Reducing Learning and Psychosocial Disparities in Latino Children with Cancer: A Randomized Intervention Trial.

Background: We developed a high-intensity parenting intervention (HIP) to help parents support the academic success of childhood cancer survivors (CCSs), who often face post-treatment challenges affecting their school-related functioning. This randomized controlled trial (NCT03178617) evaluated HIP's efficacy compared to lower-intensity, single-session, treatment-as-usual services (LIP) in Latino families. Primary outcomes were parenting efficacy and CCSs' school functioning; secondary outcomes included parenting knowledge and measures of CCSs' academic performance, attention, and functioning outside of school.

The impact of monitoring techniques on progression to chronic breast cancer-related lymphedema: a meta-analysis comparing bioimpedance spectroscopy versus circumferential measurements.

Background: Chronic breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is a potentially serious complication following treatment. Monitoring for progression to BCRL may allow for earlier detection and intervention, reducing the rate of progression to chronic BCRL. Therefore, the purpose of this meta-analysis is to evaluate the impact of monitoring techniques on the incidence of chronic BCRL among patients monitored by bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) and circumference as compared to background rates.

Threshold score for the self-report Pediatric Distress Thermometer Rating Scale in childhood cancer patients.

Objective: Although there is enthusiasm for identifying and treating psychosocial problems in childhood cancer patients, there are few validated instruments to help providers identify at-risk children for further assessment. The study objective was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the self-report pediatric Distress Thermometer Rating Scale (Peds DTRS) in childhood cancer survivors and identify a threshold score to help providers classify pediatric patients.

Methods: We evaluated 54 children 7-17 years old using 178 Peds DTRS longitudinal data points from the cohort that was used for the original pediatric adaptation of the DTRS.

Inspection of Biomimicry Approaches as an Alternative to Address Climate-Related Energy Building Challenges: A Framework for Application in Panama.

In the Panama context, energy consumption in the building sector is mostly related to the conditioning of indoor spaces for cooling and lighting. Different nature strategies can be mimic to strongly impact these two aspects in the building sector, such as the ones presented here. A comprehensive analysis regarding literature related to biomimicry-based approaches destined to improve buildings designs is presented here.

Social-ecological predictors of school functioning in Hispanic children treated for cancer with central nervous system-directed therapies.

Background: Children with brain tumor or acute leukemia are at risk for neurotoxic side effects associated with their cancer therapies. These long-term deficits include poor health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in school and lower educational achievement. Although social-ecological factors may impact these outcomes, it is not known which factors play a role.

Adaptation of an Intervention to Reduce Disparities in School HRQOL for Latino Childhood Cancer Survivors.

Objective: Survivors of childhood leukemia, especially those from low socioeconomic status households, often experience persistent neurocognitive and academic impairment. This study adapted an existing parent training intervention to improve outcomes for low-acculturated, Spanish-speaking Latino parents of children with leukemia and pilot tested that intervention for feasibility.

Methods: Semistructured interviews were conducted with a focus group of 20 Latino parents of children treated for leukemia.

Convergent and criterion validity of the CogState computerized brief battery cognitive assessment in women with and without breast cancer.

Objective: Computerized tests have increasingly garnered interest for assessing cognitive functioning due to their potential logistical and financial advantages over traditional 'pencil and-paper' neuropsychological tests. However, psychometric information is necessary to guide decisions about their clinical and research utility with varied populations. We explored the convergent construct validity and criterion validity of the CogState computerized tests in breast cancer survivors, a group known to present with mostly mild, subtle cognitive dysfunction.

Readiness to change as a moderator of outcome in transdiagnostic treatment.

Initial symptom severity is a client characteristic associated with psychotherapy outcome, although this relationship is not well-understood. Readiness to change is a factor that may influence this relationship. This study tested readiness as a moderator of the relationship between initial severity and symptom change.