Showing papers by "University of Winnipeg published in 2019"

The Therapeutic Potential of Naringenin: A Review of Clinical Trials.

Abstract: Naringenin is a flavonoid belonging to flavanones subclass. It is widely distributed in several Citrus fruits, bergamot, tomatoes and other fruits, being also found in its glycosides form (mainly naringin). Several biological activities have been ascribed to this phytochemical, among them antioxidant, antitumor, antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiadipogenic and cardioprotective effects. Nonetheless, most of the data reported have been obtained from in vitro or in vivo studies. Although some clinical studies have also been performed, the main focus is on naringenin bioavailability and cardioprotective action. In addition, these studies were done in compromised patients (i.e., hypercholesterolemic and overweight), with a dosage ranging between 600 and 800 μM/day, whereas the effect on healthy volunteers is still debatable. In fact, naringenin ability to improve endothelial function has been well-established. Indeed, the currently available data are very promising, but further research on pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic aspects is encouraged to improve both available production and delivery methods and to achieve feasible naringenin-based clinical formulations.

The Formation of Human Populations in South and Central Asia

Abstract: By sequencing 523 ancient humans, we show that the primary source of ancestry in modern South Asians is a prehistoric genetic gradient between people related to early hunter-gatherers of Iran and Southeast Asia. After the Indus Valley Civilization's decline, its people mixed with individuals in the southeast to form one of the two main ancestral populations of South Asia, whose direct descendants live in southern India. Simultaneously, they mixed with descendants of Steppe pastoralists who, starting around 4000 years ago, spread via Central Asia to form the other main ancestral population. The Steppe ancestry in South Asia has the same profile as that in Bronze Age Eastern Europe, tracking a movement of people that affected both regions and that likely spread the distinctive features shared between Indo-Iranian and Balto-Slavic languages.

Cryoballoon or Radiofrequency Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation Assessed by Continuous Monitoring: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Abstract: Background: Advanced generation ablation technologies have been developed to achieve more effective pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) and minimize arrhythmia recurrence after atrial fibrillation (AF) ...

Antidiabetic Potential of Medicinal Plants and Their Active Components.

Abstract: Diabetes mellitus is one of the major health problems in the world, the incidence and associated mortality are increasing. Inadequate regulation of the blood sugar imposes serious consequences for health. Conventional antidiabetic drugs are effective, however, also with unavoidable side effects. On the other hand, medicinal plants may act as an alternative source of antidiabetic agents. Examples of medicinal plants with antidiabetic potential are described, with focuses on preclinical and clinical studies. The beneficial potential of each plant matrix is given by the combined and concerted action of their profile of biologically active compounds.

Evidence for widespread hydrated minerals on asteroid (101955) Bennu.

Abstract: Early spectral data from the Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security-Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) mission reveal evidence for abundant hydrated minerals on the surface of near-Earth asteroid (101955) Bennu in the form of a near-infrared absorption near 2.7 µm and thermal infrared spectral features that are most similar to those of aqueously altered CM-type carbonaceous chondrites. We observe these spectral features across the surface of Bennu, and there is no evidence of substantial rotational variability at the spatial scales of tens to hundreds of metres observed to date. In the visible and near-infrared (0.4 to 2.4 µm) Bennu’s spectrum appears featureless and with a blue (negative) slope, confirming previous ground-based observations. Bennu may represent a class of objects that could have brought volatiles and organic chemistry to Earth.

Martian dust storm impact on atmospheric H2O and D/H observed by ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter

Abstract: Global dust storms on Mars are rare1,2 but can affect the Martian atmosphere for several months. They can cause changes in atmospheric dynamics and inflation of the atmosphere3, primarily owing to solar heating of the dust3. In turn, changes in atmospheric dynamics can affect the distribution of atmospheric water vapour, with potential implications for the atmospheric photochemistry and climate on Mars4. Recent observations of the water vapour abundance in the Martian atmosphere during dust storm conditions revealed a high-altitude increase in atmospheric water vapour that was more pronounced at high northern latitudes5,6, as well as a decrease in the water column at low latitudes7,8. Here we present concurrent, high-resolution measurements of dust, water and semiheavy water (HDO) at the onset of a global dust storm, obtained by the NOMAD and ACS instruments onboard the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter. We report the vertical distribution of the HDO/H2O ratio (D/H) from the planetary boundary layer up to an altitude of 80 kilometres. Our findings suggest that before the onset of the dust storm, HDO abundances were reduced to levels below detectability at altitudes above 40 kilometres. This decrease in HDO coincided with the presence of water-ice clouds. During the storm, an increase in the abundance of H2O and HDO was observed at altitudes between 40 and 80 kilometres. We propose that these increased abundances may be the result of warmer temperatures during the dust storm causing stronger atmospheric circulation and preventing ice cloud formation, which may confine water vapour to lower altitudes through gravitational fall and subsequent sublimation of ice crystals3. The observed changes in H2O and HDO abundance occurred within a few days during the development of the dust storm, suggesting a fast impact of dust storms on the Martian atmosphere.

Bioactive Compounds and Health Benefits of Artemisia Species

Abstract: Artemisia L. is a genus of small herbs and shrubs found in northern temperate regions. It belongs to the important family Asteraceae, one of the most numerous plant groupings, which comprises about...

Internet trolling and everyday sadism: Parallel effects on pain perception and moral judgment.

Abstract: Objective This research seeks to clarify the association between online trolling and sadistic personality, and to provide evidence that the reward and rationalization processes at work in sadism are likewise manifest in online trolling. Method Online respondents (community adults and university students; total N = 1,715) completed self-report measures of personality and trolling behavior. They subsequently engaged in one of two judgment tasks. In Study 1, respondents viewed stimuli depicting scenes of emotional/physical suffering and provided ratings of (a) perceived pain intensity and (b) pleasure experienced while viewing the photos. In Study 2, the iTroll questionnaire was developed and validated. It was then administered alongside a moral judgment task. Results Across both studies, online trolling was strongly associated with a sadistic personality profile. Moreover, sadism and trolling predicted identical patterns of pleasure and harm minimization. The incremental contribution of sadism was sustained even when controlling for broader antisocial tendencies (i.e., the Dark Triad, callous-unemotionality, and trait aggression). Conclusions Results confirm that online trolling is motivated (at least in part) by sadistic tendencies. Coupled with effective rationalization mechanisms, sadistic pleasure can be consummated in such everyday behaviors as online trolling.

Thymus spp. plants - Food applications and phytopharmacy properties

Abstract: Background Thymus genus has been used since ancient times for their valuable health properties, which could be attributed to their chemical components, especially essential oils (EOs). Among these species, T. vulgaris has a long history of use for different food and medicinal purposes. Scope and approach This paper reviews the chemical composition of Thymus plants EOs, including thyme, describes their antimicrobial and antioxidant properties as well as recent food applications as preservatives. The role of these plants in cancer is also covered, as well as the potential these plants have to manage and treat other diseases. Furthermore, clinical studies are also detailed. Key findings and conclusions Food preservation with naturally occurring compounds is gaining increasing importance due to the consumer demand for safe and high-quality products and to reduce the use of synthetic preservatives. For this purpose, not only thyme but also other thymus plants can be used as such and combined with high-pressure, cold nitrogen plasma, in edible films (active packaging), etc. Moreover, the potential of these plants have to treat several diseases and complications reinforce their use in nutraceuticals and functional foods, but further clinical evidence is required.

Higher fat stores contribute to persistence of little brown bat populations with white‐nose syndrome

Abstract: The persistence of populations declining from novel stressors depends, in part, on their ability to respond by trait change via evolution or plasticity. White-nose syndrome (WNS) has caused rapid declines in several North America bat species by disrupting hibernation behaviour, leading to body fat depletion and starvation. However, some populations of Myotis lucifugus now persist with WNS by unknown mechanisms. We examined whether persistence of M. lucifigus with WNS could be explained by increased body fat in early winter, which would allow bats to tolerate the increased energetic costs associated with WNS. We also investigated whether bats were escaping infection or resistant to infection as an alternative mechanism explaining persistence. We measured body fat in early and late winter during initial WNS invasion and 8 years later at six sites where bats are now persisting. We also measured infection prevalence and intensity in persisting populations. Infection prevalence was not significantly lower than observed in declining populations. However, at two sites, infection loads were lower than observed in declining populations. Body fat in early winter was significantly higher in four of the six persisting populations than during WNS invasion. Physiological models of energy use indicated that these higher fat stores could reduce WNS mortality by 58%-70%. These results suggest that differences in fat storage and infection dynamics have reduced the impacts of WNS in many populations. Increases in body fat provide a potential mechanism for management intervention to help conserve bat populations.

System justification: Experimental evidence, its contextual nature, and implications for social change.

Abstract: We review conceptual and empirical contributions to system justification theory over the last fifteen years, emphasizing the importance of an experimental approach and consideration of context. First, we review the indirect evidence of the system justification motive via complimentary stereotyping. Second, we describe injunctification as direct evidence of a tendency to view the extant status quo (the way things are) as the way things should be. Third, we elaborate on system justification's contextual nature and the circumstances, such as threat, dependence, inescapability, and system confidence, which are likely to elicit defensive bolstering of the status quo and motivated ignorance of critical social issues. Fourth, we describe how system justification theory can increase our understanding of both resistance to and acceptance of social change, as a change moves from proposed, to imminent, to established. Finally, we discuss how threatened systems shore up their authority by co-opting legitimacy from other sources, such as governments that draw on religious concepts, and the role of institutional-level factors in perpetuating the status quo.

Northern forest winters have lost cold, snowy conditions that are important for ecosystems and human communities

Abstract: Winter is an understudied but key period for the socioecological systems of northeastern North American forests. A growing awareness of the importance of the winter season to forest ecosystems and surrounding communities has inspired several decades of research, both across the northern forest and at other mid- and high-latitude ecosystems around the globe. Despite these efforts, we lack a synthetic understanding of how winter climate change may impact hydrological and biogeochemical processes and the social and economic activities they support. Here, we take advantage of 100 years of meteorological observations across the northern forest region of the northeastern United States and eastern Canada to develop a suite of indicators that enable a cross-cutting understanding of (1) how winter temperatures and snow cover have been changing and (2) how these shifts may impact both ecosystems and surrounding human communities. We show that cold and snow covered conditions have generally decreased over the past 100 years. These trends suggest positive outcomes for tree health as related to reduced fine root mortality and nutrient loss associated with winter frost but negative outcomes as related to the northward advancement and proliferation of forest insect pests. In addition to effects on vegetation, reductions in cold temperatures and snow cover are likely to have negative impacts on the ecology of the northern forest through impacts on water, soils, and wildlife. The overall loss of coldness and snow cover may also have negative consequences for logging and forest products, vector-borne diseases, and human health, recreation, and tourism, and cultural practices, which together represent important social and economic dimensions for the northern forest region. These findings advance our understanding of how our changing winters may transform the socioecological system of a region that has been defined by the contrasting rhythm of the seasons. Our research also identifies a trajectory of change that informs our expectations for the future as the climate continues to warm.

Experience of Health Leadership in Partnering With University-Based Researchers in Canada - A Call to "Re-imagine" Research.

Abstract: Background Emerging evidence that meaningful relationships with knowledge users are a key predictor of research use has led to promotion of partnership approaches to health research. However, little is known about health system experiences of collaborations with university-based researchers, particularly with research partnerships in the area of health system design and health service organization. The purpose of the study was to explore the experience and perspectives of senior health managers in health service organizations, with health organization-university research partnerships. Methods In-depth, semi-structured interviews (n = 25) were conducted with senior health personnel across Canada to explore their perspectives on health system research; experiences with health organization-university research partnerships; challenges to partnership research; and suggested actions for improving engagement with knowledge users and promoting research utilization. Participants, recruited from organizations with regional responsibilities, were responsible for system-wide planning and support functions. Results Research is often experienced as unhelpful or irrelevant to decision-making by many within the system. Research, quality improvement (QI) and evaluation are often viewed as separate activities and coordinated by different responsibility areas. Perspectives of senior managers on barriers to partnership differed from those identified in the literature: organizational stress and restructuring, and limitations in readiness of researchers to work in the fast-paced healthcare environment, were identified as major barriers. Although the need for strong executive leadership was emphasized, “multi-system action” is needed for effective partnerships. Conclusion Common approaches to research and knowledge translation are often not appropriate for addressing issues of health service design and health services organization. Nor is the research community providing expertise to many important activities that the healthcare system is taking to improve health services. A radical rethinking of how we prepare health service researchers; position research within the health system; and fund research activities and infrastructure is needed if the potential benefits of research are to be achieved. Lack of response to health system needs may contribute to research and ‘evidence-informed’ practice being further marginalized from healthcare operations. Interventions to address barriers must respond to the perspectives and experience of health leadership.

Amplifying Indigenous community participation in place-based research through boundary work:

Abstract: ‘Boundary work’ is a relatively new and innovative qualitative approach in place-based research and often involves the creation of ‘boundary objects’. Such objects can be created collaboratively wi...

Exploring the co-benefits (and costs) of home gardening for biodiversity conservation

Abstract: Despite growing evidence pointing to the multiple benefits of home gardening, few studies have considered the health and well-being benefits perceived by gardeners who are principally motivated by ...

Extremists on the Left and Right Use Angry, Negative Language

Abstract: We propose that political extremists use more negative language than moderates. Previous research found that conservatives report feeling happier than liberals and yet liberals "display greater happiness" in their language than do conservatives. However, some of the previous studies relied on questionable measures of political orientation and affective language, and no studies have examined whether political orientation and affective language are nonlinearly related. Revisiting the same contexts (Twitter, U.S. Congress), and adding three new ones (political organizations, news media, crowdsourced Americans), we found that the language of liberal and conservative extremists was more negative and angry in its emotional tone than that of moderates. Contrary to previous research, we found that liberal extremists' language was more negative than that of conservative extremists. Additional analyses supported the explanation that extremists feel threatened by the activities of political rivals, and their angry, negative language represents efforts to communicate as much to others.

Grandparent-provided childcare and labor force participation of mothers with preschool children in Urban China

Abstract: This paper investigates the effects of grandparent-provided childcare and the access to daycare services on the labor force participation of mothers with children under 7 years old in urban China. Using two-stage residual inclusion method, the analysis finds that grandparent-provided childcare and the access to daycare services both have strong positive effects on maternal labor force participation (MLFP). Specifically, having grandparent-provided childcare increases MLFP by 38–43%, whereas having access to daycare services increases MLFP by 24–29%. The analysis also finds that having a healthy grandmother is a significant determinant in whether grandparent-provided childcare is utilized and that the demand for grandparent-provided childcare is higher in localities in which daycare services for children under 3 years old are more expensive. These results indicate that grandparents, particularly grandmothers, play an important role in sustaining MLFP, particularly as the supply of publicly funded daycare programs is declining.

Prosopis Plant Chemical Composition and Pharmacological Attributes: Targeting Clinical Studies from Preclinical Evidence.

Abstract: Members of the Prosopis genus are native to America, Africa and Asia, and have long been used in traditional medicine. The Prosopis species most commonly used for medicinal purposes are P. africana, P. alba, P. cineraria, P. farcta, P. glandulosa, P. juliflora, P. nigra, P. ruscifolia and P. spicigera, which are highly effective in asthma, birth/postpartum pains, callouses, conjunctivitis, diabetes, diarrhea, expectorant, fever, flu, lactation, liver infection, malaria, otitis, pains, pediculosis, rheumatism, scabies, skin inflammations, spasm, stomach ache, bladder and pancreas stone removal. Flour, syrup, and beverages from Prosopis pods have also been potentially used for foods and food supplement formulation in many regions of the world. In addition, various in vitro and in vivo studies have revealed interesting antiplasmodial, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, antidiabetic and wound healing effects. The phytochemical composition of Prosopis plants, namely their content of C-glycosyl flavones (such as schaftoside, isoschaftoside, vicenin II, vitexin and isovitexin) has been increasingly correlated with the observed biological effects. Thus, given the literature reports, Prosopis plants have positive impact on the human diet and general health. In this sense, the present review provides an in-depth overview of the literature data regarding Prosopis plants' chemical composition, pharmacological and food applications, covering from pre-clinical data to upcoming clinical studies.

Genetic Factors Influencing Sperm Competition.

Abstract: Females of many different species often mate with multiple males, creating opportunities for competition among their sperm. Although originally unappreciated, sperm competition is now considered a central form of post-copulatory male-male competition that biases fertilization. Assays of differences in sperm competitive ability between males, and interactions between females and males, have made it possible to infer some of the main mechanism of sperm competition. Nevertheless, classical genetic approaches have encountered difficulties in identifying loci influencing sperm competitiveness while functional and comparative genomic methodologies, as well as genetic variant association studies, have uncovered some interesting candidate genes. We highlight how the systematic implementation of approaches that incorporate gene perturbation assays in experimental competitive settings, together with the monitoring of progeny output or sperm features and behavior, has allowed the identification of genes unambiguously linked to sperm competitiveness. The emerging portrait from 38 genes is their remarkable breadth of biological roles exerted through males and females, the non-preponderance of sperm genes, and their overall pleiotropic nature.

Development and Validation of an Efficient Method for Processing Microplastics in Biota Samples.

Abstract: The impacts of microplastics on aquatic ecosystems and biota are gaining attention globally. Although microplastics have been widely detected in biota, there currently are few standardized detection and identification methods. The present study developed a novel one-step digestion method which was evaluated with mussel and fish samples. This method employed nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide (HNO3 :H2 O2 = 4:1 by volume) as digestion reagents, which completely digested biota samples 0.05) were observed for all tested polymers. Fourier transform infrared spectral analyses demonstrated that the method did not degrade any of the polymers except for polyethylene terephthalate. The method was demonstrated with mussel and fish samples collected from the Pearl River delta, south China, and was able to recover microplastics effectively. Overall, the present method is time-saving and easy to operate, with low procedural cross-contamination. The properties of microplastics recovered by the present method remained largely intact, greatly benefiting subsequent qualitative and quantitative analyses. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:1400-1408. © 2019 SETAC.

Atypical Functional Connectivity Associated with Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response: An Examination of Five Resting-State Networks.

Abstract: Autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) is a perceptual phenomenon in which specific auditory and/or visual stimuli consistently elicit tingling sensations on the neck, scalp, and shoulders, as well as a positive and relaxed emotional state. The "ASMR triggers" that initiate these responses generally consist of soft sounds (e.g., whispering), repetitive noises (e.g., tapping sounds), or videos of people performing socially intimate acts (e.g., watching someone brush her hair). Despite being a relatively common phenomenon, little is known about the neural substrates of ASMR. In the current research, resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to examine whether ASMR was associated with atypical patterns of functional connectivity. Seventeen individuals with ASMR and 17 matched control participants underwent an anatomical MRI scan and a resting-state fMRI scan. An independent components analysis was used to identify the default mode, salience, central executive, sensorimotor, and visual networks. An analysis of variance with group (ASMR vs. control) as a between-subjects variable was performed to contrast the functional connectivity of each of these networks. The results demonstrated that ASMR was associated with reduced functional connectivity in the salience and visual networks, and with atypical patterns of connectivity in the default mode, central executive, and sensorimotor networks.

T2K ND280 Upgrade - Technical Design Report

Abstract: In this document, we present the Technical Design Report of the Upgrade of the T2K Near Detector ND280. The goal of this upgrade is to improve the Near Detector performance to measure the neutrino interaction rate and to constrain the neutrino interaction cross-sections so that the uncertainty in the number of predicted events at Super-Kamiokande is reduced to about 4%. This will allow to improve the physics reach of the T2K-II project. This goal is achieved by modifying the upstream part of the detector, adding a new highly granular scintillator detector (Super-FGD), two new TPCs (High-Angle TPC) and six TOF planes. Details about the detector concepts, design and construction methods are presented, as well as a first look at the test-beam data taken in Summer 2018. An update of the physics studies is also presented.

Catalytic comparison of various polar Zn(II)-Schiff base complexes and VO(II)-Schiff base complexes in (ep)oxidation processes of 1,2-cyclohexene and cyclohexane

Abstract: The reactivity of Zn2+ and VO2+ ions towards pyridinyl Schiff bases, in the absence or presence of a p-sodium sulfonate group (HPSNa and HPS, respectively), provided polar and less polar catalyst complexes, which were characterized by various measurements. Stability constants of Zn-complexes [Zn(PS)2 and Zn(PSNa)2], and VO-complexes [VO(PS)2 and VO(PSNa)2] were measured spectrophotometrically. A typical (ep)oxidation processes of 1,2-cyclohexene or cyclohexane using 30% aqueous H2O2 catalyzed by our synthesized catalyst system, were tested. VO-complexes were found to be more effective catalysts than Zn-chelates. The polarity of Zn- and VO-complexes, i.e. the presence of p-SO3Na, displayed an observable influence on their catalytic performance chemoselectively. The polar catalyst system, Zn(PSNa)2 and VO(PSNa)2, in polar solvents such as H2O, MeOH, acetonitrile and acetone exhibited higher catalytic activity towards the (ep)oxidation processes than the less polar catalysts, Zn(PS)2 and VO(PS)2. In a less polar solvent such as CHCl3, polar catalysts showed higher conversion, but low chemoselectively, whereas the less polar catalysts showed relatively higher conversion and chemoselectivity. Under solvent-free conditions, less polar complexes were found to be more efficient catalysts than the polar chelates.

Biological and catalytic potential of sustainable low and high valent metal-Schiff base sulfonate salicylidene pincer complexes

Abstract: ONO-Pincer Schiff base salicylidene (HSaln ligand) complexes with VO2+, UO22+, MoO22+ and Mn2+ ions (MSaln complexes = VOSaln, UO2Saln, MoO2Saln and MnSaln, respectively) were synthesized and fully characterized by different physico-chemical tools. The VOSaln complex was further treated with 1,10-phenanthroline which afforded a new VO-complex (VOSaln-Ph). All complexes and their ligands, as eco-friendly reagents, were explored for their biological potential as antibacterial and antifungal agents. Reactivity of MSaln complexes against the tested pathogen strains exhibited a remarkable inhibitory effect compared to the coordinated ligand (HSaln) and applicable standard drugs. Moreover, the MSaln complex-DNA interaction was investigated by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, viscosity and gel electrophoresis techniques affording binding strengths in the order: UO2Saln > MnSaln > MoO2Saln > VOSaln-Ph > VOSaln. Additionally, the biological potential of the investigated compounds was further explored by molecular docking to illustrate the nature of the drug–DNA interactions. All MSaln complexes show respectable anti-proliferative potential as anticancer agents against selected human carcinoma cell lines. Aside from the biological activities these complexes (MSaln complexes) were also investigated for catalytic efficiency in the Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling system of phenylboronic acid with 2-bromopyridine in water, sustainably. The results indicated that the MnSaln catalyst performed well with high yield. The catalytic potential of MnSaln was compared in water, water–ionic liquid mixtures and ionic liquids.