A systematic review of the association between history of sexually transmitted infections and subsequent condom use in adolescents.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are common among adolescents. According to the Health Belief Model, cues to action influence preventive behaviors. Cues to action can include health experiences such as being diagnosed with an STI. The impact of a history of STIs on subsequent condom use among adolescents remains largely unexamined, despite high rates of recurrence and their health impacts. This project aimed to systematically review the literature on the association between curable STIs and subsequent condom use among adolescents. The systematic review, reported following PRISMA guidelines, was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute method. Eligible studies, in the form of cohort studies, case-control studies, or cross-sectional studies, targeted adolescents aged 10 to 24, with or without a history of curable STIs; the outcome was subsequent condom use. MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase (Elsevier), and Web of Science were searched from January 2012 to December 2022 with the assistance of an information specialist. Two reviewers independently selected articles and extracted data. Risk of bias analysis was performed using ROBINS-E. The review explores results, with tables, based on population characteristics, exposure, and outcome, and addresses the influence of gender, ethnicity, and age. Of 3088 articles identified, seven studies were retained. Almost all the studies focused on African-American, Nigerian, or Rwandan adolescents, and several included only girls. Among girls, a history of STI increased subsequent condom use in combination with other contraceptive methods (n = 4). Among boys and older adolescents of both genders, a history of STI was associated with a decrease in condom use (n = 3). No study distinguished between different STIs. While all the studies (n = 7) presented a high risk of bias, six did not present a threat to conclusion validity. All the studies indicated that a history of STI could influence subsequent protective behaviors, possibly by acting as a cue to action, as posited by the Health Belief Model. This information enhances our understanding of factors leading to the adoption of preventive health measures among adolescents and could apply to other infectious experiences.Registration The protocol is registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023397443).

School learning modes during the COVID-19 response and pre- to during pandemic mental health changes in a prospective cohort of Canadian adolescents.

PURPOSE: Considerable debate centered on the impact of school closures and shifts to virtual learning on adolescent mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. We evaluated whether mental health changes differed by school learning modes during the pandemic response among Canadian adolescents and whether associations varied by gender and perceived home life. METHODS: We used prospective survey data from 7270 adolescents attending 41 Canadian secondary schools. Conditional change linear mixed effects models were used to examine learning mode (virtual optional, virtual mandated, in-person, and blended) as a predictor of change in mental health scores (depression [Centre for Epidemiologic Studies - Depression], anxiety [Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7], and psychosocial well-being [Flourishing scale]), adjusting for baseline mental health and covariates. Gender and home life happiness were tested as moderators. Least square means were calculated across interaction groups. RESULTS: Students learning in a blended learning mode had greater anxiety increases relative to their peers in other learning modes. Females learning fully in-person and males learning virtually when optional reported less of an increase in depression scores relative to their gender counterparts in other learning modes. Learning virtually when optional was associated with greater declines in psychosocial well-being in students without happy home lives relative to other learning modes. CONCLUSION: Findings demonstrate the importance of considering gender and home environments as determinants of mental health over the pandemic response and when considering alternative learning modes. Further research is advised before implementing virtual and blended learning modes. Potential risks and benefits must be weighed in the context of a pandemic.

A unique effector secreted by Pseudozyma flocculosa mediates its biocontrol activity.

BACKGROUND: Pseudozyma flocculosa is a highly efficient biocontrol agent (BCA) of powdery mildews whose mode of action remains elusive. It is known to secrete unique effectors during its interaction with powdery mildews but effectors have never been shown to be part of the arsenal of a BCA. Here, we characterize the role of the effector Pf2826 released by Pseudozyma flocculosa during its tripartite interaction with barley and the pathogen fungus Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei. RESULTS: We utilized CRISPR-Cas9-based genome editing and confirmed that secreted P. flocculosa effector Pf2826 is required for full biocontrol activity. We monitored the localization of the effector Pf2826 with C-terminal mCherry tag and found it localized around the haustoria and on powdery mildew spores. His-tagged Pf2826 recombinant protein was expressed, purified, and used as bait in a pull-down assay from total proteins extracted during the tripartite interaction. Potential interactors were identified by LC-MS/MS analysis after removing unspecific interactions found in the negative controls. A two-way yeast two-hybrid assay validated that Pf2826 interacted with barley pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins HvPR1a and chitinase and with an effector protein from powdery mildew. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to the usual modes of action of competition, parasitism, and antibiosis ascribed to BCAs, this study shows that effector pf2826 plays a vital role in the biocontrol activity of P. flocculosa by interacting with plant PR proteins and a powdery mildew effector, altering the host-pathogen interaction.

A New Multiplex TaqMan qPCR for Precise Detection and Quantification of Clavibacter michiganensis in Seeds and Plant Tissue.

Bacterial canker of tomato caused by Clavibacter michiganensis (Cm) is one of the most devastating bacterial diseases affecting the tomato industry worldwide. As the result of Cm colonization of the xylem, the susceptible host shows typical symptoms of wilt, marginal leaf necrosis, stem cankers, and ultimately plant death. However, what makes Cm an even more dangerous pathogen is its ability to infect seeds and plants without causing symptoms. Unfortunately, there are no resistant cultivars or effective chemical or biological control methods available to growers against Cm. Its control relies heavily on prevention. The implementation of a rapid and accurate detection tool is imperative to monitor the presence of Cm and prevent its spread. In this study, we developed a specific and sensitive multiplex TaqMan qPCR assay to detect Cm and distinguish it from related bacterial species that affect tomato plants. Two Cm chromosomal virulence-related genes, rhuM and tomA, were used as specific targets. The plant internal control tubulin alpha-3 was included in each of the multiplexes to improve the reliability of the assay. Specificity was evaluated with 37 bacterial strains including other Clavibacter spp. and related and unrelated bacterial pathogens from different geographic locations affecting a wide variety of hosts. Results showed that the assay is able to discriminate Cm strains from other related bacteria. The assay was validated on tissue and seed samples following artificial infection, and all tested samples accurately detected the presence of Cm. The tool described here is highly specific, sensitive, and reliable for the detection of Cm and allows the quantification of Cm in seeds, roots, stems, and leaves. The diagnostic assay can also be adapted for multiple purposes such as seed certification programs, surveillance, biosafety, the effectiveness of control methods, border protection, and epidemiological studies.[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.

A Hydroponic-Based Bioassay to Facilitate Plasmodiophora brassicae Phenotyping.

Clubroot, caused by the obligate parasite Plasmodiophora brassicae, is one of the most devastating diseases affecting the canola/oilseed rape (Brassica napus) industry worldwide. Currently, the planting of clubroot-resistant (CR) cultivars is the most effective strategy used to restrict the spread and the economic losses linked to the disease. However, virulent P. brassicae isolates have been able to infect many of the currently available CR cultivars, and the options to manage the disease are becoming limited. Another challenge has been achieving consistency in evaluating host reactions to P. brassicae infection, with most bioassays conducted in soil and/or potting medium, which requires significant space and can be labor intensive. Visual scoring of clubroot symptom development can also be influenced by user bias. Here, we have developed a hydroponic bioassay using well-characterized P. brassicae single-spore isolates representative of clubroot virulence in Canada, as well as field isolates from three Canadian provinces in combination with canola inbred homozygous lines carrying resistance genetics representative of CR cultivars available to growers in Canada. To improve the efficiency and consistency of disease assessment, symptom severity scores were compared with clubroot evaluations based on the scanned root area. According to the results, this bioassay offers a reliable, less expensive, and reproducible option to evaluate P. brassicae virulence, as well as to identify which canola resistance profile(s) may be effective against particular isolates. This bioassay will contribute to the breeding of new CR canola cultivars and the identification of virulence genes in P. brassicae that could trigger resistance and that have been very elusive to this day.[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.

Removing barriers to accessing medical cannabis for paediatric patients.

Medical cannabis (MC) may offer therapeutic benefits for children with complex neurological conditions and chronic diseases. In Canada, parents, and caregivers frequently report encountering barriers when accessing MC for their children. These include negative preconceived notions about risks and benefits, challenges connecting with a knowledgeable healthcare provider (HCP), the high cost of MC products, and navigating MC product shortages. In this manuscript, we explore several of these barriers and provide recommendations to decision-makers to enable a family-centered and evidence-based approach to MC medicine and research for children.

Characterization of microRNAs in the cyst nematode Heterodera glycines identifies possible candidates involved in cross-kingdom interactions with its host Glycine max.

The soybean cyst nematode (SCN - Heterodera glycines) is one of the most damaging pests to the cultivated soybean worldwide. Using a wide array of stylet-secreted effector proteins, this nematode can restructure its host cells into a complex and highly active feeding structure called the syncytium. Tight regulation of these proteins is thought to be essential to the successful formation of this syncytium. To date, multiple mechanisms have been proposed to regulate the expression of these proteins including through post-transcriptional regulation. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small, roughly 22-nucleotide-long, non-coding RNA shown to regulate gene expression through its interaction with the 3' untranslated region of genes. These same small RNAs have also been hypothesized to be able to cross over kingdom barriers and regulate genes in other species in a process called cross-kingdom interactions. In this study, we characterized the miRNome of the SCN via sequencing of small-RNAs isolated from whole nematodes and exosomes representing all developmental stages. We identified 121 miRNA loci encoding 96 distinct miRNA families including multiple lineage- and species-specific candidates. Using a combination of plant- and animal-specific miRNA target predictors, we generated a unique repertoire of miRNA:mRNA interacting partners in the nematode and its host plant leading to the identification of a set of nine probable cross-kingdom miRNA candidates.

Youth Vaping During the Early Stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic Period: Adjusted Annual Changes in Vaping Between the Pre-COVID and Initial COVID-Lockdown Waves of the COMPASS Study.

BACKGROUND: Adolescence is a critical period for vaping onset. The purpose of this article was to examine the effect of the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic period on youth vaping. METHODS: We used 3-year linked data from the COMPASS study, including 7585 Canadian (Quebec, Ontario) adolescents from which 1949 completed all three survey waves (pre-COVID-19 [2018, 2019] and online [2020] during the early pandemic period [May-July 2020]) and provided vaping data. Structural equation modeling (SEM) and difference-in-difference (DD) models were used to estimate pre-COVID-19 to initial COVID-19 pandemic period change (2019-2020) in vaping (monthly, weekly, daily) compared with 2018-2019 change to adjust for age-related effects. Models were adjusted for age of entry into the cohort and sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS: In the SEM and DD models, the proportion of youth who were monthly and weekly vaping increased from 2018 to 2019 but decreased from 2019 to 2020; daily vaping increased across all waves. However, for all vaping outcomes modeled, the expected increases from the pre-COVID-19 wave (2019) to the initial COVID-19 period wave (2020) were lesser relative to the changes seen across the 2018 to 2019 waves. CONCLUSION: The early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic period appear to be associated with a reduction in the proportion of youth who were monthly and weekly vapers in our adjusted longitudinal models. While daily vaping increased over this same period of time, the magnitude of the increase in our adjusted longitudinal models appears attenuated by the early stages of the pandemic. IMPLICATIONS: This large prospective study of youth that included pre-pandemic data is unique in that we were able to identify that the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic period was associated with a reduction in the proportion of youth who were monthly and weekly vapers in our adjusted longitudinal models. Conversely, the proportion of youth who were daily vaping increased over this same period of time, but the magnitude of the increase appears smaller than expected during the early stages of the pandemic in our adjusted longitudinal models. This study provides novel robust evidence that the patterns of vaping most aligned with onset and progression (i.e., monthly and weekly use) appear attenuated during the initial pandemic period.

Exploring ambivalence toward pregnancy among young Inuit women.

Ambivalence toward pregnancy is an important predictor of early pregnancy as documented in diverse Western societies. Inuit women from Nunavik, a northern region of Quebec, Canada, experience a high rate of early pregnancy, yet no study has explored their attitudes toward pregnancy. Grounded in a participatory approach, this study aimed to explore ambivalence toward pregnancy, among other pregnancy-related attitudes, and identify themes underlying ambivalence among young Inuit women from Nunavik. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 15 women aged 16 to 20 years, who became pregnant during the year preceding the interview. We used an inductive approach to analyse the data. Eleven participants were identified as ambivalent toward pregnancy while three were characterised as having a favourable attitude, and one as unfavourable. Four themes related to ambivalence were identified: the value of childbearing/motherhood; the use of contraceptives; the likelihood of becoming pregnant; and the ideal age to become pregnant. A better understanding of young women's attitudes toward pregnancy could contribute to the development of culturally relevant programmes to more effectively support adolescents, pregnant adolescents and young mothers, and to lead to better care.

Single Nematode Transcriptomic Analysis, Using Long-Read Technology, Reveals Two Novel Virulence Gene Candidates in the Soybean Cyst Nematode, Heterodera glycines.

The soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines, SCN), is the most damaging disease of soybean in North America. While management of this pest using resistant soybean is generally still effective, prolonged exposure to cultivars derived from the same source of resistance (PI 88788) has led to the emergence of virulence. Currently, the underlying mechanisms responsible for resistance breakdown remain unknown. In this study, we combined a single nematode transcriptomic profiling approach with long-read sequencing to reannotate the SCN genome. This resulted in the annotation of 1932 novel transcripts and 281 novel gene features. Using a transcript-level quantification approach, we identified eight novel effector candidates overexpressed in PI 88788 virulent nematodes in the late infection stage. Among these were the novel gene Hg-CPZ-1 and a pioneer effector transcript generated through the alternative splicing of the non-effector gene Hetgly21698. While our results demonstrate that alternative splicing in effectors does occur, we found limited evidence of direct involvement in the breakdown of resistance. However, our analysis highlighted a distinct pattern of effector upregulation in response to PI 88788 resistance indicative of a possible adaptation process by SCN to host resistance.

Disparities in high schools' vaccination coverage (COVID-19). A natural experiment in the Province of Quebec.

Teenagers' vaccination has become crucial to limit the COVID-19 transmission in the population. To increase the vaccination rate of this age group, a school-based vaccination campaign was launched in Québec, Canada from June 7 to 18, 2021. This study aimed to analyze trajectories of vaccination coverage over time among students attending 37 high schools. The study explored whether school-based vaccination campaigns contributed to the progression of the vaccination coverage and attenuated disparities in vaccination coverage across schools. On average, first dose coverage quickly increased from 30.6% to 81.5% between June 6 and 18, 2021, after the launch of the campaign. As of August 13, 2021, first dose coverage had reached 87.9% and 64.9% for the second dose coverage. Public schools with poorer student populations had 6.5 points of percentage lower first dose vaccination rates (95%CI 0.3%; 12.6%) compared to other schools. A higher level of concern related to the pandemic among students was associated with a 4.3 points of percentage increased coverage (95%CI 0.7%; 8.0%). The initial uneven distribution in first dose coverage decreased dramatically by the end of the campaign. Similar trends were observed for the second dose, although between schools' inequality at the end of the period of observation was significantly larger. The school-based vaccination campaign might have initially contributed to a prompt rise in vaccination coverage and helped the disadvantaged schools to reach similar vaccination coverage as seen in other schools. In addition to being an efficient way to achieve rapidly high vaccination coverage, the school-based approach might contribute to increase equity in vaccination distribution.

Understanding Sexual Health Indicators During Adolescence: A Study to Consider Time Since Sexual Debut When Exploring Multiple Sexual Partners.

Understanding risky sexual behaviors among adolescents is key in efforts devoted to reducing the health burden related to sexually transmitted infections and unintended or unplanned pregnancies. The aims of this study were to understand the association between number of lifetime sexual partners and time since sexual debut (TSSD) among adolescents and to determine whether sex modified this association. Data were drawn from the 2018-2019 COMPASS-Quebec study, a cohort study conducted in secondary schools in the province of Quebec, Canada. Of 18,467 respondents aged 14 years and older, 6991 (37.9%; mean age 15.3) reported consensual sexual intercourse and answered questions on their age at sexual initiation and number of lifetime sexual partners. Multilevel Poisson regressions with robust standard errors were estimated to adjust for covariates and produce adjusted group mean differences. The adjusted mean number of lifetime sexual partners ranged from 1.5 for those who had recently begun sexual activity (< 12 months) to 4.0 for those who had been active for > 35 months, an average rise of about 0.6 per year. Females-to-males adjusted mean differences showed that males reported more sexual partners than females at all time points, but the differences were only significant at the shorter (< 12 months) and longer (> 35 months) time spans. This study highlights the importance of taking into account TSSD when using and interpreting the number of lifetime sexual partners as risky sexual behavior among adolescents. Sex did not have a significant modifying effect on the relationship between number of lifetime sexual partners and TSSD.

Support for mask use as a COVID-19 public health measure among a large sample of Canadian secondary school students.

BACKGROUND: Youth voice has been largely absent from deliberations regarding public health measures intended to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission, despite being one of the populations most impacted by school-based policies. To inform public health strategies and messages, we examined the level of student support of mask use in public spaces and school mask requirements, as well as factors associated with students' perspectives. METHODS: We used cross-sectional survey data from 42,767 adolescents attending 133 Canadian secondary schools that participated in the COMPASS study during the 2020/2021 school year. Multinomial regression models assessed support for i) wearing a mask in indoor public spaces and ii) schools requiring students to wear masks, in association with COVID-19 knowledge, concerns, and perceived risk. RESULTS: Wearing masks in indoor public spaces was supported by 81.9% of students; 8.7% were unsupportive and 9.4% were neutral/undecided. School mask requirements were supported by 67.8%, with 23.1% neutral and 9.1% unsupportive. More females supported mask wearing in public spaces (83.9% vs. 79.1%) and school mask requirements (70.8% vs. 63.5%) than males. Students had increased odds of supporting mask use in public spaces and school mask requirements if they reported concerns about their own or their family's health, had discussions regarding ways to prevent infection, perceived COVID-19 to be a risk to young people, and knew that signs are not always present in COVID-19 cases and that masks prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission if someone coughs. CONCLUSIONS: During the year following the beginning of the pandemic, most students supported the required use of masks in schools and wearing masks in indoor public spaces. Improving knowledge around the effectiveness of masks appears likely to have the largest impact on mask support in adolescent populations among the factors studied.

First Report of Powdery Mildew Caused by Golovinomyces ambrosiae on Cannabis sativa L. (marijuana) in Quebec, Canada.

Marijuana (Cannabis sativa L.) is legal in Canada for medical and recreational purposes and is currently a multi-million-dollar industry. The province of Quebec follows British Columbia and Ontario in production acreage (Government of Canada 2018). During the growing season 2020-2021, five greenhouse growers throughout Quebec reported the presence of signs and symptoms reminiscent of powdery mildew including the presence of white powdery patches on the adaxial sides of leaves of several C. sativa cultivars. From one commercial facility, infected leaves of three cannabis cultivars (Sour Diesel, Orange Krush, and Lemon Sour) were photographed and the fungal mycelium was collected for identification in the laboratory. Fungal mycelium on leaf tissue was white and amphigenous and displayed unbranched hyaline conidiophores ranging from 130 to 275 µm in height (n = 50). Conidiophores arose from the upper surface of hyphal mother cells ranging from 35-70 × 8-13 µm in diameter (n = 25) and formed catenescent conidia. Conidia were broad ellipsoid-ovoid and measured, 24 to 35 × 12 to 19 µm (n = 50), and hyphae ranged from 3-8 µm in diameter (n = 30). Based on previous description (Qiu et al. 2020), the fungus was placed within the Golovinomyces genus. The species identification was confirmed through multi-locus phylogenetic using internal transcribed spacer (ITS), 28S large ribosomal subunit, and chitin synthase I (CHS1) genes amplified as recommended (Qiu et al. 2020), and directly sequenced with amplification primers (Centre Hospitalier de l'Université Laval de Quebec, CA). The three marker sequences shared 100% similarity for all the samples analyzed and were deposited in Genbank under accession numbers: OM131434 (28S), OM131448 (ITS), and OM141118 (CHS1). The phylogenetic analysis of the multi-locus sequences amplified grouped all three Quebec marijuana isolates in the G. ambrosiae accessions, confirming their identification. Pathogenicity was confirmed by transferring conidia onto detached healthy leaves of hop plants (Humulus lupulus) cultivar Northern Brewer kept under greenhouse conditions (28C, 50-60% relative humidity, and 14 h light) via paint brush inoculation. Hop leaves were used as surrogate due to the restricted availability of marijuana leaves. Inoculated leaves were placed in the growth chamber set at 20C, 50-60% relative humidity, and long days conditions as previously suggested (Weldon et al. 2020). The leaves developed powdery mildew colonies after 21 days, and the fungus was confirmed to be G. ambrosiae following morphological characterization and amplification of CHS1. Powdery mildew caused by G. ambrosiae (previous Golovinomyces cichoracearum) has been reported affecting hemp (Cannabis sativa) in New York and Oregon, United Sates (Weldon et al. 2020; Wiseman et al. 2021), and in British Columbia, Canada (Pépin et al. 2018; Punja et al. 2021), and this is the first report of G. ambrosiae causing powdery mildew on marijuana in Quebec. REFERENCES Government of Canada 2018. Online, retrieved January 7, 2021 https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/180430/dq180430b-eng.htm Pépin N, Punja ZK, Joly DL. 2018. First report of powdery mildew caused by Golovinomyces cichoracearum sensu lato on Cannabis satia in Canada. Plant Disease. 102(12):2644. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-04-18-0586-PDN Punja, Z. P. (2021). First report of the powdery mildew pathogen of hops, Podosphaeria macularis, naturally infecting cannabis (Cannabis sativa L., marijuana) plants under field conditions, Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology, Doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/07060661.2021.1960424. Qiu, P.-L., Liu, S.-Y., Bradshaw, M., Rooney-Latham, S., Takamatsu, S., Bulgakov, T. S., Tang, S.-R., Feng, J., Jin, D.-N., Aroge, T., Li, Y., Wang, L.-L., and Braun, U. 2020. Multi-locus phylogeny and taxonomy of an unresolved, heterogeneous species complex within the genus Golovinomyces (Ascomycota, Erysiphales), including G. ambrosiae, G. circumfusus and G. spadiceus. BMC Microbiology. 20:51. Doi : https://doi.org/10.1186/s12866-020-01731-9. Weldon WA, Ullrich MR, Smart LB, Smart CD, Gadoury DM. 2020. Cross-infectivity of powdery mildew isolates originating from hemp (Cannabis sativa) and Japanese hop (Humulus japonicus) in New York. Plant Health Progress. 21(1):47-53. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-09-19-0067-RS Wiseman, M. S., Bates, T. A., Garfinkel, A. R., Ocamb, C. M., and Gent, D. H. 2021. First Report of Powdery Mildew Caused by Golovinomyces ambrosiae on Cannabis sativa in Oregon. Plant Disease 105(9):2733. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-11-20-2455-PDN.

New Insights into the Fungal Diversity of Cranberry Fruit Rot in Québec Farms Through a Large-Scale Molecular Analysis.

Cranberry fruit rot (CFR) pathogens are widely reported in the literature, but performing large-scale analysis of their presence inside fruit has always been challenging. In this study, a new molecular diagnostic tool, capable of identifying simultaneously 12 potential fungal species causing CFR, was used to better define the impact of CFR across cranberry fields in Québec. For this purpose, 126 fields and 7,825 fruits were sampled in three cranberry farms distributed throughout the province and subjected to comparative analyses of fungal presence and abundance according to cultural practices, sampling times, and cranberry cultivars. All 12 pathogens were detected throughout the study, but as a first major finding, the analyses revealed that four species, Godronia cassandrae, Colletotrichum fructivorum, Allantophomopsis cytisporea, and Coleophoma empetri, were consistently predominant regardless of the parameters studied. Comparison of conventional and organic productions showed a significant reduction in fungal richness and relative abundance. Interestingly, Monilinia oxycocci was found almost exclusively in organic productions, indicating that fungicides had a strong and persistent effect on its population. Surprisingly, there were no significant differences in fungal relative abundance or species richness between fruit sampled at harvest or in storage, suggesting that there may not exist a clear distinction between field and storage rot, as was previously thought. Comparative analysis of fungal species found on eight different cranberry cultivars indicated that they were all infected by the same fungi but could not rule out differences in genetic resistance. This large-scale analysis allows us to draw an exhaustive picture of CFR in Québec and provides new information with respect to its management.

A reassessment of flocculosin-mediated biocontrol activity of Pseudozyma flocculosa through CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing.

Pseudozyma flocculosa is an epiphytic yeast with powerful antagonistic activity against powdery mildews. This activity has been associated with the production of a rare antifungal glycolipid, flocculosin. In spite of the discovery of a specific gene cluster for flocculosin synthesis, attempts to ascribe a functional role to the molecule have been hampered by the inability to efficiently transform P. flocculosa. In this study, two different approaches, target gene replacement by homologous recombination (HR) and CRISPR-Cas9 based genome-editing, were utilized to decipher the role of flocculosin in the biocontrol activity of P.flocculosa. It was possible to alter the production of flocculosin through edition of fat1 by HR, but such mutants displayed abnormal phenotypes and the inability to produce sporidia. Sequencing analyses revealed that transformation by HR led to multiple insertions in the genome explaining the pleiotrophic effects of the approach. On the other hand, CRISPR-Cas9 transformation yielded one mutant that was altered specifically in the proper synthesis of flocculosin. Notwithstanding the loss of flocculosin production, such mutant was phenotypically similar to the wild-type, and when tested for its biocontrol activity against powdery mildew, displayed the same efficacy. These results offer strong evidence that flocculosin-mediated antibiosis is not responsible for the mode of action of P. flocculosa and highlight the potential of CRISPR-Cas9 for functional studies of otherwise difficult-to-transform fungi such as P. flocculosa.

Genomic Profiling of Virulence in the Soybean Cyst Nematode Using Single-Nematode Sequencing.

Soybean cyst nematode (SCN) is one of the most important diseases in soybean. Currently, the main management strategy relies on planting resistant cultivars. However, the overuse of a single resistance source has led to the selection of virulent SCN populations, although the mechanisms by which the nematode overcomes the resistance genes remain unknown. In this study, we used a nematode-adapted single-cell RNA-seq approach to identify SCN genes potentially involved in resistance breakdown in Peking and PI 88788 parental soybean lines. We established for the first time the full transcriptome of single SCN individuals allowing us to identify a list of putative virulence genes against both major SCN resistance sources. Our analysis identified 48 differentially expressed putative effectors (secreted proteins required for infection) alongside 40 effectors showing evidence of novel structural variants, and 11 effector genes containing phenotype-specific sequence polymorphisms. Additionally, a differential expression analysis revealed an interesting phenomenon of coexpressed gene regions with some containing putative effectors. The selection of virulent SCN individuals on Peking resulted in a profoundly altered transcriptome, especially for genes known to be involved in parasitism. Several sequence polymorphisms were also specific to these virulent nematodes and could potentially play a role in the acquisition of nematode virulence. On the other hand, the transcriptome of virulent individuals on PI 88788 was very similar to avirulent ones with the exception of a few genes, which suggest a distinct virulence strategy to Peking.

Examining the impact of the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic period on youth cannabis use: adjusted annual changes between the pre-COVID and initial COVID-lockdown waves of the COMPASS study.

BACKGROUND: Given the high rates of cannabis use among Canadian youth and that adolescence is a critical period for cannabis use trajectories, the purpose of this paper was to examine the effect of the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic period on youth cannabis use in the context of a natural experiment. We used 3-year linked data from the COMPASS study, including 7653 Canadian (Quebec, Ontario) adolescents from which 1937 completed all 3 survey waves (pre-COVID-19 [2018, 2019] and online [2020] during the early pandemic period [May-July 2020]). Structural equation modeling (SEM) and double difference (DD) models were used to estimate pre-COVID-19 to initial COVID-19 pandemic period change (2019-2020) in cannabis use (monthly, weekly, daily) compared to 2018 to 2019 change to adjust for age-related effects. Models were adjusted for age of entry into the cohort and sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS: In the SEM and DD models, monthly, weekly, and daily cannabis use increased across all waves; however, the expected increases from the pre-COVID-19 wave (2019) to the initial COVID-19 period wave (2020) were lesser relative to the changes seen across the 2018 to 2019 waves. The cross-sectional data from May to July 2020 identified that the majority of youth who use cannabis did not report increased cannabis use due to COVID-19 or using cannabis to cope with COVID-19. CONCLUSION: During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic period, there does not appear to be a detrimental effect on youth cannabis use, when adjusted for age-related changes. Further prospective research is needed to explore the impact of the ongoing pandemic response on youth cannabis use onset and progression.

Molecular Assessment of Pathotype Diversity of Phytophthora sojae in Canada Highlights Declining Sources of Resistance in Soybean.

The large-scale deployment of resistance to Phytophthora sojae (Rps) genes in soybean has led to the rapid evolution of the virulence profile (pathotype) of P. sojae populations. Determining the pathotypes of P. sojae isolates is important in selecting soybean germplasm carrying the proper Rps, but this process is fastidious and requires specific expertise. In this work, we used a molecular assay to assess the pathotypes of P. sojae isolates obtained throughout the provinces of Québec, Ontario, and Manitoba. In preliminary assays, the molecular tool showed equivalent prediction of the pathotypes as a phenotyping assay and proved to be much faster to apply while eliminating intermediate values. Upon analysis of nearly 300 isolates, 24 different pathotypes were detected in Québec and Ontario, compared with only eight in Manitoba, where soybean culture is more recent. Pathotypes 1a, 1c, and 1d was predominant in Québec, while 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, and 1k pathotypes were the most common in Manitoba. Overall, the results showed that 98 and 86% of the isolates carried pathotype 1a or 1c, respectively, suggesting that Rps1a and Rps1c were no longer effective in Canada. Based on the history of soybean varieties used in surveyed fields, it was found that 84% of them contained Rps genes that were no longer resistant against the pathotypes of the isolates found in the fields. While highlighting an easier and more precise option to assess pathotypes, this study presents the first pan-Canadian survey of P. sojae and stresses the importance of carefully managing the declining sources of resistance.

Protecting children and adolescents against the risks of vaping.

Youth vaping presents significant risks for the health and safety of Canadian children and adolescents. This statement provides background information about vaping, vaping products, and related devices, discusses the short- and long-term harms known to be associated with their use, and offers prevention and cessation strategies for youth who vape or are at risk for starting. Youth vaping is associated with increased risk for tobacco and other substance use, mental health problems, pulmonary and cardiovascular disease, and unintentional injuries. Vaping should not be used as a smoking cessation tool for youth, due to lack of effectiveness and evidence of harm. Many preventive and treatment strategies used for tobacco cessation, including behavioural and pharmacological options, can be adapted to help youth quit vaping. Recommendations for community stakeholders and policy makers are included.