Climate-sensitive health priorities in Nunatsiavut, Canada

Background: This exploratory study used participatory methods to identify, characterize, and rank climate-sensitive health priorities in Nunatsiavut, Labrador, Canada. Methods: A mixed method study design was used and involved collecting both qualitative and quantitative data at regional, community, and individual levels. In-depth interviews with regional health representatives were conducted throughout Nunatsiavut (n = 11). In addition, three PhotoVoice workshops were held with Rigolet community members (n = 11), where participants took photos of areas, items, or concepts that expressed how climate change is impacting their health. The workshop groups shared their photographs, discussed the stories and messages behind them, and then grouped photos into re-occurring themes. Two community surveys were administered in Rigolet to capture data on observed climatic and environmental changes in the area, and perceived impacts on health, wellbeing, and lifestyles (n = 187). Results: Climate-sensitive health pathways were described in terms of inter-relationships between environmental and social determinants of Inuit health. The climate-sensitive health priorities for the region included food security, water security, mental health and wellbeing, new hazards and safety concerns, and health services and delivery. Conclusions: The results highlight several climate-sensitive health priorities that are specific to the Nunatsiavut region, and suggest approaching health research and adaptation planning from an EcoHealth perspective

Yeasts associated with the production of distilled alcoholic beverages

Distilled alcoholic beverages are produced firstly by fermenting sugars emanating from cereal starches (in the case of whiskies), sucrose-rich plants (in the case of rums), fructooligosaccharide-rich plants (in the case of tequila) or from fruits (in the case of brandies). Traditionally, such fermentations were conducted in a spontaneous fashion, relying on indigenous microbiota, including wild yeasts. In modern practices, selected strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae are employed to produce high levels of ethanol together with numerous secondary metabolites (eg. higher alcohols, esters, carbonyls etc.) which greatly influence the final flavour and aroma characteristics of spirits following distillation of the fermented wash. Therefore, distillers, like winemakers, must carefully choose their yeast strain which will be very important in providing the alcohol content and the sensory profiles of spirit beverages. This Chapter discusses yeast and fermentation aspects associated with the production of selected distilled spirits and highlights similarities and differences with the production of wine

Noninvasive Biological Samples to Detect and Diagnose Infections due to Trypanosomatidae Parasites: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Unicellular eukaryotes of the Trypanosomatidae family include human and animal pathogens that belong to the Trypanosoma and Leishmania genera. Diagnosis of the diseases they cause requires the sampling of body fluids (e.g., blood, lymph, peritoneal fluid, cerebrospinal fluid) or organ biopsies (e.g., bone marrow, spleen), which are mostly obtained through invasive methods. Body fluids or appendages can be alternatives to these invasive biopsies but appropriateness remains poorly studied. To further address this question, we perform a systematic review on clues evidencing the presence of parasites, genetic material, antibodies, and antigens in body secretions, appendages, or the organs or proximal tissues that produce these materials. Paper selection was based on searches in PubMed, Web of Science, WorldWideScience, SciELO, Embase, and Google. The information of each selected article (n = 333) was classified into different sections and data were extracted from 77 papers. The presence of Trypanosomatidae parasites has been tracked in most of organs or proximal tissues that produce body secretions or appendages, in naturally or experimentally infected hosts. The meta-analysis highlights the paucity of studies on human African trypanosomiasis and an absence on animal trypanosomiasis. Among the collected data high heterogeneity in terms of the I-2 statistic (100) is recorded. A high positivity is recorded for antibody and genetic material detection in urine of patients and dogs suffering leishmaniasis, and of antigens for leishmaniasis and Chagas disease. Data on conjunctival swabs can be analyzed with molecular methods solely for dogs suffering canine visceral leishmaniasis. Saliva and hair/bristles showed a pretty good positivity that support their potential to be used for leishmaniasis diagnosis. In conclusion, our study pinpoints significant gaps that need to be filled in order to properly address the interest of body secretion and hair or bristles for the diagnosis of infections caused by Leishmania and by other Trypanosomatidae parasites

The diversity of the Chagas parasite, <i>Trypanosoma cruzi</i>, infecting the main Central American vector, <i>Triatoma dimidiata</i>, from Mexico to Colombia

<div><p>Little is known about the strains of <i>Trypanosoma cruzi</i> circulating in Central America and specifically in the most important vector in this region, <i>Triatoma dimidiata</i>. Approximately six million people are infected with <i>T</i>. <i>cruzi</i>, the causative agent of Chagas disease, which has the greatest negative economic impact and is responsible for ~12,000 deaths annually in Latin America. By international consensus, strains of <i>T</i>. <i>cruzi</i> are divided into six monophyletic clades called discrete typing units (DTUs TcI-VI) and a seventh DTU first identified in bats called TcBat. TcI shows the greatest geographic range and diversity. Identifying strains present and diversity within these strains is important as different strains and their genotypes may cause different pathologies and may circulate in different localities and transmission cycles, thus impacting control efforts, treatment and vaccine development. To determine parasite strains present in <i>T</i>. <i>dimidiata</i> across its geographic range from Mexico to Colombia, we isolated abdominal DNA from <i>T</i>. <i>dimidiata</i> and determined which specimens were infected with <i>T</i>. <i>cruzi</i> by PCR. Strains from infected insects were determined by comparing the sequence of the 18S rDNA and the spliced-leader intergenic region to typed strains in GenBank. Two DTUs were found: 94% of infected <i>T</i>. <i>dimidiata</i> contained TcI and 6% contained TcIV. TcI exhibited high genetic diversity. Geographic structure of TcI haplotypes was evident by Principal Component and Median-Joining Network analyses as well as a significant result in the Mantel test, indicating isolation by distance. There was little evidence of association with TcI haplotypes and host/vector or ecotope. This study provides new information about the strains circulating in the most important Chagas vector in Central America and reveals considerable variability within TcI as well as geographic structuring at this large geographic scale. The lack of association with particular vectors/hosts or ecotopes suggests the parasites are moving among vectors/hosts and ecotopes therefore a comprehensive approach, such as the Ecohealth approach that makes houses refractory to the vectors will be needed to successfully halt transmission of Chagas disease.</p></div

<i>Trypanosoma cruzi</i> strains TcI and TcIV identified in <i>Triatoma dimidiata</i> from Mexico, Central America and Colombia as determined by 18S rDNA and SL-IR (spliced leader intergenic region) sequences.

<p>Size of the circles is proportional to the numbers of <i>T</i>. <i>dimidiata</i> specimens with a particular <i>T</i>. <i>cruzi</i> strain (TcI -dark gray or TcIV—light gray) in different countries. Political map was modified from: <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Atlas_of_the_world#/media/File:BlankMap-World6.svg" target="_blank">https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Atlas_of_the_world#/media/File:BlankMap-World6.svg</a> under public domain.</p

Median-Joining Network for the single nucleotide polymorphism region of the intergenic region of the spliced leader gene (SL-IR).

<p>Networks were constructed with 89—SL-IR haplotypes and the size of each node proportional to the frequency of the haplotype. Small red circles (median vectors) represent hypothetical intermediate nodes. TcBat is the outgroup. The number of mutational steps ≥3 are shown. Clustering is examined by: (A) geographic origin, (B) vector or host, and (C) ecotope.</p

Principle component plots of variation in TcI isolates for the two markers by geographic region (A: 18S, B: SL-IR) and ecotope (C: 18S, D: SL-IR).

<p>Ellipses cover 50% of the variables. For geographic regions, both 18S and SL-IR are significantly different among regions. For ecotopes, the 18S sylvatic is significantly different from domestic, but for SL-IR, the differences are not statistically significant.</p

Genetic Polymorphism and Diversity of TcI isolates.

<p>Genetic Polymorphism and Diversity of TcI isolates.</p