Validity of self-reported information on cancer: Determinants of under- and over-reporting

The first aim of the present study was to assess the validity of self-reported information concerning previous cancer. The second aim was to investigate determinants for under- and over-reporting of cancer. The Malmö Diet and Cancer Study is a prospective cohort study including 28,098 subjects. A questionnaire assessed lifestyle and medical conditions, e.g. previous cancer (yes/no). Cancer follow-up was made using the Swedish Cancer Registry (SCR). Questionnaire information concerning previous cancer was considered as test, and SCR information as golden standard (any tumour in the SCR, and specific sites were investigated). The validity analysis assessed agreement, sensitivity and specificity. Under- and over-reporting were studied in relation to lifestyle and socio-demographic factors. Sensitivity of the questionnaire in relation to malignant tumours was 0.82. It was 0.53 when cancer in situ of the breast and uterine cervix together with benign lesions of the urinary bladder and the nervous system were included in the cancer definition. Under- and over-reporting (in relation to malignant tumours) were more common among women and old people. Obesity, size of household, place of birth, smoking, social participation, educational level, type of employment, alcohol consumption and poor well-being was associated with under- or over-reporting in relation to at least one of the studied endpoints in either men or women. We conclude that there was a considerable disagreement between self-reported information and cancer registry data.     

Quantitative trait loci affecting ethanol sensitivity in BXD recombinant inbred mice

BACKGROUND: Genetic and environmental factors contribute to an individual's sensitivity to ethanol, although the exact genes underlying ethanol's effects are not known. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping is one successful method for provisionally identifying genes participating in the mediation of a given behavior. QTL analyses seek to identify associations between a quantitative response and previously mapped marker genes across genetically diverse individuals. Many QTL analyses have been performed in BXD recombinant inbred (RI) strains of mice derived from a cross of C57BL/6J (B6) and DBA/2J (D2) progenitor strains. METHODS: We conducted a QTL analysis of ethanol-induced loss of righting reflex and ataxia using a panel of 25 BXD RI strains and the progenitors B6 and D2. We measured the duration of loss of righting reflex after injection and blood ethanol concentrations upon regaining of righting reflex. Ataxia was measured as the latency to fall from a vertical screen. RESULTS: Genome-wide QTL analyses correlating strain means with allelic status at >1500 markers identified several associations (p < or = 0.01). These provisional QTLs were on all chromosomes except 2, 5, 12, 13, and X, and several map near potential candidate genes. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that ethanol sensitivity is determined by the actions of multiple genes and further suggest their general chromosomal map locations. These provisional linkages will now be confirmed or rejected using additional genetically segregating populations.     

Response of sensitive and resistant IgM immunocytomas to cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) does not correlate with the platination level or with the formation or removal of DNA adducts

 An IgM immunocytoma cell line sensitive to cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (CDDP) and a subline with acquired resistance were grown in LOU/M rats. In a previous study with such rats that had been treated with a high dose of CDDP (10 mg/kg) the tumors did not show differences in cellular platinum content or DNA-adduct levels, either immediately after treatment or 24 h later. Recently, this high dose was found to overcome resistance. Therefore, the study was repeated with a 10-fold lower dose (1 mg/kg, i.v.). At 1 and 24 h after treatment, tumor and kidney tissue were assayed for cellular platinum (atomic absorption spectroscopy, AAS) and DNA platination (immunochemical detection of the four CDDP-DNA adducts). The results were compared with previous data. All tissues showed a linear response to dose with regard to platinum uptake as well as adduct formation, with no quantitative difference being seen between the tumors. Also the relative occurrence of the four adducts was very similar. Between 1 and 24 h, in tumors a substantial decrease occurred in both platinum content and adduct level; the kidneys showed little reduction, if any. At the lower CDDP dose a somewhat larger loss of platinum and removal of DNA adducts was observed for the resistant tumor, but these differences could be explained by “dilution”, as this tumor continues to grow after low-dose treatment (about 20% within 24 h). Since the strong difference observed between the tumors in sensitivity to CDDP cannot be attributed to differences in CDDP uptake, efficiency of adduct formation, or repair capability, other mechanisms are held responsible. Received 10 August 1995 / Accepted: 14 August 1996     

三种细胞在脊髓灰质炎病毒检测中的应用比较

为了比较在常规应用条件下L20B细胞与RD、Hep-2细胞对脊髓灰质炎(脊灰)病毒(PV)的敏感性和选择性,同时用3种细胞检测急性弛缓性麻痹(AFP)病例412份粪便标本,进行PV分离鉴定及效价测定.结果表明,L20B细胞对PV更敏感,对PV有完全的选择性和良好的特异性,对同时混有非脊灰肠道病毒(NPEV)和PV的粪便标本,L20B细胞能更快地检测出PV,而RD、Hep-2细胞被NPEV的生长所掩盖.L20B细胞的PV检出率(5.34%)高于RD(4.61%)、Hep-2细胞(2.67%).L20B、RD、Hep-2细胞对PV的敏感性分别为88%、76%、44%,但3种细胞对PV都出现了不同程度的漏检.从25株PV效价滴定结果分析,3种细胞对PV的滴度均为L20B、RD细胞高于Hep-2细胞.表明L20B细胞能简化粪便标本PV检测过程.它的应用对PV分离不失为一种便捷、省时、省力、经济和可靠的方法.     

Upper limb neurodynamic test 1 in patients with clinical diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome: A diagnostic accuracy study

Study Design

Diagnostic accuracy.

Ethanol sensitivity and tolerance in long-term memory mutants of Drosophila melanogaster

Background:  It has become increasingly clear that molecular and neural mechanisms underlying learning and memory and drug addiction are largely shared. To confirm and extend these findings, we analyzed ethanol-responsive behaviors of a collection of Drosophila long-term memory mutants.
Methods:  For each mutant, sensitivity to the acute uncoordinating effects of ethanol was quantified using the inebriometer. Additionally, 2 distinct forms of ethanol tolerance were measured: rapid tolerance, which develops in response to a single brief exposure to a high concentration of ethanol vapor; and chronic tolerance, which develops following a sustained low-level exposure.
Results:  Several mutants were identified with altered sensitivity, rapid or chronic tolerance, while a number of mutants exhibited multiple defects.
Conclusions:  The corresponding genes in these mutants represent areas of potential overlap between learning and memory and behavioral responses to alcohol. These genes also define components shared between different ethanol behavioral responses.     

12种药物对临床分离厌氧菌的体外抗菌活性测定

测定了１２种药物对临床分离的３０株厌氧菌和３株标准菌株的ＭＩＣ，确定甲哨唑和ｃｌａｒｉｔｈｒｏｍｙｃｉｎ对革兰氏阴性厌氧菌的抗菌活性最强，其ＭＩＣ为０．５～１μｇ／ｍｌ．其次为大环内酯９４１和国产ｃｌａｒｉｔｈｒｏｍｙｃｉｎ（４μｇ／ｍｌ）及林可霉素和红霉素（８μｇ／ｍｌ），它们对于革兰氏阳性厌氧菌（包括梭菌）及消化链球菌也有相当的活性，而环丙氟啶酸、依诺沙星、头孢克罗、环丙沙星等抗厌氧菌拟杆菌活性较低；其ＭＩＣ为１６～６４μｇ／ｍｌ。     

Effects of drink-stress sequence and gender on alcohol stress response dampening in high and low anxiety sensitive drinkers

BACKGROUND: This study tested the appraisal disruption hypothesis of alcohol stress response dampening (SRD) in male and female high or low anxiety sensitive (AS) undergraduates. The hypothesis predicts that alcohol SRD will be greater when drinking occurs before versus after stress exposure. High AS males' predominant social-evaluative concerns further implied that alcohol SRD to a social stressor (i.e., a speech) would be relatively stronger in high AS males than in high AS females. METHODS: Male and female (n=90/gender) high and low AS participants (>or=70th; Sensitivity Index-Revised) were matched on drinking habits and randomly assigned to 1 of 9 experimental cells. Drink type--alcohol (0.7 g/kg males; 0.63 g/kg females), placebo, soda--was fully crossed with stress condition--drink before stress (DBS), drink after stress (DAS), and no stress control (NSC). Stress was induced by telling participants they would be required to make a self-revealing speech. Stress response dampening was assessed for state anxiety on the Spielberger scale and Stroop interference to threat-related words. Subjective desire for alcohol was also assessed. RESULTS: Relative to placebo, alcohol (peak blood alcohol concentration, 0.064%) reliably reduced state anxiety in high AS but not in low AS participants. Alcohol decreased STAI scores and Stroop interference to social threat words significantly more in the DBS than the DAS condition in high AS males; high AS females displayed the exact opposite pattern of effects. In contrast to other participants, high AS males also reported relatively strong desire scores under alcohol. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the results do not support the appraisal disruption hypothesis as a general mechanism of alcohol SRD in undergraduate drinkers. The findings for high AS males do support the hypothesis, while the opposing profile for high AS females implies that the nature of the stressor (i.e., social challenge) may contribute to gender differences in alcohol SRD in high AS individuals.     

RecA蛋白-互补单链DNA探针提高压电基因传感器灵敏度的实验研究

目的研究利用RecA蛋白-互补单链DNA探针与固定的肽核酸(bis-PNA)探针相结合提高压电基因传感器的灵敏度的可行性。方法基因传感器阵列固定上针对乙肝病毒的bis-PNA探针,加入靶DNA与之反应,然后加入预先处理过的的RecA蛋白-互补单链DNA探针。结果直接加入靶DNA所引起的频率改变为15.83±7.31Hz,反应时间为45.16±12.87min,加入RecA蛋白-互补单链DNA探针(浓度为3.0mg/ml),所引起的频率改变最为明显,为112.16±12.7Hz。结论在反应体系中加入RecA蛋白-互补单链DNA探针,能有效地提高压电基因传感器的灵敏度,明显缩短反应体系时间。     

The need for change in UK mental health services: South Asian service users' views

Objectives. UK literature on mental health services for ethnic minority service users relies heavily on perceptions of professionals, carers and community representatives. This research investigates the views of South Asian service users themselves about experiences of mental health services and how they might be improved.

Design. Thematic analysis of material from focus groups and individual interviews with Asian mental health service users within one local area.

Results. South Asian service users clearly identify the impact of socio-economic exclusion upon their mental health. Cultural and institutional exclusion compound this, leading to continuing insensitivity towards their particular needs within hospital and community-based services. Asian service users feel unsafe to share their particular concerns within many service settings. They see advocacy that recognises their experience of exclusion as a significant resource for mental health improvement. They want sounder financing of culturally appropriate services for recovery; further development of the cultural competence of staff within mainstream services; and educational programmes about mental health directed at minority communities.

Conclusion. UK mental health services remain unresponsive to the consistently expressed views of South Asian service users. A major cultural change is required if the UK Government initiative Delivering Race Equality is to impact successfully at the local level. It will have a greater chance of success if the rhetoric of user involvement is matched by systematic consultation with South Asian service users.