Is Likert better than PI-RADS at predicting prostate cancer on MRI and can a mathematical algorithm achieve similar results?

Background: Prostate Imaging Reporting & Data System (PI-RADS) is an internationally recognized system to quantify risk of prostate cancer on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, studies have suggested methods to improve predictive accuracy.

Purpose: To assess two different methods that aim to improve the accuracy of PI-RADS scores: a subjective Likert score given by experienced reporters, and an objective Calculated Adjustment of PI-RADS Equivocal Score (CAPES).

Does including histological outcomes in a multiparametric MRI report improve prostate biopsy decision making?

Objectives: To see if inserting audited histological outcome data for each Likert score into prostate mpMRI reports was helpful for clinicians counselling patients and influenced prostate biopsy uptake.

Methods: A single radiologist reported 791 mpMRI scans for query prostate cancer between 2017 and 2019. A structured template which included histological outcome data from this cohort was devised and included in 207 mpMRI reports between January and June 2021.

Making an art into a science: a mathematical "Likert tool" can change PI-RADS (v2) scores into Likert scores when reporting multiparametric MRI for prostate cancer.

Background: When reporting multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) for prostate cancer, UK national guidelines recommend allocating both Likert and PI-RAD scores. Likert scores have been shown to better predict clinically significant cancer (csPCa) but are subjective and lack standardization.

Purpose: To compare differences in outcomes between the scoring systems and create a mathematical tool that can help to objectively allocate Likert scores.

Time to First Culture Positivity Among Critically Ill Adults With Methicillin-Resistant Growth in Respiratory or Blood Cultures.

For critically ill adults receiving empirical vancomycin, the duration of negative cultures after which vancomycin may be discontinued without risking subsequent growth of methicillin-resistant (MRSA) remains unknown. We hypothesized that if sputum cultures did not grow MRSA or blood cultures did not grow Gram-positive cocci on Gram stain by 48 hours, those cultures would not subsequently demonstrate MRSA. We conducted an ancillary analysis from patients enrolled in the Isotonic Solutions and Major Adverse Renal Events Trial (SMART).

Patient non-attendance at urgent referral appointments for suspected cancer and its links to cancer diagnosis and one year mortality: A cohort study of patients referred on the Two Week Wait pathway.

Background: The 'Two Week Wait' policy aims to ensure patients with suspected cancer are seen within two weeks of referral. However, patient non-attendance can result in this target being missed. This study aimed to identify predictors of non-attendance; and analyse the relationship between attendance and outcomes including cancer diagnosis and early mortality.

Transmission of hepatitis C virus to recipients of parenteral vitamin therapy in a primary care facility.

Background And Objectives: The Australian prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is approximately 1%, with the majority of cases acquired through injecting drug use. However, occasionally HCV infection occurs in healthcare settings. Three new HCV infections were identified amongst patients attending a general practice in Sydney, Australia, specialising in parenteral vitamin therapy.

Fiber-optic infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy for trace analysis on surfaces of varying roughness. Part II: Acetaminophen on stainless steel.

Investigations of the effects of surface roughness on the utility of grazing-angle Fourier transform infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS) as a method for quantifying trace contamination of metal surfaces have been extended to acetaminophen, a model active pharmaceutical agent, on 316 stainless steel. The effects are more complicated than for the surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) on stainless steel; they include a strong surface-finish dependence of sensitivity and nonlinear behavior at surface loadings above approximately 1-2 microg cm(-2). Using data from samples in the loading range 0-0.

Grazing-angle fiber-optic fourier transform infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy for the in situ detection and quantification of two active pharmaceutical ingredients on glass.

Fourier transform infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy has been used with a fiber-optic grazing-angle reflectance probe as a rapid, in situ method for trace surface analysis of acetaminophen and aspirin at loadings of approximately 0-2 microg cm(-2) on glass. Partial least-squares multivariate regression permits the loadings to be quantified, simultaneously, with root-mean-squared errors of prediction of RMSEP approximately 0.1 microg cm(-2) for both compounds.

Fiber-optic infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy for trace analysis on surfaces of varying roughness: Sodium dodecyl sulfate on stainless steel.

The effect of surface roughness on the analytical performance of a fiber-optic grazing-angle infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS) system has been investigated. The instrument was used to develop calibrations to quantify trace surface loadings for sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) on 316 stainless steel with three different surface finishes. Partial least squares (PLS) calibrations were developed for both individual finishes and combinations of finishes.

Lung cancer referral patterns in the former Yorkshire region of the UK.

The purpose of this study was to find out what proportion of patients are referred as lung cancer guidelines assume, whether different referral pathways result in different management and what proportion of patients are seen within recommended time intervals between referral and treatment. A randomly selected sample of 400 lung cancer cases registered with the former Yorkshire Cancer Registry database in 1993 was selected for casenote analysis. Mode of presentation, speciality of initial referral, treatment by specialist, time intervals for key points in the referral pathways were analyzed.

Adenocarcinoma of the cervix: a regional retrospective study.

A retrospective study using data from the Yorkshire Cancer Registry was undertaken to investigate the incidence, characteristics and prognosis of cases of cervical adenocarcinoma in the Yorkshire Region. Three hundred and twenty-six women resident in the Yorkshire Region formed the basis of the study. The overall five year survival for adenocarcinoma of the cervix is 53%.

Rare but remediable.

The author demonstrates that rare problems do present from time to time. It pays to keep an open mind, take a thorough history, and not rely too heavily on the accuracy of a previous diagnosis.

How to cope with the manipulative patient. An opinion.

Doubtless there are those who would dismiss this essay in the belief that it has no application to them. Doctors pride themselves on their professional manipulative skills but might deny the existence of similar skills in patients.