Association between Polymorphisms in Glutathione Peroxidase and Selenoprotein P Genes, Glutathione Peroxidase Activity, HRT Use and Breast Cancer Risk.

Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common cancers in women. Evidence suggests that genetic variation in antioxidant enzymes could influence BC risk, but to date the relationship between selenoproteins and BC risk remains unclear. In this report, a study population including 975 Danish cases and 975 controls matched for age and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) use was genotyped for five functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in SEPP1, GPX1, GPX4 and the antioxidant enzyme SOD2 genes. The influence of genetic polymorphisms on breast cancer risk was assessed using conditional logistic regression. Additionally pre-diagnosis erythrocyte GPx (eGPx) activity was measured in a sub-group of the population. A 60% reduction in risk of developing overall BC and ductal BC was observed in women who were homozygous Thr carriers for SEPP1 rs3877899. Additionally, Leu carriers for GPX1 Pro198Leu polymorphism (rs1050450) were at ∼2 fold increased risk of developing a non-ductal BC. Pre-diagnosis eGPx activity was found to depend on genotype for rs713041 (GPX4), rs3877899 (SEPP1), and rs1050450 (GPX1) and on HRT use. Moreover, depending on genotype and HRT use, eGPx activity was significantly lower in women who developed BC later in life compared with controls. Furthermore, GPx1 protein levels increased in human breast adenocarcinoma MCF7 cells exposed to β-estradiol and sodium selenite.In conclusion, our data provide evidence that SNPs in SEPP1 and GPX1 modulate risk of BC and that eGPx activity is modified by SNPs in SEPP1, GPX4 and GPX1 and by estrogens. Our data thus suggest a role of selenoproteins in BC development

Socioeconomic position and lifestyle in relation to breast cancer incidence among postmenopausal women: A prospective cohort study, Denmark, 1993-2006

BackgroundIn Denmark, the incidence of breast cancer is higher among women with higher socioeconomic position. We investigated whether differences in exposure to certain risk factors contribute to this gradient, as measured from education, income and occupation.MethodsWe conducted a cohort study of 23,111 postmenopausal women aged 50-65 years who were enrolled in the prospective Danish 'Diet, Cancer and Health' study between 1993 and 1995. At baseline, all women filled in a questionnaire on lifestyle and food frequency. The results were analysed in Cox proportional hazard models.ResultsPart of the association with socioeconomic position is due to the potential mediators reproductive pattern, use of hormone replacement therapy and alcohol consumption. After simultaneous adjustment for these factors, the hazard ratios were 1.06 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.88-1.27) for women with higher education and 1.07 (95% CI, 0.85-1.34) for women with higher income. The HR ratio for women working as higher officials when compared with unskilled workers was 1.23 (0.96-1.59).ConclusionThe results support the hypothesis that the higher incidence of breast cancer among socially advantaged women is mediated partly by differences in exposure to reproductive factors, hormone replacement therapy and alcohol.Signe Benzon Larsen, Anja Olsen, John Lynch, Jane Christensen, Kim Overvad, Anne Tjønneland, Christoffer Johansen, Susanne Oksbjerg Dalto

Processing of GRAS/METOP radio occultation data recorded in closed-loop and raw-sampling modes

Instrument GRAS (Global Navigation Satellite System Receiver for Atmospheric Sounding) on-board of the Metop-A satellite was activated on 27 October 2006. Currently, Metop-A is a fully operational satellite with GRAS providing from 650–700 occultations per day. We describe our processing of GRAS data based on the modification of our OCC software, which was modified to become capable of reading and processing GRAS data. We perform a statistical comparison of bending angles and refractivities derived from GRAS data with those derived from ECMWF analyses. We conclude that GRAS data have error characteristics close to those of COSMIC data. In the height range 10–30 km, the systematic refractivity difference GRAS–ECMWF is of the order of 0.1–0.2 %, and the standard deviation is 0.3–0.6 %. In the lower troposphere GRAS refractivity and bending angle indicate a negative bias, which reaches its maximum value in the tropics. In particular the retrieved refractivity is biased by up to 2.5 %. The negative bias pattern is similar to that found in the statistical validation of COSMIC data. This makes it probable that the bias should not be attributed to the instrument design or hardware

Antidepressant prescriptions and associated factors in men with prostate cancer and their female partners

PURPOSE: To estimate the risk of first-time antidepressant prescriptions as a proxy for depression or anxiety and associated risk factors in patients with prostate cancer and their female partners. METHODS: We followed all men (n = 25,126) and their female cohabiting partners (n = 8785) without a history of cancer or antidepressants from the Danish Diet, Cancer and Health cohort from 1997 to 2014 or 2010, respectively. We estimated the cumulative incidence of first-time antidepressant prescriptions in men with prostate cancer compared with cancer-free men and their respective female partners, using the Danish National Prescription Registry. Sociodemographic, lifestyle-related, and clinical risk factors were assessed using Cox regression models. RESULTS: A total of 1828 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer of whom 15% received antidepressants. The unadjusted hazard ratio of antidepressant prescription was 2.18 (95%CI, 1.92, 2.48) for men with prostate cancer and 1.27 (95%CI, 0.87, 1.85) for their partners, compared with cancer-free men and their partners, respectively. After adjusting for sociodemographic, lifestyle-related, and comorbidity factors, this risk was 2-fold to 4-fold increased among patients, but not significantly increased among partners. Significant risk factors among patients were curative and palliative treatment (vs. active surveillance and watchful waiting), nonlocalized disease, and short education. CONCLUSIONS: Men with prostate cancer have a higher risk of receiving antidepressant medication than cancer-free men. Clinical characteristics can help clinicians in identifying patients at a high risk of depression or anxiety. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Men with prostate cancer who experience symptoms of depression or anxiety should seek professional help early on. Patient education could aid in raising awareness and reducing the stigma associated with mental disorders. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1007/s11764-020-00947-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users