Improving neurocognitive outcomes following treatment for brain metastases have become increasingly important. We propose that a brief telephone-based neurocognitive assessment may improve follow-up cognitive assessments in this palliative population. Aim: To prospectively assess the feasibility and reliability of a telephone based brief neurocognitive assessment compared to the same tests delivered face-to-face. Methods: Brain metastases patients to be treated with whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) were assessed using a brief validated neurocognitive battery at baseline, at 1 month and 3 months following WBRT (in person and over the phone). The primary outcome was feasibility and inter-procedural (in person versus telephone) reliability. The secondary objective was to evaluate the change in neurocognitive function before and after WBRT. Results: Out of 39 patients enrolled, 82% of patients completed the baseline in-person and telephone neurocognitive assessments. However, at 1 month, only 41% of enrolled patients completed the in-person and telephone cognitive assessments and at 3 months, only 10% of patients completed them. Results pertaining to reliability and change in neurocognitive function will be updated. Conclusion: The pre-defined definition of feasibility (at least 80% completion for face to face and telephone neurocognitive assessments) was met at baseline. However, a large proportion of participants did not complete either telephone or in person neurocognitive follow-up at 1 month and at 3 months post-WBRT. Attrition remained a challenge for neurocognitive testing in this population even when a telephone-based brief assessment was used.

In reviewing the literature on helminthology one finds that a great deal of attention has been given to the study of the physiology of parasites. Investigations of such a nature are valuable, in that they enable one to approach the problem of anthelmintic treatment in a scientific manner. Most of the early work that was carried out on lungworms in general was concerned either with their life histories or with their morphology, and little work has been done on their physiological characteristics.

1. Thirteen different species of helminth parasites were encountered in eighteen ducks (six Muscovy and twelve Khaki Campbells) on a farm in Berkshire. Of these parasites, four were trematodes, five cestodes, three nematodes and one Acanthocephala.

Hymenolepis collaris, Trichostrongylus tennis and Filicollis anatis are recorded from the domestic duck in Britain for the first time. Hymenolepis anatina and Hymenohpis abortiva are recorded for the first time in England.

The occurrence of Globidium gilruthi in sheep and goats in Egypt is recorded. Preliminary investigation showed that 18 % of 250 sheep and 28 % of 150 goats were infected. The lesions caused by G. gilruthi are described.