Multimodal Patient-Specific Registration for Breast Imaging Using Biomechanical Modeling with Reference to AI Evaluation of Breast Tumor Change.

Background: The strategy to combat the problem associated with large deformations in the breast due to the difference in the medical imaging of patient posture plays a vital role in multimodal medical image registration with artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives. How to build a breast biomechanical model simulating the large-scale deformation of soft tissue remains a challenge but is highly desirable.

Methods: This study proposed a hybrid individual-specific registration model of the breast combining finite element analysis, property optimization, and affine transformation to register breast images.

Knee joint loadings are related to tibial torsional alignments in people with radiographic medial knee osteoarthritis.

Torsional malalignment was detected in subjects with medial knee osteoarthritis (KOA) but few studies have reported the effect of torsional deformity on knee joint loads during walking. Therefore, this study examined the relationships between lower limb torsional alignments and knee joint loads during gait in people with symptomatic medial KOA using cross-sectional study design. Lower limb alignments including tibial torsion, tibiofemoral rotation and varus/valgus alignments in standing were measured by EOS low-dose bi-planar x-ray system in 47 subjects with mild or moderate KOA.

Challenges and optimization strategies in medical imaging service delivery during COVID-19.

In coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), medical imaging plays an essential role in the diagnosis, management and disease progression surveillance. Chest radiography and computed tomography are commonly used imaging techniques globally during this pandemic. As the pandemic continues to unfold, many healthcare systems worldwide struggle to balance the heavy strain due to overwhelming demand for healthcare resources.

Morphological Changes of the Median Nerve Within the Carpal Tunnel During Various Finger and Wrist Positions: An Analysis of Intensive and Nonintensive Electronic Device Users.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of static hand postures during various finger and wrist positions on morphological changes of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel in intensive and nonintensive electronic device users.

Methods: Forty-eight university students, equally divided into intensive and nonintensive users (≥5 h/d and <5 h/d of electronic device usage, respectively), were randomly selected after questionnaire responses and evaluated clinically and by ultrasonography.

Results: Intensive users reported more wrist/hand pain with a high severity score than nonintensive users.

Association of Markers of Proinflammatory Phenotype and Beige Adipogenesis with Metabolic Syndrome in Chinese Centrally Obese Adults.

Background: Visceral adiposity is associated with higher productions of C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Inflammation of obese adipose tissues could contribute to systemic metabolic dysregulation, especially thermogenic activity of white adipose tissues, namely, beige adipogenesis, characterized by altered irisin expression. Thus, we investigated the roles of inflammation and adipocyte beiging in Chinese centrally obese (CO) adults with metabolic syndrome (MetS).

Noninvasive Real-Time Characterization of Renal Clearance Kinetics in Diabetic Mice after Receiving Danshensu Treatment.

Danshensu (DSS) is an active ingredient extracted from the root of the Danshen that could ameliorate oxidative stress via upregulation of heme oxygenase- (HO-) 1. Little is known about the treatment effects of DSS on kidney function in diabetic mice. Therefore, the primary aim of the present study was to characterize the renal clearance kinetics of IRdye800CW in mice after DSS treatment.

Cardiovascular Protective Effects of Salvianic Acid A on Mice with Elevated Homocysteine Level.

The onsets of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and endothelial dysfunction (ED) in diabetics, especially in those with elevated homocysteine (Hcy), precede the development of cardiovascular (CV) events. Salvianic acid A (SAA) is a renowned Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that has been applied in the treatment of cardiovascular disease for many decades. In this study, we aimed (1) to investigate the CV protective effects of SAA on ameliorating LVH and ED in mice with elevated blood Hcy level and (2) to decipher whether the observed CV protective effects of SAA are associated with Hcy metabolism by modulating the methylation potential and redox status in the liver of the mice with elevated blood Hcy level.

Role of free fatty acids in endothelial dysfunction.

Plasma free fatty acids levels are increased in subjects with obesity and type 2 diabetes, playing detrimental roles in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. Increasing evidence showing that dysfunction of the vascular endothelium, the inner lining of the blood vessels, is the key player in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. In this review, we aimed to summarize the roles and the underlying mechanisms using the evidence collected from clinical and experimental studies about free fatty acid-mediated endothelial dysfunction.

Effects of electronic device overuse by university students in relation to clinical status and anatomical variations of the median nerve and transverse carpal ligament.

Introduction: This study investigates the results of a questionnaire, provocative tests, and ultrasonographic measurements of carpal tunnel morphological parameters in intensive and nonintensive electronic device users.

Methods: Forty-eight university students (equal numbers of intensive and nonintensive users, ≥5 h/day and <5 h/day of electronic device usage, respectively) were randomly selected after questionnaire responses were received and evaluated clinically and by ultrasonography. All participants were right-handed.

Musculoskeletal impact of the use of various types of electronic devices on university students in Hong Kong: An evaluation by means of self-reported questionnaire.

Introduction: Despite the increasingly widespread popularity of electronic devices, there are limited comprehensive studies on the effects of usage and exposure to multiple electronic devices over extended periods of time. Therefore, this study explored the cumulative musculoskeletal implications of exposure to various electronic devices among university students.

Methods: A self-reported questionnaire was administered in the university in Hong Kong and students provided information about the frequency and duration of electronic devices use, including computers, mobile phones and game consoles, and reported on any musculoskeletal pain or discomfort that may relate to electronic devices usage in the immediate 12 months prior to the survey date.

Development of Kinematic Graphs of Median Nerve during Active Finger Motion: Implications of Smartphone Use.

Background: Certain hand activities cause deformation and displacement of the median nerve at the carpal tunnel due to the gliding motion of tendons surrounding it. As smartphone usage escalates, this raises the public's concern whether hand activities while using smartphones can lead to median nerve problems.

Objective: The aims of this study were to 1) develop kinematic graphs and 2) investigate the associated deformation and rotational information of median nerve in the carpal tunnel during hand activities.

A user report on the trial use of gesture commands for image manipulation and X-ray acquisition.

Touchless environment for image manipulation and X-ray acquisition may enhance the current infection control measure during X-ray examination simply by avoiding any touch on the control panel. The present study is intended at designing and performing a trial experiment on using motion-sensing technology to perform image manipulation and X-ray acquisition function (the activities a radiographer frequently performs during an X-ray examination) under an experimental setup. Based on the author's clinical experience, several gesture commands were designed carefully to complete a single X-ray examination.

Mammographic Breast Density in Chinese Women: Spatial Distribution and Autocorrelation Patterns.

Mammographic breast density (MBD) is a strong risk factor for breast cancer. The spatial distribution of MBD in the breast is variable and dependent on physiological, genetic, environmental and pathological factors. This pilot study aims to define the spatial distribution and autocorrelation patterns of MBD in Chinese women aged 40-60.

The effect of diabetes self-management education on body weight, glycemic control, and other metabolic markers in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Aims: To comprehensively evaluate the effect of a short-term diabetes self-management education (DSME) on metabolic markers and atherosclerotic parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: 76 patients with type 2 diabetes were recruited in this study. They were divided into the intervention group (n = 36) and control group (n = 40).

Cumulative effects of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and chronic kidney disease on carotid atherosclerosis in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

AIMS. The aim of this study is to determine the extent of carotid atherosclerosis in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes in relation to the cumulative atherosclerosis risk factors using ultrasonography. METHODS.