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The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically affected health outcomes and healthcare access, especially with the abrupt transition to virtual care. Cancer patients in the New York City borough of the Bronx, a potentially marginalized community with high rates of poverty and non-English speakers, may be particularly vulnerable to healthcare disparities, given their advanced age and possible difficulty navigating telemedicine appointments due to decreased electronic health literacy (EHL). We investigated EHL levels using both subjective and objective measures and associated predictors of EHL in patients within an academic, urban radiation oncology department. We conducted a prospective IRB-approved study of patients aged ≥18 presenting for care in our department. Patients' internet access and established habits were surveyed via Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS). Subjective EHL, self-reported comfort using the internet for health information, was assessed via the eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS), which calculates a score by adding participants' answers for 8 questions (each on a 1 to 5-point Likert scale). Subjective EHL was categorized as low (8-23), moderate (24-31), or good (32-40). Objective EHL was determined by the eHealth Literacy Objective Scale (eHeLiOS), which tests responses to 9 common scenarios on gathering and assessing electronic health information via multiple-choice questions. The numbers of correct answers were totaled and categorized into low (1-4), moderate (5-7), or good (8-9) EHL. Patients were enrolled between December 2020 and December 2022. 56 patients completed the subjective eHEALS assessment, while 49 completed the eHeLiOS objective test. 52% and 27% of patients identified as Black and Hispanic, respectively; 66% were male, and the median age was 67 (range 28-86). 76% reported accessing the internet regularly, of which 92% reported doing so via broadband network. The prevalence of good EHL was 10% using objective and 29% using subjective surveys. Using a proportional odds logistic model, only age was associated with EHL. For every increased year of age, there was an 11% decrease in objective (OR 0.89, p = 0.02) and 5% decrease in subjective (OR 0.95, p = 0.08) EHL odds, respectively. Gender, race/ethnicity, income, insurance, and employment status were not significantly associated with EHL. Few study patients, who represent an older and potentially marginalized population, showed good EHL levels; more perceived good EHL via subjective testing than we observed using our objective measure. These data suggest implementation of an objective EHL assessment would aid in identifying patients who may benefit from learning activities to improve EHL and support to navigate telehealth visits effectively. Further research is needed to optimize telemedicine strategies for older cancer patients with low EHL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses various diagnostic factors which play an important role in treatment of ovarian cancer in women. It highlights that the factors determines the probability of recurrence of cancer and survival rate in patients' undergone chemotherapy. The factors include hypoxia inducible factors, interleukins-8 and cadherins.

Three methods of cohort analysis are presented for a statistical model wherein the explanatory or exposure variables act multiplicatively on age x calendar year specific death rates. The first method, which assumes that the baseline rates are known from national vital statistics, is a multiple regression analysis of the standardized mortality ratio. The second method is a variant of Cox's proportional hazards analysis in which the baseline rates are treated as unknown nuisance parameters. The third method consists of case-control sampling from the risk sets formed in the course of applying Cox's model. It requires substantially less computation than do the other two. In illustrative analysis of respiratory cancer deaths among a cohort of smelter workers, all three approaches yield roughly equivalent estimates of the relative risk associated with arsenic exposure. The discussion centers on the tradeoff between efficiency and bias in the selection of a particular method of analysis, and on practical issues that arise in applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to an article about the application of pack-years in analysis of smoking.

The article presents a case report on brain metastases from epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), one of the gynecological malignancies that is diagnosed late and one of the causes of mortality in women. The survival rate of ovarian cancer patients is seen to improved and brain metastases may be rare but incidence of brain complications has increased. Headache is the most common symptom of brain metastases but better imaging techniques may improve diagnosis and improve patients' quality of life.

Examines the association of estrogen-progestin with an increase risk for breast cancer. Increased risk for breast cancer in women using hormone replacement therapy; Risk and benefits of hormone replacement therapy; Risk of endometrial cancer with unopposed estrogen.

Abstract: In microfluidics applications such as biology and chemistry, for which lab-on-chip and microreactors have been developed, the temperature control through a microchannel is of first interest. In this paper, we present a simple and generic technology for thermal sensing applications based on the fabrication of polysilicon diodes that can be implemented either on silicon, fused silica or silicon carbide substrates. Thermal sensitivities were characterized and as a first experimental approach a dedicated set-up was developed for the temperature measurement of a water flow through a SU-8 microchannel. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We devise methods for estimating the parameters of a prospective logistic model with dichotomous response D and arbitrary covariates X from case-control data when these covariates are measured with error. We suppose that some fraction of the cases and controls provide only the error-prone covariate measurements, W (the "incomplete" or "reduced" data), whereas some of the cases and controls provide measurements on X and W (the "complete" data). We assume a measurement error density with a finite set of parameters α, namely fW/XD(W∣x, d,α), and nondifferential error is treated as a special case of this model, fW/X(W∣x, d,α). Our algorithm estimates both the logistic parameters and α from a pseudolikelihood. Because empirical distribution functions are used in place of needed distributions in the pseudolikelihoods, the required asymptotic theory is more elaborate than for pseudolikelihoods based on substitution for a finite number of nuisance parameters. We also examine computationally simpler methods under the assumptions that the disease is rare and that errors are nondifferential. Estimates of m(W ) = E(X\W ) are substituted for X in the logistic model when X is not available. Such estimates of m(W) can he obtained from the complete data described above or from an independent validation study. If measurements on X are not available, m(W) can still be estimated from replicated W measurements in some circumstances. A final approach uses approximate logistic regression techniques and is appropriate when a more accurate approximation is required than obtained by simply substituting m(W) for X. Asymptotic theory is presented for each of these procedures, and examples are used to illustrate the calculations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: The aim was to achieve 100% effective handover from the critical care transport team to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) medical team. STUDY DESIGN: All patients transferred from referring hospitals by the critical care transport team to the Level IV NICU were included. Data for each infant was collected prospectively. The percentage of transported patients for which medical team and nursing handover occurredwas recorded.Aquality improvement projectwas launched using the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) tool. We implemented several processes including call from the transport team before arrival and the completion of a transfer of care form on arrival to the NICU. The process measures and the outcome measure of completion of handover were monitored. Run charts of process measures and the outcome measure were analyzed. RESULTS: Completion of medical handover increased from 95% (baseline) to 100% after 3 PDSA cycles and this has been maintained for 18 consecutive months. CONCLUSION: Medical handover from the critical care transport team to the NICU medical staff has been achieved and sustained for all neonatal transports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a response to a commentary on a study that examined the association between mortality from lymphohematopoietic malignancies and brain cancer and work practices in the embalming industry. The family members and coworkers of deceased case and control embalmers from earlier surveys were interviewed to determine lifetime work histories and estimate exposure to formaldehyde. It is asserted that the proportional mortality ratios suggested in the commentary differ from the proportional mortality ratios in the authors' earlier surveys.

In this work, tunnelling junction sensors (TJS) are proposed for monitoring the curing of Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic (CFRP). Tunnelling junction sensors are very sensitive to temperature changes; therefore they are suitable for this application. TJS are manufactured by Low-Pressure Chemical Vapour Deposition (LPCVD) and electronically characterized to obtain their V ( I ) diagram. One sensor is embedded on a carbon–epoxy plate for measuring temperature evolution during composite’s autoclave cycle. By means of a temperature–voltage–time curve, the evolution of sensor’s signal related to temperature changes can be tracked. The main goals are to verify the viability to apply this technology to composite’s curing process and to provide a first approach of the initial state of the composite plate by verifying the temperatures at each curing stage. Both purposes were achieved and help to better understand the composite polymerization process, which has a strong influence on the composite’s mechanical performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous studies showed an increased risk of thyroid cancer among children and adolescents exposed to radioactive iodines released after the Chornobyl (Chernobyl) accident, but the effects of screening, iodine deficiency, age at exposure and other factors on the dose-response are poorly understood.Methods: We screened 11 970 individuals in Belarus aged 18 years or younger at the time of the accident who had estimated (131)I thyroid doses based on individual thyroid activity measurements and dosimetric data from questionnaires. The excess odds ratio per gray (EOR/Gy) was modelled using linear and linear-exponential functions.Results: For thyroid doses <5 Gy, the dose-response was linear (n=85; EOR/Gy=2.15, 95% confidence interval: 0.81-5.47), but at higher doses the excess risk fell. The EOR/Gy was significantly increased among those with prior or screening-detected diffuse goiter, and larger for men than women, and for persons exposed before age 5 than those exposed between 5 and 18 years, although not statistically significant. A somewhat higher EOR/Gy was estimated for validated pre-screening cases.Conclusion: 10-15 years after the Chornobyl accident, thyroid cancer risk was significantly increased among individuals exposed to fallout as children or adolescents, but the risk appeared to be lower than in other Chornobyl studies and studies of childhood external irradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cigarette smoking is a well-established risk factor for bladder cancer. The effects of smoking duration, intensity (cigarettes per day), and total exposure (pack-years); smoking cessation; exposure to environmental tobacco smoke; and changes in the composition of tobacco and cigarette design over time on risk of bladder cancer are unclear.Methods: We examined bladder cancer risk in relation to smoking practices based on interview data from a large, population-based case-control study conducted in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont from 2001 to 2004 (N = 1170 urothelial carcinoma case patients and 1413 control subjects). We calculated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using unconditional logistic regression. To examine changes in smoking-induced bladder cancer risk over time, we compared odds ratios from New Hampshire residents in this study (305 case patients and 335 control subjects) with those from two case-control studies conducted in New Hampshire in 1994-1998 and in 1998-2001 (843 case patients and 1183 control subjects).Results: Regular and current cigarette smokers had higher risks of bladder cancer than never-smokers (for regular smokers, OR = 3.0, 95% CI = 2.4 to 3.6; for current smokers, OR = 5.2, 95% CI = 4.0 to 6.6). In New Hampshire, there was a statistically significant increasing trend in smoking-related bladder cancer risk over three consecutive periods (1994-1998, 1998-2001, and 2002-2004) among former smokers (OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.0 to 2.0; OR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.4 to 2.9; and OR = 2.6, 95% CI = 1.7 to 4.0, respectively) and current smokers (OR = 2.9, 95% CI = 2.0 to 4.2; OR = 4.2, 95% CI = 2.8 to 6.3; OR = 5.5, 95% CI = 3.5 to 8.9, respectively) (P for homogeneity of trends over time periods = .04). We also observed that within categories of intensity, odds ratios increased approximately linearly with increasing pack-years smoked, but the slope of the increasing trend declined with increasing intensity.Conclusions: Smoking-related risks of bladder cancer appear to have increased in New Hampshire since the mid-1990s. Based on our modeling of pack-years and intensity, smoking fewer cigarettes over a long time appears more harmful than smoking more cigarettes over a shorter time, for equal total pack-years of cigarettes smoked. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The incidence of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) has risen over the past several decades, and a substantial portion of the increase remains unexplained. In this population-based case–control study in Iowa and metropolitan Detroit, Los Angeles, and Seattle, we examined NHL risk and exposure to organochlorine compounds using concentrations measured in household carpet dust as an exposure indicator. Methods: We identified NHL cases, uninfected with HIV, diagnosed between 1998 and 2000 among residents aged 20 to 74 and selected controls using random-digit-dialing and Medicare eligibility files. Used vacuum bags were collected from participants who had owned at least half of their carpets for at least 5 years. The current analysis is based on dust samples from 603 Caucasian cases and 443 Caucasian controls. Results: Age of the home was a significant predictor of organochlorine levels in carpet dust, with the highest concentrations found in homes built before 1960 and the lowest in homes built after 1980. There was a statistically significant elevation in NHL risk if DDE (metabolite of DDT) was detected in the dust (odds ratio OR=1.3, 95% confidence interval CI=1.0–1.7) or if at least one of the five polychlorinated biphenyl congeners (PCB 105, PCB 138, PCB 153, PCB 170, PCB 180) was detected (OR=1.5, 95% CI=1.2–2.0). When levels above the detection limit were divided into tertiles, risk was significantly elevated in the top tertiles of DDE and PCB 180, and in the top two tertiles of total PCBs. There were significant positive trends in risk with increasing concentrations of DDE and PCB 180 (Ptrend=0.02 and 0.03, respectively), but not for total PCBs. Conclusion: Our data suggest an increased risk of NHL from exposure to DDE and PCB 180. Previous studies using other approaches have had inconsistent findings. Additional studies are needed to evaluate how well carpet dust represents historic exposure to organochlorine compounds. Results from blood samples of study participants may help to clarify the relationship between organochlorine exposure and NHL risk. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between occupation and chronic bronchitis among a cross section of Chinese women who participated in the Shanghai Women's Health Study. METHODS: Cases were 4873 women who self-reported a physician-diagnosed bronchitis during adulthood. Controls were 9746 women randomly selected from Shanghai Women's Health Study participants and matched with the cases by year of birth and age at diagnosis. Lifetime occupational histories were obtained. Logistic regressions were used to evaluate the association between chronic bronchitis and occupation, adjusting for smoking, education, family income, and concurrent asthma. RESULTS: We observed excess prevalence of bronchitis for textile occupation (odds ratio, OR = 1.09; 95% CI = 1.00-1.18) and industry (OR = 1.11; 95% CI = 1.03-1.19), welders (OR = 1.40; 95% CI = 1.01-1.92), packing and baling workers (OR = 1.39; 95% CI = 1.15-1.68), and warehousing industry (OR = 1.58; 95% CI = 1.08-2.30) We also identified several new associations that may warrant further exploration and confirmation, including employment in some metal fabrication industries, postal and telecommunication industry, and a few white-collar occupations and industries. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates that the risk of chronic bronchitis among women may be increased in some occupations and industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the relation between socioeconomic status (SES) and risk of multiple myeloma among Blacks and Whites in the United States. METHODS: This population-based case-control study included 573 cases (206 Blacks and 367 Whites) with new diagnoses of multiple myeloma identified between August 1, 1986, and April 30, 1989, and 2131 controls (967 Blacks and 1164 Whites) from 3 US geographic areas. Information on occupation, income, and education was obtained by personal interview. RESULTS: Inverse gradients in risk were associated with occupation-based SES, income, and education. Risks were significantly elevated for subjects in the lowest categories of occupation-based SES (odds ratio [OR] = 1.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.16, 2.53), education (OR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.06, 1.75), and income (OR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.05, 1.93). Occupation-based low SES accounted for 37% of multiple myeloma in Blacks and 17% in Whites, as well as 49% of the excess incidence in Blacks. Low education and low income accounted for 17% and 28% of the excess incidence in Blacks, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the measured SES-related factors account for a substantial amount of the Black-White differential in multiple myeloma incidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Several ecologic analyses have shown significant positive associations between mean indoor radon concentrations and risk of leukemia at all ages (acute myeloid leukemia and chronic lymphocytic leukemia) and for children (all leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, and acute lymphoblastic leukemia [ALL]). As part of an age-matched, case-control study of childhood ALL in the United States, we investigated the association between the incidence of ALL in children under age 15 years and indoor radon exposure.Methods: Radon detectors were placed in current and previous homes of subjects where they resided for 6 months or longer. Children were included in analyses if radon measurements covered 70% or more of the 5-year period prior to diagnosis for case subjects (or from birth for case subjects under age 5 years) and the corresponding reference dates for control subjects. Radon levels could be estimated for 97% of the exposure period for the eligible 505 case subjects and 443 control subjects.Results: Mean radon concentration was lower for case subjects (65.4 becquerels per cubic meter [Bqm(-3)]) than for control subjects (79.1 Bqm(-3)). For categories less than 37, 37-73, 74-147, and 148 or more Bqm(-3) of radon exposure, relative risks based on matched case-control pairs were 1.00, 1.22, 0.82, and 1.02, respectively, and were similar to results from an unmatched analysis. There was no association between ALL and radon exposure within subgroups defined by categories of age, income, birth order, birth weight, sex, type of residence, magnetic field exposure, parental age at the subject's birth, parental occupation, or parental smoking habits.Conclusions: In contrast to prior ecologic studies, the results from this analytic study provide no evidence for an association between indoor radon exposure and childhood ALL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In Xuanwei County, Yunnan Province, China, lung cancer mortality rates in both males and females are among the highest in China.Methods: We evaluated differential effects of smoking on lung cancer mortality before and after household stove improvement with chimney to reduce exposure to smoky coal emissions in the unique cohort in Xuanwei, China. Effects of independent variables on lung cancer mortality were measured as hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals using a multivariable Cox regression model that included separate time-dependent variables for smoking duration (years) before and after stove improvement.Results and Conclusion: We found that the effect of smoking on lung cancer risk becomes considerably stronger after chimney installation and consequent reduction of indoor coal smoke exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents two case studies of females under 40 years of age developed ovarian and endometrial cancers. One case is on a woman who had delivered her baby and was diagnosed with secondary infertility. The other case is on a patient diagnosed with primary infertility. The article discussed that the presence of estrogen receptors and progesterone receptors were disclosed as shown in the immunohistochemical test.

Multi-instrumented composite plate for curing monitoring. • The use of Tunnelling Junction Sensors for monitoring temperature during curing. • The use of Flexible Ultrasonic Transducers for tracking resin consolidation. • The use of Modified Optical Fibres for detecting residual strains after curing. • The embedding of three sensor technologies to track CFRP's curing process. The phenomena occurring during curing process is one of the major issues to deal in order to improve the physical properties of a composite structure. In this work, a multi-instrumentation setup is conceived in order to have a better understanding of composites curing using different devices (tunnelling junction sensors, optical fibres and flexible ultrasonic transducers). The sensors are simultaneously embedded or placed on the surface of a thick carbon-epoxy plate for monitoring its autoclave cycle. By means of all signals, an evolution of temperature, internal strains and physical state changes is described. A qualitative statement from all measurements is provided to have a first approach of the initial state of the composite plate. With this methodology, the initial state after composite manufacturing can be considered in the structure design procedure to improve its mechanical performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: In the Agricultural Health Study we evaluated the mortality experience of 52,395 farmers and 32,347 of their spouses in Iowa and North Carolina obtain information on cancer and other chronic disease risks from agricultural exposures and other factors associated with rural lifestyle.METHODS: Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) adjusted for race, gender, age, and calendar time were computed for the prospective cohort, using the general population in each state as the referent.RESULTS: After an average follow-up of 3.7 years, the SMRs for most causes of death were significantly less than 1.0. Significant deficits were observed for all causes (SMR = 0.5), all cancers combined (SMR = 0.5), and for cancers of the lung (SMR = 0.3), female genital organs (SMR = 0.4), prostate (SMR = 0.6) and bladder (SMR = 0.6), as well as diabetes (SMR = 0.3), cardiovascular disease (SMR = 0.5), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (SMR = 0.2). Non-significant excesses involving at least 3 deaths occurred for liver cancer (SMR = 2.1), multiple myeloma (SMR = 1.6), leukemia (SMR = 1.4), and Parkinson''s disease among spouses (SMR = 2.7. Among farmers elevated SMRs were noted for Hodgkin''s disease (SMR = 2.9) and cancer of the thyroid gland (SMR = 2.9), and non-motor vehicle accidents (SMR = 1.1). Soft tissue sarcoma (SMR = 1.1 for spouses; SMR = 1.6 for applicators) was elevated in both groups. NHL had an SMR of 1.0 among applicators and spouses. Stratification by presence of livestock or corn on the farm, farm size, and duration of handling pesticides revealed no obvious mortality differences.CONCLUSION: Despite a very low initial mortality experience compared to the general population, Agricultural Health Study farmers and their spouses appear to have rates for some cancers and chronic diseases that deserve continued monitoring and further scrutiny. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]