Distribution of HLA genotypes in sibs of patients with acute leukaemia

More unaffected sibs than expected have the same HLA genotypes as their sib with acute leukaemia. This seems not to be due to the restricted heterogeneity in HLA antigens described in the parents of sibs with acute leukaemia.     

First year after head and neck cancer: quality of life.

PURPOSE: Treatment regimens for head and neck cancer patients profoundly affect several quality-of-life domains. Rehabilitative needs have been identified through cross-sectional analyses; however, few studies have prospectively assessed quality of life, included assessment of psychosocial variables, and identified predictors of long-term follow-up. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: The present study addresses these limitations through a prospective assessment of 105 patients with a newly diagnosed first primary squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, pharynx, or larynx. Participants were enrolled onto a larger randomized controlled trial comparing a provider-delivered smoking cessation intervention with a usual-care-advice control condition. Participants completed a battery of self-report measures after diagnosis and before treatment and additional quality-of-life instruments at 1 and 12 months after initial smoking cessation advice. RESULTS: Participants displayed improvements at 12 months in functional status (P = .006) and in the areas of eating, diet, and speech; however, the latter three represent areas of continued dysfunction, and the changes were not statistically significant. Despite these improvements, patients reported a decline in certain quality-of-life domains, including marital (P = .002) and sexual functioning (P = .017), as well as an increase in alcohol use (P < .001). Predictors of quality of life at 12 months included treatment type, the Vigor subscale of the Profile of Mood States instrument, and quality-of-life scores obtained 1 month after initial smoking cessation advice. CONCLUSION: Results reinforce the need for rehabilitation management through the integration of psychologic and behavioral interventions in medical follow-up.     

Perfluorochemicals as US contrast agents for tumor imaging and hepatosplenography: preliminary clinical results

In animals, perfluorochemicals (PFCs) are effective ultrasound (US) contrast agents that produce hepatic, splenic, and tumor enhancement. The use of Fluosol-DA 20%, an emulsion of perfluorodecalin and perfluorotripropylamine, was studied in nine non-critically ill patients with cancer who had liver lesions. US studies without Fluosol were compared with studies obtained 24, 48, and 72 hours after Fluosol infusion. Vital signs and extensive laboratory analyses are performed before and after Fluosol infusion. Liver metastases from colonic, pancreatic, and gastric carcinoma exhibited rim or diffuse enhancement after a Fluosol dose of 1.6 g/kg or greater. Fluosol produced echogenic enhancement of the liver and spleen relative to kidney at a dose of 2.4 g/kg, allowing the detection of nonenhancing lesions. In addition, Fluosol at a dose of 1.6 g/kg or greater allowed detection of lesions not seen before contrast medium was administered in three of the seven patients studied. There was a mild increase in the level of serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase in two patients, one given 2.4 and the other 3.2 g/kg of Fluosol. Mild and transient allergic reactions without change in vital signs were experienced by two patients.     

Concomitant use of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco: prevalence,correlates, and predictors of tobacco cessation

BACKGROUND: This study examined the characteristics, tobacco use patterns over time, and predictors of tobacco cessation among concomitant users of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco. METHODS: Participants were employed adults residing in the southeastern United States who participated in the Working Well cancer prevention trial. Participants were assessed at baseline and followed-up 4 years later. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The study yielded several key findings: (a) the prevalence of concomitant smoking and smokeless tobacco use was high among males and nonexistent among females, (b) the characteristics of concomitant users were relatively distinct from those of both smokers and smokeless tobacco users, (c) concomitant users exhibited substantial variability in their tobacco use patterns and were less likely to stop using tobacco than were smokers or smokeless tobacco users, (d) indicators of nicotine dependence predicted tobacco cessation for both smokers and smokeless tobacco users, but were largely unrelated to tobacco cessation among concomitant users, and (e) demographics, environmental variables, and measures derived from the transtheoretical model were not consistent predictors of tobacco cessation after controlling for nicotine dependence.     

Depression late after combat: a follow-up of Finnish World War Two veterans from the seven countries east-west cohort

An analysis from the Finnish East and West Cohort of the Seven Countries Study tested the hypothesis that front line service during modern warfare is associated with depression later in life. World War Two-era Finnish combat veterans were compared to Finnish veterans who were non-combatants. Both groups were followed from 1959 to 1984. Dependent variables were the Zung depression scale and other measures of psychosocial adaptation and mental health. Analysis of variance of Zung scores by combat exposure was close to statistical significance (p = 0.0501). Even if statistical significance had been reached, it is felt that the absolute magnitude of the differences between the populations appear quite trivial. A significant association was found for those who had participated in over nine battles and when grouping depression, sleeplessness, paranoia, hallucinations, schizophrenia, and other mental illness into the general category of any mental illness (O.R. = 4.414; 95% C.I. = 1.113, 17.503). This seems to support the residual stress hypothesis pertaining to modern combat exposure.