Aromatase inhibition with 4-hydroxyandrostenedione in the treatment of postmenopausal patients with advanced breast cancer: a phase II study.
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Estrogen deprivation by aromatase inhibition is an effective treatment in breast cancer. Between October 1986 and March 1988, 91 postmenopausal patients with advanced breast cancer entered a phase II study performed jointly in three center to investigate the new aromatase inhibitor 4-hydroxyandrostenedione. Patients received 500 mg 4-hydroxyandrostenedione intramuscularly (IM) every 2 weeks for 6 weeks, and 250 mg every 2 weeks thereafter. There were two complete (CRs) and 19 partial remissions (PRs) (response rate, 23%). Disease stabilization (no change; NC) was seen in 26 patients, and in 44 patients (48%), disease progression occurred. Duration of the CRs is 20+ months, median durations of PR and NC are 13+ and 8 months, respectively. Receptor status, relapse-free interval, and sites of metastatic lesions did not appear to influence treatment results. However, efficacy of previous tamoxifen treatment favorably predicted response to 4-hydroxyandrostenedione. Serum estradiol levels decreased significantly in patients after 2 weeks of treatment. Side effects were mostly nonspecific and of low degree, requiring discontinuation of treatment in only 3% of the patients. We conclude that aromatase inhibition with 4-hydroxyandrostenedione is efficacious in the treatment of postmenopausal breast cancer. (+info)
Occupational distribution of inflammatory bowel disease among German employees.
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Previous reports have shown that both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis affect people in white collar occupations associated with higher income and higher social class more frequently than other groups in the population. This study sought to carry these analyses one step further and investigate the distribution of inflammatory bowel disease by individual occupations. The German social security statistics for 'rehabilitation' were used to assess the occupational distribution of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. From 1982 to 1988, a total of 12,014 people were granted rehabilitation as a result of inflammatory bowel disease. Low male prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease was found among bricklayers, road construction workers, unskilled workers in brick and stone, unskilled labourers, and security personnel. Low rates were found among women employed in cleaning and maintenance, and in those without occupation. In contrast, a high male prevalence was found among instrument makers, electricians, bakers, and technical assistants. Among female employees, inflammatory bowel disease was significantly associated with sales representatives, office workers, health occupations, and hairdressers. These associations were found in the complete data for 1982-8 as well as in the separate data for the two half periods 1982-5 and 1986-8. Highly significant correlations between the occupational distribution of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis were found among both male and female employees. It seems that occupations involving work in the open air and physical exercise are protective, while being exposed to air conditioned artificial working conditions or extended and irregular shift working confer a risk of contracting inflammatory bowel disease. (+info)
Age, sex, and region adjusted concentrations of chromium and nickel in lung tissue.
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Chromium (Cr) and nickel (Ni) concentrations were measured in lung tissue from 110 random necropsies by means of atomic absorption spectrometry. The subjects originated from the Ruhr district (Bochum (71 cases) and Dortmund (16 cases) areas), which has been defined as a particular pollution area with locally high Cr and Ni emissions, and from Munster and vicinity (23 cases). The Cr and Ni concentrations in lung tissue of the subjects from the Ruhr district (3.09 (SD 2.99) micrograms Cr/g, 0.65 (SD 0.94) micrograms Ni/g dry weight of lung) were 4.8 and 2.8 times higher than those from Munster (0.66 (SD 0.49) micrograms Cr/g, 0.17 (SD 0.11) micrograms Ni/g dry weight of lung). Concentrations of Cr and Ni in men were twice those in women. All data showed an age dependent increase of Cr and Ni in the lung (about 2.4% a year for Cr and 3% a year for Ni) and Cr and Ni values showed a high correlation (r greater than or equal to 0.9). Thus it was possible to calculate age, sex, and region adjusted expected values of pulmonary Cr and Ni concentrations, and to identify the difference between expected and observed values. This might be helpful to interpret measurements in individual cases and in epidemiological studies. With this procedure the six cases of bronchial carcinoma in the series were shown to have pulmonary Cr and Ni concentrations that were mostly well above the predicted values, and it was possible to give a rough estimate of the degree of deviation. (+info)
The effect of postponement of first motherhood on permanent involuntary childlessness and total fertility rate in six European countries since the 1970s.
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Two invasive mosquito species, Aedes albopictus and Aedes japonicus japonicus, trapped in south-west Germany, July to August 2011.
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Adult females of two invasive species, Aedes albopictus and Aedes japonicus japonicus, were collected for the first time in July and August 2011 in Germany. Previously, only immature stages of these species had been found in the country. Repeated detection of these species reveals the Upper Rhine Valley in south-west Germany to be a particularly sensitive region for the introduction and establishment of exotic mosquito species that needs careful observation. (+info)
Genetic and environmental trends in German swine herdbook populations.
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Environmental and genetic trends for swine herdbook populations for Germany for the years 1979 to 1987 were estimated using mixed model methodology on test station data. Daily gain (DG), feed conversion efficiency (FCE), lean-to-fat ratio (R) and meat quality (Goefo) were analyzed simultaneously with different incidence matrices. Breed, season and test station were fixed effects; herd, litter and additive genetic effects for sib groups were random effects. Because the relationship data were incomplete, unknown ancestors were assigned to genetic groups. Carcass weight was included as a covariable for R. In DG, FCE and R, season was defined as month of test over all breeds and test stations. On the other hand, season for Goefo was replaced by slaughter location-date interaction. Cumulative genetic responses from the multivariate analysis for the component traits of the aggregate genotype ranged from 22 g to 55 g in DG, -.7 to 3.2 units in Goefo, -.1 to .5 in valuable cuts, and -.04 to -.15 in FCE. Cumulative monetary response over these 9 yr. per pig were $4.3, $3.7, $6.2 and $5.1 for German Landrace, German Large White, Pietrain and German Landrace B. Important environmental trends were found in FCE, Goefo and R. Total genetic improvement amounted to 1.6% of the value of national pork production in Germany during these 9 yr. With incomplete convergence, the genetic response was underestimated and environmental trends were overestimated. (+info)
Serological markers for hepatitis types A and B among U.S. Arym soldiers, Germany.
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Viral hepatitis rates among U.S. Army soldiers in Europe have been found to be two to three times higher than corresponding rates for soldiers stationed in the U.S. Sera from 89 per cent of a representative Army unit with 865 members and a known hepatitis problem were tested for HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc, and anti-HA. The prevalence of HB markers was 20 per cent, and hepatitis A antibody was present in 25 per cent. A six-month follow-up, conducted on 260 individuals initially negative for all four tests, revealed that 11 of these were now HB seropositive, whereas none had seroconverted to anti-HA positive. The HB virus was the principal agent responsible for hepatitis in the unit surveyed. (+info)
Reversing East-West mortality difference among German women, and the role of smoking.
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