Assessment of solar e-cookers social acceptance in Gaza Strip.

This study aims to assess the social acceptance of using solar energy based cooking appliances in Gaza Strip. A study sample that consists of 2400 employees from three local universities in Gaza strip is targeted in study. Meanwhile, 347 participations have participated in the study. This gives the conclusions of the study a margin of error of 5% and a confidence level of 95%. Different attributes are used to measure the social acceptance of the respondents of solar energy cooking systems including knowledge of using solar cooking appliances, financial situation, educational level, age, career and gender. According to the results, 94.55% of the participants believe that the best usage of solar energy is for lighting. Meanwhile, only 37.7% of the participants have supported the usage of solar energy for cooking. It is also concluded that there are no statistical significant differences in using solar energy for cooking associated with gender and job status. Meanwhile, it is found that there is statistical significance of using solar energy for cooking associated with education and age. This shows a clear behavioral barrier for the usage of solar energy cooking systems in Gaza Strip. According to this research it is concluded that end-users with middle income put quality of life first before the technology cost (affordable costs). This conclusion is regardless the educational level of the respondents. Moreover, it is found that Funding schemes and loans are key issues in spreading the e-cooking. Finally it is concluded that noticed support of using solar energy in Gaza according to this research is directly associated with energy poverty status in Gaza. Meanwhile, the idea of using green alternative energy is very acceptable in Gaza but there is a clear lack of awareness of technologies aspects and characteristics.

Standalone hybrid PV/wind/diesel-electric generator system for a COVID-19 quarantine center.

This work is motivated by the need in overcoming the electricity crisis in Gaza, which is initiated due to political reasons and the spread of COVID-19. Building quarantine centers is one of the most important means used in combating the COVID-19, but connecting these centers to the electricity distribution network at the appropriate time is not always possible and increases the burden on the local utility company. This article proposed a hybrid off-grid energy system (HES) to effectively energize the quarantine COVID-19 center in Gaza economically and environmentally. To achieve this aim, the estimated load profile of the quarantine center is fed to the HOMER-Pro program. In addition, the various systems components are introduced to the program, then modeled, and optimized. The developed approach was tested using a real case study considering realistic input data. HOMER-Pro program is used to simulate and optimize the system design. The results revealed the potential of the HES to provide environment-friendly, cost-effective, and affordable electricity for the studied quarantine center, as compared to just the diesel generators system. For the considered case study, it is found that the PV-wind-diesel generators HES can cover the connected load with the lowest cost ($ 0.348/kWh) in comparison to other possible HES structures. Taking into consideration the price of harmful emissions, the wining system shows a reduction of 54.89% of the cost of energy (CoE) compared to other systems. For the considered case study, it is found that a combination of 150 kW PV, 200 kW wind, and two diesel generators with capacities of 500 and 250 kW can hold 100% of the electrical load required to keep the quarantine COVID-19 center in operation. The initial capital cost of this HES is $510,576 where the share of wind energy, solar PV, inverter, and diesel-electric generators are $320,000, $83,076, $25,000, and $82,500, respectively. The replacemen cost ($55,918) is due to diesel generators. The total operation and maintainance cost (O&M) is $268,737, that is, 25.6% for wind turbines, 1.2% for inverters, and 70.7% for diesel electric generators. The PV/wind/diesel generators HES generate 1,659,038 kWh of electricity. The total energy requirement of 1,442,553 kWh, which means a surplus of 212,553 kWh of energy/year. The total energy (kWh) is an integration of energy sources which are 427,276 (25.8%), 274,500 (16.5%), and 857,263 (57.7%), due to wind, solar and diesel generators respectively. The cost of yearly consumed fuel is $437,828.769. The payback period for the winning system is 1.8 years. Finally, it is proved that the developed approach gives a reasonable solution to the decision-makers to find a fast, economic and reliable solution to energize the quarantine centers.

Risk assessment model for first-cycle chemotherapy-induced neutropenia in patients with solid tumours.

Chemotherapy-induced neutropenia, the major dose-limiting toxicity of chemotherapy, is directly associated with concomitant morbidity, mortality and health-care costs. The use of prophylactic granulocyte colony-stimulating factors may reduce the incidence and duration of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia, and is recommended in high-risk patients. The objective of this study was to develop a model to predict first-cycle chemotherapy-induced neutropenia (defined as neutropenia grade>or=3, with or without body temperature>or=38 degrees C) in patients with solid tumours. A total of 1194 patients [56% women; mean age 58+/-12 years; 94% Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) status

Non-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin combined with gemcitabine as first-line treatment for metastatic or locally advanced breast cancer. Final results of a phase I/II trial.

Doxorubicin and gemcitabine are active as single agents in breast cancer, have different mechanisms of action, and mainly have non-overlapping side effects. Dose-dependent doxorubicin-related cardiac toxicity is the principal limitation in the metastatic setting. This open, multicenter, single-arm phase I/II study assessed the safety and activity of gemcitabine in combination with non-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (Myocet), a more cardiac-friendly anthracycline, in the first-line treatment of patients with advanced breast cancer. We aimed to determine the optimal recommended dose (RD) of gemcitabine combined with Myocet in a population, with performance status >or=2 and LVEF >or=50%. A formal phase II study was performed afterwards. A total of 53 patients were recruited. Gemcitabine 900 mg/m(2) intravenously day 1 and 8 combined with Myocet 55 mg/m(2) intravenously day 1, every 21 days, was the final RD. The principal toxicity observed was hematological, and 48% of patients developed grade 3-4 neutropenia. Other toxicities were mild and infrequent, including nausea and vomiting. There were no symptomatic cardiac events despite the fact that 36% of the patients had received prior treatment with adjuvant anthracyclines. Objective responses were observed in 51.1% of 47 evaluable patients (95% CI: 36-66%), including two complete response. In addition, 14 patients (29.8%) demonstrated stable disease. The combination of Myocet and gemcitabine at the RD is safe and has encouraging clinical activity in patients with advanced breast cancer, without apparent cardiac toxicity in anthracycline-pretreated patients. These data support further development of this combination.

Inhibidores de la aromatasa en el tratamiento adyuvante depacientes postmenopáusicas con cáncer de mama. Metanálisis / No disponible

Objetivo: Evaluar la eficacia y seguridad de los inhibidores de la aromatasa (IA) en el tratamiento hormonal adyuvante de las pacientes postmenopáusicas con cáncer de mama y receptores hormonales positivos, en comparación o como prolongación de la terapia con tamoxifeno.Método: Se ha realizado una revisión bibliográfica utilizando la base de datos Medline y consultando las comunicaciones presentadas en los congresos de la American Society of Clinical Oncology y San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. Los parámetros de eficacia valorados fueron la supervivencia libre de enfermedad (SLE) y la supervivencia global (SG) medidas tras el periodo de seguimiento descrito en cada uno de los ensayos analizados.Los datos seleccionados se sometieron a un metanálisis estratificado en función de las distintas estrategias de introducción de los IA. Para cada uno de los parámetros valorados se calculó la odds ratio de Mantel-Haenszel (OR MH) (IC95%). En relación a la toxicidad se han tabulado los principales efectos secundarios descritos en los distintos ensayos clínicos comparativos. Resultados: Los IA han demostrado incrementar la SLE respecto a tamoxifeno tanto en primera línea, OR MH = 0,83(IC95% 0,76-0,92), como al administrarlos durante 2-3 años de forma secuencial tras 2-3 años de tamoxifeno, OR MH = 0,65(IC95% 0,57-0,75). Del mismo modo, al introducirlos tras 5 años de tamoxifeno, también consiguen aumentar la SLE, OR MH =0,63 (IC95% 0,51-0,77). En cuanto a la SG, se alcanza diferencia estadísticamente significativa solamente cuando el IA se administrade forma secuencial tras 2-3 años de tamoxifeno, OR MH =0,77 (IC95% 0,64-0,94). Los IA disminuyen la incidencia de eventos tromboembólicos y ginecológicos en relación al tamoxifeno;sin embargo aumentan la toxicidad a nivel óseo (..) (AU)

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of aromataseinhibitors (AIs) as adjuvant hormonal therapy for postmenopausal patients with hormone receptor positive breast cancer compared with tamoxifen therapy, or as a subsequential treatment to this therapy.Method: We carried out a bibliographical search using the Medline database and papers presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium conferences. The efficacy parameters evaluated were disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS), measured after the follow-up period for each of the tests analysed. The data selected were subjected to a stratified meta-analysis according to the different strategies used to introduce the AIs. The Mantel-Haenszel odds ratio (MH OR; at 95% CI) was calculated for each of the parameters evaluated. The principal side effects with respect to toxicity, described in the various comparative clinical trials, have been listed in a table (..) (AU)

Biweekly gemcitabine plus vinorelbine in first-line metastatic breast cancer: efficacy and correlation with HER2 extracellular domain.

Purpose. To assess the toxicity and efficacy of biweekly gemcitabine plus vinorelbine in first-line advanced breast cancer, and to establish whether circulating HER2 ECD levels correlate with the efficacy of the combination. Patients and methods. 52 patients were treated with gemcitabine 2500 mg/m(2) plus vinorelbine 30 mg/m(2), both on day 1 of 14-day cycles, for a maximum of 10 cycles. Baseline serum levels of HER2 ECD were assessed with an ELISA. Results. All patients were evaluable for toxicity, and 50 for efficacy. Overall toxicity was moderate. Grade 3 neutropenia occurred in 35% of patients and grade 4 in 19%. Other grade 3 toxicities were observed in less than 6%. There was one episode of febrile neutropenia, and one death after cycle three. Overall response rate was 52% (95% CI: 38% to 66%), with 2 patients achieving a CR (4%). Response rate did not correlate with HER2 ECD, with 50% of HER2 ECD positive patients responding, vs 48.5% of the HER2 ECD negative. Median overall survival was 24.6 months. Conclusion. Gemcitabine plus vinorelbine, given as an every-two-week schedule, is an active regimen in advanced breast carcinoma. This combination can be an option when anthracyclines and taxanes are not preferred. HER2 ECD has no predictive value in this non-taxane combination.

Biweekly gemcitabine plus vinorelbine in first-line metastatic breast cancer: efficacy and correlation with HER2 extracellular domain

Purpose. To assess the toxicity and efficacy of biweekly gemcitabine plus vinorelbine in first-line advanced breast cancer, and to establish whether circulating HER2 ECD levels correlate with the efficacy of the combination. Patients and methods. 52 patients were treated with gemcitabine 2500 mg/m(2) plus vinorelbine 30 mg/m(2), both on day 1 of 14-day cycles, for a maximum of 10 cycles. Baseline serum levels of HER2 ECD were assessed with an ELISA. Results. All patients were evaluable for toxicity, and 50 for efficacy. Overall toxicity was moderate. Grade 3 neutropenia occurred in 35% of patients and grade 4 in 19%. Other grade 3 toxicities were observed in less than 6%. There was one episode of febrile neutropenia, and one death after cycle three. Overall response rate was 52% (95% CI: 38% to 66%), with 2 patients achieving a CR (4%). Response rate did not correlate with HER2 ECD, with 50% of HER2 ECD positive patients responding, vs 48.5% of the HER2 ECD negative. Median overall survival was 24.6 months. Conclusion. Gemcitabine plus vinorelbine, given as an every-two-week schedule, is an active regimen in advanced breast carcinoma. This combination can be an option when anthracyclines and taxanes are not preferred. HER2 ECD has no predictive value in this non-taxane combination (AU)

Randomized phase II trial of carboplatin versus paclitaxel and carboplatin in platinum-sensitive recurrent advanced ovarian carcinoma: a GEICO (Grupo Espanol de Investigacion en Cancer de Ovario) study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine whether the response rate for the paclitaxel-carboplatin combination is superior to carboplatin alone in the treatment of patients with platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian carcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with recurrent ovarian carcinoma, 6 months after treatment with a platinum-based regimen and with no more than two previous chemotherapy lines, were randomized to receive carboplatin area under the curve (AUC) 5 (arm A) or paclitaxel 175 mg/m(2) + carboplatin AUC 5 (arm B). The primary end point was objective response, following a 'pick up the winner' design. Secondary end points included time to progression (TTP), overall survival, tolerability and quality of life (QoL). RESULTS: Eighty-one patients were randomized and included in the intention-to-treat analysis. The response rate in arm B was 75.6% [26.8% complete response (CR) + 48.8% partial response (PR)] [95% confidence interval (CI) 59.7% to 87.6%] and 50% in arm A (20% CR + 30% PR) (95% CI 33.8% to 66.2%). No significant differences were observed in grade 3-4 hematological toxicity. Conversely, mucositis, myalgia/arthralgia and peripheral neurophaty were more frequent in arm B. Median TTP was 49.1 weeks in arm B (95% CI 36.9-61.3) and 33.7 weeks in arm A (95% CI 25.8-41.5). No significant differences were found in the QoL analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Paclitaxel-carboplatin combination is a tolerable regimen with a higher response rate than carboplatin monotherapy in platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian carcinoma.

Tumor markers (CEA, CA 125, CYFRA 21-1, SCC and NSE) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer as an aid in histological diagnosis and prognosis. Comparison with the main clinical and pathological prognostic factors.

CEA, CA 125, SCC, CYFRA 21-1 and NSE were prospectively studied in 211 patients with non-small cell lung cancer and compared with clinical parameters (age, sex, Karnofsky Index, symptoms and smoking status), histopathological parameters (stage, histology, tumor size and nodal involvement), biological parameters (LDH and albumin) and the therapy used (surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy). Tumor marker sensitivity was CYFRA 21-1: 76%, CA 125: 55%, CEA: 52%, SCC: 33% and NSE: 22%. One of the tumor markers was abnormally high in 87% of the patients with locoregional disease and in 100% of the patients with metastases. Except for NSE, all tumor markers showed a clear relationship with tumor stage and histology and therefore enabled a better histological diagnosis. Abnormal CEA serum levels were mainly found in adenocarcinomas, CA 125 in large-cell lung cancers (LCLC) and adenocarcinomas and SCC in squamous tumors. Eighty-five percent of the patients with SCC levels >2 ng/ml had squamous tumors. Likewise, CA 125 levels <60 U/ml or CEA <10 ng/ml excluded adenocarcinoma or LCLC with a probability of 82 and 91%, respectively.

Occupation and pancreatic cancer in Spain: a case-control study based on job titles. PANKRAS II Study Group.

BACKGROUND: Occupational exposures may increase the risk of exocrine pancreatic cancer. This study aimed to identify occupations that in Spain may be associated with such risk. METHODS: Incident cases of pancreatic cancer and hospital controls were prospectively identified and interviewed during their hospital stay. Occupational history was obtained by direct interview with the patient and was available for 164 (89%) of 185 pancreatic cancer cases and for 238 (90%) of 264 controls. Occupations were coded according to the Spanish version of the International Standard Classification of Occupations 1988. RESULTS: A significant increased odds ratio (OR) was observed in men for 'physical, chemistry and engineering science technicians'. Elevated risks were also found for 'metal moulders, sheet-metal workers, structural metal workers, welders and related workers', 'painters and varnishers' and 'machinery mechanics and fitters'. 'Agricultural workers' did not present an increased risk for pancreas cancer in men. In women, however, high OR were observed for 'agricultural workers' and for 'textile and garment workers'. Most associations remained unchanged after considering long duration of the exposure and the period 5-15 years before diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Few occupations were at increased risk for pancreatic cancer, and the associations observed are in accordance with previous studies. The increases in risk observed for women in agricultural and textile jobs, and for men in the manufacture of dyes and pigments may deserve further attention.

Terminal cancer. duration and prediction of survival time.

The duration of the terminal period of cancer allows us to determine its prevalence, which is necessary to plan palliative care services. Clinical prediction of survival influences access to palliative care and the healthcare approach to be adopted. The objective of this study was to determine the duration of the terminal period, the prognostic ability of healthcare professionals to predict this terminal period and the factors that can improve the prognostic accuracy. In the island of Mallorca, Spain, we followed 200 cancer patients at the inception of the terminal period. Twenty-one symptoms, quality of life, prognosis and duration of survival were measured. Using a Cox regression model, a predictive survival model was built. Median duration was 59 days; 95% confidence interval (CI)=49-69 days, mean=99 days. The oncologists were accurate in their predictions (+/-1/3 duration) in 25.7% of cases, the nurses in 21.5% of cases and the family physicians in 21.7% of cases. Errors of overestimation occurred 2.86-4.14 times more frequently than underestimation. In the final model, in addition to clinical prognosis (P=0.0094), asthenia (P=0.0257) and the Hebrew Rehabilitation Centre for Aged Quality of Life (HRCA-QL) Index (P=0.0002) were shown to be independent predictors of survival. In this study, the estimated duration of the terminal period was greater than that reported in a series of palliative care programmes, and survival was overestimated. Oncologists could estimate prognosis more accurately if they also take into account asthenia and HRCA-QL Index.

Validity of the hospital discharge diagnosis in epidemiologic studies of biliopancreatic pathology. PANKRAS II Study Group.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to analyse the magnitude, direction and predictors of change in the main hospital discharge diagnosis (HDD) after a clinical expert review, among patients included in a multicentre molecular epidemiologic study of biliopancreatic diseases. METHODS: A total of 602 patients with a suspicion diagnosis of pancreas cancer (PC), cancer of the extrahepatic biliary system (CEBS) or benign biliopancreatic pathologies (BPP) were prospectively recruited at five general hospitals. A structured form was used to collect information from medical records. A panel of experts revised all diagnostic information and established the main clinicopathological diagnosis (CPD) by consensus. RESULTS: Of the 204 cases with a HDD of PC, 176 (86%) were deemed to have a CPD of PC, eight of CEBS, twelve a neoplasm of different origin, four BPP and four syndromic diagnoses. Thus, 28 cases (14%) were false positives. Of the 129 patients with a HDD of CEBS, 15 (12%) were false positives. Nine of the 396 cases with a HDD of non-PC (2%) had a CPD of PC (false negatives), whilst 14 of 471 patients with a HDD of non-CEBS (3%) were deemed to have CEBS. Overall, sensitivity and specificity of HDD for PC were, respectively, 95 and 93%, and for CEBS, 89 and 97%. Cytohistological confirmation and laparotomy were independent predictors of diagnostic change. CONCLUSIONS: Validity of the HDD was high, but its association with some clinical variables suggests that sole reliance on HDD can significantly bias results, and highlights the need to review all HDDs. Alternatively, only patients at high risk of misdiagnosis could be reviewed: primarily, those lacking a cytohistological diagnosis or a laparotomy. No exclusions appear warranted solely on the basis of age, gender or tumour spread.

Risk of pancreatic cancer and occupational exposures in Spain. PANKRAS II Study Group.

The objective of the study was to analyse the relationship between occupational exposures and risk of pancreatic cancer. Incident cases of pancreatic cancer and hospital controls were prospectively identified and interviewed during the hospital stay. Occupational history was obtained by direct interview with the patient, and was available for 164 (89%) of 185 pancreatic cancer cases, and 238 (90%) of 264 controls. Two industrial hygienists evaluated exposures to 22 suspected carcinogens previously associated with pancreatic cancer. Occupational exposures were also assessed using the Finnish job-exposure matrix (FINJEM). For each type of pesticide group, moderately increased odds ratios (OR) were apparent in the high-intensity category, highest for arsenical pesticides (OR=3.4; 95% CI 0.9-12.0), and 'other pesticides' (OR=3.17; 95% CI 1.1-9.2). ORs for aniline derivatives, and dyes and organic pigments, were also higher for high-intensity exposure, and increased when lagged and restricted to long duration of exposure. ORs above 3 were observed for the following agents evaluated by FINJEM: pesticides, benzo[a]pyrene, lead, volatile sulphur compounds, and sedentary work. Whilst generally negative, results lend moderate support to the hypothesis of an association between exposure to some pesticides and pancreatic cancer. Larger studies could address the potential for these compounds to modify the carcinogenic risk of other environmental exposures. Suggestive increases in risk from aniline derivatives, dyes and organic pigments, and benzo[a]pyrene may also deserve further attention.

Serum concentrations of organochlorine compounds and K-ras mutations in exocrine pancreatic cancer. PANKRAS II Study Group.

BACKGROUND: Organochlorine compounds such as 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-ethane (p,p'-DDT), 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethylene (p,p'-DDE), and some polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are carcinogenic to animals and possibly also to human beings. Occupational exposure to DDT may increase the risk of pancreas cancer. The high frequency of K-ras mutations in pancreatic cancer remains unexplained. We analysed the relation between serum concentrations of selected organochlorine compounds and mutations in codon 12 of the K-ras gene in patients with exocrine pancreatic cancer. METHODS: Cases were prospectively identified in five hospitals. Mutations in K-ras were analysed by PCR and artificial restriction fragment length polymorphism. Cases of pancreatic cancer with wild-type K-ras (n=17) were frequency matched for age and sex to cases of pancreatic cancer with a K-ras mutation (n=34, case-case study). These 51 cases were further compared with 26 hospital controls (case-control comparison). Serum organochlorine concentrations were measured by high-resolution gas chromatography with electron-capture detection and negative ion chemical ionisation mass spectrometry. FINDINGS: Serum concentrations of p,p'-DDT were significantly higher in pancreatic cancer cases with a K-ras mutation than in cases without a mutation (odds ratio for upper tertile 8.7 [95% CI 1.6-48.5], p for trend=0.005). For p,p'-DDE the corresponding figures were 5.3 (1.1-25.2, p for trend=0.031). These estimates held after adjusting for total lipids, other covariates, and total PCBs. A specific association was observed between a glycine to valine substitution at codon 12 and both p,p'-DDT and p,p'-DDE concentrations (odds ratio 15.9, p=0.044 and odds ratio 24.1, p=0.028; respectively). A similar pattern was shown for the major di-ortho-chlorinated PCBs (congeners 138, 153, and 180), even after adjustment for p,p'-DDE, but without a specific association with spectrum. Concentrations of p,p'-DDT and p,p'-DDE were similar among wild-type cases and controls, but significantly higher for K-ras mutated cases than for controls (p<0.01). INTERPRETATION: Organochlorine compounds such as p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDE, and some PCBs could play a part in the pathogenesis of exocrine pancreatic cancer through modulation of K-ras activation. The results require replication, but they suggest new roles for organochlorines in the development of several cancers in human beings.

UFT plus or minus calcium folinate for metastatic colorectal cancer in older patients.

Two studies were carried out to determine the activity and evaluate the toxicity of oral chemotherapy with uracil and tegafur in a 4:1 molar ratio (UFT) plus or minus calcium folinate in elderly patients with advanced colorectal cancer. In one study, 106 patients received a fixed dose of UFT 400 mg/day in two daily doses every 12 hours continuously, plus calcium folinate 45 mg/day administered in three divided doses every 8 hours continuously. In study 2, calcium folinate was omitted, and the dose of UFT was increased to 400 mg/m2/day in two daily doses administered every 12 hours continuously to 95 patients. Treatments for both studies were administered until grade 3 or grade 4 toxicity occurred or disease progressed. The response rate among the 96 available patients in study 1 was 17.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 10% to 27%); 41 patients (43%) achieved an objective response or stable disease. Overall survival was 13.7 months with a statistically significant difference between patients with no progressive disease and patients with progressive disease (P < .01). In study 2, 62 of 95 patients have now been evaluated for response. The response rate was 21% (95% CI, 13% to 30%); 38 patients (61%) experienced an objective response or stable disease. The overall survival for study 2 has not yet been evaluated. Toxicity was generally mild, consisting of grade 3 nausea/vomiting (6% in study 1 and 2% in study 2), grade 3 or grade 4 diarrhea (11% in study 1 and 7% in study 2), plus one case of grade 3 mucositis in study 1. These findings suggest that chemotherapy with UFT (with or without modulation with calcium folinate) is feasible for elderly patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma.

Medical conditions in patients with pancreatic and biliary diseases: validity and agreement between data from questionnaires and medical records. PANKRAS II Study Group.

The aims of the study were to assess the agreement between data from personal interviews and medical records on selected medical conditions, to evaluate the validity of each source of information, and to estimate the prevalence of these conditions in pancreatobiliary pathology. Between 1992 and 1995, 602 patients with pancreatobiliary diseases were included in the PANKRAS II Study. Information from interview and medical records was available in 88% of cases. The agreement between both data sources was poor only for cholecystitis and mental disorders. The validity of both sources of information was high or acceptable for all conditions except for cholecystitis. Prevalence of past medical conditions was similar to that reported previously and varied according to diagnosis, gender, age, educational level, and hospital of admission. Research aimed at assessing the prevalence of less common diseases should consider subject- and health-related factors in collecting information.

Association between coffee drinking and K-ras mutations in exocrine pancreatic cancer. PANKRAS II Study Group.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To analyse the relation between coffee consumption and mutations in the K-ras gene in exocrine pancreatic cancer. DESIGN: Case-case study. Consumption of coffee among cases with the activating mutation in the K-ras gene was compared with that of cases without the mutation. SETTING AND PATIENTS: All cases of pancreatic cancer newly diagnosed at five hospitals in Spain during three years were included in the PANKRAS II Study (n = 185, of whom 121 whose tissue was available for molecular analysis are the object of the present report). Over 88% were personally interviewed in hospital. DNA was amplified from paraffin wax embedded tissues, and mutations in codon 12 of K-ras were detected by the artificial RFLP technique. MAIN RESULTS: Mutations were found in tumours from 94 of 121 patients (77.7%). Mutations were more common among regular coffee drinkers than among non-regular coffee drinkers (82.0% v 55.6%, p = 0.018, n = 107). The odds ratio adjusted by age, sex, smoking and alcohol drinking was 5.41 (95% CI 1.64, 17.78). The weekly intake of coffee was significantly higher among patients with a mutated tumour (mean of 14.5 cups/week v 8.8 among patients with a wild type tumour, p < 0.05). With respect to non-regular coffee drinkers, the odds ratio of a mutated tumour adjusted by age, sex, smoking and alcohol drinking was 3.26 for drinkers of 2-7 cups/week, 5.77 for drinkers of 8-14 cups/week and 9.99 for drinkers of > or = 15 cups/week (p < 0.01, test for trend). CONCLUSIONS: Pancreatic cancer cases without activating mutations in the K-ras gene had drank significantly less coffee than cases with a mutation, with a significant dose response relation: the less they drank, the less likely their tumours were to harbour a mutation. In exocrine pancreatic cancer the K-ras gene may be activated less often among non-regular coffee drinkers than among regular drinkers. Caffeine, other coffee compounds or other factors with which coffee drinking is associated may modulate K-ras activation.

Randomised double-blind study comparing tropisetron alone and in combination with dexamethasone in the prevention of acute and delayed cisplatin-induced emesis.

In a randomised, double-blind and parallel-design multicentre study, 282 chemotherapy-naive cancer patients received tropisetron 5 mg intravenously (i.v.) before high-dose cisplatin on day 1, and oral tropisetron 5 mg daily on days 2-6, in combination with either placebo (n = 143) or dexamethasone (n = 135), given i.v. on day 1 and orally on days 2-6. Complete protection from acute vomiting/nausea was achieved in 76.3%/79.3% of patients receiving the combination and in 55.2%/61.5% of those receiving tropisetron alone. Complete protection on days 2-6 from delayed vomiting/nausea was obtained in 60%/60% and 39.2%/40.6%, respectively. Tropisetron in combination with dexamethasone is safe and more effective than tropisetron alone in the prevention of both acute and delayed cisplatin-induced emesis.