Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most prominent cancers worldwide. However, many limitations in its diagnostic and prognostic protocols lead to severe unreliability. This research aims to evaluate the current literature to better understand the effectiveness of miRNAs as potential diagnostic and prognostic non-invasive liquid biomarkers of prostate cancer. Methods: A systematic review was conducted by thorough searches on the Omni and PubMed database for articles in the past five year, that met specific eligibility criteria. Characteristics of the 18 chosen studies varied, as the goal was to include diverse populations and methodologies to encompass all the current literature. Key differentially expressed miRNAs were extracted from the research, including their dysregulation signatures and associated statistical values. Results: MiRNA panels, in conjunction with current diagnostic protocols and clinicopathological factors, display the most promise as a future diagnostic tool for PCa. More specifically, a 2-miRNA and 5-cs-miRPs panel show remarkable potential for future use in prostate cancer screening and diagnosis. Some limitations of the supporting evidence include heterogeneity between studies’ methodology and analysis, lack of standardization in the current protocols of miRNA collection and quantification, and the influence of genetic and environmental factors on the expression of these biomarkers. Conclusion: Future research should validate which miRNAs to include in a panel, how to standardize their storage, collection, and quantification, and how to incorporate them into the current protocols. Clinical applications of miRNAs as non-invasive liquid biomarkers can contribute to early cancer detection and prevention, thus improving outcomes for prostate cancer patients.
Within moderation, wildfires play a crucial role in enhancing ecological synergies. The escalating severity and duration of wildfires generate a local and national state of crisis. Wildfires exponentially and simultaneously worsen local and global climate change. This paper will review the literature on the positive feedback loop demonstrated between climate change and Canadian wildfires. Four primary factors influence wildfire activity: weather and climate, ignition agents, fuel, and human activities. Wildfires deteriorate physical and chemical properties of nationwide topography, soil system, and hydrological cycle. The vegetation destroyed by wildfires further exacerbates climate change. This paper encompasses the natural and strategic control measures implemented to regulate and remediate wildfire activity. Ecosystems may naturally facilitate both climate change and wildfire mediation and prevention if biodiversity is preserved. Wildfire management expenses, which corresponds with climate change management expenses, ranged from $800 million to $1.4 billion annually over the previous decade. The perpetuating advancement in wildfire severity presents unpredictability and difficulty to anticipate future costs (Government of Canada, 2024a). Direct or indirect management is implemented based on the magnitude of the wildfire.
Food insecurity is defined as inadequate access to sufficient and nourishing food (Food and Agriculture Organization [FAO], 2023). Those aged 15-24, particularly post-secondary students may have a higher vulnerability to developing food insecurity (Bhawra et al., 2021). Commuting costs and on-campus food expenses may elevate the risk among undergraduates. The purpose of this study was to measure the prevalence of food insecurity among UofGH Kinesiology students and to explore potential risk factors. We hypothesized that students living apart from their parents or primary caregivers would be more food insecure. Moreover, we predicted that many factors would contribute to higher levels of food insecurity such as employment status. Participants completed a survey consisting of socio-demographic questions and the 2021 Student Food Experience Survey (Maguire et al., 2021) to assess food insecurity. Results categorized students as secure, moderately insecure, and severely insecure. Their responses were analyzed to determine the relationship between socio-demographic indicators and food insecurity. In both the 2022-2023 school year and the Fall 2023 semester, 20% of students were moderately or severely food insecure. The results also demonstrated that being a non-first-generation student, having to borrow money for food, and perceiving that their academics were impacted by lack of access to food, were predictors of food insecurity. This study demonstrates a 20% prevalence of food insecurity and highlights various contributing. The high prevalence of food insecurity shows the need for future research and interventions at the university level to improve the health and wellness of students.
Hermaphroditism in female plants is a common problem in the cannabis industry. Cannabis sativa florogenesis is dependent on photoperiod, and industry experts suspect disruptions to the photoperiod contribute to hermaphroditism. The goals of this report are to (i) determine the relationship between hermaphroditism and dark period light exposure in C. sativa, (ii) identify a causal mechanism that could explain female hermaphroditism, and (iii) recommend a course of action for indoor cultivators. A literature search suggested that hermaphroditism in C. sativacould be the result of a very low fluence response. To test this idea, 403 plants grown indoors were inspected for male flowers. The distance of each plant from the nearest grow room door—the proposed source of dark period light—was used to calculate relative dark period light intensity values for each plant. Linear regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between relative light intensity and males per plant. The average males per plant was 0.136, compared with an intercept coefficient of 0.125 (p=0.00197, R2=0.0162). Based on these results, proximity to a door does not affect hermaphroditism. Because the actual light intensities during dark periods in this study were likely too low to cause very low fluence responses, this study cannot confidently evaluate the relationship between dark period light exposure and hermaphroditism in C. sativa. Management at the study site would be advised not to spend resources addressing grow room door light leaks.
Dietitians of Canada (DC) was established in 1997 from the Canadian Dietetic Association and the provincial associations. This project is part of a larger program of work to document the recent history of Canadian dietetic practice, including the professional development (PD) initiatives DC has provided since its inception. The aims of the present study are to synthesize a timeline of PD events since 1993, understand the context that led to their development, and understand their impact on the profession. 13 key informants were recruited by email, of which 11 semi-structured interviews were conducted, and 8 participants provided written contributions. Interview transcripts and written contributions were analyzed thematically, and a final timeline of events was developed. Six themes were found: 1) the use of technology in PD tools, e.g. online courses, Learning on Demand; 2) conferences and workshops , e.g. national conference, Coast-to-Coast workshops; 3) initiatives that placed DC as a leader in health and nutrition, e.g. Practice-based Evidence in Nutrition (PEN); 4) informal discussion about emerging issues in dietetics, e.g. PEN Current Issues, Practice Blog; 5) DC actively sought member input to inform PD strategy, e.g. members issues forums; and, 6) DC PD events demonstrated their support for research and dietetic education, e.g. relationship with CFDR, public health online course. Key concerns for the future included: declining DC membership and funding, and dietetics not keeping pace with other professions on PD. The successes and failures of initiatives in this time period can inform the development of DC’s PD strategy for the coming decades.
