Objective: To evaluate the impact of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) before confirmatory prostate biopsy in patients under active surveillance (AS). Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 170 patients with Gleason grade 6 prostate cancer initially enrolled in an AS program between 2011 and 2019. Prostate mpMRI was performed using a 1.5 tesla (T) magnetic resonance imaging system with a 16-channel phased-array body coil. The protocol included T1-weighted, T2-weighted, diffusion-weighted, and dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging sequences. Uroradiology reports generated by a specialist were based on prostate imagingreporting and data system (PI-RADS) version 2. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed based on regression models. Results: The reclassification rate at confirmatory biopsy was higher in patients with suspicious lesions on mpMRI (PI-RADS score ≥ 3) (n = 47) than in patients with non-suspicious mpMRIs (n = 61) and who did not undergo mpMRIs (n = 62) (66%, 26.2%, and 24.2%, respectively; p < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, presence of a suspicious mpMRI finding (PI-RADS score ≥ 3) was associated (adjusted odds ratio: 4.72) with the risk of reclassification at confirmatory biopsy after adjusting for the main variables (age, prostate-specific antigen density, number of positive cores, number of previous biopsies, and clinical stage). Presence of a suspicious mpMRI finding (adjusted hazard ratio: 2.62) was also associated with the risk of progression to active treatment during the follow-up. Conclusion Inclusion of mpMRI before the confirmatory biopsy is useful to stratify the risk of reclassification during the biopsy as well as to evaluate the risk of progression to active treatment during follow-up.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) before confirmatory prostate biopsy in patients under active surveillance (AS). Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 170 patients with Gleason grade 6 prostate cancer initially enrolled in an AS program between 2011 and 2019. Prostate mpMRI was performed using a 1.5 tesla (T) magnetic resonance imaging system with a 16-channel phased-array body coil. The protocol included T1-weighted, T2-weighted, diffusion-weighted, and dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging sequences. Uroradiology reports generated by a specialist were based on prostate imagingreporting and data system (PI-RADS) version 2. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed based on regression models. Results: The reclassification rate at confirmatory biopsy was higher in patients with suspicious lesions on mpMRI (PI-RADS score ≥ 3) (n = 47) than in patients with non-suspicious mpMRIs (n = 61) and who did not undergo mpMRIs (n = 62) (66%, 26.2%, and 24.2%, respectively; p < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, presence of a suspicious mpMRI finding (PI-RADS score ≥ 3) was associated (adjusted odds ratio: 4.72) with the risk of reclassification at confirmatory biopsy after adjusting for the main variables (age, prostate-specific antigen density, number of positive cores, number of previous biopsies, and clinical stage). Presence of a suspicious mpMRI finding (adjusted hazard ratio: 2.62) was also associated with the risk of progression to active treatment during the follow-up. Conclusion Inclusion of mpMRI before the confirmatory biopsy is useful to stratify the risk of reclassification during the biopsy as well as to evaluate the risk of progression to active treatment during follow-up.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Increased osteoclast activity is a pivotal finding in osteoporosis. This increase is mediated via the mevalonate-to-cholesterol pathway, which is involved in producing the intermediates required for osteoclast activity. D-003, a mixture of high molecular weight sugarcane wax acids, has been shown to inhibit cholesterol synthesis prior to mevalonate production, resulting in a reduction of bone loss and resorption in ovariectomized rats. Moreover, previous studies have demonstrated that short-term D-003 treatment reduces urinary excretion of deoxypyridinoline/creatinine in postmenopausal women. METHODS: We performed a double-blinded, placebo-controlled study to investigate the effects of D-003 (10 mg/day) treatment for 3 years on bone mineral density (BMD) in 83 postmenopausal women with low BMD. RESULTS: Over 3 years, D-003 treatment increased lumbar spine BMD (5.1%, p < 0.01) and improved osteoporosis-related quality of life scores as compared with placebo-treated controls. D-003 was also well tolerated; the frequency of adverse events in the bone, joints, or muscle with D-003 treatment (p < 0.05) was lower than in the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS: D-003 treatment (10 mg/day) for 3 years increased lumbar spine BMD and produced clinical improvements in postmenopausal women with low BMD. Further studies, however, will be required to confirm these results.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Adult ; Aged ; Analysis of Variance ; Bone Density/*drug effects ; Bone Density Conservation Agents/*administration & dosage/adverse effects ; Cuba ; Double-Blind Method ; Fatty Acids/*administration & dosage/adverse effects ; Female ; Femur Neck/*drug effects/radiography ; Humans ; Lipids/blood ; Lumbar Vertebrae/*drug effects/radiography ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal/blood/*drug therapy/psychology/radiography ; Quality of Life ; Questionnaires ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome

Objective: To compare the antimicrobial effects of locally available multipurpose contact lens solutions (MPS) on the growth of standard strains of contact lens-related ocular pathogens and to establish the recommended duration of exposure to these solutions to achieve maximal antimicrobial efficacy. Methods: This study, a single-blind controlled experiment, evaluated five locally available MPS in terms of their antimicrobial efficacy towards common contact lens-related ocular pathogens, such as P. aeroginosa, S. aureus, E. coli, F. solani, and C. albicans, using the stand alone criteria. Microbial viability counts were obtained at serial durations: after 1 hour, 3 hours, 6 hours, and 12 hours of exposure. Results: MPS containing polyquaternium-1 and myristamidopropyl dimethylamine (MAPD) and polyhexamide reduced the bacterial concentrations by 3 log and fungal concentrations by 1 log, enabling them to fulfill the stand alone criteria for disinfecting solutions as mandated by ISO/CD 14729. This antimicrobial efficacy was most evident at 6 hours of exposure to the challenge organisms. MPS containing polyquaternium-1 and MAPD also have the broadest spectrum of effectivity against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, and C. albicans. All MPS tested have poor microbial activity against F. solani. Conclusion Multipurpose contact lens solutions demonstrated variability in their antimicrobial activity. MPS with broad spectrum efficacy and effectivity, such as those containing polyquaternum and MAPD, are preferred to prevent contact lens-related ocular infections.
Contact Lenses

The prevalence of heart failure (HF) is increasing in many regions of the world, particularly within the context of aging populations in many countries. The Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA) sought to explore areas of global HF innovation with the goal of exchanging ideas and best practices internationally. The HFSA Annual Scientific Meeting included roundtable discussions focused on the challenges faced by each of the participating regions and sharing innovative solutions. Themes identified include the lack of high-quality region-specific HF registry data that is required to accurately define patient needs and to facilitate outcome metrics; the tension between providing care that is accessible to the patient vs. concentrating highly-specialized care within tertiary centers; the need to accredit and coordinate HF care across a spectrum of healthcare delivery centers within regions; opportunities to improve the prevention and timely diagnosis of HF to enhance population outcomes, especially in communities facing healthcare disparities; and the evolution of multidisciplinary team-based care, particularly in optimizing access to guideline-directed medical therapies. This article summarizes the major themes that emerged during the roundtable sessions.