Is previous aberrant reproductive outcome predictive of subsequently reduced fecundity?

Background: Effect of past reproductive performance on subsequent fecundity is uncertain.

Methods: A total of 2983 consecutive pregnant women self-completed questionnaires about time to pregnancy (TTP), pregnancy planning, previous pregnancies, contraceptive use, age, and individual/lifestyle variables. Outcome measures were: TTP, conception rates (CR) and, subfecundity odds ratio (OR; with 95% confidence intervals) before and after each outcome of last pregnancy.

Can a genetic signature for metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma be characterised by comparative genomic hybridisation?

Survival from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has remained static for the last 20 years. The development of lymph node metastasis (LNM) significantly reduces the 5-year survival rate, thus the ability to identify tumours with the potential to metastasise would allow more aggressive treatment regimes to be directed at these patients regardless of negative clinical and radiological findings at the time of presentation. Comparative genomic hybridisation (CGH) can identify chromosomal aberrations that may lead to metastasis.

Radioresistant laryngeal cancer: beyond the TNM stage.

Early stage squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx can be effectively cured by radiotherapy. Unfortunately treatment failures do occur and at present cannot be predicted by the clinician. This article reviews the potential molecular and cellular markers that may help to predict radioresistance in early stage laryngeal cancer.

Is previous use of hormonal contraception associated with a detrimental effect on subsequent fecundity?

Background: The effects of contraception on subsequent fecundity are yet to be substantiated.

Methods: A total of 2841 consecutive pregnant women in Hull and Sheffield completed questionnaires inquiring about time to pregnancy (TTP), contraceptive use, pregnancy planning, previous pregnancies, age and lifestyle characteristics of each partner. Outcome measures were mean TTP, conception probability and odds of subfecundity after discontinuing each contraceptive method.

Identifying a region of interest in site- and stage-specific colon cancer on chromosome 13.

Background: The role of genes on chromosome 13q has not been confirmed in colorectal tumors, in part because most series that have been studied are heterogeneous in terms of tumor site, stage, and replication error (RER) status. Using a highly homogenous series of colon tumors, our aim was to identify areas of interest on 13q that are important in carcinogenesis.

Methods: Twenty-three RER-negative tumor specimens from patients with right-sided Dukes' stage C colon tumors were selected for analysis with 10 microsatellite markers spanning 13q.

Statin-induced apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells is blocked by dexamethasone.

Statins block de novo synthesis of cholesterol by inhibiting the enzyme, HMG CoA reductase. The product of this reaction, mevalonic acid, is also a precursor of isoprenoids, molecules required for the activation of signalling G-proteins, such as Ras. Signal transduction pathways involving Ras are important for cell survival and this may be why statins induce apoptotic death of several cell types.