Malignant pleural effusion: current understanding and therapeutic approach

Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is a common complication of thoracic and extrathoracic malignancies and is associated with high mortality and elevated costs to healthcare systems. Over the last decades the understanding of pathophysiology mechanisms, diagnostic techniques and optimal treatment intervention in MPE have been greatly advanced by recent high-quality research, leading to an ever less invasive diagnostic approach and more personalized management. Despite a number of management options, including talc pleurodesis, indwelling pleural catheters and combinations of the two, treatment for MPE remains symptom directed and centered around drainage strategy. In the next future, because of a better understanding of underlying tumor biology together with more sensitive molecular diagnostic techniques, it is likely that combined diagnostic and therapeutic procedures allowing near total outpatient management of MPE will become popular. This article provides a review of the current advances, new discoveries and future directions in the pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of MPE

Applicability of OECD TG 201, 202, 203 for the aquatic toxicity testing and assessment of 2D Graphene material nanoforms to meet regulatory needs

International audienceTests using algae and/or cyanobacteria, invertebrates (crustaceans) and fish form the basic elements of an ecotoxicological assessment in a number of regulations, in particular for classification of a substance as hazardous or not to the aquatic environment according to the Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS-CLP) (GHS, 2022) and the REACH regulation (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals, EC, 2006). Standardised test guidelines (TGs) of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) are available to address the regulatory relevant endpoints of growth inhibition in algae and cyanobacteria (TG 201), acute toxicity to invertebrates (TG 202), and acute toxicity in fish (TG 203). Applying these existing OECD TGs for testing two dimensional (2D) graphene nanoforms may require more attention, additional considerations and/or adaptations of the protocols, because graphene materials are often problematic to test due to their unique attributes. In this review a critical analysis of all existing studies and approaches to testing used has been performed in order to comment on the current state of the science on testing and the overall ecotoxicity of 2D graphene materials. Focusing on the specific tests and available guidance's, a complete evaluation of aquatic toxicity testing for hazard classification of 2D graphene materials, as well as the use of alternative tests in an integrated approach to testing and assessment, has been made. This information is essential to ensure future assessments generate meaningful data that will fulfil regulatory requirements for the safe use of this “wonder” material

The U.S. Government Technical Report and Aerospace Knowledge Diffusion : Results of an On-Going Investigation

This paper contains descriptive and analytical data concerning the U.S. government technical report. These data were collected as part of an on-going investigation directed toward understanding the transfer of federally funded aerospace research and development (R&D). The paper summarizes current literature and research, discusses U.S. government technical report use, and presents data obtained from the Aerospace Knowledge Diffusion Research Project. U.A. aerospace engineers and scientists use technical reports primarily forresearch and indicate that relevance, technical quality, and accessibility exert the greatest influence on report use. Relevance, rather than accessibility, appears to be the single most important determinant for the use or non- use of NASA technical reports. User and intermediary methods are the principal means by which U.S. aerospace engineers and scientists find out about and physically obtain U.S. government technical reports. However, technical reports may be underutilized because of limitation in the existing transfer mechanism.Includes: Conference preprint, Pratt student commentaryXAInternationa