Some data were collected by face-to-face interview in the Core and by self-completion in the Boost; other data were collected by self-completion questionnaire in both, but the context differed.

Results were compared by mode of data collection using two approaches. The first examined differences in results that remained after adjusting selleck chemicals the samples for differences in response. The second compared results after using propensity score matching to reduce any differences in sample composition. Results: There were no significant differences between

the two samples for prevalence of some variables including long-term illness, limiting long-term illness, current rates of smoking, Akt inhibitor whether participants drank alcohol, and how often they usually drank.

However, there were a number of differences, some quite large, between some key measures including: general health, GHQ12 score, portions of fruit and vegetables consumed, levels of physical activity, and, to a lesser extent, smoking consumption, the number of alcohol units reported consumed on the heaviest day of drinking in the last week and perceived social support (among women only).

Conclusion: Survey mode and context can both affect the responses given. The effect is largest for complex question modules but was also seen for identical self-completion questions. Some data collected by interview and self-completion can be safely combined.”
“Background: Patients with gastric cancer benefit from perioperative chemotherapy,

however, treatment is toxic and many patients will relapse. The trifunctional antibody catumaxomab targets EpCAM on tumor cells, CD3 on T cells, and the Fc gamma-receptor of antigen-presenting cells. While in Europe catumaxomab is approved for treating malignant ascites, it has not been investigated in the perioperative setting and its exact immunological mode of action is unclear.

Methods: In our study, gastric cancer patients received neoadjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy, one intraoperative application of catumaxomab, and 4 postoperative doses of intraperitoneal catumaxomab. Immunomonitoring was performed in 6 patients before surgery, after completion of catumaxomab treatment, and one month later.

Results: Intraperitoneal application of catumaxomab caused an increased expression Transferase inhibitor of activation markers on the patients’ T cells. This was accompanied by a transient decrease in numbers of CXCR3(+) effector T cells with a T-helper (Th)-1 phenotype in the peripheral blood. All patients evidenced pre-existing EpCAM-specific CD4(+) and/or CD8(+) T cells. While these cells transiently disappeared from the blood stream after intraperitoneal application of catumaxomab, we detected increased numbers of peripheral EpCA M-specific cells and a modified EpCA M-specific T-cell repertoire 4 weeks after completion of treatment.