PURPOSEThe intensity of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) expression increases as the tumor grade increases and the uptake of Ga-68-PSMA is higher in high-grade tumors. The aim of the present ...study was to evaluate the correlation of preoperative tracer uptake of primary tumor to Gleason Score in patients who underwent prostatectomy.
PATIENTS AND METHODSWe retrospectively evaluated 141 patients who had Ga-68-PSMA positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging and who underwent prostatectomy. All patients had a diagnosis of prostate cancer on the basis of 10–24 cores transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy (TRUS-Bx). Histological assessment was performed according to the New Contemporary Prostate Cancer Grading System. All patients had a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level measurement within maximum of 28 days before Ga-68-PSMA PET/CT. Region of interests were drawn manually around the prostate gland, avoiding the bladder activity, to calculate the maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax) values.
RESULTSThe median PSA values for all patients were 10.0 ng/ml. PSA values for low-risk patients were significantly lower than those of high-risk patients (P<0.001). There were 41.1% upgrades and 7.8% downgrades following prostatectomy in terms of Grade Groups. According to the final pathology reports, 21% (n=16) of patients moved from a low-risk level (grade groups 1+2) to a high-risk level (grade groups 3+4+5). The median SUVmax value was 8.8, ranging from 2.1 to 62.4. There was a strong correlation between SUVmax values and grade groups (Pearson ρ=0.66) (P<0.001). The mean SUVmax values of high-risk patients were significantly higher than those of low-risk patients (18.9±12.1 vs. 7.16±6.2, respectively) (P<0.001). Receiver operation characteristic curve analysis of SUVmax at the cut-off value of 9.1 showed a high sensitivity (78%) and specificity (81%) for detection of high risk disease.
CONCLUSIONSUVmax values correlate significantly with the grade groups of the primary tumor. The intraprostatic accumulation sites may predict clinically significant cancer and potentially serve as a target for biopsy sampling in conjunction with mpMRI in selected patients.
This study examined the impact of foreign direct investment on financial development in selected Arab League countries (Algeria, Comoros, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mauritania, Oman, and Qatar) ...for the period from 2010 to 2021. The study used one explanatory variable — financial development — and one explained variable — foreign direct investment. To obtain reliable and valid results, panel data were analyzed, and various tests were carried out, including the Chow test, Breusch-Pagan Lagrange multiplier test, Hausman test, Jarque-Bera normality test, Wooldridge test, generalized least squares, and ordinary least squares. The robust model of the study revealed a positive and significant relationship between foreign direct investment and the financial development index, human development index, and interest rate. Also, there is a negative and significant relationship between foreign direct investment and the consumer price index and domestic credit to private sector. Based on these findings , the study recommends that Arab League countries’ policies and strategies should attract foreign investors to maintain and sustain economic developmental goals for healthy, literate, and wealthy lives.
Abstract Study question Does a sexual counseling program based on the PLISSIT model improve the sexual function and satisfaction in infertile men and women? Summary answer PLISSIT model based sexual ...counseling for infertile couples with sexual dysfunction and low sexual satisfaction, positively affected the sexual function and satisfaction of the couples. What is known already Studies indicate that infertile couples experience more sexual problems than fertile couples due to the physical, psychological, and marital challenges of assisted reproductive technology treatments. Several sexual counseling models are recommended for discussing sexual problems with patients. PLISSIT model (Permission, Limited Information, Specific Suggestions, and Intensive Therapy) have been demonstrated to be effective in improving sexual function. However the effects of PLISSIT model has not been evaluated in infertile couples with sexual problems. Study design, size, duration This randomized-controlled study was conducted between August 2019 - February 2020 in a fertility clinic of a university hospital in Istanbul. With a pre-study screening, 60 infertile couples with sexual dysfunction (women with a total score of ≤ 26.55 on the Female Sexual Function Index-FSFI and men with a score of ≥ 11 on the Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale-ASEX were included in the study. Participants were randomized for the counselling (30 couples) and control (30 couples) groups. Participants/materials, setting, methods Couples in counselling group were interviewed in 6 sessions (first assessment, 3 counseling sessions one week apart, 1 phone call in the second month and last assessment in the third month), and couples in control group were interviewed in 3 sessions (first assessment - 1 phone call in the second month and last assessment in the third month). FSFI, ASEX, Beck Depression Inventory-BDI, New Sexual Satisfaction Inventory-NSSI, Fertility Problem Stress Scale-FPSS were used for evaluation. Main results and the role of chance BDI total mean scores of women and men in the first asessments were similar in the counselling and control groups. In the final evaluations of the groups, women who received sexual counseling had better total scale scores and sub-dimension scores of FSFI and NSSI than the control group, and the ISS total scale scores and sub-dimension scores of women were lower than the control group. In the final evaluations of men in counselling group, mean ASEX score was positively lower, the total scale and sub-dimension scores of the NSSI were higher and the ISS total scale and sub-dimension scores were lower than the control group. Limitations, reasons for caution The long-term results of sexual counseling were not followed and the long term intensive therapy phase could not be carried out in this study. Results are limited to primary infertile couples with sexual problems in the setting of this reserch. Wider implications of the findings In order to comprehensively evaluate couples while providing sexual education and counseling with a planned and systematic approach, using counselling models for sexual function such as the PLISSIT model is recommended. Trial registration number ClinicalTrials Protocol ID: 13022260-300-108795
Mass injuries caused by the violations of multinational firms are becoming more and more common in today’s globalised economy as goods and services are sold worldwide, and the harm these goods and ...services cause affects many widely scattered victims in different countries. Even if the same or almost identical factual situations injure consumers worldwide, whether they obtain any remedies varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction as each country designs its class action procedure differently. In order to overcome jurisdictional variations and compensate consumers with small claims in a more effective and efficient manner, this article deliberates on the idea of incorporating blockchain-based dispute resolution methods into class action proceedings. In this light, the article discusses to what extent blockchain-based dispute resolution systems can be used in class actions to provide better access to justice to consumers at the global level.
Abstract
Thoracic computed tomography angiography revealed a filling defect with an internal air density in the lower lobar branch of the left pulmonary artery accompanied by pleural fluid, in a ...patient who applied with sudden onset chest pain and dyspnoea. The filling defect remained stable after anticoagulant treatment. No progression or complications were observed in 5-year follow-up. In pulmonary embolism that does not resolve despite adequate treatment, non-thrombotic sources, particularly foreign body, should be considered.
In most cases, pulmonary embolism may develop as a result of occlusion of pulmonary arteries with thrombus fragments originating from deep veins of lower extremities 1, or more infrequently due to non-thrombotic causes as in the present case.
Purpose
This study aimed to determine the potential clinical use of dynamic thiol–disulfide balance in cases with preinvasive lesions of the cervix.
Methods
One hundred and sixteen patients with ...high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, 100 patients with low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, and 110 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. A fully automated colorimetric system was used to determine the levels of thiol–disulfide parameters. The ischemia-modified albumin, total oxidant–antioxidant capacity, and oxidative stress index of the retrieved cases were further analyzed.
Results
Native thiol and total thiol levels are significantly lower in the high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion group according to control group (
p
: 0.004 and 0.015, respectively). Disulfide level is significantly increased in the high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion group compared to control group (
p
: 0.004). Oxidative stress index levels in high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion group were observed as significantly higher according to the control group (
p
: 0.014). Ischemia-modified albumin levels in the high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion group were observed as significantly higher compared to the control group (
p
: 0.020). Disulfide levels are positively correlated with risk type of Human papillomavirus (
r
: 0.420,
p
< 0.001).
Conclusion
The analysis of dynamic thiol–disulfide balance revealed considerable oxidative damage in patients with Human papillomavirus-related cervical precursor lesions compared to women with ordinary cytology specimens. Therefore, investigation of thiol–disulfide balance with presented method represents a new promising test for early diagnosis and management of women at high risk for cervical cancer.
Titanium oxide nano tubes (TiOx) were prepared by the electrochemical anodizing method from at different process time and different potential in 0.1 M HF solution. Their morphologies were determined ...with surface photographs and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. Ni nano particles were deposited in conductive TiOx nano tubes arrays via pulsed electrodeposition method. Their catalytic activity towards the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) was assessed by recording cyclic voltammetry technique, cathodic current–potential curves, hydrogen gas volumes and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques. The highest HER activity thought the studied is observed on the TiOx(30)-Ni.
Display omitted
► TiOx nano tubes were successfully prepared in 0.1 M HF solution. ► Nickel was deposited on TiOx nano tubes. ► TiOx-Ni presented better catalytic activity for HER.
The high-spin structures and isomers of the N = 81 isotones Xe-135 and Ba-137 are investigated after multinucleon-transfer (MNT) and fusion-evaporation reactions. Both nuclei are populated (i) in ...Xe-136+ U-238 and (ii) Xe-136+ Pb-208 MNT reactions employing the high-resolution Advanced Gamma Tracking Array (AGATA) coupled to the magnetic spectrometer PRISMA, (iii) in the Xe-136+ Pt-198 MNT reaction employing the gamma-ray array GAMMASPHERE in combination with the gas-detector array CHICO, and (iv) via a B-11+ Te-130 fusion-evaporation reaction with the HORUS gamma-ray array at the University of Cologne. The high-spin level schemes of Xe-135 and Ba-137 are considerably extended to higher energies. The 2058-keV (19/2(-)) state in Xe-135 is identified as an isomer, closing a gap in the systematics along the N = 81 isotones. Its half-life is measured to be 9.0(9) ns, corresponding to a reduced transition probability of B(E2,19/2(-) -> 15/2(-)) = 0.52(6) W.u. The experimentally deduced reduced transition probabilities of the isomeric states are compared to shell-model predictions. Latest shell-model calculations reproduce the experimental findings generally well and provide guidance to the interpretation of the new levels.
PDF
