Cierre de herida en cirugía protésica de rodilla y cadera (PTR y PTC): Resultados de una encuesta sobre la práctica clínica en España / Wound closure after knee and hip replacement (TKA and THA): Survey results on the clinical practice in Spain

Introducción y objetivos: En cirugía protésica de rodilla y cadera está claro que aún no se ha desarrollado una técnica de cierre estandarizada óptima. A nivel local no existen datos que describan la práctica quirúrgica habitual en cierre de herida. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar el cierre de herida en cirugía protésica a través de una encuesta sobre una muestra representativa a nivel nacional y así obtener información sobre el contexto del cierre en España. Material y método: Se conforma un grupo ad hoc de especialistas en cirugía protésica. El grupo de expertos, posterior al análisis de la literatura, elabora un cuestionario de 32 preguntas cerradas de opción múltiple, divididas en los siguientes bloques: hemostasia, cierre quirúrgico de la herida y apósitos. Resultados: Un total de 471 cirujanos respondieron la encuesta de forma completa y con información suficiente para efectuar el análisis descriptivo; 79% cree que el ácido tranexámico (ATX) puede influir en la disminución de tasa de infección de sitio quirúrgico; 96% cree que el tipo de cierre profundo a nivel de la artrotomía podría influir en los resultados y complicaciones tras prótesis de cadera y/o rodilla; 85% cree que el tipo de cierre superficial a nivel subcutáneo puede influir en los resultados y complicaciones tras prótesis de cadera y/o rodilla; 64% de los cirujanos utiliza la terapia de presión negativa incisional de simple uso para el tratamiento de las complicaciones de la herida quirúrgica (seromas, drenaje prolongado, dehiscencias). Conclusiones: Existe en nuestro entorno una alta variabilidad en el cierre de la herida y una baja inversión en formación sobre este tema. Los autores recomiendan a las diferentes sociedades científicas la inversión de recursos para mejorar la formación en dicho campo y reducir el porcentaje de cirujanos que se consideran inadecuadamente formados, así como adaptar las técnicas de cierre a aquellas consideradas patrón oro según la evidencia.(AU)

Background and objective: In orthopedic surgery, it is clear that an optimal standardized closure technique has not yet been developed. Locally, there are no objective data describing the standard surgical practice in wound closure. The aim of this study is to analyze the clinical practice of surgical wound closure in orthopedic surgery by means of a survey of a representative local sample and thus obtain information on the context of closure in Spain. Method: an ad hoc group of specialists in orthopedic surgery and traumatology was formed. The group of experts, after analyzing the literature, developed a questionnaire of 32 closed multiple-choice questions divided into the following blocks: hemostasis, surgical wound closure (deep, superficial, and cutaneous), and dressings. Results: A total of 471 surgeons responded to the survey completely and with sufficient information to perform the descriptive analysis. 79% believe that ATX can influence the decrease in surgical site infection rate. 96% believe that the type of deep closure at the level of the arthrotomy could influence outcomes and complications after hip and/or knee replacements. 85% believe that the type of shallow closure at the subcutaneous level may influence outcomes and complications after hip and/or knee replacement. 64% of surgeons use single-use incisional negative pressure therapy for the treatment of surgical wound complications (seroma, prolonged drainage, dehiscence). Conclusions: There is a high level of variability in wound closure in our setting and a low level of training on the subject. The authors recommend that the different scientific societies invest resources to improve training in this field and reduce the percentage of surgeons who are considered inadequately trained, as well as adapting closure techniques to those considered gold standard according to the evidence.(AU)

[Translated article] Wound closure after knee and hip replacement (TKA and THA): Survey results on the clinical practice in Spain / Cierre de herida en cirugía protésica de rodilla y cadera (PTR y PTC): resultados de una encuesta sobre la práctica clínica en España

Introducción y objetivos: En cirugía protésica de rodilla y cadera está claro que aún no se ha desarrollado una técnica de cierre estandarizada óptima. A nivel local no existen datos que describan la práctica quirúrgica habitual en cierre de herida. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar el cierre de herida en cirugía protésica a través de una encuesta sobre una muestra representativa a nivel nacional y así obtener información sobre el contexto del cierre en España. Material y método: Se conforma un grupo ad hoc de especialistas en cirugía protésica. El grupo de expertos, posterior al análisis de la literatura, elabora un cuestionario de 32 preguntas cerradas de opción múltiple, divididas en los siguientes bloques: hemostasia, cierre quirúrgico de la herida y apósitos. Resultados: Un total de 471 cirujanos respondieron la encuesta de forma completa y con información suficiente para efectuar el análisis descriptivo; 79% cree que el ácido tranexámico (ATX) puede influir en la disminución de tasa de infección de sitio quirúrgico; 96% cree que el tipo de cierre profundo a nivel de la artrotomía podría influir en los resultados y complicaciones tras prótesis de cadera y/o rodilla; 85% cree que el tipo de cierre superficial a nivel subcutáneo puede influir en los resultados y complicaciones tras prótesis de cadera y/o rodilla; 64% de los cirujanos utiliza la terapia de presión negativa incisional de simple uso para el tratamiento de las complicaciones de la herida quirúrgica (seromas, drenaje prolongado, dehiscencias). Conclusiones: Existe en nuestro entorno una alta variabilidad en el cierre de la herida y una baja inversión en formación sobre este tema. Los autores recomiendan a las diferentes sociedades científicas la inversión de recursos para mejorar la formación en dicho campo y reducir el porcentaje de cirujanos que se consideran inadecuadamente formados, así como adaptar las técnicas de cierre a aquellas consideradas patrón oro según la evidencia.(AU)

Background and objective: In orthopedic surgery, it is clear that an optimal standardized closure technique has not yet been developed. Locally, there are no objective data describing the standard surgical practice in wound closure. The aim of this study is to analyze the clinical practice of surgical wound closure in orthopedic surgery by means of a survey of a representative local sample and thus obtain information on the context of closure in Spain. Method: an ad hoc group of specialists in orthopedic surgery and traumatology was formed. The group of experts, after analyzing the literature, developed a questionnaire of 32 closed multiple-choice questions divided into the following blocks: hemostasis, surgical wound closure (deep, superficial, and cutaneous), and dressings. Results: A total of 471 surgeons responded to the survey completely and with sufficient information to perform the descriptive analysis. 79% believe that ATX can influence the decrease in surgical site infection rate. 96% believe that the type of deep closure at the level of the arthrotomy could influence outcomes and complications after hip and/or knee replacements. 85% believe that the type of shallow closure at the subcutaneous level may influence outcomes and complications after hip and/or knee replacement. 64% of surgeons use single-use incisional negative pressure therapy for the treatment of surgical wound complications (seroma, prolonged drainage, dehiscence). Conclusions: There is a high level of variability in wound closure in our setting and a low level of training on the subject. The authors recommend that the different scientific societies invest resources to improve training in this field and reduce the percentage of surgeons who are considered inadequately trained, as well as adapting closure techniques to those considered gold standard according to the evidence.(AU)

Wound closure after knee and hip replacement (TKA and THA): Survey results on the clinical practice in Spain. / Cierre de herida en cirugía protésica de rodilla y cadera (PTR y PTC): Resultados de una encuesta sobre la práctica clínica en España.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: In orthopedic surgery, it is clear that an optimal standardized closure technique has not yet been developed. Locally, there are no objective data describing the standard surgical practice in wound closure. The aim of this study is to analyze the clinical practice of surgical wound closure in orthopedic surgery by means of a survey of a representative local sample and thus obtain information on the context of closure in Spain. METHOD: an ad hoc group of specialists in orthopedic surgery and traumatology was formed. The group of experts, after analyzing the literature, developed a questionnaire of 32 closed multiple-choice questions divided into the following blocks: hemostasis, surgical wound closure (deep, superficial, and cutaneous), and dressings. RESULTS: A total of 471 surgeons responded to the survey completely and with sufficient information to perform the descriptive analysis. 79% believe that ATX can influence the decrease in surgical site infection rate. 96% believe that the type of deep closure at the level of the arthrotomy could influence outcomes and complications after hip and/or knee replacements. 85% believe that the type of shallow closure at the subcutaneous level may influence outcomes and complications after hip and/or knee replacement. 64% of surgeons use single-use incisional negative pressure therapy for the treatment of surgical wound complications (seroma, prolonged drainage, dehiscence). CONCLUSIONS: There is a high level of variability in wound closure in our setting and a low level of training on the subject. The authors recommend that the different scientific societies invest resources to improve training in this field and reduce the percentage of surgeons who are considered inadequately trained, as well as adapting closure techniques to those considered gold standard according to the evidence.

[Translated article] Wound closure after knee and hip replacement (TKA and THA): Survey results on the clinical practice in Spain.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: In orthopaedic surgery, it is clear that an optimal standardised closure technique has not yet been developed. Locally, there are no objective data describing the standard surgical practice in wound closure. The aim of this study is to analyse the clinical practice of surgical wound closure in orthopaedic surgery by means of a survey of a representative local sample and thus obtain information on the context of closure in Spain. MATERIAL AND METHOD: An ad hoc group of specialists in orthopaedic surgery and traumatology was formed. The group of experts, after analyzing the literature, developed a questionnaire of 32 closed multiple-choice questions divided into the following blocks: hemostasis, surgical wound closure (deep, superficial, and cutaneous), and dressings. RESULTS: A total of 471 surgeons responded to the survey completely and with sufficient information to perform the descriptive analysis. 79% believe that ATX can influence the decrease in surgical site infection rate. 96% believe that the type of deep closure at the level of the arthrotomy could influence outcomes and complications after hip and/or knee replacements. 85% believe that the type of shallow closure at the subcutaneous level may influence outcomes and complications after hip and/or knee replacement. 64% of surgeons use single-use incisional negative pressure therapy for the treatment of surgical wound complications (seroma, prolonged drainage, dehiscence). CONCLUSIONS: There is a high level of variability in wound closure in our setting and a low level of training on the subject. The authors recommend that the different scientific societies invest resources to improve training in this field and reduce the percentage of surgeons who are considered inadequately trained, as well as adapting closure techniques to those considered gold standard according to the evidence.

Wireless phone use in childhood and adolescence and neuroepithelial brain tumours: Results from the international MOBI-Kids study.

In recent decades, the possibility that use of mobile communicating devices, particularly wireless (mobile and cordless) phones, may increase brain tumour risk, has been a concern, particularly given the considerable increase in their use by young people. MOBI-Kids, a 14-country (Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain) case-control study, was conducted to evaluate whether wireless phone use (and particularly resulting exposure to radiofrequency (RF) and extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields (EMF)) increases risk of brain tumours in young people. Between 2010 and 2015, the study recruited 899 people with brain tumours aged 10 to 24 years old and 1,910 controls (operated for appendicitis) matched to the cases on date of diagnosis, study region and age. Participation rates were 72% for cases and 54% for controls. The mean ages of cases and controls were 16.5 and 16.6 years, respectively; 57% were males. The vast majority of study participants were wireless phones users, even in the youngest age group, and the study included substantial numbers of long-term (over 10 years) users: 22% overall, 51% in the 20-24-year-olds. Most tumours were of the neuroepithelial type (NBT; n = 671), mainly glioma. The odds ratios (OR) of NBT appeared to decrease with increasing time since start of use of wireless phones, cumulative number of calls and cumulative call time, particularly in the 15-19 years old age group. A decreasing trend in ORs was also observed with increasing estimated cumulative RF specific energy and ELF induced current density at the location of the tumour. Further analyses suggest that the large number of ORs below 1 in this study is unlikely to represent an unknown causal preventive effect of mobile phone exposure: they can be at least partially explained by differential recall by proxies and prodromal symptoms affecting phone use before diagnosis of the cases. We cannot rule out, however, residual confounding from sources we did not measure. Overall, our study provides no evidence of a causal association between wireless phone use and brain tumours in young people. However, the sources of bias summarised above prevent us from ruling out a small increased risk.

Social mobility and healthy behaviours from a gender perspective in the Spanish multicase-control study (MCC-Spain).

There is evidence for the influence of socioeconomic status (SES) on healthy behaviours but the effect of social mobility (SM) is not yet well known. This study aims to analyse the influence of origin and destination SES (O-SES and D-SES) and SM on healthy behaviours and co-occurrence, from an integrated gender and age perspective. Data were obtained from the controls of MCC-Spain between 2008-2013 (3,606 participants). Healthy behaviours considered: healthy diet, moderate alcohol consumption, non-smoking and physical activity. SM was categorized as stable high, upward, stable medium, downward or stable low. Binary and multinomial logistic regression models were adjusted. Those aged <65, with a low O-SES, D-SES and stable low SM are less likely to have healthy behaviours in the case of both women (physically active: OR = 0.65 CI = 0.45-0.94, OR = 0.71 CI = 0.52-0.98, OR = 0.61 CI = 0.41-0.91) and men (non-smokers: OR = 0.44 CI = 0.26-0.76, OR = 0.54 CI = 0.35-0.83, OR = 0.41 CI 0.24-0.72; physically active: OR = 0.57 CI = 0.35-0.92, OR = 0.64 CI = 0.44-0.95, OR = 0.53 CI = 0.23-0.87). However, for those aged ≥65, this probability is higher in women with a low O-SES and D-SES (non-smoker: OR = 8.09 CI = 4.18-15.67, OR = 4.14 CI = 2.28-7.52; moderate alcohol consumption: OR = 3.00 CI = 1.45-6.24, OR = 2.83 CI = 1.49-5.37) and in men with a stable low SM (physically active: OR = 1.52 CI = 1.02-1.26). In the case of men, the same behaviour pattern is observed in those with a low O-SES as those with upward mobility, with a higher probability of co-occurring behaviours (three-to-four behaviours: OR = 2.00 CI = 1.22-3.29; OR = 3.13 CI = 1.31-7.48). The relationship of O-SES, D-SES and SM with healthy behaviours is complex and differs according to age and gender.

Clinical interest of Streptococcus bovis isolates in urine.

OBJECTIVE: Streptococcus bovis includes variants related to colorectal cancer and non-urinary infections. Its role as urinary pathogen is unknown. Our objective was to assess the presence of urinary infection by S. bovis, analysing the patients and subsequent clinical course. METHODS: Observational study, with longitudinal data collection, performed at our centre between all the cultures requested between February and April 2015. Clinical course of the patients and response to treatment were analysed. RESULTS: Two thousand five hundred and twenty urine cultures were analysed, of which 831 (33%) had a significant microbial count. S. bovis was isolated in 8 patients (0.96%). In 75% of these cases the urine culture was requested because of urinary tract infection symptoms; the remaining 25% because of fever of uncertain source; during the follow-up period no evidence of cancer or endocarditis was detected. S. gallolyticus subspecie pasteurianus was the only variant observed (100%). The clinical response to initial treatment was favourable in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: S. bovis bacteriuria may have clinical significance, especially when S. gallolyticus subspecies pasteurianus is isolated in cases with underlying urinary tract disease.

Predictive factors of infection in the first year after kidney transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Infectious disease, a complication favored by immunosuppression, is the main cause of 1st-year mortality in solid organ transplantation. In renal transplant recipients (RTRs), urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common, and the microorganisms that are isolated depend on chronology. METHODS: We present an observational study comprising 129 RTRs from January 2010 to December 2011 who were followed during the 1st year after transplantation. We analyzed occurrence of infections, predisposing factors, timing, severity, site of infection, and microorganisms. RESULTS: The patients had a total of 424 infectious episodes during the 1st year (3.29 episodes/patient/year). The predominant focus was the urinary tract, with at least 1 episode in 69.8% of patients. Bacteremia was recorded in 25.6% of patients and surgical wound infection in 20.9%. Cytomegalovirus infection or disease was diagnosed in 46.5%. Severe infections occurred in 30.2%. The predominant pathogen was E. coli. There was a significant correlation between hospital stay and the number of infections (P = .000; r = 0.407) and between body mass index and hospital stay (P = .001; r = 0.282). Severe infections were more frequent in diabetics, patients with a double-J stent, and those treated with basiliximab. Patients with cytomegalovirus replication had a higher number of infections (4.1 ± 1.2 vs 2.5 ± 5; P = .000) and significantly higher annual serum creatinine (1.65 ± 5.7 vs 1.31 ± 1.3 mg/dL; P = .003). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of infections in the 1st year after kidney transplantation is very high, occurring mainly in the early period, in the urinary tract, and due to E. coli. Cytomegalovirus replication is associated with a higher number of infections and higher serum creatinine at 1 year. Body mass index is a predictor of early infection and of bacteremia in the post-transplantation period. Basiliximab induction and having a double-J stent were predictors of severe infections.

Low-energy spontaneous femoral fractures in patients with long-term bisphosphonate therapy.

Long-term bisphosphonate therapy has been associated with low-energy subtrochanteric and femoral diaphyseal fractures in recent reports. We report three cases of a characteristic pathologic fracture of the subtrochanteric part of femoral, one of them bilateral.

Exposiciones laborales y riesgo de cáncer esofágico según tipos histológicos: un estudio de casos y controles en el este de España / Occupational exposures and risk of oesophageal cancer by histological type: A case-control study in eastern Spain

Objetivo. Explorar la relación entre ocupaciones y exposiciones laborales específi cas y cáncer esofágico según tipos histológicos.Métodos. Se llevó a cabo un estudio de casos y controles hospitalario multicéntrico en dos provincias del área mediterránea de España. Serecogió información laboral, sociodemográfi ca y sobre estilos de vida en 185 hombres pacientes recién diagnosticados de cáncer esofágico (147casos de células escamosas, 38 adenocarcinomas) y en 285 controles apareados por frecuencia. Se codifi có la ocupación según la Clasifi caciónNacional de Ocupaciones de 1994 (CNO-94). Se valoró la exposición laboral a una selección de agentes carcinogénicos utilizando la matrizempleo-exposición FINJEM. Se calcularon las odds ratios mediante modelos de regresión logística no condicional ajustando por edad, educacióny consumo de alcohol y tabaco.Resultados. Para la variedad de células escamosas, se encontraron asociaciones estadísticamente signifi cativas en camareros (OR 8,18,95%IC 1,98-33,75) y mineros, dinamiteros, picapedreros y tallistas (OR 10,78, 95%IC 1,24-93,7) en relación con otras ocupaciones. Para lavariedad de adenocarcinoma, se encontraron asociaciones estadísticamente signifi cativas en carpinteros (OR 9,69), producción animal y trabajadoresrelacionados (OR 5,61) y electricistas de construcción y relacionados (OR 8,26), aunque estas observaciones se basaban en un númerolimitado de casos. En cuanto a exposiciones específi cas, en el estudio se encontraron aumentos del riesgo signifi cativos para carcinomade células escamosas en relación con la exposición a radiaciones ionizantes, y para el adenocarcinoma para la exposición elevada a compuestossulfurosos volátiles (OR 3,12) y plomo (OR 5,30). Para todos los tipos histológicos de cancer esofágico, se encontró un riesgo signifi cativoy tres veces mayor en los expuestos a amianto, con tendencia estadísticamente signifi cativa (OR 3,46, 95% CI 0,99-12,10)(AU)

Conclusiones. Los datos sugieren que algunas exposiciones laborales pueden aumentar específi camente el riesgo de cáncer esofágico de célulasescamosas o adenocarcinoma, mientras que otras exposiciones como el amianto pueden aumentar el riesgo general de cáncer esofágico(AU)

Objective. To explore the relationship between occupations and specifi c occupational exposures and oesophageal cancer (OC) by histologicaltype.Methods. A multicentre hospital-based case–control study was conducted in two Mediterranean provinces of Spain. Occupational, sociodemographicand lifestyle information was collected from 185 newly diagnosed male oesophageal cancer patients (147 squamous cell, 38 adenocarcinoma)and 285 frequency matched controls. Occupation was coded according to the Spanish National Classifi cation of Occupations1994. Occupational exposure to a selection of carcinogenic substances was assessed by the FINJEM job exposure matrix. Odds ratios were calculatedby unconditional logistic regression adjusting for age, education, alcohol intake and cigarette smoking.Results. For the squamous cell variety, statistically signifi cant associations were found for waiters and bartenders (OR 8.18, 95% CI 1.98to 33.75) and miners, shotfi rers, stone cutters and carvers (OR 10.78, 95% CI 1.24 to 93.7) in relation to other occupations. For the adenocarcinomavariety, statistically signifi cant associations were observed for carpenters and joiners (OR 9.69), animal producers and related workers(OR 5.61) and building and related electricians (OR 8.26), although these observations were based on a low number of cases. Regardingspecifi c exposures, the study found a statistically signifi cant increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma for ionising radiation, and of adenocarcinomafor high exposure to volatile sulphur compounds (OR 3.12) and lead (OR 5.30). For all histological types of OC combined, a threefoldincrease in risk was found with a signifi cant trend for asbestos exposure (OR 3.46, 95% CI 0.99 to 12.10)(AU)

Conclusions. The data suggest that some occupational exposures may specifi cally increase the risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinomaor adenocarcinoma, while other exposures such as asbestos may increase the overall risk of OC(AU)

Occupational exposures and risk of oesophageal cancer by histological type: a case-control study in eastern Spain.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between occupations and specific occupational exposures and oesophageal cancer (OC) by histological type. METHODS: A multicentre hospital-based case-control study was conducted in two Mediterranean provinces of Spain. Occupational, sociodemographic and lifestyle information was collected from 185 newly diagnosed male oesophageal cancer patients (147 squamous cell, 38 adenocarcinoma) and 285 frequency matched controls. Occupation was coded according to the Spanish National Classification of Occupations 1994. Occupational exposure to a selection of carcinogenic substances was assessed by the FINJEM job exposure matrix. Odds ratios were calculated by unconditional logistic regression adjusting for age, education, alcohol intake and cigarette smoking. RESULTS: For the squamous cell variety, statistically significant associations were found for waiters and bartenders (OR 8.18, 95% CI 1.98 to 33.75) and miners, shotfirers, stone cutters and carvers (OR 10.78, 95% CI 1.24 to 93.7) in relation to other occupations. For the adenocarcinoma variety, statistically significant associations were observed for carpenters and joiners (OR 9.69), animal producers and related workers (OR 5.61) and building and related electricians (OR 8.26), although these observations were based on a low number of cases. Regarding specific exposures, the study found a statistically significant increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma for ionising radiation, and of adenocarcinoma for high exposure to volatile sulphur compounds (OR 3.12) and lead (OR 5.30). For all histological types of OC combined, a three-fold increase in risk was found with a significant trend for asbestos exposure (OR 3.46, 95% CI 0.99 to 12.10). CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that some occupational exposures may specifically increase the risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma, while other exposures such as asbestos may increase the overall risk of OC.

Whole genome amplification of buccal cytobrush DNA collected for molecular epidemiology studies.

When cytobrush buccal cell samples have been collected as a genomic DNA (gDNA) source for an epidemiological study, whole genome amplification (WGA) can be critical to maintain sufficient DNA for genotyping. We evaluated REPLI-g WGA using gDNA from two paired cytobrushes (cytobush 'A' kept in a cell lysis buffer, and 'B' dried and kept at room temperature for 3 days, and frozen until DNA extraction) in a pilot study (n=21), and from 144 samples collected by mail in a breast cancer study. WGA success was assessed as the per cent completion/concordance of STR/SNP genotypes. Locus amplification bias was assessed using quantitative PCR of 23 human loci. The pilot study showed > 98% completion but low genotype concordance between cytobrush wgaDNA and paired blood gDNA (82% and 84% for cytobrushes A and B, respectively). Substantial amplification bias was observed with significantly lower human gDNA amplification from cytobrush B than A. Using cytobrush gDNA samples from the breast cancer study (n =20), an independent laboratory demonstrated that increasing template gDNA to the REPLI-g reaction improved genotype performance for 49 SNPs; however, average completion and concordance remained below 90%. To reduce genotype misclassification when cytobrush wgaDNA is used, inclusion of paired gDNA/wgaDNA and/or duplicate wgaDNA samples is critical to monitor data quality.

Quantitation of DNA in buccal cell samples collected in epidemiological studies.

Buccal cell samples are increasingly used in epidemiological studies as a source of genomic DNA. The accurate and precise quantitation of human DNA is critical for the optimal use of these samples. However, it is complicated by the presence of bacterial DNA and wide inter-individual variation in DNA concentration from buccal cell collections. The paper evaluated the use of ultraviolet light (UV) spectroscopy, Höechst (H33258) and PicoGreen as measures of total DNA, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as a measure of human amplifiable DNA in buccal samples. Using serially diluted white blood cell DNA samples (at a concentration range of 300 to 0.5 ng microl-1), UV spectroscopy showed the largest bias, followed by Höechst, especially for low concentrations. PicoGreen and real-time PCR provided the most accurate and precise estimates across the range of concentrations evaluated, although an increase in bias with decreasing concentrations was observed. The ratio of real-time PCR to PicoGreen provided a reasonable estimate of the percentage of human DNA in samples containing known mixtures of human and bacterial DNA. Quantification of buccal DNA from samples collected in a breast cancer case-control study by PicoGreen and real-time PCR indicated that cytobrush and mouthwash DNA samples contain similar percentages of human amplifiable DNA. Real-time PCR is recommended for the quantification of buccal cell DNA in epidemiological studies since it provides precise estimates of human amplifiable DNA across the wide range of DNA concentrations commonly observed in buccal cell DNA samples.

Occupations with increased risk of pancreatic cancer in the Swedish population.

AIMS: To identify occupations with increased risk of pancreatic cancer in the Swedish population gainfully employed in 1970 over the period 1971-89. METHODS: The base population was made up of Swedish men (1 779 646) and Swedish women (1 101 669) gainfully employed at the time of the 1970 census and were still alive and over age 24 on 1 January 1971. Information was drawn from two data sets: the Swedish cancer environment register and a background population register. After 19 years of follow up, 4420 men and 2143 women were diagnosed with histologically confirmed incident pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Log linear Poisson models were fitted, allowing for geographical area and town size. Risk estimators were also calculated for workers reporting the same occupation in 1960 and 1970. RESULTS: Among women, a statistically significant risk excess of pancreatic cancer was observed for "educational methods advisors", "librarian, archivist, curator", "motor vehicle driver", "typographer, lithographer", "purser, steward, stewardess", "other housekeeping and related workers", and the groups of occupations of "electrical, electronic, and related" and "glass, pottery, and tile workers". Men showed a higher incidence of pancreatic cancer among "technical assistants", "travelling agents", "other metal processing workers", "baker and pastry cook", "docker and freight handler", and "waiters". CONCLUSIONS: This study does not indicate that occupational factors play an important role in the aetiology of pancreatic cancer in Sweden. Few occupations were at increased risk of pancreatic cancer in both men and women, and the associations observed are in accordance with some previous studies from Western countries.

Coffee drinking: the rationale for treating it as a potential effect modifier of carcinogenic exposures.

Clinical and epidemiological studies on cancer etiology seldom treat coffee drinking as a potential effect modifier. Yet caffeine exerts significant effects upon a large variety of physiologic, cellular and molecular systems. Caffeine, 'the world's most popular drug', is also a fundamental research tool, widely used in clinical studies on drug metabolism, and in experimental studies on cell cycle checkpoints, DNA repair, and apoptosis, among many other. Caffeine can profoundly alter cell cycle checkpoint function and several mechanisms of DNA repair, as well as carcinogen metabolism. The impact of caffeine on cell cycle checkpoint function occurs in spite of it being nonmutagenic in traditional mutagenesis assays. A complex body of biologic evidence suggests that caffeine-containing beverages can both enhance and antagonise potentially carcinogenic exposures. However, most pathways leading to the ultimate effects in human beings remain unknown. It is unclear whether any of the hundreds of compounds contained in coffee and tea exert a direct and significant carcinogenic effect per se in any human tissue at usual conditions of use. Reasons exist to consider that coffee may sometimes be an indirect, positive confounder. The study of interactions between caffeine-containing beverages and environmental agents in well defined groups of healthy and diseased people could yield new insights into checkpoint signal transduction and other mechanisms of carcinogenesis. Information on the use of caffeine-containing beverages should more often be integrated in studies on the role of gene-environment interactions in the pathogenesis of cancer.

Información y recursos disponibles en la web del National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) / Information and resources available on the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health website

El objetivo de este artículo consiste en describir brevemente los recursos de información e investigación disponibles en la red de páginas del National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), la agencia federal norteamericana encargada de investigar y de ofrecer recomendaciones para la prevención de enfermedades y lesiones de origen laboral. Además de realizar esta labor, el NIOSH: a) estudia las condiciones de trabajo peligrosas cuando se lo solicitan empresarios o empleados; b) hace recomendaciones y difunde información sobre la prevención de enfermedades y lesiones en el trabajo; y c) proporciona formación a profesionales de la salud y de la seguridad laboral. Las principales categorías de recursos e información en las páginas de la red del NIOSH comprenden: documentación técnica, legal y de divulgación para el público interesado en general; las bases de datos; aplicaciones informáticas; información sobre oportunidades de financiación; convocatorias de eventos internacionales en el área de la seguridad e higiene laboral; oportunidades de formación, y finalmente, información sobre programas específicos subencionados u organizados por el NIOSH (AU)

Exposiciones laborales y cáncer de páncreas: una revisión de la bibliografía internacional / Occupational exposures and pancreatic cancer: a review of the international literature

El cáncer de páncreas es un tumor sumamente letal cuya etiología es, en su mayor parte, desconocida. El único factor de riesgo prevenible firmemente establecido es el consumo de cigarrillos, y tan sólo explica una proporción de los casos. Los estudios epidemiológicos que han intentado asociar las exposiciones laborales con esta neoplasia han resultado con frecuencia negativos y, de momento, ninguna exposición laboral ha demostrado de forma consistente un aumento del riesgo de padecer dicho tumor. La agresividad clínica de la enfermedad limita la selección de los casos, así como la obtención de información de calidad sobre exposiciones laborales. A pesar de éstas y otras limitaciones, se han observado aumentos del riesgo en los trabajadores de las industrias del caucho y goma, impresión, petrolífera y química. También se han observado aumentos de la mortalidad por esta neoplasia en curtidores de pieles, agricultores, mecánicos y metalúrgicos. Entre los agentes específicos que se han señalado como candidatos a aumentar el riesgo del cáncer de páncreas se encuentran el amianto, los disolventes organoclorados, los plaguicidas, las radiaciones ionizantes y las anilinas. Un reciente metaanálisis sobre la exposición laboral y el cáncer de páncreas destaca, entre otros, los disolventes y los plaguicidas organoclorados, y los hidrocarburos aromáticos policíclicos. Aunque esta neoplasia no representa una de las causas de mortalidad principales de cáncer en España, existen amplias sospechas sobre el origen laboral de algunos tumores en nuestro país, si bien apenas existen unos pocos estudios al respecto; y ninguno de ellos es sobre cáncer de páncreas. El principal objetivo del presente trabajo es revisar el estado actual del conocimiento sobre la posible asociación entre diferentes grupos y exposiciones laborales importantes en España y el cáncer de páncreas exocrino (AU)

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.

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.