Serum micro-RNA Identifies Early Stage Colorectal Cancer in a Multi-Ethnic Population.

Objective: Certain microRNAs (miR) have been previously described to be dysregulated in cancers and can be detected in blood samples. Studies examining the utility of miRs for colon cancer screening have primarily been performed in ethnically homogeneous groups of patients, thus the performance of miRs in multiethnic populations is unknown.

Methods: Four miRs were selected that were shown to be aberrantly expressed in the blood or stool of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) of various ethnicities.

Construct Validity of the Dissociative Experiences Scale: II. Its Relationship to Hypnotizability.

Undergraduates (n = 311) who volunteered to participate in an experiment on "Hypnotizability and Personality" filled out several personality questionnaires (including the Dissociative Experiences Scale; DES), were administered the Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility (HGSHS), and completed a self-rating of hypnotizability. The DES overall score correlated significantly with the HGSHS summary score (r(309) = .12, p < .

The Werner's Syndrome RecQ helicase/exonuclease at the nexus of cancer and aging.

Werner's Syndrome (WS) or adult-onset progeria is an autosomal recessive disorder of accelerated aging caused by mutations of the DNA RecQ helicase/exonuclease (WRN). WRN is an ATP-dependent helicase with 3' to 5' DNA exonuclease activity that regulates the replicative potential of dividing cells, and WRN loss-of-function mutations promote cellular senescence and neoplastic transformation. These molecular findings translate clinically into adult-onset progeria manifested by premature hair graying, dermal atrophy, cardiovascular disease, and cancer predilection along with a markedly reduced life expectancy.

Surgical intensive care unit clinician estimates of the adequacy of communication regarding patient prognosis.

Introduction: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients and family members repeatedly note accurate and timely communication from health care providers to be crucial to high-quality ICU care. Practice guidelines recommend improving communication. However, few data, particularly in surgical ICUs, exist on health care provider opinions regarding whether communication is effective.

Adjuvant radiotherapy in endometrial carcinoma.

Endometrial cancer is a common female malignancy, affecting approximately 40,000 women per year. Despite the publication of several prospective randomized trials, there continues to be controversy regarding the use of adjuvant radiation therapy in endometrial cancer management. It is clear that most women with early-stage, low-risk disease will do well without adjuvant therapy.