Body size in different periods of life, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and risk of postmenopausal endometrial cancer (Sweden)

Objective: To measure the association between endometrial cancer risk and obesity at age 18 and recently, adult weight gain, diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Methods: We performed a population-based, nationwide case–control study among postmenopausal women aged 50–74 years in Sweden, including 709 incident cases with histopathologically verified endometrial cancer and 3368 controls. Results: Compared to lean women (recent body mass index (BMI), i.e. kg/m² below 22.5), overweight women (recent BMI 28–29.99) had a 50% increase in risk for endometrial cancer (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.0–2.1). Obese women (recent BMI 30–33.99) had a 3-fold increased risk (OR 2.9, 95% CI 2.0–4.0), and markedly obese women (recent BMI 34) a 6-fold increased risk (OR 6.3, 95% CI 4.2–9.5). The OR for Type 2 diabetes mellitus was 1.5 (95% CI 1.0–2.1) and for Type 1 diabetes mellitus it was 13.3 (3.1–56.4). The effect of recent BMI was similar for tumors having different degrees of differentiation and myometrial invasion, and did not vary with age, time since menopause, smoking status, diabetes mellitus, and use of contraceptives. Hypertension increased risk only among obese women. BMI at age 18, height, and adult weight change were not independent risk factors. Conclusions: Recent overweight/obesity and diabetes mellitus (Types 1 and 2) are associated with endometrial cancer risk. Hypertension increases risk among obese women.     

Intestinal permeability in healthy and allergic children before and after sodium-cromoglycate treatment assessed with different-sized polyethyleneglycols (PEG 400 and PEG 1000)

Gastrointestinal permeability was investigated in twenty-two children on two occasions, before and after treatment with sodium cromoglycate. The children were between 8 and 10 years old; half of them were classified as allergic according to history and laboratory tests, and half of them as healthy. The 6-hr urinary recovery of different-sized polyethyleneglycols (PEG 400 and PEG 1000) in combination with a mathematical model was used to assess the intestinal permeability barrier. No significant differences were seen in the first PEG test between healthy and allergic children, although those with gastrointestinal allergy showed a slightly lower, and those with other allergies a slightly higher recovery of the smaller PEGs than seen in the healthy individuals. After treatment with sodium cromoglycate, however, there was a significant decrease in uptake by allergic children, which could indicate that the permeability properties had returned to normal. The PEG method offers a simple, harmless and reproducible method to measure intestinal permeability properties. The change in permeability observed after sodium cromoglycate corresponds well with the clinical experience of usefulness of the drug in some children with food allergy.     

Isokinetic muscle strength and hiking performance in elite sailors

The aim of the present study was to describe the isokinetic strength profile and its relation to hiking performance in male (Sm , n=15) and fmale (Sf , n=6) elite sailors compared to a group of male control subjects (Cm , n=8) similar in age, anthropometry and level of fitness. Eccentric knee extension strength was higher in Sm compared to Cm . (P<0.01). Furthermore, Sm were stronger during trunk extension (P < 0.05), but not during trunk flexion compared to CM. Overall muscle strength was lower in SF compared to SM (P < 0.01) and CM (P < 0.05), except for eccentric knee extension strength, where SF and CM did not differ (P > 0.05). Hiking performance correlated to maximal eccentric and isometric knee extensor strength in SF (r_s= 0.83–0.88, P < 0.05) and in CM (r_s= 0.73-0.77, P < 0.05) and to maximal eccentric knee extensor strength at high velocity in SM (r_s= 0.46-0.54, P < 0.05). For a subgroup of hikers in SM (n= 8), hiking peformance correlated to maximal isometric-eccentric knee extensor strength (r_s=0.67-0.74, P<0.05), whereas no correlations emerged for the non-hikers (n=7). Few correlations were observed between hiking performance and maximal concentric trunk flexor strength (r_s=0.69-0.92, P < 0.05). Unexpectedly, in SM correlations also were observed between hiking performance and maximal strength of the trunk extensors (r_s=0.46-0.53, hike subgroup: r_s=0.64-0.67, P < 0.05). In conclusion, notably high levels of maximal eccentric knee extesor strength were observed for the male and female elite sailors examined in the present study. Furthermore, the present results suggest that hiking performance depends in part on maximal isometric-eccentric knee extensor strength. The maximal strength of the trunk extensors, which potentially stabilizes the lower back and spine, also seems to have some importance for the hiking performance of top-level sailors.     

Ion probe analysis of discolored areas in the enamel of deciduous teeth

Discolored and normal areas in the enamel of eleven primary teeth from children born to diabetic mothers were analysed with ion probe technique. These teeth were compared with four teeth from children born to healthy mothers. Fourteen different mass numbers were recorded. The affected areas showed a proportionally higher content of organic material, but the differences in recorded values reached statistical significance only in the postnatal enamel. The study revealed a considerable biological variation in the chemical composition of deciduous tooth enamel. The brown areas may be partly related to variation in physical properties.     

Tumours in Iceland. I. Malignant tumours of skin--a histological classification.

Four hundred and eighty-five primary malignant skin tumours submitted for histological diagnosis in Iceland during the period 1955--1974 were typed according to the WHO histological classification. The incidence of these tumours, age-adjusted to the "World" population, was 12.6/100.000 in males and 11.0/100.000 in females. These are very low figures for a white population. The distribution by type among males was: basal cell carcinoma 66.8%, squamous cell carcinoma 22%, malignant melanoma 7.2% and others 4%. Among females: basal cell carcinoma 66.9%, malignant melanoma 20.8%, squamous cell carcinoma 10.2% and others 2.1%. The exposed areas of the body were affected much more frequently than other areas. The results support the theory that intensity of solar radiation is of major aetiological significance.     

Recurrent headaches in relation to temporomandibular joint pain-dysfunction.

Two groups of 80 patients, one referred because of mandibular dysfunction and one seeking dental treatment, completed questionnaires concerning recurrent headaches. The function of the masticatory system of all patients was afterwards examined clinically. The investigation showed that clenching of teeth was correlated to the severity of headache. The frequency and severity of headache varied also with the severity of mandibular dysfunction. Of the variables included in the dysfunction index, only masticatory musculature painful to palpation was found to have a distinct relationship to headaches. This implies that functional treatment is indicated in patients with headaches and tendernes of the masticatory musculature. Functional examination of the masticatory system should therefore be included in investigations of recurrent headaches.