UNLABELLED: Population-based cancer registries provide a large database of cancer cases which can be used for evaluation of cancer epidemiological and care-related questions. In particular, the latest projects in breast cancer screening and quality assured breast cancer diagnostics represent appropriate databases in the use of cancer registry data for further evaluation. For breast cancer the tumour stage distribution is a well suited, early available indicator for evaluating such interventions. The problem in using data from cancer registries occurs with the rather long time period until registration can be completed (up to 3 years). Thus, early usage of cancer registry data remains rather questionable. AIM OF THE STUDY: This analysis aims to show whether the distribution of breast cancer tumour stage depends on the completeness of registration and whether a valid estimate of the tumour stage distribution is possible at an early stage, on the basis of a not fully completed registration. METHODS: The cancer registry records all new cancer cases of the Federal State of Schleswig-Holstein. For the period from 1998 to the beginning of 2003 all breast cancer cases and their tumour stage distribution were extracted at three-month' intervals. Completeness of registration for each date was estimated on the basis of cancer data from the Federal State of Saarland. The expected number of breast cancer cases for Schleswig-Holstein was set to 100%. RESULTS: In total, 7,418 patients with new breast cancer were analysed. Already at a degree of 50% of registration a stable distribution of tumour stage could be observed. For example, the variability of the T1-category (tumour size < or = 2 cm) showed a maximum of three per cent in the range from 50% up to 100% completeness. Also for lymph nodes and distant metastases just a small degree of variability from one to three per cent points could be shown. A 75% completeness of breast cancer registration was established about six months after the end of the year of diagnosis. Complete registration could only be reached significantly later, approximately after two years. CONCLUSION: For the cancer registry of Schleswig-Holstein a significant relation of the tumour stage distribution in the degree of registration could not be detected. A stable distribution could be shown with a completeness of 50-75%. Hence, it appears to be methodically justified to analyse the tumour stage of breast cancer data with sufficient validity with a completeness of 75 %. The tumour stage distribution can be used as an early indicator (about six months after the end of the year of diagnosis) for evaluation of projects like mammography screening, quality management or research on medical care.

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Molecular identification of algal endosymbionts in large miliolid foraminifera: 1. Chlorophytes.

Large miliolid foraminifers bear various types of algal endosymbionts including chlorophytes, dinoflagellates, rhodophytes, and diatoms. Symbiosis plays a key role in the adaptation of large foraminifera to survival and growth in oligotrophic seas. The identity and diversity of foraminiferal symbionts, however, remain largely unknown. In the present work we use ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequences to identify chlorophyte endosymbionts in large miliolid foraminifera of the superfamily Soritacea. Partial 18S and complete Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) rDNA sequences were obtained from symbionts of eight species representing all genera of extant chlorophyte-bearing Soritacea. Phylogenetic analysis of the sequences confirms the previous fine structure-based identification of these endosymbionts as belonging to the genus Chlamydomonas. All foraminiferal symbionts form a monophyletic group closely related to Chlamydomonas noctigama. The group is composed of seven types identified in this study, including one previously morphologically described species, Chlamydomonas hedleyi. Each of these types can be considered as a separate species, based on the comparison of genetic differences observed between other established Chlamydomonas species. Several foraminiferal species share the same symbiont type, but only one species, Archaias angulatus, was found to bear more than one type.

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PubMedDate not supplied

Molecular identification of algal endosymbionts in large miliolid Foraminifera: 2. Dinofiagellates.

Large miliolid foraminifers of the subfamily Soritinae bear symbiotic dinoflagellates morphologically similar to the species of the "Symbiodinium" complex, commonly found in corals and other marine invertebrates. Soritid foraminifers are abundant in coral reefs and it has been proposed that they share their symbionts with other dinoflagellate-bearing reef dwellers. In order to test this hypothesis, we have analysed partial large subunit ribosomal DNA sequences from dinoflagellates symbionts obtained from 28 foraminiferal specimens, and compared them to the corresponding sequences of Symbiodinium-like endosymbionts from various groups of invertebrates. Phylogenetic analysis of our data shows that all soritid symbionts belong to the "Symbiodinium" species complex, within which they form seven different molecular types (Frl-Fr7). Only one of these types (Fr1) branches within a group of invertebrate symbionts, previously described as type C. The remaining six types form sister groups to coral symbionts previously designed as types B, C, and D. Our data indicate a high genetic diversity and specificity of Symbiodinium-like symbionts in soritids. Except for type C, we have found no evidence for the transmission of symbionts between foraminifers and other symbiont-bearing invertebrates from the same localities. However, exchanges must have occurred frequently between the different species of Soritinae, as suggested by the lack of host specificity and some biogeographical patterns observed in symbiont distribution. Our data suggest that members of the subfamily Soritinae acquired their symbionts at least three times during their history, each acquisition being followed by a rapid diversification and independent radiation of symbionts within the foraminiferal hosts.

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