BCG and SARS-CoV2 vaccination in mice

I collaborated on this study by Dilhan Perera and colleagues, under the direction of Momar Ndao. The article, published in iScience, explores the effects of prior BCG exposure on the effectiveness in mice of an intranasal adenovirus-based vaccine against SARS-Cov-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. I was involved in the scoring of lung damage seen… Continue reading BCG and SARS-CoV2 vaccination in mice

FET::CREB fusion in a lung nodule

The list of tumours with fusions involving the FET (EWSR1, FUS) and CREB (CREB1, ATF1, or CREM) families of genes is ever-expanding. These are promiscuous genes that drive neoplasia in a wide variety of anatomical sites, often without being recognized as such – but that doesn’t mean tumours with these molecular lesions are always primary… Continue reading FET::CREB fusion in a lung nodule

NGS in a Québec NSCLC cohort

I collaborated on this study that Mark Sorin and colleagues published in Cancer Treatment and Research Communications, detailing the molecular profile of a large (n=997) cohort of patients at the McGill University Health Centre, the institution where I am undergoing residency training. Québec is a province with unique outcomes and environmental exposures related to lung… Continue reading NGS in a Québec NSCLC cohort

Osler and McGill

Sir William Osler
Sir William Osler (1849-1919)

I gave a presentation on Sir William Osler’s presence at McGill in the 21st century at a symposium organized by McGill’s department of Social Studies of Medicine on February 3, 2021. You can find the recording here. In this brief presentation, I address three issues around Osler and his legacy at McGill. First, defining Osler… Continue reading Osler and McGill

Calcified ventricular aneurysm

Calcified old ventricular aneurysm.
Photograph of a heart specimen obtained at autopsy showing an old septal ventricular aneurysm that has partially calcified. The left ventricular free wall and posterior wall of the left atrium have been divided and retracted to demonstrate the septal surface of the left ventricle and the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve.

The findings in the image above were seen in the anteroseptal left ventricular myocardium of an adult woman who died unexpectedly in non-suspicious circumstances. She was known for coronary artery disease and a remote myocardial infarct. Examination did indeed reveal a remote anteroseptal myocardial infarct that likely led to the formation of an inchoate aneurysm… Continue reading Calcified ventricular aneurysm