Perceived autonomy support from healthcare professionals and physical activity among breast cancer survivors: A propensity score analysis.

The majority of women treated for breast cancer are physically inactive although physical activity (PA) could attenuate many adverse effects of cancer and treatment. Autonomy support from healthcare professionals may improve PA initiation, adherence and maintenance. This study aimed to determine, using a causal inference approach, whether or not perceived autonomy support (PAS) from healthcare professionals is associated with light, moderate, and vigorous intensity PA among women treated for breast cancer. Data were drawn from the longitudinal study "Life After Breast Cancer: Moving On" (n = 199). PAS was measured with the Health Care Climate Questionnaire and PA was assessed using GT3X triaxial accelerometers. Associations between PAS and PA were estimated with linear regressions and adjusted estimations were obtained using propensity score-based inverse probability of treatment weights (IPTW). Results reveal no association between PAS and PA of light ([Formula: see text](95%CI) = -0.09 (-0.68, 0.49)), moderate ([Formula: see text] (95%CI) = -0.03 (-0.17, 0.11)), or vigorous ([Formula: see text](95%CI) = 0.00 (-0.03, 0.02)) intensity. Different forms of engagement and support by healthcare professionals should be explored to identify the best intervention targets to encourage women to adopt and maintain regular PA in the cancer continuum.

Pet ownership and lifestyle behaviours of immunosuppressed individuals and their relatives in the context of COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic and containment measures will likely have a detrimental impact on immunosuppressed individuals' lifestyle behaviours. Increasing evidence suggests that pet ownership is positively associated with healthier lifestyle. Yet, no study has investigated the potential benefits of pet ownership on lifestyle behaviours of immunosuppressed individuals, a population at increased risk of COVID-19 complications. This study aims to examine 1) changes in light, moderate and vigorous intensity physical activity (LPA, MPA, VPA), sedentary time (SED), and sleep duration, assessed by comparing "before COVID-19 pandemic" and "past 7 days" (i.e., current, during pandemic) self-reported behaviours in immunosuppressed individuals and their relatives; 2) to assess if changes in lifestyle behaviours are associated with pet ownership status and whether age is a moderator of these associations. A convenience sample of 132 participants (65.2% female, 41.3% ≥55 years of age) provided self-reported LPA, MPA, VPA (days/week), SED and sleep (min/day) and pet ownership status using an online questionnaire (May-August 2020). Descriptive analyses, paired T-tests, Cohen's d effect size and linear regressions were conducted. Results show that participants reported a decrease in VPA (-0.56 days/week, d = 0.34; p < 0.01) and an increase in SED (106.79 min/day, d = -0.81; p < 0.01). Stratified analysis revealed that having at least one dog, compared to not owning pets, is associated with a reduced decline in LPA, MPA and VPA and an increase in sleep in participants aged < 55 years old only. Having a dog appears to be positively associated with healthy lifestyle behaviours in younger and middle age immunosuppressed individuals.

The Association between Change in Lifestyle Behaviors and Mental Health Indicators in Immunosuppressed Individuals during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Little is known on how changes in lifestyle behaviors affect mental health among immunosuppressed individuals who observed stricter physical and social distancing measures due to higher risk of complications during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examines the association between changes in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), sedentary time (ST) and sleep duration following COVID-19 outbreak on mental health indicators of immunosuppressed individuals and their relatives. Participants (n = 132) completed an online questionnaire between May and August 2020. Linear regressions were conducted to assess the associations between an increase or decrease in lifestyle behaviors and mental health indicators. Individuals with decreased MVPA and increased ST experienced higher distress, anxiety and depressive symptoms. Those who reported an increase or decrease in sleep had higher levels of stress, distress and depressive symptoms. Decreases in sleep was associated with higher anxiety symptoms. Lifestyle behaviors in the context of a stressful life event such as the COVID-19 pandemic may impact mental health indicators of immunosuppressed individuals and their relatives.

Developing practice guidelines to integrate physical activity promotion as part of routine cancer care: A knowledge-to-action protocol.

BACKGROUND: Cancer is a leading cause of disease burden worldwide and the first cause of mortality in Canada with 30.2% of deaths attributable to cancer. Given aging of the population and the improvement of prevention and treatment protocols, the number of cancer survivors is steadily increasing. These individuals have unique physical and mental health needs some of which can be addressed by integrating physical activity promotion into ongoing and long-term care. Despite the benefits of being active, delivery of PA programs for cancer patients in both clinical and community settings remains challenging. This knowledge-to-action protocol-called Kiné-Onco-aims to develop a practice guideline for the delivery, implementation, and scaling-up of cancer-specific physical activity promotion programs and services in clinical and community settings located in Québec, Canada. METHOD: The Kiné-Onco project involves knowledge synthesis of scientific and grey literature to establish the benefits and added value of physical activity for cancer patients and survivors, describes current practices in delivering physical activity programs, analyses quantitative data from electronic health records (EHR) of patients participating in a novel hospital-based physical activity program, collects and analyses qualitative data from patients and healthcare providers interviews about lived experience, facilitators, and barriers to physical activity promotion, outlines deliberative workshops among multidisciplinary team members to develop implementation guidelines for physical activity promotion, and summarizes a variety of knowledge transfer and exchange activities to disseminate the practice guidelines. DISCUSSION: This paper describes the protocol for a knowledge-to-action project aimed at producing and sharing actionable evidence. Our aim is that physical activity promotion programs and services be scaled up in such a way as to successfully integrate physical activity promotion throughout cancer treatment and survivorship in order to improve the physical and mental health of the growing population of individuals having received a cancer diagnosis.

Physical activity and sedentary time: associations with fatigue, pain, and depressive symptoms over 4 years post-treatment among breast cancer survivors.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the recommendations for cancer survivors to engage in physical activity (PA), little is known about the effects of both PA and sedentary time (ST) on key health symptoms. This study prospectively examined the lifestyle behaviors of moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and ST as predictors of depressive symptoms, pain, and fatigue in breast cancer survivors using longitudinal data from early post-treatment to 4-year survivorship. METHODS: Breast cancer survivors (n = 199, mean(SD) age = 55.0(11.0) years) self-reported depressive symptoms, pain, and fatigue, and wore an accelerometer to measure MVPA and ST every 3 months during the first year (times 1 to 5) and 2 and 4 years (times 6 and 8) post-cancer treatment. Linear mixed models were adjusted for personal (e.g., age, BMI, education) and cancer (e.g., stage, time since treatment) variables. RESULTS: MVPA and ST were independent predictors of depressive symptoms, but not fatigue, and only ST was associated with pain over 4 years post-treatment. Higher levels of MVPA were associated with lower scores of depressive symptoms ([Formula: see text] (95%CI): - 0.062 (- 0.092, - 0.031) p < .001), whereas higher levels of ST were associated with higher scores of depressive symptoms ([Formula: see text] (95%CI): 0.023 (0.017, 0.028) p < .001). Higher levels of ST were associated with increased pain level over time ([Formula: see text] (95%CI): 0.017 (0.007, 0.027) p = .001). CONCLUSIONS: Rehabilitation interventions should aim to both increase MVPA and reduce ST to promote health and well-being among breast cancer survivors, in particular during the early post-treatment period.

Dectin-1/TLR2 and NOD2 agonists render dendritic cells susceptible to infection by X4-using HIV-1 and promote cis-infection of CD4(+) T cells.

HIV-1 pathogenesis is intimately linked with microbial infections and innate immunity during all stages of the disease. While the impact of microbial-derived products in transmission of R5-using virus to CD4(+) T cells by dendritic cells (DCs) has been addressed before, very limited data are available on the effect of such compounds on DC-mediated dissemination of X4-tropic variant. Here, we provide evidence that treatment of DCs with dectin-1/TLR2 and NOD2 ligands increases cis-infection of autologous CD4(+) T cells by X4-using virus. This phenomenon is most likely associated with an enhanced permissiveness of DCs to productive infection with X4 virus, which is linked to increased surface expression of CXCR4 and the acquisition of a maturation profile by DCs. The ensuing DC maturation enhances susceptibility of CD4(+) T cells to productive infection with HIV-1. This study highlights the crucial role of DCs at different stages of HIV-1 infection and particularly in spreading of viral strains displaying a X4 phenotype.

An inflammation loop orchestrated by S100A9 and calprotectin is critical for development of arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: The S100A9 and S100A8 proteins are highly expressed by neutrophils and monocytes and are part of a group of damage-associated molecular pattern molecules that trigger inflammatory responses. Sera and synovial fluids of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) contain high concentrations of S100A8/A9 that correlate with disease activity. METHODS: In this study, we investigated the importance of S100A9 in RA by using neutralizing antibodies in a murine lipopolysaccharide-synchronized collagen-induced arthritis model. We also used an in vitro model of stimulation of human immune cells to decipher the role played by S100A9 in leukocyte migration and pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion. RESULTS: Treatment with anti-S100A9 antibodies improved the clinical score by 50%, diminished immune cell infiltration, reduced inflammatory cytokines, both in serum and in the joints, and preserved bone/collagen integrity. Stimulation of neutrophils with S100A9 protein led to the enhancement of neutrophil transendothelial migration. S100A9 protein also induced the secretion by monocytes of proinflammatory cytokines like TNFα, IL-1ß and IL-6, and of chemokines like MIP-1α and MCP-1. CONCLUSION: The effects of anti-S100A9 treatment are likely direct consequences of inhibiting the S100A9-mediated promotion of neutrophil transmigration and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines from monocytes. Collectively, our results show that treatment with anti-S100A9 may inhibit amplification of the immune response and help preserve tissue integrity. Therefore, S100A9 is a promising potential therapeutic target for inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis for which alternative therapeutic strategies are needed.