Breast self-examinations: Who does them and why

In a population of 158 women with a breast concern, two-thirds examined their own breasts. Most examiners (80%) practiced breast self-examination at least once a month, and over 60% had been regular examiners for more than 2 years. No significant difference in frequency of breast self-examination was found between women who had been examiners for longer and shorter time periods. Examiners had two main reasons for beginning and continuing breast self-examination: (1) an awareness that it is desirable to detect breast cancer early and (2) an awareness that they themselves could get breast cancer, while nonexaminers tended to deny this possibility. Therefore, to become examiners, nonexaminers may need to be convinced not only that early detection is effective but also that they too are at risk of breast cancer. The importance of informing, but not alarming, women about their breast cancer risk is discussed.This work was supported by Public Health Service Grant CA 13556 from the National Cancer Institute.     

The role of motion sickness in predicting anticipatory nausea

Susceptibility to motion sickness has been demonstrated to be a predictor of anticipatory nausea in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. However, previous research did not test whether motion sickness increases anticipatory nausea only by increasing the base rate of posttreatment nausea and vomiting (which has traditionally served as the unconditioned stimulus in the conditioning model for anticipatory nausea) or, alternatively, whether motion sickness might facilitate the association of external stimuli to posttreatment nausea and vomiting. Using two different analytic approaches-a series of logistic analyses that controlled for drug-induced nausea and vomiting following the initial injection, along with an event history analysis which allows for updating on the posttreatment nausea and vomiting factors-motion sickness was found to be an independent predictor of anticipatory nausea. Further, the predictive power of motion sickness is also independent of the effects of pretreatment anxiety, taste during injection, and age.Preparation of this report was supported by Grant CA26235 from the National Cancer Institute to Dr. Leventhal.     

Depression and cancer mortality and morbidity: Prospective evidence from the Alameda County study

The association between the presence of depressive symptoms and cancer incidence and mortality and mortality from noncancer causes was studied in a population-based cohort of 6848 persons free of cancer who were followed from 1965 to 1982 as part of the Alameda County study. Age-adjusted and multivariate analyses involving over 111,000 person-years of follow-up demonstrated an association between high levels of depressive symptoms at baseline and deaths from noncancer causes but no association with either cancer incidence or cancer mortality. Our analyses suggest the possibility that the presence of previously diagnosed cases of cancer and the inclusion of items which tap somatic problems in depression scales may contribute to differences between these results and others in which depression has been linked to cancer mortality.This investigation was supported by PHS Grant CA37449, awarded by the National Cancer Institute, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.     

Clustering of personality traits in youth and the subsequent development of cancer among physicians

Using 14 personality measures obtained while the subjects were in medical school, the resulting profiles of 972 physicians were clustered into five groups using a two-stage cluster analysis procedure. Subjects were followed over a 30-year period to determine the cumulative survival rate (proportion of subjects remaining free of cancer) in each group. Statistically significant group differences in survival rate were found, with the group characterized by acting out and emotional expression having the most favorable curve (less than 1% developing cancer). The group characterized as loners, who may well have suppressed their emotions, had the most unfavorable survival curve and was 16 times more likely to develop cancer than was the group characterized by acting out and emotional expression.This research was supported by National Cancer Institute Grant CA-24416, National Institute on Aging Grant AG-01760, and The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.     

Social class correlations among adoptees and their biological and adoptive parents

Positive correlations for SES ratings are reported for a large sample of adoptees and their biological and adoptive parents. The possible effects of selective placement and late placement are examined, and the validity of the SES scale is discussed.This work was supported by Grant No. MH 31154 from the National Institute of Mental Health, and Grant No. MH 25311 United States Public Health Service.     

Familial breast cancer

Since the localization and discovery of the first high-risk breast cancer (BC) genes in 1990, there has been a substantial progress in unravelling its familial component. Increasing numbers of women at risk of BC are coming forward requesting advice on their risk and what they can do about it. Three groups of genetic predisposition alleles have so far been identified with high-risk genes conferring 40-85% lifetime risk including BRCA1, BRCA2 and TP53. Moderate risk genes (20-40% risk) including PALB1, BRIP, ATM and CHEK2, and a host of low-risk common alleles identified largely through genome-wide association studies. Currently, only BRCA1, BRCA2 and TP53 are used in clinical practice on a wide scale, although testing of up to 50-100 gene loci may be possible in the future utilizing next-generation technology.     

Arm trajectory formation in monkeys

Summary The formation of forearm trajectories of moderate velocities (0.3–1.3 rad/s) was studied in monkeys performing a simple visuomotor task. The experiments were designed to test the hypothesis that the transition from one position to another is subserved by a rapid shift to a final equilibrium of forces in agonist and antagonist muscles. This idea is attractive because it suggests the possibility that in simple movements the trajectory is determined by the inherent inertial and viscoelastic properties of the limb and muscles around a joint. The results indicate that these moderate speed movements are controlled by a gradual, and not a step-like, shift to the final equilibrium position.This research was supported by National Institute of Neurological Disease and Stroke Research Grant NS09343, National Institute of Arthritis, Metabolism, and Digestive Diseases Grant AM26710, National Aeronautics and Space Administration Grant 22-009-798, and National Eye Institute Grant EY02621     

Development of a patient measure of satisfaction with the dentist: The Dental Visit Satisfaction Scale

Although patient satisfaction has been studied in the traditional medical context, patient satisfaction with the dentist has received only minor attention. This paper reports the development of a 10-item Dental Visit Satisfaction Scale. This scale was designed to assess patient satisfaction with the dentist in the context of a specific visit. It provides three subscales-Information-Communication, Understanding-Acceptance, and Technical Competence-as well as an overall measure of satisfaction. Satisfactory internal consistency was obtained for all scale measures, and one assessment of construct validity is reported. Potential clinical and research applications are discussed.This project was supported by Grant DE 04494 from the National Institute of Dental Research.     

Do cigarette smokers have unrealistic perceptions of their heart attack,cancer, and stroke risks?

This study examined whether perceived risks of heart attack, cancer, and stroke were higher among smokers than nonsmokers; whether smokers were more likely to underestimate these risks; and the demographic correlates of unrealistic risk estimation among smokers. Two thousand seven hundred eight-five patients from 12 North Carolina family practices completed a questionnaire including a health risk appraisal and questions concerning smoking behavior and perceived risks of heart attack, cancer, and stroke. While most smokers accurately perceived their health risks to be greater than nonsmokers', smokers were also more likely to underestimate their risks. This optimistic distortion of risk was associated with age, gender, and education levels. Smokers may not yet understand the magnitude of health risks posed by smoking. These data suggest the need for renewed attention to perceptions of the health risks of smoking. As long as smokers underestimate their risks, they underestimate the imperative to quit.This research was supported by Grant HL41886 from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.     

Erratum

In the No. 3, 1976 issue of the Journal of Pediatric Psychologyappeared an article by Philip W. Davidson with the title, "HapticPerception." The title should have read as follows: "HapticPerception and Blindness: An Overview." The following footnotewas inadvertently omitted: "Preparation of this paper was supportedin part by U.S.P.H.S. Research Grant 1-R01-EY-01790-01 fromthe National Eye Institute to the author. The author's researchreviewed herein was supported by Research Grant 1-R01-EY- 00807-01,also from the National Eye Institute to the author."     

Peptide composition of Sindbis virus variants

Summary The peptide composition of variants of Sindbis virus which differ in plaque-type, elution pattern from calcium phosphate columns and virulence in mice was analyzed. Differences in peptide number or composition were not detected in these variants. Since the Sindbis virion has an outer lipoprotein envelope which is derived at least in part from the plasma membrane of the host cell, peptide composition of purified chicken embryo membranes was analyzed. In contrast to the virions, the number of peptide units in the host cell membrane were too numerous to give resolution.The chromatographic behavior of the hemagglutinating components of these plaque-type variants on calcium phosphate was also described. Unlike the intact virions, the hemagglutinating components obtained from these plaque-type variants eluted from the column at the same phosphate molarity. The elution pattern of the hemagglutinating components may be related to the removal of lipid from the virions or to the possible association of Tween-80 with the hemagglutinating protein.This investigation was supported by Grant GUDP 1598 from The National Science Foundation; Public Health Service Grant 1 R22 AI08516-01 from The Allergy and Infectious Disease Institute; and The Robert A. Welch Foundation Grant F-266.     

Failure to find luxotonic responses for single units in visual cortex of the rabbit

Summary The firing frequency of a population of 213 units in striate and circumstriate cortex of the moderately restrained rabbit was studied under the influence of alternating 1-min periods of darkness versus steady, diffuse, featureless illumination. The intent was to determine whether luxotonic responses, so prominent in striate cortex of primates, are indeed absent in rabbits. Such was the case, there being only transient occurrences in three units where the continuing rate of discharge in darkness was double that in the light. There were, however, much more modest differences in rate of continuing discharge in light versus darkness, and for 46% of the units discharging > 1/s this difference exceeded 10% and/or 1/s. The rate of discharge in any case did not provide a reliable index as to the characteristics of a unit's receptive field in response to patterned visual stimuli. The nature and function of luxotonic activity in primates still not being understood, it cannot be decided whether its absence in rabbits represents a true qualitative or merely a quantitative difference between species.Supported by Grant NS 03606 and Contract 70-2279 from the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of HealthDeceased November 5, 1978     

Behavior of preoculomotor burst neurons during eye-head coordination

Summary Single-unit recordings from the pontine reticular formation in four monkeys have shown the presence of two classes of short-lead burst neurons firing during coordinated eye-head movements. The activity of one class showed a correlation with the size of saccadic movements performed during head movements; the other showed a correlation between firing pattern and the combined eye-head movement. Anatomical reconstructions of the recording sites point to an intermingling of the two cell types.This research was supported by National Institutes of Health Research Grant NS09343, awarded by National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke, by National Aeronautics and Space Administration Grant NGR 22-099-798, and by National Eye Institute Grant EY02621     

Glutathione S-transferase T1 status and gastric cancer risk: a meta-analysis of the literature

To clarify the risk of gastric cancer associated with glutathione S-transferase T1 (GSTT1) status, a meta-analysis of published studies was performed. Eligible studies included all reports investigating an association between GSTT1 status and gastric cancer published before October 31, 2005. A qualitative scoring of papers was applied to evaluate the quality of the published data. The principal outcome measure was the odds ratio (OR) for the risk of gastric cancer associated with GSTT1 deletion status using a random effects model. Eighteen case-control studies detailing a possible association between the GSTT1 null genotype and gastric cancer were selected. Combining data from these studies, totalling 2508 cases and 4634 controls, a non-statistically significant OR for gastric cancer risk associated with GSTT1 deficiency emerged [OR = 1.09; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.97-1.21; I(2) = 0%]. When only high-quality scored studies were considered, a statistically significant increased risk appeared (OR = 1.23; 95% CI: 1.04-1.45; I(2) = 0%), as well as considering only Caucasians (OR = 1.23; 95% CI: 1.03-1.56; I(2) = 0%). By pooling data from seven studies (319 cases and 656 controls) that considered combinations of GSTT1 and GSTM1 genotypes, a statistically significant increased risk for gastric cancer (OR = 1.95, 95% CI: 1.42-2.67; I(2) = 0%) was detected for individuals with deletion mutations in both genes compared with wild-types. In conclusion, this meta-analysis suggests that the GSTT1 null genotype may slightly increase the risk of gastric cancer and that interaction between unfavourable GST genotypes may exist. Greater attention should, therefore, be paid to the design of future studies; the investigation of interactions among multiple genotypes and environmental exposures are justified to clarify GSTT1 null status influence on gastric cancer risk.     

Type A behavior and its association with cardiovascular disease prevalence in Blacks and Whites: The Minnesota heart survey

Population-based surveys were conducted in 1985 and 1986 to measure the prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD) history and risk factors in Black and White adults. Type A behavior was measured by the Jenkins Activity Survey (JAS). JAS scores were associated with age (negatively), education (positively), and sex (men>women) but were largely unrelated to CHD risk factors. Blacks had significantly lower age- and education-adjusted Type A and component scores than Whites, more so formen than women. Univariate analysis indicated that a history of angina and/or heart attack was positively associated with the Type A score in both Blacks and Whites. Following adjustment for known cardiovascular risk factors, Type A score remained positively and significantly associated with CHD prevalence. These findings are consistent with other cross-sectional studies and suggest that Type A behavior, as measured by the JAS, may increase the risk of CHD in both Blacks and Whites. Follow-up of these cohorts may help to clarify the complex relationship of Type A behavior to the risk of CHD.Supported by a National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Grant (RO1-23727).     

The Cox-2 -1195 G > A polymorphism and cancer risk: a meta-analysis of 25 case-control studies

Cyclooxygenase 2 (Cox-2, a rate-limiting enzyme in the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostanoids) has been implicated in several physiological and pathological processes, and it has been reported that polymorphisms in the regulatory region of Cox-2 might influence its expression, contributing to the interindividual susceptibility to cancer. However, results from published studies on the association between the Cox-2 -1195G > A polymorphism and the risk of cancer are conflicting. We performed a meta-analysis based on 25 case-control studies, including a total of 9482 cancer cases and 12?206 controls to derive a more precise estimation of the association and its possible influence on cancer risk. We used odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to assess the strength of the association. The overall results indicated that the variant genotypes moderately increased risk of cancer (AA/AG versus GG, OR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.02-1.31). In the stratified analysis for the -1195G > A polymorphism, a proximate association was observed in Asian populations (AA/AG versus GG, OR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.12-1.46), but no significant association except for oesophageal cancer and 'others' was found when stratified by cancer type. In conclusion, our meta-analysis indicates that -1195G > A of Cox-2 is a low penetration risk factor for cancer.     

结肠癌免疫相关 lncRNA 风险预测模型的建立

目的 分析影响结肠癌预后的免疫相关 lncRNA, 并构建预测结肠癌患者预后的相关预测模型。 方法 下载 TCGA 数据库中的结肠癌 lncRNA 表达谱, 数据经 TPM 标准化后分析所有 lncRNA 的差异性表 达, 其中缺失值的补充采用 KNN 法, 通过共表达方法提取并鉴定免疫相关 lncRNA, 然后对差异性表达的 lncRNA 进行 LASSO 回归分析, 再进行单因素和多因素 COX 回归分析。 最后使用 R 4. 0. 2 统计学软件的 ggplot2 包基于 lncRNA 风险评分与基因表达关系, 构建风险因子关联图、 KM 曲线及评价模型预测价值的 ROC 曲线。 结果 经过表达差异性分析发现, 共有 2 258 个 lncRNA 在癌和癌旁组织中差异性表达, 其中上 调的有 1 648 个, 下调的有 610 个。 选取差异表达前 100 位的免疫相关 lncRNA 进行 LASSO 回归分析, 共筛 选出 12 个 lncRNA, 再进行单因素和多因素 COX 回归分析后显示 AC092723. 1、 AC007182. 1 和 AC004947. 1 与预后明显相关, 使用 R 4. 0. 2 统计学软件构建预后风险因子关联图, ROC 曲线显示其预测 1 年、 3 年和 5 年的预测价值均较高, 其 AUC 分别为 0. 79 (95 % CI: 0. 67 ~ 0. 91), 0. 78 (95 % CI: 0. 66 ~ 0. 9), 0. 7 (95 % CI: 0. 51 ~ 0. 9)。 结论 研究使用 TCGA 公共数据库进行生物信息学分析并构建的预后模型显示有 较高的预测价值, 除具有一定的临床意义外, 对未来 lncRNA 相关结肠癌的研究也提供了一定的方向。     

Premorbid psychological factors as related to cancer incidence

In planning for studies relating psychological factors and/or stress (PF&/0S) to cancer, one should be aware of epidemiological findings that might contribute to or even account wholly for any found relationships. Most studies have not examined the known biological causes of cancer, nor have they described a rationale for relationships sought. The two broad mechanisms leading to cancer, carcinogenesis and lowered resistance to it, include physical and chemical causes, viruses and chronic infection, medication, genetic predisposition, hormonal stimuli, and aging. Interfering variables may bias or dilute a real relationship. Validity and reliability of instruments measuring PF&/oS are so variable as to warrant considerable care in their use. The latent periods of different cancers are measured in years, not months, with consequent potent impact on possible inferences drawn from prebiopsy and short prospective studies. In these and in retrospective studies, cancer can have strong and biasing effects on apparently straightforward PF&/oS measurements, as can iatrogenic effects. Some theoretical issues are discussed. The known prospective studies are discussed and reasons are given for the view that they are less convincing than many seem to think. A sketch of a model relating PF&/oS to cancer appearance is outlined, with some theoretical implications, and issues in research design are addressed.This article was originally written for potential applicants for a Cancer Research Emphasis Grant at the National Cancer Institute as an orientation to some issues in this area. It was and is not intended as a review of literature on psychological factors and cancer. Some corrections of the original article were made here, and a new section was added. This article discusses some areas I am not well conversant with and espouses certain views that some might disagree with. To those who may have been misquoted or misinterpreted, I apologize and ask for corrections; from those who might disagree with some things said, I ask for response, clarification if needed, and any suggestions; and from all, because of the unsettled state of this subject, I ask for comments and suggestions. I thank various members of this Institute, and especially Dr. John Bailar, for a number of helpful observations.     

CYP2E1 RsaI/PstI polymorphisms contributed to oral cancer susceptibility: a meta-analysis

Several studies have investigated the associations between CYP2E1 RsaI/PstI polymorphisms and oral cancer risk, but results have been inconclusive. In order to derive a more precise estimation of the relationship, a meta-analysis was performed. PubMed and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) searches were carried out for relevant studies published before September 2014. Meta-analysis was performed with the Stata, version 11.0. A total of 14 case control studies, including 1,962 cases and 3,271 controls, were selected. Overall, significant association was found between the CYP2E1 RsaI/PstI polymorphisms and oral cancer risk (for c1c1 vs. c1c2, OR=0.72, 95% CI=0.56-0.91; for c1c1 vs. c2c2, OR=0.45, 95% CI=0.25-0.82), while not for the dominant model (c1c1 vs. c1c2+c2c2, OR=0.84, 95% CI=0.69-1.01). In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, statistically significant association was found in Caucasian, East Asian and South Asian. This meta-analysis suggests that the CYP2E1 RsaI/PstI polymorphisms are a risk factor for developing oral cancer.     

A simple method of model fitting for adoption data

Traditional models used with adoption data often make strong assumptions concerning the nature of genetic transmission and assortative mating. A simple model is presented which avoids these assumptions. The model is linearized and, thus, has the further advantage that it can be used with standard statistical packages such as LISREL or EQS. The model allows tests of the internal consistency of the data, in addition to tests of the relative strength of genetic and environmental transmission parameters. To illustrate the model, measures of general cognitive ability in parents and their 7-year-old children from the Colordo Adoption Project (CAP) were fit to the model using the LISREL program. This relatively simple model may be expanded to incorporate more complex designs involving multiple measures or siblings. Although the model will not always allow constraints on the parameter estimates in more complex models, it offers a quick, flexible method for initial exploration of adoption data.This research was supported in part by Grants HD-10333 and HD-18426 from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) and by Grant MH-43899 from the National Institute of Mental Health. The paper was written while Hilary Coon was under the support of training grant HD-07289 from NICHD. Preparation of the paper was facilitated by Grant RR-07013-20 awarded to the University of Colorado by the Biomedical Research Grant Program, Division of Research Resources, National Institutes of Health.