bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Comparison of Avalanche Injection of Holes and Total Dose Radiation Effects in RadFETs
Authors: Tang Hao , Wang Yi , Wang Jinyan , Zheng Yijun , Jin Yufeng
Published: March 2010

Radiation sensitive Field Effected Transistors (RadFETs) have been widely used as dosimeters to detect the Total Dose Radiation Effects (TDRE). Because ionizing radiation for testing RadFET samples is costly and inconvenient, Avalanche Injection of Holes (AIH) was introduced to simulate or substitute the radiation methods to evaluate the quality of RadFETs in this paper. Several kinds of dielectric layers of RadFETs were fabricated and the comparison of AIH and TDRE was investigated. It was found that AIH can cause the similar △VTH and annealing change trends with TDRE to predict the radiation characteristics of RadFETs.
Expression profiling after activation of amino acid deprivation response in HepG2 human hepatoma cells
Authors: Shan Jixiu , Lopez Maria-Cecilia , Baker Henry V. , Kilberg Michael S.
Published: March 2010

Dietary protein malnutrition is manifested as amino acid deprivation of individual cells, which activates an amino acid response (AAR) that alters cellular functions, in part, by regulating transcriptional and posttranscriptional mechanisms. The AAR was activated in HepG2 human hepatoma cells, and the changes in mRNA content were analyzed by microarray expression profiling. The results documented that 1,507 genes were differentially regulated by P < 0.001 and by more than twofold in response to the AAR, 250 downregulated and 1,257 upregulated. The spectrum of altered genes reveals that amino acid deprivation has far-reaching implications for gene expression and cellular function. Among those cellular functions with the largest numbers of altered genes were cell growth and proliferation, cell cycle, gene expression, cell death, and development. Potential biological relationships between the differentially expressed genes were analyzed by computer software that generates gene networks. Proteins that were central to the most significant of these networks included c-myc, polycomb group proteins, transforming growth factor β1, nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2-related factor 2, FOS/JUN family members, and many members of the basic leucine zipper superfamily of transcription factors. Although most of these networks contained some genes that were known to be amino acid responsive, many new relationships were identified that underscored the broad impact that amino acid stress has on cellular function.
The HPV Cellular Transactivator Brn-3a Can Be Used to Predict Cervical Adenocarcinoma and Squamous Carcinoma Precancer Lesions in the Developed and Developing Worlds
Authors: Ndisang Daniel , Lorenzato Felipe , Sindos Michael , Khan Ashfaq , Singer Albert , Latchman David S.
Published: March 2010

The cellular transactivator Brn-3a has previously been shown to be expressed at elevated levels in the cervix of women with squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix (SCC) and to activate the expression of HPV E6 mRNA. In this study, we show that common and rare cervical precancer lesions, including those of adenocarcinoma (AC), which are usually difficult to diagnose using classical procedures, also expressed high levels of Brn-3a and can be diagnosed by measuring the levels of Brn-3a and E6 mRNAs.
Acute Keratoconus-Like Hydrops after Laser In Situ Keratomileusis
Authors: Meyer Carsten H. , Mennel Stefan , Schmidt Jörg C.
Published: March 2010

Purpose.To demonstrate keratoconus-like hydrops after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) by optical coherence tomography (OCT).Patient and Methods.A 21-year-old man received uneventful bilateral LASIK. On slit lamp examination or corneal topography there were no signs of fruste keratoconus. The preoperative corneal thickness was 587-m OD and the calculated ablation for two treatments was 114-m. Uneventful LASIK with an optical zone of 7 mm and an ablation of 89-m OD, and an ablation of 73-m OS was performed. Three years postoperatively, he complained about progressive myopia and impaired vision OD. His VA was hand motion OD and 20/20 OS.Results.OCT and light microscopy revealed an anterior corneal steepening and acute keratoconus-like excessive edematous swelling.Conclusion.The cornea is mechanically weakened after LASIK by the lamellar cut and tissue subtraction. Although the advocated minimal residual stromal bed thickness is 250-m, it may not be adequate to prevent progressive keratoconus-like hydrops in the selected cases.
Relating Plant Biodiversity in Forests with the Spatial Scale of Ecosystem Processes
Authors: Jenssen Martin
Published: March 2010

Plant species diversity of North-Central European forests is quantified by diversity profiles that give different weights to rare and dominant species. Diversity profiles saturate with increasing sample area obeying a hyperbolic saturation model. The paper addresses the question about (1) the spatial scale where this saturation is approached and (2) the nature of related processes. The study is based on about 1,700 vegetation relevés in close-to-nature beech forests and in secondary Scots pine forests which were classified in seven ecosystem types that are distinguished with respect to site factors, dominant tree species, and ecosystem processes. The relevés corresponding to a certain type are successively accumulated to composed relevés with increasing sample area in order to study saturation behaviour. The more weight is given to rare species the larger is the sample area where saturation is approached. The complexity of the processes that determine saturation increases with increasing weight of rare species. With increasing resource availability the part of the occurring plants that have immediate control on local ecosystem processes like primary production, nutrient cycling, and water balance increases. The presented approach allows an estimation of minimum area required for covering vegetation patterns that are related to these processes.
On a Reciprocity Law for Finite Multiple Zeta Values
Authors: Kuba Markus , Prodinger Helmut
Published: March 2010

It was shown by Kirschenhofer and Prodinger (1998) and Kuba et al. (2008) that harmonic numbers satisfy certain reciprocity relations, which are in particular useful for the analysis of the quickselect algorithm. The aim of this work is to show that a reciprocity relation from Kirschenhofer and Prodinger (1998) and Kuba et al. (2008) can be generalized to finite variants of multiple zeta values, involving a finite variant of the shuffle identity for multiple zeta values. We present the generalized reciprocity relation and furthermore a combinatorial proof of the shuffle identity based on partial fraction decomposition. We also present an extension of the reciprocity relation to weighted sums.
Spin-Lattice Coupling and Superconductivity in Fe Pnictides
Authors: Egami T. , Fine B. V. , Parshall D. , Subedi A. , Singh D. J.
Published: March 2010

We consider strong spin-lattice and spin-phonon coupling in iron pnictides and discuss its implications on superconductivity. Strong magneto-volume effect in iron compounds has long been known as the Invar effect. Fe pnictides also exhibit this effect, reflected in particular on the dependence of the magnetic moment on the atomic volume of Fe defined by the positions of the nearest neighbor atoms. Through the phenomenological Landau theory, developed on the basis of the calculations by the density functional theory (DFT) and the experimental results, we quantify the strength of the spin-lattice interaction as it relates to the Stoner criterion for the onset of magnetism. We suggest that the coupling between electrons and phonons through the spin channel may be sufficiently strong to be an important part of the superconductivity mechanism in Fe pnictides.
Dendritic Cells in the Gut: Interaction with Intestinal Helminths
Authors: Mendlovic Fela , Flisser Ana
Published: March 2010

The mucosal environment in mammals is highly tolerogenic; however, after exposure to pathogens or danger signals, it is able to shift towards an inflammatory response. Dendritic cells (DCs) orchestrate immune responses and are highly responsible, through the secretion of cytokines and expression of surface markers, for the outcome of such immune response. In particular, the DC subsets found in the intestine have specialized functions and interact with different immune as well as nonimmune cells. Intestinal helminths primarily induce Th2 responses where DCs have an important yet not completely understood role. In addition, this cross-talk results in the induction of regulatory T cells (T regs) as a result of the homeostatic mucosal environment. This review highlights the importance of studying the particular relation “helminth-DC-milieu” in view of the significance that each of these factors plays. Elucidating the mechanisms that trigger Th2 responses may provide the understanding of how we might modulate inflammatory processes.
A Multiscale Model for Virus Capsid Dynamics
Authors: Chen Changjun , Saxena Rishu , Wei Guo-Wei
Published: March 2010

Viruses are infectious agents that can cause epidemics and pandemics. The understanding of virus formation, evolution, stability, and interaction with host cells is of great importance to the scientific community and public health. Typically, a virus complex in association with its aquatic environment poses a fabulous challenge to theoretical description and prediction. In this work, we propose a differential geometry‐based multiscale paradigm to model complex biomolecule systems. In our approach, the differential geometry theory of surfaces and geometric measure theory are employed as a natural means to couple the macroscopic continuum domain of the fluid mechanical description of the aquatic environment from the microscopic discrete domain of the atomistic description of the biomolecule. A multiscale action functional is constructed as a unified framework to derive the governing equations for the dynamics of different scales. We show that the classical Navier‐Stokes equation for the fluid dynamics and Newton′s equation for the molecular dynamics can be derived from the least action principle. These equations are coupled through the continuum‐discrete interface whose dynamics is governed by potential driven geometric flows.
Association of Combined Maternal-FetalTNF-αGene G308A Genotypes with Preterm Delivery: A Gene-Gene Interaction Study
Authors: Liang Mingbin , Wang Xun , Li Jin , Yang Fan , Fang Zhian , Wang Lihua , Hu Yonghua , Chen Dafang
Published: March 2010

Preterm delivery (PTD) is a complicated perinatal adverse event. We were interested in association of G308A polymorphism intumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) gene with PTD; so we conducted a genetic epidemiology study in Anqing City, Anhui Province, China. Case families and control families were all collected between July 1999 and June 2002. To control potential population stratification as we could, all eligible subjects were ethnic Han Chinese. 250 case families and 247 control families were included in data analysis. A hybrid design which combines case-parent triads and control parents was employed, to test maternal-fetal genotype (MFG) incompatibility. The method is based on a log-linear modeling approach. In summary, we found that when the mother's or child's genotype was G/A, there was a reduced risk of PTD; however when the mother's or child's genotype was genotype A/A, there was a relatively higher risk of PTD. Combined maternal-fetal genotype GA/GA showed the most reduced risk of PTD. Comparison of the LRTs showed that the model with maternal-fetal genotype effects fits significantly better than the model with only maternal and fetal genotype main effects (log-likelihood = −719.4,P=.023, significant at 0.05 level). That means that the combined maternal-fetal genotype incompatibility was significantly associated with PTD. The model with maternal-fetal genotype effects can be considered a gene-gene interaction model. We claim that both maternal effects and fetal effects should be considered together while investigating genetic factors of certain perinatal diseases.
Comparison of the Immunoregulatory Function of Different Constituents in Radix Astragali and Radix Hedysari
Authors: Liu Jing , Hu Xuguang , Yang Quan , Yu Zhiling , Zhao Zhongzhen , Yi Tao , Chen Hubiao
Published: March 2010

Radix Astragali (RA), known as “Huangqi” in China, is one of the most popular herbal medicines known worldwide to reinforce “Qi”. RA is traditionally prepared from the dried roots ofAstragalus membranaceus(MJHQ) andA. membranaceusvar.mongholicus(MGHQ). Radix Hedysari is named “Hongqi” (HQ), which is similar to RA. We assessed and compared the chemical constituents and bioactivity of RA and HQ. Different constituents were extracted into five major parts and were analyzed using different methods. Comparison of the immunological effects of extracts was done by using two immunological models. Results showed that flavonoids and saponins present in RA and HQ were not only structurally significantly different but also different in their immunological effect. Amino acids extract (AE) in MGHQ shows immunological effect while AE in MJHQ and HQ did not. Polysaccharides comprised the major constituents in RA and HQ. All polysaccharides extract (PE) of the three herbs showed similar levels of immunological effect in both immunological assays.
A Novel Surgical Approach to Lipomatous Tumours of the Deltoid Region
Authors: Al Absi Emad , Karim Tamanna , Colterjohn Nigel , Ghert Michelle
Published: March 2010

Resection of large lipomatous tumours in the subdeltoid region remains technically challenging due to the risk of injury to the axillary neurovascular bundle. We describe a novel deltoid release and reinsertion technique for resection of large lipomatous tumours of the sub-deltoid region and report the functional and oncologic outcomes of six patients who underwent this procedure. Three cases were diagnosed histologically as atypical lipoma and three cases were diagnosed as lipoma. There was one local recurrence in a case of an atypical lipoma. Rotator cuff function was comparable to that of the contralateral side in all cases and the average Constant Score adopted by the European Shoulder and Elbow Society was 84 (range 81 to 92) out of 100. We conclude that patients with large sub-deltoid lipomatous tumours who undergo resection through a previously undescribed deltoid release and reinsertion technique have excellent functional outcome with a low risk for recurrence.
Electrochemical Impedance Study of Zinc Yellow Polypropylene-Coated Aluminum Alloy
Authors: Sun Zhi-hua , Cai Jian-ping , Liu Ming , Lu Feng , Zhang Ni
Published: March 2010

Performance of zinc yellow polypropylene-coated aluminum alloy 7B04 during accelerated degradation test is studied using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). It has been found that the zinc yellow polypropylene paint has few flaw and acts as a pure capacitance before accelerated test. After 336-hour exposure to the test, the impedance spectroscopy shows two time constants, and water has reached to the aluminum alloy/paint interface and forms corrosive microcell. For the scratched samples, the reaction of metal corrosion and the hydrolysis of zinc yellow ion can occur simultaneously. The impedance spectroscopy indicates inductance after 1008-hour exposure to the test, but the inductance disappears after 1344-hour exposure and the passivation film has pitting corrosion.
A Handoff Algorithm of Dynamic Decisions with Extenics for Wireless Cellular Networks
Authors: Wu Chen-Feng
Published: March 2010

A traditional handoff algorithm always adopts stationary channel preservation schemes that cause the increase of call blocking probability (CBP) and the decrease of system utilization to reduce the call dropping probability (CDP) for handoff call. In this paper, the extension theory is introduced and applied to the handoff algorithm for participating handoff decisions and channel preservation. The mobile can perform handoff by predicting user mobility in advance based on extension‐based derivation. By using the simple extension‐based derivation, the required channels can be reserved for handoff call beforehand, and the required quality of service (QoS) is preserved during handoff occurring. Furthermore, both the QoS issue and the efficiency of channel allocation are considered simultaneously for the proposed algorithm. The extension and accumulation concepts are combined for reducing the number of guard channels in the proposed scheme, so the CBP does not reduce too much and the utilization of channel is more efficiency.
Optimal Control of Linear Impulsive Antiperiodic Boundary Value Problem on Infinite Dimensional Spaces
Authors: Wang JinRong , Yang YanLong
Published: March 2010

A class of optimal control problems for infinite dimensional impulsive antiperiodic
boundary value problem is considered. Using exponential stabilizability and discussing the impulsive evolution operators,
without compactness and exponential stability of the semigroup governed by original principle operator, we
present the existence of optimal controls. At last, an example is given for demonstration.
Individual Property Risk Management
Authors: Finke Michael S. , Belasco Eric , Huston Sandra J.
Published: March 2010

This paper reviews household property risk management and estimates normatively optimal choice under theoretical assumptions. Although risk retention limits are common in the financial planning industry, estimates of optimal risk retention that include both financial and human wealth far exceed limits commonly recommended. Households appear to frame property losses differently from other wealth losses leading to wealth‐reducing, excess risk transfer. Possible theoretical explanations for excess sensitivity to loss are reviewed. Differences between observed and optimal risk management imply a large potential gain from improved choice.
Finding Global Minima with a Filled Function Approach for Non‐Smooth Global Optimization
Authors: Wang Weixiang , Shang Youlin , Zhang Ying
Published: March 2010

A filled function approach is proposed for solving a non‐smooth unconstrained
global optimization problem. First, the definition of filled function in Zhang (2009) for smooth global
optimization is extended to non‐smooth case and a new one is put forwarded. Then, a novel filled
function is proposed for non‐smooth the global optimization and a corresponding non‐smooth algorithm
based on the filled function is designed. At last, a numerical test is made. The computational results
demonstrate that the proposed approach is effcient and reliable.
Hypothyroidism in Noninterferon Treated-HCV Infected Individuals Is Associated with Abnormalities in the Regulation of Th17 Cells
Authors: Salazar Luis A. , Garcia-Samper Xóchitl , Suarez-Carpio Rafael , Jimenez-Martínez María C. , Rendón-Huerta Erika P. , Masso Felipe A. , Fortoul Teresa I. , Montaño Luis F.
Published: March 2010

HCV-Ag-specific TH17 cells secrete IL17, a cytokine involved in autoimmune diseases and regulated by IL10 and TGF-b. 5–12% of patients with chronic HCV infection have hypothyroidism. We evaluated the role of these cytokines in this patients by determining serum concentration of TsH, T3, free T4, IL2, IL10, IL12, IL17, TGF-b, anti-TG, TPO, CCP, GBM, and cardiolipin antibodies in 87 chronically noninterferon treated HCV-infected patients. 20 patients (group A) had elevated TsH values (>5 μUI/ml) whereas the remaining 67 (group B) had normal values. The percentage of anti-TPO, TG, GBM, and cardiolipin antibodies in group A patients (33%, 41%, 5% and 5%, resp.) as well as IL17, IL2 and TGF-b concentrations (25±23 pg/ml, 643±572 pg/ml, and 618±221 pg/ml, resp.) were significantly higher than group B. Abnormal Th17 regulation mediated by IL-2 and low TGF-b concentrations is associated with hypothyroidism in chronically-infected HCV patients.
Randomized Controlled Trial of a Psychosocial Telephone Counseling Intervention inBRCA1 andBRCA2 Mutation Carriers
Authors: Graves Kristi D. , Wenzel Lari , Schwartz Marc D. , Luta George , Wileyto Paul , Narod Steven , Peshkin Beth N. , Marcus Alfred , Cella David , Emsbo Susan Powell , Barnes Denise , Halbert Chanita Hughes
Published: March 2010

Background: Responses following BRCA1/2 genetic testing are relevant for the comprehension of risk status and may play a role in risk management decision making. The objective of this study was to evaluate a psychosocial telephone counseling (PTC) intervention delivered to BRCA1/2 mutation carriers following standard genetic counseling (SGC). We examined the effect of the intervention on distress and the concerns related to genetic testing.

Methods: This prospective randomized clinical trial included 90 BRCA1/2 mutation carriers. We measured anxiety, depression, and genetic testing distress outcomes at intervention baseline and 6 and 12 months following disclosure. We evaluated the effects of SGC versus SGC plus PTC on psychological outcomes using intention-to-treat analyses through generalized estimating equations.

Results: At 6 months, PTC reduced depressive symptoms (Z = −2.25, P = 0.02) and genetic testing distress (Z = 2.18, P = 0.02) compared with SGC. Furthermore, women in the intervention condition reported less clinically significant anxiety at 6 months (χ21 = 4.11, P = 0.04) than women who received SGC. We found no differences in outcomes between the intervention groups at the 12-month follow-up.

Conclusions: As an adjunct to SGC, PTC delivered following disclosure of positive BRCA1/2 test results seems to offer modest short-term benefits for distress and anxiety. These results build upon a growing literature of psychosocial interventions for BRCA1/2 carriers and, given the potential impact of affect on risk management decision making, suggest that some carriers may derive benefits from adjuncts to traditional genetic counseling. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(3); 648–54
Podoplanin and ABCG2: Malignant Transformation Risk Markers for Oral Lichen Planus
Authors: Shi Peng , Liu Wei , Zhou Zeng-Tong , He Qing-Bo , Jiang Wei-Wen
Published: March 2010

Background: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a potentially malignant disorder associated with an increased risk for oral cancer. The purpose of this study was to determine protein expression of podoplanin and ATP-binding cassette, G2 subfamily (ABCG2) in patients with OLP and evaluate their use as biomarkers for OLP malignant transformation risk.

Methods: Podoplanin and ABCG2 expressions were determined in samples from 110 patients with untransformed OLP and 9 patients with malignant transformed OLP (mean follow-up of 5.1 years). We compared podoplanin expression, ABCG2 expression, and clinicopathologic parameters between the two groups.

Results: Podoplanin expression was observed in 48 of 110 (43.6%) cases of untransformed OLP and in 8 of 9 (88.9%) cases of transformed OLP. ABCG2 expression was found in 23 of 110 (20.9%) cases of untransformed OLP and in 6 of 9 (66.7%) cases of transformed OLP. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that podoplanin or ABCG2 expression was associated with 17.13-fold [95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.71-171.22; P = 0.016] or 6.04-fold (95% CI, 1.20-30.36; P = 0.029) increased risk of malignant transformation, respectively. The risk of OLP malignant transformation was considerably higher with coexpression of podoplanin and ABCG2 than without coexpression of podoplanin and ABCG2 (odds ratio, 25.24; 95% CI, 4.48-142.27; P < 0.001).

Conclusions: The expressions of podoplanin and ABCG2 in OLP were significantly associated with malignant transformation risk.

Impact: Our data suggested that podoplanin and ABCG2 may be used as biomarkers for risk assessment of oral malignant transformation in patients with OLP. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(3); 844–9
Saliva-Derived DNA Performs Well in Large-Scale, High-Density Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism Microarray Studies
Authors: Bahlo Melanie , Stankovich Jim , Danoy Patrick , Hickey Peter F. , Taylor Bruce V. , Browning Sharon R. ,   The Australian and New Zealand Multiple Sclerosis Genetics Consortium (ANZgene), Brown Matthew A. , Rubio Justin P.
Published: March 2010

As of June 2009, 361 genome-wide association studies (GWAS) had been referenced by the HuGE database. GWAS require DNA from many thousands of individuals, relying on suitable DNA collections. We recently performed a multiple sclerosis (MS) GWAS where a substantial component of the cases (24%) had DNA derived from saliva. Genotyping was done on the Illumina genotyping platform using the Infinium Hap370CNV DUO microarray. Additionally, we genotyped 10 individuals in duplicate using both saliva- and blood-derived DNA. The performance of blood- versus saliva-derived DNA was compared using genotyping call rate, which reflects both the quantity and quality of genotyping per sample and the “GCScore,” an Illumina genotyping quality score, which is a measure of DNA quality. We also compared genotype calls and GCScores for the 10 sample pairs. Call rates were assessed for each sample individually. For the GWAS samples, we compared data according to source of DNA and center of origin. We observed high concordance in genotyping quality and quantity between the paired samples and minimal loss of quality and quantity of DNA in the saliva samples in the large GWAS sample, with the blood samples showing greater variation between centers of origin. This large data set highlights the usefulness of saliva DNA for genotyping, especially in high-density single-nucleotide polymorphism microarray studies such as GWAS. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(3); 794–8
p53 Autoantibodies as Potential Detection and Prognostic Biomarkers in Serous Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Anderson Karen S. , Wong Jessica , Vitonis Allison , Crum Christopher P. , Sluss Patrick M. , LaBaer Joshua , Cramer Daniel
Published: March 2010

Background: This study examined the value of serum p53 autoantibodies (p53-AAb) as detection and prognostic biomarkers in ovarian cancer.

Methods: p53-AAb were detected by ELISA in sera obtained preoperatively from women undergoing surgery for a pelvic mass. This group included women subsequently diagnosed with invasive serous ovarian cancer (n = 60), nonserous ovarian cancers (n = 30), and women with benign disease (n = 30). Age-matched controls were selected from the general population (n = 120). Receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed to compare the values of p53-AAb, CA 125, and HE4 as a screening biomarker. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards modeling were used to assess its prognostic value on survival.

Results: p53-AAb were detected in 25 of 60 (41.7%) of serous cases, 4 of 30 (13.3%) nonserous cases, 3 of 30 (10%) benign disease cases, and 10 of 120 (8.3%) controls (combined P = 0.0002). p53-AAb did not significantly improve the detection of cases [area under the curve (AUC), 0.69] or the discrimination of benign versus malignant disease (AUC, 0.64) compared with CA 125 (AUC, 0.99) or HE4 (AUC, 0.98). In multivariate analysis among cases, p53-AAb correlated only with a family history of breast cancer (P = 0.01). Detectable p53 antibodies in pretreatment sera were correlated with improved overall survival (P = 0.04; hazard ratio, 0.57; 95% confidence interval, 0.33-0.97) in serous ovarian cancer.

Conclusions: Antibodies to p53 are detected in the sera of 42% of patients with advanced serous ovarian cancer.

Impact: Although their utility as a preoperative diagnostic biomarker, beyond CA 125 and HE4, is limited, p53-AAb are prognostic for improved overall survival. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(3); 859–68
Influence of Nurses on Compliance with Breast Screening Recommendations in an Organized Breast Screening Program
Authors: Chiarelli Anna M. , Majpruz Vicky , Brown Patrick , Theriault Marc , Edwards Sarah , Shumak Rene , Mai Verna
Published: March 2010

Background: Evidence from breast screening trials has shown that a significant reduction in breast cancer mortality from screening can be achieved by regular attendance. Few studies have evaluated the influence of nurses on compliance with breast screening recommendations.

Methods: The cohort included 157,788 women ages 50 to 69 years who were screened at 1 of 9 regional cancer centers or 57 affiliated centers with nurses or 26 affiliated centers without nurses between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2002, within the Ontario Breast Screening Program. These women were followed up prospectively for at least 30 months to compare compliance for annual and biennial screening recommendations among women who attended centers with and without nurses. The associations between type of screening center and the odds of compliance were modeled using mixed-effect logistic regression models. All P values are two-sided.

Results: Women attending a regional cancer center [odds ratios (OR), 1.96; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.07-3.58] or affiliated center with nurses (OR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.38-2.22) were significantly more likely to return within 18 months of their annual screening recommendation than women attending affiliated centers without nurses. In addition, women attending regional cancer centers (OR, 2.28; 95% CI, 1.34-3.89) or affiliated centers with nurses (OR, 2.30; 95% CI, 1.86-2.83) were significantly more likely to make a timely return within the recommended biennial screening interval of between 18 and 30 months.

Conclusions: Breast screening programs should consider methods of integrating educational activities as provided by the nurses to improve compliance with screening. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(3); 697–706
Low to Moderate Alcohol Intake Is Not Associated with Increased Mortality after Breast Cancer
Authors: Flatt Shirley W. , Thomson Cynthia A. , Gold Ellen B. , Natarajan Loki , Rock Cheryl L. , Al-Delaimy Wael K. , Patterson Ruth E. , Saquib Nazmus , Caan Bette J. , Pierce John P.
Published: March 2010

Background: Both alcohol consumption and obesity have been linked with breast cancer morbidity and mortality. An inverse association between alcohol intake and obesity suggests possible confounding between these variables (and perhaps other factors) with breast cancer outcomes.

Methods: Alcohol intake (beer, wine, spirits, and total) was examined in 3,088 women previously diagnosed and treated for breast cancer within an intervention trial that targeted vegetables, fiber, and fat but not alcohol or weight loss. Factors associated with baseline alcohol intake were included in Cox proportional hazards models for recurrence and mortality.

Results: Alcohol intake was significantly associated with higher education and physical activity levels. Neither light alcohol intake nor obesity was significantly associated with breast cancer recurrence, but moderate alcohol intake >300 g/mo was protective against all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 0.69; 95% confidence intervals, 0.49-0.97) in a proportional hazards model adjusted for obesity. Obese women were 61% more likely to be nondrinkers than drinkers, and 76% more likely to be light drinkers than moderate/heavy drinkers. In nonobese women, alcohol intake >10 g/mo was associated with lower risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 0.68; 95% confidence intervals, 0.51-0.91).

Conclusion: Light alcohol intake, regardless of body weight, did not increase the risk of breast cancer recurrence or all-cause mortality in this cohort of middle-aged women previously diagnosed with breast cancer. Alcohol intake was associated with other favorable prognostic indicators, which may explain its apparent protective effect in nonobese women. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(3); 681–8
Androgen Receptor CAG Repeat Length and Risk of Biliary Tract Cancer and Stones
Authors: Meyer Tamra E. , O'Brien Thomas G. , Andreotti Gabriella , Yu Kai , Li Qizhai , Gao Yu-Tang , Rashid Asif , Shen Ming-Chang , Wang Bing-Sheng , Han Tian-Quan , Zhang Bai-He , Niwa Shelley , Fraumeni Joseph F. , Hsing Ann W.
Published: March 2010

Biliary tract cancers, encompassing cancers of the gallbladder, extrahepatic bile ducts, and ampulla of Vater, are rare but highly fatal. Gallstones represent the major risk factor for biliary tract cancer, and share with gallbladder cancer a female predominance and an association with reproductive factors and obesity. Although estrogens have been implicated in earlier studies of gallbladder cancer, there are no data on the role of androgens. Because intracellular androgen activity is mediated through the androgen receptor (AR), we examined associations between AR CAG repeat length [(CAG)n] and the risk of biliary tract cancers and stones in a population-based study of 331 incident cancer cases, 837 gallstone cases, and 750 controls from Shanghai, China, where the incidence rates for biliary tract cancer are rising sharply. Men with (CAG)n >24 had a significant 2-fold risk of gallbladder cancer [odds ratio (OR), 2.00; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.07-3.73], relative to those with (CAG)n ≤ 22. In contrast, women with (CAG)n >24 had reduced gallbladder cancer risk (OR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.43-1.09) relative to those with (CAG)n ≤ 22; P interaction sex = 0.01, which was most pronounced for women ages 68 to 74 (OR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.25-0.93; P interaction age = 0.02). No associations were found for bile duct cancer or gallstones. Reasons for the heterogeneity of genetic effects by gender and age are unclear but may reflect an interplay between AR and the levels of androgen as well as estrogen in men and older women. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and clarify the mechanisms involved. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(3); 787–93
Distribution and Hepatocellular Carcinoma–Related Viral Properties of Hepatitis B Virus Genotypes in Mainland China: A Community-Based Study
Authors: Yin Jianhua , Zhang Hongwei , He Yongchao , Xie Jiaxin , Liu Shijian , Chang Wenjun , Tan Xiaojie , Gu Chunying , Lu Wei , Wang Hongyang , Bi Shengli , Cui Fuqiang , Liang Xiaofeng , Schaefer Stephan , Cao Guangwen
Published: March 2010

Introduction: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes, replication status, and mutations have been associated with the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Our aim was to study the distribution and HCC-related viral properties of HBV genotypes/subgenotypes in Mainland China.

Methods: A multistage cluster probability sampling method was applied to select 81,775 participants between 1 and 59 years at 160 national disease surveillance points. We examined hepatitis B surface antigen, HBV genotypes and subgenotypes, hepatitis B e antigen, viral load, and mutations in the PreS and core promoter regions of HBV genome.

Results: HBV subgenotypes B2 (27.3%), C1 (10.7%), and C2 (58.0%) were predominant. Genotype D (D1, 80.8%) was frequent in the Uygur. We identified a new subgenotype, C9, mainly in Tibetans. Compositions of subgenotypes B2 and C1 and genotype mixture increased from the North to Central South, which was consistently associated with the increasing prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen. Hepatitis B e antigen positivity and viral loads were higher in the young with genotype B and declined more rapidly with increasing age than those with genotype C. In contrast to G1896A, PreS deletion, T31C, T1753V, and A1762T/G1764A were more frequent in subgenotype C2 than in subgenotype B2. A1762T/G1764A, T1753V, C1653T, and G1896A, except PreS deletion, consecutively increased with increasing age.

Conclusion: HBV subgenotypes B2, C1, and C2 are endemic in Mainland China. HBV genotype C exhibits less replication activity in the young and harbors higher frequencies of the HCC-associated mutations than genotype B.

Impact: These basic data could help evaluate the association of HBV variations with HCC. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(3); 777–86
Association between Statins and Prostate Tumor Inflammatory Infiltrate in Men Undergoing Radical Prostatectomy
Authors: Bañez Lionel L. , Klink Joseph C. , Jayachandran Jayakrishnan , Lark Amy L. , Gerber Leah , Hamilton Robert J. , Masko Elizabeth M. , Vollmer Robin T. , Freedland Stephen J.
Published: March 2010

Background: Cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins have been reported to have significant anti-inflammatory properties. Given that inflammation may contribute to prostate cancer progression and that statins may reduce the risk for advanced prostate cancer, we investigated whether statin use was associated with reduced intratumoral inflammation in radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens.

Methods: Inflammation within index tumors of 236 men undergoing RP from 1996 to 2004 was graded by a single pathologist as grade 0 (absent), 1 (mild: ≤10%), and 2 (marked: >10%). Preoperative statin use was analyzed by grouping subjects as statin users or nonusers. Type and dosage of statin was accounted for using dose equivalents with 20 mg simvastatin as reference. Logistic regression was used to determine the association between statin use and intratumoral inflammation controlling for age, race, body mass index, prostate-specific antigen, year of surgery, clinical stage, pathologic Gleason sum, surgical margin status, extracapsular extension, seminal vesicle invasion, prostate weight, time from prostate biopsy to RP, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use.

Results: Preoperative statin use was significantly associated with lower risk for any (grade ≥1) intratumoral inflammation (odds ratio, 0.31; 95% confidence interval, 0.10-0.98; P = 0.047) on multivariable analysis, with doses ≥20 mg simvastatin equivalents being more strongly associated (relative to nonuse; odds ratio, 0.22; 95% confidence interval, 0.06-0.79; P = 0.02).

Conclusion: In a cohort of men undergoing RP, statin use was associated with significantly lower risk of any inflammation within prostate tumors.

Impact: Given previous reports that inflammation is associated with advanced prostate cancer, and statin use is associated with decreased prostate cancer progression risk, our findings suggest that inhibition of inflammation within tumors may be a potential mechanism for purported anti–prostate cancer properties of statins. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(3); 722–8
Impact of Socioeconomic Status on Extent of Lymph Node Dissection for Colon Cancer
Authors: McBride Russell B. , Lebwohl Benjamin , Hershman Dawn L. , Neugut Alfred I.
Published: March 2010

Background: The pathologic identification of 12 or more lymph nodes (LN) after colectomy for colon cancer became a quality indicator for surgery in 2001. We investigated whether this new standard of care was differentially adopted across racial and socioeconomic lines.

Methods: We identified 111,339 stage I to III colon cancer patients identified as black or white in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database from 1988 to 2004 who underwent colectomy. We did multivariable logistic regression to investigate the influence of race, area socioeconomic status (SES), and other clinical and demographic characteristics on the number of LNs examined.

Results: Between 1988 and 2004, white patients were more likely than black patients to have ≥12 LNs identified (odds ratio, 1.06; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.10) after adjustment for age, year of diagnosis, sex, marital status, tumor grade, stage, and subsite within the colon. After adjustment for SES, race was no longer significant (adjusted odds ratio, 1.00; 95% confidence interval, 0.96-1.04). There was, however, a significant positive trend between a patient's SES and having ≥12 LNs examined (Ptrend < 0.0001), with a 30% increased odds comparing the highest to the lowest quintiles of SES. We found that the association between SES and the dissection of ≥12 LNs was only present in individuals diagnosed after 1999.

Conclusions: The association between high SES and the examination of ≥12 LNs was only apparent from 2000 onward, and coincides with its dissemination and acceptance as a new standard of care. This suggests that the emergence of LN dissection as a quality indicator may have been more rapidly disseminated into higher SES groups. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(3); 738–45
Long-term Mortality from Second Malignant Neoplasms in 5-Year Survivors of Solid Childhood Tumors: Temporal Pattern of Risk according to Type of Treatment
Authors: Tukenova Markhaba , Diallo Ibrahima , Hawkins Mike , Guibout Catherine , Quiniou Eric , Pacquement Hélène , Dhermain Frederic , Shamsaldin Akhtar , Oberlin Odile , de Vathaire Florent
Published: March 2010

Background: The temporal pattern in mortality from late second malignant neoplasms in solid childhood cancer survivors, according to the type of treatment, has not been investigated in detail.

Methods: We studied 4,230 5-year survivors of solid childhood cancer diagnosed between 1942 and 1986 in France and the United Kingdom. Complete clinical, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy data were recorded and the integral radiation dose was estimated for 2,701 of the 2,948 patients who had received radiotherapy.

Results: After a median follow-up of 28 years, 134 fatal events were due to second malignancies, compared with the 13.3 expected from the general France-UK population rates. The standardized mortality ratio was of a similar magnitude after radiotherapy alone and chemotherapy alone and higher after both treatments. The standardized mortality ratio decreased with follow-up, whereas the absolute excess risk increased significantly over a period of at least 25 years after the first cancer. This temporal pattern was similar after chemotherapy alone, radiotherapy alone, or both treatments. We observed a similar long-term temporal pattern among survivors who had died of a second malignant neoplasm of the gastrointestinal tract and breast. Survivors who had received a higher integral radiation dose during radiotherapy were at a particularly high risk, as well as those who had received alkylating agents and epipodophyllotoxins.

Conclusions: Five-year survivors of childhood cancer run a high long-term mortality risk for all types of second malignant neoplasms whatever the treatment received and require careful long-term screening well beyond 25 years after the diagnosis. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(3); 707–15
Urinary 6-Sulphatoxymelatonin Levels and Risk of Breast Cancer in Premenopausal Women: The ORDET Cohort
Authors: Schernhammer Eva S. , Berrino Franco , Krogh Vittorio , Secreto Giorgio , Micheli Andrea , Venturelli Elisabetta , Grioni Sara , Sempos Christopher T. , Cavalleri Adalberto , Schünemann Holger J. , Strano Sabrina , Muti Paola
Published: March 2010

Background: Lower urinary melatonin levels are associated with a higher risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Literature for premenopausal women is scant and inconsistent.

Methods: In a prospective case-control study, we measured the concentration of 6-sulphatoxymelatonin (aMT6s) in the 12-hour overnight urine of 180 premenopausal women with incident breast cancer and 683 matched controls.

Results: In logistic regression models, the multivariate odds ratio (OR) of invasive breast cancer for women in the highest quartile of total overnight aMT6s output compared with the lowest was 1.43 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.83-2.45; Ptrend = 0.03]. Among current nonsmokers, no association was existent (OR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.52-1.94; Ptrend = 0.29). We observed an OR of 0.68 between overnight urinary aMT6s level and breast cancer risk in women with invasive breast cancer diagnosed >2 years after urine collection and a significant inverse association in women with a breast cancer diagnosis >8 years after urine collection (OR, 0.17; 95% CI, 0.04-0.71; Ptrend = 0.01). There were no important variations in ORs by tumor stage or hormone receptor status of breast tumors.

Conclusion: Overall, we observed a positive association between aMT6s and risk of breast cancer. However, there was some evidence to suggest that this might be driven by the influence of subclinical disease on melatonin levels, with a possible inverse association among women diagnosed further from recruitment. Thus, the influence of lag time on the association between melatonin and breast cancer risk needs to be evaluated in further studies. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(3); 729–37
Choline and Betaine Intake and the Risk of Colorectal Cancer in Men
Authors: Lee Jung Eun , Giovannucci Edward , Fuchs Charles S. , Willett Walter C. , Zeisel Steven H. , Cho Eunyoung
Published: March 2010

Dietary choline and betaine have been hypothesized to decrease the risk of cancer because of their role as methyl donors in the one-carbon metabolism. However, it remains unknown whether dietary intake of choline and betaine is associated with colorectal cancer risk. We prospectively examined the associations between dietary choline and betaine intake and risk of colorectal cancer in men in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. We followed 47,302 men and identified a total of 987 incident colorectal cancer cases from 1986 to 2004. We assessed dietary and supplemental choline and betaine intake every 4 years using a validated semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate multivariate relative risks and 95% confidence intervals. All statistical tests were two-sided. We did not find any statistically significant associations between choline intake or betaine intake and risk of colorectal cancer. Comparing the top quintile with bottom quintile, multivariate relative risks (95% confidence interval) were 0.97 (0.79-1.20; Ptrend = 0.87) for choline intake and 0.94 (0.77-1.16; Ptrend = 0.79) for betaine intake. Similarly, we observed no associations between colorectal cancer risk and choline from free choline, glycerophosphocholine, phosphocholine, phosphatidylcholine, or sphingomyelin. Our data do not support the hypothesis that choline and betaine intake is inversely associated with colorectal cancer risk. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(3); 884–7
Oral Contraceptive, Menopausal Hormone Therapy Use and Risk of non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in the California Teachers Study
Authors: Lu Y , Sullivan-Halley J , Henderson KD , Ma H , Duan L , Wang SS , Lacey J , Chang ET , Deapen D , Bernstein L
Published: March 2010

Objective: To evaluate whether use of oral contraceptives (OCs) or menopausal hormonal therapy (MHT) is associated with B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).

Methods: Within the prospective California Teachers Study cohort, women under age 85 with no history of hematopoietic cancer were followed from 1995 through 2007 for diagnosis of B-cell NHL. Overall, 547 women of 116,779 women eligible for analysis of OC use and 402 of 54,758 postmenopausal women eligible for analysis of MHT use developed B-cell NHL. Relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated by fitting multivariable Cox proportional hazards models.

Results: Women who used OCs had marginally lower risk of B-cell NHL than women who had never used OCs (RR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.69-1.06). The reduced risk was most pronounced among women who started OCs before age 25, but did not decrease with increasing duration. No association with MHT was observed when MHT ever users were compared to the never users (RR = 1.05, 95% CI = 0.83-1.33); this result was consistent across formulations of MHT [unopposed estrogen therapy (ET), combined estrogen and progestin therapy (EPT)]. Among women who had never used MHT, women with a bilateral oophorectomy had three times greater risk than those with natural menopause (RR = 3.15, 95% CI = 1.62-6.13), whereas there was no association with bilateral oophorectomy among women who had used MHT. In stratified analyses according to hysterectomy and oophrectomy status, ET and EPT did not affect risk for women with natural menopause or those with hysterectomy who had at least part of an ovary remaining. Among women who had a bilateral oophorectomy, ET reduced risk of NHL (RR = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.21-0.82).

Conclusion: These data suggest that ET use decreases the risk of B-cell NHL among women with both ovaries removed, but not among women retaining at least part of an ovary. In other subgroups MHT does not influence risk. Additional study of associations of MHT and OCs with B-cell NHL are warranted.