Genetic polymorphisms in dopamine-related genes and smoking cessation in women: a prospective cohort study

Background  

Genes involved in dopaminergic neurotransmission have been suggested as candidates for involvement in smoking behavior. We hypothesized that alleles associated with reduced dopaminergic neurotransmission would be more common in continuing smokers than among women who quit smoking.     

Synthesis of alpha-methyl-benzamido-alpha'-substituted styryl cyclohexanone thiosemicarbazones as potential antifertility agents

Cyclohexanone was condensed with N-hydroxymethyl benzamide in conc. sulphuric acid to give alpha-methyl-benzamido-cyclohexanone (I). The reaction of (I) with thiosemicarbazide in ethanol resulted in alpha-methyl-benzamido-cyclohexanone thiosemicarbazone (II). Condensation of (II) with various aromatic aldehydes in the presence of ethanol afforded alpha-methyl-benzamido-alpha'-substituted-styryl-cyclohexanone thiosemicarbazones (III) in yields ranging from 40 to 50 percent. The compounds exhibited pronounced antiimplantation activity in female albino rats.     

Monte Carlo study of electron spectra produced in semi-infinite and finite water phantoms irradiated by photons of energies up to 2 MeV

A Monte Carlo calculation for the initial electron energy spectra produced in semi-infinite and finite water phantoms irradiated by photons of energies up to 2 MeV and photons from 60Co are presented incorporating successive Compton scattering, photoelectric absorption and Auger effect. The backscattering of photons through the top of the phantom and transmission of photons out of the finite phantom through the sides also are considered. The results are compared with the earlier calculation for infinite water phantom of Turner et al. who assumed that all the photons remained in the water until they were absorbed. It is found that inclusion of backscattering in a semi-infinite phantom yields significantly different results from those of Turner et al. for the infinite phantom. It is also found that backscattering and transmission of the photons through the sides of the finite phantom further alter the initial energy spectra of electrons, as well as the average number of electrons per photon at different photon incident energies.     

Advanced primary breast cancer: assessment at mammography of response to induction chemotherapy

The response to induction chemotherapy is an important prognostic factor in patients with nonmetastatic, locally advanced breast carcinomas. Assessment at mammography of the response of 60 breast cancers in 59 women was performed between 1974 and 1986. Responses were excellent in 13 tumors, moderate in 34, and poor in 13 (excellent moderate = 78%). Assessment of response of discrete masses in a fatty breast was easiest; assessment of response of tumor areas that were poorly defined-such as a focal area of architectural distortion or mass in dense breast parenchyma-was more difficult. Of 17 patients with excellent pathologic responses-that is, minimal or no residual tumor-15 (88%) had complete responses (no residual tumor) as determined with mammography, physical examination, or both. Mammography provides information complementary to physical examination and is essential in the accurate assessment of the response to chemotherapy of locally advanced breast cancer.     

Cytogenetics in head and neck cancer

Cytogenetics or the study of chromosomes has been an important tool in oncology. It localizes the abnormality on a particular chromosome segment as such but, the molecular analysis on the other hand focuses the exact gene of interest. Hence both are complimentary. Classical cytogenetics in combination with recent molecular techniques has given rise to various molecular cytogenetic analytical techniques such as florescent in-situ hybridization (FISH), spectral karyotyping (SKY) and comparative genomic hybridization (CGH). The role of telomeres and its concerned enzyme telomerase is important in carcinogenesis. This article summarizes the various cytogenetic techniques and presents an overall view of the importance of cytogenetcs in head and neck cancer.     

Lack of correlation between coronary artery calcium and myocardial perfusion imaging

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery calcium (CAC) provides evidence of coronary atherosclerosis and has significant prognostic power. Although prior studies have documented a relationship between CAC and hemodynamically significant coronary artery stenosis, the results have not been conclusive. METHODS AND RESULTS: We evaluated 126 consecutive patients who underwent electron beam computed tomography CAC scoring by use of the Agatston method and stress myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) within 3 months of each other. The analysis revealed no correlation between absolute CAC score and age- and gender-adjusted CAC scores with MPI. Overall, 18% of patients had abnormal MPI results irrespective of their CAC. CONCLUSION: CAC scoring and stress MPI should be thus considered complementary approaches rather than exclusionary in the evaluation of the patient at risk for coronary artery disease.