Telomere Length as a New Risk Marker of Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer.

Early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC; age younger than 50 years) incidence has been steadily increasing in recent decades worldwide. The need for new biomarkers for EOCRC prevention strategies is undeniable. In this study, we aimed to explore whether an aging factor, such as telomere length (TL), could be a useful tool in EOCRC screening. The absolute leukocyte TL from 87 microsatellite stable EOCRC patients and 109 healthy controls (HC) with the same range of age, was quantified by Real Time Quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Then, leukocyte whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed to study the status of the genes involved in TL maintenance (hTERT, TERC, DKC1, TERF1, TERF2, TERF2IP, TINF2, ACD, and POT1) in 70 sporadic EOCRC cases from the original cohort. We observed that TL was significantly shorter in EOCRC patients than in healthy individuals (EOCRC mean: 122 kb vs. HC mean: 296 kb; p < 0.001), suggesting that telomeric shortening could be associated with EOCRC susceptibility. In addition, we found a significant association between several SNPs of hTERT (rs79662648), POT1 (rs76436625, rs10263573, rs3815221, rs7794637, rs7784168, rs4383910, and rs7782354), TERF2 (rs251796 and rs344152214), and TERF2IP (rs7205764) genes and the risk of developing EOCRC. We consider that the measurement of germline TL and the status analysis of telomere maintenance related genes polymorphisms at early ages could be non-invasive methods that could facilitate the early identification of individuals at risk of developing EOCRC.

Familial component of early-onset colorectal cancer: opportunity for prevention.

BACKGROUND: Individuals with a non-syndromic family history of colorectal cancer are known to have an increased risk. There is an opportunity to prevent early-onset colorectal cancer (age less than 50 years) (EOCRC) in this population. The aim was to explore the proportion of EOCRC that is preventable due to family history of colorectal cancer. METHODS: This was a retrospective multicentre European study of patients with non-hereditary EOCRC. The impact of the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE), U.S. Multi-Society Task Force (USMSTF), and National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines on prevention and early diagnosis was compared. Colorectal cancer was defined as potentially preventable if surveillance colonoscopy would have been performed at least 5 years before the age of diagnosis of colorectal cancer, and diagnosed early if colonoscopy was undertaken between 1 and 4 years before the diagnosis. RESULTS: Some 903 patients with EOCRC were included. Criteria for familial colorectal cancer risk in ESGE, USMSTF, and NCCN guidelines were met in 6.3, 9.4, and 30.4 per cent of patients respectively. Based on ESGE, USMSTF, and NCCN guidelines, colorectal cancer could potentially have been prevented in 41, 55, and 30.3 per cent of patients, and diagnosed earlier in 11, 14, and 21.1 per cent respectively. In ESGE guidelines, if surveillance had started 10 years before the youngest relative, there would be a significant increase in prevention (41 versus 55 per cent; P = 0.010). CONCLUSION: ESGE, USMSTF, and NCCN criteria for familial colorectal cancer were met in 6.3, 9.4, and 30.4 per cent of patients with EOCRC respectively. In these patients, early detection and/or prevention could be achieved in 52, 70, and 51.4 per cent respectively. Early and accurate identification of familial colorectal cancer risk and increase in the uptake of early colonoscopy are key to decreasing familial EOCRC.

Trump's electoral speeches and his appeal to the American white working class.

This paper contributes to the study of social change by considering boundary work as a dimension of cultural change. Drawing on the computer-assisted qualitative analysis of 73 formal speeches made by Donald Trump during the 2016 electoral campaign, we argue that his political rhetoric, which led to his presidential victory, addressed the white working class's concern with their declining position in the national pecking order. He addressed this group's concern by raising their moral status, that is, by (1) emphatically describing them as hard-working Americans who are victims of globalization; (2) voicing their concerns about 'people above' (professionals, the rich, and politicians); (3) drawing strong moral boundaries toward undocumented immigrants, refugees, and Muslims; (4) presenting African Americans and (legal) Hispanic Americans as workers who also deserve jobs; (5) stressing the role of working-class men as protectors of women and LGBTQ people. This particular case study of the role of boundary work in political rhetoric provides a novel, distinctively sociological approach for capturing dynamics of social change.

Prueba molecular genotype MTBDRplus, una alternativa para la detección rápida de tuberculosis multidrogorresistente / Molecular test genotype MTBDRplus, an alternative to rapid detection of multidrug resistance tuberculosis

La prueba molecular Genotype MTBDRplus, es un método que permite identificar las mutaciones más frecuentes asociadas con la resistencia a las drogas antituberculosas de primera línea: isoniacida (INH) y rifampicina (RIF). El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el desempeño de la prueba molecular con cultivos y muestras de esputo con baciloscopía positiva. Se evaluó 95 cultivos y 100 esputos con perfiles de resistencia previamente determinados por el método de referencia “proporciones agar en placa” (APP). La prueba molecular a partir de cultivos mostró una sensibilidad de 100 por ciento;97,5 por ciento y 96,9 por ciento para RIF, INH y multidrogorresistente (MDR) respectivamente; mientras que para esputo la sensibilidadfue de 95,7 por ciento; 96,8 por ciento y 95,2 por ciento para RIF, INH y MDR respectivamente. Se concluye que Genotype MTBDRplus es una herramienta muy útil para la detección rápida de la resistencia a INH y RIF simultáneamente (MDR) en un máximo de72 h a partir de esputo o de cultivo

Atención al adolescente y detección de las alteraciones del comportamiento alimentario: tenemos que dar un paso al frente / Care of adolescents and detection of disorders in eating behaviour: we have to take a step forward

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Síndrome metabólico: una oportunidad más para realizar intervenciones integrales en salud / Matebolic syndrome: another chance to make an integrated health intervention

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Women's perceptions of iron deficiency and anemia prevention and control in eight developing countries.

The World Health Organization estimates that 58% of pregnant women in developing countries are anemic. In spite of the fact that most ministries of health in developing countries have policies to provide pregnant women with iron in a supplement form, maternal anemia prevalence has not declined significantly where large-scale programs have been evaluated. During the period 1991-98, the MotherCare Project and its partners conducted qualitative research to determine the major barriers and facilitators of iron supplementation programs for pregnant women in eight developing countries. Research results were used to develop pilot program strategies and interventions to reduce maternal anemia. Across-region results were examined and some differences were found but the similarity in the way women view anemia and react to taking iron tablets was more striking than differences encountered by region, country or ethnic group. While women frequently recognize symptoms of anemia, they do not know the clinical term for anemia. Half of women in all countries consider these symptoms to be a priority health concern that requires action and half do not. Those women who visit prenatal health services are often familiar with iron supplements, but commonly do not know why they are prescribed. Contrary to the belief that women stop taking iron tablets mainly due to negative side effects, only about one-third of women reported that they experienced negative side effects in these studies. During iron supplementation trials in five of the countries, only about one-tenth of the women stopped taking the tablets due to side effects. The major barrier to effective supplementation programs is inadequate supply. Additional barriers include inadequate counseling and distribution of iron tablets, difficult access and poor utilization of prenatal health care services, beliefs against consuming medications during pregnancy, and in most countries, fears that taking too much iron may cause too much blood or a big baby, making delivery more difficult. Facilitators include women's recognition of improved physical well being with the alleviation of symptoms of anemia, particularly fatigue, a better appetite, increased appreciation of benefits for the fetus, and subsequent increased demand for prevention and treatment of iron deficiency and anemia.

Increasing awareness of danger signs in pregnancy through community- and clinic-based education in Guatemala.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the effectiveness of a set of information, education, and communication (IEC) strategies designed to increase the awareness of danger signs in pregnancy, delivery, or the postpartum period among pregnant or recently pregnant women. METHODS: Three IEC programs were implemented in 4 regions of southwestern Guatemala between April 1997 and May 1998: (1) a clinic-based program involving the training of health providers in prenatal counseling and the provision of educational media to clients; (2) a community-based strategy consisting of radio messages regarding obstetric complications; and (3) educational sessions conducted through women's groups. Three surveys were conducted. In 1997, 637 pregnant women were interviewed at clinics where the interventions had been implemented. In 1998, 163 pregnant women using a subset of the same health clinics were interviewed. In 1999, a population-based survey of 638 pregnant and postpartum women was conducted. Using logistic regression, we model awareness of danger signs as a function of sociodemographic characteristics, prenatal care utilization, and IEC interventions. RESULTS: Among women using health clinics, the likelihood of having heard of danger signs nearly tripled between 1997 and 1998, when the clinic interventions were fully implemented. In 1999, those who had heard radio messages or participated in women's groups were, respectively, 3 times and 5 times more likely to have heard of danger signs in pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: Safe motherhood programs can effectively increase knowledge of danger signs through clinic- and community-based educational strategies.