Assessing predicted age-specific breast cancer mortality rates in 27 European countries by 2020.

BACKGROUND: We assessed differences in predicted breast cancer (BC) mortality rates, across Europe, by 2020, taking into account changes in the time trends of BC mortality rates during the period 2000-2010. METHODS: BC mortality data, for 27 European Union (EU) countries, were extracted from the World Health Organization mortality database. First, we compared BC mortality data between time periods 2000-2004 and 2006-2010 through standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) and carrying out a graphical assessment of the age-specific rates. Second, making use of the base period 2006-2012, we predicted BC mortality rates by 2020. Finally, making use of the SMRs and the predicted data, we identified a clustering of countries, assessing differences in the time trends between the areas defined in this clustering. RESULTS: The clustering approach identified two clusters of countries: the first cluster were countries where BC predicted mortality rates, in 2020, might slightly increase among women aged 69 and older compared with 2010 [Greece (SMR 1.01), Croatia (SMR 1.02), Latvia (SMR 1.15), Poland (SMR 1.14), Estonia (SMR 1.16), Bulgaria (SMR 1.13), Lithuania (SMR 1.03), Romania (SMR 1.13) and Slovakia (SMR 1.06)]. The second cluster was those countries where BC mortality rates level off or decrease in all age groups (remaining countries). However, BC mortality rates between these clusters might diminish and converge to similar figures by 2020. CONCLUSIONS: For the year 2020, our predictions have shown a converging pattern of BC mortality rates between European regions. Reducing disparities, in access to screening and treatment, could have a substantial effect in countries where a non-decreasing trend in age-specific BC mortality rates has been predicted.

Evaluation of a pilot standard questionnaire for the enhanced surveillance of sporadic cases of suspected food poisoning.

A national survey of local authorities, carried out in 1997, investigated how they dealt with sporadic cases of suspected food poisoning. A standard questionnaire for recording routine follow up information was then designed and piloted for three months in 30 local authorities in England. The questionnaire captured information on clinical and demographic details and exposure histories such as contact with animals, recreational exposure to water, and travel but was less successful at capturing information on domestic catering practices and food consumption. A successful surveillance questionnaire must be designed carefully to gather essential data without overburdening investigating officers.

A sensitive radioimmunoassay, combined with solid-phase extraction, for the sub-nanogram per ml determination of ondansetron in human plasma.

The development of a radioimmunoassay, incorporating solid-phase sample extraction, suitable for the subnanogram per ml determination of ondansetron base in human plasma is described. The antiserum was raised in Soay sheep following primary and booster immunizations with an immunogen prepared by conjugating 9-(carboxypropyl)-ondansetron to bovine thyroglobulin. The radioligand consisted of ondansetron specifically tritium-labelled on the N-methyl group of the indole moiety. The solid-phase extraction method, using a cyanopropyl sorbent, was introduced to remove cross-reacting metabolites and to enhance assay sensitivity. The calibration range is 0.05-2.40 ng ml-1 using a 1 ml sample of human plasma; inter- and intra-assay bias and precision are < +/- 13% and < 10% over this concentration range, respectively. The assay drift, measured as the difference in concentration values for quality control samples assayed immediately before and after the sequence of test plasma samples, is < +/- 10% for run sizes of up to 54 samples.