Pathogenicity, Host Resistance, and Genetic Diversity of Fusarium Species under Controlled Conditions from Soybean in Canada.

Fusarium spp. are commonly associated with the root rot complex of soybean (Glycine max). Previous surveys identified six common Fusarium species from Manitoba, including F. oxysporum, F. redolens, F. graminearum, F. solani, F. avenaceum, and F. acuminatum. This study aimed to determine their pathogenicity, assess host resistance, and evaluate the genetic diversity of Fusarium spp. isolated from Canada. The pathogenicity of these species was tested on two soybean cultivars, 'Akras' (moderately resistant) and 'B150Y1' (susceptible), under greenhouse conditions. The aggressiveness of the fungal isolates varied, with root rot severities ranging from 1.5 to 3.3 on a 0-4 scale. Subsequently, the six species were used to screen a panel of 20 Canadian soybean cultivars for resistance in a greenhouse. Cluster and principal component analyses were conducted based on the same traits used in the pathogenicity study. Two cultivars, 'P15T46R2' and 'B150Y1', were consistently found to be tolerant to F. oxysporum, F. redolens, F. graminearum, and F. solani. To investigate the incidence and prevalence of Fusarium spp. in Canada, fungi were isolated from 106 soybean fields surveyed across Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Quebec. Eighty-three Fusarium isolates were evaluated based on morphology and with multiple PCR primers, and phylogenetic analyses indicated their diversity across the major soybean production regions of Canada. Overall, this study contributes valuable insights into host resistance and the pathogenicity and genetic diversity of Fusarium spp. in Canadian soybean fields.

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).

The association between single and dual use of cannabis and alcohol and driving under the influence and riding with an impaired driver in a large sample of Canadian adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: Dual use of cannabis and alcohol has increased in adolescents, but limited research has examined how it relates to impaired driving or riding with an impaired driver (IDR) compared to single substance use. This study aimed to examine the odds of alcohol- and/or cannabis-IDR among adolescents based on their use of alcohol and/or cannabis, and whether associations differed by gender and age. METHODS: Cross-sectional survey data were used from a sample of 69,621 students attending 182 Canadian secondary schools in the 2021/22 school year. Multilevel logistic regression estimated the odds of exclusive alcohol-IDR, exclusive cannabis-IDR, and both alcohol and cannabis IDR (alcohol-cannabis-IDR). Substance use interactions with gender and age were tested. RESULTS: Overall, 14.7% of participants reported IDR; 7.5% reported exclusive alcohol-IDR, 3.2% reported exclusive cannabis-IDR, 4.0% reported alcohol-cannabis-IDR, and 7.4% were unsure if they had experienced IDR. The prevalence of IDR varied across substance use groups, 8.0% among nonuse, 21.9% among alcohol-only use, 35.9% among cannabis-only use, and 49.6% among dual use groups. Gender diverse, older, and students with lower socioeconomic status exhibited a higher likelihood of reporting alcohol-cannabis-IDR. Dual use was significantly associated with 9.5 times higher odds of alcohol-cannabis-IDR compared to alcohol-only use, and 3.0 times higher odds compared to cannabis-only use. Dual use was also associated with an increased likelihood of either alcohol- or cannabis-IDR. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights that all students, regardless of substance use, are at risk of IDR, but students engaged in dual use of alcohol and cannabis face an elevated risk compared to both peers who do not use substances and those who use only a single substance. These findings emphasize the importance of targeted interventions that address the risks associated with IDR.

Using latent class analysis to operationalize a wholistic assessment of Inuit health and well-being.

Many indigenous cultures conceptualize health wholistically, whereby physical, mental, spiritual and relational dimensions of health are interconnected. Yet, quantitative approaches to studying Indigenous health remain anchored in western perspectives, that separate the dimensions of health. This paper aims to operationalize a wholistic indicator of health based on the IQI model of Inuit health. Variables from the 2017 Nunavik Health Survey (N = 1196) were selected based on their representativeness of IQI model. Exploratory Latent Class Analysis (LCA) was used to identify wholistic health profiles. Once participants assigned to their health profile, sociodemographic characteristics were compared across profiles, and multinomial regression models were used to examine the relationship between community-level social determinants of health and the profiles. The LCA revealed three health profiles, labelled as "excellent", "good" and "fair" based on the distribution of answers to the indicators. Nunavimmiut in "excellent" and "good" health were more likely to: rate their health positively; be over 30 years old; be in a relationship; and have participated or volunteered in community events. Nunavimmiut in "fair" health tended to report lower levels of community cohesion, family relationships, and emotional support. Intergrating culturally relevant models of health can support improved health status assessments and identify opportunities for health promotion.

Evolution of Sleep Duration and Screen Time Between 2018 and 2022 Among Canadian Adolescents: Evidence of Drifts Accompanying the COVID-19 Pandemic.

PURPOSE: We quantified the joint evolution of sleep duration and screen time between 2018 and 2022 in a large sample of adolescents from Quebec, Canada, to ascertain changes that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A natural experiment design was used to compare variations from year to year and in association with the pandemic outbreak. Using structural equation modeling on data collected between 2018 and 2022 among adolescents attending 63 high schools, we analyzed the joint evolution of sleep duration and screen time while adjusting for previous year values, concurrent flourishing score, sex, age, and family level of material deprivation. RESULTS: A total of 28,307 adolescents, aged on average 14.9 years, were included in the analyses. Between 2019 and 2022, sleep duration increased by 9.6 (5.7, 13.5) minutes and screen time by 129.2 (120.5, 138.0) minutes on average. In 2022, the adolescents spent almost equal amounts of time sleeping and using screens. Lower flourishing scores were associated with shorter sleep duration and lengthier screen time. Girls' screen time became similar to boys' over time. DISCUSSION: Adolescents now spend almost equal amounts of time sleeping and using screens, a situation that calls for urgent public health actions. These findings highlight the importance of tracking changes in adolescents' behaviours over time, to design and implement interventions adapted to the changing health needs of different groups.

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, is the ability of Cm to infect seeds and plants without causing symptoms what makes it an even more dangerous pathogen. 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, and roots. 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.

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.

Inequitable Changes in School Connectedness During the Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic in a Cohort of Canadian Adolescents.

BACKGROUND: We examined whether subgroups of adolescents experienced disparate changes in school connectedness-a robust predictor of multiple health outcomes-from before the COVID-19 pandemic to the first full school year following pandemic onset. METHODS: We used 2 waves of prospective survey data from 7178 students attending 41 Canadian secondary schools that participated during the 2019-2020 (T1; pre-COVID-19 onset) and 2020-2021 (T2; ongoing pandemic) school years. Fixed effects analyses tested differences in school connectedness changes by gender, race, bullying victimization, socioeconomic position, and school learning mode. RESULTS: Relatively greater declines in school connectedness were reported by students that identified as females, were bullied, perceived their family to be less financially comfortable than their classmates, and attended schools in lower income areas. Marginally greater school connectedness declines resulted among students attending schools that were fully online at T2 than those at schools using a blended model. CONCLUSION: Results point to disparate school connectedness declines during the pandemic, which may exacerbate pre-existing health inequities by gender and socioeconomic position, and among bullied youth. IMPLICATIONS FOR SCHOOL HEALTH POLICY, PRACTICE, AND EQUITY: Effective strategies to improve school climates for equity denied groups are critical for pandemic recovery and preparedness for future related events.

Recovery Trajectories in Adolescent Girls with Anorexia Nervosa.

Background: This study aimed to document recovery trajectories among adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN) based on three markers of remission, namely changes in body weight, food restriction, and excessive exercise, and to identify predictors of these trajectories. Methods: One hundred twenty-six adolescent girls (14.7 ± 1.3 years) were recruited during initial assessment visits at specialized eating disorder (ED) programs in five University Health Centers across the province of Quebec, Canada. z-BMI and AN symptom severity (food restriction and excessive exercise) were assessed at initial assessment visits and subsequently reassessed at each quarterly follow-up over a 12-month period to identify recovery trajectories. Results: Considering the three markers of remission, three distinct trajectories emerged: Group 1, rapid responders; Group 2, gradual responders; and Group 3, unstable responders. At initial visits, a difference between groups was found regarding the type of treatment (p = 0.01) and weight suppression (p = 0.02). Group 1 had a higher number of youths hospitalized than Group 2 and Group 3, and a greater weight suppression than Group 3. Furthermore, individuals with atypical AN were more likely to belong to Group 2 than to Group 1 and Group 3 (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: This study contributes to a better understanding of the heterogeneity of recovery trajectories in adolescent girls with AN.

The Qanuilirpitaa? 2017 Nunavik Health Survey: design, methods, and lessons learned.

OBJECTIVE: To depict the design, methods, sociodemographic characteristics of the population, and lessons learned during the Qanuilirpitaa? 2017 Nunavik Inuit Health Survey, the third major health survey to be conducted among youth and adults residing in Nunavik (Northern Quebec, Canada). METHODS: Qanuilirpitaa? 2017 is a cross-sectional survey that served to update information regarding various aspects of physical health, mental health, and general well-being of Nunavimmiut. The survey was guided by the ethics principles of Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession (OCAP®) ( https://fnigc.ca/ocap ). Questionnaires and clinical tests were administered to residents from the 14 coastal communities onboard the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Amundsen during late summer and early fall 2017. As part of the community component of the survey, qualitative interviews were performed with key respondents, and services and resources supporting health and well-being in the 14 communities were inventoried and characterized. RESULTS: A total of 1326 Nunavimmiut aged 16 and over participated in the survey. Despite difficulties encountered with the recruitment of participants, co-interpretation sessions with Inuit partners revealed that the survey had succeeded in capturing cultural, socio-economic, and lifestyle characteristics of Nunavimmiut. In all, 20 thematic reports have been published covering various aspects of health and well-being of Nunavimmiut. Regional and local reports pertaining to the community component were produced. More in-depth analyses have ensued, and results are presented in articles published in this CJPH supplement issue. CONCLUSION: Information from this survey is being used to update health services and programs in the region and for the development of health policies and public health interventions to tackle key health-related issues faced by Nunavimmiut. Drawing lessons from challenges and successes encountered in Qanuilirpitaa? 2017, this survey paved the way to the upcoming Inuit-led Qanuippitaa? National Inuit Health Survey to be conducted every 5 years throughout Inuit Nunangat.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: Décrire la conception, les méthodes, les caractéristiques sociodémographiques de la population et les leçons tirées de l'Enquête sur la santé des Inuits du Nunavik Qanuilirpitaa? 2017, la troisième grande enquête de santé menée auprès de jeunes et d'adultes résidant au Nunavik (Nord du Québec, Canada). MéTHODES: Qanuilirpitaa? 2017 est une enquête transversale qui a permis la mise à jour des informations concernant divers aspects de la santé physique, de la santé mentale et du bien-être général des Nunavimmiut. L'enquête a été guidée par les principes de propriété, de contrôle, d'accès et de possession (OCAP®) ( https://fnigc.ca/ocap ). Des questionnaires et des tests cliniques ont été administrés à des résidents des 14 communautés côtières, à bord du navire Amundsen de la Garde côtière canadienne, à la fin de l'été et au début de l'automne 2017. Des entrevues qualitatives ont également été réalisées avec des répondants clé dans le cadre de la composante communautaire. RéSULTATS: Au total, 1 326 Nunavimmiut âgés de 16 ans et plus ont été recrutés. Malgré les difficultés rencontrées lors du recrutement des participants, les rencontres de co-interprétation ont permis de vérifier que l'enquête avait réussi à capturer les caractéristiques culturelles, socioéconomiques et les habitudes de vie de la population. Au total, 20 rapports thématiques ont été publiés, lesquels couvrent différents aspects de la santé et du bien-être des Nunavimmiut. Un rapport régional et des rapports locaux liés à la composante communautaire ont également été produits. Des analyses plus approfondies ont également été réalisées, dont les résultats sont présentés dans les articles publiés dans ce numéro supplémentaire de la Revue canadienne de santé publique. CONCLUSION: Les informations issues de cette enquête sont utilisées pour la mise à jour des services de santé dans la région et pour le développement de politiques de santé et d'interventions de santé publique, ayant pour cibles les principaux défis auxquels les Nunavimmiut sont confrontés. Grâce aux leçons apprises lors de sa réalisation, cette enquête a pavé la voie aux prochaines enquêtes Qanuippitaa ? qui seront menées tous les 5 ans dans tout l'Inuit Nunangat.

Sociocultural determinants of alcohol and cannabis use and misuse among Nunavimmiut.

OBJECTIVE: Stemming from historical traumas and changes in the Inuit way of life, substance use and its intertwined problems are a major cause of concern for Nunavimmiut. This study's objective is to investigate sociocultural determinants of substance use and misuse to inform culturally appropriate public health programs. METHODS: The 2017 Qanuilirpitaa? survey was conducted among a sample intended to be representative of Nunavimmiut aged 16 and over (total n = 1326). Sociocultural factors included cultural identity, land-based activities, involvement in community activities, social support, and family and community cohesion. The frequency of binge drinking (5 or more drinks on one occasion), cannabis use, and problematic substance use (CAGE and DAST-10) were documented. Data were analyzed using weighted multivariate logistic regressions. Inuit partners were involved from the planning of analyses to the co-interpretation of results. RESULTS: Nearly a third of Nunavimmiut aged 16 and over reported binge drinking at least once a week (29.3%), and 68.6% of drinkers were at risk of potential drinking problems. Forty-five percent (45%) reported using cannabis at least once a week, and 30% of drug users were at risk of potential drug abuse problems. Volunteering and participation in community activities were associated with lower odds of cannabis use, as was frequently going on the land with weekly binge drinking, potential drinking problems, and weekly cannabis use. Social support and community cohesion were associated with higher odds of weekly binge drinking, as was cultural identity (centrality scale) with potential drinking problems. CONCLUSION: Key determinants of substance use relevant to Inuit culture were identified. Results are in line with our Inuit partners' experience in their communities and are coherent with current land-based interventions implemented in Nunavik. A thorough understanding of substance use contexts and related stressors should guide the content and implementation of substance use programs in Nunavik.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: Suite aux traumas historiques et changements au mode de vie, l'usage de substance et les problèmes associés sont une source d'inquiétude majeure pour les Nunavimmiut. L'objectif de cette étude est d'investiguer les déterminants socioculturels de l'usage de substances pour adapter les programmes de santé publique à la culture Inuit. MéTHODES: L'enquête Qanuilirpitaa? 2017 repose sur un échantillon sélectionné pour être représentatif des Nunavimmiut (16 ans et plus; n = 1 326). Les déterminants socioculturels incluent : identité culturelle, activités sur le territoire, activités communautaires, support social, cohésion familiale et communautaire. La fréquence de consommation excessive d'alcool (5 consommations ou plus), l'usage du cannabis et l'usage problématique (CAGE et DAST-10) ont été documentés. Données analysées par régression multiple pondérée. Nos partenaires Inuit ont été impliqués de la planification des analyses à la co-interprétation des résultats. RéSULTATS: Près du tiers des Nunavimmiut de 16 ans et plus ont rapporté une consommation hebdomadaire excessive d'alcool (29,3 %) et 68,6 % de ceux consommant de l'alcool étaient potentiellement à risque de consommation problématique. Quarante-cinq pourcent (45 %) ont rapporté consommer du cannabis au moins une fois par semaine et 30 % des consommateurs de drogue étaient à risque de consommation potentiellement problématique. Le bénévolat et la participation aux activités communautaires étaient associés à une cote plus faible d'usage de cannabis, tout comme la pratique fréquente d'activités sur le territoire avec la consommation hebdomadaire excessive d'alcool, d'usage potentiellement problématique d'alcool et d'usage hebdomadaire de cannabis. Le support social et la cohésion communautaire étaient associés à une cote plus élevée de consommation excessive hebdomadaire d'alcool, tout comme l'identité culturelle (centralité) avec l'usage potentiellement problématique d'alcool. CONCLUSION: Des déterminants clés de l'usage de substance spécifiques aux Inuit ont été identifiés. Les résultats concordent avec le vécu de nos partenaires dans leurs communautés et le cadre théorique d'interventions déjà implémentées impliquant des activités sur le territoire et de guérison. Les contextes de consommation et les stresseurs associés devraient guider l'élaboration des programmes au Nunavik.

Profiles of childhood adversities in Inuit from Nunavik: description and associations with indicators of socioeconomic characteristics, support, and community involvement.

OBJECTIVES: Distress and associated health problems reported by Nunavik Inuit emanate from heterogeneous roots, including adverse childhood experiences. This study aims to (1) identify distinct childhood adversity profiles and (2) examine associations between these profiles and sex, socioeconomic characteristics, social support, and community involvement among Nunavimmiut. METHODS: In a sample of 1109 adult Nunavimmiut, sex, socioeconomic characteristics, support, community involvement, residential school attendance, and 10 forms of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) were documented using questionnaires. Latent class analyses and weighted comparisons were performed for three subgroups: 18-49 years; 50 years and above with experience of residential school; and 50 years and above without experience of residential school. The analysis design, the manuscript drafts, and the key findings were discussed and co-interpreted with the collaboration of community representatives, taking into consideration Inuit culture and needs. RESULTS: A total of 77.6% of Nunavimmiut reported having experienced at least one form of childhood adversity. Three ACE profiles were identified among the 18-49-year-olds: low ACEs (43.0%), household stressors (30.7%), and multiple ACEs (26.3%). Two profiles characterized ACEs experienced among the 50-year-olds and over with and without history of residential schooling: low ACEs (80.1% and 77.2%, respectively) and multiple ACEs (19.9% and 22.8%, respectively). Among the group of 18-49-year-olds, as compared to the low ACE profile, the profile with household stressors included proportionally more women (odds ratio [OR] = 1.5) and was associated with lower involvement in volunteering and community activities (mean score reduced by 0.29 standard deviation [SD]) and lower family cohesion (SD = - 0.11), while the multiple ACE profile was related to a lower rate of employment (OR = 0.62), lower family cohesion (SD = - 0.28), and lower satisfaction with ability to practice traditional activities (SD = - 0.26). CONCLUSION: Childhood adversities among Nunavimmiut do not occur in isolation and experiencing multiple forms of childhood adversities predicts lower socioeconomic status, support, and community involvement in adulthood. Implications for the planning of health and community services in Nunavik are discussed.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIFS: La détresse et les problèmes de santé associés rapportés par les Inuits du Nunavik émanent de racines hétérogènes, notamment des expériences négatives durant l'enfance. Cette étude vise à : 1) identifier des profils distincts d'adversités vécues durant l'enfance; et 2) examiner les associations entre ces profils et le sexe, les caractéristiques socioéconomiques, le soutien social et l'engagement communautaire des Nunavimmiut. MéTHODES: Dans un échantillon de 1 109 adultes Nunavimmiut, le sexe, les caractéristiques socioéconomiques, le soutien, l'engagement communautaire, la fréquentation des pensionnats et 10 formes d'expériences négatives durant l'enfance (ENE) ont été documentés à l'aide de questionnaires. Des analyses de classes latentes et des comparaisons pondérées ont été réalisées pour trois sous-groupes : 18­49 ans; 50 ans et plus avec et sans expérience de pensionnat. Le plan d'analyses, les ébauches de manuscrit et les principaux résultats ont été discutés et co-interprétés avec la collaboration de représentants des communautés, en tenant compte de la culture et des besoins inuits. RéSULTATS: Un total de 77,6 % des Nunavimmiut ont déclaré avoir vécu au moins une forme d'adversité durant l'enfance. Trois profils d'ENE ont été identifiés chez les 18­49 ans : ENE faibles (43,0 %), facteurs de stress domestiques (30,7 %) et ENE multiples (26,3 %). Deux profils caractérisaient les ENE vécus chez les 50 ans et plus avec et sans antécédents de pensionnat : faibles ENE (80,1 % et 77,2 %, respectivement) et ENE multiples (19,9 % et 22,8 %, respectivement). Parmi le groupe des 18­49 ans, par rapport au profil des ENE faibles, le profil avec facteurs de stress domestiques incluait proportionnellement plus de femmes (rapport de cotes [RC] = 1,5) et était associé à une plus faible implication dans le bénévolat et les activités communautaires (score moyen réduit de 0,29 écart-type [ET]) et une cohésion familiale plus faible (ET = -0,11), tandis que le profil d'ENE multiples était lié à un taux d'emploi plus faible (RC = 0,62), à une cohésion familiale plus faible (ET = -0,28) et à une plus faible satisfaction à l'égard de la capacité à pratiquer des activités traditionnelles (ET = -0,26). CONCLUSION: Les adversités vécues en enfance par les Nunavimmiut ne surviennent pas de manière isolée et le fait de vivre de multiples formes d'ENE prédit un statut socio-économique, un soutien et une implication communautaire inférieurs à l'âge adulte. Les implications pour la planification des services de santé et communautaires au Nunavik sont discutées.

Smoking cessation attempts and successes among Nunavimmiut.

OBJECTIVES: The smoking rate in Canada has declined in past decades, yet smoking rates remain high in Nunavik (northern Québec), where an estimated 80% of adult respondents smoke. We investigated sociodemographic factors, smoking behaviours, harm perception, and social support as determinants of smoking cessation attempts and successes among Nunavimmiut. METHODS: Past year smoking frequency, quantity smoked, and cessation attempts and aids were documented in a sample of 1326 Nunavimmiut aged 16 and over in the Qanuilirpitaa? 2017 survey. Sociodemographic indicators, social support, cessation aids, and smoking harm perception were investigated as potential determinants. All factors were modeled by logistic regressions and adjusted for age and sex. RESULTS: Thirty-nine percent of smokers tried to quit smoking in the preceding year, and 6% of those were successful. Older Nunavimmiut (aOR = 0.84 [0.78, 0.90]) and those smoking 20 + cigarettes/day (aOR = 0.94 [0.90, 0.98]) were less likely to attempt to quit. Ungava coast residents (aOR = 1.87 [1.36, 2.57]), separated/widowed/divorced individuals (aOR = 2.43 [1.09, 5.38]), and occasional smokers (aOR = 2.77 [1.61, 4.76]) compared to those living on the Hudson coast, single individuals, and daily smokers, respectively, were more likely to report cessation attempts. Most used no particular cessation aid (58%), 28% relied on family/self-help/support programs, and 26% used medication. Women were more likely to rely on spirituality/traditional methods (aOR = 1.92 [1.00, 3.71]) and less likely to rely on electronic cigarettes (aOR = 0.33 [0.13, 0.84]), as were older participants (aOR = 0.67 [0.49, 0.94]). Those with more years of schooling were more likely to rely on electronic cigarettes (aOR = 1.47 [1.06, 2.02]). These estimates are prone to biases due to the relatively low participation rate in the survey (37%). CONCLUSION: Despite many attempts reported by participants, regional partners of this study underlined that successful smoking cessation remains a challenge for many Nunavimmiut. Key differences were identified in approaches and determinants of smoking cessation attempts, but most smokers did not use cessation aids. These results are in line with the experience of the Inuit partners of this study and can inform targeted public health interventions to support the many Nunavimmiut trying to quit smoking, notably increasing accessibility and acceptability of cessation aids. Inuit partners of this study highlighted the importance for interventions and communication efforts to reflect Nunavik's context.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIFS: Le taux de tabagisme a diminué au Canada dans les dernières décennies, mais il demeure élevé au Nunavik (Nord du Québec) où on estime que 80 % des participants adultes fument. Cet article étudie les facteurs sociodémographiques, les habitudes tabagiques, le support social et la perception du risque comme déterminants de la cessation tabagique chez les Nunavimmiut. MéTHODE: Les habitudes de tabagisme (fréquence, quantité, tentatives d'abandon) sur 12 mois ont été documentées chez 1 326 Nunavimmiut (16 ans et plus) dans l'enquête Qanuilirpitaa? 2017. Tous les facteurs considérés comme déterminants potentiels ont été modélisés par régression logistique (ajustement pour âge et sexe). RéSULTATS: Trente-neuf pourcent des fumeurs ont tenté d'arrêter et 6 % de ceux-ci ont réussi. Les Nunavimmiut plus âgés (RCa = 0,84[0,78, 0,90]) et ceux fumant 20 + cigarettes/jour (RCa = 0,94[0,90, 0,98]) étaient moins susceptibles d'avoir rapporté une tentative d'abandon. Les résidents de l'Ungava (RCa = 1,87[1,36, 2,57]), ceux séparés/divorcés/veufs (RCa = 2,43[1,09, 5,38]) et les fumeurs occasionnels (RCa = 2,77[1,61, 4,76]), comparés aux résidents de l'Hudson, aux célibataires et aux fumeurs quotidiens, respectivement, étaient plus susceptibles d'avoir tenté un abandon. La majorité n'ont utilisé aucune aide (58 %), 28 % se sont tournés vers la famille/auto-assistance/groupe de soutien et 26 % a eu recours à la médication. Les femmes utilisaient plus fréquemment la spiritualité ou des méthodes traditionnelles (RCa = 1,92[1,00, 3,71]) et moins fréquemment la cigarette électronique (RCa = 0,33[0,13, 0,84]), tout comme les plus âgés (RCa = 0,67[0,49, 0,94]). Ceux ayant complété plus d'années d'éducation utilisaient plus la cigarette électronique (RCa = 1,47[1,06, 2,02]). Ces estimés pourraient être biaisés puisque le taux de participation à l'enquête était relativement faible (37 %). CONCLUSION: Malgré plusieurs tentatives rapportées par les participants, les partenaires régionaux de cette étude ont souligné que la cessation tabagique demeure un défi pour plusieurs Nunavimmiut. Différentes approches et des déterminants de tentatives de cessation ont été identifiés, mais la majorité n'ont pas utilisé d'aide à la cessation. Ces résultats, qui cadrent avec l'expérience des partenaires Inuit de cette étude, peuvent guider des interventions ciblées pour supporter les nombreux Nunavimmiut tentant de cesser de fumer, notamment faciliter l'accès et l'acceptabilité des méthodes de cessation. Les partenaires Inuit ont souligné l'importance d'avoir des interventions et méthodes de communication adaptées au contexte du Nunavik.

Adolescents' Depression and Anxiety Symptoms During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Longitudinal Evidence From COMPASS.

PURPOSE: There is concern over the potentially detrimental impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescents' mental health. We examined changes in depression and anxiety symptoms from before (2018-19) to the early (2019-20) and ongoing pandemic (2020-21) responses among Canadian adolescents in the context of a natural experiment. METHODS: We used linked survey data from 5,368 Canadian secondary school students who participated in three consecutive waves of the cannabis use, obesity, mental health, physical activity, alcohol use, smoking, and sedentary behaviour study during the 2018-19, 2019-20, and 2020-21 school year. Separate fixed effects models examined whether changes in depression (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale Revised-10) and anxiety (General Anxiety Disorder-7) symptoms differed between two cohorts. The cohorts differed in the timing of their second data collection wave; one cohort participated before the pandemic and the other cohort participated in the early pandemic (spring 2020). RESULTS: Depression and anxiety symptoms increased during the early and ongoing pandemic periods in the overall sample and both cohorts. The two cohorts experienced similar elevations in their symptoms. Females and younger respondents presented greater elevations over time. The proportion of adolescents with significant depressive (29.4%) and moderate-to-severe anxiety (17.6%) symptoms at baseline increased by 1.5 times, reaching 44.8% and 29.8% in the ongoing pandemic period, respectively. DISCUSSION: Findings suggest that internalizing symptoms have consistently increased since before the onset of COVID-19, particularly in the ongoing pandemic period; however, we found no evidence of the increase being due to the pandemic in the early COVID-19 period when comparing the two cohorts. Ongoing evaluation of adolescents' mental health is necessary to capture potentially dynamic impacts over time.

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 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.

A rapid molecular diagnostic tool to discriminate alleles of avirulence genes and haplotypes of Phytophthora sojae using high-resolution melting analysis.

Effectors encoded by avirulence genes (Avr) interact with the Phytophthora sojae resistance gene (Rps) products to generate incompatible interactions. The virulence profile of P. sojae is rapidly evolving as a result of the large-scale deployment of Rps genes in soybean. For a successful exploitation of Rps genes, it is recommended that soybean growers use cultivars containing the Rps genes corresponding to Avr genes present in P. sojae populations present in their fields. Determination of the virulence profile of P. sojae isolates is critical for the selection of soybean cultivars. High-resolution melting curve (HRM) analysis is a powerful tool, first applied in medicine, for detecting mutations with potential applications in different biological fields. Here, we report the development of an HRM protocol, as an original approach to discriminate effectors, to differentiate P. sojae haplotypes for six Avr genes. An HRM assay was performed on 24 P. sojae isolates with different haplotypes collected from soybean fields across Canada. The results clearly confirmed that the HRM assay discriminated different virulence genotypes. Moreover, the HRM assay was able to differentiate multiple haplotypes representing small allelic variations. HRM-based prediction was validated by phenotyping assays. This HRM assay provides a unique, cost-effective and efficient tool to predict virulence pathotypes associated with six different Avr (1b, 1c, 1d, 1k, 3a and 6) genes from P. sojae, which can be applied in the deployment of appropriate Rps genes in soybean fields.

Youth perception of difficulty accessing cannabis following cannabis legalization and during the early and ongoing stages of the COVID-19 pandemic: repeat cross-sectional and longitudinal data from the COMPASS study.

BACKGROUND: Very little research has examined how perceptions of cannabis access among underage youth in Canada have changed since cannabis was legalized and since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, this paper examines the effect of the early and ongoing stages of the COVID-19 pandemic period on youth perceptions of cannabis access over time since the onset of the Cannabis Act in 2018 in a large sample of Canadian youth. METHODS: Using data from the COMPASS study (T1:2018/19, T2:2019/20, T3:2020/21), we used both repeat cross-sectional data [T1 (n = 38,890), T2 (n = 24,109), and T3 (n = 22,795)] to examine overall trends in perceptions of cannabis access, and sequential cohort longitudinal data [n = 4,677 students linked from T1 to T3] to examine the differential changes in perceptions of cannabis access among students over time. RESULTS: In the cross-sectional sample, the frequency of students reporting that cannabis was easy to access decreased by 26.7% from T1 (51.0%) to T3 (37.4%), although respondents who have used cannabis were more likely to report access was easy. In the longitudinal sample, perceptions of cannabis access being easy increased over time, especially among cannabis users. Perceived ease of access appears to have been slightly impeded during the initial pandemic period but rebounded during the ongoing pandemic period. CONCLUSIONS: While the prevalence of youth reporting that cannabis is easy to access has declined since legalization and throughout the early and ongoing pandemic periods, a substantial number of underage youth continue to report that cannabis is easy to access. This suggest that there is an ongoing need for continued cannabis control efforts to address this issue.