Clearance of HPV infection in middle aged men and women after 9 years' follow up.
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Adult↗
Biomedical subjects
A Izquierdo
Publications and source records attributed to A Izquierdo.
Alcohol, tobacco and breast cancer--collaborative reanalysis of individual data from 53 epidemiological studies, including 58,515 women with breast cancer and 95,067 women without the disease.
Alcohol and tobacco consumption are closely correlated and published results on their association with breast cancer have not always allowed adequately for confounding between these exposures. Over 80% of the relevant information worldwide on alcohol and tobacco consumption and breast cancer were collated, checked and analysed centrally. Analyses included 58,515 women with invasive breast cancer and 95,067 controls from 53 studies. Relative risks of breast cancer were estimated, after stratifying by study, age, parity and, where appropriate, women's age when their first child was born and consumption of alcohol and tobacco. The average consumption of alcohol reported by controls from developed countries was 6.0 g per day, i.e. about half a unit/drink of alcohol per day, and was greater in ever-smokers than never-smokers, (8.4 g per day and 5.0 g per day, respectively). Compared with women who reported drinking no alcohol, the relative risk of breast cancer was 1.32 (1.19-1.45, P<0.00001) for an intake of 35-44 g per day alcohol, and 1.46 (1.33-1.61, P<0.00001) for >/=45 g per day alcohol. The relative risk of breast cancer increased by 7.1% (95% CI 5.5-8.7%; P<0.00001) for each additional 10 g per day intake of alcohol, i.e. for each extra unit or drink of alcohol consumed on a daily basis. This increase was the same in ever-smokers and never-smokers (7.1% per 10 g per day, P<0.00001, in each group). By contrast, the relationship between smoking and breast cancer was substantially confounded by the effect of alcohol. When analyses were restricted to 22 255 women with breast cancer and 40 832 controls who reported drinking no alcohol, smoking was not associated with breast cancer (compared to never-smokers, relative risk for ever-smokers=1.03, 95% CI 0.98-1.07, and for current smokers=0.99, 0.92-1.05). The results for alcohol and for tobacco did not vary substantially across studies, study designs, or according to 15 personal characteristics of the women; nor were the findings materially confounded by any of these factors. If the observed relationship for alcohol is causal, these results suggest that about 4% of the breast cancers in developed countries are attributable to alcohol. In developing countries, where alcohol consumption among controls averaged only 0.4 g per day, alcohol would have a negligible effect on the incidence of breast cancer. In conclusion, smoking has little or no independent effect on the risk of developing breast cancer; the effect of alcohol on breast cancer needs to be interpreted in the context of its beneficial effects, in moderation, on cardiovascular disease and its harmful effects on cirrhosis and cancers of the mouth, larynx, oesophagus and liver.
Adult↗
Bioremediation of an area contaminated by a fuel spill.
In order to decontaminate a large area of restricted access contaminated by a fuel spill, laboratory and field studies were developed in two steps: (a) monitoring of the laboratory experiment on bacterial growth under aerobic and anaerobic conditions with and without addition of nutrients; and (b) use of the best conditions obtained in (a) for the decontamination of the soil. A hydraulic barrier was installed both to clean the aquifer and to avoid migration of hydrocarbons as a consequence of their solution in the groundwater and subsequent displacement. The objective was to create an ideal environment for the treatment of the affected area that favoured the growth of the indigenous bacteria (Pseudomonas and Arthrobacter) that biodegrade the hydrocarbons. Monitoring of the changes in the total concentration of petroleum hydrocarbons in the soil subjected to bacterial action was performed by gas chromatography. In a field study, the progress of biodegradation of hydrocarbons was evaluated in situ by changes in subsurface CO2/O2 levels by means of an analyser equipped with an infrared detector. Biostimulation and oxygen were the most influential factors for the biodegradation of the hydrocarbons. The use of bioventing of the soil was shown as an excellent technology to promote in situ bioremediation of the polluted area.
Air Movements↗
Resting cyst wall glycoproteins isolated from two colpodid ciliates are glycine-rich proteins.
Two glycoproteins bands isolated from the cyst wall protein pattern of two colpodid ciliates, Colpoda inflata (gp46CI) and Colpoda cucullus (gp46CC) were analysed for their amino acid composition. Both glycoproteins are very rich in glycine and have a relatively high hydrophobicity, containing additionally many leucine and alanine residues. Their high degree of similarity is both quantitative and qualitative. Compared with just two previously published reports, their amino acid compositions are similar to those found in the hydrolysed cyst wall total proteins from the ciliates C. steinii and Paraurostyla spp. The amino acid composition corroborates that they are indeed glycoproteins, because asparagine, an amino acid residue suitable for the attachment to N-acetylglucosamine by its amide group (N-glycan), is abundant in both proteins. We discuss our data in relation to other glycine-rich proteins and a comparison with amino acid composition protein databases is carried out.
Amino Acids↗
Visual outcome after contact lens and intraocular lens correction of neonatal monocular aphakia in monkeys.
PURPOSE: A monkey model was used to evaluate intraocular lenses (IOLs) and extended-wear contact lenses (EWCLs) for the optical treatment of infantile aphakia in humans. Specifically, the relative effectiveness of EWCLs used alone and IOLs used in combination with EWCLs in preventing amblyopia was assessed. METHODS: A total of 33 rhesus monkeys was studied in this project, 24 assigned to experimental treatment groups and 9 to normal controls. Contact lenses made from a diffusing material or dyed opaque were placed on one eye at birth to simulate an infantile cataract. A unilateral lensectomy was then performed on the same eye within 2.5 weeks after birth. In 15 monkeys this was combined with implantation of an IOL. The eyes were left aphakic in the remaining 9 animals. EWCLs were used to adjust the optical correction of both aphakic and pseudophakic eyes to a near point (3-5 D). Opaque lenses were used to maintain daily part-time (approximately 70%) occlusion of the fellow eye. The primary outcome measure was grating acuity assessed with behavioral methods. Some animals were also assessed for acuity with sweep visually evoked potentials (VEPs) and for optotype acuity (Landolt C) with behavioral methods. RESULTS: Two of the animals with IOLs developed complications in the eye that precluded completion of the behavioral assessment protocol. Only behavioral outcomes obtained before or in the absence of surgical complications are presented. There was a developmental delay in the maturation of grating acuity in both eyes of both treatment groups. Normal adult levels of grating acuity were eventually achieved in the group treated with IOLs combined with EWCLs. Grating acuity was significantly poorer than normal in aphakic eyes treated only with EWCLs. Comparison of the two treatment groups revealed that pseudophakic eyes treated with multifocal IOLs had significantly better gating acuity than aphakic eyes. Assessments of optotype acuity and sweep VEP acuity revealed amblyopic deficits in both pseudophakic and aphakic eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Given an absence of serious postoperative complications, neonatal correction of aphakia with IOLs combined with EWCLs can lead to normal grating acuity in a primate model. Correction with EWCLs alone was not sufficient to produce normal grating acuity. Multifocal IOL treatments combined with EWCL provided a significantly better outcome than EWCL methods alone. However, neither IOL nor EWCL methods were able to prevent amblyopia as evaluated using behavioral testing with optotypes or with sweep VEPs.
Animals↗
Cement for stabilisation of industrial residues containing heavy metals.
A method aimed at decreasing the toxicity of heavy metals [namely, Zn(II) and Cr(III)] in real polluted residues by immobilisation has been developed. The residues were processed either with two cement-type stabilisers or lime. The cement-type stabilisers were Portland cement and Depocrete SM/2 at the self-generated pH (ca. 11) which afforded physical as well as chemical potential for the immobilisation of heavy metals. The other stabiliser, lime, reduced organic compounds, thus favouring the decrease of the chemical oxygen demand (COD) and endowing the residue with better mechanical properties for transport. After leaching the stabilised residues using the standard leaching test [Order 13/10/89, Boletín Oficial del Estado (BOE) 270 10/11/89], three ways for establishing the toxicity of the treated residues were used, namely: (1) the ecotoxicity test using Photobacterium phosphoreum (DIN 38 412); (2) determination of the concentration of heavy metals by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS); (3) determination of the COD or oxygen required for complete chemical oxidation of a water sample. Portland cement (20%) blended with Depocrete SM/2 (3%) acted as an effective stabiliser for residues containing heavy metals as it increased the ecotoxicity index (EC50) by more than five times. Thus the heavy metal concentration in the leaching liquid was lowered to less than 0.1 mg l-1. The addition of 5% of lime afforded a residue easily transportable from the place of treatment to the landfill. The precision of the method was studied in terms of both repeatability and reproducibility. The values found with respect to EC50 and expressed as the relative standard deviation (RSD) were 1.6% and 5.1%, respectively.
Environmental Pollution↗
Description of some coryneform bacteria isolated from human clinical specimens as Corynebacterium falsenii sp. nov.
Over a five-year period, four strains of a yellowish-pigmented coryneform bacterium were received for identification by the Culture Collection of the University of Göteborg. All strains had been isolated from normally sterile human body fluids. Initial biochemical characterization revealed that all four isolates were very similar, with weak pyrazinamidase and urease activities, as well as slow fermentative acid production from glucose as the most significant phenotypic features which differentiated the strains from all other presently defined corynebacteria. Chemotaxonomic investigations demonstrated that the strains belonged to the genus Corynebacterium. SDS-PAGE of whole-cell proteins suggested that all four strains were representatives of the same species. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis unambiguously demonstrated that the four strains were genealogically related and represent a new subline within the genus Corynebacterium for which the designation Corynebacterium falsenii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Corynebacterium falsenii is CCUG 33651.
Adult↗
Treatment of ovarian cancer with intraperitoneal cisplatin.
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Cisplatin↗
Human papillomavirus DNA and antibodies to human papillomaviruses 16 E2, L2, and E7 peptides as predictors of survival in patients with squamous cell cervical cancer.
PURPOSE: To assess whether human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA detection in cervical cancer specimens, or antibodies to selected HPV 16 peptides are predictors of tumor recurrence and long-term survival in patients with squamous cell invasive cervical cancer. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Four hundred seventy-one cases included in two population-based case-control studies underwent follow-up evaluation. The survival and cause of death were ascertained for 410 cases (87%), with a median follow-up time of 4.6 years after diagnosis. HPV DNA was assessed using an L1 polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based system and Southern hybridization (SH) on scraped cytologic specimens or biopsies. HPV 16 antibodies to E2, L2, and E7 peptides were detected with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Clinical stage was the only independent prognostic factor for recurrence or survival. Although seropositivity to HPV 16 E7/3 peptide predicted a twofold excess risk of mortality (adjusted hazards ratio [HRa] = 2.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2 to 3.3), the association was restricted to stage I (HRa = 6.6; 95% CI, 1.2 to 37.6) and II (HRa = 5.9; 95% CI, 2.1 to 16.5) patients. The presence of HPV DNA (HRa = 0.9; 95% CI, 0.5 to 1.5), different estimates of the HPV viral load and the HPV type identified were not predictors of tumor recurrence or survival. CONCLUSION: The presence of antibodies to HPV 16 E7 proteins is of prognostic value in early-stage cervical cancer. Our results provide strong evidence that detection and typing of HPV DNA in cervical cells or tissues is not a prognostic factor for recurrence or survival.
Adult↗
[The risk of breast cancer in Catalonia].
BACKGROUND: To evaluate the risk of developing breast cancer among Catalan women and to estimate the number of new cases of this tumor that appear annually in Catalonia (north-east of Spain). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The incidence rates of breast cancer were used in the period 1985-1989 proceeding from the population-based cancer registries of Tarragona and Girona. The age-specific rates (ASR) in Catalonia were estimated by an ASR average of Girona and Tarragona, that were adjusted by the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) of these health regions in relation to Catalonia. The cumulative rate and the risk of developing breast cancer were calculated, considering the probability of death by other causes. The temporal trend of breast cancer incidence was analysed by the Poisson's regression model. RESULTS: The cumulative risk (0-74 years) for breast cancer among Catalan women was 5.17% (1 out of 19 women). The highest risk of developing breast cancer is in the group of age between 60 and 79 years old. Tarragona and Girona had both a moderate increase that was not statistically significant. About 2,550 new cases of breast cancer have been estimated in 1994 and 2,600 in 1996. CONCLUSION: The risk of developing breast cancer in Catalonia after adjusting for the probability of dying by other causes, is lower than in other countries of Northern Europe and the United States.
Adult↗
[Perception of the causes of cancer and its prevention in women of Girona].
BACKGROUND: To analyze the perception of causes and prevention of cancer among women, from Girona, Spain, as well as to assess the knowledge of initial symptoms and participation in cancer screening activities. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Crossectional survey with the following items: cancer risk factors, initial symptoms, perceived susceptibility, knowledge and practice of screening, beliefs regarding prevention and treatment of cancer, intention to attend screening tests and socio-demographic variables. A stratified random sample of 408 women aged 40 to 70 from two counties in Girona, Spain was selected. RESULTS: More than 80% of women identified tobacco, radioactivity and other environmental factors as causes of cancer, being the alcohol identified by 70% of women. It was clearly observed that a high level of these women (97.5%) considered a lump in the breast as an initial symptom of cancer, whereas only a 6.6% thought it was always due to cancer. With regard to cancer screening, 21.9% of women have ever practiced a mammography, 28.5% a cervical citology with Papanicolaou staining and 53.2% self-breast examinations. All these screening activities were inversely associated to age (p < 0.05) and directly to educational level (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: A high knowledge regarding the causes of cancer with the exception of diet was observed in women from Girona, Spain. Knowledge and participation in screening activities is still low in practice of population cancer screening programmes.
Adult↗
A breast cancer case-control study in Girona, Spain. Endocrine, familial and lifestyle factors.
This study was designed to explore risk factors for breast cancer with emphasis on the detection of clinical markers of the hormonal imbalance during the perimenarche. Three hundred and thirty women diagnosed with breast cancer and 346 population controls were identified and interviewed in Girona, Spain between 1986 and 89. Cases were more likely than controls to have had long menstrual periods in the first 5 years after menarche [odds ratio (OR) = 3.0], to experience menopause at a late age (OR = 1.5) and to report acne during adolescence (OR = 1.6). Family history of breast cancer was associated with an increased risk (OR = 2.3). Cases reported a lower use of drug treatments for anxiety and sleep disorders than controls. Moderate alcohol drinkers and smokers were at lower risk for breast cancer. No statistically significant association with breast cancer was observed for number of children, age at last pregnancy, oral contraceptive use, hormonal treatment after menopause and weight perception during the teenage years. Hormonal changes in the years following menarche may be relevant to breast cancer risk. The roles of menstrual period length and acne during adolescence should be further explored.
Acne Vulgaris↗
Socioeconomic differences in cervical cancer: two case-control studies in Colombia and Spain.
OBJECTIVES: This study examined the causes of socioeconomic differences in invasive cervical cancer in two countries that differ substantially in cervical cancer incidence and economic development. METHODS: Data were derived from two case-control studies carried out in Spain and Colombia; there were 373 case subjects, 387 control subjects, and 425 husbands interviewed with a structured questionnaire. Exfoliated cells were obtained from cervical or penile scrapes and tested for human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA. RESULTS: Relative to better educated women, women with low educational levels in both countries reported fewer Pap smears and had a higher prevalence of HPV DNA. The prevalence ratio of HPV DNA across educational strata was twofold in Spain and fourfold in Colombia. In both countries, husbands of poorly educated women reported higher use of prostitutes than husbands of better educated women. In Colombia, 30% of husbands of poorly educated women harbored HPV DNA, compared with 10% of husbands of better educated women. CONCLUSIONS: Socioeconomic differences in invasive cervical cancer could be partly explained by differences in the prevalence of HPV DNA and by a lower use of preventive care.
Adult↗
[Sources of information about cancer].
OBJECTIVE: To study the present and preferred sources of information about cancer. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. PLACE: Counties of Gironés and Pla de l'Estany from the province of Girona. PARTICIPANTS: Stratified random sample of 408 women aged 40 to 70 years. RESULTS: Main present source of information about cancer were friends and relatives (34.9%), followed by radio and Tv (34.0%) and newspapers (19.9%). Health care professionals only were considered main source of information by 11.3% of the sample. Women with incomplete primary school and women from older age groups answered more frequently Radio and Tv as their main source of information. However, the preferred source of information about cancer were health care professionals (73.3%). CONCLUSION: Health care professionals are the preferred source of information about cancer but only a small percentage of population receive information from them. These results indicate the need to redefine educational strategies regarding cancer in primary health care.
Adult↗
Phase II trial of carboplatin in combination with etoposide in locally advanced large cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the lung.
A total of 18 patients with locally advanced (Stage III) adenocarcinoma and large cell undifferentiated carcinoma of the lung, previously untreated, were enrolled in a Phase II trial. Treatment consisted of carboplatin 325 mg/m2, day 1 and etoposide 100 mg/m2 on days 2 and 3. All patients were evaluable for response. Of these, one patient had a partial response (5.5%; confidence interval 0-24%). Toxicity comprised mainly leukopenia and anaemia. Other toxicities were mild. This Phase II study evidenced a poor response rate for these regimes on adenocarcinoma and large cell undifferentiated carcinoma of the lung.
Adenocarcinoma↗
Cervical cancer: incidence and survival in migrants within Spain.
STUDY OBJECTIVE: This study examined the incidence of cervical cancer and survival rates according to migrant experience of women from different regions of Spain to Girona, Catalonia (Spain). DESIGN: Using data from the population based cancer registry of Girona for the period 1980-89, crude and age adjusted incidence rates were calculated for local-born and first generation migrants from other Spanish regions. The age standardised rate ratio (SRR) was calculated and Cox's regression model was used to adjust survival according to migrant status for age and stage at diagnosis. MAIN RESULTS: The incidence of cervical cancer was significantly higher in first generation Spanish migrants compared with locally born women (SRR: 2.02; 95% CI 1.40:2.92). The stage at diagnosis was more advanced among migrants. Survival probability was significantly associated with stage at diagnosis, but age and region of birth were not. CONCLUSIONS: Migrants from the southern Spanish regions show a twofold excess in the incidence of cervical cancer compared with the Girona-born female population. Cases of cervical cancer in migrants are diagnosed at a more advanced stage and as a consequence have a poorer prognosis.
Adolescent↗
[Epidemiology of breast cancer].
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Adolescent↗
Alternating sequential endocrine therapy: tamoxifen and medroxyprogesterone acetate versus tamoxifen in postmenopausal advanced breast cancer patients.
The effects of tamoxifen (TAM) versus the alternating sequential combination of TAM plus medroxy-progesterone acetate (MPA) has been evaluated in 20 postmenopausal patients with advanced breast cancer in a randomized controlled trial. In the TAM arm, patients received 20 mg b.i.d. of TAM. In the TAM-MPA arm, patients received only 20 mg b.i.d. of TAM for 7 days and, on the following 7 days. TAM plus an oral daily dose of 500 mg of MPA, in alternating sequence. Objective tumor reduction was achieved in 22 (41%) of the 54 patients in the TAM arm and in 25 (43%) of the 58 patients in the TAM-MPA arm. With regard to the stabilization of disease, a significant difference was observed between patients treated with the TAM-MPA combination and those treated with TAM alone (47% vs 22%). The percentage of nonresponders was also significantly higher in the TAM group (37%) than in the TAM-MPA group (10%). The time to progression was significantly shorter for the TAM arm than for the TAM-MPA arm (median, 7 vs 15 months), but the duration of remission was not significantly different for either treatment.
Aged↗