A Way Forward for Comprehensive Cancer Caregiver Support.

Family caregivers are integral to patient care. However, a combination of systemic forces places enormous pressure on family caregivers, while simultaneously devaluing them. Recently, more public attention has been paid to caregivers' importance, prevalence, and needs, generating supportive responses by government, employers, and the media.

Building on and tailoring to: Adapting a cancer caregiver psychoeducational intervention for rural settings.

Introduction: Rural cancer caregivers experience obstacles in accessing services, obtaining respite, and ensuring their care recipients receive quality care. These challenges warrant opportunities to participate in evidence-based behavioral intervention trials to fill support gaps. Adaptation to rural settings can facilitate appropriate fit, given higher caregiver service needs and unique challenges.

Integrating Family Caregivers Into Cancer Care: Implementation of Evidence-Based Caregiver Protocols Into Gynecologic Oncology Practice.

Purpose: Family caregivers (CGs) of individuals with cancer are increasingly relied upon to provide long-term, sometimes intense care, although their integration into clinical cancer care remains minimal. The Caregiver Advocacy, Research, and Education (CARE) Center is a novel nurse-led academic-clinical partnership to support family CGs of individuals with gynecologic cancer. This study aims to describe the implementation of the Center protocols and report metrics of CG needs and Center support.

Efficacy of Web-Based Interventions on Depression and Anxiety in Cancer Caregivers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of web-based interventions in depression and anxiety among informal caregivers of patients with cancer.

Methods: Databases such as PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, Embase, CINAHL, and PsycINFO were systematically searched from inception to April 15, 2024. Eligible studies encompassed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) focusing on web-based interventions tailored to informal caregivers of patients with cancer.

Material, Psychological, and Behavioral Financial Hardship Among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Cancer Survivors in the United States.

Purpose: Driven by anti-LGBTQ+ stigma, emerging literature suggests that lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) cancer survivors experience financial hardship (FH) more frequently than heterosexual survivors. However, few studies have used nationally representative samples to estimate this inequity.

Methods: National Health Interview Survey data from 2019 to 2022 were pooled and weighted.

Chronic Health Conditions, Disability, and Physical and Cognitive Limitations among LGBTQ+ Cancer Survivors.

Background: Cancer survivors are at high risk for chronic health conditions and physical and cognitive limitations. However, few studies have explored these outcomes among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Plus (LGBTQ+) survivors.

Methods: We used pooled, weighted Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data from 23 states that completed two specific modules at least once from 2020 to 2022.

"A strong reason why I enjoy coming to work": Clinician acceptability of a palliative and supportive care intervention (PACT) for older adults with acute myeloid leukemia and their care partners.

Introduction: Studies about clinician acceptability of integrative palliative care interventions in the inpatient and outpatient cancer settings are limited. In this study, we examined clinician acceptability of a NIH-funded interdisciplinary PAlliative and Supportive Care inTervention (PACT) for older adults with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and their care partners that transcends both inpatient and outpatient settings.

Materials And Methods: Data was collected using semi-structured interviews with clinicians who were directly involved in PACT.

Positive emotions co-experienced with strangers and acquaintances predict COVID-19 vaccination intentions through prosocial tendencies.

Background: The efficacy of vaccination depends on its widespread adoption, making vaccine uptake not just a personal health behavior but also a prosocial one. Previous research has shown that everyday moments of co-experienced positive emotions (positivity resonance) are associated with higher prosocial tendencies, and these moments, in turn, prospectively predict people's pandemic hygiene behaviors. Yet, limited research has explored how moments of positivity resonance may have predicted greater COVID-19 vaccine intentions during the early months of the pandemic.

Microscale strain concentrations in tissue-engineered osteochondral implants are dictated by local compositional thresholds and architecture.

Tissue-engineered osteochondral implants manufactured from condensed mesenchymal stem cell bodies have shown promise for treating focal cartilage defects. Notably, such manufacturing techniques have shown to successfully recapture the bulk mechanical properties of native cartilage. However, the relationships among the architectural features, local composition, and micromechanical environment within tissue-engineered cartilage from cell-based aggregates remain unclear.

Expanding Leadership and Professional Development Opportunities for Oncology Nurse Practitioners.

Nurse practitioner (NP) involvement in professional organizations improves clinical practice, patient outcomes, and health care policy. Results of a survey for a local professional nursing organization showed a need for more NP-level education and NP mentorship and leadership training. Findings were applied to develop a leadership initiative through an NP-led continuing education program.

Caring for Children in Relation to Financial Hardship, Advance Care Planning, and Genetic Testing Among Adolescent and Young Adults with Cancer.

When a cancer diagnosis coincides with caring for children, it may influence the financial impacts of cancer and decisions to pursue advance care planning (ACP) or genetic testing. We examined associations between caring for children and financial hardship, ACP, and genetic testing among female adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors in North Carolina and California. Participants were diagnosed at ages 15-39 years with breast, melanoma, gynecologic, lymphoma, or thyroid cancer during 2004-2016.

Inequities Among Cancer Caregivers with Diverse Identities: A Review of the Literature and Future Directions.

Purpose Of Review: The number of older adults with cancer relying on support from caregivers continues to increase. Health disparities in older adults with cancer often extend to their caregivers. This review aims to assess the state of cancer caregiving research in historically underrepresented diverse populations and provide recommendations for future research and policy.

Piloting HealthScore: Feasibility and acceptability of a clinically integrated health coaching program for people living with cancer.

Background: Cancer supportive care interventions often have limited generalizability, goal misalignment, and high costs. We developed and piloted a health coaching intervention, UNC HealthScore, in patients undergoing cancer treatment (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT04923997).

Perspectives of caregivers of older adults with acute myeloid leukemia during initial hypomethylating agents and venetoclax chemotherapy.

Background: Older adults with AML commonly receive a hypomethylating agent (HMA) as first-line therapy. The addition of venetoclax (VEN) to HMAs has been shown to improve remission rates and overall survival. The use of combination therapy (HMA + VEN) requires frequent follow-up, results in longer infusion times, and likely increases caregiver responsibility at home.

A Visual Case-Oriented Analysis of Stress-Related Symptoms in Caregivers of Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplantation Recipients.

Objectives: To describe trends in caregiver stress and stress-related symptoms (anxiety, depression, fatigue, and sleep disturbance) across 12 weeks post-transplantation.

Sample & Setting: 11 caregivers were recruited from a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center's bone marrow transplantation (BMT) outpatient clinic in the southeastern United States.

Methods & Variables: A visual case-oriented analysis was conducted on data from 11 caregivers' weekly self-reported data to identify trends after allogeneic BMT.

Psychological processing among caregivers of allogeneic bone marrow transplant recipients: Qualitative findings from a longitudinal study.

Purpose: To describe caregiver psychological processing during the 12 weeks after transplant and the potential role of positive emotions in caregiving experiences.

Methods: We conducted a longitudinal qualitative descriptive study and interviewed 11 BMT caregivers monthly for 12-weeks post-transplant about their experiences and psychological processing. We analyzed 38 interviews using directed content analysis based on guiding theories and inductive in vivo coding to develop themes.

Exploring Experiences of Bereaved Caregivers of Older Adult Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Caregivers of older adults with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are requiring more support now that novel, nonintensive therapies, such as hypomethylating agents and venetoclax, are shifting the burden of care to the outpatient setting. Early findings from a larger study describe supportive care needs from the perspective of bereaved caregivers that align with existing research, informing the development of best practices for oncology nurses who support caregivers of older adults with AML.

Comparable Impairment of Vascular Endothelial Function by a Wide Range of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Devices.

Introduction: Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS; ie, vaping devices) such as e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and newer coil-less ultrasonic vaping devices are promoted as less harmful alternatives to combustible cigarettes. However, their cardiovascular effects are understudied. We investigated whether exposure to aerosol from a wide range of ENDS devices, including a new ultrasonic vaping device, impairs endothelial function.

Identification of Sclareol As a Natural Neuroprotective Ca 1.3-Antagonist Using Synthetic Parkinson-Mimetic Gene Circuits and Computer-Aided Drug Discovery.

Parkinson's disease (PD) results from selective loss of substantia nigra dopaminergic (SNc DA) neurons, and is primarily caused by excessive activity-related Ca oscillations. Although L-type voltage-gated calcium channel blockers (CCBs) selectively inhibiting Ca 1.3 are considered promising candidates for PD treatment, drug discovery is hampered by the lack of high-throughput screening technologies permitting isoform-specific assessment of Cav-antagonistic activities.

Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors: Nursing Considerations for Social Determinants of Health.

Background: Nurses develop meaningful and deep connections with patients, making them particularly skilled to consider how social determinants of health (SDOH) affect patients. SDOH include one's neighborhood and built environment, health and health care, social and community context, education, and economic stability. Consideration of SDOH, in addition to individual factors, allows nurses to better support patient engagement in health behaviors.

Zona incerta subpopulations differentially encode and modulate anxiety.

Despite recent clinical observations linking the zona incerta (ZI) to anxiety, little is known about whether and how the ZI processes anxiety. Here, we subject mice to anxious experiences and observe an increase in ZI c-fos–labeled neurons and single-cell calcium activity as well as an efficient effect of ZI infusion of diazepam, a classical anxiolytic drug. We further identify that somatostatin (SOM)–, calretinin (CR)–, and vesicular glutamate transporter-2 (Vglut2)–expressing cells display unique electrophysiological profiles; however, they similarly respond to anxiety-provoking stimuli and to diazepam.

Release of stem cells from quiescence reveals gliogenic domains in the adult mouse brain.

Quiescent neural stem cells (NSCs) in the adult mouse ventricular-subventricular zone (V-SVZ) undergo activation to generate neurons and some glia. Here we show that platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFRβ) is expressed by adult V-SVZ NSCs that generate olfactory bulb interneurons and glia. Selective deletion of PDGFRβ in adult V-SVZ NSCs leads to their release from quiescence, uncovering gliogenic domains for different glial cell types.

GREB1: An evolutionarily conserved protein with a glycosyltransferase domain links ERα glycosylation and stability to cancer.

What covalent modifications control the temporal ubiquitination of ERα and hence the duration of its transcriptional activity remain poorly understood. We show that GREB1, an ERα-inducible enzyme, catalyzes O-GlcNAcylation of ERα at residues T553/S554, which stabilizes ERα protein by inhibiting association with the ubiquitin ligase ZNF598. Loss of GREB1-mediated glycosylation of ERα results in reduced cellular ERα levels and insensitivity to estrogen.

Lateral ventral tegmental area GABAergic and glutamatergic modulation of conditioned learning.

The firing activity of dorso-medial-striatal-cholinergic interneurons (dmCINs) is a neural correlate of classical conditioning. Tonically active, they pause in response to salient stimuli, mediating acquisition of predictive cues/outcome associations. Cortical and thalamic inputs are typical of the rather limited knowledge about underlying circuitry contributing to this function.