Lung inflammation from repeated exposure to LPS and glyphosate.

Agricultural workplaces consist of multiple airborne contaminants and inhalation exposures induce respiratory effects in workers. Endotoxin (LPS) and glyphosate are two common airborne contaminants in agricultural environments. We have previously shown that exposure to a combination of LPS and glyphosate synergistically modulates immune reactions as compared to individual exposures. The immunopathogenesis of acute and chronic exposure to complex agricultural exposures including LPS and glyphosate is not known; therefore, we further investigated the lung cellular inflammatory differences in mice exposed to either a combination, or individual, LPS, and glyphosate for 1 day, 5 days, and 10 days. Exposure to a combination of LPS and glyphosate resulted in greater cellular inflammatory effects in lungs as compared to individual exposures to LPS or glyphosate. Repeated exposures to the combination of LPS and glyphosate resulted in robust infiltration of inflammatory cells in the perivascular, peribronchiolar, and alveolar regions, and increases of alveolar septal thicknesses and perivascular spaces in the lungs with intense intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM) - 1 staining in the perivascular region, but minimal staining in the pulmonary artery endothelium.

Effects of elevated CO2 levels on lung immune response to organic dust and lipopolysaccharide.

Workplaces with elevated organic dust levels such as animal feed barns also commonly have elevated levels of gasses, such as CO2. Workers exposed to such complex environments often experience respiratory effects that may be due to a combination of respirable factors. We examined the effects of CO2 on lung innate immune responses in mice co-exposed to the inflammatory agents lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and organic dust. We evaluated CO2 levels at the building recommended limit (1000 ppm) as well as the exposure limit (5000 ppm). Mice were nasally instilled with dust extracts or LPS and immediately put into chambers with a constant flow of room air (avg. 430 ppm CO2), 1000 ppm, or 5000 ppm CO2 enriched air. Results reveal that organic dust exposures tended to show decreased inflammatory responses with 1000 ppm CO2 and increased responses at 5000 ppm CO2. Conversely, LPS with addition of CO2 as low as 1000 ppm tended to inhibit several inflammatory markers. In most cases saline treated animals showed few changes with CO2 exposure, though some changes in mRNA levels were present. This shows that CO2 as low as 1000 ppm CO2 was capable of altering innate immune responses to both LPS and organic dust extracts, but each response was altered in a different fashion.

Hyperprolactinemia Impaired the Effects of Lipopolysaccharide on Both Body Temperature and Sickness Behavior in Virgin Female Rats.

OBJECTIVE: Previously we observed an attenuation of body temperature in lactating rats treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) compared with virgin saline-treated females. We proposed that high levels of prolactin (PRL) during lactation may induce this attenuation because PRL has a suppressive effect on inflammation. In the present study, we induced hyperprolactinemia in female virgin rats to investigate the effects of PRL on body temperature and sickness behavior induced by LPS. METHODS: To induce hyperprolactinemia, female rats in the estrous phase received domperidone 3 times/day for 5 days and an LPS injection (D + LPS group). Two other groups were treated with saline solution for 5 days, and one of them received a saline injection (S + S group) and the other LPS (S + LPS group). Tympanic temperature was assessed 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h after treatment. Body weight gain and food and water consumption were observed 24, 48, 72, and 96 h after treatment. RESULTS: Hyperprolactinemia impaired LPS-induced hypothermia and hyperthermia phases of body temperature. Body weight gains in the S + LPS group and the D + LPS group were similar. A decrease in food consumption was observed in the D + LPS rats at 72 and 96 h compared to the S + LPS group. CONCLUSION: Hyperprolactinemia impaired the body temperature increase induced by LPS and several signs of sickness behavior, suggesting that febrile responses to LPS can be modulated by the physiological state. These phenomena may have adaptive value for reproduction.

Socioeconomic inequalities in the use of caesarean section delivery in Ghana: a cross-sectional study using nationally representative data.

BACKGROUND: Inappropriate use of Caesarean Section (CS) delivery is partly to blame for Ghana's high maternal mortality rate. However, previous research offered mixed findings about factors associated with CS use. The goal of this study is to examine use of CS in Ghana and the socioeconomic factors associated with it. METHODS: Data from the nationally representative 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS) was used after permission from the Monitoring and Evaluation to Assess and Use Results (MEASURE) Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) program. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were fitted to examine the socioeconomic inequalities in CS use. The independent variables included maternal age, marital status, religion, ethnicity, education, place of residence, wealth quintile, and working status. Concentration index (CI) and rate-ratios were computed to ascertain the level of CS inequalities. RESULTS: Out of the 4294 women, 11.4% had CS delivery. However, the percentage of CS delivery ranged from 5% of women in the poorest quintile to 27.5% of women in the richest qunitle. Significant associations were detected between CS delivery and maternal age, parity, education, and wealth quintile . CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that first, even though Ghana has achieved an aggregate CS rate consistent with WHO recommendations, it still suffers from inequities in the use of CS. Second, both underuse of CS among poorer women in Ghana and overuse among rich and educated women are public health concerns that need to be addressed. Third, the results show in spite of Ghana's free maternal care services policies, wealth status of women continues to be strongly and signtificantly associated with CS delivery, indicating that there are indirect health care costs and other reasons preventing poorer women from having access to CS which should be understood better and addressed with appropriate policies.

The social determinants of health facility delivery in Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Many women still deliver outside a health facility in Ghana, often under unhygienic conditions and without skilled birth attendants. This study aims to examine the social determinants influencing the use of health facility delivery among reproductive-aged women in Ghana. METHODS: Nationally representative data from the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey was used to fit univariable and multivariable logistic regression models to estimate the influence of the social determinants on health facility delivery. Andresen's health care utilization model was used as the conceptual framework guiding this study.. RESULTS: Only 72% of deliveries take place at a health facility in Ghana. The results of the adjusted model indicate that place of residence, financial status, education, religion, parity and perceived need were significantly associated with health facility delivery. First, urban women had a higher likelihood of health facility delivery than rural women (Adjusted Odds ratio [AOR] =2.21; 95% Confidence interval [CI] = 1.53-3.19). Second, middle-class and rich women were 1.57 (95%CI = 1.18-2.08) times and 6.91 (95%CI = 4.12-11.59) times, respectively more likely to deliver at health facility compared to the poor. Third, women with either at least secondary education (AOR = 2.04; 95%CI = 1.57-2.64) or primary education (AOR = 1.39, 95%CI = 1.02-1.92) were more likely to deliver at health facility than women with no education. In terms of parity, first time mothers were 1.58 (95% CI = 1.18-2.12) times more likely to deliver at health facility than those who had given birth three or more times before. Finally, regarding perceived need, women who were aware of pregnancy complications were 1.32 (95%CI = 1.02-1.70) times more likely to use health facility delivery than those who were not informed about pregnancy complications. CONCLUSIONS: First, in spite of Ghana's free maternal health services policy, poorer women were much less likely to have a health facility delivery, which points to the need to understand the indirect costs and other financial barriers preventing women from delivering at a health facility. Second, many of the identified variables influence the demand and not just the supply for health care services, and highlight the importance of the social determinants of health and investments in interventions that extend beyond improving physical access.

Zinc Alleviates Lipopolysaccharide Interference with Both Body Temperature and Sickness Behavior in Virgin Female Rats.

OBJECTIVES: Previous studies from our group showed that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure induces several signs of sickness behavior, including a decrease in food consumption, body weight gain, adipsia, and a biphasic effect in tympanic temperature with a first phase of hypothermia, followed by an increased tympanic temperature. LPS can activate a chain of nonspecific host responses, including the immune response, and decreased zinc levels. In addition, there are differences in the immune response between males and females, particularly fever, with sex hormones interfering with body temperature. This study aims to characterize the effects of zinc treatment on tympanic temperature, body weight gain, food and water consumption, and general activity in open field of virgin female rats exposed to a dose of LPS that was previously reported to induce sickness behavior. METHODS: Virgin female Wistar rats were treated with either saline (S) or LPS. One hour later, the S group received another injection of saline (S + S group), half of the LPS group received saline (LPS + S group) and the other half received zinc (LPS + Zn group). Tympanic temperature, body weight, and water and food consumption were measured for 96 h. Measurements and observations started 2 h after LPS administration. RESULTS: Treatment with zinc attenuated LPS-increased temperature, decreased the body weight gain and food consumption, and water consumption was increased. CONCLUSION: Zinc treatment is beneficial as it reduces the increased tympanic temperature induced by LPS, but it does not influence other sickness behavior caused by exposure to LPS.

The association between endotoxin in house dust with atopy and exercise-induced bronchospasm in children with asthma.

BACKGROUND: Studies have reported protective and adverse associations between microbial exposure and childhood asthma. However, among children with asthma the relationships between endotoxin and exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) is less clear. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the association between exposure to endotoxin in house dust with atopy and EIB in children with asthma. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among schoolchildren (aged 7-17 years) in the province of Saskatchewan, Canada. A subpopulation with asthma (n = 116) were identified from 335 participants using a validated asthma algorithm. We determined atopy among the asthma subpopulation by skin prick testing (SPT) while EIB was evaluated using exercise challenge testing (ECT). Dust samples were collected from mattress and play area floors, and endotoxin was measured in dust extracts. Logistic regression analyses were used to explore associations between endotoxin with atopy and EIB. RESULTS: Among the 116 children with asthma, 99 completed SPT and all had completed ECT. Of these, 71/99 (71.7%) were atopic and 26/116 (22.4%) had EIB. Exposure to high play area endotoxin concentration [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.15, 95% CI: 0.03-0.85] and load (aOR = 0.11, 95% CI: 0.02-0.73) were negatively associated with atopy. In contrast, EIB was positively associated with high mattress endotoxin concentration (aOR = 6.01, 95% CI: 1.20-30.13). CONCLUSION: Indoor microbial endotoxin exposure has varied associations with atopy and exercise-induced bronchospasm among children with asthma.

Gender Differences in the Association of Individual and Contextual Exposures with Lung Function in a Rural Canadian Population.

INTRODUCTION: To investigate the association of individual and contextual exposures with lung function by gender in rural-dwelling Canadians. METHODS: A cross-sectional mail survey obtained completed questionnaires on exposures from 8263 individuals; a sub-sample of 1609 individuals (762 men, 847 women) additionally participated in clinical lung function testing. The three dependent variables were forced expired volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and FEV1/FVC ratio. Independent variables included smoking, waist circumference, body mass index, indoor household exposures (secondhand smoke, dampness, mold, musty odor), occupational exposures (grain dust, pesticides, livestock, farm residence), and socioeconomic status. The primary analysis was multiple linear regression, conducted separately for each outcome. The potential modifying influence of gender was tested in multivariable models using product terms between gender and each independent variable. RESULTS: High-risk waist circumference was related to reduced FVC and FEV1 for both genders, but the effect was more pronounced in men. Greater pack-years smoking was associated with lower lung function values. Exposure to household smoke was related to reduced FEV1, and exposure to livestock, with increased FEV1. Lower income adequacy was associated with reduced FVC and FEV1. CONCLUSION: High-risk waist circumference was more strongly associated with reduced lung function in men than women. Longitudinal research combined with rigorous exposure assessment is needed to clarify how sex and gender interact to impact lung function in rural populations.

Determinants of excessive daytime sleepiness in two First Nation communities.

BACKGROUND: Excessive daytime sleepiness may be determined by a number of factors including personal characteristics, co-morbidities and socio-economic conditions. In this study we identified factors associated with excessive daytime sleepiness in 2 First Nation communities in rural Saskatchewan. METHODS: Data for this study were from a 2012-13 baseline assessment of the First Nations Lung Health Project, in collaboration between two Cree First Nation reserve communities in Saskatchewan and researchers at the University of Saskatchewan. Community research assistants conducted the assessments in two stages. In the first stage, brochures describing the purpose and nature of the project were distributed on a house by house basis. In the second stage, all individuals age 17 years and older not attending school in the participating communities were invited to the local health care center to participate in interviewer-administered questionnaires and clinical assessments. Excessive daytime sleepiness was defined as Epworth Sleepiness Scale score > 10. RESULTS: Of 874 persons studied, 829 had valid Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores. Of these, 91(11.0%) had excessive daytime sleepiness; 12.4% in women and 9.6% in men. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that respiratory comorbidities, environmental exposures and loud snoring were significantly associated with excessive daytime sleepiness. CONCLUSIONS: Excessive daytime sleepiness in First Nations peoples living on reserves in rural Saskatchewan is associated with factors related to respiratory co-morbidities, conditions of poverty, and loud snoring.

Sleep Efficiency and Sleep Onset Latency in One Saskatchewan First Nation.

BACKGROUND: Sleep efficiency and sleep onset latency are two measures that can be used to assess sleep quality. Factors that are related to sleep quality include age, sex, sociodemographic factors, and physical and mental health status. This study examines factors related to sleep efficiency and sleep onset latency in one First Nation in Saskatchewan, Canada. METHODS: A baseline survey of the First Nations Sleep Health project was completed between 2018 and 2019 in collaboration with two Cree First Nations. One-night actigraphy evaluations were completed within one of the two First Nations. Objective actigraphy evaluations included sleep efficiency and sleep onset latency. A total of 167 individuals participated, and of these, 156 observations were available for analysis. Statistical analysis was conducted using logistic and linear regression models. RESULTS: More females (61%) than males participated in the actigraphy study, with the mean age being higher for females (39.6 years) than males (35.0 years). The mean sleep efficiency was 83.38%, and the mean sleep onset latency was 20.74 (SD = 27.25) minutes. Age, chronic pain, ever having high blood pressure, and smoking inside the house were associated with an increased risk of poor sleep efficiency in the multiple logistic regression model. Age, chronic pain, ever having anxiety, heart-related illness, and smoking inside the house were associated with longer sleep onset latency in the multiple linear regression model. CONCLUSIONS: Sleep efficiency and sleep onset latency were associated with physical and environmental factors in this First Nation.

Archaeal characterization of bioaerosols from cage-housed and floor-housed poultry operations.

Although bioaerosols from both cage-housed (CH) and floor-housed (FH) poultry operations are highly concentrated, the concentrations of dust, endotoxin, and bacteria are significantly higher in FH bioaerosols. Workers from CH operations have reported a greater prevalence of respiratory symptoms. To date, archaea have been examined in swine and dairy bioaerosols but not in poultry bioaerosols. The objective of this study was to directly compare methanogenic archaea concentrations in bioaerosols from CH and FH poultry facilities. Bioaerosols were collected from 15 CH and 15 FH poultry operations, using stationary area samplers as well as personal sampling devices. Archaea were quantified and their diversity was investigated using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and band sequencing. Archaea were significantly higher in area and personal bioaerosols of CH poultry operations than in those from FH poultry operations (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively) and did not differ significantly between area and personal samples within each barn type. Sequences matching Methanobrevibacter woesei, an archaea previously found in poultry samples, were detected in bioaerosol samples from CH operations. Methanogenic archaea concentrations are significantly different between bioaerosols from CH and FH poultry operations.

Rural Home Care Nursing During COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to be a challenging time for the nursing profession globally. Research indicates that the care of patients with COVID-19 has caused significant psychological stress for nurses. Although much of the world's attention has been on nurses working in emergency departments and intensive care units, the pandemic also posed significant challenges for nurses providing home care services in rural communities. PURPOSE: The purpose of this work was to describe the experiences of rural Canadian home care nurses during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: The data for this analysis was derived from a study that explored the continuing education needs of rural home care nurses. Since the data collection for the primary objective occurred in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, COVID-19 related themes were created using interpretive description methodology. Snowball and purposive sampling were used to recruit rural home care registered nurses who were employed in the central and southern areas of a western Canadian province. RESULTS: Six themes were constructed from the data including: Nurses Must Work, Constant State of Flux, Threatened Safety, Loss of Learning Opportunities, Fearing the Unknown, and Hindsight is Easy. CONCLUSION: The experiences of rural home care nurses during COVID-19 reflects the chaos, uncertainty, and fear that was felt globally. Based on the findings of this study, recommendations for future pandemic planning are suggested.

Adhesion Molecules in Lung Inflammation from Repeated Glyphosate Exposures.

Glyphosate is an active ingredient in herbicides. Exposure to glyphosate-based herbicides has been associated with respiratory dysfunctions in agricultural workers. The ability of inhaled glyphosate to induce lung inflammation is not well understood. Further, the role of adhesion molecules in glyphosate-induced lung inflammation has not been studied. We evaluated lung inflammatory responses from single and repeated glyphosate exposures. Male C57BL/6 mice were intranasally exposed to glyphosate (1 µg/40 µL) for 1 day or once daily for 5 days or 10 days. Lung tissue and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid were collected and analyzed. Repeated exposure to glyphosate for 5 days and 10 days resulted in an increase in neutrophils in BAL fluid and higher eosinophil peroxidase levels in lungs, with leukocyte infiltration further confirmed through lung histology. Repetitive exposure to glyphosate increased IL-33 and Th2 cytokines IL-5 and IL-13. A single glyphosate treatment revealed expression for ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and vWF adhesion molecules in the perivascular region of lung sections; with repeated treatment (5 and 10 days), adhesion molecule expression was found in the perivascular, peribronchiolar, and alveolar regions of the lungs. Repetitive exposure to glyphosate induced cellular inflammation in which adhesion molecules may be important to the lung inflammatory process.

Potentially pathogenic bacteria and antimicrobial resistance in bioaerosols from cage-housed and floor-housed poultry operations.

BACKGROUND: Antibiotics are used in animal confinement buildings, such as cage-housed (CH) and floor-housed (FH) poultry operations, to lower the likeliness of disease transmission. In FH facilities, antibiotics may also be used at sub-therapeutic levels for growth promotion. Low levels of antibiotic create a selective pressure toward antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in chicken fecal bacteria. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare bacteria and AMR genes in bioaerosols from CH and FH poultry facilities. METHODS: Bioaerosols were collected from 15 CH and 15 FH poultry operations, using stationary area samplers as well as personal sampling devices. Bacteria concentrations were determined by genus- or species-specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and AMR genes were detected using endpoint PCR. RESULTS: Enterococcus spp., Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus spp. were significantly higher in bioaerosols of FH poultry operations than CH bioaerosols (P < 0.001) while Clostridium perfringens was significantly higher in area bioaerosols of CH operations than FH area bioaerosols (P < 0.05). Campylobacter spp. were detected only in bioaerosols of FH facilities. Zinc bacitracin resistance gene, bcrR, erythromycin resistance gene, ermA, and tetracycline resistance gene, tetA/C, were more prevalent in bioaerosols of FH facilities than CH bioaerosols (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, and P < 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Most bacteria are more concentrated and most AMR genes are more prevalent in bioaerosols of FH poultry operations, where growth-promoting antibiotics may be used.

Research Note: Evaluation of the efficacy of engineered water nanostructures in inactivating airborne bacteria in poultry houses.

Methods to control microbial contamination in confined livestock facilities are important to the health of both animals and workers. In addition, bacterial contamination is also a food safety issue. The most common disinfection technique employed in livestock facilities is the application of oxidizing agents (e.g., potassium peroxymonosulphate, chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, ozone). However, these techniques are associated with a number of limitations (e.g., toxicity, high cost, corrosiveness). Recently, engineered water nanostructures (EWNS) generated using an electrospray system was found effective in inactivating foodborne bacteria. Thus, this study investigated the efficacy of EWNS generated using a laboratory-scale electrospray system in inactivating bacteria found in poultry facilities. The effects of various operating conditions (distance between the injector and grounded electrode of the electrospray system, applied voltage, liquid pH and conductivity, liquid flow rate, and treatment time) on the efficacy were also assessed. In these various experiments, airborne bacterial samples were collected from a pullet room using tryptic soy agar plates and then exposed to EWNS under varying conditions. After treatment, the plates were incubated at 37°C prior to colony counting. Reductions in bacterial concentrations up to 1.26 logs were obtained. The results indicate that the EWNS generated by the electrospray system can be a potential chemical-free alternative to conventional disinfection methods. Future tests will focus on scaling up the system for larger scale trials.

Obesity, Sex, Snoring and Severity of OSA in a First Nation Community in Saskatchewan, Canada.

Sleep disorders have been related to body weight, social conditions, and a number of comorbidities. These include high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes, both of which are prevalent in the First Nations communities. We explored relationships between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and risk factors including social, environmental, and individual circumstances. An interviewer-administered survey was conducted with adult participants in 2018−2019 in a First Nations community in Saskatchewan, Canada. The survey collected information on demographic variables, individual and contextual determinants of sleep health, and objective clinical measurements. The presence of OSA was defined as an apnea−hypopnea index (AHI) ≥5. Multiple ordinal logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine relationships between the severity of OSA and potential risk factors. In addition to the survey, 233 men and women participated in a Level 3 one-night home sleep test. Of those, 105 (45.1%) participants were reported to have obstructive sleep apnea (AHI ≥ 5). Mild and moderately severe OSA (AHI ≥ 5 to <30) was present in 39.9% and severe OSA (AHI ≥ 30) was identified in 5.2% of participants. Being male, being obese, and snoring loudly were significantly associated with severity of OSA. The severity of OSA in one First Nation appears relatively common and may be related to mainly individual factors such as loud snoring, obesity, and sex.

Housing inadequacy in rural Saskatchewan First Nation communities.

Housing and house conditions on First Nation communities in Canada are important determinants of health for community members. Little is known about rural First Nation housing in the Canadian Prairies. The aim was to survey houses in two rural First Nation communities in Saskatchewan, Canada to understand housing conditions, prevalence of mold/mildew and dampness, and sources, locations and frequency of mold and dampness. Surveys were conducted with an adult member of each household in 144 houses. Surveys assessed: size, age, and number of rooms in the house; number of individuals residing in the house; presence of mold/mildew and dampness, and sources, locations and frequency of mold and dampness. Houses were mostly two-bedrooms (25.7%) or more (67.4%). Thirty-one percent of houses had six or more people living in the house with crowding present in 68.8% of houses. Almost half of the houses (44.5%) were in need of major repairs. More than half of the houses had water or dampness in the past 12 months in which dripping/puddles and standing water were most commonly identified and were from surface water and plumbing. More than half of the houses indicated that this dampness caused damage. A smell of mold or mildew was present in over half of the houses (52.1%) and 73.3% of these houses indicated that this smell was always present. Housing adequacy including crowding, dampness, and mold are significant issues for houses in these two rural Saskatchewan First Nation communities. Housing inadequacy is more common in these rural communities as compared to Canadian statistics. Housing inadequacy is modifiable and is important to address for multiple reasons, but notably, as a social determinant of health. Federal government strategy to address and redress housing in First Nation communities in Canada is a fiduciary responsibility and critical to reconciliation.

Duration and quality of sleep in 2 rural Cree First Nation communities in Saskatchewan, Canada.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Estimates of sleep duration and quality are lacking for Canadian First Nations peoples. This study examines the prevalence of and risk factors for short/normal/long sleep duration and sleep quality. METHODS: Five hundred eighty-eight adults participated in the baseline survey of the First Nations Sleep Health Project conducted in 2018-2019 in Saskatchewan, Canada. Sleep duration and quality were self-reported. RESULTS: Mean sleep duration was 8.18 hours per night. About 45.5% slept the recommended 7 hours per night. However, short sleep duration and poor sleep quality were relatively common: about one-quarter of the participants slept fewer hours than recommended. Sleep duration was significantly less for men than women. Women were significantly more likely to report poor sleep quality than males. Multiple regression models revealed that age was significantly related with shorter sleep duration; sex and employment status were significantly related with sleep duration; and sex and income indicators were significantly associated with sleep quality. Nearly half of participants reported having had the recommended hours of sleep, but nearly two-thirds reported poor sleep quality. CONCLUSIONS: Information about the proportion of First Nations adults who sleep the recommended duration and the quality of sleep is important in informing health care and health policy.

STOP-Bang Score and Prediction of Severity of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in a First Nation Community in Saskatchewan, Canada.

The STOP-Bang questionnaire is an easy-to-administer scoring model to screen and identify patients at high risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, its diagnostic utility has never been tested with First Nation peoples. The objective was to determine the predictive parameters and the utility of the STOP-Bang questionnaire as an OSA screening tool in a First Nation community in Saskatchewan. The baseline survey of the First Nations Sleep Health Project (FNSHP) was completed between 2018 and 2019. Of the available 233 sleep apnea tests, 215 participants completed the STOP-Bang score questionnaire. A proportional odds ordinal logistic regression analysis was conducted using the total score of the STOP-Bang as the independent variable with equal weight given to each response. Predicted probabilities for each score at cut-off points of the Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) were calculated and plotted. To assess the performance of the STOP-Bang questionnaire, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values (PPVs), negative predictive values (NPVs), and area under the curve (AUC) were calculated. These data suggest that a STOP-Bang score ≥ 5 will allow healthcare professionals to identify individuals with an increased probability of moderate-to-severe OSA, with high specificity (93.7%) and NPV (91.8%). For the STOP-Bang score cut-off ≥ 3, the sensitivity was 53.1% for all OSA and 72.0% for moderate-to-severe OSA. For the STOP-Bang score cut-off ≥ 3, the specificity was 68.4% for all OSA and 62.6% for moderate-to-severe OSA. The STOP-Bang score was modestly superior to the symptom of loud snoring, or loud snoring plus obesity in this population. Analysis by sex suggested that a STOP-Bang score ≥ 5 was able to identify individuals with increased probability of moderate-to-severe OSA, for males with acceptable diagnostic test accuracy for detecting participants with OSA, but there was no diagnostic test accuracy for females.

Antimicrobial Resistance in the Environment: Towards Elucidating the Roles of Bioaerosols in Transmission and Detection of Antibacterial Resistance Genes.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is continuing to grow across the world. Though often thought of as a mostly public health issue, AMR is also a major agricultural and environmental problem. As such, many researchers refer to it as the preeminent One Health issue. Aerial transport of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria via bioaerosols is still poorly understood. Recent work has highlighted the presence of antibiotic resistance genes in bioaerosols. Emissions of AMR bacteria and genes have been detected from various sources, including wastewater treatment plants, hospitals, and agricultural practices; however, their impacts on the broader environment are poorly understood. Contextualizing the roles of bioaerosols in the dissemination of AMR necessitates a multidisciplinary approach. Environmental factors, industrial and medical practices, as well as ecological principles influence the aerial dissemination of resistant bacteria. This article introduces an ongoing project assessing the presence and fate of AMR in bioaerosols across Canada. Its various sub-studies include the assessment of the emissions of antibiotic resistance genes from many agricultural practices, their long-distance transport, new integrative methods of assessment, and the creation of dissemination models over short and long distances. Results from sub-studies are beginning to be published. Consequently, this paper explains the background behind the development of the various sub-studies and highlight their shared aspects.