Comparative genomics of obligate predatory bacteria belonging to phylum highlights distribution and predicted functions of lineage-specific protein families.

Comparative genomics of predatory bacteria is important to understand their ecology and evolution and explore their potential to treat drug-resistant infections. We compared chromosomes of 18 obligate predators from phylum (16 intraperiplasmic, two epibiotic) and 15 non-predatory bacteria. Phylogenetics of conserved single-copy genes and analysis of genome-wide average amino acid identity provide evidence for at least five species and support recent reclassifications of predatory taxa.

Pulse Pressure as a Hemodynamic Parameter in Preeclampsia with Severe Features Accompanied by Fetal Growth Restriction.

: Modern management of preeclampsia can be optimized by tailoring the targeted treatment of hypertension to an individual's hemodynamic profile. Growing evidence suggests different phenotypes of preeclampsia, including those with a hyperdynamic profile and those complicated by uteroplacental insufficiency. Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is believed to be a result of uteroplacental insufficiency.

Sustained Clinical Response to Immunotherapy Followed by BET Inhibitor in a Patient with Unresectable Sinonasal NUT Carcinoma.

NUT carcinomas (NCs) are a group of rare tumors that can occur anywhere in the body and are defined by the fusion of the nuclear protein in testis () resulting in increased transcription of proto-oncogenes. NCs have a poor prognosis that varies according to the site of origin with an urgent need to develop new treatment strategies. Case reports on immunotherapy in pulmonary NC have been published, and bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) inhibitors have shown activity in NC in phase I/II trials.

Oesophageal IGRT considerations for SBRT of LA-NSCLC: barium-enhanced CBCT and interfraction motion.

Background: To determine the optimal volume of barium for oesophageal localisation on cone-beam CT (CBCT) for locally-advanced non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) and quantify the interfraction oesophageal movement relative to tumour.

Methods: Twenty NSCLC patients with mediastinal and/or hilar disease receiving radical radiotherapy were recruited. The first five patients received 25 ml of barium prior to their planning CT and alternate CBCTs during treatment.

Complete Genome Sequence of sp. Strain KM01, a Predatory Bacterium Isolated from Soil.

We report the complete genome sequence of the predatory bacterium sp. strain KM01, isolated from soil collected near a pond. The genome is 3,961,288 bp long with 45.

Contrast enhanced oesophageal avoidance for stereotactic body radiotherapy: Barium vs. Gastrografin.

Introduction: SABR may facilitate treatment in a greater proportion of locally-advanced NSCLC patients, just as it has for early-stage disease. The oesophagus is one of the key dose-limiting organs and visualization during IGRT would better ensure toxicity is avoided. As the oesophagus is poorly seen on CBCT, we assessed the extent to which this is improved using two oral contrast agents.

A Prospective, Multicenter Study of Involved-Field Radiation Therapy With Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation for Patients With Hodgkin Lymphoma and Aggressive Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (ALLG HDNHL04/TROG 03.03).

Purpose: The role of involved-field radiation therapy (IFRT) with autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) for lymphomas remains uncertain.

Methods And Materials: In this prospective, multicenter study, patients undergoing ASCT for relapsed/refractory lymphoma received peritransplant IFRT to disease sites identified at study registration (SR) (before salvage chemotherapy [SC]). Radiation dose was adapted to SC response.

Randomized Trial of Systemic Therapy After Involved-Field Radiotherapy in Patients With Early-Stage Follicular Lymphoma: TROG 99.03.

Purpose: Follicular lymphoma (FL) is curable by involved-field radiotherapy (IFRT) in < 50% of patients with stage I to II disease. We hypothesized that adding systemic therapy to IFRT would improve long-term progression-free survival (PFS).

Patients And Methods: A multicenter randomized controlled trial enrolled patients with stage I to II low-grade FL after staging computed tomography scans and bone marrow biopsies.

High neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio predicts poor prognosis in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy.

Aim: To evaluate the role of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as a prognostic marker in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on patients presenting to our service between 2001 and 2014. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were calculated using Kaplan-Meier estimates.

Radiotherapy in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma: An Australian experience.

Introduction: Anaplastic thyroid cancer is a rare and fatal malignancy, associated with significant local tumour and often treatment related morbidity. We report our experience in treating this cancer over a 20-year period.

Methods: A retrospective review of prospectively collected data from a single Australian Institution (Alfred Health Radiation Oncology) was carried out on patients referred with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma between 1992 and 2013.

Pathologic response to neoadjuvant treatment in locally advanced rectal cancer and impact on outcome.

Background: Downstaging and pathologic complete response (pCR) after chemoradiotherapy (CRT) may improve progression-free survival and overall survival (OS) after curative therapy of locally advanced adenocarcinoma of rectum. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the pathologic response subsequent to neoadjuvant chemoradiation in locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma and any impact of response on oncological outcome [disease-free survival (DFS), OS].

Methods: A total of 127 patients with histologically-proven rectal adenocarcinoma, locally advanced, were treated with preoperative radiotherapy and concurrent 5-fluorouracil (5 FU), and followed by curative surgery.

Radiotherapy in well-differentiated thyroid cancer: is it underutilized?

Background: The usual management of thyroid cancer is surgery and radioactive iodine. The role of external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) in well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma remains controversial. Indications for the use of EBRT, contained within both the American and British Thyroid Association published guidelines, include unresectable or non-iodine avid disease, extra-thyroidal extension or distant metastatic disease.

Risk and response adapted therapy for early stage Hodgkin lymphoma: a prospective multicenter study of the Australasian Leukaemia and Lymphoma Group/Trans-Tasman Radiation Oncology Group.

In this prospective, multicenter, non-randomized study for patients with stage I-II Hodgkin lymphoma, group 1 (without risk-factors [RF]) had three cycles of ABVD chemotherapy (adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine) and group 2 (any of bulk, extranodal site, >3 regions, raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR]) and group 3 (B-symptoms) received four cycles. Involved field radiotherapy (IFRT) 30 Gy was given after adequate chemotherapy response. Five-year overall survival and freedom from progression (FFP) were 96% (95% confidence interval [CI] 91-98%) and 90% (84-94%), respectively.

The effect of intensity-modulated radiotherapy on radiation-induced second malignancies.

Purpose: To compare intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) in terms of carcinogenic risk for actual clinical scenarios.

Method And Materials: Clinically equivalent IMRT plans were generated for prostate, breast, and head-and-neck cases treated with 3D-CRT. Two possible dose-response models for radiocarcinogenesis were generated based on A-bomb survivor data corrected for fractionation.

A prospective phase II study of adjuvant postoperative radiation therapy following nodal surgery in malignant melanoma-Trans Tasman Radiation Oncology Group (TROG) Study 96.06.

Background: The role of adjuvant postoperative therapy after resection of localised malignant melanoma involving regional lymph nodes remains controversial. There are no randomised trials that confirm that postoperative radiation conveys a benefit in terms of regional control or survival.

Methods: Two hundred and thirty-four patients with melanoma involving lymph nodes were registered on a prospective study to evaluate the effect of postoperative radiation therapy.

Optimism and survival in lung carcinoma patients.

Background: It is popular belief that the psychologic response to a diagnosis of cancer influences survival in patients with cancer; however, research has produced contradictory results. In this prospective study, the authors investigated the relation between pretreatment levels of optimism and survival in patients with nonsmall cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC).

Methods: Two hundred four patients who were participating in a randomized trial that compared accelerated and conventional radiotherapy with and without carboplatin chemotherapy were asked to complete two questionnaires assessing optimism.

Quality assurance experience with the randomized neuropathic bone pain trial (Trans-Tasman Radiation Oncology Group, 96.05).

Background And Purpose: Trans-Tasman Radiation Oncology Group 96.05 is a prospective randomized controlled trial comparing a single 8 Gy with 20 Gy in five fractions of radiotherapy (RT) for neuropathic pain due to bone metastases. This paper summarizes the quality assurance (QA) activities for the first 234 patients (accrual target 270).

Sanitation Training for Food Service Managers - A Must!

In the past two decades, growth of the foodservice industry has been sensational, and this means greater opportunities for consumers to become victims of foodborne illness. Safety of food is a responsibility of the industry, and establishment managers carry the burden of that responsibility. Sanitation training for foodservice managers offers great promise for improving food protection.