A total of six male and six female sprinters at the same national competition level and aged 18-20 years performed a force/velocity test and a 30-s supramaximal exercise test (Wingate test) on 2 different days, separated by a maximal interval of 15 days. The maximal anaerobic power (Wmax) was determined from the force/velocity test, and the mean anaerobic power (W) from the Wingate test. Immediately after the Wingate test, a 5-ml venous blood sample was drawn via a heparinized catheter in an antebrachial vein for subsequent catecholamine (adrenaline and noradrenaline) analysis. After 5 min recovery a few microliters of capillary blood were also taken for an immediate lactate determination. Even expressed per kilogram lean body mass, Wmax and W were significantly lower in women. The lactate and adrenaline responses induced by the Wingate test were also less pronounced in this group whereas the noradrenaline levels were not significantly different in men and women. Above all, very different relationships appeared between lactate, adrenaline, noradrenaline and W according to sex. Thus, as reported by other authors, the adrenergic response to a supramaximal exercise seemed to be lower in women than in men. Nevertheless a different training status between the two groups, even at same national competition level, could not be excluded and might contribute, at least in part, to the gender differences observed in the present study.

The Gail model is considered the best available means for estimating risk of breast cancer development, but it has not yet been applied systematically and validated in Turkish female population. This study was designed to evaluate the performance of the Gail model for Turkish female population. Additionally duration of breastfeeding was examined as a possible risk factor. Our analysis included 650 patients with invasive breast carcinoma (group 1) and 640 women with negative results who had undergone a screening mammography on visiting a mammary care unit (group 2). Two groups were compared with regard to individual risk factors included in the Gail model and also duration of breastfeeding. The Gail model was used to predict 5-year risk for each woman. Age and first live birth > or =30 years were associated with an increased relative risk for breast cancer development. Age at menarche, previous breast biopsy, atypical hyperplasia, and number of first degree relatives with breast cancer were found to be non-significant. The Gail model showed 13.3% sensitivity and 92% specificity in estimating the risk of breast cancer development in Turkish women. Positive predictive value was 63%, negative predictive value was 51.9%, and validity index was 53.1%. Duration of breastfeeding was significantly longer in group 1 than 2 (median 17 vs. 13 months). The proportion of parous women with no breastfed was higher in group 1 than 2. The currently used Gail model does not seem to be an appropriate breast cancer risk assessment tool for Turkish female population.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common complication in cancer patients. Several genetic risk factors related to thrombophilia are known; however, their contributions to thrombotic tendency in cancer patients have conflicting results. In the present study, we have focused on the prevalence of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T, dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) 19-bp deletion within intron 1, factor V Leiden (FVL), and prothrombin (PT) G20210A polymorphisms in cancer patients with and without VTE. The study consisted of 63 cancer patients with VTE (group 1) and 124 cancer patients who had no evidence of VTE (group 2). Four gene polymorphisms were determined by the method of polymerase-chain-reaction-based DNA analysis. The prevalence of DHFR 19-bp deletion and MTHFR C677T polymorphisms was similar in two groups (p > 0.05). The frequency of FVL was significantly higher in group1 compared with group 2 (31.7% vs. 1.6%, p < 0.0001), but PT G20210A polymorphism was not associated with VTE. Cancer patients with thrombosis should be evaluated for FVL, but routine screening for PT G20210A, MTHFR C677T and DHFR 19-bp deletion polymorphisms is not suggested.

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