A holistic comparative analysis of diagnostic tests for urothelial carcinoma: a study of Cxbladder Detect, UroVysion® FISH, NMP22® and cytology based on imputation of multiple datasets.

Background: Comparing the relative utility of diagnostic tests is challenging when available datasets are small, partial or incomplete. The analytical leverage associated with a large sample size can be gained by integrating several small datasets to enable effective and accurate across-dataset comparisons. Accordingly, we propose a methodology for a holistic comparative analysis and ranking of cancer diagnostic tests through dataset integration and imputation of missing values, using urothelial carcinoma (UC) as a case study.

A segregation index combining phenotypic (clinical characteristics) and genotypic (gene expression) biomarkers from a urine sample to triage out patients presenting with hematuria who have a low probability of urothelial carcinoma.

Background: Hematuria can be symptomatic of urothelial carcinoma (UC) and ruling out patients with benign causes during primary evaluation is challenging. Patients with hematuria undergoing urological work-ups place significant clinical and financial burdens on healthcare systems. Current clinical evaluation involves processes that individually lack the sensitivity for accurate determination of UC.

Radiographic evaluation of the pleural fluid accumulation rate after pneumonectomy.

Purpose: Understanding the radiographic appearance and normal rate of fluid accumulation after pneumonectomy is important in order to detect postoperative complications.

Methods: Upright posterior-anterior chest radiographs of 94 postpneumonectomy patients were assessed for the rate of pleural fluid accumulation as a percentage of hemithorax volume.

Results: Overall median time to 70% hemithoracic opacification was 3 days and mean time was 27 days.

Imaging of soft tissue and osseous sarcomas of the extremities.

Soft tissue and osseous sarcomas of the extremities are uncommon malignancies that represent very important diagnostic entities because of their aggressive nature. Radiologic investigations, including plain film, computed tomography, contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging; scintigraphy, ultrasound, and positron emission tomography-computed tomography, play critical roles in providing a differential, establishing the diagnosis, demonstrating prognostic characteristics, and tailoring tumor treatment. The purpose of this review is to describe the most common soft tissue and osseous sarcomas of the extremities, with emphasis on their plain film and magnetic resonance imaging characteristics with the aim of aiding the reader to accurately describe the important imaging features and generate an appropriate differential diagnosis to aid the referring clinician with prompt appropriate management and treatment.

Imaging of thoracic sarcomas of the chest wall, pleura, and lung.

Primary sarcomas of the thorax are uncommon. The purpose of this review is to describe the radiologic findings of sarcomas affecting the thorax, in particular the chest wall, pleura, and lungs. Most primary sarcomas affecting the thorax arise in the chest wall, and the most common sarcomas of the chest wall are chondrosarcoma, osteosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumor, malignant fibrous histiocytoma, and fibrosarcoma.

Positron emission tomography-CT imaging in guiding musculoskeletal biopsy.

Positron emission tomography (PET)-computed tomography (CT) is a useful device in identifying musculoskeletal lesions that require biopsy. It can be used to localize the primary lesion, identify a site to biopsy, and evaluate metastatic lesions that require follow-up biopsies. Not all malignant tumors have hypermetabolic activity, and there are many benign lesions and physiologic processes that do have increased F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose uptake.

The current status of percutaneous vertebroplasty in Canada.

Objective: To provide an overview of the current status of percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) practice in Canada, including the preprocedure work up, operative technique and follow-up practice of physicians performing the procedure in this country.

Methods: Questionnaires were emailed to 31 institutions performing percutaneous vertebroplasty across Canada.

Results: Twenty-three (74.

Imaging of pulmonary fusariosis in patients with hematologic malignancies.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the radiographic features of pulmonary fusariosis, an increasingly encountered cause of severe opportunistic mold pneumonia.

Conclusion: Pulmonary fusariosis has radiographic manifestations that are suggestive of an angioinvasive mold. Nodules or masses were the most common findings at CT, seen in 82% of patients compared with only 45% on chest radiography.

Homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence assays for the detection of activity and inhibition of phosphatase enzymes employing phosphorescently labeled peptide substrates.

A rapid, homogenous, antibody-free assay for phosphatase enzymes was developed using the phosphorescent platinum (II)-coproporphyrin label (PtCP) and time-resolved fluorescent detection. An internally quenched decameric peptide substrate containing a phospho-tyrosine residue, labeled with PtCP-maleimide and dabcyl-NHS at its termini was designed. Phosphatase catalysed dephosphorylation of the substrate resulted in a minor increase in PtCP signal, while subsequent cleavage by chymotrypsin at the dephosphorylated Tyr-Leu site provided a 3.

Sonographically guided percutaneous muscle biopsy in diagnosis of neuromuscular disease: a useful alternative to open surgical biopsy.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of sonographically guided percutaneous muscle biopsy in the investigation of neuromuscular disorders.

Methods: Sonographically guided percutaneous needle biopsy of skeletal muscle was performed with a 14-gauge core biopsy system in 40 patients over a 24-month period. Patients were referred from the Department of Neurology under investigation for neuromuscular disorders.

Evaluation of the phosphorescent palladium(II)-coproporphyrin labels in separation-free hybridization assays.

Palladium(II)-coproporphyrin label and a set of corresponding monofunctional labeling reagents with different linker arms were evaluated for labeling of oligonucleotides and subsequent use in hybridization assays. The properties of resulting oligonucleotide probes including phosphorescence spectra, quantum yields, lifetimes, and labeling yields were examined as functions of the label and oligonucleotide structures. Upon hybridization with complementary sequences bearing dabcyl, QSY-7, and rhodamine green dyes, the probes displayed strong quenching due to close proximity effects.

Synthesis and evaluation of phosphorescent oligonucleotide probes for hybridisation assays.

Monofunctional, p-isothiocyanatophenyl-derivatives of platinum (II)-coproporphyrin-I (PtCP-NCS) were evaluated as phosphorescent labelling reagents for synthetic oligonucleotides containing a 3'- or 5'-amino modification. Synthesis and purification conditions were optimised to generate high yields and purity of PtCP-labelled oligonucleotide probes. Phosphorescent properties of the PtCP label have been shown to be largely unaffected by conjugation to oligonucleotides of various length, GC composition and label attachment site.