bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Subsite-Specific Colorectal Cancer Incidence Rates and Stage Distributions among Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States, 1995 to 1999
Authors: Wu Xiaocheng , Chen Vivien W. , Martin Jim , Roffers Steven , Groves Frank D. , Correa Catherine N. , Hamilton-Byrd Elizabeth , Jemal Ahmedin
Published: June 2022

Objective: This study examined subsite-specific colorectal cancer incidence rates and stage distributions for Asians and Pacific Islanders (API) and compared the API data with data for Whites and African Americans. Methods: Data included 336,798 invasive colorectal cancer incident cases for 1995 to 1999 from 23 population-based central cancer registries, representing about two thirds of API population in the United States. Age-adjusted rates, using the 2000 U.S. standard population, and age-specific rates and stage distributions were computed by anatomic subsite, race, and gender. All rates were expressed per 100,000. SEs and rate ratios were calculated for rate comparison. A significance level of 0.05 was used for all analyses. Results: Overall, age-adjusted colorectal cancer incidence rates were significantly lower in API than in Whites and African Americans across anatomic subsites, particularly for proximal colon cancer in which rates were 40% to 50% lower in API males and females. Exception to this pattern was the significantly (10%) higher rectal cancer incidence rate in API males than in African American males. The incidence patterns by anatomic subsite within API differed from those of Whites and African Americans. Among API, the rate of rectal cancer (19.2 per 100,000) was significantly higher than the rates of proximal (15.2 per 100,000) and distal (17.7 per 100,000) colon cancers in males, with little variations in rates across anatomic subsites in females. In contrast, among White and African American males and females, proximal colon cancer rates were over 25% higher than the rates of distal colon and rectal cancers. Increases in age-specific rates with advancing age were more striking for proximal colon cancer than for distal colon and rectal cancers in Whites and African Americans, while age-specific rates were very similar for different subsites in API with parallel increases with advancing age, especially in API males. Similar to Whites and African Americans, in API, proximal colon cancers (32% to 35%) were also less likely to be diagnosed with localized stage compared with distal colon (38% to 42%) and rectal (44% to 52%) cancers. Conclusion: The patterns of subsite-specific colorectal cancer incidence in API, especially API males, differ from those of Whites and African Americans. Similar to Whites and African Americans, lower percentage of localized disease in API for proximal colon cancer than for distal colon and rectal cancers was also observed.
Number of Siblings and Risk of Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Authors: Chang Ellen T. , Montgomery Scott M. , Richiardi Lorenzo , Ehlin Anna , Ekbom Anders , Lambe Mats
Published: June 2022

Background: Epidemiologic evidence indicates that risk of Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) in young adults is associated with correlates of delayed exposure to infection during childhood. In contrast, HL among children and older adults may be associated with earlier childhood infection. This study examines the associations of HL risk with having older or younger siblings. Methods: We conducted a case-control study in Sweden comparing 2,140 HL patients identified from the Swedish Cancer Register with 10,024 controls identified from national population registers. The Swedish Multi-Generation Register was used to link individuals to their parents and siblings. Results: Among young adults ages 15 to 39 years, the odds ratios (OR) associated with having one, two, and three or more older siblings, compared with none, were 0.96 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.82-1.13], 0.88 (95% CI, 0.72-1.09), and 0.72 (95% CI, 0.55-0.93), respectively (P value for trend = 0.01). In contrast, number of older siblings was not associated with HL risk among children or older adults. Number of younger or total siblings, mother's age at birth, and father's occupation were not associated with HL at any age. The decreased risk of young-adult HL did not vary appreciably by age difference or sex of older siblings. Conclusions: Risk of HL was lower among young adults with multiple older but not younger siblings. Having older siblings is associated with earlier exposure to common childhood pathogens. Pediatric and older-adult HL were not associated with number of siblings, suggesting a different pathogenesis of disease in these age groups.
A Population-Based Case-Control Study of the XRCC1 Arg399Gln Polymorphism and Susceptibility to Bladder Cancer
Authors: Kelsey Karl T. , Park Sunyeong , Nelson Heather H. , Karagas Margaret R.
Published: June 2022

Cigarette smoking is the major cause of bladder cancer. Constituents in tobacco smoke can induce oxidative DNA damage requiring base excision repair. The Arg399Gln polymorphism in the DNA base excision repair gene XRCC1 is associated with several phenotypic markers of reduced DNA repair capacity. Results from several epidemiologic studies suggest that the Arg399Gln polymorphism may influence susceptibility to several cancers including bladder cancer; however, data from large population-based studies are lacking. In a population-based case-control study from New Hampshire, we observed a reduced risk among those homozygous for the Arg399Gln XRCC1 variant polymorphism compared with those with one or two wild-type alleles (odds ratio 0.6, 95% confidence interval 0.4-1.0). There was no indication of a gene-environment interaction between cigarette smoking and the variant genotype. Our data are consistent with a potential role of the XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphism in bladder cancer susceptibility and further suggest that there may be DNA lesions important in bladder carcinogenesis, repaired by the base excision repair mechanism, that are not directly associated with tobacco smoking.
Transvaginal Ultrasound Measurement of Endometrial Thickness as a Biomarker for Estrogen Exposure
Authors: Sit Anita S.Y. , Modugno Francesmary , Hill Lyndon M. , Martin Jerry , Weissfeld Joel L.
Published: June 2022

Objective: In clinical settings, transvaginal ultrasound has been used to evaluate abnormal vaginal bleeding. Because the endometrium responds to estrogens, endometrial thickness may constitute a biomarker of estrogen status in postmenopausal women. This study aimed to validate the transvaginal ultrasonographic measurement of endometrial thickness as an estrogen biomarker in asymptomatic, postmenopausal women by demonstrating an association between endometrial thickness and risk factors known to be associated with estrogen exposure. Method: Endometrial thickness was measured in 1,271 women ages 55 to 74 years who underwent transvaginal ultrasound screening as part of the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial. A questionnaire, completed before screening, provided risk factor information, including reproductive and hormone use histories. Results: Endometrial thickness measurements ranged from 1 to 32 mm (median 3.0 mm). The frequencies of thicker endometrium (≥3.0 mm), according to body mass index (BMI) quartile, were 55.2%, 66.1%, 69.7%, and 76.7% (P < 0.0001). The frequencies of thicker endometrium were 57.8%, 58.3%, and 82.6% among never users, ex-users, and current users of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), respectively (P < 0.0001). Other factors associated with thicker endometrium included age, marital status, history of uterine fibroids, years since menopause, and history of hypertension. Statistically significant associations were not seen in analyses limited to current HRT users (n = 461). In multiple variable analysis (R2 = 0.08), current HRT use (P < 0.0001) and higher BMI (P < 0.0001) were independently associated with thicker endometrium. Conclusion: In postmenopausal women, factors reflecting exogenous (current HRT use) and endogenous (BMI) estrogen exposure were associated with increased endometrial thickness as measured during screening transvaginal ultrasound. Practical limitations related to screening transvaginal ultrasound include measurement variability, lack of information regarding type or dose of HRT, and problems of differentiating true endometrial thickening from unrecognized endometrial polyps or fluid accumulations. Constrained by these limitations, these results partially validate a transvaginal ultrasound measurement of endometrial thickness as a potential biomarker related to estrogen status.
BRCAPAP: Feasibility of Clinical BRCA Testing on Liquid-Based Cervical Cytology: Implications for Biomarker Development
Authors: Muller Carolyn Y. , Schorge John O. , Tomlinson Gail E. , Ashfaq Raheela
Published: June 2022

Objective: The study was designed to test the feasibility that lower genital tract cytology is a compatible medium for robust germ line genetic analyses. Method: BRCA1 and/or BRCA2 gene mutational analysis was done on DNA isolated from liquid-based cervical or vaginal cytology taken from 17 consenting women (age 29–65 years) who previously had genetic counseling followed by BRACAnalysis (Myriad Genetics, Salt Lake City, UT) blood analyses. Eleven women had known mutations in either BRCA1 or BRCA2 (cases) and six had no identified mutations (controls) on entry into the study. Anonymized cytology samples were sent to Myriad Genetics with a request for testing that was limited to the degree of genomic testing previously done on the blood samples. Results: One cervicovaginal specimen from a test-positive woman had inadequate cellular content that precluded gene sequencing and therefore was excluded from this analysis. For the 16 women with adequate cytologic specimens, there was 100% concordance for BRCA mutation test results between blood and genital tract cytology (κ = 1.0; 95% confidence interval, 0.51–1.0). Conclusion: We have shown the feasibility of using liquid-based genital tract cytology as an alternative biospecimen to blood for germ line genetic analysis using a clinical approved assay. It needs to be emphasized that any type of testing for BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation genotype should only be done in the setting of pretest and posttest counseling.
Prostate-Specific Antigen and Free Prostate-Specific Antigen in the Early Detection of Prostate Cancer: Do Combination Tests Improve Detection?
Authors: Etzioni Ruth , Falcon Seth , Gann Peter H. , Kooperberg Charles L. , Penson David F. , Stampfer Meir J.
Published: June 2022

Background: The combined use of free and total prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in early detection of prostate cancer has been controversial. This article systematically evaluates the discriminating capacity of a large number of combination tests. Methods: Free and total PSA were analyzed in stored serum samples taken prior to diagnosis in 429 cases and 1,640 controls from the Physicians' Health Study. We used a classification algorithm called logic regression to search for clinically useful tests combining total and percent free PSA and receiver operating characteristic analysis and compared these tests with those based on total and complexed PSA. Data were divided into training and test subsets. For robustness, we considered 35 test-train splits of the original data and computed receiver operating characteristic curves for each test data set. Results: The average area under the receiver operating characteristic curve across test data sets was 0.74 for total PSA and 0.76 for the combination tests. Combination tests with higher sensitivity and specificity than PSA > 4.0 ng/mL were identified 29 out of 35 times. All these tests extended the PSA reflex range to below 4.0 ng/mL. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated that the overall diagnostic performance as expressed by the area under the curve did not differ significantly for the different tests. Conclusions: Tests combining total and percent free PSA show modest overall improvements over total PSA. However, utilization of percent free PSA below a PSA threshold of 4 ng/mL could translate into a practically important reduction in unnecessary biopsies without sacrificing cancers detected.
Circulating Endogenous Retinoic Acid Concentrations among Participants Enrolled in a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial of Retinyl Palmitate
Authors: Sedjo Rebecca L. , Ranger-Moore James , Foote Janet , Craft Neal E. , Alberts David S. , Xu Min-Jian , Giuliano Anna R.
Published: June 2022

Retinoids have been studied extensively for their chemopreventive properties. The biological activity of retinoids is acquired through their conversion to retinoic acid (RA). Characterization of endogenous circulating RA concentrations after supplementation with vitamin A over longer time periods has not been done previously. Our investigation was conducted to determine whether vitamin A (retinyl palmitate) supplementation significantly increases circulating RA concentrations of all-trans-, 9-cis-, and 13-cis-RA. Using plasma samples from 41 participants enrolled in a randomized clinical trial of placebo, 25,000, 50,000, or 75,000 IU supplemental retinyl palmitate daily, high-performance liquid chromatography analyses were conducted for concentrations of three RA isomers. Seven plasma samples were analyzed for each participant over a 16-month period. Based on an intention-to-treat analysis, results obtained using linear mixed models showed that supplementation with retinyl palmitate statistically significantly increased concentrations of all three RA isomers from baseline levels. This study suggests that supplementation with retinyl palmitate is an effective means to increase circulating all-trans, 9-cis-, and 13-cis-RA concentrations among humans.
Differential Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-γ Isoform Expression and Agonist Effects in Normal and Malignant Prostate Cells
Authors: Subbarayan Vemparala , Sabichi Anita L. , Kim Jeri , Llansa Norma , Logothetis Christopher J. , Lippman Scott M. , Menter David G.
Published: June 2022

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) is being studied intensively for its role in carcinogenesis and in mediating the effects of prostate cancer treatment and prevention drugs. Prostate cancers express abundant and higher constitutive levels of PPAR-γ than do normal prostate cells and are growth inhibited by ligand activation of PPAR-γ. However, little is known about the role of PPARs in tumorigenesis or in normal prostate epithelial cells (EC). We examined the expression, phosphorylation patterns, and functions of the human PPAR (hPPAR)-γ1 and hPPAR-γ2 isoforms in normal prostate ECs to determine if activation of the receptor is sufficient for PPAR-γ ligand activity in prostate cells. We found that ECs did not express either PPAR-γ1 or PPAR-γ2 protein and were not sensitive to growth inhibition by the PPAR-γ ligand 15-deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2). In contrast, prostate cancer cells (PC-3), which express PPAR-γ1 receptor isoform, are growth inhibited by PPAR-γ ligand. Forced expression of hPPAR-γ1 or hPPAR-γ2 made ECs sensitive to 15d-PGJ2 and led to reduced cellular viability. The direct repeat-1 promoter containing PPAR response elements was transactivated in ECs expressing exogenous PPAR-γ1 or PPAR-γ2, indicating that either isoform can be active in these cells. 15-Lipoxygenase-2, expressed at high levels in ECs, was down-regulated by transfecting PPAR-γ expression construct (either γ1 or γ2 isoform) into ECs. Addition of PPAR-γ ligand 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid in the presence of PPAR-γ expression caused further down-regulation of 15-lipoxygenase-2. Our data illustrate that a PPAR-γ ligand (15d-PGJ2) activates PPAR-γ1 and selectively induces cell death in human prostate cancer cells but not in normal prostate ECs. These findings have important implications for the development of PPAR-γ-targeting agents that prevent or treat prostate cancer and spare normal prostate cells.
The Insulin-like Growth Factor System in Cancer Prevention: Potential of Dietary Intervention Strategies
Authors: Voskuil Dorien W. , Vrieling Alina , van't Veer Laura J. , Kampman Ellen , Rookus Matti A.
Published: June 2022

The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system is related to proliferation and tumor growth, and high levels of circulating IGF-I are thought to be a risk factor for several types of cancer. This review summarizes the epidemiologic evidence for an association between circulating IGF-I and cancer risk as well as the experimental evidence for a causal relation between the endocrine IGF system and tumor growth. The potential for dietary intervention to alter the IGF system and thereby cancer risk is supported by several lines of evidence. Postulated mechanisms of action are as follows: (a) reduction of levels of circulating IGF-I, which will decrease activation of the IGF-I receptor and subsequent signaling pathways; (b) increasing local IGF binding proteins, which may have IGF-dependent effects through obstruction of IGF interaction with local IGF-I receptor as well as IGF-independent effects; and (c) interference with estrogens and estrogen receptor action, which may have direct (and possibly synergistic) effects on IGF signaling. An overview is given of the epidemiologic studies on dietary determinants of circulating IGF-I. Examples of dietary factors, such as dairy protein, lycopene, and phytoestrogens, are used to illustrate the potential mode of action of dietary interventions that may act on the IGF system. In conclusion, the IGF system has every potential to serve as an intermediate for cancer (chemo)prevention studies. On the short term, more research initiatives aimed at the effects of specific food components or dietary strategies on the IGF system both in animal models and in humans are warranted.
Effect of Black Tea Intake on the Excretion of Mutagens in the Urine of Volunteers Taking a Beef Meal
Authors: Yoxall Vikki R. , Bishop Jacquie , Ioannides Costas
Published: June 2022

The objective of this study was to investigate in a crossover study conducted in human volunteers whether black tea intake modulates the metabolism of heterocyclic amines, consumed in the form of well-cooked beefburgers, as exemplified by the excretion of mutagens in the urine. Mutagens were extracted from urine with blue rayon, and mutagenic activity was determined in the Ames test, in the presence of an activation system derived from Aroclor 1254–induced rats, and employing the Salmonella typhimurium O-acetylase over-expressing YG1024 bacterial strain. Volunteers consumed three well-cooked beefburgers, whereas a concurrently cooked fourth burger was analyzed for mutagenic activity. Following intake of the burgers, an increase in urinary mutagenic activity was observed, and mutagenic activity was completely excreted within 24 hours. A good correlation was obtained between the intake and excretion of mutagenic activity. The volunteers consumed the same burger meal on two different occasions, once following intake of 10 cups of strong black tea, and the second following intake of a corresponding volume of water. Urine was collected by each volunteer for 24 hours after the meal, and compliance was ascertained utilizing the excretion of p-aminobenzoic acid. The mutagenic ratio, defined as the ratio of urinary mutagenicity over the intake of mutagenicity, was not altered by the black tea, being 0.142 and 0.135 during the water and tea intake, respectively. It is inferred that short-term intake of high levels of black tea, as part of an otherwise normal diet, does not modulate the human metabolism of heterocyclic amines.
Differences in Breast Cancer Risk Factors by Tumor Marker Subtypes among Premenopausal Vietnamese and Chinese Women
Authors: Nichols Hazel B. , Trentham-Dietz Amy , Love Richard R. , Hampton John M. , Hoang Anh Pham Thi , Allred D. Craig , Mohsin Syed K. , Newcomb Polly A.
Published: June 2022

We evaluated associations between reproductive and lifestyle risk factors with breast cancer tumor marker status in a case-control study. Cases were premenopausal women living in Vietnam and China who were eligible for a clinical trial of oophorectomy and tamoxifen as treatment for breast cancer (n = 682). Controls were nonrelative hospital visitors, matched on age to the cases (n = 649). Immunohistochemical analysis was used to identify the presence of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor and the overexpression of HER-2/neu oncogene. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated using unconditional logistic regression, adjusted for known confounders. Overall, 280 (61%) tumor samples were ER positive and 176 (38%) were ER negative. HER-2/neu overexpression was detected in 161 (35%) samples, whereas 286 (26%) samples were HER-2/neu negative. We observed an inverse trend between increasing parity and decreasing breast cancer risk (P = 0.002). Women ages ≥25 years at first birth had increased breast cancer risk compared with women ages <25 years at first birth (OR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.20-1.95). Women who consumed alcohol had increased risk of breast cancer compared with women who did not (OR,1.85; 95% CI, 1.32-2.61). Compared with controls, OR estimates for breast cancer by parity and age at first birth were significantly associated with ER and/or HER-2/neu tumor status by Wald test (P < 0.05). Family history, age at menarche, cumulative lactation, body mass index, and education were not significantly related to breast cancer risk. Our findings support the hypothesis that some breast cancer risk factors differ by ER and HER-2/neu tumor marker subtypes.
T29C Polymorphism in the Transforming Growth Factor β1 Gene and Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Risk: The Multiethnic Cohort Study
Authors: Marchand Loı̈c Le , Haiman Christopher A. , van den Berg David , Wilkens Lynne R. , Kolonel Laurence N. , Henderson Brian E.
Published: June 2022

Laboratory studies suggest a dual role for the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathway in breast cancer. The normal antiproliferative activity of TGF-β in early breast tumor development is replaced by a promoting effect in later stages. A T29C transition polymorphism in the TGFB1 gene has been associated with higher circulating TGF-β1 levels, and inconsistently with breast cancer risk in three recent studies. We tested the association of this variant with invasive breast cancer in a case-control study of 1123 cases and 2314 controls nested in the Multiethnic Cohort (MEC) Study. This study is a large prospective study being conducted in Hawaii and Los Angeles that includes Japanese, white, African American, Latino, and Native Hawaiian women who were predominantly postmenopausal at baseline. After adjustment for breast cancer risk factors, the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for the TGFB1 29 CC genotype was 0.95 (95% confidence interval: 0.76–1.18), compared to the TT genotype. Analyses stratified by race/ethnicity, stage, or age category did not reveal any association of this variant with breast cancer. Given the strong biological rationale and the scarce and divergent epidemiologic data to date, additional investigations of the relationship between breast cancer and genetic variants in the TGF-β signaling pathway appear warranted.
Breast Cancer Risk and Exposure in Early Life to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Using Total Suspended Particulates as a Proxy Measure
Authors: Bonner Matthew R. , Han Daikwon , Nie Jing , Rogerson Peter , Vena John E. , Muti Paola , Trevisan Maurizio , Edge Stephen B. , Freudenheim Jo L.
Published: June 2022

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are ubiquitous in the environment. We hypothesized that early life exposure to PAHs may have particular importance in the etiology of breast cancer. We conducted a population-based, case-control study of ambient exposure to PAHs in early life in relation to the risk of breast cancer. Total suspended particulates (TSP), a measure of ambient air pollution, was used as a proxy for PAHs exposure. Cases (n = 1,166) were women with histologically confirmed, primary, incident breast cancer. Controls (n = 2,105) were frequency matched by age, race, and county of residence to cases. Annual average TSP concentrations (1959-1997) by location were obtained from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for Erie and Niagara Counties. Based on the monitor readings, prediction maps of TSP concentrations were generated with ArcGIS 8.0 (ESRI, Inc., Redlands, CA) using inverse distance squared weighted interpolation. Unconditional logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. In postmenopausal women, exposure to high concentrations of TSP (>140 μg/m3) at birth was associated with an adjusted odds ratio of 2.42 (95% confidence interval, 0.97-6.09) compared with exposure to low concentrations (<84 μg/m3). However, in premenopausal women, where exposures were generally lower, the results were inconsistent with our hypothesis and in some instances were suggestive of a reduction in the risk of breast cancer. Our study suggests that exposure in early life to high levels of PAHs may increase the risk of postmenopausal breast cancer; however, other confounders related to geography cannot be ruled out.
Compliance of Average- and Intermediate-Risk Women to Semiannual Ovarian Cancer Screening
Authors: Drescher Charles W. , Nelson Judy , Peacock Sue , Andersen M. Robyn , McIntosh Martin W. , Urban Nicole
Published: June 2022

Objective: To report rates of compliance with an ovarian cancer screening protocol using serum CA125 and transvaginal sonography (TVS), performed semiannually on an alternating schedule, among participants at average or intermediate risk for developing ovarian cancer. Methods: Two hundred ninety-two women at average or intermediate risk for developing ovarian cancer were randomly assigned to arms of a controlled clinical trial in which they received ovarian cancer screening consisting of serum CA125 alternating with TVS performed semiannually over 18 months, either alone or in combination with ovarian cancer risk education. A computerized tracking system generated screening appointment reminder letters and monitored adherence to scheduled screening. Participants overdue for scheduled screens received follow-up telephone calls consisting of up to four reminder messages left at 1-week intervals, and one to two interim attempts to reach participants between messages. The compliance rate for each screen was calculated as a ratio of the number of participants successfully completing the screen relative to the number expected to attend. Compliance rate by screen was: screen 1 (CA125) (97.3%), screen 2 (TVS) (82.5%), screen 3 (CA125) (79.0%), and screen 4 (TVS) (64.5%). One hundred seventy-two women completed all four screens and were classified as adherent to the screening protocol. Analysis by screening modality suggests that participants were more compliant to screens involving CA125. Age, educational background, distance from screening center, personal or family history of cancer, perceived risk of ovarian cancer, pre-enrollment ovarian cancer screening behavior, receiving an abnormal screen test result, and participation in ovarian cancer risk education sessions were not associated with adherence to the screening protocol or compliance to any of the screens. Conclusions: Despite extensive follow-up, compliance of average- and intermediate-risk women to an ovarian cancer screening protocol requiring semiannual screening diminishes rapidly. We propose that a semiannual ovarian cancer screening protocol, particularly one including TVS, may be too intensive for use in this population.
DNA Damage in Patients Infected by Helicobacter pylori
Authors: Ladeira Marcelo S.P. , Rodrigues Maria A.M. , Salvadori Daisy M.F. , Queiroz Dulciene M.M. , Freire-Maia Dértia V.
Published: June 2022

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is considered to predispose carriers to gastric cancer but its role on gastric carcinogenesis is still unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate DNA damage by the comet assay in gastric epithelial cells from antrum and corpus in H. pylori-infected patients with gastritis of different degrees. H. pylori status, gastric histology, and DNA damage were studied in 62 H. pylori-infected and 18 non-infected patients, all of them non-smokers, non-alcoholics, and non-drug users. DNA damage was significantly higher in H. pylori-infected patients presenting gastritis than in non-infected patients with normal mucosa. A direct correlation between the levels of DNA damage and the intensity of gastritis was observed in H. pylori-infected patients. Association between DNA damage and age was also found. The levels of DNA damage were significantly higher in patients older than 50 years than in younger patients with the same degree of gastritis. Our results indicate that H. pylori infection is associated with DNA damage in gastric epithelial cells, which could be a biomarker of risk for gastric cancer in humans.
Relation Between Intervention Exposures, Changes in Attitudes, and Mammography Use in the North Carolina Breast Cancer Screening Program
Authors: Rauscher Garth H. , Earp Jo Anne L. , O'Malley Michael
Published: June 2022

Objective: Many past interventions have been based on the assumption that improving attitudes about mammography can increase mammography use. We studied changes in breast cancer and mammography attitudes over time in mediating the effect of intervention exposures on mammography use in the North Carolina Breast Cancer Screening Program. Data came from interviews with a cohort of 331 black women who said they had heard of mammography at baseline interview. Methods: We created scores and score changes for mammography (7 items) and breast cancer (11 items) attitudes at baseline (1993–1994) and follow-up interviews (1996–1997). We modeled intervention exposures, attitude changes, and mammography use in linear risk and logistic regression. Intervention exposures were defined for mammography discussion with a project lay health advisor (“LHA advice”), mammography discussion with anyone besides a doctor or nurse, and project awareness. Results: Positive change in mammography attitudes was associated with intervention exposures and mammography use and appeared to account for a large percentage (34–98%) of the effect of mammography discussion variables on increased mammography use. Greatest effect of attitude improvement was found for women without a recent mammogram at baseline and with the least positive baseline attitude scores. Conclusion: Using cohort data enabled us to examine the role of attitude change over time on mammography use. Breast cancer screening programs should target women with the most negative mammography attitudes and the least mammography use to start with and concentrate their messages on improving attitudes specific to mammography rather than improving attitudes about breast cancer risk.
Rapid Progression of Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy following Third BNT162b2 mRNA Vaccination
Authors: Sasajima Hirofumi , Zako Masahiro , Maeda Rio , Ueta Yoshiki
Published: June 2022

The study aimed to describe a case of rapid progression of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) following the third administration of the Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2) mRNA vaccine. A 79-year-old Japanese man visited our hospital with a 1-week history of blurred vision in the left eye 16 h following the administration of the third BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine. The clinical examinations and imaging tests revealed massive submacular hemorrhage (SMH) and excessive subretinal fluid (SRF), owing to PCV in the left eye. No ocular abnormality was observed in the right eye. His medical history included diabetes and ocular history included cataracts, nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma in both eyes, and irregular retinal pigment epithelium elevation in the left eye. Since he received a single intravitreal injection of aflibercept approximately 2 years ago for the treatment of diabetic macular edema in the left eye, the left eye was stable. We performed an intravitreal injection of bevacizumab and combined phacoemulsification with pars plana vitrectomy with gas, including subretinal injection of tissue plasminogen activator to displace the SMH. Thirteen days after the surgery, the SMH and SRF decreased. Although rare, mRNA COVID-19 vaccine administrations could be associated with PCV deterioration.
Ulcus cruris venosum: Allogene Stammzelltransplantation bietet vielversprechenden Therapieansatz
Authors: Stücker Markus
Published: June 2022

A significant number of chronic venous ulcers (CVUs) fail to heal despite of guideline-conform standard of care. Skin-derived ABCB5+ mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can dampen the sustained IL-1β-driven inflammation present in chronic wounds. Based on their wound healing-facilitating effects in a mouse CVU model and an autologous first-in-human study, ABCB5+ MSCs have emerged as a potential candidate for cell-based advanced therapy of non-healing CVUs. In the present interventional, multicenter, single-arm, phase I/IIa clinical trial, subjects whose CVU had emerged as standard therapy-resistant received one or two topical applications of 1×106 allogeneic ABCB5+ MSCs/cm2 wound area in addition to standard treatment. Out of 83 treatment-emergent adverse events, only three were judged related to the cell product; they were mild or moderate and recovered without sequelae. Wound size markedly decreased from baseline to week 12, resulting in a median wound size reduction of 76% (full analysis set, N = 31), 78% (per-protocol set, N = 27) and 87% (subset of responders; n = 21). In conclusion, the study treatment was well tolerated and safe. The treatment elicited a profound wound size reduction within 12 weeks, identifying ABCB5+ MSCs as a potential candidate for adjunctive therapy of otherwise incurable CVUs. These results justify the conduct of a larger, randomized, controlled trial to confirm clinical efficacy.
À propos des Inséparables de Simone de Beauvoir
Authors: Devaux Philippe
Published: June 2022

La parution posthume des Inséparables invite à distinguer les deux modalités d’ écriture par lesquelles Beauvoir a fait revivre la figure majeure pour elle de Zaza (1907-1929), son amie d’ enfance et de jeunesse : la fiction puis l’ autobiographie ; et cela à la lumière des appréciations de l’ autrice et du pacte de lecture propre à chaque modalité d’ écriture. Ces approches successives sur plusieurs décennies témoignent de la fascination constante de Beauvoir pour Zaza et incitent le lecteur à prolonger l’ exploration beauvoirienne par les écrits mêmes de Zaza.
Des Inséparables aux Mémoires d’ une jeune fille rangée
Authors: Lecarme-Tabone Éliane
Published: June 2022

La publication, en 2020, de la nouvelle de Beauvoir, désormais intitulée Les Inséparables, constitue une bonne surprise pour ses lecteur.trice.s. Jugée, en 1954, sans intérêt par son auteure (dont il faut interroger les motivations), elle se révèle passionnante pour comprendre la genèse des Mémoires d’ une jeune fille rangée, autobiographie qu’ elle annonce (sans l’ égaler). Elle intéresse également par elle-même, car elle apporte un éclairage supplémentaire sur l’ histoire tragique de Zaza, et sur l’ amitié qui l’ unit à la jeune Simone.
L’ héritière
Authors: Palmieri Joelle
Published: June 2022

Née en 1959, l’ autrice retrace depuis sa naissance 20 ans d’ histoire du prolétariat, de l’ engagement communiste, de l’ empreinte catholique, de l’ immigration en Europe et en Afrique du Nord, de la France des taudis et des banlieues. Ce parcours marqué par le féminisme et la lutte contre le patriarcat, l’ ascension et l’ intégration sociales, s’ inscrit dans les débats intellectuels de l’ époque sur le colonialisme, le racisme, le fascisme, le capitalisme, notamment portés par Boris Vian, Jean-Paul Sartre et Simone de Beauvoir, dont elle revendique la filiation.
Risking Life versus Giving Life
Authors: Zahra Sameema
Published: June 2022

This article engages closely with Beauvoir’s claim that risk is the criterion of value. The article first discusses the meaning of “risk” and its role as the yardstick of values and then questions the contrast Beauvoir establishes between giving life and risking life by examining the experience of pregnancy. The author argues that a close reading of Beauvoir’s The Second Sex demonstrates that, once we remove the lens of patriarchy, the opposition between giving life and risking life crumbles.
Understanding Police Agencies’ Explanations for Racial and Ethnic Disproportionality in Vehicle Stops
Authors: Craig Miltonette Olivia , Blount-Hill Kwan-Lamar
Published: June 2022

Extant literature on traffic stops indicates that disparate enforcement of traffic laws is pervasive, violative of individuals’ constitutional liberties, and can have a lasting impact on the psyches of those subjected to it. This issue takes center stage in Missouri, a state that has often been alleged to engage in racial profiling, because disproportionality has persisted despite legislation to address it. To this point, several quantitative investigations of Missouri traffic stop data have answered many important questions regarding the existence and prevalence of disparities. However, there is a dearth of qualitative research that focuses on police agencies’ reactions to the data outcomes. The current study addresses this gap by analyzing written responses from Missouri agencies submitted with stop statistics. Findings reveal that agencies use responses to provide several types of justifications, excuses, and mitigating circumstances to explain existing disparities.
Exploring Risk Avoidance Practices Among On-Demand Cybercrime-as-Service Operations
Authors: Holt Thomas J. , Lee Jin R. , Smirnova Olga
Published: June 2022

Criminologists have recently explored online cybercrime-as-service markets where offenders offer hacking tools and services for a fee. So-called “stresser” or “booter” markets offering distributed reflective denial of service (DRDoS) attacks have been a recent target of international law enforcement action. Few have explored the ways in which these operations continued to function under increased enforcement and sanction. This study attempted to address this gap through a qualitative analysis of online advertisements from 44 booter and stresser operators. The findings revealed operators changed their preferred communications and payment platforms, as well as increased the attack methods available to customers. The implications of this analysis for our understanding of illicit online markets, and the decision-making processes of cybercriminals are discussed in detail.
Polycystic ovary syndrome and the risk of endometrial, ovarian and breast cancer: An updated meta-analysis
Authors: Li Zhen , Wang Yu-Hua , Wang Lin-Lin , Hu Ding-Tao , Teng Ying , Zhang Ting-Yu , Yan Zi-Ye , Wang Fang , Zou Yan-Feng
Published: June 2022

Background and Aims

This updated meta-analysis aimed to further quantify the risk of endometrial, ovarian, and breast cancer in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), thus providing updated and more reliable estimates.

Methods and Results

We identified relevant articles by searching electronic databases of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Chinese Biological Medical Literature (CBM) published up to March 20, 2021. The pooled effect estimates and their 95% confidence intervals ( CIs) were calculated using the random-effect model or the fixed-effect model. A total of 26 eligible studies were included. We found that PCOS was significantly associated with endometrial cancer (odds ratios [ OR]: 3.66, 95% CI: 2.05–6.54, P < 0.001), but not with ovarian or breast cancer ( OR: 1.23, 95% CI: 0.99–1.53, P = 0.059; OR: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.78–1.14, P = 0.551, respectively). However, in subgroups of high-quality studies, cohort studies, younger women (54 years or less or premenopausal), and studies with unadjusted body mass index (BMI), PCOS patients had a significantly higher risk of ovarian cancer.

Conclusion

These results indicated that PCOS is a significant risk factor for endometrial cancer independent of BMI, but not for breast cancer. PCOS may increase the risk of ovarian cancer in younger women.
A kinetic theory model of human crowds accounting for visual attention
Authors: Ma Jun , Wang Meiling , Li Linze
Published: June 2022

The visual attention of pedestrians has been rarely considered in studies of congestion prevention in long-distance passages. This paper proposes a kinetic theory model of human crowds accounting for visual attention to study congestion in long-distance passages. The population is divided into visual attention-shifting pedestrians (VAS pedestrians) and nonvisual attention-shifting pedestrians (non-VAS pedestrians). First, the movement characteristics of all pedestrians are analyzed based on observations and measurements obtained through controlled experiments. Moreover, a pedestrian flow model accounting for visual attention is built to transform the characteristics of pedestrian movement into a mathematical model. Finally, validation is done, and the density and the proportion of VAS pedestrians are selected as congestion warning parameters. Simulations are performed for a subway passage connected to stairs, and the effect of visual attention, the critical thresholds of congestion warning parameters, and the effects of implementing mitigation measures immediately after congestion occurs are assessed. The experimental results show that the movement characteristics of VAS pedestrians and non-VAS pedestrians are different. Simulation results show that the model is effective. Notably, visual attention has an impact on pedestrian movement, and using the density and the proportion of VAS pedestrians as early warning indicators is effective for preventing the occurrence of congestion, as demonstrated by the negative correlation between the two critical thresholds. This description of human groups provides quantitative guidelines for crowd management.
Grandchildren as Caregivers: Adding a New Layer to the Sandwich Generation
Authors: Patrick Julie Hicks , Bernstein Laura E. , Spaulding Arianna , Dominguez Bianca E. , Pullen Carly E.
Published: June 2022

Although 10% of family caregivers are grandchildren, only a few studies have examined the experience of grandchildren who provide care to grandparents. The current study examined the caregiving processes and outcomes of grandchild caregivers to grandparents. Participants were ( N  =  5,778) adults identified as a caregiver, including 311 adult grandchildren. Analyses showed that although caregivers to grandparents did not differ significantly from other family caregivers in terms of depression, grandchildren did differ on a variety of demographic and caregiving context variables. A hierarchical binary logistic regression showed that providing personal care and helping with household tasks contribute to the equation, however, grandchild status did not uniquely contribute to the equation after other elements of the caregiving and personal contexts were entered. Post-hoc analyses identified additional predictors within the group of grandchild caregivers. The current study is an important starting point in understanding the experiences of grandchildren caregivers.
Intergenerational Proximity to Aging Parents and Depression Among Married Persons in China
Authors: Fan Jin , Zhang Weiguo , Mi Hong
Published: June 2022

Using data from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study ( N = 3864), we examined the relationship between proximity to aging parents and depression among middle-aged (45–64 years) married individuals in China. Our study depicted and explained the declining coresident rate and showed a majority of adult children live separately from their parents. Children living in different households had higher levels of depression than coresident children, including those living adjacently. Furthermore, having a coresident spouse increased the levels of depression of sons living in an adjacent dwelling and in the same city, and reduced the levels of depression of daughters living farther away. More intergenerational economic support increased the levels of depression of daughters living in an adjacent dwelling. These findings may offer a reference for married adult children to reconstruct intergenerational proximity and adjust intergenerational relations.
Intermittent selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors for premenstrual syndromes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised trials
Authors: Reilly Thomas J , Wallman Phoebe , Clark Ivana , Knox Clare-Louise , Craig Michael C , Taylor David
Published: June 2022

Background:

Intermittent (luteal phase) dosing of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors is one treatment strategy for premenstrual syndromes such as premenstrual dysphoric disorder. This avoids the risk of the antidepressant withdrawal syndrome associated with long-term continuous dosing.

Aims:

To compare intermittent dosing to continuous dosing in terms of efficacy and acceptability.

Methods:

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, PubMed and CINAHL for randomised trials of intermittent compared with continuous dosing of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in premenstrual syndromes. We extracted response rates, dropout rates and changes in symptom scores. We used random effects meta-analyses to pool study-level data and calculated odds ratio for dichotomous data and standardised mean difference for continuous data. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. The study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020224176).

Results:

A total of 1841 references were identified, with eight studies being eligible for analysis, consisting of a total of 460 participants. All included studies provided response rates, six provided dropout rates and five provided symptom scores. There was no statistically significant differences between intermittent and continuous dosing in terms of response rate (odds ratio: 1.0, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.23–4.31, I2 = 71%), dropout rate (odds ratio 1.26, 95% CI: 0.39–4.09, I2 = 33%) or symptom change (standardised mean difference: 0.04, 95% CI: −0.27 to 0.35, I2 = 39%). All studies had a moderate or high risk of bias.

Conclusion:

Since intermittent dosing avoids the potential for withdrawal symptoms, it should be considered more commonly in this patient population.
Synergistic effect of polyvinyl chloride and coal ash on thermal separation of heavy metals from MSWI fly ash through molten salt process
Authors: Jing Minghai , Zhao Peng , Chen Tongdan , Li Jiangjiang
Published: June 2022

Municipal solid waste incineration fly ash (FA) contains high contents of salts and high concentrations of heavy metals, which makes FA disposal extremely difficult. However, heavy metal elements could potentially be separated from FA during thermal treatment process to make it possible to be recycled. This work aims to study the volatilization of heavy metals in FA treated by molten salt method. The influence of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and coal ash (CA) on volatilization of heavy metals was investigated. Within the scope of this study, the highest heavy metal removal rate can be under the condition: the calcium chloride/sodium chloride weight ratio 1:1, the FA/molten salt weight ratio 1:10, treatment temperature 1000°C for 2 hours in reducing atmosphere. The volatilization rates of lead, zinc, copper, chromium and manganese were 86.20, 67.53, 65.24, 50.07 and 39.45%, respectively. On the basis of molten salt treatment, adding PVC could promote the volatilization of heavy metals. The volatilization rate of lead was 96.71%, and the volatilization rates of chromium and manganese were higher than 60% when the content of PVC was 5 wt%. When adding 10 wt% CA and 1 wt% polyvinyl chloride, the volatilization rate of lead could reach 100%. The experiments and thermodynamic calculations showed that silicon dioxide and aluminium oxide in CA and hydrochloric acid decomposed from PVC could promote the chlorination and volatilization of heavy metals. The volatilized heavy metal chlorides provided the possibility of recovery and utilization of heavy metals in FA.