PSA kinetics following primary focal cryotherapy (hemiablation) in organ-confined prostate cancer patients

Purpose

We aim to evaluate prostate-specific antigen (PSA) trends in post-primary focal cryotherapy (PFC) patients.

Materials and methods

This was an institutional review board-approved retrospective study of PFC patients from 2010 to 2015. Patients with at least one post-PFC PSA were included in the study. Biochemical recurrence (BCR) was determined using the Phoenix criteria. PSA bounce was also assessed. We analyzed rates of change of PSA over time of post-PFC between BCR and no BCR groups. PSA-derived variables were analyzed as potential predictors of BCR.

Results

A total of 104 PFC patients were included in our analysis. Median (range) age and follow-up time were 66 (48–82) years and 19 (6.3–38.6) months, respectively. Four (3.8%) patients experienced PSA bounce. The median percent drop in first post-PFC PSA of 80.0% was not associated with BCR (p = 0.256) and may indicate elimination of the index lesion. The rate of increase of PSA in BCR patients was significantly higher compared to patients who did not recur (median PSA velocity (PSAV): 0.15 vs 0.04 ng/ml/month, p = 0.001). Similar to PSAV (HR 9.570, 95% CI 3.725–24.592, p < 0.0001), PSA nadir ≥ 2 ng/ml [HR (hazard ratio) 1.251, 95% CI 1.100–1.422, p = 0.001] was independently associated with BCR.

Conclusion

A significant drop in post-PFC PSA may indicate elimination of the index lesion. Patients who are likely to recur biochemically have a significantly higher PSAV compared to those who do not recur. Nadir PSA of less than 2 ng/ml may be considered the new normal PSA in focal cryotherapy (hemiablation) follow-up.

     

Colitis Cystica Profunda: A Rare Mimicker of Colorectal Neoplasia

Digestive Diseases and Sciences -     

Active management of the third stage at Caesarean section: a randomised controlled trial of misoprostol versus Syntocinon

The objective of this trial was to investigate whether 500 microg oral misoprostol given immediately after delivery of the neonate at Caesarean section is as effective as a bolus intravenous injection of 10 iu Syntocinon in stimulating uterine contractions and thereby reducing blood loss. Forty women undergoing elective or emergency Caesarean section were included in a placebo-controlled randomised trial. Group 1 received oral misoprostol and a placebo intravenous bolus and Group 2 received intravenous Syntocinon and oral placebo tablets. The main outcome measures were estimated blood loss at Caesarean section, drop in serum haemoglobin, and the need for additional uterotonic agents. We found that there was no significant difference (p = 0.75) in estimated blood loss between the two groups. No differences were observed in the decrease in haemoglobin, requirement for additional oxytocics, the need for blood transfusion or the degree of shivering in each group (p > 0.05 in each case). We concluded that oral misoprostol could be used as an alternative oxytocic agent for the third stage at Caesarean section. However, there is an obvious need for a larger randomised controlled trial to be undertaken. Previous published studies have concentrated on vaginal births and further studies should be extended to Caesarean deliveries.     

事故后飞行人员的心理治疗与康复

飞行人员在其职业生涯中，不可避免地耳闻目睹或亲身经历飞行事故。对当事机组人员产生严重的心理问题应给予及时矫治。笔者采用音乐治疗、生物反馈放松训练、系统脱敏、成功表象飞行训练、空中特殊情况表象训练等一系列方法，分别对三位事故后产生创伤后应激障碍的空中乘务员、飞行驾驶员进行治疗，取得了较好的疗效。     

Effect of surfactants on the solubility and intrinsic dissolution rate of sparfloxacin

The effect of surfactants on the solubility and intrinsic dissolution rate of sparfloxacin was investigated at room temperature. The surfactants used in the study were anionic sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and nonionic polysorbate 80 (Tween 80). Sodium lauryl sulfate showed very significant increase in solubility Tween 80 at the highest concentration studied. The intrinsic dissolution rates were determined compared to at the same surfactant concentrations used in the solubility study by rotating disk method. Diffusion coefficient (D) of sparfloxacin was evaluated to be 7.19 x 10(-6) cm2S(-1) and the apparent mean diffusion coefficient for sparfloxacin-loaded micelle was estimated to 3.98 x 10(-6) and 2.21 x 10(-6) cm2S(-1) in Tween 80 and SLS respectively.     

Olanzapine degradation kinetics in aqueous solution

The degradation kinetics of olanzapine as a function of pH and temperature has been studied by a spectrophotometric method. The degradation reaction rates were observed to follow first-order kinetics with respect to olanzapine. The hydrolytic reaction was shown to be hydrogen and hydroxide ion-catalyzed and the Arrhenius plots showed the temperature dependence of olanzapine degradation.     

Antiplasmodial agents from the leaves of Glossocalyx brevipes

A phytochemical study of the methylene chloride/methanol (1/1) extract of the leaves of Glossocalyx brevipes Benth. (Monimiaceae) afforded three new derivatives of homogentisic acid, methyl 2-(1'beta-geranyl-5'beta-hydroxy-2'-oxocyclohex-3'-enyl)acetate (1), 2-(1'beta-geranyl-5'beta-hydroxy-2'-oxocyclohex-3'-enyl)acetic acid (2), methyl 2-(1'beta-geranyl-5'beta-hydroxy-4'beta-methoxy-2'-oxocyclohexyl)acetate (3), and two known alkaloids, aristololactam BII and liriodenine. Compounds 1 and 2 and liriodenine showed modest in vitro activity against Plasmodium falciparum.