bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The maximum standardized uptake value in patients with recurrent or persistent prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy and PSMA-PET-guided salvage radiotherapy—a multicenter retrospective analysis
Authors: Spohn Simon K. B. , Farolfi Andrea , Schandeler Sarah , Vogel Marco M. E. , Ruf Juri , Mix Michael , Kirste Simon , Ceci Francesco , Fanti Stefano , Lanzafame Helena , Serani Francesca , Gratzke Christian , Sigle August , Combs Stephanie E. , Bernhardt Denise , Gschwend Juergen E. , Buchner Josef A. , Trapp Christian , Belka Claus , Bartenstein Peter , Unterrainer Lena , Unterrainer Marcus , Eiber Matthias , Nekolla Stephan G. , Schiller Kilian , Grosu Anca L. , Schmidt-Hegemann Nina-Sophie , Zamboglou Constantinos , Peeken Jan C. 
Published: August 2022

Abstract

Purpose
This study aims to evaluate the association of the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) in positron-emission tomography targeting prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA-PET) prior to salvage radiotherapy (sRT) on biochemical recurrence free survival (BRFS) in a large multicenter cohort.

Methods
Patients who underwent 68 Ga-PSMA11-PET prior to sRT were enrolled in four high-volume centers in this retrospective multicenter study. Only patients with PET-positive local recurrence (LR) and/or nodal recurrence (NR) within the pelvis were included. Patients were treated with intensity-modulated-sRT to the prostatic fossa and elective lymphatics in case of nodal disease. Dose escalation was delivered to PET-positive LR and NR. Androgen deprivation therapy was administered at the discretion of the treating physician. LR and NR were manually delineated and SUVmax was extracted for LR and NR. Cox-regression was performed to analyze the impact of clinical parameters and the SUVmax-derived values on BRFS.

Results
Two hundred thirty-five patients with a median follow-up (FU) of 24 months were included in the final cohort. Two-year and 4-year BRFS for all patients were 68% and 56%. The presence of LR was associated with favorable BRFS (p = 0.016). Presence of NR was associated with unfavorable BRFS (p = 0.007). While there was a trend for SUVmax values ≥ median (p = 0.071), SUVmax values ≥ 75% quartile in LR were significantly associated with unfavorable BRFS (p = 0.022, HR: 2.1, 95%CI 1.1–4.6). SUVmax value in NR was not significantly associated with BRFS. SUVmax in LR stayed significant in multivariate analysis (p = 0.030). Sensitivity analysis with patients for who had a FU of > 12 months (n = 197) confirmed these results.

Conclusion
The non-invasive biomarker SUVmax can prognosticate outcome in patients undergoing sRT and recurrence confined to the prostatic fossa in PSMA-PET. Its addition might contribute to improve risk stratification of patients with recurrent PCa and to guide personalized treatment decisions in terms of treatment intensification or de-intensification.
This article is part of the Topical Collection on Oncology—Genitourinary.
Diagnostic performance of 3D cardiac magnetic resonance perfusion in elderly patients for the detection of coronary artery disease as compared to fractional flow reserve
Authors: Károlyi Mihály , Gotschy Alexander , Polacin Malgorzata , Plein Sven , Paetsch Ingo , Jahnke Cosima , Frick Michael , Gebker Rolf , Alkadhi Hatem , Kozerke Sebastian , Manka Robert 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Objectives
In patients of advanced age, the feasibility of myocardial ischemia testing might be limited by age-related comorbidities and falling compliance abilities. Therefore, we aimed to test the accuracy of 3D cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) stress perfusion in the elderly population as compared to reference standard fractional flow reserve (FFR).

Methods
Fifty-six patients at age 75 years or older (mean age 79 ± 4 years, 35 male) underwent 3D CMR perfusion imaging and invasive coronary angiography with FFR in 5 centers using the same study protocol. The diagnostic accuracy of CMR was compared to a control group of 360 patients aged below 75 years (mean age 61 ± 9 years, 262 male). The percentage of myocardial ischemic burden (MIB) relative to myocardial scar burden was further analyzed using semi-automated software.

Results
Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of 3D perfusion CMR deemed similar for both age groups in the detection of hemodynamically relevant (FFR < 0.8) stenosis (≥ 75 years: 86%, 83%, 92%, and 75%; < 75 years: 87%, 80%, 82%, and 85%; p > 0.05 all). While MIB was larger in the elderly patients (15% ± 17% vs. 9% ± 13%), the diagnostic accuracy of 3D CMR perfusion was high in both elderly and non-elderly populations to predict pathological FFR (AUC: 0.906 and 0.866).

Conclusions
3D CMR perfusion has excellent diagnostic accuracy for the detection of hemodynamically relevant coronary stenosis, independent of patient age.

Key Points
• The increasing prevalence of coronary artery disease in elderly populations is accompanied with a larger ischemic burden of the myocardium as compared to younger individuals.
• 3D cardiac magnetic resonance perfusion imaging predicts pathological fractional flow reserve in elderly patients aged ≥ 75 years with high diagnostic accuracy.
• Ischemia testing with 3D CMR perfusion imaging has similarly high accuracy in the elderly as in younger patients and it might be particularly useful when other non-invasive techniques are limited by aging-related comorbidities and falling compliance abilities.
Concomitant mitral regurgitation in patients with low-gradient aortic stenosis: an analysis from the German Aortic Valve Registry
Authors: Alushi Brunilda , Ensminger Stephan , Herrmann Eva , Balaban Ümniye , Bauer Timm , Beckmann Andreas , Bleiziffer Sabine , Möllmann Helge , Walther Thomas , Bekeredjian Raffi , Hamm Christian , Beyersdorf Friedhelm , Baldus Stephan , Boening Andreas , Falk Volkmar , Thiele Holger , Frerker Christian , Lauten Alexander 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background
Patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) frequently presented mitral regurgitation (MR), which may interfere with the standard echocardiographic measurements of mean pressure gradient (MPG), flow velocity, and aortic valve area (AVA).

Aims
Herein we investigated the prevalence and severity of MR in patients with severe AS and its role on the accuracy of the standard echocardiographic parameters of AS quantification.

Methods
Of all patients with severe AS undergoing transcatheter or surgical aortic valve replacement enrolled in the German Aortic Registry from 2011 to 2017, 119,641 were included in this study. The population was divided based on the values of left ventricular ejection fraction ([LVEF] > 50%, LVEF 31–50%, and LVEF ≤ 30%] and AVA (0.80 to ≤ 1.00 cm2, 0.60 to < 0.80 cm2, 0.40 to < 0.60 cm2, and 0.20 to < 0.40 cm2).

Results
Overall, 77,890 (65%) patients with mild to-moderate and 4262 (4%) with severe MR were compared with 37,489 (31%) patients without MR. Patients with mild-to-moderate and severe MR presented significantly lower mPG (ΔmPG [95%CI] − 1.694 mmHg [− 2.123 to − 1.265], p < 0.0001 and − 6.954 mmHg [− 7.725 to − 6.183], p < 0.0001, respectively), that increased with LVEF impairment. Conversely, AVA did not differ (severe versus no MR: ΔAVA [95%CI]: − 0.007cm2 [− 0.023 to 0.009], p = 0.973). Increasing MR severity was associated with significant mPG reduction throughout all AVA strata, causing a low-gradient pattern, that manifested since the early stages of severe AS (LVEF > 50%: AVA 0.80 to 1.00 cm2; LVEF 31–50%: AVA 0.60 to 0.80 cm2).

Conclusions
In patients with severe AS, concomitant MR is common, contributes to the onset of a low-gradient AS pattern, and affects the diagnostic accuracy of flow-dependent AVA measurements. In this setting, a multimodality, AVA-centric approach should be implemented.

Graphical abstract
In patients with severe aortic stenosis, concomitant mitral regurgitation contributes to the onset of a low-gradient pattern, warranting a multimodality, and AVA-centric diagnostic approach.
The intraocular implant and visual rehabilitation improve the quality of life of elderly patients with geographic atrophy secondary to age-related macular degeneration
Authors: Nekolova Jana , Kremlacek Jan , Lukavsky Jiri , Sikl Radovan , Sin Martin , Langrova Jana , Szanyi Jana , Jiraskova Nada 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Introduction

The objective of this prospective study was to evaluate the effects of intraocular macular lens implantation and visual rehabilitation on the quality of life of patients with geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods
Patients with bilaterally decreased near vision (not better than 0.3 logMAR with the best correction), pseudophakia, were included in the project. The Scharioth macula lens (SML) was implanted into the patients’ better-seeing eye. Intensive visual rehabilitation of the ability to perform nearby activities was performed for 20 consecutive postoperative days. All subjects were examined before and after SML implantation ophthalmologically. The National Eye Institute 25-Item Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25) was administered before and 6 months after surgery.

Results
Twenty eligible patients with mean age 81 years (63 to 92 years) were included in the project: 7 males and 13 females. Nineteen of them completed the 6-month follow-up. Near uncorrected visual acuity was 1.321 ± 0.208 logMAR before SML implantation and improved to 0.547 ± 0.210 logMAR after 6 months (dz =  − 2.846, p < 0.001, BF10 = 3.29E + 07). In the composite score of the NEI VFQ-25, there was an improvement in the general score and the specific domains related to the implantation. Participants reported fewer difficulties in performing near activities (dz = 0.91, p = 0.001, BF10 = 39.718) and upturns in mental health symptoms related to vision (dz = 0.62, p = .014, BF10 = 3.937).

Conclusion
SML implantation, followed by appropriate rehabilitation, improved near vision and increased the quality of life of visually handicapped patients with AMD in our project.
Open abdominal management after ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm repair: from a single-center study in Japan
Authors: Maze Yasumi , Tokui Toshiya , Kawaguchi Teruhisa , Murakami Masahiko , Inoue Ryosai , Hirano Koji , Sato Keita , Tamura Yoshihisa 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Purpose
We investigated the utility of the open abdominal management (OA) technique for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA).

Methods
Between January 2016 and August 2021, 33 patients underwent open surgery for rAAA at our institution. The patients were divided into OA (n = 12) and non-OA (n = 21) groups. We compared preoperative characteristics, operative data, and postoperative outcomes between the two groups. The intensive care unit management and abdominal wall closure statuses of the OA group were evaluated.

Results
The OA group included significantly more cases of a preoperative shock than the non-OA group. The operation time was also significantly longer in the OA group than in the non-OA group. The need for intraoperative fluids, amount of bleeding, and need for blood transfusion were significantly higher in the OA group than in the non-OA group. Negative pressure therapy (NPT) systems are useful in OA. In five of the six survivors in the OA group, abdominal closure was able to be achieved using components separation (CS) technique.

Conclusions
NPT and the CS technique may increase the abdominal wall closure rate in rAAA surgery using OA and are expected to improve outcomes.
Predictors of flow diverter stent in large and giant unruptured intracranial aneurysms, single-center experience
Authors: Abdelkhalek Hazem , Abdelhameed Esam Ahmed , Zakarea Ayman , El Malky Islam 
Published: August 2022

Abstract

Background
Flow diversion with or without coiling has been established as the treatment of choice for large unruptured aneurysms. This study aims to assess possible predictors for radiological and clinical outcome such as location of the aneurysm (anterior or posterior circulation), complexity by a branching artery, bifurcation, and adjuvant coiling.

Methods
This study was conducted on 65 consecutive patients with 65 large, unruptured intracranial aneurysms (size ≥ 10 mm) treated with flow diverters. Follow-up angiography was done for 60 patients (92.3%) at 12 ± 8.6 months range from 3 to 36 months.

Results
Complete occlusion was achieved in 50 from 60 aneurysms (83.4%), while 8 aneurysms (13.3%) had neck remnant, and another two aneurysms (3.3%) remained with aneurysmal remnant. Periprocedural complications were encountered in 14 patients (21.5%) with morbidity in six patients (9.2%) and mortality in one patient (1.5%). In a multivariate logistic regression, anterior versus posterior location was less likely associated with worse outcome; adjusted OR (95% CI) of 0.16 (0.07–0.01), p = 0.006. Complete occlusion in complex aneurysms with branching artery was 60% versus 88% in simple aneurysms without branching artery (p-value = 0.04).

Conclusions
Flow diverter deployment of a large, unruptured aneurysm in the anterior circulation might have a better outcome than one in the posterior circulation. Flow diverter of aneurysms with branching artery or at bifurcation might be associated with aneurysm persistence and complications respectively.
The origination events of gametic sexual reproduction and anisogamy
Authors: Yasui Yukio , Hasegawa Eisuke 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe evolution of gametic sex (meiosis and fertilization) and subsequent transition from isogamy (fusion between two equal-sized gametes) to anisogamy (dimorphism into eggs and sperm, namely, females and males) is one of the largest enigmas of evolutionary biology. Meiosis entails genome-dilution cost and anisogamy entails male-production cost. Despite much progress has been made for the maintenance mechanisms of sex, its origination events under such “twofold cost of sex” are still unsolved. Here, we posit two hypothetical scenarios as follows: the “Seesaw Effect” hypothesizes that automictic selfing between isogametes effectively purged deleterious mutations from an organism’s lineage and simultaneously fixed the sex-controlling allele and all other loci (no genome-dilution cost raised). The high relatedness among homoeologous cell colonies led to multicellularization. The “inflated isogamy” hypothesizes that multicellularity increased the reproductive investment of both mates, resulting in excessively large isogametes. This redundancy induced cheating of one sex (evolving to male) to reduce gamete size. However, the other sex (evolving to female) allowed this cheat because her cost did not change. Therefore, anisogamy originated as a kind of commensalism but turned into beneficial for females because it solved the gamete limitation problem inherent to isogamy. Thus, smooth transition to anisogamy had been attained.
Were we happy and we didn’t know it? A subjective dynamic and financial assessment pre-, during and post-COVID-19
Authors: Mureșan Gabriela-Mihaela , Văidean Viorela-Ligia , Mare Codruța , Achim Monica Violeta 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic has brought many changes into people’s lives. Fear, job insecurity, changes in their financial stability, concerns about their future lives have changed the entire lives of people and have affected the cognitive well-being of individuals. The purpose of the present analysis is to measure how the COVID-19 pandemic, along with financial factors, has affected the perceived level of well-being of individuals. We are also interested whether there are differences between life before COVID-19, life now with COVID-19, and life after the COVID-19 pandemic, in terms of future expectations. To address this objective, we performed an ANOVA approach and a GLM estimate on repeated measures for a large sample (1572 respondents) from 43 worldwide countries, during the period May 2020 and July 2021. Our results show that financial factors reflected by both the size of income and changes in personal or family income affect the levels of happiness. Robustness checks using stress as an alternative estimator for happiness have consolidated our results. Additionally, we find that well-being during COVID-19 compared to the previous period decreased, while in future, people expect to be happier, but not more than in the past when they did not know about the existence of this virus. This is one of the first studies to investigate the relationship between happiness and income before, during, and after COVID-19. These findings are important for policymakers to improve the conditions of living in the areas of health and financial stability.
The Archaeology of Unexploded World War II Bomb Sites in the Koźle Basin, Southern Poland
Authors: Waga Jan Maciej , Szypuła Bartłomiej , Fajer Maria 
Published: August 2022

AbstractOne of the largest territories affected by the aerial bombardment carried out in Europe in 1944 is located near Kędzierzyn-Koźle. Surrounded by former synthetic fuel production plants, it contains craters from the explosions of detonation and general-purpose bombs, as well as smaller craters indicating the existence of unexploded bombs. The research presented in this article was conducted in forested areas and swampy wastelands, where these forms have been preserved until today. The article includes the analysis of their distribution and morphology, as well as characteristic cases occurring in multiple geoenvironmental situations. It also provides a model for research work leading to the determination of the most likely locations of unexploded bombs.
Symmetry Breaking by Consecutive Amplification: Efficient Paths to Homochirality
Authors: Huber Laura , Trapp Oliver 
Published: August 2022

AbstractTo understand chiral symmetry breaking on the molecular level, we developed a method to efficiently investigate reaction kinetics of single molecules. The model systems include autocatalysis as well as a reaction cascade to gain further insight into the prebiotic origin of homochirality. The simulated reactions start with a substrate and only a single catalyst molecule, and the occurrence of symmetry breaking was examined for its degree of dependence on randomness. The results demonstrate that interlocking processes, which e.g., form catalysts, autocatalytic systems, or reaction cascades that build on each other and lead to a kinetic acceleration, can very well amplify a statistically occurring symmetry breaking. These results suggest a promising direction for the experimental implementation and identification of such processes, which could have led to a shift out of thermodynamic equilibrium in the emergence of life.
Loading rate dependence of granular cushion under rockfall impact and proposal of an analytical model for impact force estimation
Authors: Naito Naoto , Maeda Kenichi , Konno Hisashi , Ushiwatari Yuji , Suzuki Kentaro , Kawase Ryoji 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe cushioning behaviour of granular materials, such as sand and gravel, has been studied for the rational design and performance evaluation of a rock shed intended for rockfall protection. The shape of the collision surface of a falling mass strongly affects the impact force waveform of the falling mass. However, the control factors for generating impact force waveform have not been fully clarified. Previous studies have shown that the maximum transmitted impact force acting on the top plate of a rock shed through a cushioning material depends not only on the maximum impact force acting on the falling mass but also on its duration. To accurately predict the maximum transmitted impact force acting on a structure, understanding the generation mechanism of the impact force waveform acting on the falling mass is necessary. These control factors were investigated through the two-dimensional (2D) discrete element method (DEM) analysis. It was shown that the mean principal stress of particles around a falling mass increased with the loading velocity of the falling mass. Based on this result, an analytical model for estimation the impact force waveform of the falling mass was proposed. The validity of the proposed method and the control factors estimated via simulations was confirmed by comparing the results obtained by the proposed method with 2D DEM simulation results and experimental results. This study contributes to the elucidation of the deformation mechanism of soil under high-speed loading and development of rational countermeasures considering the deformation behaviour of a sand cushion.
Management in times of crises: reflections on characteristics, avoiding pitfalls, and pathways out
Authors: Bouncken Ricarda B. , Kraus Sascha , de Lucas Ancillo Antonio 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe world is shaken by global crises that have severe implications for firms and their management. But what is characteristic of a global crisis, and why do firms and their managers often fail to deal proactively and strategically with coping strategies for crises. This introductory paper explains the characteristics of crises and important underlying management behavior. These behaviors are most important to understand because they might escalate or reduce the effects of a global crisis in firms. We also explain the challenges associated with emphasizing the local effects of crises while ignoring or downplaying their global effects. Finally, we present the papers in this special issue that provide specific answers that can help to deal with aspects of a global crisis.
Is a Sociology of Hope Possible? An Attempt to Recompose a Theoretical Framework and a Research Programme
Authors: Gili Guido , Mangone Emiliana 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe societal changes of the last century, especially in the aftermath of World War II, have led thinkers to imagine philosophical anthropology centred on the concept of hope. From very different perspectives, authors such as Ernst Bloch, Erich Fromm, and Hannah Arendt understood that hope is deeply connected with the condition and destiny of humanity. Various sociologists have developed concepts closely linked with hope: action, social change, utopia, revolution, emancipation, innovation, and trust. However, a coherent and systematic analysis is yet to emerge. Taking up the threads of this rich but fragmented reflection, this paper intends to outline the traits of a “sociology of hope” as a tool for critically interpreting today’s society and the processes of change crisscrossing it, starting from some crucial questions: Who are the actors and historical bearers of hope? What are the main socio-historical forms of hope? What social, political, and cultural conditions favour the emergence and strengthening of this disposition? What are the effects and consequences on personal and social life?