Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Levels in Relation to Oxidative Damage and Antioxidant Status in Patients with Breast Cancer / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: Oxidative stress and angiogenesis are important elements in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases and cancer. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the most potent angiogenic cytokines and is up-regulated by conditions associated with the generation of free radicals and reactive oxygen intermediates. In this study, we investigated the association between oxidative stress and serum VEGF status in patients with breast cancer. METHODS: Forty patients with breast carcinoma, of which 21 were stage II and 19 were stage III, along with 40 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were enrolled. Oxidative stress, total antioxidant status, and VEGF levels in serum were evaluated by spectrophotometric procedures. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured and antioxidant status was assessed by measuring total antioxidant status (TAS) to assess oxidative damage. RESULTS: VEGF and MDA levels were significantly higher in patients with breast cancer than those of controls (p<0.005). Total antioxidant level decreased significantly in patients compared to that in controls. MDA, TAS, and VEGF levels were also analyzed based on menopausal status and different clinical disease stages. MDA and TAS level significantly different in the postmenopausal group than the premenopausal group, whereas VEGF level remained unchanged. CONCLUSION: Increased VEGF level and its positive correlation with oxidative stress level and decreased antioxidant status suggest a link between oxidative stress and malignant transformation.

Patients' attitude towards concept of right to know.

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain patients' attitude towards concept of right to know about Terminal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Questionnaire was constructed that included demographic and clinical information distributed to 500 OPD patients and interviewed them at Patan Hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal. RESULTS: 500 OPD patients completed questionnaire along with interview. 63.4% of patients wanted to know diagnosis, 41.2% wanted to know about prognosis and 13% wanted to make own end of life decision-making about the terminal cancer. Similarly, 89% of patients wanted to tell diagnosis to their family members and 83% wanted to tell prognosis. The view for disclosure rate is different when one is as patient and as family member (63.4% versus 34.4%). Elderly people are more likely to know the prognosis and educated and Brahmin people are more likely to make their own end of life decision-making. CONCLUSION: Findings of the study indicated that most patients want to be informed about their terminal illness. Physicians should realize that patients and family units might differ in their attitude therefore; truth telling should depend on what the patients want to know and are prepared to know.

Crime in Trinidad and Tobago: the effect of alcohol use and unemployment

OBJETIVO: Determinar si el desempleo y el consumo de alcohol se asociaban con distintos tipos de delincuencia en Trinidad y Tabago. MÉTODOS: El estudio se realizó con datos secundarios obtenidos de la Oficina Central de Estadísticas de Trinidad y Tabago para el período de 1990­1997. Se aplicaron correlaciones de Pearson del tipo producto-momento y análisis de regresión múltiple por eliminación progresiva (stepwise regression) para identificar los principales factores pronósticos relacionados con la delincuencia. RESULTADOS: El desempleo explicó 69,2% de la varianza en la frecuencia de delitos graves. La disponibilidad de cerveza para consumo en el hogar explicó 64% de la varianza en la frecuencia de infracciones menores, y el desempleo junto con la disponibilidad de cerveza para consumo en el hogar explicaron 92,2% de la varianza en la frecuencia de delitos menores. CONCLUSIONES: Este estudio proporciona información que puede ser útil para idear políticas contra el desempleo y la venta de cerveza destinada al consumo doméstico, factores que se asocian con la delincuencia en Trinidad y Tabago. Si se redujera la disponibilidad de cerveza para consumo en el hogar ùproblema de salud pública importanteù, la frecuencia de infracciones menores se reduciría notablemente en este país. Hacen falta más investigaciones que exploren la relación entre el desempleo y la delincuencia.

Community prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases and human immunodeficiency virus infection in Tamil Nadu, India: a probability proportional to size cluster survey.

BACKGROUND: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and AIDS is threatening the survival of many nations. To evaluate ongoing interventional strategies and burden of illness estimates, valid data on the prevalence of HIV are required. Often, in the absence of community prevalence data, estimates are based on surrogate markers such as prevalence of HIV in antenatal clinics. Even though the antenatal prevalence of HIV is easier to measure and can be repeated for evaluation, it is important to establish the association between antenatal and community prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and HIV, so that the validity of the estimates can be verified. METHODS: A 'probability proportional to size' cluster survey was conducted in three randomly selected districts of Tamil Nadu in India. The basic unit of the survey was households from rural and urban clusters. Adults 15-45 years of age from the selected households were eligible for recruitment. Demographic, behavioural and laboratory data were collected. Clinical examination was done to identify STD syndromes and blood, urine, vaginal/urethral and endocervical swabs were taken for laboratory diagnosis of STDs from the subjects. Direct smear examination for Trichomonas vaginalis; serological tests for syphilis, hepatitis B, HIV, herpes simplex virus 2, Chlamydia trachomatis; and culture of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Haemophilus ducreyi were performed on the collected specimens. The data were analysed adjusting for cluster effect. RESULT: We selected and screened 1981 individuals (1157 women and 824 men) for STDs and HIV from 1114 households representing the 25 million projected adult population of Tamil Nadu. The overall community prevalence of STDs including HIV and hepatitis B in Tamil Nadu was 14.6% (CI: 14.1-15.1), and 8.3% (CI: 7.9-8.6) when HIV and hepatitis B were excluded. Community prevalence of HIV and hepatitis B infection was 1.8% (CI:1.7-1.9) and 5.3% (CI: 5.1-5.5), respectively. The distribution of HIV involved both rural and urban regions of Tamil Nadu. On clinical examination, at least one STD syndrome was noted in 486 (24.5%) of the women subjects; vaginal discharge was the most common and found in 421 women (38.4%). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of STD and HIV in Tamil Nadu is higher than expected and has extended into the non-high risk population (generalized epidemic).