PAHs and PM2.5 emissions and female breast cancer incidence in metro Atlanta and rural Georgia

Environmental chemical exposure could be an important etiologic factor for geographic differences in breast cancer incidence. In this study, we examined emissions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and PM_2.5 in relation to breast cancer incidence in metro Atlanta and rural Georgia by analyzing data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program and the Environmental Protection Agency. The results showed that metro Atlanta had a significantly higher age-adjusted annual incidence rate of female breast cancer than rural Georgia (132.6 vs. 113.7 per 100,000) for 1992–2011. Emissions of both PAHs [adjusted β = 0.568 (95 % CI: 0.209, 0.927); p = 0.004] and PM_2.5 [adjusted β = 2.964 (95 % CI: 0.468, 5.459); p = 0.023] were significantly associated with breast cancer incidence in metro Atlanta area. This study suggests that ambient air pollution, especially PAHs and PM_2.5, could have a significant impact on the increased incidence of female breast cancer in urban areas.     

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding for patients with body mass index of ≤35 kg/m

BACKGROUND: Many mild-to-moderately obese individuals (body mass index [BMI] 30-35 kg/m(2)) have serious diseases related to their obesity. Nonoperative therapy is ineffective in the long term, yet surgery has never been made widely available to this population. METHODS: Between 1996 and 2004, 93 patients with a BMI of 30-35 kg/m(2) underwent laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding with the LAP-BAND. All patients were referred by their primary physician, entered into a comprehensive bariatric surgery program at one Australian center, and operated on by one surgeon. Data on all patients were collected prospectively and entered into an electronic registry. The study parameters included preoperative age, gender, BMI, presence of co-morbidities, percentage of excess weight loss, and resolution of co-morbidities. RESULTS: The mean age was 44.6 years (range 16-76), mean weight was 98 kg, and the mean BMI was 32.7 kg/m(2) (range 30-34). Of the 93 patients, 42 (45%) had co-morbidities, including asthma, diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnea. The proportion of patients in follow-up was 79%, 85%, and 89% at 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively. The mean weight was reduced to 71 kg at 1 year, 72 kg at 2 years, and 72 kg at 3 years. The mean BMI was reduced to 27.2 +/- 2.2, 27.3 +/- 3.1, and 27.6 +/- 3.7 kg/m(2), respectively, and the mean percentage of excess weight loss was 57.9% +/- 24.5%, 57.6 +/- 29.3%, and 53.8% +/- 32.8% at 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively. At 3 years, the BMI was 18-24 kg/m(2) in 34%, 25-29 kg/m(2) in 51%, and 30-35 kg/m(2) in 10%. At 3 years, the percentage of excess weight loss was <25% in 10%, 25-50% in 24%, 50-75% in 51%, and >75% in 10%. The co-morbidities improved or completely resolved in most patients. No mortality occurred. CONCLUSION: We are very encouraged by this series of low BMI patients treated with the LAP-BAND. Their weight loss has been good, the complications have been minimal, and the co-morbidities have partially or wholly resolved. With additional study, it is reasonable to expect the weight guidelines for bariatric surgery to be altered to include patients with a BMI of 30-35 kg/m(2).     

Dentistry, neurology and nephrology--what is the connection?

Case report A 28-year-old female patient was admitted because of painlessmacroscopic haematuria. Past history included severe mentalretardation and nystagmus. At age 17, a computed tomography(CT) scan of the brain showed an absent cerebellar vermis andcerebellar hypoplasia. There was no     

Replacement of adjacent missing anterior teeth with scalloped implants: a case report.

As the biological width is established around neighboring implants, there is a flattening of the interimplant bone and a change in the position of the soft tissue. As a result, a normal progression of papilla from natural teeth through the adjacent implant area is lost. This presentation describes various techniques and strategies to improve the aesthetic outcome of anterior implant restorations, together with the use of a scalloped implant designed to sustain the interdental bony peaks, and in doing so, maintain the interimplant papillae.     

Efficacy of epoetin-beta 30,000 IU/week in correcting anaemia in patients with gastrointestinal tumours subjected to concomitant chemoradiotherapy

Objective  

The aim of the project was to assess the effectiveness and safety of weekly epoetin-beta (EB) in patients with gastrointestinal cancer (GIC) subjected to concomitant chemoradiotherapy (CCTRT).