On the impact of Cu dispersion on CO2 photoreduction over Cu/TiO2

A family of Cu/TiO2 catalysts was prepared using a refined sol–gel method, and tested in the photocatalytic reduction of CO2 by H2O to CH4 using a stirred batch, annular reactor. The resulting photoactivity was benchmarked against pure TiO2 nanoparticles (synthesised by an identical sol–gel route). CO2 photoreduction exhibited a strong volcano dependence on Cu loading, reflecting the transition from 2-dimensional CuOx nanostructures to 3-dimensional crystallites, with optimum CH4 production observed for 0.03 wt.% Cu/TiO2

NIVORAD: A randomised phase 2 trial of nivolumab and stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), progressing after first- or second-line chemotherapy

Background: Recent data has demonstrated improvements in overall survival in patients with NSCLC treated with nivolumab. Radiation may augment the immune response through abscopal effects - evidence of tumour control at sites other than those irradiated. We hypothesise that the addition of SABR to immunotherapy with nivolumab will improve progression free survival (PFS) compared with nivolumab alone.Methods: DESIGN: open label, randomised phase II trial. ELIGIBILITY: metastatic NSCLC progressing after 1 or 2 lines of chemotherapy with an asymptomatic site of metastasis suitable for SABR. STRATIFICATION: age, lines of chemotherapy, histology and treating institution. TREATMENT: A single dose of SABR (18-20Gy) delivered during cycle 1 (Day 8-14) of nivolumab or nivolumab alone (240mg 2-weekly) given until disease progression or prohibitive adverse events. ENDPOINTS: PFS at 6 months (PFS6; primary), objective tumour response rate, adverse events, overall survival, PFS at 1 and 2 years, associations between possible prognostic/predictive biomarkers and outcomes (including PD-L1 expression). STATISTICS: 120 participants allocated in a ratio of 2:1, 80 to nivolumab + SABR and 40 nivolumab alone to provide 80% power, one-sided type I error rate of 5% for PFS6 of 50% (worthy of pursuit) vs 35% (not worthy of pursuit). BIOSPECIMENS: Tumour tissue and serial bloods will be collected for translational research. CURRENT ENROLMENT (as of 3 Aug 2018): 15 sites open across ANZ, 22 patients have been enrolled.NIVORAD is an investigator-initiated, cooperative-group trial led by the Australasian Lung Cancer Trials Group (ALTG) in collaboration with the NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, University of Sydney and the Trans Tasman Radiation Oncology Group (TROG)

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) in England and Wales

Background Toxoplasma gondii is found on all continents and can infect all endothermic vertebrates. Toxoplasmosis is a globally important zoonosis with potentially devastating health impacts both for humans and a range of domestic and wild species. The World Health Organisation have repeatedly recommended the collection of accurate epidemiological data for T. gondii, yet despite recognised links between infection of wildlife, domestic animals and humans, seroprevalence in wild species is rarely monitored. Here, serological investigation using the Gold Standard Sabin-Feldman Dye Test was used to test for T. gondii in Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra) found dead, mainly as road-kill, in England and Wales. This is the first spatially widespread study of T. gondii in UK wildlife, and the first extensive survey of T. gondii in Eurasian otters, a sentinel species of fresh waters. Findings Infection was both common (39.5% prevalence, n = 271) and widespread, with significantly more infection in the east than the west of the UK. There was an increase in seroprevalence with age, but no sex bias. Conclusions The relatively high prevalence of T. gondii in a predominantly piscivorous freshwater mammal suggests widespread faecal contamination of freshwater ecosystems with oocysts. Continued surveillance of the Eurasian otter for T. gondii is valuable because of conservation concerns due to the otter’s ‘near threatened’ status on the IUCN Red List and because of the host’s role as a sentinel for freshwater health