Omission of whole breast irradiation for postmenopausal women with early breast cancer

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (Intervention). The objectives are as follows: To determine if the omission of postoperative whole breast radiation therapy (WBRT) in selected postmenopausal women with early, favourable breast cancer, results in clinically acceptable, low local recurrence rates compared to women who receive postoperative WBR

Geriatric assessment of older patients with cancer in Australia- A multicentre audit

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the frequency of geriatric assessment in patients aged over 70 years in Australian medical oncology clinics. Material and Methods: This was a multicentre audit in two parts: a retrospective file review of initial consultations with an oncologist and prospective audit of case presentations at multidisciplinary meetings (MDMs). Patients aged over 70 years presenting to a medical oncology clinic or being discussed at an MDM were eligible. Data was collected at six oncology centres in Victoria, NSW and Canberra from October 2009 to March 2010. Results: Data was collected from 251 file reviews and 108 MDM discussions in a total of 304 patients. Median age was 76 years (range 70–95). The geriatric assessment (GA) domains most frequently assessed during an initial consultation were the presence of comorbidities (92%), social situation—living alone or with someone (80%), social supports (63%), any mention of at least one Activity of Daily Living (ADL) (50%) and performance status (49%). Less frequently assessed were any Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (IADL) (26%), presence of a geriatric syndrome (24%), polypharmacy (29%) and creatinine clearance (11%). Only one patient had all components of ADLs and IADLs assessed. During MDMs all the geriatric domains were comparatively less frequently assessed. No patients had all ADL and IADL components discussed formally in an MDM.Conclusion: This is the first multicentre audit that reveals the low rates of GA in Australian medical oncology practice and describes the GA domains considered important by oncology clinicians

Non-conventional osmotic solutes (honey and glycerol) improve mass transfer and extend shelf life of hot-air dried red carrots: Kinetics, quality, bioactivity, microstructure, and storage stability

The effect of solutes (sucrose, honey and glycerol) on mass transfer kinetics, physico-chemical and biological quality, and shelf life of red carrot slices (RCSs) obtained by hot-air drying at 60 degrees C/6-8 h was studied. RCSs were osmosed for 24 h in sucrose (S), sucrose + honey (SH), honey (H) and sucrose + glycerol (SGL) before drying. Honey and glycerol enhanced the water loss (WL) and solute gain (SG), giving higher values for Peleg's model constants (k(1), WL = 6.9 and 6.5, for H and SGL, respectively; k(1), SG = 92.8 and 73.5, for H and SGL, respectively). Decreased viscosity of osmotic solutions corresponded with the solute effect on WL and SG, reaching equilibrium after 16 h. Different quality parameters were significantly affected by the solute type and storage time (P < 0.05). Higher beta-carotene content (7.82 g/100 g) and antioxidant activity (35.9%) values were found in honey-treated carrots. Higher SG might result in improved color parameters and least physical damage as revealed through SEM images in honey and glycerol-treated carrots. The lowest yeast and mould count (0.52 log CFU/g) was observed in SGL treatment after 5 months of storage.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio