Andrew K. Lee

Bactericidal proteins from the Moringa oleifera seed are reported to be suitable alternatives to conventional methods of bacterial reduction in water. In this study the cationic bactericidal M. oleifera proteins were isolated by attachment onto the surface of silicon dioxide. This functionalised SiO₂(ƒ-SiO₂) was then exposed to Escherichia coli and Micrococcus luteus to examine whether the ƒ-SiO₂ could be used to inactivate the bacteria. The effect of the non-ionic surfactant dodecyl glucoside on the attachment of these bacteria to the ƒ-SiO₂ was examined with the aim of developing a method of reusable bacterial inactivation. The primary result of this study was that the E. coli could be readily separated from the ƒ-SiO₂, allowing the ƒ-SiO₂ to be used for further bacterial inactivation. The regeneration of the ƒ-SiO₂ was demonstrated using fluorescence microscopy on bacterial cells stained with propidium iodide, and zeta potential measurements. Future applications of this work include a reusable method of removing bacteria from contaminated water.

Purpose: To report prostate cancer outcomes, toxicity, and quality of life (QOL) in men treated with proton beam therapy (PBT). Patients and Methods: Patients were enrolled in a prospective trial. All participants received 75.6 to 78 Gy (RBE). Up to 6 months of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist therapy was allowed. The Phoenix definition defined biochemical failure. Modified Radiation Therapy Oncology Group criteria defined toxicity. Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite questionnaires objectified QOL. Clinically significant QOL decrement was defined as ≥0.5 × baseline standard deviation. Results: In total, 423 men were analyzed. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network risk classification was used (low 43%; intermediate 56%; high 1%). At the 5.2-year median follow-up, overall and disease-specific survival rates were 99.8% and 100%, respectively. Cumulative biochemical failure rate was 5.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.0%-8.3%); acute grade 2 genitourinary (GU) toxicity was 4...