Intratesticular Vascular Architecture Seen by Ultrasound Microvascular Imaging (MicroV). Illustration of the Testis Vascular Anatomy.

The testis is a richly vascularized organ supplied by low-flow thin caliber vessels that are only partially detected by traditional Doppler systems, such as color and power Doppler. However, in the vascular representation, these techniques determine, albeit to different extents, a cut of the weak vessels due to the necessary application of wall filters that cut the disturbing frequencies responsible for artifacts generated by pulsations of the vascular walls and surrounding tissues. These filters cut a specific range of disturbing frequencies, regardless of whether they may be generated by low-flow vessels.

State-of-the-art review of lung imaging in cystic fibrosis with recommendations for pulmonologists and radiologists from the "iMAging managEment of cySTic fibROsis" (MAESTRO) consortium.

Objective: Imaging represents an important noninvasive means to assess cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease, which remains the main cause of morbidity and mortality in CF patients. While the development of new imaging techniques has revolutionised clinical practice, advances have posed diagnostic and monitoring challenges. The authors aim to summarise these challenges and make evidence-based recommendations regarding imaging assessment for both clinicians and radiologists.

Intermittent glucocorticoid treatment enhances skeletal muscle performance through sexually dimorphic mechanisms.

Glucocorticoid steroids are commonly prescribed for many inflammatory conditions, but chronic daily use produces adverse effects, including muscle wasting and weakness. In contrast, shorter glucocorticoid pulses may improve athletic performance, although the mechanisms remain unclear. Muscle is sexually dimorphic and comparatively little is known about how male and female muscles respond to glucocorticoids.

Anti-latent TGFβ binding protein 4 antibody improves muscle function and reduces muscle fibrosis in muscular dystrophy.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy, like other muscular dystrophies, is a progressive disorder hallmarked by muscle degeneration, inflammation, and fibrosis. Latent transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) binding protein 4 (LTBP4) is an extracellular matrix protein found in muscle. LTBP4 sequesters and inhibits a precursor form of TGFβ.