Over-reassurance and undersupport after a 'false alarm': a systematic review of the impact on subsequent cancer symptom attribution and help seeking

This literature review examined research into the impact of a previous 'all-clear' or non-cancer diagnosis following symptomatic presentation ('false alarm') on symptom attribution and delays in help seeking for subsequent possible cancer symptoms

School Food Environments and Policies in U.S. Public Schools

Examines food environments in elementary, middle, and high schools based on seventeen factors, including foods and beverages offered, the availability of vending machines, and how they vary by grade level, location, and other school characteristics

Nickel(II)-catalysed oxidative guanine and DNA damage beyond 8-oxoguanine

Oxidative DNA damage is one of the most important and most studied mechanisms of disease. It has been associated with a range of terminal diseases such as cancer, heart disease, hepatitis, and HIV, as well as with a variety of everyday ailments. There are various mechanisms by which this type of DNA damage can be initiated, through radiation and chemical oxidation, among others; however, these mechanisms have yet to be fully elucidated. A HPLC-UV-EC study of the oxidation of DNA mediated by nickel(II) obtained results that show an erratic, almost oscillatory formation of 8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG) from free guanine and from guanine in DNA. Sporadic 8-oxoG concentrations were also observed when 8-oxoG alone was subjected to these conditions. A HPLC-MS/MS study showed the formation of oxidised-guanidinohydantoin (oxGH) from free guanine at pH 11, and the formation of guanidinohydantoin (GH) from DNA at pH 5.5

An Olivinite Dike of the Magnolia District and the Associated Picrotitanite

About two and one-half miles southwest of the University of Colorado, and slightly south of the fortieth parallel, a large outcrop of volcanic rock cuts the granite. Specimens of the same material have been brought to the University Laboratory from as far west as Magnolia, and outcroppings are reported at various intermediate places. This would give the dike a general direction of east and west, and a length, as far as known, of some six or eight miles. Although the material examined was from the most easterly known outcrop, it seems better to refer the whole dike to the Magnolia district

Self-controlled case series with multiple event types

Self-controlled case series methods for events that may be classified as one of several types are described. When the event is non-recurrent, the different types correspond to competing risks. It is shown that, under circumstances that are likely to arise in practical applications, the SCCS multi-type likelihood reduces to the product of the type-specific likelihoods. For recurrent events, this applies whether or not the marginal type-specific counts are dependent. As for the standard SCCS method, a rare disease assumption is required for non-recurrent events. Several forms of this assumption are investigated by simulation. The methods are applied to data on MMR vaccine and convulsions (febrile and non-febrile), and to data on thiazolidinediones and fractures (at different sites)

Application of digital control to a magnetic model suspension and balance model

The feasibility of using a digital computer for performing the automatic control functions for a magnetic suspension and balance system (MSBS) for use with wind tunnel models was investigated. Modeling was done using both a prototype MSBS and a one dimensional magnetic balance. A microcomputer using the Intel 8080 microprocessor is described and results are given using this microprocessor to control the one dimensional balance. Hybrid simulations for one degree of freedom of the MSBS were also performed and are reported. It is concluded that use of a digital computer to control the MSBS is eminently feasible and should extend both the accuracy and utility of the system

Patterns of symptoms possibly indicative of cancer and associated help-seeking behaviour in a large sample of United Kingdom residents - the USEFUL study

Background.Cancer awareness campaigns aim to increase awareness of the potential seriousness of signs and symptoms of cancer, and encourage their timely presentation to healthcare services. Enhanced understanding of the prevalence of symptoms possibly indicative of cancer in different population subgroups, and associated general practitioner (GP) help-seeking behaviour, will help to target cancer awareness campaigns more effectively.Aim.To determine: i) the prevalence of 21 symptoms possibly indicative of breast, colorectal, lung or upper gastrointestinal cancer in the United Kingdom (UK), including six ‘red flag’ symptoms; ii) whether the prevalence varies among population subgroups; iii) the proportion of symptoms self-reported as presented to GPs; iv) whether GP help-seeking behaviour varies within population subgroups.Methods.Self-completed questionnaire about experience of, and response to, 25 symptoms (including 21 possibly indicative of the four cancers of interest) in the previous month and year; sent to 50,000 adults aged 50 years or more and registered with 21 general practices in Staffordshire, England or across Scotland. Results.Completed questionnaires were received from 16,778 respondents (corrected response rate 34.2%). Almost half (45.8%) of respondents had experienced at least one symptom possibly indicative of cancer in the last month, and 58.5% in the last year. The prevalence of individual symptoms varied widely (e.g. in the last year between near zero% (vomiting up blood) and 15.0% (tired all the time). Red flag symptoms were uncommon. Female gender, inability to work because of illness, smoking, a history of a specified medical diagnosis, low social support and lower household income were consistently associated with experiencing at least one symptom possibly indicative of cancer in both the last month and year. The proportion of people who had contacted their GP about a symptom experienced in the last month varied between 8.1% (persistent cough) and 39.9% (unexplained weight loss); in the last year between 32.8% (hoarseness) and 85.4% (lump in breast). Nearly half of respondents experiencing at least one red flag symptom in the last year did not contact their GP about it. Females, those aged 80+ years, those unable to work because of illness, ex-smokers and those previously diagnosed with a specified condition were more likely to report a symptom possibly indicative of cancer to their GP; and those on high household income less likely.Conclusion.Symptoms possibly indicative of cancer are common among adults aged 50+ years in the UK, although they are not evenly distributed. Help-seeking responses to different symptoms also vary. Our results suggest important opportunities to provide more nuanced messaging and targeting of symptom-based cancer awareness campaigns

Developing an End-User Data Capture Methodology

The aim of this research is to establish the extent to which end user requirements are communicated throughout the construction process. The method of inquiry is purely literature based. This research indicates that the perspectives of those involved in construction projects are widening. Whole life considerations are now requiring those with operational expertise and knowledge to be involved in decision making processes. In particular, design build and operate schemes, such as PFI developments, require facilities management involvement at an early stage to allow their operational knowledge to influence design and component decisions based on long term operational efficiencies. The increased use of BIM in such developments also compliments a collaborative approach by endorsing the involvement of those with specialist skills and sharing rich information in timely ways throughout the development project, from inception to operation. The process of arriving at ‘informed decisions’ is clearly complex due to the interactions of components relating to data, information and knowledge. This paper illustrates the need for effective communication of user requirements throughout the construction process. It demonstrates that provision for the capture of tangible data is reaching levels of maturity through the adoption of property asset management systems, platforms and tools. However, the paper raises awareness of the need for further research into how less tangible user requirements are obtained to ensure the ‘voice of the customer’ is heard, interpreted and communicated appropriately by construction specialists throughout the development phases