Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Nothotylenchus medians and N. similis (Nematoda: Anguinidae) from Southern Alberta, Canada

The nematode family, Anguinidae, is a diverse group of polyphagous nematodes, generally known as fungal feeders or parasites of aerial plant parts. Here, we present the morphological and molecular characterization of adult females of two Nothotylenchus species, N. medians and N. similis, along with host association and geographical distribution data of the genus. Both species are recorded as new reports from Canada and designated as reference populations for future studies. Morphological or morphometrical variation was not observed in the Canadian population of N. medians and N. similis, in comparison with the original description. Phylogenetic analyses based on 18S and D2–D3 of 28S genes placed both species within Anguinidae. Since the biology of the genus Nothotylenchus has not been rigorously characterized, the habitat and distribution information presented in this study will shed some light on the ecology of these nematodes. Notably, the detection of N. medians and N. similis in our nematode inventory survey indicates that considerable Nothotylenchus diversity is hidden in these soils. Consequently, increased surveys and more in-depth research are needed to explore the full diversity of anguinids inhabiting these cultivated areas.

COVID-19 Pandemic: Influence of Gender Identity on Stress, Anxiety, and Depression Levels in Canada

Background: This cross-sectional study explored variation of the prevalence of perceived stress, depression and anxiety among different self-identified gender identity groups in the Canadian population during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Anxiety, depression, and stress were assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) respectively. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance. Results: There were 8267 respondents to the online survey; 982 (12.0%) were male-identified, 7120 (86.9%) female-identified, and 92 (1.1%) identified as a diverse gender group. Prevalence rates for clinically meaningful anxiety (333 (41.7%), 2882 (47.6%), 47 (61.0%)), depression (330 (40.2%), 2736 (44.3%), 46 (59.7%)), and stress (702 (79.6%), 5711 (86.4%), 74 (90.2%)) were highest among respondents who self-identified as “other gender” followed by female-identified and then male-identified, respectively. There were statistically significant differences between gender groups for mean scores on GAD-7 (F (2, 6929) = 18.02, p = 0.00), PHQ-9 (F (2191.4) = 11.17, p < 0.001), and PSS (F (2204.6) = 21.13, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Gender identity differences exist in terms of the prevalence and severity of anxiety, depressive, and stress symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. This finding highlights the importance of incorporating self-identified gender identity in medical research, clinical practice, and policy.

Assessment of thoron contribution to indoor radon exposure in Canada

From 2007 to 2013, simultaneous radon (222Rn) and thoron (220Rn) measurements were conducted in a total of 3534 residential homes in 34 metropolitan areas covering 71% of the Canadian population. While radon levels were above the detector’s detection limit in almost all homes, thoron concentrations were measurable in only 1738 homes. When analysis was limited to homes where thoron concentrations exceeded the detection limit, a pooled analysis confirmed that thoron is log-normally distributed in the indoor environment, and the distribution was characterized by a population-weighted geometric mean of 13 Bq/m3 and a geometric standard deviation of 1.89. Thoron contribution to indoor radon dose varied widely, ranging from 1.3 to 32% geographically. This study indicated that on average, thoron contributes 4% of the radiation dose due to total indoor radon exposure (222Rn and 220Rn) in Canada.

De-Escalating Breast Cancer Surgery: Should We Apply Quality Indicators from Other Jurisdictions in Canada?

Quality Indicators (QIs), including the breast-conserving surgery (BCS) rate, were published by the European and American Breast Cancer Societies and this study assesses these in a Canadian population to look for opportunities to de-escalate surgery. A total of 2311 patients having surgery for unilateral, unifocal breast cancer between 2013 and 2017 were identified and BCS QIs calculated. Reasons for mastectomy had been prospectively collected with synoptic operative reporting. Our BCS rate for invasive cancer < 3 cm was 77.1%, invasive cancer < 2 cm was 84.1%, and DCIS < 2 cm was 84.9%. There was no statistically significant change in BCS rates over a five-year period, but there was a reduction in contralateral prophylactic mastectomies (CPM) from 28% in 2013 to 16% in 2017 (p < 0.001). Trend analysis looking at tumour size and medical need for mastectomy indicated that 80% of patients at our centre would be eligible for BCS with tumour cut off of 2.5 cm. Our institution met American but not European QI standards for BCS rates, potentially indicating a difference in patient demographics compared to Europe. Our results support the understanding that BCS rates are influenced by multiple factors and are challenging to compare across jurisdictions. CPM rates may offer a more actionable opportunity to de-escalate surgery for breast cancer.

The Canadian COVID-19 Experiences Survey: Study Protocol

Introduction: Vaccine hesitancy remains a significant challenge even through the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic, even in the most well-supplied countries. In Canada, despite high vaccine uptake of the first wave of vaccinations, there are signs of declining uptake of vaccine boosters. Likewise, recommended COVID-19 mitigation behaviors such as mask wearing, distancing, and hand hygiene have been challenging to sustain over the pandemic. The aim of the Canadian COVID-19 Experiences Survey (CCES) is to use a variety of social-cognitive and neurocognitive variables to predict the uptake and sustaining of vaccinations, boosters, and COVID-19 mitigation behaviors across the Canadian population through the second and third years of the pandemic. Methods and analyses: Vaccine hesitant and fully vaccinated adults (N=1,958) were recruited to the 35-minute CCES web survey, using quota sampling, with sampling weights being applied to ensure representativeness of the Canadian population. In Wave 1, conducted between 28 September and 21 October, 2021, 43.3% (n=848) reported not having received any vaccinations, 50.2% (n=983) reported being fully vaccinated, and 6.5% (n=127) reported having had one vaccination with no intention of having a second dose. Social cognitive variables being measured include intentions, beliefs, reasons, and attitudes. Neurocognitive variables being measured include executive dysfunction, delay discounting, and temporal orientation. Other key variables being measured include trust in science, political orientation, mood, and long-COVID symptoms. Ethics and dissemination: The CCES has received ethical review and approval by the University of Waterloo Office of Research Ethics. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and presentations at scientific meetings.

COVID-19 Seroprevalence in Canada Modelling Waning and Boosting COVID-19 Immunity in Canada a Canadian Immunization Research Network Study

COVID-19 seroprevalence changes over time, with infection, vaccination, and waning immunity. Seroprevalence estimates are needed to determine when increased COVID-19 vaccination coverage is needed, and when booster doses should be considered, to reduce the spread and disease severity of COVID-19 infection. We use an age-structured model including infection, vaccination and waning immunity to estimate the distribution of immunity to COVID-19 in the Canadian population. This is the first mathematical model to do so. We estimate that 60–80% of the Canadian population has some immunity to COVID-19 by late Summer 2021, depending on specific characteristics of the vaccine and the waning rate of immunity. Models results indicate that increased vaccination uptake in age groups 12–29, and booster doses in age group 50+ are needed to reduce the severity COVID-19 Fall 2021 resurgence.

Unpacking the WEF Nexus Index: A Regional and Sub-Regional Analysis of Northern Canada

The water–energy–food (WEF) nexus has emerged as a leading tool for assessing integrated resource management strategies and for monitoring progress towards the WEF-related Sustainable Development Goals. A notable outcome of WEF nexus research has been the calculation of the global WEF Nexus Index, which provides a quantitative ranking of country-level WEF security for 170 nations. As valuable as this ranking is, the aggregation of country-level WEF data obscures regional differences, particularly in remote regions that are sparsely populated and differ in geography, economy, and climate. This has proven to be the case for northern Canada, which despite representing 40% of Canada’s total land area, accounts for less than 1% of the Canadian population, most of whom are Indigenous. Whereas Canada ranks 5th globally in their WEF security, northern Canada, if treated independently, would rank 67th on the global WEF Nexus Index rankings. Evaluating each WEF sector independently, northern Canada would rank 22nd in water security, 90th in energy security, and 113th in food security. Our results further reveal that considerable inter-regional variability exists between northern territories and provinces, where Nunavik would rank 54th, Northwest Territories 67th, Yukon 69th, Labrador 80th, and Nunavut 107th on the global index. By highlighting these differences, we hope that this research can aid decision-makers in developing informed, regionally specific, and integrative resource policy responses that remedy rather than amplify existing WEF-related inequalities.