Queensland Lung Cancer Screening Study: rationale, design and methods.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in Australia. Screening using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) can reduce lung cancer mortality. The feasibility of screening in Australia is unknown. This paper describes the rationale, design and methods of the Queensland Lung Cancer Screening Study. AIMS: The aim of the study is to describe the methodology for a feasibility study of lung cancer screening by LDCT in Australia. METHODS: The Queensland Lung Cancer Screening Study is an ongoing, prospective observational study of screening by LDCT at a single tertiary institution. Healthy volunteers at high risk of lung cancer (age 60-74 years; smoking history ≥30 pack years, current or quit within 15 years; forced expiratory volume in 1s ≥50% predicted) are recruited from the general public through newspaper advertisement and press release. Participants receive a LDCT scan of the chest at baseline, year 1 and year 2 using a multidetector helical computed tomography scanner and are followed up for a total of 5 years. Feasibility of screening will be assessed by cancer detection rates, lung nodule prevalence, optimal management strategies for lung nodules, economic costs, healthcare utilisation and participant quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Studying LDCT screening in the Australian setting will help us understand how differences in populations, background diseases and healthcare structures modulate screening effectiveness. This information, together with results from overseas randomised studies, will inform and facilitate local policymaking.

High quality single crystals of the SrR(2)O(4) family of frustrated magnets.

Large high quality single crystals of several compounds of the new family of frustrated magnetic oxides SrR(2)O(4) where R = Dy, Er, Ho and their nonmagnetic analogues with R = Lu, Y have been synthesized by the floating zone technique. The magnetic rare earth ions in these compounds are linked to each other through a network of hexagons and triangles reminiscent of the honeycomb lattice. Initial characterization measurements show that geometrical frustration plays an important role in the formation of the magnetic ground states in these systems. The single crystals grown are suitable for more detailed investigations, especially those using neutron scattering techniques.

Progress and challenges in the preclinical assessment of cytokines.

This presentation focuses on the history and status of the preclinical toxicologic assessment of recombinant proteins. Cytokines and growth factors are used as examples. There has been an evolution of thought over the past dozen years on the testing of these substances that has ranged from their being considered nontoxic, human-specific proteins for which no predictive testing could be done in animals, to the present view that they can be toxic, relevant testing may be possible in animals, and assessment approaches should be science-based and case-by-case. The challenge of appropriate testing of recombinant proteins has caused toxicologists in both industry and in regulatory authorities to reconsider not only testing procedures but the purpose of preclinical assessment. The form of regulatory guidelines (guidance vs. inflexible testing protocols) has been questioned, and the need for interaction between scientists in industry and regulatory agencies has been strengthened. This process has advanced the science of toxicology.

Comparative immunotoxicity assessment of N4-Trimethoxybenzoyl-5'-deoxy-5- fluorocytidine (Ro 09-1390) and 5'-deoxy-5-fluorouridine (5'-DFUR) in BDF1 mice.

N4-Trimethoxybenzoyl-5'-deoxy-5-fluorocytidine (Ro 09-1390) and 5'-deoxy-5-fluorouridine (5'-DFUR) are 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) derivatives developed as anti-tumor pharmaceuticals. To evaluate immunotoxicities of these compounds, BDF1 mice were administered vehicle, 300-2700 mg (0.68-6.14 mmol)/kg/day of Ro 09-1390, or 100-900 mg (0.41-3.66 mmol)/kg/day of 5'-DFUR for 1 to 7 days, and effects on cellularity in lymphoid organs were assessed by immunohistochemistry as well as general toxicologic parameters. To distinguish compound-specific direct action from nonspecific indirect action caused by dietary reduction, dietary restriction groups were also included as control groups. Final body weight, thymus weight, bone marrow cell number (BMC), and leukocyte number were reduced with high dose of both compounds. Reduction of BMC in groups administered with Ro 09-1390 or 5'-DFUR was more severe than in dietary restriction groups given comparative amount of diet with compound-administered groups. Diffuse thymic cortical hypoplasia was observed in the highest dose of both compounds and more apparent in the Ro 09-1390 than in the 5'-DFUR. Focal nodular thymocyte hyperplasia was observed especially in the lower dose of 5'-DFUR. The results indicate that immunotoxic profiles of Ro 09-1390 and 5'-DFUR are very similar and characterized primarily by myelotoxicity and Ro 09-1390 is approximately two-times less toxic than 5'-DFUR on a molar basis in BDF1 mice.

Acquired immunity to Fasciola hepatica in splenectomised rats.

Significant resistance to a second infection with Fasciola hepatica was obtained in splenectomised and sham operated rats (P less than 0.001, 78 and 76 per cent respectively) when compared with singly infected splenectomised or sham operated control groups. For both the stimulating and challenge infections, there were no significant differences in the number of flukes recovered from rats that had been splenectomised as compared to those receiving the sham operation. Thus, splenectomy did not significantly affect the ability of rats to develop an acquired immunity to F hepatica, nor were fluke recoveries from a particular schedule of infection significantly affected by the presence of absence of a spleen. It is concluded that the presence of a spleen is not necessary for the development of acquired immunity to F hepatica in the rat.

The boat people of Vietnam. Rescue on the South China Sea.

Poor economic conditions in Vietnam have encouraged large numbers of people seeking a better life in the West to join the flow of political refugees leaving the country as "boat people". We report the events surrounding one such group of people who were rescued from the South China Sea by the Outback 88 Task Group.

Developing a successful senior care program: a research based approach.

Shifting environmental pressures have moved healthcare organizations to look to new products and services as a means of survival. One new product offering that has developed in many hospitals is the senior care program. Unfortunately, many of the senior care programs developed across the nation have not been successful. The authors have described a senior care program that is research based and physician centered. The benefits of which include physician loyalty to the hospital, a managed referral network and the ability to measure the impact of the senior care program on the bottom line.