Recommendations for reporting tissue and circulating tumour (ct)DNA next-generation sequencing results in non-small cell lung cancer.

Non-small cell lung cancer is a heterogeneous disease and molecular characterisation plays an important role in its clinical management. Next-generation sequencing-based panel testing enables many molecular alterations to be interrogated simultaneously, allowing for comprehensive identification of actionable oncogenic drivers (and co-mutations) and appropriate matching of patients with targeted therapies. Despite consensus in international guidelines on the importance of broad molecular profiling, adoption of next-generation sequencing varies globally.

Non-small cell lung cancer with amplification: review of epidemiology, associated disease characteristics, testing procedures, burden, and treatments.

Introduction: Mesenchymal-epidermal transition factor gene amplification (amp) is being investigated as a therapeutic target in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We reviewed the epidemiology and disease characteristics associated with primary and secondary amp, as well as the testing procedures used to identify amp, in advanced NSCLC. Economic and humanistic burdens, and the practice patterns and treatments under investigation for amp were also examined.

Diagnosis, testing, treatment, and outcomes among patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer in the United States.

Introduction: Characteristics of patients in clinical trials may differ from those of real-world patients. Our objective was to describe biomarker testing and outcomes among patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (aNSCLC) in a real-world setting.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients ≥18 years old, diagnosed with stage IIIB/C or IV NSCLC, and in the TEMPUS oncology dataset from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2020.

Initiation and feasibility of a multi-specialty minimally invasive surgical programme using a novel robotic system: A case series.

Introduction: There are a number of small case series examining new robotic surgical systems, but this is the first large case series assessing the feasibility of the Versius® system from CMR Surgical (1 Evolution Business Park, Cambridge, UK) in a multi-specialty setting.

Materials And Methods: All patients undergoing Versius®-assisted surgery in a previously robot-naïve centre were consented for collection of data on demographics, pre-, intra-, and postoperative outcomes. Data collection was performed prospectively from the start of the robotic surgical programme.

A colorectal straight-to-test cancer pathway with general-practitioner-guided triage improves attainment of the 28-day diagnosis target and increases outpatient clinic capacity.

Aim: This study investigates whether a straight-to-test (STT) colorectal cancer pathway improves attainment of the National Health Service (NHS) England 28-day Faster Diagnosis Standard and the effect of the pathway on reducing face-to-face outpatient clinic appointments. Patient satisfaction and the safety of a novel general practitioner (GP) led patient triage system regarding suitability for colonoscopy are also evaluated.

Methods: This is an observational study of all patients managed via an STT colorectal cancer pathway between 1 September 2019 and 19 March 2020.

State-Level Immunization Information Systems: Potential for Childhood Immunization Data Linkages.

Objectives Sources of immunization data include state registries or immunization information systems (IIS), medical records, and surveys. Little is known about the quality of these data sources or the feasibility of using IIS data for research. We assessed the feasibility of collecting immunization information for a national children's health study by accessing existing IIS data and comparing the completeness of these data against medical record abstractions (MRA) and parent report.

Ingested cylindrical batteries in an incarcerated male: a caustic tale!

A 37-year-old incarcerated man presented to the accident and emergency department following the deliberate ingestion of eight cylindrical batteries. He also admitted to inserting a razor blade wrapped in cling-film into his rectum; in addition, he sustained a self-inflicted laceration to his left antecubital fossa, using the metal casing from a battery. His medical history included a borderline and emotionally unstable personality disorder.

Adult intussusception presenting as rectal prolapse.

We present a case of an elderly man with what appeared to be an episode of rectal prolapse following straining while defaecating. Laparotomy revealed the prolapse to be an intussusception of large bowel with a villous adenoma as its lead point. Reduction resection was performed with primary anastomosis, and the patient recovered well from the surgery.

Cell-surface and cytokine biomarkers in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

Increasing emphasis is being placed on biomarkers as indicators of disease states in patients with autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Careful description of the expression of cell-surface markers and cytokines produced by T and B lymphocytes can lead to a more complete characterization of disease activity in patient populations, and serve as an indicator of the patient's response to therapy.

Reducing bioaerosol dispersion from wastewater treatment and its land application: a review and analysis.

Wastewater treatment systems and spray irrigation of treated water may spread microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses through dispersion of aerosol particles. A recent review (Brooks, Josephson, Gerba, & Pepper, 2004) identifies appropriate reports. Teltsch and co-authors report findings that suggest effective management controls involve providing buffer zones, irrigating in the daytime and in times of low humidity, reducing microorganism levels in water used for spraying, and testing for multiple types of viruses and bacteria (Teltsch & Katzenelson, 1978; Teltsch, Shuval, & Tadmor, 1980; Teltsch, Kedmi, Bonnet, Borenzstajn-Rotem, & Katzenelson, 1980).

Treatment with humanized monoclonal antibodies against CD80 and CD86 combined with sirolimus prolongs renal allograft survival in cynomolgus monkeys.

Background: Co-stimulatory blockade has been shown to prolong allograft survival in different transplant models. We investigated the effect of combining humanized anti-CD80 and anti-CD86 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) with sirolimus in cynomolgus monkey renal transplant recipients.

Methods: After renal transplantation, groups of four animals were treated daily with sirolimus, sirolimus and nine weekly doses of mAb, two weekly doses of mAb, or sirolimus and two weekly doses of mAb.

Mating pattern variability among western toad (Bufo boreas) populations.

Breeding ecology and mating patterns of the western toad, Bufo boreas, were examined in three large explosively breeding populations in the Oregon Cascade Mountains. Two mating patterns occurred variably within and among the three populations. First, a large male mating advantage was observed in two of the three populations when data from all the days of data collection were combined.

Rana cascadae tadpoles aggregate with siblings: an experimental field study.

Previous laboratory studies have shown that Rana cascadae larvae preferentially associated with siblings over non-siblings in choice tests. This study, conducted during three consecutive summers, tests the hypothesis that R. cascadae larvae aggregate nonrandomly with respect to sibship in natural ponds.