Association of body mass index and prostate cancer mortality.

Objectives: Inconsistent evidence exists on whether obesity is associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer death post-radical prostatectomy. We examined data from three large health plans to evaluate if an increased body mass index (BMI) at prostate cancer diagnosis is related to prostate cancer mortality

Subjects And Methods: This population-based case-control study included 751 men with prostate cancer who underwent radical prostatectomy. Cases were men who died due to prostate cancer (N=323) and matched controls (N=428).

Narrow-band imaging for the detection of polyps in patients with serrated polyposis syndrome: a multicenter, randomized, back-to-back trial.

Background: Serrated polyposis syndrome (SPS) is characterized by the presence of multiple serrated polyps spread throughout the colon. Patients with SPS are considered to be at risk of colorectal cancer and are advised to undergo endoscopic surveillance. Narrow-band imaging (NBI) may improve the detection of polyps during these surveillance colonoscopies.

Imputation and subset-based association analysis across different cancer types identifies multiple independent risk loci in the TERT-CLPTM1L region on chromosome 5p15.33.

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have mapped risk alleles for at least 10 distinct cancers to a small region of 63 000 bp on chromosome 5p15.33. This region harbors the TERT and CLPTM1L genes; the former encodes the catalytic subunit of telomerase reverse transcriptase and the latter may play a role in apoptosis.

Synthesis of regioisomerically pure 1,7-dibromoperylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic acid derivatives.

The perylene derivative 1,7-dibromoperylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic tetrabutylester has been obtained in regioisomerically pure form, by employing a highly efficient, scalable, and robust synthesis starting from commercially available perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic bisanhydride. Subsequently, this compound is utilized for the synthesis of extremely valuable and versatile regioisomerically pure intermediates, namely, 1,7-dibromoperylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic dibutylester monoanhydride, 1,7-dibromoperylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic bisanhydride, and 1,7-dibromoperylene monoimid monoanhydride. These compounds possess at least one anhydride functionality in addition to the 1,7 bromo substituents and thus allow for a virtually limitless attachment of substituents both at the "peri" and the "bay" positions.

Day-to-Day Impact of Vaginal Aging questionnaire: a multidimensional measure of the impact of vaginal symptoms on functioning and well-being in postmenopausal women.

Objective: This study aims to develop a self-report questionnaire assessing the impact of vaginal dryness, soreness, itching, irritation, and pain on functioning and well-being in postmenopausal women.

Methods: Structured self-report items were developed to address the impact of vaginal symptoms on functioning and well-being based on findings from focus groups with racially/ethnically diverse, symptomatic postmenopausal women. Items were refined after cognitive interview pretesting and field-tested among symptomatic postmenopausal women enrolled in a multiethnic cohort study in California.

Clonal analysis of the T-cell response to in vivo expressed Mycobacterium tuberculosis protein Rv2034, using a CD154 expression based T-cell cloning method.

Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), remains a leading cause of death worldwide. A better understanding of the role of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, which are both important to TB protection, is essential to unravel the mechanisms of protection and to identify the key antigens seen by these T cells. We have recently identified a set of in vivo expressed Mtb genes (IVE-TB) which is expressed during in vivo pulmonary infection in mice, and shown that their encoded antigens are potently recognized by polyclonal T cells from tuberculin skin test-positive, in vitro ESAT-6/CFP10-responsive individuals.

Progression and treatment of incident lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) among men in the California Men's Health Study.

Objectives: To characterise the progression and treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) among men aged 45-69 years in the California Men's Health Study.

Patients And Methods: A total of 39,222 men, aged 45-69 years, enrolled in the Southern California Kaiser Permanente Health Plan were surveyed in 2002-2003 and again in 2006-2007. Those men who completed both surveys who did not have a diagnosis of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and were not on medication for LUTS at baseline were included in the study (N = 19,505).

The in vivo expressed Mycobacterium tuberculosis (IVE-TB) antigen Rv2034 induces CD4⁺ T-cells that protect against pulmonary infection in HLA-DR transgenic mice and guinea pigs.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a life-threatening infectious disease of global proportions with serious negative health and economic consequences. The lack of sufficient protection induced by Mycobacterium bovis BCG, the current vaccine for TB, as well as the impact of HIV co-infection and the emergence of drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) strains all urge for improved vaccines against TB. A minimal requirement for Mtb vaccine antigens is their in vivo expression during Mtb infection and ability to trigger significant immune responses.

Prostate cancer incidence and prostate-specific antigen testing among HIV-positive and HIV-negative men.

Background: We investigated whether the reported lower incidence of prostate cancer in HIV-positive men is a result of confounding factors or reduced screening.

Methods: We conducted a cohort study of 17,424 HIV-positive and 182,799 HIV-negative men enrolled in Kaiser Permanente (KP). Subjects were followed from the first KP enrollment after January 01, 1996 for KP Northern California (KPNC) and January 01, 2000 for KP Southern California until the earliest of prostate cancer diagnosis, loss to follow-up, or December 31, 2007.

Field-evaluation of a new lateral flow assay for detection of cellular and humoral immunity against Mycobacterium leprae.

Background: Field-applicable tests detecting asymptomatic Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae) infection or predicting progression to leprosy, are urgently required. Since the outcome of M.

Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: cardiovascular links.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic, progressive lung disease resulting from exposure to cigarette smoke, noxious gases, particulate matter, and air pollutants. COPD is exacerbated by acute inflammatory insults such as lung infections (viral and bacterial) and air pollutants which further accelerate the steady decline in lung function. The chronic inflammatory process in the lung contributes to the extrapulmonary manifestations of COPD which are predominantly cardiovascular in nature.

Incidence of colonic neoplasia in patients with serrated polyposis syndrome who undergo annual endoscopic surveillance.

Background & Aims: Patients with serrated polyposis syndrome (SPS) are advised to undergo endoscopic surveillance for early detection of polyps and prevention of colorectal cancer (CRC). The optimal surveillance and treatment regimen is unknown. We performed a prospective study to evaluate a standardized endoscopic treatment protocol in a large cohort of patients with SPS.

Effectiveness of primary androgen-deprivation therapy for clinically localized prostate cancer.

Purpose: Primary androgen-deprivation therapy (PADT) is often used to treat clinically localized prostate cancer, but its effects on cause-specific and overall mortality have not been established. Given the widespread use of PADT and the potential risks of serious adverse effects, accurate mortality data are needed to inform treatment decisions.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using comprehensive utilization and cancer registry data from three integrated health plans.

Yield of screening colonoscopy in first-degree relatives of patients with serrated polyposis syndrome.

Goals: We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic yield of screening colonoscopies in first-degree relatives (FDRs) of patients with serrated polyposis syndrome (SPS).

Background: Patients with SPS are at an increased risk for colorectal cancer. Although inheritance patterns are unknown, FDRs of these patients have an increased risk for both colorectal cancer and SPS.

Anthropometric and hormonal risk factors for male breast cancer: male breast cancer pooling project results.

Background: The etiology of male breast cancer is poorly understood, partly because of its relative rarity. Although genetic factors are involved, less is known regarding the role of anthropometric and hormonally related risk factors.

Methods: In the Male Breast Cancer Pooling Project, a consortium of 11 case-control and 10 cohort investigations involving 2405 case patients (n = 1190 from case-control and n = 1215 from cohort studies) and 52013 control subjects, individual participant data were harmonized and pooled.

Longitudinal immune responses and gene expression profiles in type 1 leprosy reactions.

Purpose: Leprosy, a chronic disease initiated by Mycobacterium leprae, is often complicated by acute inflammatory reactions. Although such episodes occur in at least 50% of all leprosy patients and may cause irreversible nerve damage, no laboratory tests are available for early diagnosis or prediction of reactions. Since immune- and genetic host factors are critical in leprosy reactions, we hypothesize that identification of host-derived biomarkers correlated to leprosy reactions can provide the basis for new tests to facilitate timely diagnosis and treatment thereby helping to prevent tissue damage.

Systemic and vascular effects of circulating diesel exhaust particulate matter.

Objective: Numerous studies have found an association between transiently increased particulate matter air pollution and acute adverse cardiovascular health effects; however, the mechanisms underlying these effects are not clear. Translocation of ultra-fine ambient particulate matter has been proposed to play a key role in these acute side effects. This study was designed to determine the contribution of circulating (translocated) diesel exhaust particles (DEPs) to the systemic and vascular effects.

Cohort study of insulin glargine and risk of breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer among patients with diabetes.

Objective: To examine whether use of insulin glargine, compared with another long-acting insulin, is associated with risk of breast, prostate, colorectal cancer, or all cancers combined.

Research Design And Methods: Computerized health records from Kaiser Permanente Northern and Southern California regions starting in 2001 and ending in 2009 were used to conduct a population-based cohort study among patients with diabetes aged ≥18 years. With use of Cox regression modeling, cancer risk in users of insulin glargine (n = 27,418) was compared with cancer risk in users of NPH (n = 100,757).

Childbirth and female sexual function later in life.

Objective: To examine relationships among parity, mode of delivery, and other parturition-related factors with women's sexual function later in life.

Methods: Self-administered questionnaires examined sexual desire, activity, satisfaction, and problems in a multiethnic cohort of women aged 40 years and older with at least one past childbirth event. Trained abstractors obtained information on parity, mode of delivery, and other parturition-related factors from archived records.

An absolute risk model to identify individuals at elevated risk for pancreatic cancer in the general population.

Purpose: We developed an absolute risk model to identify individuals in the general population at elevated risk of pancreatic cancer.

Patients And Methods: Using data on 3,349 cases and 3,654 controls from the PanScan Consortium, we developed a relative risk model for men and women of European ancestry based on non-genetic and genetic risk factors for pancreatic cancer. We estimated absolute risks based on these relative risks and population incidence rates.

Contribution of lung macrophages to the inflammatory responses induced by exposure to air pollutants.

Large population cohort studies have indicated an association between exposure to particulate matter and cardiopulmonary morbidity and mortality. The inhalation of toxic environmental particles and gases impacts the innate and adaptive defense systems of the lung. Lung macrophages play a critically important role in the recognition and processing of any inhaled foreign material such as pathogens or particulate matter.

Glycemic control and urinary incontinence in women with diabetes mellitus.

Background: Although many studies have shown that diabetes increases the risk for urinary incontinence, it is unclear whether poor glycemic control in women with diabetes is associated with incontinence. This study aims to determine the relationship between the hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level and urinary incontinence in a large, diverse cohort of older women.

Methods: We examined 6026 older women who responded to a survey (62% response rate) and were enrolled in the Diabetes and Aging Study, an ethnically stratified random sample of patients with diabetes enrolled in Kaiser Permanente Northern California.

Family history of diabetes and pancreatic cancer as risk factors for pancreatic cancer: the PACIFIC study.

Genetic association studies have identified more than a dozen genes associated with risk of pancreatic cancer. Given this genetic heterogeneity, family history can be useful for identifying individuals at high risk for this disease. The goal of this analysis was to evaluate associations of family history of diabetes and family history of pancreatic cancer with risk of pancreatic cancer.

Efficacy of intermittent androgen deprivation therapy vs conventional continuous androgen deprivation therapy for advanced prostate cancer: a meta-analysis.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of intermittent androgen deprivation therapy (IADT) vs continuous androgen deprivation therapy (CADT) for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer; we performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), assessing the risks of disease progression, all-cause, and disease-specific mortality.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a systematic search of several bibliographic systems to identify all RCTs of IADT in men with newly diagnosed metastatic or biochemical only prostate cancer. We abstracted outcome data, study characteristics, and participant demographics.