1611. Improving taxonomic practices and enhancing its extensibility—an example from araneologyJason E. Bond, Rebecca L. Godwin, Jordan D. Colby, Lacie G. Newton, Xavier J. Zahnle, Ingi Agnarsson, Christopher A. Hamilton, Matjaž Kuntner, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: Planetary extinction of biodiversity underscores the need for taxonomy. Here, we scrutinizespider taxonomy over the last decade (2008–2018), compiling 2083 published accounts of newlydescribed species. We evaluated what type of data were used to delineate species, whether data weremade freely available, whether an explicit species hypothesis was stated, what types of media wereused, the sample sizes, and the degree to which species constructs were integrative. The findings wereport reveal that taxonomy remains largely descriptive, not integrative, and provides no explicitconceptual framework. Less than 4% of accounts explicitly stated a species concept and over one-thirdof all new species described were based on 1–2 specimens or only one sex. Only ~5% of studies madedata freely available, and only ~14% of all newly described species employed more than one line ofevidence, with molecular data used in ~6% of the studies. These same trends have been discovered inother animal groups, and therefore we find it logical that taxonomists face an uphill challenge whenjustifying the scientific rigor of their field and securing the needed resources. To move taxonomyforward, we make recommendations that, if implemented, will enhance its rigor, repeatability, andscientific standards.
Keywords: taxonomy, taxonomic crisis, species concepts, data management, monographic research
Published in DiRROS: 16.07.2024; Views: 332; Downloads: 170
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1612. Water quality characteristics and source analysis of pollutants in the Maotiao river basin (SW China)Yinjiu Li, Qiuhua Li, Shulin Jiao, Chen Liu, Liuying Yang, Guojia Huang, Si Zhou, Mengshu Han, Anton Brancelj, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: Rivers are an important mediator between human activities and the natural environment. They provide multiple functions, including irrigation, transportation, food supply, recreation, and water supply. Therefore, evaluations of water quality and pollution sources are of great significance for ecological restoration and management of rivers. In this study, the improved “vušekriterijumska optimizacija i kompromisno rješenje” (VIKOR in Serbian; in English: Multicriteria Optimization and Compromise Solution), and a geodetector were used to analyze the water quality characteristics and pollution sources of the Maotiao River Basin (Gizhou province, SW China). The results showed that the water quality of the Maotiao River Basin deteriorated significantly during the summer drought period, as was evident in the reservoirs and lakes. It improved in the wet season (i.e., during the summer period) due to runoff dilution. Water quality decreased along the river’s course, from upstream to downstream sections. The results of the geographic detector analysis showed that agricultural areas were the primary factor affecting the spatial distribution of water quality in the river basin. In July, August, and November 2020, the influence of agricultural land was 0.72, 0.60, or 0.80, respectively, and the interactions among urban, industrial, agricultural, and forested areas explained 99.2%, 83.2%, or 99.9% of the spatial differentiation of water quality, respectively. Due to the influence of spatial scale, settlements have a small influence on the spatial distribution of water quality. Their impact factors were 0.38, −0.24, and −0.05, respectively. Notably, the negative relationship of water quality and forested areas reflects that topography, types of landscapes, and soil thickness have considerable influences on the Maotiao River Basin’s water quality. Based on the findings, we infer that good farmland water conservancy projects and comprehensive management of different types of landscapes, such as forests, agriculture, and urban area and water bodies, are of great significance for improving water quality.
Keywords: water quality, statistical data, VIKOR model, CRITIC model
Published in DiRROS: 16.07.2024; Views: 346; Downloads: 240
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1613. Experimental validation of Monte Carlo based treatment planning system in bone density equivalent mediaĐeni Smilović Radojčić, Božidar Casar, David Rajlić, Manda Švabić Kolacio, Ignasi Méndez Carot, Nevena Obajdin, Dea Dundara Debeljuh, Slaven Jurković, 2020, original scientific article Published in DiRROS: 16.07.2024; Views: 314; Downloads: 85
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1615. Treatment patterns and real-world evidence for stage III non-small cell lung cancer in Central and Eastern EuropeMilada Zemanova, Marko Jakopović, Karmen Stanič, Małgorzata Łazar-Poniatowska, Martina Vrankar, Petronela Rusu, Tudor Ciuleanu, Davorin Radosavljevic, Krisztina Bogos, Sergiusz Nawrocki, 2020, original scientific article Abstract: The aim of this project was to collect real-world evidence and describe treatment patterns for stage III non-small cell lung cancer in Central and Eastern Europe. Based on real-world evidence, an expert opinion was developed, and the unmet needs and quality indicators were identified. Patients and methods. A systematic literature search and a multidisciplinary expert panel of 10 physicians from 7 countries used a modified Delphi process to identify quality indicators and unmet needs in patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer. The profound questionnaire was used to characterize treatment patterns used for stage III non-small cell lung cancer, and a systematic review identified patterns in Central and Eastern Europe. The first questionnaire was completed by a group of medical oncologists, radiation oncologists and pneumologists. The panel of experts attended an in-person meeting to review the results of the questionnaire and to process a second round Delphi. An additional survey was then compiled and completed by the panel. Results. A complete consensus was reached by the panel of experts on a set of evidence-based clinical recommendations. The experience-based questionnaire generated a highly variable map of treatment patterns within the region. A list of unmet needs and barriers to quality care were developed with near-unanimous consent of the panel of experts. Conclusions. The current landscape of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in Central and Eastern European countries is highly variable. We identified several significant barriers, mainly related to the availability of diagnostic and imaging methods and low rates of chemoradiotherapy with curative intention as initial treatment for unresectable stage III NSCLC.
Keywords: non-small cell lung cance, stage III, treatment patterns, Delphi method
Published in DiRROS: 16.07.2024; Views: 381; Downloads: 153
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1616. Socioeconomic inequalities in cancer incidence in Europe : a comprehensive review of population-based epidemiological studiesAna Mihor, Sonja Tomšič, Tina Žagar, Katarina Lokar, Vesna Zadnik, 2020, review article Abstract: Background. Since the end of the previous century, there has not been a comprehensive review of European studies on socioeconomic inequality in cancer incidence. In view of recent advances in data source linkage and analytical methods, we aimed to update the knowledge base on associations between location-specific cancer incidence and individual or area-level measures of socio-economic status (SES) among European adults. Materials and methods. We systematically searched three databases (PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science) for articles on cancer incidence and SES. Qualitative synthesis was performed on the 91 included English language studies, published between 2000 and 2019 in Europe, which focused on adults, relied on cancer registry data and reported on relative risk (RR) estimates. Results. Adults with low SES have increased risk of head and neck, oesophagogastric, liver and gallbladder, pancreatic, lung, kidney, bladder, penile and cervical cancers (highest RRs for lung, head and neck, stomach and cervix). Conversely, high SES is linked with increased risk of thyroid, breast, prostate and skin cancers. Central nervous system and haematological cancers are not associated with SES. The positive gap in testicular cancer has narrowed, while colorectal cancer shows a varying pattern in different countries. Negative associations are generally stronger for men compared to women. Conclusions. In Europe, cancers in almost all common locations are associated with SES and the inequalities can be explained to a varying degree by known life-style related factors, most notably smoking. Independent effects of many individual and area SES measures which capture different aspects of SES can also be observed.
Keywords: socioeconomic status, socioeconomic inequality, cancer incidence
Published in DiRROS: 16.07.2024; Views: 339; Downloads: 161
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1617. Surgical options in treating patients with primary hyperparathyroidismMaša Majcen, Marko Hočevar, 2020, review article Abstract: Background. Primary hyperparathyroidism is the third most common endocrine disorder for which surgical procedure called parathyroidectomy is the most effective treatment. Since the early 20th century, parathyroid surgery has improved extensively. With the advances in preoperative imaging and with understanding the causes of disease, new and minimally invasive surgical approaches overrode the standard bilateral exploratory operations. Directed parathyroidectomy is currently the standard technique for treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism worldwide. Conclusions. Surgery is the only definitive treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism. The most appropriate type of surgical procedure depends on the number and localization of the hyperactive parathyroid glands, availability of modern imaging techniques, limitation of each type of procedure and expertise.
Keywords: primary hyperparathyroidism, minimally invasive parathyroidectomy, directed parathyroidectomy
Published in DiRROS: 16.07.2024; Views: 317; Downloads: 157
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1618. Evaluation of soluble mesothelin-related peptides and MSLN genetic variability in asbestos-related diseasesKatja Goričar, Viljem Kovač, Metoda Dodič-Fikfak, Vita Dolžan, Alenka Franko, 2020, original scientific article Abstract: Background Asbestos exposure is associated with increased risk of several diseases, including malignant mesothelioma (MM). Cell surface glycoprotein mesothelin is overexpressed in MM and serum soluble mesothelin-related peptides (SMRP) were already proposed as a diagnostic or prognostic biomarker in MM. However, interindividual variability in serum SMRP levels limits the clinical usefulness. Our primary objective was to investigate the influence of MSLN rs1057147 on serum SMRP levels in asbestos-exposed subjects and patients with asbestos-related diseases as well as on survival in MM. Subjects and methods Among 782 asbestos-exposed subjects and patients with asbestos-related diseases, 154 had MM. Serum SMRP levels were determined using sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. All subjects were genotyped for MSLN rs1057147 polymorphism using competitive allele-specific polymerase chain reaction. Nonparametric tests, logistic and Cox regression were used in statistical analysis to compare different subject groups. Results MM patients had significantly higher SMRP levels than all other subjects (p < 0.001). Compared to wild-type MSLN rs1057147 genotype, both heterozygotes and carriers of two polymorphic alleles had significantly higher SMRP levels among subjects without MM (p < 0.001), but not in MM patients (p = 0.424). If genotype information was included, specificity of SMRP increased from 88.5% to 92.7% for the optimal cutoff value. Overall survival was significantly shorter in MM patients carrying at least one polymorphic rs1057147 allele (HR = 1.72, 95% CI = 1.15-2.55, p = 0.008). Conclusions MSLN genetic variability affects serum SMRP levels and was associated with shorter survival of MM patients. Combination of genetic and serum factors could therefore serve as a better diagnostic or prognostic biomarker in MM patients.
Keywords: asbestos-related disease, malignant mesothelioma, mesothelin
Published in DiRROS: 16.07.2024; Views: 385; Downloads: 167
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1619. Percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy in patients with high-risk pulmonary embolism and contraindications for thrombolytic therapyMatjaž Bunc, Klemen Steblovnik, Simona Kržišnik-Zorman, Peter Popović, 2020, original scientific article Abstract: Background. High-risk pulmonary embolism is associated with a high early mortality rate. We report our experience with percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy in patients with high-risk pulmonary embolism and contraindications for thrombolytic therapy.Patients and methods. This was a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients with high-risk pulmonary embolism and contraindications to thrombolytic therapy. They were treated with percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy which included thrombectomy and additional thrombus aspiration when needed. Clinical parameters and survival to discharge were measured. Results. From November 2005 to September 2015 we treated 25 patients with a mean age of 62.6 +- 12.7 years, 64% were men. Mean simplified Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index was 2.9. Mean maximum lactate levels were 7.8 +- 6.6 mmol/L, vasopressors were used in 77%, and 59% needed mechanical ventilation. Mechanical treatment included thrombus fragmentation complemented with aspiration (56%) and aspiration using Aspirex S catheter (44%). Local (5 patients; 20%) and systemic (3 patients; 12%) thrombolytics were used as a salvage therapy. We observed nonsignifi-cant improvements in systemic blood pressure (100 +- 41 mm Hg vs 119 +- 34; p = 0.100) and heart frequency (99 +- 35 min-1vs 87 +- 31 min-1; p = 0.326) before and after treatment, respectively. Peak systolic tricuspid pressure gradient was significantly lower after treatment (57 +- 14 mm Hg vs 31 +- 3 mm Hg; p = 0.018). Overall the procedure was technically successful in 20 patients (80%) and 17 patients (68%) survived to hospital discharge. Conclusions. In patients with high-risk pulmonary embolism who cannot receive thrombolytic therapy, percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy is a promising alternative to reduce pulmonary artery pressure.
Keywords: high-risk pulmonary embolism, treatment, percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy
Published in DiRROS: 16.07.2024; Views: 351; Downloads: 204
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1620. Breast size and dose to cardiac substructures in adjuvant three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy compared to tangential intensity modulated radiotherapyIvica Ratoša, Aljaša Jenko, Željko Šljivić, Maja Pirnat, Irena Oblak, 2020, original scientific article Abstract: The aim of the study was to quantify planned doses to the heart and specific cardiac substructures in free-breathing adjuvant three-dimensional radiation therapy (3D-CRT) and tangential intensity modulated radiotherapy (t-IMRT) for left-sided node-negative breast cancer, and to assess the differences in planned doses to organs at risk according to patients% individual anatomy, including breast volume. Patients and methods. In the study, the whole heart and cardiac substructures were delineated for 60 patients using cardiac atlas. For each patient, 3D-CRT and t-IMRT plans were generated. The prescribed dose was 42.72 Gy in 16 fractions. Patients were divided into groups with small, medium, and large clinical target volume (CTV). Calculated dose distributions were compared amongst the two techniques and the three different groups of CTV. Results. Mean absorbed dose to the whole heart (MWHD) (1.9 vs. 2.1 Gy, P < 0.005), left anterior descending coronary artery mean dose (8.2 vs. 8.4 Gy, P < 0.005) and left ventricle (LV) mean dose (3.0 vs. 3.2, P < 0.005) were all significantly lower with 3D-CRT technique compared to t-IMRT. Apical (8.5 vs. 9.0, P < 0.005) and anterior LV walls (5.0 vs. 5.4 Gy, P < 0.005) received the highest mean dose (Dmean). MWHD and LV-Dmean increased with increasing CTV size regardless of the technique. Low MWHD values (< 2.5 Gy) were achieved in 44 (73.3%) and 41 (68.3%) patients for 3D-CRT and t-IMRT techniques, correspondingly. Conclusions. Our study confirms a considerable range of the planned doses within the heart for adjuvant 3D-CRT or t-IMRT in node-negative breast cancer. We observed differences in heart dosimetric metrics between the three groups of CTV size, regardless of the radiotherapy planning technique.
Keywords: breast cancer, radiotherapy, 3D-CRT
Published in DiRROS: 16.07.2024; Views: 312; Downloads: 157
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