Results of the enhanced COVID-19 surveillance during UEFA EURO 2020 in Germany.

In general, mass gatherings might pose a risk to the public health (PH). The UEFA EURO 2020 tournament (EURO 2020) was one of the first mass gathering events since the start of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Germany. To allow early detection and response to any EURO 2020-associated impact on the COVID-19-related epidemiological situation, we initiated enhanced surveillance activities using the routine surveillance system in collaboration with the regional PH authority of Bavaria.

Nuclear Receptor Nur77 Controls Cardiac Fibrosis through Distinct Actions on Fibroblasts and Cardiomyocytes.

Fibrosis is a hallmark of adverse cardiac remodeling, which promotes heart failure, but it is also an essential repair mechanism to prevent cardiac rupture, signifying the importance of appropriate regulation of this process. In the remodeling heart, cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) differentiate into myofibroblasts (MyoFB), which are the key mediators of the fibrotic response. Additionally, cardiomyocytes are involved by providing pro-fibrotic cues.

Breast-density measurement using photon-counting spectral mammography.

Purpose: To evaluate a method for measuring breast density using photon-counting spectral mammography. Breast density is an indicator of breast cancer risk and diagnostic accuracy in mammography, and can be used as input to personalized screening, treatment monitoring and dose estimation.

Methods: The measurement method employs the spectral difference in x-ray attenuation between adipose and fibro-glandular tissue, and does not rely on any a priori information.

Fully automatic geometry planning for cardiac MR imaging and reproducibility of functional cardiac parameters.

Purpose: To establish operator-independent, fully automated planning of standard cardiac geometries and to determine the impact on interstudy reproducibility of cardiac functional parameters.

Materials And Methods: Cardiac MR imaging was done in 50 patients referred for left-ventricular function assessment. In all patients, first standard manual planning was performed followed by automatic planning (AUTO1) and repeat automatic planning (AUTO2) after repositioning the patient to investigate interstudy reproducibility.

Specialization and competition in healthcare delivery networks.

Hospital networks, which offer multiple services at multiple locations, are investigating strategies to fight the growing competition from specialty hospitals. Specialty hospitals focus on a selective range of profitable services, have better control over costs, and deliver higher (perceived) quality. A hospital network too can create specialized facilities; however, this may lead to the loss of sales from services that it no longer offers.