Background: Vitamin D levels, as measured by 25-hydroxyvitamin-D [25(OH) D], are inversely related to the risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC). Given shared demographic and lifestyle factors among members of the same household, we sought to examine vitamin D levels and associated lifestyle factors in household members of CRC patients. Methods: Thirty patients with pathologically confirmed CRC were enrolled prior to oncologic therapy along with unrelated household members who were matched for age (+/- 5 years) and race. In addition to serum blood draws for 25(OH)D levels at baseline and six-month follow-up, questionnaires collected gender, vitamin use, body mass index, family history of CRC, race, dietary vitamin D, UV exposure, and exercise. Results: Median serum 25(OH) D levels were 26.8 ng/mL for CRC patients versus 27.3 for household members (P=0.89). Vitamin-D associated factors such as dietary vitamin D intake, UV exposure, gender, multivitamin use, vitamin D supplement use, and family history of CRC were not significantly different between CRC patients and paired household members (P>0.05). Household members were more likely than CRC patients to be overweight and to exercise more. Conclusions: Vitamin D levels and many associated lifestyle factors were not significantly different between CRC patients and unrelated paired household members. Given comparable vitamin D levels, further investigation into whether age-matched household members of CRC patients may be at increased risk for CRC is warranted.

Objective: The primary objective was to determine the prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency and subclinical deficiency among metformin users in various clinical settings across Southwestern Ontario. The secondary objective was to determine the relationship between metformin use and B12 deficiency. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients admitted to emergency, neurology, critical care and trauma, and spinal cord and stroke rehabilitation units in 3 hospitals across Southwestern Ontario between January 2010 and December 2012. A total of 710 electronic charts were studied through random sampling. Results: Overall prevalence of impaired B12 status (< 220 pmol/L) among the entire patient population with B12 data were 18.6% (n=391) and 24% among metformin users (n=78, P < 0.0001). The majority of metformin users were not likely to take a B12 supplement (P=0.0065). The 2 patients on metformin who were both classified as being B12 deficient, however, only 53% of those with subclinical deficiency were taking a B12 supplement. B12 supplement administration did differ by hospital site in those with subclinical B12 deficiency status (148-220 pmol/L, P=0.0334). Conclusion: This study reports a higher prevalence of B12 deficiency among metformin users than the general patient population. Metformin users with overt B12 deficiency were taking B12 supplements but only half of those with subclinical deficiency were using a B12 supplement. Recommendations for B12 supplement use among those with subclinical status vary by institution. Measuring methylmalonic acid [MMA] to determine functional B12 status may ensure those with subclinical deficiencies receive treatment, and this should become the standard medical approach.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an online sports nutrition curriculum on athletic performance and iron status in high school-aged male and female athletes. A repeated-measures design evaluated forty-three males (n=18) and females (n=25). Athletic performance and biomarkers of iron status were measured before and after participating in an eight-week online sports nutrition curriculum. Performance tests included vertical jump height and power (VJPP and VJH, respectively), broad jump (BJ), pro-agility (PA), L-cone (LC), 20-yard-dash (20YD), and push up strength and power (PPUF and PPUPP, respectively). Concentrations of ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), and hemoglobin (Hb) were reported from capillary blood samples. Dietary recalls were collected as part of the first curriculum lesson. There were no changes in any measurement from pre- to post-curriculum (p=0.070 – 0.977). As expected, males were greater than females for VJH, VJH·kg-1, VJPP, VJPP·kg-1, BJ, BJ·kg-1, PA, LC, 20YD, and ferritin concentrations (p<0.001 – 0.039), but there were no sex differences for PA·kg-1, LC·kg-1, 20YD·kg-1, PPUF , PPUF ·kg-1, PPUP , PPUP ·kg-1, Hb, Hb·kg fat-free mass (FFM)-1, ferritin·kg FFM-1, sTfR, and sTfR·kg FFM-1(p=0.075 – 0.952). While males met most recommendations, females were below recommendations for energy, carbohydrate, protein, and iron intakes. Although the sports nutrition education did not directly enhance athletic performance or iron status, high school-aged female athletes may benefit from sports nutrition education to encourage dietary intakes that fall within recommended ranges.

Older adults living in residential care are at risk for micronutrient deficiency and malnutrition. This study aims to demonstrate the feasibility of micronutrient-enhanced recipes to meet this need. Three phases were used to develop micronutrient-enhanced foods, made with novel ingredients, appropriate for residential care. Nutrients, ingredients and food vehicles to be enhanced were identified through published literature, consultation with providers and nutrient analysis to determine ingredients/foods high in nutrients shown to be low in the diets of residents. 21 recipes were developed by residential chefs of which 10 were taste-tested by residents without (n=18) and with (n=11) cognitive impairment. Liking and sensory appeal were measured using hedonic scale (9 point), a cued facial response scale (9 point), weighing remaining test foods and unprompted facial expressions and comments. A 7-day residential menu was substituted with one or two nutrient-enhanced foods and nutrient analysis and cost were compared to the original menu. Recipes were created for desserts, baked products, soups, quiche and a smoothie. Nutrients enhanced were: vitamin B6 , folate, vitamins B12, D, E and K, calcium, magnesium, selenium and zinc. Taste-testing across persons with and without cognitive impairment identified that desserts and baked products were preferred, although there was no single tasting method that clearly identified preferences for persons living with cognitive impairment. Cost increase was less than 10% and nutrient content increased for one, and two food item substitutions in the residential menu, but differences were not statistically significant. Enhancement of micronutrients through novel ingredient recipes for residential care is a feasible strategy to mitigate micronutrient malnutrition.

The plant Clerodendrum volubile consumed by the Niger/Delta people of Nigeria has additional therapeutic applications for diabetes, ulcer, arthritis, rheumatism, dropsy, etc. The present study was conducted on the methanol extracts from Clerodendrum volubile leaves (CVE), with the aim of exploring its cytotoxic activity against prostate cancer (PCa) cells and delineate its potential mechanistic targets. CVE inhibited cell viability and suppressed clonogenic potential of PCa cells as assessed by MTT and colony assays. Western blot analysis of CVE-treated cells revealed concentration-dependent cleavage of PARP and Caspase 3. Flow cytometric data validated apoptosis as the primary mechanism of CVE-induced cell death with significant increase in the number of apoptotic cells subsequent to treatment. Furthermore, CVE-treated cells demonstrated increased levels of cyclin- dependent kinase inhibitor p21, suggesting modulation of cell cycle machinery. Profiling of CVEtreated PCa cells, utilizing a LC-MS/MS based quantitative proteomic strategy, yielded a data set of 16 significantly modulated proteins. Other than three proteins, ALBU, ROA3 and HNRPC that were downregulated [1.7; 1.7 and 2.5 fold, respectively], 13 proteins including TALDO, SYWC and FUMH with specific roles in the pentose phosphate pathway and tricarboxylic acid cycle were significantly upregulated [2.4; 1.9 and 1.8 fold, respectively] in CVE-treated PCa cells. Our studies provide insight into plausible mechanism(s) through which CVE exerted its growth inhibitory effect against PCa cells. Further studies are warranted to characterize the effect on functional pathways modulated by CVE with special focus on glucose metabolism.