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Candidate gene and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified 11 independent susceptibility loci associated with bladder cancer risk. To discover additional risk variants, we conducted a new GWAS of 2422 bladder cancer cases and 5751 controls, followed by a meta-analysis with two independently published bladder cancer GWAS, resulting in a combined analysis of 6911 cases and 11 814 controls of European descent. TaqMan genotyping of 13 promising single nucleotide polymorphisms with P < 1 × 10(-5) was pursued in a follow-up set of 801 cases and 1307 controls. Two new loci achieved genome-wide statistical significance: rs10936599 on 3q26.2 (P = 4.53 × 10(-9)) and rs907611 on 11p15.5 (P = 4.11 × 10(-8)). Two notable loci were also identified that approached genome-wide statistical significance: rs6104690 on 20p12.2 (P = 7.13 × 10(-7)) and rs4510656 on 6p22.3 (P = 6.98 × 10(-7)); these require further studies for confirmation. In conclusion, our study has identified new susceptibility alleles for bladder cancer risk that require fine-mapping and laboratory investigation, which could further understanding into the biological underpinnings of bladder carcinogenesis.

The transfusion of whole blood derived platelets (WBDPs) or apheresis platelets (APs) is standard support for cancer patients. However, disputes remain about which type of platelets are ideal in terms of efficacy, cost, and the risk of adverse reactions. This cross sectional study included 141 cancer patients who underwent chemotherapy or hematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation and received platelet transfusions at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center between 2002 and 2003 were retrospectively evaluated. A total of 141 patients who did not differ significantly in terms of age or sex had a reaction to transfusions (WBDPs, n=123; APs, n=18), for a frequency of 0.66% in patients who received WBDPs and 0.45% in patients who received APs, but this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.13). More WBDP-related reactions occurred in patients transfused with older platelets (2 days old) than in patients transfused with fresh platelets, but the difference compared with AP-associated reactions was not statistically significant. However, the rate of reactions to WBDP may increase if WBDPs are stored for a prolonged time (2 days). Until evidence becomes available that clearly refutes this; the more fresh platelets as possible may be used.

This community-based study examines health care seeking strategies with respect to types of practitioners consulted by disabled persons in rural Bangladesh. A primary health care specialist collected the data through household surveys. The study found that 81% of the disabled people had sought some forms of care from various health practitioners. Unqualified practitioners were found to be strongly involved (96%) in providing health care in this area. Persons with learning difficulties, speech difficulties, fits and strange behavior were more likely to seek treatment from unqualified practitioners. Mean delay and cost of treatment were significantly higher among the qualified practitioners than the unqualified practitioners. Visits to universally free public or government health care facilities were characterized as frustrating, inconvenient, time-consuming and less rewarding for disabilities by 34% of the disabled people. Further examination of the plurality of providers and practitioners in rural Bangladesh is warranted to see how best they can be used or re-trained to respond to the health care needs of disabled persons.

For prevalence and pattern of disability as well as the socio-economic effects of disability, a community based study was carried out in a rural area of Bangladesh. A trained physician conducted a house to house survey in a population of 1906. An overall prevalence of disability of 8.5 percent was found. Major forms of disability were hearing disability (23%), visual disability (21%) and movement disability (15%). Disability was found to have considerable effects on educational attainment, employment and marriage. Many of these disabilities could be prevented by simple measures such as immunization, vitamin A supplementation and improving referral systems for early treatment. A substantial proportion could also benefit from relatively simple rehabilitatory measures.