Expression of prostate-specific antigen variant MRNA transcripts in prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is important in tumour detection, monitoring disease progression and tumour recurrence. however, PSA is not a cancerspecific marker as levels can also be elevated in benign prostatic disease. A number of different mRNA transcripts of PSA have also been identified in prostatic tissue, but have not been fully characterized (PSA 424, PSA 525, Schulz transcript). Tissue specimens from transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) or radical prostatectomy were obtained from 17 men with BPH and 15 men with prostate cancer. Total RNA was extracted, and reverse-transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Southern analysis carried out using transcript-specific primers and probes to determine which mRNA PSA transcripts were expressed. Real-time PCR was performed to determine transcript levels between the two groups using transcript-specific primers and SYBR green fluorescence. Values obtained were normalized to a standard housekeeping gene, B2-microglobulin. Transcripts amplified by RT-PCR and real-time PCR were confirmed by DNA sequencing. Our results show that the transcripts were present in some, but not all, BPH and cancer samples indicating that they are not specific to either BPH or cancer. Analysis of real-time PCR normalized values using a Student’s t -test, shows that there is a significant difference between the two groups for PSA 424, but not wild-type PSA, PSA 525 or the Schulz transcript. Although a larger cohort of samples is needed to further confirm these results, these findings suggest that mRNA levels of PSA 424 may have some utility as a diagnostic or prognostic marker in prostate cancer detection.

Monitoring PAHs in the Brisbane River and Moreton Bay, Australia, using semipermeable membrane devices and EROD activity in yellowfin bream, Acanthopagrus australis

Two water quality monitoring strategies designed to sample hydrophobic organic contaminants have been applied and evaluated across an expected concentration gradient in PAHs in the Moreton region. Semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) that sequester contaminants via passive diffusion across a membrane were used to evaluate the concentration of PAHs at four and five sites in spring and summer 2001/2002, respectively. In addition, induction of hepatic cytochrome P4501, EROD activity, in yellowfin bream, Acanthopagrus australis, captured in the vicinity of SPMD sampling sites following deployment in summer was used as a biomarker of exposure to PAHs and related chemicals. SPMDs identified a clear and reproducible gradient in PAH contamination with levels increasing from east to west in Moreton Bay and upstream in the Brisbane River. The highest PAH concentrations expressed as B(a)P-toxicity equivalents (TEQs) were found in urban areas, which were also furthest upstream and experienced the least flushing. Cytochrome P4501 induction in A. australis was similar at all sites. The absence of clear trends in EROD activity may be attributable to factors not measured in this study or variable residency time of A. australis in contaminated areas. It is also possible that fish in the Moreton region are displaying enzymatic adaptation, which has been reported previously for fish subjected to chronic exposure to organic contaminants. These potential interferences complicate interpretation of EROD activity from feral biota. It is, therefore, suggested that future monitoring combine the two methods by applying passive sampler extracts to in vitro EROD assays. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Screening for physical activity in family practice - Evaluation of two brief assessment tools

Background: Physical activity (PA) is relevant to the prevention and management of many health conditions in family practice. There is a need for an efficient, reliable, and valid assessment tool to identify patients in need of PA interventions. Methods: Twenty-eight family physicians in three Australian cities assessed the PA of their adult patients during 2004 using either a two- (2Q) or three-question (3Q) assessment. This was administered again approximately 3 days later to evaluate test-retest reliability. Concurrent validity was evaluated by measuring agreement with the Active Australia Questionnaire, and criterion validity by comparison with 7-day Computer Science Applications, Inc. (CSA) accelerometer counts. Results: A total of 509 patients participated, with 428 (84%) completing a repeat assessment, and 415 (82%) accelerometer monitoring. The brief assessments had moderate test-retest reliability (2Q k = 58.0%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 47.2-68.8%; 3Q k = 55.6%, 95% CI = 43.8-67.4%); fair to moderate concurrent validity (2Q k = 46.7%, 95% CI = 35.657.9%; 3Q k = 38.7%, 95% CI = 26.4-51.1%); and poor to fair criterion validity (2Q k = 18.2%, 95% CI = 3.9-32.6%; 3Q k = 24.3%, 95% CI = 11.6-36.9%) for identifying patients as sufficiently active. A four-level scale of PA derived from the PA assessments was significantly correlated with accelerometer minutes (2Q rho = 0.39, 95% CI = 0.28-0.49; 3Q rho = 0.31, 95% CI = 0.18-0.43). Physicians reported that the assessments took I to 2 minutes to complete. Conclusions: Both PA assessments were feasible to use in family practice, and were suitable for identifying the least active patients. The 2Q assessment was preferred by clinicians and may be most appropriate for dissemination.

Seizure detection algorithm for neonates based on wave-sequence analysis

Objective: The description and evaluation of the performance of a new real-time seizure detection algorithm in the newborn infant. Methods: The algorithm includes parallel fragmentation of EEG signal into waves; wave-feature extraction and averaging; elementary, preliminary and final detection. The algorithm detects EEG waves with heightened regularity, using wave intervals, amplitudes and shapes. The performance of the algorithm was assessed with the use of event-based and liberal and conservative time-based approaches and compared with the performance of Gotman's and Liu's algorithms. Results: The algorithm was assessed on multi-channel EEG records of 55 neonates including 17 with seizures. The algorithm showed sensitivities ranging 83-95% with positive predictive values (PPV) 48-77%. There were 2.0 false positive detections per hour. In comparison, Gotman's algorithm (with 30 s gap-closing procedure) displayed sensitivities of 45-88% and PPV 29-56%; with 7.4 false positives per hour and Liu's algorithm displayed sensitivities of 96-99%, and PPV 10-25%; with 15.7 false positives per hour. Conclusions: The wave-sequence analysis based algorithm displayed higher sensitivity, higher PPV and a substantially lower level of false positives than two previously published algorithms. Significance: The proposed algorithm provides a basis for major improvements in neonatal seizure detection and monitoring. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. on behalf of International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology.

On sensor network segmentation for urban water distribution monitoring

Identifying water wastage in forms of leaks in a water distribution network of any city becomes essential as droughts are presenting serious threats to few major cities. In this paper, we propose a deployment of sensor network for monitoring water flow in any water distribution network. We cover the issues related with designing such a dedicated sensor network by considering types of sensors required, sensors' functionality, data collection, and providing computation serving as leak detection mechanism. The main focus of this paper is on appropriate network segmentation that provides the base for hierarchical approach to pipes' failure detection. We show a method for sensors allocation to the network in order to facilitate effective pipes monitoring. In general, the identified computational problem belongs to hard problems. The paper shows a heuristic method to build effective hierarchy of the network segmentation.