Comments on EFSUMB recommendations, role of ultrasound in cutaneous neoplasms.

The European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (EFSUMB) has been publishing guidelines, position papers and also technical reviews. In addition, comments have been published for illustration of such papers including the hepatobiliary system, pancreas, lung and other organs. In the current paper, we aim to summarize the typical sonographic findings of the most commonly seen cutaneous neoplasms.

The value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in cervical cancer assessed in comparison with magnetic resonance imaging.

Introduction: Currently, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most commonly used imaging method in the assessment of the loco-regional extension in cervical cancer. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (abbreviated CEUS) is being investigated as an alternative or complement to the MRI investigation.

Objectives: To evaluate the performance of CEUS in identifying loco-regional invasion of cervical cancer compared to MRI, considered the accepted reference standard.

Machine learning analysis of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for the diagnosis of acute graft dysfunction in kidney transplant recipients.

Aim: The aim of the study was to develop machine learning algorithms (MLA) for diagnosing acute graft dysfunction (AGD) in kidney transplant recipients based on contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) analysis of the graft.Materials and methods: This prospective study involved 71 patients with kidney transplant undergoing CEUS during follow-up. AGD wasdefined as an increase in serum creatinine levels of at least 25% compared to the baseline of the last three months.

Left main coronary artery compression in precapillary pulmonary hypertension.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a progressive and invalidating condition despite available therapy. Addressing complications such as left main coronary artery compression (LMCo) due to the dilated pulmonary artery (PA) may improve symptoms and survival. Nevertheless, clear recommendations are lacking.

PFO-spectrum disorder: two different cerebrovascular diseases in patients with PFO as detected by AI brain imaging software.

Background: Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a prevalent cardiac remnant of fetal anatomy that may pose a risk factor for stroke in some patients, while others can present with asymptomatic white matter (WM) lesions. The current study aimed to test the hypothesis that patients with a PFO who have a history of stroke or transient ischemic attack, compared to those without such a history, have a different burden and distribution of cerebral WM hyperintensities. Additionally, we tested the association between PFO morphological characteristics and severity of shunt, and their impact on the occurrence of ischemic cerebral vascular events and on the burden of cerebral WM lesions.

Headache patterns in patent foramen ovale patients: beyond migraine with aura.

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a common cardiac anomaly linked with cryptogenic strokes and migraine, particularly migraine with aura. This study aims to explore the spectrum of headache disorders in PFO patients, focusing on identifying patterns beyond the well-established migraine-PFO connection. A retrospective observational study was conducted on patients diagnosed with PFO.

Typical CIDP, distal variant CIDP, and anti-MAG antibody neuropathy: An ultra-high frequency ultrasound comparison of nerve structure.

To date, little is known about the usefulness of ultra-high frequency ultrasound (UHF-US, 50-70 MHz) in clinical practice for the diagnosis of dysimmune neuropathies. We present a prospective study aimed at comparing UHF-US alterations of nerves and fascicles in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP), distal CIDP (d-CIDP) and anti-MAG neuropathy and their relationships with clinical and electrodiagnostic (EDX) features. 28 patients were included (twelve CIDP, 6 d-CIDP and 10 anti-MAG) and ten healthy controls.

Pre-operative high-frequency ultrasound: a reliable management tool in auricular and nasal non-melanoma skin cancer.

Background And Objectives: The knowledge of depth infiltration in non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) using pre-operative ultrasound could enable clinicians to choose the most adequate therapeutic approach, avoiding unnecessary surgeries and expensive imaging methods, delaying diagnosis and treatment. Our single-center retrospective study determined the usefulness of high-frequency ultrasound (HFUS) for depth infiltration assessment in auricular and nasal NMSC and assessed the subsequent change in therapeutic approach.

Patients And Methods: In 60 NMSC cases, we assessed the accuracy of HFUS in cartilaginous/bone infiltration detection as well as the correlation of sonographic and histological parameters.

Inhibition of TRPM8 function by prostacyclin receptor agonists requires coupling to Gq/11 proteins.

Background And Purpose: The TRPM8 ion channel is involved in innocuous cold sensing and has a potent anti-inflammatory action. Its activation by lower temperature or chemical agonists such as menthol and icilin induces analgesic effects, reversing hypersensitivity and reducing chronic pain. On the other hand, prostacyclin (PGI) enhances pain and inflammation by activating the IP receptors.

Preoperative MRI accuracy after neoadjuvant chemoradiation for locally advanced rectal cancer.

Background And Aims: To evaluate the performance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in restaging locally advanced rectal cancers (LARC) after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT), with pathologic correlation.

Methods: 80 patients with LARC treated with neoadjuvant therapy, with restaging MRI and surgery, were enrolled and prospectively reviewed. The diagnostic accuracy of the restaging MRI was assessed for tumor (ymrT), nodal status (ymrN), circumferential resection margin (ymrCRM), extramural vascular invasion (ymrEMVI) and tumoral deposits (ymrN1c) by calculating the sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp), negative predictive values (NPV) and positive predictive values (PPV).

Personalized Integrated Care Promoting Quality of Life for Older People: Protocol for a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Alzheimer disease (AD) and Parkinson disease (PD) are the 2 most common neurodegenerative diseases affecting millions of people worldwide. The Personalized Integrated Care Promoting Quality of Life for Older People (PC4L) project proposes an integrated, scalable, and interactive care ecosystem that can be easily adapted to the needs of several neurodegenerative and chronic diseases, care institutions, and end user requirements.

Objective: The study protocol developed within the framework of the PC4L project aims to iteratively test the integrated platform and its modules, and focuses primarily on assessing the impact of the proposed solution (ie, the PC4L platform) on patients' quality of life, as well as its usability and feasibility on a large-scale sample size in 3 different scenarios (home, neurorehabilitation, and day care centers).

Differences in clinical and biological factors between patients with PFO-related stroke and patients with PFO and no cerebral vascular events.

Background: While stroke is one of the most dissected topics in neurology, the primary prevention of PFO-related stroke in young patients is still an unaddressed subject. We present a study concerning clinical, demographic, and laboratory factors associated with stroke and transient ischemic attack in patients with patent foramen ovale (PFO), as well as comparing PFO-patients with and without cerebrovascular ischemic events (CVEs).

Patients And Methods: Consecutive patients with PFO-associated CVEs were included in the study; control group was selected from patients with a PFO and no history of stroke.

High-Grade Prostate Cancer Invading the Vagina: A Case Report of an Unusual Prostate Cancer Diagnosed in a Man with Persistent Mullerian Duct Syndrome.

We report an extremely rare case of locally advanced prostate cancer in a phenotypic male patient with persistent müllerian duct syndrome. The patient underwent a robot-assisted retzius-sparing radical prostatectomy, bilateral pelvic lymph node dissection, radical hysterectomy, vaginectomy, and salpingo-ophorectomy. He was continent at 3 months follow-up.

Robust OCC System Optimized for Low-Frame-Rate Receivers.

Light emitting diodes (LED) are becoming the dominant lighting elements due to their efficiency. Optical camera communications (OCC), the branch of visible light communications (VLC) that uses video cameras as receivers, is a suitable candidate in facilitating the development of new communication solutions for the broader public because video cameras are available on almost any smartphone nowadays. Unfortunately, most OCC systems that have been proposed until now require either expensive and specialized high-frame-rate cameras as receivers, which are unavailable on smartphones, or they rely on the rolling shutter effect, being sensitive to camera movement and pointing direction, they produce light flicker when low-frame-rate cameras are used, or they must discern between more than two light intensity values, affecting the robustness of the decoding process.

International consensus conference recommendations on ultrasound education for undergraduate medical students.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to provide expert consensus recommendations to establish a global ultrasound curriculum for undergraduate medical students.

Methods: 64 multi-disciplinary ultrasound experts from 16 countries, 50 multi-disciplinary ultrasound consultants, and 21 medical students and residents contributed to these recommendations. A modified Delphi consensus method was used that included a systematic literature search, evaluation of the quality of literature by the GRADE system, and the RAND appropriateness method for panel judgment and consensus decisions.

Novel luciferase-based glucagon-like peptide 1 reporter assay reveals naturally occurring secretagogues.

Background And Purpose: Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) is a hormone derived from preproglucagon. It is secreted by enteroendocrine cells in response to feeding and, in turn, acts as a critical regulator of insulin release. Modulating GLP-1 secretion holds promise as a strategy for controlling blood glucose levels.

MRI Evaluation of Complete and Near-Complete Response after Neoadjuvant Therapy in Patients with Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer.

To evaluate MRI performance in restaging locally advanced rectal cancers (LARC) after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) and interobserver agreement in identifying complete response (CR) and near-complete response (nCR). 40 patients with CR and nCR on restaging MRI, surgery and/or endoscopy were enrolled. Two radiologists independently scored the restaging MRI and reported the presence of split scar sign (SSS) and MRI tumor regression grade (mrTRG).

Combined miRNA and SERS urine liquid biopsy for the point-of-care diagnosis and molecular stratification of bladder cancer.

Background: Bladder cancer (BC) has the highest per-patient cost of all cancer types. Hence, we aim to develop a non-invasive, point-of-care tool for the diagnostic and molecular stratification of patients with BC based on combined microRNAs (miRNAs) and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) profiling of urine.

Methods: Next-generation sequencing of the whole miRNome and SERS profiling were performed on urine samples collected from 15 patients with BC and 16 control subjects (CTRLs).

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome - A pathology that should not be overlooked in the era of COVID-19.

Background And Objectives: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) that causes Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) may determine a series of neurological complications directly, by invasion of the nervous system or indirectly, secondary to systemic organ failure. Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) represents a clinical and radiological neurological entity involving predominantly the occipital lobes. PRES was observed in patients receiving cytotoxic drugs, patients suffering from infectious diseases and sepsis, hypertensive emergencies and eclampsia, renal or autoimmune diseases.

Left main coronary artery compression by dilated pulmonary artery in pulmonary arterial hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) can lead to left main coronary artery compression (LMCo), but data on the impact, screening and treatment are limited. A meta-analysis of LMCo cases could fill the knowledge gaps in this topic.

Methods: Electronic databases were searched for all LMCo/PAH studies, abstracts and case reports including pulmonary artery (PA) size.