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Background: Only a few studies have explored experiences of meaningful activity and associations with psychosocial wellbeing during COVID-19. None reflect a Canadian context or focus on persons living in poverty. Purpose: To identify experiences and associations between meaningful activity and psychosocial wellbeing for persons living in poverty during the first year of COVID-19. Method: We delivered a quantitative survey at three time points during the first year of the pandemic supplemented by qualitative interviews at Time(T) 1 and 1 year later at T3. Findings: One hundred and eight participants completed T1 surveys, and 27 participated in qualitative interviews. Several statistically significant correlations between indices of meaningful activity engagement and psychosocial wellbeing were identified across T1–T3. Meaningful activity decreased from T1–T3 [X2 (2, n = 49) = 9.110, p

Dendritic cells (DCs) are uniquely capable of transporting tumoral antigens to tumor-draining lymph nodes (tdLNs), where they initiate antitumor immunity and mediate checkpoint blockade immunotherapy. Despite recent advances, the full phenotype of the DCs involved in these processes has been difficult to establish. Using LIPSTIC (Labeling Immune Partnerships by SorTagging Intercellular Contacts)-based single-cell transcriptomics, we identify individual DCs capable of presenting antigen to CD4+ T cells in the tdLN. These represent a small fraction of all DCs present in the tdLN and display a distinctive activated phenotype that includes production of cytokine IL-27, required for efficient T cell priming and tumor rejection. Tumor progression results in loss of effective priming of naïve CD4+ T cells, downstream of transcriptional changes in DCs that are manifested already when they arrive at the tdLN. Collectively, our data reveal temporal shift in DC activation status over the course of the antitumor immune response.

Research aimed at identifying and evaluating approaches to homelessness has predominately focused on strategies for supporting tenancy sustainment. Fewer studies focus on strategies for enabling thriving following homelessness, and the perspectives of service providers and organisational leaders (SPOL) on this topic are rare. We conducted this study in the context of a community-based participatory research project in two cities in Ontario, Canada. This research was aimed at identifying the strengths and challenges of existing supports in enabling thriving following homelessness, followed by co-designing a novel intervention alongside persons with lived experience of homelessness (PWLEH) and SPOL. The current study presents the findings of interviews conducted in 2020-2021 with SPOL in organisations serving PWLEH. We interviewed 60 individuals including service providers (n = 38; 63.3%) and organisational leaders (n = 22; 36.7%) using semi-structured qualitative interviews. Interviews were conducted and recorded on Zoom to align with physical distancing protocols associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Recordings were transcribed verbatim and analysed abductively informed by the lenses of social justice and health equity. The essence of our findings is represented by a quote from a research participant: 'We stick people in a house and say okay, you're housed. The problem is solved'. This essence was expressed through five themes: (1) stuck in a system that prevents thriving, (2) substance use as an important coping strategy that prevents tenancy sustainment and thriving, (3) the critical importance of targeting community integration following homelessness, (4) incorporating peer expertise as imperative and (5) people need to be afforded options in selecting housing and services following homelessness. Our findings indicate that SPOL envision possibilities of thriving following homelessness yet are embedded within a system that often prevents them from supporting individuals who are leaving homelessness to do so. Research, practice and policy implications are discussed.

Employee drug use poses a serious risk to health and safety in male-dominated industries yet patterns and determinants of drug use in construction are not well understood. This study assessed preva...

Background: Globally, there is growing concern regarding workers’ illicit drug use and its implications for health and workplace safety. Young workers in male-dominated industries, such as construction, may be more susceptible to illicit drug use, risky drinking and its associated harms. Purpose/objectives: To investigate drug use and perceptions of risk among male construction workers, drawing comparisons between workers under 25 years with older age groups. Methods: Workers in Sydney, Australia (N = 511) completed a survey measuring past year illicit drug and alcohol use, psychological distress and perceptions of drug-related risks to health and safety. Prevalence in the total sample was compared with national estimates, and differences between younger and older survey respondents were examined using logistic regression models. Results: Survey respondents’ cocaine, meth/amphetamine and cannabis use was significantly higher than estimates of male employees nationally (OR = 6.60, 3.58, 1.61, respectively). Young workers ≤24 were more likely to frequently use illicit drugs, drink heavily, and report psychological distress than those aged 35+. Workers ≤24 were least likely to perceive that drug use posed high risks to health or safety when compared with 25-34 and 35+ age groups. Conclusions/importance: The findings highlight the high prevalence of illicit drug use amongst young construction workers, representing threats to workplace safety even if used outside work hours. Greater emphasis on potential adverse effects of alcohol and drug use and closer examination of contributory workplace factors are required. These findings have practical implications to inform occupational health and safety programs and interventions in high-risk workplaces.

Mental health problems are prevalent in male-dominated industries such as construction, where suicide rates are higher than the population average and help seeking is typically low.To examine psychological distress in Australian construction workers and its relationship with help seeking via two hypothesised mediators: confidence in knowing how to get help and confidence in talking to workmates about mental health issues.Workers (N = 511) completed a survey that assessed psychological distress, likelihood of help seeking, and confidence in knowing how to get help and talking to workmates. Bootstrapped multiple mediation analysis was performed using the PROCESS macro for SPSS.Psychological distress was higher than national estimates and most prevalent in men aged 25-44. Controlling for age and ability to recognise personal signs of mental health problems, psychological distress negatively predicted likelihood of help seeking. This relationship was partially mediated by knowing how to get help and confidence in talking to workmates.Results highlight the need to redress and mitigate mental health problems among high-risk groups of male workers. It provides useful guidance on multilevel workplace strategies to reduce stigma, enhance confidence and comfort in the process of seeking help and support in construction and other male-dominated industries.

Research supports the effectiveness of the Risk-Needs-Responsivity model for reducing criminal recidivism. Yet programming interests of inmates—one facet of responsivity—remain an understudied phenomenon. In the present study, we explored the programming interests of 753 federal inmates housed across three levels of security. Results suggest that inmates, as a group, prefer specific programs over others, and that some of their interests may differ by security level. We discuss possible implications of these findings.

Two beta-galactoside-binding proteins were isolated from uteroplacental complexes of pregnant mice and identified as the S-Lac lectins galectin-1 and galectin-3. The spatiotemporal pattern of appearance of those proteins was determined by immunocytochemistry. Galectin-1 was present in all tissue compartments of the uterus except the luminal and glandular epithelium. It was found in the uteri of animals from all preimplantation stages of pregnancy, as well as in those from nonpregnant, ovariectomized, or sexually immature animals. After implantation of the embryo, cells of the decidua basalis were labeled, as were granular metrial gland cells, all trophoblastic elements of the placenta, the myometrium, and nondecidualized endometrium. By contrast, there was little evidence of galectin-3 in the uteri of nonpregnant animals or during the preimplantation stages of pregnancy. However, immunoreactive material was observed in endometrial cells of the primary decidual zone immediately after implantation and at later stages of pregnancy in the decidua basalis, metrial gland, and all trophoblastic elements of the placenta. There was no evidence of galectin-3 in the myometrium or nondecidualized endometrium. After parturition, amounts of galectin-3 in the endometrium and metrial triangle appeared to decrease as the implantation sites were resorbed. These data suggested that the function of galectin-1 is one of tissue maintenance, whereas the function of galectin-3 is related specifically to pregnancy.

Given that KRAS mutant colorectal tumors do not respond to anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies such as cetuximab or panitumumab, it is now standard that all patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who are candidates for these therapies undergo KRAS testing. BRAF encodes a protein kinase, which is involved in intracellular signaling and cell growth and is a principal downstream effector of KRAS. BRAF is now increasingly being investigated in metastatic colorectal carcinoma. BRAF mutations occur in less than 10-15% of tumors and appear to be poor prognostic markers. However the predictive nature of this biomarker is yet undefined. This article will review the evidence behind both KRAS and BRAF testing in metastatic colorectal cancer.