Prostate cancer in Mexican-Americans: identification of risk factors

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of information regarding prostate cancer (PCa) risk factors among Hispanics, the fastest-growing ethnic group in the United States. METHODS: This population-based case-control study included 176 Texas men of Mexican descent with PCa and 174 age- and ethnicity-matched controls. Demographic, lifetime occupational history, family history of cancer, lifestyle (e.g., smoking, alcohol, diet, and recreational physical activity) and anthropometric information were collected by personal interviews. Chemical exposure and physical activity were determined using job-exposure matrices for each reported job. RESULTS: Logistic regression models adjusted for relevant covariates were used to evaluate their independent effects. Compared to controls, cases were three times more likely to work in jobs with high agrichemical exposure (OR = 3.44, 95% CI 1.84-6.44), and 54% less likely to work in jobs with moderate/high occupational physical activity (OR = 0.46, 95% CI 0.28-0.77). In analyses stratified by stage, cases with organ-confined PCa were three times more likely to have high agrichemical exposure (OR = 3.39, 9%CI 1.68-6.84), and 56% less likely to have moderate/high levels of occupational physical activity (OR = 0.44, 95% CI 0.26-0.76). Increased risk of being diagnosed with advanced PCa was associated with obesity at time of diagnosis (OR = 2.50, 95% CI 1.20-5.20) and high levels of agrichemical exposure (OR = 4.65, 95% CI 1.97-10.97), but not with occupational physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: This case-control study, the first conducted in a homogeneous Hispanic population, identified modifiable PCa risk factors, such as physical activity and agrichemical exposure, which may be useful in developing interventions for this understudied population.     

The Role of Donor Bone Marrow Infusions in Withdrawal of Immunosuppression in Adult Liver Allotransplantation

We investigated the role of donor bone marrow cell (DBMC) infusions in immunosuppression withdrawal in adult liver transplantation. Patients enrolled were at least 3 years post-transplantation, with stable graft function. Forty-five (study group: G1) received DBMC, and 59 (control group: G2) did not. Immunosuppression was reduced by one third upon enrollment, by another third the second year of the study and was completely withdrawn the third year. Patient and graft survival were similar between the two groups. Although rejection episodes were significantly less in G1 the first 2 years of the study (35% vs. 57%, p = 0.016), there was no significant difference overall (74% vs. 81%, p = 0.14). Until February 2004, 20 patients, 10 in each group, were immunosuppression free for 1-3 years. Approximately 20% of long-term survivors of liver transplantation can successfully discontinue their immunosuppression. DBMC infusions, do not increase this likelihood.     

Effects of consumption of contaminated feed with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) on the rat tibia: analysis by Raman spectroscopy and mechanical properties

Lasers in Medical Science - Studies reported the harmful effects of 2,4-D on body tissues, provoking changes in the anatomy and physiology of the kidneys, liver, and testicles. Thus, the objective...     

Simultaneous liver and renal transplantation in man

Advanced chronic renal failure has been thought of as a contraindication to liver transplantation. We present here seven cases of simultaneous kidney-liver transplant performed for combined end-organ failure. Six of the seven patients are alive with functioning grafts with follow-up of from 6 weeks to 32 months. In one case, the patient chronically rejected his liver graft (treated with successful retransplant) while maintaining good function in his kidney. The rate of acute rejection in the liver transplant was only 37.5% compared with 59.3% in the patients undergoing liver transplant only. There were no obvious rejections observed in the kidney transplants. These cases demonstrate the utility of simultaneous kidney-liver transplant in patients with combined kidney and liver failure. Advanced chronic renal failure should no longer be considered a contraindication to liver transplantation.