Can high resolution micro-ultrasound replace MRI in the diagnosis of prostate cancer?

High resolution micro-ultrasound (micro-u/s) is a novel technology that permits visualization of lesions suspicious for prostate cancer. The resolution of 70 µ, that of a prostatic duct, means that alterations in ductal anatomy and cellular density are readily apparent. Initial experience in multiple centers comparing it to mpMRI suggests that the sensitivity for clinically significant prostate cancer is comparable or superior. Specificity is comparable or mildly reduced. Micro-u/s is an inexpensive, accessible and convenient alternative to mpMRI for imaging and diagnosing prostate cancer.

[Coalpha/Cobeta-isomerism of corrinoids. Partial synthesis and Escherichia coli activity of further isomer pairs of the (Co-methyl)-corrinoids (author's transl)]. / Coalpha/Cobeta-I somerie der Corrinoide. Partialsynthese und Escherichia coli-Aktivität weiterer Isomerenpaare der (Co-methyl)-corrinoide

In 2-methyladenyl-(Cobeta-methyl)-cobamide and in adenyl-(cobeta-methyl)-cobamide the nucleotide base is coordinated to the cobalt atom in neutral and weak acidic aqueous solutions (in the corresponding adenosylcorrinoids the nucleotide base is not coordinated). 2-Methylthioadenyl-(Cobeta-methyl)-cobamide resembles, with regard to the coordination of the nucleotide base, the benzimidazole-corrinoids. The partial synthesis via cobalt (I) corrinoids results in a variable proportion: (Coalpha-methyl) isomer/(Cobeta-methyl) isomer, e. g. 7/93 (cobalamin) and 50/50 (p-cresylcobamide). This proportion is generally low, if in the corresponding cyanocorrinoid the nucleotide base is firmly coordinated; it is high, if the coordination in the corresponding cyanocorrinoid is weak or absent. These results are compatible with the assumption that in the cobalt (I) corrinoids the nucleotide base is to a certain extent coordinated. In Escherichia coli 113-3 the examined (Coalpha-methyl)-corrinoids show a weaker bioactivity than the corresponding (Cobeta-methyl)-corrinoids.