common to occur to children. Hence the lack of complexity in the treatment methods that are found. Most pediatric stones are treated in facilities with the use of instruments designed for stone removal in adults. However, with the current advances in technological equipment; the surgical treatment of pediatric stone disease has definitely improved.

Now, a large variety of nephroscopes of different sizes are available on the market to treat kidney stones for different age groups. other surgical treatment methods also became available such as :

Flexible ureteroscopes Ultrathin ureteroscopes and other sizes for the treatment of ureteral and upper urinary tract calculi in children of various age groups.

Some advancement in the finer instruments also include the improvement of laser technology to facilitate the fragmentation of the stones. The process has improved by decreasing previous complications. Thanks to all these improvements, open stone surgery has almost disappeared except with special cases of anatomical abnormalities. Another valuable treatment option that has surged also includes shock wave lithotripsy. According to the article entitled “Recent advances in the surgical treatment of pediatric stone disease management”, the most crucial part of the treatmentof pediatric ston treatment of pediatric stone disease is personalized management. Meaning that it is the task of the surgeon to find the best treatment method according to the size and location of the stone as well as the physical attributes of the patient.

The article points out the increasing frequency of the case of pediatric stone disease has definitely urged on the advances of such treatment options. The miniaturization of the instruments and those advancements in technology have impacted the treatment of pediatric stone disease over the years.

By: Silvya Sidarous

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ADVANCING TECHNOLOGY ON SURGICAL TREATMENT OF PEDIATRIC STONE DISEASE

However, there are various obstacles that still need to be addressed such as the length of the “mini” and “micro” surgical tools. Although they are small in calibre, their length causes a technical challenge to the surgeons. Another advancement in the treatment is also the positioning strategies. Recently, the Supine PNL (one of the positioning strategies) has become popular in its promise to improve the ergonomics of the procedure. As the authors discuss it, “ it allows concomitant RIRS and eliminates the anesthetic risks due to prone positioning” (Silay, 2017). However, the popular supine positioning has not been proved by any study to be superior over the prone position yet in a pediatric population. It is important to note that complex renal stones and large ones represent a challenge in children. The number of complications increase as does the time of operation. To decrease the operative time, a new strategy is the use of high power laser devices for fragmentation. A study by Bujons et al demonstrated the effectivity of a 70-W laser for large stones (mean size of 4.4 cm). The stone-free rate increase by 7% from 75% to 85%. Finally, robotic technology is another area that is expecting a lot of improvement in FURS. It is suggested to be advantageous due to the increased ergonomics while treating large renal stones with FURS. However, no specific reports on pediatric populations have been published.

To conclude, the endoscopic devices in modern day related to the miniaturization of the instruments and the advancements in technology have greatly improved the treatments of pediatric stone disease. There is a definite increase in the use of the minimally invasive treatment options discussed previously such as a mini- PNL, RIRS, and micro-PNL. With all options present, it is the task of the surgeon in charge to choose the best treatment method for the patient (personalized management).

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ReferencesSilay M S. 2017. Recent advances in the surgical treatment of pediatric stone disease management. The European Association of Urology (16): 182-188

Thomas S E, Stapleton F B. 2000. “Leave no stone unturned : understanding the genetic bases of calcium- containing urinary stones in children” Advances in pediatrics (47): 199-221.

attoos have been around for hundreds of years and it seems that people are not going to stop getting them anytime soon. It has been reported that around 16% of U.S adults have tattoos and

that the popularity of tattoos is steadily increasing [1] . However, tattoo ink in the past was compose of all-natural ingredients found in nature and most of them did not possess any heavy metals. Nowadays, the pigments that are used for the tattoos largely contain harmful components that can cause serious damage to the body. These include heavy metals such as lead, titanium and aluminum which are used as colorants in the tattoos [2] . There do exist other inks that use non-metal colorants which may just contain traces of antimony, arsenic, beryllium, chromium, cobaltand many more [3] . These ingredients in particular are the ones of most concern.

These pigments are insoluble and the nanoparticles from the tattoos can travel from the dermal skin to the lymph nodes. The lymph nodes of deceased individuals with tattoos have been shown to have stained lymph nodes as a result of the pigments [4] . There is obvious evidence for the migration of tattoo ink due to the fact that the vibrancy of the tattoo decreases over time. The process of getting a tattoo is a simple one. The insoluble pigments are deposited into the dermal skin layer

which is underneath the top layer called the epidermis [5]. Now, these particles can be either passively transported through the blood or through phagocytes that use transport, more so active transport, to the lymph nodes. The biggest concern with having pigments in the lymph nodes is that it poses an issue for doctors that are trying to diagnose patients for possible cancers.

The stained lymph nodes are hard to distinguish from actual cancerous tissue. This can cause medical officials to possibly provide incorrect diagnoses to patients and in worst case scenarios, to remove more tissue during operations than what is actually necessary [6].

Figure 1: This diagram illustrates the process of tattooing and how tattoo pigments can either be passively or actively transported to the lymph nodes.

THE TRUTH ABOUT TATOOS By: Romina Noormohammadi

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T

Not only is the pigmentation an issue, but the ingredients of the tattoo themselves can be carcinogenic, meaning it has the potential to cause cancer. These ingredients can not only confuse medical doctors about the presence of cancer, but it could also be creating cancerous tissue at the same time. The majority of the pigments used in the ink are industrial grade and they are not approved by the government for use on the body.

Finally, aside from the long-term effects of tattoos, there are more immediate health concerns. Tattoos are recognized to cause serious infections if the needles used are not sterilized. Staph skin, including wounds on the skin, cellulitis, staphylococcus scaled skin and impetigo infections can grow and mature into greater life-threatening complications. Several of these bacterial infections may contain antibiotic resistant strains which can be endangering to the body [7].

As a result, it is absolutely essential and recommended to seek more knowledge about the chemical composition of the ink being used, to make sure that the tattoo establishment visited has a positive well-known reputation, and that all the equipment being used is sterile and safe. One receiving a tattoo should also consider all the possible health risks of tattoos prior to committing to the long term ink presence on one’s body.

References

[1] McGovern, V. (2005). Metal Toxicity: Tattoos: Safe Symbols? Environmental Health Perspectives, 113(9), A590.

[2] McGovern, V. (2005). Metal Toxicity: Tattoos: Safe Symbols? Environmental Health Perspectives, 113(9), A590.

[3] McGovern, V. (2005). Metal Toxicity: Tattoos: Safe Symbols? Environmental Health Perspectives, 113(9), A590.

[4] Schreiver, I. (2017). Synchrotron-based ν-XRF mapping and μ-FTIR microscopy enable to look into the fate and effects of tattoo pigments in human skin. Scientific Reports ,7. Retrieved March 3, 2018.

[5] Schreiver, I. (2017). Synchrotron-based ν-XRF mapping and μ-FTIR microscopy enable to look into the fate and effects of tattoo pigments in human skin. Scientific Reports ,7. Retrieved March 3, 2018.

[6] Schreiver, I. (2017). Synchrotron-based ν-XRF mapping and μ-FTIR microscopy enable to look into the fate and effects of tattoo pigments in

human skin. Scientific Reports ,7. Retrieved March 3, 2018.

[7] Schreiver, I. (2017). Synchrotron-based ν-XRF mapping and μ-FTIR microscopy enable to look into the fate and effects of tattoo pigments in human skin. Scientific Reports ,7. Retrieved March 3, 2018.

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ALTERNATIVE THERAPEUTIC APPROACH TO TREAT CANCER CAUSED BY FAE; TARGETING β-ENDORPHIN NEURONS

ajority of couples want to have babies and always desire for the healthy ones, but some of them may not know that their lifestyle and habits can endanger this desire. Most of

the women are unaware that their alcohol drinking habit during their pregnancy can have a huge impact on their own health and their fetuses. Their fetuses fall into a phenomenon called fetal alcohol exposure (FAE) and it happens when pregnant women drink alcohol. This exposure can lead the babies to physical and mental issues such as mental retardation, immune mal-functioning, decrease in production of -endorphin (-EP), which is a neuropeptide found in the hypothalamus responsible for inhibiting stress, suppressing pain and different kinds of cancers including breast cancer and brain tumors 1 .Since the production of -EP is decreased as result of FAE, the babies will have hyperactive respond to stress results in weakening of immune function against cancer 1 ,so targeting -EP is a good approach to fight against cancer.

Zhang and his colleagues hypothesized that vulnerability to mammary cancer is caused by low number of -EP neurons in the hypothalamus. Therefore, they examined the effect of alcohol exposure on rat fetuses. After they were born, the mammary cancer growth was induced by a cancer-causing agent that caused breast cancer in female rats 2, and then went under two treatments. First, one group was transplanted with -EP neurons in their paraventricular nucleus (PVN) residing in the hypothalamus, and in the second treatment, they were injected with an agent (dbcAMP) to increase the number of -EP neurons in the hypothalamus and consequently inhibit stress and robust the immune function 1 .To test their hypothesis, the tumors were collected for diagnosis, spleen was removed to check on expression of genes encoding for cytokines, the substances secreted by immune system, and lastly plasma was obtained to measure level of stress hormones 1 .

By: Mohammad Ali Mirzazadeh

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References1.Zhang, C., Franklin, T., & Sarkar, D.K. (2016). Inhibition of Mammary Cancer Progression in Fetal Alcohol Exposed Rats by -Endorphin Neurons. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 40(1), 134-140. doi: 10.1111/acer.12941

2.Huggins, C.B., Ueda, N., & Wiessler, M. (1981). N-Nitroso-N-Methylurea Elicits Mammary Cancer in Resistant and Sensitive Rat Strains. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 78(2), 1185-1188. doi: 10.1073/pnas.78.2.1185

According to the results, while the FAE increased the level of stress hormones, but its hyperactive response suppresses after transplantation of -EP neurons, and administration of dbcAMP led to differentiation of neural stem cell into -EP and subsequently increase -EP neurons, also can decrease the tumor size in both control and alcohol fed rats, increase the number of cytokines necessary to fight against cancer 1. The study has done a job in identifying the important role of -endorphin neurons in hindering the mammary cancer growth and suppressing the overactive stress response.

Figure 1: The (top left) image is the representative of the lungs of the offspring whose mothers were fed differently during their pregnancy in the control (top) and -EP transplanted groups (below). It provides evidence that how -EP neurons transplantation reduced the lung metastasis and inhibited tumor cells. The right image depicts the results of the injection of dbcAMP and showing how the number of tumors were decreased after the injection.

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A PLAUSIBLE APPROACH FOR TREATING DIABETES

A body of a human being and other organisms works like an integrated system and its components work together in a synchronized fashion. Now, imagine if one of these constituents of this system malfunctions either due to genetic defects or environmental influences, it will lead to many complications down the road. Environmental influences can cover the nutrition and the life-style which plays a substantial role in maintaining the system integration. Taking nutrition into consideration, consuming excessive amount of carbohydrates meals that contain sugar-based substances can lead to different health problems such as diabetes, which is abnormally high level of glucose in the blood. This disease is of the major causes of death worldwide with an increasing prevalence from 108 million in 1980 to 442 million in 2014 1.

This increase in prevalence across many years has raised many concerns for the health of the people and the health care system and has encouraged the researchers to come up with an effective approach to treat diabetes. One of the approaches that Sunil Kumar and his colleagues have proposed is targeting -glucosidase, which is an enzyme within small intestine 2 .This enzyme is responsible for breaking down starch and complex carbohydrates into glucose which will be taken up by bloodstream and spread throughout the whole body; therefore, its

effect by knowing its function, the researchers counteracted by introducing plant-derived inhibitors of this enzyme that can result in reducing the rate of glucose absorption by

blood since there will not be large amount of glucose present to be taken up. This

study is willing to introduce different plant-derived substances that are capable of inhibiting -glucosidase

and subsequently can fight against diabetes. Kumar and his colleagues

investigated the plant-based inhibitors in yeast and the small

intestine of a rat. First, they tested different classes of flavonoids and

examined the potency of them on inhibiting -glucosidase and found out

either yeast or the small intestine of a rat responded fairly positive to any of these classes. They went through the same process with alkaloids, phenolics, anthocyanins and curcuminoids. The latter from derived from turmeric had a remarkable impact on inhibiting -glucosidase 2.

This study and similar ones have opened a door for exploring natural products to heal patients suffering from the diabetes, especially type II, which accounts for 9% of deaths across the world 2 ,and motivated researchers to utilize these natural products in the drugs since they have proven that they can alter the mechanism of the enzyme -glucosidase leading to lowering the blood glucose level. By incorporating these natural-based products into diabetes drugs, it can be expected to see a decreasing trend in type II diabetes.

Targeting Alpha-Glucosidase Inside the small Intestine

By: Mohammad Ali Mirzazadeh

ou’ve probably heard of “Dolly the Sheep” 4, the first successfully cloned mammal in the world. She hit the stage in 1996, shocking the world in a new breakthrough in cloning

technology.2 Previously, organisms have been cloned, but not like this—Dolly was cloned from an adult (somatic) cell rather than a embryonic cell, a process referred to as Somatic Nuclear Transfer (SCNT). 1

SCNT involves placing a somatic cell in an unfertilized egg, which then allows for an embryo to develop. The embryo was then placed in a surrogate with hopes of developing to full term. Dolly was an exact clone to the sheep in which the somatic cell was derived from.

Think of it like this; imagine a scientist took some of your skin cells and “reprogrammed” the DNA before injecting it into an unfertilized egg. If successful, the resulting baby would be genetically identical to you! Although this process has yet to be done on humans, the art of cloning has just taken another step closer to the possibility by successfully producing two healthy Macaca fascicularis, (otherwise known as macaques monkeys). Many other mammals had been successfully cloned after Dolly, but the cloning of primates is genetically closer to humans. 3

As simple as the technique may sound, researchers tested two different methods, each of which took many trials for the SCNT to be successful. For the first method, 79 embryos were placed in surrogates,

but only two had successful births. A similar result was found for the second method, with two successful births, but the two did not survive more than a day. 3 Undoubtedly, there are concerns over the ethical aspect of cloning. For starters, what’s the purpose of cloning animals? 3 Researchers hope that cloned organisms would reduce the number of confounding variables as they have the same DNA. “…[The] reason we chose to break this barrier is to produce animal models that are useful for human medicine” says the director of the Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Mu-Ming Poo, at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. She also clarifies that they have “…no intention to apply this method to humans”. 3

Many express concern on the issue of using animals as surrogates, as there is a high rate of miscarriage and there isn’t much need for cloning outside the realm of research. That being said, the future of cloning opens many doors for the advancement of medicine. Although, we may be able to clone humans one day, its use may not be common practice.

By: Joyce John

WILL WE ONE DAY BE ABLE TO CLONE HUMANS?

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ReferencesCloning dolly the sheep. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.animalresearch.info/en/medical-advances/timeline/cloning-dolly-the-sheep/

Griffin, A. (2018, January 24). Scientists have cloned a monkey in a huge world first. Retrieved from https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/clone-monkey-human-zhong-hua-china-cloning-fears-macaque-replicant-a8176181.html

Greshko, M. (2018, January 24). Monkey Clones Created in the Lab. Now What? Retrieved from https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/01/monkey-clones-dolly-sheep-china-medicine-science/

Liu, Z. (n.d.). Cloning of Macaque Monkeys by Somatic Cell Nuclear ... Retrieved from https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(18)30057-6

CORRELATION BETWEEN TELOMERE LENGTH ANDHERITABLE DISEASE

ntil recently, our understanding of genes and how diseases work has not aided significantly in the treatment process, but physicians and researchers at John Hopkins

Hospital have a different opinion.1

The team, have discovered that a test for the measurement of telomere length plays a significant role in the diagnosis and prognosis of heritable diseases; specifically pulmonary fibrosis and bone marrow failure. Dr Mary Armanious, stated that approximately 5,000 - 10,000 Americans have a disease that is directly correlated with short telomeres, which is roughly the same number of individuals affected by a form of leukemia.1 The test that the researchers emphasized on is the flow-FISH test, which has been perfected by Peter Lansdorp and his research team at the BC Cancer Agency Terry Fox laboratory with a main research interest in telomere biology developed and perfected the Flow FISH procedure.2Flow fish quantifies telomeres by flow cytometric analysis of fluorescence in situ hybridization, the telomeres shorten during

DNA replication and usually erode over time. The process stains the monocular blood cells with cell division tracking dye (carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFSE)), the sample is stimulated by phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and left to grow for roughly a week (5-6 days), the sample is then hybridized with a telomere sequence specific peptide Nucleic acid fluorescent probe, (PNA-Cy5)

Counterstained with DAPI,3 which stained A-T rich regions in a bright fluorescent blue4(as seen in figure 1) and then analyzed using flow cytometry. As evident in the figure, Cy5 emission was used to determine telomere-specific fluorescence, an indicator of telomere length, highlighted by the white in the figure.

The results of this test could improve the identification of individuals who are at risk of diseases that are associated with short telomere length, aiding in the prognosis and treatment plans. A group of heritable diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis or bone marrow failure are uniquely categorized by short telomeres, according to Dr. Mary Armanios at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel

Could it be possible that our understanding of genes could aid in the treatment of certain heritable genetic diseases?

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By: Carol Botros

Cancer Center, they conducted research on patients from Johns Hopkins Hospital ranging from newborns to individuals aged 82. (Johns Hopkins Medicine, February 28 2018) Team experimented on 192 individuals and then compared the data with results released by researchers from Vancouver, Canada and researchers from Baltimore. They found that the data from both were very similar with a variability of 5%. (Johns Hopkins Medicine, February 28 2018)The results led to the conclusion that the reproducibility and the accuracy of the flow-FISH test make it suitable measuring tool in a clinical setting. Following on from the research, Armanios stated that she believes that patients with a specific forms of low blood counts should have the test, as it will help their physicians in the treatment of their condition. (Mary Armanios, Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2018)6

Perfecting diagnosis and clinical tests will improve the accuracy of diagnosis made by physicians, improving the quality of the treatment, bringing us one step further to curing heritable and genetic diseases.

(Figure 1 5)

ReferencesBasu, S., Modrek, S., & Bendavid, E. (2014). Comparing Decisions for Malaria Testing and Presumptive Treatment. Medical Decision Making, 34(8), 996-1005. doi:10.1177/0272989x14533609

Accurate Telomere Length Test Influences Treatment Decisions for Certain Diseases. (2018, February 26). Retrieved March 03, 2018, from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/media/releases/accurate_telomere_length_test_influences_treatment_decisions_for_certain_diseases.

Stepchuk, H. (2015, October 27). Peter Lansdorp MD, PhD. Retrieved March 03, 2018, from https://repeatdx.com/?team=peter-lansdorp-md-phd

Potter, A. J., & Wener, M. H. (2005). Flow cytometric analysis of fluorescence in situ hybridization with dye dilution and DNA staining (flow-FISH-DDD) to determine telomere length dynamics in proliferating cells. Cytometry Part A, 68A(1), 53-58. doi:10.1002/cyto.a.20181

DAPI Protocol for Fluorescence Imaging. (n.d.). Retrieved March 03, 2018, from https://www.thermofisher.com/ca/en/home/references/protocols/cell-and-tissue-analysis/protocols/dapi-imaging-protocol.html

Accurate Telomere Length Test Influences Treatment Decisions for Certain Diseases. (2018, February 26). Retrieved March 03, 2018, from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/media/releases/accurate_telomere_length_test_influences_treatment_decisions_for_certain_diseases.

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By: Joyce John

SYNESTHESIASYNESTHESIASYNESTHESIA

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ou would think the ability to smell colors would be something of an imagination, an impossibility. Seeing a rainbow of colors when you hear certain musical notes, or perhaps a color for every

number. Or what if you could “feel” words?

This is no imagination. This is the reality of a synesthete. Synesthesia is the “mixing” of senses, meaning instead of associating one sense with their appropriate stimuli, there may be other senses that are experienced as well. That’s where an individual may see a color for every number, for example. Not every synesthete has the same experience. Some hear music, others see colors, etc. Neurologically, the condition arises when there are an excess of neural connections in the brain.

Interestingly, there are a few similarities, (emphasis on the “few”) between LSD-induced hallucinations, and the experiences felt by a synesthete. LSD produces exaggerated visual effects, common for certain synesthetes. By studying the two, researchers are hoping to get some insight on this peculiar phenomenon.

Synesthesia only occurs in about 1 percent of the population, and seems to be more frequent in individuals with Asperger’s syndrome. It has also been found to genetic, although few researchers speculate that all babies start off with these many neural connections, but we lose them as we age. Not much is known about this condition, but further research can unlock a world of questions regarding the brain and our perception.

Y

ReferencesBradford, A. (2017, October 18). What Is Synesthesia? Retrieved from https://www.livescience.com/60707-what-is-synesthesia.html

Hearing Colors And Seeing Sounds: How Real Is Synesthesia? (2007, July 26). Retrieved from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/07/070724113711.htm

RESEARCH Open Access Is synaesthesia more common in autism? (n.d.). Retrieved from http://docs.autismresearchcentre.com/papers/2013_BC_etal_synaesthesia_autism.pdf

Synesthesia. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/synesthesia

The induction of synaesthesia with ... - PubMed Central (PMC). (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3797969/

What is synesthesia? (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-is-synesthesia/

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FUN FACTS ABOUT THE HISTORY OF MEDICINE:

DID YOU KNOW… crazy facts on the human body! 1. The ears never

stop growing!

2. The heart is the only muscle in the human body that never gets tired!

3. Stressed for an exam? You can

remember that you have 2.5 million sweat pores on

your body and that will distract you for

a bit…

4. You produce 40,000 litres of spit

in your lifetime! 5. Capillaries are so miniscule that it

takes 10 to have the same thickness as

one hair strand

Some of the earliest recorded doctors mentioned by name are women in the Egyptian culture. In fact, Merit Ptah is the first female physician known by name and was described as “the chief physician”. One of the most advanced ancient civilizations in the field on medicine and engineering were the Egyptians. They constructed the pyramids, several astonishing monuments and even mastered the art of mummification. Among these great accomplishments is the evidence of women in high status positions!

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MEDMAG IN COLLABORATION WITH URNCST

The Undergraduate Research in Natural and Clinical Sciences and Technology (URNCST) Journal was launched in 2017, and is the leading publisher for undergraduate research conferences spanning broad and multidisciplinary fields. Undergraduate research conferences and case competitions are held globally, yet their abstracts often go unpublished, thus the URNCST Journal was established to provide undergraduate conference planning committees with a meaningful way to establish their legacy as well as provide undergraduate students attending these conferences with the opportunity to see their abstract formally published. Furthermore, the journal typically works with each conference planning committee to provide exceptional undergraduate researchers the opportunity to submit a full article resulting from the conference abstract they presented. The journal also provides the opportunity for graduate students, professors and other research faculty alike who have a passion for supporting their own undergraduate students, and undergraduate researchers internationally, to contribute to our editorial board and/or peer-review process.

Competitions- Abstract contestsAbstract competitions hosted by the Journal are created to showcase to showcase impactful international undergraduate or professional-undergraduate research projects. Each competition will have a broad, predefined topic to allow many undergraduate students from a variety of disciplines to submit an abstract. More information about the contests are as follows:

•They are held entirely online so there is no need for students to travel or attend a physical venue•They are for designed for undergraduate (i.e. BSc, BEng) or professional undergraduate (i.e. MD, OD, etc.) degree students•All published abstracts are made available as an open-access abstract book for international audience

Please see the Frequently Asked Questions section of our website for more information: https://urncst.com/index.php/competition/faq

Competitions- Hosted Journal CompetitionThe URNCST Journal offers a collaborative initiative to undergraduate organizations or associations at universities around the world called the URNCST Journal Hosted Competition. This initiative is designed to provide such undergraduate groups - with an interest in one or more science or technology disciplines - to host a virtual abstract competition, who would not otherwise have the opportunity to do so. Undergraduate organizations and associations should have an idea of a theme for their competition as well as select the type of submissions they wish to accept (i.e. cases, research, etc.). The undergraduate group should also determine those eligible to make a submission, whether that be only general members, students from the affiliated university, or students from other universities, as three possible examples. The URNCST Journal will then provide the entire workflow needed to host this abstract competition virtually. This includes a submission portal, assistance with peer-reviewer assignment, and publishing and indexing of the university group’s accepted submissions in a single published article.Read more here: https://www.urncst.com/index.php/competition/hostedcompetition

MEDMAG TEAMBoard of directors

GENERAL members

IRTEZA AFZAL

BANDANA SAINISAWERA RASHID

SELINA CHUNGMAHAM AFZAL RAHA ZOLFAGHARI

MOAZAM QURESHI GURSHARAN LUBANA

CO-FOUNDER/PRESIDENT

SECRETARY

MARKETER/ EDITOR EDITOR

CO-FOUNDER/PRESIDENT/

GRAPHIC DESIGNERMARKETER

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

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I am a second-year undergraduate student majoring in biomedical science. I am a writer in the MedMag team and joined MedMag in order to follow my passion as a writer. I am a strong believer that words are indeed mightier than the sword. I joined MedMag as a way to inform readers of the various advances in medicine, the importance of regular physical examinations and on how to link their field of undergraduate/ graduate studies to real-life applications in medicine. This experience as a writer on MedMag greatly impacted me as it allowed me to hone my critical thinking skills and refine my ability to analyze medical articles. It instilled in me a critical lens that I use to judge the credibility of an article or a study. MedMag also gave me a sense of belonging on this campus, to a group of peers that like me have the same passion for writing as well as the same interest in the field of medicine.

I am in the first year of Naturopathic Medicine at Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM) and am hoping to become a naturopathic doctor. I have always been looking for a way to help my fellow students become more informed about medical research. To my belief, a majority of the students face time constraints due to busy academic schedules and this prevents them from looking at articles on their free time. In addition, students are more prone to suffer from different health issues due to the load of stress that weakens their body, so having medical knowledge can help them seek proper treatments. As a writer, it is important to facilitate their understanding of medical journals by putting them in the simplest form so that even a non-science student can understand. Since I joined MedMag, I am more aware of the medical researches being done and it encourages me to read more articles and utilize them in later publications. Even though I am not a part of York University any more, I strongly believe through writing I can continue to share valuable knowledge and my experience in the health care field with fellow students at York University .

I am a second-year student in the BSc Psychology program here at York, and an aspiring physician/medical student. The primary reason that drew me to this club was the idea of combining my two true passions, writing and medicine. This club has given me opportunities to explore scientific journals, avenues of medicine I never knew about, the creative side to the sciences, and expanded my understanding of contemporary medical issues and innovation. On the topic of medical issues, I grew up in a small beach town near Lake Huron called Port Elgin. There I was exposed to the fact that many rural areas in Canada are still very underdeveloped in the healthcare sector. This pushed me to pursue a career in which I could make a positive influence concerning this issue. In my spare time, I spend a lot of time at other clubs including IRSAY and PSA, working out, trying new foods and of course studying. I would like to thank all the administration, editors, financers, marketers, and other writers of MedMag who made this opportunity possible. Without them I may not have ever found a club that fits my niche interests so well, and for that I am very grateful. I hope everyone continues to read and follow MedMag as we release more issues and grow together as a club. I can be reached on my LinkedIn or my email umar_a_azmi@hotmail.com.

MOHAMMAD ALI MIRZAZADEH

SILVYA SIDAROUS

UMER AZMI

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A WORD FROM OUR WRITERS

My name is Romina Noormohammadi and I am a second-year undergraduate student studying Biomedical Sciences in York University. I would like to start off by saying that it has been honour being part of the Med Mag team at York University! Being a writer for the magazine has exposed me to the medical field in ways that I couldn’t have imagined. During the research process for my publications, I came across countless articles about new medical discoveries and I have chosen two interesting topics for you readers. The first article “The Not so Glamorous Side of Cosmetics” outlines the hidden dangers in our favourite makeup products and how harmful of an impact they have. The second article “The Truth About Tattoos” highlights the risks and possible consequences of getting tattoos. I hope you enjoy the articles and gain some insight into these topics as I know I have! Med Mag is striving to expose students to medical discoveries one article at a time. I would like to extend my special thanks to the whole team who helped put the magazine together. Hopefully by the end of the magazine, you readers will have gained more interest in scientific journals and will stay tuned for edition two of Med Mag. Till next time readers and keep reading!

My name is Carol and I’m in my second year studying Biomedical Sciences at York University. I wrote the article titled “Telomere length and Heritable disease”. I joined medmag because I knew the extent of research and innovation that is out there, but I never knew how it impacted my day to day life. By being so fascinated by all the innovative work that surrounds me, I knew I had to be a part of something that brought some light onto the things we discover daily. My focus for choosing my article was looking at the innovative overlap between technology and modern science. I began looking into the topic of Bioprinting having realized that it’s slowly growing but it’s application benefits many people. Through my research I found that the medical research field is innovatively growing day by day. Being part of MedMag really made a difference in the way that I think about research and the different types of research topics that are out there, being part of such a team that brings together so many different ideas is what makes me enjoy it so much.

I am currently in my second year studying biomedical science at York University. I enjoy music, photography, and I’m a sucker for fun facts! Many people think of science and literature as being incongruent, but as someone who loves to read and write, and yet finds passion in the sciences, I find comfort in knowing there are others like me. To those of you reading, welcome! In MedMag, I’ve found likeminded students who each bring their own unique skillset, and for us who are interested in medicine, I find it representative of how healthcare works. We each bring our own strengths and interests to each article we create, just as there are many different specialists in medicine who each work together to provide healthcare. My work in particular comes from topics that intrigue me, and I hope to inspire the same curiosity in readers.

ROMINA NOORMOHAMMADI

JOYCE JOHN

CAROL BOTROS

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