Cancer-Related Fatigue – Clinical Evaluation Scales and Interventions: A Systematic Review

Background: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is one of the most frequent and prevalent symptoms expressed by cancer patients and cancer survivors. It is a multifactorial phenomenon that causes a direct detrimental impact on quality of life. Objectives: This systematic review aims to identify different clinical evaluation scales and interventions available for fatigue associated with cancer. Materials and Methods: A methodology of the systematic literature review was carried out. Two separate databases PubMed and Google Scholar searches were performed using different MeSH terms. Results: A total of 2611 research articles were screened and identified 10 unidimensional scales (four with one item scales and six with numerous item scales) and 13 multidimensional scales which are available for the screening and clinical evaluation of fatigue. Reviews have also revealed non-pharmacological interventions such as exercise, complementary therapies, nutritional and psychoeducational interventions, sleep therapy, energy therapy, bright white light, restorative therapies upcoming anthroposophical medicine, and various pharmacological agents effective in managing CRF. Conclusion: Clinical evaluation of fatigue and its management is crucial for improving the quality of life. Yet, more rigorous research studies with higher statistical power need to be conducted on these interventions to generate adequate evidences for managing the CRF.

The use of ball pits and playpens in laboratory Lister Hooded male rats induces ultrasonic vocalisations indicating a more positive affective state and can reduce the welfare impacts of aversive procedures

The advancement and quality of science rely on research that is robust and unbiased in its experimental design, execution, analysis, and reproducibility. In preclinical research, a better understanding of animal emotions and refinement of their husbandry, housing, and handling are important goals in providing good animal welfare in a laboratory setting which underpins rigorous research quality. Induction of positive emotional state in animals is a key component of their well-being, and one approach is to increase their environmental complexity using, for example, ball pits or playpens in rats. In this study, we recorded 50 kHz ultrasonic vocalisations (USVs) during animals’ exposure to the ball pit and playpen. We have previously shown that 50 kHz USVs provide a graded and quantifiable measure of an animal’s emotional state, and here find that access to the ball pit and playpen increases 50 kHz USVs, indicative of a more positive affective state. Using our affective bias test (ABT) we next quantified the animals’ emotional response to an aversive intervention and whether this could be attenuated by access to a playpen. The playpen exposure completely mitigated the negative affective state induced by an anxiogenic drug when compared with animals who experienced the drug in the home cage. Together, these findings suggest ball pits and playpens provide a simple and effective method to improve the welfare of laboratory rats and reduce the cumulative suffering they experience from their housing conditions and minor, aversive procedures.

Laying the Foundation for a Micro-Credential Strategy

In 2019, Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU or University) convened a Digital Credentials Lab (DCL) team to research, design, and pilot micro-credentials. The goal was to determine if there was a demand for this type of “alternative” learning experience in the market to see if it could be sustainable within the current higher education framework at the University. Through rigorous research, including both internal and external interviews, multiple pilots, and testing, the DCL sought to answer these questions and determine if micro-credentials could add more diversity to the SNHU catalog. In this chapter, the authors offer insight and experience, including findings from various pilots and learner feedback, to help inform other institutions that may be considering offering micro-credentials.

An Exploration of the Relationship between PBIS and Discipline Outcomes for Students With Disabilities

To support all students, including students with disabilities, many schools have adopted a positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) framework. Although rigorous research documents the beneficial effects of Tier 1 PBIS for all students and emerging research extends these findings to students with disabilities, there has not been a national study focused on PBIS and discipline outcomes for students with disabilities. In this exploratory study, we combine existing national data sets to explore the relationship between (a) known PBIS exposure (i.e., being in the PBIS data set) and fidelity (i.e., meeting the criterion on an established fidelity measure of Tier 1 PBIS) and (b) exclusionary discipline for students with disabilities. Using two-part path analysis, we document that PBIS may be associated with decreased use of suspension; however, findings are less consistent for other discipline outcomes. This study highlights the critical need for more accurate data on discipline outcomes and further research on effective intervention.

Recent Advances in Evolving Computing Paradigms: Cloud, Edge, and Fog Technologies

Cloud computing has become integral lately due to the ever-expanding Internet-of-things (IoT) network. It still is and continues to be the best practice for implementing complex computational applications, emphasizing the massive processing of data. However, the cloud falls short due to the critical constraints of novel IoT applications generating vast data, which entails a swift response time with improved privacy. The newest drift is moving computational and storage resources to the edge of the network, involving a decentralized distributed architecture. The data processing and analytics perform at proximity to end-users, and overcome the bottleneck of cloud computing. The trend of deploying machine learning (ML) at the network edge to enhance computing applications and services has gained momentum lately, specifically to reduce latency and energy consumed while optimizing the security and management of resources. There is a need for rigorous research efforts oriented towards developing and implementing machine learning algorithms that deliver the best results in terms of speed, accuracy, storage, and security, with low power consumption. This extensive survey presented on the prominent computing paradigms in practice highlights the latest innovations resulting from the fusion between ML and the evolving computing paradigms and discusses the underlying open research challenges and future prospects.

Molecular Mechanisms and Regulation of Mammalian Mitophagy

Mitochondria in the cell are the center for energy production, essential biomolecule synthesis, and cell fate determination. Moreover, the mitochondrial functional versatility enables cells to adapt to the changes in cellular environment and various stresses. In the process of discharging its cellular duties, mitochondria face multiple types of challenges, such as oxidative stress, protein-related challenges (import, folding, and degradation) and mitochondrial DNA damage. They mitigate all these challenges with robust quality control mechanisms which include antioxidant defenses, proteostasis systems (chaperones and proteases) and mitochondrial biogenesis. Failure of these quality control mechanisms leaves mitochondria as terminally damaged, which then have to be promptly cleared from the cells before they become a threat to cell survival. Such damaged mitochondria are degraded by a selective form of autophagy called mitophagy. Rigorous research in the field has identified multiple types of mitophagy processes based on targeting signals on damaged or superfluous mitochondria. In this review, we provide an in-depth overview of mammalian mitophagy and its importance in human health and diseases. We also attempted to highlight the future area of investigation in the field of mitophagy.

Indian Plural Health System and Resilience: Lessons from COVID-19

Beginning with a brief recent history of plural health systems in the Indian context, this is a commentary on the idea of resilience from the perspectives of AYUSH and local health traditions (LHTs) as witnessed historically and during the COVID pandemic. By narrating the AYUSH systems’ experiences during COVID-19, in providing health care and in attempts at building rigorous research and evidence, it examines their potential future engagement in the public health scenario in the country. The article contextualizes the potential core functions of plural and integrative health systems for the resilience of the Indian health system.

Following the Science to Generate Well-Being: Using the Highest-Quality Experimental Evidence to Design Interventions

The second wave of devastating consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic has been linked to dramatic declines in well-being. While much of the well-being literature is based on descriptive and correlational studies, this paper evaluates a growing body of causal evidence from high-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that test the efficacy of positive psychology interventions (PPIs). This systematic review analyzed the findings from 25 meta-analyses, 42 review papers, and the high-quality RCTs of PPIs designed to generate well-being that were included within those studies. Findings reveal PPIs have the potential to generate well-being even during a global pandemic, with larger effect sizes in non-Western countries. Four exemplar PPIs—that have been tested with a high-quality RCT, have positive effects on well-being, and could be implemented during a global pandemic—are presented and discussed. Future efforts to generate well-being can build on this causal evidence and emulate the most efficacious PPIs to be as effective as possible at generating well-being. However, the four exemplars were only tested in WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrial, Rich, and Democratic) countries but seem promising for implementation and evaluation in non-WEIRD contexts. This review highlights the overall need for more rigorous research on PPIs with more diverse populations and in non-WEIRD contexts to ensure equitable access to effective interventions that generate well-being for all.

Secondary Immunodeficiency Related to Kidney Disease (SIDKD) - Definition, Unmet Need and Mechanisms

Kidney disease is a known risk factor for poor outcome of COVID-19 and many other serious infections. Vice versa, infection ranks second as cause of death in patients with kidney disease. However, little is known about the underlying secondary immunodeficiency related to kidney disease (SIDKD). In contrast to cardiovascular disease related to kidney disease, which has triggered countless epidemiological, clinical, and experimental research activities or interventional trials, investments in tracing, understanding, and therapeutically targeting SIDKD have been sparse. As a call for more awareness of SIDKD as an immanent unmet medical need that requires rigorous research activities at all levels, too, we review the epidemiology of SIDKD and the numerous aspects of the abnormal immunophenotype of patients with kidney disease. We propose a definition of SIDKD and discuss the pathogenic mechanisms of SIDKD known so far, including more recent insights into the unexpected immunoregulatory roles of elevated levels of FGF23 and hyperuricemia as well as shifts in the secretome of the intestinal microbiota in kidney disease. As an ultimate goal, we should aim to develop therapeutics that can reduce mortality due to infections in patients with kidney disease by normalizing host defense to pathogens and immune responses to vaccines.

White Parents’ Socialization of Racial Attitudes: A Commentary on Scott et al. (2020)

In the September 2020 issue of Perspectives, Scott et al. argued that there is insufficient empirical work on White parents’ racial-socialization strategies to support generalizations about the topic and, therefore, that journalists’ recommendation that White parents discuss race and racism with their children represents a case of speculation without evidence. Although we strongly support Scott et al.’s call for additional, rigorous research on racial socialization in White families, we argue that their critique of popular-press pieces was unwarranted. Specifically, we argue that, although definitive tests of the effects of specific White parental racial-socialization strategies are lacking, the recommendation for parents to discuss race and racism with their children is both appropriate and empirically grounded. We describe research on racial socialization, intergroup contact, and cognitive development that is consistent with recommendations from developmental scientists reported in the popular press. Furthermore, we argue that parents may be the ideal socializers of racial attitudes. We conclude with a discussion of the broad context concerning media reports of findings from psychological science.