Accuracy of MRI-guided Versus Systematic Prostate Biopsy in Patients Under Active Surveillance: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

This meta-analysis focuses on the accuracy of upgrading to clinically significant prostate cancer (PCa) by multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging-targeted biopsy (MRI-TB) versus systematic biopsy (SB). We searched the Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, Scopus, and Literatura Latino Americana em Ciências da Saúde databases through January 2020 for comparative, retrospective/prospective, paired-cohort, and randomized clinical trials with paired comparisons. The population consisted of patients with low-risk PCa in active surveillance with at least 1 index lesion on imaging. We evaluated the quality of evidence by using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 score. Group comparisons considered the differences between the area under the curve summary receiver operating characteristic curve in a 2-tailed method. We also compared the positive predictive value of the best single method (MRI-TB or SB) and the referral study test (combined biopsy, a combination of MRI-TB and SB). The meta-analysis included 6 studies enrolling 741 patients. The pooled sensitivity for the 2 groups was 0.79 (95% confidence interval, 0.74-0.83; I² = 75%) and 0.67 (95% confidence interval, 0.63-0.74; I² = 55.4%), respectively. The area under the curve for the MRI-TB and SB groups were 0.99 and 0.92 (P < .001), respectively. The positive predictive value for the MRI-TB and combined biopsy groups were similar. The accumulated evidence suggests better results for MRI-TB compared with SB. Therefore, use of MRI-TB alone may be preferable in patients in active surveillance harboring low-risk PCa.     

Preparation of bupivacaine-loaded poly(epsilon-caprolactone) microspheres by spray drying: drug release studies and biocompatibility.

Poly(epsilon-caprolactone) microspheres containing bupivacaine were prepared by the spray-drying process. The average size of drug loaded microspheres was less than 3 microm in diameter, and the percentage of entrapment efficiency was 91 +/- 3%. In vitro drug release kinetic in phosphate buffer at 37 degrees C showed a hyperbolic profile, with a burst-effect during the first hour. Subcutaneous injection of bupivacaine-loaded microspheres in the back of rats caused an increase in drug concentration in plasma. Maximum bupivacaine concentration in plasma was 237 +/- 58 ng/ml at 105 h, and drug was detected in plasma for 16 days. The half-life time of the drug was increased by more than 125 times with regard to that of the drug administered in a solution by intraperitoneal injection. After 30 days of injection, a mass formed by microspheres surrounded by a thin fibrous capsule was observed. Small blood vessels and multinucleate foreign body giant cells with macrophagic function around microspheres were detected. After 60 days of injection a subcutaneous mass was also observed, which was formed of more degraded dispersed microspheres in conjunctive tissue, which had a normal structure. Thus, bupivacaine-loaded poly(epsilon-caprolactone) microspheres could be considered as a device to be used in the treatment of severe pain that is not responsive to opioids for example in cancer-related syndromes or in intractable herpetic neuralgia.     

IgA antiendomysium antibodies in human umbilical cord sections as a screening test in relatives of patients with celiac disease

We performed the serum IgA antiendomysium antibody (EmA) assay by indirect immunofluorescence on human umbilical cord sections in 86 subjects with celiac disease, in 187 first-degree relatives of such patients, and in a control group of 68 unrelated subjects, to investigate the suitability of the method in the screening of populations at risk of gluten sensitivity. Conventional EmA assay using monkey esophagus sections was performed in parallel experiments. The results obtained showed a perfpect correlation between the two methods. All the celiac patients and none of the controls were positive for EmA. EmA positivity was also observed in 11 apparently healthy relatives: intestinal biopsy performed in five of them invariably showed villous atrophy and increase of mucosal lymphocytes. Taking into account the low cost of EmA assay on human umbilical cord, especially when compared to monkey esophagus sections, the method is probably suitable and effective in identifying latent, asymptomatic gluten sensitivity in at-risk populations.     

Antibody Responses to Asian and American Genotypes of Dengue 2 Virus in Immunized Mice

The possibility of a correlation between dengue virus genotype groups and disease severity is currently under discussion. The objective of this investigation was to identify any immunogenic difference between the American and Asian dengue 2 virus genotypes through the study of antibody development (virus-binding immunoglobulin G and neutralizing antibodies) in mice. Differences in the neutralization pattern between the strains studied were observed, suggesting the presence of slight antigenic variations among them. The lack of recognition of one of the Asian genotype strains was remarkable.     

Assay of cytomegalovirus susceptibility to ganciclovir in renal and heart transplant recipients

Ganciclovir (GCV) prophylaxis or pre-emptive therapy significantly reduce the rate of cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease and viremia, but increase the potential for emergence of ganciclovir-resistant CMV strains. The inhibitor concentration at 50% (IC(50)) of GCV from 156 CMV isolates from 59 renal or heart transplant recipients was calculated by means of a rapid phenotypic susceptibility assay. Twenty-seven strains were from 14 patients undergoing GCV therapy. The IC(50) was higher in patients under the prophylaxis regimen. One CMV strain, from a heart transplant recipient, became GCV-resistant after 1 month of therapy (IC(50)=13.7 micromol/l). These data, together with clinical and virological markers, suggested that a switch to foscarnet was necessary, and good evolution was observed. Thus, assay of CMV susceptibility to GCV could be helpful in clinical management.