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Spin polarization in chiral molecules is a magnetic molecular response associated with electron transport and enantioselective bond polarization that occurs even in the absence of an external magnetic field. An unexpected finding by Santos and co-workers reported enantiospecific NMR responses in solid-state cross-polarization (CP) experiments, suggesting a possible additional contribution to the indirect nuclear spin-spin coupling in chiral molecules induced by bond polarization in the presence of spin-orbit coupling. Herein we provide a theoretical treatment for this phenomenon, presenting an effective spin-Hamiltonian for helical molecules like DNA and density functional theory (DFT) results on amino acids that confirm the dependence of J-couplings on the choice of enantiomer. The connection between nuclear spin dynamics and chirality could offer insights for molecular sensing and quantum information sciences. These results establish NMR as a potential tool for chiral discrimination without external agents.The authors present a theoretical treatment demonstrating that NMR experiments on chiral molecules can reveal enantioselective nuclear J-couplings due to bond polarization and spin-orbit interaction. This also aids in understanding chirality-induced phenomena more generally and their applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A previous expression profiling of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) revealed that the immune response gene interferon-gamma-inducible protein 30 ( IFI30) gene was 1.72-fold more highly expressed in non-diabetic severely obese men with the metabolic syndrome as compared to those without. Given the importance of low-grade inflammation in obesity-related metabolic complications, we hypothesized that variants in the IFI30 gene are associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. A detailed genetic investigation was performed at the IFI30 locus by sequencing its promoter, exons and intron-exon junction boundaries using DNA of 25 severely obese men. Among the 21 sequence-derived single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), 5 tagged SNPs (covering 100% of the common SNPs identified) were genotyped in two independent samples of severely obese patients (total n = 1,283). Using a multistage experimental design, chi-square analyses and logistic regressions were performed to compare genotype frequencies and compute odds-ratios (OR) for low and high CVD risk groups (dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia/diabetes and hypertension). A significant association was observed with the non-synonymous SNP rs11554159 (p.R76Q), where GA individuals showed lower risk (OR = 0.67; P = 0.0009) for hyperglycemia/diabetes as compared to homozygotes for the major allele (GG). No association was observed between rs11554159 and VAT IFI30 mRNA levels ( P = 0.81), and the expression levels were not correlated with fasting plasma glucose levels ( P = 0.31) in 112 non-diabetic severely obese women. The localization of rs11554159 near the active site of IFI30 suggests a functional effect of this SNP. This study showed a novel association between rs11554159 (p.R76Q) polymorphism at the IFI30 locus and the risk of hyperglycemia/diabetes in severely obese individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Several candidate genes have been associated with obesity, but very few studies have tested more than one gene simultaneously.Methods:In this study, 15 polymorphisms in 10 candidate genes of obesity were tested for association with changes in adiposity measured over a period of 6–10 years in a maximum of 332 adult subjects with a wide range of adiposity (17.5

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) in the control of bleeding from ectopic varices. Methods: From 1995 to 2004, 24 cirrhotic patients, bleeding from ectopic varices, mean age 54.5 years (range 15–76 years), were treated by TIPS. The etiology of cirrhosis was alcoholic in 13 patients and nonalcoholic in 11 patients. The location of the varices was duodenal (n = 5), stomal (n = 8 ), ileocolic (n = 6), anorectal (n = 3), umbilical (n = 1), and peritoneal (n = 1). Results: TIPS controlled the bleeding in all patients and induced a decrease in the portacaval gradient from 19.7 ± 5.4 to 6.4 ± 3.1 mmHg. Postoperative complications included self-limited intra-abdominal bleeding (n = 2), self-limited hemobilia (n = 1), acute thrombosis of the shunt (n = 1), and bile leak treated by a covered stent (n = 1). Median follow-up was 592 days (range 28–2482 days). Rebleeding occurred in 6 patients. In 2 cases rebleeding was observed despite a post-TIPS portacaval gradient lower than 12 mmHg and was controlled by variceal embolization; 1 patient underwent surgical portacaval shunt and never rebled; in 3 patients rebleeding was related to TIPS stenosis and treated with shunt dilatation with addition of a new stent. The cumulative rate of rebleeding was 23% and 31% at 1 and 2 years, respectively. One- and 2-year survival rates were 80% and 76%, respectively. Conclusion: The present series demonstrates that bleeding from ectopic varices, a challenging clinical problem, can be managed safely by TIPS placement with low rebleeding and good survival rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND:The phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) may play a role in body fat regulation.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the association between PLTP genetic variants and obesity-related phenotypes.METHODS:Two intronic variants, one in intron 1 (c.−87G>A) and the other in intron 12 (c.1175+68T>G), were genotyped in 811 participants of the Québec Family Study. Nine obesity-related phenotypes were investigated, including body mass index (BMI), obesity (BMI≥30 kg/m2), and waist circumference, percentage of fat, fat mass and fat-free mass measured by hydrostatic weighing as well as total, visceral and subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue areas assessed by computed tomography. Single markers and haplotypes were tested for associations in family-based designs using the FBAT program.RESULTS:The SNP located in intron 1 showed significant associations with obesity, BMI, waist circumference and fat-free mass (P<0.05). The low-frequency allele (A allele) was associated with higher trait values, suggesting that the transmission of this allele is associated with an increased risk of being obese. Significant associations were observed between haplotypes and obesity, waist circumference, percentage of fat and fat-free mass (P<0.05). The transmission of the AT haplotype (frequency=0.180) was positively associated with obesity-related phenotypes. After sequencing the promoter and the coding regions of the PLTP gene, we were unable to identify a mutation that could replicate these results.CONCLUSION:Intronic variants of the PLTP gene are significantly associated with obesity-related phenotypes. Considering the number and the relevance of candidate genes surrounding the PLTP locus and the absence of missense polymorphisms in the coding region, the associations could be mediated by a second gene allele in linkage disequilibrium with the marker locus.International Journal of Obesity (2005) 29, 1338–1345. doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0803010; published online 7 June 2005 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proximal portion of the polyoma virus early region as well as the complete viral genome were cloned in pBR322. Recombinant plasmids induced tumors in newborn rats but only after linearization of the DNA by various restriction endonucleases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Statistical analyses for small populations or small domains of interest can be challenging. To obtain reliable estimates, only very large surveys such as the Canadian Community Health Survey can be considered. However, despite its good geographical and temporal coverage, the analysis of small populations in smaller regions (e.g., health regions) and in regards to specific health issues remains challenging. We will look at the methodological issues in analysis of small populations in relation to sampling and non-sampling survey errors that affect the precision and accuracy of the estimates. Francophone minorities in Canada will be used to illustrate the issues throughout the paper.

Objective: Our research uses a regional summary indicator (IHPOLM) to measure the capacity of the health system to provide equitable access to health professionals for 2 million Official Language Minority Community (OLMC) members dispersed across 104 health regions in Canada., Method: The summary indicator IHPOLM compares the official language minority and the official language majority potential access to health professionals. The IHPOLM indicator uses 22 professional health care occupations, representing 79% of the health care workforce in Canada, who communicate directly with their clientele for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes (Statistics Canada, 2006)., Results: The IHPOLM indicator revealed that the OLMC population is at a disadvantage in potential access to health professionals capable of providing services in the minority language when compared to the majority language population in 10 of the 13 Canadian provinces/territories. OLMC members are disadvantaged in 13 out of 14 health regions in Ontario, in 16 out of 18 in Québec and in 3 out of 7 in New Brunswick., Conclusion: The summary regional indicator IHPOLM identified OLMC health care access inequalities between the official language minority population and the majority language population in the health care system across the health regions in Canada. The more detailed analysis of IHPOLM for individual health occupations will further improve our knowledge of Official Language Minority Community health access inequalities.

Objective: Leisure-time physical activity participation is influenced by various socio-demographic factors. Recent evidence suggests that being part of a minority negatively impacts an individual's health status. The objective of this study was to compare inactive leisure-time physical activity between the Francophone minority and the Anglophone majority in Canada., Methods: Data from the fusion of cycles 2.1, 3.1, 4.1, 2008 and 2009 of the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) were used. The linguistic variable was determined by languages spoken at home, first language learned and still understood, language of interview, and language of preference. Leisure-time physical activity was based on a questionnaire provided during the interview. Factors associated with inactive leisure time were examined using logistic regression models., Results: Francophones were more likely than Anglophones to be physically inactive in their leisure time (49.1% vs. 47.2%). A greater percentage of Francophones had poor self-perceived health, were older, were single, had lower education, had higher rate of unemployment and lived in rural areas compared to Anglophones. When these socio-demographic factors were taken into account, there were no further differences in the likelihood of being inactive between Francophones and Anglophones., Conclusion: The Francophone minority in Canada is characterized by socio-demographic factors that have a negative impact on leisure-time physical activity participation.

Objective: From a public health perspective, the follow-up of women during pregnancy and the perinatal period requires quality communication and health services that take into account the context in which these women live. However, challenges related to access to health services in French in a minority situation have been documented in recent research. The objective of this pilot study is to better understand the perceptions, the lived experiences and the needs of pregnant Francophone women living in Canada within a linguistic minority context., Methods: Given the exploratory nature of the inquiry, a mixed method descriptive study was conducted in Alberta and New Brunswick, whose populations are 2% and 33% Francophone, respectively. Two semi-structured interviews and a series of validated questionnaires were administered to 21 pregnant women during the third trimester of pregnancy and at six weeks postnatal. Based on the questionnaires, a descriptive analysis documented participants' characteristics, and qualitative interviews were transcribed, coded and analyzed through an inductive process by four independent readers to uncover key themes related to the participants' experiences., Results: Most of the women were bilingual and language in which health services were received did not appear to be a major issue for them, except during times of stress and at critical periods of the pregnancy. In contrast, almost one third of the women reported being unsatisfied with services they had received and attributed this dissatisfaction to gaps in French language services., Conclusion: Women prefer to receive health services in their mother tongue, however services are delivered in English most of the time. Participants report that during times of stress and emergency, communication in French is essential to a quality follow-up of patients. Linguistic and cultural congruence seems to be a key factor for quality care during pregnancy. A comparative study would assist in better ascertaining the relative impact of language on Francophone women's lived experiences during pregnancy.

Objective: In the context of institutional incompleteness affecting the official minority language communities, we examine how the Francophones in a minority context see the future of health services offered in French., Method: The study is based on a participatory methodology: the concept mapping will serve to identify the conceptual universe of a given problem. From a master statement such as: "When I think about the future of health services in French, I think of ...", participants are invited to make as many statements as come to mind. These statements are then categorized individually and treated collectively through a multivariate analysis., Outcome: The main themes emerging from the mapping exercise indicate the issues and challenges raised by the participants, namely the geographical context, specific needs, language rights, education and training, human resources, bilingualism and translation, the minority experience, active offer, the role of governmental bodies, community mobilization, collaboration and networking., Conclusion: The participatory approach that concept mapping allows is interesting in more than one way: its flexibility provides a space for both individual and collective reflection; it allows identification and structuring of the crucial dimensions of an issue; and the research outcomes are useful both to researchers and participants in guiding action and achieving goals. Social actors can therefore benefit from a collective dynamic to reflect on the foundations for the development and organization of health services in French.

Objective: To compare the dietary intake and food choices between Francophone Canadians in a state of linguistic minority (outside of Quebec) and the English-speaking majority., Methods: We used the 2004 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) cycle 2.2 (general health and 24-hour dietary recalls) to describe dietary intake of Francophone Canadians (excluding Quebec) and compare them to the English-speaking majority. The linguistic variable was determined by languages spoken at home, first language learned and still understood, language of interview, and language of preference. The mean differences in daily nutrient and food intake were assessed by t and chi-square tests., Results: Differences in total energy and daily food intakes by language groups were not observed in the sample; however, significant differences in weekly consumption were found in different age and sex categories: lower fruits and vegetables consumption, and vitamins and macronutrients intakes for older Francophone men and higher intakes of energy and saturated fat from "unhealthy" foods for Francophone men 19-30 years of age. Based on the Acceptable Macronutrients Distribution Range (AMDR), approximately 50% of the sample exceeded their acceptable energy intake from saturated fats, and 80% were below their required intake of linoleic fatty acid., Conclusion: We confirmed that belonging to Francophone minorities in Canada affects food choices and nutritional well-being of this population. The most vulnerable groups identified by our study were Francophone men in the youngest (19-30) and older (50 and over) age categories. The extent to which the cultural setting influences the diet and, in turn, the health of the minority population needs further examination.

Objectives: Recent studies show a higher prevalence of being obese or overweight in Francophones living in minority settings compared to Canada's Anglophone majority. The objective of our study was to determine whether belonging to the linguistic minority constituted a social determinant of having a weight problem., Methods: Descriptive variables (n=128,986) from five cycles of the Canadian Community Health Survey were stratified by respondents' language and sex. Two logistic regression models tested the association between being overweight/obese (as defined by the measure of body mass index) and language, for men and women, while adjusting for social and behavioural determinants., Results: Prevalence of excess weight was higher among Francophones compared to Anglophones of Ontario, although the difference was not significant after adjustment for socio-economic and behavioural determinants. However, Francophones were older, less educated and more likely to live in rural areas than their Anglophone counterparts, a situation which makes them more vulnerable., Conclusion: The study confirms the role of social and behavioural determinants of being obese/overweight. Although language does not have a direct influence on having a weight problem, the socio-economic reality of the Francophone minority makes them more likely than the Anglophone majority to fall in vulnerable strata of the population with regards to being overweight/obese. This situation should be considered when planning health services.

Objective: Mental health and arthritis have been recognized as major public health issues. Francophone minority status has now been acknowledged as a health determinant. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of major depression among adults with arthritis in Francophone minority populations compared to the Anglophone majority., Methods: Secondary analysis of the CCHS (merger of 2003 (cycle 2.1), 2005 (Cycle 3.1), 2007 (cycle 4.1), 2008 and 2009) excluding Quebec residents. The language variable was constructed using an existing algorithm which combines maternal tongue, language of conversation, language of interview, and preferred language. Major depression was defined according to the DSM IV. Presence or absence of arthritis was a self-reported variable. The prevalence and odds ratios for depression in people with arthritis were calculated and adjusted for various factors (socio-economic, social isolation, access to health services)., Results: The study identified 159,426 Anglophones and 10,658 Francophones. Among the participants with arthritis (27%), the prevalence of depression in Francophones and Anglophones was 8.5% and 8.4%, respectively. In men, Anglophones were more at risk for depression than Francophones: OR 2.36 (95% CI: 2.07-2.70) vs. OR 1.87 (95% CI: 1.20-2.91). This trend was not observed in women., Conclusion: In our sample of people with arthritis, depression seems to affect more particularly the English-speaking men, however given the small sample size, we need to be cautious in our conclusions.

Objective: It has been reported that being part of a minority group may be negatively associated with self-perceived health. The objective of this analysis was to determine whether there are differences in perceived health between the Francophone minority and Anglophone majority in New Brunswick, the only officially bilingual province in Canada., Methods: Data from the first four primary cycles of the Canadian Community Health Survey (2001 to 2007) were obtained for 17,729 New Brunswick residents. Odds of reporting good health among Francophones and Anglophones were compared using multivariate logistic regressions accounting for age, health-related behaviours, socio-demographic variables, and medical conditions., Results: In the final models, Francophone men and women were less likely than Anglophones to report their health as being good, although these differences were not statistically significant (Odds ratio, 95% confidence interval: 0.88, 0.61-1.26; 0.71, 0.49-1.04, in men and women, respectively)., Conclusion: This study suggests that being part of the linguistic minority in New Brunswick is not associated with statistically significant differences in self-perceived health.

Objective: Bibliometric analysis can be used to objectively compare the usage of terms over time. The purpose of this research was to compare the use of population health, health promotion, and public health using bibliometric indicators of the published literature., Methods: Bibliometric indicators, such as scientific productivity and the overlap between the terms, were analyzed in the Web of Science. Indexing of population health, health promotion, and public health was explored in MEDLINE, CINAHL, and EMBASE., Results: The most productive country in population health was Canada, while the most productive country in health promotion and public health was the United States. The number of published articles using the public health term was surpassed by health promotion around 1990. Both were surpassed by population health around 2000. Population health was the only concept which lacked an index term in all three databases., Discussion: There has been a shift in the usage of public health, health promotion, and population health concepts over time. Country analysis revealed that Canadian researchers are leaders in population health, while researchers based in the United States are leaders in public health and health promotion. This may indicate differences rooted in the social, historical and economic traditions. Although the publication rate of articles described as 'population health' research is increasing, it is lacking an index term across major electronic databases. We suggest that without timely acceptance of terms, new concepts that represent different ways of thinking about health may be limited, delayed or glossed over.

The goal of this article is to outline the analytical perspectives of the concept of social capital regarding health and health management. Social capital, as defined in terms of social networks and resources, has a positive impact on a number of areas, notably the health, well-being, and social and economic development of communities. It is also a useful tool for implementing social policy, especially for marginal populations, the elderly, social assistance payments, etc. An action strategy based on the support and development of networks is the key to achieving the social development, health, and well-being of populations. The social ties promoted by these networks provide people with social, cognitive, and emotional support. This has a direct impact on their self-esteem and sense of personal achievement. They also facilitate access to social resources, including social advancement opportunities. In this paper, we examine the vitality, determinants of health, and health management of Canada's minority Francophone communities.