Continued exploration of the androgen receptor (AR) is crucial, as it plays pivotal roles in diverse diseases such as prostate cancer (PCa), serving as a significant therapeutic focus. Therefore, the Department of Urology Dresden hosted an international meeting for scientists and clinical oncologists to discuss the newest advances in AR research. The 2nd International Androgen Receptor Symposium was held in Dresden, Saxony, Germany, from 26-27.04.2024, organised by Dr. Holger H.H. Erb. Following the format of the first meeting, more than 35 scientists from 8 countries attended the event to discuss recent developments, research challenges, and identification of venues in AR research. An important new feature was the involvement of PhD students and young investigators, acknowledging the high scientific quality of their work. The symposium included three covers: new advances from clinical research, basic and translational research, and novel strategies to target AR. Moreover, based on its increasing clinical relevance, a PSMA theranostic mini-symposium was added at the end of the AR symposium to allow the audience to discuss the newest advances in PSMA theranostic. This report focuses on the highlights and discussions of the meeting.

• MeSH
• Receptors, Androgen * metabolism   genetics   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Prostatic Neoplasms * metabolism   therapy   genetics   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Publication type
• Congress MeSH

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled study was to verify the blood pressure (BP)-lowering efficacy of externally delivered focused ultrasound for renal denervation (RDN). BACKGROUND: Nonrandomized, first proof-of-concept study and experimental evidence suggested that noninvasive techniques of RDN emerged as an alternative approach of RDN to invasive technologies. METHODS: WAVE IV, an international, randomized (1 : 1) sham-controlled, double-blind prospective clinical study, was prematurely stopped. Patients were enrolled if office BP was at least 160 mmHg and 24-h ambulatory BP was at least 135 mmHg, while taking three or more antihypertensive medications. The treatment consisted of bilateral RDN using therapeutic levels of ultrasound energy and the sham consisted of bilateral application of diagnostic levels of ultrasound energy. RESULTS: In the 81 treated patients neither changes in office BP at 12 and 24 weeks, nor changes in 24-h ambulatory BP at 24-week follow-up visit differed between the two groups significantly. Of note, no safety signal was observed. Adherence analysis disclosed full adherence in 77% at baseline and 82% at 6 months' follow-up visit. Post hoc analysis revealed that stricter criteria for stabilization of BP at baseline were associated with a numerically greater change in 24-h ambulatory BP in the RDN group than in the sham group. CONCLUSION: Our data did not prove that antihypertensive efficacy of the externally delivered focused ultrasound for RDN was greater than the sham effect. Stabilization of BP at baseline was identified as an important determinant of BP changes.

• MeSH
• High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Ablation * MeSH
• Antihypertensive Agents therapeutic use   MeSH
• Denervation * MeSH
• Double-Blind Method MeSH
• Hypertension surgery   MeSH
• Blood Pressure MeSH
• Kidney innervation   MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Blood Pressure Determination MeSH
• Treatment Failure MeSH
• Early Termination of Clinical Trials MeSH
• Prospective Studies MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Check Tag
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Clinical Trial, Phase II MeSH
• Randomized Controlled Trial MeSH

Sinusová histiocytóza s masivní lymfadenopatií (Rosaiova-Dorfmanova nemoc) je velmi vzácná choroba řazená do skupiny histiocytóz (přesněji histiocytóz z non-Langerhansových buněk). Pro Rosaiovu-Dorfmanovu nemoc je charakteristická přítomnost atypických histiocytárních buněk v sinusech lymfatických uzlin či v lymfatické extranodální tkáni, pohlcujících lymfocyty a plazmocyty. U pohlcených buněk nedochází k porušení jejich struktury a funkce a pohlcené buňky mohou histiocyty opustit jako viabilní buňky. Tento jev se označuje jako emperipolesis, zatímco pohlcování buněk s jejich destrukcí se nazývá fagocytóza. V našem textu popisujeme pacientku s touto chorobou lokalizovanou typicky v krčních uzlinách, ale i v uzlinách mediastina. Současně s lymfadenopatií se objevily kožní změny, které byly klinicky i histologicky charakterizovány jako ekzémdermatitida. Současně s lymfadenopatií začaly také silné bolesti hlavy, kterými pacientka nikdy dříve netrpěla. V rámci léčby první linie byl podán prednison, ale tato léčba byla bez efektu. Pro léčbu druhé linie byl použit 2-chlorodeoxyadenozin v dávce 5 mg/m2 s. c. 5 dní po sobě v měsíčních intervalech. Celkem byly podány 4 cykly této léčby. Léčba byla tolerována bez jakýchkoliv projevů toxicity. Již po 1. cyklu zcela vymizely kožní změny a také zcela vymizely bolesti hlavy. K vyhodnocení efektu léčby bylo použito PET/CT vyšetření s 18F-fluorodeoxyglukózou (FDG-PET/CT). Po 4 cyklech léčby se uzliny v mediastinu zmenšily na fyziologickou velikost a akumulace fluorodeoxyglukózy v nich byla hodnocena jako fyziologická. Lymfadenopatie v oblasti krku se také vlivem léčby výrazně zmenšila o 50–75 % a zmenšila se i akumulace fluorodeoxyglukózy, ale ne do normy. Efekt léčby tedy hodnotíme jako parciální remisi s úplným vymizením kožních změn a bolestí hlavy. Příčina ekzému a bolestí hlavy nebyla objasněna, ale z časové souvislosti jejich vzniku a vymizení po aplikaci 2-chlorodeoxyadenozinu je pravděpodobná příčinná souvislost s Rosaiovou-Dorfmanovou nemocí.

Sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy (Rosai-Dorfman disease) is a very rare disease belonging to a group of histiocytoses (more precisely non-Langerhans cell histiocytoses). Rosai-Dorfman disease is characterised by the presence of atypical histiocytic cells in the sinuses of lymph nodes or in the extranodal lymphoid tissue, absorbing lymphocytes and plasma cells. The structure and function of the absorbed cells is not impaired and they can leave histiocytes as viable cells. This effect is called emperipolesis, whereas ingestion of cells with their destruction is called phagocytosis. In our text we describe a patient with this disease located, characteristically, in supraclavicular lymph nodes, but also in mediastinal lymph nodes. Along with lymphadenopathy skin alterations appeared which were both clinically and histologically described as eczema dermatitis. At the same time as lymphadenopathy also strong headaches started which the patient had never suffered before. Within the first-line treatment prednisone was administered, but no effect was achieved. 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine in 5 mg/m2 s. c. dose was used in the second-line treatment, for 5 successive days in monthly intervals. There were four cycles of this treatment administered overall. Therapy was tolerated without any manifestations of toxicity. Already after the 1st cycle skin alterations as well as headaches entirely disappeared. To assess the effect of treatment the PET/CT examination with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG-PET/CT) was made. After 4 cycles of treatment the mediastinal lymph nodes diminished to a physiological size and the accumulation of fluorodeoxyglucose in them was assessed as physiological. Lymphadenopathy in the neck area also significantly diminished by 50–75 % and the accumulation of fluorodeoxyglucose was reduced as well, though it did not reach the norm. Therefore we evaluate the effect of treatment as a partial remission with complete disappearance of skin alterations and headaches. The cause of the eczema and headaches has not been clarified, however considering the same time of their arising and then disappearance after the application of 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine the causal connection with Rosai-Dorfman disease is likely.

• MeSH
• Headache etiology   MeSH
• Cytostatic Agents MeSH
• Eczema etiology   MeSH
• Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 MeSH
• Immunomodulation MeSH
• Remission Induction MeSH
• Cladribine administration & dosage   therapeutic use   MeSH
• Disease Attributes MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Lymphatic Diseases etiology   drug therapy   MeSH
• Tomography, X-Ray Computed MeSH
• Positron-Emission Tomography MeSH
• Signs and Symptoms MeSH
• Histiocytosis, Sinus * diagnosis   drug therapy   physiopathology   MeSH
• Treatment Outcome MeSH
• Check Tag
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Case Reports MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

Invertebrates are dominant species in primary tropical rainforests, where their abundance and diversity contributes to the functioning and resilience of these globally important ecosystems. However, more than one-third of tropical forests have been logged, with dramatic impacts on rainforest biodiversity that may disrupt key ecosystem processes. We find that the contribution of invertebrates to three ecosystem processes operating at three trophic levels (litter decomposition, seed predation and removal, and invertebrate predation) is reduced by up to one-half following logging. These changes are associated with decreased abundance of key functional groups of termites, ants, beetles and earthworms, and an increase in the abundance of small mammals, amphibians and insectivorous birds in logged relative to primary forest. Our results suggest that ecosystem processes themselves have considerable resilience to logging, but the consistent decline of invertebrate functional importance is indicative of a human-induced shift in how these ecological processes operate in tropical rainforests.

• MeSH
• Invertebrates physiology   MeSH
• Biodiversity MeSH
• Rainforest * MeSH
• Plant Dispersal physiology   MeSH
• Species Specificity MeSH
• Forestry statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Amphibians physiology   MeSH
• Population Dynamics MeSH
• Food Chain MeSH
• Birds physiology   MeSH
• Mammals physiology   MeSH
• Trees physiology   MeSH
• Tropical Climate MeSH
• Conservation of Natural Resources * MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Geographicals
• Malaysia MeSH

INTRODUCTION: The sharpness of lateral peaks is a visually helpful clinical feature in high-speed videokymographic (VKG) images indicating vertical phase differences and mucosal waves on the vibrating vocal folds and giving insights into the health and pliability of vocal fold mucosa. This study aims at investigating parameters that can be helpful in objectively quantifying the lateral peak sharpness from the VKG images. METHOD: Forty-five clinical VKG images with different degrees of sharpness of lateral peaks were independently evaluated visually by three raters. The ratings were compared to parameters obtained by automatic image analysis of the vocal fold contours: Open Time Percentage Quotients (OTQ) and Plateau Quotients (PQ). The OTQ parameters were derived as fractions of the period during which the vocal fold displacement exceeds a predetermined percentage of the vibratory amplitude. The PQ parameters were derived similarly but as a fraction of the open phase instead of a period. RESULTS: The best correspondence between the visual ratings and the automatically derived quotients were found for the OTQ and PQ parameters derived at 95% and 80% of the amplitude, named OTQ95, PQ95, OTQ80 and PQ80. Their Spearman's rank correlation coefficients were in the range of 0.73 to 0.77 (P < 0.001) indicating strong relationships with the visual ratings. The strengths of these correlations were similar to those found from inter-rater comparisons of visual evaluations of peak sharpness. CONCLUSION: The Open time percentage and Plateau quotients at 95% and 80% of the amplitude stood out as the possible candidates for capturing the sharpness of the lateral peaks with their reliability comparable to that of visual ratings.

• MeSH
• Video Recording * MeSH
• Automation MeSH
• Biomechanical Phenomena MeSH
• Time Factors MeSH
• Phonation * MeSH
• Vocal Cords diagnostic imaging   physiopathology   MeSH
• Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted * MeSH
• Voice Quality * MeSH
• Kymography * MeSH
• Laryngoscopy MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Judgment MeSH
• Voice Disorders diagnostic imaging   physiopathology   MeSH
• Predictive Value of Tests MeSH
• Retrospective Studies MeSH
• Laryngeal Mucosa diagnostic imaging   physiopathology   MeSH
• Vibration MeSH
• Visual Perception * MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

• MeSH
• Allergy and Immunology MeSH
• Rheumatology MeSH
• Publication type
• Collected Work MeSH

• Conspectus
• Patologie. Klinická medicína
• NML Fields
• revmatologie
• alergologie a imunologie

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical status and radiographic progression in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) being followed by the Czech National Registry of biological treatments. METHODS: Patients who failed at least two disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and had high disease activity (DAS28 > 5.1) were treated with infliximab. Radiographic progression was measured with a modified version of the Sharp score (TSS) after 54 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: Ninety-nine patients with an average disease duration of 13.7 years were enrolled. The DAS28 dropped from 6.66 to 4.07 (p < 0.001). Before treatment the mean TSS was 90.1 and the mean estimated yearly disease progression was 8.56. After 54 weeks of infliximab, radiographic progression was 4.15 times slower than the estimated rate before treatment and 63 patients did not show any radiographic progression at all. In the remaining 36 patients, the progression rate slowed to 3.8 +/- 0.9 from the estimated TSS of 10.9 +/- 6.9 before the initiation of treatment (p = 0.011). CONCLUSION: Data derived from the Czech National Registry, which reflect general clinical practice, show a significant retardation of radiographic progression in patients treated with anti-TNF and the magnitude of the improvement seen is similar to results from clinical trials.

• MeSH
• Antirheumatic Agents therapeutic use   MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Financing, Organized MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Antibodies, Monoclonal therapeutic use   MeSH
• Disease Progression MeSH
• Registries MeSH
• Arthritis, Rheumatoid drug therapy   radiotherapy   MeSH
• Aged, 80 and over MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged, 80 and over MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic MeSH

Východiska: Pozitronová emisní tomografie (PET) je moderní diagnostickou metodou z oboru nukleární medicíny, která je používaná k diagnostice různých patologických stavů organizmu, především pak v onkologii. První analýza využití a potenciálního využití PET v ČR byla publikována v roce 2013. V následujících letech došlo ke skokovému nárůstu počtu PET/CT a PET/MRI kamer v ČR, mezi lety 2013–2021 na dvojnásobek. Ruku v ruce s narůstajícím počtem vyšetření se rozšiřovala také škála v ČR dostupných registrovaných radiofarmak. Materiál a metody: Studie analyzuje počet a skladbu výkonů PET, PET/CT a PET/MRI v letech 2013–2021 s použitím pseudonymizovaných dat získaných z Všeobecné zdravotní pojišťovny ČR, extrapolovaných na celou populaci ČR. Data byla vyhodnocena podle řady zvolených kvalitativních a kvantitativních ukazatelů (počet vyšetření, rozložení diagnóz, využití různých radiofarmak, dostupnost vyšetření). Výsledky: Ve sledovaném období došlo k praktickému zdvojnásobení počtu prováděných výkonů, a to jak díky zvýšení počtu instalovaných kamer, tak rozšíření škály radiofarmak, která jsou k dispozici. Procentuální zastoupení onkologických a neonkologických výkonů v čase zůstává víceméně zachováno. Přetrvávají nicméně regionální rozdíly v počtu provedených vyšetření a s tím související dostupnosti péče. Závěr: Metoda PET je v ČR stále dynamicky se rozvíjející metodou molekulárního zobrazování. Analýza počtu a složení výkonů s využitím metody PET poskytuje cenný pohled na rozvoj této metody v ČR jak v rovině časové, tak v rovině diagnóz, využití radiofarmak či geografického rozdělení výkonů. Zjištěné skutečnosti jsou motivací k dalším analýzám.

Background: Positron emission tomography (PET) is a state-of-the-art diagnostic method of nuclear medicine, used for diagnostics of many pathological states in the organism, first and foremost in oncological issues. The first analysis of utilization and potential utilization of PET in the Czech Republic was published in 2013. In the following years, there was a sharp increase in a number of PET/CT and PET/MRI scanners in the country; in 2013–2021, it doubled. Simultaneously with the increase in scans performed, the range of available radiopharmaceuticals also broadened. Material and methods: The study analyses the numbers and structure of PET, PET/CT and PET/MRI scans in the 2013–2021 period, using the pseudonymized data acquired from the General Health Insurance Company of the Czech Republic. The data was evaluated through a series of qualitative and quantitative indicators (number of scans performed, structure of diagnoses, use of different tracers, and availability of a scan for a patient). Results: In the observed interval of time, the number of scans performed practically doubled, both thanks to more scanners installed and more radiopharmaceuticals available. The percentage of oncological and non-oncological scans remains more or less the same. Nevertheless, the regional differences in a number of scans performed persist, as does the availability of the scan for patients. Conclusion: PET is still a dynamically developing molecular imaging method in the Czech Republic. The analysis of a number and structure of scans performed offers a priceless overview of the development of the method over the years, in regard to diagnoses, utilization of individual radiopharmaceuticals or geographic distribution of scans performed. The observed findings are a motivation for further analyses.

• MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging methods   MeSH
• Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography methods   MeSH
• Positron-Emission Tomography * methods   statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Radiopharmaceuticals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Clinical Study MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic MeSH

• MeSH
• Surgical Procedures, Operative MeSH

• Conspectus
• Ortopedie. Chirurgie. Oftalmologie
• NML Fields
• chirurgie
• NML Publication type
• kolektivní monografie
• učebnice vysokých škol

Dvaašedesátiletý pacient, běloch, byl přijat pro synkopu bez prodromů během běžné denní aktivity. V průběhu EKG monitoringu byly pozorovány četné asystolické pauzy nad 4 s v důsledku sinoatriální blokády a sinusová bradykardie. V průběhu implantace kardiostimulátoru byla diagnostikována perzistující levostranná horní dutá žíla s agenezí pravostranné horní duté žíly. Vcelku neproblematické zavedení pravosíňové elektrody bylo následováno náročnou implantací pravokomorové elektrody. Nakonec bylo dosaženo anteriorní pozice s ostrým úhlem k pravé komoře s excelentními stimulačními parametry. Transezofageální echokardiografie potvrdila diagnózu perzistující levostranné horní duté žíly s agenezí pravostranné horní duté žíly. Navíc jsme při selektivní koronarografii dále prokázali koronarobronchiální píštěl spojující větev arteria coronaria dextra s bronchiální cévou. Dle našeho nejlepšího vědomí jsme první, kdo popisuje kombinaci perzistující levostrannou horní dutou žílu s agenezí pravostranné horní duté žíly, koronarobronchiální píštělí a kondukční abnormalitou vyžadující implantaci kardiostimulátoru.

A 62-year-old Caucasian male presented with syncope during casual daily activity without preceding prodromes. During ECG Holter monitoring, we observed numerous asystolic pauses lasting >4 s due to sino-atrial blockade and sinus bradycardia. During pacemaker implantation, persistent left superior vena cava with agenesis of the right superior vena cava was diagnosed. Unproblematic placement of atrial lead was followed by challenging placement of the right ventricular lead. Anterior position with a sharp angulation to the right ventricular wall was achieved with excellent stimulation parameters. Transesophageal echocardiography confirmed the diagnosis of persistent left superior vena cava with agenesis of right superior vena cava. Moreover, selective coronary angiography showed connection between right coronary artery branch and bronchial vessel. To the best of our knowledge, we are the first to describe a combination of persistent left superior vena cava with absent right superior vena cava, coronary-bronchial fistula and conduction abnormality with the necessity of device implantation.

• MeSH
• Bronchial Arteries * abnormalities   surgery   MeSH
• Arterio-Arterial Fistula * diagnosis   surgery   MeSH
• Pacemaker, Artificial utilization   MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Syncope epidemiology   etiology   MeSH
• Vena Cava, Superior * abnormalities   surgery   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Publication type
• Case Reports MeSH