¹⁸F-fluoride positron emission tomography/computed tomography and bone scintigraphy for diagnosis of bone metastases in newly diagnosed, high-risk prostate cancer patients:study protocol for a multicentre, diagnostic test accuracy study

BACKGROUND: For decades, planar bone scintigraphy has been the standard practice for detection of bone metastases in prostate cancer and has been endorsed by recent oncology/urology guidelines. It is a sensitive method with modest specificity. (18)F-fluoride positron emission tomography/computed tomography has shown improved sensitivity and specificity over bone scintigraphy, but because of methodological issues such as retrospective design and verification bias, the existing level of evidence with (18)F-fluoride positron emission tomography/computed tomography is limited. The primary objective is to compare the diagnostic properties of (18)F-fluoride positron emission tomography/computed tomography versus bone scintigraphy on an individual patient basis. METHODS/DESIGN: One hundred forty consecutive, high-risk prostate cancer patients will be recruited from several hospitals in Denmark. Sample size was calculated using Hayen’s method for diagnostic comparative studies. This study will be conducted in accordance with recommendations of standards for reporting diagnostic accuracy studies. Eligibility criteria comprise the following: 1) biopsy-proven prostate cancer, 2) PSA ≥50 ng/ml (equals a prevalence of bone metastasis of ≈ 50 % in the study population on bone scintigraphy), 3) patients must be eligible for androgen deprivation therapy, 4) no current or prior cancer (within the past 5 years), 5) ability to comply with imaging procedures, and 6) patients must not receive any investigational drugs. Planar bone scintigraphy and (18)F-fluoride positron emission tomography/computed tomography will be performed within a window of 14 days at baseline. All scans will be repeated after 26 weeks of androgen deprivation therapy, and response of individual lesions will be used for diagnostic classification of the lesions on baseline imaging among responding patients. A response is defined as PSA normalisation or ≥80 % reduction compared with baseline levels, testosterone below castration levels, no skeletal related events, and no clinical signs of progression. Images are read by blinded nuclear medicine physicians. The protocol is currently recruiting. DISCUSSION: To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the largest prospective studies comparing (18)F-fluoride positron emission tomography/computed tomography and bone scintigraphy. It is conducted in full accordance with recommendations for diagnostic accuracy trials. It is intended to provide valid documentation for the use of (18)F-fluoride positron emission tomography/computed tomography for examination of bone metastasis in the staging of prostate cancer

A RT-qPCR system using a degenerate probe for specific identification and differentiation of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) variants of concern

Fast surveillance strategies are needed to control the spread of new emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants and gain time for evaluation of their pathogenic potential. This was essential for the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) that replaced the Delta variant (B.1.617.2) and is currently the dominant SARS-CoV-2 variant circulating worldwide. RT-qPCR strategies complement whole genome sequencing, especially in resource lean countries, but mutations in the targeting primer and probe sequences of new emerging variants can lead to a failure of the existing RT-qPCRs. Here, we introduced an RT-qPCR platform for detecting the Delta- and the Omicron variant simultaneously using a degenerate probe targeting the key ΔH69/V70 mutation in the spike protein. By inclusion of the L452R mutation into the RT-qPCR platform, we could detect not only the Delta and the Omicron variants, but also the Omicron sub-lineages BA.1, BA.2 and BA.4/BA.5. The RT-qPCR platform was validated in small- and large-scale. It can easily be incorporated for continued monitoring of Omicron sub-lineages, and offers a fast adaption strategy of existing RT-qPCRs to detect new emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants using degenerate probes.</p

Active plasma membrane P-type H⁺-ATPase reconstituted into nanodiscs is a monomer

Plasma membrane H(+)-ATPases form a subfamily of P-type ATPases responsible for pumping protons out of cells and are essential for establishing and maintaining the crucial transmembrane proton gradient in plants and fungi. Here, we report the reconstitution of the Arabidopsis thaliana plasma membrane H(+)-ATPase isoform 2 into soluble nanoscale lipid bilayers, also termed nanodiscs. Based on native gel analysis and cross-linking studies, the pump inserts into nanodiscs as a functional monomer. Insertion of the H(+)-ATPase into nanodiscs has the potential to enable structural and functional characterization using techniques normally applicable only for soluble proteins

Solvent Degradation and Emissions From a CO₂Capture Pilot At A Waste-to-energy Plant

Degradation and emissions of amine-containing solvents from CO2 capture plants are important to address as we are getting closer to full-scale deployment. Solvent degradation and air emissions from CO2 capture with 30 wt% monoethanolamine (MEA) were monitored at a mobile capture pilot, treating flue gas from a waste-to-energy facility in Denmark. The release of nitrosamines and nitramines was shown to be below the detection limit. Preliminary results showed that the installation of an acid wash removes gaseous degradation products from the depleted flue gas by up to 83% for MEA. However, a more in-depth investigation of the acid wash performance is needed to fully make any conclusions. The release of CO, NO, NO2, SO2, NH3, and HCl was monitored over several days. Results showed that the release of these components in the depleted flue gas is affected by both the temperature in the wash tower and the process configurations. The emissions of CO, NO, NO2, SO2, NH3 and HCl in the CO2 product stream were below 5 mg/m3. Heat stable salts accumulate over time in 30 wt% MEA with formate and acetate being the main degradation products. Accumulation of iron in the solvent did not exceed 10 mg/L during the 4 month campaign. The solvent degradation and emission results obtained in this study create a solid basis for understanding potential solvent emissions to the environment from waste-to-energy plants. Currently, the accumulation of heat stable salts in amine-based solvent seems to be the main challenge