When is a bone scan study appropriate in asymptomatic men diagnosed with prostate cancer? / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>AIMS</b>To determine when a bone scan investigation is appropriate in asymptomatic men diagnosed with prostate cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Between November 2005 and July 2006, 317 men with prostate cancer underwent a bone scan study; 176 men fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) cut-offs as well as univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses using digital rectal examination finding, biopsy Gleason scores and age were performed to determine when a bone scan study is likely to be of value.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Only 1/61 men (1.6%) with a serum PSA 20 ng/mL had a positive bone scan. However, 2/38 men (4.7%) with a serum PSA 20.1-40.0 ng/mL, 3/20 men (15%) with a serum PSA 40.1-60.0 ng/mL, 7/19 men (36.8%) with a serum PSA 60.1-100.0 ng/mL and 19/38 men (50%) with a serum PSA > 100.0 ng/mL had positive bone scans. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were uninformative in these groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Based on our findings, a bone scan is of limited value in asymptomatic prostate cancer patients presenting PSA =or< 20 ng/mL. Therefore, this investigation can be eliminated unless a curative treatment is contemplated. Furthermore, digital rectal examination finding, biopsy Gleason score and age are unhelpful in predicting those who might harbor bone metastasis.</p>

Binding of bilirubin with albumin-coupled liposomes: implications in the treatment of jaundice.

In the present study, we demonstrated the suitability of liposomes as a method of removing plasma bilirubin in hyperbilirubinemic rats. The liposomes have innate tendency to bind with bilirubin through hydrophobic interaction. Among different types of liposomes, the positively charged liposomes were found to have maximum affinity to free bilirubin. However, the entrapment or coupling of serum albumin on the surface of egg phosphatidylcholine liposomes can render a several-fold increase in their bilirubin binding capacity. The proteoliposomes were able to preferentially bind with bilirubin even in the presence of erythrocytes. Interestingly, these liposomes were found to displace bilirubin bound on the surface of erythrocytes as well. The results of the present study further demonstrate that albumin-bearing liposomes were equally effective in removing plasma bilirubin in experimental jaundiced animals. These observations indicate that liposome-mediated selective homing of excess plasma bilirubin to the liver cells (cf. hepatocytes) may help in the development of safer strategy for the treatment of hyperbilirubinemic conditions in the model animals.