Melanocortin receptor 1 variants and melanoma risk: A study of 2 European populations

Variation within the melanocortin receptor 1 (MC1R) gene, that influences phenotypic traits and susceptibility to melanoma, is abundant across the populations. We assessed and compared the risk of melanoma in 2 European populations, German and Spanish, by genotyping MC1R variants through direct DNA sequencing from 1,185 melanoma cases and 1,582 controls. The presence of any variant in both populations was associated with a significantly increased risk of melanoma (odds ratio OR = 1.67, 95% confidence interval CI 1.40–1.99). The population attributable fractions (PAF) associated with the MC1R variants in both populations was over 25%. However, the results showed a statistically significant (p < 0.0001) higher frequency of MC1R variants in the German (70%) than in the Spanish population (60%). The red‐hair colour (RHC) variants, though associated with increased risk in both populations, were more common in the German than in the Spanish population (p < 0.0001). Interestingly, non‐RHC variants increased the disease risk in the Spanish (OR = 1.60, 95% CI 1.20–2.14) but not in the German population (OR = 1.07, 95% CI 0.80–1.44). Although RHC variants explained a major proportion of the observed PAF in the German population, in the Spanish population the major contributor to the PAF was the non‐RHC V60L variant. We also observed reduced historic linkage disequilibrium between the variants V92M and T314T in the gene in German melanoma cases. In conclusion, our data underscored the unambiguous importance of the MC1R variants towards the population burden of melanoma. However, the variants that are associated with the disease differ between the investigated populations. © 2009 UICC     

Prevention of myopic progress by glasses. Study design and the first-year results of a randomized trial among schoolchildren

We report the design and first-year follow-up results of a randomized trial of three different types of corrective lenses: (1) minus lenses with full correction for continuous use (the reference group); (2) minus lenses with full correction for distant vision only; and (3) bifocal lenses. Two hundred and forty 9- to 11-year-old mildly myopic schoolchildren were randomly allocated to the three treatment groups to be followed up to 3 years. During the first year, 73% of the children were compliant with their treatment. Refraction values after the first year were obtained from all but one child. In the second group (spectacles for distant vision only) myopia had progressed somewhat more than in the reference group. In respect of other values (school achievement, reading habits, and accidents) there were no statistically significant differences between the groups.     

Second primary cancers after anogenital,skin, oral,esophageal and rectal cancers: Etiological links?

The Swedish Family-Cancer Database was used to analyze second cancers after oral, esophageal, rectal, cervical, genital and skin (squamous cell carcinoma) cancers. A strong and consistent association of second cancers was observed at all these sites, in men and women. As a novel finding, an association of rectal cancer with the human papillomavirus (HVP)-related cancers was shown. New evidence on an excess of skin cancer with the HPV-related cancers was also provided. As an epidemiological study, the associations were strong and often supported by a number of comparisons. These could not be explained by bias or long-term treatment related effects. However, whether the findings on rectal and skin cancer are due to HPV or other infections, transient or inherited depressed immune function or other constitutional factors remains to be established.     

Contraceptive Use and Abortion Among Women Of Reproductive Age in St. Petersburg, Russia

CONTEXT: Although the characteristics associated with contraceptive use among Russian women have been studied, no large-scale research has been conducted on women's use of different contraceptive methods and abortion.
METHODS: A random sample of 1,147 women aged 18–44 completed questionnaires at local women's clinics in St. Petersburg in 2003–2004. Chi-square tests were used to examine differences in selected characteristics among age-groups, and logistic regression was used to assess associations between these characteristics and the use of contraceptive methods at last intercourse and abortion history.
RESULTS: Among women at risk of unintended pregnancy, six in 10 had used reliable contraceptives (the pill, the IUD or condoms) at last intercourse; 42% had used condoms. Women in the middle income level were more likely than women with lower income to have used the pill (odds ratio, 2.1); cohabiting women and those who had had children had lowered odds of using condoms (0.6 and 0.3–0.5, respectively). More than half of those surveyed reported having had an abortion. Characteristics associated with increased odds of having had an abortion included being 25 or older (2.2–3.5), cohabiting (2.9), having high income (1.7), having experienced first intercourse before turning 18 (2.2) and having used no contraceptive method at first sex (1.5). The factor that was most strongly associated with abortion was a woman's number of births (4.9–5.7).
CONCLUSIONS: Educational programs that promote the consistent use of condoms, especially among young women, and family planning programs that reduce financial barriers to contraceptive use, are critically needed in Russia.     

Postlabeling analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-DNA adducts in white blood cells of foundry workers

Blood samples were obtained from 61 volunteers working in a Finnish iron foundry who were exposed to carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and from 19 control subjects not known to be exposed to these chemicals. Foundry workers were categorized into high, medium, or low exposure groups, based on their exposure levels to airborne benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) (high greater than 0.2, medium 0.05-0.2, low less than 0.05 micrograms BaP/m3 air). Aromatic adducts were determined in white blood cell DNA from exposed and unexposed subjects using 32P-postlabeling. There was a highly significant correlation between the estimated exposure and adduct levels as determined by analysis of variance. The levels of adducts found in the high and medium group samples ranged from 5 to over 20 adducts in 10(8) DNA nucleotides. No effects due to age, sex, or the smoking habits of the subjects were observed. Within each group, the SEM appeared rather small. This study demonstrates the utility of the 32P-postlabeling assay to assess human exposure to known and unknown environmental aromatic genotoxicants.     

Pregnancy and Birth after Cesarean Section: A Survey Based on the Swedish Birth Register

ABSTRACT: Two cohorts of healthy Swedish primiparae having a healthy child by cesarean section in 1973 (index women, N = 2592) and in 1976 (N = 3867) and matched vaginal delivery controls were identified from the Swedish Birth Register. The second births to these women occurring in the following five years were studied. The mean lengths of gestation were somewhat shorter and there were more problems during pregnancy, labor, and delivery among those with previous cesarean births (index women). Children born to the index women had a higher perinatal mortality and were smaller and less healthy. Comparison of the two cohorts suggests that the operation itself may have contributed to some of the problems. The decision to perform a cesarean section may have to take into account sequelae in a subsequent pregnancy.     

The Nation-wide Swedish Family-Cancer Database—Updated Structure and Familial Rates

The Swedish Family-Cancer Database was expanded to include all Swedes born in 1932 and later (offspring) with their parents, totaling 10.2 million individuals. Cancer cases were retrieved from the Swedish Cancer Registry from the years 1958 to 1998, including over 1 million primary cancers and in situ tumors. Some 10% of offspring diagnosed with cancer lack any parental information. Incidence rates of cancers were similar in the database and in the Cancer Registry to age 70, but at higher ages the rates in the Database were lower, probably because of selection. The familial risk for all types of cancer in offspring was 1.73 when a parent had the same type of cancer. The familial rates were increased for all main cancer sites, except for the upper aerodigestive tract, stomach, liver, pancreas and bone marrow (leukemia). The rates were 7.47 for thyroid, 4.69 for testis, and over 2.00 for melanoma, ovary, prostate, skin, endocrine glands and endometrium.     

The role of gynaecologists in women's health care--women's views.

OBJECTIVE: Reproductive matters are common reasons to use health services, and both primary care providers (general practitioners and public health nurses) and specialists (gynaecologists) can be consulted. The purpose of this study was to find out how Finnish women think about and use specialist care in reproductive matters; gynaecological health checks, contraception, and prenatal care served as examples. METHODS: The data come from a questionnaire survey sent in 1994 to a representative sample (74% response rate) of 18-44-year-old Finnish women (n=2189). RESULTS: Most (87%) women considered regular health checks by a gynaecologist important, and 55% had visited a gynaecologist regularly in the past 5 years. Healthier women and women having more education were more likely to visit gynaecologists regularly. Most women (86%) preferred a gynaecologist to a general practitioner for contraceptive matters, and 54% reported visiting one for their last contraceptive visit. Maternity centres with their public health nurses and general practitioners were the main source of prenatal care. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest the need to study the benefits of regular gynaecological health checks, and to define the best provider in common reproductive matters. Evaluation should include organizational impacts, such as those of the division of work between primary and secondary health care and small area population responsibility.     

Comparability of Reasons for Cesarean Sections in Patient Records and Mothers' Interviews

ABSTRACT: Reasons for cesarean sections from three different data sources were compared. One hundred mothers were interviewed, their patient records were read, and the discharge diagnoses were noted. In about 70% of cases at least two of the data sources gave similar reasons for cesarean section, but when all three sources were compared, in only one-third was information similar. These figures cast doubt on the utility of recorded indications in studying reasons for cesarean sections.