Publications by authors named "Kristen S Smith"

Purpose: To characterize dietary patterns and examine associations with cross-sectional and longitudinal changes in quality of life (QOL) over approximately one year after colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosis.

Methods: The ColoCare Study is an international, multi-center, prospective cohort study of newly diagnosed CRC survivors of any stage. A subset of participants with CRC in the United States completed patient-reported outcome measures at 6- and 12-months post-enrollment, including the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30).

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Article Synopsis
  • The study looks at how gut bacteria might relate to colorectal cancer (CRC) risk, especially among Black women who have higher rates of this disease.
  • Researchers compared 11 Black women with CRC to 22 cancer-free women of the same age and weight to see differences in their gut bacteria and stress levels.
  • The results showed that healthy Black women had less diversity in their gut bacteria compared to others, and stress may affect this diversity too. More research is needed to see if these findings apply to other races and groups.
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  • This study evaluates the prevalence and severity of acute symptoms and quality of life (QOL) issues in patients undergoing emetogenic chemotherapy, using data from a multi-site observational study where participants reported their experiences five days post-treatment.* -
  • A sample of 1,174 participants, mostly female and diagnosed with various cancers, indicated significant QOL concerns such as fatigue (94%), anhedonia (89%), and sleep disturbances, with severe concerns being particularly prominent in anhedonia (44%) and fatigue (40%).* -
  • The findings highlight changes in patient-reported symptoms and QOL issues in the days following chemotherapy, indicating a shift in the types of concerns faced by patients over the past decade.*
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Objective: Depression and fatigue are common among cancer patients and are associated with germline genetic variation. The goal of this pilot study was to examine genetic associations with depression and fatigue in the year after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT).

Methods: Blood was collected from patients and their donors before HCT.

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Objectives: To investigate the gut-brain axis, we explored the relationships among mood disturbance (MD), diet quality (DQ), and fecal microbiota in free-living adults.

Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted with data from 75 healthy adults enrolled in two studies. Anthropometrics, 16s rRNA gene sequencing of fecal microbes, DQ as assessed by Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI), and MD determined by Profile of Mood States (POMS) were included.

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Background: The gut microbiota is associated with risk for colorectal cancer (CRC), a chronic disease for which racial disparities persist with Black Americans having a higher risk of CRC incidence and mortality compared to other groups. Given documented racial differences, the gut microbiota may offer some insight into previously unexplained racial disparities in CRC incidence and mortality. A case-control analysis comparing 11 women newly diagnosed with CRC with 22 cancer-free women matched on age, BMI, and race in a 1:2 ratio was conducted.

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Background: The gut microbiome contributes to numerous physiological processes in humans, and diet and exercise are known to alter both microbial composition and mood. We sought to explore the effect of a 10-week resistance training (RT) regimen with or without peanut protein supplementation (PPS) in untrained young adults on fecal microbiota and mood disturbance (MD).

Methods: Participants were randomized into PPS (n = 25) and control (CTL [no supplement]; n = 24) groups and engaged in supervised, full-body RT twice a week.

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Purpose: To investigate relationships between body size, gut microbiome, and health-related quality of life (QOL) in breast cancer survivors (BCS) in a clinical trial.

Methods: A cross-sectional substudy was conducted using baseline data from 70 BCS participating in a randomized controlled trial of a lifestyle intervention. Measures included anthropometrics, QOL (Short Form Health-related QOL Survey-36 [SF-36]), and 16S rRNA gene sequencing of fecal microbes.

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In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic led to restricted vocational (Voc-PA) and recreational physical activity (Rec-PA) outside of the home. We conducted a nation-wide survey in the United States (US) during the mitigation peak of the pandemic (June 2020) to assess health-related changes from the previous year. A diet quality (DQ) assessment tool weighted the relative healthfulness of eating occasions from foods prepared-at-home (Home) and away-from-home (Away).

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The bacteria inhabiting the gastrointestinal tract contribute to numerous host functions and can be altered by lifestyle factors. We aimed to determine whether a 6-week training intervention altered fecal microbiome diversity and/or function in older males. Fecal samples were collected prior to and following a 6-week twice-weekly supervised resistance training intervention in 14 older Caucasian males (65 ± 10 years, 28.

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Background: Zonulin is observed in animal models to regulate intestinal permeability and influenced by dietary intake, gut microbiota, and inflammation. We conducted a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled crossover trial (NCT03582306) in individuals with a BMI greater than 30 kg/m and high habitual red meat intake and low habitual green leafy vegetable (GLV) intake.

Methods: Participants were provided with frozen GLV during the first or last four weeks (immediate or delayed intervention) of the twelve-week trial.

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Protein supplementation is a commonly employed strategy to enhance resistance training adaptations. However, little research to date has examined if peanut protein supplementation is effective in this regard. Thus, we sought to determine if peanut protein supplementation (PP; 75 total g/d of powder providing 30 g/d protein, >9.

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Risk for colorectal cancer (CRC) is increased in adults with poor diet quality, low socioeconomic status, and increased body mass index (BMI). Cooked meats contain high contents of mutagenic compounds related to CRC risk. To explore differences in meat-based carcinogen exposure, a 99-item Qualtrics survey was issued to 1648 US adults.

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Green leafy vegetables (GLV) may reduce the risk of red meat (RM)-induced colonic DNA damage and colorectal cancer (CRC). We previously reported the primary outcomes (feasibility) of a 12-week randomized controlled crossover trial in adults with habitual high RM and low GLV intake with body mass index (BMI) > 30 kg/m (NCT03582306). Herein, our objective was to report a priori secondary outcomes.

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Several studies suggest resistance training (RT) while supplementing with various protein supplements can enhance strength and muscle mass in older individuals. However, to date, no study has examined the effects of RT with a peanut protein powder (PP) supplement on these outcomes. Herein, 39 older, untrained individuals (n = 17 female, n = 22 male; age = 58.

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Colon cancer (CC) risk is increased by behavioral factors including a diet high in red meat (RM) and processed meat; excess adiposity has contributed to a rise in CC in younger adults. The willingness of at-risk adults to modify behaviors to reduce CC risk warrants further investigation. The previously validated Dietary Habits and Colon Cancer Beliefs Survey (DHCCBS) was used to assess attitudes and beliefs related to CC risk and diet behavior.

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Our previous presurgical weight loss trial among 40 prostate cancer patients found that rapid (but not slow) weight loss resulted in increased tumor Ki67 and () gene expression. In follow-up analyses, we strove to better understand these unexpected findings. A correlative study was undertaken by performing additional analyses [free fatty acids (FFAs), plasma , and inflammatory cytokines] on remaining pre-post intervention sera and exploring associations with extant data on tumor Ki67, body composition, physical activity (PA), and fecal microbiota.

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Altering the gut microflora may produce health benefits in individuals suffering from mood disorders. The purpose of this review was to evaluate the efficacy of probiotics, prebiotics, or synbiotics as a potential treatment for symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress (as psychobiotics). Google Scholar, PubMed, PsychINFO, and Web of Science were utilized to identify and evaluate studies through October 31, 2019.

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Preclinical and observational research suggests green leafy vegetables (GLVs) may reduce the risk of red meat (RM)-induced colonic DNA damage and colon cancer (CC). We sought to determine the feasibility of a high GLV dietary intervention in adults with an increased risk of CC (NCT03582306) via a 12-week randomized controlled crossover trial. Participants were randomized to immediate or delayed (post-4-week washout) intervention groups.

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Dietary patterns characterized by higher red meat (RM) consumption are associated with increased colon cancer (CC) risk. Preclinical and epidemiological evidence suggest higher green leafy vegetable (GLV) consumption may mitigate these risks. Determining the relationship between dietary habits and expected health outcomes is needed.

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