The withdrawal from oncogenetic counselling and testing for hereditary and familial breast and ovarian cancer. A descriptive study of an Italian sample

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Oncogenetic counselling is seldom followed through, even when individuals are eligible according to the test criteria. The basic variables which influence the decision to undergo the genetic counselling process are: risk perception, expected benefit or limitations of genetic testing, general psychological distress or cancer-specific distress, lack of trust in one's emotional reactions when faced with negative events, expected level of family support and communications within the family. The aim of this study was to describe the psychosocial variables of an Italian sample that forgoes genetic counselling.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>From May 2002 to December 2006 a psychological questionnaire was sent out to one hundred and six subjects, who freely requested a first genetic informative consultation, and never asked to have a second visit and the family tree drawn up in order to inquire about their eligibility for genetic testing. Statistical analysis was performed by Pearson chi-square test, t-test and Spearman RHO coefficient.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The survey presents a lack of emotional cohesion and structured roles and rules within the family system and a positive correlation between the number of children, anxiety and risk perception. The main reasons for giving up on counselling were a sense that testing was a waste of time and the inability to emotionally handle the negative consequences of the test outcome. The subjects who maintained that test and an early diagnosis were a "waste of time" experienced more anxiety.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The study revealed the importance to ac knowledging the whole persona and their family system as well as provide information highlighting usefulness of early diagnosis.</p

Reply: Sperm Retrieval Rates by micro-TESE Versus Conventional TESE in Men With Non-Obstructive Azoospermia-The Assumption of Independence in Effects Sizes Might Lead to Misleading Conclusions

[No abstract available

Lethal and sublethal effects of carlina oxide on Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) and Neoseiulus californicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

BACKGROUND: Tetranychus urticae Koch, is a polyphagous and damaging pest, presenting several resistant populations world- wide. Among new and more environmentally friendly control tools, botanical pesticides represent a valuable alternative to syn- thetic ones within integrated pest management strategies. Accordingly, we investigated the lethal and sublethal effects of carlina oxide isolated from Carlina acaulis (Asteraceae) roots on T. urticae and its natural enemy, the predatory mite, Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor). RESULTS: Carlina oxide (98.7% pure compound) was used for acaricidal tests on eggs, nymphs, and adult females of T. urticae (concentrations of 312.5, 625, 1250, 2500 and 5000 !L L!1), and eggs and females of N. californicus (1250 and 5000 !L L!1 on eggs and females, respectively). Behavioral two-choice tests were also conducted on phytoseiid females. Carlina oxide toxicity was higher on T. urticae females than nymphs (median lethal dose 1145 and 1825 !L L!1, respectively), whereas egg mortality and mean hatching time were signi!cantly affected by all tested concentrations. A decreasing daily oviposition rate for T. urticae was recorded with concentrations ranging from 625 to 5000 !L L!1, whereas negative effects on the population growth rate were recorded only with the three higher concentrations (1250, 2500 and 5000 !L L!1). No toxic effect on N. californicus females was found, but a strong repellent activity lasting for 48 h from application was recorded. CONCLUSION: Carlina oxide reduced longevity and fecundity of T. urticae adults, but not of N. californicus. This selective prop- erty allows us to propose it as a novel active ingredient of ecofriendly acaricides for T. urticae management

Perianal Crohn's disease and hidradenitis suppurativa: a possible common immunological scenario

Crohn's disease (CD) and Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) are both chronic inflammatory diseases. The pathogenesis of these diseases is multifactorial, due to the interaction of genetic and environmental factors leading to a deregulated local immune response where T lymphocytes play a major role. To the best of our knowledge, no previous study has clarified whether the pathogenetic mechanism of perianal CD and HS is the same. We therefore analyzed the cellular expression pattern and the cytokine repertoire in three patients suffering from both perianal CD and HS