Oral squamous cell cancer in non-users of tobacco and alcohol

In a well-defined group of 161 consecutive patients with intra-oral squamous cell carcinoma we found 23 non-users of tobacco and alcohol. The non-users in this prospective study were compared with users of tobacco and alcohol in the study, and to a sex- and age-matched control group drawn at random from the Danish Central Citizenry Registration. The users in the patient group represented a significantly higher number than in the control group. As to non-users, women represented a higher number in the patient group compared with the control group. Among users and non-users differences were found in the location of the primary tumour and in the degree of differentiation of the tumour. Haematological status and liver function parameters were different in the two groups. There was no difference in dental or oral hygiene status or risk occupation among the groups. The stage and the course of the disease (corrected survival) showed only insignificant differences. The non-user group contained especially older women, and only one of them had anaemia.     

Otitis media in childhood. Sociomedical aspects with special reference to day-care conditions

To assess the effect of day-care conditions on the occurrence of middle ear infection, 681 children, aged 3-4 yr, were investigated. The investigation comprised an interview with one of the parents, a case history was taken, and a physical examination including tympanometry. At that time 76% of the children had been in day-care away from their homes and half of these were younger than 6 months old. The two groups of children, those in day-care and those looked after at home, were comparable with respect to sex, housing conditions, parents’ social status and smoking habits. An increased occurrence of otitis media was found among children in day-care Measurements of middle ear pressure revealed a significantly larger number of children with flat curves (secretory otitis) and thus poorer hearing among those in day-care than those at home. Among the children in day-care there was also a significantly larger number with a history of adenoidectomy than among those looked after at home. These differences could not be explained by sex, housing conditions, social status or parents’ smoking habits. It is concluded that the apparently greater occurrence of middle ear infection among children in day-care, compared to those looked after at home is due to an increased risk of contamination from children of their own age.     

A clinically applicable method for determining the three major alleles at the Duffy (FY) blood group locus using polymerase chain reaction with allele-specific primers

BACKGROUND: The clinically significant antigens of the Duffy (Fy [FY]) blood group system are expressed on the red cell form of the FY glycoprotein, a promiscuous chemokine receptor and also a receptor for malarial parasites. After the cloning of cDNA coding for FY glycoprotein, the molecular basis of the three major alleles (Fya/Fyb/Fy) has been established. Because of the mistyping of the silent Fy allele as Fyb, the error rate of current genotyping methods is high in black populations. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Two hundred blood donors (European whites and African Blacks) and some amniotic DNA samples were investigated by a new allele-specific primer polymerase chain reaction technique. Sense primers corresponding to normal and GATA-1-mutated FY gene promoter region sequences were combined with antisense primers discriminating the Fya/Fyb polymorphism. RESULTS: Complete correlation between FY phenotypes and genotypes was obtained in all samples studied, although, in two whites and one black, serology showed weak Fyb expression while polymerase chain reaction indicated a Fyb allele. Gene frequencies were calculated. CONCLUSION: This simple and rapid polymerase chain reaction method was shown to detect the three common alleles at the FY locus in two representative ethnic populations. Its future use as an independent technique in red cell FY investigations and for fetal genotyping in hemolytic disease of the newborn is predicted.     

Emergency Department Case-finding for High-risk Older Adults: The Brief Risk Identification for Geriatric Health Tool (BRIGHT)

Objective:  The objective was to test the ability of the Brief Risk Identification for Geriatric Health Tool (BRIGHT) to identify older emergency department (ED) patients with functional and physical impairment.
Methods:  This was a cross-sectional study in which 139 persons ≥75 years, who presented to an urban New Zealand ED over a 12-week period, completed the 11-item BRIGHT case-finding tool. Then, within 10 days of their index ED visit, 114 persons completed a comprehensive geriatric assessment. A "yes" response to at least 3 of the 11 BRIGHT items was considered "positive." Primary outcome measures were instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), cognitive performance scale (CPS), and activities of daily living (ADL).
Results:  The BRIGHT-identified IADL deficit (64% prevalence) with a sensitivity of 0.76, specificity of 0.79, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) of 0.83 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.74 to 0.91, p < 0.01); cognitive deficit (35% prevalence) sensitivity of 0.78, specificity of 0.54, and ROC of 0.66 (95% CI = 0.55 to 0.76, p = 0.006); and ADL deficit (29% prevalence) sensitivity of 0.83, specificity of 0.53, and ROC of 0.64 (95% CI = 0.53 to 0.75, p = 0.020). Positive likelihood ratios (LR+) for the three outcomes of interest were 3.6, 1.7, and 1.8, respectively. Negative likelihood ratios (LR−) were 0.3, 0.4, and 0.3.
Conclusions:  The 11-item BRIGHT successfully identifies older adults in the ED with decreased function and may be useful in differentiating elder patients in need of comprehensive assessment.     

ISO 9000 model ideally suited for quality plan at blood centers

BACKGROUND: The development of a quality plan is essential for organizations involved in manufacturing, trade, and services. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has established a common set of manufacturing, trade, and communications standards that are applicable worldwide and that provide the basis of a quality plan for institutions such as blood centers. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The ISO 9002 conformance model and a registrar were selected to guide a core management team in establishing a superior quality plan for a blood center. The initial phase required that an analysis of the existing quality and document systems be performed, utilizing a 20- element "status of readiness" ISO assessment audit (gap analysis). Weaknesses in the quality systems were targeted and progress was evaluated by the registrar and an outside facilitator. RESULTS: Full implementation of ISO principles was achieved within the established timeline. Standard operating procedures were reviewed, supplemented, and expanded in every department, thereby ensuring consistent quality throughout the organization. Improvements in management, training, inspections, and statistical reporting were soon apparent during regular departmental audits. CONCLUSION: The ISO 9000 model is ideally suited for use by blood centers to establish a quality plan as required by the American Association of Blood Banks.     

感染性休克病死率和危险因素分析

目的：回顾性分析感染性休克的病死率和相关危险因素。方法：回顾性分析71例1994年1月～2004年10月源自中山大学附属第二医院的感染性休克患者资料，比较近10年死亡率的变化，对感染性休克的病死危险因素做单因素分析和多因素Logistic回归。结果：1994年～2004年间，感染性休克患者的总死亡率是64．8％．近10年间病死率无明显变化(P=0．725)；合并器官功能衰竭的数目越多，死亡率越高；性别(OR=0．206)、MODS数目(OR=11．387)、SIRS数目(OR=6．335)均是危险因素，其中MODS数目是强危险因素。结论：近10年感染性休克的病死率无明显下降趋势，需注重防治MODS，及早采取各种保护器官功能的支持疗法。     

The VS and V blood group polymorphisms in Africans: a serologic and molecular analysis

BACKGROUND: VS and V are common red cell antigens in persons of African origin. The molecular background of these Rh system antigens is poorly understood. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Red cells from 100 black South Africans and 43 black persons from Amsterdam, the Netherlands, were typed serologically for various Rh system antigens. Allele-specific polymerase chain reaction and sequencing of polymerase chain reaction products were used to analyze C733G (Leu245Val) and G1006T (Gly336Cys) polymorphisms in exons 5 and 7 of RHCE and the presence of a D-CE hybrid exon 3. RESULTS: The respective frequencies of all VS+ and of VS+ V-(r's) phenotypes were 43 percent and 9 percent in the South Africans and 49 percent and 12 percent in the Dutch donors. All VS+ donors had G733 (Val245), but six with G733 were VS- (4 V+w, 2 V-). The four VS- V+w donors with G733 appeared to have a CE-D hybrid exon 5. T1006 (Cys336) was present in 12 percent and 16 percent of donors from the two populations. With only a few exceptions, T1006, a D-CE hybrid exon 3, and a C410T (Ala137Val) substitution were associated with a VS+ V-phenotype ((C)ces or r's haplotype). Two VS+ V-individuals, with the probable genotype, (C)ces/(C)ces), were homozygous for G733 and for T1006. CONCLUSIONS: It is likely that anti-VS and anti-V recognize the conformational changes created by Val245, but that anti-V is sensitive to additional conformational changes created by Cys336.     

Prevalence and predictors of antioxidant supplement use during breast cancer treatment

BACKGROUND.

Although many patients take antioxidant dietary supplements during breast cancer treatment, the benefits of such supplementation are unproven. The authors of this report analyzed the prevalence of and factors associated with antioxidant supplement use during breast cancer (BC) treatment among women who participated in the Long Island Breast Cancer Study Project.

METHODS.

From 2002 through 2004, women with BC who had participated a case‐control study from 1996 to 1997 were invited to participate in a follow‐up interview. Antioxidant supplement use was defined as any self‐reported intake of supplemental vitamin C, vitamin E, β‐carotene, or selenium in individual supplements or multivitamins.

RESULTS.

Follow‐up interview participants were younger, more predominantly white, and of higher socioeconomic status than women who did not respond. Among 764 participants who completed the follow‐up interview, 663 (86.8%) reported receiving adjuvant treatment for their BC. Of those 663 women, 401 (60.5%) reported using antioxidants during adjuvant treatment: One hundred twenty of 310 women (38.7%) used antioxidants during chemotherapy, 196 of 464 women (42.2%) used them during radiation, and 286 of 462 women (61.9%) used them during tamoxifen therapy. Of 401 antioxidant users, 278 women (69.3%) used high doses (doses higher than those contained in a Centrum multivitamin). The factors that were associated with high antioxidant supplement use during treatment were higher fruit and vegetable intake at diagnosis (relative risk [RR], 1.71; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13‐2.59), tamoxifen use (RR, 3.66; 95% CI, 2.32‐5.78), ever using herbal products (RR, 3.49; 95% CI, 2.26‐5.38), and ever engaging in mind‐body practices (RR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.13‐2.64).

CONCLUSIONS.

Given the common use of antioxidant supplements during BC treatment, often at high doses and in conjunction with other complementary therapies, future research should address the effects of antioxidant supplementation on BC outcomes. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.     

ABO血型不合红细胞输注的临床转归

在过去的30年中,输血安全有了巨大的进步,大部分感染性风险下降,然而,输血仍然有致病和致死的潜在风险.对于受血者来说,最大的风险之一是来自于差错导致输入了不正确的血液成分.