Investigating the potential of thecamoebians (testate amoebae) as bio-indicators of impact of oil sands mining operations on freshwater environments in Northeastern Alberta, Canada

Thecamoebian (testate amoeba) species diversity and assemblages in reclamation wetlands and lakes in northeastern Alberta respond to chemical and physical parameters associated with oil sands extraction. Ecosystems more impacted by OSPM (oil sands process-affected material) contain sparse, low-diversity populations dominated by centropyxid taxa and Arcella vulgaris. More abundant and diverse thecamoebian populations rich in difflugiid species characterize environments with lower OSPM concentrations. These shelled protists respond quickly to environmental change, allowing year-to-year variations in OSPM impact to be recorded. Their fossil record thus provides corporations with interests in the Athabasca Oil Sands with a potential means of measuring the progression of highlyimpacted aquatic environments to more natural wetlands. Development of this metric required investigation of controls on their fossil assemblage (e.g. seasonal variability, fossilization potential) and their biogeographic distribution, not only in the constructed lakes and wetlands on the oil sands leases, but also in natural environments across Alberta.

Integrating vitrinite reflectance, rock-eval pyrolysis, flourescence microscopy and palynology of the Athabasca oil sands, Kearl Lake area, northeastern Alberta

Three cores from the Kearl Lake Oil Sands area within the Athabasca deposit of northeastern Alberta have been analyzed to understand the thermal history of the McMurray and Clearwater formations of the Lower Cretaceous Mannville Group. The approach involves the integration of vitrinite reflectance (VR), Rock-Eval pyrolysis, fluorescence microscopy, and palynology. Mean VR varies between 0.21 and 0.43% Ro and indicates thermally immature levels equivalent to the rank of lignite to sub-bituminous coal. Although differing lithologies have influenced VR to some extent (i.e., coals and bitumen-rich zones), groundwater influence and oxidation seem not to have measurably altered YR. Rock-Eval analysis points to Type III/IV kerogen, and samples rich in amorphous organic matter (ADM) show little to no fluorescence characteristics, implying a terrestrial source of origin. Palynology reveals the presence of some delicate macerals but lack of fluorescence and abundant ADM suggests some degradation and partial oxidation of the samples.

Investigating the Biological Effects of Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) Extract on Skeletal Muscle Glucose Uptake

Skeletal muscle (SKM) is the most important tissue in maintaining glucose homeostasis and impairments in this tissue leads to insulin resistance (IR). Activation of 5’ AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) is viewed as a targeted approach to counteract IR. Rosemary extract (RE) has been reported to decrease blood glucose levels but its effects on SKM are not known. We hypothesized that RE acts directly on SKM to increase glucose uptake (GU). We found an increase in GU (184±5.07% of control, p<0.001) in L6 myotubes by RE to levels similar to insulin and metformin. Carnosic acid (CA) and rosmarinic acid (RA), major polyphenols found in RE, increased GU. RE, CA, and RA significantly increased AMPK phosphorylation and their effects on GU was reduced by an AMPK inhibitor. Our study is the first to show a direct effect of RE, CA and RA on SKM GU by a mechanism that involves AMPK activation.

Investigation of the Biological Effects of Rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis L.) Extract in Human Lung Cancer Cells

Cancer cells display enhanced growth rates and a resistance to apoptosis. Lung cancer accounts for the most cancer related deaths and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents an aggressive form of lung cancer, accounting for almost 80% of all lung cancer cases. The phytochemical rosemary extract (RE) has been reported to have anticancer effects in vitro and in vivo however, limited evidence exists regarding the effects of RE and its polyphenolic constituents carnosic acid (CA) and rosmarinic acid (RA) in lung cancer. The present study shows RE, CA and RA inhibit lung cancer cell proliferation and survival in various NSCLC cell lines and that CA and RA interact synergistically to inhibit cell proliferation. Moreover RE, CA and RA are capable of altering activation and/or expression of Akt, ERK and AMPK, signaling molecules which regulate cell proliferation and survival. RE shows potential as an anticancer agent and should be further investigated.

Certificate for Sixty Shares of Capital Stock in High Pressure Oil and Gas Syndicate, Limited

Certificate for 60 shares of capital stock in High Pressure Oil and Gas Syndicate, Limited to Hamilton K. Woodruff, Nov. 1, 1922.

Certificate for Five Hundred Shares in La Paz Oil Corporation

Certificate for 500 shares in La Paz Oil Corporation to Hamilton K. Woodruff, Jan. 24, 1923.