Performance of an ultra-fast deep-learning accelerated MRI screening protocol for prostate cancer compared to a standard multiparametric protocol.

OBJECTIVES: To establish and evaluate an ultra-fast MRI screening protocol for prostate cancer (PCa) in comparison to the standard multiparametric (mp) protocol, reducing scan time and maintaining adequate diagnostic performance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective single-center study included consecutive biopsy-naïve patients with suspected PCa between December 2022 and March 2023. A PI-RADSv2.1 conform mpMRI protocol was acquired in a 3 T scanner (scan time: 25 min 45 sec). In addition, two deep-learning (DL) accelerated sequences (T2- and diffusion-weighted) were acquired, serving as a screening protocol (scan time: 3 min 28 sec). Two readers evaluated image quality and the probability of PCa regarding PI-RADSv2.1 scores in two sessions. The diagnostic performance of the screening protocol with mpMRI serving as the reference standard was derived. Inter- and intra-reader agreements were evaluated using weighted kappa statistics. RESULTS: We included 77 patients with 97 lesions (mean age: 66 years; SD: 7.7). Diagnostic performance of the screening protocol was excellent with a sensitivity and specificity of 100%/100% and 89%/98% (cut-off ≥ PI-RADS 4) for reader 1 (R1) and reader 2 (R2), respectively. Mean image quality was 3.96 (R1) and 4.35 (R2) for the standard protocol vs. 4.74 and 4.57 for the screening protocol (p < 0.05). Inter-reader agreement was moderate (κ: 0.55) for the screening protocol and substantial (κ: 0.61) for the multiparametric protocol. CONCLUSION: The ultra-fast screening protocol showed similar diagnostic performance and better imaging quality compared to the mpMRI in under 15% of scan time, improving efficacy and enabling the implementation of screening protocols in clinical routine. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: The ultra-fast protocol enables examinations without contrast administration, drastically reducing scan time to 3.5 min with similar diagnostic performance and better imaging quality. This facilitates patient-friendly, efficient examinations and addresses the conflict of increasing demand for examinations at currently exhausted capacities. KEY POINTS: Time-consuming MRI protocols are in conflict with an expected increase in examinations required for prostate cancer screening. An ultra-fast MRI protocol shows similar performance and better image quality compared to the standard protocol. Deep-learning acceleration facilitates efficient and patient-friendly examinations, thus improving prostate cancer screening capacity.

Migration and informal work in the new Berlin: new forms of work or new sources of labour?

PIP: This article focuses on the growing informalization of work, which refers to the strategies that aim to avoid state control and its identification with new migration streams in Berlin. The growth of unemployment and low-waged precarious jobs in an informal or shadow economy is said to be a result of the influx of new illegal migrants. Although Germany does not consider itself as a country of immigration, continuous exceptions have been made to permit the restricted access of temporary workers. The major patterns for new migration were shaped by policies adopted during post-war reconstruction. Programs were started in connection with the asylum compromise and the transformations in Germany and eastern Europe. The informalization of work has gained a new significance in the post-unification era. In conclusion, the diverse processes of re-structuring, deregulation, and migratory labor movements combined with the total lack of acceptance of the notion that Germany is a country of immigration, have created new sources of undocumented skilled and unskilled labor for an expanding informalized sector of the labor market.^ieng

[Pyrido(3,2-e)(1,4)diazepines--synthesis and testing of anti-HIV-1 activity]. / Pyrido[3,2-e][1,4]diazepine-Synthese und Prüfung auf Anti-HIV-1-Wirkung.

Starting from the commercially available 6-methyl-2-pyridylamine (1) the pyrido[3,2-e][1,4]diazepine 14a was synthesized in 12 steps with 7% total yield. 14a, the N-methyl derivative 14b, the thiolactam 15a, the amidine 16, and the 1,2,4-triazole 17 were tested for anti-HIV-1-activity. None of the compounds tested possesses antiviral activity comparable to that of zidovudine (3'-azido-3'-desoxythymidine = AZT).

Migration and ethnicity in a non-immigration country: foreigners in a united Germany.

"The re-unification of Germany has dramatically altered the position of settled minorities in [the former West Germany]. Ethnic Germans have been granted rights hitherto denied to migrant workers and their descendants. There has been a pronounced growth in hostility and violence directed mainly at Turks and Yugoslavs. This has been most evident amongst the former citizens of the [former East Germany] and other ethnic Germans. These events have posed anew questions of legitimacy which have been answered so far in terms reminiscent of ideologies from the Second World War."

International migration and ethnic minorities: new fields for post-war sociology in the Federal Republic of Germany.

A review of studies concerning international migration and the development of ethnic minorities in the Federal Republic of Germany is presented. "This review will emphasize primarily the sociological literature in the Federal Republic of Germany in the context of developments since 1960. In addition to a discussion of the key issues and concepts employed, empirical research in the areas of social problems, housing and urban questions, education, the second generation, and return migration, among others, will be treated." (SUMMARY IN FRE)