Treatment strategies and overall survival for incurable metastatic colorectal cancer - A EURECCA international comparison including 21,196 patients from the Netherlands and Norway.

BACKGROUND: The potential benefit of surgery of the primary tumour in patients with asymptomatic metastatic colorectal cancer is debated. This EURECCA international comparison analyses treatment strategies and overall survival in the Netherlands and Norway in patients with incurable metastatic colorectal cancer. METHODS: National cohorts (2007-2013) from the Netherlands and Norway including all patients with synchronous metastatic colorectal cancer were compared on treatment strategy and overall survival. Using country as an instrumental variable, we assessed the effect of different treatment strategies on mortality in the first year. RESULTS: Of 21,196 patients (16,144 Dutch and 5052 Norwegian), 38.6% Dutch and 51.5% (p < 0.001) Norwegian patients underwent resection of the primary tumour. In the Netherlands, 58.2% received chemotherapy compared with 21.4% in Norway. Radiotherapy was given in 9.5% of Dutch patients and 7.2% of Norwegian patients. Using the Netherlands as reference, the adjusted HR for overall survival was 0.96 (95% CI 0.93-0.99; p = 0.024). Instrumental variable analysis showed an adjusted OR of 1.00 (95% CI 0.99-1.02; p = 0.741). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment strategies varied significantly between the Netherlands and Norway, with more surgery and less radiotherapy in Norway. Adjusted overall survival was better in Norway for all patients and patients <75 years, but not for patients ≥75 years. Instrumental variable analysis showed no benefit in one-year mortality for a treatment strategy with a higher proportion of surgery and a lower proportion of radiotherapy. Our findings emphasise the need for further research to select patients with incurable metastatic colorectal cancer for different treatment options.

Cancer risk among parous women following assisted reproductive technology.

STUDY QUESTION: Do women who give birth after assisted reproductive technology (ART) have an increased risk of cancer compared with women who give birth without ART? SUMMARY ANSWER: Without correction, the results indicate an increase in overall cancer risk, as well as a 50% increase in risk of CNS cancer for women giving birth after ART, however the results were not significant after correcting for multiple analyses. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Studies regarding the effects of hormonal treatments involved with ART on subsequent cancer risk have provided inconsistent results, and it has also been suggested that infertility itself could be a contributory factor. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: A population-based cohort consisting of all women registered in the Medical Birth Registry of Norway as having given birth between 1 January 1984 and 31 December 2010 was assembled (n = 812 986). Cancers were identified by linkage to the Cancer Registry of Norway. Study subjects were followed from start of first pregnancy during the observational period until the first cancer, death, emigration, or 31 December 2010. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Of the total study population (n = 806 248), 16 525 gave birth to a child following ART. Cox regression analysis computed hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) comparing cancer risk between ART women and non-ART women; for overall cancer, and for cervical, ovarian, uterine, central nervous system (CNS), colorectal and thyroid cancers, and for malignant melanoma. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: A total of 22 282 cohort members were diagnosed with cancer, of which 338 were ART women and 21 944 non-ART women. The results showed an elevated risk in one out of seven sites for ART women. The HR for cancer of the CNS was 1.50 (95% CI 1.03- 2.18), and among those specifically subjected to IVF (without ICSI) the HR was 1.83 (95% CI 1.22-2.73). Analysis of risk of overall cancer gave an HR of 1.16 (95% CI 1.04-1.29). Among those who had delivered only one child by the end of follow-up, the HR for ovarian cancer was 2.00 (95% CI 1.08-3.65), and for those nulliparous at entry the HR was 1.80 (95% CI 1.04-3.11). However, all findings became non-significant after correcting for multiple analyses. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: The results of elevated risk of overall cancer and CNS cancer lost significance when adjusting for multiple analyses, implying an important limitation of the study. The follow-up time was relatively short, especially for ART women. In addition, as the cohort was relatively young, there were few incident cancers, especially for some rarer cancer forms, such as uterine cancer. Risk assessments according to different causes of infertility could not be done. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: In light of the findings in the present study, further studies should be made on risk of CNS and ovarian cancer, and continued monitoring of all those treated with ART is encouraged. Our findings may only be generalizable to women who give birth after ART, and the risk for women who remain nulliparous after ART remains to be assessed. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST: The study was funded by the Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Women's Health. All authors claim no competing interests.

Estimated intake of benzoic and sorbic acids in Denmark.

The monitoring of food additives and recent dietary surveys carried out in Denmark have earlier been used to estimate the intake of sweeteners and nitrite in relation to acceptable daily intakes. The ubiquitous use of the preservatives benzoic and sorbic acids raises the question of the magnitude of the intake of these preservatives in relation to acceptable daily intakes. This area is explored in this paper. The content of benzoic and sorbic acids in all food groups, where they are allowed, was monitored in Denmark 17 times between 2001 and 2006 with a total of 1526 samples. Transgressions of maximum limits, illegal use or declaration faults were found in about 3% of samples. From repeated investigations on fat-based foods (salads and dressings), marmalade and stewed fruit, it is concluded that the amounts used in industry have been relatively stable throughout the whole period, although limited data for marmalade show some variation. Most foods in the categories soft drinks, dressings, fat-based salads, pickled herrings, and marmalade contain benzoic and sorbic acid, and sliced bread also contains in some cases sorbic acid. The median daily intake and intake distribution of benzoic and sorbic acids were calculated with data from the Danish National Survey of Dietary Habits and Physical Activity (age from 4 to 75 years) conducted in 2000-2004 with 5785 participants. The median intakes of both benzoic acid and sorbic acid are well below the acceptable daily intakes of 0-5 and 0-25 mg kg(-1) body weight (bw) day(-1) for benzoic and sorbic acid, respectively. However, the 90th percentile based on the average of the samples with a content of benzoic acid is higher than the acceptable daily intake for both men and women, with the highest value of 16 mg kg(-1) bw day(-1) for both boys and girls in the 4-6-year-old age group. Based on the average of all samples, the 95th percentile is over the acceptable daily intake for men up to 34 years and for women up to 24 years, and the 90th percentile for men up to 18 years and for women up to 10 years. Soft drinks, salads and dressings are the main contributors to benzoic acid intake. The sorbic acid intake based on the average of all samples is well below the acceptable daily intake. However, for the intake based on the average of samples with content, the 95th percentile exceeds the acceptable daily intake. This is caused by the dominating contribution to the intake of sorbic acid from sliced bread, but since only seven out of 42 samples have added sorbic acid, the calculation based on the average of samples with content will exaggerate the intake. With a built-in safety factor of 100 in the acceptable daily intakes and judging from the literature, the high intakes of benzoic acid should not cause any concern for ill-effects. However, there must be a reason to reconsider the maximum limits especially for benzoic acid in soft drinks, dressings and salads and for sorbic acid in sliced bread.

Community-acquired adenovirus pneumonia in a patient with chronic lymphatic leukaemia.

Described here is a severe case of community-acquired adenovirus pneumonia that occurred in a previously healthy 54-year-old male who was later determined to have stage A chronic lymphatic leukemia. The clinical presentation was consistent with that of atypical pneumonia. Testing with PCR revealed adenovirus in a bronchoalveolar lavage sample, while all other tests to determine a bacterial or virological etiology were negative. Further examination of the patient revealed the previously undiagnosed chronic lymphatic leukemia. Following treatment with human immunoglobulin and oxygen therapy with continuous positive airway pressure support the patient recovered from the pneumonia completely.

Use of a disposable sheath system for flexible sigmoidoscopy in decentralized colorectal cancer screening.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: To prevent transmission of infectious agents and to reduce instrument reprocessing time, the use of disposable sheath systems instead of conventionally reprocessed endoscopes has been promoted for flexible sigmoidoscopy. This trial primarily investigated the feasibility of a disposable sheath system for flexible sigmoidoscopy in decentralized colorectal cancer screening. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In an ongoing colorectal cancer screening trial, 226 consecutive participants were randomly allocated to have their flexible sigmoidoscopy performed with either a fiberoptic sigmoidoscope covered with a disposable sheath ("EndoSheath group") or a conventional video colonoscope ("standard colonoscope group"). All examinations were performed at a temporary screening center. The patients' experience was documented using a questionnaire. The feasibility of running temporary screening units was evaluated. RESULTS: Examinations beyond the 60-cm level were excluded. Thus, 113 patients (examined with the disposable instrument) and 87 (standard instrument) were eligible for analysis. When the sheathed system was used, all the devices needed could be satisfactorily transported. A screening center could be set up within a few hours. No differences were observed in patient discomfort. Fewer patients with polyps were observed in the EndoSheath group (48 [42%]), compared with 55 (63%) in the standard colonoscope group; P = 0.005). No significant differences were observed for polyps larger than 5 mm (14 [12%] in the EndoSheath group, 13 [15%] in the standard colonoscope group; P = 0.6). CONCLUSIONS: Using the disposable system, decentralized colorectal cancer screening was easily established. However, fewer polyps were found, possibly due to the fiberoptic nature of the instrument. Sheathed video instruments are desirable and may increase the diagnostic yield.

Structural basis for AMPA receptor activation and ligand selectivity: crystal structures of five agonist complexes with the GluR2 ligand-binding core.

Glutamate is the principal excitatory neurotransmitter within the mammalian CNS, playing an important role in many different functions in the brain such as learning and memory. In this study, a combination of molecular biology, X-ray structure determinations, as well as electrophysiology and binding experiments, has been used to increase our knowledge concerning the ionotropic glutamate receptor GluR2 at the molecular level. Five high-resolution X-ray structures of the ligand-binding domain of GluR2 (S1S2J) complexed with the three agonists (S)-2-amino-3-[3-hydroxy-5-(2-methyl-2H-tetrazol-5-yl)isoxazol-4-yl]propionic acid (2-Me-Tet-AMPA), (S)-2-amino-3-(3-carboxy-5-methylisoxazol-4-yl)propionic acid (ACPA), and (S)-2-amino-3-(4-bromo-3-hydroxy-isoxazol-5-yl)propionic acid (Br-HIBO), as well as of a mutant thereof (S1S2J-Y702F) in complex with ACPA and Br-HIBO, have been determined. The structures reveal that AMPA agonists with an isoxazole moiety adopt different binding modes in the receptor, dependent on the substituents of the isoxazole. Br-HIBO displays selectivity among different AMPA receptor subunits, and the design and structure determination of the S1S2J-Y702F mutant in complex with Br-HIBO and ACPA have allowed us to explain the molecular mechanism behind this selectivity and to identify key residues for ligand recognition. The agonists induce the same degree of domain closure as AMPA, except for Br-HIBO, which shows a slightly lower degree of domain closure. An excellent correlation between domain closure and efficacy has been obtained from electrophysiology experiments undertaken on non-desensitising GluR2i(Q)-L483Y receptors expressed in oocytes, providing strong evidence that receptor activation occurs as a result of domain closure. The structural results, combined with the functional studies on the full-length receptor, form a powerful platform for the design of new selective agonists.

Continuous evaluation of patient satisfaction in endoscopy centres.

BACKGROUND: A randomized sample of 14,000 men and women, aged 55-64 years, resident in the City of Oslo and Telemark County, were drawn from the population registry to be offered a flexible sigmoidoscopy (FS) screening examination. A questionnaire was designed to modify routines and evaluate patient satisfaction. METHODS: Consecutive participants (4956) were given a questionnaire immediately after the FS to be filled in and returned by mail on the following day. Participants were asked questions about service, practical issues, and the level of pain during the FS and post-examination discomfort. They were also encouraged to give their comments in free text. RESULTS: Questionnaire replies were received from 4574 (92%) out of 4956 participants. The vast majority reported to have experienced no (70%) or slight (21%) pain during the examination. Women reported pain and post-examination discomfort more often than men. Pain was also associated with age of the patient and length of bowel examined, but not with total examination time. The proportion of painless examinations varied between endoscopists from 62% to 81%. For all endoscopists collectively, this improved during the study period, irrespective of past experience, but trainees seemed to adopt the score of their masters. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated that the use of feedback information in an endoscopy screening unit may be useful in improving standards, including the performance of endoscopists. It is possible that the introduction of similar feedback systems in routine endoscopy laboratories may in the long run improve the reputation of gastrointestinal endoscopy.

Two mutants of human heparin binding protein (CAP37): toward the understanding of the nature of lipid A/LPS and BPTI binding.

Heparin binding protein (HBP) is an inactive serine protease homologue with important implications in host defense during infections and inflammations. Two mutants of human HBP, [R23S,F25E]HBP and [G175Q]HBP, have been produced to investigate structure-function relationships of residues in the putative lipid A/lipopolysaccharide (LPS) binding site and BPTI (bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor) binding site. The X-ray structures have been determined at 1.9 A resolution for [G175Q]HBP and at 2.5 A resolution for the [R23S,F25E]HBP mutant, and the structures have been fully refined to R-factors of 18.2 % and 20.7 %, respectively. The G175Q mutation does not alter the overall structure of the protein, but the ability to bind BPTI has been eliminated, and the mutant mediates only a limited stimulation of the LPS-induced cytokine release from human monocytes. The lipid A/LPS binding property of [G175Q]HBP is comparable with that of native HBP. The R23S,F25E mutations do not affect the binding of lipid A/LPS and BPTI or the LPS-induced cytokine release from human monocytes. This shows that two diverse ligands, lipid A/LPS and BPTI, do not share binding sites. Previously, there was convincing evidence for the proposed lipid A/LPS binding site of HBP. Unexpectedly, the extensive structural changes introduced by mutation of Arg23 and Phe25 do not affect the binding of lipid A/LPS, indicating that another not yet identified site on HBP is involved in the binding of lipid A/LPS.

Structural basis of cell-cell adhesion by NCAM.

The neural cell adhesion molecule NCAM, a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily, mediates cell-cell recognition and adhesion via a homophilic interaction. NCAM plays a key role during development and regeneration of the nervous system and is involved in synaptic plasticity associated with memory and learning. The 1.85 A crystal structure of the two N-terminal extracellular domains of NCAM reported here provides a structural basis for the homophilic interaction. The molecular packing of the two-domain structure reveals a cross shaped antiparallel dimer, and provides fundamental insight into trans-cellular recognition mediated by NCAM.