Where Are the Fresh Fruits and Vegetables?: A Systematic Exploration of Access to Food Stores Offering Fresh Fruits and Vegetables as Told by Midwestern African American Women.

This exploratory study systematically examined Midwestern African American women's (n = 273) access to food stores offering more than 5 fresh fruits and vegetables daily. Access to potential (within 0.5 miles of household) and realized (where participant buys fruits and vegetables most often) food stores was assessed. Descriptive analyses revealed that participants lived closer to food stores not offering more than 5 fresh fruits and vegetables daily. Participants purchased fresh fruits and vegetables from food stores that were an average of 1.2 miles further than the closest food stores offering more than 5 fresh fruits and vegetables daily to their household. Results highlight complexities of the food environment and the need to further investigate factors influencing food-related behaviors.

MYCN gene overrepresentation detected in primary neuroblastoma tumour cells without amplification.

Neuroblastoma is the most frequent solid extracranial neoplasm of childhood, with a median age of presentation of under 2 years. This tumour is highly malignant in patients older than 12 months of age with metastatic disease. Clinical studies have confirmed that amplification of the MYCN proto-oncogene is one of the best prognostic indicators of poor outcome. Approximately 30% of neuroblastoma tumours present MYCN amplification at diagnosis. Far less is known about the incidence and consequences of overrepresentation of the gene due to duplication or rearrangement of the chromosome arm in which the gene is situated. This study has analysed 110 neuroblastomas by FISH and has detected a gain of 1-3 copies per cell of MYCN in 8% of MYCN-non-amplified tumours. In these primary tumours, cells gained small numbers of additional MYCN genes by two mechanisms: formation of an isochromosome 2p, or an unbalanced translocation involving the short arm of chromosome 2 (with MYCN) and various partner chromosomes. Quantitative RT-PCR showed three- to seven-fold elevated MYCN expression in three tumours. Although the follow-up time to date is still short, clinical outcome suggests that low-level overexpression of the MYCN gene does not enhance tumour aggressiveness and rapidity of disease progression, as is often seen in neuroblastoma with MYCN amplification. It is hypothesized that the small elevation in MYCN expression could alter the regulation of apoptosis, as has been shown in experimental models.