bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Catchment and Depositional Studies for the Reconstruction of Past Environmental Change in Southern Africa
Authors: Hahn Annette , Schefuß Enno , Burdanowitz Nicole , Cawthra Hayley C. , Finch Jemma , Frankland Tarryn , Green Andrew , Neumann Frank H. , Zabel Matthias 
Published: January 2024

AbstractTerrestrial signals in marine sedimentary archives are often used for reconstructing past environments, vegetation and climate, as well as for determining sediment fluxes, pathways, and depositional sites and changes in erosional runoff. It is therefore important to understand the origin, transport, and depositional processes of the various terrestrial sedimentary components in a depositional system. In this chapter, we use examples from southern Africa to show how source-to-sink studies have led to a clearer interpretation of downcore proxy records. Twelve rivers in four river catchment areas of various scales and in distinct climatic settings and geological formations are included in this compilation. We also discuss studies from the current-swept South African east coast, the broad western and southern margins, and investigations from protected marine embayment settings. We consider a large suite of commonly used proxies (plant wax isotopes, elemental composition, and fossil pollen) as well as hydroacoustic surveying techniques (PARASOUND and multibeam bathymetric profiling). Sampling strategies and sample types that may be used in catchment analyses are discussed. Challenges and limitations of the above-mentioned approaches are outlined. In conclusion, we underline the importance of a thorough source-to-sink approach to paleo-environmental reconstructions using terrigenous proxies.
Environmental Challenges to Meeting Sustainable Development Goals in Southern Africa
Authors: Mutanga Shingirirai S. , Skhosana Felix , Mateyisi Mohau , Thenga Humbelani , Naidoo Sasha , Lumsden Trevor , Ramoelo Abel , Nangombe Shingirai S. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThere is an inextricable link between ecosystem integrity and the potential for achieving sustainable development goals (SDG). This chapter highlights key ecosystem threats and their drivers within the southern African regional context to emphasize the role of earth system science in supporting the achievement of regional sustainable development goals. It describes how some major anthropogenic threats have unfolded in terrestrial, aquatic and marine ecosystems of the region. Earth system science is increasingly contributing to understanding how globally driven climate and environmental changes threaten these ecosystems, and in turn how these impact people’s livelihoods. Long-term changes in rainfall variability, concomitant disruption of hydrological balances, impacts on ocean chemistry, together with more immediate impacts on the frequency and magnitude of extreme climate events are some of the critical global change drivers. While terrestrial ecosystems are already faced with encroachment by novel species, characterized by the proliferation of both invasive alien and endemic woody species, freshwater and marine ecosystems appear more immediately threatened by more local impacts, such as the accumulation of contaminants. Overall, predicted climate and environmental changes are projected to hamper development trajectories and poverty reduction efforts, and possibly exacerbate adverse impacts on human livelihoods.
Overview of the Macroeconomic Drivers of the Region
Authors: Kirsten Johann F. , Dalheimer Bernhard , Brümmer Bernhard 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe ecosystems in Southern Africa are impacted by economic activity and population growth and pressure. There are several macro-economic drivers shaping these economic and population pressures and it is for this reason that this chapter unpacks the macro-economic drivers in the region. With the economy of South Africa dominating the regional economy (90% of Gross value added) it makes sense to discuss to the macroeconomic situation in Southern Africa by referring to policy and macro indicators in South Africa as a proxy of the regional situation. We also focus on the Limpopo province which shares boundaries and an ecosystem with three other countries in Southern Africa. Starting from the general macropolicy situation, major macro indicators for the region, the country and Limpopo are presented, jointly with the specific challenges, regulatory frameworks and policies that govern the development processes in the region. We focus on environmental, agricultural and trade policy measures, including their interlinkages, and illustrate that they provide a volatile and uncertain environment for structural development of the agricultural sector.
Past Climate Variability in the Last Millennium
Authors: Zorita Eduardo , Hünicke Birgit , Tim Nele , Rouault Matthieu 
Published: January 2024

AbstractWe review our knowledge of the climate variability in southern Africa over the past millennium, based on information provided by proxy data and by climate simulations. Since proxy data almost exclusively record past temperature and/or precipitation, the review is focused on those two variables. Proxy data identify three thermal phases in the region: a medieval warm period around year 1000 CE (common era), a Little Ice Age until about the eighteenth century, and a clear warming phase since that temperature minimum until the present period. Variations of precipitation are different in the summer-rainfall and winter-rainfall regions. In the former, precipitation tends to accompany the temperature, with warm/humid and cold/dry phases. In the winter-rainfall zone, the variations are opposite to temperature. Thus, past precipitation variations display a see-saw pattern between the summer- and winter-rainfall zones. However, climate simulations do not display these three different hydroclimatic periods. Instead, the simulations show a clearly warm twentieth century and punctuated cooling due to volcanic eruptions, with otherwise little variations during the pre-industrial period. Also, the simulations do not indicate an anticorrelation between precipitation in the summer- and winter-rainfall zones. Possible reasons for these discrepancies are discussed.
Cardiotoxicity of Targeted Therapies: Imaging of Heart Does Matter
Authors: Calabretta Raffaella , Hacker Marcus 
Published: January 2024

AbstractMolecular targeted therapies are characterized by blocking essential biochemical pathways or mutant proteins that are required for cancer cell growth and survival. Targeted cancer therapeutics are amongst the major treatment options for cancer today. These treatments are more selective for cancer cells and improve the quality of life for cancer patients undergoing therapy. Nevertheless, cardiotoxicity is a frequent side effect in targeted therapies, frequently described as myocardial dysfunction and heart failure. Cardiotoxicity includes also any subsequent functional or structural heart injury, with a possible accelerated development of cardiovascular diseases. Early identification of patients at risk for cardiotoxicity from cancer target therapies and the early diagnosis of CV complications related to cancer treatments are crucial. Anamnesis and risk stratification are the first steps of the diagnostic process to detect myocardial toxicity. Electrocardiography, cardiac biomarkers, and cardiac imaging modalities (echocardiography, CMR, PET, conventional imaging, and cardiac CT) are essential for a cardiotoxicity screening.
Precision Oncology with PSMA-Targeted α-Particle Therapy of mCRPC
Authors: Jadvar Hossein 
Published: January 2024

AbstractProstate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) has been firmly established as a clinically relevant biomarker in imaging and targeted radionuclide therapy (theranostics) of prostate cancer, particularly in the metastatic castrate-resistant state. Numerous investigations from around the world in both academic and pharma settings are focused on research and development of safe and effective PSMA-based theranostic agents. Encouraging results from retrospective studies using the β-particle emitting 177Lu-PSMA-617 radioligand therapy prompted prospective phase II and phase III randomized clinical trials with recently published favorable results of the VISION trial. While these pivotal investigations continue, there has also been major growing interest in the potential clinical utility of α-particle PSMA-targeted therapeutic agents. After a brief review of PSMA biology, imaging with positron emission tomography, and current experience with targeted β-particle (177Lu) therapy, this article summarizes the preclinical and early clinical studies that have evaluated the PSMA-targeted agents conjugated properly to α-particle radiolabels including 225Ac, 213Bi, 227Th, 212Pb, and 149Tb.
From Radioimmunodetection to Radiomolecular Precision Oncology Via Radionanotargeting by Intelligent Multidisciplinary Radiotheragnostic Nanoparticles
Authors: Kairemo Kalevi 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThis chapter describes briefly some scientific activities common to Richard P. Baum and Kalevi Kairemo. Both started with radioimmunodetection in late 1980s and ended up with radiomolecular precision oncology in 2020s. The author also had own interests which Richard Baum did not touch. The author worked some time with oligonucleotide radionuclide therapy (radionanotargeting) in the 1990s learning that it will be impossible in clinical practice. On the contrary, in spite of his own scepticism, intelligent multidisciplinary targeted nanoparticles could be constructed although being cumbersome. Here radiotheragnostic compounds will play major role. Additionally, some personal aspects are presented in order to honour Richard Baum’s achievements.
PSMA Radioligand Therapy: A Revolution in the Precision Radiomolecular Oncology of Prostate Cancer
Authors: Kulkarni Harshad R. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe incidence of prostate cancer is ever increasing. After various time intervals, the disease almost always becomes resistant to the standard hormone treatment (castration-resistant prostate cancer, CRPC). Most patients with CRPC either already have metastases at diagnosis or develop them during the early months of follow-up, which is associated with a relatively poor prognosis. The taxane-based chemotherapy for metastatic CRPC (mCRPC), first line with docetaxel and second line using cabazitaxel, are associated with a high incidence of adverse effects. The novel androgen-axis drugs (NAAD) used after chemotherapy are androgen biosynthesis inhibitor abiraterone acetate (combined with prednisolone), the androgen receptor blockers enzalutamide as well as the newer generation apalutamide and darolutamide. However, these treatment regimens only provide a meager survival benefit in mCRPC. Radium-223 targets only the osteoblastic metastases and does not treat nodal or visceral metastases. Therefore, there has been an unmet need for targeted therapy.
Theranostics in Australia: The Importance of Vision and Training, and the Power of Collaboration
Authors: Lenzo Nat 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe Australian nuclear medicine landscape is a vibrant mix of public and private sector facilities providing not only high-quality routine care to patients, but also cutting-edge research in diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear medicine. Australia’s unique regulatory framework, its relatively well-funded health system and its long-established rigorous training of physicians and supporting staff, has stimulated more rapid growth and earlier adoption of theranostics and therapeutic nuclear oncology when compared to many other countries around the world. More recently, interest and successful deployment of clinical trials networks across the country is helping obtain the data required to propel these new agents into clinical practice. The evolution of therapeutic nuclear oncology from the early days of I-131 use to the development of the Australasian Radiopharmaceutical Trials Network (ARTNET) and some of the factors for the Australian competitive advantage in this space will be discussed in this chapter.
Theranostic Radiopeptides in Nuclear Oncology: Design, Preclinical Screening, and Clinical Translation
Authors: Nock Berthold A. , Maina Theodosia 
Published: January 2024

AbstractCancer theranostics is an emerging and exciting field in nuclear medicine, whereby suitably designed radionuclide carriers, after injection to patients, seek and specifically interact with biomolecular targets overexpressed on cancer cells. When a diagnostic radionuclide is applied, molecular imaging with SPECT (gamma emitter) or PET (positron emitter) will reveal tumor lesions, allowing for initial diagnosis and assessment of disease spread and progression. Hence, molecular imaging represents a reliable tool for patient stratification, dosimetry and planning of therapy that follows next with the respective therapeutic radionuclide (beta, Auger electron, or alpha emitter) carrier in an integrated patient-tailored approach. In this way, patients are spared from ineffective and toxic therapies that only impair quality of life without any tangible benefit. Several recent examples have demonstrated the feasibility and efficacy of this strategy. Thus, the advent of radiolabeled somatostatin analogs in the management of neuroendocrine tumors on one hand, and the successful application of prostate-specific membrane antigen inhibitors to diagnose and combat prostate cancer on the other, are two elegant paradigms of this approach.In this chapter, we shall discuss important issues pertaining to the design and preclinical evaluation of peptide-based radioligands, focusing on compound examples developed in our center. The steps to be followed for clinical translation of selected analogs will be also briefly described. Emphasis will be given on the significance of pilot proof-of-principle studies in a small number of patients to guide further efforts toward drug development and registration.
High-Performance Radiopharmacy: The Base for Precision Oncology
Authors: Müller Dirk , Fuchs Alexander , Leshch Yevgeniy , Schulze Peter , Pröhl Michael 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe Zentralklinik Bad Berka is a privately financed hospital, and it is not a university hospital. Since it is not located in the immediate vicinity of a large city, one could assume that it is rather an unspectacular clinic on the edge of a forest. Nevertheless, for many years, this hospital has been generating high-quality scientific publications [1–7].
Therapy of Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: Where Is the Place of 225Ac-PSMA?
Authors: Lawal Ismaheel O. , Morgenstern Alfred , Knoesen Otto , Vorster Mariza , Bruchertseifer Frank , Sathekge Mike M. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractSince the first report in 2004 confirming the survival advantage conferred by docetaxel in the treatment of men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), many more agents have also been found to prolong life and are now in routine use in clinical practice. Despite the multitude of these effective agents, mCRPC remains a fatal disease with a poor prognosis. Efforts to develop more effective therapies are, therefore, ongoing. Targeting prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) overexpressed on prostate cancer cells has become an attractive option for mCRPC treatment. Ligands that bind to PSMA expressed on prostate cancer cells have been labeled to radionuclides for imaging and therapy in a theranostic approach to prostate cancer management. Actinium-225 (225Ac) is an alpha-emitting radionuclide that has been successfully labeled to PSMA ligands as 225Ac-PSMA for targeted alpha therapy (TAT) of mCRPC. The short path length of the highly energetic alpha particles causes deposition of massive energy in the tumor, leading to irreparable double-strand DNA damage, and consequently, tumor cell death while sparing surrounding normal tissues. When applied as a last-line therapy agent, 225Ac-PSMA therapy effectiveness is comparable or better than agents applied earlier in the treatment sequence of mCRPC. 225Ac-PSMA produces the most remarkable response in the chemotherapy-naïve setting, causing a high and sustained response in men with mCRPC. Xerostomia, a result of 225Ac-PSMA irradiation of the salivary gland parenchyma resulting from its intense accumulation in the glands, is the most worrisome complication of therapy. Different interventions, including dynamic dose de-escalation, combination therapy, and reduced administered activity, are being explored to ameliorate this adverse effect of treatment.
Evaluation of Real-World Efficiency of 177Lu-PSMA Radioligand Therapy of Metastatic Prostate Cancer
Authors: Turner J. Harvey 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThroughout the world, hundreds of patients with advanced metastatic prostate cancer are currently being treated with 177Lu-PSMA radioligands on compassionate usage protocols in accord with published guidelines of the European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM). However, 7 years after the introduction of 68Ga/177Lu-PSMA theranostic management of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), it remained unapproved by any national regulatory authority, and has yet to achieve oncologist/urologist acceptance into mainstream clinical practice. The reasons for the nonacceptance of 177Lu-PSMA-radioligand therapy (RLT) are explored in this review, which charts the evolution of this very promising treatment modality, pioneered in German, Austrian, and Australian academic hospitals, from which many retrospective reports of efficacy have been published. This efficacy has subsequently been demonstrated by completion of the Pharma randomized controlled trial, the VISION Study which led to formal regulatory approval. However, in order to promote worldwide availability, and to evaluate efficiency in respect of improved survival and quality of life, the proposed WARMTH NIGHTCAP (World Association for Radiopharmaceutical and Molecular Therapy National Investigators Global Harmonised Theranostics of Cancer of Prostate) Study was designed to prospectively audit 68Ga/177Lu-PSMA RLT in a large real-world population of mCRPC patients, in up to 50 countries, now being treated on compassionate access programs. The NIGHTCAP Study did not come to fruition due to the COVID pandemic but the design principles remain valid.
Is It Possible to Target HER2 Using Affibody Receptor Radionuclide Therapy?
Authors: Zhu Hua , Guo Xiaoyi , Meng Xiangxi , Yang Zhi 
Published: January 2024

AbstractHuman epidermal receptor type 2 (HER2; also known as ErbB2) is an idea target for target therapy. HER2-targeted treatments with trastuzumab and its derivates or analogues can improve the overall survival of patients with HER2-overexpression tumors. This chapter describes the construction and clinical translational study of 64Cu-NOTA-Trastuzumab, 124I-Trastuzumab, and 68Ga-HER2 affibody tracer. Inspired by recently most popular peptide receptor radionuclide therapy with lutetium-177 dotatate (177Lu-DOTATATE) for advanced gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) and 177Lu-PSMA-617 for metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer therapy (mCRPC), the establishment of affibody receptor radionuclide therapy (ARRT) has the potential to provide an alternative treatment option for future HER2 positive resistant patients.
From Radiochemistry of the Lanthanides to 225Ac and the Interference with Richard Baum
Authors: Beyer Gerd Juergen 
Published: January 2024

AbstractIn 1990, Heinz Schelbert, one of the pioneers of PET, has been asked during an invited lecture at the ZfK Rossendorf, why it happens that few newly created PET centers have significant success and others do not have at all. His answer was simple and clear: institutions where physicians accept scientists, for instance radio-chemists and physicists as equal partners and where they collaborate truly together, there the progress is programmed. In my scientific carrier, I have been privileged to have those fruitful collaborations, for instance with Prof. W. G. Franke, Clinic of Nuclear Medicine of the Medical Academy Dresden in the late 70-th–end 80-th and further at the end of my carrier with Richard Baum. He is one of those distinguished nuclear medical physicians, he is not only just collaborating with experts in different scientific disciplines (biochemistry, radiochemistry, physics, and others), he is promoting those close collaboration and has created a network around the world independent on political and economic situation in countries like Cuba, China, South Africa, and others. His strong engagement is motivating us in developing new techniques making new radionuclides available toward personalized nuclear medicine. In this contribution, I try to give a historical overview over the related research work that has been performed in Dresden, Dubna, and Geneva starting from the methodical developments for nuclear physics basic research in the late 60-th until the recent input especially with the Tb-isotopes to the Bad Berka activities guided by Richard Baum.
A Tree Can Be Recognized by Its Fruit
Authors: de Jong Marion 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThis book’s contribution deals with the delicious fruits of the exciting and hard work performed by Prof. Richard Baum and his team in the Zentralklinik Bad Berka, Germany. Herein the fruits from his work as a scientist in the field of theranostics, as a physician in the clinic, and the fruits from a dear friendship are dealt with.
Notes on gauge fields and discrete series representations in de Sitter spacetimes
Authors: Fukelman Alan Rios , Sempé Matías , Silva Guillermo A. 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
In this note we discuss features of the simplest spinning Discrete Series Unitary Irreducible Representations (UIR) of SO(1,4). These representations are known to be realised in the single particle Hilbert space of a free gauge field propagating in a four dimensional fixed de Sitter background. They showcase distinct features as compared to the more common Principal Series realised by heavy fields. Upon computing the 1 loop Sphere path integral we show that the edge modes of the theory can be understood in terms of a Discrete Series of SO(1, 2). We then canonically quantise the theory and show how group theory constrains the mode decomposition. We further clarify the role played by the second SO(4) Casimir in the single particle Hilbert space of the theory.