Plausibility in Architectural Design - DOMEdesign – Software Support for the formal shaping and architect-oriented design of shell structures

Complex gridshell structures used in architecturally ambitious constructions remain as appealing as ever in the public realm. This paper describes the theory and approach behind the software realisation of a tool which helps in finding the affine self-weight geometry of gridshell structures. The software tool DOMEdesign supports the formal design process of lattice and grid shell structures based upon the laws of physics. The computer-aided simulation of suspension models is used to derive structurally favourable forms for domes and arches subject to compression load, based upon the input of simple architectonic parameters. Irregular plans, three-dimensional topography, a choice different kinds of shell lattice structures and the desired height of the dome are examples of design parameters which can be used to modify the architectural design. The provision of data export formats for structural dimensioning and visualisation software enables engineers and planners to use the data in future planning and to communicate the design to the client

Serial stereotactic biopsy of brainstem lesions in adults improves diagnostic accuracy compared with MRI only.

Objective: The aim of the current prospective study was to analyse the validity of MRI based diagnosis of brainstem gliomas which was verified by stereotactic biopsy and follow-up evaluation as well as to assess prognostic factors and risk profile. Methods: Between 1998 and 2007, all consecutive adult patients with radiologically suspected brainstem glioma were included. The MRI based diagnosis of the lesions was made independently by an experienced neuroradiologist. Histopathological evaluation was performed in all patients from paraffin embedded specimens obtained by multimodal image guided stereotactic serial biopsy technique. Histopathological results were compared with prior radiological assessment. Length of survival was estimated with the Kaplan–Meier method and prognostic factors were calculated using the Cox model. Results: 46 adult patients were included. Histological evaluation revealed pilocytic astrocytoma (n=2), WHO grade II glioma (n=14), malignant glioma (n=12), metastasis (n=7), lymphoma (n=5), cavernoma (n=1), inflammatory disease (n=2) or no tumour/ gliosis (n=3). Perioperative morbidity was 2.5% (n=1). There was no permanent morbidity and no mortality. All patients with ‘‘no tumour’’ or ‘‘inflammatory disease’’ survived. Patients with low grade glioma and malignant glioma showed a 1 year survival rate of 75% and 25%, respectively; the 1 year survival rate for patients with lymphoma or metastasis was 30%. In the subgroup with a verified brainstem glioma, negative predictors for length of survival were higher tumour grade (p=0.002) and Karnofsky performance score (70 (p=0.004). Conclusion: Intra-axial brainstem lesions with a radiological pattern of glioma represent a very heterogeneous tumour group with completely different outcomes. Radiological features alone are not reliable for diagnostic classification. Stereotactic biopsy is a safe method to obtain a valid tissue diagnosis, which is indispensible for treatment decision

Krüppel-like factor 8 (KLF8) is expressed in gliomas of different WHO grades and is essential for tumor cell proliferation.

Krüppel-like factor 8 (KLF8) has only recently been identified to be involved in tumor cell proliferation and invasion of several different tumor entities like renal cell carcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma and breast cancer. In the present study, we show for the first time the expression of KLF8 in gliomas of different WHO grades and its functional impact on glioma cell proliferation. In order to get information about KLF8-mRNA regulation qPCR was performed and did not reveal any significant difference in samples (n = 10 each) of non-neoplastic brain (NNB), low-grade gliomas (LGG, WHO°II) and glioblastomas (GBM, WHO°IV). Immunohistochemistry of tissue samples (n = 7 LGG, 11 AA and 12 GBM) did not show any significant difference in the fraction of KLF8-immunopositive cells of all analyzed cells in LGG (87%), AA (80%) or GBM (89%). Tissue samples from cerebral breast cancer metastasis, meningiomas but also non-neoplastic brain demonstrated comparable relative cell counts as well. Moreover, there was no correlation between KLF8 expression and the expression pattern of the assumed proliferation marker Ki67, which showed high variability between different tumor grade (9% (LGG), 6% (AA) and 15% (GBM) of Ki67-immunopositive cells). Densitometric analysis of Western blotting revealed that the relative amount of KLF8-protein did also not differ between the highly aggressive and proliferative GBM (1.05) compared to LGG (0.93; p<0.05, studens t-test). As demonstrated for some other non-glial cancer entities, KLF8-knockdown by shRNA in U87-MG cells confirmed its functional relevance, leading to an almost complete loss of tumor cell proliferation. Selective blocking of KLF8 might represent a novel anti-proliferative treatment strategy for malignant gliomas. Yet, its simultaneous expression in non-proliferating tissues could hamper this approach

Volumen Rendering in der Architektur: Überlagerung und Kombination von 3D Voxel Volumendaten mit 3D Gebäudemodellen

Volumerendering ist eine Darstellungstechnik, um verschiedene räumliche Mess- und Simulationsdaten anschaulich, interaktiv grafisch darzustellen. Im folgenden Beitrag wird ein Verfahren vorgestellt, mehrere Volumendaten mit einem Architekturflächenmodell zu überlagern. Diese komplexe Darstellungsberechnung findet mit hardwarebeschleunigten Shadern auf der Grafikkarte statt. Im Beitrag wird hierzu der implementierte Softwareprototyp "VolumeRendering" vorgestellt. Neben dem interaktiven Berechnungsverfahren wurde ebenso Wert auf eine nutzerfreundliche Bedienung gelegt. Das Ziel bestand darin, eine einfache Bewertung der Volumendaten durch Fachplaner zu ermöglichen. Durch die Überlagerung, z. B. verschiedener Messverfahren mit einem Flächenmodell, ergeben sich Synergien und neue Auswertungsmöglichkeiten. Abschließend wird anhand von Beispielen aus einem interdisziplinären Forschungsprojekt die Anwendung des Softwareprototyps illustriert

Plausibility in Architectural Design - Software Support for the Architect-oriented Design of Colour Schemes for Interiors and Buildings

The approach discussed here is part of research into an overall concept for digital instruments which support the entire planning process and help in enabling planning decisions to be based upon clear reasoning and plausible arguments. Such specialist systems must take into account currently available technology, such as networked working patterns, object-orientation, building and product models as well as the working method of the planner. The paper describes a plausibility instrument for the formulation of colour scheme proposals for building interiors and elevations. With the help of intuitively usable light simulations, colour, material and spatial concepts can be assessed realistically. The software prototype “Coloured Architecture” is conceived as a professional extension to conventional design tools for the modelling of buildings. As such it can be used by the architect in the earliest design phases of the planning process as well as for colour implementation on location

Recent advances in the biology and treatment of brain metastases of non-small cell lung cancer: summary of a multidisciplinary roundtable discussion

This article is the result of a round table discussion held at the European Lung Cancer Conference (ELCC) in Geneva in May 2017. Its purpose is to explore and discuss the advances in the knowledge about the biology and treatment of brain metastases originating from non-small cell lung cancer. The authors propose a series of recommendations for research and treatment within the discussed context

State-of-the-art treatment alternatives for base of skull meningiomas: complementing and controversial indications for neurosurgery, stereotactic and robotic based radiosurgery or modern fractionated radiation techniques

For skull base meningiomas, several treatment paradigms are available: Observation with serial imaging, surgical resection, stereotactic radiosurgery, radiation therapy or some combination of both. The choice depends on several factors. In this review we evaluate different treatment options, the outcome of modern irradiation techniques as well as the clinical results available, and establish recommendations for the treatment of patients with skull-base meningiomas

Vestibular Function and Quality of Life in Vestibular Schwannoma: Does Size Matter?

Objectives: Patients with vestibular schwannoma (VS) frequently suffer from disabling vestibular symptoms. This prospective follow-up study evaluates vestibular and auditory function and impairment of quality of life due to vertigo, dizziness, and imbalance in patients with unilateral VS of different sizes before/after microsurgical or radiosurgical treatment. Methods: Thirty-eight patients with unilateral VS were included. Twenty-two received microsurgery, 16 CyberKnife radiosurgery. Two follow-ups took place after a median of 50 and 186.5 days. Patients received a standardized neuro-ophthalmological examination, electronystagmography with bithermal caloric testing, and pure-tone audiometry. Quality of life was evaluated with the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI). Patient data was grouped and analyzed according to the size of the VS (group 1: <20 mm vs group 2: ≥20 mm). Results: In group 1, the median loss of vestibular function was +10.5% as calculated by Jongkees Formula (range −43 to +52; group 2: median +36%, range −56 to +90). The median change of DHI scores was −9 in group 1 (range −68 to 30) and +2 in group 2 (−54;+20). Median loss of hearing was 4 dB (−42; 93) in group 1 and 12 dB in group 2 (5; 42). Conclusion: Loss of vestibular function in VS clearly correlates with tumor size. However, loss of vestibular function was not strictly associated with a long-term deterioration of quality of life. This may be due to central compensation of vestibular deficits in long-standing large tumors. Loss of hearing before treatment was significantly influenced by the age of the patient but not by tumor size. At follow-up 1 and 2, hearing was significantly influenced by the size of the VS and the manner of treatment

Past medical history of tumors other than meningioma is a negative prognostic factor for tumor recurrence in meningiomas WHO grade I

BACKGROUND Prognostic markers for meningioma recurrence are needed to guide patient management. Apart from rare hereditary syndromes, the impact of a previous unrelated tumor disease on meningioma recurrence has not been described before. METHODS We retrospectively searched our database for patients with meningioma WHO grade I and complete resection provided between 2002 and 2016. Demographical, clinical, pathological, and outcome data were recorded. The following covariates were included in the statistical model: age, sex, clinical history of unrelated tumor disease, and localization (skull base vs. convexity). Particular interest was paid to the patients' past medical history. The study endpoint was date of tumor recurrence on imaging. Prognostic factors were obtained from multivariate proportional hazards models. RESULTS Out of 976 meningioma patients diagnosed with a meningioma WHO grade I, 416 patients fulfilled our inclusion criteria. We encountered 305 women and 111 men with a median age of 57 years (range: 21-89 years). Forty-six patients suffered from a tumor other than meningioma, and no TERT mutation was detected in these patients. There were no differences between patients with and without a positive oncological history in terms of age, tumor localization, or mitotic cell count. Clinical history of prior tumors other than meningioma showed the strongest association with meningioma recurrence (p = 0.004, HR = 3.113, CI = 1.431-6.771) both on uni- and multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION Past medical history of tumors other than meningioma might be associated with an increased risk of meningioma recurrence. A detailed pre-surgical history might help to identify patients at risk for early recurrence