How is the specialist-primary palliative care model functioning for cancer patients in the current New Zealand health system?

Aim: Patient barriers to accessing hospice and palliative care (PC) have been well studied. Important, yet less investigated, is how cancer patients whose hospice referrals were not accepted are being cared for. This article aims to understand the referral process from PC providers' perspectives and the implications of the current palliative system for patients, families and health professionals.

Targeting Monounsaturated Fatty Acid Metabolism for Radiosensitization of KRAS Mutant 3D Lung Cancer Models.

Mutations in the KRAS oncogene can mediate resistance to radiation. KRAS mutation (mut) driven tumors have been reported to express cancer stem cell (CSC)-like features and may harbor metabolic liabilities through which CSC-associated radioresistance can be overcome. We established a radiation/drug screening approach that relies on the growth of 3D spheres under anchorage-independent and lipid-limiting culture conditions, which promote stemness and lipogenesis.

Antibiotic allergy de-labeling in the intensive care unit: The prospective ADE-ICU study.

Purpose: Critically ill patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) are frequently prescribed antibiotics, with many reporting an antibiotic allergy label, predominantly to penicillin. Mislabeling contributes to suboptimal antibiotic use, increasing multidrug-resistant organisms and Clostridium difficile infections, and increased hospital length of stay. This prospective study implemented an antibiotic allergy assessment and testing program in the ICU, independently of clinical immunology/allergy services.