Little is known about the cancer screening behaviors of older ESL Chinese immigrant women. To explore predictors of colon and breast cancer screening in this population, 103 Mandarin- and Cantonese-speaking immigrant women ages 50 years and older were recruited. Participants completed questionnaires to evaluate screening behaviors, health literacy, and demographic characteristics. Eighty-five percent self-reported that they were current breast cancer screeners, and 75% were current colon cancer screeners. Recommendation from a physician, having a female physician, and high or moderate proficiency in English predicted current mammography screening. Physician recommendation, first language, and self-efficacy predicted use of colon cancer screening. Bivariate analyses also revealed an association between use of colon cancer screening and greater health literacy and longer residency in Canada. Important predictors of screening emerged that potentially informs interventions to increase cancer prevention among older Chinese immigrants. The essential role of physician recommendation was identified for both breast and colon cancer screening.

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Aim: To determine the impact of simulated light scatter on scanning laser Doppler flowmetry (SLDF) assessment of retinal capillary blood flow and retinal image quality. Methods: One eye of 10 normal subjects (mean (SD) age 24 (1.7) years, range 22-27) was randomly selected. Varying concentrations of polystyrene microspheres were suspended in optically clear cells to simulate light scatter. The microsphere concentrations used were 0.05%, 0.03%, 0.02%, 0.01%, and a cell containing only water. LogMAR visual acuity and contrast sensitivity were measured both with and without cells. Optimal focus and alignment was established by acquiring three SLDF images each of the optic nerve head (ONH) and of the macula using the Heidelberg retina flowmeter (HRF) with no cell in place. SLDF images were subsequently acquired with each of the light scatter cells mounted in front of the HRF. The group mean retinal capillary blood flow was compared using repeated measures analysis of variance (reANOVA) as a function of microsphere concentration. Results: Retinal capillary blood flow increased significantly in the ONH, nasal macula, fovea, and temporal macula with increasing microsphere concentration (p,0.0001). Using Dunnett's post hoc test, retinal capillary blood flow was found to be significantly increased relative to the no cell condition for the 0.03% and 0.05% cell concentrations. Conclusions: Simulated light scatter produces an artifactual increase in retinal capillary blood flow. The impact of cataract on SLDF measurements has yet to be determined.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether torso endurance scores were linked with anthropometric variables in children and to develop a normative scale of anthropometric measures in children in both genders for clinical assessment, rehabilitation, physical education targets and young athletic training purposes. It was hypothesized that changes in anthropometric measures through ages 7 to 14 influence endurance scores in both subsets. It was also hypothesized that boys and girls differ in the relationships between torso muscle endurance and anthropometric measures. Reduced torso muscle endurance has been identified as a potential personal risk factor for developing low back pain and decreased athletic performance. However, torso muscle endurance data in children is lacking. Further, given that endurance tests require postures where the body is supported horizontally, it makes sense that anthropometric variables would influence endurance. Isometric torso muscle endurance scores established through four tests were performed in random order by healthy children. These were correlated with anthropometric dimensions. Seven hundred and fifty-three children from one elementary school (394 boys and 359 girls) were grouped into 8 age strata (7 to 14). Each age stratum had different number of participants for boys and girls. Four tests established isometric torso muscle endurance: Biering-Sorensen test for extensor endurance, flexor endurance test and right and left side bridge tests. The mean, standard deviation of the endurance tests and anthropometric measures were determined for each gender/age strata. The Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients were determined between the anthropometric dimensions and isometric torso endurance scores for each gender/age strata. Variance in endurance scores were not well explained by anthropometric measures. Variables other than segment length and circumference influence torso endurance as children grow and develop. Given links to future back pain and athletic performance, more investigation would be justified.