Positioning Quebec ORF5 sequences of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) within Canada and worldwide diversity

Sequencing of ORF5 gene is widely used and considered essential for diagnostics and control of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) in Canada. The objective of this study was to position Quebec ORF5 sequences of PRRS virus within Canada and worldwide diversity. Overall, 76.8% of the 5204 sequences gathered from Quebec (n = 5031), Ontario (n = 151) and Manitoba (n = 18) were classified into one of 34 genetic clusters defined as groupings including ≥15 sequences and having ≥70% rapid bootstrap support value from a maximum likelihood (ML)-phylogeny. Following the addition of PRRSV 2 international reference dataset from Shi et al. (2010), the most predominant lineages in our dataset were wild-type 1 and vaccine-like 5.1 (MLV) and 8.9 (ATP). No strains or only a very few (1 or 2) were assigned to lineages 1.3–1.5, 3, 4, 5.2, 6, 7 or 9. Most wild-type clusters (97%) detected in a dataset from Canada did not include any sequence from the international reference dataset. It might reflect recent subpopulations that were absent at the time of Shi's publication. As an example, cluster #25 first appeared in 2007, but since then had expanded considerably and is now the most prevalent wild-type cluster found in Quebec. A total of 117 RFLP patterns were identified and those were poorly correlated with genetic clusters based on phylogeny. Factors modulating PRRSV diversity such as pig movement that occurred within and between provinces should be further investigated in a perspective of disease control.     

Associations of accelerometer-based sleep duration and self-reported sleep difficulties with cognitive function in late mid-life: the Finnish Retirement and Aging Study

ObjectivesPrior evidence suggests that sleep duration and sleep difficulties may be associated with cognitive function in old age, but little is known about the sleep–cognition association in late mid-life. Our aim was to examine the associations of accelerometer-based sleep duration as well as subjective sleep difficulties with different domains of cognitive function among aging workers.MethodsThe study population consisted of 289 participants (mean age 62.4 years, SD 1.02; 83% women) from the Finnish Retirement and Aging Study (FIREA). Sleep difficulties were measured using Jenkins Sleep Problem Scale (difficulties falling asleep, difficulties maintaining sleep, waking up too early in the morning, and nonrestorative sleep). Sleep duration was measured with wrist-worn accelerometer and self-report, and participants were divided into short (<7 h/night), mid-range (7–9 h/night) and long (≥9 h/night) sleepers. Participants underwent extensive cognitive testing covering three domains: (1) memory, (2) executive function, and (3) attention and information processing.ResultsGreater difficulties in waking up too early in the morning were associated with poorer executive function measured with Spatial Working Memory (SWM) test (p = 0.005). Additionally, nonrestorative sleep was associated with poorer executive function measured with Trail Making Test, B–A, (p = 0.036) and borderline significantly with lower SWM (p = 0.056). Compared to mid-range sleepers, long sleepers tended to have poorer cognitive function (all memory function tests and SWM), but the associations were not statistically significant due to small number of long sleepers.ConclusionsSubjective sleep difficulties may be linked to poorer executive function in a relatively healthy population of older workers in their 60 s. Thus, promoting good sleep quality may translate into better cognitive health in late mid-life.     

Fine particulate matter and incidence of metabolic syndrome in non-CVD patients: A nationwide population-based cohort study

Background

It has been reported that particulate matter (PM) is associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) while metabolic syndrome is also an important risk factor for CVD. However, few studies have investigated the epidemiological association between PM and metabolic syndrome.

Efficacy of home-based physical activity interventions in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis

IntroductionPhysical activity (PA) has been receiving increasing interest in recent years as an adjuvant therapy for autoimmune rheumatic disease (ARDs), but there is scarce information about the efficacy of home-based PA for patients with ARDs.ObjectiveTo perform a systematic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy of home-based physical activity (PA) interventions in improving health-related quality of life, functional capacity, pain, and disease activity in patients with ARDs.MethodsSearches were performed in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane, CINAHL database and Sport Discus. Trials were considered eligible if they included a home-based physical activity intervention. The population included adults with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, systemic sclerosis and ankylosing spondylitis), comparisons included non-physical activity control or centre-based interventions (i.e., interventions performed on a specialized exercise centre) and the outcomes were quality of life, pain, functional capacity, disease activity and inflammation.ResultsHome-based physical activity improved quality of life (p<0.01; g = 0.69; IC95%, 0.61 to 1.07) and functional capacity (p = 0.04; g = - 0.51; IC95%, -0.86; -0.16), and reduced disease activity (p = 0.03; g = - 0.60; IC95%, -1.16; -0.04) and pain (p = 0.01; g = -1.62; IC95%, -2.94 to -0.31) compared to the non-physical activity control condition. Additionally, home-based physical activity interventions were as effective as centre-based interventions for all investigated outcomes.ConclusionHome-based PA is an efficacious strategy to improve disease control and aleviate symptoms in ARD.