SEOM-SERAM-SEMNIM guidelines on the use of functional and molecular imaging techniques in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

Imaging in oncology is an essential tool for patient management but its potential is being profoundly underutilized. Each of the techniques used in the diagnostic process also conveys functional information that can be relevant in treatment decision-making. New imaging algorithms and techniques enhance our knowledge about the phenotype of the tumor and its potential response to different therapies. Functional imaging can be defined as the one that provides information beyond the purely morphological data, and include all the techniques that make it possible to measure specific physiological functions of the tumor, whereas molecular imaging would include techniques that allow us to measure metabolic changes. Functional and molecular techniques included in this document are based on multi-detector computed tomography (CT), 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG PET), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and hybrid equipments, integrating PET with CT (PET/CT) or MRI (PET-MRI). Lung cancer is one of the most frequent and deadly tumors although survival is increasing thanks to advances in diagnostic methods and new treatments. This increased survival poises challenges in terms of proper follow-up and definitions of response and progression, as exemplified by immune therapy-related pseudoprogression. In this consensus document, the use of functional and molecular imaging techniques will be addressed to exploit their current potential and explore future applications in the diagnosis, evaluation of response and detection of recurrence of advanced NSCLC

War on terror cells: killing the host that harbours ‘superbugs’ is an infection control strategy in our fight against infectious diseases

It is proposed that targeting the environmental host that harbour ‘superbugs’ is an effective strategy in our fight against infectious diseases

Potential environmental, ecological and health effects of soil antibiotics and ARGs

Antibiotics are biologically active compounds and are widely used in humans and animals to prevent or treat microbial diseases. Antibiotic resistance is a direct result of antibiotic use. The occurrence and dissemination of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) are recognized as a major public health concern. The effect of clinically relevant ARGs and ARB that are released from anthropogenic sources, along with the excessive use of antibiotics in both human and veterinary settings, is currently considered to be a serious environmental and ecological hazard. The resistant bacteria in the environment can lead to structural changes in the microbial cell, with potential toxic effects on the balance of natural ecosystems. Soil environment is primary media, declared as recipient/reservoir and source of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria of clinical concern. The antimicrobial resistance genes interacted within these bacterial contaminants can multiply in their hosts, then transfer to other bacterial populations and be subject to further development and progression in the bacterial community. Therefore, antimicrobial-resistant bacteria that occur in the environment represent serious risks for human health