Lung carcinoma in African Americans

Lung carcinoma is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer deaths in the US. It accounts for 12% of all cancers diagnosed worldwide, making it the most common malignancy, other than nonmelanoma skin cancer. A new focus has emerged involving the role of race and ethnicity in lung carcinoma. Current health statistics data demonstrate striking disparities, which are most evident between African American patients and their white counterparts. This disparity is greatest among male patients, where statistically significant differences are seen not only in lung cancer incidence and risk, but also in survival and treatment outcomes. Several hypotheses that attempt to explain this disparity include genetic, cultural and socioeconomic differences, in addition to differences in tobacco use and exposure. Current evidence does not clearly identify the reasons for this observed disparity, or the role the aforementioned factors play in the development and overall outcomes of people with lung cancer in these populations. This disease continues to pose a considerable public health burden and more research is needed to improve understanding of the disparity of lung carcinoma statistics among African Americans. This review summarizes the existing body of knowledge regarding lung carcinoma in African Americans and attempts to identify promising areas for future investigation and intervention.     

Correlation between functional assessment staging and the 'Basic Age' by the Binet scale supports the retrogenesis model of Alzheimer's disease: a preliminary study

Background: In the progression of their disease, Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients have been observed to demonstrate various clinical features reminiscent of children. Based on behavioral, neurological and neuropathological findings, Reisberg et al. noted the relationships between development and dementia and proposed the ‘retrogenesis’ model. Methods: The functional assessment staging procedure (FAST) was used for assessment of functional ability, and the Tanaka–Binet intelligence scale (TB scale) was used to assess intellectual ability in 24 patients with moderate to severe AD. Results: Overall, there was a significant Spearman's correlation between the FAST stage and the basic age (BA) value (r = ?0.85, P < 0.01). The BA by the TB scale was significantly different between FAST stages 5 and 6 to 7. The mean (standard error [SE]) BA values of FAST stages 5 and 6 were 4.2 (0.9) and 2.3 (0.7), respectively, the latter being significantly lower than the former (F = 10.2, P < 0.01 one‐way anova ). The TB scale could not assess the BA of the FAST stage 7 patients because of floor effects. Conclusion: Although further investigation using larger samples would be needed, the findings support the general concordance of intellectual and functional decline in AD with the converse developmental acquisition of the same capacities, as hypothesized in the retrogenesis model.     

Attitudes and knowledge of colorectal cancer and screening in Hong Kong: A population-based study

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks third of all cancer mortalities in Hong Kong. CRC screening can reduce mortality. However, participation in the CRC screening program depends on the knowledge and attitude of the population. The aim of this study is to investigate the knowledge and attitude towards CRC screening in the Hong Kong population. Methods: One thousand and thirty‐three patients were interviewed by telephone survey. Knowledge and attitudes were assessed by using questionnaires. Results: Only 8.9% of the respondents were able to mention that CRC was the second commonest cancer cause of death; 4.5% believed they would have a higher chance of developing CRC as compared to other cancers, and 7.4% could mention one of the screening methods. Approximately half (50.3%) were unable to identify any available screening venue. Approximately one‐third (29.5%) indicated that they would definitely join a free CRC screening program, but the percentage dropped to 7.9% when a paid screening program was offered. Some (30.4%) of the respondents had the wrong impression that they did not require CRC screening because they were asymptomatic. Multivariate analysis showed that the independent predictor for participating in free screening was the concern level of getting CRC, while that for a paid screening program was a positive family history of CRC and the concern level. The concern level was dependent on a positive family history and knowledge of CRC. Conclusion: The general population in Hong Kong had deficient knowledge of CRC and screening. Education on the impact of CRC and beneficial effects of CRC screening should be offered before launching a CRC screening program.     

NIGERIAN CHILDREN'S PERSPECTIVE OF URBAN LIFE QUALITY

The Convention on the Rights of the child put in place some set of standards to ensure that in all consenting countries every child is wanted, healthy, educated, safe and loved. Nigeria is one of the countries that has taken some steps to put into practice the accepted rights.

Two hundred children (100 boys and 100 girls) in primary schools in four urban centres were served with questionnaires requesting their views on issues bordering on their well being and quality of life, in such areas as:

1. quality of education
2. space for movement and play
3. food and clean water for drinking and washing
4. play equipment and materials and
5. loving care giver.

The children's responses showed that provision was not made for recreational space for play, the quality of education is poor, there was no provision for play equipment and material and in most cases the adult-child ration was low. Children also complained of polluted environment.

Suggestions were made for the provision of adequate play parks for recreational purposes for the children. Suggestion is also made for government to pay more attention to the well being and health of the children.     

Progesterone, selected heavy metals and micronutrients in pregnant Nigerian women with a history of recurrent spontaneous abortion

Background

Environmental and endocrine factors have been implicated in the aetiology of recurrent abortion, with poorly understood roles. Luteal phase insufficiency marked with insufficient progesterone secretion has been reported.

Objective

To define the involvement of progesterone, trace metals, and Vitamin E in pregnant women with history of recurrent spontaneous abortion.

Methods

Convenience sampling method was used to recruit 69 pregnant women aged 21–41 years with gestational age of 0–20 weeks in this case-control study. Thirty five (cases) and thirty four (controls) had previous and no history of recurrent spontaneous abortion respectively. Demographic characteristics and 10mls of blood samples were obtained from each subject. Serum obtained was used for the determination of progesterone, zinc, copper, selenium, iron, magnesium, manganese, chromium, lead, cadmium, and serum vitamin E by standard methods.

Results

Results showed statistically significant decreases (p<0.05) in the serum zinc, copper, and vitamin E and a significant elevation (p<0.05) in the serum selenium, lead, and cadmium in cases compared with controls. Insignificant decrease (p=0.07) was observed in the serum progesterone when cases were compared with controls.

Conclusion

Results suggest that elevated serum heavy metals (cadmium and lead) and reduction of essential micronutrients (zinc, copper and vitamin E) may contribute to recurrent spontaneous abortion.     

Comparative haematological screening of urban and rural pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Lagos and its environs

A total of 200 rural and urban pregnant women attending the clinics for routine antenatal care were involved. The data collection began in June 1990 and ended in August 1990. The data gathering instrument was first pilot tested in the antenatal clinics of Lagos University Teaching Hospital. These findings enumerated from the study: About 6.8% of the rural women had moderate Anaemias 9.0-9.9gm% as compared to 1.4% of the urban women.

The MCHC fell progressively with the gestation age. The study showed 71.6% of the rural women had MCHC less than 33 compared to 60.8% urban women. The mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) is also reported to fall progressively with gestation (Belsey & Royston, 1987). Their hypothesis was supported by this study. The correlation coefficient was -0.02 and (p 0.01).

The PCV was also significantly correlated with gestation age r = 0.24 (p 0.01).     

An epidemiological comparison of parasitic infection among preschool children in four areas in Lagos, Nigeria

This study was carried out using four contrasted areas in Lagos, Agege, Mafoluku, Adeniyi-Jones Village and Allen Avenue by incidental sampling method. No other statistical sampling method was viable due to limitation posed by the parents of the subjects.

An estimated 39.3#pc of parasites infection was identified from the low socio economic pre-school children. Out of 20 pre-school children from highly socio economic status,” Allen Avenue” was tested negative of any parasite. The most common parasites were Ascaris lumbricoides followed by Trichuria Trichurias. 32 children from Adeniyi-Jones Village were infected. 27 children within the age of 0-24 months surveyed from Agege and Mafoluku were infected of the same similar parasites.

Socio economic status played a significant role in this study. Children from Allen Avenue with higher environmental sanitation compared with other three areas carried no parasites. A total of 18 #op12.0#pc#cp females were infected while 27.3#pc of the males were infected. A higher percentage rate occured among females than males though no association was made between the sexes.