宫颈糜烂、巴氏染色与液基细胞(LCT) 对宫颈癌筛查的研究

目的评价AutoCyte prep液基细胞学(LCT)薄片制片,对宫颈癌筛查准确性;并观察宫颈糜烂与ASCUS以上病变的关系.方法4119例经AutoCyte prep液基细胞学制片及2713例巴氏涂片.细胞诊断采用TBS分级系统,阳性诊断包括意义不明的不典型鳞状细胞(ASCUS)以上病变.观察宫颈糜烂、光滑情况.结果AutoCyte prep液基细胞学检出ASCUS 7.38%(304/4119)、LSIL 1.69%(70/4119)、HSIL 0.97%(40/4119)、鳞状细胞癌(SCC)0.04%(2/4119),活检结果SCC 0.12%(5/4119).巴氏涂片检出ASCUS 3.90%(106/2713)、LSIL1.03%(28/2713),HSIL0.25%(7/2713),活检结果SCC 0.04%(1/2713).上述结果显示AutoCyte prep液基细胞薄片阳性率比巴氏涂片高ASCUS提高了89.2%(P＜0.01)、LSIL提高了64.1%(P＜0.05)、HSIL提高了288%(P＜0.01),活检证实5例SCC,癌发现提高了200%(P＜0.01).宫颈糜烂/ASCS液基组52.60%/10.53%,常规组39.44%/19.24%.结论AutcCyte prep液基细胞学(LCT)在检出LSIL、HSIL病变阳性率比传统巴氏涂片是有明显优势,宫颈糜烂与ASCUS以上病变发病率不成比例,在普查中应重视细胞学检查,尤应注意,宫颈呈光滑但宫颈上皮细胞间变,以免漏诊.     

Does increased nuchal translucency indicate a fetal abnormality? A retrospective study to clarify the clinical significance of nuchal translucency in Japan

The results of a chromosomal test by genetic amniocentesis in 58 cases with an increased nuchal translucency (NT; > or =3 mm thickness) revealed 47 cases showing a normal karyotype (81%) and 11 cases (19%) showing an abnormal karyotype. However, the cases of a normal karyotype with increased NT also included those with fetal abnormalities. Among the 49 cases in which NT was observed during the first trimester and then subsequently disappeared, chromosomal abnormalities were observed in five, and fetal abnormalities other than chromosomal abnormalities were observed in two. Meanwhile, all nine cases in which an increased NT remained or in which NT continued to increase in size during the second trimester were diagnosed as having cystic hygroma, and chromosomal abnormalities were found in six cases (67%). It should be noted that the shape of increased NT includes NT with a notch (notched NT) and NT without a notch (smooth NT). Among the 20 cases of notched NT, chromosomal abnormalities were observed in eight (40%), and cystic hygroma was observed in nine (45%). On the other hand, among the 38 cases of smooth NT, chromosomal abnormalities were observed in three (7.9%), but no cystic hygroma was observed. Our results confirm that increased NT does not always indicate a fetal abnormality. Whether NT thickness should be measured as a screening tool for fetal abnormalities remains controversial. However, increased NT may be detected by chance, because a maternal-fetal medical examination using ultrasonography is usually performed in Japan. It is therefore considered to be extremely important to establish a system in which cases are referred to obstetricians who are licensed clinical genetic specialists to obtain appropriate genetic counseling whenever increased NT is clinically observed.     

健康体检中高频超声对乳腺癌的早期诊断价值

目的探讨高频超声在乳腺防癌普查中的价值。方法使用8～13MHz高频探头对5610名健康体检的女性进行常规乳腺检查,可疑乳腺癌的病例施行超声引导自动活检。对检查阴性的1120名妇女进行2年随访。结果 12例可疑乳腺癌中,6例经穿刺活检诊断为乳腺癌;12例手术后,病理诊断为早期浸润型导管癌4例、浸润型导管癌1例、导管内乳头状癌2例、髓样癌1例、纤维腺瘤3例、导管内乳头状瘤1例。检出乳腺癌8例,占全部受检者的0.14％。结论使用高频超声对乳腺进行防癌普查,并对可疑病例在超声引导下活检,对乳腺癌的早期发现、早期诊断、早期治疗具有重要价值。     

Perceptions of risk in adults with a low or high risk profile of developing type 2 diabetes; a cross-sectional population-based study

Objective

To compare the perceived seriousness and risk of type 2 diabetes among low risk with high risk profile non-diabetic subjects and examine the relationship of perceived risk with multiple self-reported risk indicators.

Methods

A cross-sectional population-based study among 4435 low risk profile and 2607 high risk profile non-diabetic residents of the Hoorn region, participating in a stepwise type 2 diabetes screening study. Main outcome measures were perceived seriousness and risk of diabetes in subjects categorized (low vs. high risk profile) using the Symptom Risk Questionnaire.

Results

85.0% of the low risk and 81.2% of the high risk profile subjects perceived diabetes as a moderate to very serious disease. About half (43.0%) of all 7042 subjects reported that they do not know their risk of having diabetes. The mean perceived risk of having diabetes was slightly lower for the low risk compared with the high risk profile subjects (difference = 2.8%; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.8% to 3.8%; P < 0.001). This difference was mostly explained by having a parent or sibling with diabetes, frequent thirst and claudication (difference = 0.6%; 95% CI = −0.7% to 1.9%). Interestingly, perceived risk decreased with increasing age within both groups (P for trend < 0.001).

Conclusions

Both low risk and high risk profile subjects perceive diabetes as a serious disease. Even among those at high risk profile for type 2 diabetes, almost half appeared not to know their risk. Perceived risk of having diabetes was slightly lower for the low risk compared with the high risk profile subjects. Furthermore, perceived risk decreases with increasing age.

Practice implications

This study points to a greater need to effectively address people's (mis)perceptions, and how to raise the awareness and understanding of type 2 diabetes and its risk factors in the general population in order to influence early detection and healthy lifestyle changes.     

Perspectives of African Americans and dentists concerning dentist-patient communication on oral cancer screening

OBJECTIVE: Mortality rates for oral cancer have not improved appreciably in decades, with Blacks less likely than others to survive 5-years post-treatment. Oral cancer is the fifth most common cancer among African American males, representing a pressing public health concern. This study compared how dentists and African American adults view the current state of dentist-patient communication regarding oral cancer and its detection. METHODS: Five focus groups with 56 African American adults and two focus groups with 17 dentists were conducted in order to compare responses regarding oral cancer information needs and dentist-patient communication on oral cancer screening. RESULTS: African American adults showed little knowledge about oral cancer and cancer screening, and great need for information. However, dentists reported rarely engaging in information exchange with their patients even while performing the examination. CONCLUSION: African Americans' request for screening information and dentists' reticence about performing the screening and initiating communication with patients indicate a need for both public education on oral cancer and improved continuing education courses for dentists. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The dental care community should develop clear guidelines for communicating with patients about oral cancer and engage in continuing education on oral cancer screening procedure. Increased public health efforts aimed at increasing oral cancer awareness and knowledge among the public are warranted.     

A randomized trial of two print interventions to increase colon cancer screening among first-degree relatives

OBJECTIVE: First-degree relatives (FDRs) of people diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC) have a two- to threefold increased risk of developing the same disease. Tailored print interventions based on behavior change theories have demonstrated considerable promise in facilitating health-promoting behaviors. This study compared the impact of two mailed print interventions on CRC screening outcomes among FDRs. METHODS: This randomized trial compared effects of two mailed print interventions--one tailored and one nontailored--on participation in CRC screening among FDRs of CRC survivors. Data collected via phone interviews from 140 FDRs at baseline, 1 week post-intervention, and 3 months post-intervention. RESULTS: At 3 months, both the tailored and nontailored interventions yielded modest but statistically insignificant increases in adherence to any CRC screening test (14% vs. 21%, respectively; p=0.30). While there were no main effects for tailored versus nontailored interventions, there were significant interactions that showed that the tailored print intervention had significantly greater effects on forward stage movement for CRC screening depending on stage of adoption at baseline, race, and objective CRC risk. Receipt of the tailored intervention was 2.5 times more likely to move baseline precontemplators and contemplators forward in stage of adoption for colonoscopy (95% CI: 1.10-5.68) and was three times more likely to move Caucasians forward in stage of adoption for FOBT (95% CI: 1.00-9.07). In addition, the tailored intervention was 7.7 times more likely to move people at average risk forward in stage of adoption for colonoscopy (95% CI: 1.25-47.75). CONCLUSION: The tailored print intervention was more effective at moving Caucasians, those in precontemplation and contemplation at baseline, and those at average risk forward in their stage of adoption for CRC screening. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Both tailored and nontailored print interventions showed moderate effects for increasing CRC screening participation. Tailored print interventions may be more effective for certain subgroups.     

Learning and memory in workers reared by nutritionally stressed honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies

Chronic nutritional stress can have a negative impact on an individual's learning ability and memory. However, in social animals that share food among group members, such as the honey bee (Apis mellifera L.), it is unknown whether group-level nutritional stress is manifested in the learning performance of individuals. Accordingly, we examined learning and memory in honey bee workers reared by colonies exposed to varying degrees of long-term pollen stress. Pollen provides honey bee workers with almost all of the proteins, lipids, vitamins, and minerals that they require as larvae and adults. Colonies were created that were either chronically pollen poor or pollen rich, or were intermediate in pollen supply; treatments altered colonies' pollen stores and brood-rearing capacity. Workers from these colonies were put through a series of olfactory-conditioning assays using proboscis-extension response (PER). PER thresholds were determined, then workers learned in olfactory-conditioning trials to associate two floral odors (one novel and the other presented previously without reward) with stimulation with sucrose and a sucrose reward. The strength of the memory that was formed for the odor/sucrose association was tested after olfactory-conditioning assays ended. Colony-level nutritional status had no effect on worker learning or memory (response threshold of workers to sucrose, acquisition of the odor/sucrose association, occurrence of latent inhibition, or memory retention over 72 h). We conclude that potential effects of chronic, colony-wide nutrient deprivation on learning and memory are not found in workers, probably because colonies use brood-rearing capacity to buffer nutrient stress at the level of the individual.     

Clinical evaluation of two novel biointact PTH(1–84) assays in hemodialysis patients

Objectives

In chronic kidney disease–mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD), most treatment decisions are guided by parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels. Here, we aimed at assessing the technical and clinical performance of two novel automated biointact PTH(1–84) assays, from Roche Diagnostics (Ro) and DiaSorin (DS), in hemodialysis patients.

Design and methods

We recorded demographics, dialysis treatment characteristics, pharmacotherapy for CKD-MBD and laboratory work-up. Statistical methods included Passing–Bablok, and multiple linear regression.

Results

121 patients, dialyzing on average for 3.5 years (range: 0.1–22.5), with serum phosphate 1.9 ± 0.6 mmol/L (mean ± SD), participated in the study. Median serum concentration for intact PTH was 223 ng/L (range: 5–2844), and for biointact PTH(1–84) was 136 ng/L (Ro; range: 1–1644), respectively 138 ng/L (DS; range: 4-1580). Both biointact assays were significantly correlated (r = 0.98; Ro = 0.87 × DS + 19.60). Bland–Altmann plots revealed an average bias ± 2 SD of 10 ± 27 ng/L below 200 ng/L, and − 32 ± 157 ng/L above 200 ng/L (Ro minus DS). The variably adjusted association between PTH and serum phosphate was very similar, regardless of the PTH assay, but this was not the case for PTH-derived measures (ratios biointact/intact; differences intact minus biointact). (Log)PTH concentrations as well as serum phosphate were significantly associated with serum creatinine, but only in patients with > 0 mL urine per day.

Conclusions

Results from Roche and DiaSorin biointact PTH(1–84) assays were well correlated, but showed increased deviations at higher concentrations. Biointact PTH(1–84) levels are roughly two third of intact PTH. The association between PTH and serum creatinine may depend on residual renal clearance of PTH and/or serum phosphate.     

Pathological assessment of mismatch repair gene variants in Lynch syndrome: Past,present, and future

Lynch syndrome (LS) is caused by germline mutations in DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes and is the most prevalent hereditary colorectal cancer syndrome. A significant proportion of variants identified in MMR and other common cancer susceptibility genes are missense or noncoding changes whose consequences for pathogenicity cannot be easily interpreted. Such variants are designated as “variants of uncertain significance” (VUS). Management of LS can be significantly improved by identifying individuals who carry a pathogenic variant and thus benefit from screening, preventive, and therapeutic measures. Also, identifying family members that do not carry the variant is important so they can be released from the intensive surveillance. Determining which genetic variants are pathogenic and which are neutral is a major challenge in clinical genetics. The profound mechanistic knowledge on the genetics and biochemistry of MMR enables the development and use of targeted assays to evaluate the pathogenicity of variants found in suspected patients with LS. We describe different approaches for the functional analysis of MMR gene VUS and propose development of a validated diagnostic framework. Furthermore, we call attention to common misconceptions about functional assays and endorse development of an integrated approach comprising validated assays for diagnosis of VUS in patients suspected of LS. Hum Mutat 33:1617–1625, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Development of a telemedical monitoring concept for the care of malnourished geriatric home-dwelling patients: a pilot study

Elderly patients are at high risk of malnutrition and sarcopenia, promoting further morbidity which in turn decreases quality of life and increases the claiming of medical services and associated costs. Early and sustained administration of oral nutritional supplements has been shown to improve the nutritional status with robust clinical benefit. Many patients however, poorly adhere to prescribed supplements, so consistent monitoring is needed. Clinical monitoring usually ends with the discharge rendering the continuation of nutritional supplement therapy in the patient's home problematic. We developed a telemedicine based health care concept for intensive home monitoring. In a first randomized controlled prospective study we analyzed the feasibility of this innovative approach. The intervention group received oral nutritional supplements and telemedical monitoring with daily assessment of body weight, number of taken oral energy supplements and state of health. The control group received usual care. 13 patients were included in each group, eight patients of the intervention group left the study prematurely, five patients were closely monitored and used the devices for a mean 67 ± 63.5 days. Follow up data of body weight and BMI showed no relevant differences between both groups. The results and experiences gained in this pilot study demonstrate that telemedical systems provide encouraging new options to enable an intensive monitoring of malnourished patients. A continuous intensive therapy monitoring of this patient group however, is a particular challenge. Albeit possibilities, limitations and useful parameters were identified, which will be used to improve the conception in an ongoing prospective randomized trial.