Determining the Feasibility of Best Available Treatment Versus Line Extension for Radionuclide Contamination in the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma Jurisdiction Area

This project aims to compare best available treatment (BAT) options to a line extension, therefore, presenting residents within the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma (KTO) jurisdictional area with the most effective, in terms of cost and ease of use, option for obtaining potable water. This study also infers hot spots through sampling and geographic information system (GIS) modeling to gauge the extent of necessary treatment or line extension. Residents in this area are currently drawing water from wells with naturally occurring radionuclide contamination. A hydraulic model was completed as a means to design a line extension. Literature was surveyed to review the effectiveness of different BAT options for private well systems and aided the overall comparison to line extension. The BAT solution chosen includes three different sizes of Celpure® P300 diatomite based ceramic depth filter and a strong acid cation exchange unit with DIAION SK1B sodium based resin. The project compares the costs for residential upkeep and the costs of both installation and initial maintenance by Indian Health Service (IHS) for both solutions. These comparisons helped determine cost efficiency. A line extension is the most effective option of potable water for residents, the tribe, and IHS due to a need for longevity of treatment and issues that may arise from the cost of individual upkeep. This is significant because the cost of a BAT solution would far exceed the average income per home per year for residents in this area. Individual treatment systems also leave residents with hazardous wastes that they would be responsible for handling and disposing of properly. A line extension provides minimal cost and maintenance for the homeowner while ensuring that the residents are supplied with safe water. This information provides IHS and the KTO with a feasible recommendation of how to deliver potable water to the residents with naturally occurring radionuclide contamination. Through sampling and GIS modeling, this project also pinpoints areas of radionuclide contamination in the KTO jurisdictional area for further reference or studies. 49 of the 57 homes in the study area lie within an area at risk for contamination. Two homes are at risk for a higher degree of uranium contamination (45-60 µg/L) and may benefit from immediate chemical testing

Dietary interventions with dietitian involvement in adults with chronic kidney disease: A systematic review

Background A comprehensive evidence base is needed to support recommendations for the dietetic management of adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The present study aimed to determine the effect of dietary interventions with dietitian involvement on nutritional status, well‐being, kidney risk factors and clinical outcomes in adults with CKD. Methods Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and EMBASE.com were searched from January 2000 to November 2019. Intentional weight loss and single nutrient studies were excluded. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk‐of‐bias tool. Effectiveness was summarised using the mean difference between groups for each outcome per study. Results Twelve controlled trials (1906 participants) were included. High fruit and vegetable intake, as well as a multidisciplinary hospital and community care programme, slowed the decline in glomerular filtration rate in adults with stage 3–4 CKD. Interventions addressing nutrition‐related barriers increased protein and energy intake in haemodialysis patients. A Mediterranean diet and a diet with high n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids improved the lipid profile in kidney transplant recipients. Conclusions A limited number of studies suggest benefits as a result of dietary interventions that are delivered by dietitians and focus on diet quality. We did not identify any studies that focussed on our primary outcome of nutritional status or studies that examined the timing or frequency of the nutritional assessment. This review emphasises the need for a wider body of high‐quality evidence to support recommendations on what and how dietetic interventions are delivered by dietitians for adults with CKD.Output Status: Forthcoming/Available Onlin

The role of induction chemotherapy + chemoradiotherapy in localised pancreatic cancer: initial experience in Scotland

Background: Despite being relatively rare pancreatic cancer is one of the highest causes of death. Even within the potentially resectable group outcomes are poor. We present our initial experiences utilising a neoadjuvant approach to localised pancreatic cancer, evaluating survival, response rates and tolerability. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database. Patients from 2012 to 2015 referred to a busy regional Hepato-Pancreatic Biliary (HPB) MDT were included. Patients were classified according to respectability criteria (utilising NCCN guidelines) and a treatment plan agreed. Systemic therapy with either FOLFIRINOX or Gem/Cap was delivered followed by chemoradiotherapy if disease remained localised. Toxicity, response, pathological outcomes and survival were all recorded. Results: A total of 85 patients were included in the study: 45 had initially resectable disease; 19 required a response for resection and 21 had locally advanced inoperable disease; 34 patients underwent resection. The median survival for the potentially resectable group was 22.2 months while for those undergoing resection it was 37 months. Conclusions: We have demonstrated that a neoadjuvant approach is deliverable and tolerable. In addition we have demonstrated impressive survival results in patients undergoing resection with no detriment in outcome for those not proceeding to surgery

The role of induction chemotherapy + chemoradiotherapy in localised pancreatic cancer: initial experience in Scotland

Background: Despite being relatively rare pancreatic cancer is one of the highest causes of death. Even within the potentially resectable group outcomes are poor. We present our initial experiences utilising a neoadjuvant approach to localised pancreatic cancer, evaluating survival, response rates and tolerability. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database. Patients from 2012 to 2015 referred to a busy regional Hepato-Pancreatic Biliary (HPB) MDT were included. Patients were classified according to respectability criteria (utilising NCCN guidelines) and a treatment plan agreed. Systemic therapy with either FOLFIRINOX or Gem/Cap was delivered followed by chemoradiotherapy if disease remained localised. Toxicity, response, pathological outcomes and survival were all recorded. Results: A total of 85 patients were included in the study: 45 had initially resectable disease; 19 required a response for resection and 21 had locally advanced inoperable disease; 34 patients underwent resection. The median survival for the potentially resectable group was 22.2 months while for those undergoing resection it was 37 months. Conclusions: We have demonstrated that a neoadjuvant approach is deliverable and tolerable. In addition we have demonstrated impressive survival results in patients undergoing resection with no detriment in outcome for those not proceeding to surgery

The role of induction chemotherapy + chemoradiotherapy in localised pancreatic cancer: initial experience in Scotland

Background: Despite being relatively rare pancreatic cancer is one of the highest causes of death. Even within the potentially resectable group outcomes are poor. We present our initial experiences utilising a neoadjuvant approach to localised pancreatic cancer, evaluating survival, response rates and tolerability. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database. Patients from 2012 to 2015 referred to a busy regional Hepato-Pancreatic Biliary (HPB) MDT were included. Patients were classified according to respectability criteria (utilising NCCN guidelines) and a treatment plan agreed. Systemic therapy with either FOLFIRINOX or Gem/Cap was delivered followed by chemoradiotherapy if disease remained localised. Toxicity, response, pathological outcomes and survival were all recorded. Results: A total of 85 patients were included in the study: 45 had initially resectable disease; 19 required a response for resection and 21 had locally advanced inoperable disease; 34 patients underwent resection. The median survival for the potentially resectable group was 22.2 months while for those undergoing resection it was 37 months. Conclusions: We have demonstrated that a neoadjuvant approach is deliverable and tolerable. In addition we have demonstrated impressive survival results in patients undergoing resection with no detriment in outcome for those not proceeding to surgery