EGF +61 gene polymorphism and susceptibility to and prognostic markers in cutaneous malignant melanoma

CMM is the most serious cutaneous malignancy and is increasing in frequency among most Caucasian populations, where the most important risk factor is exposure to UV light. Relatively little is known of the genetic factors that mediate susceptibility to and prognosis in sporadic CMM, although a number of genes have been implicated. A striking association between EGF polymorphism and Breslow thickness of invasive CMM has been reported. We have sought confirmation of this finding in an independent study of 159 patients and 310 controls using TaqMan fluorescence-based genotyping for EGF +61. In our study group, there were no significant differences in EGF genotype frequencies between patients and controls nor was EGF genotype associated with tumour growth phase, stage or mitotic count. However, correlation between EGF genotype and Breslow thickness showed a modestly significant increase in frequency of the EGF (G/G) genotype among tumours >3.5 mm thick (30.0% vs. 9.8%, p = 0.03). In summary, in our group, the EGF +61 polymorphism was not a risk factor for CMM susceptibility, but this polymorphism may play a role in disease progression.     

Implications of growth factor alterations in the treatment of pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer ranks fifth as a cause of cancer-related death in the world with an overall 5-year survival rate of less than 1% and a median survival of less than a year after tumour detection. Most of these patients have already metastases at the time of diagnosis. The oncologic strategies such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, antihormonal modalities or the systemic use of specific monoclonal antibodies have not achieved a significant improvement in the survival of pancreatic cancer patients. Recent studies suggest that alterations in molecular pathways, particularly in growth factor mediated mechanisms, that regulate cell proliferation and differentiation play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of this cancer. The molecular knowledge regarding changes in the expression of growth factors in pancreatic cancer has the potential to improve diagnostic and therapeutic treatment strategies in the near future.     

Temperament in young adulthood and later mortality: prospective observational study

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between a clinician assessment of temperament in early adulthood and cause specific mortality. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: Glasgow University. PARTICIPANTS: 9239 male former students aged 16-30 (mean 20.5) years who participated in an ongoing health survey from 1948-68. A physician recorded free text assessment of temperament, which seemed to capture aspects of personality (trait) and mental health (state), was coded into: stable, anxious, schizoid, hypomanic, odd, depressed, immature, hypochondriacal, unstable, and obsessive. Associations between temperament and mortality were investigated using Cox proportional hazards models. MAIN RESULTS: There were 878 deaths. Most students-8342 (90.3%)-were assessed as stable, the remaining 897 (9.7%) having at least one, and 103 (1.1%) having more than one, temperament type. The second most common temperament was anxiety, recorded in 520 (5.6%) students. In multivariable analyses, having at least one temperament type was associated with increased all cause and stroke mortality, hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals): 1.23 (1.01 to 1.50) and 1.95 (1.06 to 3.59) respectively, compared with stable students. Students with more than one temperament type had higher risk of death from: all causes, 2.05 (1.36 to 3.09); stroke, 3.26 (1.01 to 10.56); and cancer, 2.90 (1.62 to 5.20). Anxiety was positively associated with all cause and cancer mortality, respective hazard ratios: 1.36 (1.07 to 1.72) and 1.51 (1.04 to 2.20). Men labelled hypomanic had increased cardiovascular mortality risk, 1.90 (1.05 to 3.44). CONCLUSIONS: Markers of early adult psychological distress are associated with increased mortality. Mechanisms underlying these associations require investigation.     

Focal nodular hyperplasia in a child with hemihypertrophy and multiple cutaneous vascular malformations

A case of focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver occurring in a 9‐year‐old girl with musculoskeletal hemihypertrophy and multiple cutaneous capillary haemangiomata is described. The child presented because of limb length discrepancy and was found to have a large mass in the liver. Imaging showed a mass of similar characteristics to normal liver tissue. Prominent vascular supply to the liver was also seen. We present this case to emphasize the important diagnosis of focal nodular hyperplasia, which may occur in syndromic form in children with typical cutaneous and skeletal manifestations.     

Symptoms of postpartum depression and breastfeeding.

Despite important health benefits, the presence of depressive symptoms may decrease the prevalence of breastfeeding. The current study assessed the relationship between depressive symptoms and breastfeeding at 6 and 12 weeks postpartum. Participants were recruited from a cohort completing a clinical trial of calcium for prevention of preeclampsia. At 6 weeks postpartum, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was completed by mail. At 12 weeks postpartum, the EPDS was completed at an outpatient visit. There was an inverse relationship between depressive symptoms and breastfeeding at 6 weeks postpartum (P<.001) but not at 12 weeks. This relationship persisted even after controlling for prior history of depression, increased life stress, and current psychoactive medication. The results suggest that depressive symptoms early in the postpartum period may lower the prevalence of breastfeeding.     

小儿假性胰腺囊肿外科治疗体会

小儿假性胰腺囊肿是较少见的疾病。随着现代影像学的进展和各种诊断手段的不断提高,大大提高了本病的确诊率。治疗的主要手段为外科手术。我院自1995年～2002年共收治小儿假性胰腺囊肿14例,均行外科手术治愈,现报告如下。1临床资料1.1一般资料本组14例,男9例(64.3%),女5例(35.7%),男女之比约2:1。年龄2岁8个月～13岁,平均8.6岁,其中2岁8个月至9岁4例(28.6%),10～13岁10例(71.4%)。发病时间4d～1年,平均5个月。有腹部外伤史11例(78.6%),急性胰腺炎病史2例(14.3%),未发现明显诱因1例(7.1%)。1.2临床表现上腹部疼痛11例(78.6%),腹胀,恶心呕吐6…     

膳食、体力活动与慢性病关系的研究

目的分析膳食、体力活动与慢性病的关系。方法利用2002年中国居民营养与健康状况调查中,随机抽取的天津市3673名样本人群数据,分析膳食结构和慢性病患病率以及膳食、体力活动与超重肥胖、高血压、糖尿病和血脂异常的相对危险度。结果天津市标化超重率为38.9%,肥胖率为26.8%,高血压患病率为30.7%,血脂异常患病率为32.2%,糖尿病患病率为3.7%。膳食结构中存在的主要问题为蔬菜、水果摄入不足,油、盐摄入量超标。膳食脂肪供能比≥30%和看电视≥3h/d是危险因素,超重肥胖、高血压、糖尿病和血脂异常的OR值分别为2.04(95%CI:1.53～3.04),2.00(95%CI:1.13～3.57),2.22(95%CI:1.66～2.98),1.64(95%CI:1.18～2.31);1.89(95%CI:1.32～2.70),1.79(95%CI:1.48～2.16),1.47(95%CI:1.33～1.78)和1.45(95%CI:1.28～1.65);体育锻炼≥30min/d是保护因素,其OR值分别为0.42(95%CI:0.28～0.68),0.60(95%CI:0.40～0.89),0.50(95%CI:0.35～0.80),0.61(95%CI:0.44～0.93);每天摄入蔬菜、水果≥500g可以预防肥胖和血脂异常,OR为0.60(95%CI:0.40～0.89)和0.47(95%CI:0.30～0.72)。结论天津调查对象的膳食结构、体力活动等行为因素与高血压等慢性病有很强的联系,应加强合理膳食、适当运动的健康促进,预防和控制慢性病。     

Incidence and prevalence of neutralizing antibodies to the common adenoviruses in children with cystic fibrosis: implication for gene therapy with adenovirus vectors

OBJECTIVE: Defining the infection rate and prevalence of the common adenoviruses (Ads) in cystic fibrosis (CF) children may aid in formulation of strategies for gene therapy with Ad vectors. We undertook this study to determine the incidence and prevalence of infection with the common Ads in children with CF. METHODOLOGY: Thirty newly diagnosed CF children mean age 1.1 years (Group 1), 48 CF children mean age 4.6 years (Group 2), and 47 mothers of CF children (Group 3) were followed for a mean of 13 months. Group 4 consisted of 33 adult volunteers seen once. Throat and stool specimens for virus culture, and blood samples were obtained every 3 months from CF children in Group 1. Blood samples from CF children (Group 2) and their mothers (Group 3) were obtained every 6 months, and once from adults in Group 4. Neutralizing antibody to Ad serotypes 1 through 7 (Ad 1 to Ad 7) was evaluated with a microneutralization assay. RESULTS: Five (16.7%) CF children in Group 1 were culture-positive for an Ad; 4 of these CF children developed a fourfold or greater rise in antibody titer. Ad 3 infection occurred frequently based on serology; seronegative (< 3.5 log 2) CF children had a higher infection rate compared with seropositive CF children (7/11 vs 1/34). The prevalence of neutralizing antibodies in CF children in order of decreasing frequency was 91.1% to Ad 3, 37.5% to Ad 2, 27.1% to Ad 1, 26.1% to Ad 7, 16.7% to Ad 5, 8.5% to Ad 4, and 2.0% to Ad 6. The neutralizing antibody titers in seropositive CF children were comparable to those in adults except to Ad 3, which was significantly greater in mothers of CF children. CONCLUSIONS: CF children had a normal antibody response after Ad infection, preexisting antibody may protect against reinfection and antibody prevalence was low to the common Ads.     

Inhaled nitric oxide in infants with developing or established chronic lung disease

The effect on gas exchange of increasing concentrations of nitric oxide (0-60 parts per million) added to the inspired gases of nine ventilator-dependent infants (median postnatal age = 4 weeks; range 2-16 weeks) with chronic lung disease and pathological oxygenation index values was studied by means of arterial or transcutaneous PO₂/PCO₂. A significant improvement of oxygenation, indicated by a reduction of oxygenation index, was found ( p < 0.014). The optimal nitric oxide concentration and the individual response varied between patients. PO₂ returned to baseline values after the discontinuation of nitric oxide in all patients except one. No effect on PCO₂ could be identified. Methae-moglobin values only increased marginally during the nitrous oxide exposition (pre-nitric oxide: 0.56% 0.27; post-nitric oxide: 0.78 0.08; p =ns). Systemic blood pressure and heart rate were unaffected in all patients. Before inhaled nitric oxide can be considered for prolonged use in this patient category further studies regarding long-term efficacy and safety are needed. D Chronic lung disease, methaemoglobinaemia, nitric oxide, oxygenation, preterm, pulmonary hypertension