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Direct-to-patient virtual visits are a way of providing health care to patients in their location of choice, using technology (e.g., phone, text messaging, video conferencing). The use of virtual visits has the potential to overcome many of the barriers associated with in-person care, including improved access, convenience, and cost savings. Many communities that are underserved by in-person care also face barriers to virtual care. There is a risk that current health inequities will be exacerbated if barriers such as, for example, reliable access to an internet-connected device, technology literacy, and language barriers are not addressed. Virtual visits have been used safely and effectively for many types of health care visits. There is a lack of evidence on the cost-effectiveness of virtual visits. Regulations regarding the provision of virtual visits are needed to uphold equitable access to publicly funded health care as mandated by the Canada Health Act.

Objectives Previous studies showed that adopting forward trunk lean and forefoot strike patterns may reduce risk of running-related knee injuries. However, the process of learning such forms is unclear. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of a 4-week training using simple postural instructions to elicit these changes. Design Longitudinal intervention study. Setting A training included postural instructions: 1) lean your trunk forward, and 2) land on the front part of your feet. Participants Eighteen recreational runners. Main outcome measures Participants were assessed prior to training (PRE), immediately after the instructions (iPST), during training at 2 weeks (2WK) and 4 weeks (4WK), and 7–10 days after the conclusion of training (RET). Assessment consisted of running trials performed at self-selected and controlled speeds, during which the trunk and foot strike angles were assessed. Results Comparing to PRE, forward trunk angle significantly increased by approximately 3.5° and foot strike angle by approximately 7° at 2WK, 4WK and RET. Conclusions A 4-week training with simple postural instructions induced significant changes in trunk and foot strike patterns in recreational runners. Future study is needed to develop clinical therapeutic protocols for runners with and at risk of running-related knee injuries.

Objective To develop and test the utility of a domain-specific physical activity efficacy scale in adolescents for predicting physical activity behaviour. Design Two independent studies were conducted. Study 1 examined the psychometric properties of a newly constructed Domain-Specific Physical Activity Efficacy Questionnaire (DSPAEQ) and study 2 tested the utility of the scale for predicting leisure- and school-time physical activity. Methods In study 1, descriptive physical activity data were used to generate scale items. The scales factor structure and internal consistency were tested in a sample of 272 adolescents. A subsequent sample of Canadian (N = 104) and New Zealand (N = 29) adolescents, was recruited in study 2 to explore the scale's predictive validity using a subjective measure of leisure- and school-time physical activity. Results A principle axis factor analysis in study 1 revealed a 26-item, five-factor coherent and interpretable solution; representative of leisure and recreation, household, ambulatory, transportation, and school physical activity efficacy constructs, respectively. The five-factor solution explained 81% of the response variance. In study 2 the domain-specific efficacy model explained 16% and 1% of leisure- and school-time physical activity response variance, respectively, with leisure time physical activity efficacy identified as a unique and significant contributor of leisure-time physical activity. Conclusion Study 1 provides evidence for the tenability of a five factor DSPEAQ, while study 2 shows that the DSPEAQ has utility in predicting domain-specific physical activity. This latter finding underscores the importance of scale correspondence between the behavioural elements (leisure-time physical activity) and cognitive assessment of those elements (leisure-time physical activity efficacy).

Gastric cancer is associated with high mortality and is preceded by an infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). H. pylori stimulates inflammation which involves the activation of Toll-like receptor 4 by lipopolysaccharide molecules from the H. pylori. This leads to chronic inflammation that can eventually lead to gastric cancer. Sox2 is a member of the high mobility group (HMG) box family of proteins, and recent studies have shown that HMG box proteins can modulate immune response by altering signaling to Toll-like receptors. Sox2 is overexpressed in most types of cancer with the exception of gastric cancer where expression of Sox2 is decreased. Here, we demonstrate that Sox2 can bind LPS and we investigated the thermodynamic drivers of the Sox2/LPS interaction.

Regular physical activity (PA) provides health benefits; however, at least 60% of the population fails to engage in the recommended amount of PA required to produce these health benefits. The primary purpose of the study was to examine over a 12-week structured exercise program the effect of a multifaceted efficacy intervention (MEI—i.e., task and specific types of self-regulatory efficacy) on objectively measured exercise behavior. Secondary purposes were to examine the effect of the MEI on both task and self-regulatory efficacy levels; and to determine whether efficacy beliefs could predict exercise behavior. Relatives of colon cancer patients (N = 140) were enrolled in an exercise program, and were randomized to either a MEI or attention control condition, and took part in classroom sessions. Behavior was assessed throughout the 12-week program using objective measures of frequency, duration, and intensity of exercise, and dropout rates, while self-reported task, barrier, scheduling, goal-setting, and relapse prevention efficacy were assessed at baseline and weeks 4, 8, and 12. The MEI group exercised for longer duration in the early phase of the program (i.e., 0–4 weeks); however, no significant differences were noted for exercise frequency and intensity. Differential dropout was found favoring the MEI group at weeks 8 and 12. No treatment condition differences were found for reported efficacy beliefs. Proceeding self-efficacious beliefs were associated with objective measures of behavior. A MEI grounded in Social Cognitive Theory was partially effective in influencing colon cancer relatives’ exercise behavior.