Yay Utah!

Wow! Yes I have a new entry! It’s been TOO long. LOTS of stories to tell; however, for now I’ll just talk about my 3-day trip to good old Snowbird, Utah. I went with my supervisor, another prof from U of A and his research assistant. We were going for a conference on MUNE and QEMG. These acronymns stand for Motor Unit Number Estimation and Quantitative Electromyography. MUNE is a technique I am using in my lab on patients. Briefly, only about 50 people in the world use MUNE even though it started 30 years ago. MUNE is a method of quantifying the number of motor units in a specified muscle. A motor unit is the most fundamental component of the motor system-enabling one to contract their muscle. A motor unit, by definition, constitutes an anterior horn cell (cell located in the spinal cord), its axon (a part of the nerve that sends signals down from the spinal cord to the muscle), the nerve terminal (where the signal is sent) and the muscle fibers it innervates (comes in contact with). It is a very important technique because anatomically we cannot count how many motor units are in a human muscle, instead with this procedure we can estimate the number of motor units. The clinical significance is extraordinary! In patients with ALS (also known as Lou Gerhig’s disease or Motor Neuron disease) as the disease progresses there is a drop in the number of motor units. MUNE allows us to follow the progression of the disease, can hopefully allow us to understand the underlying mechanisms, and can be used for diagnostic purposes, and more recently allow us to determine if a drug is working or not in slowing the disease. Currently there is no cure for ALS. The patients often die within 3 years. The problem with MUNE is there are so many different MUNE techniques (5 major ones) and no one can come to a consensus on which one is the best. I use two. One is called Multiple Point Stimulation (MPS) and the other Statistical MUNE (based on the assumptions of the Poisson distribution). In a future blog maybe I’ll explain the procedure.
Anyway, the conference was exhausting! It was my first conference. From what I heard it was a very unique one because it was a focused group (about 45 people) and only the second symposium on this topic. Most of the participants were clinical electromyographers. I’m not, but hanging around my supervisor and his colleagues I have picked up on much of the medical jargon and was able to hold my own in the discussions. My supervisor presented one of my Master’s projects. We will be writing an article to be placed in a supplement of the Journal of Clinical Neurophysiology. The supplement will encompass all of the presentations and will result as a book. =) I’m still waiting on another paper that was resubmitted to the Journal of Physiology. Master’s has been crazy, but there has been some pay off.
One night at the conference, my friend from U of A and I decided to go have a drink with some of the participants. I learned so much from the experts. My supervisor went to bed instead. He doesn’t drink. I think that was my favorite part of the trip. I got to know people for who they were and learn a lot from their stories. I was pleasantly surprised to find a beer called “Polygamy Porter” lol =) The beer was disgusting; I had my friend finish it off. The logo was hilarious: “Can’t just have one. Take it home to your WIVES!” lol Good old Utaaaaah. Hahahah
I found out that people from Utah are called Utans (sounds like “croutons”). I was disappointed the Utans didn’t have a distinct accent. Oh well…
The trip was quick, but enjoyable. It was nice to get away and meet the amazing experts. I don’t know if I would visit Utah again. It was nice, but Salt Lake City appeared very small.

The Good Old Hockey Game...

Come on Canada! I'm watching the men's hockey game- Canada vs Switzerland. We're going to lose because of all the penalties! Come on Canada smarten up!

Poker Champ!

Last night I played Texas Hold'em for the second time in my life. The first time I played I was the second to lose all my chips. However, yesterday I had a strategy-fold most of my hands. I was so eager to play last time that I played every hand and of course my luck ran out. Well last night I won! Crazy! I won a huge package of chinese snacks! Yeah! :)

Squash and Karoke -What Night Could Be Better?

Well, after a great day of experiments I went to play squash with Meghan for 2 hours. Afterwards I went to Ave Pizza for free pizza. It was my residence's night out. I stayed a while-mingling, gettign to know people. Karoke then started up and there I was singing 3 songs. Umm... I guess I'm more outgoing than I thought! :)

Skating in Heaven

Well, I just got back from skating at Hawlawk Park with the neuroscience crew. I had a great time! The park is about a 15 min walk from the university.We've decided that every Monday and Wednesday we're goign to go skating! :) Skating under the stars and the moon was heavenly. :) I'm liking Edmonton more and more!

Glenrose What a Place!

Every Monday I go to the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital to see patients with my prof. You never know what kind of day it will be. :) Last week the secretary found a bullet in the hallway and had to report it to security. The same day there was a patient in the waiting room who was high. Interesting day. Also the same Monday a 87 year old gentleman flirted with me as I conducted hand function tests. I told him that the next test would be fun and he replied "Why? Are we going to turn the lights off and shut the door?" He asked me if I was married. Haha Man whatz with guys asking me that?

Today I was asked the same question. I had just missed my bus and so decided to take another one and try out the LRT. Well, I ran down to catch the train and this guy and I both tried to open the doors, but the button didn't work. Alas...We started talking (of course I talk too much to strangers) and waited for the next train. He asked if I was on the phone. I was confused, and said "no". His English wasn't that great; he was from Nigeria. I guess he meant if he could have my number because he then said that he to meet me again on the LRT. Man... 3 times so far this month I have been asked if I was married. Funny thing is that I wear a ring that my Mom gave me. It is nice, but it is on my right hand. Guys who can't figure out that I'm not married aren't that bright and so aren't my type (wink wink)...My new logo :)

Today I saw wonderful, funny patients. My prof brought me in to see one gentleman who used to live in Greenwood, NS. He was so sweet. We talked and talked while my prof saw another patient. At one point he turned to me and said "Do you like what you are doing? I worked for 20 years at a job I hated, and when I finally retired I lived." At that moment I realised that I did enjoy what I was doing. Elderly people are very inspirational. It was a pleasure to meet him.

Today, I also met a patient who said he liked fishing. My prof replied that I should be an expert because I was from NS. I laughed and said that I've never been fishing. Kindda strange...Ummm I should get on that. :) Anyway, he then said his fishing buddy was the richest person in his town and that he was from China. He turned to my prof, who is chinese, and said "Do you know him?" My prof and I chuckled. "Surprisingly", he did not. :)

At Least Porter Won...

Well, I just finished watching the Superbowl. Sigh...The 40th Superbowl with Seattle Seawhawks vs the Pittsburg Steelers. Unfortunately, I was cheering on Seattle. Some bad calls by the refs in that game. However, no excuse. In the end the Seahawks played poorly.

It was the first time that I was able to catch the commericals! Some were hilarious. :)

The half-time show wasn't so impressive. The Rolling Stones are getting a little boring. "I can't get no, satisfaction!"