Cancer risk in relatives of BRCA1/2 pathogenic variant carriers in a large series of unselected patients with breast cancer

Objective:The spectrum and risk of cancer in relatives of BRCA1/2 pathogenic variant carriers in the Chinese population have not been established.Methods:A family history of cancer in 9903 unselected breast cancer patients was retrospectively analyzed.BRCA1/2 status was determined for all patients and relative risks(RRs)were calculated to evaluate cancer risk in relatives of the patients.Results:The incidences of breast cancer in female relatives of BRCA1 carriers,BRCA2 carriers,and non-carriers were 33.0%,32.2%,and 7.7%,respectively.The corresponding incidences of ovarian cancer were 11.5%,2.4%,and 0.5%,respectively.The incidences of pancreatic cancer in male relatives of BRCA1 carriers,BRCA2 carriers,and non-carriers were 1.4%,2.7%,and 0.6%,respectively.The corresponding incidences of prostate cancer were 1.0%,2.1%,and 0.4%,respectively.The risks of breast and ovarian cancers in female relatives of BRCA1 and BRCA2 carriers were significantly higher than female relatives of non-carriers(BRCA1:RR=4.29,P<0.001 and RR=21.95,P<0.001;BRCA2:RR=4.19,P<0.001 and RR=4.65,P<0.001,respectively).Additionally,higher risks of pancreatic and prostate cancers were noted in male relatives of BRCA2 carriers than non-carriers(RR=4.34,P=0.001 and RR=4.86,P=0.001,respectively).Conclusions:Female relatives of BRCA1 and BRCA2 carriers are at increased risk for breast and ovarian cancers,and male relatives of BRCA2 carriers are at increased risk for pancreatic and prostate cancers.

Intensive care environment: Perspective of relatives of critically ill patient sustained by health technology

The intensive care unit(ICU)is a complex setting by nature,and some have described it as bizarre due to its numerous sirens that sound when anything is dangerous,constant activity,equipment,bright lights,and high fatality rate.The demands placed on nurses to care for critically ill patients in this environment frequently prevent nurses and other health‑care professionals from acknowledging the feelings of patient’s relatives or family caregivers,resulting in a hostile environment from the patient’s relative’s perspective.When a patient’s family enters the ICU,they feel that hospital administrators do little to nothing to alleviate their discomfort and fear.Despite research demonstrating the importance of providing a homely environment for patients’families,In Nigeria ICU is still far behind how a conventional ICU environment should be structured to accommodate patient’s relations in the unit.The goal of this study was to look at the patient’s relative’s perspective on providing care for a critically ill patient in an ICU,with a focus on the unit’s complexity and overall experience.Based on the findings of this study,we recommend that hospital administrators ensure that the environment of the upcoming ICU is designed to meet the needs of patient’s relatives by addressing identified environmental concerns,like caring neglect,by providing a friendly and stress‑free environment.

What is the quantitative risk of gastric cancer in the first-degree relatives of patients? A meta-analysis

AIMTo quantify the risk of gastric cancer in first-degree relatives of patients with the cancer.METHODSA comprehensive literature search was performed. Case-control trials comparing the frequency of a positive family history of gastric cancer in patients with gastric cancer, vs non-gastric cancer controls were retrieved. Studies with missed or non-extractable data, studies in children, abstracts, and duplicate publications were excluded. A meta-analysis of pooled odd ratios was performed using Review Manager 5.0.25. We performed subgroup analysis on Asian studies and a sensitivity analysis based on the quality of the studies, type of the outcome, sample size, and whether studies considered only first-degree relatives.RESULTSThirty-two relevant studies out of 612 potential abstracts (n = 80690 individuals) were included. 19.0% of the patients and 10.9% of the controls had at least one relative with gastric cancer (P < 0.00001). The pooled relative risk for the development of gastric cancer in association with a positive family history was 2.35 (95%CI: 1.96-2.81). The Cochran Q test for heterogeneity was positive (P < 0.00001, I² = 92%). After excluding the three outlier studies with the highest relative risks, heterogeneity remained significant (P < 0.00001, I² = 90%). The result was not different among Asian studies as compared to others and remained robust in several sensitivity analyses. In the 26 studies which exclusively analysed the history of gastric cancer in first-degree relatives, the relative risk was 2.71 (95%CI: 2.08-3.53; P < 0.00001).CONCLUSIONIndividuals with a first-degree relative affected with gastric cancer have a risk of about 2.5-fold for the development of gastric cancer. This could be due to genetic or environmental factors. Screening and preventive strategies should be developed for this high-risk population.

Increased expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in first-degree relatives of gastric cancer patients

AIM: To study the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)in human gastric cancer tissues and their paired adjacent mucosa, as well as mucosa from gastric antrum and corpus of the first-degree relatives of the recruited cancer patients.METHODS: The expression of COX-2 mRNA in 38 patients with gastric cancer and their 29 first-degree relatives and 18 healthy controls was assessed by the real time RT-PCR.The expression of COX-2 protein was determined by Western blot.RESULTS: A marked increase in COX-2 mRNA expression was found in 20 of 37 (54%) cancerous tissues compared to their respective paired normal mucosa (P＜0.001).Interestingly, increased COX-2 mRNA expression was also found in mucosa of the corpus (6/29) and antrum (13/29)of their first-degree relatives. Increased COX-2 mRNA expression was more frequently observed in the antrum biopsies from cancer patients than in the antrum biopsies from healthy controls (P＜0.05). In addition, 3 of 23 (13%)patients with atrophic mucosa and 6 of 35 (17%) patients with intestinal metaplasia showed increased COX-2 mRNA expression. Furthermore, COX-2 expression increased in H pylori-positive tissues, especially in antrum mucosa.CONCLUSION: Increased COX-2 expression is involved in gastric carcinogenesis, and may be necessary for maintenance of the malignant phenotype and contribute to Helicobacterpylori-associated malignant transformation.

Stomach cancer screening and preventive behaviors in relatives of gastric cancer patients

AIM:To investigate gastric cancer screening and preventive behaviors among the relatives of patients with gastric cancer[i.e.,gastric cancer relatives(GCRs)].METHODS:We examined the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005(KNHANESⅢ) database and compared the gastric cancer screening and preventive behaviors of GCRs(n=261)with those of non-GCRs(n=454)and controls without a family history of cancer(n=2842).RESULTS:The GCRs were more likely to undergo gastric cancer screening compared with the control group(39.2%vs 32.3%,adjusted odds ratio:1.43,CI:1.05-1.95),although the absolute screening rate was low.Dietary patterns and smoking rates did not differ significantly between the groups,and a high proportion of GCRs reported inappropriate dietary habits(i.e.,approximately 95%consumed excessive sodium,30% were deficient in vitamin C,and 85%were deficient in dietary fiber).CONCLUSION:The gastric cancer screening and preventive behaviors of GCRs have yet to be improved.To increase awareness among GCRs,systematic family education programs should be implemented.

Burden, Health and Sense of Coherence among Relatives of Depressed Inpatients

In Europe, there are an increasing number of persons suffering from depression, which also affects many relatives. The burden and health when being the relative of an inpatient suffering from severe depression has been less examined. The aim of the study was to describe burden, health and sense of coherence among relatives of inpatients with severe depression. Furthermore, the aim was to investigate relatives’ burden in relation to their health and sense of coherence. A cross-sectional design was performed, with a questionnaire consisting of background questions and three instruments;Burden Assessment Scale, General Health Questionnaire and Sense of Coherence scale. The participants consisted of 68 relatives recruited from a sample of inpatients diagnosed with depression in the psychiatric specialist health services in one hospital trust in Norway. The Regional Committee for Medical and Health Research Ethics, Norway South East, gave approval to the study. The relatives reported burden to a various degree, with some reporting a significantly greater burden, poorer health and a weaker sense of coherence than others. With regard to subjective burden eight out of ten relatives reported “Worry about future”, and almost six out of ten were “Upset by change in patient”. Regarding objective burden, more than half the relatives reported having “Less time for friends” and “Reduced leisure time”. In conclusion the relatives with a high level of burden reported more mental distress, poorer health and weaker sense of coherence than those with lower level of burden. Further research should focus on identification of factors predicting burden and health of relatives of inpatients with severe depression.

Relatives’ experiences of everyday life when receiving day care services for persons with dementia living at home

Relatives often become involved in the care of people with dementia who are living at home. The caregivers’ burdens are extensively described in several studies, and one of the most common, unmet needs of the caregivers is the opportunity for daytime activities. The aim in this qualitative study is therefore to explore the everyday lives of eight relatives of people with dementia who are receiving day care services. A content analysis is used, and three major themes emerge and are discussed: 1) when life becomes chaotic;2) rebuilding a new, everyday life;and 3) the agonies of choice. The findings indicate that day care service offers respite care, and, at the same time, it gives both the relatives and those with dementia a meaningful day. These findings can also be described as relatives traveling a route from a situation characterized by chaos and suffering to a new life situation that has meaning through day care services. It is important to note that despite this new meaning in the relatives’ lives, the relatives continue to struggle with decisions about the futures of their loves ones in regard to the dilemma of placing them in an institution versus aging in place.

Crop wild relatives of Kazakhstani Tien Shan:Flora,vegetation,resources

This paper presents the results of the field study on species composition,geographical distribution,phytocoenotic diversity and resources of crop wild relatives(CWR) in Kazakhstan’s ranges of the Tien Shan Mountains.Taxa of not only cultivated genera of crops are taken into account,but also a wider range of species of high socio-economic importance,including medicinal,fodder,essential oil and other species.List of CWR includes 289 species belonging to 39 families and 145 genera.Among them,9 species listed in the Red Data book of Kazakhstan:Pistacia vera,Rheum wittrockii,Armeniaca vulgaris,Malus sieversii,Allium pskemense,Allochrusa gypsophilloides,Sorbus sibirica,Vitis vinifera and Artemisia cina.The highest plant diversity is recorded in intermountain plains and river valleys where meadow vegetation forms a high abundance of forage and resource plants.The diversity of wild fruit plants is concentrated in gallery forests.CWR of cereals are confined to dry steppe slopes in low piedmont belt.The populations of almond,pistachio,plum and cherry were recorded at dry slopes of low mountain belt.The estimation of the raw material base for 13 resource plants is given.Only Rumex tianschanicus,Berberis sphaerocarpa are recommended for industrial harvesting;for local pharmacy chain-Mentha longifolia,Origanum vulgare,O.vulgare subsp.gracile,Ziziphora clinopodioides,Hypericum scabrum,Hypericum perforatum,and five Rosa species.

Feasibility of a finger prick-based self-testing kit in first- and second-degree relatives of children with coeliac disease

AIM:To assess feasibility of a finger prick-based kit as method for self-testing of first and second-degree relatives of coeliac disease (CD) patients. METHODS:A total number of 379 subjects were invited to participate in this study,consisting of 197 first- degree and 182 second-degree relatives of CD patients. The self-testing kit (BiocardTM) was sent out with included instructions for use. Completed tests were sent back to the study coordinator for assessment. RESULTS:One hundred and ninety-six invited relatives carried out the BiocardTM test at home. Amongst these,70% were children. In 97% of the cases the test was performed correctly. Three tests revealed a positive result,all of which were later confirmed by serology and histology as coeliac disease.CONCLUSION:Our study indicates that BiocardTM test is a reliable,easy to use and well-accepted tool for home testing of first- and second-degree relatives of CD patients.

Protease Inhibitors in Wild Relatives of Pigeonpea against the Cotton Bollworm/Legume Pod Borer, <i>Helicoverpa armigera</i>

Cotton bollworm/legume pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera is one of the most damaging pests worldwide. Be-cause of the difficulties associated with chemical control of this pest, emphasis has been placed on developing transgenic plants with resistance to H. armigera. Since toxin genes from the bacterium, Bacillus thuringien-sis (Bt) have been deployed on a large scale, there is need to scout for alternate genes which could be deployed alone or in combination with the Bt genes for pest management. Therefore, we evaluated the wild relatives of pigeonpea, which have shown high levels of resistance to this pest, for the protease inhibitors (PIs) under in vivo and in vitro inhibitions. Accessions belonging to Cajanus albicans, C. cajanifolius, C. sericeus, Flemingia bracteata, and Rhynchosia bracteata showed complete inhibition of H. armigera gut proteinases (HaGPs). Some of the C. scarabaeoides accessions (ICPW 116, 152, 278 and 280) exhibited partial inhibition at low concentrations of the PIs. All accessions of wild relatives of pigeonpea showed high to moderate level of inhibition at pH 7.8. Cultivated pigeonpea, ICPL 87 exhibited monomorphism in terms of trypsin inhibitor (TI) and chymotrypsin inhibitor (CTI) isoforms, contrary to the diverse inhibitory profiles of wild pigeonpeas. Cajanus albicans, C. platycarpus, C. scarabaeoides, and R. bracteata showed more number of TI and CTI bands than the cultivated pigeonpea. Protease inhibitor isoforms of wild relatives of pigeonpea showed significant variation in number, band pattern, and protein specificities towards trypsin, chymotrypsin, and H. armigera gut proteinases (HaGPs) as compared to the cultivated pigeonpea. The PIs from the wild relatives of pigeonpea showed considerable potential against the HaGPs, and could be considered as potential candidates for use in genetic transformation of crops for pest management, including H. armigera.

Help received from relatives and services to satisfy needs of adults with severe mental disorders

Background: Few studies have considered the impact of demographic and clinical variables on help received respectively from services and relatives to satisfy needs of adults with severe mental disorders (SMD). Purposes: To identify major needs receiving help and, using the Andersen’s Behavioural Model of Health Service Use, to identify and compare predisposing, enabling and need factors associated with help given respectively by services and relatives. Methods: 352 adults with SMD from Montreal (Canada) were interviewed using six standardized instruments. Clinical records were consulted. Multiple linear regression analyses were processed to measure level of help received from relatives and services. Results: Factors significantly associated with help from relatives were: higher number of perceived needs;fewer diagnoses;better community functioning;being younger, and in a conjugal relationship;living autonomously;having social support and better quality of life;and, marginally, being an immigrant. Factors significantly associated with help from services were: higher number of perceived needs, better quality of life, supervised housing, adjustment disorder and schizophrenia. Conclusions: Help overall is insufficient to meet users’ needs. Services are more helpful than relatives, in particular regarding health needs. Comparatively to help from services, help from relatives is associated with predisposing factors like age, marital status and nationality.

The effects of ethical dilemmas regarding the use of physical restraints in eldercare on female nurses who care for their relatives in Japan

Purpose: This study sought to clarify the relationship between a nurse’s exposure to elderly relatives and their perspective in using restraints on the elderly in health care situations. Methods: We approached nursing staff supervisors at 17 general hospital wards and explained the objectives of the study. Supervisors at 14 hospitals agreed to participate, giving us a sampling pool of 1929 nurses. We used a chi square test to compare nurses who had spent time with elderly relatives and those who had not on several variables related to using restraints on elderly patients. Results and Conclusion: This study found that nurses who live with elderly family members were significantly more likely to believe that restraints cause diseases (including chronic diseases) based on a chi square test (p < 0.05). Therefore it would be important that essential was the experiences of individuals with elderly family members when making programs of decreasing nurse’s dilemma to restraining the elderly.

Immunoglobulin G Specific Antibody Level against Ebola Viral Glycoprotein and Nucleoprotein in Ebola Virus Disease Survivors and Their Relatives

Ebola virus disease is a complex zoonosis that is highly virulent in humans. Despite its sorely pathogenic and lethal nature, survivors of this infection and even asymptomatic cases are able to develop both humoral and cellular immunity against several Ebola virus (EBOV) proteins. We aimed at determining immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies level against two Ebola viral antigens, the glycoprotein and the nucleoprotein in Ebola survivors and their relatives. Anti-EBOV glycoprotein (GP) and nucleoprotein (NP) IgG antibodies were quantified using ELISA. We enrolled 199 participants in two different sites as follow: 91 survivors at the Loreto clinic and 70 survivors with 38 relatives of Sierra Leone Association of Ebola Survivors Bombali Branch (SLAESB) tested for anti-EBOV NP and anti-EBOV GP IgG antibodies. Our findings revealed that the median anti-EBOV IgG level among survivors was 5.7128 U/ml [IQR: 2.793 - 7.783] for anti-EBOV GP IgG and 4.431 U/ml [IQR: 2.083 - 7.696] for anti-EBOV NP IgG. Survivors relatives had a median anti-EBOV GP IgG level of ?0.7128 U/ml [IQR: -0.903 to -0.04327] and -2.711 U/ml [IQR: -4.01 to -1.918] for anti-EBOV NP IgG. We observed that IgG levels in survivors were higher than in relatives with a significant difference of about 0.0001. The median value of anti-EBOV IgG level among seropositive relatives was 0.7043 U/ml [IQR: 0.5686 to 3.716] for anti-EBOV GP IgG and 4.05 U/ml [IQR: 0.2765 to 7.759] for anti-EBOV NP IgG respectively. Interestingly, we observed that 3.30% of Loreto clinic survivors did not developed anti-EBOV NP IgG antibodies;also about 10% survivors of the SLAESB were not reactive to anti-EBOV NP IgG and 1.43% of these survivors did not express antibodies against the Ebola viral glycoprotein. Our work is consistent with previous published studies showing heterogeneity in both survivors and asymptomatic cases of Ebola infection developing adaptive immunity against EBOV proteins.

Analysis of the Current Status and Influencing Factors of Caring Ability of Main Relatives and Caregivers of Patients with Esophageal Cancer

Objective: To investigate the caring ability of the main relatives of postoperative patients with esophageal cancer, and to analyze the influencing factors. Methods: From May 2019 to May 2021, 290 esophageal cancer patients and their main relatives were selected by convenience sampling method in a Grade III a cancer hospital in Guangzhou;the general data questionnaire and the Chinese version of the scale of care ability of relatives’ caregivers were used. Results: The total average score of caring ability of the main relatives’ caregivers after esophageal cancer operation was (32.99 ± 3.01). Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that the age of the caregiver, the length of stay, the family income per capita and the experience of caring were the influencing factors. Conclusion: The caring ability of the main relatives of the patients with esophageal cancer after operation is moderate and low. The medical staff should improve the caring ability of the caregivers and take effective measures according to different influencing factors to improve the psychological state of the caregivers.

Regaining Normalcy in Relatives of Patients with a Pacemaker

Patients with chronic diseases, such as those with pacemakers, have shown that they have a worsened well-being, which means an increased interest in investigating how relatives of patients with pacemakers experience their situations and how the disease affects their life situations. The aim of this study was to explore the main concerns for the relatives of patients with a pacemaker and how they resolve these issues. A classic grounded theory was used throughout the study for data collection and analysis. Interviews were conducted with ten participants. Striving for normalcy emerged as the main concern for relatives of patients with a pacemaker and was handled through a process of regaining normalcy where the relatives strive to find a way to live as normal as possible. Regaining normalcy is done through developing trust, dwindling and finally life stabilizing, in which they are either holding back or new normalizing. Distinguishing signs are constantly done during the process to quickly notice possible symptoms of the patient. Increased knowledge and understanding of how the relatives of patients with a pacemaker regain normalcy can be used as a guide in order to support and inform the patient as well as their relatives in conjunction with implantation occasions but also in connection with recurring and lifelong follow-up occasions.

Biodiversity Assessment of Sugar Beet Species and Its Wild Relatives:Linking Ecological Data with New Genetic Approaches

The value of crop wild relatives has long been acknowledged and this wild resource has been used to improve crop performance with clear economic benefits. Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris) is the most economically valuable crop species in the order Caryophyllales, B. vulgaris subsp. maritima being the ancestor of the cultivated beets. The wild species of the genus Beta s.l. are commonly found in coastal areas of Europe and Mediterranean Region, where a rich genetic heritage still exists. Broadening the genetic base of sugar beet by introgression with wild relatives is a growing need regarding the maintenance of ecologically important traits. Since wild relatives have adapted to specific habitats, they constitute an important source of novel traits for the beet breeding pool. So, we conducted a broader research project aiming to delimit taxa and identify priority locations to establish genetic reserves of the wild Beta species occurring in Portugal (Western Iberian Peninsula). The aim of this study was: 1) to identify and characterize the main habitats of these wild Beta species;and 2) to present a review of some genetic tools available for future application in sugar beet breeding. In this review, we have focused on EcoTILLING as a molecular tool to assess DNA polymerphisms in wild populations of Beta and identify candidate genes related to drought and salt tolerance, as well as addressed some issues related to next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies as a new molecular tool to assess adaptive genetic variation on the wild relatives of sugar beet.

Close Neighbors Plus Relatives──An unforgettable Trip to the Philippines

At the invitation of the.Asian Center of the Philip-pine University,a five-mem-berCAFIU delegation visited the Philippines.The host high-ly regarded our visit,gave us a W arm and courteous recep-tion.Mr.Estrada.

RELATIVES COMING TOGETHER

The sun shines upon the earth in spring.The Paltang Xuanzi is a well-known dance from Paltang County,Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture.In the village committee of Yarigon’s Daxu Village,there are over 100 villagers gathered together,discussing something of great importance."Today,I have a bit of good news!"said Sonam Drakpa,party secretary of the town of Yarigong,while surrounded by locals."Lu Guangrong,the party secretary of Chengdu’s Xihanggang Street

Are Relatives of Depression Patients More Prone to the Disease?

Decreased hedonic and motivational capacity,namely anhedonia,is one of the cardinal features for patients with major depressive disorder（MDD）.Recent studies suggest that this reduced ability to experience pleasure is also a marker or endophenotype for MDD and represents a genetic predisposition to this disorder.Dr.

Photosynthesis,Metabolite Composition and Anatomical Structure of Oryza sativa and Two Wild Relatives,O.grandiglumis and O.alta

Photosynthesis, enzyme activities and metabolite pools associated with primary carbon metabolism in leaves were studied in O. grandiglumis and O. alta （wild relatives of rice which produce high biomass） versus O. sativa （a japonica cultivar and a indica-japonica hybrid） to assess their potential for identifying traits which might be utilized to enhance rice productivity. The wild relatives had higher rates of photosynthesis on a fresh weight basis, and higher water use efficiency than the O. sativa lines. There were no striking differences in activities of a number of key enzymes in carbon and nitrogen metabolism between the wild relatives and cultivated rice lines. Along with higher rates of photosynthesis on a fresh weight basis, the leaves of the two wild species had higher nitrate content, higher levels of starch, glucose and fructose, and higher levels of organic acids （malate, succinate and acetate）, compared to the O. sativa lines. The results suggested that O. grandiglumis and O. alta have differences in physiology and primary metabolism which might be exploited to improve growth and productivity of cultivated rice.