Cross-Sectional Associations between Mothers and Children’s Breakfast Routine—The Feel4Diabetes-Study

Positive influences of family members have been associated with a high probability of children’s daily breakfast consumption. Therefore, the aim of this study was to scrutinize the association of breakfast routines between mothers and their children. The baseline data of the Feel4Diabetes-study was obtained in 9760 children (49.05% boys)–mother pairs in six European countries. A parental self-reported questionnaire gauging the frequency of breakfast consumption and of breakfast´ foods and beverages consumption was used. Agreement in routines of mothers and their children’s breakfast consumption was analyzed in sex-specific crosstabs. The relationship of breakfast routine and food groups’ consumption between mothers and their children was assessed with analysis of covariance. The highest proportion of children who always consumed breakfast were those whose mothers always consumed it. Children consuming breakfast regularly had a higher intake of milk or unsweetened dairy products and all kind of cereal products (low fiber and whole-grain) than occasional breakfast consumers (p < 0.05). The strong similarity between mothers and children suggests a transfer of breakfast routine from mothers to their children, as a high proportion of children who usually consume breakfast were from mothers also consuming breakfast. All breakfast foods and beverages consumption frequencies were similar between children and their mothers.     

A prospective study of the effect of testosterone escape on preradiotherapy prostate-specific antigen kinetics in prostate cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant androgen deprivation therapy

Introduction:Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) kinetic patterns during neoadjuvant androgen deprivation therapy have been shown to predict unfavorable long-term outcomes.Objective:To investigate the effect of testosterone escape (TE) on these kinetic patterns, as this had not been previously reported.Methods:There were 50 consecutive prostate cancer patients who received 6 months of triptorelin prior to definitive radiotherapy (RT). Testosterone and PSA levels were measured at baseline and every 6 weeks. Clinical factors were tested for their ability to predict for TE and unfavorable PSA kinetic patterns. The effects of TE, at both 1.7 and 0.7 nmol/L levels, were analyzed.Results:TE occurred in at least one reading for 14% and 34% of the patients at the 1.7 and 0.7 nmol/L levels, respectively. No baseline factors predicted TE. The median PSA halving time was 25 days and the median pre-RT PSA level was 0.55 ng/mL. The only factor significantly associated with a higher pre-RT PSA level was a higher baseline PSA level. The only factor that significantly predicted a longer PSA halving time was TE at the 1.7 nmol/L level.Conclusions:TE and higher baseline PSA levels may adversely affect PSA kinetics and other outcomes for patients undergoing neoadjuvant hormone therapy prior to radiotherapy. Studies investigating the tailoring of neoadjuvant therapy by extending the duration in those patients with a higher baseline PSA level or by the addition of anti-androgens in those demonstrating TE, should be considered.     

Unusual distribution pattern of telomeric repeats in the shrews <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sorex araneus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sorex granarius</Emphasis>

Sorex araneus and Sorex granarius are sibling species within the Sorex araneus group with karyotypes composed of almost identical chromosome arms. S. granarius has a largely acrocentric karyotype, while, in S. araneus, various of these acrocentrics have combined together by Robertsonian (Rb) fusions to form metacentrics, with the numbers and types of metacentrics differing between chromosomal races. Our studies on telomeric sequences in S. araneus and S. granarius revealed differences between chromosomes and between species. In S. araneus (the Novosibirsk race), hybridization signals were present on the telomeres of all the chromosomes after FISH with a PCR-generated telomeric probe. In addition, hybridization signals were observed at high frequencies in the pericentric regions of some but not all metacentrics formed by Rb fusion. There were fewer signals on those metacentrics formed earlier in the evolution of S. araneus. This suggests that S. araneus chromosomes retain at least some telomeric repeats during Rb fusion, but that these repeats are lost or modified over time. These results are critical for the interpretation of the well-studied hybrid zones between chromosomal races of S. araneus, given that Rb fission has been postulated in such hybrid zones and that the likelihood of Rb fission will relate to presence/absence of telomeric sequences at the centromeres of metacentrics. In S. granarius, there were strong signals at the proximal (centromeric) telomeres of the acrocentrics after FISH with a DNA telomeric probe. FISH with a PNA telomeric probe on S. granarius acrocentrics showed that the proximal telomeres were 213 kb on average, while the length of the distal telomeres was 3.8 kb on average. Two-colour FISH, using a telomeric DNA probe and a microdissected probe generated from the pericentric regions of the S. granarius chromosomes a and b, revealed regions on distinct chromatin fibres where telomeric and microdissected probes were colocalized or localized sequentially. The proximal telomeres of S. granarius are highly unusual both in their large size and their heterogeneous structure relative to the telomeres of other mammals.     

Traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta: Should one always operate immediately?

Although the traditional therapy for blunt traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta (TRA) is immediate operative repair, there may be a selective role for delayed repair, particularly in patients with head trauma, respiratory failure, or cardiac dysfunction. The present study examines the hypothesis that TRA can be managed by selective delayed operative repair. Clinical data were collected from 59 consecutive patients with TRA at a regional trauma unit. All TRAs were at the aortic isthmus. Patients were retrospectively classified into three groups: group I (n=12) included patients who either arrived in extremis or rapidly became unstable during triage; group II (n=3) included patients who had no contraindications to early repair and underwent repair at the time of diagnosis; and group III (n=44) consisted of patients who because of concomitant injuries or sepsis required initial admission and management in the intensive care unit until their clinical status had improved sufficiently to allow for deliberate delayed operative repair of the TRA. The delay ranged from 1 day to 7 months. Eight patients have yet to undergo repair and remain well at follow-up from 1 to 4 years. Overall survival rates in groups I, II, and III were 17%, 100%, and 82%, respectively. The surgery-related mortality rate in group III was 10% (three patients). Only two (4.5%) patients in group III died as a result of a ruptured aorta within 72 hours of admission. In conclusion, contrary to surgical doctrine, TRA may not require immediate operative repair in all cases, but may instead be managed selectively depending on the patient's clinical status.     

Preoperative uracil, tegafur, and concomitant radiotherapy in operable rectal cancer: a phase II multicenter study with 3 years' follow-Up.

PURPOSE: To assess tolerance and efficacy of preoperative treatment with uracil/tegafur and radiotherapy (RT) followed by surgery and postoperative flurouracil (FU)/leucovorin (LV) in patients with rectal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients (n = 94) with potentially resectable tumors, ultrasound at stages T2N+ (n = 4), T3 (n = 77), T4 (n = 13) were treated with UFT (400 mg/m2/d, 5 days a week for 5 weeks) and concomitant RT to the pelvis (45 Gy; 1.8 Gy/d over 5 weeks). Patients underwent surgery 5 to 6 weeks later followed by four cycles of FU/LV. Primary end points included downstaging, pathologic responses, and sphincter-preserving surgery. Secondary end points were recurrence-free survival and overall survival. RESULTS: All patients received the full RT dose. Fifteen patients (16%) needed UFT dose reduction. Preoperative G3+ toxicities included diarrhea (14%), leukopenia (1%), thrombocytopenia (1%), and nausea (4%). The downstaging rate was 54%, pathologic complete response (pCR) was 9% and, in an additional 23%, there were only residual microscopic foci. When cellular viability criteria were taken into account, the pCR was 15%. From 43 patients with abdominoperineal resection indication, 11 (25%) had sphincter-preserving surgery performed. Postoperative scheduled chemotherapy dose was not administered to 24% of patients because of G3+ toxicity (diarrhea, 8%; mucositis, 9%; and leukopenia, 7%). Patients with downstaging had significantly higher survival and recurrence-free survival rates than those without. At 3 years, actuarial patterns of failure were pelvic, 5% and distant, 11%. OS was 75%. CONCLUSION: UFT combined with RT is safe and effective. In resectable rectal cancer, if preoperative treatment is considered, this approach can be an option.     

Predictors of occult metastasis in clinical stage I nonseminoma: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: Patients with clinical stage I nonseminomatous testicular germ cell tumor should ideally receive adjuvant therapy only when they are at high risk for occult metastasis. We aimed to quantify the importance of predictors for occult metastasis by performing a systematic review of the relevant literature. In addition, we reviewed published multivariable models and risk-adapted treatment policies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We identified 23 publications between 1979 and 2001, reporting a total of 2,587 patients. Twenty-nine percent of the patients (759 of 2,587 patients) had occult metastases, which was diagnosed either at retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (n = 193) or during follow-up (n = 566). Odds ratios (OR) were pooled using meta-analysis techniques. RESULTS: The presence of vascular invasion of the primary tumor cells had the strongest effect (OR, 5.2; 95% CI, 4.0 to 6.8). Immunohistochemical staining of the primary tumor cells with the MIB-1 monoclonal antibody showing proliferative activity was a promising predictor (OR, 4.7; 95% CI, 2.0 to 11). Intermediate effects were found for embryonal carcinoma in the primary tumor (OR, 2.9; 95% CI, 2.0 to 4.4) and a high pathologic stage of the tumor (OR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.8 to 3.8). Size of the primary tumor and age of the patient had weaker though also statistically significant associations with occult metastasis. Until now, multivariable models often included vascular invasion and embryonal carcinoma with one or two weaker predictors. None of the published risk-adapted treatment policies included MIB-1 staining. CONCLUSION: Several strong predictors for occult metastasis were identified. A risk-adapted treatment policy should be developed that incorporates all relevant predictors so that adjuvant therapy is targeted better to those with occult metastases.     

Exostoses of the external auditory canal: a long‐term follow‐up study of surgical treatment

To determine the postoperative incidence, extent and recurrence rate of exostoses of the external auditory canal in a cohort of patients involved in different water sports. A cross‐sectional study of 31 patients (46 ears), with exostoses treated by surgery in the Royal Cornwall Hospital between 1980 and 1999. A questionnaire was used to obtain information about the type of water exposure pre‐ and postoperatively. The extent of recurrent stenosis was assessed. The mean postoperative time interval was 10 years (sd = 4.5 years). The degree of stenosis was assessed as: minimal (<30%) in 42.6%, moderate (30–60%) in 31% and severe (>60%) in 25% of ears. The Cox regression model was used to identify factors associated with a reduction in the recurrence rate of stenosis. The use of ear plugs was highly significant (P = 0.015), as was the age of the patient at the time of operation (P = 0.004), i.e. the older the patient, the faster recurrent disease developed. There was no evidence to show that either the type or seasonal pattern of water sport activity influenced recurrence of the disease postoperatively, although preoperatively, the stenosis was more marked in association with surfing and sailing. Exostoses developed faster preoperatively in those who were in the water all year round rather than just the summer months. Of five patients who stopped water sport activity completely after surgery, four of them developed significant recurrent exostoses (>50% stenosis).