A Simple Halogen-Free Magnesium Electrolyte for Reversible Magnesium Deposition through Cosolvent Assistance.

Rechargeable Mg batteries are one of the most investigated polyvalent-metal storage batteries owing to the increased safety associated with the nondendritic nature of Mg electrodeposition, high volumetric capacity, and low cost. To realize the commercial applications of Mg batteries, there are still a number of challenges remaining unsolved, in particular, the lack of halogen-free Mg electrolytes, as the use of the halogens remains a major limiting factor to achieving high voltage cathodes. Work presented here introduces an innovative approach to prepare a halogen-free Mg-based electrolyte in a simple, nonsynthetic method that can plate and strip Mg reversibly. Results suggest that by introducing a secondary amine cosolvent the magnesium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (Mg(TFSI)2) salt can be easily dissolved into a wide array of polar but aprotic ether solvents. A systematic structural investigation of a representative Mg(TFSI)2 electrolyte in the cosolvent systems with the secondary amine was performed using pair distribution function (PDF) analysis, single crystal diffraction analysis, and NMR. The experimental atomic scale understanding reveals an ion pair structure of Mg2+ coordinated with six oxygen donors from the bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (TFSI) anions and the THF solvent located in the first solvation shell. The as-formed neutral ion pair structure acts as the active component for reversible Mg deposition. We believe this new route of preparing Mg electrolytes can extend the current understanding of Mg electrolyte functionality for rechargeable Mg batteries and offers more guidance for the future electrolyte design.

n-3 Fatty acid intake from marine food products among Quebecers: comparison to worldwide recommendations.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify marine food product consumption and EPA + DHA intake among Quebecers, and to compare the results with the most recent recommendations. DESIGN: Data were obtained from a representative cross-sectional telephone survey (June 2006). Intakes of marine food product species and EPA + DHA were estimated from a validated FFQ on the consumption of marine food products during the previous month. Prevalence of fish oil consumption in the last 6 months was also assessed. SETTING: Province of Quebec (Canada). SUBJECTS: A representative sample (n 1001) of adults in the province of Quebec. Of these, eight were excluded from the present analysis (n 993). RESULTS: Mean and median EPA + DHA intakes for all participants were estimated to be 291 mg/d (sem 11) and 207 mg/d, respectively. 85.0 % (95 % CI 82.7, 87.3) of Quebecers had an EPA + DHA intake lower than 500 mg/d, which is the amount internationally recommended for the prevention of CVD. Mean and median DHA intakes among women of childbearing age (n 128, 18-34 years) were estimated to be 169 mg/d (sem 17) and 126 mg/d, respectively. Of these women, 27.7 % had a daily intake >200 mg DHA and 15.9 % had an intake >300 mg DHA. We noted that 13 % of Quebecers take >or=1 capsule of fish oil/d. CONCLUSIONS: Consumption of marine food products and EPA + DHA among Quebecers clearly appears to be lower than international recommendations. Since EPA + DHA confer health benefits and may reduce health costs, strategies to increase their consumption should be implemented to improve public health in Quebec.

Ethyl-eicosapentaenoic acid for the treatment of psychological distress and depressive symptoms in middle-aged women: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Psychological distress (PD) and depressive symptoms are commonly observed during menopausal transition. Studies suggest that omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids may help alleviate depression. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to compare enriched ethyl-eicosapentaenoic acid (E-EPA) supplementation with placebo for the treatment of PD and depressive symptoms in middle-aged women. DESIGN: Women with moderate-to-severe PD (n = 120) were randomly assigned to receive 1.05 g E-EPA/d plus 0.15 g ethyl-docosahexaenoic acid/d (n = 59) or placebo (n = 61) for 8 wk. The main outcomes were 8-wk changes in PD scores [Psychological General Well-Being Schedule (PGWB)] and depressive scales [20-item Hopkins Symptom Checklist Depression Scale (HSCL-D-20) and the 21-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D-21)]. RESULTS: At baseline, women with PD were mildly to moderately depressed, and 24% met the major depressive episode (MDE) criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition. After 8 wk, outcomes improved in both groups, but no significant differences were noted between them. Stratification analyses for MDE diagnosis at baseline indicated that differences in adjusted 8-wk changes between the E-EPA group without MDE (n = 46) and the placebo group (n = 45) were 8.0 (95% CI: 0.6, 15.3; P = 0.034) for the PGWB, -0.2 (95% CI: -0.01, -0.4; P = 0.040) for the HSCL-D-20, and -2.7 (95% CI: -0.3, -5.1; P = 0.030) for the HAM-D-21. Differences in adjusted 8-wk changes between the E-EPA group with MDE (n = 13) and the placebo group (n = 16) were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first trial of n-3 supplementation in the treatment of PD and depressive symptoms in middle-aged women. In women with PD without MDE at baseline, the 8-wk changes in PD and depressive scales improved significantly more with E-EPA than with placebo. This trial was registered at http://www.controlled-trials.com as ISRCTN69617477.

Effects of ethyl-eicosapentaenoic acid omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on hot flashes and quality of life among middle-aged women: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of enriched ethyl-eicosapentaenoic acid (E-EPA) omega-3 fatty acid supplementation with those of placebo on hot flashes (HFs) and quality of life among middle-aged women. METHODS: Women were considered for participation if they were between 40 and 55 years of age and had moderate to severe psychological distress. A total of 120 women were randomly assigned to E-EPA or placebo for 8 weeks. Only women with HFs were included in this analysis (E-EPA, n = 45; placebo, n = 46). Outcomes were changes from baseline to week 8 postintervention regarding hot flash (HF) frequency (number of HFs per day), intensity and score (frequency x intensity), and Menopause-specific Quality of Life questionnaire scores. RESULTS: At baseline, the average number of HFs was 2.8 per day. After 8 weeks, HF frequency and score decreased significantly in the E-EPA group compared with the placebo group. There was no difference in the change in HF intensity between groups. Frequency of HFs declined by a mean of 1.58 per day (95% CI, -2.18 to -0.98) in the E-EPA group and by 0.50 per day (95% CI, -1.20 to 0.20) in the placebo group. The odds of being a responder among those taking E-EPA were about three times greater than among those taking placebo (odds ratio, 2.70; 95% CI, 1.03-7.03; P = 0.04). Menopause-Specific Quality of Life scores improved significantly over time in both groups but no significant differences were noted between them. CONCLUSIONS: Supplementation with E-EPA omega-3 fatty acid reduced HF frequency and improved the HF score relative to placebo. These results need to be confirmed by a clinical trial specifically designed to evaluate HFs in more symptomatic women.

Validation of an FFQ for evaluation of EPA and DHA intake.

OBJECTIVE: To validate an FFQ for the assessment of dietary EPA and DHA against their relative concentrations in red blood cells (RBC). DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis of baseline data. Intakes of marine food products and EPA and DHA were estimated by FFQ on the basis of consumption of marine food products in the last month. Fatty acid composition of RBC membranes was quantified by GC. SETTING: Saint-François d'Assise Hospital, Québec, Canada. SUBJECTS: A total of sixty-five middle-aged women who participated in a randomized clinical trial. RESULTS: Spearman's correlation coefficient between intake of EPA, DHA and EPA + DHA and their corresponding concentration in RBC was 0.46, 0.40 and 0.42, respectively (all P < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis of EPA+DHA intake and RBC EPA + DHA concentration indicated positive and significant correlations for oily fish (beta = 0.44, 95% CI 0.16, 0.72, P = 0.0027), total fish (beta = 0.42, 95% CI 0.19, 0.64, P = 0.0005) and marine food products (beta = 0.42, 95% CI 0.20, 0.64, P = 0.0003). No other marine food products significantly predicted RBC EPA + DHA concentration. CONCLUSIONS: Although the present validation study was undertaken among middle-aged women with low consumption of marine food products (<3 servings/week), our FFQ provided estimates of EPA and DHA intakes that correlated fairly well with their RBC concentrations. However, the absence of correlations between EPA + DHA intakes from different marine species suggests that a minimum EPA + DHA intake is necessary to observe a relationship with RBC EPA + DHA concentrations.

Flaxseed on cardiovascular disease markers in healthy menopausal women: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Due to its high content of lignans, alpha-linolenic acid and fiber, flaxseed may reduce cardiovascular disease risk in humans. The present study evaluated the effect of flaxseed on markers of cardiovascular disease risk in healthy menopausal women. METHODS: One hundred ninety-nine women were randomly assigned to consume 40 g daily of flaxseed or wheat germ placebo for 12 mo. Fatty acids, apolipoproteins A-1 and B, lipoprotein(a), low-density lipoprotein particle size, fibrinogen, C-reactive protein, insulin, and glucose were measured at baseline and at 12 mo. RESULTS: In total 179 women were available for the intention-to-treat analysis. Flaxseed increased plasma alpha-linolenic (P < 0.0001), docosapentaenoic (P = 0.001), and total omega-3 fatty (P = 0.0004) acids. Differences between flaxseed and wheat germ were observed for apolipoprotein A-1 (-0.10 +/- 0.26 g/L, P = 0.011) and apolipoprotein B (-0.05 +/- 0.16 g/L, P = 0.047). From baseline, flaxseed raised apolipoproteins A-1 and B by 4.4% (P = 0.006) and 3% (P = 0.054), whereas wheat germ increased these apolipoproteins by 11.6% (P < 0.0001) and 7% (P = 0.0001), respectively. Both treatments increased lipoprotein(a) (P < 0.0001) and decreased low-density lipoprotein peak particle size (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: In this large, long-term, placebo-controlled trial in healthy menopausal women, flaxseed increased some omega-3 fatty acids in plasma and had a limited effect on apolipoprotein metabolism.

Fasting and postprandial lipid response to the consumption of modified milk fats by guinea pigs.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of three modified milk fats with different melting profiles on fasting and postprandial lipid responses and on fecal fat content in guinea pigs. We hypothesized that the consumption of modified milk fat with a high m.p. results in reduced fasting and postprandial lipid responses compared with that of modified milk fat fractions with lower m.p. To test this hypothesis, male Hartley guinea pigs were fed isoenergetic diets containing 110 g of fat/kg, either from one of the three modified milk fats with high (HMF), medium (MMF), or low melting profiles (LMF), or from one of the two reference fats as whole milk fat (MF) or a fat blend similar to that of nonhydrogenated soft margarine (MA) for 28 d. Food intake (P < 0.05) and body weight gain (P < 0.05) were reduced in the animals fed the HMF diet compared with the other groups. In the fasting state, plasma LDL cholesterol was highest in animals fed the LMF diet, intermediary in those fed the MMF and MF diets, and lowest in those fed the HMF and MA diets (P< 0.05). Postprandially, the areas under the 0- to 3-h curves for the changes in plasma TG were lower in the HMF group than in the MA- and LMF-fed guinea pigs (P< 0.05). The fecal fat content was higher (P< 0.05) in the HMF group compared to the other milk fat groups. The present results suggest that modified milk fats can impact food intake, body weight gain, fasting cholesterolemia, and postprandial triglyceridemia, and these changes may be attributed to an altered fat absorption.