Insights from Bacterial 16S rRNA Gene into Bacterial Genera and Predicted Metabolic Pathways Associated with Stool Consistency in Rectal Cancer Patients: A Proof of Concept.

Purpose: To examine if gut microbial taxa abundances and predicted functional pathways correlate with Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS) classification at the end of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy (CRT) for rectal cancer.

Methods: Rectal cancer patients ( = 39) provided tool samples for 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Stool consistency was evaluated using the BSFS.

Gut Microbiota and Depressive Symptoms at the End of CRT for Rectal Cancer: A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study.

Background: The role of alterations in gut microbiota composition (termed dysbiosis) has been implicated in the pathobiology of depressive symptoms; however, evidence remains limited. This cross-sectional pilot study is aimed at exploring whether depressive symptom scores changed during neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy to treat rectal cancer, and if gut microbial taxa abundances and predicted functional pathways correlate with depressive symptoms at the end of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Methods: 40 newly diagnosed rectal cancer patients (ages 28-81; 23 males) were assessed for depressive symptoms using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) and provided stool samples for 16S rRNA sequencing.

Association of Radiotherapy-Related Intestinal Injury and Cancer-related Fatigue: A Brief Review and Commentary.

Radiotherapy treatment-induced intestinal injury and gut microbial perturbation/dysbiosis have been implicated in the pathobiology of cancer-related fatigue. The objective of this brief review was to explore the available evidence of the relationship between intestinal injury and self-reported fatigue, especially among cancer patients. The scientific evidence-including our own-linking gut mucosal barrier dysfunction and gut microbial perturbation/dysbiosis induced by cancer treatment with worsening of cancer related fatigue (perhaps through the gut-brain axis) is limited but promising.

Co-Occurrence of Symptoms and Gut Microbiota Composition Before Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy for Rectal Cancer: A Proof of Concept.

Purpose: To examine a) whether there are significant differences in gut microbial diversity and in the abundance of gut microbial taxa; and b) differences in predicted functional pathways of the gut microbiome between those participants with high co-occurring symptoms and those with low co-occurring symptoms, prior to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy (CRT) for rectal cancer.

Methods: Rectal cancer patients (n = 41) provided stool samples for 16 S rRNA gene sequencing and symptom ratings for fatigue, sleep disturbance, and depressive symptoms prior to CRT. Descriptive statistics were computed for symptoms.

Gut microbiota and fatigue in rectal cancer patients: a cross-sectional pilot study.

Context: Although microbial-mediated disturbance of intestinal mucosal homeostasis (dysbiosis) is believed to contribute to the pathogenesis of chemotherapy and radiotherapy (CRT)-related fatigue, potential differences in the gut microbial diversity and in the abundance of gut microbial taxa between fatigued and non-fatigued patients have not been adequately examined, particularly in the rectal cancer population.

Purpose: In this cross-sectional study, we aim to examine the differences in (a) gut microbial diversity and gut microbial abundances and (b) predicted functional pathways of the gut microbiome between rectal cancer participants with and without fatigue at the end of CRT.

Methods: Rectal cancer patients (n = 50) provided stool samples for 16S rRNA gene sequencing and symptom ratings for fatigue at the end of CRT.

Changes in Gut Microbiome Associated With Co-Occurring Symptoms Development During Chemo-Radiation for Rectal Cancer: A Proof of Concept Study.

Purpose: To examine a) whether there are significant differences in the severity of symptoms of fatigue, sleep disturbance, or depression between patients with rectal cancer who develop co-occurring symptoms and those with no symptoms before and at the end of chemotherapy and radiation therapy (CRT); b) differences in gut microbial diversity between those with co-occurring symptoms and those with no symptoms; and c) whether before-treatment diversity measurements and taxa abundances can predict co-occurrence of symptoms.

Methods: Stool samples and symptom ratings were collected from 31 patients with rectal cancer prior to and at the end of (24-28 treatments) CRT. Descriptive statistics were computed and the Mann-Whitney U test was performed for symptoms.

Factors Affecting the Severity of Fatigue during Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer; an Exploratory Study.

Introduction: Limited studies have examined potential risk factors associated with the fatigue experience of a sample of Puerto Rican men treated with radiotherapy for non-metastatic prostate cancer. Identifying these factors may provide initial information about targets for individualized interventions, leading to more effective management of fatigue in this population.

Purpose: To examine the relationship of age, body max index, depressive symptoms, physical activity, and sleep disturbance with fatigue during radiotherapy for prostate cancer.

The Role of Gut Microbiome Perturbation in Fatigue Induced by Repeated Stress from Chemoradiotherapy: A Proof of Concept Study.

Objectives: The objectives of this proof of concept study were to (a) examine the temporal changes in fatigue and diversity of the gut microbiome over the course of chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in adults with rectal cancers; (b) investigate whether there are differences in diversity of the gut microbiome between fatigued and nonfatigued participants at the middle and at the end of CRT; and (c) investigate whether there are differences in the relative abundance of fecal microbiota at the phylum and genus levels between fatigued and nonfatigued participants at the middle and at the end of CRT.

Methods: Stool samples and symptom ratings were collected prior to the inception of CRT, at the middle (after 12-16 treatments) and at the end (after 24-28 treatments) of the CRT. Descriptive statistics and Mann-Whitney test were computed for fatigue.

Gut microbiota differences in Island Hispanic Puerto Ricans and mainland non-Hispanic whites during chemoradiation for rectal cancer: A pilot study.

Purpose: To investigate whether there are differences in diversity, taxonomic composition, and predicted functional pathways of the gut microbiome between Island Hispanic Puerto Ricans (HPR) and mainland non-Hispanic whites (NHW) measured before and at the end of chemo-radiation (CRT) for Rectal Cancer.

Methods: Fifty-six stool samples of newly diagnosed rectal cancer patients (25 HPR and 31 NHW) were amplicon-sequenced during chemo-radiotherapy. 16S rRNA gene data was analyzed using QIIME2, phyloseq, and LEfSe.

Consortium Building for Nurse Scientists Interested in Symptoms Research in the Era of Precision Health.

Purpose: This article aims to provide perspectives on the establishment of a consortium for nurse scientists with similar career trajectories interested in cancer-related symptoms (CRS) research. Hereby, we describe the development of and recent outcomes from the CRS consortium, the lessons learned in establishing the consortium, and future directions to advance the science of CRS.

Model And Methods: New and innovative strategies are needed to address the complexity of CRS research.

Gut microbiota perturbation is associated with acute sleep disturbance among rectal cancer patients.

Cancer treatment-associated gut microbial perturbation/dysbiosis has been implicated in the pathobiology of sleep disturbance; however, evidence is scarce. Eighteen newly diagnosed rectal cancer patients (ages 52-81 years; 10 males) completed a sleep disturbance questionnaire and provided stool samples for 16s RNA gene sequencing during chemo-radiotherapy. Descriptive statistics, Wilcoxon test and regression analyses were computed.

Validation of the Spanish version of the Cancer Symptom Scale in Hispanic cancer patients.

Aim: To assess the validity of the translated Spanish Cancer Symptom Scale.

Background: Instruments to facilitate comprehensive and objective assessments of the cancer symptom experience in underrepresented populations are essential.

Methods: The Cancer Symptom Scale was translated into Spanish, and a back translation was conducted.

Differences in the Severity, Distress, Interference, and Frequency on Cancer-Related Symptoms Between Island Hispanic Puerto Ricans and Mainland Non-Hispanic Whites.

The knowledge base of cancer-related symptoms is increasing; yet, limited attention has been given to provide evidence on differences in the perception of cancer symptoms between ethnic groups, especially in the Hispanic Puerto Rican (PR) population. To examine whether there are significant differences in the severity, distress, interference, and frequency of cancer symptoms between island Hispanic PR and mainland non-Hispanic whites. In this secondary data analysis, data from 109 Hispanic PR was matched by age, gender and cancer diagnosis with data from non-Hispanic whites.

The symptom experiences of Puerto Rican children undergoing cancer treatments and alleviation practices as reported by their mothers.

Although symptoms during cancer treatments are prevalent and are important clinical outcomes of childhood cancer, the symptom experiences of Puerto Rican children along with the symptom alleviation/care practices that parents provide during cancer treatments have received limited attention. To examine the occurrence/severity of symptoms on the Therapy-Related Symptom Checklist-Children (TRSC-C), reported by mothers of Puerto Rican children undergoing cancer treatments and identifying mothers' symptom alleviation/management strategies. Descriptive study conducted between January and May 2012.

Physical Activity in Puerto Rican Breast Cancer Survivors.

Objective: Breast cancer survivors do not engage in appropriate levels of physical activity, despite the known benefits of such activity. This study aims to describe physical-activity levels and the barriers to it in a group of Puerto Rican breast cancer survivors, as well as detailing their preferences for an intervention.

Methods: Participants who finished their chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy for breast cancer at least 4 months prior to the study were included.

Dietary Patterns in Puerto Rican and Mexican-American Breast Cancer Survivors: A Pilot Study.

Unlabelled: Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among Hispanic women. Certain dietary factors have been associated with the risk of breast cancer recurrence, but data in Hispanic survivors is scarce.

Objective: to examine dietary patterns and diet quality in two groups of Hispanic breast cancer survivors.

Analysis of heart failure management at the Heart Failure and Transplantation Clinics of the Cardiovascular Center of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.

Background: Disease management programs (DMP) have been shown to be effective in management of patients with heart failure (HF).

Objective: To describe the experience at the Heart Failure and Transplantation Clinic of the Cardiovascular Center of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean (HFTC-CCPRC) implementing a model of DMP to a Hispanic population afflicted by HF.

Methods: A retrospective study was performed.