Vegetation height products between 60° S and 60° N from ICESat GLAS data.

We present new coarse resolution (0.5� ×0.5�)vegetation height and vegetation-cover fraction data sets between 60� S and 60� N for use in climate models and ecological models. The data sets are derived from 2003–2009 measurements collected by the Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS) on the Ice, Cloud and land Elevation Satellite (ICESat), the only LiDAR instrument that provides close to global coverage. Initial vegetation height is calculated from GLAS data using a development of the model of Rosette et al. (2008) with further calibration on desert sites. Filters are developed to identify and eliminate spurious observations in the GLAS data, e.g. data that are affected by clouds, atmosphere and terrain and as such result in erroneous estimates of vegetation height or vegetation cover. Filtered GLAS vegetation height estimates are aggregated in histograms from 0 to 70m in 0.5m intervals for each 0.5�×0.5�. The GLAS vegetation height product is evaluated in four ways. Firstly, the Vegetation height data and data filters are evaluated using aircraft LiDAR measurements of the same for ten sites in the Americas, Europe, and Australia. Application of filters to the GLAS vegetation height estimates increases the correlation with aircraft data from r =0.33 to r =0.78, decreases the root-mean-square error by a factor 3 to about 6m (RMSE) or 4.5m (68% error distribution) and decreases the bias from 5.7m to −1.3 m. Secondly, the global aggregated GLAS vegetation height product is tested for sensitivity towards the choice of data quality filters; areas with frequent cloud cover and areas with steep terrain are the most sensitive to the choice of thresholds for the filters. The changes in height estimates by applying different filters are, for the main part, smaller than the overall uncertainty of 4.5–6m established from the site measurements. Thirdly, the GLAS global vegetation height product is compared with a global vegetation height product typically used in a climate model, a recent global tree height product, and a vegetation greenness product and is shown to produce realistic estimates of vegetation height. Finally, the GLAS bare soil cover fraction is compared globally with the MODIS bare soil fraction (r = 0.65) and with bare soil cover fraction estimates derived from AVHRR NDVI data (r =0.67); the GLAS treecover fraction is compared with the MODIS tree-cover fraction (r =0.79). The evaluation indicates that filters applied to the GLAS data are conservative and eliminate a large proportion of spurious data, while only in a minority of cases at the cost of removing reliable data as well. The new GLAS vegetation height product appears more realistic than previous data sets used in climate models and ecological models and hence should significantly improve simulations that involve the land surface

Diagnostiek van prostaatkanker bij mictieklachten in de urologische praktijk: huidige stand van zaken en toekomstige ontwikkelingen

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Drug Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and Hospital Admission for BPH-Related Surgery

Objective: To investigate whether there is a difference in the risk of progressing to BPH-related prostatic surgery between patients using alpha-blockers and patients using the 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs). Methods: A population-based cohort study was conducted, using data from the PHARMO Record Linkage System. We identified 5671 patients (greater than or equal to50 years old, no history of using both alpha-Mockers and 5-ARIs, more than one year of database history prior to the first date of BPH drug-dispensing), who filled at least one prescription for either alpha-blockers (alfuzosin, tamsulosin, terazosin) or 5-ARIs (finasteride). The incidence of BPH-related surgery was compared between patients treated with alpha-blockers and patients treated with 5-ARIs. Results: The cumulative incidence of BPH-related prostatic surgery was 15.2% and mainly involved transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) (13.4%). Patients using alpha-Mockers had a significantly increased risk of BPH-related prostatic surgery compared to patients using 5-ARIs, which remained after adjusting for age, calendar time, type of prescriber and chronic disease score (adjusted HR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.24-1.88). The difference between alpha-blockers and 5-ARIs was sustained after stratification of time period ( <1995, greater than or equal to1995) and exclusion of patients with prostatic surgery within one month of treatment initiation. Conclusions: It is concluded that alpha-Mocker treated patients had a higher risk of BPH-related surgery compared to 5-ARI treated patients. Additional research on the long-term outcomes and risk factors for the natural progression of BPH is necessary to identify the optimal medical treatment for BPH patients according to their baseline characteristics. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserve

Vascular fluorscene casting and imaging cryomicrotomy for computerized three-dimensional renal arterial reconstruction

OBJECTIVE To assess the combined use of a casting technique, cryomicrotomy imaging, and three-dimensional (3D) computer analysis as a method for visualizing and reconstructing the arterial vascular tree in a porcine renal model. MATERIAL AND METHODS The arterial branches of two porcine kidneys were filled with a fluorescent cast, after which they were cut into slices of 50 µm in an imaging cryomicrotome. From each section, digital images of the cutting plane of the sample were taken and stored in the computer, after which stacks of images were rendered in 3D. RESULTS A 3D computerized reconstruction of the arterial vascular tree was constructed and showed the complete arterial anatomy up to arterioles of 50 µm. CONCLUSION With visualization by fluorescence imaging cryomicrotomy, the anatomical and 3D reconstruction of the renal arterial blood supply in a pig kidney is possible up to a resolution of 50 µm

Branching activity in the human prostate: a closer look at the structure of small glandular buds.

Item does not contain fulltextOBJECTIVE: Knowledge regarding cell biologic characteristics of small solid glandular buds in the prostate and their relationship with branching activity in the human prostate is still fragmentary. Our object was to demonstrate, on the basis of immunophenotype, loci that harbor the potential for branching activity within the adult human prostate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Semiserial sectioning was performed on 13 adult prostates in an effort to identify structures in the prostate that could be considered foci of growth. Selected slides were stained with biomarkers for basal/luminal cells (keratins), proliferation (MIB-1), apoptosis inhibitor (bcl-2), intercellular adhesion (E-cadherin), and stromal-epithelial interactions (tenascin-C). Results were compared with fetal and prepubertal human prostates and microdissected rat prostates. RESULTS: Five histologic epithelial structures were identified in 19 paraffin blocks, which on serial sectioning showed morphologic transitions with a common pattern, consisting of reduction in number and caliber of acini until small solid buds of epithelial cells were reached. Immunophenotypically, the small solid glandular buds had a basal-cell keratin phenotype, expression of bcl-2 in virtually all cells, high proliferative activity, prominent intracellular localization of E-cadherin, and enhanced periglandular tenascin-C immunoreactivity. The budding tips in fetal and prepubertal prostates revealed an immunostaining pattern identical to the small solid glandular buds in the adult, but different to the rat prostate. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that dispersed small solid glandular buds have a capacity for growth, and as such may be considered foci of resumed reawakening branching activity with in the adult human prostate

Identification of intermediate cell types by keratin expression in the developing of human prostate

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Cell kinetics of prostate exocrine and neuroendocrine epithelium and their differential interrelationship: new perspectives

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Long-term functional and urodynamic results of 50 patients receiving a modified sigmoid neobladder created with a short distal segment

PURPOSE: We assessed the long-term functional and urodynamic outcomes of a modified sigmoid neobladder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 50 patients received a sigmoid neobladder with a short distal segment after radical cystoprostatectomy. Patients were followed at 3-month intervals the first year and every 6 months thereafter. Continence and voiding patterns were assessed using questionnaires and interview. The International Continence Society classification was used after 1996. Urodynamic assessment was performed 3 times during followup. RESULTS: Mean sigmoid segment length +/- SD was 18 cm (+/- 2.8). Mean followup was 38 months (+/- 24.8). Ureter stricture and reflux were present in 8% and 17% of the reimplanted units, respectively. Mean creatinine serum levels did not change after surgery and remained stable during followup. At 2 years 89% of the patients were continent in the daytime and 90% had good or satisfactory daytime continence according to the International Continence Society classification. At 3 years 77% of the patients voided every 3 or 4 hours during the day. Nighttime continence was poor. Only 10% of the patients complied with an alarm program. Mean maximal capacity of the reservoir was 300 ml and remained stable during followup. Mean intrareservoir pressure at maximal capacity decreased from 61 to 51 cm H2O from the first to the third urodynamic evaluation. No patient required clean intermittent catheterization CONCLUSIONS: This modified sigmoid neobladder offers good daytime continence with low post-void residual and adequate daytime micturition frequency. Nighttime continence is poor. The presence of high intrareservoir pressures did not impair renal functio