Because glioma etiology is largely unknown, the inverse association of glioma risk with atopic conditions is promising and deserves close scrutiny. We examined the association between a history of allergies, asthma, and eczema, and glioma risk using sibling, friend, and clinic-based controls. This analysis included 388 incident glioma cases and 80 sibling, 191 friend, and 177 clinic-based controls. Each subject's medical history was assessed via a Web-based or telephone survey. Odds ratios (OR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the associations with allergies, asthma, eczema, and the overall number of these conditions were calculated from conditional (for sibling and friend controls) and unconditional (for clinic-based controls) logistic models. Allergies were consistently inversely associated with the glioma: ORs were 0.53 (95% CI, 0.15-1.84), 0.54 (95% CI, 0.28-1.07), and 0.34 (95% CI, 0.23-0.50) with sibling, friend, and clinic-based controls, respectively. Asthma showed an inverse association only in the comparison with sibling controls (OR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.19-1.00). Eczema showed an inverse association only in the comparison with friend controls (OR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.15-1.18). The overall number of these conditions (ordinal score 0, 1, 2, 3) was inversely associated with glioma: The risk decreased 31% to 45% with each addition of an atopic condition. These estimates were the most stable when different control groups were considered. Comparing the prevalence of these conditions in the three control groups with published data, we note that clinic-based controls generally better approximate the prevalence data for population-based groups. These controls seem to present a reasonable choice for clinic-centered case

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COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has quickly spread throughout the world, necessitating assessment of the most effective containment methods. Very little research exists on the effects of social distancing measures on this pandemic. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of government implemented social distancing measures on the cumulative incidence rates of COVID-19 in the United States on a state level, and in the 25 most populated cities, while adjusting for socio-demographic risk factors. The social distancing variables assessed in this study were: days to closing of non-essential business; days to stay home orders; days to restrictions on gathering, days to restaurant closings and days to school closing. Using negative binomial regression, adjusted rate ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated comparing two levels of a binary variable: above median value, and median value and below for days to implementing a social distancing measure. For city level data, the effects of these social distancing variables were also assessed in high (above median value) vs low (median value and below) population density cities. For the state level analysis, days to school closing was associated with cumulative incidence, with an adjusted rate ratio of 1.59 (95% CI:1.03,2.44), p=0.04 at 35 days. Some results were counterintuitive, including inverse associations between cumulative incidence and days to closure of non-essential business and restrictions on gatherings. This finding is likely due to reverse causality, where locations with slower growth rates initially chose not to implement measures, and later implemented measures when they absolutely needed to respond to increasing rates of infection. Effects of social distancing measures seemed to vary by population density in cities. Our results suggest that the effect of social distancing measures may differ between states and cities and between locations with different population densities. States and cities need individual approaches to containment of an epidemic, with an awareness of their own structure in terms of crowding and socio-economic variables. In an effort to reduce infection rates, cities may want to implement social distancing in advance of state mandates.

Purpose The association between female reproductive factors and glioma risk is unclear, but most published studies have been limited by small sample size. We conducted a pooled multisite study of pre- and post-menopausal women, investigating the effect of female reproductive factors, including hormonal medications. Methods Unconditional logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals assessing the effects of female reproductive factors and female hormonal medications in glioma cases and unrelated controls. Results Menarche over the age of 15 as compared to under 12 was associated with a statistically significant risk for glioma (OR = 2.00, 95% CI, 1.47–2.71). Use of Oral Contraceptive Pills (OCP) was inversely associated with risk of glioma (OR= 0.61, 95% CI, 0.50–0.74) and there was an inverse trend with longer duration of OCP use (p for trend< 0.0001). Use of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) was also inversely associated with risk of glioma (OR=0.55, 95% CI, 0.44–0.68) and there was an inverse trend with longer duration of use (p for trend< 0.0001). Compared to those reporting neither OCP use nor HRT use, those who reported using both were less likely to have a diagnosis of glioma (OR = 0.34, 95% CI, 0.24–0.48). Conclusions Female reproductive hormones may decrease the risk for glioma. The association appears to be strongest with greater length of use and use of both HRT and OCP.

We found a significant correlation between elevated lipid levels and colorectal adenomas in white and black patients; however, there was no such association in the Hispanic population. This finding can possibly be due to environmental factors such as dietary, colonic flora, or genetic susceptibility, which fosters further investigation and research.