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PurposeUnderstanding of the etiology and pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer (PaCa) is still insufficient. This study evaluated the associations between concentrations of selenium (Se) and copper (Cu) in the serum of PaCa patients.Materials and MethodsThe study included 100 PaCa patients and 100 control subjects from the same geographical region in Poland. To determine the average concentration of Se, Cu, and ratio Cu:Se in the Polish population, assay for Se and Cu was performed in 480 healthy individuals. Serum levels of Se and Cu were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.ResultsIn the control group, the average Se level was 76 µg/L and Cu 1,098 µg/L. The average Se level among PaCa patients was 60 µg/L and the mean Cu level was 1,432 µg/L. The threshold point at which any decrease in Se concentration was associated with PaCa was 67.45 µg/L. The threshold point of Cu level above which there was an increase in the prevalence of PaCa was 1,214.58 µg/L. In addition, a positive relationship was observed between increasing survival time and Se plasma level.ConclusionThis retrospective study suggests that low levels of Se and high levels of Cu might influence development of PaCa and that higher levels of Se are associated with longer survival in patients with PaCa. The results suggest that determining the level of Se and Cu could be incorporated into a risk stratification scheme for the selection and surveillance control examination to complement existing screening and diagnostic procedures.

• In contrast to the results of four previous 12-week trials, this study found no significant improvement in the proportion of patients achieving three or more spontaneous complete bowel movements (SCBMs) per week over 24 weeks when treated with prucalopride compared with placebo. Despite extensive evaluation, no explanation for these null efficacy results could be found.• The aim of this randomized, placebo-controlled trial was to assess the efficacy of 24 weeks of prucalopride treatment in patients with chronic constipation.• Patients with chronic constipation who had less than three SCBMs per week were randomized to receive prucalopride 2 mg or placebo daily for 24 weeks. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving a mean of three or more SCBMs per week over the treatment period.• Overall, 361 patients were enrolled in the trial. The proportion of patients achieving the primary endpoint was not statistically different between the prucalopride and placebo groups (25.1% vs 20.7%; p = 0.367). No new safety concerns were identified. AbstractBackground Randomized trials have confirmed the efficacy of prucalopride for the treatment of chronic constipation up to 12 weeks. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of prucalopride over a 24-week period (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01424228). Methods Adults with chronic constipation and ≤2 spontaneous complete bowel movements (SCBMs)/week were randomized to receive prucalopride 2 mg or placebo daily for 24 weeks. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving a mean of ≥3 SCBMs/week over the treatment period, assessed using daily e-diaries. Secondary outcomes and safety parameters were assessed throughout the study. Key Results Overall, 361 patients were randomized and received prucalopride or placebo. Baseline characteristics were similar in the prucalopride (N = 181) and placebo (N = 180) groups. Mean age was 48.9 years (standard deviation, 16.0) and most patients were women.

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