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An oleaginous microalga Micractinum inermum isolated from Mariana Lake, AB, Canada was cultured in a 1000 L photobioreactor with an f/2 medium to study its lipid content and neutral lipid profile. Algal biomass was collected at the stationary phase contained a significant amount of lipids (44.2%), as determined by Folch's method. The lipid was fractionated into neutral lipid, glycolipid and phospholipid fractions. The neutral lipid constitutes almost 77.3% of the total lipid species and is mainly composed of triacylglycerols (TAGs) determined by a proton NMR study. UHPLC-HRMS analysis allows us for the first time to identify 81 TAGs in the neutral lipid fraction of M. inermum. The fatty acid acyl side chains were identified based on fragment ions observed in MSMS analysis. TAGs with fatty acid acyl chains 18:1/18:1/18:1, 18:1/18:1/16:0, 18:2/18:1/16:0, and 18:2/18:2/18:0 were the major ones among the identified TAGs. Fatty acid analysis further supports the fact that oleic acid was the major fatty acid present in the neutral lipid fraction of M. inermum constituting 41.7%, followed by linoleic acid at 21.5%, and palmitic acid at 21.2%. The saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids were 67.8% or higher in the lipid fraction. Long-chain fatty acids were only present in a minor quantity. The results clearly demonstrate that M. inermum is an excellent source for TAGs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mustard seeds have been used since ancient times contributing great economic value to global agriculture. Canada, one of the world's top producers, grows three main mustard varieties, white /yellow, (Brassica hirta/Sinapis alba), black (Brassica nigra) and Oriental (Brassica juncea). Besides their high protein and lipid content, mustard varieties are a rich source of phenolic compounds. This review will cover mustard seed components including lipids, glucosinolates, and sinapates. The latter are the main phenolic compounds in mustard and include sinapine, sinapic acid and its conversion to canolol. The important bioactivities associated with mustard phenolics, has led to efforts to improve the methods for their extraction. The use of green technology is crucial for producing these phenolics while minimizing any detrimental effects to the environment. The important antioxidant and anticancer activities of these phenolics will also be reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global environmental change can substantively alter soil carbon storage and dynamics in agroecosystems. However, investigations of soil organic matter (OM) composition associated with various environmental factors are still limited, and this hinders the understanding of soil carbon biogeochemistry in agricultural settings. Soil samples were collected at two times (time 0 and 8 or 10 years) from 10 agricultural sites across Canada and New Zealand with varying soil properties (i.e., soil texture, pH) and climates (MAT, mean annual temperature; MAP, mean annual precipitation). The soils were analyzed for organic carbon, nitrogen and soil OM composition using molecular-level techniques that included targeted compound-specific and solid-state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance analyses. Soil carbon contents were similar over time and were not correlated with environmental factors. Molecular-level characterization of soils found that the preservation and degradation of specific soil OM components differed. Simple sugars and microbial-derived compounds (i.e., fungi-derived ergosterol and microbial-derived lipids) persist less with time in soils compared to other OM components. However, the increased cutin- and suberin-derived compounds at most sites and similar alkyl carbon contents with time suggested that cutin- and suberin-derived compounds were longer-lived compared to other soil OM compounds. Correlation analyses indicated that temporal differences in fungal-derived ergosterol were positively correlated with silt content (r = 0.78). An inverse correlation was observed between lignin degradation and silt content (r = −0.75). Cutin- and suberin-derived compounds were negatively correlated with MAT (r = −0.69); when the analysis was restricted to only Canadian sites, cutin- and suberin-derived compounds and their degradation were correlated with MAP and MAT (climate variables). Further, partial correlation analysis revealed that the correlations between soil texture and the temporal shifts in soil OM composition were indirectly regulated by MAP but not MAT. Overall, distinct environmental constraints were observed for specific OM components in agroecosystems, suggesting that the preservation mechanisms are not uniform across a wide range of soils under different climates and soil properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The incidence of Lyme disease (LD) in Canada and the United States has risen over the last decade, nearing 480,000 cases each year. Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, the causative agent of LD, is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected tick, resulting in flu-like symptoms and often a characteristic bull's-eye rash. In more severe cases, disseminated bacterial infection can cause arthritis, carditis and neurological impairments. Currently, no vaccine is available for the prevention of LD in humans. Methods: In this study, we developed a lipid nanoparticle (LNP)-encapsulated DNA vaccine encoding outer surface protein C type A (OspC-type A) of B. burgdorferi. Results: Vaccination of C3H/HeN mice with two doses of the candidate vaccine induced significant OspC-type A-specific antibody titres and borreliacidal activity. Analysis of the bacterial burden following needle challenge with B. burgdorferi (OspC-type A) revealed that the candidate vaccine afforded effective protection against homologous infection across a range of susceptible tissues. Notably, vaccinated mice were protected against carditis and lymphadenopathy associated with Lyme borreliosis. Discussion: Overall, the results of this study provide support for the use of a DNA-LNP platform for the development of LD vaccines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring the body condition of free-ranging marine mammals at different life-history stages is essential to understand their ecology as they must accumulate sufficient energy reserves for survival and reproduction. However, assessing body condition in free-ranging marine mammals is challenging. We cross-validated two independent approaches to estimate the body condition of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) at two feeding grounds in Canada and Norway: animal-borne tags (n = 59) and aerial photogrammetry (n = 55). Whales that had a large length-standardized projected area in overhead images (i.e. whales looked fatter) had lower estimated tissue body density (TBD) (greater lipid stores) from tag data. Linking both measurements in a Bayesian hierarchical model to estimate the true underlying (hidden) tissue body density (uTBD), we found uTBD was lower (−3.5 kg m−3) in pregnant females compared to adult males and resting females, while in lactating females it was higher (+6.0 kg m−3). Whales were more negatively buoyant (+5.0 kg m−3) in Norway than Canada during the early feeding season, possibly owing to a longer migration from breeding areas. While uTBD decreased over the feeding season across life-history traits, whale tissues remained negatively buoyant (1035.3 ± 3.8 kg m−3) in the late feeding season. This study adds confidence to the effectiveness of these independent methods to estimate the body condition of free-ranging whales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel halogenated flame retardants (NHFRs) have been developed to replace those brominated flame retardants that have been restricted due to their persistence, bioaccumulation potential and toxicity, therefore, it is important to determine whether these replacement products are present at detectable concentrations in Canadians. NHFRs were measured in human milk samples (n = 541) collected from across Canada between 2008 and 2011, which is the first pan-Canadian dataset for these chemicals in human milk. Among the 15 measured NHFRs and eight methoxy-polybrominated diphenyl ethers (MeO-PBDEs), nine NHFRs and two MeO-PBDEs (6-MeO-PBDE 47 and 2-MeO-PBDE 68) were detected at a frequency of more than 9%. Despite benzene, 1,1'-(1,2-ethanediyl)bis [2,3,4,5,6-pentabromo-]/decabromodiphenylethane [DBDPE] being detected less frequently than the other observed NHFRs, its relative contribution to the sum of nine NHFRs was important when it was present. The maximum ΣNHFR concentration in Canadian human milk was 6930 pg g -1 lipid while the maximum ΣMeO-PBDEs was 1600 pg g -1 lipid. While most NHFR concentrations were significantly correlated with each other, no relationships between maternal age, parity or pre-pregnancy BMI were identified with ΣNHFR concentrations in the milk. In contrast, maternal age was significantly correlated with ΣMeO-PBDE concentrations (r = 0.237, p < 0.001). ΣNHFR concentrations were similarly not related to maternal education, although ΣMeO-PBDE concentrations were found to be higher in milk from women who had graduated from trade schools relative to the other education levels considered. NHFR detection frequency and concentrations observed in the Canadian human milk seem to align well with Europe., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Crown Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background. Statins and exercise are recommended for managing hypercholesterolemia. However, statin types may vary in their interaction with exercise. We compared rosuvastatin versus atorvastatin combination with exercise on lipid profile and functional capacity. Methods. A retrospective cohort study using data from a 12-week cardiovascular rehabilitation program between 2014 and 2016. Statin use was determined through prescriptions, and the average exercise minutes/week were computed from exercise logs. The outcomes were changes in total cholesterol, low- and high-density lipoproteins (LDL and HDL), triglycerides, and functional capacity (6-minute walk test (6MWT)). Directed acyclic graphs were used to identify potential confounders, accounted for using multiple linear regression modeling. Results. The cohort included 282 patients from 106 atorvastatin and 176 rosuvastatin users. The average exercise minutes/week was 109.4 ± 66.1 among atorvastatin and 106.7 ± 49.1 among rosuvastatin users. Interaction models suggested that a higher number of exercise minutes/week were more favorable among atorvastatin users on total cholesterol and LDL (0.004, 95% CI: 0.001, 0.008 and 0.004, 95% CI: 0.001, 0.007, respectively) but did not reach significance for HDL and triglycerides. Rosuvastatin use was associated with greater increases in 6MWT; however, we observed no between-group differences in interaction estimates by the type of statin used. Conclusion. Rosuvastatin use could blunt the beneficial effect of exercise on LDL and total cholesterol compared to atorvastatin. No significant differences were observed in triglycerides, HDL, and functional capacity levels. Additional studies are warranted with randomized treatments and larger samples. Healthcare providers should continue prescribing statins alongside recommending exercise modalities, with a careful follow-up for rosuvastatin users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and non-HDL cholesterol have opposite associations with coronary heart disease, multi-country reports of lipid trends only use total cholesterol (TC). Our aim was to compare trends in total, HDL and non-HDL cholesterol and the total-to-HDL cholesterol ratio in Asian and Western countries.Methods: We pooled 458 population-based studies with 82.1 million participants in 23 Asian and Western countries. We estimated changes in mean total, HDL and non-HDL cholesterol and mean total-to-HDL cholesterol ratio by country, sex and age group.Results: Since ∼1980, mean TC increased in Asian countries. In Japan and South Korea, the TC rise was due to rising HDL cholesterol, which increased by up to 0.17 mmol/L per decade in Japanese women; in China, it was due to rising non-HDL cholesterol. TC declined in Western countries, except in Polish men. The decline was largest in Finland and Norway, at ∼0.4 mmol/L per decade. The decline in TC in most Western countries was the net effect of an increase in HDL cholesterol and a decline in non-HDL cholesterol, with the HDL cholesterol increase largest in New Zealand and Switzerland. Mean total-to-HDL cholesterol ratio declined in Japan, South Korea and most Western countries, by as much as ∼0.7 per decade in Swiss men (equivalent to ∼26% decline in coronary heart disease risk per decade). The ratio increased in China.Conclusions: HDL cholesterol has risen and the total-to-HDL cholesterol ratio has declined in many Western countries, Japan and South Korea, with only a weak correlation with changes in TC or non-HDL cholesterol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While there is no denying that oil sands development in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region (AOSR) has large impacts upon the habitat it disturbs, developers are legally required to return this land to “an equivalent land capability.” While still early in the process of reclamation, land undergoing reclamation offers an opportunity to study factors influencing reclamation success, as well as how reclaimed ecosystems function. As such, an Early Successional Wildlife Dynamics (ESWD) program was created to study how wildlife return to and use reclaimed upland boreal habitat in the AOSR. Wildlife data comprising 182 taxa of mammals, birds, and amphibians, collected between 2011 and 2017 and from five oil sands leases, were compared from multiple habitat types (burned [BRN], cleared [CLR], compensation lakes [COMP], logged [LOG], mature forest [MF], and reclaimed sites [REC]). Overall, similarity of wildlife communities in REC and MF plots varied greatly, even at 33 years since reclamation (31–62% with an average of 52%). However, an average community similarity of 52% so early in the successional process suggests that current reclamation efforts are progressing towards increased similarity compared to mature forest plots. Conversely, our data suggest that REC plots are recovering differently than plots impacted by natural (BRN) or other anthropogenic disturbances (LOG), which is likely due to differences associated with soil reconstruction and development on reclaimed plots. Regardless of the developmental trajectory of reclaimed habitats, progression towards increased wildlife community similarity at REC and MF plots is apparent in our data. While there is no expectation that reclaimed upland habitats will resemble or function identically to naturally occurring boreal forest, the degree of similarity observed in our study suggests that comparable ecological functionality is possible, increasing the probability that oil sands operators will be able to fulfill their regulatory requirements and duty to reclaim regarding wildlife and wildlife habitat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continuous deposition of organic matter from multiple sources coupled to high sedimentation rate makes continental margins ideal areas for organic matter burial and preservation. Sediments in marine environments harbor microorganisms from three domains of life: Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya and their taxonomic composition and abundances are controlled by physical and chemical properties of the environment. The complex cellular membranes of these organisms are composed of intact polar (IPLs) and core lipid (CL) that can be used for taxonomic reconstruction. We hypothesize that microbial lipid assemblage of shallow surface Scotian Slope sediments reflect geochemical environmental condition of the ocean floor including hydrocarbon seepage. In this study, a comprehensive identification and quantification of membrane lipids of the Scotian Slope has been produced by focusing on archaeal and bacterial IPLs and CLs. A detailed profiling of the abundancy and diversity of microbial lipids is produced to resolve the natural microbial community composition and environmental factors controlling their distribution. We are analyzing 74 sediment samples from 32 piston and gravity cores collected from upper 8 m of oceanic surface sediments across an ~500 km-long area reaching over 3 km water depth from four cruises between 2015-2018, using high-resolution ultra-high performance liquid chroma-tography-quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry. A rich diversity of lipids including 50 archaeal and 65 bacterial and eukaryal lipid classes has been detected. Their distribution pattern and diversity change by sediment and bathymetric depth and hydrocarbon seep sites have unique lipidome compared to ambient sediments. The majority of lipids extracted from Scotian Slope sediments sourced from organisms living within the sediments and are independent of detrital organic matter loading. Primary results reveal hydrocarbon seeps impact bacterial and eukaryal lipid assemblage of the sediments more than archaea. These lipid classes may therefore mark indirect indicators of hydrocarbon seepage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dyslipidemia, an imbalance of lipids and a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, has been associated with elevated blood and urine levels of several heavy metals. Using data from a Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS), we tested associations between blood levels of cadmium, copper, mercury, lead, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, selenium, and zinc, and the lipids triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoproteins (LDL), high density lipoproteins (HDL) and apolipoproteins A1 (APO A1), and B (APO B). All adjusted associations between single metals and lipids were positive and significant, except for APO A1 and HDL. The joint effect of an interquartile range increase in heavy metals was positively associated with percentage increases of TC, LDL and APO B of 8.82% (95%CI: 7.06, 10.57), 7.01% (95%CI: 2.51, 11.51) and 7.15% (95%CI: 0.51, 13.78), respectively. Future studies are warranted to determine if reducing environmental exposure to heavy metals favorably influences lipid profiles and the risk of cardiovascular disease., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Crown Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background Adult patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia (SHTG) are at increased risk of developing acute pancreatitis and cardiovascular disease. Omega-3 carboxylic acids (OM3-CA) are approved for treatment as an adjunct to diet to reduce triglyceride (TG) concentrations in patients with SHTG. Objective The aim of the study was to assess efficacy and safety of the intermediate dose of OM3-CA (2 g daily), compared with olive oil 2 g daily, in reducing serum TG and lipid concentrations in patients with SHTG. Methods A randomized, double-blind, olive oil–controlled, parallel-group trial involving 162 adults with qualifying serum TG concentrations of at least 500 mg/dL (5.65 mmol/L) and <2500 mg/dL (28.25 mmol/L; <2000 mg/dL [22.60 mmol/L] in Canada). The treatment period after randomization was 12 weeks. Blood samples for measurement of fasting serum lipid concentrations were taken at baseline, 6, 10, and 12 weeks. Results Treatment with OM3-CA 2 g daily led to a significant reduction in TG concentrations (median of differences, −14.2% [95% confidence interval: −26.2%, −2.8%; P = .017]) and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations (median of differences, −9.0% [95% confidence interval: −14.8%, −2.8%; adjusted P = .018]) from baseline to the Week 12 endpoint, when compared with olive oil 2 g daily. These treatment effects were more pronounced in patients with qualifying TG concentrations >885 mg/dL (10 mmol/L). Conclusion An intermediate dose of OM3-CA (2 g daily) significantly lowers TG and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations in patients with SHTG and may benefit individuals at risk of acute pancreatitis and cardiovascular disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stocks of the American lobster Homarus americanus (H. Milne Edwards, 1837) are facing major environmental changes, and reproductively active females are a vulnerable and key component of these stocks. This study compares the capacity of mature females from the southern and the northern Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada to withstand environmental stress. Molt increments and responses to a short-term emersion challenge (90 min) were compared among post-ovigerous females from two southern (Caraquet and Toney River) and two northern (Anticosti and Gaspé) sites in controlled laboratory conditions. The females from Caraquet had the smallest carapace length (CL) followed by those from Toney River and those from northern sites. Over a size range of 74-127 mm CL, molt increments were similar among sites (median (Q1-Q3), 7.3 mm (5.7-8.2) and unrelated to body size. Relative molt increments (% CL) were greater in smaller females, suggesting greater allocation of energy for growth. Emersion induced accumulation of haemolymph lactate, indicative of metabolic acidosis. Lactate increased with decreasing body size and with increasing haemolymph proteins, and thus, was higher in small-size, non-molted lobsters. The study shows that body size is an important driver for both growth investment and sensitivity to emersion in southern and northern females. Small-size ovigerous females are particularly sensitive to emersion and likely to other environmental stressors, and consequently. southern Gulf stocks with higher proportions of smaller females, are more vulnerable. This study provides novel information on molt increments variation in mature females useful for the refinement of Gulf of St. Lawrence lobster demographic models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While climate scientists have developed high resolution data sets on the distribution of climate risks, we still lack comparable data on the local distribution of public climate change opinions. This paper provides the first effort to estimate local climate and energy opinion variability outside the United States. Using a multi-level regression and post-stratification (MRP) approach, we estimate opinion in federal electoral districts and provinces. We demonstrate that a majority of the Canadian public consistently believes that climate change is happening. Belief in climate change’s causes varies geographically, with more people attributing it to human activity in urban as opposed to rural areas. Most prominently, we find majority support for carbon cap and trade policy in every province and district. By contrast, support for carbon taxation is more heterogeneous. Compared to the distribution of US climate opinions, Canadians believe climate change is happening at higher levels. This new opinion data set will support climate policy analysis and climate policy decision making at national, provincial and local levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: As the average age of the HIV-positive population increases, there is increasing need to monitor patients for the development of comorbidities as well as for drug toxicities.Methods: We examined factors associated with the frequency of measurement of liver enzymes, renal function tests, and lipid levels among participants of the Canadian Observational Cohort (CANOC) collaboration which follows people who initiated HIV antiretroviral therapy in 2000 or later. We used zero-inflated negative binomial regression models to examine the associations of demographic and clinical characteristics with the rates of measurement during follow-up. Generalized estimating equations with a logit link were used to examine factors associated with gaps of 12 months or more between measurements.Results: Electronic laboratory data were available for 3940 of 7718 CANOC participants. The median duration of electronic follow-up was 3.5 years. The median (interquartile) rates of tests per year were 2.76 (1.60, 3.73), 2.55 (1.44, 3.38) and 1.42 (0.50, 2.52) for liver, renal and lipid parameters, respectively. In multivariable zero-inflated negative binomial regression models, individuals infected through injection drug use (IDU) were significantly less likely to have any measurements. Among participants with at least one measurement, rates of measurement of liver, renal and lipid tests were significantly lower for younger individuals and Aboriginal Peoples. Hepatitis C co-infected individuals with a history of IDU had lower rates of measurement and were at greater risk of having 12 month gaps between measurements.Conclusions: Hepatitis C co-infected participants infected through IDU were at increased risk of gaps in testing, despite publicly funded health care and increased risk of comorbid conditions. This should be taken into consideration in analyses examining factors associated with outcomes based on laboratory parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) achieves increased renal safety and improved alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalization but increased lipid profile in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-monoinfected patients switched from tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF). It is unclear whether HIV coinfection perturbs these biochemical changes. To this end, we assessed these parameters in HIV/HBV-coinfected patients switched from TDF to TAF., Design: Retrospective, multicenter, observational study., Methods: HIV/HBV-coinfected patients switched from TDF to TAF-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) at 6 Canadian Hepatitis B Network (CanHepB) academic sites were included. Changes in lipid profile, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and ALT were evaluated using linear mixed effect model regression., Results: Eighty-two HIV/HBV-coinfected patients with a mean 103-week follow-up duration were identified. At time of TAF switch, 80 of 82 (98%) were HBV virally suppressed, 29 of 82 (35%) had elevated ALT levels, and 63 of 82 (77%) had eGFR of ≥60 mL/min per 1.73 m 2 . Twenty-six/Eighty-two (32%) had preexisting renal comorbidities. There were no changes in total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, and triglyceride levels 2 years after TAF switch. Those with elevated ALT levels achieved greater ALT normalization after TAF switch (-0.004 [-0.008 to 0.0] log 10 U/L/mo, P = 0.03). eGFR decline rate while on TDF (-0.66 [-0.23 to -1.08] mL/min/month, P &lt; 0.005) was diminished after switching to TAF (-0.02 [-0.16 to 0.11] mL/min/mo, P = 0.7) and those with eGFR of &lt;60 mL/min experienced increase in eGFR after TAF switch (0.45 [0.03-0.87] mL/min/mo, P = 0.04)., Conclusions: Our study supports switching from TDF to TAF with positive influence on overall long-term biochemical profile in HIV/HBV-coinfected individuals., Competing Interests: A.W. has received grants and honoraria from AbbVie, Gilead Sciences, ViiV Healthcare, and Merck. S.F. consults for Gilead, Abbvie, Assembly, Springbank, and Eisai. K.D. reports a grant from Gilead Sciences. A.R. consults for Abbvie, Gilead, Janssen, Intercept, and Merck. B.C. reports grants and honoraria from AbbVie, Gilead Sciences, Indivior, Merck, and Viiv Healthcare. C.S.C. reports investigator-initiated research grants/research materials from GlaxoSmithKline, Gilead Sciences, Arbutus Biopharma, and Bristol Myers Squibb and educational grants from Merck, Gilead Sciences, and Janssen Pharmaceutica. B.E.H. consults for and/or received grants from Intercept, Cymabay, Janssen, and Albirco. H.L.A.J. received grants from AbbVie, Bristol Myers Squibb, Gilead Sciences, Innogenetics, Janssen, Medimmune, Medtronic, and Merck, Roche and is consultant for AbbVie, Benitec, Bristol Myers Squibb, Gilead Sciences, Janssen, Medimmune, Merck, Roche, and Arbutus. All authors have no potential personal, in addition to, financial conflict of interest related to this study. The remaining authors have nothing to disclose., (Copyright © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Maternal serum and umbilical cord (UC) lipid and glucose levels are influenced by a variety of maternal factors over the course of pregnancy, including maternal physical activity (PA) levels and gestational weight gain (GWG). However, previous research has not assessed the interaction of these 2 variables. This study investigated mid-gestation (24-28 weeks) and late gestation (34-38 weeks) maternal and UC serum lipid and glucose profiles in relation to maternal PA status and GWG, independently and in combination., Methods: This study had a longitudinal design. Pregnant participants (n = 40) were categorized as active or inactive based on the 2019 Canadian Guideline for Physical Activity throughout Pregnancy, and GWG was categorized as insufficient, appropriate, or excessive based on 2009 Institute of Medicine recommendations. Fasting maternal serum was taken in mid- and late gestation, and venous UC serum was taken at birth., Results: No relationship was found between maternal serum values and PA and/or GWG. Infants born to individuals who were physically active across pregnancy, or who were active in mid-pregnancy and had their activity status drop in late gestation, had lower UC total cholesterol levels than those who were inactive throughout pregnancy (P < 0.0001). Participants who had gained weight appropriately at mid-gestation had significantly lower UC glucose levels than those who gained weight insufficiently (P = 0.040) or excessively (P = 0.021)., Conclusion: In our study, PA, and GWG (independently and in combination) may not have affected maternal serum; however, meeting PA recommendations at mid-gestation may provide prophylactic effects on UC serum, potentially providing long-term health benefits to the newborn., (Copyright © 2022 The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada/La Société des obstétriciens et gynécologues du Canada. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The science of lipid research continues to rapidly evolve and change. New knowledge enhances our understanding and perspectives on the role of lipids in health and nutrition. However, new knowledge also challenges currently held opinions. The following are the proceedings of the 2013 Canadian Nutrition Society Conference on the Advances in Dietary Fats and Nutrition. Content experts presented state-of-the-art information regarding our understanding of fish oil and plant-based n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, nutrigenomics, pediatrics, regulatory affairs, and trans fats. These important contributions aim to provide clarity on the latest advances and opinions regarding the role of different types of fats in health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are leading causes of death despite effective therapies and result in unnecessary morbidity and mortality throughout the world. We aimed to investigate the cost-effectiveness of polygenic risk scores (PRS) to guide statin therapy for Canadians with intermediate CVD risk and model its economic outlook., Methods: This cost-utility analysis was conducted using UK Biobank prospective cohort study participants, with recruitment from 2006 to 2010, and at least 10 years of follow-up. We included nonrelated white British-descent participants (n=96 116) at intermediate CVD risk with no prior lipid lowering medication or statin-indicated conditions. A coronary artery disease PRS was used to inform decision to use statins. The effects of statin therapy with and without PRS, as well as CVD events were modelled to determine the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio from a Canadian public health care perspective. We discounted future costs and quality-adjusted life-years by 1.5% annually., Results: The optimal economic strategy was when intermediate risk individuals with a PRS in the top 70% are eligible for statins while the lowest 1% are excluded. Base-case analysis at a genotyping cost of $70 produced an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $172 906 (143 685 USD) per quality-adjusted life-year. In the probabilistic sensitivity analysis, the intervention has approximately a 50% probability of being cost-effective at $179 100 (148 749 USD) per quality-adjusted life-year. At a $0 genotyping cost, representing individuals with existing genotyping information, PRS-guided strategies dominated standard care when 12% of the lowest PRS individuals were withheld from statins. With improved PRS predictive performance and lower genotyping costs, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio demonstrates possible cost-effectiveness under thresholds of $150 000 and possibly $50 000 per quality-adjusted life-year., Conclusions: This study suggests that using PRS alongside existing guidelines might be cost-effective for CVD. Stronger predictiveness combined with decreased cost of PRS could further improve cost-effectiveness, providing an economic basis for its inclusion into clinical care.

Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is the most prevalent monogenic cause of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). Despite a common genetic etiology, the affected individuals display heterogenous metabolic abnormalities including hypocholesterolemia. Although changes in the metabolism of fatty acids (FAs) have been reported in various neuropsychiatric disorders, it has not been explored in humans with FXS. In this study, we investigated the FA profiles of two different groups: (1) an Argentinian group, including FXS individuals and age- and sex-matched controls, and (2) a French-Canadian group, including FXS individuals and their age- and sex-matched controls. Since phospholipid FAs are an indicator of medium-term diet and endogenous metabolism, we quantified the FA profile in plasma phospholipids using gas chromatography. Our results showed significantly lower levels in various plasma FAs including saturated, monosaturated, ω-6 polyunsaturated, and ω-3 polyunsaturated FAs in FXS individuals compared to the controls. A decrease in the EPA/ALA (eicosapentaenoic acid/alpha linoleic acid) ratio and an increase in the DPA/EPA (docosapentaenoic acid/eicosapentaenoic acid) ratio suggest an alteration associated with desaturase and elongase activity, respectively. We conclude that FXS individuals present an abnormal profile of FAs, specifically FAs belonging to the ω-3 family, that might open new avenues of treatment to improve core symptoms of the disorder.

Purpose: Multiple-image radiography (MIR) is an analyzer-based synchrotron X-ray imaging approach capable of dissociating absorption, refraction, and scattering components of X-ray interaction with the material. It generates additional image contrast mechanisms (besides absorption), especially in the case of soft tissues, while minimizing absorbed radiation dose. Our goal is to develop a contrast agent for MIR using ultrasound microbubbles by carrying out a systematic assessment of size, shell material, and concentration., Procedures: Microbubbles were synthesized with two different shell materials: phospholipid and polyvinyl-alcohol. Polydisperse perfluorobutane-filled lipid microbubbles were divided into five size groups using centrifugation. Two distributions of air-filled polymer microbubbles were generated: 2-3 µm and 3-4 µm. A subset of polymer microbubbles 3-4 µm had iron oxide nanoparticles incorporated into their shell or coated on their surface. Microbubbles were immobilized in agar with different concentrations: 5 × 10 7 , 5 × 10 6 , and 5 × 10 5  MBs/ml. MIR was conducted on the BioMedical Imaging and Therapy beamline at the Canadian Light Source. Three images were generated: Gaussian amplitude, refraction, and ultra-small-angle X-ray scattering (USAXS). The contrast signal was quantified by measuring mean pixel values and comparing them with agar., Results: No difference was detected in absorption or refraction images of all tested microbubbles. Using USAXS, a significant signal increase was observed with lipid microbubbles 6-10 µm at the highest concentration (p = 0.02), but no signal was observed at lower concentrations., Conclusions: These data indicate that lipid microbubbles 6-10 µm are candidates as contrast agents for MIR, specifically for USAXS. A minimum concentration of 5 × 10 7 microbubbles (lipid-shell 6-10 µm) per milliliter was needed to generate a detectable signal., (© 2022. World Molecular Imaging Society.)

Abstract: The blue mussels Mytilus edulis are widely cultured in the coastal regions of Canada. However, their production on sleeves attached to long lines in the water column suffers from fall-offs due to byssus weakening, especially during the spawning period. Thus, we tested in laboratory the hypothesis that the spawning event changes the chemical and biochemical composition of byssal threads, resulting in a significant modification of their mechanical properties. Metal composition of byssus is interesting, as the proteins are cross-linked by complexation with metals influencing the breaking force. Our results show that the filaments' diameter and breaking force significantly decreased after spawning, as compared to unspawned individuals. However, no differences in the stress-at-break and strain-at-break were observed between the two experimental groups. Analysis of the lipid composition of the fibers' distal region indicates a very low concentration of total lipids, i.e. <0.05% in both groups. Some amino acid and lipid classes showed significant differences in relation to the spawn, but as their specific concentration or differences were very low in the byssal threads, their influence on mechanical properties seems negligible. The metal composition of the distal section of the byssus did not show substantial changes induced by the spawning event. Altogether, our results show that the weakening of the byssal thread force resulting from the spawning event of the mussels M. edulis in laboratory conditions was mainly due to a reduction of the fiber diameter, and cannot be related to changes in lipids, amino acid or metal composition. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Chicken eggs from five different production types (conventional, omega-3 enriched, free range, organic and free run) were collected, when available, from three regions (west, central and east) of Canada to determine persistent organic pollutant (POP) concentrations. Total polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations (∑37 congeners) in yolks from the eggs ranged from 0.162ngg−1 lipid to 24.8ngg−1 lipid (median 1.25ngg−1 lipid) while the concentration of the sum of the 6 indicator PCBs ranged from 0.100ngg−1 lipid to 9.33ngg−1 lipid (median 0.495ngg−1 lipid). Total polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin/dibenzofuran (PCDD/F) concentrations ranged from 2.37pgg−1 lipid to 382pgg−1 lipid (median 9.53pgg−1 lipid). The 2005 WHO toxic equivalency (TEQ) ranged from 0.089pg TEQPCDD/F+dioxin-like[DL]-PCB g−1 lipid to 12.8pg TEQPCDD/F+DL-PCB g−1 lipid (median 0.342pg TEQPCDD/F+DL-PCB g−1 lipid). PCB and PCDD/F concentrations were significantly different (p <0.001) in egg yolks from different regions of collection. In contrast to observations in Europe, PCB and PCDD/F concentrations in Canadian egg yolks were not impacted solely by the production type (e.g., conventional, free range, organic, etc.) used to maintain the laying chickens. Additionally, only one Canadian free range yolk from western Canada (12.8pg TEQPCDD/F+DL-PCB g−1 lipid) exceeded the European toxic equivalent concentration limits for eggs (5pg TEQPCDD/F+DL-PCB g−1 lipid). This differs from observations in Europe where free range/home produced eggs frequently have higher POP concentrations than eggs from other production types. Median PCB dietary intake estimates based on consumption of eggs were less than 10ngd−1 while median PCDD/F intakes were less than 45pgd−1. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Global interest in stable energy resources coupled with growing demand for bio-oils in various conventional and arising industries has renewed the importance of vegetable oil production. To address this global interest, oilseed production has been increased in recent decades by different approaches, such as extending the cultivation area of oil crops, or breeding and growing genetically modified plants. In this study, pea (Pisum sativum L.) accessions were screened for lipid content using a rapid extraction method. This method quantifies lipid concentration in pea seeds and was developed by assessing and comparing the results of existing extraction methods used for canola and soybean, the top two Canadian oilseeds. Seeds of 151 field pea accessions were grown to maturity in 2009 and 2010 at McGill University (Quebec, Canada). Overall, lipid concentration in pea seeds ranged from 0.9 to 5.0%. Among several seed characteristics, only seed shape (wrinkled verses round) had a significant effect on the total lipid production in the seeds. Peas are a valuable source of protein and starch, but the lipid concentration in their seeds has been undervalued. This research supports the idea of developing a novel dual-purpose oilseed pea that emulates the protein and oil production in soybean seeds while being conveniently adapted to a colder climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Traditional lipid indices have been associated with type 2 diabetes, but limited data are available regarding non-high-density lipoprotein (non-HDL) cholesterol. In view of recent guidelines for the clinical management of dyslipidemia recommending the monitoring of non-HDL cholesterol as a secondary target after achieving the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol goal, we aimed to assess the association of non-HDL cholesterol with incident type 2 diabetes and compare its utility as a risk predictor with traditional lipid variables in Aboriginal Canadians. Methods: Of 606 diabetes-free participants at baseline, 540 (89.1%) returned for 10-year follow-up assessments. Baseline anthropometry, blood pressure, fasting insulin and serum lipids were measured. Fasting and 2-h postload glucose were obtained at baseline and follow-up to determine the incidence of type 2 diabetes. Results: The cumulative incidence of type 2 diabetes was 17.5%. Higher non-HDL cholesterol, total-to-HDL cholesterol ratio, apolipoprotein B, triglyceride and LDL cholesterol and lower HDL cholesterol concentrations were individually associated with incident type 2 diabetes in univariate analyses (all p < 0.05). Non-HDL cholesterol was a superior determinant of incident diabetes compared with LDL cholesterol (comparing C-statistics of univariate models p = 0.01) or HDL cholesterol (p = 0.004). With multivariate adjustment including waist circumference, non-HDL cholesterol remained associated with incident diabetes [odds ratio (OR) 1.42 (95% confidence interval, CI 1.07-1.88)], while LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol became non-significant. Conclusions: Non-HDL cholesterol was associated with incident type 2 diabetes and was superior to LDL cholesterol as a risk predictor in this population. Further studies are required to establish the utility of non-HDL cholesterol in non-Aboriginal populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabet. Med. 28, 1343-1351 (2011) Abstract Aim To assess the prevalence of persistent lipid abnormalities in statin-treated patients with diabetes with and without the metabolic syndrome. Methods This was a cross-sectional study of 22 063 statin-treated outpatients consecutively recruited by clinicians in Canada and 11 European countries. Patient cardiovascular risk factors, risk level, lipid measurements and lipid-modifying medication regimens were recorded. Results Of the 20 129 subjects who had documented diabetes and/or metabolic syndrome status, 41% had diabetes (of whom 86.8% also had the metabolic syndrome). Of those with diabetes, 48.1% were not at total cholesterol target compared with 58% of those without diabetes. Amongst those with diabetes, 41.6 and 41.3% of those with and without the metabolic syndrome, respectively, were not at their LDL cholesterol goal relative to 54.2% of those with metabolic syndrome and without diabetes, and 52% of those with neither condition. Twenty per cent of people with diabetes but without the metabolic syndrome were not at the optimal HDL cholesterol level compared with 9% of those with neither condition. Of people with diabetes and the metabolic syndrome, 49.9% were not at optimal triglyceride level relative to 13.5% of people with neither diabetes nor the metabolic syndrome. Simvastatin was the most commonly prescribed statin (> 45%) and the most common statin potency was 20-40 mg/day (simvastatin equivalent). Approximately 14% of patients were taking ezetimibe alone or in combination with a statin. Conclusions Despite evidence supporting the benefits of lipid modification and international guideline recommendations, statin-treated patients with diabetes had a high prevalence of persistent lipid abnormalities. There is frequently room to optimize therapy through statin dose up-titration and/or addition of other lipid-modifying therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Long chain alkenone (LCA) lipids produced by haptophyte algae are ubiquitous in marine environments and are increasingly reported from enhanced conductivity, solute rich lakes worldwide. Following our survey of lakes in the United States (Toney et al., 10.1016/j.gca.2009.11.021), we examined surface sediments from 19 lakes in central Canada for alkenones and compared our data with lake characteristics. We found that 68% of surveyed lakes contained sedimentary LCAs, all have C37:4me dominated profiles. Lakes containing LCAs had salinities >1.5g/l and SO4/CO3 ratios >3.5. LCA concentrations were highly elevated (∑C37 >500μg/g sediment) in sediments of meromictic lakes with permanently anoxic deep waters. Overall, the distribution of LCAs was consistent with a previous survey of lakes in the interior of the United States demonstrating that tetra-unsaturated lipids were most common in sulfate rich, saline lakes. Alkenone unsaturation indices () from the upper 10cm of the sediment column are weakly correlated with point sampled average spring water temperature (r 2 =0.30, p =0.067) and the range of inferred temperatures is in agreement with the average, long term potential evapotranspiration weighted temperature. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Biochemical Evaluation of a Health Intervention Programme (B.E. H.I.P.) investigated the impact of progressive exercise intensity in overweight and obese children. A 5-month prospective randomized crossover design (XA, immediate intervention; OB, control group; XB, delayed intervention, OA, postintervention follow-up) with a 10-week health intervention programme was employed. The intervention utilized a progressive increase in high-intensity exercise (≥75% maximum heart rate) and included 3 nutrition and 2 parent education sessions. Primary analysis was completed with ( i) XA versus OB and ( ii) all intervention participants (collapsed XA and XB = XAXB). Prepubertal overweight and obese male and female children ( n = 27) between 5 and 10 years of age were randomly allocated to XA ( n = 16; 11 females; waist circumference = 80.0 ± 10.6 cm) or OB ( n = 11; 3 females; waist circumference = 76.6 ± 7.5 cm). The primary variables were heart rate and percent fat mass. All variables, including body composition, habitual activity, and serum lipids, were repeatedly measured for up to a maximum of 7 time points. Energy expenditure was quantitatively measured throughout each exercise class ( n = 20). A significantly longer time in the exercise sessions was spent in high-intensity (35.1%-60.0%) versus low- to moderate-intensity (64.9%-40.0%) exercise as the intervention progressed from the first to the last attended exercise class (Fisher exact test, p < 0.0001). The percent fat mass decreased in all intervention participants (-2.2%, p < 0.0001). XA had a greater slope decrease than OB for percent fat mass ( p = 0.00051) and triglycerides ( p = 0.0467). In conclusion, high-intensity exercise, within a comprehensive health programme that includes nutrition education, improved the lipid and physiological health profiles of obese children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Juvenile north-temperate and Arctic fishes are faced with trade-offs between energy allocation to growth and energy storage (primarily lipids) prior to over-wintering. We determined classical morphometric (fork length, body weight and condition factor) and biochemical (whole body triglycerides, muscle RNA/DNA ratio, muscle proteins) measures of growth and condition in individual young-of-the-year (YOY) Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus). Grayling were collected just prior to over-wintering in late August (approximately 50 days after swim-up) from two natural streams and five locations within a 3.4km long artificial stream constructed as a fish habitat compensation project and diversion channel for the diamond mining industry in Northwest Territories, Canada (64°45′N). Fork lengths, body weights and whole body triglyceride levels in grayling collected from all sites along the artificial stream were significantly lower than fish collected from one of the natural streams. Condition factor (weight-at-length) was not different among grayling collected from natural and artificial streams. Muscle proteins were lower in grayling collected from four sites along the artificial stream compared to the natural streams. In contrast, muscle RNA/DNA ratios were greater in grayling collected from two sites in the artificial stream compared to natural streams. There were no consistent differences in any variable among grayling collected at the five artificial stream sites or among grayling collected from the two natural streams. The higher RNA/DNA ratios and lower fork lengths, whole body triglycerides and muscle proteins in grayling inhabiting the artificial stream are consistent with energy still being primarily allocated to growth in these fish at this late stage of summer. Individuals that are both larger and possess greater energy storage in the form of triglycerides are more likely to survive the long over-wintering period at this latitude. Our results suggest that YOY grayling using the artificial stream as nursery habitat will likely face increased over-winter mortality, thus raising concerns over the use of fish presence, spawning and rearing as criteria for the initial success of artificial streams as habitat compensation measures in Arctic tundra regions. Further research is needed to determine the potential consequences of reduced size and energy storage in juvenile fishes in order to assess the viability of stream fish habitat compensation and restoration projects associated with industrial development in Arctic tundra regions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Even at low concentrations in the environment, mercury has the potential to biomagnify in food chains and reaches levels of concern in apex predators. The aim of this study was to relate the transfer of total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) in a Gulf of St. Lawrence food web to the trophic structure, from primary consumers to seabirds, using stable nitrogen (δ 15N) and carbon (δ 13C) isotope analysis and physical environmental parameters. The energy reaching upper trophic level species was principally derived from pelagic primary production, with particulate organic matter (POM) at the base of the food chain. We developed a biomagnification factor (BMF) taking into account the various prey items consumed by a given predator using stable isotope mixing models. This BMF provides a more realistic estimation than when using a single prey. Lipid content, body weight, trophic level and benthic connection explained 77.4 and 80.7% of the variation in THg and MeHg concentrations, respectively in this food web. When other values were held constant, relationships with lipid and benthic connection were negative whereas relationships with trophic level and body weight were positive. Total Hg and MeHg biomagnified in this food web with biomagnification power values (slope of the relationship with δ 15N) of 0.170 and 0.235, respectively on wet weight and 0.134 and 0.201, respectively on dry weight. Values of biomagnification power were greater for pelagic and benthopelagic species compared to benthic species whereas the opposite trend was observed for levels at the base of the food chain. This suggests that Hg would be readily bioavailable to organisms at the base of the benthic food chain, but trophic transfer would be more efficient in each trophic level of pelagic and benthopelagic food chains. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract  The objective of this study is to identify possible causes of the high winter mortality noted in juvenile Mercenaria mercenaria notata in eastern Canada. The percentage mortality, shell growth, concentration of energy reserves, and production of cryoprotectant molecules were compared between notata and native quahogs kept at intertidal and subtidal levels. Overwintering mortality of the notata strain reached 47.2% and was 3–9 times higher than that of the native strain. Shell increment was higher in the native than in the notata strain and also at the intertidal than at the subtidal level. The quahogs from the subtidal zone had a higher concentration of protein than those from the intertidal zone in August and April but a lower concentration in February. The notata strain had a lower concentration of lipids and glucose (34.9 and 0.21 mg g−1 dry weight) than the native strain (42.2 and 0.28 mg g−1 dry weight). Thermal hysteresis was detected in none of the quahog groups. High winter mortality in the notata strain seems to be caused, in part, by a lower capacity to stock lipid compared with the native strain. The higher concentration of glucose in the native strain may favour survival in cold water by helping to reduce the freezing point of the animals’ fluids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and atherosclerosis vary between ethnic groups. We examined the apolipoprotein E (ApoE) polymorphism, its association with lipid traits and atherosclerosis, and its influence on ethnic variations on lipid traits. Methods: In a randomly sampled cross-sectional study of 985 South Asian, Chinese, and European Canadians, three common isoforms of ApoE (E2, E3 and E4), plasma lipid concentrations and atherosclerosis of the carotid artery were measured. Results: The E2, E3 and E4 allele frequencies were 5.7%, 84.0%, and 10.2%, respectively, and differed significantly between ethnic groups. There was a strong, stepwise association between ApoE and each plasma lipid trait, except triglycerides. The E4 genotype was associated with higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p for trend<0.001), ApoB (p <0.001), ApoB/ApoA ratio (p <0.001) and lipoprotein (a) (p <0.001), and lower ApoA (p <0.001) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (p =0.005). A similar pattern of effects was observed across all ethnic groups. Ethnicity accounted for modest variation in ApoA, ApoB/ApoA ratio and HDL-C (4.2–5.0%), whereas ApoE isoforms explained only a small proportion of variability (0.3–1.4%). Dietary and lifestyle factors accounted for modest variation in several traits including HDL-C (5.6% and 5.0%, respectively). Carotid atherosclerosis was lower among individuals with E2 isoform in keeping with the effect of E2 on lipid levels. Conclusions: The ApoE isoform is associated with plasma lipoproteins in all ethnic groups, yet explains only a small proportion of the inter-ethnic variation for most plasma lipoproteins. Additional genetic variants and/or health behaviors likely contribute to ethnic variations in plasma lipid traits. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: Hypercholesterolaemia and physical inactivity significantly contribute towards risk of coronary heart disease. Increased physical activity may be an effective way to improve lipid profiles in hypercholesterolaemic individuals. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a home-based physical activity program meeting current guidelines improved the lipid profile of hypercholesterolaemic men. Methods: Sixty-seven hypercholesterolaemic men (55.1 (4.9) years), from Bristol England, recruited between 2002–2004, were randomized to either 12 weeks of brisk walking sufficient to expend at least 300 kcal each walk or control condition. Fasting lipids including total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG), glucose, insulin, blood pressure and anthropometric characteristics were measured at baseline and follow-up. Compliance was monitored using accelerometers and activity logs. Results: After controlling for baseline differences, TC/HDL-C was significantly lower in the intervention group at follow-up (−0.28, 95% CI: −0.52, −0.03, p =0.03). An increase in HDL-C (0.07 mmol/l: −0.01, 0.12, p =0.07) and reduction in TG (−0.30 mmol/l: −0.64, 0.03, p =0.07) in intervention participants were of borderline statistical significance. Weight significantly decreased in intervention participants (−1.40 kg: −2.43, −0.38, p <0.01). No other significant between group effects were found. Compliance to the walking program was 97.6%. Conclusions: Twelve weeks of moderate intensity walking was sufficient to improve TC/HDL-C in hypercholesterolaemic men, primarily through improvement in HDL-C. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A key requirement of effective fisheries management is a better understanding of the mechanisms driving recruitment variability. Recent research suggests that the quantity and quality of gametes produced by fish is closely linked to the availability of surplus energy, usually stored as lipid. We sampled mature walleye (Sander vitreus) from seven populations across Canada to determine if indices of reproductive effort were positively related to indices of adult nutrient reserves, primarily body lipid concentration. Populations varied greatly in growth rates, body lipid contents, and reproductive traits. Within-population trends between indices of reproductive effort and parental body traits were highly variable. Body lipid concentration was most closely related to gonad lipid concentration, but not in all populations. Among populations, relative fecundity and ovary lipid concentrations were positively related, and egg size was negatively related to whole-body lipid concentrations; no trends were evident for males. Our results suggest that relationships between walleye reproductive effort and body lipid reserves may be more complex than previously thought. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The physiological responses of juvenile rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss) to lithium (as LiCl) in moderately hard freshwater (CaCO3 = 120–140 ppm, Na+ = ∼0.6 mM) were studied. The study employed a 15-day step-up exposure regime; 66 μg/L Li for the first 9 days and 528 μg/L for the next 6 days. The concentrations of plasma ions, apolipoprotein AI, total cholesterol, and fatty acids, as well as metabolic enzyme citrate synthase (CS) and Na+,K+-ATPase activities in the gill were measured. Li affected fish by exacerbated diffusive Na+ losses at the gills in the beginning of exposure and a decrease of branchial CS activity. Detrimental effects were shown in fish exposed to 528 μg Li/L. These included a reduction of gill Na+,K+-ATPase activity, possibly related to observed lower concentrations of free fatty acids and cholesterol in gill tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to examine PBDE exposure in Koreans, with a special focus on incinerator workers due to their potential for occupational exposure to PBDEs. A total of 92 blood samples from 30 incinerator workers, 51 nearby residents and 11 controls were analyzed. The mean total PBDE concentration calculated from the 13 most concentrated congeners for all samples was 16.84±7.48ng/g lipid, which was somewhat higher concentration than in other countries except North America and Canada. The PBDE levels and congener profiles detected in incinerator workers were not distinctly different from those found in the general population. In all groups tested, BDE-47 was dominant (mean contribution=32.5%) followed by BDE-153 (23.6%) and relatively high portions of BDE-183 (16.5%) were found. No strong trend was observed between PBDE levels and a number of key biological factors examined in this study, however, weak correlations were observed in PBDE levels measured against dietary habits, particularly in fish consumption frequency and gender. Overall, our data suggest that the occupational exposure of incinerator workers to PBDEs can be considered minor, while other lifestyle factors can have a greater contribution to PBDE exposure. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Bilateral isometric handgrip (IHG) training lowers resting arterial blood pressure (BP) in medicated hypertensives. Numerous mechanisms have been suggested, but have yet to be investigated. One such mechanism is that of improved systemic endothelial-dependent vasodilation. The purpose of this investigation was twofold: (1) to determine if bilateral IHG training had any beneficial effects on endothelial-dependent vasodilation, and (2) to see if improved systemic endothelial-dependent vasodilation was responsible for lowering BP. Sixteen participants performed four, 2 min IHG contractions at 30% of their maximal voluntary effort, using either a bilateral (n = 7) or a unilateral IHG protocol (n = 9), three times per week for 8 weeks. Brachial artery (BA) flow-mediated dilation (FMD, an index of endothelial-dependent vasodilation, measured in both arms) was assessed pre- and post-training. Following bilateral IHG training, BA FMD improved in both arms (normalized to peak shear rate 0.005 +/- 0.001 to 0.02 +/- 0.002 s(-1), P < 0.01). Following unilateral IHG training, BA FMD improved in the trained arm only (normalized 0.009 +/- 0.002 to 0.02 +/- 0.005 s(-1), P < 0.01). These findings suggest that although IHG training improves endothelial-dependent vasodilation, the improvements only occur locally in the trained limbs. This suggests that enhanced systemic endothelial-dependent vasodilation is not the mechanism responsible for the observed post-IHG training reductions in BP in medicated hypertensives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Algae from cold water (Canada) and warm water (China) were analysed for the total lipid content, and for their fatty acid (FA) composition and content. The major findings are that fatty acids (FA) from Canadian algae are generally richer in polyunsaturated FA (PUFA), with a higher n-3/n-6 FA ratio, and a higher degree of total unsaturation. The C 18:4 FA (stearidonic acid, morotic acid as synonym) was detected in greater amounts in cold water samples. The high levels of total PUFA, and especially of n-3 FA in Canadian algae, suggests possible utilization for nutritional purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES:: To estimate the prevalence of insulin resistance syndrome (IRS) in a representative sample of youth. To test for the independent contribution of insulin resistance (IR) and adiposity to clustering of metabolic risk factors. To identify the underlying components of IRS. To examine the relationship between adiposity and fasting plasma levels of free fatty acids (FFA). METHODS:: In 1999, we conducted a school-based survey of a representative sample of youth aged 9, 13 and 16?y in Quebec, Canada. Age-specific questionnaire data, standardized clinical measurements and a fasting blood sample were available for 2244 subjects. Fasting insulin and HOMA were used as surrogate measures of IR. RESULTS:: In all age-sex groups, adiposity indices, blood pressure (BP), plasma glucose and triglycerides (TG) increased significantly with increasing insulin quartiles while HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) decreased. The overall prevalence of IRS defined as hyperinsulinaemia combined with two or more risk factors including overweight, high systolic BP, impaired fasting glucose, high TG and low HDL-C, was 11.5% (95% CI: 10.2-12.9). There were no significant differences in the prevalence of IRS across ages or between sexes. The independent contribution of adiposity to clustering of risk factors was stronger than that of fasting insulin (or HOMA-IR). Factor analysis revealed three factors (BMI/insulin/lipids, BMI/insulin/glucose and diastolic/systolic BP) consistent across ages suggesting that more than one pathophysiologic process underlies IRS. Although elevation of FFA might be in the causal pathway linking obesity to IR, we did not detect any consistent association between measures of fatness and fasting plasma FFA. CONCLUSION:: IRS is highly prevalent in youth, even among children as young as age 9?y. Factor analysis identifies three physiologic domains within IRS with a unifying role for markers of IR and adiposity.International Journal of Obesity (2004) 28, 833-841. doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0802694 Published online 1 June 2004 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recent reports suggest a possibly protective effect for statins in patients with Alzheimer disease. This association could be due to indication bias, ie, people who elect to take lipid-lowering agents (LLAs) may be healthier than those who do not, so that it may be these other health factors that explain their lower risk of dementia. Objectives: To examine the association between the use of LLAs and dementia, adjusting for other markers of health, and to investigate factors associated with LLA use. Design: A cohort study of LLA use and a case-control study of dementia in relation to LLA use, in a secondary analysis of the Canadian Study of Health and Aging. Setting: A nationally representative population-based survey of Canadians 65 years and older. Participants: To examine features associated with statin use, we evaluated data on 2305 people for whom health information, drug use, and cognitive status were known. To examine the relationship between LLA use and dementia, we selected incident cases of dementia (n = 492, of whom 326 had Alzheimer disease) that occurred between the first and second waves of the study. Control subjects were 823 persons examined during the first and second phases of the Canadian Study of Health and Aging who had no cognitive impairment. Results: Use of LLAs was significantly (P<.001) more common in younger (65-79 years) than in older (≥80 years) people. It was not associated with other factors indicating a healthy lifestyle, but was associated with a history of smoking and hypertension. Use of statins and other LLAs reduced the risk of Alzheimer disease in subjects younger than 80 years, an effect that persisted after adjustment for sex, educational level, and self-rated health (odds ratio, 0.26; 95% confidence interval, 0.08-0.88). There was no significant effect in subjects 80 years and older. Conclusions: While the possibility of indication bias in the original observations cannot be excluded, it was not de... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluates the effects of leptin on lipid deposition in rats in Canada. Influence of corticosterone on lipid deposition; Impact of leptin on body weight and lipid accumulation; Activity of lipoprotein lipase in the adipose and muscle tissues.

Objective: To examine cross-sectional and prospective associations between proinsulin and cardiovascular disease risk factors using data from a population-based study of type 2 diabetes among Native Canadians.Research Design and Methods: Between 1993 and 1995, 72% of eligible members of a Native Canadian community participated in a baseline diabetes prevalence survey. Fasting samples were collected for glucose, C-peptide, proinsulin, lipids, and apolipoproteins. A 75-g oral glucose tolerance test was administered, and a second sample for glucose was drawn after 120 min. Blood pressure and waist circumference were determined. In the present study, subjects with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) (n = 505) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) (n = 74) were included in cross-sectional analyses. In 1998, 95 individuals who had IGT or NGT at baseline with an elevated 2-h glucose concentration (> or = 7.0 mmol/l) participated in a follow-up evaluation using the protocol used at baseline. Cross-sectional and prospective associations between proinsulin and cardiovascular risk factors were assessed using correlation and multiple linear regression analyses.Results: After adjustment for covariates including age, sex, C-peptide, waist circumference, and glucose tolerance status, fasting proinsulin concentration was significantly associated with concurrently measured lipid and apolipoprotein concentrations (triglycerides: r = 0.18, P < 0.0001; total cholesterol: r = 0.10, P = 0.02; LDL cholesterol: r = 0.11, P = 0.01; HDL cholesterol: r = -0.16, P = 0.0002; apolipoprotein (apo) B: r = 0.17, P < 0.0001; apoAI: r = -0.11, P = 0.008). In the adjusted prospective analysis, baseline triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, and apoB were associated with changes over time in proinsulin (r = 0.23, P = 0.04; r = -0.30, P = 0.01; r = 0.23, P = 0.04; respectively).Conclusions: These results confirm previously reported cross-sectional associations between proinsulin and lipid concentrations. In addition, an unexpected association between baseline lipids and proinsulin change was documented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Guideline-recommended use of risk calculators to select for statin therapy in primary prevention has never been tested in a randomized controlled trial (RCT). We determined the extent to which guideline-based statin recommendations from the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA), Canadian Cardiovascular Society(CCS), UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), and European Society of Cardiology/European Atherosclerosis Society (ESC/EAS) is supported by available evidence from RCTs., Methods: 79,171 individuals from the Copenhagen General Population Study who were free of ASCVD and statin use at baseline were included. RCT evidence supporting guideline-recommended statin allocation and the estimated number needed to treat (NNT) to prevent one ASCVD event were assessed., Results: During 8.2 years of follow-up, 4031 ASCVD events occurred. Of individuals eligible for statin therapy with the ACC/AHA, CCS, NICE and ESC/EAS guidelines, 86%, 88%, 88% and 84% had direct RCT evidence of statin efficacy, respectively (guideline-positive&RCT-positive). This group represented 26-37% of all 79,171 individuals, while guideline-positive&RCT-negative individuals represented 5-7%, guideline-negative&RCT-positive individuals 28-39%, and guideline-negative&RCT-negative individuals represented 30-31%. The ASCVD events per 1000 person-years were 11.4-12.7 (guideline-positive&RCT-positive), 6.3-8.0 (guideline-positive&RCT-negative), 4.2-5.2 (guideline-negative&RCT-positive), and 2.3-2.5 (guideline-negative&RCT-negative), respectively, while the corresponding NNT to prevent one event in 10 years using high-intensity statin were 19-21, 30-32, 48-60, and 105-125, respectively., Conclusions: The far majority of individuals eligible for guideline-recommended primary prevention with statins have direct RCT evidence supporting statin use. Allocating statins based on guideline-criteria is more efficient with lower NNT for preventing ASCVD events than allocating statin therapy based solely on RCT evidence., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Until now, our familial studies have showed that shared genetic and environmental factors are involved on lipid parameters variability. More precisely, being working on 119 families we have showed that: a) The apolipoprotein E (apo E) common polymorphism is involved in the total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-Chol), apo E, apo B levels variability, b) the apolipoprotein A-IV gene had no effect on lipid metabolism parameters variability, apo A-IV levels included, c) the apolipoprotein B gene was associated with total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, LDL-Chol, triglycerides and apo B levels genetic variability, d) the lipoproteine lipase (LPL) gene was responsible for 6.5% of the triglycerides variability, e) the apo E and LPL 447 polymorphisms influence in conjunction lipid parameters. These preliminary results on effects and combination effects of polymorphic genes show the interest of a multilocus approach. We have used in a subgroup of 416 individuals of a familial cohort (Stanislas Cohort) a prototype assay that genotypes a panel of 35 polymorphic sites on 15 candidate genes of Cardiovascular diseases. Each sample is amplified by two multiplex polymerase chain reactions, then hybridized to an array of immobilized, oligonucleotide probes. The frequencies of the rare alleles were in agreement with those reported by others in caucasian populations. The realisation of this multiplex assay in the 1 006 families of the Stanislas Cohort, which is underway, will allow us a better understanding of the interindividual variability of lipids and will contribute to the determination of the genetic susceptibility of one's individual to cardiovascular risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study describing the distribution of body fat, prevalence of obesity and knowledge of cardiovascular disease in Canadian adults. Design; Setting; Participants; Outcome measures; Results; Conclusions.

Lathyrus maritimus (L.) Bigel, commonly known as beach pea, grows along the shorelines of Newfoundland, Canada. Rhizobia have been isolated from the subterranean root nodules and the cultures were induced to nodulate seedlings raised in the laboratory. The nodules collected from the field were elongated and sometimes branched with proximal ends thickened, Histological characteristics revealed their indeterminate perennial form. Oleosomes (lipid bodies) were present in the nodule tissues. Morphometric analysis showed their presence in the nodule cortex cells throughout all developmental stages, but they were found in the infected cells only during the early stages of infection and symbiosis. It is suggested that oleosomes are utilized for membrane and rhizobial proliferation during establishment of symbiosis in the infected cells. The role of oleosomes in the cortical cells remains unclear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We studied whether significant differences in care gaps exist between specialists and primary care physicians (PCPs)., Methods: GOAL Canada enrolled patients with CVD or familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) and LDL-C > 2.0 mmol/L despite maximally tolerated statin therapy. During follow-up, physicians received online reminders of treatment recommendations based on Canadian Guidelines., Results: A total of 177 physicians (58% PCPs) enrolled 2009 patients; approximately half of the patients were enrolled by each physician group. Patients enrolled by specialists were slightly older (mean age 63 years vs 62), female (45% vs 40%), Caucasian (77% vs 65%), and had a slightly higher systolic pressure and lower heart rate. Patients enrolled by specialists had less frequent history of FH, diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease and liver disease but more frequent history of coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation and premature family history of CVD. There was no significant baseline difference in LDL-C, HDL-C or non-HDL-C, although total cholesterol and triglycerides were slightly higher in patients managed by PCPs. At baseline, PCPs were more likely to use statins (80% vs 73%, P = .0002) and other therapies such as niacin or fibrate (10% vs 6%, P = .0006) but similar use of ezetimibe (24% vs 27%, P = .15). At the end of follow-up, specialists used less statins (70% vs 77%, P = .0005) and other therapies (6% vs 10%, P = .007) but more ezetimibe (45% vs 38%, P = .01) and the same frequency of PCSK9i (28% vs 27%, P = .65). The proportion of patients achieving the recommended LDL-C level of 2.0 mmol/L or below (primary endpoint) was similar at last available visit between specialists and PCPs (44% vs 42%, P = .32)., Conclusion: Despite minor differences in the clinical profile of their patients, both PCPs and specialists actively participate in the management of lipid-lowering therapy in high-risk CVD patients and experience similar challenges and care gaps., (© 2020 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)