Differences in prostate cancer detection rates according to the level of glomerular filtration rate in patients with prostate specific antigen levels of 4.0-10.0 ng/ml

AIMS

To investigate differences in prostate cancer detection rates according to the level of glomerular filtration rates (GFR).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels of 4.0-10.0 ng/ml were analysed. Age, serum creatinine, estimated GFR, body mass index, total PSA (tPSA), free PSA (fPSA), per cent free PSA (%fPSA), comorbidities, biopsy Gleason sum and per cent positive core were retrospectively reviewed. All parameters were compared to show whether patients with GFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m(2) (group A) have higher risk of prostate cancer than patients with GFR ≥ 60 (group B). The primary endpoint was cancer detection rate and the secondary endpoints were differences in mean tPSA, fPSA, %fPSA and pathologic outcomes.

RESULTS

  A total of 1092 men (243 cancer patients) were included. Mean age was 65.8 ± 7.7 years. No differences in mean age and tPSA were found between groups A and B. Mean fPSA, %fPSA and cancer detection rate were significantly higher in group A than group B. The incidence of %fPSA <25% was significantly lower in group A than in group B. GFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m(2) , fPSA and %fPSA <25% were significant predictors for the presence of prostate cancer in patients with tPSA between 4 and 10 ng/ml. However, %fPSA <25% was not a significant predictor for group A.

CONCLUSIONS

  Because of the increased cancer detection rates in patients with CKD of stage ≥ 3 whose tPSA levels are 4.0-10.0 ng/ml, performing prostate biopsy should be actively considered in patients with CKD.

Computerised analysis of osteoporotic bone patterns using texture parameters characterising bone architecture

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the geometric change of osteoporotic bone trabecular patterns using root mean square (RMS) values, first moment power spectrum (FMP) values and fractal dimension values. With the use of these methods, we attempted computerised analysis of osteoporotic bone patterns using texture parameters characterising bone architecture and computer-aided diagnosis of osteoporosis.

METHODS

32 patient cases from Korea University Guro Hospital were analysed. Patient ages ranged from 51 to 89 years, with a mean age of 65 years. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed with determination of the area under the curve (AUC).

RESULTS

The bone mineral density (BMD) measurement (AUC=0.78) was a better indicator of bone quantity than the RMS, FMP and fractal dimension values (AUC=0.72) for diagnosis; therefore the combination of RMS, FMP and fractal dimension values was a better indicator of bone quality.

CONCLUSION

Measurements that combined BMD measurement and RMS values and combined FMP and fractal dimension values (AUC=0.85) together produced better results than the use of the two parameter sets separately for a diagnosis of osteoporosis.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

For more effective application, additional study on more cases and data will be required.

Spectrum of the cavity-QED microlaser: strong coupling effects in the frequency pulling at off resonance

We report the first experimental observation of the cavity-QED microlaser spectrum, specifically the unconventional frequency pulling brought by a strong atom-cavity coupling at off resonance. The pulling is enhanced quadratically by the atom-cavity coupling to result in a sensitive response to the number of pumping atoms (2.1 kHz per atom maximally). Periodic variation of the pulling due to the coherent Rabi oscillation is also observed as the number of pumping atoms is increased across multiple thresholds.

TM-25659 enhances osteogenic differentiation and suppresses adipogenic differentiation by modulating the transcriptional co-activator TAZ

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) is characterized as a transcriptional modulator of mesenchymal stem cell differentiation into osteoblasts and adipocytes. Moreover, increased TAZ activity in the nucleus enhances osteoblast differentiation and suppresses adipocyte development by interacting with runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) and PPARγ, respectively. Therefore, it would be of interest to identify low MW compounds that modulate nuclear TAZ activity.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

High-throughput screening was performed using a library of low MW compounds in order to identify TAZ modulators that enhance nuclear TAZ localization. The effects and molecular mechanisms of a TAZ modulator have been characterized in osteoblast and adipocyte differentiation.

KEY RESULTS

We identified 2-butyl-5-methyl-6-(pyridine-3-yl)-3-[2'-(1H-tetrazole-5-yl)-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine] (TM-25659) as a TAZ modulator. TM-25659 enhanced nuclear TAZ localization in a dose-dependent manner and attenuated PPARγ-mediated adipocyte differentiation by facilitating PPARγ suppression activity of TAZ. In addition, TAZ-induced RUNX2 activity activation was further increased in osteoblasts, causing increased osteoblast differentiation. Accordingly, TM-25659 suppressed bone loss in vivo and decreased weight gain in an obesity model. After oral administration, TM-25659 had a favourable pharmacokinetic profile.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS

TM-25659 stimulated nuclear TAZ localization and thus caused TAZ to suppress PPARγ-dependent adipogenesis and enhance RUNX2-induced osteoblast differentiation in vitro and in vivo. Our data suggest that TM-25659 could be beneficial in the control of obesity and bone loss.

Changes in integrity of normal-appearing white matter in patients with moyamoya disease: a diffusion tensor imaging study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

DTI is widely used for the evaluation of white matter integrity in various neurologic diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in white matter integrity by using DTI in NAWM of patients with MMD and to evaluate the correlation between diffusion and perfusion characteristics through an interhemispheric comparison.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 20 primary MMD patients with asymmetric disease stage and 20 age-matched healthy controls. FA(CS) and ADC(CS) values of bilateral centrum semiovale were measured by using region of interest analysis. Mean FA(CS) and ADC(CS) were compared between patient and control groups by unpaired t test. Interhemispheric differences in FA(CS) and ADC(CS) were assessed and compared between the H-TTP(delayed) and the H-TTP(shorter) by using paired t test. AIs also were assessed to verify interhemispheric differences.

RESULTS

The patient group showed a significantly lower mean FA(CS) and a higher mean ADC(CS) value than the control group. In the patient group, the H-TTP(delayed) had a significantly lower FA(CS) and higher ADC(CS) value than the H-TTP(shorter). Both AI(FA) and AI(ADC) were significantly higher in the patient compared with the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

DTI can describe subtle changes in white matter integrity in NAWM of patients with primary MMD that are not detected by conventional MR imaging. In addition, diffusion characteristics are well correlated with perfusion characteristics. We believe that DTI is a useful ancillary tool to evaluate patients with MMD.