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A study was conducted to determine the efficacy of gefitinib as a first-line of treatment for patients manifesting non-small-cell lung cancer. Results revealed that gefitinib is better that carboplatin-paclitaxel as a first option for treatment especially among nonsmokers or former light smokers in East Asia and the presence of the mutated gene epidermal growth factor receptor gene (EGFR) in the tumor indicated better results with gefitinib.

There is evidence that religiosity may lead to improvement of quality of life during palliative care. The present study aimed to test this relationship specifically in a Moslem population. Moreover, the mediating role of acceptance in the relationship between religiosity and quality of life was examined. We used a religiosity scale which was based on the Glock and Stark typology, the acceptance scale from the PEACE questionnaire and the McGill Quality of Life Questionnaire. Demographic variables such as age, sex, marital status, income, and educational background were also assessed. The results showed that there were positive correlations between religiosity and acceptance, as well as acceptance and quality of life. The hypothesis that acceptance mediated the relation between religiosity and quality of life was confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Current dry powder inhalers (DPIs), introduced to overcome problems associated with pressurized metered dose inhalers (pMDIs), possess not only difficulties originating from their designs but also other barriers that prevent their correct usage. The authors of this study investigated the ease and correctness of use of Swinghaler, a new device in the form of multidose DPI, as well as the preference of the study participants for either a Swinghaler or a Turbuhaler. Methods. A total of 260 patients from Korea, China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Thailand were prospectively recruited. Patients who had stable asthma, were more than 12 years old, had no experience with DPIs, and provided informed consents were included, whereas those with limited physical or intellectual ability and prior experience with any DPIs were excluded. Results. There were no group or time effects between the patients who were assigned to use a Swinghaler or a Turbuhaler first. Forty-one (16.1%) participants correctly performed the inhalation maneuver with a Swinghaler, whereas 28 (10.9%) did so with a Turbuhaler; the difference was not statistically significant. The overall assessment on the precise use of the devices indicated that there were no differences between Swinghaler and Turbuhaler usage. Comparing the preference scales between the two devices, the participants gave higher scores to the Swinghaler for all assessment items and were more satisfied with the Swinghaler compared with the Turbuhaler (78.5% vs. 55.0%, p < .001). Conclusions. The participants showed no difference in their ability to correctly use a Swinghaler when compared with a Turbuhaler and preferred the Swinghaler. These results suggest that the Swinghaler may be an effective and valuable tool for the management of airway diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A subject index for the 2008 issue of the periodical "Respirology" is presented.