ABSTRACT
Polyphagous shot hole borer Euwallacea fornicatus Eichhoff was detected in Western Australia in September 2021, and an eradication campaign funded by the Commonwealth government is underway. As part of contingency planning, we examined the cost effectiveness of alternative control strategies that could be used to mitigate urban forest impacts and maintain the benefits of trees to the local communities if eradication was not feasible. At the time this work was undertaken, decision-makers were concerned about the potential need to replace all urban trees susceptible to attack. We considered this strategy alongside less destructive strategies and assessed their cost effectiveness in terms of material and labor costs and the loss of ecosystem services resulting from reduced tree foliage. Using a stochastic simulation model, we found that a strategy that involved pruning necrotic limbs and treating trees biennially with systemic insecticide was almost always more cost effective than removing infested trees and replanting to resistant varieties. We estimated this strategy would cost A$55-110 million over 50 years, while tree removal would cost $105-195 million. A third strategy using a mix of chemical suppression and tree removal was also considered in light of new information about the pest's host preferences. With an estimated cost of $60-110 million, this strategy was only slightly more expensive than using chemical suppression alone and could actually lead to eradication if the host range is as narrow as recent survey data suggests.
ABSTRACT
Following the detection of fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith, Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Western Australia in early 2020 and the lack of government response action, we estimate the impact it is likely to have on the state's agriculture. A bioeconomic model is used to estimate cost and revenue implications for broadacre cropping and horticulture industries. We assume permanent S. frugiperda populations are likely to establish in areas of the state's north and mid-west over the next decade, and other regions may experience sporadic outbreaks over single seasons. Over 0.8 million hectares of host crops could be permanently affected, while sporadic outbreaks may affect a further 150,000 hectares. Expressed in Australian dollars (A$), S. frugiperda is likely to add a A$14.2-39.3 million burden to agricultural producers per annum by year 10 of the outbreak. Approximately 55% of these damage costs are attributable to yield loss and 45% to increased variable production costs.
Subject(s)
Moths , Agriculture , Animals , Australia , Seasons , SpodopteraABSTRACT
Background: Current detection methodologies are often unable to identify the location and extent of recurrent prostate cancer (PCa) leading potentially to 'futile' local therapies in the presence of metastatic disease. The use of 18 F-fluciclovine PET/CT may lead to better patient management. Objective: The aim of this study was to quantify the economic impact and cost-consequence of using 18 F-fluciclovine PET/CT in PCa recurrence. Study design: A decision analytic model based on recurrent PCa imaging guidelines. Setting: US hospital. Participants: PCa patients experiencing biochemical recurrence. Intervention: 18 F-fluciclovine PET/CT was compared to conventional imaging. Main outcome measure: Budget impact, correct diagnoses, futile treatments, and cost-consequence (cost per correct diagnosis) Results: For a hypothetical hospital serving 500,000 individuals, the model showed the use of 18 F-fluciclovine reduced 'futile' therapies by 19.2%. Re-imaging costs were reduced by 40.2% ($8.2 million); however, when assuming diagnostic and staging costs only, the total costs increased from $31.2 to $34.6 million (10.9%), driven by 18 F-fluciclovine imaging agent and procedure costs. The cost per 'correct' diagnosis declined $30,673 (46.8%). When including subsequent 5-year patient management, the cost per 'correct' diagnosis declined $410,206 (49.2%). Conclusion: 18 F-fluciclovine PET/CT imaging may improve the clinical management of men with recurrent PCa with minimal increase in healthcare spending.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: F-fluciclovine is a synthetic amino acid radiotracer that has recently been approved in Europe and the United States for PET imaging in men with biochemical recurrence (BCR) of prostate cancer after prior definitive treatment. Accurate identification of the sites of disease in patients presenting with BCR of prostate cancer is important in determining the appropriate treatment. Bone is the most frequent site of metastatic disease in patients with prostate cancer. METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive review of the available preclinical and clinical data on the diagnostic performance of F-fluciclovine PET/CT in an attempt to draw practical and general conclusions on the utility and limitations of F-fluciclovine PET/CT in localization of osseous metastatic disease in prostate cancer. RESULTS: The cumulative preclinical data and results of some retrospective and 2 prospective clinical studies suggest that F-fluciclovine can detect early bone marrow involvement in patients with BCR of prostate cancer and negative prior bone-specific imaging findings. CONCLUSIONS: F-fluciclovine PET/CT seems to offer useful information for early detection of bone metastases in men with BCR of prostate cancer. Additional investigations will be needed to compare the diagnostic performance of F-fluciclovine PET/CT to other standard and novel imaging methods in initial staging, BCR, and castrate-resistant phases of disease.
Subject(s)
Bone Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Carboxylic Acids , Cyclobutanes , Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography/standards , Prostatic Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Radiopharmaceuticals , Aged , Bone Neoplasms/secondary , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Prostatic Neoplasms/pathologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Galectin-3 is a carbohydrate binding protein that plays many important regulatory roles in inflammation, immunity and cancer. Recent studies indicate that galectin-3 is a mediator of heart failure development and progression. Development of an improved assay for galectin-3 measurement was necessary for appropriate clinical assessment. Key analytical performance characteristics, the reference distribution and association of galectin-3 levels with clinical outcome in heart failure patients are defined. METHODS: A two-site ELISA test was examined for measurement matrix, imprecision, limits of blank, detection, and quantitation, as well as linearity, high-dose hook effect, storage stability, cross-reactivity with nine similar compounds, interference with 22 common medications and icterus, lipemia and hemolysis, all in accordance with CLSI guidance. Also the effects of human anti-mouse antibodies and rheumatoid factor on recovery of galectin-3 were investigated. The reference interval was determined for 1092 ostensibly healthy individuals. The association of galectin-3 concentrations with an outcome of mortality was examined in a preliminary analysis of 129 acute decompensated heart failure patients. RESULTS: Galectin-3 results were equivalent when measured in serum or EDTA plasma. Imprecision studies demonstrated that the total CV was <10% at a low concentration of 6 ng/mL, 7% near the mid-level concentration of 21 ng/mL, and 15% at the high level of 70 ng/mL. The limit of blank was 0.86 ng/mL, the limit of detection was 1.13 ng/mL, and the limit of quantitation was 0.96 ng/mL. The linear measurement range was 0.96-130 ng/mL and there was no high-dose hook at levels up to 500 ng/mL. No cross-reactivity with nine compounds structurally related to galectin-3 and no interference from 22 common medications, icterus or lipemia was found. Hemolysis and presence of human anti-mouse antibodies or rheumatoid factor were found to be potential sources of interference. Samples can be stored for up to 15 days at either 22-28 degrees C or 2-8 degrees C before analysis; measurements are stable after storage at -20 degrees C or -70 degrees C for at least 6 months and through six freeze-thaw cycles. The 90th, 95th and 97.5th percentile of the normal reference interval was 17.6, 20.3 and 22.1 ng/mL, respectively. Galectin-3 in the acute decompensated heart failure patients ranged from 4.0 to 75 ng/mL; using a cutpoint of 22.1 ng/mL in an unadjusted analysis, galectin-3 values were associated with an outcome of death (p=0.035). Galectin-3 is associated with severity of heart failure as indicated by NYHA Class (p-value for trend, 0.017). CONCLUSION: This ELISA for galectin-3 measurement demonstrated acceptable analytical characteristics and was associated with mortality in a preliminary unadjusted analysis.
