Relationship between breast cancer risk factors and mammographic breast density in the Fernald Community Cohort.

BACKGROUND: We investigated associations of known breast cancer risk factors with breast density, a well-established and very strong predictor of breast cancer risk. METHODS: This nested case-control study included breast cancer-free women, 265 with high and 860 with low breast density. Women were required to be 40-80 years old and should have a body mass index (BMI) <35 at the time of the index mammogram. Information on covariates was obtained from annual questionnaires. RESULTS: In the overall analysis, breast density was inversely associated with BMI at mammogram (P for trend<0.001), and parity (P for trend=0.02) and positively associated with alcohol consumption (ever vs never: odds ratio 2.0, 95% confidence interval 1.4-2.8). Alcohol consumption was positively associated with density, and the association was stronger in women with a family history of breast cancer (P<0.001) and in women with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) history (P<0.001). Parity was inversely associated with density in all subsets, except premenopausal women and women without a family history. The association of parity with density was stronger in women with HRT history (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The associations of alcohol and parity with breast density appear to be in reverse direction, but stronger in women with a family history of breast cancer and women who ever used HRT.

Bleomycin/interleukin-12 electrochemogenetherapy for treating naturally occurring spontaneous neoplasms in dogs.

On the basis of superior outcomes from electrochemogenetherapy (ECGT) compared with electrochemotherapy in mice, we determined the efficacy of ECGT applied to spontaneous canine neoplasms. Intralesional bleomycin (BLM) and feline interleukin-12 DNA injection combined with translesional electroporation resulted in complete cure of two recurrent World Health Organization stage T(2b)N(0)M(0) oral squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) and one T(2)N(0)M(0) acanthomatous ameloblastoma. Three remaining dogs, which had no other treatment options, had partial responses to ECGT; one had mandibular T(3b)N(2b)M(1) melanoma with pulmonary and lymph node metastases; one had cubital T(3)N(0)M(1) histiocytic sarcoma with spleen metastases; and one had soft palate T(3)N(0)M(0) fibrosarcoma. The melanoma dog had decrease in the size of the primary tumor before recrudescence and euthanasia. The histiocytic sarcoma dog had resolution of the primary tumor, but was euthanized because of metastases 4 months after the only treatment. The dog with T(3)N(0)M(0) fibrosarcoma had tumor regression with recrudescence. Treatment was associated with minimal side effects and was easy to perform, was associated with repair of bone lysis in cured dogs, improved quality of life for dogs with partial responses and extended overall survival time. ECGT seems to be a safe and resulted in complete responses in SCC and acanthomatous ameloblastoma.

Bleomycin/interleukin-12 electrochemogene therapy for treating naturally occurring spontaneous neoplasms in dogs.

On the basis of superior outcomes from electrochemogene therapy (ECGT) compared with electrochemotherapy in mice, we determined the efficacy of ECGT applied to spontaneous canine neoplasms. Intralesional bleomycin and feline interleukin-12 DNA (fIL-12 DNA) injection combined with translesional electroporation resulted in complete cure of two recurrent World Health Organization stage T(2b)N(0)M(0) oral squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) and one T(2)N(0)M(0) acanthomatous ameloblastoma. Three remaining dogs, which had no other treatment options, had partial responses to ECGT; one had mandibular T(3b)N(2b)M(1) melanoma with pulmonary and lymph node metastases; one had cubital T(3)N(0)M(1) histiocytic sarcoma with spleen metastases; and one had soft palate T(3)N(0)M(0) fibrosarcoma. The melanoma dog had decrease in size of the primary tumor before recrudescence and euthanasia. The histiocytic sarcoma dog had resolution of the primary tumor, but was euthanized because of metastases 4 months after the only treatment. The dog with T(3)N(0)M(0) fibrosarcoma had tumor regression with recrudescence. Treatment was associated with minimal side effects and was easy to perform. It was associated with repair of bone lysis in cured dogs, it improved quality of life of dogs with partial responses and extended overall survival time. ECGT seems to be a safe and resulted in complete responses in SCC and acanthomatous ameloblastoma.

Pure bacterial isolates that convert p-xylene to terephthalic acid.

Bacteria that grow on p-xylene, p-toluic acid, and terephthalic acid (TPA) were isolated from a wastewater bioreactor that is used to treat a waste stream that contains all three of these compounds. Although previously described aerobic bacteria degrade p-xylene by initially oxidizing a single methyl group to form p-toluic acid and then cleaving the aromatic ring, some of the bacteria isolated during this study transformed p-xylene by oxidizing both methyl groups to produce TPA.

Surgical hemostasis by pneumatic ankle tourniquet during 3027 podiatric operations.

A retrospective study was performed at the Denver Doctors Hospitals in which 3818 surgical cases on the foot and/or ankle were reviewed over a 4-year period from July 1986 through May 1990. From the 3027 ankle tourniquet cases reviewed, it was determined that pneumatic ankle tourniquets are safe and effective in providing hemostasis during foot surgery. There were five postoperative complications noted with ankle cuffs, with post-tourniquet syndrome being the most common (three cases). Over the 4-year period, ankle tourniquets failed a total of 50 times, a 1.8% failure rate (0.25% failure rate in the last 17 months). The most common pressure setting used for ankle cuffs was 325 mm. Hg (400 mm. Hg for thigh cuffs). Tourniquet ischemia lasted from 4 to 139 min.; the most common duration of ischemia noted for ankle tourniquets was 30 to 60 min. (60 to 90 min. for thigh tourniquets). A review of the potential complications associated with tourniquets, as well as safeguards, recommendations, and contraindications are presented.

Aneurysmal bone cyst of the second metatarsal.

Aneurysmal bone cyst of the second metatarsal has infrequently been reported in the literature. Its characteristics can mimic various other bone tumors. While radiographic appearance usually typifies this lesion, microscopic evaluation is paramount for a definitive diagnosis. There are various treatment alternatives for this lesion depending on size, the patient's age and radiographic appearance. After evaluating the patient's age and size of lesion in their case study, the authors recommended total excision of the bone cyst with autogenous grafting. The need for rigid external fixation was emphasized. These factors combined to produce satisfactory results in this case study that involved over 2 years of postoperative evaluation.

The surgical management of osteomyelitis: with special reference to a surgical classification.

Bone infection requires a multifaceted approach that may be more clearly defined by a pathophysiologic and pathoanatomic classification. Seven types of bone infection are described, which differ by pathophysiology. Anatomically, infection may involve nonmedullary bone tissues, medullary bone, or the epiphyseal growth plate. Treatment can be prescribed accordingly. The isolation and persistence of bone infection usually requires invasion of the septic space by a surgical approach. By this means, bacterial colonization is denied and vascular return can reclaim the tissue domain. Bone infection is difficult to eradicate, yet a proficient surgical approach to sepsis can restore skeletal health and form.