A machine vision system to predict individual cow feed intake of different feeds in a cowshed.

Data on individual feed intake of dairy cows, an important variable for farm management, are currently unavailable in commercial dairies. A real-time machine vision system including models that are able to adapt to multiple types of feed was developed to predict individual feed intake of dairy cows. Using a Red-Green-Blue-Depth (RGBD) camera, images of feed piles of two different feed types (lactating cows' feed and heifers' feed) were acquired in a research dairy farm, for a range of feed weights under varied configurations and illuminations. Several models were developed to predict individual feed intake: two Transfer Learning (TL) models based on Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), one CNN model trained on both feed types, and one Multilayer Perceptron and Convolutional Neural Network model trained on both feed types, along with categorical data. We also implemented a statistical method to compare these four models using a Linear Mixed Model and a Generalised Linear Mixed Model, showing that all models are significantly different. The TL models performed best and were trained on both feeds with TL methods. These models achieved Mean Absolute Errors (MAEs) of 0.12 and 0.13 kg per meal with RMSE of 0.18 and 0.17 kg per meal for the two different feeds, when tested on varied data collected manually in a cowshed. Testing the model with actual cows' meals data automatically collected by the system in the cowshed resulted in a MAE of 0.14 kg per meal and RMSE of 0.19 kg per meal. These results suggest the potential of measuring individual feed intake of dairy cows in a cowshed using RGBD cameras and Deep Learning models that can be applied and tuned to different types of feed.

MiR-205-driven downregulation of cholesterol biosynthesis through SQLE-inhibition identifies therapeutic vulnerability in aggressive prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer (PCa) shows strong dependence on the androgen receptor (AR) pathway. Here, we show that squalene epoxidase (SQLE), an enzyme of the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway, is overexpressed in advanced PCa and its expression correlates with poor survival. SQLE expression is controlled by micro-RNA 205 (miR-205), which is significantly downregulated in advanced PCa. Restoration of miR-205 expression or competitive inhibition of SQLE led to inhibition of de novo cholesterol biosynthesis. Furthermore, SQLE was essential for proliferation of AR-positive PCa cell lines, including abiraterone or enzalutamide resistant derivatives, and blocked transactivation of the AR pathway. Inhibition of SQLE with the FDA approved antifungal drug terbinafine also efficiently blocked orthotopic tumour growth in mice. Finally, terbinafine reduced levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in three out of four late-stage PCa patients. These results highlight SQLE as a therapeutic target for the treatment of advanced PCa.

[Trivialization of prostate cancer? : Stage shift and possible causes]. / Bagatellisierung des Prostatakarzinoms? : Stadien-Shift und mögliche Ursachen.

BACKGROUND: According to the strongly negative grade D recommendation of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force in 2012, the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test was not only not recommended but was also warned against. As a result in the USA there was a stage shift towards more advanced tumor stages under the newly detected prostate cancers; however, in contrast to the highly questionable American PLCO study, the European ERSPC study showed a clear reduction in prostate cancer-related mortality. OBJECTIVE: In this patient cohort it was investigated whether the tumor stage distribution in curatively treated prostate cancer has significantly changed, whether this has an influence on the perioperative results and complication rates and how these changes could have occurred. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients after radical prostatectomy from 2008 to 2010 were compared to those from 2017. Demographic data, intraoperative courses, perioperative and postoperative complications and histopathological results were compared. RESULTS: A total of 1276 operations were analyzed. Preoperative PSA levels showed a significant increase in 2017 (10.5 ± 13.4 ng/ml vs. 8.4 ± 9.1 ng/ml, p = 0.032). The pathological staging revealed a 20% increase in T3 tumors (49.4% versus 29.0%, p < 0.001). Correspondingly, moderately and poorly differentiated cancers and therefore those with higher aggressiveness were significantly more frequent with 11.2% (p < 0.001) and 10.4% (p < 0.001), respectively. The number of patients with lymph node metastases at prostatectomy even increased fourfold (4.5% vs. 16.9%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In the radical prostatectomy group, there was a shift to unfavorable and metastatic tumor stages. This negative trend seems largely to be caused by a lower acceptance of early detection by means of PSA determination.

ESMO International Consortium Study on the availability, out-of-pocket costs and accessibility of antineoplastic medicines in countries outside of Europe.

BACKGROUND: The availability and affordability of safe, effective, high-quality, affordable anticancer therapies are a core requirement for effective national cancer control plans. METHOD: Online survey based on a previously validated approach. The aims of the study were to evaluate (i) the availability on national formulary of licensed antineoplastic medicines across the globe, (ii) patient out-of-pocket costs for the medications, (iii) the actual availability of the medication for a patient with a valid prescription, (iv) information relating to possible factors adversely impacting the availability of antineoplastic agents and (v) the impact of the country's level of economic development on these parameters. A total of 304 field reporters from 97 countries were invited to participate. The preliminary set of data was posted on the ESMO website for open peer review and amendments have been incorporated into the final report. RESULTS: Surveys were submitted by 135 reporters from 63 countries and additional peer-review data were submitted by 54 reporters from 19 countries. There are substantial differences in the formulary availability, out-of-pocket costs and actual availability for many anticancer medicines. The most substantial issues are in lower-middle- and low-income countries. Even among medications on the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines (EML) the discrepancies are profound and these relate to high out-of-pocket costs (in low-middle-income countries 32.0% of EML medicines are available only at full cost and 5.2% are not available at all, and for low-income countries, the corresponding figures are even worse at 57.7% and 8.3%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: There is wide global variation in formulary availability, out-of-pocket expenditures and actual availability for most licensed anticancer medicines. Low- and low-middle-income countries have significant lack of availability and high out-of-pocket expenditures for cancer medicines on the WHO EML, with much less availability of new, more expensive targeted agents compared with high-income countries.

ESMO European Consortium Study on the availability, out-of-pocket costs and accessibility of antineoplastic medicines in Europe.

BACKGROUND: The management of cancer is predicated on the availability and affordability of anticancer therapies, which may be either curative or noncurative. AIM: The primary aims of the study were to evaluate (i) the formulary availability of licensed antineoplastic medicines across Europe; (ii) patient out-of-pocket costs for the medications and (iii) the actual availability of the medication for a patient with a valid prescription. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The survey tool was based on the previous ESMO studies that addressed the availability and accessibility of opioids for the management of cancer pain. A total of 185 field reporters from 49 countries were invited to participate. The preliminary set of data was posted on the ESMO website for open peer-review, and amendments have been incorporated into the final report. RESULTS: There are substantial differences in the formulary availability, out-of-pocket costs and actual availability for many anticancer medicines. The most profound lack of availability is in countries with lower levels of economic development, particularly in Eastern Europe, and these are largely related to the cost of targeted agents approved in the last 10 years. Discrepancies are less profound among medications on the WHO model essential medicines list (EML) for cancer and in curative settings. However, medicine shortages also affect WHO EML medicines, with relevant therapeutic implications for many patients. CONCLUSIONS: The cost and affordability of anticancer treatments with recent market approval is the major factor contributing to inequity of access to anticancer medications. This is especially true with regards to new medications used in the management of EGFR- or ALK-mutated non-small-cell lung cancer, metastatic melanoma, metastatic renal cell cancer, RAS/RAF wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer, HER2 overexpressed breast cancer and castration-resistant metastatic prostate cancer.

[Radical prostatectomy. Detection and management of intra- and postoperative complications]. / Die radikale Prostatektomie. Intra- und postoperative Komplikationen erkennen und behandeln.

Radical prostatectomy is the most common treatment for organ-confined prostate cancer. Performed without complications and limitations, surgery will allow complete removal of the tumor and, therefore, cure the patient. Operative techniques have been improved during the last few decades to reduce invasiveness of the procedure. Furthermore, optimized perioperative management has shortened hospital stay. To ensure rapid recovery of each patient, early detection of complications is highly relevant. Herein, different scenarios for peri- and postoperative complications are described, and recommendations for best practice solutions are reviewed.

Serum interferon gamma concentration is associated with bone mineral density in overweight boys.

UNLABELLED: Childhood obesity has recently been linked to low-grade inflammation. Overweight children have slightly different processes of bone accumulation than normal weight children. The possible links between inflammation and bone accumulation have not previously been assessed in overweight children. AIMS: An exploratory study to assess whether common inflammatory markers are associated with the development of obesity and bone accumulation in childhood. METHODS: Thirteen different inflammatory markers in serum were measured in 38 boys with BMI >85th centile (overweight) and 38 boys with normal BMI (normal weight), aged 10-11 years. Total body (TB) and lumbar spine (LS) bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC) were measured by DXA. TB BMC for height, TB and LS bone mineral apparent density (BMAD) were calculated. RESULTS: Overweight boys had higher mean TB and LS BMD, TB BMC and TB BMC for height, but lower mean TB BMAD (all p < 0.05) than normal weight boys. Serum interferon gamma (IFNγ) concentration was significantly (p < 0.05) correlated with TB BMD (r = 0.36), TB BMC (r = 0.38) and TB BMC for height (r = 0.53) in the broader overweight group (n = 38). In obese boys (BMI > 95 centile, n = 36) IFNγ was correlated with LS BMD (r = 0.38). CONCLUSION: The positive correlation between serum INFγ concentration and BMD suggests that the inflammatory process, already involved in the early stage of obesity, may also affect bone accumulation. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of INFγ as a possible link between adipose tissue and bone health.

Anthropometry and somatotypes of competitive DanceSport participants: a comparison of three different styles.

Anthropometry in dance and aesthetic sports has been shown to play an important role in selection and performance criteria. The aim of the present study was to examine variations in somatotype and anthropometry in three different competitive dance styles: DanceSport Standard, Latin American and Ten Dance. Anthropometry and somatotype data were collected from thirty couples competing in Standard (n=24 individuals), Latin American (n=14) and Ten Dance (n=22) styles. A single tester (ISAK Level 1) carried out all anthropometric measurements using the Heath-Carter protocol and somatotypes were calculated using the Heath-Carter's decimal equations. Results indicated that the mean somatotype for the male dancers was 2.4-3.9-3.2, whilst for females it was 2.7-2.7-3.5. Factorial analysis reported Standard dancers scored significantly higher for ectomorphy, sitting height and arm span than Latin dancers (p<0.05). Correlation analysis with the Standard dancer's International Ranking highlighted moderate positive correlation with mesomorphy (r=0.434, p<0.05) and negative correlation with ectomorphy (r=-0.546, p<0.001). The findings of this study show that somatotypes differ among DanceSport participants by dance style. Compared with other aesthetic sports, male and female dancers were less mesomorphic and more ectomorphic. Standard dancers tend to be more ectomorphic with greater height, longer arm span and greater sitting height compared with Latin American dancers. Although Standard dancers were ectomorphic, those dancers who had higher mesomorphic ranking had higher places in the dancers' international ranking.

[Nephron-sparing surgery 2012]. / Organerhaltende Nierenchirurgie 2012.

Nephron-sparing surgery is considered to be the standard surgery for small renal masses. There is a large socioeconomic and oncological relevance in such a decision, especially since tumour incidence as well as average life expectancy increases, also triggered by better diagnostic quality. The present review highlights the current state of nephron sparing-surgery, evaluates different surgical approaches and gives perspectives on the future developments and scientific investigations required. In conclusion, nephron-sparing surgery has been well studied and different approaches have shown high safety profiles with oncological results comparable to those of radical nephrectomy. Nephron -sparing surgery provides decisive advantages in long-term survival and patient morbidity, especially concerning chronic renal failure rates. Therefore, whenever feasible, a renal mass should be considered for nephron-sparing surgery.

[Mistletoe extract for treatment of urological tumors]. / Mistelpräparate zur Behandlung urologischer Tumoren.

In Germany misteltoe extract is one of the most commonly used complementary therapeutic strategies in oncology. There are anthroposophical as well as phytotherapeutic concepts to explain the potential mechanism of action; however, the oncological and uro-oncological literature lacks definitive proof to support recommendations on which is the most effective drug, the optimal dose, a clear indication or its efficacy. Weighting the current data, potential side effects and contraindications, the application of mistletoe extract in daily uro-oncological practice requires careful consideration of the indications in the context of a detailed patient informed consent and request for this unique therapeutic modality.

Elevated serum IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, CRP, and IFN-γ levels in 10- to 11-year-old boys with increased BMI.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Many inflammation parameters are associated with obesity, but few comparable data are found in youth. This study aims to characterize the differences in serum levels of 13 biochemical inflammatory markers between boys with increased BMI and boys with normal BMI, and examine the relationships between inflammation markers, skinfold thicknesses, and body composition. PARTICIPANTS/METHODS: The participants were 38 boys (BMI above 85th percentile) and 38 boys (normal BMI) at the age of 10-11 years. Measurements included BMI, 9 skinfold thicknesses, waist and hip circumferences, and total body and trunk fat mass and percentage as indices of obesity, fasting insulin, glucose, and serum concentrations of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, VEGF, IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1α, IL-1ß, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), epidermal growth factor, and CRP. RESULTS: Overweight boys (OWB) were taller and more frequently in puberty than normal-weight boys (NWB). Skinfold thicknesses and body composition parameters were higher in OWB. They had significantly higher serum IL-6, IL-8, IFN-γ, MCP-1, and CRP values compared to NWB. CONCLUSIONS: Six of 13 measured biochemical markers were significantly increased in OWB, indicating that many low-grade inflammatory processes are already involved in the development of obesity in childhood.

[Radical cystectomy - pro robotic]. / Radikale Zystektomie - pro robotisch.

The standard therapy for muscle invasive bladder cancer is radical cystectomy and urinary diversion. For open surgery this procedure has notable perioperative morbidity. Performing laparoscopic cystectomy can reduce this morbidity. So far it remains unclear, whether the oncologic outcome of the laparoscopic approach is comparable to open surgery or not due to a lack of long-term follow-up data. Important surgical steps, such as extended lymphadenectomy, sparing of the neurovascular bundle for preservation of potency, preparation of the urethra for orthotopic neobladder and intracorporeal construction of a urinary diversion can be achieved much more easily with a robot-assisted approach than with conventional laparoscopy. Furthermore, the learning curve for robot-assisted cystectomy is much steeper. Therefore, if a laparoscopic cystectomy is performed, it should be performed using a robot-assisted approach.

[From tumor tissue via primary cultures to xenograft models: a functional approach in prostate cancer research]. / Vom Gewebe über die Primärzellkultur zum Xenograftmodell : Patientennahe und funktionelle Prostatakarzinomforschung.

The clinical course of prostate cancer, the most common cancer in men, is very variable. Despite intense research activities over the years and besides histopathological criteria, prognostic markers that reliably predict tumor behavior and the necessity for treatment are still missing. A likely explanation for this fact is the lack of good tumor models, mimicking the in vivo situation. These models are not only essential for a better understanding of the pathogenesis of prostate cancer but also play an important role in the development of new therapeutic strategies. Since results of permanent cell culture experiments reflect only in part real tumor behavior and primary cultures from patient material cannot be grown indefinitely, novel approaches need to be developed to achieve reliable and clinically relevant prostate cancer research.In this work the development of several approaches for culturing primary prostate cancer tissue is illustrated and a forecast of future research plans utilizing xenograft models in mice is made.

Statistically reconstructing continuous isotropic and anisotropic two-phase media while preserving macroscopic material properties.

We propose a method to generate statistically similar reconstructions of two-phase media. As with previous work, we initially characterize the microstructure of the material using two-point correlation functions (a subset of spatial correlation functions) and then generate numerical reconstructions using a simulated annealing method that preserves the geometric relationships of the material's phase of interest. However, in contrast to earlier contributions that consider reconstructions composed of discrete arrays of pixels or voxels alone, we generate reconstructions based on assemblies of continuous, three-dimensional, interpenetrating objects. The result is a continuum description of the material microstructure (as opposed to a discretized or pixelated description), capable of efficiently representing large disparities in scale. Different reconstruction methods are considered based on distinct combinations of two-point correlation functions of varying degrees of complexity. The quality of the reconstruction methods are evaluated by comparing the total pore fraction, specific surface area of the percolating cluster, pore fraction of the percolating cluster, tortuosity, and permeability of the reconstructions to those of a set of reference assemblies. Elsewhere it has been proposed that two-phase media could be statistically reproduced with only two spatial correlation functions: the two-point probability function (the probability that two points lie within the same phase) and the lineal path function (the probability that a line between two points lies entirely within the same phase). We find that methods employing the two-point probability function and lineal path function are improved if the percolating cluster volume is also considered in the reconstruction. However, to reproduce more complicated geometric assemblies, we find it necessary to employ the two-point probability, two-point cluster, and lineal path function in addition to the percolating cluster volume to produce a generally accurate statistical reconstruction.

[Robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy: evaluation of functional and oncological results]. / Cistectomía radical laparoscópica asistida por robot: evaluación de los resultados funcionales y oncológicos.

PURPOSE: radical cystectomy remains the most effective treatment for patients with localized, invasive bladder cancer and recurrent noninvasive disease. We report our experience with 84 consecutive cases of robotic assisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy with regard to perioperative results, pathological outcomes and surgical complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: a total of 84 consecutive patients (70 male and 14 female) underwent robotic radical cystectomy and urinary diversion at our institution from January 2007 to August 2010 for clinically localized bladder cancer. Outcome measures evaluated included operative variables, hospital recovery, pathological outcomes and complication rate. RESULTS: mean age of this cohort was 65.5 years (range 28 to 82). Of the patients 62 underwent ileal conduit diversion, 22 received a neobladder. Mean operating room time for all patients was 261min. (range: 243-618min.) and mean surgical blood loss was 298ml (range: 50-2000ml). 29% of the cases were pT1 or less disease, 38% were pT2, 26% and 7% were pT3 and T4 disease respectively, 15% were node positive. Mean number of lymph nodes removed was 15 (range 1 to 33). In 2 cases (2.4%) there was a positive surgical margin. Mean days to flatus were 2.12, bowel movement 2.87 and discharge home 17.7 (range: 10-33). There were 45 postoperative complications with 11.9% having a major complication (Clavien grade 3 or higher). At a mean followup of 16.7 months 10 patients (11%) had disease recurrence and 2 died of disease. CONCLUSIONS: our experience with robotic radical cystectomy for the treatment of bladder cancer suggests that in proper hands this procedure provides acceptable surgical and pathological outcomes.

Interpolated lattice Boltzmann boundary conditions for surface reaction kinetics.

This paper describes a method for implementing surface reaction kinetics in lattice Boltzmann simulations. The interpolated boundary conditions are capable of simulating surface reactions and dissolution at both stationary and moving solid-fluid and fluid-fluid interfaces. Results obtained with the boundary conditions are compared to analytical solutions for first-order and constant-flux kinetic surface reactions in a one-dimensional half space, as well as to the analytical solution for evaporation from the surface of a cylinder. Excellent agreement between analytical and simulated results is obtained for a wide range of diffusivities, lattice velocities, and surface reaction rates. The boundary model's ability to represent dissolution in binary fluid mixtures is demonstrated by modeling diffusion from a rising bubble and dissolution of a droplet near a flat plate.

Relationships between areal bone mineral density and jumping height in pubertal girls with different physical activity patterns.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between jumping height and bone mineral density (BMD) at femoral neck and lumbar spine in pubertal girls with different physical activity pattern. METHODS: The participants were 202 adolescent girls aged 13-15 years comprising six groups: controls (N.=43); sport games (N.=56); track sprint (N.=25); rhythmic gymnastics (N.=29); swimming (N.=32); and cross-country skiing (N.=17). Body height, sitting height, and body mass were measured. Predicted age at peak height velocity (APHV), biological maturity age (years from APHV), and pubertal status by Tanner (1962) of the participants was estimated. Femoral neck and lumbar spine (L2-L4) BMD was measured by DXA. The height of vertical jumps, i.e., countermovement jump (CMJ), and rebound jumps for 15 (RJ15s) and 30 (RJ30s) seconds was obtained. RESULTS: RJ15s and RJ30s tests characterized best BMD at lumbar spine and femoral neck in high-impact (i.e., gymnasts and sport games) groups. Vertical jump tests had no significant correlation with measured areal BMD values in physically inactive controls, low-impact (i.e., swimmers and cross-country skiers) and moderate-impact (i.e., sprinters) groups. CONCLUSIONS: BMD at femoral neck appears to be more sensitive to the mechanical loading compared to the BMD at lumbar spine. Repeated jumps tests (RJ15s and RJ30s) characterize bone development better than single maximal jump (CMJ) test in pubertal girls.

[Development of a three-dimensional primary prostate cancer cell culture model]. / Entwicklung eines dreidimensionalen Prostatakarzinomzellkulturmodells.

Much prostate cancer research is based on cell culture results. Recent genomic studies found major differences between primary prostate cancer tissue and established prostate cancer cell lines, which calls into question the clinical relevance of study results based on cell cultures.Using primary cultures of prostate cancer cells from prostatectomy specimens seems to be a reasonable solution, but primary cell cultures are much more difficult to establish. In this study, a primary cell culture model was combined with an invasion assay. With this combination it was possible not only to select invasive cell clones from the primary culture but also to culture these cells in a three-dimensional model, forming spheroids. A further characterization of this cell population was done by comparative genomic hybridization, showing numerous genetic alterations. The presented cell culture model offers, for the first time, an opportunity to isolate invasive growing cells from primary prostate cancer tissue and cultivate these cells for further analyses.