Patient and Patient Group Engagement in Cancer Clinical Trials: A Stakeholder Charter.

Background-to guide the implementation of patient centricity and engagement in cancer clinical trials (CTs) and to operationalize the Canadianized version of the Clinical Trials Transformation Initiative (C-CTTI) model, the development of a charter was identified by cancer CT stakeholders. Methods-the Canadian Cancer Trial Stakeholder Charter (the Charter) was initiated by Colorectal Cancer Canada (CCC) and developed via the-1-formation of an inclusive working group (WG) that drafted the document using recommendations collected during the development of the C-CTTI model; 2-socialization of the draft Charter to solicit feedback from cancer CT stakeholders, including those who attended the 2019 CCC Conference; and 3-incorporation of stakeholders' feedback and finalization of the Charter by the WG. Results-the Charter was built around five guiding principles-1-patient centricity; 2-commitment to education and training; 3-collaboration as equal and independent partners in research; 4-transparency and accountability; and 5-high standards in data collection integrity and honesty.

Bioremediation of tetrachloroethylene-contaminated groundwater in a model aquifer: effects on green frogs (Rana clamitans) and Xenopus laevis as potential wetland receptors.

Recent regulations require that the ecological effects of microorganisms introduced into the environment, such as for groundwater bioremediation, be assessed prior to their utilization. A native anuran (Rana clamitans) and a model anuran (Xenopus laevis) were used as potential wetland receptors of tetrachloroethylene (PCE)-contaminated groundwater, undergoing three bioremediation treatments: natural attenuation (NA), biostimulation (ST), and bioaugmentation (AU). Eggs of both species were exposed acutely (96 h) to remediated effluents.

The effect of a biofilm on solute diffusion in fractured porous media.

At sites in fractured rock where contamination has been exposed to the rock matrix for extended periods of time, the amount of contaminant mass residing in the matrix can be considerable. Even though it may be possible to diminish concentrations by the advection of clean water through the fracture features, back diffusion from mass held in the matrix will lead to a continuing source of contamination. In such an event, the development of a biofilm (a thin film of microbial mass) on the wall of the fractures may act to limit or prevent the back diffusion process.

Long-term persistence of a nutrient-starved biofilm in a limestone fracture.

The persistence of biofilms is a key element of the biobarrier concept applied to fractured rock. After a 43-day biostimulation with molasses for the biofilm growth (phase I), the effects of a 179-day starvation on the persistence of the biofilm (phase II) were investigated in a single-fractured limestone apparatus equipped to detect small changes in hydraulic conductivity (K) (cm min(-1)). The K in the central fracture section (Kf) decreased by 4.

Measurements of groundwater velocity in discrete rock fractures.

Estimating groundwater velocity in fracture networks using a Darcy or cubic law calculation is complicated by the wide distribution of fracture aperture often found in these systems and by the difficulty in measuring hydraulic head in discrete fracture features. Although difficult to conduct in a fractured rock setting, the point dilution method can be utilized to collect direct measurements of groundwater velocity in individual fractures. To compare measured against calculated velocities, more than 100 point dilution experiments were conducted within a 35 x 35 m area of a single fracture and in discrete fracture features within a fracture network at a larger scale.