Associations of Lifestyle-related Factors, Hsa-miR-149 and Hsa-miR-605 Gene Polymorphisms with Gastrointestinal Cancer Risk

Molecular Carcinogenesis. Oct, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21976437

To explore the associations of SNPs within hsa-miR-605 (rs2043556) and hsa-miR-149 (rs2292832) and lifestyle-related factors with gastrointestinal cancer, a case-control study including 762 cases and 757 controls was conducted. Marginally significant associations were found both for hsa-miR-149 rs2292832 with gastric cancer risk (TC + CC vs. TT, OR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.44-1.04) and for hsa-miR-605 rs2043556 with colorectal cancer risk (AG + GG vs. AA, OR = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.48-1.02) in males. Tea drinking showed a protective effect on gastric cancer risk (OR = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.13-0.60), while smoke inhalation increased the risk of gastric cancer (OR = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.08-3.47). Irritability was found to be a risk factor for both colorectal cancer (OR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.02-2.53) and gastric cancer (OR = 1.96, 95% CI: 1.17-3.29). Among those that engaged in smoke inhalation, miR-149 CT/CC and miR-605 AG/GG genotype carriers had increased susceptibilities to colorectal cancer (OR = 1.90, 95% CI: 1.11-3.25) and gastric cancer (OR = 1.87, 95% CI: 1.03-3.42), respectively. Among the tea drinkers, there exists a marginally protective effect of miR-605 AG/GG genotypes on colorectal cancer incidence (OR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.47-1.06) and a significantly protective effect of miR-149 CT/CC on gastric cancer incidence (OR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.29-0.77). The SNPs of rs2292832 and rs2043556 might be able to modify the susceptibility to male gastric and colorectal cancers, respectively. Tea drinking is a protective factor, while smoke inhalation is a risk factor for gastric cancer, and they might have the potential to modify the associations between miR-149 and miR-605 polymorphisms with gastrointestinal cancer risk. In addition, irritability was shown to be a risk factor for both gastric and colorectal cancers. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Isolation, Purification, and Characterization of Fungal Laccase from Pleurotus Sp

Enzyme Research. 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21977312

Laccases are blue copper oxidases (E.C. 1.10.3.2 benzenediol: oxygen oxidoreductase) that catalyze the one-electron oxidation of phenolics, aromatic amines, and other electron-rich substrates with the concomitant reduction of O(2) to H(2)O. They are currently seen as highly interesting industrial enzymes because of their broad substrate specificity. A positive strain was isolated and characterized as nonspore forming Basidiomycetes Pleurotus sp. Laccase activity was determined using ABTS as substrate. Laccase was purified by ionexchange and gel filtration chromatography. The purified laccase was a monomer showed a molecular mass of 40 ± 1 kDa as estimated by SDS-PAGE and a 72-fold purification with a 22% yield. The optimal pH and temperature were 4.5 and 65(°)C, respectively. The K(m) and V(max) values are 250 (mM) and 0.33 (μmol/min), respectively, for ABTS as substrate. Metal ions like CuSO(4), BaCl(2), MgCl(2), FeCl(2), ZnCl(2) have no effect on purified laccase whereas HgCl(2) and MnCl(2) moderately decrease enzyme activity. SDS and sodium azide inhibited enzyme activity, whereas Urea, PCMB, DTT, and mercaptoethanol have no effect on enzyme activity. The isolated laccase can be used in development of biosensor for detecting the phenolic compounds from the effluents of paper industries.

Re-entrant Behavior in Dynamics of Binary Mixtures of Soft Hybrid Nanocolloids and Homopolymers

The Journal of Chemical Physics. Oct, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21992337

We present results of measurements of temperature and wavevector dependent dynamics in binary mixtures of soft polymer grafted nanoparticles and linear homopolymers. We find evidence of melting of the dynamically arrested state of the soft nanocolloids with addition of linear polymers followed by a re-entrant slowing down of the dynamics with further increase in polymer density, depending on the size ratio, δ, of the polymers and the nanocolloids. For higher δ the re-entrant behavior is not observed, even for the highest added polymer density, explored here. Possible explanation of the observed dynamics in terms of the presence of a double-glass phase is provided.

Heart-rate Monitoring in Soccer: Interest and Limits During Competitive Match-play and Training - Practical Application

Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research / National Strength & Conditioning Association. Nov, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 22130401

The identification of physiological loads imposed by soccer training or match-play reveals essential information, which may help improve training and recovery strategies. Until today, the use of heart rate (HR) monitoring is not standardized in soccer. Thus, the aim of this review was to analyse, determine and compare the exercise intensity (EI) monitored by HR in professional, youth and recreational soccer players during matches and training sessions using a meta-analysis. HR is one of the most common physiological variables used to determine exercise internal training load. The mean EI recorded during competitive matches was described as 70-80% of VO2max or 80-90% of maximal HR (HRmax), independent of the playing level. With respect to HR training zones, approximately 65% of the total match duration is spent at intensity of 70-90% HRmax and rarely below 65% HRmax. However, although HRmax is mostly employed in the literature, monitoring EI should be expressed in relation to reserve HR (HRres), as it was described as a more reliable indicator of HR allowing inter-individual comparisons. The HR response according to the playing position indicates that midfielders are characterized by the highest EI, followed by forwards and full-backs. Moreover, in the second half of the match, the EI is lower than that observed during the first half; this reduction could be correlated with the level of the player's physical conditioning. Consequently, coaches may favor the use of interval-training or small-sided training games as these are shown to improve both aerobic capacity and the ability to repeat high-intensity actions. SSG allows reaching similar HR responses to those found during interval training and match-play but with greater heterogeneity values. Future investigations should include a larger sample of players with special reference to playing position and the expression of EI in %HRres, analyzing possible inter-gender differences in HR response.

Pharmacokinetic Drug Interaction Between Gemfibrozil and Sitagliptin in Healthy Indian Male Volunteers

European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. Dec, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 22173280

PURPOSE: To study the impact of gemfibrozil co-administration on the pharmacokinetics of sitagliptin in healthy Indian male volunteers. METHODS: A randomized open label two-period crossover study involving 12 healthy Indian male volunteers was conducted at a single center. In each phase, the volunteers were administered sitagliptin as 100 mg tablets, either alone or co-administered with gemfibrozil as 600 mg tablets twice daily for 3 days. There was a 2-week washout period between phases. The venous blood samples were serially collected at 0-12 h post-dose, and plasma concentrations of the study drugs were estimated by a validated high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet method. RESULTS: Relative to the administration of sitagliptin alone, co-administration with gemfibrozil increased the AUC(0-12) (2,167 ± 82.9 vs. 2,970 ± 76.4 ng h/ml; p < 0.0001), AUC(0-∞) (3,621 ± 222.5 vs. 5,574 ± 249.6 ng h/ml; p < 0.0002), C(max) (282.9 ± 7.7 vs. 344.1 ± 5.9 ng/ml; p < 0.0001), and t(½) (7.4 ± 0.6 vs. 10 ± 0.6 h; p = 0.0076) to statistically significant levels. The interindividual differences in the pharmacokinetic parameters of sitagliptin were found to be within acceptable limits (coefficient of variation <20%). No adverse drug events associated with sitagliptin occurred in the subjects during the study period. CONCLUSION: Although the bioavailability of sitagliptin was increased by 54% when co-administered with gemfibrozil, this interaction may not have any clinical significance as sitagliptin has a wide therapeutic index. Hence, in clinical practice, sitagliptin as 100 mg tablets and gemfibrozil as 600 mg tablets may be co-prescribed without much threat of sitagliptin toxicity. However, these results may not hold if the dose of sitagliptin is increased or if is co-prescribed with other antidiabetic drugs and/or cytochrome P450 2C8/human organic anion transporter-3 inhibitors. Further studies are needed to confirm these results in patients.

Rhodovulum Bhavnagarense Sp. Nov., a Phototrophic Alphaproteobacterium Isolated from a Pink Pond

International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. Dec, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 22180610

An oval to rod shaped, Gram-stain-negative, phototrophic bacterium designated as strain JA738T was isolated from a sediment sample collected from a pink pond. Strain JA738T was non-motile and has vesicular type intracellular photosynthetic membranes. Bacteriochlorophyll a and carotenoids of the spheroidene series were present as the major photosynthetic pigments. Strain JA738T requires thiamine and pantothenate for growth. C18:1ω7c, C18:1ω5c, C18:0, C18:1ω7c11-methyl are the major cellular fatty acids and contain minor amounts of C10:03OH and C16:0. Q-10 is the major quinone and contain phosphatidyl glycerol, phosphatidyl ethanolamine and two unidentified sulfolipids (SL1,2) as major polar lipids. Phylogenetic analysis on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain JA738T clustered with species of the genus Rhodovulum in the class Alphaproteobacteria. Strain JA738T is most closely related to the type strains of Rhodovulum adriaticum Imhoff 6IIT (96.4%) and other members of the genus Rhodovulum (<96.1%). On the basis of phenotypic and molecular genetic evidence, it is proposed that strain JA738T should be classified as a novel species of the genus Rhodovulum with the species name Rhodovulum bhavnagarense sp. nov. The type strain of the species is JA738T (=DSM24766T =KCTC 15110T).

Measurements and Modeling of Transient Blood Flow Perturbations Induced by Brief Somatosensory Stimulation

The Open Neuroimaging Journal. 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 22262991

Proper interpretation of BOLD fMRI and other common functional imaging methods requires an understanding of neurovascular coupling. We used laser speckle-contrast optical imaging to measure blood-flow responses in rat somatosensory cortex elicited by brief (2 s) forepaw stimulation. Results show a large increase in local blood flow speed followed by an undershoot and possible late-time oscillations. The blood flow measurements were modeled using the impulse response of a simple linear network, a four-element windkessel. This model yielded excellent fits to the detailed time courses of activated regions. The four-element windkessel model thus provides a simple explanation and interpretation of the transient blood-flow response, both its initial peak and its late-time behavior.

Interaction of Plant Cell Signaling Molecules, Salicylic Acid and Jasmonic Acid, with the Mitochondria of Helicoverpa Armigera

Journal of Bioenergetics and Biomembranes. Jan, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22286372

The cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera is a polyphagous pest in Asia, Africa, and the Mediterranean Europe. Salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA) are the cell signaling molecules produced in response to insect attack in plants. The effect of these signaling molecules was investigated on the oxidative phosphorylation and oxidative stress of H. armigera. SA significantly inhibited the state III and state IV respiration, respiratory control index (RCI), respiratory complexes I and II, induced mitochondrial swelling, and cytochrome c release in vitro. Under in vivo conditions, SA induced state IV respiration as well as oxidative stress in time- and dose-dependent manner, and also inhibited the larval growth. In contrast, JA did not affect the mitochondrial respiration and oxidative stress. SA affected the growth and development of H. armigera, in addition to its function as signaling molecules involved in both local defense reactions at feeding sites and the induction of systemic acquired resistance in plants.

Blood Compatibility of Iron Doped Nano Hydroxyapatite and Its Drug Release

ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces. Feb, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22316071

Nanosize hydroxyapatite (nHAp) doped with varying levels of Fe3+ (Fe-nHAp of average size 75 nm) was synthesized by hydrothermal and microwave techniques. The samples were characterized for physiochemical properties by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM), mechanical and dielectric properties. The biological properties like haemocompatibility, antibacterial efficacy, in vitro bioactivity and the cell proliferation of the samples were determined. XRD pattern of the samples were of single phase hydroxyapatite. As the content of Fe3+ increased, the crystallite size as well as crystallinity decreased along with a morphological change from spherulites to rods. The dielectric constants and Vickers hardness were enhanced on Fe3+ doping. The VSM studies revealed that the saturation magnetization (Ms) and retentivity (Mr) were found to increase for Fe-nHAp. nHAp impregnated with an antibiotic as a new system for drug delivery in the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis was also attempted. The in vitro drug release with an antibiotic amoxicillin and anticancer drug 5-fluorouracil showed sustained release for the lowest concentration of Fe3+, while with an increase in the content; there was a rapid release of the drug. The haemolytic assay of Fe3+ doped samples revealed high blood compatibility (< 5% haemolysis). The antibacterial activities of the antibiotic impregnated materials were tested against a culture of E. coli, S. epidermidis and S. aureus by agar diffusion test. The in vitro bioactivity test using Simulated Body Fluid (SBF) showed better bone bonding ability by the formation of an apatite layer on the doped samples. The growth of the apatite layer on the samples surface has been confirmed by EDS analysis. The proliferative potential of MG63 cells by MTT assay confirmed the non-cytotoxicity of the samples.

Longitudinal Physical Activity Changes In Adolescents: Ho Chi Minh City Youth Cohort

Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. Feb, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22330026

PURPOSE: To describe 5-year longitudinal change in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) among urban adolescents in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and to identify individual, family and environmental factors associated with changes in MVPA. METHODS: The Ho Chi Minh City Youth Cohort is a 5-year longitudinal cohort with systematic random sampling of 759 students (48% boys) from 18 junior high schools in Ho Chi Minh City, conducted from 2004 to 2009. All measures were taken on 5 separate occassions. MVPA was assessed by self-report and accelerometry. Data were analysed using multilevel linear regression models with estimation by Generalized Linear Latent and Mixed Models. RESULTS: Overall, after adjusting for covariates, students' accelerometer-based MVPA reduced 38% per annum (Rate Ratio: 0.62; 95% CI: 0.59, 0.64). Boys spent 2.9 times more in MVPA (Rate Ratio: 2.94; 95% CI: 2.63, 3.22) than their female peers. Compared to normal weight adolescents, overweight and obese adolescents were doing 40% (Rate Ratio: 0.60; 95% CI: 0.53, 0.67) less MVPA. CONCLUSIONS: MVPA significantly declined among Vietnamese adolescents with age. This finding is similar to those reported among Western adolescents and suggests strategies to promote physical activity in adolescents are a priority in Vietnam as economic transitioning potentially increases the risk of adopting unhealthy lifestyle behaviours associated with obesity and chronic diseases.

Tobacco Addiction and The Risk of Upper Aerodigestive Tract Cancer in A Multicenter Case-Control Study

Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention : a Publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, Cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology. Feb, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22337537

BACKGROUND: While previous studies on tobacco and alcohol and the risk of upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) cancers have clearly shown dose-response relations with the frequency and duration of tobacco and/or alcohol, studies on addiction to tobacco itself as a risk factor for UADT cancer have not been published, to our knowledge. The aim of this report is to assess whether smoking addiction is a risk factor for UADT SCC risk in the multicenter case-control study (ARCAGE) in Western Europe independent of tobacco smoking or alcohol drinking intensity or duration.METHODS: The analyses included 1,905 ever smoking UADT SCC cases (871 oral cavity/oropharynx, 814 hypopharynx/larynx, 127 esophagus, and 93 overlapping oral cavity/pharynx) and 1,489 ever smoking controls. The addiction variables included first cigarette after waking up, difficulty refraining from smoking in places where it is forbidden, and cigarettes per day. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for UADT cancers with addiction variables were estimated with unconditional logistic regression, adjusting for center, age, sex, education level, alcohol consumption, and tobacco smoking.RESULTS: Among current smokers, 76.47% of cases were categorized in the highest addiction level, whereas 54.69% of controls were in that category. The participants who smoked their first cigarette within 5 minutes of waking up were two times more likely to develop UADT SCC (OR = 2.22, 95% CI 1.57-3.15) than those who smoked 60 minutes after waking up. A higher modified Fagerstram score, reflecting greater tobacco addiction, was associated with an increased risk of UADT SCC among current smokers, but not among former smokers.CONCLUSION: We observed that time to first cigarette after waking up was associated with UADT SCC risk, regardless of heavy smoking or alcohol drinking behaviors. These results are consistent with residual effect of smoking that was not captured by the questionnaire responses alone. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 21(3); 1-9. ©2012 AACR.

Benefits and Harms of Screening Mammography Frequency by Age and Comorbidity Score

Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention : a Publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, Cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology. Feb, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22337538

BACKGROUND: There is uncertainty about the appropriate use of screening mammography in older women. We compared the benefits and harms of screening mammography frequency according to age and comorbidity scores. METHODS: We conducted analyses within a prospective cohort study of four mammography registries in the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium that had mammography data linked to Medicare claims information. Participants included 137,949 women aged 66-89 years without breast cancer and 2,993 women with breast cancer. We estimated odds of advanced (IIb, III, IV) stage, large tumor size (>20 millimeters), and estrogen receptor (ER) negative tumors and cumulative probability of false-positive mammography after 10 years of screening by mammography frequency, age and comorbidity score as determined by the Charlson Comorbidity Index. RESULTS: Mammography biennially vs. annually for women aged 66-89 years does not increase risk of tumors with unfavorable characteristics regardless of women's comorbidity score. Cumulative probability of a false-positive result for annual and biennial screening of women aged 66-89 years with a comorbidity score of ≥1 was 48 (46.1, 49.9) and 29 (28.1, 29.9) respectively. False-positives were more common among annual screeners than among those screened biennially irrespective of women's comorbidity score. CONCLUSION: Mammography annually vs. biennially does not have added benefit for women aged 66-89 years, even among those in good overall health as reflected by the lack of comorbidity. Risk of false-positive mammography is much higher with annual mammography.

The Role of Polymorphisms in DNA Repair Genes and HPV 18 Integration Status in Cervical Dysplasia

Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention : a Publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, Cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology. Feb, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22337542

Despite the fact that cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of death in women worldwide, research has yet to elucidate why some HPV-infected women develop cancerous lesions while others are able to clear the infection. Previous studies have shown that HPV integration status may be associated with cervical cancer development, and yet, host genetic factors that may be involved in the viral integration process have not yet been identified. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between both HPV 18 viral integration status and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) DNA repair pathway genes on cervical dysplasia. Specifically, we sought to compare women with no dysplasia to those with low-grade or high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions.METHODS: A total of 765 women were selected from two large trials designed to evaluate optical technologies for cervical cancer. Genotyping was performed using the Illumina Golden Gate platform. HPV 18 integration status was determined using a previously established protocol. Chi-square tests were conducted to determine which SNPs were associated with normal cytology, low-grade, or high-grade lesions. Among participants with cervical dysplasia, polytomous logistic regression models were used to evaluate the effect of each polymorphism on viral integration status. An additive genetic model was used for all tests. P-values were adjusted using the false discovery rate method.RESULTS: Women with high-grade lesions were significantly younger than women with low-grade or no lesions. Tag-SNPs in 13 DNA repair genes, including MRE11A, ATM, and XRCC4, were significantly associated with cervical dysplasia. Most participants had a mix of both episomal and integrated HPV 18. Tag-SNPs in the XRCC4, PRKCH, and MRE11A genes were found to be significantly associated with HPV 18 integration status.CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that host genetic variation in NHEJ DNA repair pathway genes, including MRE11A and XRCC4, are significantly associated with HPV 18 integration, and that these genes may play a key role in determining cervical cancer development and progression. This is the first study to examine host genetic variation in association with the viral integration event. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 21(3); 1-9. ©2012 AACR.

Prospective Cohort Studies of Vitamin B6 Intake and Colorectal Cancer Incidence: Modification by Time?

Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention : a Publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, Cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology. Feb, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22337543

BACKGROUND: Vitamin B6 may influence colorectal carcinogenesis through its role in one-carbon metabolism related DNA synthesis and methylation. However, observational studies have been inconclusive and no studies have investigated when in the natural history vitamin B6 intake may prevent colorectal cancer.METHOD: We followed 86,440 women in the Nurses' Health Study and 44,410 men in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study for up to 28 years. We assessed vitamin B6 intake every 4 years using validated food frequency questionnaires. We evaluated whether higher vitamin B6 intake in the remote past is strongly associated with a lower risk of colorectal cancer than intake in the recent past. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate multivariable relative risks (MV RRs, 95%CIs).RESULTS: Comparing top with bottom quintiles of total vitamin B6 intake, the mean plasma pyridoxal 5-phosphate (PLP, the active form of vitamin B6) levels were 98.3 pmol/mL and 38.9 pmol/mL in women and were 183.2 pmol/mL and 66.0 pmol/mL in men. Total vitamin B6 intake was significantly associated with an approximately 20-30% lower risk of colorectal cancer in age-adjusted results but these significant associations became attenuated and non-significant after adjustment for other colorectal cancer risk factors. Compared extreme quintiles of cumulative intake of total vitamin B6, the MV RRs (95%CIs) for colorectal cancer were 0.98 (0.80, 1.22; P trend = 0.79) in women and 0.98 (0.76, 1.26; P trend = 0.60) in men. For the same comparison, the MV RRs were 0.92 (0.73, 1.16) for total vitamin B6 intake 0-4 year before diagnosis, 0.99 (0.78, 1.26) for intake 4-8 year before diagnosis, 0.93 (0.71, 1.21) for intake 8-12 year before diagnosis, and 0.93 (0.69, 1.26) for intake 12-16 years before diagnosis. The corresponding MV RRs for men were 0.85 (0.63, 1.16), 0.98 (0.70, 1.37), 0.90 (0.63, 1.28), and 1.19 (0.78, 1.83), respectively. Additionally, results did not differ by cancer sub-site, sources of vitamin B6 (food or supplement), or intake of alcohol and folate.CONCLUSION: Although a small effect cannot be excluded, our results do not support a strong role of vitamin B6 intake in adulthood in colorectal carcinogenesis among middle-aged U.S. health professionals. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 21(3); 1-9. ©2012 AACR.

Observed Social Support Behaviors and Cancer-Related Cognitive Processing in Couples Coping with Head and Neck Cancer (HNC)

Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention : a Publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, Cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology. Feb, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22337544

Epidemiological Risk Factors Associated with Inflammatory Breast Cancer Triple Negative Subtype

Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention : a Publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, Cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology. Feb, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22337546

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is rare and accounts for ∼1% of all invasive breast cancers. The 5-year survival rates are significantly lower than for other types of breast cancer, highlighting the significance of cancer prevention in IBC. A disproportionately higher percentage of IBC patients have triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC; ER(-), PR(-) and Her2(-)) than patients with non-IBC. TNBCs are thought to arise from normal breast stem cells. Our preliminary data indicates that normal breast stem cells are enriched in adjacent normal tissues of patients with TN IBC. We hypothesize that parity and breastfeeding, risk factors that influence the normal stem cell compartment in the breast, will differ between TN IBC and non-TN IBC subtypes.METHODS: We identified 144 patients diagnosed with IBC in 1991-2011 at MD Anderson. Breast cancer risk factors including parity and breast-feeding were compared between patients with TN and non-TN IBC with chi square or Wilcoxon rank sum tests.RESULTS: The average age at diagnosis was 54 years; 83% of patients were non-Hispanic white; and 36% were TN IBC. We found that patients with TN IBC had significantly lower frequency (p = 0.02) and duration of breastfeeding (p = 0.02) compared with non-TN IBC patients. No differences were found in the frequency of other breast cancer risk factors.CONCLUSION: The association between breastfeeding and TNBC indicates that stem cells that are retained in the absence of breastfeeding may be the cell of origin for TN IBC. These results highlight the importance of evaluating epidemiologic risk factors of IBC according to receptor subtype, which could lead to the identification of distinct etiologic pathways that could be targeted for prevention. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 21(3); 1-9. ©2012 AACR.

Predictors of Cancer Survivors' Receptivity to Lifestyle Behavior Change Interventions

Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention : a Publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, Cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology. Feb, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22337550

PURPOSE: To assess cancer survivors' interest in lifestyle behavior change interventions, and to identify predictors of interest.METHODS: Mailed surveys were sent to a stratified random sample of breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer survivors ascertained from the MD Anderson tumor registry and departmental databases. Surveys queried survivors about their diet, exercise, and smoking behaviors; symptoms; and their interest in interventions.RESULTS: Surveys were received from 1053 cancer survivors. Roughly half of the sample were very/extremely interested in programs to help them get in shape (45%), eat a healthy diet (54%), and control weight (49%), and 20% had no interest at all. Because they were highly intercorrelated we combined interest in diet/exercise/weight control into a single interest index. Interest was related to race/ethnicity (AA and Hispanics more interested than whites), age (p = .000, younger more interested), marital status (p = .000, divorced most interested, widowed least interested), education (p = .008, college-educated less interested than those with HS degree or some college/vocational training), and gender (p = .000; women more interested). Interest was not related to time from diagnosis, and there were no differences by cancer site after controlling for gender. BMI had a small but significant correlation with interest in programs (r = .19, p = .000; the correlation was higher in women [r = .24] than men [r = .18]). Symptom severity and interference, and feelings of distress and sadness, were positively correlated to interest (r = .07-.12, p = .000-.034); relationships were stronger among men than women. Among the 78 smokers, 51% were very/extremely interested in smoking cessation, while 20% were not at all interested. Demographic and disease-related predictors were not significantly related to interest in smoking cessation, but symptom severity and interference, and feelings of sadness were positively related to interest.CONCLUSION: Survivors' interest in lifestyle behavior change interventions varies with demographic variables, but also with symptom distress. Experiencing symptoms after cancer diagnosis is related to higher receptivity to intervention opportunities. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 21(3); 1-9. ©2012 AACR.

Ruminant Fatty Acids and Prostate Cancer Risk in the Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention Study

Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention : a Publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, Cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology. Feb, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22337551

Relationship Between Use of Different Oral Contraceptive Formulations and Breast Cancer Risk Among Young Women

Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention : a Publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, Cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology. Feb, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22337552

PURPOSE: Prior studies suggest that recent oral contraceptive (OC) use is associated with a modest increased risk of breast cancer among young women. However, the majority of these reports have relied on self-reported use and have not characterized risks associated with newer OC formulations.METHODS: We conducted a nested case-control study among health plan enrollees at a large health maintenance organization, Group Health Cooperative, which serves the greater Seattle-Puget Sound region. Cases consisted of 1,102 women 20-49 years of age diagnosed with invasive breast cancer from 1990-2009. We randomly selected 21,952 controls matched on age, year, and enrollment length. Detailed information on recent OC use, including formulation, dose, and duration was ascertained from electronic pharmacy records. Multivariate-adjusted conditional logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) as estimates of relative risks and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).RESULTS: Recent OC use (within 1 year of diagnosis) was associated with a 60% (95% CI = 1.3-1.9) increased breast cancer risk. The association was slightly stronger for estrogen receptor (ER) positive compared to ER-negative disease (ER-positive OR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.3-2.1 and ER-negative OR = 1.2, 95% CI = 0.8-1.8), though this difference was not statistically significant. The ORs varied somewhat by OC formulation, with recent use of OCs containing the progestin ethynodiol diacetate (OR = 2.6, 95% CI = 1.4-4.7) or high dose estrogen (OR = 2.7, 95% CI = 1.2-6.4) associated with particularly elevated risk estimates compared to non-use of OCs in the prior year. In contrast, risk estimates for recent use of OCs with the progestin norgestimate or low dose estrogen suggested either a modest association or no association (OR = 1.2, 95% CI = 0.6-2.2 and OR = 1.0, 95% CI = 0.6-1.7, respectively).CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that recent use of contemporary OC formulations is associated with an elevated risk of breast cancer among women ages 20-49, with associations varying somewhat by OC formulation. Although breast cancer is rare among young women, the potential risk of breast cancer associated with certain formulations could impact OC recommendations by providers if these findings are confirmed. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 21(3); 1-9. ©2012 AACR.

Race and Risk of Large Bowel Polyps in Younger and Older Patients

Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention : a Publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, Cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology. Feb, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22337553