[Multiple primary tumors in children: a clinicopathological analysis of four cases].

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features of children with metachronous or synchronous primary tumors and to identify related genetic tumor syndromes. Methods: The clinicopathological data of 4 children with multiple primary tumors diagnosed in the Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China from 2011 to 2023 were collected. The histological, immunophenotypic and molecular characteristics were examined using H&E staining, immunohistochemical staining, PCR, Sanger sequencing and next-generation sequencing (NGS). The patients were followed up. Results: Case 1 was an 8-year-old boy with the adrenal cortical carcinoma, and 5 years later a poorly differentiated gastric adenocarcinoma was detected. Case 2 was a 2-year-old boy, presented with a left ventricular choroid plexus carcinoma, and a hepatoblastoma was detected 8 months later. Case 3 was a 9-month-old girl, diagnosed with renal rhabdoid tumor first and intracranial atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT) 3 months later. Case 4 was a 7-year-old boy and had a sigmoid colon adenocarcinoma 3 years after the diagnosis of a glioblastoma. The morphology and immunohistochemical features of the metachronous or synchronous primary tumors in the 4 cases were similar to the corresponding symptom-presenting/first-diagnosed tumors. No characteristic germ line mutations were detected in cases 1 and 2 by relevant molecular detection, and the rhabdoid tumor predisposition syndrome was confirmed in case 3 using NGS. Case 4 was clearly related to constitutional mismatch repair deficiency as shown by the molecular testing and clinical features. Conclusions: Childhood multiple primary tumors are a rare disease with histological morphology and immunophenotype similar to the symptom-presenting tumors. They are either sporadic or associated with a genetic (tumor) syndrome. The development of both tumors can occur simultaneously (synchronously) or at different times (metachronously). Early identification of the children associated with genetic tumor syndromes can facilitate routine tumor screening and early treatment.

Sex differences in the association between socio-economic status and type 2 diabetes: data from the 2005 Korean National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (KNHANES).

OBJECTIVES: While socio-economic status (SES) is considered a key social-environment factor affecting health outcomes, sex differences in the association between SES and the risk of type 2 diabetes remain unclear. The aims of this study were: (1) to identify risk factors associated with type 2 diabetes in a representative sample of Korean adults with a focus on socio-economic determinants; and (2) to examine how the association between SES and type 2 diabetes is affected by sex. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: This study used data obtained from 3870 Korean adults (age ≥35 years) who participated in the 2005 Korean National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (KNHANES III). The risk of type 2 diabetes in relation to SES was calculated, after controlling for other risk factors such as medical characteristics (hypertension, family history, body mass index, triglyceride, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol), lifestyle factors (body mass index, smoking, alcohol intake, exercise) and perceived stress. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated separately for Korean men and women using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Compared with individuals with ≥13 years of education, those with ≤6 years of education or 7-12 years of education had higher ORs for the risk of type 2 diabetes - 2.10 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.27-3.48) and 1.62 (95% CI 1.04-2.52), respectively - after adjusting for age, sex, medical characteristics, lifestyle factors and stress level. The OR for women with ≤6 years of education was particularly high (OR 10.16, 95% CI 2.08-49.53), even after adjusting for the study covariates. However, this increasing trend in the OR was not observed for men. CONCLUSIONS: SES significantly influences the risk of type 2 diabetes in Korean adults, and there are interactions with sex. Korean women with a low level of education represent a particularly high-risk group for type 2 diabetes. Future interventions should incorporate more targeted diabetes prevention efforts for women with a low level of education.

Physical activity, abdominal obesity and the risk of coronary heart disease: a Korean national sample study.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the interaction between physical activity and abdominal obesity in relation to the Framingham Risk Score (FRS) for predicting the 10-year risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) using a representative sample of Korean adults. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: Drawing from the 2007 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES IV-1), data from 2112 adults aged 30-74 years were analysed. The risk of CHD was calculated according to the FRS, and odds ratios (ORs) were analysed for the at-risk group (probability > 10%) with multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Compared with physically active men with a normal waist circumference (WC), inactive men with a large WC had an OR for CHD risk of 2.91 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.63-5.22]. Compared with active women with a normal WC, inactive women with a large WC had an OR of 6.37 (95% CI 3.44-11.80). Among women with a normal WC, inactive women were at increased risk of CHD compared with active women (OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.19-3.93). Among active individuals, both men and women with large WCs were at increased risk of CHD compared with those with normal WCs. CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal obesity was associated with risk of CHD regardless of the level of physical activity. The 10-year risk of CHD associated with physical inactivity and abdominal obesity was much stronger in Korean women than in Korean men. While the importance of obesity control and physical activity is clear, future interventions should incorporate more targeted abdominal obesity prevention and control efforts, especially for women.

Computer-mediated support group use among parents of children with cancer--an exploratory study.

This study describes aspects of computer group use as a vehicle for self-help by parents of children with cancer. Using an electronic mail system, data were gathered from 73 parents who had participated in online support groups. Most participants were Caucasian, well educated, and reported annual incomes of more than $50,000. The perceived benefits of the computer group involvement were getting information, sharing experiences, receiving general support, venting feelings, gaining accessibility, and using writing. The disadvantages included "noise," negative emotions, large volume of mail, and lack of physical contact and proximity. The findings indicate that computer group use is more common in parents with relatively high socioeconomic status. There are certain advantages and disadvantages of computer group use that need to be recognized and addressed by health professionals and users.

Cloning of canine GM-CSF and SCF genes.

Cytokines have pleiotropic regulatory effects on hematopoietic cells and many other cell types that participate in host defence and repair processes. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) mediates the growth and differentiation of granulocytes and macrophages and regulates the biological functions expressed by mature cells of these lineages. Stem cell factor (SCF) is a multifunctional cytokine involved in hematopoiesis, melanogenesis and gametogenesis. In order to determine the complementary DNA (cDNA) of canine GM-CSF and canine SCF, cDNA clones were generated from lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and bone marrow cells by reverse transcription PCR amplification. The canine GM-CSF cDNA obtained in this study contains an open reading frame encoding 144 amino acid residues and has 53-75% homology with those of human, cat, sheep, pig, cow and mouse, Canine SCF cDNA consist of an open reading frame encoding 274 amino acid residues and shares 81-92% homology with those of human, cat, pig, cow and mouse.