Cancer statistics, 1998

The Surveillance Research Program of the American Cancer Society's Department of Epidemiology and Surveillance reports its 32nd annual compilation of cancer incidence, mortality, and survival data for the United States and around the world.     

Physical fitness, physical activity, and functional limitation in adults aged 40 and older

PURPOSE: A cohort of middle-aged and older men and women were followed for an average of 5.5 yr to examine the association between physical fitness, physical activity, and the prevalence of functional limitation. METHODS: The participants received medical assessments between 1980 and 1988 and responded to a mail-back survey regarding functional status in 1990. RESULTS: Among 3495 men and 1175 women over 40 yr of age at baseline, 350 (7.5%) reported at least one functional limitation in daily or household activities at follow-up. The prevalence of functional limitation was higher among women than men. Physically fit and physically active participants reported less functional limitation than unfit or sedentary participants. After controlling for age and other risk factors, the prevalence of functional limitation was lower for both moderately fit (odds ratio = 0.4, 95% CI = 0.2-0.6) and high fit men (odds ratio = 0.3, 95% CI = 0.2-0.4), compared with low fit men. Corresponding figures for women were 0.5 (0.3-0.7) and 0.3 (0.2-0.5) for moderately fit and high fit women. The association between physical activity and functional limitation was similar to the data for physical fitness. CONCLUSIONS: These data support a protective effect of physical fitness and physical activity on functional limitation among older adults and extend this protective effect to middle-aged men and women.     

Evidence that the RdeA protein is a component of a multistep phosphorelay modulating rate of development in Dictyostelium

We have isolated an insertional mutant of Dictyostelium discoideum that aggregated rapidly and formed spores and stalk cells within 14 h of development instead of the normal 24 h. We have shown by parasexual genetics that the insertion is in the rdeA locus and have cloned the gene. It encodes a predicted 28 kDa protein (RdeA) that is enriched in charged residues and is very hydrophilic. Constructs with the DNA for the c-Myc epitope or for the green fluorescent protein indicate that RdeA is not compartmentalized. RdeA displays homology around a histidine residue at amino acid 65 with members of the H2 module family of phosphotransferases that participate in multistep phosphoryl relays. Replacement of this histidine rendered the protein inactive. The mutant is complemented by transformation with the Ypd1 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, itself an H2 module protein. We propose that RdeA is part of a multistep phosphorelay system that modulates the rate of development.     

Completeness of reporting of diagnosed HIV-infected hospital inpatients

To assess the completeness of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) reporting among hospital inpatients whose records listed diagnostic codes for HIV infection but who did not meet the 1987 AIDS case definition, we conducted a statewide hospital study of admissions between January 1, 1986 and December 31, 1990. Of the 396 HIV-infected hospital inpatients identified, 313 (79%) had been reported to the State HIV Registry. HIV reporting was less complete for patients who were older and/or were blood product recipients. Of the 313 reported patients, 189 (60%) had been reported prior to their first hospital admission. Temporal improvements were noted in the completeness of HIV reporting among the hospital patients (1986: 65%; 1987: 81%; 1988: 64%; 1989: 82%; 1990: 86%; Chi square for linear trend 9.6, p < 0.01) and prior to their first hospital admission (1986: 31%; 1987: 34%; 1988: 49%; 1989: 64%; 1990: 72%; Chi square for linear trend 26.6; p < 0.01). Women were more likely than men to be reported prior rather than during or after their first hospital admission (71% vs. 55%; p < 0.01). Of the 155 patients with CD4+ T-lymphocyte test results, 41 had CD4+ counts < 200 mm3 and met the 1993 but not the 1987 AIDS case definition. In South Carolina most (79%) diagnosed, hospitalized, HIV-infected patients had been reported to the State HIV REgistry, with improvements in reporting occurring over time. Findings suggest that the 1993 AIDS case definition will improve our ability to monitor severe morbidity related to HIV.     

Hydrolysis studies on oleamide in simulated gastrointestinal fluids

Hydrolysis studies using simulated gastrointestinal fluids have been performed on oleamide, an important fatty acid amide slip additive used in plastics food packaging. Experiments have been conducted using the simulated gastrointestinal fluids, specified by the Scientific Committee for Food for hydrolysis studies, and with slightly modified preparations believed to be more representative of the in vivo situation. The degree of hydrolysis in simulated gastric fluids was found to be negligible after incubation for 4 h at 37 degrees C. Addition of 'bile salts' to simulated intestinal fluid was found to significantly increase the degree of hydrolysis to about 95% loss of oleamide after incubation for 4 h at 37 degrees C. Stoichiometric formation of oleic acid, an innocuous substance, was also demonstrated. It has therefore been concluded that ingestion of the very low levels of oleamide expected to migrate into most foods from food packaging is unlikely to pose a threat to the health of the consumer.     

STUDY OF K_(2)O·6TiO_(2) WHISKER REINFORCED AI COMPOSITES FOR THEIR MECHANICAL PROPERTIES AND INTERFACIAL STRUCTURES

A newly developed whisker K_2O 6TiO_2 reinforeed 6061Al composite was prepared bysqueeze casting process.The flexural strength of the composite is 518MPa,and deereasesto 490MPa after T6 treatment.The hardness of the composite also shows the similarchange while T6 treating.The results of HRTEMobservation may explaine this property.change.It was considered that there is a continuous TiO layer at the whisker-matrix inter-face,which is easily to react with the segregated Mg and to form MgTi_2O_4,MgAl_2O_4.Thethickening of TiO layer after T6 treatment is the main reason resulting is strength degra-dation of composite.     

电厂蒸汽回路系统中腐蚀损伤的决定论预测

局部腐蚀,包括点腐蚀、应力腐蚀开裂和腐蚀疲劳是导致电厂发电装置损伤的重要原因,它们诱发50%以上的意外停机事故。迄今,腐蚀破坏的预测一直沿用经验和统计的方法,但是,由于已证实该方法的适用性和其结果的准确性欠佳,故不宜作为例行检修规程的基础。本文提出了预测局部腐蚀损伤的决定论方法,并使用这个方法说明点腐蚀如何引发低压蒸汽轮机涡轮盘Wilson线下游部位的应力腐蚀开裂(SCC),我们的计算表明SCC的萌发与扩展对蒸汽小氧含量、冷凝液膜的环境和涡轮盘所承受的应力这三个因素敏感。     

基于WebGIS的城市供水管网系统的设计与实现

介绍了基于WebGIS的城市供水管网信息系统的体系结构、功能组成以及供水管网建模技术.城市供水管网系统主要包括管网建模、查询统计、爆管事故分析、运行状态监控、漏损分析、系统维护等六个方面.城市供水管网建模是进行城市供水系统规划、设计、分析与优化调度的重要支撑技术,充分发挥WebGIS的分布式与可视化地理空间信息分析的优势,结合城市供水管网的管理需求,将WebGIS技术应用到城市供水管网的建模中.该系统可为城市供水部门的高效管理提供决策依据.     

A comparison of symptoms used by mothers and nurses to identify an infant with colic

In this survey research a comparison was made between symptoms used by mothers and nurses which led them to think the baby might be "colicky." Two questionnaires, one for mothers and one for nurses, were used to collect the data. The mothers most frequently selected passes gas rectally, clenches fists, draws-up legs, cries late afternoon and evening, holds body straight, and wants to be held. The nurses selected mother states baby is inconsolable, cries more than 4 hours in 24, draws up legs and wants to feed but won't. Parents believed the colic to be related to a variety of factors; these included baby's eating behaviour, maternal anxiety, baby's and mother's diets, and baby's stress. Ten parents reported pain and screaming as symptoms of colic.