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Biomedical subjects

A Volovics

Publications and source records attributed to A Volovics.

43 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Haematologic parameters as risk factors for cardiac infarction, in an occupational health care setting.

It is still controversial, whether moderately high haematocrit (Ht) and haemoglobin (Hb) values are risk factors for coronary heart disease. Using the computerized data-system of the Periodical Medical Examination (PME) of Phillips' International Electrical Company, a case-control study was carried out. Cases were male workers (n = 104, from 50 to 60 years of age) who had suffered a first, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and who had had a PME prior (on the average 16 months) to the occurrence of infarction. For each case two age-matched healthy controls were selected from the PME-attendancy list (= 208). For each subject information was abstracted from the PME-records about haematologic parameters and covariates (smoking, cholesterol, blood pressure, pulse-rate, weight, height, FEV5, consumption of antihypertensive agents). After dichotomizing the haematocrit and haemoglobin values at their whole sample means (0.46 l/l and 9.7 mmol/l respectively) in "low" (lower than or equal to the mean) and "high" (greater than the mean), crude odds-ratio's of 2.7 (95% CI: 1.6-4.6) and 2.1 (95% CI: 1.2-3.6) were found for Ht and Hb respectively, when comparing "high" with "low" levels. The associations between Ht and Hb, and the occurrence of myocardial infarction were still present after controlling for covariates using multiple logistic regression models, entering the continuous variables with their exact values. After adjustment, mean corpuscular volume (MCV) also appeared to be correlated with infarction. Our results confirm the hypothesis that moderately high haematocrit and--to a lesser extent--haemoglobin and MCV-values are risk factors for the occurrence of myocardial infarction.

Blood Pressure↗
PubMed1988

Flow cytometric analysis of DNA ploidy level in paraffin-embedded tissue of non-small-cell lung cancer.

Investigations regarding the prognostic value of DNA content (ploidy) and proliferative characteristics [percentage of cells in S-phase or S-phase fraction (SPF)] have been greatly facilitated by the application of flow cytometry (FCM) using nuclei isolated from paraffin-embedded tissue. We have applied this technique to tumor sections from patients presenting with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in 1980 and 1981. From 67 out of 115 patients material of sufficient quantity and quality was obtained to perform DNA-FCM. A multivariate analysis including stage of disease (UICC), age, tumor histology and treatment modality was performed to examine the prognostic significance of DNA-FCM in NSCLC. Aneuploidy was found in 65% of cases. In our study, the DNA content was not related to histology, stage of disease or treatment modality, nor to the length of survival (log rank test P = 0.62). Calculation of SPF was possible in 49/67 cases. The SPF was not related to histology, stage of disease or treatment modality, but a significant prognostic value was found for survival; patients with a high SPF died earlier (P = 0.04) and this was especially true for squamous cell carcinoma (P = 0.02). This study demonstrates the prognostic importance of DNA-FCM-derived information in NSCLC using a multivariate analysis; however further prospective studies in larger patient populations are needed.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1985

The value of objective measurements to select patients who are malnourished.

Several studies have attempted to define nutritional parameters that can be used to select malnourished hospitalised patients for nutritional support. A combination of objective nutritional parameters was evaluated in a group of 50 patients selected for total parenteral nutrition on clinical grounds only and compared with a control group. This control group consisted of 38 patients who were admitted for elective minor surgical procedures such as varicectomy and hernia repair. On a subset of 18 objective nutritional measurements, discriminant analysis was performed. In the evaluation it was shown that a combination of albumin (ALB), prealbumin (PALB), total lymphocyte count (TLC) and the percentage of ideal weight (PIW) was the most useful combination of nutritional tests in discriminating a chosen malnourished (M) group and a control group who were declared not malnourished (NM). With this combination the patients were correctly classified in 93% with a sensitivity of 93% and a specificity of 94%.

Journal Article↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Binding function in relation to injury risk in downhill skiing.

Time-trend studies suggest that in the recent past, the use of modern equipment and adequately functioning ski bindings have had a preventive effect on injuries. The question of whether a further decrease of injury figures can still be expected from better binding adjustment is investigated in a case-control study (N = 1,148) conducted among Dutch skiers. Nonrelease of both bindings directly before injury was associated with a higher risk (odds ratio = 3.3) for lower extremity (LE) injury. Binding release before LE injury was highest (31%) among those for whom adjustment was performed and then confirmed with a test device. The proportion of nonrelease is highest for knee injuries. No effect on injury risk could be found for the time of adjustment, the method of adjustment, or the person performing the adjustment. Direct measurement of binding function seems indispensable. The use of rented or borrowed skis was associated with a higher risk (odds ratio = 1.9) for LE injury. The same holds for ignorance concerning the type of ski and the age of the skis and bindings. We concluded that binding adjustment still seems to be a risk factor open to manipulation. The efficacy of intervention aimed at better adjustment should be studied experimentally.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

pS2 is an independent prognostic factor for post-relapse survival in primary breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: The pS2 protein is involved in the maintenance of the integrity of the gastrointestinal tract. In breast cancer pS2 can be demonstrated in at least half of the tumors and probably reflects the functional status of ER. Several features make it likely that pS2 is involved in growth regulation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We have investigated the value of immunohistochemical pS2 determination as a prognostic factor in 339 breast cancer patients with long follow-up from one hospital. RESULTS: A prognostic role for pS2 could not be demonstrated considering disease-free and overall survival, although in pS2-negative tumors a trend for less locoregional relapse was found. However, in multivariate analysis pS2 showed independent prognostic value for post-relapse survival. CONCLUSIONS: PS2 is an independent prognostic factor for post-relapse survival, most likely because it is a predictive factor for response to systemic therapy.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Relevance of the expression of bcl-2 in combination with p53 as a prognostic factor in breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Both the proto-oncogene bcl-2 and the tumour suppressor gene p53 are involved in the regulation of apoptosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We have investigated the prognostic value of the immunohistochemical expression of p53 and bcl-2 separately and in combination in a group of 345 breast cancer patients from one hospital with a long median follow-up of more than 10 years. RESULTS: Bcl-2 expression was not a prognostic factor. p53 was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival (p = 0.005) and for post-relapse survival (p = 0.006). Looking at bcl-2/p53 subgroups in the bcl-2 positive subgroup there was a large difference in both disease-free and overall survival between p53 negative and p53 positive patients. In the bcl-2 negative subgroup the p53 status was not a prognostic factor at all. CONCLUSIONS: p53 is an independent prognostic factor for overall survival and post-relapse survival. However, p53 status is only important in the bcl-2 positive subgroup.

Adult↗