Co-Development of Three Dietary Indices to Facilitate Dietary Intake Assessment of Pediatric Crohn's Disease Patients.

Literature on dietary behaviours of the pediatric Crohn's Disease (CD) population and the relationship between dietary intake and CD activity is limited. Three dietary indices were developed and tested to conduct dietary pattern analysis in pediatric patients with CD consuming a free diet following remission induction via exclusive enteral nutrition ( = 11). Index scores underwent descriptive and inferential analysis.

Combining elements of the CO-OP Approach with education to promote healthy eating among older adults: A pilot study.

This paper describes an exploratory study developing the Baycrest Brain-healthy Eating Approach (BBEA). Poor diet is a modifiable risk factor for many health problems including dementia. Mediterranean type diets, high in plant-based foods, rich in poly- and mono- unsaturated fatty acids with minimal consumption of saturated fat, red meat, and processed foods, are considered brain healthful.

Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Information Processing in the Human Dorsal Anterior Cingulate Cortex.

The dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) is a key node in the human salience network. It has been ascribed motor, pain-processing and affective functions. However, the dynamics of information flow in this complex region and how it responds to inputs remain unclear and are difficult to study using non-invasive electrophysiology.

The Association Between Dietary Pattern Adherence, Cognitive Stimulating Lifestyle, and Cognitive Function Among Older Adults From the Quebec Longitudinal Study on Nutrition and Successful Aging.

Objectives: This study examined the effect of dietary patterns and engagement in cognitive stimulating lifestyle (CSL) behaviors on the trajectory of global cognition, executive function (EF), and verbal episodic memory (VEM).

Methods: Western and prudent dietary patterns were empirically derived using food frequency questionnaire responses from 350 community-dwelling older adults (mean age: 73.7 years) participating in the Quebec Longitudinal Study on Nutrition and Successful Aging.

Sex differences in the relationship between dietary pattern adherence and cognitive function among older adults: findings from the NuAge study.

Background: Consumption of a prudent dietary pattern rich in healthy nutrients is associated with enhanced cognitive performance in older adulthood, while a Western dietary pattern low in healthy nutrients is associated with poor age-related cognitive function. Sex differences exist in dietary intake among older adults; however, there is a paucity of research examining the relationship between sex-specific dietary patterns and cognitive function in later life.

Methods: The current study aimed to investigate sex differences in the relationship between sex-specific dietary pattern adherence and global cognitive function at baseline and over a 3-year follow-up in 1268 community-dwelling older adults (M = 74 years, n = 664 women, n = 612 men) from the Quebec Longitudinal Study on Nutrition and Successful Aging (NuAge).

A systematic review of existing peripheral biomarkers of cognitive aging: Is there enough evidence for biomarker proxies in behavioral modification interventions?: An initiative in association with the nutrition, exercise and lifestyle team of the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging.

Peripheral biomarkers have shown significant value in predicting brain health and may serve as a useful proxy measurement in the assessment of evidence-based lifestyle behavior modification programs, including physical activity and nutrition programs, that aim to maintain cognitive function in late life. The aim of this systematic review was to elucidate which peripheral biomarkers are robustly associated with cognitive function among relatively healthy non-demented older adults. Following the standards for systematic reviews (PICO, PRIMSA), and employing MEDLINE and Scopus search engines, 222 articles were included in the review.

Zapped assembly of polymeric (ZAP) nanoparticles for anti-cancer drug delivery.

The starting hypothesis for this work was that microwave synthesis could enable the rapid assembly of polymers into size-specific nanoparticles (NPs). The Zapped Assembly of Polymeric (ZAP) NPs was initially realized using poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-poly(ethylene glycol) (PLGA-PEG) block copolymers and distinct microwave reaction parameters. A library of polymeric NPs was generated with sizes ranging from sub-20 nm to 350 nm and low polydispersity.

Synthesis and Characterization of Cetuximab-Docetaxel and Panitumumab-Docetaxel Antibody-Drug Conjugates for EGFR-Overexpressing Cancer Therapy.

The safety and efficacy of anticancer antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) depend on the selection of tumor-targeting monoclonal antibody (mAb), linker, and drug, as well as their specific chemical arrangement and linkage chemistry. In this study, we used a heterobifunctional cross-linker to conjugate docetaxel (DX) to cetuximab (CET) or panitumumab (PAN). The resulting ADCs were investigated for their in vitro EGFR-specific cytotoxicity and in vivo anticancer activity.

Immuno-PET imaging of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes using zirconium-89 radiolabeled anti-CD3 antibody in immune-competent mice bearing syngeneic tumors.

The ability to non-invasively monitor tumor-infiltrating T cells in vivo could provide a powerful tool to visualize and quantify tumor immune infiltrates. For non-invasive evaluations in vivo, an anti-CD3 mAb was modified with desferrioxamine (DFO) and radiolabeled with zirconium-89 (Zr-89 or 89Zr). Radiolabeled 89Zr-DFO-anti-CD3 was tested for T cell detection using positron emission tomography (PET) in both healthy mice and mice bearing syngeneic bladder cancer BBN975.

Nutrition as a component of dementia risk reduction strategies.

According to the Alzheimer Society of Canada, within the next generation, Canada will experience a more than doubling of individuals living with dementia and a potentially economically crippling 10-fold increase in costs to Canadians. Up to 50% of cases with dementia can be attributed to seven modifiable, predominantly vascular and/or lifestyle-associated, risk factors. Multi-modal dementia risk reduction strategies, targeting diet, exercise, mental stimulation, and vascular risk monitoring, are likely to be the most successful.

Brain Function Is Linked to LDL Cholesterol in Older Adults with Cardiovascular Risk.

Objectives: To determine how cardiovascular risk is associated with working memory task performance and task-related suppression of default-mode network (DMN) activity in cognitively intact older adults.

Design: A cross-sectional functional magnetic resonance imaging study of older adults with cardiovascular risk factors.

Setting: Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Health Sciences.

Rapid microwave-assisted synthesis of sub-30nm lipid nanoparticles.

Hypothesis: Accessing the phase inversion temperature by microwave heating may enable the rapid synthesis of small lipid nanoparticles.

Experiments: Nanoparticle formulations consisted of surfactants Brij 78 and Vitamin E TPGS, and trilaurin, trimyristin, or miglyol 812 as nanoparticle lipid cores. Each formulation was placed in water and heated by microwave irradiation at temperatures ranging from 65°C to 245°C.

The Interplay of Antigen Affinity, Internalization, and Pharmacokinetics on CD44-Positive Tumor Targeting of Monoclonal Antibodies.

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) offer promise as effective tumor targeting and drug delivery agents for cancer therapy. However, comparative biological and clinical characteristics of mAbs targeting the same tumor-associated antigen (TAA) often differ widely. This study examined the characteristics of mAbs that impact tumor targeting using a panel of mAb clones specific to the cancer-associated cell-surface receptor and cancer stem cell marker CD44.

Subtumoral analysis of PRINT nanoparticle distribution reveals targeting variation based on cellular and particle properties.

Unlabelled: The biological activity of nanoparticle-directed therapies critically depends on cellular targeting. We examined the subtumoral fate of Particle Replication in Non-Wetting Templates (PRINT) nanoparticles in a xenografted melanoma tumor model by multi-color flow cytometry and in vivo confocal tumor imaging. These approaches were compared with the typical method of whole-organ quantification by radiolabeling.

The erotetic theory of delusional thinking.

Introduction: In this paper, we argue for a novel account of one cognitive factor implicated in delusional cognition. According to the erotetic theory of delusion we present, the central cognitive factor in delusion is impaired endogenous question raising.

Method: After presenting the erotetic theory, we draw on it to model three distinct patterns of reasoning exhibited by delusional and schizophrenic patients, and contrast our explanations with Bayesian alternatives.

RASA3 is a critical inhibitor of RAP1-dependent platelet activation.

The small GTPase RAP1 is critical for platelet activation and thrombus formation. RAP1 activity in platelets is controlled by the GEF CalDAG-GEFI and an unknown regulator that operates downstream of the adenosine diphosphate (ADP) receptor, P2Y12, a target of antithrombotic therapy. Here, we provide evidence that the GAP, RASA3, inhibits platelet activation and provides a link between P2Y12 and activation of the RAP1 signaling pathway.

Plasmonic gold nanostars for multi-modality sensing and diagnostics.

Gold nanostars (AuNSs) are unique systems that can provide a novel multifunctional nanoplatform for molecular sensing and diagnostics. The plasmonic absorption band of AuNSs can be tuned to the near infrared spectral range, often referred to as the "tissue optical window", where light exhibits minimal absorption and deep penetration in tissue. AuNSs have been applied for detecting disease biomarkers and for biomedical imaging using multi-modality methods including surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), two-photon photoluminescence (TPL), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), and X-ray computer tomography (CT) imaging.

Whole-food diet worsened cognitive dysfunction in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model.

Food combinations have been associated with lower incidence of Alzheimer's disease. We hypothesized that a combination whole-food diet containing freeze-dried fish, vegetables, and fruits would improve cognitive function in TgCRND8 mice by modulating brain insulin signaling and neuroinflammation. Cognitive function was assessed by a comprehensive battery of tasks adapted to the Morris water maze.

Relationship between diet quality and cognition depends on socioeconomic position in healthy older adults.

Both diet quality and socioeconomic position (SEP) have been linked to age-related cognitive changes, but there is little understanding of how the socioeconomic context of dietary intake may shape its cognitive impact. We examined whether equal adherence to "prudent" and "Western" dietary patterns, identified by principal components analysis, was associated with global cognitive function [Modified Mini-Mental State Examination (3MS)] in independently living older adults with different SEPs (aged 68-84 y; n = 1099). The interaction of dietary pattern adherence with household income, educational attainment, occupational prestige, and a composite indicator of SEP combining all 3 was examined in multiple-adjusted mixed models over 3 y of follow-up in participants of the NuAge study (Quebec Longitudinal Study on Nutrition and Successful Aging).

Incorporation and controlled release of silyl ether prodrugs from PRINT nanoparticles.

Asymmetric bifunctional silyl ether (ABS) prodrugs of chemotherapeutics were synthesized and incorporated within 200 nm × 200 nm particles. ABS prodrugs of gemcitabine were selected as model compounds because of the difficulty to encapsulate a water-soluble drug within a hydrogel. The resulting drug delivery systems were degraded under acidic conditions and were found to release only the parent or active drug.

Drug delivery: Relieving PEGylation.

A new type of protein–polymer conjugate provides improved stability without detrimentally affecting bioactivity, and thus offers great potential for the development of new peptide-based drugs.

In vitro and in vivo assessment of targeting lipid-based nanoparticles to the epidermal growth factor-receptor (EGFR) using a novel Heptameric ZEGFR domain.

Lipid-based oil-filled nanoparticles (NPs) with a high concentration of surface-chelated nickel (Ni-NPs) were successfully prepared using a Brij 78-NTA-Ni conjugate synthesized with Brij 78 (Polyoxyethylene (20) stearyl ether) and nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA). The facile incorporation of the Brij 78-NTA-Ni conjugate into the NP formulation allowed up to 90% Ni incorporation, which was a significant improvement over the previously used standard agent DOGS-NTA-Ni which led to ~6% Ni incorporation. The Ni-NPs were targeted to the highly epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-overexpressing epidermoid carcinoma cells A431.

Tunable bifunctional silyl ether cross-linkers for the design of acid-sensitive biomaterials.

Responsive polymeric biomaterials can be triggered to degrade using localized environments found in vivo. A limited number of biomaterials provide precise control over the rate of degradation and the release rate of entrapped cargo and yield a material that is intrinsically nontoxic. In this work, we designed nontoxic acid-sensitive biomaterials based on silyl ether chemistry.

Synthesis, radiolabeling, and bio-imaging of high-generation polyester dendrimers.

A series of aliphatic polyester dendrons, generations 1 through 8, were prepared with a core p-toluenesulfonyl ethyl (TSe) ester as an easily removable protecting group that can be efficiently replaced with a variety of nucleophiles. Using amidation chemistry, a tridentate bis(pyridyl)amine ligand which is known to form stable complexes with both Tc(I) and Re(I) was introduced at the dendrimer core. Metalation of the core ligand with (99m)Tc was accomplished for generations 5 through 7, and resulted in regioselective radiolabeling of the dendrimers.