bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk model based on MRI fusion biopsy characteristics predicts biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy
Authors: Chen Zhihao , Wu Jianhong , Sun Kening , He Yijun , Zhu Zhenfang , Xiao Li , Sheng Lu
Published: January 2022

Background

To determine the prostate cancer biochemical recurrence‐related fusion biopsy characteristics before radical surgery and to establish the risk prediction model of biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer.

Methods

Three hundred and four patients undergoing radical surgery for prostate cancer at Huadong Hospital affiliated to Fudan University between 2009 and 2020 for preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before biopsy with suspicious prostate cancer lesions. Each case was followed by a 10 + x needle combination of targeted biopsy (intentional or robotic fusion) with systematic biopsy. Prostate‐specific antigen levels were measured at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively, followed by reexamination every 6 months. Survival analysis was performed by the Kaplan–Meier method, univariate and multivariate analysis by Cox, and Logistic risk regression models.

Results

Higher Prostate Imaging Reporting And Data System (PI‐RADS) scores (p < 0.001), suspicious extracapsular invasion (p < 0.001), and seminal vesicle invasion (p < 0.001) on MRI, the largest lesion diameter on MRI (p = 0.006), higher biopsy International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grade group (p < 0.001) related to higher biochemical recurrence rates, higher pathological staging (p < 0.001), and a greater probability of local lymph node metastasis (p < 0.001). We accurately predicted the biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer after radical surgery based on preoperative features including the long diameter of the largest MRI lesion more than 23 mm, seminal vesicle invasion on MRI, and targeted fusion biopsy ISUP grade >3 Risk stratified classification (AUC = 0.729, p < 0.001). In our cohort, this risk stratification had a larger area under the curve than predictive models based only on magnetic resonance parameters and traditional risk scores.

Conclusions

In this cohort, seminal vesicle invasion on MRI, the long diameter of the largest MRI lesion, and targeted fusion biopsy ISUP grade grope are significantly predictive of pathologic features and biochemical recurrence after prostate surgery. The risk stratification integrating the three parameters could better predict the biochemical recurrence than the traditional model.
Dockground scoring benchmarks for protein docking
Authors: Kotthoff Ian , Kundrotas Petras J. , Vakser Ilya A.
Published: January 2022

Protein docking protocols typically involve global docking scan, followed by re‐ranking of the scan predictions by more accurate scoring functions that are either computationally too expensive or algorithmically impossible to include in the global scan. Development and validation of scoring methodologies are often performed on scoring benchmark sets (docking decoys) which offer concise and nonredundant representation of the global docking scan output for a large and diverse set of protein–protein complexes. Two such protein–protein scoring benchmarks were built for the Dockground resource, which contains various datasets for the development and testing of protein docking methodologies. One set was generated based on the Dockground unbound docking benchmark 4, and the other based on protein models from the Dockground model–model benchmark 2. The docking decoys were designed to reflect the reality of the real‐case docking applications (e.g., correct docking predictions defined as near‐native rather than native structures), and to minimize applicability of approaches not directly related to the development of scoring functions (reducing clustering of predictions in the binding funnel and disparity in structural quality of the near‐native and nonnative matches). The sets were further characterized by the source organism and the function of the protein–protein complexes. The sets, freely available to the research community on the Dockground webpage, present a unique, user‐friendly resource for the developing and testing of protein–protein scoring approaches.
Synthesis of [1‐8‐NαC]‐zanriorb A1, alanine‐containing analogues, and their cytotoxic and anti‐inflammatory activity
Authors: Nadeem‐ul‐Haque Muhammad , Bashir Anila , Karim Humira , Khan Sadiq Noor , Shah Zafar Ali , Jabeen Almas , Qayyum Shaista , Ganesan A. , Choudhary M. Iqbal , Shaheen Farzana
Published: January 2022

The synthesis of the orbitide[1‐8‐NαC]‐zanriorb A1, isolated from the medicinal plant Zanthoxylum riedelianum, was investigated by solution‐phase macrocyclization of a linear peptide and on‐resin solid‐phase macrocyclization with an acylsulfonamide safety‐catch linker. The solution‐phase route produced a mixture of proline rotamers, and the main component was assigned as the trans, cis rotamer, identical to the natural product. The on‐resin cyclization was less successful, producing mainly a linear peptide, and minor cyclic products as rotameric mixtures. Although the natural product was reported to be significantly cytotoxic against Jurkat leukemia T cells, our synthetic peptides were inactive, suggesting the presence of other rotamers or impurities in the naturally isolated material. Additional analogues of zanriorb A1 were synthesized in which proline and glycine residues were replaced with alanine. While these analogues were not cytotoxic, several of them inhibited the production of nitric oxide in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐stimulated macrophages. The most active compound, cyclic[Ala5,6,8]‐zanriorb A1 had an IC50 of 22 μM and was more potent compared with the standard NG‐monomethyl‐l‐arginine acetate (L‐NMMA) with an IC50 of 98 μM, indicating their strong anti‐inflammatory potential.
Conditional or unconditional logistic regression for frequency matched case‐control design?
Authors: Wan Fei
Published: January 2022

Frequency matching is commonly used in epidemiological case control studies to balance the distributions of the matching factors between the case and control groups and to improve the efficiency of case‐control designs. Applied researchers have held a common opinion that unconditional logistic regression should be used to analyze frequency matched designs and conditional logistic regression is unnecessary. However, the justification of this view is unclear. To compare the performances of ULR and CLR in terms of simplicity, unbiasedness, and efficiency in a more intuitive way, we viewed frequency matching from the perspective of weighted sampling and derived the outcome models describing how the exposure and matching factors are associated with the outcome in the matched data separately in two scenarios: (1) only categorical variables are used for matching; (2) continuous variables are categorized for matching. In either scenario the derived outcome model is a logit model with stratum‐specific intercepts. Correctly specified unconditional logistic regression can be more efficient than conditional logistic regression, particularly when continuous matching factors are used, whereas conditional logistic regression is a more practical approach because it is less dependent on modeling choices.
Robust nonparametric integrative analysis to decipher heterogeneity and commonality across subgroups using sparse boosting
Authors: Li Zihan , Luo Ziye , Sun Yifan
Published: January 2022

In many biomedical problems, data are often heterogeneous, with samples spanning multiple patient subgroups, where different subgroups may have different disease subtypes, stages, or other medical contexts. These subgroups may be related, but they are also expected to have differences with respect to the underlying biology. The heterogeneous data presents a precious opportunity to explore the heterogeneities and commonalities between related subgroups. Unfortunately, effective statistical analysis methods are still lacking. Recently, several novel methods based on integrative analysis have been proposed to tackle this challenging problem. Despite promising results, the existing studies are still limited by ignoring data contamination and making strict assumptions of linear effects of covariates on response. As such, we develop a robust nonparametric integrative analysis approach to identify heterogeneity and commonality, as well as select important covariates and estimate covariate effects. Possible data contamination is accommodated by adopting the Cauchy loss function, and a nonparametric model is built to accommodate nonlinear effects. The proposed approach is based on a sparse boosting technique. The advantages of the proposed approach are demonstrated in extensive simulations. The analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas data on glioblastoma multiforme and lung adenocarcinoma shows that the proposed approach makes biologically meaningful findings with satisfactory prediction.
Conversion of Biowaste into Larnite by Sol‐Gel Combustion Route for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Vijayakumar Naveensubramaniam , Venkatraman Senthil Kumar , Choudhary Rajan , Indurkar Abhishek , Chatterjee Ankita , Abraham Jayanti , Ostrovskiy Sergey , Senatov Fedor , Locs Janis , Swamiappan Sasikumar
Published: January 2022

The conversion of waste product into a valuable material can significantly reduce the environmental pollution. In present study, eggshell waste was utilized to synthesize larnite (Ca2SiO4) at 850 °C via sol‐gel assisted combustion method. TG/DSC, FT‐IR, XRD and SEM/EDX were utilized to characterize the larnite sample. The biomineralization study clearly indicates that larnite has the ability to induce apatite formation on its surface within 3 days, after immersion in the simulated body fluid medium. According to the microscopic investigation, spherical beads like morphology confirmed the apatite deposition on the surface of larnite scaffold. Also, larnite showed significant resistance against the growth of clinical pathogens at a low concentration of 2 mg/mL. The observations suggest that larnite could be used as a coating material over the inert orthopaedic implants in the field of biomedical applications.
Fairness concerns and job assignment to positions with different surplus
Authors: Danková Katarína , Morita Hodaka , Servátka Maroš , Zhang Le
Published: January 2022

How does job assignment to positions with different surplus affect fairness concerns? We experimentally examine agents' fairness concerns in a three‐person ultimatum game in which all agents are asked to complete a general knowledge quiz before being assigned to a high‐stake or low‐stake position. We disentangle two possible channels through which job assignment impacts fairness concerns, wage differences, and the principal's intentions, by comparing cases in which the job assignment is determined randomly or by the principal. The knowledge quiz, which mimics performance evaluation, signifies the distinction between the two cases as it provides a basis on which the principal can make the assignment decision. We find that the principal's intentions significantly impact fairness concerns of the agents assigned to the low‐stake position, but wage differences themselves do not. We elaborate on managerial implications of our findings.
Analysis of the organization, management and operation of Blantyre Water Board in Malawi: Future reforms and perspectives
Authors: Song Chen
Published: January 2022

The Blantyre Water Board (BWB) is a water management organization located in Malawi, south‐central Africa. The water board's backward operation mode, combined with the growth of local public utilities, has placed it in a difficult position to face difficult challenges at the country level. The main aim of this paper is to examine the organizational structure, management, and operation mode of BWB, as well as the issues that require further investigation. Additionally, options are discussed to predict the factors that will affect water services and changes in water demand over the next few years, using certain benchmarking criteria and assumptions. After taking into consideration the current situation and the newly acquired knowledge, it has become necessary to reform the BWB. It is proposed in this paper that reform initiatives should be implemented in the water services sector, within organizations, and between organizations in Blantyre, with the goal of assisting in the development of water company operations to make them more suitable and sustainable to meet the needs of modern life, particularly for residents of low‐income areas (LIAs) in the country.
Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of waste management with circular economy principles in developing countries: A systematic review
Authors: Wikurendra Edza Aria , Ferto Imre , Nagy Imre , Nurika Globila
Published: January 2022

The waste management problem is still one of the focus areas that need to be addressed in developing countries. In order to overcome the problem, circular economy is potentially be applied, circular economy can be applied. Circular economy is an offered alternative to the traditional linear economy (make, use, dispose of). Economic actors keep resources in use as long as possible, derive maximum value from use, then create and regenerate products and materials at the end of each service life. Circular economy, as a system that will be implemented in developing countries, should consider a number of internal and external elements in order to decide the best approach for the implementation. Therefore, this research aims to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of waste management with circular economy principles in developing countries. A systematic review is used in this study on published 26 articles on waste management with circular economy principles, especially in developing countries. The result shows that many developing countries do not apply circular economy ideas in dealing with waste management problem. This study concludes that the circular economy brings a new approach to waste management and an incentive for future research that has great strengths and opportunities but also requires efforts to control the shortcomings and threats that are also posed in the implementation of this circular economy.
Mapping Global Population Exposure to Heatwaves
Authors: Han Qinmei , Xu Wei , Shi Peijun
Published: January 2022

Global warming has become a severe problem worldwide, where the average global temperature has steadily increased over recent decades, accompanied by the abnormally hot weather (IPCC 2013). Since the 1950s, heatwave events have increased in frequency, intensity, and duration and their impact on human health will also increase under enhanced global warming (Perkins-Kirkpatrick and Lewis 2020). Heatwaves have become one of the most serious climate events in the world. Thousands of people have died from exposing to heatwaves in recent years, for instance, the European heatwave of 2003 induced more than 70,000 additional deaths (Robine et al. 2008). Heat-related mortality and morbidity are not only attributed to natural hazards resulting from climate change (Seneviratne et al. 2012). Both climatic factors and socioeconomic factors such as population change and vulnerability of people exposed to heatwaves have impact on the number of deaths caused by heatwaves. Thus, a comprehensive and quantitative assessment of heatwave exposure is conducive to taking targeted measures to reduce the risk in hotspot regions of the world.
Zyxin protects from hypertension-induced cardiac dysfunction
Authors: Al-Hasani Jaafar , Sens-Albert Carla , Ghosh Subhajit , Trogisch Felix A. , Nahar Taslima , Friede Prisca A. P. , Reil Jan-Christian , Hecker Markus
Published: January 2022

Arterial hypertension causes left ventricular hypertrophy leading to dilated cardiomyopathy. Following compensatory cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, cardiac dysfunction develops due to loss of cardiomyocytes preceded or paralleled by cardiac fibrosis. Zyxin acts as a mechanotransducer in vascular cells that may promote cardiomyocyte survival. Here, we analyzed cardiac function during experimental hypertension in zyxin knockout (KO) mice. In zyxin KO mice, made hypertensive by way of deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt treatment telemetry recording showed an attenuated rise in systolic blood pressure. Echocardiography indicated a systolic dysfunction, and isolated working heart measurements showed a decrease in systolic elastance. Hearts from hypertensive zyxin KO mice revealed increased apoptosis, fibrosis and an upregulation of active focal adhesion kinase as well as of integrins α5 and β1. Both interstitial and perivascular fibrosis were even more pronounced in zyxin KO mice exposed to angiotensin II instead of DOCA-salt. Stretched microvascular endothelial cells may release collagen 1α2 and TGF-β, which is characteristic for the transition to an intermediate mesenchymal phenotype, and thus spur the transformation of cardiac fibroblasts to myofibroblasts resulting in excessive scar tissue formation in the heart of hypertensive zyxin KO mice. While zyxin KO mice per se do not reveal a cardiac phenotype, this is unmasked upon induction of hypertension and owing to enhanced cardiomyocyte apoptosis and excessive fibrosis causes cardiac dysfunction. Zyxin may thus be important for the maintenance of cardiac function in spite of hypertension.
JAM-A interacts with α3β1 integrin and tetraspanins CD151 and CD9 to regulate collective cell migration of polarized epithelial cells
Authors: Thölmann Sonja , Seebach Jochen , Otani Tetsuhisa , Florin Luise , Schnittler Hans , Gerke Volker , Furuse Mikio , Ebnet Klaus
Published: January 2022

Junctional adhesion molecule (JAM)-A is a cell adhesion receptor localized at epithelial cell–cell contacts with enrichment at the tight junctions. Its role during cell–cell contact formation and epithelial barrier formation has intensively been studied. In contrast, its role during collective cell migration is largely unexplored. Here, we show that JAM-A regulates collective cell migration of polarized epithelial cells. Depletion of JAM-A in MDCK cells enhances the motility of singly migrating cells but reduces cell motility of cells embedded in a collective by impairing the dynamics of cryptic lamellipodia formation. This activity of JAM-A is observed in cells grown on laminin and collagen-I but not on fibronectin or vitronectin. Accordingly, we find that JAM-A exists in a complex with the laminin- and collagen-I-binding α3β1 integrin. We also find that JAM-A interacts with tetraspanins CD151 and CD9, which both interact with α3β1 integrin and regulate α3β1 integrin activity in different contexts. Mapping experiments indicate that JAM-A associates with α3β1 integrin and tetraspanins CD151 and CD9 through its extracellular domain. Similar to depletion of JAM-A, depletion of either α3β1 integrin or tetraspanins CD151 and CD9 in MDCK cells slows down collective cell migration. Our findings suggest that JAM-A exists with α3β1 integrin and tetraspanins CD151 and CD9 in a functional complex to regulate collective cell migration of polarized epithelial cells.
The value of metabolic parameters and textural analysis in predicting prognosis in locally advanced cervical cancer treated with chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Pedraza Sara , Seiffert Alexander P. , Sarandeses Pilar , Muñoz-Lopez Beatriz , Gómez Enrique J. , Sánchez-González Patricia , Pérez-Regadera José F.
Published: January 2022

Objective

The aim of the study was to assess the impact of clinical and metabolic parameters derived from 18F-FDG PET/CT (positron emission tomography–computed tomography) in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) on prognosis.

Methods

Patients with LACC of stage IB2-IVA treated by primary radiochemotherapy followed by brachytherapy were enrolled in this retrospective study. Indexes derived from standardized uptake value (SUV), metabolic tumor volume (MTV), total lesion glycolysis (TLG), and textural features of the primary tumor were measured for each patient. Overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates were calculated according to Kaplan–Meier and survival curves were compared using the log-rank test. Uni- and multivariate analyses were performed using the Cox regression model.

Results

A total of 116 patients were included. Median follow-up was 58 months (range: 1–129). A total of 36 (31%) patients died. Five-year OS and RFS rates were 69 and 60%, respectively. Univariate analyses indicated that FIGO stage, the presence of hydronephrosis, high CYFRA 21.1 levels, and textural features had a significant impact on OS and RFS. MTV as well as SCC-Ag concentration were also significantly associated with OS. On multivariate analysis, the presence of hydronephrosis, CYFRA 21.1, and sphericity were independent prognostics factors for OS and RFS. Also, SCC-Ag level, MTV, and GLZLM (gray-level zone length matrix) ZLNU (zone length non-uniformity) were significantly associated with OS.

Conclusion

Classical prognostic factors and tumor heterogeneity on pretreatment PET/CT were significantly associated with prognosis in patients with LACC.
Positionspapier der Initiative Chronische Wunde (ICW) e. V. zur Nomenklatur des Débridements chronischer Wunden
Authors: Dissemond Joachim , Bültemann Anke , Gerber Veronika , Motzkus Martin , Münter Karl Christian , Erfurt-Berge Cornelia
Published: January 2022

Die heute in der Wundbehandlung verwendete Nomenklatur ist interdisziplinär und interprofessionell sehr unterschiedlich. Daher ist es ein Anliegen der Fachgesellschaft Initiative Chronische Wunde (ICW) e. V. bislang unklare Begriffe eindeutig und nachvollziehbar zu beschreiben. Von den Experten der ICW wurde daher in einem Konsensusverfahren als Débridement chronischer Wunden die Entfernung von anhaftendem, abgestorbenem Gewebe, Krusten oder Fremdkörpern aus Wunden bezeichnet. Hierfür gibt es verschiedene Therapieoptionen, die als autolytisches, biochirurgisches, mechanisches, osmotisches, proteolytisches/enzymatisches und technisches Débridement unterschieden werden können. Bei dem chirurgischen Débridement wird zudem zwischen meist ambulant durchführbaren scharfen Débridements wie beispielsweise kleineren chirurgischen Eingriffen und chirurgischen Débridements mit adäquater Anästhesie in einem Operationssaal differenziert. Als Wundspülung wird von der ICW die Entfernung von nicht haftenden Bestandteilen auf Wunden mit sterilen Lösungen bezeichnet.

Débridement und/oder Wundspülung sind oft der erste Schritt einer phasengerechten modernen Wundbehandlung. Mehrere Methoden eignen sich für die Anwendung einer kombinierten oder sukzessiven Therapie. Bei der Entscheidung, welche therapeutische Option hierbei zum Einsatz kommt, sollte eine Vielzahl individuell unterschiedlicher Faktoren in Abhängigkeit von den zu behandelnden Patienten, aber auch von den Therapeuten berücksichtigt werden. Die letztendliche individuelle Entscheidung für eine Methode sollte jeweils gemeinsam mit den Patienten getroffen und anschließend adäquat dokumentiert werden.
Pott’s puffy tumor: a need for interdisciplinary diagnosis and treatment
Authors: Kühn Jan Philipp , Linsler Stefan , Nourkami-Tutdibi Nasenien , Meyer Sascha , Becker Sören L. , Yilmaz Umut , Schick Bernhard , Bozzato Alessandro , Kulas Philipp
Published: January 2022

Pott’s puffy tumor (PPT) is an infection of the frontal sinus with subperiosteal and intracranial abscess formation and one of the rare entities in pediatrics. We present a series of four cases of PPT that occurred in two children (6 and 9 years) and in two young adults (17 and 19 years). All patients were treated by an interdisciplinary team of pediatric, neurosurgical, ENT, radiological, and neuroradiological specialists. Antibiotic treatment was combined with single endoscopic surgery in one case and combined endoscopic sinus surgery with an open transcranial approach to drain intracranial abscess formation in three cases. It is important to be aware that PPT occurs in children with the finding of intracranial abscess formation. Therefore, a close interdisciplinary cooperation for successful treatment is needed in this rare disease.
Machine learning for geochemical exploration: classifying metallogenic fertility in arc magmas and insights into porphyry copper deposit formation
Authors: Nathwani Chetan L. , Wilkinson Jamie J. , Fry George , Armstrong Robin N. , Smith Daniel J. , Ihlenfeld Christian
Published: January 2022

A current mineral exploration focus is the development of tools to identify magmatic districts predisposed to host porphyry copper deposits. In this paper, we train and test four, common, supervised machine learning algorithms: logistic regression, support vector machines, artificial neural networks (ANN) and Random Forest to classify metallogenic ‘fertility’ in arc magmas based on whole-rock geochemistry. We outline pre-processing steps that can be used to mitigate against the undesirable characteristics of geochemical data (high multicollinearity, sparsity, missing values, class imbalance and compositional data effects) and therefore produce more meaningful results. We evaluate the classification accuracy of each supervised machine learning technique using a tenfold cross-validation technique and by testing the models on deposits unseen during the training process. This yields 81–83% accuracy for all classifiers, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves have mean area under curve (AUC) scores of 87–89% indicating the probability of ranking a ‘fertile’ rock higher than an ‘unfertile’ rock. By contrast, bivariate classification schemes show much lower performance, demonstrating the value of classifying geochemical data in high dimension space. Principal component analysis suggests that porphyry-fertile magmas fractionate deep in the arc crust, and that calc-alkaline magmas associated with Cu-rich porphyries evolve deeper in the crust than more alkaline magmas linked with Au-rich porphyries. Feature analysis of the machine learning classifiers suggests that the most important parameters associated with fertile magmas are low Mn, high Al, high Sr, high K and listric REE patterns. These signatures further highlight the association of porphyry Cu deposits with hydrous arc magmas that undergo amphibole fractionation in the deep arc crust.
Chronic mild stress paradigm as a rat model of depression: facts, artifacts, and future perspectives
Authors: Strekalova Tatyana , Liu Yanzhi , Kiselev Daniel , Khairuddin Sharafuddin , Chiu Jennifer Lok Yu , Lam Justin , Chan Ying-Shing , Pavlov Dmitrii , Proshin Andrey , Lesch Klaus-Peter , Anthony Daniel C. , Lim Lee Wei
Published: January 2022

Rationale

The chronic mild stress (CMS) paradigm was first described almost 40 years ago and has become a widely used model in the search for antidepressant drugs for major depression disorder (MDD). It has resulted in the publication of almost 1700 studies in rats alone. Under the original CMS procedure, the expression of an anhedonic response, a key symptom of depression, was seen as an essential feature of both the model and a depressive state. The prolonged exposure of rodents to unpredictable/uncontrollable mild stressors leads to a reduction in the intake of palatable liquids, behavioral despair, locomotor inhibition, anxiety-like changes, and vegetative (somatic) abnormalities. Many of the CMS studies do not report these patterns of behaviors, and they often fail to include consistent molecular, neuroanatomical, and physiological phenotypes of CMS-exposed animals.

Objectives

To critically review the CMS studies in rats so that conceptual and methodological flaws can be avoided in future studies.

Results

Analysis of the literature supports the validity of the CMS model and its impact on the field. However, further improvements could be achieved by (i) the stratification of animals into ‘resilient’ and ‘susceptible’ cohorts within the CMS animals, (ii) the use of more refined protocols in the sucrose test to mitigate physiological and physical artifacts, and (iii) the systematic evaluation of the non-specific effects of CMS and implementation of appropriate adjustments within the behavioral tests.

Conclusions

We propose methodological revisions and the use of more advanced behavioral tests to refine the rat CMS paradigm, which offers a valuable tool for developing new antidepressant medications.
Fractional mean curvature flow of Lipschitz graphs
Authors: Cesaroni Annalisa , Novaga Matteo
Published: January 2022

We consider the fractional mean curvature flow of entire Lipschitz graphs. We provide regularity results, and we study the long time asymptotics of the flow. In particular we show that in a suitable rescaled framework, if the initial graph is a sublinear perturbation of a cone, the evolution asymptotically approaches an expanding self-similar solution. We also prove stability of hyperplanes and of convex cones in the unrescaled setting.
Diagnostic accuracy of [18F]PSMA-1007 PET/CT in biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer
Authors: Mingels Clemens , Bohn Karl Peter , Rominger Axel , Afshar-Oromieh Ali , Alberts Ian
Published: January 2022

Aim

Despite increasing use for the detection of biochemically recurrent prostate cancer (rPC), the diagnostic accuracy of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) with [18F]PSMA-1007 remains only partially investigated. The aim of this study was to determine the sensitivity (SE), specificity (SP), positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) for PC-local recurrence and metastases on a per region basis.

Materials and methods

One hundred seventy-seven consecutive patients undergoing [18F]PSMA-1007 PET/CT for rPC were retrospectively analysed. Six body regions were defined: prostate fossa, pelvic lymph nodes (LN), retroperitoneal LN, supradiaphragmatic LN, bones, and soft tissue. A region was counted positive if at least one PSMA-positive lesion suspicious for PC was observed. Confirmation of a true-positive PSMA-avid lesion was defined as positive by histopathology, fall in serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) (> 50%) after targeted therapy or confirmatory further CT, MRI, PET/CT, or bone scan imaging. Regions where additional imaging was able to confirm the absence of suspicious PC lesions or regions outside exclusively targeted RT with serum PSA decline (> 50%) were counted as true-negative regions. SE, SP, PPV, and NPV were calculated for all six regions.

Results

The overall PET-positivity rate was 91%. Conclusive follow-up for affirmation or refutation of a PSMA-positive lesion was available for 81/152 patients on a per region basis. In this subgroup, overall sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were 95% (CI: 0.90–0.98), 89% (CI: 0.83–0.93), 86% (0.80–0.90), and 96% (CI: 0.92–0.98), respectively. On a per region basis, PPV was 97% (CI: 0.83–0.99) for local recurrence, 93% (CI: 0.78–0.98) for pelvic LN, 87% (CI: 0.62–0.96) for retroperitoneal LN, 82% (CI: 0.52–0.95) for supradiaphragmatic LN, and 79% (0.65–0.89) for bone lesions. The number of solid organ metastases (n = 6) was too small for an accurate statistical analysis.

Conclusion

The known high PET-positivity rate of [18F]PSMA-1007 PET/CT in rPC was confirmed, with corresponding high (> 90%) sensitivity and NPV on a per region basis. However, overall PPV was limited (86%), particularly for bone lesions (79%), which are a potential diagnostic weaknesses when using this tracer.
Variation in the behaviour of an obligate corallivore is influenced by resource availability
Authors: Gunn Rachel L. , Hartley Ian R. , Algar Adam C. , Nadiarti N. , Keith Sally A.
Published: January 2022

Marine environments are subject to increasing disturbance events, and coral reef ecosystems are particularly vulnerable. During periods of environmental change, organisms respond initially through rapid behavioural modifications. Whilst mean population level modifications to behaviour are well documented, how these shifts vary between individuals, and the relative trade-offs that are induced, are unknown. We test whether the frequency and time invested in different behaviours varies both between and within individuals with varying resource availability. To do this, we quantify differences in four key behavioural categories (aggression, exploration, feeding and sociability) at two sites of different resource availability, using an obligate corallivore butterflyfish species (Chaetodon lunulatus). Individuals on a low resource site held larger territories, investing more time in exploration, which was traded off with less time invested on aggression, feeding and sociability. Repeatability measures indicated that behavioural differences between sites could plausibly be driven by both plasticity of behaviour within individuals and habitat patchiness within feeding territories. By combining population-level means, co-correlation of different behaviours and individual-level analyses, we reveal potential mechanisms behind behavioural variation in C. lunulatus due to differences in resource availability.

Significance statement

Using observational methods, we identify differences in the behaviour of an obligate corallivorous butterflyfish (Chaetodon lunulatus) between a high and a low resource site. We use a combination of density surveys, territory mapping and behavioural observation methods in a comparative analysis to relate behaviour directly to the environment in which it occurs. Bringing together insights from game theory and optimal foraging, we also use our results to highlight how understanding the correlations of different behaviours can inform our understanding of the extent to which behaviours are plastic or fixed. Furthermore, by considering how multiple behaviours are correlated, we move away from exploring individual behaviours in isolation and provide an in-depth insight into how differences in behaviour both between individuals and at the population level can affect responses to declining resource availability.
Effects of Silicone Breast Implants on Human Cell Types In Vitro: A Closer Look on Host and Implant
Authors: Colaris Maartje J. L. , Ruhl Tim , Beier Justus P.
Published: January 2022

Background

Silicone (gel) breast implants (SBI) are used world-wide for breast augmentation, and reconstruction or to correct breast deformities. They consist of two compounds: an elastomer silicone shell (envelope) and a silicone gel filler (core). Breast Implant Illness (BII) is a term used for women with SBI, who suffer from various of symptoms including myalgia, arthralgia, fatigue, fever, dry eyes and/or dry mouth (sicca), as well as cognitive disturbances, which are rated by these woman as response to SBI. The pathogenesis of these adverse effects as well as the histocompatibility and the SBI-cell interaction of silicone and its surrounding tissue (implant-host tissue interface) is a subject of current research. The main purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the current knowledge regarding the effects of silicone (gel and elastomer surfaces) of a SBI on different human cell types from experimental - in vitro - models.

Methods

A comprehensive research was conducted by two independent reviewers in March and July of 2020 in the PubMed, MEDLINE, and Cochrane databases.

Results

A number of 1328 articles on this topic were initially identified, of which 62 could be finally included an analysed in this review.

Conclusion

SBI may lead to a physiologic pro-inflammatory and foreign body host response with fibrous encapsulation accompanied by a disturbed Th17/Treg balance and IL-17 production. No causal relationship is known for systemic symptoms and/or autoimmune outcomes in the context of BII.

Level of Evidence III

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.
Can heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) serve as biomarkers in Antarctica for future ocean acidification, warming and salinity stress?
Authors: Yusof Nur Athirah , Masnoddin Makdi , Charles Jennifer , Thien Ying Qing , Nasib Farhan Nazaie , Wong Clemente Michael Vui Ling , Abdul Murad Abdul Munir , Mahadi Nor Muhammad , Bharudin Izwan
Published: January 2022

The Antarctic Peninsula is one of the fastest-warming places on Earth. Elevated sea water temperatures cause glacier and sea ice melting. When icebergs melt into the ocean, it “freshens” the saltwater around them, reducing its salinity. The oceans absorb excess anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) causing decline in ocean pH, a process known as ocean acidification. Many marine organisms are specifically affected by ocean warming, freshening and acidification. Due to the sensitivity of Antarctica to global warming, using biomarkers is the best way for scientists to predict more accurately future climate change and provide useful information or ecological risk assessments. The 70-kilodalton (kDa) heat shock protein (HSP70) chaperones have been used as biomarkers of stress in temperate and tropical environments. The induction of the HSP70 genes (Hsp70) that alter intracellular proteins in living organisms is a signal triggered by environmental temperature changes. Induction of Hsp70 has been observed both in eukaryotes and in prokaryotes as response to environmental stressors including increased and decreased temperature, salinity, pH and the combined effects of changes in temperature, acidification and salinity stress. Generally, HSP70s play critical roles in numerous complex processes of metabolism; their synthesis can usually be increased or decreased during stressful conditions. However, there is a question as to whether HSP70s may serve as excellent biomarkers in the Antarctic considering the long residence time of Antarctic organisms in a cold polar environment which appears to have greatly modified the response of heat responding transcriptional systems. This review provides insight into the vital roles of HSP70 that make them ideal candidates as biomarkers for identifying resistance and resilience in response to abiotic stressors associated with climate change, which are the effects of ocean warming, freshening and acidification in Antarctic organisms.
Cryopreservation can assist gene flow on the Great Barrier Reef
Authors: Daly Jonathan , Hobbs Rebecca J. , Zuchowicz Nikolas , O’Brien Justine K. , Bouwmeester Jessica , Bay Line , Quigley Kate , Hagedorn Mary
Published: January 2022

Maintaining genetic diversity and biodiversity is key to sustaining healthy ecosystems and their capacity for adaptation. Assisted Gene Flow (AGF) is a management approach to translocate adaptive genes among populations to restore faltering and at-risk habitats, especially on coral reefs. Cryopreserved sperm can facilitate AGF via selective breeding at a lower cost and with fewer risks than sourcing colonies from the wild or moving adult corals (translocation) . Here, we present a proof-of-concept study demonstrating that cryopreserved sperm from northern and central Great Barrier Reef (GBR) locations can be used to make intrapopulation and interpopulation crosses to underpin AGF. The results of this study support the importance of assessing the concentration of motile sperm in post-thaw samples, with a minimum of approximately 30,000 motile cryopreserved sperm per egg required to achieve fertilisation. Mean per cent motility values post-collection and without artificial activation (northern colonies 14 ± 3.2%; central colonies 19 ± 3.6%) were considerably lower than previous observations of sperm from Acropora tenuis on the Great Barrier Reef, and may represent a lag effect from recent ocean warming events at the level of coral populations. Coral reefs with relatively high species and genetic diversity and coral cover are good places to preserve biodiversity through cryopreservation. Such cryo-collections build a genetic resource to optimise strategies available to reef managers to support natural recovery rates and reef restoration and adaptation efforts.
The role of predators in coral disease dynamics
Authors: Renzi Julianna J. , Shaver Elizabeth C. , Burkepile Deron E. , Silliman Brian R.
Published: January 2022

Coral disease is becoming increasingly problematic on reefs worldwide. However, most coral disease research has focused on the abiotic drivers of disease, potentially overlooking the role of species interactions in disease dynamics. Coral predators in particular can influence disease by breaking through protective tissues and exposing corals to infections, vectoring diseases among corals, or serving as reservoirs for pathogens. Numerous studies have demonstrated the relationship between corallivores and disease in certain contexts, but to date there has been no comprehensive synthesis of the relationships between corallivores and disease, which hinders our understanding of coral disease dynamics. To address this void, we identified 65 studies from 26 different ecoregions that examine this predator–prey-disease relationship. Observational studies found over 20 positive correlations between disease prevalence and corallivore abundance, with just four instances documenting a negative correlation between corallivores and disease. Studies found putative pathogens in corallivore guts and experiments demonstrated the ability of corallivores to vector pathogens. Corallivores were also frequently found infesting disease margins or targeting diseased tissues, but the ecological ramifications of this behavior remains unknown. We found that the impact of corallivores was taxon-dependent, with most invertebrates increasing disease incidence, prevalence, or progression; fish showing highly context-dependent effects; and xanthid crabs decreasing disease progression. Simulated wounding caused disease in many cases, but experimental wound debridement slowed disease progression in others, which could explain contrasting findings from different taxa. The negative effects of corallivores are likely to worsen as storms intensify, macroalgal cover increases, more nutrients are added to marine systems, and water temperatures increase. As diseases continue to impact coral reefs globally, a more complete understanding of the ecological dynamics of disease—including those involving coral predators—is of paramount importance to coral reef conservation and management.
Achievements and perspectives of optical fiber Fabry–Perot cavities
Authors: Pfeifer H. , Ratschbacher L. , Gallego J. , Saavedra C. , Faßbender A. , von Haaren A. , Alt W. , Hofferberth S. , Köhl M. , Linden S. , Meschede D.
Published: January 2022

Fabry–Perot interferometers have stimulated numerous scientific and technical applications ranging from high-resolution spectroscopy over metrology, optical filters, to interfaces of light and matter at the quantum limit and more. End facet machining of optical fibers has enabled the miniaturization of optical Fabry–Perot cavities. Integration with fiber wave guide technology allows for small yet open devices with favorable scaling properties including mechanical stability and compact mode geometry. These fiber Fabry–Perot cavities (FFPCs) are stimulating extended applications in many fields including cavity quantum electrodynamics, optomechanics, sensing, nonlinear optics and more. Here we summarize the state of the art of devices based on FFPCs, provide an overview of applications and conclude with expected further research activities.
Influence of head orientation and implantation site of a novel transcutaneous bone conduction implant on MRI metal artifact reduction sequence
Authors: Talon Emile , Wimmer Wilhelm , Hakim Arsany , Kiefer Claus , Pastore-Wapp Manuela , Anschuetz Lukas , Mantokoudis Georgios , Caversaccio Marco D. , Wagner Franca
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is often limited in patients with auditory implants because of the presence of metallic components and magnets. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of a customized MRI sequence for metal artifact suppression in patients with BONEBRIDGETM BCI 602 implants (MED-EL, Innsbruck, Austria), the successor of the BCI 601 model.

Methods

Using our in-house developed and customized metal artifact reduction sequence (SEMAC-VAT WARP), MRI artifacts were evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively. MRI sequences were performed with and without artifact reduction on two whole head specimens with and without the BCI 602 implant. In addition, the influence of two different implantation sites (mastoid versus retrosigmoid) and head orientation on artifact presence was investigated.

Results

Artifact volume was reduced by more than the 50%. Results were comparable with those obtained with the BCI 601, showing no significant differences in the dimensions of artifacts caused by the implant.

Conclusion

SEMAC-VAT WARP was once more proved to be efficient at reducing metal artifacts on MR images. The dimensions of artifacts associated with the BCI 602 are not smaller than those caused by the BCI 601.
The anterior scleral thickness in eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma
Authors: Yan Xiaoqin , Li Mu , Chen Zhiqi , Zhou Xiongwu
Published: January 2022

Purpose

To investigate the anterior scleral thickness (AST) and its associations with Schlemm’s canal (SC) area, trabecular meshwork (TM) thickness and length, and scleral spur (SS) length in healthy and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) groups.

Methods

Thirty-five eyes of 35 healthy subjects and 23 eyes of 23 patients with POAG were included. The AST, SC area, TM thickness and length, and SS length were measured using swept-source optical coherence tomography. AST was measured at 0 mm (AST0), 1 mm (AST1), 2 mm (AST2), and 3 mm (AST3) from SS. Associations between AST and SC area, TM thickness and length, and SS length were also estimated.

Results

AST0 (728.84 ± 99.33 vs. 657.39 ± 67.02 μm, p < 0.001), AST1 (537.79 ± 79.55 vs. 506.83 ± 57.37 μm, p = 0.038), AST3 (571.09 ± 79.15 vs. 532.13 ± 59.84 μm, p = 0.009), SC area (6304.26 ± 1238.72 vs. 4755.64 ± 1122.71 μm2, p < 0.001), TM thickness (107.21 ± 31.26 vs. 94.51 ± 24.18 μm, p = 0.035), TM length (736.20 ± 141.85 vs. 656.43 ± 127.03 μm, p = 0.004), and SS length (219.89 ± 50.29 vs. 174.54 ± 35.58 μm, p < 0.001) were significantly greater in healthy group than in POAG group. In addition, SC area, TM thickness, and SS length were significantly and positively associated with AST0 in the healthy group, whereas no similar associations were observed in the POAG group.

Conclusions

Compared with the healthy group, AST was significantly thinner in the POAG group, which also had smaller SC and TM dimensions. Moreover, the SC area, TM thickness, and SS length were significantly and positively associated with AST in the healthy group. Thus, AST might play an important role in maintaining TM and SC morphology and further in the pathogenesis of POAG.