Background: Heart failure and diabetes are common coexisting diseases. Elevated levels of glucose in the blood caused by insulin resistance can damage blood vessels and nerves, and eventually lead to heart disease. A poor diet and obesity can also contribute to the progression of diabetes and heart disease. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine if diet and lifestyle factors between adult heart failure patients with and without diabetes who are participating in the EducatioN, and Supportive Partners Improving Self-CaRE (ENSPIRE) study are associated with comorbidities such as diabetes, and if so then how current dietary recommendations in this population should be modified based on diabetes status. Methods: Using data collected from the EducatioN and Supportive Partners Improving Self-CaRE (ENSPIRE) study from 2006 to 2009 which was a prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial, a secondary data analysis was conducted. Daily dietary intake of calories, sodium, carbohydrate, fat, sugar, and fiber was assessed via a 3-day food record. Differences in anthropometric measures, smoking history, education level and health literacy score between the two groups were also assessed. 117 heart failure patients were included in the analysis. Of these, 39% had diabetes. Statistical analysis: Statistical analyses included the t-test, Chi-square analysis, and Mann Whitney U test used to compare anthropometric data, lifestyle factors, and disease states. Results: Weight was higher in heart failure patients with vs. without diabetes (104.9 vs. 92.6 kg, respectively; P Conclusion: Weight was significantly higher in heart failure patients with diabetes and they consumed fewer carbohydrates than their non-diabetic counterparts. We recommend encouraging these individuals to closely monitor their macronutrient intake, specifically limiting fat in the diet. Meeting with a dietitian to ensure adequate nutrient intake is strongly recommended.

Nutrition monitoring is important for determining nutrient intakes of a population but trend evaluation requires greater than two points. This thesis provides national mean nutrient intake estimates of Canadians aged 18 to 74 based on published 1990s provincial nutrition surveys that fall between the Nutrition Canada Survey (1970/72) and Canadian Community Health Survey (2004). The focus of this thesis was on four key nutrients (calcium, iron, folate, and vitamin C) reported by childbearing age women. Objectives included examining data for temporal or geographic patterns; reviewing for similarities to 1970/72; and assessing intake adequacy using Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs). <p>Estimates were derived from 24-hour recall data reported by 16,915 adults of nine provinces, excluding Manitoba. Provincial group mean nutrient intakes were population-weighted using the Canadian census appropriate to the data collection years and totaled in proportion to provincial population size. The eight adult age and gender groups were then called the Province-derived Nutrition Survey (PNS). A temporal folate trend was noted as 1998 folate fortification doubled intake for the female population. In terms of geography, calcium intake appeared higher in British Columbia compared to Newfoundland. Nutrient intake declined with age except for some micronutrients associated with fruit/vegetables. Nutrient density indicated that the quality of womens diets improved with age. Nutrients which appeared inadequate for childbearing age women included fibre, potassium, magnesium, folate, iron, and calcium. Micronutrients that were below AI or RDA values suggest plant-based food intake was inadequate. Nutrient density showed that diet quality had improved since Nutrition Canada however, increased efforts are required to improve dietary intake further. <p>This thesis provides Canadas most recent comprehensive national nutrient intakes and a point with which to observe change. Intake in the 1990s compared to the previous Nutrition Canada Survey (NCS) showed that many nutrients had increased but education efforts did not appear to have resulted in optimum intake. Fortification and food consumption habits influenced which foods were the primary micronutrient sources, e.g., fortification with folic acid. While calcium and folate intake was higher in the 1990s compared to the NCS, these increases did not bring young women to their desired intake. When the 2004 Canadian Community Health Survey cycle 2.2 (nutrition) is published, it could be compared to the PNS to confirm whether these patterns are trends.

Objectives: To assess the intake of milk and alternatives, calcium, and vitamin D in on-reserve First Nations youth in Ontario, Canada; and the relationship of these nutrients to body mass index. To assess the impact of a simple food provision program on the intakes of milk and alternatives among First Nations youth in Kashechewan First Nation and Attawapiskat First Nation, Ontario, Canada. To assess the process of implementing a comprehensive school nutrition education program, as well as its effects on the intake of milk and alternatives, as well as knowledge, intentions, and self-efficacy among First Nations youth in Fort Albany First Nation, Ontario. Methods: Twenty-four hour diet recall data collected by web-based survey between November 2003 and June 2010 (including pre- and post-program) were used to assess intakes. Milk and alternatives, calcium, and vitamin D intakes were described and compared to food and nutrition standards and to intakes in the general population (CCHS cycle 2.2), and related to BMI. Data collected in different years for the same community and season were used to assess yearly effects on milk and alternatives intake (four communities). Data collected in the same year and season but from different communities were used to assess latitudinal effects on milk and alternatives intake (four community pairs). Paired change in intakes was evaluated one week-post snack program implementation in Kashechewan and Attawapiskat, as well as one year post-program in Kashechewan. Change in intakes as well as knowledge, self-efficacy, and intentions were evaluated in Fort Albany after the completion of a comprehensive school-based program. Student (grades 6-8), teacher (from grades K-8), and parent impressions were collected via questionnaires and focus groups. Results: Mean intakes of milk and alternatives, calcium, and vitamin D were below recommendations and levels seen in the general population. No relationship between body mass index and milk and alternatives, calcium, or vitamin D intake was detected. Latitudinal and yearly variation in intakes was detected in the communities under study. Pilot school food provision programs improved intakes in the short-term under close to ideal circumstances, including adequate dedicated personnel and resource support. After one week, calcium intake increased in Kashechewan (p=0.044), while milk and alternatives (p=0.034) and vitamin D (p=0.022) intakes increased in Attawapiskat. Multiple logistical barriers meant that these improvements were not sustained in the long-term. A comprehensive program in Fort Albany was successful in increasing knowledge (p=0.050) and intentions (p=0.010) towards milk and alternatives intake. Students were generally grateful for the snack programs, and especially enjoyed the hands-on lessons in Fort Albany. Teachers in Kashechewan thought that the snack program was very valuable for students and helped with their alertness and attentiveness. In Fort Albany, teachers noted that it was helpful to have an outside person who could devote all of their time to teaching the students about nutrition; they thought that the students gained a whole new perspective about nutrition via the program. Parents in Fort Albany were enthusiastic about the school nutrition program, but noted availability and cost as major barriers to healthy eating. Conclusions: The low milk and alternatives, calcium, and vitamin D intakes seen in the study population parallel results seen in studies of other Canadian Aboriginal populations. Further study is needed to clarify the relationship between milk & alternatives intake and BMI in this population. Latitudinal and yearly variations in intake were identified, and therefore should be accounted for when tailoring interventions to specific First Nations; the needs, opportunities, and barriers in each case may differ significantly. This study demonstrated that school food provision programs were valued by students, parents, and teachers; and were efficacious in improving short-term intakes. Comprehensive programs were shown to improve student knowledge and intentions to make healthy food choices. In order to support long-term effectiveness, the barriers identified through this research, including the need for adequate and sustainable resources, must be addressed.

Nutrition monitoring is important for determining nutrient intakes of a population but trend evaluation requires greater than two points. This thesis provides national mean nutrient intake estimates of Canadians aged 18 to 74 based on published 1990s provincial nutrition surveys that fall between the Nutrition Canada Survey (1970/72) and Canadian Community Health Survey (2004). The focus of this thesis was on four key nutrients (calcium, iron, folate, and vitamin C) reported by childbearing age women. Objectives included examining data for temporal or geographic patterns; reviewing for similarities to 1970/72; and assessing intake adequacy using Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs). <p>Estimates were derived from 24-hour recall data reported by 16,915 adults of nine provinces, excluding Manitoba. Provincial group mean nutrient intakes were population-weighted using the Canadian census appropriate to the data collection years and totaled in proportion to provincial population size. The eight adult age and gender groups were then called the Province-derived Nutrition Survey (PNS). A temporal folate trend was noted as 1998 folate fortification doubled intake for the female population. In terms of geography, calcium intake appeared higher in British Columbia compared to Newfoundland. Nutrient intake declined with age except for some micronutrients associated with fruit/vegetables. Nutrient density indicated that the quality of womens diets improved with age. Nutrients which appeared inadequate for childbearing age women included fibre, potassium, magnesium, folate, iron, and calcium. Micronutrients that were below AI or RDA values suggest plant-based food intake was inadequate. Nutrient density showed that diet quality had improved since Nutrition Canada however, increased efforts are required to improve dietary intake further. <p>This thesis provides Canadas most recent comprehensive national nutrient intakes and a point with which to observe change. Intake in the 1990s compared to the previous Nutrition Canada Survey (NCS) showed that many nutrients had increased but education efforts did not appear to have resulted in optimum intake. Fortification and food consumption habits influenced which foods were the primary micronutrient sources, e.g., fortification with folic acid. While calcium and folate intake was higher in the 1990s compared to the NCS, these increases did not bring young women to their desired intake. When the 2004 Canadian Community Health Survey cycle 2.2 (nutrition) is published, it could be compared to the PNS to confirm whether these patterns are trends.

The use of cooled and frozen/thawed semen offers many advantages to breeders. However, many stallions produce spermatozoa that are unable to endure the stresses of cooling/storage and freezing/thawing. Improving the quality and viability of equine spermatozoa via appropriate dietary manipulation could make these stallions commercially viable for cooling or cryopreservation. To evaluate whether spermatozoa quality and viability can be improved by supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids, and if improvements can be made by altering the sources of these fats, nine miniature stallions were placed into 1 of 2 treatment groups and fed either a fish- or algae/flaxseed-based supplement which was added to the basal concentrate. Motion characteristics, membrane integrity and morphology of spermatozoa in fresh, cooled/stored (24 and 48 h), and frozen/thawed semen samples were analyzed. When comparing spermatozoa obtained from stallions in each treatment, no differences were found (P > 0.05) in motility, percentage of membrane intact spermatozoa, and percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa of stallions. Overall, omega-3 supplementation did not appear to have a beneficial effect on offsetting the harmful effects of the cooling and freezing processes. However, when analyzing the data of one stallion that had < 40% progressive motility (PMOT) after 24 h of cooling and storage, a significant increase was observed in total motility, and progressive motility of fresh and 24 h cooled/stored spermatozoa was observed when supplemented with the fish-based supplement. Thus, omega-3 fatty acid supplementation may be most beneficial for stallions that produce lower quality ejaculates. However, further studies should be conducted, with a larger sample size, in order to substantiate these findings.

Consumption of fish oils (FO) enriched with the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), is beneficial to a variety of inflammatory disorders due, in part, to the alteration of membrane composition of T-lymphocytes and other immune cells. We previously observed that down-regulation of proliferation and cytokine synthesis by CD4+ T-cells in mice fed diets rich in n-3 PUFA was dependent on the involvement of CD28, a co-stimulatory molecule necessary for T-cell activation. Since the co-receptor homologues, CD28 and CTLA-4, have opposing effects on T-cell activation, we hypothesized that the balance of costimulatory and downregulatory properties of CD28 and CTLA-4, respectively, would be altered by diet. A significant increase (p<0.05) in CD28 and CTLA-4 surface expression was observed in CD4+ T-cells post-stimulation with phorbol ester and calcium ionophore (PMA/Iono) or anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 (&#945;CD3/CD28) antibodies in all diet groups. A significant increase (p<0.01; 20%) in the number of CD28 molecules was observed in n-3 PUFA vs. CO-fed mice after 48 h of in vitro CD4+ T-cell activation, and both CTLA-4 mRNA transcript and protein levels were upregulated by 50% at 72 h post-activation (p<0.01). Treatment with anti-CTLA-4 mAb in vivo in Mycobacterium bovis (BCG)-vaccinated mice did not alter the suppressive effects of dietary n-3 PUFA on antigen (PPD)-induced lymphocyte proliferation or delayed hypersensitivity reactions. T-cells from both the C57BL/6 and IL-10mice fed dietary n-3 PUFA after 72 h of in vitro stimulation with &#945;CD3/CD28. CD4T-cells from C57BL/6 mice fed DHA produced significantly less IFN&#947; and IL-10, while CD4T-cells from IL-10Ligation of CD28 upregulates IL-10 receptor (IL-10R) expression on CD4+ T-cells. Therefore, we hypothesized that dietary n-3 PUFA would suppress T-cell function through the effects of IL-10. Surprisingly, the proliferation of purified splenic CD4+ T-cells activated in vitro with &#945;CD3/CD28 was suppressed by dietary n-3 PUFA in both conventional mice (C57BL/6) and IL-10 gene knockout (IL-10(-/-)) mice. Furthermore, IL-10R cell surface expression was significantly down-regulated on CD4+ T-cells from both the C67BL/6 and IL-10(-/-) mice fed dietary n-3 PUFA produced significantly more IFN&#947; compared to the CO-fed group.

Thesis--PlanB (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stout, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M. Sc.)--York University, 2002. Graduate Programme in Biology. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 74-79). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/yorku/fullcit?pMQ71565.

These studies determined the role of carbohydrate deficit from acute exercise on postprandial triglyceride elevation (PPTG). In Study 1, when energy expenditure was held constant in the exercise trials, both acute moderate (~50% VO₂ peak; MIE) and high intensity endurance exercise (90% VO₂ peak intervals; HIE) were effective to lower PPTG compared to a non-exercise control [CON; 54.9 (13.5) % and 75.2 (15.5) %, respectively, relative to CON, p<0.05], with HIE significantly lower than MIE (p=0.03). Total postprandial fat oxidation was increased in both MIE [83.3 (10.6) %] and HIE [89.1 (9.8) %] compared to CON [69.0 (16.1) %, p<0.05), with HIE significantly greater then MIE (p=0.012). These effects occurred in the absence of any change in glucose tolerance. In Study 2, when an isoenergetic meal was provided immediately after an acute exercise session (80 min; 60 min at ~65% VO₂peak and 10, 2 min intervals) consisting of either low carbohydrate (EX+LCHO) or high carbohydrate content (EX+HCHO), PPTG was siginificantly higher in EX+HCHO compared to EX+LCHO [449 (118) mg/dL/4h and 325 (63) mg/dL/4h, respectively, p=0.03], despite similar energy balance. Furthermore, postprandial fat oxidation was higher in EX+LCHO compared to EX+HCHO [256.7 (57.6) kcal/4h and 209.4 (56) kcal/4h, respectively, p=0.002]. PPTG was significantly related to fat oxidation (r=-0.61), fasting plasma [beta]-hydroxybutyrate (r=-0.62) and carbohydrate deficit (r=0.51), but not energy deficit (r=0.25). In summary, these data suggest that post-exercise carbohydrate balance from both increasing carbohydrate oxidation during exercise (i.e., exercise intensity) or by reducing post-exercise carbohydrate intake, is an important determinant of PPTG-lowering effects of exercise and that this may result from changes in fat oxidation. / text

Aspects of the developmental biology of an intertidal predatory gastropod, Nucella lapillus were investigated for a population located on a mussel dominated shore at ^^ihitsand Bay, Cornwall. A field sampling programme revealed that the centre of abundance of. small Nucella {&lt;3.4mm) occurred at lower shore levels than that of a ll larger individuals and the egg capsules. Laboratory studies danonstrated that hatchlings are both negatively geotactic and phototactic, directing than upshore and into crevices. The relative profitabilities of four different sized mussels to four developmental stages of Nucella v/ere investigated using both ability to promote grov/th and energy gain per unit handling time (E/Tj^) as measures of prey value. The response curves were similar m that proportionately large and small prey were less profitable than medium sized prey with the optimal prey size increasing with predator size. However the most profitable size according to the E/T^^ model was larger than in the grovrtli rate model because large meals appeared to be less efficiently utilized. An ontogenetic- shift in prey size selection was danonstrated in laboratory and field, the results of which were more accurately predicted by the grcwth rate model of prey value. Predatory events in the field were investigated using borehole dimension as an index of predator size. The feeding and growth of Nucella were investigated at differing periods of tidal atiersion. Growth rates were substantially reduced at anersion periods of above 30%, but these could not be wholly attributable to reduced feeding rates. Field growth trials danonstrated that a matiore size could be reached in 19-21 months, that growth does not cease at maturity, and that jxiveniles grow throughout the year. A strong correlation existed between growth rate and environmental temperature. Growth rates in the field were about 75% those in the laboratory, suggesting few constraints on foraging in the field.