Development of a new optical device and its feasibility in prostate cancer detection.

AIM: To develop a new optical device (prostate optical device, POD) for assessment of prostate tissue stiffness and evaluate its sensitivity and specificity in prostate cancer detection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: POD was tested in prostate phantoms and in patients with indications for prostate biopsy. Its sensitivity and specificity were compared to digital rectal examination (DRE) and transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS). RESULTS: POD was able to identify stiffness differences on each prostate phantom. 45 patients were included in the study. Sensitivity of TRUS (40%) was significantly lower to POD (85.7%) and DRE (74.3%) (p = 0.000 and p = 0.003, respectively). There was no statistical difference between POD and DRE (p = 0.221). The combination of POD and DRE showed the highest sensitivity (88.6%), positive predictive value (81.6%), and negative predictive value (42.9%) among all diagnostic tests. CONCLUSIONS: POD identified prostatic stiffness differences with the same sensitivity of DRE performed by an experienced urologist providing an objective indication for prostate biopsy and early prostate cancer detection.

Alteration in serum leptin correlates with alterations in serum N-telopeptide of collagen type I and serum osteocalcin during the progression of osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats.

The role of leptin during the progression of osteoporosis was investigated in ovariectomized rats by correlation of serum leptin levels with N-telopeptide of collagen type I (NTx) and osteocalcin levels before ovariectomy and 20, 40 and 60 days after the operation. Furthermore, peripheral quantitative computed tomography was used to confirm the development of severe osteoporosis in rats on day 60. The levels of NTx and osteocalcin were significantly increased on day 20 [61.9+/-5.4 nM BCE (bone collagen equivalents) and 215.6+/-53.3 ng/mL, respectively] in comparison to those before ovariectomy (41.3+/-1.7 nM BCE and 60.4+/-10.9 ng/mL). Accordingly, leptin was significantly elevated on day 20 (3033+/-661 vs. 606+/-346 pg/mL before ovariectomy). Bone markers and leptin levels remained constant up to day 40, while a slight, but not statistically significant, decrease was noted for osteocalcin and leptin on day 60. Although leptin and bone markers did not correlate before ovariectomy (r=0.09 for NTx and r=-0.05 for osteocalcin), strong correlation was observed at all time points after ovariectomy. The data obtained suggest that the alterations in serum leptin levels during the progression of osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats follow the alterations in bone markers.