Reproductive
Biology
(Studentship:
David Gordon Simmons)
Blastocyst
implantation and artificially-induced decidualization
are time and hormone dependent. The aim of Mr. Simmons'
research is to indentify the molecular events associated
with the establishement of the short-lived receptive
sensitized endometrium, based on the hypothesis that
changes in receptivity/sensitization are determined
by differential gene expression.
(Studentship
Renewal: Robert Kristofer Nuttal, B.Sc.)
Blastocyst
implantation is a crucial event which occurs in pregnancy.
It involves a series of reactions between the embryo
and the uterus which results in the embryo becoming
fixed within the uterus, in contact with maternal
organism. In many species, the lining of the uterus
(the endometrium) undergoes structural and functional
changes in response to the implanting embryo: these
changes, referred to as decidualization, ultimately
results in the formation of the maternal component
of the placenta. Decidualization involves tissue remodelling.
Mr. Nuttall is investigating the regulation of expression
of some of the enzymes -the matrix metalloproteinases-
and their naturally occuring inhibitors-the tissue
inhibitors of metalloproteinases-during the process
of decidualization.
Maternal-Fetal
Medicine
(Studentship:
Tze-Chen Tai)
One
of the mediators responsible for control of breathing
during the perinatal period is prostaglandin E2 (PGE2).
PGE2 promotes prolonged cessation of breathing in
the fetus and depresses beathing in newborns by binding
to PGE2 receptors in brain regions which control breathing,
This research investigates the receptor subtypes involved
in mediating the respiratory depressant effects of
PGE2 during the preinatal period and may lead to a
treatment of life threatening apnea in infants.
Gynaecological
Oncology
(Studentship:
Heather Hodgert Jury)
There
is now convincing evidence that environmental compounds
with estrogenetic activity pose a health problem.
One of the main questions we are now faced with is
whether our exposure to these compounds is sufficient
to cause disease. Ms. Jury 's research project will
study the bioavailability of environmental estrogens
and their effects on human breast cancer cell growth.
Ovarian
Cancer
(Studentship:
Eniko J. Keszthelyi)
Ms.
Keszthelyi proposes to identify the factors that modulate
the expression and/or activity of the Kit receptor
and its ligand, with the aim to further elucidate
the molecular mechanisms by which biological signals
control cell proliferation. This research project
will define the role of a variety of growth and regulatory
factors in the expression and activity of KL and c-kit
in normal OSE and in ovarian cancer cells, and how
these factors may affect cellular proliferation. Results
obtained from these experiments will contribute significant
information to be considered during the development
of strategies to minimize ovarian tumour growth.
(Studentship:
Andreas Evangelou)
The
development of epithelial ovarian cancer has been
correlated with elevated levels of androgen in the
ovary. Moreover, more than 90% of epithelial ovarian
cancer tumours tested positive for androgen receptor
expression. Together, these findings suggest an important
role for androgen in the progression of the disease.
Mr. Evangelou hypothesizes that elevated androgens
(or perhaps heightened sensitivity to androgens) act
to substantially decrease TGF-B action. As a result,
the growth and/or programmed cell death of androgen
sensitive epithelial cells is altered, leading to
the development and progression of carcinoma. An understanding
of the role of androgen and TGF-B in the progression
of epithelial ovarian cancer may provide insight into
the etiology of the disease and reveal important mechanisms
that could be exploited in the clinical management
of the disease.
Eating
Disorders Research and Awareness Grant Program
(Lynda
Molleken, M.D., FRCP(C), Fellow in Eating Disorders,
Allan Kaplan, M.D., FRCP(C), Marion Olmsted, Ph.D.,
Blake Woodside, M.D., FRCP(C), Gail Robinson M.D.,
FRCP(C))
Eating
disorders (EDs) affect over 1,000 women in Ontario
and a significant number of children in Ontario are
being raised by mothers who have or have had EDs.
There is a small amount of literature suggesting that
feeding problems and poor growth in children of mothers
with EDs are over-represented, but the details of
this association have not been investigated. The main
objective of this study is to examine the feeding,
growth and attitudes to weight and shape in children
of mothers with a current or past history of an ED
compared to children of mothers who have never had
an ED.
(Leora
Pinhas, M.D. FRCP, Angela Miller, B.A., Laurie Gilles,
Ph.D., Jennifer Steadman, M.D., FRCP, Brenda Toner,
Ph.D.)
Bulimia
is common in the adolescent female population and
is a potentially serious disorder with a mortality
rate as high as 20%. Cognitive behavioral therapy
(CBT) has emerged as an important therapeutic option
in the treatment of bulimia. Whether CBT is superior
to other forms of therapy remains controversial. Most
treatment protocols have been examined in the adult
population. It is the purpose of this project to compare
effectiveness of group CBT, group interpersonal psychology
(IPT) and a minimal intervention wait-list control
in the treatment of bulimic symptoms in adolescent
girls, with a goal to adapt and test manual-based
treatment protocols that have met with success with
adult women, for adolescent girls.
(Margaret
Lawson, M.D., Susan Bennett M.D., Anne Rydall, M.Sc.,
Denis Daneman, MB, Marion Olmsted, Ph.D., Gary Rodin,
M.D.)
Dissatisfaction
with bodily appearance leads many teenage girls in
Western cultures to dieting, which may trigger a cycle
of binge-eating, further dieting, and purging behaviours
such as induced vomiting, using laxatives or extreme
exercise to control weight. These behaviours may be
triggered or amplified in susceptible adolescent females
with insulin dependant diabetes mellitus (IDDM) because
of at least two aspects of diabetes management i)
standard diabetes nutritional counseling interferes
with dietary self regulation by emphasizing a restrictive
diet which traditionally has minimized foods high
in sugar; and ii) insulin treatment often causes weight
gain which may lead to body dissatisfaction. In addition,
most individuals with IDDM are aware that they can
promote weight loss by administering less than the
prescribed insulin dose in order to lose sugar (and
thereby calories) in the urine. The cycle of dieting,
binge eating and insulin omission results in abnormally
high blood sugars and an increased risk of the long-term
complications of IDDM This project proposes a cross-sectional
study to examine the prevalence of clinical and subthreshold
eating disorders in adolescent females, with and without
diabetes, using both self-report questionnaires and
structured diagnostic interviews. The diabetes cohort
will be further evaluated using retrospective chart
review to determine the relationship between potential
risk factors and subsequent development of an eating
disorder.
