Does antibacterial treatment for urinary tract infection contribute to the risk of breast cancer?

Low lignan status has been reported to be related to an elevated risk of breast cancer. Since lignan status is reduced by antibacterial medications, it is plausible to hypothesize that repeated use of antibiotics may also be a risk factor for breast cancer. History of treatment for urinary tract infection was studied for its prediction of breast cancer among 9461 Finnish women 19–89 years of age and initially cancer-free. During a follow-up in 1973–1991, a total of 157 breast cancer cases were diagnosed. Women reporting previous or present medication for urinary tract infection at baseline showed an elevated breast cancer risk in comparison with other women. The age-adjusted relative risk was 1.34 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.98–1.83). The association was concentrated to women under 50 years of age. The relative risk for these women was 1.74 (95% CI 1.13–2.68), whereas it was 0.97 (95% CI 0.59–1.58) for older women. The relative risk in the younger age-group was 1.47 (95% CI 0.73–2.97) during the first 10 years of follow-up, and 1.93 (95% CI 1.11–3.37) for follow-up times longer than 10 years. These data suggest that premenopausal women using long-term medication for urinary tract infections show a possible elevated risk of future breast cancer. The results are, however, still inconclusive and the hypothesis needs to be tested by other studies. © 2000 Cancer ResearchCampaig

Simulation of electrochemical processes during oxygen evolution on Pb-MnO2 composite electrodes

The geometric properties of Pb-MnO2 composite electrodes are studied, and a general formula ispresented for the length of the triple phase boundary (TPB) on two dimensional (2D) compositeelectrodes using sphere packing and cutting simulations. The difference in the geometrical properties of2D (or compact) and 3D (or porous) electrodes is discussed. It is found that the length of the TPB is theonly reasonable property of a 2D electrode that follows a 1/r particle radius relationship. Subsequently,sphere packing cuts are used to derive a statistical electrode surface that is the basis for the earlierproposed simulations of different electrochemical mechanisms. It is shown that two of the proposedmechanisms (conductivity and a two-step-two-material kinetic mechanism) can explain the currentincrease at Pb-MnO2 anodes compared to standard lead anodes.The results show that although MnO2 has low conductivity, when combined with Pb as the metal matrix,the behaviour of the composite is not purely ohmic but is also affected by activation overpotentials,increasing the current density close to the TPB. Current density is inversely proportional to the radius ofthe catalyst particles, matching with earlier experimental results. Contrary to earlier SECM experiments,mass transport of sulphuric acid is not likely to have any influence, as confirmed with simulations.A hypothetical two-step-two-material mechanism with intermediate H2O2 that reacts on both the Pbmatrix and MnO2 catalyst is studied. It was found that assuming quasi-reversible generation of H2O2followed by its chemical decomposition on MnO2, results are obtained that agree with the experiments.If the quasi-reversible formation of H2O2 occurs near the peroxide decomposition catalyst, currentincreases, leading to an active TPB and to the current density that scales with 1/r. It is furtheremphasised that both the Pb matrix and MnO2 catalyst are necessary and their optimum ratio dependson the used current density. Yet, additional experimental evidence is needed to support the postulatedmechanism.Peer reviewe

Suicide methods in Europe: a gender-specific analysis of countries participating in the "European Alliance Against Depression"

Objective: To identify the most frequent gener-specific suicide methods in Europe. Design: Proportions of seven predominant suicide methods utilised in 16 countries participating in the European Alliance Against Depression (EAAD)were reported in total and cross-nationally. Relative risk (RR)relating to suicide methods and gender was calculated. To group countries by pattern of suicide methods, hierarchical clustering was applied. Setting and participants: Data on suicide methods for 119 122 male and 41 338 female cases in 2000-4/5 from 16 EAAD countries, covering 52% of European population were obtained. Results: Hanging was the most prevalent suicide method among both males (54.3%) and females (35.6%). For males, hanging was followed by firearms (9.7%) and poisoning by drugs (8.6%); for females, by poisoning by drugs (24.7%)and jumping from a high place (14.5%). Only in Switzerland did hanging rank as second for males after firearms. Hanging ranked first among females in eight countries, poisoning by drugs in five and jumping from a high place in three. In all countries, males had a higher risk than females of using firearms and hanging and a lower risk of poisoning by drugs, drowning and jumping. Grouping showed that countries might be divided into five main groups among males; for females, grouping did not yield clear results. Conclusions: Research on suicide methods could lead to the development of gender-specific intervention strategies. Nevertheless, other approaches, such as better identification and treatment of mental disorders and the improvement of toxicological aid should be put in place

Projecting long-term trends in mobility limitations: Impact of excess weight, smoking and physical inactivity

Background Policy makers need disability projections for planning adequate services and measures for health promotion. The aim of this study is to provide projections on severe mobility limitations up to year 2044 and illustrate how the projected prevalence and the number of persons with severe mobility limitations are affected by potential changes in the modifiable risk factors, namely excess weight, physical inactivity and smoking.Methods We analysed the nationally representative, repeated measures Health 2000 and 2011 Surveys (BRIF8901) with 8615 and 6740 participants, respectively, aged 18 years and older. Severe mobility limitations were defined as major difficulties or unable to walk about half a kilometre. We applied a multistate model on repeated measures to account for both individual risk factors and their changes over time.Results The number of people with severe mobility limitations was projected to double by the year 2044 in Finland, due to the rapid ageing of the population. Eliminating half of the excess weight would reduce their number by one-fifth, while reductions in the prevalence of smoking and physical inactivity would have a minor impact. Even if excess weight, smoking and physical inactivity were completely eliminated, the number of persons with severe mobility limitations is projected to increase.Conclusions Designing and implementing strategies to promote healthy weight are important to slow down the rapid increase in mobility limitations due to population ageing. Providing adequate health and social services for the increasing population with disabilities will nevertheless be an increasing national challenge.</div

Analysis of H-3, Cl-36, Ba-133, Cs-134 and Na-22 from synthetic granitic groundwater : an in situ through diffusion experiment at ONKALO

A method for analyzing H-3, Cl-36, Na-22, Ba-133 and Cs-134 from simulated groundwater (SGW) samples was introduced. Gamma emitting radionuclides Na-22, Ba-133 and Cs-134 were measured by using an HPGe-detector. Beta emitting H-3 and Cl-36 were separated from gamma emitting Na-22, Ba-133 and Cs-134. AgCl precipitation was used for the separation of Cl-36 from SGW samples with yields of 98 +/- 2%. H-3 was separated by distillation with recoveries of 97 +/- 3%. This method was used for the determination of activity concentrations of H-3, Cl-36, Na-22, Ba-133 and Cs-134 in SGW samples collected from an in situ through diffusion experiment.Peer reviewe