Diagnóstico: cáncer. ¿Queremos conocer la verdad?

ObjetivoConocer los deseos de información y otras actitudes ante el diagnóstico de cáncerDiseñoEstudio descriptivo transversaEmplazamientoCentros de Salud de Irún, Oñati y Asteasu en GipuzkoaParticipantesDe las citaciones a las 19 consultas durante marzo-mayo del 2002 se obtuvo una muestra aleatoria, prospectiva y sistemática, estratificada por cupos (n=725). Se administró una encuestamodificada de Fernández Díaz en la que se recogieron los datos personales y 8preguntas con respuestas cerradas: aspectos de comunicación (5 ítems) y actitudes relacionadas con la muerte (3 ítems)ResultadosEl 81,3% (IC del 95%, 78,4- 84,1) quiere conocer su diagnóstico. El 68,9% (IC del 95%, 65,5–72,2) elige al médico para comunicarlo. De éstos, el 36,6%, al especialista, y el 26,6%, al médicode familia. Si el afectado es un familiar, el 46,6% (IC del 95%, 42,9–50,2) se lo dirían siempre, sólo si él lo pregunta el 38,6% (ICdel 95%, 35–42,1) y nunca el 9,6% (IC del 95%, 7,4–11,7). El 49,3% (IC del 95%,45,6–52,9) preferiría morir en casa. Para el 44% (IC del 95%, 40,3–47,6) el dolor es el mayor temorConclusionesLa mayoría de la población quiere que se le informe de su diagnóstico, sin que el hábitat urbano o rural o la experiencia de haber tenido familiares con cáncer modifique la opinión. Si el afectadode cáncer es un familiar, son muy pocos los partidarios de no decírselo nunca. Eligen almédico para transmitir la información,prefieren morir en casa y el dolor es lamayor preocupaciónObjectivesTo find people's desire for information and their other attitudes when faced with a cancer diagnosisDesignTransversal, descriptive studySettingIrun, Oñati and Asteasu Health Centres, Gipuzkoa, SpainParticipantsFrom the appointments for 19 clinics in March-May 2002, a randomised, prospective and systematic sample, stratified by lists, was extracted (n=725). A modified Fernández Díaz questionnaire was administered. It had personal details and 8questions with closed replies on aspects of communication (5) and attitudes to death (3Results81.3% (95% CI, 78.4–84.1) wanted to know their diagnosis. 68.9% (95% CI, 65.5- 72.2) chose the doctor to tell them. Of these, 6.6% chose the specialist and 26.6%, thegeneral practitioner. If the person affected was a family member, 46.6% (95% CI, 42.9–50.2) would always tell the person; 38.6% (95% CI, 35–42.1), only if the person asked; and 9.6%, never (95% CI, 7.4–11.7). 49.3% (95% CI, 45.6–52.9) would prefer to die at home. The greatest fear for 44% (95% CI, 40.3–47.6) waspainConclusionsMost people want to be informed of their diagnosis. Neither an urban or rural environment nor having had family members with cancer affects their view. If the personaffected by cancer is a family member, very few people favour not telling him/her at all. Sufferers want the doctor to tell them the information, prefer to die at home and pain is what worries them mos

Identification of a novel synthetic lethal vulnerability in non-small cell lung cancer by co-targeting TMPRSS4 and DDR1

Finding novel targets in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is highly needed and identification of synthetic lethality between two genes is a new approach to target NSCLC. We previously found that TMPRSS4 promotes NSCLC growth and constitutes a prognostic biomarker. Here, through large-scale analyses across 5 public databases we identified consistent co-expression between TMPRSS4 and DDR1. Similar to TMPRSS4, DDR1 promoter was hypomethylated in NSCLC in 3 independent cohorts and hypomethylation was an independent prognostic factor of disease-free survival. Treatment with 5-azacitidine increased DDR1 levels in cell lines, suggesting an epigenetic regulation. Cells lacking TMPRSS4 were highly sensitive to the cytotoxic effect of the DDR1 inhibitor dasatinib. TMPRSS4/DDR1 double knock-down (KD) cells, but not single KD cells suffered a G0/G1 cell cycle arrest with loss of E2F1 and cyclins A and B, increased p21 levels and a larger number of cells in apoptosis. Moreover, double KD cells were highly sensitized to cisplatin, which caused massive apoptosis (~40%). In vivo studies demonstrated tumor regression in double KD-injected mice. In conclusion, we have identified a novel vulnerability in NSCLC resulting from a synthetic lethal interaction between DDR1 and TMPRSS4

Search for Lorentz and CPT Violation Effects in Muon Spin Precession

The spin precession frequency of muons stored in the $(g-2)$ storage ring has been analyzed for evidence of Lorentz and CPT violation. Two Lorentz and CPT violation signatures were searched for: a nonzero $\Delta\omega_{a}$ (=$\omega_{a}^{\mu^{+}}-\omega_{a}^{\mu^{-}}$); and a sidereal variation of $\omega_{a}^{\mu^{\pm}}$. No significant effect is found, and the following limits on the standard-model extension parameters are obtained: $b_{Z} =-(1.0 \pm 1.1)\times 10^{-23}$ GeV; $(m_{\mu}d_{Z0}+H_{XY}) = (1.8 \pm 6.0 \times 10^{-23})$ GeV; and the 95% confidence level limits $\check{b}_{\perp}^{\mu^{+}}< 1.4 \times 10^{-24}$ GeV and $\check{b}_{\perp}^{\mu^{-}} < 2.6 \times 10^{-24}$ GeV.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, submitted to Physical Review Letters, Modified to answer the referees suggestion

News from the Muon (g-2) Experiment at BNL

The magnetic moment anomaly a_mu = (g_mu - 2) / 2 of the positive muon has been measured at the Brookhaven Alternating Gradient Synchrotron with an uncertainty of 0.7 ppm. The new result, based on data taken in 2000, agrees well with previous measurements. Standard Model evaluations currently differ from the experimental result by 1.6 to 3.0 standard deviations.Comment: Talk presented at RADCOR - Loops and Legs 2002, Kloster Banz, Germany, September 8-13 2002, to be published in Nuclear Physics B (Proc. Suppl.); 5 pages, 3 figure

The Muon Anomalous Magnetic Moment and the Standard Model

The muon anomalous magnetic moment measurement, when compared with theory, can be used to test many extensions to the standard model. The most recent measurement made by the Brookhaven E821 Collaboration reduces the uncertainty on the world average of a_mu to 0.7 ppm, comparable in precision to theory. This paper describes the experiment and the current theoretical efforts to establish a correct standard model reference value for the muon anomaly.Comment: Plenary Talk; PANIC'02 XVI Particles and Nuclear International Conference, Osaka, Japan; Sept. 30 - Oct. 4, 2002; Report describes the published 0.7 ppm result and updates the theory statu

Final Report of the Muon E821 Anomalous Magnetic Moment Measurement at BNL

We present the final report from a series of precision measurements of the muon anomalous magnetic moment, a_mu = (g-2)/2. The details of the experimental method, apparatus, data taking, and analysis are summarized. Data obtained at Brookhaven National Laboratory, using nearly equal samples of positive and negative muons, were used to deduce a_mu(Expt) = 11 659 208.0(5.4)(3.3) x 10^-10, where the statistical and systematic uncertainties are given, respectively. The combined uncertainty of 0.54 ppm represents a 14-fold improvement compared to previous measurements at CERN. The standard model value for a_mu includes contributions from virtual QED, weak, and hadronic processes. While the QED processes account for most of the anomaly, the largest theoretical uncertainty, ~0.55 ppm, is associated with first-order hadronic vacuum polarization. Present standard model evaluations, based on e+e- hadronic cross sections, lie 2.2 - 2.7 standard deviations below the experimental result.Comment: Summary paper of E821 Collaboration measurements of the muon anomalous magnetic moment, each reported earlier in Letters or Brief Reports; 96 pages, 41 figures, 16 tables. Revised version submitted to PR

An Improved Limit on the Muon Electric Dipole Moment

Three independent searches for an electric dipole moment (EDM) of the positive and negative muons have been performed, using spin precession data from the muon g-2 storage ring at Brookhaven National Laboratory. Details on the experimental apparatus and the three analyses are presented. Since the individual results on the positive and negative muon, as well as the combined result, d=-0.1(0.9)E-19 e-cm, are all consistent with zero, we set a new muon EDM limit, |d| < 1.9E-19 e-cm (95% C.L.). This represents a factor of 5 improvement over the previous best limit on the muon EDM.Comment: 19 pages, 15 figures, 7 table

Search for Lorentz and CPT Violation Effects in Muon Spin Precession

The spin precession frequency of muons stored in the $(g-2)$ storage ring has been analyzed for evidence of Lorentz and CPT violation. Two Lorentz and CPT violation signatures were searched for: a nonzero $\Delta\omega_{a}$ (=$\omega_{a}^{\mu^{+}}-\omega_{a}^{\mu^{-}}$); and a sidereal variation of $\omega_{a}^{\mu^{\pm}}$. No significant effect is found, and the following limits on the standard-model extension parameters are obtained: $b_{Z} =-(1.0 \pm 1.1)\times 10^{-23}$ GeV; $(m_{\mu}d_{Z0}+H_{XY}) = (1.8 \pm 6.0 \times 10^{-23})$ GeV; and the 95% confidence level limits $\check{b}_{\perp}^{\mu^{+}}< 1.4 \times 10^{-24}$ GeV and $\check{b}_{\perp}^{\mu^{-}} < 2.6 \times 10^{-24}$ GeV.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, submitted to Physical Review Letters, Modified to answer the referees suggestion