Using CaPSURE (TM) GKT137831 we determined trends in prostate biopsy patterns during the last decade and assessed whether changes in biopsy number have had an

impact on outcomes after radical prostatectomy.

Materials and Methods: In CaPSURE between 1995 and 2004 we identified 6,450 men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer who underwent biopsy with 6 cores or greater. The number of cores removed, number of cores positive for cancer and percent of cores containing cancer were analyzed by year of diagnosis. For 1,757 men who underwent radical prostatectomy these variables were entered into Cox proportional hazards models controlling for preoperative prostate specific antigen, biopsy Gleason sum and clinical stage to predict recurrence-free survival.

Results: The mean number of removed cores increased from 6.9 in 1995 to 10.2 in 2004 (p <0.0001). The mean number of positive cores remained unchanged from 2.9 in 1995 to 3.2 in 2004 (p = 0.40). The percent of positive cores decreased from 42.6% in 1995 to 32.1% in 2004 (p <0.0001). The number and percent of positive cores were associated with recurrence-free survival after radical prostatectomy throughout the study period

(each p <0.001).

Conclusions: The percent of positive cores is an independent predictor of disease recurrence after radical prostatectomy. The total number of tissue cores sampled increased during the last decade, thereby driving down the mean percent of positive cores from 42.6% to 32.1%. The trend toward an increasing MG-132 in vitro number of removed cores may have contributed indirectly to improved outcomes after radical prostatectomy in the last decade.”
“To investigate the role of astroglial water channel aquaporin-4 (AQP4) in maintaining blood-brain barrier integrity, structure and permeability of the brain microvessels were investigated in adult AQP4 knockout mice. Altered ultrastructure of brain microvessels,

including open tight junctions and swollen perivascular astrocytic endfeet, were frequently observed in the AQP4 null mice. Likewise, AQP4 deficiency significantly downregulated expression CH5424802 purchase of glial fibrillary acidic protein in perivascular processes of astrocytes. Furthermore, the horseradish peroxidase analysis demonstrated hyperpermeability of the blood-brain barrier in AQP4 knockout mice. These findings provide direct evidence that AQP4 is essential for the maintenance of blood-brain barrier integrity.”
“Purpose: We describe long-term urinary function in men treated with (125)iodine brachytherapy without supplemental beam irradiation.

Materials and Methods: A total of 484 men with favorable risk prostate cancer received I-125 prostate brachytherapy with a followup ranging from 12 to 93 months (median 41). Prior hormonal therapy (2 to 6 months) was used in 14% of patients to reduce prostate size.