Patterns of Mammography Screening in Women with Breast Cancer in a Kansas Community

Purpose

The objective of this study was to examine patterns of mammography screening prior to breast cancer diagnosis in all women with breast cancer in a Kansas community.

Methods

The study population included 508 women in the Kansas Cancer Registry database diagnosed with breast cancer between 2013-2014 who were patients and residents of a defined area at the time of diagnosis. Screening history within 4 years of diagnosis was obtained. Poisson regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between sociodemographic factors and biennial screening.

Results

About 41.5% of women received at least biennial screening, while 22.1% received less than biennial screening and 36.4% had no screening. About 40% of women aged 50-64, 50.4% aged 65-74, and 48.3% aged 75-84 received biennial screening (p=0.002). Women diagnosed with in-situ and localized breast cancers had significantly higher proportions of biennial screening (46.7% and 48.6%, respectively; p < 0.001). Average tumor size was 15.7, 17.4, and 24.4 mm, for women who received at least biennial, some, and no screening, respectively (p < 0.001). Results from Poisson regression analysis showed the adjusted relative risk associated with rural/mixed residence at diagnosis and Medicaid beneficiary was 0.45 and 0.40 (p=0.003 and p=0.032) respectively.

Conclusions

Biennial mammography screening was associated with lower breast cancer stage and smaller tumor size, illustrating the importance of screening as early detection. Different outreach strategies may be necessary to reach women within varied age groups or geographical regions to help increase the number of women who remain up-to-date with mammography screening.

Localization of a cuticular protein during the postembryonal development of Manduca sexta

The pattern of cuticle protein synthesis by the epidermis of insects changes during the last larval, pupal and adult development, leading to an alteration in cuticular stucture and feature. We have isolated a protein that had an apparent molecular mass of 33.1 kD from larval cuticle of Manduca sexta. Synthesis, transport and accumulation of MsCP33.1 were followed during metamorphosis by immunoblots and immunocytochemical methods using the antibody developed against this protein. Our data prove that the presence of MsCP33.1 in the larval cuticle is general while its appearance in the pupal or adult integument is restricted only in the cuticle of wings and apodemes. We established that the synthesis of 33.1 kD protein is negatively regulated by moulting hormone (20-hydroxyecdysone). Possible roles for this cuticular protein are discussed.

Two type XVII collagen (BP180) mRNA transcripts in human keratinocytes: a long and a short form

We have analysed BP180 mRNA expression in normal human keratinocytes. Here we report the presence in normal keratinocytes of two COL17A1 transcripts which differ by 0.6 kb in length. Both mRNAs hybridized on Northern blot with probes directed to sequences encoding intracellular and extracellular fragments of BP180. By BLAST homology search alignments we extended the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) of the known BP180 mRNA sequence by 877 bases to completion. Three of 20 cDNAs identified by BLAST searches contained a 610 bp deletion in this new 3'UTR sequence. Northern blot analysis with a probe complementary to this deleted sequence showed binding only to the larger mRNA. The deletion of 610 nucleotides in the smaller mRNA was verified by reverse transcription-PCR and sequencing. Genomic PCR showed the new sequence to be an extension of exon 56 of the COL17A1 gene which suggests that the second mRNA is generated by differential splicing. In normal keratinocytes the level of the smaller transcript was 5-15% of that of the larger transcript whereas in a squamous cell carcinoma cell line this ratio was reversed, the smaller mRNA being three times more abundant than the larger mRNA. The biological significance of this newly identified transcript in protein synthesis and tissue expression or in cell differentiation, proliferation or adhesion is as yet unknown.

Scleromyxedema

Scleromyxedema is a sclerotic variant of papular mucinosis, in which lichenoid papules and scleroderma-like features are present. We describe a patient with scleromyxedema with IgG type lambda chain paraprotein, a systemic sclerosis-like illness, and myositis. The patient's serum contained Scl 70 antibodies, characteristic of scleroderma. Electromyography showed signs of acute myositis and the creatine phosphokinase (CPK) level was elevated. Multiply passaged fibroblasts from the patient's skin lesions showed altered growth response in vitro. The patient was treated with cyclosporin (4 mg/kg/day) with improvement.

Philometra karunensis sp.n. (Nematoda: Philometridae) from Barbus sharpeyi (Pisces) in freshwaters of southwest Iran

During a study on some Barbus species (Pisces: Cyprinidae) of the Mesopotamian fauna region (the south-western part of Iran) a new nematode species, Philometra karunensis sp. n., was found in the swimbladder (under the serosa cover) and abdominal cavity of Barbus sharpeyi (Günther). Males distinctly differ from the known species in the length of the spicules and gubernaculum, while subgravid females are very similar to those of Philometra spp. known from the abdominal cavity of cyprinid fishes.

The use of skin substrates deficient in basement membrane molecules for the diagnosis of subepidermal autoimmune bullous disease

A case is presented of subepidermal, autoimmune bullous disease in which the initial examinations suggested the combination of epidermolysis bullosa acquisita and bullous pemphigoid. The diagnosis of epidermolysis bullosa acquisita was made by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy: the patient's serum bound to normal skin substrate but not to type VII collagen-deficient skin substrate derived from a patient with mutilating dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa. The use of skin substrates deficient in basement membrane molecules also excluded the presence of concomitant, circulating bullous pemphigoid autoantibodies in our patient. The diagnosis of epidermolysis bullosa acquisita was confirmed by split mapping, fluorescence overlay antigen mapping and Western blot.

Some remarks on the occurrence and development of philometrid nematodes infecting the white sucker, Catostomus commersoni Lacépède (Pisces: Catostomidae), in Ontario

During a study on the parasitofauna of white sucker (Catostomus commersoni) in Laurel Creek, Ontario, three philometrid nematodes were found. Gravid and subgravid females completing the life cycle occurred very infrequently (Philometroides huronensis: 4.3%, Philometroides nodulosa: 1.6%, Philometra kobuleji: 1.1%). In comparison, males and retarded females infected the eyeball and the peritoneum around the swim bladder very often (43.1 and 31.6% in total, respectively). Less frequently, developmental stages were found in the abdominal cavity. Specimens found in the eyeball were identified as belonging to P. nodulosa, while the swim bladder forms could belong to P. huronensis or to P. kobuleji. The eyeball and the peritoneum around the swim bladder are regarded as refuges for retarded forms, where they can survive for more than a year. No evidence was found of a direct cause of retardation.

Biology and histopathology of Thelohanellus nikolskii Achmerov, 1955 (Myxosporea, Myxozoa), a protozoan parasite of the common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Thelohanellus nikolskii, a myxosporean originating from the Far East, arrived in Hungary through natural waters from neighbouring countries which it had originally reached because of the introduction of the Amur wild carp. T. nikolskii is a specific parasite of carp which produces large cysts on the fins of fry. The cysts usually appear on the fish at the beginning of July, and in August and September cysts containing the mature spores burst. The cysts are easily seen even by the naked eye and are surrounded by a thick capsule composed of connective tissue strengthened by cartilaginous elements. Due to the breaking down of the fins the parasite has pathological significance in fry.

Some new Eimeria (Protozoa, Coccidia) from freshwater fishes in Ontario, Canada

Twelve new species of Eimeria (Protozoa, Coccidia) have been described and figured from freshwater fishes in Ontario, Canada. They are Eimeria osmeri sp. nov., E. glenorensis sp. nov., E. freemani sp. nov., E. degiustii sp. nov., E. moronei sp. nov., E. hybognathi sp. nov., E. iroquoina sp. nov., E. ictaluri sp. nov., E. laureleus sp. nov., E. ojibwana sp. nov., E. haneki sp. nov., and E. tedlai sp. nov. This is the first published record on Coccidia in freshwater fishes in Canada.