Psychological Symptom Cluster Severity Profiles Are Associated With Higher Levels of Stress and Worse Quality of Life in Postmenopausal Women With Breast Cancer.

Background: Although common, the severity of the psychological symptom cluster (PSC) (ie, co-occurrence of anxiety, depression, fatigue, sleep disturbance) varies among women with breast cancer. In addition, the impact of various types of stress and other risk factors on its severity are understudied, and the influence of the PSC on quality of life (QOL) outcomes remains poorly characterized.

Objective: To identify subgroups of postmenopausal women with breast cancer with distinct PSC severity profiles following surgery and evaluate whether these subgroups differed in terms of demographic and clinical characteristics, symptoms, social and posttraumatic stress, and QOL.

Associations between DNA methylation and cognitive function in early-stage hormone receptor-positive breast cancer patients.

Background: Approximately one-third of breast cancer (BC) patients show poorer cognitive function (CF) before receiving adjuvant therapy compared with age-matched healthy controls. However, the biological mechanisms driving CF variation in the context of BC remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to identify genes and biological pathways associated with CF in postmenopausal women with early-stage hormone receptor-positive (HR+) BC using DNA methylation (DNAm) data, a dynamic regulator of gene activity.

Decrements in Morning and Evening Energy Are Associated With a Higher Symptom Burden in Patients With Gynecologic Cancers Receiving Chemotherapy.

Background: Decrements in energy are a significant problem associated with chemotherapy. To date, no study examined the variability of energy in patients with gynecologic cancers.

Objective: To identify distinct morning and evening energy profiles in patients with gynecologic cancers and evaluate for differences in demographic and clinical characteristics, other common symptoms, and quality-of-life (QOL) outcomes.

Multivariate Bayesian Analyses in Nursing Research: An Introductory Guide.

In the era of precision health, nursing research has increasingly focused on the analysis of large, multidimensional data sets containing multiple correlated phenotypes (e.g., symptoms).

Novel, Group-Based Trajectories of Labor Progress in Nulliparous Women With Low-Risk Pregnancies.

Objective: To characterize labor progress among nulliparous women by applying group-based trajectory analysis and examining predictors of group membership.

Design: Retrospective observational.

Setting: An existing biobank and database from a birth hospital in Western Pennsylvania.

Self-reported cancer-related cognitive impairment is associated with perturbed neurotransmission pathways.

Background: Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is reported by 45% of patients with cancer. Significant gaps in knowledge remain regarding the mechanisms that underlie CRCI.

Objectives: Using a data-driven approach, the study purpose was to evaluate for perturbed pathways associated with membership in the High versus the Low CRCI profiles.

The National Cancer Institute Clinical Trials Planning Meeting to Address Gaps in Observational and Intervention Trials for Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment.

Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is a broad term encompassing subtle cognitive problems to more severe impairment. CRCI severity is influenced by host, disease, and treatment factors and affects patients prior to, during, and following cancer treatment. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) Symptom Management and Health-Related Quality of Life Steering Committee (SxQoL SC) convened a Clinical Trial Planning Meeting (CTPM) to review the state of the science on CRCI and to develop both Phase II/III intervention trials aimed at improving cognitive function in cancer survivors with non-central nervous system (CNS) disease and longitudinal studies to understand the trajectory of cognitive impairment and contributing factors.

Worse Morning Energy Profiles Are Associated with Significant Levels of Stress and Decrements in Resilience in Patients Receiving Chemotherapy.

Objectives: Evidence suggests that lower levels of morning energy are associated with higher levels of stress and lower levels of resilience in patients receiving chemotherapy. Study purposes were to identify subgroups of patients with distinct morning energy profiles; evaluate for differences among the profiles in demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as measures of stress, resilience, and coping.

Methods: A total of 1,343 outpatients receiving chemotherapy completed a demographic questionnaire and measures of global, cancer-related, and cumulative life stress, and resilience at study enrollment.

Associations Between Preoperative Shortness of Breath and Potassium Channels Gene Variations in Women With Breast Cancer.

Objectives: Shortness of breath is a common symptom in patients with cancer. However, the mechanisms that underlie this troublesome symptom are poorly understood. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of and associated risk factors for shortness of breath in women prior to breast cancer surgery and identify associations between shortness of breath and polymorphisms for potassium channel genes.

Trajectories of Depressive Symptoms Among Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy for Breast, Gastrointestinal, Gynecological, or Lung Cancer.

Background: Individuals who undergo chemotherapy for cancer are at elevated risk of developing depressive symptoms, yet substantial interindividual variation exists in trajectories of these symptoms.

Objective: To examine interindividual variations in trajectories of depressive symptoms during 2 cycles of chemotherapy and to evaluate associations between demographic and clinical characteristics, symptom severity scores, psychological adjustment characteristics (eg, stress and coping), and initial levels and trajectories of depressive symptoms.

Methods: Patients (n = 1323) diagnosed with breast, gynecologic, lung, or gastrointestinal cancer completed the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale 6 times, over 2 cycles of chemotherapy.

The Influence of CYP2B6 Variants and Administration of Propofol on Patient Outcomes after Traumatic Brain Injury.

Management of severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) typically involves the use of sedation, which inherently results in benefits and risks. The cytochrome P450 enzyme CYP2B6 is involved in the biotransformation of particular drug classes, including many intravenous sedatives. Variants of the gene can lead to decreased systemic clearance of some sedatives, including propofol.

Association Between Genes in the Nuclear Factor E2-Related Factor 2 Antioxidative Response Elements Pathway and Cancer-Related Fatigue in Women With Early-Stage Breast Cancer.

Objectives: To explore genes in the nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 antioxidative response elements (Nrf2-ARE) signaling pathway using a multiomics approach for associations with variability of cancer-related fatigue (CRF) in postmenopausal women with early-stage hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.

Sample & Setting: Postmenopausal women (N = 116) with early-stage hormone receptor-positive breast cancer were recruited from western Pennsylvania.

Methods & Variables: Candidate genes from the Nrf2-ARE pathway were investigated for associations with CRF occurrence and severity.

DNA Methylation of BDNF and RASA2 Genes Is Associated With Cognitive Function in Postmenopausal Women With Breast Cancer.

Objectives: To determine associations among DNA methylation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and RAS p21 protein activator 2 (RASA2) genes with processing speed and perceived cognitive function.

Sample & Setting: This was a cross-sectional, secondary analysis of baseline data from a randomized controlled trial, the Exercise Program in Cancer and Cognition Study.

Methods & Variables: Data included M values for DNA methylation of the BDNF and RASA2 genes; processing speed, objectively measured using the Grooved Pegboard and Digit Vigilance Test scores; and perceived cognitive function, self-reported using the Patient Assessment of Own Functioning Inventory.

Palpitations in Women With Breast Cancer Are Associated With Polymorphisms for Neurotransmitter Genes.

Objectives: To evaluate for associations between the occurrence of palpitations reported by women prior to breast cancer surgery and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for neurotransmitter genes.

Sample & Setting: A total of 398 women, who were scheduled for unilateral breast cancer surgery, provided detailed information on demographic and clinical characteristics and the occurrence of palpitations prior to breast cancer surgery.

Methods & Variables: The occurrence of palpitations was assessed using a single item (i.

Lower Income, Smoking, Cardiopulmonary Comorbidities, and Higher Symptom Burden Influence the Occurrence of Cough in Patients Receiving Chemotherapy.

Objectives: To identify subgroups of patients with distinct cough occurrence profiles and evaluate for differences among these subgroups.

Sample & Setting: Outpatients receiving chemotherapy (N = 1,338) completed questionnaires six times over two chemotherapy cycles.

Methods & Variables: Occurrence of cough was assessed using the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale.

Effects of aerobic exercise on neurocognitive function in postmenopausal women receiving endocrine therapy for breast cancer: The Exercise Program in Cancer and Cognition randomized controlled trial.

Objective: The Exercise Program in Cancer and Cognition (EPICC) Study was a randomized controlled trial (RCT) designed to determine whether six months of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise improves neurocognitive function in women with breast cancer (BC) receiving endocrine therapy (ET).

Methods: Postmenopausal women with hormone receptor+, early-stage BC, within two years post-primary therapy were randomized to the exercise intervention (six months, ≥150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise/week) or usual care control condition. Outcomes were assessed at pre-randomization and after intervention completion.

DNA Methylation, Inflammation, and Neurobehavior in Preterm Infants.

Inflammation contributes to disparate neurodevelopmental outcomes between preterm and term-born infants. In this context, DNA methylation may contribute to inflammation by affecting gene expression. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor () and nuclear factor-kappa-B-inhibitor alpha () are important genes for targeted DNA methylation analysis.

The CARING study: Examining biological, behavioral, and genetic mechanisms in the intergenerational transmission of toxic stress.

When children experience extreme or persistent stressors (e.g., maltreatment, housing insecurity, intimate partner violence), prolonged elevation of the stress-response system can lead to disrupted development of multiple physiological systems.

Self-Reported Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment in Patients With Breast Cancer Is Associated With Potassium Channel Gene Polymorphisms.

Objectives: To evaluate for associations of polymorphisms for potassium channel genes in patients with breast cancer who were classified as having high or low-moderate levels of cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI).

Sample & Setting: 397 women who were scheduled to undergo surgery for breast cancer on one breast were recruited from breast care centers located in a comprehensive cancer center, two public hospitals, and four community practices.

Methods & Variables: CRCI was assessed using the Attentional Function Index prior to and for six months after surgery.

Stress and Coping in Patients With Cancer With Depression and Sleep Disturbance.

Objectives: To evaluate for differences in global, cancer-specific, and cumulative life stress, as well as resilience and use of various coping strategies among five groups (no depression or sleep disturbance, no depression and moderate sleep disturbance, subsyndromal depression and very high sleep disturbance, moderate depression and moderate sleep disturbance [Both Moderate]; and high depression and very high sleep disturbance [Both High]).

Sample & Setting: Patients (N = 1,331) receiving chemotherapy were recruited from outpatient oncology clinics.

Methods & Variables: Measures of global, cancer-specific, and cumulative life stress, resilience, and coping were obtained.

Pain-related single nucleotide polymorphisms: association with lumbar spinal stenosis patient experience and non-surgical treatment outcomes.

Purpose: Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is common in our aging population resulting in pain and functional impairment. Recent advances in pain research have identified several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) associated with inter-individual symptom and treatment response. The goal of the current study was to investigate the association of SNPs in Neuropeptide Y (NPY) and Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) with pain, function, and treatment outcomes in Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) patients receiving non-surgical treatments.