Publications by authors named "Carolyn Tam"

Objective: To conduct a systematic review of clinical trials that examined the effectiveness of interventions on balance self-efficacy among individuals with stroke.

Design: Systematic review.

Summary Of Review: Searches of the following databases were completed in December 2014: MEDLINE (1948-present), CINAHL (1982-present), EMBASE (1980-present) and PsycINFO (1987-present) for controlled clinical trials that measured balance self-efficacy in adults with stroke.

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The objective of this randomized clinical trial was to compare steady-state gestational RBC and plasma folate concentrations in pregnant women supplementing daily with 1.1 mg (regular dose) vs. 5 mg (high dose) folic acid.

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Physical activity is recognized as a modifiable lifestyle risk factor that may prevent breast cancer. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to compare the physical activity patterns in two populations with different risks for breast cancer. We collected physical activity information from two groups of postmenopausal Canadian women with substantially different risks of developing breast cancer - Caucasians (N=372) and recent Chinese migrants from urban China (N=352).

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There are increasing concerns that exposure to unmetabolized folic acid, which results from folic acid intakes that overwhelm the liver's metabolic capacity, may be associated with adverse effects. In this paper, we examined the folic acid status of women of reproductive age in relation to dietary intake and the effect of folic acid supplementation (1.1 mg or 5 mg).

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Introduction: Approximately 25% of all babies in North America are delivered via Caesarean section (C-section). Though a common surgical procedure, C-section recovery can be painful. Opioids, specifically codeine, are commonly used to ease pain; however, its active metabolite, morphine, passes into breast milk, and may produce unwanted side effects in neonates; therefore, alternatives to opioids are being sought.

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International differences in breast cancer rates and diet, and studies in migrants, suggest that diet may be a modifiable risk factor for breast cancer. The goal of this cross-sectional study was to examine the dietary intakes of women from populations considered to be at different risks for breast cancer. We collected four 24-h food recalls in 3 groups of postmenopausal Canadian women: Caucasians (n = 392), Chinese women born in the West or who migrated to the West before age 21 (n = 156), and recent Chinese migrants (n = 383).

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Question: After hearing about outbreaks of illness resulting from Listeria and Salmonella, many of my patients are wondering about the risks of food-borne illnesses during pregnancy and what they can do to reduce their chances of contracting them.

Answer: Although heating or cooking food is the best way to inactivate food-borne pathogens, improved standards and surveillance have reduced the prevalence of contaminated foods at grocery stores. Therefore, it is no longer necessary for pregnant women to avoid foods like deli meats and soft cheeses (associated with Listeria); soft-cooked eggs (associated with Salmonella); or sushi and sashimi.

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Introduction: Striking differences exist between countries in the incidence of breast cancer. The causes of these differences are unknown, but because incidence rates change in migrants, they are thought to be due to lifestyle rather than genetic differences. The goal of this cross-sectional study was to examine breast cancer risk factors in populations with different risks for breast cancer.

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The role of periconceptional folic acid supplementation in the prevention of neural tube defects (NTDs) has been well established. Maternal red blood cell (RBC) folate concentration is inversely associated with NTD risk, and concentrations above 906 nmol/L are associated with a low risk of NTDs. Current guidelines call for a minimum of 0.

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Organic cation/carnitine transporters transport carnitine, drugs, and xenobiotics (e.g. choline, acetylcarnitine, quinidine, and verapamil), and are expressed in muscle, heart, blood vessels, etc.

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Background: Synthetic folic acid (0.4-1.0 mg) consumed during the periconceptional period has been shown to reduce the risk of neural tube defects.

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Unlabelled: Organic cation/carnitine transporters transport carnitine, drugs, and xenobiotics (e.g. choline, acetylcarnitine, betaine, valproic acid), and are expressed in muscle, heart, blood vessels, kidney, gut, etc.

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Objective: We previously reported alterations in circadian patterns of food intake that are associated with measures of functional and cognitive deterioration in seniors with probable Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study further explored disturbed eating patterns in AD, focusing on alterations in macronutrient (protein, carbohydrate, and fat) selection, and their association with measures of functional and behavioral losses.

Methods: Forty-nine days of food intake collections were conducted on 32 residents (26 females, 6 males; age = 88.

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