Coffee and alcohol consumption and the risk of pancreatic cancer in two prospective United States cohorts

Although most prospective cohort studies do not support an association between coffee consumption and pancreatic cancer, the findings for alcohol are inconsistent. Recently, a large prospective cohort study of women reported statistically significant elevations in risk of pancreatic cancer for both coffee and alcoholic beverage consumption. We obtained data on coffee, alcohol, and other dietary factors using semiquantitative food frequency questionnaires administered at baseline (1986 in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study and 1980 in the Nurses’ Health Study) and in subsequent follow-up questionnaires. Data on other risk factors for pancreatic cancer, including cigarette smoking, were also available. Individuals with a history of cancer at study initiation were excluded from all of the analyses. During the 1,907,222 person-years of follow-up, 288 incident cases of pancreatic cancer were diagnosed. The data were analyzed separately for each cohort, and results were pooled to compute overall relative risks (RR). Neither coffee nor alcohol intakes were associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer in either cohort or after pooling the results (pooled RR, 0.62; 95% confidence interval, 0.27–1.43, for >3 cups of coffee/day versus none; and pooled RR, 1.00; 95% confidence interval, 0.57–1.76, for >=30 grams of alcohol/day versus none). The associations did not change with analyses examining different latency periods for coffee and alcohol. Similarly, no statistically significant associations were observed for intakes of tea, decaffeinated coffee, total caffeine, or alcoholic beverages. Data from these two large cohorts do not support any overall association between coffee intake or alcohol intake and risk of pancreatic cancer.

Awareness and use of caffeine by athletes competing at the 2005 Ironman Triathlon World Championships

This study assessed the knowledge, prevalence, and quantity of caffeine use by athletes competing at the 2005 Ironman Triathlon World Championships. Caffeine-related questionnaires were self-administered to 140 (105 male and 35 female, 40.3 +/- 10.7 y) athletes representing 16 countries. Fifty of these athletes further consented to immediate post-race blood samples for analysis of plasma caffeine and paraxanthine using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Seventy-two percent of 70 athletes correctly identified caffeine as being an unrestricted substance in triathlon. The majority of athletes [125 (89%)] were planning on using a caffeinated substance immediately prior to or throughout the race. Cola drinks (78%), caffeinated gels (42%), coffee (usually pre-race) (37%), energy drinks (13%), and NoDoz tablets (9%) were the most popular caffeinated choices. Mean standard deviation (and range) post race plasma caffeine and paraxanthine levels were 22.3 +/- 20 mu mol/L (1.7 to 98.4) and 9.4 +/- 6 mu mol/L (1.8 to 28.9), respectively. Seven athletes (14%) finished with plasma caffeine levels >= 40 mu mol/L. Plasma values from elite athletes did not differ from age group competitors. Despite the prevalence of its consumption and the training experience of this athletic group, over one quarter of athletes remained either confused or uninformed about caffeine's legality. Levels of plasma caffeine taken immediately post race indicated that athletes typically finish with quantities of caffeine that have been shown to improve endurance performance (i.e., approximate to 20 mu mol/L or a dose of >= 3 mg/kg body weight).

Warehouse, PNG Coffee Industry Board Office and Warehouse, Goroka

View of exterior wall to warehouse.

Downpipes, PNG Coffee Industry Board Office and Warehouse, Goroka

Detailed view of downpipes and drainage grill.

PNG Coffee Industry Board Office and Warehouse, Goroka

View past tiered amphitheatre and offices above to air strip beyond.

View along western elevation, PNG Coffee Industry Board Office and Warehouse, Goroka

View past timber blinds to balcony and timber sunscreens.

Under construction, PNG Coffee Industry Board Office and Warehouse, Goroka

View of post being hoisted into position during construction.

Warehouse, PNG Coffee Industry Board Office and Warehouse, Goroka

View of warehouse exterior.

Pole detail, PNG Coffee Industry Board Office and Warehouse, Goroka

Detailed view of poles used in construction. Poles were spliced in their length with steel bars (like 3 pin plugs) and these joints were restrained from splitting with steel strap belts. The belts were tightened with opposing wedges like the old Greene & Greene wrought iron detail.

Warehouse, PNG Coffee Industry Board Office and Warehouse, Goroka

View of warehouse exterior.

Roof structure, internal, PNG Coffee Industry Board Office and Warehouse, Goroka

View to underside of roof with steel beam and insulation.

Post and beam connection, PNG Coffee Industry Board Office and Warehouse, Goroka

Detailed view of cast iron brackets connecting beams and posts.

Front elevation, PNG Coffee Industry Board Office and Warehouse, Goroka

View of front elevation with entrance from exterior.

Post and beam connection, PNG Coffee Industry Board Office and Warehouse, Goroka

Detailed view of cast iron brackets connecting beams and posts.

Wolbachia infection in the Coffee Berry Borer (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)

A nested polymerase chain reaction protocol yielded positive detection of the maternally inherited cytoplasmic proteobacterium Wolbachia in total genomic DNA from coffee berry borers collected in Benin, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, India, Kenya, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Uganda. Wolbachia was not detected in specimens from Cameroon, the Dominican Republic, Indonesia, Jamaica, and Peru. Amplified bands from India and Brazil were cloned and sequenced. The 438-bp sequence clearly conformed to Wolbachia group B and was nearly identical to that of Ephestia kuehniella. The possible implications of Wolbachia infection in the coffee berry borer are discussed.