Mutation in the K-ras gene at codon 12 does not correlate with disease progression in colorectal carcinoma patients treated with 5-FU/folinic acid biomodulated chemotherapy

To date the response rates to biomodulated 5-fluorouracil in patients with metastatic or unresectable colorectal carcinoma have been varied. Potentially responsive patients are difficult to identify and treatment schedules are both expensive and toxic. Thus, any method that could be used to predict patient response would be both clinically and economically valuable. Increased p53 protein levels have previously been shown to correlate with disease progression in a series of colorectal carcinoma patients treated with 5-FU/folinic acid biomodulated chemotherapy. In addition to mutation of the p53 tumour suppressor gene, mutation of the K-ras gene at codon 12 has also been shown to be a frequent occurrence in the step-wise progression from normal colonic mucosa to adenocarcinoma. Oncogenic activity in the ras family has recently been shown to correlate with decreased levels of apoptosis and thus increased resistance to both radiation and certain chemotherapeutic agents. The aim of the present study was therefore to investigate if a correlation existed between mutation of the K-ras gene at codon 12 and disease progression in the series of colorectal carcinoma patients previously evaluated for levels of p53 protein expression. Response to 5-FU/folinic acid was assessed radiologically by CAT scan (WHO criteria) and clinically by Karnofsky performance scale (KPS) 3 months after the initial treatment. The presence of a K-ras gene mutation was assessed with radiolabelled oligonucleotide probes on amplified patient DNA, dot blotted on to a nylon membrane. Fifty-two patients were assessed and 25% were found to possess mutations at codon 12 of their K-ras gene. In contrast to increased levels of p53 protein, K-ras mutation at codon 12 did not correlate with disease progression when assessed either radiologically or clinically.     

Individualized norms of optimal fetal growth: fetal growth potential

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate that individualized optimal fetal growth norms, accounting for physiologic and pathologic determinants of fetal growth, better identify normal and abnormal outcomes of pregnancy than existing methods. METHODS: In a prospective cohort of 38,033 singleton pregnancies, we identified 9,818 women with a completely normal outcome of pregnancy and characterized the physiologic factors affecting birth weight using multivariable regression. We used those physiologic factors to individually predict optimal growth trajectory and its variation, growth potential, for each fetus in the entire cohort. By comparing actual birth weight with growth potential, population, ultrasound, and customized norms, we calculated for each fetus achieved percentiles, by each norm. We then compared proportions of pregnancies classified as normally grown, between 10th and 90th percentile, or aberrantly grown, outside this interval, by growth potential and traditional norms, in 14,229 complicated pregnancies, 1,518 pregnancies with diabetes or hypertensive disorders, and 1,347 pregnancies with neonatal complications. RESULTS: Nineteen physiologic factors, associated with maternal characteristics and early placental function, were identified. Growth potential norms correctly classified significantly more pregnancies than population, ultrasound, or customized norms in complicated pregnancies (26.4% compared with 18.3%, 18.7%, 22.8%, respectively, all P<.05), pregnancies with diabetes or hypertensive disorders (37.3% compared with 23.0%, 28.0%, 34.0%, respectively, all P<.05) and neonatal complications (33.3% compared with 19.7%, 24.9%, 29.8%, respectively, all P<.05). CONCLUSION: Growth potential norms based on the physiologic determinants of birth weight are a better discriminator of aberrations of fetal growth than traditional norms. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.     

Trends in the safety of inpatient hysterectomy for benign conditions in California, 1991-2004

OBJECTIVE: To assess the utilization rates of and complications associated with inpatient hysterectomy in California between 1991 and 2004. METHODS: We used the California Patient Discharge Database to analyze International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification diagnostic and procedure codes for 649,758 women undergoing inpatient hysterectomy in California between 1991 and 2004 using multiple logistic regression models. RESULTS: Between 1991 and 2004, the incidence of any type of inpatient hysterectomy for benign gynecologic conditions declined 17.6%. The rates of laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy and subtotal hysterectomy increased substantially. The year of hysterectomy was a factor associated with both medical and surgical complications; the odds of inpatient complications between 1991 and 2004 steadily declined. CONCLUSION: In California between 1991 and 2004, the incidence of inpatient hysterectomy for benign gynecological conditions and the adjusted odds of complications declined substantially. Changes in practice and shorter hospital stays may have affected the changes in inpatient hysterectomy rates and associated inpatient complications.     

Demographic and psychosocial features of participants in bondage and discipline, "sadomasochism" or dominance and submission (BDSM): data from a national survey

IntroductionPeople with sexual interests in bondage and discipline, “sadomasochism” or dominance and submission (BDSM) have been seen by many professionals as damaged or dangerous.AimTo examine sexual behavior correlates of involvement in BDSM and test the hypothesis that BDSM is practiced by people with a history of sexual coercion, sexual difficulties, and/or psychological problems.MethodsIn Australia in 2001–2002, a representative sample of 19,307 respondents aged 16–59 years was interviewed by telephone. Weighted data analysis used univariate logistic regression.Main Outcome MeasuresSelf-reported demographic and psychosocial factors; sexual behavior and identity; sexual difficulties.ResultsIn total, 1.8% of sexually active people (2.2% of men, 1.3% of women) said they had been involved in BDSM in the previous year. This was more common among gay/lesbian and bisexual people. People who had engaged in BDSM were more likely to have experienced oral sex and/or anal sex, to have had more than one partner in the past year, to have had sex with someone other than their regular partner, and to have: taken part in phone sex, visited an Internet sex site, viewed an X-rated (pornographic) film or video, used a sex toy, had group sex, or taken part in manual stimulation of the anus, fisting or rimming. However, they were no more likely to have been coerced into sexual activity, and were not significantly more likely to be unhappy or anxious—indeed, men who had engaged in BDSM scored significantly lower on a scale of psychological distress than other men. Engagement in BDSM was not significantly related to any sexual difficulties.ConclusionOur findings support the idea that BDSM is simply a sexual interest or subculture attractive to a minority, and for most participants not a pathological symptom of past abuse or difficulty with “normal” sex. Richters J, de Visser RO, Rissel CE, Grulich AE, and Smith AMA. Demographic and psychosocial features of participants in bondage and discipline, “sadomasochism” or dominance and submission (BDSM): Data from a national survey.     

Identifying risk factors for uterine rupture

Uterine rupture, whether in the setting of a prior uterine incision or in an unscarred uterus, is an obstetric emergency with potentially catastrophic consequences for both mother and child. Numerous studies have been published regarding various risk factors associated with uterine rupture. Despite the mounting data regarding both antepartum and intrapartum factors, it currently is impossible to predict in whom a uterine rupture will occur. This article reviews the data regarding these antepartum and intrapartum predictors for uterine rupture. The author hopes that the information presented in this article will help clinicians assess an individual's risk for uterine rupture.     

Factors associated with engagement in a police-advocacy home-visit intervention to prevent domestic violence

This study examines factors related to engagement in the services offered by police officer-advocate teams on the basis of police and clinical records for 301 female victims referred to the Domestic Violence Home Visit Intervention (DVHVI) program. The authors find that the severity of intimate partner violence charges and ethnicity of the victim, advocate, and police officer are all significantly related to engagement in the DVHVI, with Hispanic women served by Hispanic advocate-officer teams more engaged in services than African American or Caucasian women. The data suggest that this intervention model may be particularly beneficial for Hispanic victims of intimate partner violence when implemented by a Spanish-speaking officer-advocate team.