Plasma Engineering toward Improving the Microwave-Absorbing/Shielding Feature of a Biomass-Derived Material.

During the past decade, ever-increasing electromagnetic pollution has excited a global concern. A sustainable resource, facile experimental scenario, fascinating reflection loss (RL), and broad efficient bandwidth are the substantial factors that intrigue researchers. This research led to the achievement of a brilliant microwave-absorbing material by treating pampas as biomass. The carbon-based microfibers attained by biowaste were treated by plasma under diverse environments to amplify their microwave-absorbing features. Moreover, a pyrolysis scenario was performed to compare the results. The reductive processes were performed by H2 plasma and carbonization. However, the CO2 plasma was performed to regulate the heteroatoms and defects. Interestingly, polystyrene (PS) was applied as a microwave-absorbing matrix. The aromatic rings existing in the absorbing medium establish electrostatic interactions, elevating interfacial polarization, and physical characteristics of PS augment the practical applications of the final product. The manipulated biomasses were characterized by Raman, X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and diffuse reflection spectroscopy analyses. Eventually, the microwave-absorbing features were estimated by a vector network analyzer. The plasma-treated pampas under H2/Ar blended with PS gained a maximum RL of -90.65 dB at 8.79 GHz and an efficient bandwidth (RL ≤ -10 dB) of 4.24 GHz with a thickness of 3.20 mm; meanwhile, plasma treatment under CO2 led to a maximum RL of 97.99 dB at 14.92 GHz and an efficient bandwidth of 7.74 GHz with a 2.05 mm thickness. Particularly, the biomass plasmolyzed under Ar covered the entire X and Ku bands with a thickness of 2.10 mm. Notably, total shielding efficiencies of the treated bioinspired materials were up to ≈99%, desirable for practical applications.

Parametric investigation and RSM optimization of DBD plasma methods (direct & indirect) for H2S conversion in the air.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is known as a harmful pollutant for the environment and human health, and its emission control is a high priority. Non-thermal plasma is an effective technology in this field. In this study, for the first time, the performance of direct and indirect H2S plasma conversion methods was compared, optimized, and modeled with the CCD method. H2S was diluted in zero air, and the study investigated the effect of discharge power, relative humidity, total flow rate, initial H2S concentration, and their interactions. ANOVA results showed that the models for H2S conversion efficiency and energy yield were significant and efficient. The direct method achieved a maximum conversion efficiency of 56 % and energy yield of 3.43 g/kWh, while the indirect method produced 68 % conversion efficiency and 1.59 g/kWh energy yield. According to the process optimization results, the direct conversion method is more optimal than the indirect conversion method due to the presence of active species and high-energy electrons in the plasma treatment, and it is a better choice if there are suitable working conditions.

Synergistic adsorption of methylene blue with carrageenan/hydrochar-derived activated carbon hydrogel composites: Insights and optimization strategies.

The study explores the use of hydrochar-derived activated carbon (AC) to improve the adsorption capacity and mechanical properties of carrageenan (CAR) hydrogel beads. Four distinct samples, with carrageenan to activated carbon ratios of 1:0 (CAR), 2:1 (CAC2), 4:1 (CAC4), and 10:1 (CAC10), were prepared. These polymeric beads underwent comprehensive evaluation for their methylene blue (MB) adsorption capacity, gel content (GC), and swelling ratio (SR). Increasing activated carbon content up to 50 % of carrageenan mass significantly enhanced GC and SR by 20.57 % and 429.24 %, respectively. Various analytical techniques were employed to characterize the composites, including FTIR, XRD, Raman Spectroscopy, BET, SEM, and EDS-Mapping. Batch adsorption tests investigated the effects of pH, contact time, dye concentration, and temperature on MB adsorption. Maximum adsorption capacities for CAR, CAC10, CAC4, and CAC2 were 475.48, 558.54, 635.93, and 552.35 mg/g, respectively, under optimal conditions. Kinetic models (Elovich and pseudo-second-order) and isotherm models (Temkin for CAR and Freundlich for CAC10, CAC4, and CAC2) fitted well with the experimental data. Thermodynamic analysis showed spontaneous, exothermic MB adsorption. Primary mechanisms include electrostatic attraction, hydrogen bonding, n-π, and π-π stacking. The study highlights enhanced adsorption capacity of carrageenan hydrogel via carrageenan/activated carbon composites, providing cost-effective wastewater treatment.

Comparative Analysis of Dietary and Supplemental Intake of Calcium and Vitamin D among Canadian Older Adults with Heart Disease and/or Osteoporosis in 2004 and 2015.

Despite the role of calcium and vitamin D in osteoporosis and heart disease, little research has examined changes in the intake of calcium and vitamin D among individuals with these conditions over time. Using data from the 2004 and 2015 Canadian Community Health Surveys, we investigated changes in dietary and supplemental intake of calcium and vitamin D among Canadian older adults aged ≥ 50 years, both with and without heart disease and/or osteoporosis, between 2004 and 2015. Notable declines in dietary calcium intake occurred, particularly among non-supplement users. Surprisingly, individuals with osteoporosis and heart disease, who are at higher nutritional risk, were less likely to use calcium supplements in 2015 compared to 2004. Among calcium supplement users, those with osteoporosis or both conditions experienced significant reductions in their usual calcium intake in 2015, with an increased proportion failing to meet recommended intake levels. Conversely, vitamin D supplement users experienced a substantial rise in vitamin D intake in 2015. In 2015, only a small proportion of supplement users did not meet the recommended vitamin D intake levels. These findings underscore the importance of public health initiatives to facilitate safe increases in calcium and vitamin D intake for older adults, particularly those with heart disease and osteoporosis.

Unveiling the Evidence for the Use of Pulses in Managing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Scoping Review.

Management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a pressing global healthcare challenge. Innovative strategies that integrate superior medical and nutritional practices are essential for holistic care. As such, pulse consumption is encouraged for its potential benefit in reducing hypercholesterolaemia, dyslipidaemia, and triglyceride levels, as well as enhancing glycaemic control. This scoping review aims to assess the depth of evidence supporting the recommendation for pulse consumption in T2DM management and to identify gaps in the existing literature. We conducted a comprehensive search across the databases MEDLINE, Global Health, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library (up to July 2023). We included population-based studies of any design, and excluded review-style articles. Articles published in languages other than English were also excluded. From the 2449 studies initially identified, 28 met our inclusion criteria. Acute postprandial trials demonstrated improved glucose responses and enhanced insulin responses to pulse-based intervention. Meanwhile, long-term trials reported meaningful improvements in T2DM indicators such as haemoglobin A1C (HbA1c), fasting glucose, fasting insulin, C-peptide, and markers of insulin resistance like homeostatic model assessment (HOMA). Integrating more pulses into the diets of diabetic individuals might offer an efficient and cost-effective strategy in the global initiative to combat T2DM.

Exploring the Implications of COVID-19 on Food Security and Coping Strategies among Urban Indigenous Peoples in Saskatchewan, Canada.

The COVID-19 pandemic has notably impacted food security, especially among urban Indigenous communities. This study aimed to examine the impact of the pandemic and related lockdown measures on the food security of urban Indigenous peoples in Saskatchewan, Canada. In partnership with Indigenous co-researchers, we designed an online survey disseminated via SurveyMonkey® (San Mateo, CA, USA) from August 2021 to August 2022. This survey detailed background information, the Household Food Security Survey Module (HFSSM), state of food access, and traditional food consumption habits. Of the 130 Indigenous respondents, 75.8% were female, 21.9% male, and 2.3% non-binary, with an average age of 36.2 years. A significant 68.4% experienced food insecurity during the pandemic's first four months. Increased food prices (47.1%) and reduced market availability (41.4%) were the dominant causes. Additionally, 41.8% highlighted challenges in accessing traditional foods. Relying on community resources and government food distribution programs (40.7%) was the most reported coping strategy for those experiencing food insecurity. Notably, 43.6% reported receiving no government financial support during the crisis. This study emphasizes the severe food insecurity among urban Indigenous communities in Saskatchewan during the pandemic. The findings highlight the immediate need for interventions and policies that ensure access to culturally relevant food, especially for future crises.

Dietary Patterns of Off-Reserve Indigenous Peoples in Canada and Their Association with Chronic Conditions.

Nationally representative nutrition surveys (Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) Cycle 2.2, Nutrition 2004 and 2015) were used to examine dietary patterns and their association with socioeconomic/sociodemographic factors and chronic conditions in off-reserve Indigenous population in Canada. A cluster analysis was used to identify dietary patterns (DPs), and the Nutrient Rich Food Index (NRF 9.3) was used as the diet quality score and stratified by age/gender groups. In 2004 (n = 1528), the dominant DPs among Indigenous adults (age = 41 ± 2.3) were "Mixed" (mean NRF = 450 ± 12) and "Unhealthy" among men (mean NRF = 426 ± 18), "Fruits" among women (mean NRF = 526 ± 29), and "High-Fat/High-Sugar" among children (age = 10.2 ± 0.5) (mean NRF = 457 ± 12). In 2015 (n = 950), the dominant DPs were "Unhealthy" (mean NRF = 466 ± 6), "Mixed" (mean NRF = 485 ± 21), Healthy-Like (mean NRF = 568 ± 37), and "Mixed" (mean NRF = 510 ± 9) among adults (age = 45.6 ± 2.2), men, women, and children (age = 10.9 ± 0.3) respectively. The majority of Indigenous peoples had the "Unhealthy" DP with a low diet quality, which may contribute to a high prevalence of obesity and chronic diseases. The income level and smoking status among adults and physical inactivity among children were recognized as important factors that may be associated with the dietary intake of off-reserve Indigenous population.

Food Security Status of Indigenous Peoples in Canada According to the 4 Pillars of Food Security: A Scoping Review.

Food insecurity is a significant public health problem for Indigenous peoples in Canada. A comprehensive literature review is needed to organize the evidence according to the 4 pillars of food security (i.e., availability, access, utilization, and stability) and identify gaps in the published literature on this topic. Therefore, in this scoping review we aimed to summarize the published research discussing any of the 4 pillars of food security among Indigenous peoples in Canada. We conducted a literature search of the following databases: Ovid Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science (Web of Knowledge), and CINAHL, as well as the Indigenous Studies Portal (up to June 19, 2021). Population-based studies of any design were included, except for review-style articles. Articles published in languages other than English were also excluded. Of the 4687 studies identified by the database searches, 91 met our inclusion criteria. Evidence from these studies indicates that all dimensions of food security among Indigenous peoples in Canada have been impacted. Lack of availability of both traditional and market foods is highlighted among Inuit and First Nation communities. Economic disadvantages, high food prices, and lack of access to transportation are major factors affecting the accessibility pillar of food security. Major factors affecting the utilization pillar of food security are the loss of traditional knowledge and skills, lack of knowledge on market foods, low quality of market foods, and food safety issues. Climate change has affected all 4 pillars of food security among Indigenous peoples. These findings suggest that resolving food insecurity issues among Indigenous peoples in Canada, especially those living in remote communities, requires a culturally specific integrated approach targeting food availability, food cost, food knowledge, food safety, and food quality.

Most Frequently Consumed Red/Processed Meat Dishes and Plant-Based Foods and Their Contribution to the Intake of Energy, Protein, and Nutrients-to-Limit among Canadians.

Using cross-sectional data from the 2015 Canadian Community Health Survey-Nutrition, we aimed to identify and characterize the top 10 most frequently consumed plant-based foods and red/processed meat dishes in the Canadian population. Plant-based foods and red/processed meat dishes categories included 659 and 265 unique food codes, respectively, from the Canadian Nutrient File. A total of 20,176 Canadian individuals aged ≥1 year were included in our analysis. The most frequently consumed plant-based food was "Cooked regular long-grain white rice", which made a significant contribution to energy (12.1 ± 0.3%) and protein (6.1 ± 0.2%) intake among consumers. The most frequently consumed red/processed meat dish in Canada was "Cooked regular, lean or extra lean ground beef or patty". Among red/processed meat dishes, "ham and cheese sandwich with lettuce and spread" made the most significant contribution to the intake of energy (21.8 ± 0.7%), saturated fat (31.0 ± 1.0%), sodium (41.8 ± 1.3%), and sugars (8.2 ± 0.5%) among the consumers. Ground beef is the most frequently consumed red/processed meat dish and white rice is the most frequently consumed plant-based food among Canadians. Red/processed meat dishes are major drivers of the excessive intake of nutrients-to-limit.

Consumption of Milk and alternatives decreased among Canadians from 2004 to 2015: evidence from the Canadian community health surveys.

BACKGROUND: Milk and milk products make important contributions to the diet of Canadians. The aim of this study was to examine trends in Milk & Alternatives consumption among Canadians (≥2 years) from 2004 to 2015. METHODS: We used nutrition data from 2 nationally representative cross-sectional surveys conducted in 2004 and 2015 [Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) 2004 Cycle 2.2 and CCHS-Nutrition 2015] to compare Milk & Alternatives consumption between 2004 and 2015. Data from 24-h dietary recalls were collected using the Automated Multiple-Pass Method (AMPM). RESULT: From 2004 to 2015, the proportion of Canadians consuming Milk & Alternatives food group significantly decreased from 89.5 to 87.7% and the number of servings consumed per day dropped from 1.9 to 1.7. Despite their low energy contribution (12.3% of energy), Milk & Alternatives contributed 45.8% of calcium, 39.9% of vitamin D, and 36.0% of vitamin B12 to the diet of the Canadian population in 2015. Milk & Alternatives were among the top sources of vitamin A, phosphorus and riboflavin. Milk & Alternatives food group was a major contributor to saturated fat intake in both 2004 (31.2%) and 2015 (28.6%). In 2015, dietary intakes of calcium and vitamin D among Milk & Alternatives consumers were 137.8, and 59.4% higher, respectively, than those of non-consumers. CONCLUSION: Daily intake of Milk & Alternatives has decreased in the Canadian population over time, which may adversely affect the nutritional profile of the diet.

High-Voltage, High-Current Electrical Switching Discharge Synthesis of ZnO Nanorods: A New Method toward Rapid and Highly Tunable Synthesis of Oxide Semiconductors in Open Air and Water for Optoelectronic Applications.

A novel method of oxide semiconductor nanoparticle synthesis is proposed based on high-voltage, high-current electrical switching discharge (HVHC-ESD). Through a subsecond discharge in the HVHC-ESD method, we successfully synthesized zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods. Crystallography and optical and electrical analyses approve the high crystal-quality and outstanding optoelectronic characteristics of our synthesized ZnO. The HVHC-ESD method enables the synthesis of ZnO nanorods with ultraviolet (UV) and visible emissions. To demonstrate the effectiveness of our prepared materials, we also fabricated two UV photodetectors based on the ZnO nanorods synthesized using the subsecond HVHC-ESD method. The UV-photodetector test under dark and UV light irradiation also had a promising result with a linear ohmic current-voltage output. In addition to the HVHC-ESD method's excellent tunability for ZnO properties, this method enables the rapid synthesis of ZnO nanorods in open air and water. The results demonstrate the preparation, highlight the synthesis of fine hexagonal-shaped nanorods under a second with controlled oxygen vacancies, and point defects for a wide range of applications in less than a second.

Prevalence of vitamin-mineral supplement use and associated factors among Canadians: results from the 2015 Canadian Community Health Survey.

Vitamin/mineral supplements are used for improving micronutrient intake and preventing deficiencies, particularly for shortfall nutrients. We assessed the prevalence of vitamin/mineral supplement use and associated factors among a representative sample of Canadians aged ≥1 years. We used nationally representative data from the 2015 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS)-Nutrition. The prevalence of vitamin/mineral supplement use containing shortfall nutrients (vitamins: A, C, D, B6, B12 and folate; minerals: calcium, magnesium, and zinc) was examined in this study. Logistic regression models were performed to determine factors associated with vitamin/mineral supplement use among Canadian children (1-18 years) and adults (>19 years). The overall prevalence of vitamin/mineral supplement use was 38% among men and 53% among women. Males aged 14-18 years had the lowest prevalence (26.5%; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 21.9-31.0) and females aged ≥71 years had the highest prevalence (67.8%; 95% CI = 64.1-71.5) of vitamin/mineral supplement use. Female gender, older age, higher education level, higher income, living in urban areas, having chronic conditions, having a normal body mass index (BMI), and being non-smoker were independent positive predictors of vitamin/mineral supplement use among adults. Independent positive predictors of vitamin/mineral supplement use among Canadian children included younger age, having a normal BMI, and being food secure. Novelty: The overall prevalence of vitamin/mineral supplement use among Canadian men and women was 38% and 53%, respectively. Sociodemographic and lifestyle variables were associated with vitamin/mineral supplement use, especially among Canadian adults.

Development of plasma functionalized polypropylene wound dressing for betaine hydrochloride controlled drug delivery on diabetic wounds.

Diabetes Mellitus is one of the most worrying issues among illnesses, and its chronic subsequences almost refer to inflammations and infections. The loading and local release of antioxidants to wounds may decrease inflammations. However, the low wettability of PolyPropylene (PP) restricts the drug from loading. So, to increase the adhesion of PP for loading an optimum amount of Betaine Hydrochloride (BET), plasma has been applied in two steps of functionalization and polymerization, which has been confirmed with FE-SEM, ATR-FTIR, and EDX. The new chemistry of the surface led to almost 80% of BET loaded. The drug-releasing ratio studied by HPLC approved the presence of a PEG-like layer, which was coated by polymerization of tetraglyme. To evaluate the wound healing potential of the application of PP meshes treated by plasma, 72 Wistar rats were subdivided into four groups. The skin injury site was removed and underwent biomechanical tests, stereological analysis, and RNA extraction. The results showed a significant improvement in the polymerized scaffold containing BET for skin injury. The present study suggests that the use of a modified PP mesh can induce tissue regeneration and accelerate wound healing at the skin injury site.

Trends in the consumption of conventional dairy milk and plant-based beverages and their contribution to nutrient intake among Canadians.

BACKGROUND: Current evidence suggests a shift from conventional dairy milk to plant-based beverages (PBBs) for a number of lifestyles and perceived health-related reasons. METHODS: Using nationally representative cross-sectional data from the 2004 and 2015 Canadian Community Healthy Surveys, the main objectives of the present study were to (i) examine the trend in the proportion of Canadians (≥ 2 years) consuming plain milk and PBBs and (ii) determine the percentage contribution of plain milk and PBBs to daily energy and nutrient intakes. RESULTS: From 2004 to 2015, the percentage of Canadians consuming plain milk significantly decreased from 70.2% to 56.1%, whereas the percentage of PBBs consumers significantly increased from 1.8% to 3.0%. In 2015, plain milk provided almost 50% of the daily vitamin D intake, over 30% of calcium and vitamin B12, and over 20% of vitamin A and riboflavin among plain milk consumers. The top five nutrients provided by PBBs among PBBs consumers were vitamin D, calcium, vitamin B12, vitamin A and riboflavin. Although plain milk was a major contributor to saturated fat (14.5%) and protein (12.5%) intake among plain milk consumers, PBBs provided only 0.2% of saturated fat and 1.4% of protein intake in the diet of PBBs consumers. CONCLUSIONS: The consumption of plain milk by Canadians has declined and the consumption of PBBs has increased, which may differentially affect the nutritional profile of the diet.

Household food insecurity is associated with depressive symptoms in the Canadian adult population.

BACKGROUND: It is essential to identify factors associated with depression as it is a highly prevalent and disabling mental disorder. The aim of this study was to examine the association between depressive symptoms and household food security status among the Canadian adult population. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study of the adult population in the five provinces and one territory (Northwest Territories) of Canada using data from the 2015-2016 Canadian Community Health Survey-Annual Component (n=19,118). Depressive symptoms were assessed using the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire. Household food insecurity was measured using the Household Food Security Survey Module. A weighted logistic regression analysis with robust variance estimation technique was performed. RESULTS: Approximately 22% of the Canadian adult population reported mild-to-severe depressive symptoms, and 8.3% were from households classified as food insecure. Household food insecurity remained a predictor of mild-to-severe depressive symptoms after adjustment for other known risk factors (ORajd: 2.87, 95% CI: 2.33-3.55, p<0.001). In the multivariable model, significant associations were also found with multimorbidity, lower household income, a history of illicit drug use, being a current smoker, being a widowed/divorced/separated, obesity, and being a non-drinker. Significant interactions also emerged between employment status and age (p=0.03), employment status and gender (p<0.001), and physical activity level and gender (p<0.001). LIMITATIONS: The cross-sectional nature of the study does not allow inferring causality. CONCLUSIONS: Household food insecurity is associated with depressive symptoms in Canadian adults. Additional longitudinal research is required to further elucidate the nature of this relationship.

Time, location and frequency of snack consumption in different age groups of Canadians.

BACKGROUND: The location and time of snack consumption may influence the composition, nutrient content and portion sizes of snacks. In this study, we aimed to determine and compare the time, location and frequency of snack consumption among different age groups of Canadians. METHODS: Nationally representative dietary data from the 2015 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) were used (19,677 participants aged ≥2 years). Dietary data were obtained using 24-h dietary recalls. Participants were categorized according to the frequency of snack consumption (1 time, 2-3 times, ≥4 times). The snack consumption over 24 h was divided into four time periods: before 10 am, 10 am to 3 pm, 3 pm to 8 pm and 8 pm to 12 am. Meal and snack location was categorized as at home; someone else's home; restaurants; and other. RESULTS: Snacking 2-3 times per day was the most common reported frequency (53.0%). Snacking at home (73.0%) was more prevalent than snacking away from home (27.0%). The most frequently reported time for snacking among Canadians was 3 pm to 8 pm (36.3%), and the least frequently reported time was before 10 am (8.1%). Snacking contributed to a high proportion of Milk and Alternatives (23.7%) and Vegetables and Fruit (23.4%) food groups and lesser proportions of Grain Products (15.4%) and Meat & Alternatives (9.4%) food groups among Canadians. CONCLUSIONS: Home is the main location, 3 pm to 8 pm is the main time, and 2-3 times per day is the most common reported frequency for snacking. A full understanding of snacking behaviors is needed in order to develop targeted strategies to improve the quality of snack food choices.

Increasing Plant-Based Meat Alternatives and Decreasing Red and Processed Meat in the Diet Differentially Affect the Diet Quality and Nutrient Intakes of Canadians.

Current evidence suggests a link between red and processed meat consumption and the risk of various cancers and other health outcomes. Using national survey data from the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS)-Nutrition 2015, we aimed to model a dietary scenario to assess the potential effects of increasing the intake of currently consumed plant-based meat alternatives by 100% and decreasing the consumption of red and processed meat by 50% on the diet quality and nutrient intakes of Canadians (≥1 year). This dietary scenario had no significant impact on dietary energy intake (p > 0.05), but resulted in a significant increase in the dietary intakes of fibre, polyunsaturated fatty acids, magnesium, and dietary folate equivalents (p < 0.05). On the other hand, this dietary scenario was accompanied by a significant decrease in protein (from 77.8 ± 0.6 g to 73.4 ± 0.6 g), cholesterol, zinc, and vitamin B12 intake (p < 0.05). Further, based on Nutrient Rich Food (NRF) scores, the overall nutritional value of the simulated diet was higher than the baseline diet. Our modeling showed that the partial replacement of red and processed meat with plant-based alternatives improves overall diet quality but may adversely affect the intake of some micronutrients, especially zinc and vitamin B12.

Association between genetic variants at 9p21 locus with risk of breast cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequent tumor in women and genetic factors are among the main risk factors contributing to this malignancy. Chromosome 9p21 contains important regulatory non-coding RNAs and is associated with multiple malignancies including BC. The current meta-analysis aimed to investigate the association between genetic variants within the 9p21 locus and risk of breast cancer. A literature search was performed using PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, MEDLINE, Scopus and Clinical key databases. Nine studies containing 23,726 subjects were eligible for the final analysis and specific odds ratios (OR) and confidence intervals (95% CI) were evaluated to assess the strength of the associations. In the pooled analysis, there was an association between the genetic variations in 9p21 locus (CDKN2A/2B) with risk of breast cancer with a standard OR of 1.22 (95% CI: 1.04-1.45, P = 0.016; random-effects model), supporting the significance of this locus as a novel risk factor for breast cancer patients. In conclusion, our results showed that 9p21 region is positively associated with risk of BC and its polymorphisms may be a candidate marker for BC susceptibility.

The diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic potential of circulating microRNAs in ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer (OC) is often diagnosed at an advanced stage because of the late onset of symptoms, and this together with the lack of effective treatments, has meant it is associated with a very high mortality. The aberrant expression of MicroRNA (miRNA) contributes to the initiation and development of human tumors including OC. Several miRNAs are secreted by tumor cells and can be identified in body fluids. Serum miRNAs levels are associated with several clinical conditions, and may be used to predict prognosis and response to treatments in some cancers including OC. This review summarizes the current progresses regarding the potential applications of circulating miRNA as innovative biomarkers in OC.

Calcium Intake from Food and Supplemental Sources Decreased in the Canadian Population from 2004 to 2015.

BACKGROUND: In light of the publications (2008-2014) linking calcium intake, mainly from supplements, to the elevated risk of cardiovascular events, there is a need to determine if there have been any changes in usual intakes of calcium among Canadians. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to examine changes in dietary and total usual intake of calcium among Canadians aged ≥1 y over the period 2004-2015. METHODS: We used nutrition data from 2 nationally representative surveys conducted in 2004 and 2015 (CCHS 2004 Cycle 2.2 and CCHS-Nutrition 2015). This study included all the Canadians across 10 provinces, and the analyses were performed across different age/sex groups. We used the National Cancer Institute (NCI) method to estimate the usual intake of calcium and the prevalence of calcium inadequacy. Multiple logistic regression was performed to assess the relation between supplement uses and sociodemographic variables. RESULTS: From 2004 to 2015, the usual intake of calcium from food sources significantly decreased in calcium supplement nonusers (from 872 ± 18.2 mg/d to 754 ± 18.0 mg/d), but not in calcium supplement users. The contribution of calcium from the Milk and alternatives food group significantly decreased by 7.5% and 6.1% in calcium supplement users and nonusers, respectively. The prevalence of calcium supplement use significantly decreased from 2004 to 2015 in the Canadian population, from 27.5% to 22.0%. During this time, the percentage contribution of calcium from supplemental sources significantly decreased among Canadians, especially women. The prevalence of calcium inadequacy increased from 58.0% to 68.0% in supplement nonusers; however, among users of calcium supplements, the prevalence of calcium inadequacy remained at ∼31%. CONCLUSIONS: Calcium intake from both food and supplemental sources decreased in the Canadian population over an 11-y period, which must be addressed by policy-makers in their efforts to decrease the high prevalence of calcium inadequacy.