PREMIUM: A French prospective multicenter observational study of factors impacting on efficacy and compliance to cetuximab treatment in first-line KRAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Cetuximab improves progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with KRAS wild type (wt) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Few data are available on factors impacting both efficacy and compliance to cetuximab treatment, which is, in combination with chemotherapy, a standard-of-care first-line treatment regimen for patients with KRAS wt mCRC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: PREMIUM is a prospective, French multicenter, observational study that recruited patients with KRAS wt mCRC scheduled to receive cetuximab, with or without first-line chemotherapy, as part of routine clinical practice, between October 28, 2009 and April 5, 2012 (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01756625). The main endpoints were the factors impacting on efficacy and compliance to cetuximab treatment. Predefined efficacy endpoints were PFS and safety. RESULTS: A total of 493 patients were recruited by 94 physicians. Median follow-up was 12.9 months. Median progression-free survival was 11 months [9.6-12]. In univariate analyses, ECOG performance status (PS), smoking status, primary tumor location, number of metastatic organs, metastasis resectability, surgery, folliculitis, xerosis and paronychia maximum grade, and acne preventive treatment were statistically significant. In multivariate analysis (Hazard Ratios of multivariate stepwise Cox models), ECOG PS, surgery, xerosis and folliculitis were positive prognostics factors for longer PFS. Among all patients, 69 (14%) were non-compliant. In multivariate analysis, no variables were statistically significant. The safety profile of cetuximab was consistent with previous studies. CONCLUSIONS: ECOG PS <2, surgical treatment performed, and maximum grade xerosis or folliculitis developed were predictive factors of cetuximab efficacy on KRAS wt mCRC patients. Unfortunately, we failed in identifying predictive factors for compliance in these patients.

Prompted awareness and use of Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the awareness of Canada's Food Guide (CFG). The present study aimed to report the general and specific awareness of CFG recommendations among adults in Alberta, Canada. METHODS: For this cross-sectional study, respondents (aged >18 years) from randomly selected households completed a telephone survey. Questions pertaining to CFG, physical activity, and vegetable and fruit consumption were included. Logistic regression determined associations between demographic characteristics and awareness of CFG. RESULTS: Thousand two hundred and ten Albertans (50% female, mean age 50.5 years) responded. Most [86.5%; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 84.6-88.4] indicated being generally aware of CFG when prompted and 82.5% were aware of specific CFG recommendations. There were no differences in age between those generally aware and unaware of CFG. Female sex [odds ratio (OR) = 3.6; 95%CI = 24-5.4], Caucasian ethnicity (OR = 3.7; 95% CI = 2.3-5.8), income ≥ Canadian $100 000 per annum (OR = 1.6; 95% CI = 1.1-2.3), reporting ≥5 vegetables and fruit per day (OR = 2.1; 95% CI = 1.4-3.2), exceeding recommended levels for physical activity (OR = 2.0; 95% CI = 1.3-2.9) and perception of current weight as healthy (OR = 1.8; 95% CI = 1.2-2.8) were associated with an awareness of CFG. CONCLUSIONS: Sex, ethnicity and income were associated with general awareness of CFG. Future studies could explore the relationship between awareness and other health-related behaviours.

Nutritional composition of commonly consumed composite dishes from rural villages in Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

BACKGROUND: Accurate nutrient composition data for composite dishes unique to a population is essential for the development of a nutrient database and the calculation of dietary intake. The present study aimed to provide the nutritional composition of composite dishes frequently consumed in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. METHODS: Commonly consumed composite dishes were identified using 24-h recalls collected from 79 randomly selected community members. Multiple recipes were collected for each reported dish. The mean nutritional composition of each dish was calculated per 100 g using the nutribase clinical nutrition manager (Cybersoft Inc., Phoenix, AZ, USA). RESULTS: A total of 79 recipes were collected for 16 commonly consumed dishes (seven meat-based, five starch-based and four legume/vegetable-based). 'Fried chicken' contained the most energy [1469 kJ (351 kcal)], protein (29.7 g), fat (23.7 g), cholesterol (123 mg) and niacin (8.4 mg). 'Fried beef' contained the most potassium (495 mg) and zinc (6.4 mg), whereas 'fish stew' had the most vitamin D (4.2 µg) and calcium (215 mg). 'Fried cabbage' and 'fried spinach' contained the largest percent energies from fat, at 79% and 76%, respectively. A traditional sweet bread, 'jeqe', made with fortified flour contributed significantly to iron (4.6 mg), niacin (4.5 µg) and folate (129 µg). The sodium content of dishes ranged from 88 to 679 mg per 100 g. CONCLUSIONS: The nutritional composition data for commonly consumed dishes in rural KwaZulu-Natal is presented. Although the dishes are good sources of protein, vitamins and minerals, they also contain substantial amounts of fat. This culturally appropriate information will enable the calculation of dietary intake and can be used to encourage the consumption of recipes rich in key nutrients.

Assessment of supplement use (including vitamin D) in Inuvialuit adults in the Northwest Territories, Canada.

BACKGROUND: Inuvialuit of Arctic Canada are at high risk for inadequate vitamin D status as a result of rapid dietary transitions and a lack of solar ultraviolet B exposure. This may have implications for the development of adverse skeletal diseases, cardiovascular diseases and cancers. Data are limited regarding supplement use in Arctic Aboriginal populations. The present study aimed to describe the type and extent of supplement use, emphasising vitamin D, and to identify differences between supplement users and non-users. METHODS: Supplement information was collected from a population-specific quantitative food frequency questionnaire in three communities in the Northwest Territories, Canada, as part of a cross-sectional study. Data were analysed for frequency of supplementation and types of supplements. Users and non-users were compared in terms of age, sex, body mass index, education, marital status, income support, employment and chronic disease diagnosis using nonparametric tests and the chi-squared test. RESULTS: Response rates ranged from 65% to 85%. Included in the analysis were 192 Inuvialuit (45 males, 147 females) with a mean (SD) age of 43.6 (13.9) years. Twenty-three percent reported using a supplement, with multivitamins being the most common. Three percent indicated taking a vitamin D-containing supplement. No significant differences between supplement users and non-users were found. CONCLUSIONS: Despite limited sun exposure for many months of the year, a small proportion of Inuvialuit adults were using supplements, and specifically vitamin D-containing supplements. Future population-based intervention strategies should promote consumption of vitamin D rich foods and encourage the use of vitamin D supplements if diet alone is unable to meet recommendations.

Full-length genome sequence and genetic relationship of two paramyxoviruses isolated from bat and pigs in the Americas.

Mapuera virus (MPRV) was isolated from a fruit bat in Brazil in 1979, but its host range and disease-causing potential are unknown. Porcine rubulavirus (PoRV) was identified as the aetiological agent of disease outbreaks in pigs in Mexico during early 1980s, but the origin of PoRV remains elusive. In this study, the completed genome sequence of MPRV was determined, and the complete genome sequence of PoRV was assembled from previously published protein-coding genes and the non-coding genome regions determined from this study. Comparison of sequence and genome organization indicated that PoRV is more closely related to MPRV than to any other members of the genus Rubulavirus. In the P gene coding region of both viruses, there is an ORF located at the 5' end of the P gene overlapping with the P protein coding region, similar to the C protein ORF present in most viruses of the subfamily Paramyxovirinae, but absent in other known rubulaviruses. Based on these findings, we hypothesise that PoRV may also originate from bats, and spillover events from bats to pigs, either directly or via an intermediate host, were responsible for the sporadic disease outbreaks observed in Mexico.