Space-time clustering analyses of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia by immunophenotype

Space-time clustering analyses of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in children, by immunophenotype, were carried out using a population-based registry. Significant evidence was found of space-time clustering for cases of the precursor B-cell sub-type, in the childhood peak, based on time and location at birth

Population mixing, socioeconomic status and incidence of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in England and Wales: analysis by census ward

In this population-based study of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) diagnosed among children aged under 15 years in England and Wales during 1986–1995, we analysed incidence at census ward level in relation to a range of variables from the 1991 census, which could be relevant to theories of infectious aetiology. ‘Population-mixing' measures, used as surrogates for quantity and diversity of infections entering the community, were calculated from census data on the origins and destinations of migrants in the year before the census. Incidence at ages 1–4 years tended independently to be higher in rural wards, to increase with the diversity of origin wards from which in-migrants had moved during the year before the census, and to be lower in the most deprived areas as categorised by the Carstairs index. This last association was much weaker when urban/rural status and in-migrants' diversity were allowed for. There was no evidence of association with population mixing or deprivation for ALL diagnosed at ages 0 or 5–14 years. The apparent specificity to the young childhood age group suggests that these associations are particularly marked for precursor B-cell ALL, with the disease more likely to occur when delayed exposure to infection leads to increased immunological stress, as predicted by Greaves. The association with diversity of incomers, especially in rural areas, is also consistent with the higher incidence of leukaemia predicted by Kinlen, where population mixing results in below average herd immunity to an infectious agent

Adenovirus DNA is detected at increased frequency in Guthrie cards from children who develop acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Epidemiological evidence suggests that childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) may be initiated by an in infection in utero. Adenovirus DNA was detected in 13 of 49 neonatal blood spots from ALL patients but only in 3 of 47 controls (P=0.012) suggesting a correlation between prenatal adenovirus infection and the development of AL

Using Conducting Polymers as Active Agents for Marine Antifouling Paints

Antifouling coatings were prepared with paints containing polyaniline (PAni) and derivatives as active pigment, and evaluated by antifouling performance on metallic or polyvinyl chloride substrates. The paints, PAni and its derivatives were characterized by FT-IR spectrophotometry, thermogravimetric analysis, electrical conductivity and scanning electron microscopy. Coatings were also characterized by salt spray, leaching and erosion tests. Antifouling coatings’ performance was evaluated by immersion tests in a marine environment or in fresh water. Paints containing PAni-ES, PAni/DBSA and SPAN, and a co-biocide PyZn, showed antifouling performance similar to a commercial antifouling paint

Cancer incidence in the vicinity of Finnish nuclear power plants: an emphasis on childhood leukemia

The objective of this paper was to study cancer incidence, especially leukemia in children (<15 years), in the vicinity of Finnish nuclear power plants (NPPs). We used three different approaches: ecological analysis at municipality level, residential cohorts defined from census data, and case–control analysis with individual residential histories. The standardized incidence ratio of childhood leukemia for the seven municipalities in the vicinity of NPPs was 1.0 (95% CI 0.6, 1.6) compared to the rest of Finland. The two cohorts defined by censuses of 1980 and 1990 gave rate ratios of 1.0 (95% CI 0.3, 2.6) and 0.9 (95% CI 0.2, 2.7), respectively, for childhood leukemia in the population residing within 15 km from the NPPs compared to the 15–50 km zone. The case–control analysis with 16 cases of childhood leukemia and 64 matched population-based controls gave an odds ratio for average distance between residence and NPP in the closest 5–9.9 km zone of 0.7 (95% CI 0.1, 10.4) compared to ≥30 km zone. Our results do not indicate an increase in childhood leukemia and other cancers in the vicinity of Finnish NPPs though the small sample size limits the strength of conclusions. The conclusion was the same for adults