NCube/papyrus huggingface dataset:
Strategies and challenges associated with long-term weight loss maintenance among overweight and obese women in Quebec

Background/Objective: Weight loss maintenance is crucial for successful management of obesity and its related chronic disease. This study aimed to identify strategies and barriers associated with long-term weight loss among overweight and obese women in Quebec. Method: This study employed a cross-sectional method using a concurrent triangulation design that uses quantitative and qualitative instruments. To collect the quantitative and qualitative data, a questionnaire was administered to participants over the phone by the researcher and another series of questions were sent by email to participants to complete the qualitative analysis. A total sample of 29 overweight or obese women who had previously completed a weight loss intervention program with a registered dietitian (who is also the researcher of this study) were included. A 5% weight loss maintained for at least one year was considered a successful weight loss maintenance (n=15) and these participants were classified as maintainers. Otherwise, participants were classified as re-gainers (n=14). Results: Maintainers were more likely to have completed a higher level of education and to have lost more weight after the first month of nutrition intervention when compared to regainers. Individual strategies used significantly more within maintainers when compared to regainers included: increasing unprocessed or minimally processed food consumption, limiting ultra-processed food consumption, reducing portion sizes, and practicing physical activity (PA) (≥40 minutes/day). Social and environmental strategies such as having a supportive network and creating a healthy food environment at home were reported more by maintainers. The main barrier to weight loss maintenance was food temptation for maintainers whereas practicing PA was the main barrier for re-gainers. Conclusion: Weight loss success is complex, multifactorial, and context dependent. There is no “one size fits all strategy” for successful weight loss maintenance. Long-term weight loss is possible but requires following basic principles such as limiting ultra-processed foods, increasing whole and minimally processed food, cooking more and reducing portions, and these principles must be sustainable. To increase chances of successful weight loss maintenance, individuals and health professionals should target strategies according to an understanding of the interaction between individual choices and several dimensions of the food environment influencing these choices.

Keyphrases: Weight loss maintenance, strategies, barriers, challenges, diet, environment, weight reduction
Quels ont été les stratégies d’influence et le discours de l’industrie agroalimentaire au cours de l’élaboration du nouveau Guide alimentaire canadien?

In Canada, the study of the agri-food industry’s behavior and its associated repercussions on the health of the populations it serves remains relatively unexplored. However, previous studies have shown that private sector stakeholders employ diverse strategies to influence the development of public policy. These strategies may compromise the nature and implementation of food and nutrition policies. The objectives of this research, based on the revision process of Canada’s Food Guide (CFG) aim to: (1) identify the corporate political activity (CPA) undertaken by the agri-food industry during the revision process of Canada’s Food Guide (CFG) from 2016 to 2019, and (2) analyze the position and discourse of key industry actors concerning the recommendations proposed by Health Canada. The sample is composed of eleven agri-food industry stakeholders having submitted a memorandum to the Standing Committee on Health in relation to the revision of CFG. A six- month data collection period, from October 2018 to March 2019, allowed us to identify CPAs undertaken by the sample over a 39-month period, from early autumn 2016 until spring of 2019. Materials analyzed include memoranda submitted to Cabinet as well as stakeholders’ official websites. To define the CPAs and classify them according to their strategies, their practices and the mechanisms employed, we relied upon a conceptual framework from the INFORMAS network. We then identified, within the CPAs and discourses, elements of citations indicating positioning in terms of the three guiding principles: A variety of nutritious foods and beverages are the foundation for healthy eating; Processed or prepared foods and beverages high in sodium, sugars or saturated fat undermine healthy eating; Knowledge and skills are needed to navigate the complex food environment and support healthy eating. A total of 366 CPAs were identified in relation to CFG. The primary strategies reported are information management (n=197) and discursive strategies (n=108). The data collected suggest that the agri-food industry is using CPAs to influence the policy making of the new CFG. Industry stakeholders have expressed an opposition to the new food guidelines. Each stakeholders’ point of view on the problems and solutions concerning the three guiding principles differ. The economic interests respective to each stakeholder shape the vision promoted by the food industry. This vision may be difficult to harmonize with multiple dimensions of the new guidelines, as well as with the most recent evidence supporting them. It is imperative to better document and regulate the agri-food industry’s CPAs which could interfere with the adoption of legislative measures and limit governmental capacity to develop healthy food and nutrition policies.

Keyphrases: Corporate political activity, Commercial determinants of health, Food industry, Public policy, Canada’s food guide, Public health, Monitoring
Pratiques alimentaires et gestion du diabète chez les diabétiques suivis au Centre national hospitalier et universitaire et à la Banque d’insuline de Cotonou au Bénin

Diabetes is on the rise in Benin and its prevalence increased from 2.9% in 2008 to 12.4% in 2015. There is little information on the factors promoting or aggravating diabetes management. This research aims to evaluate the dietary practices of diabetics and their nutritional management by health professionals in Benin. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 252 diabetics aged 18 years and older followed at the Centre National Hospitalier Universitaire (CNHU) and the Cotonou insulin bank. Questionnaires, 24-hour recalls and glycated hemoglobin measurements were collected among the diabetics. Semi-directed interviews were also conducted with 18 health professionals. Statistical analyses were used to test for associations between dietary practices and diabetes management, and an analytical grid was used to qualify their nutritional management by health professionals. Overall, individuals monitored at the CNHU managed their diabetes better than those at the insulin bank. There is a significant difference in diabetes management by age and occupation. Dietary practices are mainly based on home-cooking, but dishes suffer from diversity. Few diabetics have good management of their diabetes and they receive poor nutritional management that varies from one diabetes centre to another. This study highlights the need to better study the dietary practices of diabetics, to standardize nutritional care and to recruit nutritionists in the diabetes services in Benin.

Keyphrases: Type 2 diabetes, dietary practices, management, nutritional management
Acheter des fruits et légumes locaux sur mon chemin : analyse de la fréquentation et des premiers effets du Marché solidaire Cadillac

Alternative food systems have the potential to enhance physical and economic access to fruits and vegetables (FV) for vulnerable and underserved populations. The evaluation of their scope and their effectiveness requires additional efforts. Following the implementation of a FV stand next to a subway station in Montreal, this study aims to determine the evolution of its attendance, shoppers’ profile and the characteristics of shoppers reporting an increase in their FV purchases between the first and second season. Two sets of data were collected: details of all sales data and on-site surveys (2016, n = 214; 2017, n = 151). A significant increase in attendance was observed: 2017’s shoppers purchased more FV at the stand. A larger proportion of 2017 shoppers frequented it weekly and reported an intake of at least 5 FV / day. However, a larger proportion were wealthier. In 2017, 23 % of shoppers reported an increase of their FV purchases. compared to 12% in 2016. These 23% of shoppers would have characteristics of the originally targeted deprived population. They were also more likely to attend the stand weekly, to perceive FV’s neighborhood unaffordable and not to have access to a car. One-year post-implementation, the FV stand present a potential success. However, its reach to disadvantaged populations is mixed. Beyond improving physical access, include incentive strategies to reduce economic barriers would be relevant in reducing social and health inequalities.

Keyphrases: population vulnérable, Fruits and vegetables, alternative food system, food access, health disparities, sales data, vulnerable population, fruits and vegetables stand
Supplémentation en vitamine D chez des enfants ayant l’anémie falciforme : une étude pilote randomisée contrôlée

Background: Most children with sickle cell disease (SCD) are vitamin D deficient. This deficiency could possibly cause or exacerbate SCD complications such as pain crisis and bone complications. We previously showed that nearly 70% of children followed in our SCD Clinic were vitamin D deficient (<50 nmol/L) with low vitamin intake and poor use of supplements. Clinically, worse hematological profile was seen in vitamin D-deficient children compared to vitamin D-sufficient children. This study was designed to overcome these issues. Objectives: Primary objectives were to assess feasibility, acceptability, and safety of a single oral bolus of 300,000 IU of vitamin D3 combined to daily 1,000 IU vitamin D3 for 3 months in children with SCD. Secondary objectives were to asses the mean change in serum 25(OH)D from baseline to 3 months post-bolus and its clinical impact. Procedure: A randomized controlled trial was carried out in children with SCD (5-17 years, all genotypes). Children were randomized to a single bolus of vitamin D3 (300,000 IU) or placebo and also received prescription for daily 1,000 IU vitamin D3. Serum 25OHD (efficacity outcome) was measured at baseline and 3 months post-bolus. Other outcomes measured were urinary calcium/creatinine ratio and serum calcium (safety), musculoskeletal pain, quality of life as well as hematology and bone markers (exploratory outcomes). Results: Thirty-eight children were randomized to received the vitamin D bolus (n=18) or the placebo (n=20) (mean age 10.1 +/- 3.6 years; 63% HbSS, 29% HbSC and 8% S/β thal+). At baseline, 50% of the children were vitamin D insufficient (<75 nmol/L) and mean serum 25(OH)D levels were 75 +/- 27 nmol/L. In the vitamin D bolus group, insufficiency dropped to 17% post 3 months and mean 25(OH)D levels raised to 94 nmol/L. In children who took the placebo, rates of vitamin D insufficiency were 45% and mean 25(OH)D levels were 74 +/-19 nmol/L post 3 months (p=0.001). The vitamin D bolus caused no hypercalcemia, hypercalciuria nor hypervitaminosis D (>250 nmol/L). However compared to the placebo group, more children in the bolus group experienced gastro-intestinal symptoms within the first month following the vitamin D bolus. As for the hematology parameters, only a slight difference in reticulocytes counts was observed with lower reticulocytes count the end of the study in children from the bolus group. No other clinical effects of the intervention were observed.  Conclusions:  High-dose vitamin D bolus combined to daily supplementation in children with SCD is more efficient than daily supplementation alone to raise 25(OH)D levels ≥75 nmol/L. Large-scale multicenter studies of longer duration are needed to assess whether this intervention can improve clinical outcomes of children with SCD.

Keyphrases: Calcium, Sickle cell disease, Vitamin D, Supplementation, Randomized controlled trial, Calcium
Interaction between proprioceptive sensitivity and the attentional demand of dynamic postural control in sedentary older adults

Falls among seniors have been attributed to declines in proprioceptive function as well as an inability to efficiently allocate attention to balance in multi-task conditions. This study aims to explore the interaction between the proprioceptive and attentional demands for dynamic postural control in seniors. Old and young sedentary adults performed a postural stability limit task with and without vision as well as a secondary attentional subtraction task (n-3). These two tasks were performed either alone (single task) or simultaneously (dual-task). Ground reaction force was collected at 200 Hz using an AMTI force platform and centre of pressure (COP) was analyzed. The functional limits of stability were quantified as the maximum COP excursion during voluntary leaning in each direction. We hypothesized that the greatest age-related differences would be seen under the dual-task condition because of limitations in attentional resources available for concurrently coping with high proprioceptive and cognitive demands. Our findings indicated that the stability limits of both subject groups were not influenced by the addition of the cognitive attentional task. However, seniors markedly decreased their performance in the cognitive task while simultaneously performing the postural task and this trend was accentuated in the absence of vision. These results support the idea of an interaction between the proprioceptive and attentional demands of dynamic postural control in seniors.

Keyphrases: Proprioception, Attention, postural control, dual-task, motor control, Aging
Effets de la capacité cardiorespiratoire et du niveau d’activité physique sur les fonctions cognitives des 
survivants d’une leucémie lymphoblastique aiguë infantile

Introduction. Most childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) survivors develop chronic treatment-related adverse effects several years after the end of the treatment. Regular physical activity and a good cardiorespiratory fitness can decrease the risks of neurological disturbances and increase cognitive function scores. The aim of this study was to examine the preventive fraction of cardiorespiratory fitness and physical activity levels on cognitive functions. Methods. We enrolled 219 survivors of childhood ALL. The participants underwent a cardiopulmonary exercise test, neuropsychological tests of processing speed and executive functions (i.e. verbal fluency, cognitive flexibility, working memory) and completed a physical activity questionnaire. We calculated the odds ratio to obtain the preventive fraction of physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness levels on cognitive functions. Results. The cohort is 52% male and 48% female. A total of 182 survivors (83%) have a cardiorespiratory fitness below their predicted (<100%). Our analyses show that there is an association between good cardiorespiratory fitness and processing speed (preventive fraction of 70% for dominant hand (p<0.01) and 65% for non-dominant hand (p<0.01)) and with cognitive flexibility identified as the category switching measure of the D-KEFS verbal fluency (preventive fraction of 61%; p<0.05). Conclusion. Good cardiorespiratory fitness (≥100% predicted value) and good levels of physical activity (≥150 min MVLPA/week) were associated to a preventive fraction for most cognitive function variables measured. Good cardiorespiratory fitness levels were significantly associated with a lower prevalence of poor performance in processing speed (i.e., dominant hand and non-dominant hand) and in cognitive flexibility (i.e., category switching) in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia survivors.

Keyphrases: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Physical Activity, Cognitive Function, Preventive Fraction
Modulation de l'activité du récepteur aux acides biliaires FXRa par les récepteurs de la famille EGFR/ErbB

Bile acids are natural components of the gastrointestinal tract. An increase of bile acid levels in the intestine is associated with the carcinogenesis of the digestive system. Bile acid homeostasis is maintained by the nuclear receptor FXRα which regulates the expression of specific genes involved in metabolism such as SHP, FGF19 and CYP-7A1. In this way, FXRα acts as a transcription factor following bile acids binding, allowing its transcriptional activation. On the other hand, several studies established the central role of FXRα activation in liver carcinogenesis. EGFR/ErbB receptors are a family of tyrosine kinase receptors that can be regulated by bile acids. Overexpression of EGFR/ErbB receptors is associated with several cancers. Thus, the project aims to examine the impact of EGFR/ErbB receptors signaling on FXR transcriptional potential. We identify that EGFR/ErbB activation by their ligands HRG and EGF and by the expression of the constitutively active mutant ErbB2-V659E inhibits FXR transcriptional activity and expression of its target genes in liver cells. We demonstrate that this process is dependent on the MAPK signaling pathway. We also show that FXR activation decreases proliferation of liver cancer cells while activation of ErbB2 increases this cellular response. Thus, this study identifies a new mechanism of the deleterious impact of EGFR/ErbB receptors overactivation on liver cancer cells proliferation, involving the inhibition of the transcriptional potential of the bile acid receptor FXRα.

Keyphrases: FXR, hépatocarcinogenèse, EGFR/ErbB, transcription, bile acid, metabolism, nuclear receptors, tyrosine kinase receptors, hepatocarcinogenesis
An analysis of translation heterogeneity in ribosome profiling data

Proteins are responsible for virtually all functions performed within and in the surroundings of a cell. The control of gene expression, which determines the amount, localisation and timing of protein production in the cell, is the central processes in the regulation of cellular physiology and function. Any disturbance in this complex system can generate important consequences on cellular integrity, sometimes leading to incurable diseases. The translation of messenger RNA into a protein product is the last step of the gene expression mechanism. It can be regulated in manifold ways, both intrinsically and extrinsically to the transcript sequence. It is also the costliest cellular process in terms of energy. Ribosome profiling (Ribo-Seq) is one of the recent and promising technologies making it possible to better study the mechanisms of translation regulation. Its results have however been shown to display variability in reproducibility and to contain noise of uncharted sources. This work presents the implementation of a strategy for dissociating signals of biological origin from those of technical origin. This is performed by the computation of a consensus profile of ribosomal density derived from a comparative analysis of several Ribo-Seq experiments in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). The biological signals derived by the consensus profiles correspond with signatures of known ribosomal pauses, such as mRNA folding strength and amino acid charges. Amazingly, our strategy also enabled the identification of differentially transcribed (DT) sequences. The latter have shown an over-representation of codons associated with modifications of transfer RNAs (tRNAs). They are also involved in the control of cellular homeostasis, exhibiting a marked presence in genes involved in ribosome biosynthesis as well as in mRNAs with precise translation sub-localization, particularly in mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). In addition to demonstrating the possibilities of discovery offered by the Ribo-Seq technique, this study also presents evidence of the dynamic and heterogeneous nature of the translation process in the eukaryotic cell. It also showcases its diverse regulatory mechanisms and the role of information directly encoded in the sequence in the general optimization of cellular homeostasis.

Keyphrases: Saccharomyces, Ribo-Seq, ribosome, ARNt, Homeostasis, Gene expression, mRNA, Translation, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, tRNA, Eukaryotic, Heterogeneity
Étude de l’expression et des partenaires protéiques de l’ARN TERRA (TElomeric Repeat-containing RNA) dans les cellules de cancer humaines

Telomeres are nucleoprotein structures that cap the physical ends of eukaryotic chromosomes. They consist of repetitive DNA sequences 5’-TTAGGG-3’ assembled with proteins which form the shelterin complex. This complex protects the ends of chromosomes by inhibiting DNA repair pathways at telomeres and avoid their recognition as double-strand breaks. Telomeres have been identified as a transcriptionally silent zone until 2007 when a noncoding RNA called TERRA (TElomeric Repeat containing RNA) transcribed from telomeres was discovered. This RNA gave rise to many questions: How is TERRA regulated?  How is TERRA expressed? Does TERRA interact with proteins, DNA or RNA?  After several studies, we know that TERRA is frequently expressed in cancer cells and it interacts with a large proteome. Nevertheless, its specific function remains unknown.  In this thesis, we studied this RNA in human cancer cells using live-cell microscopy which allowed us to get information on TERRA’s dynamics, localization and its interactome. Moreover, we used single-molecule imaging on TERRA 15q labeled by the MS2-GFP system, which allowed the visualization of TERRA transcripts. This study resulted in the discovery of two types of TERRA population from telomere 15q: one of the population is characterized by the formation of clusters and a second population is constituted of unique molecules more dynamic in the nucleus. Finally, in order to better understand TERRA’s functions, we developed a new approach which consists on immunoprecipitating TERRA using the MS2 stem-loops as a tag to identify TERRA-interacting proteins such as the telomeric factor TRF2 or RNA-binding proteins like hnRNP -A1 or FUS.

Keyphrases: TERRA, Cancer, MS2-GFP, Microscopy, Live cell imaging, Non-coding RNA, Human cells, Single molecule, Live cell