Analysing intracellular isoprenoid metabolites in diverse prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbes.

Isoprenoids, also known as terpenes or terpenoids, are a very large and diverse group of natural compounds. These compounds fulfil a myriad of critical roles in biology as well as having a wide range of industrial uses. Isoprenoids are produced via two chemically distinct metabolic pathways, the mevalonate (MVA) pathway and the methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway.

Assessment of HDR brachytherapy-replicating prostate radiotherapy planning for tomotherapy, cyberknife and VMAT.

A dosimetric study was undertaken to assess the ability of Cyberknife (CK), Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT), and TomoTherapy (Tomo) to generate treatment plans that mimic the dosimetry of high dose-rate brachytherapy (HDR BT) for prostate cancer. The project aimed to assess the potential of using stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for boost treatment of high-risk prostate cancer patients where HDR BT in combination with conformal external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) is the standard of care. The datasets of 6 prostate patients previously treated with HDR BT were collated.

Multi-observer contouring of male pelvic anatomy: Highly variable agreement across conventional and emerging structures of interest.

Introduction: This study quantified inter-observer contouring variations for multiple male pelvic structures, many of which are of emerging relevance for prostate cancer radiotherapy progression and toxicity response studies.

Methods: Five prostate cancer patient datasets (CT and T2-weighted MR) were distributed to 13 observers for contouring. CT structures contoured included the clinical target volume (CTV), seminal vesicles, rectum, colon, bowel bag, bladder and peri-rectal space (PRS).

International validation of the EORTC QLQ-PRT20 module for assessment of quality of life symptoms relating to radiation proctitis: a phase IV study.

Background: Although patients experience radiation proctitis post radiotherapy no internationally tested instruments exist to measure these symptoms. This Phase IV study tested the scale structure, reliability and validity and cross-cultural applicability of the EORTC proctitis module (QLQ-PRT23) in patients who were receiving pelvic radiotherapy.

Methods: Patients (n = 358) from six countries completed the EORTC QLQ-C30, QLQ-PRT23 and EORTC Quality of Life Group debriefing questions.

Publication rates of abstracts presented at the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists annual scientific meetings: Any change since 2004?

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine the publication rate of abstracts presented at annual Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) conferences.

Methods: The College's Annual Scientific Meetings (ASMs) from 2010 to 2013 were examined, with the goal of comparing these results to the findings of an earlier identical study that examined RANZCR ASMs from 1996 to 1999.

Results: Of the 1152 research abstracts presented, 468 (41%) had been published as full articles.