A survey: Knowledge about breast cancer and health beliefs towards screening practice among menopausal and postmenopausal women

Breast cancer is a major health problem with high mortality in women worldwide and has become the third most prevalent disease among women in Hong Kong. Knowledge about breast cancer is closely related to health beliefs towards screening practices for breast cancer. This study examined knowledge about breast cancer and breast cancer screening (BCS) beliefs among menopausal and postmenopausal women. A total of 213 eligible women, mostly aged 55 to 60, who were housewives or retired and were educated at secondary school level or above, were selected. A survey using the Chinese Breast Cancer Screening Beliefs (CBCSB) questionnaire was conducted. The results revealed that menopausal and postmenopausal women had better health beliefs towards breast cancer screening practices. Education was found to be positively associated with attitudes of BCS health beliefs. It indicates that education can affect attitudes towards breast cancer screening practice. Most of the women presented inadequate knowledge and they wished to receive more information about breast cancer although they were well-educated. It is important to note that knowledge about breast cancer cannot be effectively delivered to the at-risk women. In addition, menopausal and postmenopausal women can be more likely to seek more information about the effectiveness and side effects of the medication for breast cancer. Therefore, treatment about effectiveness, side effects, and prices ought to be included in current educational programs and healthcare services in the promotion schemes. Healthcare professionals should also pay more attention to better BCS practices in community-based educational programs with information on preventive measures for breast cancer to menopausal and postmenopausal women, particularly to those in lower socioeconomic classes

Menopausal-specific quality of life among women in Hong Kong

This study aimed to explore the menopausal-specific quality of life and assess its relationship with the sociodemographic characteristics in menopausal and post-menopausal women in Hong Kong. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 218 women aged between 45 and 80 or over. The quality of life was assessed by Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MENQOLTM). Results showed that the mean scores for vasomotor domain: 2.59 ± 1.71; psycho-social domain: 2.77 ± 1.39; physical domain: 2.89 ± 1.23 and sexual domain 2.60 ± 1.16. The physical domain had the highest score in menopausal and post-menopausal women. Univariate analysis demonstrated that younger and less educated working post-menopausal women perceive lower quality of life. Our findings suggest that menopausal-related symptoms affect the quality of life

A survey of the perceived lifestyle risks of breast cancer in menopausal and postmenopausal women in Hong Kong

Breast cancer ranks as the most common cause of cancer death in women. If menopausal and postmenopausal women know the lifestyle risks associated with breast cancer and its preventive measures, they will make appropriate choices in order to enjoy their life and have a better chance of preventing this disease. This study attempted to explore perceived beliefs with regard to the lifestyle risks associated with breast cancer among menopausal and postmenopausal women in Hong Kong. A survey was designed that used a self-reporting questionnaire to assess the perceived beliefs of 223 women. Results showed that more than half of the participants held misconceptions about lifestyle breast cancer risks. Only those women who were well-educated and were worried about having breast cancer performed breast screening for cancer. The findings of this study suggest that health care professionals should channel resources to educate menopausal and postmenopausal women about the risks of breast cancer and to promote awareness of breast wellness and the value of breast cancer screening

A strategy for producing predicted polymorphs: catemeric carbamazepine form V

A computationally assisted approach has enabled the first catemeric polymorph of carbamazepine (form V) to be selectively formed by templating the growth of carbamazepine from the vapour phase onto the surface of a crystal of dihydrocarbamazepine form II

Successful computationally-directed templating of metastable pharmaceutical polymorphs

A strategy of using crystal structure prediction (CSP) methods to determine which, if any, isostructural template could facilitate the first crystallization of a predicted polymorph by vapor deposition, is extended to the fenamate family. Mefenamic acid (MFA) and tolfenamic acid (TFA) are used as molecules with minimal chemical differences, whereas flufenamic acid (FFA) shows greater differences in the substituents. The three crystal energy landscapes were calculated and periodic electronic structure calculations used to confirm the thermodynamic plausibility of possible isostructural polymorphs to experimentally obtainable crystals of the other molecules. As predicted, a new polymorph, TFA form VI was found by sublimation onto isomorphous MFA form I, using a recently developed technique. MFA and TFA form a continuous solid solution with the structure of MFA I and TFA VI at the limits, but the isomorphous MFA:FFA solid solution does not extended to a new polymorph of FFA. The novel solid solution structure of TFA and FFA was found and a new isomorphous polymorph TFA VII was found by sublimation onto this new solid solution template. Sublimation of TFA onto a metal surface at the early stage of deposition gave TFA form VIII. We rationalize the formation of new polymorphs of only TFA

Visualization of grapevine root colonization by the Saharan soil isolate Saccharothrix algeriensis NRRL B-24137 using DOPE-FISH microscopy

Background and aim There is currently a gap of knowledge regarding whether some beneficial bacteria isolated from desert soils can colonize epi- and endophytically plants of temperate regions. In this study, the early steps of the colonization process of one of these bacteria, Saccharothrix algeriensis NRRL B-24137, was studied on grapevine roots to determine if this beneficial strain can colonize a non-natural host plant. An improved method of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), the double labeling of oligonucleotide probes (DOPE)-FISH technique was used to visualize the colonization behavior of such bacteria as well as to determine if the method could be used to track microbes on and inside plants. Methods A probe specific to Saccharothrix spp. was firstly designed. Visualization of the colonization behavior of S. algeriensis NRRL B-24137 on and inside roots of grapevine plants was then carried out with DOPE-FISH microscopy. Results The results showed that 10 days after inoculation, the strain could colonize the root hair zone, root elongation zone, as well as root emergence sites by establishing different forms of bacterial structures as revealed by the DOPE-FISH technique. Further observations showed that the strain could be also endophytic inside the endorhiza of grapevine plants. Conclusions Taking into account the natural niches of this beneficial strain, this study exemplifies that, in spite of its isolation from desert soil, the strain can establish populations as well as subpopulations on and inside grapevine plants and that the DOPE-FISH tool can allow to detect it

Biological marks of early-life socioeconomic experience is detected in the adult inflammatory transcriptome.

Consistent evidence is accumulating to link lower socioeconomic position (SEP) and poorer health, and the inflammatory system stands out as a potential pathway through which socioeconomic environment is biologically embedded. Using bloodderived genome-wide transcriptional profiles from 268 Italian participants of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort, we evaluated the association between early life, young and later adulthood SEP and the expression of 845 genes involved in human inflammatory responses. These were examined individually and jointly using several inflammatory scores. Our results consistently show that participants whose father had a manual (as compared to nonmanual) occupation exhibit, later in life, a higher inflammatory score, hence indicating an overall increased level of expression for the selected inflammatory-related genes. Adopting a life course approach, these associations remained statistically significant upon adjustment for later-in-life socioeconomic experiences. Sensitivity analyses indicated that our findings were not affected by the way the inflammatory score was calculated, and were replicated in an independent study. Our study provides additional evidence that childhood SEP is associated with a sustainable upregulation of the inflammatory transcriptome, independently of subsequent socioeconomic experiences. Our results support the hypothesis that early social inequalities impacts adult physiology

A randomized controlled trial reporting functional outcomes of cognitive-behavioural therapy in medication‑treated adults with ADHD and comorbid psychopathology

Studies assessing psychological treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults are increasingly reported. However, functional outcomes are often neglected in favour of symptom outcomes. We investigated functional outcomes in 95 adults with ADHD who were already treated with medication and randomized to receive treatment as usual (TAU/MED) or psychological treatment (CBT/MED) using a cognitive–behavioural programme, R&R2ADHD, which employs both group and individual modalities. RATE-S functional outcomes associated with ADHD symptoms, social functioning, emotional control and antisocial behaviour were given at baseline, end of treatment and three-month follow-up. The Total composite score of these scales is associated with life satisfaction. In addition, independent evaluator ratings of clinicians who were blind to treatment arm were obtained on the Clinical Global Impression scale at each time point. CBT/MED showed overall (combined outcome at end of treatment and 3-month follow-up) significantly greater functional improvement on all scales. Post-group treatment effects were maintained at follow-up with the exception of emotional control and the Total composite scales, which continued to improve. The largest treatment effect was for the RATE-S Total composite scale, associated with life satisfaction. CGI significantly correlated with all outcomes except for social functioning scale at follow-up. The study provides further evidence for the effectiveness of R&R2ADHD and demonstrates the importance of measuring functional outcomes. The key mechanism associated with improved functional outcomes is likely to be behavioural control

Hypertension persisting after pre-eclampsia: a prospective cohort study at Mulago Hospital, Uganda.

BACKGROUND: Pre-eclampsia/eclampsia usually resolves after delivery but sometimes hypertension persists and cardiovascular disease develops later. Our objective was to determine the incidence and maternal socio-demographic and obstetric risk factors for persistence of hypertension in women with pre-eclampsia/eclampsia. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study conducted from July 2009 to June 2011 at Mulago Hospital labour ward and postnatal clinics. We followed up 188 women admitted with pre-eclampsia/eclampsia until 3 months after delivery. Data was collected using interviewer-administered questionnaires, examination of participants and review of medical records. Stata (version12) software was used for data analysis. Univariable analysis was used to compute the relative risk of persistent hypertension at the 95% confidence level. This was followed by multivariable logistic regression analysis to determine factors independently associated with persistence of hypertension. RESULTS: 64 (34%) out of the 188 women analysed had persistent hypertension three months after delivery. Maternal age, gestational age at delivery and parity were predictors of persistent hypertension. CONCLUSION: The proportion of women with pre-eclampsia/eclampsia at risk of persistent hypertension at three months after delivery was high, with nearly one of three mothers remaining hypertensive. Follow up of mothers who develop pre-eclampsia is important so that early diagnosis and management of chronic hypertension can be made to avoid long term morbidity and mortality

Evaluation of 'see-see and treat' strategy and role of HIV on cervical cancer prevention in Uganda

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There is scant information on whether Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) seropositivity has an influence on the outcome of treatment of precancerous cervical lesions using cryotherapy. We studied the prevalence of cervical abnormalities detectable by visual inspection and cervical lesions diagnosed by colposcopy according to HIV serostatus and described the outcomes of cryotherapy treatment.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Trained nurses examined women not previously screened for cervical cancer using visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) and Lugol's iodine (VILI) in two family planning/post natal clinics in Kampala, Uganda, from February 2007 to August 2008. Women with abnormal visual inspection findings were referred for colposcopic evaluation and HIV testing. Women with precancerous cervical lesions detected at colposcopy were treated mainly by cryotherapy, and were evaluated for treatment outcome after 3 months by a second colposcopy.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of the 5 105 women screened, 834 presented a positive screening test and were referred for colposcopy. Of these 625 (75%) returned for the colposcopic evaluation and were tested for HIV. For the 608 (97.5%) women in the age range 20-60 years, colposcopy revealed 169 women with cervical lesions: 128 had inflammation, 19 had low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LGSIL), 13 had high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HGSIL), 9 had invasive cervical cancer and 2 had inconclusive findings. Detection rates per 1 000 women screened were higher among the older women (41-60 years) compared to women aged 20-40 years. They were accordingly 55% and 20% for inflammation, 10% and 2% for LGSIL, 5% and 2% for HGSIL, 6% and 1% for invasive cervical cancer.</p> <p>Of the 608 women, 103 (16%) were HIV positive. HIV positivity was associated with higher likelihood of inflammation (RR = 1.7; 95% CI: 1.2-2.4).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Detection rates were higher among older women 41-60 years. Visual inspection of the cervix uteri with acetic acid (VIA) and Lugol's iodine (VILI) used as a sole method for cervical cancer screening would entail significant false positive results. HIV seropositivity was associated with a higher prevalence of inflammatory cervical lesions. In view of the small numbers and the relatively short follow up time of 3 months, we could not make an emphatic conclusion about the effect of HIV serostatus on cryotherapy treatment outcome.</p