Physical activity (PA) is important for well-being and coping among cancer survivors. Social support (SS) encourages adoption and maintenance of PA behaviour, and PA contexts can provide opportunities for obtaining support for coping with cancer. The qualitative literature examining cancer survivors' experience with SS in and for PA could inform understanding of behaviors experienced as supportive. The purpose of this meta-study was to synthesize the research on adult cancer survivors' experiences with SS related to PA.Methods: Following meta-study guidelines, we searched nine databases and retrieved 39 articles describing intervention and observation studies, and extracted, analyzed, and synthesized information addressing SS and PA in cancer survivors.Results: Results emphasized ways that PA contexts facilitate relationships, which are a foundation for obtaining supportive behaviours that enable PA (e.g., providing encouragement and accountability) and assist with coping with cancer (e.g., understanding and talking about cancer). Some themes identified were unique to studies with female breast cancer, advanced cancer, interventions or programs, and that used interviews versus focus groups. Conclusions: Understanding supportive behaviours could improve PA and coping with cancer in interventions.Future research should focus on identifying supportive behaviours, incorporating theory and methods to address the development of supportive relationships, and recruiting more diverse samples of participants in terms of gender, race/ethnicity, and cancer type.Implications for cancer survivors: PA can provide opportunities for positive social connections ranging from loose to close social ties, and this research identifies several behaviours in the PA context that may be supportive of PA behavior (e.g., providing actionable information), and coping with cancer (e.g., opportunities but low obligation to talk about cancer).

Previous literature has shown that complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is steadily increasing in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, little data is currently available regarding its use, safety, and efficacy in children with ASD. Thus, the purpose of this study is to describe the use of supplement-based CAM therapies in children between the ages of 4 to 17 years with ASD. This population-based, cross-sectional study evaluated children with ASD regarding supplement use. A total of 210 participants were recruited from a variety of sources including educational and physical activity programs, and social media to complete a questionnaire. Primary caregivers provided information on current supplement based CAM use. Data evaluated the proportion of children that used supplement therapies, the types of supplements used, reasons for use, perceived safety, and demographic factors associated with use (e.g. income, parental education, severity of disorder). Seventy-five percent of children with ASD consumed supplements with multivitamins (77.8%), vitamin D (44.9%), omega 3 (42.5%), probiotics (36.5%), and magnesium (28.1%) as the most prevalent. Several supplements, such as adrenal cortex extract, where product safety has not yet been demonstrated, were also reported. A gluten free diet was the most common specialty diet followed amongst those with restrictions (14.8%). Health care professionals were the most frequent information source regarding supplements; however, 33% of parents reported not disclosing all their child’s supplements to their physician. In conclusion, the use of supplement therapies in children with ASD is endemic and highlights the need for further research concerning public health education surrounding safety and efficacy.

Background We sought to develop diagnostic test guidance definitions for pediatric enteric infections to facilitate the interpretation of positive test results in the era of multianalyte molecular diagnostic test platforms. Methods We employed a systematic, two-phase, modified Delphi consensus process consisting of three web-based surveys and an expert panel face-to-face meeting. In phase 1, we surveyed an advisory panel of North American experts to select pathogens requiring diagnostic test guidance definition development. In phase 2, we convened a 14-member expert panel to develop, refine, and select the final definitions through two web-based questionnaires interspersed with a face-to-face meeting. Both questionnaires asked panelists to rate the degree to which they agreed that if the definition is met the pathogen is likely to be causative of clinical illness. Results The advisory panel survey identified 19 pathogens requiring definitions. In the expert panel premeeting survey, 13 of the 19 definitions evaluated were rated as being highly likely (“agree” or “strongly agree”) to be responsible for acute gastroenteritis symptoms by ≥67% of respondent panel members. The definitions for the remaining six pathogens (Aeromonas, Clostridium difficile, Edwardsiella, nonenteric adenovirus, astrovirus, and Entamoeba histolytica) were indeterminate. After the expert panel meeting, only two of the modified definitions, C. difficile and E. histolytica/dispar, failed to achieve the a priori specified threshold of ≥67% agreement. Conclusions We developed diagnostic test guidance definitions to assist healthcare providers for 17 enteric pathogens. We identified two pathogens that require further research and definition development.

BackgroundAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of heterogeneous chronic neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by qualitative impairments in social interaction, communication, and repetitive stereotyped patterns of behavior, and is quoted as being the fastest growing developmental disorder in the United States affecting an estimated 1 in 45 children. In addition to conventional treatment options, some parents of children with autism seek out supplement based complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to treat autistic symptoms.PurposeThis study describes the use of CAM in children between the ages of 4 to 14 years with and without ASD. Data from this study aims to: (1) provide a more clear understanding of the prevalence and types of supplement therapies used; (2) increase awareness of the use of CAM therapies in children to provide better integrative care; (3) inform public health professionals of common and potentially harmful CAM therapies in ASD to guide public initiatives; and (4) assess patient‐physician communication and interactions surrounding CAM use.MethodologyThis population‐based, survey sample evaluated children with and without ASD (4 to 14 years) in regards to supplement use. Participants were recruited from educational and physical activity programs to complete a questionnaire. Primary caregivers provided information on current CAM use and their perceived physician knowledge of CAM administration. Data evaluates the proportion of children that use supplement therapies, the types of supplements used, reasons for use, perceived safety, and demographic factors associated with use (e.g. income, parental education, severity of disorder). In a second, follow‐up survey, physicians of children were asked to answer a questionnaire on CAM use in their patients‐‐. In particular, it examined the relationship between the parent and child's physician in terms of perceived parental and physician comfort in discussing supplements, parental disclosure of supplements, and physician knowledge of autism and supplements.ResultsPreliminary results indicate that 50% of children with ASD are taking supplements, compared to only 33% of children without ASD. The most common supplement used was a multivitamin (46%), the use of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), B vitamins, and dietary fiber use were also found. Health care professionals were the most common information source regarding supplements and the majority of parents reported disclosing all supplement use to their child's primary health provider. All parents, both in the autism and control group, indicated that they perceived supplements as being safe. In conclusion, the use of supplement therapies in children with ASD is common and highlights the need for further research with respect to treatment communication, knowledge, and education.Support or Funding InformationAlberta Children's Hospital Research Institute.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

BackgroundAs research has shown that positive energy balance is a predominant factor underlying the development of obesity, it is important to seek strategies that can be used to augment the effects of exercise in the prevention and treatment of the condition. Recent studies have shown that dairy may have a protective effect against the development of obesity in both humans and rats. However, few studies have examined the individual and combined effects of dairy intake and endurance exercise.PurposeThe purpose of this study was to compare individual and combined effects of dairy and endurance exercise training on gut microbiota abundance and serum metabolites in relation to metabolic parameters including weight gain, adiposity, and circulating mediators (e.g. glucose, insulin, free fatty acids).MethodsAn 8‐week feeding intervention of a high‐fat, high‐sugar diet was used to induce obesity in male Sprague‐Dawley rats. Rats were assigned to one of four groups for 6 wk: i) high fat (n=12), ii) dairy (n=14), iii) dairy+exercise (n=9), and iv) exercise alone (n=9). Rats underwent acclimation sessions prior to commencing training. Incremental exercise training took place 5 d/wk on a motorized treadmill. Fresh fecal samples were collected prior to sacrifice. Total DNA was extracted and quantified, and microbial profiling was conducted using qPCR. Data are reported as relative abundance. Serum metabolmics from fasting samples were assessed by 1H‐NMR, ICP‐MS and GC‐MS.ResultsDairy+exercise treatment attenuated weight gain more than either dairy or exercise alone (p<0.05). Microbial profiling of fecal matter revealed that dairy but not exercise increased the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium spp.(p<0.05). Exercise alone increased the relative abundance of Methanobrevibacter spp., Akkermansia muciniphila, Collinsella Aerfaciens, and Bacteroides/Prevotella spp., while the combination of dairy+exercise negated these impacts (p<0.05). In addition, dairy, exercise, and the combination of dairy+exercise reduced the abundance of Clostridium Cluster XI, a bacterial group previously shown to be elevated with high fat feeding. Serum metabolomics profiling demonstrated the most robust separation with dairy treatments (p<0.05). Metabolites driving the separation included those most closely associated with one carbon metabolism, TCA cycle intermediates, and those associated with dairy consumption (e.g. calcium, potassium).ConclusionDairy and exercise treatments appeared to have distinct impacts on both microbial and serum metabolomics profiles. Importantly, the impacts of dairy were profound and larger than anticipated, especially on microbial profiles. This work demonstrates that the impacts of dairy and exercise were distinct but additive on these parameters, likely working synergistically to maintain body weight.Support or Funding InformationDairy Farmers of Canada (DW), NSERC (JS, RAR, DW).This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.