623 research outputs found
Introduction: Brigid Brophy
No full textAn introduction to the special issue of Contemporary Women's Writing on the author Brigid Brophy
Reforging Roma into New Soviet Gypsies
No full textGuest: Brigid O’Keeffe is an Associate Professor of History at Brooklyn College where she specializes in late imperial Russian and Soviet history. Her research interests include internationalism, Esperanto, selfhood, ethnicity, citizenship and everyday Soviet life. She’s the author of New Soviet Gypsies: Nationality, Performance, and Selfhood in the Early Soviet Union published by University of Toronto Press
Delivery models for predictive genetic testing: preliminary results of a systematic review<subtitle>Brigid Unim</subtitle>
No full textBackground
Research on the integration of genomic knowledge into clinical practice and public health is in an early phase, and many concerns remain. The aim of this study is to identify, classify, and evaluate delivery models for the provision of predictive genetic testing in Europe vs. extra-European (Anglophone) countries.
Methods
A systematic review of the literature was conducted to identify existing genetic delivery models. Inclusion criteria were that articles be: published 2000-2015; in English or Italian; and from European or non-European countries (Canada, USA, Australia or New Zealand). Additional policy documents were retrieved from represented countries’ government-affiliated websites (non-systematic search).
Results
A total of 117 records were included, reporting on 148 genetic programmes. The programmes integrated into healthcare systems were 99 (64.9%), 49 (33.1%) were pilot programmes and 4 (2.7%) were direct-to-consumer genetic services. Most programmes were delivered in the United Kingdom (58, 39.2%), USA (35, 23.6%) or Australia (16, 10.8%). Tests for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer and Lynch syndrome were most commonly offered (39.9% and 12.8% of programmes, respectively). Many of the genetic tests offered have insufficient clinical validity or utility. The identified genetic programmes can be classified into five basic genetic service models based on which type of healthcare professional has the most prominent role in test referral: I) the geneticists model; II) the primary care model; III) the medical specialists model; IV) the population screening programmes model; V) and the direct-to-consumer model. Rudimentary evaluation of the identified programmes will be made based on outcomes and process measures of the models.
Conclusions
This review, as part of an European multicenter study, will facilitate the identification of appropriate models, outcome and process measures for the provision of predictive genetic testing in Europe
Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, and Pancreatic Cancer Risk: A Mendelian Randomization Study
No full textPancreatic cancer is currently the seventh leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Understanding whether modifiable factors increase or decrease the risk of this disease is central to facilitating primary prevention. Several epidemiological studies have described the benefits of physical activity, and the risks associated with sedentary behavior, in relation to cancer. This study aimed to assess evidence of causal effects of physical activity and sedentary behavior on pancreatic cancer risk. We conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization study using publicly available data for genetic variants associated with physical activity and sedentary behavior traits and genetic data from the Pancreatic Cancer Cohort Consortium (PanScan), the Pancreatic Cancer Case-Control Consortium (PanC4), and the FinnGen study for a total of 10 018 pancreatic cancer cases and 266 638 controls. We also investigated the role of body mass index (BMI) as a possible mediator between physical activity and sedentary traits and risk of developing pancreatic cancer. We found evidence of a causal association between genetically determined hours spent watching television (hours per day) and increased risk of pancreatic cancer for each hour increment (PanScan-PanC4 odds ratio = 1.52, 95% confidence interval 1.17-1.98, P = .002). Additionally, mediation analysis showed that genetically determined television-watching time was strongly associated with BMI, and the estimated proportion of the effect of television-watching time on pancreatic cancer risk mediated by BMI was 54%. This study reports the first Mendelian randomization-based evidence of a causal association between a measure of sedentary behavior (television-watching time) and risk of pancreatic cancer and that this is strongly mediated by BMI. Summary: Pancreatic cancer is a deadly disease that is predicted to become the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths by 2030. Physical activity and sedentary behaviors have been linked to cancer risk and survival. However, there is limited research on their correlation with pancreatic cancer. To investigate this, we used a Mendelian randomization approach to examine the genetic predisposition to physical activity and sedentariness and their relation to pancreatic cancer risk, while excluding external confounders. Our findings revealed a causal link between the time spent watching television and an increased risk of pancreatic cancer. Additionally, we determined that over half of the effect of watching television on pancreatic risk is mediated by the individual's BMI
Identification of delivery models for the provision of genetic testing, policies governing the use of genomic applications and evaluation of genetic services: a multicentre study
No full textThe provision of genetic services, along with research in the fields of genomics and genetics, has evolved in recent years to meet the increasing demand of consumers interested in prediction of genomic diseases and various inherited traits (e.g. ability in sports, nutrigenomics, ancestry, etc.). Consumer demand and commercial interests have paved the way for the premature introduction, in the public and private healthcare sectors, of genetic tests with insufficient data on analytical and clinical validity, as well as clinical utility. There is also lack or insufficient evidence of cost-effectiveness of several genetic applications already introduced in clinical and public health practice. These concerns contribute to the lack of evidence on what constitutes an optimal genetic service delivery model, defined as the broad context within the Public Health Genomics framework in which genetic services are offered to individuals and families with or at risk of genetic disorders.
The aim of this dissertation is to identify existing genetic service delivery models, policies governing the use of genomic applications, and measures to evaluate genetic testing and related services in Europe and extra-European (Anglophone) countries (Canada, USA, Australia, or New Zealand). Two methodological approaches have been employed, a systematic review of the literature and a cross-sectional study addressing healthcare professionals with good knowledge and/or experience on the provision of BRCA1/2, Lynch syndrome, familial hypercholesterolemia, and inherited thrombophilia genetic testing, policies on genetic applications and evaluation of genetic services.
The identification and evaluation of existing genetic service delivery models are important steps towards the enhancement and standardization of genetic service provision. Current models of genetic services require the integration of genetics in all medical specialties, collaboration among different healthcare professionals, and redistribution of professional roles. Prior to implementation in clinical and public health practice, genetic tests should be evaluated based on available efficacy and cost-effectiveness data and offered to the citizens as right to benefit from innovative healthcare. The proper implementation of genomics application in mainstream medicine can be achieved through professional education, training, adequate funding, public policies, and public awareness of the field of genomic medicine
Transitions in work participation after a diagnosis of colorectal cancer
No full textBackground: How cancer adversely affects an individual's work role is an understudied survivorship issue. There are no Australian studies quantifying work participation after cancer or the potential barriers to work continuance. Using a large, population-based cohort of working adults with colorectal cancer, we assessed changes in work participation separately for men (n=621) and women (n=354). Methods: Telephone survey methods collected data on colorectal cancer survivors identified through the Queensland Cancer Registry. Status at baseline and one-year post-diagnosis were described, and logistic regression models assessed correlates of work cessation. Results: Among working adults who were diagnosed with colorectal cancer, 33% of men and 40% of women were not working at one-year post-diagnosis. Radiation therapy among men (OR=2.55, 95%CI: 1.35-4.83) and chemotherapy among women (OR=2.49, 95% CI: 1.23-5.04) were associated with a higher prevalence of work cessation. Having private health insurance was linked with resuming work for both men and women. Conclusion: A large proportion of working men and women leave the workforce by 12 months following a diagnosis of colorectal cancer. Factors correlated with work cessation after colorectal cancer appear different for men and women. Implications: A better understanding of how cancer affects working adults and contributes to unwanted work cessation is required to identify individuals who may benefit from occupational rehabilitation programs.No Full Tex
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