Relationship of Mitochondrial Enzymes to Fatigue Intensity in Men With Prostate Cancer Receiving External Beam Radiation Therapy.

Purpose: Mitochondrial dysfunction is a plausible biological mechanism for cancer-related fatigue. Specific aims of this study were to (1) describe the levels of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation complex (MOPC) enzymes, fatigue, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) before and at completion of external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) in men with nonmetastatic prostate cancer (PC); (2) examine relationships over time among levels of MOPC enzymes, fatigue, and HRQOL; and (3) compare levels of MOPC enzymes in men with clinically significant and nonsignificant fatigue intensification during EBRT.

Methods: Fatigue was measured by the revised Piper Fatigue Scale and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Fatigue subscale (FACT-F).

The biology of cancer-related fatigue: a review of the literature.

Purpose: Understanding the etiology of cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is critical to identify targets to develop therapies to reduce CRF burden. The goal of this systematic review was to expand on the initial work by the National Cancer Institute CRF Working Group to understand the state of the science related to the biology of CRF and, specifically, to evaluate studies that examined the relationships between biomarkers and CRF and to develop an etiologic model of CRF to guide researchers on pathways to explore or therapeutic targets to investigate.

Methods: This review was completed by the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer Fatigue Study Group-Biomarker Working Group.

Association of Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Fatigue: A Review of the Literature.

Fatigue is often described by patients as a lack of energy, mental or physical tiredness, diminished endurance, and prolonged recovery after physical activity. Etiologic mechanisms underlying fatigue are not well understood; however, fatigue is a hallmark symptom of mitochondrial disease, making mitochondrial dysfunction a putative biological mechanism for fatigue. Therefore, this review examined studies that investigated the association of markers of mitochondrial dysfunction with fatigue and proposes possible research directions to enhance understanding of the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in fatigue.

Telomere length: a review of methods for measurement.

Background: The exciting discovery that telomere shortening is associated with many health conditions and that telomere lengths can be altered in response to social and environmental exposures has underscored the need for methods to accurately and consistently quantify telomere length.

Objectives: The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive summary that compares and contrasts the current technologies used to assess telomere length.

Discussion: Multiple methods have been developed for the study of telomeres.

An integrative review of factors associated with telomere length and implications for biobehavioral research.

Background: Although telomere shortening occurs as a natural part of aging, there is now a robust body of research that suggests that there is a relationship between psychosocial, environmental, and behavioral factors and changes in telomere length. These factors need to be considered when integrating telomere measurement in biobehavioral research studies.

Objectives: This article provides a brief summary of the known facts about telomere biology and an integrative review of current human research studies that assessed relationships between psychosocial, environmental, or behavioral factors and telomere length.

Fall risk in adult inpatients with leukemia undergoing induction chemotherapy.

Falls are a major concern for patients with acute myeloid leukemia who are admitted to the hospital for induction chemotherapy. Patients with cancer are at risk for rapidly changing health status and, therefore, need a different kind of fall surveillance than those in other inpatient units. Fall risk most likely will change throughout an inpatient's stay.

Back pain caused by a solitary plasmacytoma of bone.

This article presents initial diagnostic workup and criteria for diagnosing solitary plasmacytoma of bone (SPB) versus multiple myeloma. The authors discuss the incorporation of current imaging technologies into the diagnosis and staging of SPB and multiple myeloma. In addition, the article addresses treatment modalities and discusses the importance of oncology nurses' awareness of this rare condition.