Search

Campylobacter spp. are the most common bacterial cause of enteritis in England. More than 40,000 cases are reported annually (1). Incidence of cases reported nationally is [approximately equal to] 80 [...]

Infectious mononucleosis (IM) is an immunopathological disease caused by EBV that occurs in young adultsand is a risk factor for Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). An association between EBV-positive HL and genetic [...]

We investigated the relative validity of an interview-administered FFQ to estimate phytoestrogen intake among South Asian women in the UK. A population-based sample of 108 healthy South Asian women completed random repeated monthly 24-h recalls [with a subsample (n = 58) also providing multiple plasma samples] over a period of 1 y followed by administration of the FFQ. The FFQ produced slightly higher estimates of phytoestrogen intake than the 24-h recalls, but the percentage of women classified into the same [+ or -] 1 quartile by the 2 methods was high for all phytoestrogens (from 81 to 94%) with only a small percentage (< 5%) being misclassified into extreme opposite quartiles. Energy-adjusted Spearman correlations coefficients between the estimates obtained by the FFQ and the 24-h recalls were 0.55 for genistein, 0.60 for daidzein, 0.70 for secoisolariciresinol, and 0.63 for matairesinol (all P < 0.001). Spearman correlation coefficients between the FFQ estimates and plasma levels were 0.21 (P = 0.12) for genistein, 0.32 (P = 0.02) for daidzein and 0.10 (P = 0.43) for enterolactone; the corresponding values for the 24-h recalls compared with plasma levels were 0.43 (P < 0.001), 0.40 (P = 0.002), and 0.08 (P = 0.50), respectively. The method of triads was used to estimate the validity coefficients (VCs) between the estimates provided by each assessment method and 'true intake.' The FFQ had the highest VC for lignans (0.91 vs. 0.73 for 24-h recalls and 0.11 for plasma samples) and satisfactory VCs for both genistein (0.46 vs. 0.95 and 0.45, respectively) and daidzein (0.67 vs. 0.83 and 0.45, respectively). This FFQ is thus a relatively valid tool with which to estimate phytoestrogen intake among South Asian women in the UK. KEY WORDS: * phytoestrogens * food frequency questionnaire * 24-h recalls * plasma phytoestrogens * validation

Abstract Background Researchers commonly employ strategies to increase participation in health studies. These include use of incentives and intensive reminders. There is, however, little evidence regarding the quantitative effect that such strategies have on study results. We present an analysis of data from a case-control study of Campylobacter enteritis in England to assess the usefulness of a two-reminder strategy for control recruitment. Methods We compared sociodemographic characteristics of participants and non-participants, and calculated odds ratio estimates for a wide range of risk factors by mailing wave. Results Non-participants were more often male, younger and from more deprived areas. Among participants, early responders were more likely to be female, older and live in less deprived areas, but despite these differences, we found little evidence of a systematic bias in the results when using data from early reponders only. Conclusions We conclude that the main benefit of using reminders in our study was the gain in statistical power from a larger sample size.

Abstract Background Studies suggest that routine variations in public drinking water turbidity may be associated with endemic gastrointestinal illness. We systematically reviewed the literature on this topic. Methods We searched databases and websites for relevant studies in industrialized countries. Studies investigating the association between temporal variations in drinking water turbidity and incidence of acute gastrointestinal illness were assessed for quality. We reviewed good quality studies for evidence of an association between increased turbidity and gastrointestinal illness. Results We found six relevant good quality studies. Of five studies investigating effluent water turbidity, two found no association. Two studies from Philadelphia reported increased paediatric and elderly hospital use on specific days after increased turbidity. A fifth study reported more telephone health service calls on specific days after peak turbidity. There were differences between studies affecting their comparability, including baseline turbidity and adjustment for seasonal confounders. Conclusion It is likely that an association between turbidity and GI illness exists in some settings or over a certain range of turbidity. A pooled analysis of available data using standard methods would facilitate interpretation.

The operational performance of the Hypervelocity Wind Tunnel No. 9 in the Naval Surface Warfare Center is evaluated. Tunnel 9 operates with a high Reynolds number with Mach 8, and is uses nitrogen as a working fluid. Moreover, tunnel 9 has a Reynolds capability of 17-52 x 10(6)/feet, dynamic pressure of 28-85 psia and a test time of 1.5-0.25 seconds. Successful measurements of pressure and heat transfer are obtained on a 20-inches base diameter sharp cone configuration.

The emergence of highly aggressive subtypes of human cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) often reflects increased autocrine/paracrine TGF-β synthesis and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) amplification. Cooperative TGF-β/EGFR signaling promotes [...]

A balanced robertsonian translocation (rob) results from fusion of 2 acrocentric chromosomes. Carriers are phenotypically normal and are often diagnosed because of recurrent miscarriages, infertility, or aneuploid offspring. Mortality and site-specific cancer risks in carriers have not been prospectively investigated. We followed 1,987 carriers diagnosed in Great Britain for deaths and cancer risk, over an average of 24.1 years. Standardized mortality and incidence ratios were calculated comparing the number of observed events against population rates. Overall mortality was higher for carriers diagnosed before age 15 years (standardized mortality ratio (SMR) = 2.00, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.09, 3.35), similar for those diagnosed aged 15–44 years (SMR = 1.06, 95% CI: 0.86–1.28), and lower for those diagnosed aged 45–84 years (SMR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.68, 0.95). Cancer incidence was higher for non-Hodgkin lymphoma (standardized incidence ratio (SIR) = 1.90, 95% CI: 1.01, 3.24) and childhood leukemia (SIR = 14.5, 95% CI: 1.75, 52.2), the latter particularly in rob(15;21) carriers (SIR = 447.8, 95% CI: 11.3, 2,495). Rob(13;14) carriers had a higher breast cancer risk (SIR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.12, 2.15). Mortality risks relative to the population in diagnosed carriers depend on age at cytogenetic diagnosis, possibly reflecting age-specific cytogenetic referral reasons. Carriers might be at greater risk of childhood leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma and those diagnosed with rob(13;14) of breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Phytoestrogens, naturally occurring hormones in plant food, may protect against hormone-related chronic diseases. South Asian migrants in the United Kingdom have a low incidence of hormone-related cancers, but the extent to which this may be due to phytoestrogen intake is not known. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to compare habitual phytoestrogen intake in migrant first-generation South Asian women and native British women using multiple 24-h recalls, multiple plasma samples, and an enhanced phytoestrogen database. DESIGN: South Asian (n = 221) and native British women (n = 50) were recruited from general practitioners' lists. Subjects were asked to provide monthly 24-h recalls for 1 y. A phytoestrogen database was compiled using data from a literature search and from previously unpublished data. A subsample of South Asian women (n = 100) and the native British women (n = 40) also provided blood samples every 3 mo concurrently during the 1-y period. RESULTS: The median daily intakes ([micro]g/d) of isoflavones [184.2, interquartile (IQ) range 121.1-277.6, vs. 333.9, IQ range 227.0-448.7] and lignans (110.8, IQ range 76.8-182.4, vs. 148.8, IQ range 87.4-228.6) were significantly lower in South Asians than in the native British (P < 0.001 and P = 0.04, respectively). There were no significant differences in plasma isoflavone levels, but plasma enterolactone was significantly higher in the native British than in South Asians (28.5 [+ or -] 23.3 vs. 13.9 [+ or -] 17.5, P < 0.001). The main sources of phytoestrogens were bread and vegetables and vegetable dishes for both ethnic groups. CONCLUSIONS: Habitual phytoestrogen intake in South Asian and native British women was < 1 mg/d and was higher in the native British diet. This was reflected in both dietary intake data and plasma levels. This study, therefore, does not lend support to the protective role, at a population level, of phytoestrogens in hormone-related cancers. [Supported by Cancer Research Campaign (now Cancer Research UK); Grant SP2315.]

Type II clathrates are interesting due to their potential thermoelectric applications. Powdered X-ray diffraction (XRD) data and density functional calculations for NaxSi136 found a lattice contraction as x increases for 0 < x < 8 and an expansion as x increases for x > 8. This is explained by XRD data that shows that as x increases, the Si28 cages are filled first for x < 8 and the Si20 cages are then filled for x > 8. Motivated by this work, here we report the results of first-principles calculations of the structural and vibrational properties of the Type II clathrate compounds AxSi136, AxGe136, and AxSn136. We present results for the variation of the lattice constants, bulk moduli, and other structural parameters with x. These are contrasted for the Si, Ge, and Sn compounds and for guests A = Na, K, Rb, and Cs. We also present calculated results of phonon dispersion relations for Na4Si136, Na4Ge136, and Na4Sn136 and we compare these for the three materials. Finally, we present calculated results for the elastic constants in NaxSi136, NaxGe136, and NaxSn136 for x = 4 and 8. These are compared for the three hosts, as well as for the two compositions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]