Periodontitis is an infective disease caused predominantly by gram negative anaerobic bacteria. However it is apparent that alveolar bone loss, which characterises periodontitis, is a result of the host inflammatory response to pathogenic bacteria, not the infectious agents directly. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (O-3 PUFAs) are recognised, and used widely, for their anti-inflammatory effects. Evidence is emerging that their oxygenated derivatives are key chemical mediators in the resolution of inflammation. We hypothesised that dietary supplementation with fish oil rich in the O-3 PUFA docosahexaenoic acid would modify inflammatory reactions within the periodontium and thus reduce alveolar bone loss in mice infected with periodontopathic bacteria. Eighty mice were fed experimental diets containing either 10% tuna oil (40) or a sunola oil (40) which contained no traceable O-3 PUFAs for 57 days. After two weeks each dietary set was split into four groups of ten mice, with these groups being inoculated with either a) Porphyromas gingivalis b) P. gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum (combined inoculum) c) Carboxymethylcellulose (control) or d) No inoculations (control). Of the twenty mice which received no inoculations, half were sacrificed after fifteen days and half at the end of the experiment to enable comparative fatty acid analysis of the oral soft tissues. Results demonstrated that eicosapentoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid were found in significantly higher proportions in the oral soft tissues of mice fed a tuna oil diet, and that animals receiving this diet exhibited an average of 54 - 72% less alveolar bone resorption in response to the different bacterial infections. Irrespective of diet, the combined inoculum resulted in slightly more alveolar resorption than P. gingivalis alone. The findings of this study suggest that fish oil dietary supplementation may have potential benefits as a host modulatory agent in the adjunctive management of periodontitis. Given its advantages in terms of safety, cost effectiveness and widespread availability, this dietary supplement warrants further research in human trials to assess its ability to modulate alveolar bone loss in individuals with periodontitis. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1313252 / Thesis (D.Clin.Dent.) - University of Adelaide, School of Dentistry (Periodontics), 2008

Currently, the labeling of functional food products is highly regulated in Canada. Although certain nutrient content claims and five generic health claims have been allowed, the inability to make additional nutrient content and health claims decreases functional food firms incentives to produce and commercialize new and healthy food products. This, in turn, has consequences for functional food demand, consumer welfare, and health care costs. The primary objective of this thesis is to examine the potential welfare implications of functional food labeling for Canadian society.<p>A benefit cost analysis is conducted to examine a specific case study of omega-3 enriched eggs. The benefit cost analysis evaluates the welfare effects of functional food labeling policy and helps realize the magnitude of potential benefits that could be gained if not for restrictive and complicated labeling regulations. Based on a range of assumptions and using three different scenarios to cover a range of estimates, the health benefits from the reduction in the risk of coronary heart disease due to the current consumption of omega-3 enriched eggs, and the production and labeling-related costs are estimated. By comparing the estimated benefits and costs, the results indicate that the current consumption of omega-3 enriched eggs provides a considerable net economic gain. Therefore, labeling information on health components can contribute to facilitating a healthy lifestyle with reduced medical costs, stimulating agricultural innovation, and increasing economic welfare.<p>Realizing the positive overall impact that the current consumption of omega-3 enriched eggs has on consumers health and economy in Canada, a possible policy that could regulate all eggs to be enriched with omega-3 fatty acids is proposed. This policy could potentially be used to correct not only information asymmetry but also the negative externalities that are created by health and disability insurances. The benefit cost analysis show that the health benefits would be greatly increased while costs would slightly increase due to reduced labeling-related costs. Therefore, the results indicate that the net economic gain is even stronger if the mandatory development of omega-3 enriched eggs were required.

Genetic epilepsy with febrile seizures plus (GEFS+) is associated with a wide range of neurological dysfunction caused in part by limited function in voltage-gated sodium channels (Escayg & Goldin, 2010; Gambardella & Marini, 2009; Mulley et al., 2005). The seizure and behavioral phenotypes, as well as use of non-pharmacologic agents as neuroprotectants in GEFS+, are not well-understood. An experimental design used an animal model of GEFS+ to 1. explore the effects of stress on seizure phenotype, 2. examine behavioral phenotypes, and 3. study the effects of an omega 3 fatty acid on abnormal behaviors noted in the various paradigms. This study used C57BL/6J mice with the R1648H missense mutation on the Scn1a gene (engineered in the Escayg lab) (Martin, M. S. et al., 2010). The three specific aims used separate groups of animals for experimentation, and all paradigms were performed under strict laboratory conditions. Data were analyzed using either an independent t-tests, two-way ANOVA or repeated measures two-way ANOVA. Results showed that stress worsens seizure phenotype in both the Scn1aR1648H (RH) mutants and wild-type (WT) group with the RH mutants more severely impacted. In addition, there was clear and consistent evidence for hyperactive locomotor behavior. Lastly, no evidence was found for use of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, an omega 3 fatty acid) as a neuroprotectant for hyperactivity (DHA was given subcutaneously for two weeks starting at weaning). Outcomes from this study implicate that stress worsens the seizure phenotype in animals with Scn1aR1648H. This study is also the first to report hyperactive locomotor behavior in animals with Scn1aR1648H. Results from this study may broaden beyond GEFS+ in that we may also be able to apply the findings to other disorders with SCN1A dysfunction. In addition, it may be that genetic variants affecting SCN1A, but not necessarily in epilepsy, may contribute to hyperactivity. This could mean that SCN1A is a candidate gene for hyperactivity. The main goal of nursing care is to reduce and prevent disease morbidity, and knowledge gained from the current study will guide clinical nursing practice, such as targeted behavioral assessment and education, as well as nursing research focusing on children with this genetic disorder.

Currently, the labeling of functional food products is highly regulated in Canada. Although certain nutrient content claims and five generic health claims have been allowed, the inability to make additional nutrient content and health claims decreases functional food firms incentives to produce and commercialize new and healthy food products. This, in turn, has consequences for functional food demand, consumer welfare, and health care costs. The primary objective of this thesis is to examine the potential welfare implications of functional food labeling for Canadian society.<p>A benefit cost analysis is conducted to examine a specific case study of omega-3 enriched eggs. The benefit cost analysis evaluates the welfare effects of functional food labeling policy and helps realize the magnitude of potential benefits that could be gained if not for restrictive and complicated labeling regulations. Based on a range of assumptions and using three different scenarios to cover a range of estimates, the health benefits from the reduction in the risk of coronary heart disease due to the current consumption of omega-3 enriched eggs, and the production and labeling-related costs are estimated. By comparing the estimated benefits and costs, the results indicate that the current consumption of omega-3 enriched eggs provides a considerable net economic gain. Therefore, labeling information on health components can contribute to facilitating a healthy lifestyle with reduced medical costs, stimulating agricultural innovation, and increasing economic welfare.<p>Realizing the positive overall impact that the current consumption of omega-3 enriched eggs has on consumers health and economy in Canada, a possible policy that could regulate all eggs to be enriched with omega-3 fatty acids is proposed. This policy could potentially be used to correct not only information asymmetry but also the negative externalities that are created by health and disability insurances. The benefit cost analysis show that the health benefits would be greatly increased while costs would slightly increase due to reduced labeling-related costs. Therefore, the results indicate that the net economic gain is even stronger if the mandatory development of omega-3 enriched eggs were required.

Diets formulated to contain varying ratios of omega 6 to omega 3 fatty acids were fed to exercising yearlings to evaluate bone activity and inflammatory response. Nine Quarter Horse yearlings were arranged within a triplicated 3 X 3 Latin Square experimental design and fed one of three diets. Exercise protocol was designed to stimulate sub-clinical inflammation and normal bone response. Body weight and physical growth measurements were not different between groups (P > 0.05), and feed intake was similar between groups (P > 0.05). Horses consuming soybean oil (SBO) diet had lower fatty acid profiles (% by weight) of C16:0 and C16:1 (P < 0.05) when compared to horses consuming either corn oil (CO) or menhaden/corn oil (MCO) diets. Though numerically different, percentage changes in C16:0 and C16:1 were not different between diets (P < 0.05). Horses consuming MCO had significantly higher measurements of C20:4, C20:5 and C22:6 over the 28 day period when compared to horses consuming SBO or CO. Percent change in mean concentrations of C20:5 were significantly different between the MCO group and the SBO group (P < 0.05) with no observed difference between MCO and CO treatment groups. Overall mean carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP) concentrations did not differ between diets (P > 0.05) nor was there a significant change from baseline values when compared to day 28 of the period. Mean Osteocalcin (OC) concentrations did not differ between treatments (P > 0.05). Numerically, OC levels were lower after 14 days, with subsequent increases occurring from day 14 to day 28; however, there was no significant day effect (P > 0.05). Mean measurements of PGE2 and fibrinogen, the two inflammation markers evaluated, did not differ among groups (P > 0.05). However, when fibrinogen data were normalized, horses consuming SBO had a significantly lower change in baseline values of fibrinogen compared to horses fed CO or MCO diets (P< 0.05). In general, horses fed SBO exhibited reduced levels of the inflammatory marker fibrinogen (P< 0.05). No other variable evaluated was influenced by the supplementation of varying ratios of polyunsaturated fatty acids into the equine diet.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2002. / Bibliography: leaves 144-173.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2002. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2002. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet.

There is growing interest in the potential role of omega-3/fibre-rich seeds in attenuating obesity and other cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Preliminary data suggests that consumption of white Salvia hispanica L. (Salba&reg;) seeds prolongs satiety and may aid weight loss. This randomized, double-blind, parallel study assessed the efficacy and safety of Salvia hispanica in overweight/obese individuals with T2DM on weight, body composition, glycemic control and other CVD risk factors. Fifty-eight participants consumed a hypocaloric diet including Salvia hispanica or an energy-and-fibre-matched control over 24 weeks. Greater reductions in weight, waist circumference and inflammation occurred in the Salvia hispanica group versus control. There were no significant between-group differences in safety parameters, glycemic control or other CVD risk factors. Salvia hispanica seeds may support weight loss in overweight/obese individuals with T2DM. Further research is needed to determine whether these effects are maintained.

There is growing interest in the potential role of omega-3/fibre-rich seeds in attenuating obesity and other cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Preliminary data suggests that consumption of white Salvia hispanica L. (Salba&reg;) seeds prolongs satiety and may aid weight loss. This randomized, double-blind, parallel study assessed the efficacy and safety of Salvia hispanica in overweight/obese individuals with T2DM on weight, body composition, glycemic control and other CVD risk factors. Fifty-eight participants consumed a hypocaloric diet including Salvia hispanica or an energy-and-fibre-matched control over 24 weeks. Greater reductions in weight, waist circumference and inflammation occurred in the Salvia hispanica group versus control. There were no significant between-group differences in safety parameters, glycemic control or other CVD risk factors. Salvia hispanica seeds may support weight loss in overweight/obese individuals with T2DM. Further research is needed to determine whether these effects are maintained.