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Anthropogenic noise in the ocean has increased substantially in recent decades, and motorized vessels produce what is likely the most common form of underwater noise pollution. Noise has the potential to induce physiological stress in marine fishes, which may have negative ecological consequences. In this study, physiological effects of increased noise (playback of boat noise recorded in the field) on a coastal marine fish (the giant kelpfish, Heterostichus rostratus) were investigated by measuring the stress responses (cortisol concentration) of fish to increased noise of various temporal dynamics and noise levels. Giant kelpfish exhibited acute stress responses when exposed to intermittent noise, but not to continuous noise or control conditions (playback of recorded natural ambient sound). These results suggest that variability in the acoustic environment may be more important than the period of noise exposure for inducing stress in a marine fish, and provide information regarding noise levels at which physiological responses occur.

Angina with no obstructive coronary artery disease (ANOCA) presents diagnostic and treatment challenges, significantly burdening healthcare resources. This study assessed emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations and factors associated with these outcomes following ANOCA and stable angina (SA) with obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) diagnoses. A retrospective cohort of individuals who had their first invasive cardiac catheterization for chest pain in Alberta from 2002 to 2017 was extracted retrospectively from the Alberta Provincial Project for Outcome Assessment in Coronary Heart Disease (APPROACH) database. Incidence rates (IRs) were calculated for ED visits and hospitalizations, while factors associated with these outcomes were analyzed using Cox models. Our analysis included 28,881 individuals (ANOCA, 36%). Two-year postcatheterization IRs of ED visits were 100.3-119.3 per 1,000 person-years for ANOCA and increased over time (unstandardized beta coefficient [b] = 2.19 per biennium [95% CI 0.83-3.55]; P = .008); for SA with obstructive CAD the IRs were 209.3-240.2 per 1,000 person-years and remained stable (b = −1.83 per biennium [95% CI −5.73 to 1.70]; P = .25). IRs of hospitalizations were 12.4-25.8 per 1,000 person-years and stable for ANOCA (b = −0.93 per biennium [95% CI −2.49 to 0.64]; P = .20); for SA with obstructive CAD, they were 106.4-171.4 per 1,000 person-years and decreased over time (b = −9.02 per biennium [95% CI −13.27 to −4.77; P = .002). A previous history of heart failure was most associated with ED visits (HR = 1.74 [95% CI 1.41-2.14]; P < .001) and hospitalizations (HR = 2.40 [95% CI 1.82-3.18]; P < .001) for ANOCA. ED visits for ANOCA have risen over time while hospitalizations remain stable, indicating a growing burden despite generally lower rates than SA with obstructive CAD. These findings underscore the need for more effective management strategies to address the significant morbidity and resource utilization in ANOCA.

The environment is increasingly becoming contaminated with chromium (Cr) from increased industrial activity, and this is a serious ecotoxicological concern worldwide. Cr causes serious pollution problems and severe health hazards in living beings. To address contamination concerns, many attempts have been made to remove and recover Cr from wastewaters. To cope with Cr pollution, phytoremediation has emerged as economic and eco-sustainable solution to various physicochemical treatments that are expensive and inefficient, especially at low Cr concentrations. A great variety of plants including aquatic macrophytes and hydroponically grown plants are known to assimilate Cr by directly absorbing, precipitating, and concentrating it from polluted aquatic environments. In view of the above, present review examines the viability of phtoremediation as an eco-sustainable technology for remediation of Cr from aqueos environments. Moreover, such plants also act as catalysts for a variety of chemical and biochemical reactions in the rhizosphere. Furthermore, plants reduce the toxic Cr(VI) to nontoxic Cr(III) and serve as a useful tool for Cr detoxification. Low-molecular weight organic acids secreted by many plants may act as natural chelating agents and can play a major role in enhanced phytoremediation of Cr. This review critically evaluates the efficiency of different plants for Cr removal from wetlands, aqueous solutions and wastewaters. Additionally, an in-depth view on various mechanisms involved during bioaccumulation of Cr in plants is also presented. This review explores current scientific progress in the field of Cr phytoremediation from aqueos environments and presents phytoremediation as a sustainable remediation technology for Cr management.

Although trophic cascades were originally believed to be driven only by predators eating prey, there is mounting evidence that such cascades can be generated in large part via non-consumptive effects. This is especially important in cascades affecting habitat-forming foundation species that in turn, influence associated communities. Here, we use laboratory and field experiments to identify a trait-mediated indirect interaction between predators and an abundant kelp in a marine temperate reef system. Predation risk from a microcarnivorous fish, the señorita, suppressed grazing by the host-specific seaweed limpet, which in turn, influenced frond loss of the habitat-forming feather boa kelp. This trophic cascade was pronounced because minor amounts of limpet grazing decreased the strength required to break kelp fronds. Cues from fish predators mitigated kelp loss by decreasing limpet grazing; we found 86% of this indirect interaction between predator and kelp was attributed to the non-consumptive effect in the laboratory and 56% when applying the same effect size calculations to the field. In field manipulations, the non-consumptive effect of señorita was as strong as the total predator effect and most importantly, as strong as the uncaged, “open” treatment with natural levels of predators. Our findings demonstrate that the mere presence of this fish reduces frond loss of the feather boa kelp through a trait-mediated trophic cascade. Moreover, despite large volumes of water, current flow, and wave energy, we clearly demonstrate a strong non-consumptive effect via an apparent chemical cue from señorita, suggesting that chemically mediated trait-driven cascades may be more prevalent in subtidal marine systems than we are currently aware.

Organic soil amendments such as biochar and compost are thought to improve soil development, but it is unclear whether they affect nutrient leaching and greenhouse gas emissions. Using mesocosms, we investigated the effects of biochar and compost on nutrient leaching and greenhouse gas emissions across varying hydrologic regimes. Increased biochar decreased nutrient leaching and greenhouse gas emissions: the highest application rate (10% wt/wt) decreased cumulative phosphate leaching by 63% (SE 1.4), ammonium leaching by 65% (SE 0.8) and nitrate leaching by 92% (SE 0.3). Likewise, 10% biochar application decreased cumulative methane emissions by 92% (SE 3.7), carbon dioxide emissions by 48% (SE 7.0), and nitrous oxide emissions by 89% (SE 4.1). Biochar effects varied with hydrology for each greenhouse gas: stronger reductions in methane and nitrous oxide emissions were observed under waterlogged conditions, whereas stronger reductions in carbon dioxide emissions were observed at field capacity. In contrast with biochar, compost was the largest contributor to nutrient leaching and greenhouse gas emissions. These results suggest that biochar is most effective in soils with episodic flooding and drying rather than continuous flooding, and that compost should be avoided. We conclude that biochar can promote desirable functions simultaneously in restored wetland soils.

Although accurate risk prediction is essential in guiding treatment decisions in primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, the accuracy of the Framingham Risk Score (recommended by a Canadian guideline) and the Pooled Cohort Equations (recommended by US guidelines) has not been assessed in a large contemporary Canadian population. Our primary objective was to assess the calibration and discrimination of the Framingham Risk Score and Pooled Cohort Equations in Ontario, Canada. We conducted an observational study involving Ontario residents aged 40 to 79 years, without a history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, who underwent cholesterol testing and blood pressure measurement from Jan. 1, 2010, to Dec. 31, 2014. We compared predicted event rates generated by the Framingham Risk Score and the Pooled Cohort Equations with observed event rates at 5 years using linkages from validated administrative databases. Our study cohort included 84 617 individuals (mean age 56.3 yr, 56.9% female). Over a maximum follow-up period of 5 years, we observed 2162 (2.6%) events according to the outcome definition of the Framingham Risk Score, and 1224 (1.4%) events according to the outcome definition of the Pooled Cohort Equations. The predicted event rate of 5.78% by the Framingham Risk Score and 3.51% by the Pooled Cohort Equations at 5 years overestimated observed event rates by 101% and 115%, respectively. The degree of overestimation differed by age and ethnicity. The C statistics for the Framingham Risk Score (0.74) and Pooled Cohort Equations (0.73) were similar. The Framingham Risk Score and Pooled Cohort Equations significantly overpredicted the actual risks of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease events in a large population from Ontario. Our finding suggests the need for further refinement of cardiovascular disease risk prediction scores to suit the characteristics of a multiethnic Canadian population.

Background Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Data from Canadian populations regarding the burden of ASCVD are limited. Therefore, we describe the 5‐year period prevalence of ASCVD and subsequent major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) outcomes among patients with ASCVD in Alberta, Canada. Methods A retrospective, observational study was conducted by linking provincial health services data, vital statistics, and pharmaceutical dispenses data. Five‐year period prevalence of clinical ASCVD was captured between 2011 and 2016, and a cohort of adult patients with an initial clinical ASCVD event were identified between 2012 and 2016. One‐year incidence rates (IRs) of subsequent MACE outcomes were calculated as composite and individual measures. A subgroup of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) as their index event was examined. Results There were 198 573 patients (mean [standard deviation] age: 63.9 [15.6] years; 56.6% males) identified with clinical ASCVD between 2012 and 2016. Overall, the 5‐year period prevalence of ASCVD in Alberta was 89.9 per 1000 persons and the 1‐year IR for a primary MACE outcome was 6.15 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.03–6.26) per 100 person‐years. Among the ASCVD cohort, 9465 had an AMI as their index event and the IR for a primary MACE outcome was 14.30 (95% CI: 13.45–15.20) per 100 person‐years. Conclusions This study found that the prevalence of ASCVD and the rate of subsequent MACE outcomes 1 year following the initial ASCVD event are substantial, particularly among patients with an AMI. Secondary prevention strategies aimed at lowering this risk are needed for patients with ASCVD.

Heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is increasingly recognized as an important clinical entity. Preclinical studies have shown differences in the pathophysiology between HFpEF and HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Therefore, we hypothesized that a systematic metabolomic analysis would reveal a novel metabolomic fingerprint of HFpEF that will help understand its pathophysiology and assist in establishing new biomarkers for its diagnosis. Ambulatory patients with clinical diagnosis of HFpEF (n = 24), HFrEF (n = 20), and age-matched non-HF controls (n = 38) were selected for metabolomic analysis as part of the Alberta HEART (Heart Failure Etiology and Analysis Research Team) project. 181 serum metabolites were quantified by LC-MS/MS and 1H-NMR spectroscopy. Compared to non-HF control, HFpEF patients demonstrated higher serum concentrations of acylcarnitines, carnitine, creatinine, betaine, and amino acids; and lower levels of phosphatidylcholines, lysophosphatidylcholines, and sphingomyelins. Medium and long-chain acylcarnitines and ketone bodies were higher in HFpEF than HFrEF patients. Using logistic regression, two panels of metabolites were identified that can separate HFpEF patients from both non-HF controls and HFrEF patients with area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of 0.942 and 0.981, respectively. The metabolomics approach employed in this study identified a unique metabolomic fingerprint of HFpEF that is distinct from that of HFrEF. This metabolomic fingerprint has been utilized to identify two novel panels of metabolites that can separate HFpEF patients from both non-HF controls and HFrEF patients. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02052804.

Stunting (low height/length-for-age) in early life is associated with poor long-term health and developmental outcomes. Nutrition interventions provided during the first 1,000 days of life can result in improved catch-up growth and development outcomes. We assessed factors associated with stunting recovery at 24 months of age among infants and young Children enrolled in Pediatric Development Clinics (PDC) who were stunted at 11 months of age. This retrospective cohort study included infants and young children who enrolled in PDCs in two rural districts in Rwanda between April 2014 and December 2018. Children were included in the study if their PDC enrollment happened within 2 months after birth, were stunted at 11 months of age (considered as baseline) and had a stunting status measured and analyzed at 24 months of age. We defined moderate stunting as length-for-age z-score (LAZ) < -2 and ≥-3 and severe stunting as LAZ <-3 based on the 2006 WHO child growth standards. Stunting recovery at 24 months of age was defined as the child's LAZ changing from <-2 to > -2. We used logistic regression analysis to investigate factors associated with stunting recovery. The factors analyzed included child and mother's socio-demographic and clinical characteristics. Of the 179 children who were eligible for this study, 100 (55.9%) were severely stunted at age 11 months. At 24 months of age, 37 (20.7%) children recovered from stunting, while 21 (21.0%) severely stunted children improved to moderate stunting and 20 (25.3%) moderately-stunted children worsened to severe stunting. Early stunting at 6 months of age was associated with lower odds of stunting recovery, with the odds of stunting recovery being reduced by 80% (aOR: 0.2; 95%CI: 0.07-0.81) for severely stunted children and by 60% (aOR: 0.4; 95% CI: 0.16-0.97) for moderately stunted children (p = 0.035). Lower odds of stunting recovery were also observed among children who were severely stunted at 11 months of age (aOR: 0.3; 95% CI: 0.1-0.6, p = 0.004). No other maternal or child factors were statistically significantly associated with recovery from stunting at 24 months in our final adjusted model. A substantial proportion of children who were enrolled in PDC within 2 months after birth and were stunted at 11 months of age recovered from stunting at 24 months of age. Children who were severely stunted at 11 months of age (baseline) and those who were stunted at 6 months of age were less likely to recover from stunting at 24 months of age compared to those with moderate stunting at 11 months and no stunting at 6 months of age, respectively. More focus on prevention and early identification of stunting during pregnancy and early life is important to the healthy growth of a child.

Metformin is an orally effective anti-hyperglycemic drug that despite being introduced over 60 years ago is still utilized by an estimated 120 to 150 million people worldwide for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Metformin is used off-label for the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and for pre-diabetes and weight loss. Metformin is a safe, inexpensive drug with side effects mostly limited to gastrointestinal issues. Prospective clinical data from the United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS), completed in 1998, demonstrated that metformin not only has excellent therapeutic efficacy as an anti-diabetes drug but also that good glycemic control reduced the risk of micro- and macro-vascular complications, especially in obese patients and thereby reduced the risk of diabetes-associated cardiovascular disease (CVD). Based on a long history of clinical use and an excellent safety record metformin has been investigated to be repurposed for numerous other diseases including as an anti-aging agent, Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, cancer, COVID-19 and also atrial fibrillation (AF). AF is the most frequently diagnosed cardiac arrythmia and its prevalence is increasing globally as the population ages. The argument for repurposing metformin for AF is based on a combination of retrospective clinical data and in vivo and in vitro pre-clinical laboratory studies. In this review, we critically evaluate the evidence that metformin has cardioprotective actions and assess whether the clinical and pre-clinical evidence support the use of metformin to reduce the risk and treat AF.