Scientific publications of the Saarland University
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Pellicle engineering with CaneCPI-5: a scoping review
Get PDFObjectives: The salivary pellicle regulates interfacial processes on dental surfaces, offering protection against
erosion and influencing bacterial adhesion. CaneCPI-5, a sugarcane-derived peptide inspired by cystatins, has
been proposed as a cost-effective agent for pellicle modification. This scoping review evaluates the potential of
CaneCPI-5 in pellicle engineering, particularly regarding erosion prevention and bacterial adhesion.
Data: Studies investigating the effects of CaneCPI-5 on pellicles formed by human saliva on enamel or dentin
were included.
Sources: A literature search was conducted in Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science up to May 2025. Only English language research articles were considered. Hand-searching, including checking reference lists, was not
conducted.
Study selection: A total of 131 records were identified. After removing duplicates, the titles, abstracts and full-text
were screened, resulting in 20 included studies. Most studies were conducted on enamel pellicles (n = 17), with
some on dentin (n = 2) or both (n = 1). CaneCPI-5 demonstrated enamel-binding ability and modified the pellicle
proteome by increasing acid-resistant proteins, enhancing resistance to erosion. Its effects on bacterial adhesion
and caries prevention were inconsistent. Combinations with other agents, particularly vitamin E, showed syn ergistic effects, though overall findings were mixed.
Conclusions: CaneCPI-5 shows promise as a pellicle-modifying agent for erosion protection. However, current
evidence is limited, and findings remain inconclusive, merit further research under clinically relevant conditions.
Clinical significance: Intentional modification of the pellicle with peptides like CaneCPI-5 may improve its pro tective properties and support preventive measures. Nonetheless, the long-term effects and clinical applicability
of such modifications remain unclear. Further studies are needed to confirm their efficacy in the dynamic oral
environment
Monitoring subcellular NADP redox state with NAPstar biosensors
Get PDFNADP is a crucial coenzyme in all living organisms, fulfilling important and distinct functions in different subcellular compartments. The NADP redox state is intimately coupled to anabolic metabolism, antioxidative defence, and signalling. However, reliable and specific monitoring of subcellular NADP redox state dynamics has proven remarkably challenging. The NAPstar family of genetically encoded fluorescent NADP redox state probes overcomes key limitations of previous approaches
Impact of Antidiabetic Medication on Therapy Outcomes in Metastatic Urothelial Cancer Patients Receiving Enfortumab Vedotin Monotherapy
Get PDFObjectives: The aim of this study was to assess the association of diabetes mellitus and its
medications with overall response (ORR) and mortality or cancer-specific survival (CSS)
in patients with metastatic urothelial cancer receiving enfortumab vedotin monotherapy.
Methods: This multicentre retrospective cohort study was designed according to the guide lines for the synthesis of qualitative research (ENTREQ). Eligible patients were adults
(≥18) years treated with enfortumab vedotin monotherapy for metastatic urothelial cancer
between June 2024 and January 2025. A total of 125 patients were reported across 11 centres.
Results: The cohort included 93 males (74.4%) and 32 females (25.6%), with a mean age
of 68.3 years (SD 9.3). The primary tumour site was the bladder in 109 (87.2%) cases and
the upper tract (UTUC) in 16 (12.8%) cases. Interestingly, medication with metformin
was significantly associated with cancer-specific mortality (37.9% versus 77.8%; p = 0.019),
while patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus had a significantly better CSS (Log
Rank = 0.004). Upon comparing only patients who already had diabetes mellitus and then
received anti-diabetic medication, there was a significant association between patients with
diabetes mellitus receiving metformin and a worse 3-month ORR (80.0% versus 55.6%;
p = 0.039). Regarding the subpopulation of UTUC, cancer-specific mortality was signif icantly associated with metformin medication (p = 0.033). Conclusions: Despite recent reports that metformin has protective effects in urothelial cancer, our findings suggest
that metformin use may be linked to worse responses and survival outcomes in patients
treated with enfortumab vedotin monotherapy. Further research, particularly translational
research into the underlying diabetic and pharmacologic pathways, is warranted
Tracking phase-level properties in heat-treated high-chromium cast irons using mechanical microscopy
Get PDFDetermining individual microstructural components in multicomponent and multiscale materials can be a challenging task. High chromium cast irons (HCCI), particularly in heat-treated states, exhibit complex microstructures that include austenite or martensite on a meso-scale, as well as hard and micro-sized eutectic carbides, and secondary carbides on a sub-micron or nanometric length scale. Assessing the mechanical properties and quantities of these phases requires small scale characterization over relatively large areas.
In the current work, the mechanical properties of each individual constitutive phase were determined by using high-speed nanoindentation maps as a function of four different heat treatments. An area of 400 × 300 μm containing 30 000 indentations on each sample was analysed. Statistical deconvolution and machine-learning clustering methods were used to determine the hardness and elastic modulus of the different microstructural components. The results illustrate how the microstructure and mechanical properties of the various phases evolve through heat treatment, supporting the notion that secondary carbides reinforce and strength the HCCI matrix, rather than acting as an individual component
Probiotics-embedded polymer films for oral health: Development, characterization, and therapeutic potential
Get PDFThe oral microbiome plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis, and microbial imbalances contribute to diseases such as periodontitis. Probiotic strains such as Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus reuteri have shown potential in restoring microbial balance in the oral cavity. However, their application remains challenging due to limited survival and adherence under intraoral conditions. Thus, we aimed to develop and evaluate mucoadhesive polymer films for local probiotic delivery. L. rhamnosus and L. reuteri were microencapsulated via spray drying and embedded in films composed of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose-polyvinyl alcohol (HPMC–PVA) and foamed polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The films were characterized in terms of bacterial viability, tensile strength, folding endurance, and mucoadhesive properties. A proof-of-concept in vivo study was conducted by intraorally exposing enamel samples to two volunteers for eight hours, followed by confocal imaging and morphological analysis of adherent bacteria. Microencapsulation preserved high bacterial viability. The resulting films exhibited suitable mechanical properties and strong mucoadhesion. Biological evaluation revealed clear effects: films containing microencapsulated bacteria led to a statistically significant increase in adherent rod-shaped lactobacilli and a consistent reduction in coccoid bacteria associated with dysbiosis. The foamed PVA formulation showed the most pronounced modulation of the enamel-associated microbiota. These findings demonstrate that probiotic films can enable both bacterial stabilization and effective oral delivery. The system enhances colonization by beneficial bacteria while reducing potentially pathogenic cocci. This approach presents a promising strategy for microbiome-based prevention of oral diseases and merits further clinical investigation
Producing photocatalytic titania surfaces with direct laser interference patterning (DLIP)
Get PDFThis work investigates a novel approach to produce photocatalytic surfaces via ultrashort pulsed direct laser interference patterning of titanium. The interference pattern caused by two laser pulses results in a periodic intensity distribution that leads to localized ablation on the μm scale. This ablation leads to the creation of complex surface geometries, surface oxidation and redeposition of titanium oxides. Using this approach, surfaces with varying phase composition and topography are produced aiming to achieve high photocatalytic activity. Based on the analysis of the resulting surfaces and their formation mechanism, it was concluded that heat treatments during and after the patterning could further increase the photocatalytic activities of the resulting surfaces. Finally, promising pattern parameters are used to produce a prototype to demonstrate the approach's feasibility for water treatment. To simulate the removal of pollutants from water, 1.5 litres of an organic dye solution (methylene blue) were treated in a reactor built with off-the-shelf materials. It could be shown that the prototype achieves degradation rates similar to the lab setup when accounting for active surface area and UV irradiance. This shows that DLIP poses a viable alternative to existing approaches for the creation of photocatalytic surfaces and could be used for water purification, self-cleaning and antifouling surfaces and possibly antimicrobial implants.Diese Arbeit untersucht die Herstellung photocatalytischer Oberflächen mittels ultrakurz gepulster direkter Laserinterferenzstrukturierung von Titan. Das bei DLIP erzeugte Interferenzmuster führt zu lokaler Ablation im μm-Bereich bewirkt und damit zur Entstehung komplexer Oberflächengeometrien, zur Oxidation und zur Rückablagerung von Titanoxiden. Dadurch werden Oberflächen mit unterschiedlicher Phasen-zusammensetzung und Topographie erzeugt, um eine hohe photocatalytische Aktivität zu erzielen. Basierend auf der Analyse der resultierenden Oberflächen und ihres Entstehungsmechanismus wurde untersucht, ob Wärmebehandlungen während und nach der Strukturierung die photocatalytische Aktivität der resultierenden Oberflächen weiter steigern können. Schließlich wurden vielversprechende Parameter genutzt, um einen Prototyp zur Demonstration für die Wasseraufbereitung herzustellen. Dazu wurden 1,5 Liter einer organischen Farbstofflösung (Methylenblau) in einem Reaktor behandelt, der aus handelsüblichen Materialien gebaut wurde. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass der Prototyp Abbauraten erzielt, die - normiert auf die aktive Oberfläche und die UV-Bestrahlung - mit denen im Labor vergleichbar sind. Dies zeigt, dass DLIP eine vielversprechende Alternative zu bestehenden Verfahren zur Herstellung photocatalytischer Oberflächen darstellt und für die Wasseraufbereitung, selbstreinigende und Antifouling-Oberflächen sowie möglicherweise für antimikrobielle Implantate eingesetzt werden könnte
MRT-Tauglichkeit einer Infusionsspritzenpumpe im Entwicklungsprozess
Get PDFHintergrund und Zielsetzung: Bei der Entwicklung eines MRT-tauglichen Medizinprodukts
muss die Verträglichkeit des Geräts mit den elektromagnetischen Feldern des Kernspintomo-
graphen sichergestellt werden. In dieser Arbeit wird die MRT-Tauglichkeit einer Spritzen-
pumpe im frühen Entwicklungsprozess untersucht. Es wird überprüft, ob die Spritzenpumpe
sicher im MRT-Umfeld eingesetzt werden kann. Dabei wird die Vorgehensweise beim Entwurf
individueller Testmethoden unter Berücksichtigung vorhandener Normen und Standards erör-
tert. Methode: Für die zu untersuchende Spritzenpumpe werden systematisch Anforderungen
und Einschränkungen im MRT-Umfeld definiert. Es werden geeignete Testverfahren zur Über-
prüfung der Anforderungen entwickelt und entsprechende Versuche in der Umgebung eines
klinischen 3T MRT-Scanners durchgeführt. Konkret werden das Projektilrisiko sowie die Aus-
wirkungen der Pumpe auf die Bildqualität untersucht. Zusätzlich wird die Auswirkung der
elektromagnetischen Felder des Kernspintomographen auf die Gerätefunktionen untersucht.
Die Ergebnisse der Untersuchungen werden mit definierten Akzeptanzkriterien und der Litera-
tur verglichen. Ergebnisse: Die auf die Spritzenpumpe wirkenden magnetischen Kräfte werden
als ungefährlich für Patient und Anwender eingestuft. Die Spritzenpumpe erzeugt keine erkenn-
baren Artefakte oder Rauschen in den akquirierten Bildern, das Signal-Rausch-Verhältnis bleibt
unverändert. Die elektromagnetischen Felder des Scanners führen zu keiner Beeinträchtigung
der Gerätefunktionen. Schlussfolgerung: Im Rahmen definierter Bedingungen wird die Sprit-
zenpumpe als MRT-tauglich eingestuft. Diese Arbeit beschreibt einen strukturierten Prozess,
der zur Überprüfung der MRT-Tauglichkeit von aktiven Medizinprodukten eingesetzt werden
kann.Background and objective: When developing an MRI-compatible medical device, it is im-
portant to ensure that the device is interoperable with the electromagnetic fields of the scanner.
This work examines the MRI compatibility of a syringe pump in the early development process.
It is assessed whether the syringe pump can be used safely in the MRI environment. The pro-
cedure for designing individual test methods is discussed, considering existing standards.
Methods: The requirements and restrictions for examining the syringe pump in an MRI envi-
ronment are systematically defined. Suitable test procedures for ensuring compliance with the
specified requirements are developed, and corresponding tests are carried out in the environ-
ment of a clinical 3T MRI scanner. Specifically, the projectile risk and the effects of the pump
on image quality are investigated. Additionally, we investigate the effect of the MRI scanner's
electromagnetic fields on the device's functions. Results: The magnetically induced forces act-
ing on the pump are harmless for both the patient and user. Additionally, the pump does not
produce any recognizable artifacts or noise on acquired images, the signal-to-noise ratio re-
mains unchanged. The devices functions are not impaired by the electromagnetic fields of the
scanner. Conclusion: The syringe pump is classified as MRI-safe within defined limitations,
i.e. MRI-conditional. This paper sets forth a structured process for the evaluation of the safety
of active medical devices in the MRI environment
Effect of retinoic acid treatment on the retinoic acid signaling pathway in a human siRNA-based aniridia limbal epithelial cell model, in vitro
Get PDFPurpose
In the present study, we evaluate gene and protein expression levels in an in vitro siRNA-mediated PAX6 knockdown limbal epithelial cell (LEC) model after RA treatment. This study aims to investigate the direct effects of active RA products and their association with key regulators of the RA signaling pathway in siRNA PAX6 knockdown LECs, providing further insights into the potential role of RA signaling in AAK pathogenesis.
Methods
Primary human limbal epithelial cells (LECs) were subjected to siRNA-mediated PAX6 knockdown to mimic PAX6 deletion in congenital aniridia (n = 8). Following knockdown, 0 µM, 1 µM, and 5 µM all-trans retinoic acid (RA) treatments were applied to both the siRNA PAX6 control and knockdown groups. After 48 hours of incubation, the mRNA expression levels of paired box 6 (PAX6), alcohol dehydrogenase 7 (ADH7), retinol dehydrogenase 10 (RDH10), aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 family member A1 (ALDH1A1), cytochrome P450 family 26 subfamily A member 1 (CYP26A1), retinol-binding protein 1 (RBP1), cellular retinoic acid-binding protein 2 (CRABP2), fatty acid-binding protein 5 (FABP5), retinoid X receptor alpha (RXRA), retinoid X receptor beta (RXRB), retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARA), retinoic acid receptor beta (RARB), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARG), and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) were analyzed using qPCR. Protein expression levels were assessed using ELISA or Western blot, while cell proliferation rates were measured using the BrdU assay.
Results
PAX6, ADH7, ALDH1A1, FABP5 mRNA levels and PAX6, ADH7, ALDH1A1, FABP5, PPARG2, RARB protein levels were significantly lower in the PAX6 knockdown group, than in controls (p ≤ 0.018). PPARG mRNA level was significantly higher in the PAX6 knockdown group than in controls (p = 0.012).
ALDH1A1 mRNA expression was significantly downregulated using 5 µM RA treatment in the control group (p = 0.038). CYP26A1 mRNA expression was upregulated using 1 µM and 5 µM RA treatment in both the PAX6 control (p < 0.001; p < 0.001) and the PAX6 knockdown group (p = 0.001; p = 0.002). CRABP2 mRNA expression in the PAX6 knockdown group (p = 0.02) and CRABP2 protein expression in both groups were downregulated using 5 µM RA concentration (p = 0.003; p = 0.02). Protein expression of RXRA was downregulated to 5 µM RA treatment in the controls (p = 0.007). mRNA expression of RARA in the PAX6 knockdown groups (p = 0.023) and mRNA expression of RARB in both groups (p = 0.007, p < 0.001) were downregulated to 5 µM RA treatment. RARB protein expression was downregulated to 1 µM and 5 µM RA treatment (p = 0.02, p = 0.004) in the controls. VEGFA mRNA expression in PAX6 controls was upregulated using 5 µM RA (p = 0.041).
Cell proliferation rate was downregulated in PAX6 knockdown groups compared to the controls and downregulated using 5 µM RA concentration only in the controls (p < 0.001, p = 0.025).
Conclusions
Our results reveal a reduced proliferation rate in PAX6 knockdown LECs, along with a less pronounced downregulation of proliferation in response to increased RA concentration. Additionally, the study highlights altered expression of key regulators in the RA signaling pathway, influenced by both PAX6 activity and RA treatment. These findings suggest a potential disruption in RA-mediated cellular regulation in PAX6-deficient LECs
Transiente Elastographie in der internistischen Notfallaufnahme: Erhöhte Lebersteifigkeit als Outcome-Prädiktor für den Krankenhausaufenthalt
Get PDFHintergrund:
Die Notaufnahme wird zunehmend zur ersten Anlaufstelle für Patienten mit verschiedensten Beschwerden. Dies macht sie zu dem entscheidenden Ort, um relevante Informationen über den Patienten zu erhalten und somit auch den Verlauf des Krankenhausaufenthaltes planen und prognostizieren zu können. Die transiente Elastographie ermöglicht eine nicht-invasive Quantifizierung der Lebersteifigkeit und der Leberverfettung. Zahlreiche Studien belegen die hohe Leistungsfähigkeit der transienten Elastographie in Bezug auf das Vorhandensein und den Verlauf einer Leberfibrose. Die vorliegende Arbeit untersucht, inwieweit die mittels transienter Elastographie ermittelte Lebersteifigkeit einen Prädiktor für den Krankenhauserlös (primärer Endpunkt), das DRG (Diagnosis Related Groups)-Entgelt, die Krankenhausverweildauer, die stationäre Aufnahme und eine intensivmedizinische Behandlung (jeweils sekundäre Endpunkte) bei nicht-elektiv vorgestellten Patienten darstellt.
Patienten und Methoden:
In diese prospektive Kohortenstudie wurden zufällig ausgewählte Patienten eingeschlossen, die sich jeweils in der internistischen Notaufnahme des Universitätsklinikums des Saarlandes in Homburg/Saar vorstellten. Einschlusskriterien waren hämodynamisch stabile Patienten ab 18 Jahren, die eine schriftliche Einverständniserklärung abgegeben hatten und eine Nahrungskarenz sowie eine Trinkmengenbeschränkung auf maximal 200 ml für jeweils mindestens zwei Stunden eingehalten hatten. Alle Teilnehmer unterzogen sich einer transienten Elastographie. Zusätzlich erfolgte die Erhebung klinischer, laborchemischer und ökonomischer Parameter. Die Ergebnisse wurden sowohl in univariaten als auch in multivariaten Analysen, mit vorheriger Auswahl von Kovariablen zur Reduktion möglicher Störfaktoren, verglichen.
Ergebnisse:
Von den 214 Patienten, die sich zur Teilnahme an der Studie bereit erklärten (Teilnahmerate 96,4 %), konnten insgesamt 200 Patienten (33,5 % Frauen und 66,5 % Männer) mit einem medianen Alter von 69 Jahren (IQR: 58,0; 79,0) in die endgültige Analyse eingeschlossen werden. Die mittels transienter Elastographie gemessene mediane Lebersteifigkeit betrug 5,5 kPa, wobei 19,5 % der Patienten Werte ≥ 9,1 kPa und 12,0 % Werte von 13,0 kPa oder mehr aufwiesen. Der mediane Erlös des Krankenhauses unter Berücksichtigung ambulanter und stationärer Patienten betrug 728,00 € (IQR: 38,00; 3.754,70), während das mediane DRG-Entgelt für stationäre Patienten 3.664,10 € (IQR: 2.462,50; 5.858,40) betrug. Wie in vorherigen Studien gezeigt, korrelierten das Vorliegen einer Leberzirrhose (p < 0,001) sowie auch die Höhe der Laborparameter Aspartat-Aminotransferase (p = 0,002) und Kreatinin (p = 0,019) positiv mit der Lebersteifigkeit. In den univariaten Modellen waren sowohl der primäre Endpunkt Krankenhauserlös (p < 0,001) als auch die sekundären Endpunkte DRG-Entgelt (p = 0,021), Krankenhausverweildauer (p < 0,001) und die stationäre Aufnahme (p < 0,001) positiv mit der Lebersteifigkeit korreliert. Bezüglich Lebersteifigkeit und einer intensivmedizinischen Behandlung zeigte sich keine Korrelation. Unterteilt nach den gängigen Lebersteifigkeits-Cut-offs, zeigte sich, dass Patienten mit einer Lebersteifigkeit ≥ 9,1 kPa signifikant (p < 0,001) höhere Krankenhauserlöse generierten als solche mit einer Lebersteifigkeit < 9,1 kPa. Darüber hinaus wiesen Patienten mit einer Lebersteifigkeit ≥ 9,1 kPa signifikant (p = 0,045) häufiger eine Herzinsuffizienz auf als Patienten mit einer Lebersteifigkeit < 9,1 kPa. In den multivariaten Analysen zeigte sich, dass die Lebersteifigkeit auch nach Adjustierung für wichtige Kovariablen positiv linear mit dem Krankenhauserlös und dem DRG-Entgelt assoziiert war. Die Krankenhausverweildauer wies eine signifikante nicht-lineare Beziehung zur Lebersteifigkeit auf.
Schlussfolgerungen:
Die transiente Elastographie ist ein leicht zugängliches Screening-Instrument, das dazu beitragen könnte, Patienten mit einem höheren Bedarf an Gesundheitsressourcen bereits in der Notaufnahme zu identifizieren. Dies könnte eine bessere Planung des weiteren Krankenhausaufenthaltes sowohl aus klinischer als auch aus ökonomischer Sicht ermöglichen. Die frühzeitige Risikostratifizierung hat das Potenzial, die Ressourcenallokation zu optimieren und die klinischen Prozesse effizienter zu gestalten, was zu einer verbesserten Patientenversorgung führen könnte.Background:
The emergency department is increasingly becoming the first point of contact for patients with various complaints. This makes it the crucial place to obtain relevant information about the patients and thus enables the hospital to plan and predict the course of hospitalisation. Transient elastography enables non-invasive quantification of liver stiffness and fatty liver. Numerous studies have demonstrated the high accuracy of transient elastography with regard to the presence and progression of liver fibrosis. This study investigates the extent to which liver stiffness determined by transient elastography is a predictor of hospital revenue (primary endpoint), DRG (Diagnosis Related Groups) charges, duration of hospital stay, inpatient admission and intensive care treatment (secondary endpoints in each case) in non-elective patients.
Patients and methods:
This prospective cohort study included randomly selected patients who presented to the internal medicine emergency department of Saarland University Hospital, Homburg/Saar. Inclusion criteria were hemodynamically stable patients (age 18 years or older) who provided written informed consent and who had adhered to a food restriction and a fluid restriction of a maximum of 200 ml for at least two hours each. All participants underwent transient elastography. In addition, clinical, laboratory and economic parameters were recorded. The results were compared using univariate and multivariate analyses, with prior selection of covariates to reduce possible confounding factors.
Results:
Overall, 214 patients agreed to participate in the study (participation rate 96.4 %). In total, 200 patients (33.5 % women and 66.5 % men) with a median age of 69 years (IQR: 58.0; 79.0) were included in the final analysis. The median liver stiffness measured by transient elastography was 5.5 kPa, with 19.5 % of patients having values of ≥ 9.1 kPa and 12.0 % having values of 13.0 kPa or more. The median revenue of the hospital, taking into account outpatients and inpatients, was € 728.00 (IQR: 38.00; 3,754.70), while the median DRG charge for inpatients was € 3,664.10 (IQR: 2,462.50; 5,858.40). As shown in previous studies, the presence of liver cirrhosis (p < 0.001) as well as the laboratory parameters aspartate aminotransferase (p = 0.002) and creatinine (p = 0.019) correlated positively with liver stiffness. In the univariate models, both the primary endpoint hospital revenue (p < 0.001) and the secondary endpoints DRG charge (p = 0.021), duration of hospital stay (p < 0.001) and inpatient admission (p < 0.001) correlated positively with liver stiffness. There was no correlation between liver stiffness and intensive care treatment. When categorising according to the common liver stiffness cut-offs, patients with a liver stiffness ≥ 9.1 kPa generated significantly (p < 0.001) higher hospital revenue than those with a liver stiffness < 9.1 kPa. In addition, patients with liver stiffness ≥ 9.1 kPa were significantly (p = 0.045) more likely to present with heart failure than patients with liver stiffness < 9.1 kPa. The multivariate analyses showed that liver stiffness was positively linearly associated with hospital revenue and DRG charges even after adjustment for important covariates. Duration of hospital stay, on the other hand, showed a significant non-linear relationship with liver stiffness.
Conclusions:
Transient elastography is an easily accessible screening tool that can help identify patients with a higher need for healthcare resources right at the time of their presentation at the emergency department. This could enable better planning of further hospitalization, both from a clinical and economic perspective. Early risk stratification has the potential to optimise resource allocation and make clinical processes more efficient, which may lead to improved patient care
Learning from the Data to Predict the Process : Generalization Capabilities of Next Activity Prediction Algorithms
Get PDFPredictive process monitoring (PPM) aims to forecast how a running process instance will unfold in the future, e.g., which activity will be executed next. For this purpose, PPM techniques rely on machine learning models trained on historical event log data. Such models are assumed to learn an implicit representation of the process that accurately reflects the behavior contained in the data, so that they can be used to make correct predictions for new traces with unseen behavior. This capability, called generalization, is fundamental to any machine learning application. However, researchers currently have a limited understanding of what generalization means in a PPM context and how it relates to the characteristics of event logs. In the paper, the authors discuss the generalization capabilities of PPM approaches, focusing on next activity prediction. They develop a framework for generalization in PPM, derived from the understanding of the term in general machine learning. The framework is applied to next activity prediction by developing concrete prediction scenarios, creating corresponding event logs, and using these logs to empirically evaluate the generalization capabilities of state-of-theart models. The evaluation shows that next activity prediction models generalize well in almost all scenarios