Use of residential wood heating in a context of climate change: a population survey in Québec (Canada)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Wood heating is recommended in several countries as a climate change (CC) adaptation measure, mainly to increase the autonomy of households during power outages due to extreme climatic events. The aim of this study was to examine various perceptions and individual characteristics associated with wood heating through a survey about CC adaptations.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A telephone survey (n = 2,545) of adults living in the southern part of the province of Québec (Canada) was conducted in the early fall season of 2005. The questionnaire used closed questions and measured the respondents' beliefs and current adaptations about CC. Calibration weighting was used to adjust the data analysis for the respondent's age and language under stratified sampling based on health regions.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>More than three out of four respondents had access to a single source of energy at home, which was mainly electricity; 22.2% combined two sources or more; 18.5% heated with wood occasionally or daily during the winter. The prevalence of wood heating was higher in the peripheral regions than in the more urban regions, where there was a higher proportion of respondents living in apartments. The prevalence was also higher with participants completely disagreeing (38.5%) with the eventual prohibition of wood heating when there is smog in winter, compared to respondents somewhat disagreeing (24.2%) or agreeing (somewhat: 17.5%; completely: 10.4%) with the adoption of this strategy. It appears that the perception of living in a region susceptible to winter smog, smog warnings in the media, or the belief in the human contribution to CC, did not influence significantly wood heating practices.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Increased residential wood heating could very well become a maladaptation to climate change, given its known consequences on winter smog and respiratory health. It would thus be appropriate to implement a long-term national program on improved and controlled residential wood heating. This would constitute a "no-regrets" adaptation to climate change, while reducing air pollution and its associated health impacts.</p

Dengue virus induces mitochondrial elongation through impairment of Drp1-triggered mitochondrial fission

Mitochondria are highly dynamic organelles that undergo continuous cycles of fission and fusion to maintain essential cellular functions. An imbalance between these two processes can result in many pathophysiological outcomes. Dengue virus (DENV) interacts with cellular organelles, including mitochondria, to successfully replicate in cells. This study used live-cell imaging and found an increase in mitochondrial length and respiration during DENV infection. The level of mitochondrial fission protein, Dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), was decreased on mitochondria during DENV infection, as well as Drp1 phosphorylated on serine 616, which is important for mitochondrial fission. DENV proteins NS4b and NS3 were also associated with subcellular fractions of mitochondria. Induction of fission through uncoupling of mitochondria or overexpression of Drp1 wild-type and Drp1 with a phosphomimetic mutation (S616D) significantly reduced viral replication. These results demonstrate that DENV infection causes an imbalance in mitochondrial dynamics by inhibiting Drp1-triggered mitochondrial fission, which promotes viral replication

Use of a Remote Car Starter in Relation to Smog and Climate Change Perceptions: A Population Survey in Québec (Canada)

Remote car starters encourage motorists to warm up their vehicles by idling the motor – thus increasing atmospheric pollutants, including several greenhouse gas (GHG) with impacts on public health. This study about climate change (CC) adaptation and mitigation actions examined perceptions on air pollution and climate change and individual characteristics associated with the use of a remote car starter. A telephone survey (n = 2,570; response rate: 70%) of adults living in Québec (Canada) measured the respondents’ beliefs and current behaviours regarding CC. Approximately 32.9% (daily car users) and 27.4% (occasional users) reported using a remote car starter during winter. The odds of the use of a remote car starter was higher in the less densely populated central (OR: 1.5) and peripheral regions (OR: 2.7) compared to the urban centers (ex. Montreal). The odds was also higher in population with a mother tongue other than English or French (OR: 2.6) and francophones than anglophones (OR: 2.1), women than men (OR: 1.5), daily drivers than occasional ones (OR: 1.2), and respondents who at least sometimes consulted temperature/humidity reports than those who consulted them less often (OR: 1.5). In multivariate analysis, the perception of living in a region susceptible to winter smog, being aware of smog warnings, or the belief in the human contribution to CC did not significantly influence the use of a remote car starter. The use of remote car starters encourages idling which produces increased atmospheric pollution and GHG production and it should be more efficiently and vigorously managed by various activities. A five-minute daily reduction in idling is equivalent to reducing the total car emissions by 1.8%. This would constitute a “no-regrets” approach to CC as it can simultaneously reduce GHG, air pollution and their health impacts

Caractérisation d'actinomycètes antagonistes aux Phytophthora spp. responsables du pourridié des racines de framboisier

Le pourridié des racines de framboisier est causé par le champignon Phytophthora. C'est une maladie qui occasionne une pourriture des racines. Cette pourriture est accompagnée par un jaunissement des feuilles et une faible production de fruits. Diagnostiqué depuis 1989 au Québec, le pourridié des racines est présent chez plus de 50 % des framboisières de l'Estrie. Nous avions donc comme principal objectif d'amorcer un programme de lutte biologique contre le pourridié des racines de framboisier à l'aide d'actinomycètes. Des actinomycètes isolés de sol de framboisière et une collection d'actinomycètes appartenant au laboratoire ont été testés pour leur habileté à inhiber la croissance de Phytophthora en milieu V8 solide et à dégrader les parois de glucanes du Phytophthora sur milieu MYC solide. Nous avons obtenu treize souches qui étaient positives pour ces deux tests et nous avons effectué un essai de lutte biologique sur framboisiers poussés en sol stérile. Parmi les treize souches, douze ont permis de réduire de façon significative le pourridié des racines de framboisier. Dans un but de caractérisation des agents de lutte biologique, des études morphologiques ont été réalisées et nous permettent de croire que nous sommes en présence de douze streptomycètes et d'un actinomycète du genre Nocardioides. La caractérisation physiologique des actinomycètes vérifiée par des tests de croissance à différents pHs et différentes températures, de même que la croissance en présence de produits chimiques utilisés dans les framboisières a contribué à évaluer les limites de cette méthode de biocontrôle. Ainsi, cette lutte biologique serait peu efficace à des températures de 10°C et moins. Aussi, il serait préférable de travailler au sol à des pHs près de la neutralité et de ne pas employer les produits chimiques Captan, Ferbam et Casoron en même temps que les actinomycètes antagonistes à Phytophthora. Les produits chimiques Simadex, Devrinol et Bénomyl ne causeraient, toutefois, aucun problème. Enfin, nous avons vérifié l'utilisation des différents glucanes (β-1,3 glucane, β-1,4 glucane et β-1,6 glucane) par les actinomycètes antagonistes. Les actinomycètes utilisaient les trois types de glucanes. Un dosage des trois types de β-glucanases a été effectué pour chaque souche. Ces dosages nous ont révélé la grande variation dans l'activité de ces enzymes entre les bactéries antagonistes

Perceived Adverse Health Effects of Heat and Their Determinants in Deprived Neighbourhoods: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Nine Cities in Canada

This study identifies several characteristics of individuals who report their physical and/or mental health as being adversely affected by summertime heat and humidity, within the most disadvantaged neighbourhoods of the nine largest cities of Québec (Canada). The study is cross-sectional by stratified representative sample; 3485 people were interviewed in their residence. The prevalence of reported impacts was 46%, mostly physical health. Female gender and long-term medical leave are two impact risk indicators in people &lt;65 years of age. Low income and air conditioning at home are risk indicators at all ages. Results for having ≥2 diagnoses of chronic diseases, particularly for people self-describing as in poor health (odds ratio, OR&lt;65 = 5.6; OR≥65 = 4.2), and perceiving daily stress, are independent of age. The prevalence of reported heat-related health impacts is thus very high in those inner cities, with notable differences according to age, stress levels and long-term medical leave, previously unmentioned in the literature. Finally, the total number of pre-existing medical conditions seems to be a preponderant risk factor. This study complements the epidemiologic studies based on mortality or severe morbidity and shows that the heat-related burden of disease appears very important in those communities, affecting several subgroups differentially

La formation professionnelle et technique

La couv. porte en outre: La formation professionnelle et techniqueBibliogr.: p. 3

A multilevel analysis to explain self-reported adverse health effects and adaptation to urban heat: a cross-sectional survey in the deprived areas of 9 Canadian cities

Abstract Background This study identifies the characteristics and perceptions related to the individual, the dwelling and the neighbourhood of residence associated with the prevalence of self-reported adverse health impacts and an adaptation index when it is very hot and humid in summer in the most disadvantaged sectors of the nine most populous cities of Québec, Canada, in 2011. Methods The study uses a cross-sectional design and a stratified representative sample; 3485 people (individual-level) were interviewed in their residence. They lived in 1647 buildings (building-level) in 87 most materially and socially disadvantaged census dissemination areas (DA-level). Multilevel analysis was used to perform 3-level models nested one in the other to examine individual impacts as well as the adaptation index. Results For the prevalence of impacts, which is 46 %, the logistic model includes 13 individual-level indicators (including air conditioning and the adaptation index) and 1 building-level indicator. For the adaptation index, with values ranging from -3 to +3, the linear model has 10 individual-level indicators, 1 building-level indicator and 2 DA-level indicators. Of all these indicators, 9 were associated to the prevalence of impacts only and 8 to the adaptation index only. Conclusion This 3-level analysis shows the differential importance of the characteristics of residents, buildings and their surroundings on self-reported adverse health impacts and on adaptation (other than air conditioning) under hot and humid summer conditions. It also identifies indicators specific to impacts or adaptation. People with negative health impacts from heat rely more on adaptation strategies while low physical activity and good dwelling/building insulation lead to lower adaptation. Better neighbourhood walkability favors adaptations other than air conditioning. Thus, adaptation to heat in these neighbourhoods seems reactive rather than preventive. These first multi-level insights pave the way for the development of a theoretical framework of the process from heat exposure to impacts and adaptation for research, surveillance and public health interventions at all relevant levels

Use of residential wood heating in a context of climate change: a population survey in Québec (Canada)-0

Estrie; 6 : Montréal; 7 : Outaouais; 8 : Abitibi-Témiscamingue; 9 : Côte-Nord; 11 : Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine; 12 : Chaudière-Appalaches; 13 : Laval; 14 : Lanaudière; 15 : Laurentides; 16 : Montérégie. Source: MSSS, Service des Infocentres, 2006.<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "Use of residential wood heating in a context of climate change: a population survey in Québec (Canada)"</p><p>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/8/184</p><p>BMC Public Health 2008;8():184-184.</p><p>Published online 28 May 2008</p><p>PMCID:PMC2430962.</p><p></p