127 Greek breast/ovarian cancer families were screened for germline BRCA1/2 mutations by dHPLC followed by direct sequencing. Our results indicated 16 and 5 breast/ovarian cancer families bearing deleterious mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, respectively. Two novel BRCA2 germline mutations (G4X and 3783del10) are reported here for the first time. Subsequent compilation of our present findings with previously reported mutation data reveals that in a total of 287 Greek breast/ovarian cancer families, 46 and 13 carry a deleterious mutation in BRCA1 and BRCA2, respectively. It should be noted that two BRCA1 mutations, 5382insC and G1738R, both located in exon 20, account for 46% of the families found to carry a mutation. Based on our mutation analysis results, we propose here a hierarchical, cost-effective BRCA1/2 mutation screening protocol for individuals of Greek ethnic origin. The suggested protocol can impact on the clinical management of breast-ovarian cancer families on a national healthcare system level.

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YANNAKOULIA, M., A. KERAMOPOULOS, N. TSAKALAKOS, and A.-L. MATALAS. Body composition in dancers: the bioelectrical impedance method. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 32, No. 1, pp. 228 -234, 2000. Purpose: The aim of this study was to generate and validate a prediction equation for estimating the body composition in dancers using the bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) as a method of assessment. Methods: The fat-free mass (FFM) of 42 young female professional dance students was estimated by four different methods: dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), BIA, simple anthropometry, and skinfold thickness; DXA was used as a criterion method. Results: The dancers' FFM was 42.6 kg (SD: 3.3) and, on the average, body fat represented the 19.4% (SD: 4.3) of their body weight. Two dancer-specific BIA equations for the prediction of FFM (E BIA ) were developed by multiple regression analysis using weight, height, resistance index, and triceps as predictor variables (E BIA and E BIA-TRICEPS ). The validity of these equations as well as of those previously reported was assessed in two randomly selected subgroups of the initial study group, as described by the Bland-Altman analysis. The bias and the limits of agreement of the equations developed in the present study were lower than those resulting from the application of the previously used equations of Segal et al. and Hergenroeder et al. It was also found that, when validated against DXA, skinfolds measurements did not accurately predict body fatness in this group of young females. Conclusion:The new equations allow for an accurate routine assessment of body composition in young female dancers by using the method of BIA. Further studies are needed for the cross-validation of the equations in various groups of dancers.