The effect of estrogen receptor status on survival in patients with endometrial cancer.

This study demonstrates a significantly increased survival time for women with estrogen receptor-positive adenocarcinoma of the endometrium when compared with that of those with estrogen receptor-negative tumors (p less than 0.05). This prognostic factor provides information which is additional to, and independent of, that provided by the histologic grade and myometrial penetration of the tumor.

Comparison of suicide rates and methods in English, Scots and Irish migrants in Australia.

A comparison was made of the suicide rates and methods for the period 1962-1971 of migrants in Australia from England and Wales, Scotland and Ireland with those in their country of origin. Suicide rates for all three migrant groups were very similar to each other, although greater than in their country of origin especially those for Eire. The data suggest that the official lower rates in Scotland compared with England and Wales are due to ascertainment differences. Similar conclusions were drawn regarding the official rates in Eire. Several hypotheses were raised regarding the influence of religion on suicide rates in Eire, Northern Ireland and Australia.

The relationship between suicide, undetermined deaths and accidental deaths in the Australian born and migrants in Australia.

Australian data pertaining to Suicide and Accidental Deaths (I.C.D.7) for the years 1962-69 are compared with those for suicide, undetermined deaths and accidental deaths (I.C.D.8) for 1968-71, specific for country of birth. The data strongly suggest that deaths classified as 'undetermined' after the introduction of that I.C.D. category in 1968, had been classified as accidental prior to that data, especially deaths from poisoning. There was some differential between the Australian and U.K. born and the European born. It was estimated that Australian suicide rates are possibly underestimated by 5-10% for males, and 10-20% for females by categorising some deaths from poisoning as being undetermined or accidental.

Suicide during 1961-70 migrants in Australia.

Rates and methods of suicide during 1961-70 migrants in Australia were compared with native born Australians. Large differences in both rates and methods of suicide were found in individual migrant groups. The rates were more akin to those in the country of origin than of the Australian-born, no matter how long the migrants had lived in Australia. By contrast, methods of suicide use by migrants approached more closely those of the Australian-born the longer they had lived in Australia. The change in methods used was greater in those migrant groups coming from countries with a language and culture more akin to those in Australia. A discussion follows of various possible sociological and cultural factors, both within the countries of origin and within Australia, which could have contributed to these results.

A 13-year follow-up of social drinkers.

In 1965-66 we examined 359 men in the workforce reporting an alcohol consumption ranging from nil to the equivalent of 11.4 L of beer a day. We found an association between reported drinking and the prevalence of hypertension and gout. Thirteen years later, we were able to trace 340 of these men; 39 of them had died. Survival curves showed that the heavier drinkers (those drinking more than: 1.14 L of beer a day) tended to die at an earlier age. Due to the relatively small numbers involved, the difference in mortality between the lighter and heavier drinkers was not statistically significant. We found no support for the theory that alcohol consumption affords protection against death from coronary heart disease.

Is there a seasonal variation in oestrogen receptor levels in human breast carcinoma tissues?

The seasonal variation of the incidence of oestrogen receptor-positive mammary carcinomas was investigated in 556 postmenopausal women. In addition, the seasonal variation in receptor concentration in 289 oestrogen receptor-positive breast carcinomas was studied. Neither the proportion of oestrogen receptor-positive carcinomas, nor the concentration of the receptor in the tumours, varied significantly during the year.

Weight reduction in a normal population.

Weight loss of more than 2 kg under the guidance of a trained nurse was achieved over a 12-month period in 38% of overweight hospital and transport workers. Males over 50 were the subgroup most successful in losing weight. Weight loss achieved by older males with an "off-hand" as compared with an "energetic" approach was similar up until nine months, after which the "energetic" approach was more effective. Females on an "energetic" diet were successful up until nine months only. The "off-hand" approach is acceptable to more people and is less time-consuming. It should therefore be seriously considered by a public health authority which seeks to promote weight reduction in the general community.

Patterns of gastro-intestinal cancer in European migrants to Australia: the role of dietary change.

Cancers of the stomach, pancreas, colon and rectum are increasingly regarded as being diet-influenced. Migrants to Australia from England, Scotland, Ireland, Poland, Yugoslavia, Greece, and Italy have come from countries with varied dietary backgrounds and gastrointestinal cancer risks. Age-standardized cancer death rates in migrrants, by country of origin, sex, age, and duration of residence in Australia (less than or equal to 16 years and greater than 16 years), have been calculated for 1962-76, and compared with those of the Australian-born population. All seven migrant source countries, in 1970, had higher rates of stomach cancer than Australia, and the corresponding migrants groups, which initially reflected those higher rates, experienced an approximately 25% risk reduction with increased duration of residence. For cancer of the pancreas, migrants initially had rates well above their "native" rates; with longer stay, the risks generally converged upon that of the Australian-born population. The four "continental" (European) migrant groups, whose native risk of colon cancer is about half that of the Australian population, showed an increased risk with increasing duration of stay. The increase was greater in men than in women, perhaps reflecting their greater dietary acculturation. By contrast, Scottish migrants, with an initially high risk of cigrants showed even larger increases than colon cancer, while in British migrants there was a marked decline towards the "Australian-borne" risk. These various changes in cancer risk are discussed with reference to inter-country dietary differences.

Prognostic value of estrogen receptors in primary breast cancer.

The estrogen receptor status in 335 primary breast carcinomas was correlated with disease-free interval, survival and site of recurrent disease. Estrogen receptor positive carcinomas had a longer disease-free interval, a longer survival (mastectomy-death) and a longer time interval between recurrence and death. These parameters were also influenced by the lymph node status at mastectomy. Estrogen receptor positive cancers had a significantly better chance of survival independent of lymph node status. Estrogen receptors also delayed recurrence in node-positive carcinomas, but this advantage gradually disappeared with increasing interval after mastectomy. Estrogen receptor positive or estrogen receptor negative primary carcinomas did not show any predilection for spread to any particular site.

Clinical trial experience by simulation: a workshop report.

A new computer program for experimental design simulation was used in a three-day postgraduate workshop on clinical trials. Participants were given information on a fictitious new drug and asked to design a trial to evaluate it. On the first day they reviewed the data and designed a protocol, and results for these specifications were generated on the computer. The second day was spent analysing results, and on the last day the findings of the different studies were presented at a symposium. Flexibility of the program ensured a high degree of realism in all trials and emphasised the influence of design on results and conclusions.

Estimation of Michaelis--Menten constants in microsomal enzyme systems by the direct linear plot and least squares regression.

1. Data from in vitro liver microsomal metabolism of ethylmorphine aniline and benzpyrene in male rats and male and female quokkas (Setonix Brachyurus) were fitted to the Michaelis--Menten equation by Wilkinson's non-linear regression procedure and Eisenthal and Cornish-Bowden's direct linear plot. 2. Ethylmorphine and aniline metabolism in the male quokka were non-ideal, but in all other instances there were no differences in the performance of the two methods.

Computerised tomography of the cranium in patients with epilepsy: a preliminary report.

The findings are presented in 366 patients with seizures who were studied by computerised tomography of the cranium. The relative frequency of normal scans, cerebral tumours, atrophy and other pathological lesions is indicated. A more detailed analysis of the group of patients with atrophy was carried out. The frequency and severity of atrophy correlated significantly with age but not with length of seizure history. However, the more marked degrees of atrophy were found among patients with long-standing or poorly controlled epilepsy, an observation which has important implications with regard to the adequacy of seizure control in epileptic patients.

Acute myocardial infarction: one year follow-up of 1138 cases from the Perth Community Coronary Register.

The one year mortality of patients from the Perth Acute Myocardial Infarction Register surviving the acute episode (first 28 days) is presented. Of 1138 patients suffering definite or possible acute myocardial infarction in one year, 705 (62%) survived 28 days. There were 89 deaths (11-5%) in the subsequent 11 months. One year mortality was related to age but not sex, previous symptoms of coronary heart disease, but not hypertension or diabetes, to tachycardia and congestive cardiac failure at first examination, but not arrhythmias in the acute episode. These observations highlight the importance of protecting the myocardium in the acute phase of myocardial infarction.

Alcohol, tobacco and analgesics--Busselton, 1972.

Mass health examinations carried out in Busselton in November and December, 1972, revealed that drinking and smoking were more prevalent amongst men, whereas more women took analgesic drugs. Compared with older age groups more young people consumed alcohol, tobacco and analgesics. Younger people are also taking up smoking and drinking at earlier ages than the older age groups. These findings stress the need for better health education to alter the attitudes of younger people. The people of Busselton would support legislation to allow spot breathalyser tests for drivers, women (70%) providing stronger support than men (57%). This suggests that public opinion could support continuing legislation to combat road accidents. Comparisons between the North Shore, Sydney, and Busselton populations indicated somewhat higher proportions of the urban people were consuming alcohol, tobacco and analgesics, particularly urban women. However, both Australian samples revealed disturbingly high proportions of subjects taking excessive monthly quantities of analgesics (3% to 5%) compared with the United Kingdom (2-8%). Previous reports of the high proportion of Traralgon people taking drugs or medication is supported by the Busselton data, which suggest the Australia requires stricter statutory control of analgesics, compulsory warnings on labels and restriction of sales to pharmacists.

Immunity in colonic tumor patients after operation: determination by leukocyte-migration inhibition.

Tumor immunity in 31 colonic tumor patients was studied by determining in vitro leukocyte-migration inhibition. In tissue culture 30 per cent inhibition of patient leukocyte migration by tumor antigen could be demonstrated in half of the patients, suggesting that they were immune. This immunity was not related to the clinical or pathologic stage of the disease and varied in different patients. It was transient in some and persistent in others. In addition, a positive response at a fixed time after operation was not found.