Association between PSA kinetics and cancer-specific mortality in patients with localised prostate cancer: analysis of the placebo arm of the SPCG-6 study.

BACKGROUND: The prognostic value of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) kinetics in untreated prostate cancer (PCa) patients is debatable. We investigated the association between PSA doubling time (PSAdt), PSA velocity (PSAvel) and PSAvel risk count (PSAvRC) and PCa mortality in a cohort of patients with localised PCa managed on watchful waiting. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with clinically localised PCa managed observationally, who were randomised to and remained on placebo for minimum 18 months in the SPCG-6 study, were included. All patients survived at least 2 years and had a minimum of three PSA determinations available. The prognostic value of PSA kinetics was analysed and patients were stratified according to their PSA at consent: ≤10, 10.1-25, and >25 ng/ml. Cumulative incidences of PCa-specific mortality were estimated with the Aalen-Johansen method. RESULTS: Two hundred and sixty-three patients were included of which 116, 76 and 71 had a PSA at consent ≤10, 10.1-25, and >25 ng/ml, respectively. Median follow-up was 13.6 years. For patients with PSA at consent between 10.1 and 25 ng/ml, the 13-year risks of PCa mortality were associated with PSA kinetics: PSAdt ≤3 years: 62.0% versus PSAdt >3 years: 16.3% (Gray's test: P < 0.0001), PSAvel ≥2 ng/ml/year: 48.0% versus PSAvel <2 ng/ml/year: 11.0% (Gray's test: P = 0.0008), and PSAvRC 2: 45.0% versus 0-1: 3.8% (Gray's test: P = 0.001). In contrast, none of the PSA kinetics were significantly associated with changes of 13-year risks of PCa mortality in patients with PSA at consent ≤10 or >25 ng/ml. CONCLUSION: We found that magnitude changes in 13-year risks of PCa mortality that can be indicated by PSA kinetics depend on PSA level in patients with localised PCa who were managed observationally. Our results question PSA kinetics as surrogate marker for PCa mortality in patients with low and high PSA values. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: NCT00672282.

Potential interactions between diadromous fishes of U.K. conservation importance and the electromagnetic fields and subsea noise from marine renewable energy developments.

The considerable extent of construction and operation of marine renewable energy developments (MRED) within U.K. and adjacent waters will lead, among other things, to the emission of electromagnetic fields (EMF) and subsea sounds into the marine environment. Migratory fishes that respond to natural environmental cues, such as the Earth's geomagnetic field or underwater sounds, move through the same waters that the MRED occupy, thereby raising the question of whether there are any effects of MRED on migratory fishes. Diadromous species, such as the Salmonidae and Anguillidae, which undertake large-scale migrations through coastal and offshore waters, are already significantly affected by other human activities leading to national and international conservation efforts to manage any existing threats and to minimize future concerns, including the potential effect of MRED. Here, the current state of knowledge with regard to the potential for diadromous fishes of U.K. conservation importance to be affected by MRED is reviewed. The information on which to base the review was found to be limited with respect to all aspects of these fishes' migratory behaviour and activity, especially with regards to MRED deployment, making it difficult to establish cause and effect relationships. The main findings, however, were that diadromous species can use the Earth's magnetic field for orientation and direction finding during migrations. Juveniles of anadromous brown trout (sea trout) Salmo trutta and close relatives of S. trutta respond to both the Earth's magnetic field and artificial magnetic fields. Current knowledge suggests that EMFs from subsea cables may interact with migrating Anguilla sp. (and possibly other diadromous fishes) if their movement routes take them over the cables, particularly in shallow water (<20 m). The only known effect is a temporary change in swimming direction. Whether this will represent a biologically significant effect, for example delayed migration, cannot yet be determined. Diadromous fishes are likely to encounter EMFs from subsea cables either during the adult movement phases of life or their early life stages during migration within shallow, coastal waters adjacent to natal rivers. The underwater sound from MRED devices has not been fully characterized to determine its acoustic properties and propagation through the coastal waters. MRED that require pile driving during construction appear to be the most relevant to consider. In the absence of a clear understanding of their response to underwater sound, the specific effects on migratory species of conservation concern remain very difficult to determine in relation to MRED. Based on the studies reviewed, it is suggested that fishes that receive high intensity sound in close proximity to construction may be physiologically affected to some degree, whereas those at farther distances, potentially up to several km, may exhibit behaviour responses; the effect of which is unknown and will be dependent on the properties of the received sound and receptor characteristics and condition. Whether there are behavioural effects on the fishes during operation is unknown but any change to the environment and subsequent response by the fishes would need to be considered over the lifetime of the MRED. It is not yet possible to determine if effects relating to sound exposure are biologically significant. The current assumptions of limited effects are built on an incomplete understanding of how the species move around their environment and interact with natural and anthropogenic EMFs and subsea sound. A number of important knowledge gaps exist, principally whether migratory fish species on the whole respond to the EMF and the sound associated with MRED. Future research should address the principal gaps before assuming that any effect on diadromous species results in a biological effect.

Gold coast seaway smartrelease decision support system: optimising recycled water release in a sub tropical estuarine environment.

Gold Coast Water is responsible for the management of the water, recycled water and wastewater assets of the City of the Gold Coast on Australia's east coast. Excess treated recycled water is released at the Gold Coast Seaway, a man-made channel connecting the Broadwater Estuary with the Pacific Ocean, on an outgoing tide in order for the recycled water to be dispersed before the tide changes and re-enters the Broadwater estuary. Rapid population growth has placed increasing demands on the city's recycled water release system and an investigation of the capacity of the Broadwater to assimilate a greater volume of recycled water over a longer release period was undertaken in 2007. As an outcome, Gold Coast Water was granted an extension of the existing release licence from 10.5 hours per day to 13.3 hours per day from the Coombabah wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). The Seaway SmartRelease Project has been designed to optimise the release of the recycled water from the Coombabah WWTP in order to minimise the impact to the receiving estuarine water quality and maximise the cost efficiency of pumping. In order achieve this; an optimisation study that involves intensive hydrodynamic and water quality monitoring, numerical modelling and a web-based decision support system is underway. An intensive monitoring campaign provided information on water levels, currents, winds, waves, nutrients and bacterial levels within the Broadwater. This data was then used to calibrate and verify numerical models using the MIKE by DHI suite of software. The Decision Support System will then collect continually measured data such as water levels, interact with the WWTP SCADA system, run the numerical models and provide the optimal time window to release the required amount of recycled water from the WWTP within the licence specifications.

Association of osteolytic lesions, bone mineral loss and trabecular sclerosis with prevalent vertebral fractures in patients with multiple myeloma.

PURPOSE: In patients with multiple myeloma (MM), computed tomography is widely used for staging and to detect fractures. Detecting patients at severe fracture risk is of utmost importance. However the criteria for impaired stability of vertebral bodies are not yet clearly defined. We investigated the performance of parameters that can be detected by the radiologist for discrimination of patients with and without fractures. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We analyzed 128 whole body low-dose CT of MM patients. In all scans a QCT calibration phantom was integrated into the positioning mat (Image Analysis Phantom(®)). A QCT-software (Structural Insight) performed the volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) measurements. Description of fracture risk was provided from the clinical radiological report. Suspected progressive disease (PD) was reported by the referring clinicians. Two radiologists that were blinded to study outcome reported on the following parameters based on predefined criteria: reduced radiodensity in the massa lateralis of the os sacrum (RDS), trabecular thickening and sclerosis of three or more vertebrae (TTS), extraosseous MM manifestations (EOM), visible small osteolytic lesions up to a length of 8mm (SO) and osteolytic lesions larger than 8mm (LO). Prevalent vertebral fractures (PVF) were defined by Genant criteria. Age-adjusted standardized odds ratios (sOR) per standard deviation change were derived from logistic regression analysis and area under the curve (AUC) from receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analyses were calculated. ROC curves were compared using the DeLong method. RESULTS: 45% of the 128 patients showed PVF (29 of 75 men, 24 of 53 women). Patients with PVF were not significantly older than patients without fractures (64.6 ± 9.2 vs. 63.3 ± 12.3 years: mean ± SD, p=0.5). The prevalence of each parameter did not differ significantly by sex. Significant fracture discrimination for age adjusted single models was provided by the parameters vBMD (OR 3.5 [1.4-8.8], AUC=0.64 ± 0.14), SO (sOR 1.6[1.1-2.2], AUC=0.63 ± 0.05), LO (sOR 2.1[1.1-4.2] AUC=0.69 ± 0.05) and RDS (sOR 2.6[1.6-4.7], AUC=0.69 ± 0.05). Multivariate models of these four parameters showed a significantly stronger association with the development of PVF (AUC=0.80 ± 0.04) than single variables. TTS showed a significant association with PVF in men(sOR 1.5 [0.8-3.0], AUC=0.63 ± 0.08), but not in women (sOR 2.3[1.4-3.7], AUC=0.70 ± 0.07). PD was significantly associated with PVF in women (sOR 1.9[1.1-3.6], AUC=0.67 ± 0.08) but not in men (sOR 1.4[0.9-2.3], AUC=0.57 ± .07). EOM were not associated with PVF (sOR 1.0[0.4-2.6], AUC=0.51 ± .05). CONCLUSION: In multiple myeloma, focal skeletal changes in low dose CT scans show a significant association with prevalent vertebral fractures. The combination of large osteolytic lesions and loss in radiodensity as can be detected with simple CT Hounsfield measurements of the os sacrum or BMD measurements showed the strongest association to fractures and may be of value for prospective studies.

Failure of total hip arthroplasty with Boneloc bone cement.

Early failure of Boneloc cemented total hip arthroplasty is well documented. However, information regarding the long term prognosis is scanty. The aim of this study was therefore to assess the long term failure rate of total hip replacement with Boneloc bone cement. Between January 1991 and March 1992, Boneloc bone cement (Polymers Recontructive A/S, Farum, Denmark) was used in 42 consecutive total hip replacements in 42 patients. The average age of the patients was 75 years. There were 25 women and 17 men. The diagnosis at operation was osteoarthritis in all cases. A cemented Muller Taperloc femoral stem was used with a cemented Muller acetabular cup (Biomet, Warsaw, USA). The follow-up time was 9 years. All patients underwent radiographic control the first postoperative year and annually after 1995. To date 21 patients have been revised for aseptic loosening at a mean of 5 years (range: one year to 8 years). Three other patients have definite radiographic evidence of loosening. The overall failure rate is therefore 24/42 = 57%. Our results confirm the previously reported poor results of Boneloc bone cement for hip arthroplasty and support the recommendation of indefinite follow-up for surviving prostheses. New prosthesis designs and new cements should have documentation, including laboratory tests and randomized clinical studies with radiostereometric evaluation. However, the ethical responsibility rests heavily on the shoulders of the clinician to make a correct analysis of the need for a new product before he begins to use it.

Operative treatment of clavicular nonunion.

Twelve patients treated for clavicular nonunion mainly with plate fixation and bone grafting were reviewed in order to evaluate the treatment. Follow-up was a median of 41 months (20-117). Nine out of 12 patients achieved a good end result, but the primary treatment failed in half of the cases, probably because of short (4-hole) semitubular plates and insufficient postoperative immobilization. We conclude that 4-hole semitubular plates cannot be recommended for treating clavicular nonunion because of a high risk of failure. Sufficient postoperative immobilization should follow plate fixation. If this is respected, plate fixation with bone grafting appears as a good method for treating clavicular nonunion.

[Aortic dissection demonstrated by ultrasound scanning]. / Aortadissektion påvist ved ultralydskanning.

The clinical features of aortic dissection may be nonspecific and confusing. Three patients with different symptomatology diagnosed primarily by ultrasound are reported. In all cases the dissection was confirmed by dynamic CT and arteriography. The sonographic characteristics of aortic dissection are briefly described.

[Conservative treatment of clavicular fractures]. / Konservativt behandlede claviculafrakturer.

The outcome of 99 clavicular fractures was examined retrospectively through a questionnaire and, in 20 cases, clinical examination. Primary treatment was in all cases a simple sling or a figure of eight bandage. The aim of the study was to examine prognostic factors in relation to the end-result. The fractures were classified, according to the roentgenograms, and the primary dislocation, primary shortening and secondary shortening of the shoulder were recorded. The end-result was expressed as the degree of pain. Statistically significantly more patients with group two type two fractures had a poor result. No other prognostic factors were found.

The influence of sacral nerve stimulation on gastrointestinal motor function in patients with fecal incontinence.

BACKGROUND: Sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) is a well-established treatment for fecal incontinence of various etiologies. However, the mechanism of action remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to determine whether SNS affects gastric emptying, small intestinal transit or colonic transit times. METHODS: Seven patients with a permanently implanted sacral nerve stimulator participated in a double-blind randomized cross-over study. The patients were allocated to stimulation ON or OFF for two 7-day periods separated by at least 1week. On days 4-7 of each 7-day period, the patients were examined by gamma camera imaging to measure gastric emptying, small intestinal transit and colonic transit parameters of a radiolabeled, 1600 kJ mixed solid and liquid meal ingested on day 4. KEY RESULTS: Sacral nerve stimulation did not change gastric retention at 15 min, gastric mean emptying time, gastric half emptying time, small intestinal mean transit time or colonic geometric center after 24, 48 and 72 h. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: Sacral nerve stimulation does not induce major changes in the propulsive capacity of the gastrointestinal tract in patients successfully treated for fecal incontinence with permanent sacral nerve stimulator.

Percutaneous sclerotherapy of hydronephrosis in a non-functioning kidney.

A 27-year-old woman was admitted with an abdominal mass in the right hypochondrium. Ultrasound, intravenous urography and scintigraphy revealed a giant non-functioning hydronephrosis. Because she refused surgery, a percutaneous aspiration with instillation of doxycycline was performed. One year thereafter, the patient was still without recurrence of any symptoms or hydronephrosis.

Demonstration of renal mass lesions by early dynamic imaging during bone scintigraphy.

The detection of renal abnormalities during bone scintigraphy using 99Tcm-phosphorous complexes is well documented. Three patients with renal carcinoma visible on early but less well on late images during bone scintigraphy are presented. Early dynamic imaging provides improved lesion detectability and information about renal function.

Gamma camera renography with 99Tcm-MDP and 131I-Hippuran.

Nineteen patients with urologic disorders referred to bone scintigraphy were evaluated with a dual radioisotope technique using simultaneous injection of 99Tcm-MDP and 131I-Hippuran. The MDP and Hippuran renograms showed in general the same pattern and there was no difference between the kidney function determined with the two radionuclides. The peak of the MDP curves occurred later and was less distinct than that of the Hippuran curves. The residual activity of the kidneys 20 min after the injection was higher on the MDP renograms compared with the Hippuran renograms. The early sequential MDP images were superior in quality to the Hippuran images and to the renal images obtained at bone scintigraphy. The early MDP images correlated well with the findings at urography performed in 12 patients, as all cases of radiologically diagnosed hydronephrosis, reduction of renal parenchyma and renal mass lesions became demonstrated. Renal calculi were only diagnosed at urography. In conclusion, MDP cannot replace Hippuran as a renal radionuclide agent, mainly due to its lower extraction ratio and the high bone uptake. However, an increased use of early dynamic renal imaging is recommended in urologic patients referred to bone scintigraphy as valuable information about renal function may be obtained by this procedure.

Hippuran renography and scintigraphy in children with myelomeningocele.

Long-term surveillance of the urinary tract is necessary in children with myelomeningocele and neurogenic bladder dysfunction. The results of Hippuran renography and scintigraphy were analyzed in 52 cases and compared to those of intravenous urography. In addition the radionuclide evaluation was correlated to the clinical course. It was concluded that renography is a suitable examination for the monitoring of the kidneys and upper urinary tract in these children. A decrease of renal function and drainage may occur without any changes of the clinical state.

[Computed tomographic detection of air in the portal vein--a case report]. / Computertomographischer Nachweis von Luft in der Pfortader--Ein Fallbericht.

Two cases of portal venous gas (PVG) are presented. One case due to bowel infarction and another due to duodenal ulcer perforation complicated by a subphrenic abscess. The diagnosis was suggested from plain abdominal radiographs and confirmed by unenhanced computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen which is superior to demonstrate gas in the portal venous system. The distinction between PVG and biliary gas is briefly discussed.

Characteristics of whistles from the acoustic repertoire of resident killer whales (Orcinus orca) off Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

The acoustic repertoire of killer whales (Orcinus orca) consists of pulsed calls and tonal sounds, called whistles. Although previous studies gave information on whistle parameters, no study has presented a detailed quantitative characterization of whistles from wild killer whales. Thus an interpretation of possible functions of whistles in killer whale underwater communication has been impossible so far. In this study acoustic parameters of whistles from groups of individually known killer whales were measured. Observations in the field indicate that whistles are close-range signals. The majority of whistles (90%) were tones with several harmonics with the main energy concentrated in the fundamental. The remainder were tones with enhanced second or higher harmonics and tones without harmonics. Whistles had an average bandwidth of 4.5 kHz, an average dominant frequency of 8.3 kHz, and an average duration of 1.8 s. The number of frequency modulations per whistle ranged between 0 and 71. The study indicates that whistles in wild killer whales serve a different function than whistles of other delphinids. Their structure makes whistles of killer whales suitable to function as close-range motivational sounds.