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The ALSYMPCA study established a 3.6 month Overall Survival (OS) benefit in metastatic Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer (mCRPC) patients treated with Radium‐223 dichloride (Ra‐223) over placebo. Here we report clinical outcomes of Ra‐223 treatment in a nonstudy population. In this prospective registry, patients from 20 Dutch hospitals were included prior to Ra‐223 treatment. Clinical parameters collected included previous treatments and Adverse Events. Primary outcome was 6 months Symptomatic Skeletal Event (SSE)‐free survival, while secondary outcomes included Progression‐Free Survival (PFS) and Overall Survival (OS). Of the 305 patients included, 300 were evaluable. The mean age was 73.6 years, 90% had ≥6 bone metastases and 74.1% were pretreated with Docetaxel, 19.5% with Cabazitaxel and 80.5% with Abiraterone and/or Enzalutamide. Of all patients, 96.7% were treated with Ra‐223 and received a median of 5 cycles. After a median follow‐up of 13.2 months, 6 months SSE‐free survival rate was 83%, median PFS was 5.1 months and median OS was 15.2 months. Six months SSE‐free survival rate and OS were comparable with those reported in ALSYMPCA. "Previous Cabazitaxel treatment" and "bone‐only metastases" were independent predictors of a shorter and longer PFS, respectively, while above‐median LDH and "bone‐only metastases" were independent predictors of shorter and longer OS, respectively. Toxicity was similar as reported in the ALSYMPCA trial. These results suggest that in a nonstudy population, Ra‐223 treatment is well‐tolerated, equally effective as in the ALSYMPCA population and that patients not previously treated with Cabazitaxel benefit most from Ra‐223. What's new? The ALSYMCA phase III trial reported a survival benefit from Radium‐223 treatment in patients with metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). These patients, however, were not treated previously with newer life‐prolonging drugs, raising questions about whether the ALSYMCA population reflects current populations of mCRPC patients. In this prospective study, men with mCRPC who were pretreated with newer generation drugs prior to receiving Radium‐223 experienced improvements in disease‐free and overall survival that were comparable to those reported in the ALSYMPCA study. Prior treatment with cabazitaxel independently predicted shorter progression‐free survival. The findings suggest that, overall, Radium‐233 is effective in men with mCRPC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT This study examines the trends in reference evapotranspiration ( ETo) in Turkey by analysing data from 77 weather stations for a 32-year period (1975-2006). ETo values were calculated using the Penman-Monteith method using air temperature, wind speed, relative humidity, and sunshine hours data. Trends in annual and monthly ETo were determined using the Mann-Kendall trend test with the trend-free prewhitening procedure. The magnitude of trends was estimated by calculating the Sen's slope. The collective or field significance of the trends was evaluated using Walker test. The possible causes of changes in ETo were discussed by analysing the trends in air temperature, wind speed, relative humidity, and solar radiation data collected at the same stations. The implications of ETo trends for crop water requirements were evaluated. The analyses showed that the majority of stations (88%) in Turkey had annual ETo between 750 and 1200 mm during the 32-year period and ETo decreased gradually from south to north. From 1975 to 2006, 58% of stations had upward trends in annual ETo. Upward trends were statistically significant at the 0.05 level for 32% of stations. The rates of changes in annual ETo were on average 1.20 mm year−2. The trends detected in monthly ETo were mostly upward with an average magnitude between −0.01 and 0.14 mm month year−1. Trends detected at the annual timescale and for the majority of the months provided the field significance at the 0.05 level. Analysis of other climatic data showed that upward trends in air temperatures, downward trends in wind speeds, and downward trends in relative humidity were widespread over Turkey for the same time period. Changes in these three parameters could explain the majority of the changes in ETo rates. The ETo changes affect crop water requirements and increase the demand for irrigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT This study examines the spatial and temporal dynamics of wind speeds over Turkey by analysing data from 206 weather stations for a 32-year period (1975-2006). Trends in annual, seasonal, and monthly average wind speeds were determined using the Mann-Kendall trend test with the trend-free pre-whitening procedure. The strengths of trends were estimated by calculating the Sen's slope. The possible causes of wind speed changes were discussed. The analysis showed that the majority of the stations (73%) in Turkey had average wind speeds between 1.6 and 3.3 m s−1 during the 32-year period. From 1975 to 2006, 72% of stations had downward trends in annual average wind speeds. Downward trends were statistically significant at the 0.05 level for 62%. Significant upward trends were detected in only 16% of 206 stations. The rate of change in annual average wind speed data was on average −0.014 m s−1 year−1. The trends detected in monthly average wind speed data were mostly downward with an average strength between −0.007 and −0.017 m s−1 year−1. The directions and strengths of wind speed trends identified for the 1975-2006 period over Turkey are similar to the trends detected in wind speeds in many other regions over the earth. The changes in wind speeds in Turkey are most strongly related with the changes in general circulation patterns and air temperatures. The effects associated with changes in surface roughness and data quality are minor compared to other two factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]