Comparison of efficacy and toxicity of chemoradiation regimens for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma primary treatment.

Background: The best chemoradiation regimen to treat locally and regionally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is yet to be established.

Methods: We compared overall survival (OS) and adverse events following chemoradiation regimens (high-dose [HDC] or low-dose [LDC] cisplatin, or carboplatin [CB]) in HNSCC cases selected from SEER-Medicare linked database.

Results: Of the 1335 cases who underwent radiotherapy, 264 received HDC, 259 received LDC, and 353 received CB, concurrently.

Treatment modalities, adverse events, and survival outcomes in older patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Chemoradiation with curative intent in older adults with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has been a challenge, because of its potential toxicities.

Methods: We selected primary HNSCC cases from the SEER-Medicare linked database, assessed overall survival (OS) and adverse events and their associations with different treatments, across four age groups including the youngest (66-69 years) and the oldest (≥80 years).

Results: Better OS was associated with chemoradiation compared to radiation alone, not only in all patients (N = 5879) (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.

Mini-Medical school empowers community members to advocate for their and others health.

Purpose: Over the past three decades, the term Mini-Medical School (MMS) has been used to describe programs offered by schools of medicine, which provide health education to the lay public and health career exposure to youth. The University of Maryland School of Medicine has operated an MMS program since 2001. The purpose of this study was to assess the sociodemographic characteristics of MMS participants and the impacts of this program on their health.

Circumstances of Substance Use by Street Youth in Egypt Support the Case for Intervening to Prevent Adverse Childhood Experiences.

Background: Egyptian street youth use substances including tobacco, illicit drugs, and pharmaceutical drugs. To understand the circumstances, including adverse childhood experiences, that place adolescents at risk for engaging in substance use, we conducted in-depth interviews among a sample of Egyptian street children.

Methods: From youth residing at or attending Caritas, a non-profit organization, which provides shelter and education to street youth, seven girls and twelve boys, aged 12 to 18 years, participated in open-ended, in-depth interviews.

Diabetes, metformin and cancer risk in myotonic dystrophy type I.

Myotonic dystrophy type I (DM1) is an autosomal dominant multisystem disorder characterized by myotonia and muscle weakness. Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cancer have been shown to be part of the DM1 phenotype. Metformin, a well-established agent for the management of T2D, is thought to have cancer-preventive effects in the general population.

Benign tumors in myotonic dystrophy type I target disease-related cancer sites.

Objectives: Recent evidence showed that myotonic dystrophy type I (DM1) patients are at increased risk of certain cancers, but the risk of benign tumors is unknown. We compared the risk of benign tumors in DM1 patients with matched DM1-free individuals and assessed the association between benign tumors and subsequent cancers.

Methods: We identified 927 DM1 patients and 13,085 DM1-free individuals matched on gender, birth-year, clinic, and clinic-registration year from the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink, a primary care records database.

Body mass index modifies bladder cancer risk associated with low estrogen exposure among Egyptian women after menopause.

Purpose: Investigators have reported inconsistent findings regarding associations between body mass index (BMI) and bladder cancer risk, and they have postulated that sex steroids mediate such associations. We assessed the impact of BMI on the relationship between bladder cancer risk and combinations of age at first childbirth, parity, and age at menopause, among Egyptian women.

Methods: We used data from our multicenter case-control study of 419 cases and 786 controls in logistic regression models to estimate adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of such associations.

Cancer Risk in Myotonic Dystrophy Type I: Evidence of a Role for Disease Severity.

Background: Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is an inherited trinucleotide repeat disorder in which specific cancers have been implicated as part of the disease phenotype. This study aimed to assess whether cancer risk in DM1 patients is modified by disease severity.

Methods: Using the United Kingdom Clinical Practice Research Datalink (primary care electronic medical records), we identified a cohort of 927 DM1 and a matched cohort of 13 085 DM1-free individuals between January 1, 1988 and February 29, 2016.

Racial and Ethnic Differences in the Relationship between Aspirin Use and Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Risk and Survival.

Background: African Americans (AA) experience higher incidence and mortality of lung cancer as compared with European Americans (EA). Inflammation is associated with lung cancer, many aspects of which differ between AA and EA. We investigated whether use, frequency, and duration of the anti-inflammatory drug aspirin were associated with lung cancer risk and survival, separately among AA and EA populations.

Associations between history of chronic lung disease and non-small cell lung carcinoma in Maryland: variations by sex and race.

Purpose: Lung cancer is a multifactorial malignancy for which some risk factors, such as chronic lung diseases, their interactions with smoking, and how they differ by race and sex, are not fully understood. We investigated the associations between chronic inflammatory lung disease and non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and how sex and race may affect such associations.

Methods: Using logistic regression, we analyzed 1660 lung cancer cases and 1959 population controls and estimated adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Urinary Bladder Cancer in Egypt: Are There Gender Differences in Its Histopathological Presentation?

We investigated gender differences in the histopathologic presentation of bladder cancer cases in Egypt, where both urothelial cell carcinoma (UC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) types are highly prevalent. We used logistic regression to estimate the unadjusted (OR) and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of the associations between gender and different histopathologic and sociodemographic parameters of 2,186 confirmed cases of primary bladder cancer (1,775 males and 411 females; 784 SCC and 1,402 UC). There were no statistically significant gender differences in tumor grade, stage, mucosal ulcer, or inflammatory cystitis, regardless of the cancer type, but men were less likely than women to have undergone cystectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy.

Postmarket Safety Outcomes for New Molecular Entity (NME) Drugs Approved by the Food and Drug Administration Between 2002 and 2014.

We ascertained a comprehensive list of postmarket safety outcomes, defined as a safety-related market withdrawal or an update to a safety-related section of product label for 278 new molecular entity drugs (NMEs) with a follow-up period of up to 13 years. At least one safety-related update was added to 195 (70.1%) labels of the drugs studied.

Associations between Depressive Symptoms and 30-day Hospital Readmission among Older Adults.

Background: Hospital readmissions are common and costly. Our goal was to determine the association between depressive symptoms and readmission within 30 days following hospital discharge in older adults.

Methods: We analyzed data from a study of 789 persons aged 65 years or older admitted to a 20-bed acute care for elders (ACE) hospital unit from May 2009 to July 2011.

Nonoccupational exposure to agricultural work and risk of urinary bladder cancer among Egyptian women.

This study examined the associations between nonoccupational exposure to agricultural work, through husband or head of household (H/HH) occupation, and urinary bladder cancer risk among Egyptian women. A total of 1,167 women (388 bladder cases and 779 age- and residence-matched, population-based controls) from a multicenter case-control study were included in the analysis. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using logistic regression.

Implementation of an Integrative Medicine Curriculum for Preventive Medicine Residents.

The University of Maryland Department of Epidemiology and Public Health collaborated with the Center for Integrative Medicine at the same institution to develop and implement a unique integrative medicine curriculum within a preventive medicine residency program. Between October 2012 and July 2014, Center for Integrative Medicine faculty provided preventive medicine residents and faculty, and occasionally other Department of Epidemiology and Public Health faculty, with comprehensive exposure to the field of integrative medicine, including topics such as mind-body medicine, nutrition and nutritional supplements, Traditional Chinese Medicine, massage, biofield therapies, manual medicine, stress management, creative arts, and the use of integrative medicine in the inpatient setting. Preventive medicine residents, under the supervision of Department of Epidemiology and Public Health faculty, led integrative medicine-themed journal clubs.

Integrative Medicine in Preventive Medicine Education: Implementation Analysis.

In September 2012, the Health Resources and Services Administration funded 12 preventive medicine residency programs to participate in a 2-year project aimed at incorporating integrative medicine (IM) into their residency training programs. The grantees were asked to incorporate competencies for IM into their respective preventive medicine residency curricula and to provide for faculty development in IM. The analysis conducted in 2014-2015 used the following evidence to assess residency programs' achievements and challenges in implementation: progress and performance measures reports, curriculum mapping of program activities to IM competencies, records of webinar participation, and post-project individual semi-structured phone interviews with the 12 grantee project leaders.

Viral transmission risk factors in an Egyptian population with high hepatitis C prevalence.

Background: Egypt has the world's highest prevalence of infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is a major cause of hepatocellular carcinoma. The high HCV prevalence is largely attributed to the parenteral antischistosomal therapy (PAT) campaigns conducted from the 1950s through the 1980s; however, the primary modes of transmission in the post-PAT period are not well known. In this study we examined the associations between HCV prevalence and exposures to risk factors, including PAT, in a high HCV prevalence population.

Preventing hepatocellular carcinoma in Egypt: results of a Pilot Health Education Intervention Study.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one of the most fatal malignancies, is particularly prevalent in Egypt, where we previously found deficiencies in knowledge concerning HCC and its risk factors. Hepatitis B and C viral infections are highly prevalent in Egypt, pesticides are very commonly used, and diets are often contaminated by aflatoxin, especially in rural areas.

Methods: We conducted a study to pilot test a health education intervention addressing HCC, its risk factors, and its main modes of prevention.

Substance use by Egyptian youth: current patterns and potential avenues for prevention.

Background: Substance abuse in Egypt is a serious public health threat. Recent studies have demonstrated increases in the prevalence of the use of tobacco, illegal drugs, and over-the-counter drugs, particularly among youth.

Methods: We conducted focus groups with a total of 40 male and female youth participants, ages 12-14 and 15-18, recruited from two different areas (Cairo and Alexandria) in 2012.

Multiple pregnancies, hepatitis C, and risk for hepatocellular carcinoma in Egyptian women.

Background: The reasons for the worldwide sex disparity in the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain elusive. We investigated the role of multiple pregnancies on the associations between viral hepatitis C (HCV) infection and HCC risk among Egyptian women.

Methods: We used data collected from blood specimens and questionnaires administered to female HCC cases and controls in Cairo, Egypt, from 1999 through 2009.

Knowledge and perceptions of hepatitis C infection and pesticides use in two rural villages in Egypt.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one of the most fatal types of malignancy, is increasing worldwide, and particularly in Egypt where there is a confluence of its contributing factors, including high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, widespread use of pesticides, and diets that are contaminated by aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in rural areas. We investigated knowledge, attitudes, and prevention practices related to HCV infection and pesticides use in rural Egypt, where over half of the population resides and agriculture is the predominant occupation.

Methods: From two rural villages we recruited 67 residents aged 18-80 years, who completed a 40-item survey that included questions about demographics, knowledge of and protective measures relevant to pesticides use in the home and in agriculture, awareness and perceptions of HCV infection and its treatment and prevention.

Associations of depression and neuroticism with smoking behavior and motives among men in rural Qalyubia (Egypt).

Purpose: Smoking addiction is influenced by cultural and environmental factors and personality traits. We assessed the associations between neuroticism and depression and smoking behavior and motives among Egyptian adult men in rural Qalyubia Governorate.

Patients And Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, we administered questionnaires to randomly selected 201, 278, and 120 adult men aged 18 years or above who were never, current, and former smokers, respectively.

Pesticides, gene polymorphisms, and bladder cancer among Egyptian agricultural workers.

Unlabelled: This study examined the associations between pesticide exposure, genetic polymorphisms for

Nad(p)h: quinone oxidoreductase I (NQO1) and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), and urinary bladder cancer risk among male agricultural workers in Egypt. Logistic regression was used to analyze data from a multicenter case-control study and estimate adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Exposure to pesticides was associated with increased bladder cancer risk (odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 1.

Genetic polymorphisms in NQO1 and SOD2: interactions with smoking, schistosoma infection, and bladder cancer risk in Egypt.

Background: Bladder cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer in men among Egyptians, for whom tobacco smoke exposure and Schistosoma haematobium (SH) infection are the major risk factors. We hypothesized that functional polymorphisms in

Nad(p)h: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), modulators of the effects of reactive oxidative species, can influence an individual's susceptibility to these carcinogenic exposures and hence the risk of bladder cancer.

Methods: We assessed the effects of potential interactions between functional polymorphisms in the NQO1 and SOD2 genes and exposure to smoking and SH infection on bladder cancer risk among 902 cases and 804 population-based controls in Egypt.

Agricultural workers and urinary bladder cancer risk in Egypt.

The authors examined the associations between farming and the risk for squamous cell (SCC) or urothelial cell (UC) carcinoma of the urinary bladder among Egyptians. The authors used data from a multicenter case-control study (1,525 male and 315 female cases, and 2,069 male and 547 female age- and residence-matched, population-based controls) to calculate adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Men in farming and who never smoked had increased risk for either SCC or UC (AOR [95% CI]: 4.