Search

A new cellulose triacetate staple fiber, Arnel 60, is undergoing development. This fiber has tensile strength in excess of 2 g./den. and elongation of about 25% which imparts higher strength to spun yarns and permits the spinning and use of much finer counts, since fiber deniers as low as 1.5 can be utilized. The wet and hot wet mechanical properties of Arnel 60 are also improved over Arnel staple, suggesting improved wash ability and ease-of-care performance. The improvement in mechanical properties is ascribed to increased orientation and a narrower molecular tautness distribution. Un like Arnel, the fiber has a rough textured surface which provides a natural semidull luster and gives, in conjunction with natural crimp, sufficient cohesiveness for fiber processing. Arnel 60 is similar to Arnel in heat settability, ironing and glazing per formance, dimensional stability, dyeing behavior, and dyefastness. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The impact of the rise in breast cancer incidence associated with mammography diffusion on the prevalence of breast cancer family history is unknown, and may attenuate risk associations between family history and breast cancer. Methods: The proportions of women 40-74 years reporting a first-degree family history of breast cancer were estimated in the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium (BCSC, N = 1,170,900) from 1996-2012 and Collaborative Breast Cancer Study (CBCS; cases N = 23,400; controls N = 25,460) from 1987-2007. Breast cancer (ductal carcinoma in situ and invasive) relative risk estimates associated with family history and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using multivariable Cox proportional hazard (BCSC) and logistic regression (CBCS) models. Results: The proportion of women reporting a family history increased from 11% in the 1980s to 16% in 2010-13. Family history was associated with a 60% increased risk of breast cancer in the BCSC (hazard ratio = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.55-1.66) and CBCS (odds ratio = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.58-1.74), with relative risks decreasing with age. Trends in relative risks were not evident over time or stage of disease at diagnosis, except among older women (60-74) where estimates were attenuated in more recent years (P-trend = 0.08 for both cohorts). Conclusion: The proportion of women with a first-degree family history of breast cancer increased over time and by age, nonetheless breast cancer risk associations with family history were constant over time for women 40-59. First-degree family history of breast cancer remains an important breast cancer risk factor, especially for younger women, despite its increasing prevalence in the mammography screening era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides question and answer related to variation in assessments of Breast Density on Mammograms in Clinical Practice.

Abstract Background Clinical dogma is that healthy urine is sterile and the presence of bacteria with an inflammatory response is indicative of urinary tract infection (UTI). Asymptomatic bacteriuria (ABU) represents the state in which bacteria are present but the inflammatory response is negligible. Differentiating ABU from UTI is diagnostically challenging, but critical because overtreatment of ABU can perpetuate antimicrobial resistance while undertreatment of UTI can result in increased morbidity and mortality. In this study, we describe key characteristics of the healthy and ABU urine microbiomes utilizing 16S rRNA gene (16S rDNA) sequencing and metaproteomics, with the future goal of utilizing this information to personalize the treatment of UTI based on key individual characteristics. Methods A cross-sectional study of 26 healthy controls and 27 healthy subjects at risk for ABU due to spinal cord injury-related neuropathic bladder (NB) was conducted. Of the 27 subjects with NB, 8 voided normally, 8 utilized intermittent catheterization, and 11 utilized indwelling Foley urethral catheterization for bladder drainage. Urine was obtained by clean catch in voiders, or directly from the catheter in subjects utilizing catheters. Urinalysis, urine culture and 16S rDNA sequencing were performed on all samples, with metaproteomic analysis performed on a subsample. Results A total of 589454 quality-filtered 16S rDNA sequence reads were processed through a NextGen 16S rDNA analysis pipeline. Urine microbiomes differ by normal bladder function vs. NB, gender, type of bladder catheter utilized, and duration of NB. The top ten bacterial taxa showing the most relative abundance and change among samples were Lactobacillales, Enterobacteriales, Actinomycetales, Bacillales, Clostridiales, Bacteroidales, Burkholderiales, Pseudomonadales, Bifidobacteriales and Coriobacteriales. Metaproteomics confirmed the 16S rDNA results, and functional human protein-pathogen interactions were noted in subjects where host defenses were initiated. Conclusions Counter to clinical belief, healthy urine is not sterile. The healthy urine microbiome is characterized by a preponderance of Lactobacillales in women and Corynebacterium in men. The presence and duration of NB and method of urinary catheterization alter the healthy urine microbiome. An integrated approach of 16S rDNA sequencing with metaproteomics improves our understanding of healthy urine and facilitates a more personalized approach to prevention and treatment of infection.