Gamma-ray and radio properties of six pulsars detected by the fermi large area telescope

We report the detection of pulsed γ-rays for PSRs J0631+1036, J0659+1414, J0742-2822, J1420-6048, J1509-5850, and J1718-3825 using the Large Area Telescope on board the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope (formerly known as GLAST). Although these six pulsars are diverse in terms of their spin parameters, they share an important feature: their γ-ray light curves are (at least given the current count statistics) single peaked. For two pulsars, there are hints for a double-peaked structure in the light curves. The shapes of the observed light curves of this group of pulsars are discussed in the light of models for which the emission originates from high up in the magnetosphere. The observed phases of the γ-ray light curves are, in general, consistent with those predicted by high-altitude models, although we speculate that the γ-ray emission of PSR J0659+1414, possibly featuring the softest spectrum of all Fermi pulsars coupled with a very low efficiency, arises from relatively low down in the magnetosphere. High-quality radio polarization data are available showing that all but one have a high degree of linear polarization. This allows us to place some constraints on the viewing geometry and aids the comparison of the γ-ray light curves with high-energy beam models

Primary Small Cell Carcinoma of the Kidney: Disease Characteristics and Treatment Outcomes

Background: Primary small cell carcinoma of the kidney (PSCCK) is exceedingly rare and data on disease characteristics and outcomes are sparse. This study examines a nationally-representative cancer registry to better characterize PSCCK. Methods: We queried the National Cancer Database to identify patients with histology-confirmed PSCCK from 2004 to 2015. Adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression and Kaplan–Meier analyses were employed to assess predictors of mortality and estimate median survival time, respectively. Results: A total of 110 patients were included (47:53% female:male, 77% ≥60 years of age, 86% Caucasian). Significant predictors of mortality included female sex, age 60–69 years, treatment at an Integrated Network Cancer Program, stage cM1, and lack of surgical and chemoradiotherapy treatment. Independent protective factors were high socioeconomic status and treatment at an Academic Research Program. The estimated median overall survival time was 9.31 (95% CI 7.28–10.98) months for all patients. No differences in estimated survival time were observed across individual treatment modalities among those patients who underwent treatment (p = 0.214). Conclusions: PSCCK is an aggressive malignancy with a median survival time of less than one year. Future studies that correlate clinical tumor staging with specific treatment modalities are needed to optimize and individualize management

Time of peak nocturnal diuresis rate between men with secondary nocturnal polyuria versus nocturnal polyuria syndrome

Aim Compare the circadian trajectory of diuresis between nocturnal polyuria (NP) patients with versus without identifiable contributory comorbidities. Methods Retrospective analysis of frequency-volume charts from male patients with clinically-significant nocturia (>= 2 nocturnal voids) and NP (defined by nocturnal urine production [NUP] >= 90 mL/hour or nocturnal polyuria index [NPi] >= 0.33). Patients with NP and chronic kidney disease, congestive heart failure, and/or undertreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) were deemed to have secondary NP. Nocturnal polyuria syndrome (NPS) was defined as NP without edema, loop diuretic use, or the aforementioned conditions. Patients with diabetes insipidus or OSA with appropriate continuous positive airway pressure utilization were excluded. The timing and volumes of nocturnal voids were used to derive "early" and "late" nocturnal diuresis rates (mL/hour of urine produced before and after the first nocturnal awakening, respectively). The likelihood of an early peak nocturnal diuresis rate (ie, early >late nocturnal diuresis rate) was compared between patients with NPS versus secondary NP using both a crude and adjusted odds ratio. Results The likelihood of an early peak nocturnal diuresis rate in patients with NPS compared with secondary NP was 2.58 (1.05-6.31) at NUP >= 90 mL/hour and 1.96 (0.87-4.42) at NPi >= 0.33 on crude analysis, and 2.44 (0.96-6.24) and 1.93 (0.83-4.48) after adjustment, respectively. Conclusions A peak early nocturnal diuresis rate was significantly more likely in patients with NPS at NUP >= 90 mL/hour, with similar odds ratios at NPi >= 0.33 and following adjustment. Delineating nocturic patients by NP subgroup may facilitate more individualized management. Patient Summary Many people have to wake up to urinate because they produce too much urine at night-a condition known as "nocturnal polyuria." Nocturnal polyuria might be caused by drinking too much fluid, other behavioral factors, or conditions that make your body hold on to too much fluid, like heart disease, kidney disease, and sleep apnea. In cases of nocturnal polyuria where no clear cause can be identified, it is thought that patients may suffer from a deficiency in nighttime vasopressin, a hormone that plays a key role in how much urine you produce. In this study, we compared the pattern of nighttime urine production in patients with different causes of nocturnal polyuria, which may lead to more personalized treatment options for patients with this condition

Racial Differences in Incident Genitourinary Cancer Cases Captured in the National Cancer Database

Background and Objectives: The National Cancer Database (NCDB) captures nearly 70% of all new cancer diagnoses in the United States, but there exists significant variation in this capture rate based on primary tumor location and other patient demographic factors. Prostate cancer has the lowest coverage rate of all major cancers, and other genitourinary malignancies likewise fall below the average NCDB case coverage rate. We aimed to explore NCDB coverage rates for patients with genitourinary cancers as a function of race. Materials and Methods: We compared the incidence of cancer cases in the NCDB with contemporary United States Cancer Statistics data. Results: Across all malignancies, American Indian/Alaskan Natives subjects demonstrated the lowest capture rates, and Asian/Pacific Islander subjects exhibited the second-lowest capture rates. Between White and Black subjects, capture rates were significantly higher for White subjects overall and for prostate cancer and kidney cancer in White males, but significantly higher for bladder cancer in Black versus White females. No significant differences were observed in coverage rates for kidney cancer in females, bladder cancer in males, penile cancer, or testicular cancer in White versus Black patients. Conclusions: Differential access to Commission on Cancer-accredited treatment facilities for racial minorities with genitourinary cancer constitutes a unique avenue for health equity research

Association between nocturia and frailty among elderly males in a veterans administration population

Background: The relationship between frailty and nocturnal voiding is poorly understood. Aim: To characterize the association between frailty, as defined by a frailty index (FI) based upon the Canadian Study of Health and Aging (CSHA) criteria, and nocturia, defined by measures of nocturnal urine production. Methods: Real-world retrospective analysis of voiding diaries from elderly males with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) at an outpatient urology clinic. Males ≥ 65 years with ≥ 2 nocturnal voids were included. A modified FI was calculated from the LUTS database, which captured 39 variables from the original CSHA FI. Patients were divided into 3 groups by modified FI: low (≤ 0.077) (n = 59), intermediate (> 0.077 and < 0.179) (n = 58), and high (≥ 0.179) (n = 41). Diary parameters were compared using the Kruskal–Wallis test and pairwise comparisons with the Wilcoxon rank-sum test and Bonferroni adjustment. Results: The high frailty group was characterized by higher nocturnal urine volume (NUV), maximum voided volume (MVV), nocturnal maximum voided volume (NMVV), and nocturnal urine production (NUP). The presence of comorbid diabetes mellitus did not explain this effect. Conclusion: Elderly males seeking treatment for LUTS with a high frailty burden are disproportionately affected by excess nocturnal urine production. Future research on the mechanistic relationship between urine production and functional impairment is warranted

Identifying men with global polyuria on a nocturnal‐only voiding diary

Aims Nocturnal polyuria (NP) and global polyuria (GP) are not mutually exclusive. However, by rate, the common criteria for GP (40 mL/kg/24 hours [117 mL/kg/hour in a 70-kg individual] or 3000 mL/24 hours [125 mL/h]) are more stringent than those for NP (90 mL/hour during the sleep period or NP index [NPi; nocturnal volume/24-hour volume] > 0.33 [no minimum rate]). It remains unclear whether total nocturnal urine volume (NUV) may reliably delineate between NP patients with and without comorbid GP. Methods A clinical database of men with lower urinary tract symptoms was searched for voiding diaries completed by patients reporting greater than or equal to 1 nocturnal void(s). Four separate analyses were performed using all combinations of the two NP and two GP criteria listed above. For each analysis, patients were included if they met the criteria for NP, and then stratified by presence or absence of GP (ie, NP + GP vs isolated NP). Results Median NUV was greater among patients with NP + GP for all criteria combinations. Sensitivities greater than or equal to 80%/90%/100% for NP + GP were observed at 1275/1230/1085 mL for {NPi > 0.33 + 24-hour volume > 3000 mL}; 1075/1035/1035 mL for {NPi > 0.33 + 24-hour volume > 40 mL/kg}; 900/745/630 mL for {NUP > 90 mL/hour + 24-hour volume > 3000 mL}; and 1074/1035/990 mL for {NUP > 90 mL/hour + 24-hour volume > 40 mL/kg}. Conclusions An inordinate NUV among men with NP is fairly sensitive for comorbid GP. In the appropriate clinical setting, nocturnal-only diaries may suffice in the evaluation and follow-up of patients with NP, so long as outlying nocturnal volumes prompt a 24-hour diary/urine collection

Sodium restriction improves nocturia in patients at a cardiology clinic

This study aims to determine whether dietary sodium restriction counseling decreases nocturnal voiding frequency in cardiology patients with concomitant nocturia. Patients who had established care at a cardiology clinic from 2015 to 2018 reporting >= 1 average nocturnal void(s) underwent a comprehensive sodium intake interview by their cardiologist, who provided them with individualized strategies for dietary sodium reduction and assessed adherence at follow-up. Average nocturnal voiding frequency and dietary adherence were documented in the medical record. A nocturia database was compiled for retrospective analysis. A total of 74 patients were included. Patients considered to be adherent with dietary sodium restriction at follow-up (n = 56) demonstrated a decrease in median nocturia frequency (2.5 [2.3-3.0] vs 1.0 [1.0-2.0] voids, P < .001). Among nonadherent patients (n = 18), median nocturia frequency did not significantly change from baseline to follow-up (2.0 [1.5-3.8] vs 2.0 [1.5-4.8] voids, P = .423). Median changes were significantly different between the adherent and nonadherent groups (P < .001). Examination of second follow-up available from 37 patients showed a continued effect. In conclusion, adherence with dietary sodium counseling appears to improve nocturia. Accordingly, dietary modification may represent an important adjunct therapy to lifestyle and pharmacologic interventions for decreasing nocturia frequency. Reduction in nocturnal voiding frequency may also reflect an additional benefit of dietary sodium restriction in accordance with best practice standards for cardiovascular disease