Can mammography screening explain the race difference in stage at diagnosis of breast cancer?

BACKGROUND: A race difference in the stage at diagnosis of breast cancer is well established: African American women are less likely than white women to be diagnosed at a localized stage. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which the observed race (black/white) difference in stage at diagnosis of breast cancer could be accounted for by race differences in the mammography screening history. METHODS: This was a population-based, retrospective study of 145 African American and 177 white women with newly diagnosed breast cancer in Connecticut, between January, 1987 and March, 1989. Cases were ascertained through active surveillance of 22 Connecticut hospitals. RESULTS: Black women were diagnosed more commonly with later stage cancer (TNM stage > or = II) (age-adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 2.01, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.24-3.24) than were white women. Blacks were also more likely than whites to report that they had not received a mammogram in the 3 years before development of symptoms or diagnosis (OR = 2.05, 95% CI 1.26-3.35); this association was not altered substantially with adjustment for socioeconomic status. In race-specific analyses, mammography was protective against later stage diagnosis in white women, but not in black women. With adjustment for mammography screening, the OR for the race-stage association was reduced only minimally, and race remained a significant predictor of stage at diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: In these population-based data, history of mammography screening was not an important explanatory variable in the race-stage association. Specifically, history of mammographic screening accounted for less than 10% of the observed black/white difference in stage at diagnosis of breast cancer.     

Crowned dens syndrome: a manifestation of hydroxy-apatite rheumatism

Crowned dens syndrome is defined as an association of acute cervical pain and calcifications in the peri-odontoid space. The authors report one case of this rare localization of hydroxy-apatite rheumatism and review 12 similar cases in the literature. This disease affects only adult females. Patients present with inflammatory signs, can be treated with non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs and recover without sequela. Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition can also lead to this syndrome. Other perioodontoid calcifications and ossifications, usually asymptomatic, appear only as a radiologically crowned dens.     

Deformation of the palate in preterm infants

AIM: To investigate the effect of gestation, postmenstrual age, and orotracheal intubation on palate morphology. METHODS: A prospective study was made of 76 newborn infants of 25 to 41 weeks' gestation. Palate dimensions were measured on plaster models produced from serial palatal impressions. Palate size relative to that of the mouth was assessed using a ratio of palate depth to palate width (Palatal Index). RESULTS: Palate depth and width were related to postmenstrual age and gestation. Palatal Index ranged from 0.15 to 0.57, indicating a wide variation in palate shape, but gestation and postmenstrual age had no effect. Prolonged intubation had a small effect, equivalent to an increase in palatal depth of less than 2 mm at 32 weeks' postmenstrual age. The effect was transient. CONCLUSION: Prolonged orotracheal intubation (> 10 days) leads to a small and temporary increase in palatal depth. However, this is unlikely to account for palatal grooving, which is probably caused by an overgrowth of the lateral palatine ridges.     

On the right track. Riding the Professionalism Express

An analysis was performed of cytogenetic homeostasis in liquidators of the Chernobyl accident after-effects, which led to the belief that if the above contingent of subjects continue living in large industrial regions characterized by high levels of environmental contamination with industrial waste, such as that formed in the chemical, by-product coke, and metallurgical industries, they will not dispel disorders of the cytogenetic homeostasis (chromosomal and chromatic aberrations), which fact is believed to be due to the inhibition of the processes of elimination of somatic cells with a faulty genotype. Proposed for the correction of cytogenetic disorders are such options as a complex of antioxidants and intravascular laser irradiation of blood, that will, we believe, help in restoring the cytogenetic homeostasis.     

Characterization of KIF1C, a new kinesin-like protein involved in vesicle transport from the Golgi apparatus to the endoplasmic reticulum

Kinesins comprise a large family of microtubule-based motor proteins, of which individual members mediate specific types of motile processes. Using the ezrin domain of the protein-tyrosine phosphatase PTPD1 as a bait in a yeast two-hybrid screen, we identified a new kinesin-like protein, KIF1C. KIF1C represents a member of the Unc104 subfamily of kinesin-like proteins that are involved in the transport of mitochondria or synaptic vesicles in axons. Like its homologues, the 1103-amino acid protein KIF1C consists of an amino-terminal motor domain followed by a U104 domain and probably binds to target membranes through carboxyl-terminal sequences. Interestingly, KIF1C was tyrosine-phosphorylated after peroxovanadate stimulation when overexpressed in 293 or NIH3T3 fibroblasts or in native C2C12 cells. Using immunofluorescence, we found that KIF1C is localized primarily at the Golgi apparatus. In brefeldin A-treated cells, the Golgi membranes and KIF1C redistributed to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). This brefeldin A-induced flow of Golgi membranes into the ER was inhibited in cells transiently overexpressing catalytically inactive KIF1C. In conclusion, our data suggest an involvement of tyrosine phosphorylation in the regulation of the Golgi to ER membrane flow and describe a new kinesin-like motor protein responsible for this transport.     

Synergising Functional and Environmental Planning for Mega-event Led Urban Renewals and Beyond: Lessons from the Expo 2010 Shanghai China

A mega-event-led-urban renewal (MELUR) has been a popular but controversial urban renewal instrument worldwide. Adding to the persisting difficulty in the post-event uses of its physical legacies is an emerging dilemma of initiating spatial regeneration in an environmentally degenerated urban setting. This seems especially imperative for host cities from emerging economies, while facing the dual pressures of urban degradation and regeneration, tend to favour instant image-building through flagship construction. The purpose of this study is to propose an integrated approach to making an intelligent balance between functional adaptation and environmental sustainability in planning an MELUR. It presents an in-depth case study of the Expo 2010 Site renewal in Shanghai, China. Modelled on the 3R waste management principle, a five-layered analytic framework is established. First-hand data were gathered through participant observation, field trips and stakeholder meetings. Besides drawing constructive lessons from the empirical study, a 5R strategy hierarchy is formulated to synergise functional and environmental planning for future MELURs and significantly comparable urban renewal initiatives.     

Synthesis,Optical Properties,and Photoluminescence of Organometallic Acetylide Polymers of Platinum Functionalized with Si and Ge-Bridged Bis(3,6-Diethynyl-9-butylcarbazole)

A series of light-emitting group 14 element-containing organometallic platinum polyynes of the form trans-[–Pt(PBu₃)₂C≡ CArC≡ C(ER₂)C≡ CArC≡ C–] _n (Ar = 9-butylcarbazole-3,6-diyl, ER₂ = SiMe₂, SiPh₂, GeMe₂, GePh₂) were synthesized and spectroscopically characterized. The solution properties and regiochemical structures of this new structural class of organosilicon- and organogermanium-based metallopolyynes were studied by IR and NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ²⁹Si, and ³¹P) spectroscopies. The optical absorption and photoluminescence spectra of these metallopolymers were examined and compared with their well-defined dinuclear model complexes trans-[Pt(Ph)(PEt₃)₂C≡ CArC≡ C(ER₂)C≡ CArC≡ CPt(Ph)(PEt₃)₂]. The influence of the heavy platinum atom and the group 14 silyl or germyl structural unit possessing different side group substituents on the thermal and phosphorescence properties were investigated in detail. We have also established the goal for studying the evolution of the lowest singlet and triplet excited states with the nature of ER₂ unit in these metallopolymers. The present work indicates that the phosphorescence emission efficiency harnessed through the heavy-atom effect of platinum in the main chain changes significantly with the identity of ER₂ in the general orders GeR₂ > SiR₂ (R = Me, Ph) and EMe₂ > EPh₂ (E = Si, Ge). Dedicated to Professor Ian Manners in recognition of his outstanding contribution to inorganic and organometallic polymers.