Regioselectivity switches between anthraquinone precursor fissions involved in bioactive xanthone biosynthesis.

Xanthone-based polyketides with complex molecular frameworks and potent bioactivities distribute and function in different biological kingdoms, yet their biosynthesis remains under-investigated. In particular, nothing is known regarding how to switch between the C-C (C-selective) and C-C bond (C-selective) cleavages of anthraquinone intermediates involved in biosynthesizing strikingly different frameworks of xanthones and their siblings. Enabled by our characterization of antiosteoporotic brunneoxanthones, a subfamily of polyketides from FB-2, we present herein the brunneoxanthone biosynthetic gene cluster and the C-selective cleavage of anthraquinone (chrysophanol) hydroquinone leading ultimately to the bioactive brunneoxanthones under the catalysis of BruN (an undescribed atypical non-heme iron dioxygenase) in collaboration with BruM as a new oxidoreductase that reduces the anthraquinone into its hydroquinone using NADPH as a cofactor.

The long noncoding RNA glycoLINC assembles a lower glycolytic metabolon to promote glycolysis.

Non-covalent complexes of glycolytic enzymes, called metabolons, were postulated in the 1970s, but the concept has been controversial. Here we show that a c-Myc-responsive long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) that we call glycoLINC (gLINC) acts as a backbone for metabolon formation between all four glycolytic payoff phase enzymes (PGK1, PGAM1, ENO1, and PKM2) along with lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA). The gLINC metabolon enhances glycolytic flux, increases ATP production, and enables cell survival under serine deprivation.

The association of material deprivation component measures with injury hospital separations in British Columbia, Canada.

Background: This study examines social disparities across neighbourhood levels of income, education and employment in relation to overall injury hospital separations in the province of British Columbia, Canada. Further, the study examines the relationships of social disparities to a set of three injury prevention priorities in British Columbia, namely, transport (motor vehicle occupant, pedestrian and cyclist), falls among older adults, and youth self-harm. The goal being to better understand area-based injury incidence with a view to precision prevention initiatives, particularly for more vulnerable populations.

Bridging the gap between science and policy: an international survey of scientists and policy makers in China and Canada.

Background: Bridging the gap between science and policy is an important task in evidence-informed policy making. The objective of this study is to prioritize ways to bridge the gap.

Methods: The study was based on an online survey of high-ranking scientists and policy makers who have a senior position in universities and governments in the health sector in China and Canada.

Life expectancy ranking of Canadians among the populations in selected OECD countries and its disparities among British Columbians.

Background: Canada is among the world's leading nations with the longest life expectancy at birth (LE0), and British Columbia (BC) ranks top among Canadian provinces and territories for LE0 in both men and women. This paper examined recent data as well as projected trends in LE0 of Canadian men and women and explored the geographic and socioeconomic disparities in LE0 specific to BC.

Methods: Using retrospective data on LE0 and age-standardized mortality rates, Canada was compared to 11 other Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries with the longest LE0.

Cannabis smoking and lung cancer risk: Pooled analysis in the International Lung Cancer Consortium.

To investigate the association between cannabis smoking and lung cancer risk, data on 2,159 lung cancer cases and 2,985 controls were pooled from 6 case-control studies in the US, Canada, UK, and New Zealand within the International Lung Cancer Consortium. Study-specific associations between cannabis smoking and lung cancer were estimated using unconditional logistic regression adjusting for sociodemographic factors, tobacco smoking status and pack-years; odds-ratio estimates were pooled using random effects models. Subgroup analyses were done for sex, histology and tobacco smoking status.

Vitamin and mineral supplements and thyroid cancer: a systematic review.

The purpose of this study was to consolidate epidemiological evidence for the association between dietary supplements of vitamins and minerals and thyroid cancer development, as well as to contribute to evidence-based dietary recommendations for thyroid cancer primary prevention. We carried out a systematic literature review specifically for dietary supplement and thyroid cancer risk. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Dissertations and Theses were systematically searched to identify original epidemiological studies with a comparison group that investigated vitamin or mineral supplementation as an etiological factor for thyroid cancer.

Worry is good for breast cancer screening: a study of female relatives from the ontario site of the breast cancer family registry.

Background. Few prospective studies have examined associations between breast cancer worry and screening behaviours in women with elevated breast cancer risks based on family history. Methods.

Influence of perceived breast cancer risk on screening behaviors of female relatives from the Ontario site of the Breast Cancer Family Registry.

Few studies have examined the influence of perceived risk on breast screening behaviors among women with an increased familial breast cancer risk. This study included 1019 women aged 20-71 years from the Ontario site of the Breast Cancer Family Registry who had at least one first-degree relative diagnosed with breast and/or ovarian cancer. Information was obtained from a self-administered questionnaire completed at the time of recruitment and a follow-up telephone questionnaire.