Multiparametric MR imaging (T2-weighted MR imaging, MR spectroscopy, dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging) of the prostate at 3 T enables tumor detection, with reasonable sensitivity and specificity values.

Purpose To determine the prostate cancer detection rate of multi-parametric (MP) MRI at 3T. Precise one to one histopathologic correlation with MRI was possible using prostate MRI based custom-printed specimen molds following radical prostatectomy. Materials and methods This IRB approved prospective study included forty-five patients (mean age 60.2 years, range 49–75 years) with a mean PSA of 6.37ng/mL (range 2.3–23.7ng/mL), who had biopsy proven prostate cancer (mean Gleason score of 6.7; range 6 to 9). Prior to prostatectomy, all patients underwent prostate MRI on a 3T scanner which included tri-plane T2 weighted MRI, apparent diffusion coefficient maps of diffusion weighted MRI, dynamic contrast enhanced MRI, and spectroscopy.. The prostate specimen was whole mount sectioned in the mold allowing geometric alignment to MRI. Tumors were mapped on MRI and histopathology.. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of MRI for cancer detection were calculated. Additionally, the effects of tumor size and Gleason score on sensitivity of MP-MRI were evaluated. Results PPV of MP-MRI to detect prostate cancer was 98%, 98%, and 100% in overall prostate, peripheral zone, and central gland, respectively. Sensitivities of MRI sequences were higher for tumors >5mm in diameter, as well as for tumors with higher Gleason scores (>7) (p<0.05). Conclusion Prostate MRI at 3T allows for the detection of prostate cancer. A multi-parametric approach increases the predictive power of MRI for diagnosis. In this study, accurate correlation between MP-MRI and histopathology was obtained by the patient specific MRI-based mold technique.

Angiogenesis is an essential step in the repair process that occurs after injury. In this study, we investigated whether the angiogenic thymic peptide thymosin beta4 (Tbeta4) enhanced wound healing in a rat full thickness wound model. Addition of Tbeta4 topically or intraperitoneally increased reepithelialization by 42% over saline controls at 4 d and by as much as 61% at 7 d post-wounding. Treated wounds also contracted at least 11% more than controls by day 7. Increased collagen deposition and angiogenesis were observed in the treated wounds. We also found that Tbeta4 stimulated keratinocyte migration in the Boyden chamber assay. After 4-5 h, migration was stimulated 2-3-fold over migration with medium alone when as little as 10 pg of Tbeta4 was added to the assay. These results suggest that Tbeta4 is a potent wound healing factor with multiple activities that may be useful in the clinic.

Tissue repair and wound healing are complex processes that involve inflammation, granulation and tissue remodeling. Interactions of different cells, extracellular matrix proteins and their receptors are involved in wound healing, and are mediated by cytokines and growth factors. Previous studies from our laboratory have shown that curcumin (diferuloylmethane), a natural product obtained from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa, enhanced cutaneous wound healing in rats and guinea pigs. In this study, we have evaluated the efficacy of curcumin treatment by oral and topical applications on impaired wound healing in diabetic rats and genetically diabetic mice using a full thickness cutaneous punch wound model. Wounds of animals treated with curcumin showed earlier re-epithelialization, improved neovascularization, increased migration of various cells including dermal myofibroblasts, fibroblasts, and macrophages into the wound bed, and a higher collagen content. Immunohistochemical localization showed an increase in transforming growth factor-beta1 in curcumin-treated wounds compared to controls. Enhanced transforming growth factor-beta1 mRNA expression in treated wounds was confirmed by in situ hybridization, and laser scan cytometry. A delay in the apoptosis patterns was seen in diabetic wounds compared to curcumin treated wounds as shown by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridyl triphosphate nick end labeling analysis. Curcumin was effective both orally and topically. These results show that curcumin enhanced wound repair in diabetic impaired healing, and could be developed as a pharmacological agent in such clinical settings.