Sciences de la santé - Affiches // Health Sciences - Research Posters

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10393/30962

Cette collection contient les résumés et les affiches décrivant la recherche originale menée par les étudiants de premier cycle de la 4e année des classes d'épidémiologie de l'École interdisciplinaire des sciences de la santé. // This collection contains the abstracts and posters describing original research conducted by the undergraduate students of the 4th year Epidemiology classes of the Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences.

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Childhood Obesity in Canada vs. USA: What are Canadians doing better?
(2019) Forbes, Samantha; Bartley, Laura
Childhood obesity, including children aged 0-18 years old, is associated with multiple adverse health issues and has become an issue of increasing severity in developed countries. The USA has increased rates of childhood obesity compared to Canada, despite the range of similarities between the two countries. This study aims to investigate the reasons that Canada has a decreased childhood obesity prevalence compared to the USA. A literature search using the PubMed database identified 121 articles matching the search criteria. We extracted data about childhood obesity in Canada and the USA from English peer-reviewed articles written in the last 10 years. Eleven studies were included that identified three main themes from the data extracted. Better strategies to combat childhood obesity were related to decreased prevalence of childhood obesity in Canada, and was present across all studies. Research indicates that the strategies Canada has implemented has led to decreased childhood obesity in comparison to the USA. Further research needs to be done to better characterize these differences and provide recommendations for future policies to combat childhood obesity in both countries.
Exploring the Association Between Endometriosis and Risk of Ovarian Cancer
(2019) Sebastian, Isabella; Rao, Sharvani; Gomes, James
Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the most common and lethal gynecological malignancies in women. The etiology is relatively unknown, making prevention difficult. Surgery, chemotherapy and various other therapies are currently being used in treatment. A cure for OC is not available yet due to the heterogeneous nature of the disease and lack of knowledge on the pathogenesis of ovarian cancer. OC is responsible for approximately 152,000 deaths worldwide. This study will examine the existing literature and assess the evidence related to the association between endometriosis and the risk of developing ovarian cancer. A structured literature review was conducted. Articles were retrieved from ScienceDirect, Springer Link and the Wiley Online Library using the keywords “ovarian cancer” AND “endometriosis.” The articles were limited to those written in the English language, peer-reviewed and published between 2002-2019. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses were excluded as well as non-article sources. Six studies were deemed relevant to our systematic literature review. Four studies confirmed an association between endometriosis and ovarian cancer. In the two other studies, one of them had inconclusive results while the other was unable to confirm a link. The majority of the studies supported the association between endometriosis and the development of ovarian cancer. However, due to the unknown cause of ovarian cancer and variation in results, further research should be conducted. Furthermore, research should also be reinforced in regard to what specific types of ovarian cancer are associated with endometriosis.
Canines on Campus: A Literature Review Exploring the Effect of Canine-Assisted Therapy on Student Stress at Canadian Universities
(2018) Coderre, Daphne; Ing, Jessica; Gomes, James
Background: Animal-assisted therapy has been studied and applied in a variety of settings to complement interventions in palliative care, geriatrics, and psychiatry. Recently, Canadian universities have begun to integrate canine-assisted therapy into their student services to address mental health. Studies have shown that university students are especially susceptible to elevated stress levels and poor mental health due to challenges with acclimating to student life. Objective: The objective of this literature review is to determine whether canine-assisted therapy, in comparison with no intervention, reduces stress levels in Canadian university students. Methodology: Literature search was conducted using Scopus and the following search entry: “student AND stress AND therapy AND dog.” Limits were applied to include only Canadian, English peer-reviewed articles from the last ten years. Articles lacking statistical analysis were excluded. This search strategy yielded four articles acceptable for literature review. Data from these articles was extracted and organized into a table detailing study design, sample size, results, and statistical significance. Results: Among the four articles reviewed, three observed reductions in student stress levels (p < 0.05) after participation in canine-assisted therapy while one measured lower increases in stress response (p < 0.01) when the intervention was followed by exposure to a stressor. Additionally, canine-assisted therapy also reduced homesickness due to dislike of school (p < 0.001) and attachment to home (p < 0.05), and increased social support (p = 0.032), happiness (p < 0.001), energy levels (p < 0.001), and sense of school belonging (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The results of this literature review suggest that canine-assisted therapy, in comparison with no intervention, reduces stress levels in Canadian university students. However, further study on the logistics of canine-assisted therapy (e.g., availability, dose) at Canadian universities is required to optimize its effects on student mental health.
Readiness to Collaborate in Disaster Resilience Preparedness Activities
(2015) Levreault, Eleni; Leduc, Nathaniel; Hiland, Barb; Tracey, Shannon; O'Sullivan, Tracey; O'Sullivan, Tracey
While research has focused on interprofessional collaboration among stakeholders in the health field, little research has studied community partnerships regarding emergency management and business continuity planning. This community-based participatory research project took place in Peterborough, Ontario. Qualitative content analysis of focus group data revealed emergent themes focused on the importance of transformative leadership to prompt initiation of collaborative activities, the need for awareness and common ground between organizations, and how upstream investment supports training and collaborative practice. This research aims to inform policy makers about the importance of community partnerships in promoting community resilience in emergency situations, as well as the role partnerships play in the creation and implementation of business continuity plans.
Affordable Alternative? Investigating The Use of Camel's Milk as an Adjunctive Therapy for Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus
(2017) de Peiza, Jeannae; Franklin, Adrienne; Deonandan, Raywat
Globally, there are approximately 415 million people suffering from diabetes. A significant portion of these individuals require insulin for primary treatment. As the prevalence of diabetes increases, especially in developing countries, there is need for less expensive therapies. As insulin is one of the most expensive liquids in the world, decreasing its demand in impoverished areas is crucial for lowering the levels of morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this structured review was to assess the correlation between drinking camel’s milk and decreased need for exogenous insulin for diabetes management. From our review of the University of Ottawa’s online library database, 5 relevant studies were found. These studies showed a significant correlation between the intake of camel’s milk and the reduction in need of exogenous insulin. From the gathered research, the derived conclusion is that camel’s milk as an adjunctive therapy for insulin-dependent diabetes significantly reduces the required volume of insulin and is a possible method of reducing management costs for diabetics.
Occupational Risk in Cosmetology: Fetal and Reproductive Abnormalities
(2018) Pinto, Adena; Iverson, Ryan; Huynh, Chau; Deonandan, Raywat
Background: Chemical exposure to phthalates, toluene, xylene, formaldehyde and dimethylamine, in the field of cosmetology introduces the risk of developing reproductive disorders and fetal abnormalities. Women account for a significant proportion of licensed cosmetologists in the field, and the majority of women enter the cosmetic workforce during childbearing years. Objective: The available literature was reviewed to identify an association between occupational exposure in cosmetology and reproductive disorders. These include, but are not limited to, spontaneous abortions, maternal and neonatal health afflictions, congenital malformations, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Methods: A four-step structured literature review was conducted using peer-reviewed studies across PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar: locating and identifying relevant English articles; screening articles corresponding to inclusion and exclusion criteria; assessing the full article for inclusion and exclusion criteria; detailed examination of 13 articles. A broad database search was conducted on articles published between 2000-2017, in the English language, using the following terms: “human,” “cosmetologist,” “infertility,” “reproductive,” “occupation,” and “chemicals.” Results: Based on the assessment of the literature, there were variable associations between reproductive disorders and cosmetologists. In total, thirteen studies investigated the relationship between occupational cosmetology and adverse reproductive outcomes. Findings of eight studies indicated an increased risk of spontaneous abortion, fetal death, low-neonatal birth weight, preterm delivery, infertility, and/or maternal health problems. Five of the studies suggested no increased risk of menstrual cycle abnormalities, infertility, and/or congenital malformations. Conclusions: There is a weak association between reproductive disorders and the occupation of cosmetology. Further prospective investigation of working as a cosmetologist and developing reproductive abnormalities is recommended.
Exploring the causes of discrepancies in prostate cancer incidence and mortality in White and Black men
(2017-12-01) Garcia Mairena, Paola Michelle; Zhou, Carl; Gomes, James
Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) is an over-proliferation of cells of the prostate gland. It is the most common male reproductive malignancy, with an incidence rate of 119.8 per 100,000 males in the United States. Studies have shown that the incidence and mortality rate of PCa varies depending on race. More specifically, it has been suggested by several studies that African men (AM) are more likely to die and develop PCa than any other race, followed by Caucasian Men (CM). Objectives: To explore the underlying causes of discrepancies in PCa incidence and mortality in men. Specifically, its increased levels in AM compared to CM in North America. Methodology: A structured literature review was conducted using the PubMed database. Limits were applied to include only English peer reviewed articles from the last ten years to ensure the highest accuracy and relevancy of information. The following search terms were used to narrow the search: Prostate Cancer, Black, and White. Results: Although there are various potential explanations, the overall trends in PCa racial disparities between CM and AM can be grouped into two categories: individual factors and socioeconomic disparities. Firstly, these interracial disparities can be attributed to individual’s genetic susceptibility and environmental exposure to chemicals. Additionally, minority groups such as AM will often have lower education levels and socioeconomic status, which will lead to problems such as low income, inadequate insurance, cultural and language barriers, and racial bias. These disadvantages will cause AM to face barriers when receiving health care services, which includes prevention, detection, and treatment. Finally, research indicates that PCa is often not caused by a specific factor, but rather by a combination of factors. Conclusion: Efforts to minimize racial disparities should not only have a biomedical paradigm in mind, but also a socioeconomic one. Objectives: To explore the underlying causes of discrepancies in PCa incidence and mortality in men. Specifically, its increased levels in AM compared to CM in North America. Methodology: A structured literature review was conducted using the PubMed database. Limits were applied to include only English peer reviewed articles from 2012 to 2017 to ensure the highest accuracy and relevancy of information. The following search terms were used to narrow the search: Prostate Cancer, Black, and White. Conclusion: Efforts to minimize racial disparities should not only have a biomedical paradigm in mind, but also a socioeconomic one.
To Drug or not to Drug: The Treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder
(2017-12-01) Aoun, Raquel; Downey, Mackenzie; Gomes, James
Background: Social anxiety disorder (SAD), also known as social phobia, is the extreme anxiety or fear of being judged by others in socials situations. Conditions that initiate these feelings are ones in which the individual is observed, must socially interact, or perform in front of others. This fear of negative evaluation leads to a person avoiding social interaction, which can have negative implications in everyday life. The DSM-5 states that abstinence of social situations caused by the fear or anxiety of scrutiny from others must occur for 6 months or more. This avoidance must cause distress or impairment, and not be due to the substance use, another mental disorder, or medical condition. In Canada, lifetime prevalence is between 8% and 13%, with a higher risk for women. Onset is typically seen during early adolescence and depreciates later in life. Objective: The aim of this study is to discover the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment options for those living with SAD. Moreover, the effect of the disorder on quality of life, including quality-adjusted life years (QALY) and disability-adjusted life years (DALY) will also be evaluated. Methodology: To collect the following information, an online search with a restriction of 10 years from today’s date was implemented, along with the use of the newest edition of the textbook Abnormal Psychology to ensure the most current results. Search engines included Google Scholar, Statistics Canada, and Pubmed database to which SAD and only one category (ex. etiology) was researched to guarantee concise, detailed information. Results: SAD is caused by the interaction of biological, psychological, and social vulnerabilities. Individuals born with temperamental profiles inherit the trait of inhibition/shyness. Furthermore, factors such as low socioeconomic status, and possessing comorbid major depressive disorder display higher rates of SAD. Canadians afflicted with SAD were twice as likely to record at least one disability within the past two weeks compared to those without. Also, social phobia has been associated with a co-morbidity rate of 72%. Long-term cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is considered the ideal treatment with first, second and third-line agents as pharmacological interventions. Conclusion: Social phobia is a highly prevalent anxiety disorder associated with many problems, including familial life, economic burden and academic and occupational performance. As a result, SAD poses a significant risk on quality of life for those afflicted and society because of missed workdays and healthcare costs. Further research should be conducted to improve the quality of life of Canadians affected.
Is Exclusive Breastfeeding a Protective Factor for Childhood Asthma and Eczema?
(2017-12-01) Liota, Andrea; Teouri, Ruth; Wong, Janice; Deonandan, Raywat
Background: There is much controversy on the benefits and disadvantages of breastfeeding, yet research is progressing to provide clarity on these inconsistencies. Evidence from research is still unclear as to whether breastfeeding will benefit childhood asthma and/or eczema by lowering the risks of it in babies, which could also lead to a positive outcome as they age, compared to different milk formulas. Objective: The aim of this literature review is to investigate if exclusive breastfeeding for at least three months is protective against childhood asthma and/or eczema in children ages 0 to 18 years, when compared to those who were not exclusively breastfed for at least three months. Methods: A structured literature review was conducted on published studies using the terms "breastfeeding" AND "asthma and Eczema", "exclusive breastfeeding" AND "asthma and Eczema" in uOttawa Search+, PubMed, and Scholar’s Portal. Search results were refined according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. These refined results yielded 9 relevant articles for further examination. Results: The research strategy allowed for 9 articles to be included for review, with various study designs. In general, the results were too varied for a consensus to be made. 3 studies showed a negative association and 3 showed positive for the eczema outcome, 4 showed a positive association for asthma and 3 showed no effect on either. Conclusion: Variations and incongruences in the research make it difficult to conclude for certain a significant association. More research needs to be performed in order to establish a well-defined relationship generalizable to a local population.
Exploring the Association Between Breastfeeding and Risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis
(2017-12-02) Running, Sarah; Deonandan, Raywat
Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a progressive autoimmune disease that leads to impaired physical function. The treatment focuses on disease management since it is an irremediable condition. As such, prevention is crucial. However, relatively few prevention strategies exist because of the unknown etiology. RA affects 0.9% of Canadians; however, this is expected to increase. Objective: The purpose of this study was to review the existing literature and assess evidence pertaining to the association between breastfeeding and development of rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: A structured literature review was conducted. Articles were retrieved from PubMed and SCOPUS using the keywords “rheumatoid arthritis” AND (“breastfeeding” OR “lactation”). The articles were limited to those written in the English language with full text available. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses were excluded. Results: Nine articles were deemed relevant to the study. Five indicated breastfeeding to be protective against the development of rheumatoid arthritis while two suggested breastfeeding increased the risk of RA. In two studies, neither a positive nor negative association could be determined. Additionally, there was no consensus as to the duration of breastfeeding required to elicit a reduced risk. Conclusions: The literature reviewed in this study supports the association between breastfeeding and reduced risk of rheumatoid arthritis. However, due to the varying results in the literature and the uncertain etiology of RA, further research is needed to reinforce the relationship and determine a causal mechanism. Additional research is also required to establish the duration of breastfeeding necessary to reduce risk.
Hospital readmission rates in people subject to Community Treatment Orders in Ontario: a review of evidence following the implementation of Brian's Law
(2017-12-01) de Launay, David; Deonandan, Raywat
Background: Community treatment order (CTO) legislation was introduced in the province of Ontario in 2000 with the introduction of Brian’s Law (Bill 68), an amendment to the Mental Health Act spurred by the tragic death of Ottawa sportscaster Brian Smith. CTO’s are a form of involuntary outpatient commitment, targeted at individuals with a history of repeated psychiatric admissions who also meet the criteria of an application for psychiatric assessment. A person subject to a CTO lives in the community under supervision and is required to adhere to various conditions, which often include taking prescribed psychiatric medications and meeting regularly with a psychiatrist. While various forms of CTO’s are used internationally, legal standards and requirements for CTO’s vary by jurisdiction, with Ontario having its own unique set of legislative criteria. Objective: To determine the effect of CTO’s on readmission rates to hospital in persons with mental illness residing in Ontario, Canada. Methods: A structured literature review of English- and French-language peer-reviewed articles published after the year 2000, coinciding with the introduction of CTO’s in Ontario, was conducted on the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Google Scholar, PsycINFO, PubMed, and grey literature. Conclusion: Ontario CTOs are associated with a marginal effect on readmission rates. Existing Ontario research is outdated and of very low quality.
Examining the effectiveness of naloxone on opioid overdose: A structured review
(2017-12-02) Lee, Rachel; Ripley, Nicole; Deonandan, Raywat
Opioids are a psychoactive group of drugs that are used by approximately 35 million people worldwide, and account for majority of the 190 900 drug related deaths that occur annually. Globally, there has been an increase in the usage of both synthetic and natural opioids, resulting in a higher number of deaths due to opioid overdose. Naloxone, however, is an opioid antagonist that can be used to stop or reverse the effects of these potentially fatal drugs by increasing respiration, thus aiding in the avoidance of death. This review, therefore, aims to assess the relationship between the usage of Naloxone and mortality rates due to opioid overdose among opioid users. PubMed and Scopus databases were used to gather literature using the following key words: (“Naloxone” AND “overdose” AND “mortality rate”). Articles were then included if they met the following criteria: written in English, published within the past 15 years, including humans only, and clinical trials, cohort studies, case-controls or systematic reviews. The reference lists were also reviewed, and taken into consideration for the selection process. Titles and abstracts of articles that met the inclusion criteria were then examined to determine relevance with regards to the scientific question. Finally, each article was read in full to obtain the total number of articles to be included in the structured review. A total of 7 articles met the criteria and were used in the final structured review. These studies indicate a positive association between the usage of Naloxone and decreased mortality rates due to opioid overdose, demonstrating that Naloxone is effective in reversing the effects of opioid overdose. Future research should compare mortality rates before and after the greater implementation of Naloxone treatments to determine if there has been a significant decrease in the number of deaths.
Probiotics: A Possible Preventative Measure of Atopic Asthma?
(2017-12-02) Ogundu, Homa; Hachemi, Lina; Namulla, Niharika; Gomes, James
Introduction: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory immune disorder characterized by acute episodes of bronchial hyper responsiveness. This is caused by recurrent dysregulation of several immunoregulatory proteins such as interleukins, cytokines, clusters of differentiation, and immunoglobulins . In Canada and the U.S, the risks of developing atopic asthma can range from 1 case in every 10 children (general population), to 1 case in every 5 children (high-risk populations: African American descent). Asthma has an incidence rate of 8.5 million cases each year while the prevalence is 161.3 cases /1000 person years, depending on the population and environment studied. Children with decreased microbial exposure were observed to develop an altered gut microbiota leading to a higher risk for the development of asthma and allergic diseases. Objective: The aim of this review is to examine if probiotics decrease the risk of developing atopic asthma in children with an abnormal gut microbiome. Methodology: Concepts pertaining to the research question were identified and expanded upon through keywords: risk, and asthma or immune function, and probiotics or gut microbiome. Peer reviewed journals published between the years 2007-2017, from Canada and/or U.S.A were examined. Exclusion criteria included terms relating to airway, throat and respiratory microbiota to eliminate articles irrelevant to the focus of this study. The search strategy was developed on PubMed and adapted to Scopus, Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology and Journal of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology to yield the most relevant research articles. This resulted in 61 articles, from which 8 relevant articles were deemed eligible for the making of this literature review. Results: The 8 most relevant studies consisted of 2 systematic reviews and meta-analyses (one being meta-analysis only), 2 prospective nested case-control studies, and only 1 cohort and RCT each. The RCT study showed a positive correlation between the administration of probiotics and the reduction of asthma onset, while all three case-controls and cohorts listed an altered gut microbiota as a causative risk factor for developing asthma. Lastly, the 2 systematic reviews and meta-analyses concluded that no clinically-relevant association was present between the administration of probiotics and the prevention of asthma development. Conclusion: Due to the large heterogeneity of results, little compiled evidence supports a relation between the delivery of probiotics and the prevention of asthma development as of yet. Studies more specific to probiotics in relation to asthma development in larger cohorts need to be conducted to better understand any possible associations.
Big Bellies, Bigger Babies: The effect of Cesarean section births on childhood obesity compared to vaginal delivery
(2017-12-02) Kaur, Dayajyot; Charlebois, Sabreena; Baxter, Jessica; Pellegrini, Sydney; Deonandan, Raywat deonandan
Background: Cesarean section (CS) rates in developed countries have been on the rise for the last two decades: in the United States, there was an 11.3% increase in CS deliveries between 1996 and 2007. This is a concern due to the possible short- and long-term health effects. Objective: The purpose of this structured literature review was to assess the association between CS births and childhood obesity when compared to vaginal delivery. Methods: A structured literature review of seven North American articles was conducted after selection via specific inclusion criteria. Results: Some studies found an association between cesarean section and childhood obesity whilst others showed the association was not statistically significant due to the influence of confounders. Conclusion: The results indicate that a majority of the studies found a positive association between CS birth and obesity. Further studies need to be conducted to further determine this relationship and to identify the underlying reasons behind this possible relationship.
Chewing the Way to Better Dental Health : A Structured Literature Review on the Impacts of Hard Food on Malocclusion
(2017-12-02) Kachouh, Farouk; Abbas, Al-Hassan; Kabir, Bilaal; Hafizi, Sayed; Deonandan, Raywat
Background: At present, over 20% of the world’s population have dental malocclusions. Malocclusion is defined as the misalignment of teeth in the dental arches, which leads to an incorrect bite upon closing of the jaw. There are many consequences associated with malocclusions including increased tooth strain, increased risk of cavity formation and chewing complications. Additionally, malocclusions negatively affect quality of life by reducing self-esteem and increasing self-consciousness. Treatment for malocclusion is quite expensive in Canada and typically costs between $3000 and $8000. While genetics may be largely responsible for the development of dental arches and therefore, malocclusions, there is speculation that soft food may be partially responsible. Soft foods are characterized as having soft textures, being easily digestible, and well tolerated. Soft foods are highly abundant in modern and industrialized diets. They provide nutrients in the form of liquids or semisolid foods and include refined dairy, poultry, fruits, vegetables, and grain products. Hard foods, on the other hand, include certain fruits, vegetables, coarse breads, cereals, raw meats, and nuts. These foods are unprocessed or minimally so. Objective: To determine if a diet of hard foods lead to decreased incidence of malocclusion. Method: Conduct a structured literature review of relevant English and French peer-reviewed articles using the databases Scopus and Medline (Ovid). Articles will be analyzed and the population, method, study design, results and target will be outlined. Results: 12 articles pertaining to malocclusion and food consistency were obtained. Human, animal, and evolutionary studies comprise the majority of articles on this topic. Conclusion: Hard foods have been observed to lead to decreased incidence of dental malocclusion when compared to soft foods. Nonetheless, more research needs to be conducted in this area in order to provide a clearer correlation between soft food diets and dental malocclusions.
The Hidden Culprit: Predisposition to Obesity as a Result of Early-life Antibiotic Exposure
(2017-12-02) Hajo, Sonia; Berjawi, Rania; Edmonds, Danielle; Sinha, Anupallavi; Deonandan, Raywat
Background: It has been reported that the use of antibiotics is associated with excessive weight gain or obesity in healthy infants. Current data suggest intestinal microbiota perturbation caused by antibiotic exposure in the perinatal period programs the host to assume an obesity-prone metabolic phenotype. However, there is a lack of evidence regarding the causal pathway given the multifactorial etiology of obesity. Objective: The objective of this study was to explore the significance of the association between antibiotic exposure during critical periods of infancy before the age of 2 and the development of obesity. Methodology: A structured literature review was conducted on databases Medline, Scopus, CINAHL and Google Scholar resulting in 8 pertinent articles. Queries “Infants AND Obesity AND Antibiotic Exposure AND Gut Microbiota” were searched and screened, and infants’ ages were restricted to 1-23 months. Results: Antibiotic exposure during critical periods of early development significantly influenced weight gain and the progression of obesity. Furthermore, marked differences in the composition of their microbiota were exhibited when compared to lean subjects. Few studies concluded that exposure was not consistently associated with increased body mass, while others restricted the association solely to male infants. Conclusion: Over-prescription of antibiotics during infancy not only causes resistance to potentially harmful organisms in the GI tract, but may also lead to a life-long risk for obesity by destroying healthy colonization of necessary bacteria. It is paramount that further research be performed in order to establish preventive measures of obesity and counteract unfavourable effects on microbiota.
Big Bellies, Bigger Babies: The Effect of Cesarean Section Births on Childhood Obesity Compared to Vaginal Delivery
(2017-12-02) Baxter, Jessica; Charlebois, Sabreena; Kaur, Dayajyot; Pellegrini, Sydney; Deonandan, Raywat
Background: Cesarean section (CS) rates in developed countries have been on the rise for the last two decades: in the United States, there was an 11.3% increase in CS deliveries between 1996 and 2007. This is a concern due to the possible short- and long-term health effects. Objective: The purpose of this structured literature review was to assess the association between CS births and childhood obesity when compared to vaginal delivery. Methods: A structured literature review of seven North American articles was conducted after selection via specific inclusion criteria. Results: Some studies found an association between cesarean section and childhood obesity whilst others showed the association was not statistically significant due to the influence of confounders. Conclusion: The results indicate that a majority of the studies found a positive association between CS birth and obesity. Further studies need to be conducted to further determine this relationship and to identify the underlying reasons behind this possible relationship.
Survival of Pediatric Leukemia: The Role of Social Determinants
(2017-12-02) Palvasha, Qureshi; Muna, Abdalla; Tasnim, Abdalla; Sahar, Amedi; Deonandan, Raywat
In most high-income countries, leukemia is the most common cancer in children. Currently, overall survival (OS) of children with acute leukemia is 90% in gratitude to advances in research and therapy. The goal of this structured review is to identify the association between ethnicity, social environment and survival-related outcomes of cancer treatments among children with leukemia. A search strategy was developed and applied in PubMed, EMBASE, ProQuest and Ovid (Medline) using relevant key terms related to survival related and socioeconomic factors. Electronic searches from inception to November 15th, 2017 were performed. Of the 175 publications screened for eligibility, 30 studies met the criteria for full review, and 9 studies met final inclusion criteria. The overall 5-year survival rates being reported in the studies ranged from 69.5% to 92%, with lower survival percentages coming from studies that indicate involvement of socio-demographic factors such as race and poverty. Other studies suggested no association between the survival rates as well as mortality rates and socio-demographic factors. Various studies have provided evidence and indicated that children with leukemia belonging to specific ethnic groups, and economic minority groups experience inferior survival outcomes as compared to their advantaged majority counterparts.
Effect of Ginger on Chemotherapy Induced Nausea and Vomiting in Breast Cancer Patients
(2017-12-23) Moore, Caitlin; Soucy, Nura; Mottahedi, Faith; Raywat, Deonandan
Assessing the Relationship Between Exposure to Toxoplasma gondii and the Development of Schizophrenia
(2017-12) Hajjar, Alexander; Hilborn, Catherine Sarah; Deonandan, Raywat
Background: Multiple studies have proposed a relationship between infection with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) and the onset of schizophrenia. Humans are infected with this parasite via exposure to cat feces, ingesting contaminated food and water or through transplacental transmission. It is estimated that roughly 11% of the world population is infected with Toxoplasma1. Schizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder, and affects approximately 1.1% of the population over 18 years old worldwide2. We hypothesize that individuals infected with Toxoplasma may be at an increased risk of developing schizophrenia. Objective/Purpose: To elucidate the relationship between exposure to Toxoplasma gondii and the development of schizophrenia. Methods: Journals such as: Nature, Annals of General Psychiatry, The Journal of Psychoses and Related Disorders, Acta Psychiatric Scandinavia, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Schizophrenia Research and The U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health were used to collect information regarding exposure to T. gondii and the development of schizophrenia. Limits of our search involved language filters. Only English journals that contained our keywords: infection, schizophrenia and Toxoplasma gondii, were selected. Results: 9 relevant studies were found. The type of reviews and study designs varied, including 2 meta-analysis, 4 case controls, 1 cross sectional analysis, 1 prospective cohort study and 1 narrative review. 8 of the 9 studies reported statistically significant data showing increased levels T. gondii in schizophrenic patients. P-values, chi-square, and odds ratio measures of association were used to determine statistical significance. Conclusion: There is a growing body of data to indicate that T. gondii infection may be associated with the development of schizophrenia. Further study is needed to determine a concrete association between T. gondii infection and schizophrenia, as well as to elucidate the mechanism relating infection with T. gondii to the development of schizophrenia.

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