Higher Gs Research Articles

Photosynthetic efficiency among Indian peanut cultivars and influence of seasonal variation and zinc

Sixty high yielding Indian peanut cultivars were studied for net photosynthesis (PN), transpiration (E), stomatal conductance (gs), water use efficiency (WUE), radiation use efficiency (RUE), SPAD chlorophyll meter reading (SCMR) and chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm) at 70–75 days and pod and fodder yields at harvest in field during both the Kharif (Wet) and Rabi-summer (Dry) seasons to find out the efficient cultivars and seasons. The dry season crop showed higher values of these parameters except E and Fv/Fm than that of wet season crop and application of Zn increased all these but reduced gs and SCMR. On an average, the peanut cultivars showed 29.9 and 19.4 µmol (CO2) m2 s–1 PN, 0.57 and 0.26 m s−1 gs, 11.4 and 13.2 m mol m−2 s−1 E, 2.67 and 1.49 WUE, 0.018 and 0.012 RUE, 38.2 and 36.3 SCMR and 0.843 and 0.850 Fv/Fm during dry and wet seasons, respectively. The foliar application of zinc as 0.2% zinc-sulphate, during dry season, influenced all these parameters, with an average of 30.6 and 29.3 µmol (CO2) m−2 s−1 PN, 0.54 and 0.60 m s−1 gs, 11.7 and 11.2 m mol m−2 s−1 E, 2.69 and 2.65 WUE, 0.019 and 0.018 RUE, 37.8 and 38.7 SCMR and 0.844 and 0.842 Fv/Fm with and without Zn, respectively. The study identified several photosynthetically efficient cultivars. There were 18 cultivars with high PN and gs, 18 cultivars with high PN and E and 17 cultivars with high PN and pod yield. Based on the overall performance the peanut cultivars being recommended are Tirupati 3, TG 37A, CSMG 884, RS 1, S 230, LGN 2, TPG 41 and SG 99 for dry season and GG 20, Tirupati 4, M 197, ALR 2, JL 501 and RG 141 for wet season.

Epigenetic risk score improves prostate cancer risk assessment.

Early detection of aggressive prostate cancer (PCa) remains crucial for effective treatment of patients. However, PCa screening remains controversial due to a high rate of overdiagnosis and overtreatment. To better reconcile both objectives, more effective methods for assessing disease severity at the time of diagnosis are needed. The relationship between DNA-methylation and high-grade PCa was examined in a cohort of 102 prospectively enrolled men who received standard 12-core prostate biopsies. EpiScore, an algorithm that quantifies the relative DNA methylation intensities of GSTP1, RASSF1, and APC in prostate biopsy tissue, was evaluated as a method to compensate for biopsy under-sampling and improve risk stratification at the time of diagnosis. DNA-methylation intensities of GSTP1, RASSF1, and APC were higher in biopsy cores from men diagnosed with GS ≥ 7 cancer compared to men with diagnosed GS 6 disease. This was confirmed by EpiScore, which was significantly higher for subjects with high-grade biopsies and higher NCCN risk categories (both P < 0.001). In patients diagnosed with GS ≥ 7, increased levels of DNA-methylation were present, not only in the high-grade biopsy cores, but also in other cores with no or low-grade disease (P < 0.001). By combining EpiScore with traditional clinical risk factors into a logistic regression model, the prediction of high GS reached an AUC of 0.82 (95%CI: 0.73-0.91) with EpiScore, DRE, and atypical histological findings as most important contributors. In men diagnosed with PCa, DNA-methylation profiling can detect under-sampled high-risk PCa in prostate biopsy specimens through a field effect. Predictive accuracy increased when EpiScore was combined with other clinical risk factors. These results suggest that EpiScore could aid in the detection of occult high-grade disease at the time of diagnosis, thereby improving the selection of candidates for Active Surveillance.

PD65-09 DOES 4K AND/OR MICHIGAN PROSTATE SCORE CHANGE CANCER DETECTION RATES IN MULTI-PARAMETRIC MRI DISCOVERED PIRADS 3 OR LOWER LESIONS?

You have accessJournal of UrologyProstate Cancer: Markers II1 Apr 2017PD65-09 DOES 4K AND/OR MICHIGAN PROSTATE SCORE CHANGE CANCER DETECTION RATES IN MULTI-PARAMETRIC MRI DISCOVERED PIRADS 3 OR LOWER LESIONS? Wei Phin Tan, Patrick Whelan, Jessica Phelps, Andrea Strong, Megan Lowe, Stephanie Shors, Gregory White, Shahid Ekbal, Charles McKiel, and Leslie Deane Wei Phin TanWei Phin Tan More articles by this author , Patrick WhelanPatrick Whelan More articles by this author , Jessica PhelpsJessica Phelps More articles by this author , Andrea StrongAndrea Strong More articles by this author , Megan LoweMegan Lowe More articles by this author , Stephanie ShorsStephanie Shors More articles by this author , Gregory WhiteGregory White More articles by this author , Shahid EkbalShahid Ekbal More articles by this author , Charles McKielCharles McKiel More articles by this author , and Leslie DeaneLeslie Deane More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2017.02.2959AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES A multifaceted approach using commercially available prostate biomarkers to aid in the decision making for diagnosing and treating prostate cancer has taken place in recent years. We aim to determine if the 4K score and Michigan Prostate Score (MIPS) change cancer detection rates in PIRADS 3 or lower disease. METHODS A retrospective review of 58 consecutive patients who underwent multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) of the prostate, 4k score and MIPS test between December 2015 and September 2016 was performed. Indications for mpMRI, 4k score and MIPS test included an abnormal digital rectal examination, elevated PSA, PSA velocity > 0.75 ng/ml/year, and patients on active surveillance. All 3 tests were ordered during the same clinic visit prior to knowing the results of the other test. We excluded patients with PIRADS score 4 or 5. Clinically significant cancer was defined as GS = 7. RESULTS A total of 17 patients (32 lesions) with PIRADS = 3 and 4k score test underwent MRI/US guided fusion biopsy. Median PSA was 5.6 ng/ml (1st quartile: 4.49 ng/ml, 3rd quartile 10.14 ng/ml). Median age was 63.5 (1st quartile 57.5, 3rd quartile 67.25). Median 4k score was 21% (1st quartile 9%, 3rd quartile 62%). A total of 8 patients (47%) were diagnosed with prostate cancer. 7/8 patients (88%) had biopsies that were positive for clinically significant cancer (Grade group 2= 5) and 2/7 patients (29%) had high grade cancer GS=8 (Grade group 4= 1, Grade group 5= 1). 5 patients had 4k scores > 60% and all 5 patients were diagnosed with clinically significant prostate cancer on same session sextant biopsy. 2 of the 5 (40%) of patients had cancer diagnosed on both mpMRI/US guided fusion and random sextant biopsy. 3 of the 5 patients (60%) did not have clinically significant prostate cancer on mpMRI/US guided fusion biopsy but had CaP on same session sextant biopsy (Table 1), p < 0.001. There was no significant difference between the patients with high MIPS and MRI fusion biopsy cores or sextant biopsy cores, p = 0.61. CONCLUSIONS The 4K score may be a useful adjunct to mpMRI of the prostate in patients with PIRADS = 3. In this series, patients with high 4k score were found to have high grade prostate cancer on same session random prostate biopsy that was missed on mpMRI guided fusion biopsy. © 2017FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 197Issue 4SApril 2017Page: e1269 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2017MetricsAuthor Information Wei Phin Tan More articles by this author Patrick Whelan More articles by this author Jessica Phelps More articles by this author Andrea Strong More articles by this author Megan Lowe More articles by this author Stephanie Shors More articles by this author Gregory White More articles by this author Shahid Ekbal More articles by this author Charles McKiel More articles by this author Leslie Deane More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...

PD40-09 EVALUATION OF PREBIOPSY MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING COMBINED WITH PROSTATE-SPECIFIC ANTIGEN DENSITY IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF PROSTATE CANCER IN MEN AGED 75 YEARS AND OLDER WITH ELEVATED PSA

You have accessJournal of UrologyProstate Cancer: Detection & Screening V1 Apr 2017PD40-09 EVALUATION OF PREBIOPSY MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING COMBINED WITH PROSTATE-SPECIFIC ANTIGEN DENSITY IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF PROSTATE CANCER IN MEN AGED 75 YEARS AND OLDER WITH ELEVATED PSA Yoshinori Yanai, Takeo Kosaka, Yu Teranishi, Seiya Hattori, Kazuhiro Matsumoto, Shinya Morita, Kazunobu Shinoda, Toshiaki Shinojima, Ryuichi Mizuno, Eiji Kikuchi, Shuji Mikami, Masahiro Jinzaki, Akira Miyajima, and Mototsugu Oya Yoshinori YanaiYoshinori Yanai More articles by this author , Takeo KosakaTakeo Kosaka More articles by this author , Yu TeranishiYu Teranishi More articles by this author , Seiya HattoriSeiya Hattori More articles by this author , Kazuhiro MatsumotoKazuhiro Matsumoto More articles by this author , Shinya MoritaShinya Morita More articles by this author , Kazunobu ShinodaKazunobu Shinoda More articles by this author , Toshiaki ShinojimaToshiaki Shinojima More articles by this author , Ryuichi MizunoRyuichi Mizuno More articles by this author , Eiji KikuchiEiji Kikuchi More articles by this author , Shuji MikamiShuji Mikami More articles by this author , Masahiro JinzakiMasahiro Jinzaki More articles by this author , Akira MiyajimaAkira Miyajima More articles by this author , and Mototsugu OyaMototsugu Oya More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2017.02.1749AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES This study was designed to investigate the effectiveness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in diagnosing prostate cancer (PCa) before transrectal needle biopsy of the prostate (PBx) for elderly men who were aged 75 years old or older. METHODS The medical records of 141 elderly patients over the age of 75 years who underwent MRI before PBx at our institutions were reviewed retrospectively. MRI reports were compared with pathological reports. The factors that were used to detect PBx included age, PSA level, lesion size, prostate volume, and PSA density on MRI. RESULTS PCa was positive in 103 (73.0%) and negative in 38 (27.0%) patients. Between the PCa-positive and PCa-negative groups, almost all factors except serum PSA level were significant predictors of PCa. MRI-based PSA density was more significant than the others. Of the 38 patients without PCa, 30 cases were not PCa patients on PBx even though they had been judged to be cancer positive on MRI before PBx. The specificity of MRI was 21.1% (8/38). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that MRI-based TZ-PSA density was the best independent predictor of PCa. When an MRI-based TZ-PSA density cut-off value of 0.42 was used, sensitivity was 83.5% and specificity was 71.1%. Of the 30 false-positive cases on MRI, PBx might not have been needed in 19 cases considering an MRI-based TZ-PSA density cut-off value of 0.42. We stratified the PCa-positive group according to Gleason score (GS<6, 7, and >8). The accuracy of MRI for detecting PCa was 84.6% (GS<6), 91.7% (GS=7), and 96.7% (GS>8). The cancer detection rate on MRI for high GS PCa was higher than low GS PCa. CONCLUSIONS These results indicated that MRI before PBx combined with PSA density, especially with MRI-based TZ-PSA density, is helpful to select candidates for PBx. MRI can also detect high GS PCa, so urologists should consider MRI before PBx for elderly men aged 75 years and older with elevated PSA. © 2017FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 197Issue 4SApril 2017Page: e753 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2017MetricsAuthor Information Yoshinori Yanai More articles by this author Takeo Kosaka More articles by this author Yu Teranishi More articles by this author Seiya Hattori More articles by this author Kazuhiro Matsumoto More articles by this author Shinya Morita More articles by this author Kazunobu Shinoda More articles by this author Toshiaki Shinojima More articles by this author Ryuichi Mizuno More articles by this author Eiji Kikuchi More articles by this author Shuji Mikami More articles by this author Masahiro Jinzaki More articles by this author Akira Miyajima More articles by this author Mototsugu Oya More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...

638 - Diagnostic performance of multiparametric MRI in prostate cancer: Per core analysis of three prospective ultrasound/MRI fusion biopsy datasets

Clinicopathologic parameters of the anterior index tumor and other tumor foci were assessed and compared to non-APC in the same cohort. Previous biopsy information was correlated with RP. RESULTS: Of the 467 patients in this cohort, 72 (15%) had APC: 50 in the anterior peripheral zone (APZ, 69%); 10 in the transitional zone (TZ, 14%); and 12 involving both the APZ and TZ (17%). 25 APC were single tumors (35%), and the rest were multifocal. Clinicopathologic information was available for 72 APC patients and 308 non-APC patients and is compared in Table 1. 15% of APC patients demonstrated a primary Gleason pattern 4 or higher, and 21% had extraprostatic extension (EPE) present. None of the APC, including the high-grade (GS>7) cases, demonstrated seminal vesicle invasion (SVI). 10 APC had a positive surgical margin (13%), most commonly at the apex or base. 56 APCwere preceded by an extended biopsy (78%), while 2 APC had only sextant biopsy (3%) and 14 APC were identified after a combination of extended and perineal saturation biopsies (19%). APC was present on significantly fewer cores and with less tumor involvement of the core. APC patients frequently (54%) had a higher GS or novel Gleason pattern 5 at RP than at biopsy. Distribution of preoperative serum PSA levels was similar between APC and non-APC patients. CONCLUSIONS: APC demonstrate distinct clinicopathologic features (including absence of SVI) and are frequently under-graded and minimally sampled at the time of biopsy. These unique characteristics may have a clinical impact on detection (i.e., need for saturation biopsy) and suitability for inclusion in active surveillance protocols. Future longterm studies are needed to determine the outcome of patients with APC.

Do Cognitive Patterns of Strengths and Weaknesses Differentially Predict Errors on Reading, Writing, and Spelling?

This study investigated the relationship between specific cognitive patterns of strengths and weaknesses (PSWs) and the errors children make in reading, writing, and spelling tests from the Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement–Third Edition (KTEA-3). Participants were selected from the KTEA-3 standardization sample based on five cognitive profiles: High Crystallized Ability paired with Low Processing Speed and Long-Term Retrieval (High Gc), Low Crystallized Ability paired with High Processing Speed and Long-Term Retrieval (High Gs/ Glr), Low Orthographic Processing (Low OP), Low Phonological Processing (Low PP), and Low Phonological Processing paired with Low Orthographic Processing (Low PP_OP). Error factor scores for all five groups were compared on Reading Comprehension and Written Expression; the first four groups were compared on Letter &amp; Word Recognition, Nonsense Word Decoding, and Spelling, and the first three groups were compared on Phonological Processing. Significant differences were noted among the patterns of errors demonstrated by the five groups. Findings support the notion that students with diverse cognitive PSWs display different patterns of errors on tests of academic achievement.

Increased phytotoxic O3 dose accelerates autumn senescence in an O3-sensitive beech forest even under the present-level O3

Ground-level ozone (O3) concentrations are expected to increase over the 21st century, especially in East Asia. However, the impact of O3 has not been directly assessed at the forest level in this region. We performed O3 flux-based risk assessments of carbon sequestration capacity in an old cool temperate deciduous forest, consisting of O3-sensitive Japanese beech (Fagus crenata), and in a warm temperate deciduous and evergreen forest dominated by O3-tolerant Konara oak (Quercus serrata) based on long-term CO2 flux observations. On the basis of a practical approach for a continuous estimation of canopy-level stomatal conductance (Gs), higher phytotoxic ozone dose above a threshold of 0 uptake (POD0) with higher Gs was observed in the beech forest than that in the oak forest. Light-saturated gross primary production, as a measure of carbon sequestration capacity of forest ecosystem, declined earlier in the late growth season with increasing POD0, suggesting an earlier autumn senescence, especially in the O3-sensitive beech forest, but not in the O3-tolerant oak forest.

Prognostic value of Ki67 in localized prostate carcinoma: a multi-institutional study of >1000 prostatectomies.

Expanding interest in and use of active surveillance for early state prostate cancer (PC) has increased need for prognostic biomarkers. Using a multi-institutional tissue microarray resource including over 1000 radical prostatectomy samples, we sought to correlate Ki67 expression captured by an automated image analysis system with clinicopathological features and validate its utility as a clinical grade test in predicting cancer-specific outcomes. After immunostaining, the Ki67 proliferation index (PI) of tumor areas of each core (three cancer cores/case) was analyzed using a nuclear quantification algorithm (Aperio). We assessed whether Ki67 PI was associated with clinicopathological factors and recurrence-free survival (RFS) including biochemical recurrence, metastasis or PC death (7-year median follow-up). In 1004 PCs (∼4000 tissue cores) Ki67 PI showed significantly higher inter-tumor (0.68) than intra-tumor variation (0.39). Ki67 PI was associated with stage (P<0.0001), seminal vesicle invasion (SVI, P=0.02), extracapsular extension (ECE, P<0.0001) and Gleason score (GS, P<0.0001). Ki67 PI as a continuous variable significantly correlated with recurrence-free, overall and disease-specific survival by multivariable Cox proportional hazard model (hazards ratio (HR)=1.04-1.1, P=0.02-0.0008). High Ki67 score (defined as ⩾5%) was significantly associated with worse RFS (HR=1.47, P=0.0007) and worse overall survival (HR=2.03, P=0.03). In localized PC treated by radical prostatectomy, higher Ki67 PI assessed using a clinical grade automated algorithm is strongly associated with a higher GS, stage, SVI and ECE and greater probability of recurrence.

Cross-sectional association between physical strength, obesity, periodontitis and number of teeth in a general population.

Muscle strength declines and gums recede with increasing age across the life course. Possible associations exist between handgrip strength as an indicator of physical fitness and periodontitis and number of teeth. Handgrip strength (GS), anthropometric measures, clinical attachment loss, number of teeth, C-reactive protein and glycated haemoglobin were assessed in 2089 participants of the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP-2). Linear regression including interaction with age was used to estimate the association between clinical attachment level, number of teeth and GS. In multiple regression adjusted for age, body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) each mm of diminished periodontal attachment was associated with reduction in GS by 1.47kg (95% CI -2.29 to -0.65) and 0.38kg (-0.89 to 0.14) in men and women respectively. Correspondingly, each additional remaining tooth was significantly associated with higher GS. Using handgrip strength relative to BMI as outcome, these relationships become even more apparent. Indicators of obesity such as BMI and WHR associated with both GS and periodontitis modulate the relationship between GS and periodontitis with a different impact between the sexes. Periodontitis is associated with GS modified mainly by anthropometric measures related to adiposity and inflammation. Putative mechanisms encompass interactions of factors declining with increasing age.

Increased body mass index as a risk factor in localized prostate cancer treated by radical prostatectomy

BackgroundThe association between obesity and aggressive forms of prostate cancer is controversial. We compared preoperative body mass index (BMI) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels as predictive risk factors for increased prostate weight and disease aggressiveness. Materials and methodsThis retrospective review of 464 patients with localized prostate cancer who underwent radical prostatectomy between March 1999 and October 2006 examined relationships among clinicopathological variables (BMI, preoperative serum PSA, biopsy and pathologic Gleason score [GS], and whole prostate weight) using linear and multinomial logistic regression analysis. We used multivariate regression modeling adjusting for age, year of surgery, PSA or BMI, pathologic stage, and GS. ResultsMedian age of patients (51% cT1c, 69% pT2) was 61 years (41–76), mean BMI 26.50kg/m2 (standard deviation = 4.82), mean PSA 6.8ng/ml (0.67–27.2), median prostate weight 51g (12–200), median biopsy GS 6 (3–9), and median pathologic GS 7 (4–10). GS was upgraded in 227 patients (49%) from median GS 6 to 7 (P<0.00001). Mean prostate weight was 47±13.7g for BMI<25kg/m2 (n = 170), 47±15g for BMI 25 to 30kg/m2 (n = 224), and 59±26g for BMI>30kg/m2 (n = 69) (P<0.00184). Mean prostate weight was significantly higher for BMI>30 than BMI<25 (47±13g vs. 59±25g, P<0.00015). Mean PSA was significantly higher for BMI>30 than for all other patients combined (8.56 [95% CI: 6.94–10.18] vs. 8.34 [7.23–9.45]; P = 0.001). PSA was positively associated with high biopsy GS for BMI≥25 (P = 0.048) and BMI≥30 (P = 0.009) but not for BMI≤25 (P = 0.151). BMI≥30 was associated with higher pT stage (odd ratio = 1.279 [1.5–1.56]; P = 0.015). In multivariate analyses, higher BMI was associated with higher prostate weight (P = 0.036) and pT stage (P = 0.008), and higher PSA with higher biopsy GS (P = 0.002). Neither BMI nor PSA was associated with GS upgrading. ConclusionsHigher BMI was associated with higher prostate weight and PSA, as well as with higher pT stage and pathologic GS in men undergoing radical prostatectomy, providing further evidence that obese men are more likely to have aggressive cancer. BMI thus constitutes an additional risk factor besides PSA.

The biopsy Gleason score 3+4 in a single core does not necessarily reflect an unfavourable pathological disease after radical prostatectomy in comparison with biopsy Gleason score 3+3: looking for larger selection criteria for active surveillance candidates

To assess whether the addition of clinical Gleason score (Gs) 3+4 to the Prostate Cancer Research International: Active Surveillance (PRIAS) criteria affects pathologic results in patients who are potentially suitable for active surveillance (AS) and to identify possible clinical predictors of unfavourable outcome. Three hundred and twenty-nine men who underwent radical prostatectomy with complete clinical and follow-up data and who would have fulfilled the inclusion criteria of the PRIAS protocol at the time of biopsy except for the addition of biopsy Gs=3+4 and with at least 10 cores taken have been evaluated. One experienced genitourinary pathologist selected those with real Gs=3+3 and 3+4 in only one core according to the 2005 International Society of Urological Pathology criteria. The primary end point was the proportion of unfavourable outcome (nonorgan confined disease or Gs⩾4+3). Logistic regressions explored the association between preoperative characteristics and the primary end point. Two hundred and four patients were evaluated and 46 (22.5%) patients harboured unfavourable disease at final pathology. After a median follow-up of 73.5 months, there was no cancer-specific death, and 4 (2.0%) patients had biochemical relapse. There were no significant differences in terms of high Gs, locally advanced disease, unfavourable disease and biochemical relapse-free survival among patients with clinical Gs=3+3 vs Gs=3+4. At multivariable analysis, the presence of atypical small acinar proliferation (ASAP) and lower number of core taken were independently associated with a higher risk of unfavourable disease. The inclusion of Gs=3+4 in patients suitable to AS does not enhance the risk of unfavourable disease after radical prostatectomy. Additional factors such as number of cores taken and the presence of ASAP should be considered in patients suitable for AS.

Overexpression of cofilin 1 in prostate cancer and the corresponding clinical implications.

Cofilin 1 (CFL1) is a cytoskeletal protein and overexpression of the protein has been associated with aggressiveness in certain types of malignancies. The aim of the present study was to investigate the clinical implications of CFL1 expression in prostate cancer (PCa). Immunohistochemical analysis was performed using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sections obtained from 111 patients with PCa and 47 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). In total, 78 (70.3%) out of 111 PCa tissues were found to express the CFL1 protein, while no expression was detected in BPH tissues. In addition, CFL1 was also observed to be significantly associated with the Gleason score (GS; <7 vs. ≥7; P<0.0001) and presence of lymph node metastasis (presence vs. absence; P<0.0001). However, there was no association between the expression of CFL1 and other clinicopathological variables, such as age (<69 years vs. ≥69 years; P=0.54), pre-operative prostate specific antigen level (<20 ng/ml vs. ≥20 ng/ml; P=0.45) and pathological stage (T2 vs. ≥T3a; P=0.055). In addition, 35 tissues (31.5%) were observed to possess a CFL1-positive mesenchyme. CFL1 expression was revealed to be an independent predictive factor for a high GS. The status of CFL1 expression in the mesenchyme also found to individually predict extraprostatic extension in PCa patients, based on multivariate analysis. The results of the present study indicated that CFL1 may specifically predict the development of PCa, and that the expression of CFL1 in the mesenchyme may be closely associated with the development of lymph node metastasis.

MP48-17 ANTERIOR PROSTATE CANCER: CLINICOPATHOLOGIC CHARACTERIZATION WITH BIOPSY CORRELATION

MP48-17 ANTERIOR PROSTATE CANCER: CLINICOPATHOLOGIC CHARACTERIZATION WITH BIOPSY CORRELATION

Outcome of radical prostatectomy as primary treatment for high-risk prostate cancer patients.

Recently, there has been considerable interest in the role of radical prostatectomy (RP) in men with high-risk prostate cancer. The objective of our study is to report the outcome of upfront RP in our patients with high-risk prostate cancer (Stage ≥ cT2c, a pre-operative serum prostate specific antigen >20 ng/ml or a biopsy Gleason score [GS] 8-10). From 1996 to 2010, 208 patients of prostate cancer (high risk category D'Amico's criteria) underwent open RP with bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy. The data was statistically analyzed using Kaplan Meier method and log rank test to calculate progression free, metastasis free survival (MFS) and cancer specific survival (CSS). Furthermore multivariate analysis (MVA) was carried out using SPSS 14 software. (IBM company). At 7 and 10 years, prostate cancer-specific survival (PCSS) was found to be 79.7% and 65%, respectively, biochemical recurrence free survival (BRFS) was 42.4% and 36.7%, respectively and the MFS was 71.1% and 64.4% respectively. High GS was highly predictable of PCSS, BRFS and MFS. Node positivity was the single poor risk factor on MVA whereas biopsy GS, pStage (P = 0.016) and seminal vesicle invasion (P = 0.045) had statistical significance in predicting the MFS. RP provides accurate pathologic staging of patients with high risk prostate cancer, allows better stratification of patients for further adjuvant therapy and either as an initial approach or part of a multimodal regimen, can provide durable local control and provides excellent CSS.

A histopathological study of prostate lesions in Lagos, Nigeria: A private practice experience.

Introduction:Prostatic carcinoma (CaP) is globally the second most frequently diagnosed cancer and the sixth leading cause of cancer death in males. The aim of this study is to determine the pattern of histopathological types of prostatic lesions seen in a private laboratory in Lagos, Nigeria.Materials and Methods:Histopathological reports of all prostate specimens, which were received and processed by histopathology section of a private laboratory in Lagos, Nigeria, from August 2009 to December 2013 were reviewed.Results:A total of 304 prostatic tissue specimens were received and processed during the period under review. The youngest patient was 32 years old while the oldest patient was 99 years old with a mean of 67.8 years ± 9.5. The most common diagnosis was benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (62.8%), distantly followed by CaP (29.3%), inadequate samples (6.6%), prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (1%), and metastasis to the prostate (0.3%). The peak incidence was age group of 60-69 years, closely followed by 70-79 years accounting for 38.2% and 36.2%, respectively. Moderately differentiated CaP (Gleason scores [GSs] 5-7) accounted for 58.1% of the cases while GS 7 was the most common individual score and was seen in 32.3% of the CaP cases.Conclusion:In this private practice, BPH is the most common prostate lesion. CaP is relatively high and most of the cases have a high GS that portends high mortality in our population. Efforts should be made to increase awareness so as to reduce the mortality.

Calcium Ameliorates the Tolerance of Lisianthus [Eustoma grandiflorum (Raf.) Shinn.] to Alkalinity in Irrigation Water

Irrigation water high in alkalinity can severely compromise the growth and marketability of ornamental plants. In the present study we investigated the response of lisianthus to increased calcium (Ca) when irrigated with solutions containing high levels of bicarbonate (HCO3−)-induced alkalinity. Alkalinity in irrigation water reduced the growth of lisianthus; however, plants supplemented with an increased concentration of Ca at alkalinity levels from 4 to 7 meq·L−1 of HCO3– exhibited improved growth and dry mass (DM) accumulation or were not detrimentally affected, demonstrating that Ca contributes to the increase of the tolerance of lisianthus to alkalinity. Supplementary Ca did maintain a high stomatal conductance (gS) and transpiration rate when alkalinity was at 4 meq·L−1, which explained the lower water potential in young leaves. Plants irrigated with solutions containing supplementary Ca had higher total DM, which was associated with a higher gS; however, when conductance was higher than 0.280 cm·s−1, like in plants with no supplementary Ca, DM tended to decrease. At a typical Ca concentration, there was a disruption on stomata functioning as gS and transpiration rate increased, which was associated with a reduction in shoot potassium (K). Calcium ameliorated the uptake of K when alkalinity was 4 meq·L−1 by allowing a less marked reduction in shoot K concentration. Chlorophyll was reduced by increasing alkalinity as a result of a decrease in shoot iron (Fe); however, supplementary Ca also contributed in increasing plant tolerance to alkalinity at 4 meq·L−1 by sustaining a high shoot Fe concentration. Supplementary Ca increased catalase and peroxidase activities, indicating that lisianthus responded to the stress by enhancing the activity of these enzymes to reduce oxidative damage.

Elimination of stagnant particles from a N-valve with side aeration in circulating fluidized bed

The existence of stagnant particle layer in the conventional non-mechanical valves limits their utilization in CFB with the feedstock of caking particles. A new N-valve consisted of a fluidized weir chamber with bottom aeration and a moving-bed angled standpipe with side aeration was developed to eliminate the stagnant particle layer and reach high solids circulation rate Gs in CFBs. The particle flow behavior and its control in the N-valve were studied experimentally. By combining the bottom aeration for weir chamber and the side aeration for angled standpipe the Gs over 270kg/(m2s) was achieved, and the stagnant particle layer completely disappeared. The Gs increased with increasing the side aeration gas flow rate Qsa, and this loosing gas flow was optimally injected from the bend between the downcomer and the angled standpipe. At a constant but enough high Qsa, the increase in the bottom aeration gas flow rate Qba elevated Gs linearly.

Determination of specific gravity of municipal solid waste

This investigation was conducted to evaluate experimental determination of specific gravity (Gs) of municipal solid waste (MSW). Water pycnometry, typically used for testing soils was adapted for testing MSW using a large flask with 2000mL capacity and specimens with 100–350g masses. Tests were conducted on manufactured waste samples prepared using US waste constituent components; fresh wastes obtained prior and subsequent to compaction at an MSW landfill; and wastes obtained from various depths at the same landfill. Factors that influence specific gravity were investigated including waste particle size, compaction, and combined decomposition and stress history. The measured average specific gravities were 1.377 and 1.530 for as-prepared/uncompacted and compacted manufactured wastes, respectively; 1.072 and 1.258 for uncompacted and compacted fresh wastes, respectively; and 2.201 for old wastes. The average organic content and degree of decomposition were 77.2% and 0%, respectively for fresh wastes and 22.8% and 88.3%, respectively for old wastes. The Gs increased with decreasing particle size, compaction, and increasing waste age. For fresh wastes, reductions in particle size and compaction caused occluded intraparticle pores to be exposed and waste particles to be deformed resulting in increases in specific gravity. For old wastes, the high Gs resulted from loss of biodegradable components that have low Gs as well as potential access to previously occluded pores and deformation of particles due to both degradation processes and applied mechanical stresses. The Gs was correlated to the degree of decomposition with a linear relationship. Unlike soils, the Gs for MSW was not unique, but varied in a landfill environment due both to physical/mechanical processes and biochemical processes. Specific gravity testing is recommended to be conducted not only using representative waste composition, but also using representative compaction, stress, and degradation states.

Relation of Leukocytes and Its Subsets Counts with the Severity of Stable Coronary Artery Disease in Patients with Diabetic Mellitus

BackgroundBoth coronary artery disease (CAD) and diabetes mellitus (DM) are associated with inflammation. However, whether and which leukocytes can predict the presence and extent of CAD in patients with DM has not been investigated. The aim of the present study was to examine the association of leukocyte and its subsets counts with the severity of CAD in patients with DM.Methods and FindingsThree hundred and seventy-three diabetic patients who were scheduled for coronary angiography due to typical stable angina pectoris were enrolled in this study. They were classified into the three groups according to tertiles of Gensini score (GS, low group <8, n = 143; intermediate group 8∼28, n = 109; high group >28, n = 121). The relationship between the leukocyte and its subsets counts with the severity of CAD were evaluated. The data indicated that there were significant correlations between leukocyte and neutrophil counts with GS (r = 0.154 and 0.156, respectively, all P<0.003 for Pearson's correlation). Similarly, area under the receivers operating characteristic curve of leukocyte and neutrophil counts were 0.61 and 0.60 respectively (95%CI: 0.55–0.67, all P = 0.001) for predicting high GS. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that leukocyte count was an independent predictor for high GS patients with DM (OR = 1.20, 95%CI 1.03–1.39, P = 0.023) after adjusting for conventional risk factors of CAD.ConclusionsCompared with its subsets, leukocyte count appeared to be an independent predictor for the severity of CAD and the optimal cut-off value for predicting high GS (>28 points) was 5.0×109 cells/L in diabetic patients.

Photosynthetic Acclimation of Sweet Pepper Plants to Screenhouse Conditions

Leaf gas exchange and photosynthetic light acclimation of sweet pepper leaves were investigated in a Mediterranean area (central Greece) in the open field and in three screenhouse nets differing in color, shading intensity (SI), and porosity from May to Oct. 2011. The screenhouse nets were two insect-proof white nets (W13 and W34, SI = 13% and 34%, respectively) and a green shading net (G36, SI = 36%). Leaf net CO2 assimilation (An), transpiration rate (E), and stomatal conductance (gS) were measured by means of a portable gas exchange device on leaves located in three canopy layers. The differences in light regime within the canopy induced by the three shading nets had only a slight effect on An, thereby resulting in substantially higher light-use efficiency under shading than in the open field. The observed tendency toward higher gS in shaded plants was counterweighted by a lower intercellular-to-ambient CO2 concentration gradient, leading to similar An in leaves of shaded and non-shaded plants. Ontogenic effects (leaf aging) appeared to be the main factor determining the decreasing seasonal trend of leaf photosynthetic attributes. Overall, shaded sweet pepper plants display a physiological light acclimation allowing them to maintain the photosynthetic activity to a level similar to that observed in non-shaded plants across a wide range of growth light regimes, irrespective of the type of net and its shading intensity.