Hormones and breast and endometrial cancers: preventive strategies and future research.

A number of hormonal approaches for prevention of endometrial and breast cancers have been proposed. Because of the hormonal responsiveness of both tumors, much attention has focused on effects of exogenous hormone use. Although estrogens in hormone replacement therapy increase the risk of endometrial cancer, the disease is substantially reduced by long-term use of oral contraceptives. The issues with breast cancer are more complex, mainly because of a variety of unresolved effects. Long-term estrogen use is associated with some increase in breast cancer risk, and certain patterns of oral contraceptives appear to predispose to early-onset disease. With respect to estrogens, preventive approaches for both tumors would include use for as limited periods of time as possible. Addition of a progestin appears to lower estrogen-associated endometrial disease, but its effect on breast cancer risk remains less clear. Additional studies on effects of detailed usage parameters should provide useful insights into etiologic mechanisms. Other preventive approaches for endometrial cancer that may work through hormonal mechanisms include staying thin, being physically active, and maintaining a vegetarian diet. Breast cancer risk may possibly be reduced by extended periods of breastfeeding, restriction of intake of alcoholic beverages, remaining thin later in life, and being physically active. Additional research is needed to clarify the biologic mechanisms of these associations. The bridging of epidemiology with the biologic sciences should clarify many unresolved issues and lead to better preventive approaches

Direct measurements of helium and hydrogen ion concentration and total ion density to an altitude of 940 kilometers

Measurement of ion concentration and total ion density in exosphere using mass spectrometer and electrostatic prob

Comparative analysis of vertebrate EIF2AK2 (PKR) genes and assignment of the equine gene to ECA15q24-q25 and the bovine gene to BTA11q12-q15

The structures of the canine, rabbit, bovine and equine EIF2AK2 genes were determined. Each of these genes has a 5\u27 non-coding exon as well as 15 coding exons. All of the canine, bovine and equine EIF2AK2 introns have consensus donor and acceptor splice sites. In the equine EIF2AK2 gene, a unique single nucleotide polymorphism that encoded a Tyr329Cys substitution was detected. Regulatory elements predicted in the promoter region were conserved in ungulates, primates, rodents, Afrotheria (elephant) and Insectifora (shrew). Western clawed frog and fugu EIF2AK2 gene sequences were detected in the USCS Genome Browser and compared to those of other vertebrate EIF2AK2 genes. A comparison of EIF2AK2 protein domains in vertebrates indicates that the kinase catalytic domains were evolutionarily more conserved than the nucleic acid-binding motifs. Nucleotide substitution rates were uniform among the vertebrate sequences with the exception of the zebrafish and goldfish EIF2AK2 genes, which showed substitution rates about 20% higher than those of other vertebrates. FISH was used to physically assign the horse and cattle genes to chromosome locations, ECA15q24-q25 and BTA11q12-15, respectively. Comparative mapping data confirmed conservation of synteny between ungulates, humans and rodents

A theoretical model of the ionosphere dynamics with interhemispheric coupling

Dynamic model for ionospheric plasma with interhemispheric couplin

Tubal ligation and risk of breast cancer

Although it has been demonstrated in previous studies that tubal ligation can have widespread effects on ovarian function, including a decrease in the risk of subsequent ovarian cancer, few studies have evaluated effects on breast cancer risk. In a population-based case–control study of breast cancer among women 20–54 years of age conducted in three geographic areas, previous tubal ligations were reported by 25.3% of the 2173 cases and 25.8% of the 1990 controls. Initially it appeared that tubal ligations might impart a slight reduction in risk, particularly among women undergoing the procedure at young ages (< 25 years). However, women were more likely to have had the procedure if they were black, less educated, young when they bore their first child, or multiparous. After accounting for these factors, tubal ligations were unrelated to breast cancer risk (relative risk (RR) = 1.09, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.9–1.3), with no variation in risk by age at, interval since, or calendar year of the procedure. The relationship of tubal ligations to risk did not vary according to the presence of a number of other risk factors, including menopausal status or screening history. Furthermore, effects of tubal ligation were similar for all stages at breast cancer diagnosis. Further studies would be worthwhile given the biologic plausibility of an association. However, future investigations should include information on type of procedure performed (since this may relate to biologic effects) as well as other breast cancer risk factors. © 2000 Cancer Research Campaig