JAMA : the journal of the American Medical Association
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There is a substantial risk of a second cancer for persons with hereditary retinoblastoma, which is enhanced by radiotherapy. ⋯ Genetic predisposition has a substantial impact on risk of subsequent cancers in retinoblastoma patients, which is further increased by radiation treatment. A radiation dose-response relationship is demonstrated for all sarcomas and, for the first time in humans, for soft tissue sarcomas. Retinoblastoma patients should be examined for new cancers and followed into later life to determine whether their extraordinary cancer risk extends to common cancers of adulthood.
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Susceptibility to multiple sclerosis (MS) involves a genetically complex autoimmune component. However, except for genes in the HLA system, specific susceptibility loci are unknown or unconfirmed. ⋯ The significant chromosome 19q13.2 single-locus and multilocus haplotype associations with MS in Caucasian and Chinese patient samples indicate an effect from a nearby disease susceptibility locus. These initial observations are an encouraging step toward the description of non-HLA genetic susceptibility to MS.
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Biography Historical Article
1997 Albert Lasker and Gairdner Foundation International Medical Research awardees named.
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Recent studies suggest that many tuberculosis cases in urban areas result from recent transmission. Delineation of the epidemiologic links between patients is important to optimize strategies to reduce tuberculosis transmission. ⋯ (1) Traditional contact investigation does not reliably identify patients infected with the same M tuberculosis strain, and (2) locations at which the homeless congregate are important sites of tuberculosis transmission for homeless and nonhomeless persons. Measures that reduce tuberculosis transmission should be based on locations rather than on personal contacts.