Author: pathwp

TFRI Project Grants

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2025 Terry Fox New Frontiers Program Project Grants Competition **Atlantic PATH and CanPath can help to support relevant funding applications** The Terry Fox Research Institute has launched its New Frontiers Program Project Grants. These programs support Canadian research teams exploring new frontiers in cancer research (i.e., breakthrough and transformative biomedical, clinical and translational research which may form the basis for innovative cancer prevention, diagnosis and/or treatment). Purpose To support multidisciplinary program projects of excellence that contribute to important topics of relevance to cancer research. The goal of the Terry Fox New Frontiers Program Project Grants is to discover and explore new knowledge with the potential to transform cancer diagnosis, treatment and/or understanding of cancer biology. Secondary goals are: High-quality research that addresses an important cancer topic that is best approached through collaborative teams Innovative and high-risk projects of large impact, for which the group research environment will maximize the chance of success.  As part of the revised funding envelope for the competitions going forward, TFRI will look favorably upon applications which incorporate high risk/high reward strategies or research plans. Leveraging of cutting-edge technologies that builds synergistic collaborations, and An innovative and supportive training environment for the next generation of cancer researchers. Key Deadlines: Letters of Intent are due Monday, July 8. If invited to submit a full application, full applications are due November 18. The letter of intent includes: Scientific Abstract (1 page) Overall Description of the Application (5 pages) Program Background (3 pages) Individual Projects (2 pages each) Core technology platforms High-level budget and short justification Suggested reviewers and those to exclude Keywords CV’s for all applicants (Project lead, principal investigators, co-investigators) New applications can apply for a three, four or five year grant term with a total budget of up to $2.4M. https://www.tfri.ca/funding-opportunities/funding-programs/program/new-frontiers-program-project-grants-(ppg)

Oral microbial signatures associated with age and frailty in Canadian adults

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Authors: Vanessa DeClercq, Robyn J. Wright, Jacob Nearing, and Morgan G.I. Langille Journal: Scientific Reports Abstract: This study aimed to assess the association between the oral microbiome, age, and frailty. Data and saliva samples were obtained from male and female participants aged 35–70 years (n = 1357). Saliva samples were analysed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and differences in microbial diversity and community compositions were examined in relation to chronological age and the frailty index (FI). Most alpha diversity measures (Richness, Shannon Diversity, Faith’s Phylogenetic Diversity) showed an inverse association with frailty, whereas a positive association was observed with age and Shannon Diversity and Evenness. A further sex-stratified analysis revealed differences in measures of microbial diversity and composition. Multiple genera were detected as significantly differentially abundant with increasing frailty and age by at least two methods. With age, the relative abundance of Veillonella was reduced in both males and females, whereas increases in Corynebacterium appeared specific to males and Aggregatibacter, Fusobacterium, Neisseria, Stomatobaculum, and Porphyromonas specific to females. Beta diversity was significantly associated with multiple mental health components of the FI. This study shows age and frailty are differentially associated with measures of microbial diversity and composition, suggesting the oral microbiome may be a useful indicator of increased risk of frailty or a potential target for improving health in ageing adults. doi: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-60409-8

New Article – Oral Microbial Signatures Associated with Age and Frailty in Canadian Adults

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Congratulations to Dr. Vanessa DeClercq, Dr. Robyn Wright, Dr. Jacob Nearing, and Dr. Morgan Langille on their latest publication, “Oral Microbial Signatures Associated with Age and Frailty in Canadian Adults” (Scientific Reports, 14). This research from the Langille Lab used biological samples and data from Atlantic PATH. It examined the association between the oral microbiome, age and frailty and found that “age and frailty are differentially associated with measures of microbial diversity and composition, suggesting the oral microbiome may be a useful indicator of increased risk of frailty or a potential target for improving health in ageing adults.” Read more about this research: https://bit.ly/3Qx2vKe

Upcoming Webinar – HDRN and CanPath (June 5)

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We are looking forward to attending the upcoming webinar from Health Data Research Network Canada and the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health on June 5th at 1pmEST/2pmAST. Featuring Dr. Aline Talhouk, Carrie-Anne Whyte, Jodi Gatley, and CanPath Executive Director, Dr. Jennifer Brooks. Registration: https://bit.ly/3UsnNK9 “Are you a researcher seeking data from Canada’s largest population study – the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health (CanPath)? HDRN Canada’s Data Access Support Hub (DASH) offers coordinated services to researchers interested in accessing administrative health data from more than one province or territory in Canada. Learn about the innovative partnership between CanPath and HDRN Canada, and discover how HDRN Canada can help you navigate the multi-regional data access process through DASH.”

Shaping the Future of Health Care with New Technologies, Devices and eHealth Innovations

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CanPath National Scientific Director Dr. Philip Awadalla is presenting at an upcoming virtual event hosted by the Parliamentary Health Research Caucus and Research Canada. Join to learn more about current trends in Canadian healthcare, particularly in the tech and eHealth space. ?️ Wednesday, May 8 ? 12pmEST/1pmAST ?https://rc-rc.ca/phrc-virtual-ehealth-event-may-8-2024/ Special Virtual Event hosted by the Parliamentary Health Research Caucus and Research Canada Join the Honourable, Dr. Helena Jaczek, MP Markham-Stoufville and PHRC Chair and the Caucus Leadership , Dr. Stephen Ellis, MP (Cumberland-Colchester), Ms. Carol Hughes, MP (Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing) and Hon. Mohamed-Iqbal Ravalia, Senator (Newfoundland and Labrador) who will host a virtual presentation and Q & A period with esteemed Researchers in the field of eHealth. Technology and eHealth innovations in Canada are playing a transformative role in shaping the healthcare landscape. The integration of advanced technologies and digital solutions is revolutionizing how healthcare services are delivered, accessed, and experienced. Discover the dynamic shifts underway in Canadian healthcare and join us for an insightful afternoon where leading researchers, industry experts, health innovation stakeholders and policy makers come together to explore the latest advancements.

New Article – The mediating role of health behaviors in the association between depression, anxiety and cancer incidence: an individual participant data meta-analysis

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Congratulations to Dr. Kuan-Yu Pan and the Psychosocial Factors and Cancer Incidence (PSY-CA) Consortium team members on their latest publication, “The mediating role of health behaviors in the association between depression, anxiety and cancer incidence: an individual participant data meta-analysis.” PSY-CA includes 18 international cohorts with 320,000 participants, including Atlantic PATH, the Ontario Health Study and CARTaGENE. Article: https://bit.ly/3weFXXP

The mediating role of health behaviors in the association between depression, anxiety and cancer incidence: an individual participant data meta-analysis

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Authors: Kuan-Yu Pan , Lonneke van Tuijl, Maartje Basten, Judith J. M. Rijnhart, Alexander de Graeff, Joost Dekker, Mirjam I. Geerlings, Adriaan Hoogendoorn, Adelita V. Ranchor, Roel Vermeulen, Lützen Portengen, Adri C. Voogd, Jessica Abell, Philip Awadalla, Aartjan T. F. Beekman, Ottar Bjerkese, Andy Boyd, Yunsong Cui, Philipp Frank, Henrike Galenkamp, Bert Garssen, Sean Hellingman, Monika Hollander, Martijn Huisman, Anke Huss, Melanie R. Keats, Almar A. L. Kok, Steinar Krokstad, Flora E. van Leeuwen, Annemarie I. Luik, Nolwenn Noisel, Yves Payette, Brenda W. J. H. Penninx, Susan Picavet, Ina Rissanen, Annelieke M. Roest, Judith G. M. Rosmalen, Rikje Ruiter, Robert A. Schoevers, David Soave, Mandy Spaan, Andrew Steptoe, Karien Stronks, Erik R. Sund, Ellen Sweeney, Alison Teyhan, Emma L. Twait, Kimberly D. van der Willik and Femke Lamers. Journal: Psychological Medicine Abstract: Background – Although behavioral mechanisms in the association among depression, anxiety, and cancer are plausible, few studies have empirically studied mediation by health behaviors. We aimed to examine the mediating role of several health behaviors in the associations among depression, anxiety, and the incidence of various cancer types (overall, breast, prostate, lung, colorectal, smoking-related, and alcohol-related cancers). Methods – Two-stage individual participant data meta-analyses were performed based on 18 cohorts within the Psychosocial Factors and Cancer Incidence consortium that had a measure of depression or anxiety (N = 319 613, cancer incidence = 25 803). Health behaviors included smoking, physical inactivity, alcohol use, body mass index (BMI), sedentary behavior, and sleep duration and quality. In stage one, path-specific regression estimates were obtained in each cohort. In stage two, cohort-specific estimates were pooled using random-effects multivariate meta-analysis, and natural indirect effects (i.e. mediating effects) were calculated as hazard ratios (HRs). Results – Smoking (HRs range 1.04–1.10) and physical inactivity (HRs range 1.01–1.02) significantly mediated the associations among depression, anxiety, and lung cancer. Smoking was also a mediator for smoking-related cancers (HRs range 1.03–1.06). There was mediation by health behaviors, especially smoking, physical inactivity, alcohol use, and a higher BMI, in the associations among depression, anxiety, and overall cancer or other types of cancer, but effects were small (HRs generally below 1.01). Conclusions  – Smoking constitutes a mediating pathway linking depression and anxiety to lung cancer and smoking-related cancers. Our findings underline the importance of smoking cessation interventions for persons with depression or anxiety.   doi: DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291724000850  

Conference of Atlantic Medical Students (CoAMS)

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Atlantic PATH is pleased to be represented at the Conference of Atlantic Medical Students (CoAMS) on April 27th at Dalhousie University. This conference seeks to facilitate student networking to build a strong community environment among Atlantic medical students that will promote knowledge sharing and future collaboration. To accomplish this, a series of medical talks and workshops are offered to students by a variety of health care professionals and related professions. Megan Smith, B.Eng., is a Dalhousie University medical student and will present a poster highlighting her Research In Medicine (RIM) work, “Examining the Effects of Isolation on SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Levels During the Early Pandemic: A Retrospective Analysis of Self-Reported Survey and Serology Data.”  Atlantic PATH’s Research Director, Dr. Ellen Sweeney is pleased to be a judge at CoAMS for the medical students’ oral presentations. Thank you to the CoAMS organizing committee for the invitation.

Health Data Nova Scotia & Atlantic PATH – Linked Data

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We were happy to attend the Maritime SPOR SUPPORT Unit Lunch and Learn webinar today! Health Data Nova Scotia presented about their data holdings including new datasets from Atlantic PATH and Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging / Étude longitudinale canadienne sur le vieillissement in 2024. It also covered the role of Health Data Research Network Canada for studies with more than one province. Reach out to Health Data Nova Scotia and Atlantic PATH for more information on data holdings and the research access process! #HealthResearch

Real World Data Challenges Webinar

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Join CanPath co-Scientific Director, Dr. Philip Awadalla in the upcoming lifebit webinar, “3 Strategies for RWD (Read World Data) Challenges in Clinical Research and Trails.” Hear from leading experts to discuss the current challenges around using real world data showcase some solutions to enable the use of population level data and diverse studies for R&D. Topics will include: Ensuring real world data security, quality and interoperability The current landscape surrounding regulations on using real world data Enabling secure access to RWD for clinical research and trials Thursday, April 25th at 12pmAST/11pmEST.  Registration: https://www.lifebit.ai/events/3-strategies-for-rwd-challenges-in-clinical-research-and-trials