Trends in the epidemiology of head and neck cancer in London.

BACKGROUND: Head and neck cancers [HNCs] are biologically heterogeneous tumours. The objectives of this study were to describe trends in incidence of HNCs amongst London residents by sex, age, anatomical site, deprivation and ethnicity. METHODS: Annual age-standardised incidence rates [ASRs] were calculated on HNC registration data, overall and for specific cancer sites, by sex and morphology (1985-2010) and area-based socio-economic deprivation score (2006-2010). Age-standardised incidence rate ratios [IRRs] for the main ethnic groups were calculated by cancer site, using White males and females as the reference groups (1998-2009). RESULTS: The ASR of HNC in males increased by 40% from 17.3 [95% CI: 15.8-18.6] to 24.2 [95% CI: 22.5-25.8] per 100 000 and in females by 87% from 7.0 [95% CI: 6.2-7.8] to 13.1 [95% CI: 11.9-14.2] per 100 000. Seventy-three per cent of cases spanned four cancer sites: larynx, thyroid, oral and oropharynx. Larynx was most common (23%), and had the highest male: female ratio (6 : 1); ASRs decreased significantly over time, most notably in males [P < 0.001]. Oral cavity was the second most common (21%), with a male: female ratio of 2 : 1, and increasing ASRs in both sexes [P < 0.001]. The majority of cases were male (64%) and from deprived areas (59%). Deprivation was associated with a significantly higher incidence for larynx (males), oropharynx (males and females) and oral cavity (females) [P < 0.05]. The age-specific rate for middle-aged adults (45-64 years) was high for oropharyngeal cancer. The incidence of thyroid cancers increased significantly in both sexes [P < 0.001], and this was the only site more common in females. One in five cases with known ethnicity was from a non-White group (20%). Compared with their White counterparts, Bangladeshi females had a higher incidence of oral, laryngeal and thyroid cancers; Chinese males and females had a higher incidence of nasopharyngeal cancer; and Pakistani and Indian females and Indian males also had higher incidence of oral cancer. CONCLUSIONS: HNCs are increasing in London males and females with significant variation by cancer site over time; oral and oropharyngeal cancers show the most significant rise, with implications for public health action and service provision.

[Sperm DNA fragmentation: association with semen parameters in young men].

AIM: Abnormal sperm DNA integrity is an important risk factor for male infertility. The aim of this work was to examine sperm DNA fragmentation in a cohort of young male volunteers (n=111; age 21.0+/-0.2 years) from the general population and establish the association between the level of sperm DNA fragmentation and sperm functional parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) was determined by SCSA (sperm chromatin structure assay) using flow cytometry. Standard semen parameters (concentration, motility, and morphology) were evaluated according to the WHO guidelines (2010). RESULTS: and conclusions. In the study cohort, 79.0%, 12.4% and 8.6% of men had normal (DFI<15%), borderline (15 less or equal DFI<27%) and high (DFI more or equal 27%) levels of fragmentation, respectively. Men with impaired spermatogenesis had greater IDF values (14.53+/-1.43%) than men with normal semen parameters (8.88+/-0.77%, p<0.05). There was a statistically significant negative correlation between IFD and ejaculate concentration (r=-0.21, p<0.05), fractions of mobile (r=-0.41, p<0.05) and morphologically normal sperm (r=- 0.34, p<0.05). Testing sperm DNA fragmentation using SCSA technique can be employed in epidemiological studies of male fertility.

[THE OPTIMAL CONDITIONS OF STORAGE OF SPERMATOZOA FOR ANALYSIS OF DNA FRAGMENTATION].

The analysis of fragmentation of DNA of spermatozoons using technique of flow cytometry to evaluate male fertility more and more often begins to be applied in clinical diagnostic. However, development of optimal protocol of storage and preparation of spermatozoons for analysis still is at the stage of experimental elaboration. The studv was carried out to analyse effect of different conditions of preparation of ejaculate for adequate evaluation of index of fragmentation of DNA of spermatozoons using sperm chromatin structure assay technique. The sampling consisted of 20 patients of the Krasnoyarsk center of reproductive medicine. The sperm chromatin structure assay technique was applied to evaluate index of fragmentation of DNA of spermatozoons in fresh native ejaculate and after storage of spermatozoons under different temperature (37, 25 and 4 degrees C) and duration (1-2 and 1-3 days) and conditions of storage (-20 or -70 degrees C) of frozen spermatozoons (as native ejaculate or in TNE-buffer). It is demonstrated that index of fragmentation of DNA of spermatozoons has no significant alterations in ejaculate stored under 4 degrees C during 48 hours. In case of storage of ejaculate under 25 or 37 degrees C index of fragmentation of DNA of spermatozoons significantly increases already after first day of storage. The incubation of ejaculate under 37 degrees C results in increasing of index of fragmentation of DNA of spermatozoons already after first hour. The individual differences are established related to degree of increasing of index of fragmentation of DNA of spermatozoons because of impact of studied temperatures of ejaculate incubation. The storage of spermatozoons under temperature of - 20 and -70 degrees C in native ejaculate or in TNE-buffer has no effect of index of fragmentation of DNA of spermatozoons with measurement during 1-2 hours. Therefore, storage and transportation of native ejaculate under 4 degrees C during 1-2 days or in frozen condition under temperature of -20 degrees C or -70 degrees C can be recommended for adequate evaluation of level of fragmentation of DNA of spermatozoons.

[Level of DNA fragmentation in human sperm cells in varicocele and prostatitis].

Varicocele and prostatitis are the most common andrological diseases, which may be accompanied by a decrease in the production of sperm cells, the deterioration of their quality and increased risk of infertility. This work was aimed to the evaluation of sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and main indices of sperm fertility (concentration, motility and morphology), and the relationship between these parameters in the men of active reproductive age suffering from prostatitis or varicocele. Assessment of sperm DNA fragmentation was performed by SCSA (sperm chromatin structure assay) using flow cytometry; sperm parameters were evaluated according to WHO recommendations. It was shown that men with prostatitis (n = 9) and varicocele (n = 22) had significantly higher DFI compared with men in the control group (n = 22). Negative influence of these diseases on the concentration and the percentage of motile sperm cells in the ejaculate was revealed. These data suggest that the deterioration in the quality of semen in varicocele and prostatitis may be caused not only by pathospermia, but also, at least partially, by violation of the integrity of the sperm DNA. Evaluation of sperm DNA fragmentation can be recommended for use in laboratory diagnostics for prediction of fertility in infertile men.

The survival of patients with high grade glioma from different ethnic groups in South East England.

Studies in the United States (US) have reported varying treatment and survival for patients with high grade glioma from different ethnic groups. This study investigates for the first time whether differences also exist in the United Kingdom (UK). This population-based cohort study used cancer registration data for 4,845 patients diagnosed in South East England between 2000 and 2009. Linked self-assigned ethnicity data within Hospital Episode Statistics were used to define White, Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Black Caribbean, Black African, Other and Not known groups. Logistic regression was used to generate odds ratios for a record of receipt of treatment (surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy), adjusting for sex, age, morphology, socioeconomic deprivation and comorbidity in each ethnic group. Hazard ratios were generated using Cox regression, adjusting for sex, age, morphology, socioeconomic deprivation, comorbidity and treatment. The overall one-year survival was 28.4 %. Ethnicity data was available for 3,793 (78 %) patients. Receipt of treatment was generally similar between different ethnic groups after adjustment for sex, age, morphology, socioeconomic deprivation and comorbidity. After adjustment for potential confounders, the Indian (HR 0.72, p = 0.037) and Other groups (HR 0.76, p = 0.003) had better survival, while the Not known group (HR 1.34, p < 0.0001) had worse survival than the White group. Patients from UK Indian groups have better survival than White patients while those from Black ethnic groups appear to have similar survival to White patients. These findings suggest the need to investigate possible contributing factors including the completeness of follow-up, clinical performance status and tumour biology.