Attention-based Fusion Network for Breast Cancer Segmentation and Classification Using Multi-modal Ultrasound Images.

Objective: Breast cancer is one of the most commonly occurring cancers in women. Thus, early detection and treatment of cancer lead to a better outcome for the patient. Ultrasound (US) imaging plays a crucial role in the early detection of breast cancer, providing a cost-effective, convenient, and safe diagnostic approach.

Deep learning-based multimodal fusion network for segmentation and classification of breast cancers using B-mode and elastography ultrasound images.

Ultrasonography is one of the key medical imaging modalities for evaluating breast lesions. For differentiating benign from malignant lesions, computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) systems have greatly assisted radiologists by automatically segmenting and identifying features of lesions. Here, we present deep learning (DL)-based methods to segment the lesions and then classify benign from malignant, utilizing both B-mode and strain elastography (SE-mode) images.

First Series Using Ultrasonic Propulsion and Burst Wave Lithotripsy to Treat Ureteral Stones.

Purpose: Our goal was to test transcutaneous focused ultrasound in the form of ultrasonic propulsion and burst wave lithotripsy to reposition ureteral stones and facilitate passage in awake subjects.

Materials And Methods: Adult subjects with a diagnosed proximal or distal ureteral stone were prospectively recruited. Ultrasonic propulsion alone or with burst wave lithotripsy was administered by a handheld transducer to awake, unanesthetized subjects.

Enteric coating of nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) and enteric coating of hard gelatin capsules filled with NLCs: Feasibility studies.

Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) of asenapine maleate (ASPM) were enteric coated with polymethacrylate polymers (Eudragit®) for oral delivery. The present study aimed to compare the feasibility of direct enteric coating of NLCs and enteric coating of hard gelatin capsules filled with lyophilized ASPM-NLCs. Organic solution of Eudragit® was prepared using acetone containing 3% v/v water, acetone or ethanol.

Bi-Modal Transfer Learning for Classifying Breast Cancers via Combined B-Mode and Ultrasound Strain Imaging.

Although accurate detection of breast cancer still poses significant challenges, deep learning (DL) can support more accurate image interpretation. In this study, we develop a highly robust DL model based on combined B-mode ultrasound (B-mode) and strain elastography ultrasound (SE) images for classifying benign and malignant breast tumors. This study retrospectively included 85 patients, including 42 with benign lesions and 43 with malignancies, all confirmed by biopsy.

Multiparametric Photoacoustic Analysis of Human Thyroid Cancers .

Thyroid cancer is one of the most common cancers, with a global increase in incidence rate for both genders. Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration is the current gold standard to diagnose thyroid cancers, but the results are inaccurate, leading to repeated biopsies and unnecessary surgeries. To reduce the number of unnecessary biopsies, we explored the use of multiparametric photoacoustic (PA) analysis in combination with the American Thyroid Association (ATA) Guideline (ATAP).

Radiological Society of North America/Quantitative Imaging Biomarker Alliance Shear Wave Speed Bias Quantification in Elastic and Viscoelastic Phantoms.

Objectives: To quantify the bias of shear wave speed (SWS) measurements between different commercial ultrasonic shear elasticity systems and a magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) system in elastic and viscoelastic phantoms.

Methods: Two elastic phantoms, representing healthy through fibrotic liver, were measured with 5 different ultrasound platforms, and 3 viscoelastic phantoms, representing healthy through fibrotic liver tissue, were measured with 12 different ultrasound platforms. Measurements were performed with different systems at different sites, at 3 focal depths, and with different appraisers.

Nonlinear pth root spectral magnitude scaling beamforming for clinical photoacoustic and ultrasound imaging.

A recently introduced nonlinear th root delay-and-sum (NL--DAS) beamforming (BF) technique for ultrasound (US) and photoacoustic (PA) imaging, achieving better spatial and contrast resolution compared to a conventional delay and sum (DAS) technique. While the method is advantageous for better resolution, it suffers from grainy speckles and dark areas in the image mainly due to the interference of non-sinusoidal functions. In this Letter, we introduce a modified NL--DAS technique called nonlinear th root spectral magnitude scaling (NL--SMS), which performs the th root on the spectral magnitude instead of the temporal amplitude.

Naringin nano-ethosomal novel sunscreen creams: Development and performance evaluation.

Long term exposure of skin to UV rays produces detrimental effects such as premature skin-ageing and skin cancer. Although, zinc oxide (ZnO) and titanium dioxide (TiO) are good sunscreen agents, they do not provide highly efficient UV radiation protection and antioxidant and anti-aging effects. The present study was aimed at developing and characterizing ethosomes loaded with naringin and then to incorporate them into sunscreen creams containing nano-ZnO and -TiO to achieve adequate skin penetration and skin retention so as to scavenge the free radicals by virtue of naringin's antioxidant property.

Surface engineered nanoliposomal platform for selective lymphatic uptake of asenapine maleate: In vitro and in vivo studies.

Asenapine maleate (ASPM) is an antipsychotic drug prescribed for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. ASPM possesses low oral bioavailability due to extensive hepatic metabolism. Therefore, RGD peptide conjugated liposomes loaded with ASPM were prepared to target Peyer's patches in the intestine which in-turn get access into intestinal lymphatic system thereby increasing the oral bioavailability of the drug.

3D PHOVIS: 3D photoacoustic visualization studio.

Photoacoustic (PA) imaging (or optoacoustic imaging) is a novel biomedical imaging method in biological and medical research. This modality performs morphological, functional, and molecular imaging with and without labels in both microscopic and deep tissue imaging domains. A variety of innovations have enhanced 3D PA imaging performance and thus has opened new opportunities in preclinical and clinical imaging.

Real-time delay-multiply-and-sum beamforming with coherence factor for clinical photoacoustic imaging of humans.

In the clinical photoacoustic (PA) imaging, ultrasound (US) array transducers are typically used to provide B-mode images in real-time. To form a B-mode image, delay-and-sum (DAS) beamforming algorithm is the most commonly used algorithm because of its ease of implementation. However, this algorithm suffers from low image resolution and low contrast drawbacks.

Asenapine maleate-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers: optimization and in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo evaluations.

Aim: To prepare nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) loaded with asenapine maleate (ASPM) to increase its oral bioavailability by intestinal lymphatic uptake.

Materials & Methods: ASPM-NLCs were prepared by ultrasound dispersion technique, by adopting Design of Experiment approach, and characterized.

Results: The optimized formulation exhibited good physicochemical parameters.

Active Targeting of Drugs and Bioactive Molecules via Oral Administration by Ligand-Conjugated Lipidic Nanocarriers: Recent Advances.

The oral route is the most widely accepted and commonly used route for administration. However, this route may not be suitable for certain drug candidates which suffer from the problem of low aqueous solubility and gastrointestinal absorption and extensive first-pass effect. Nanotechnology-based approaches can be taken up as remedies to overcome the disadvantages associated with the oral route.

A Clinical Study Comparing the Diagnostic Performance of Assist Strain Ratio Against Manual Strain Ratio in Ultrasound Breast Elastography.

Objective: Strain ratio (SR) is a semiquantitative parameter in differentiating benign from malignant tumors in breast ultrasound elastography. Currently, SR is computed manually and, thus, user dependent. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of a new tool assist strain ratio (ASR) and determine how it performs compared with an expert sonologist.

Supplementation of biotin to sperm preparation medium enhances fertilizing ability of spermatozoa and improves preimplantation embryo development.

Purpose: Motility of spermatozoa helps not only in planning the type of infertility treatment but also directly reflects the success rate in assisted reproductive technology (ART). Previously, biotin, a water-soluble vitamin, has been shown to increase the motility and longevity of cryopreserved human spermatozoa. The present study was designed to understand the molecular basis of the beneficial effects of presence of biotin in sperm wash medium on early embryo development.

A Novel 2-D Synthetic Aperture Focusing Technique for Acoustic-Resolution Photoacoustic Microscopy.

Acoustic-resolution photoacoustic microscopy (AR-PAM) is a promising technology for vascular or tumor-targeted molecular imaging. Unique advantages of AR-PM are its non-invasive, non-ionizing real-time, and deeper imaging depth. AR-PAM typically uses an ultrasound transducer with a high acoustic numerical aperture (NA) to enable deeper imaging depth.

Targeting the intestinal lymphatic system: a versatile path for enhanced oral bioavailability of drugs.

Introduction: The major challenge of first pass metabolism in oral drug delivery can be surmounted by directing delivery toward intestinal lymphatic system (ILS). ILS circumvents the liver and transports drug directly into systemic circulation via thoracic duct. Lipid and polymeric nanoparticles are transported into ILS through lacteal and Peyer's patches.

Characterization of the Phenolic Compound, Gallic Acid from Schult and Schult. f. Rhizomes and Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Activities Evaluation.

Background: Schult. and Schult. f.

Feature analysis of ultrasound elastography image for quantitative assessment of cutaneous carcinoma.

Background: To evaluate the feasibility of using quantitative texture features computed from high frequency ultrasound and ultrasound elastography (USE) images in the discrimination of benign from malignant skin lesions.

Methods: A commercial ultrasound system with a 14 MHz transducer was used to visualize skin lesions requiring biopsy on clinical evaluation. Patients were enrolled over a 6-month period and imaged prospectively by operators blind to the histopathologic diagnosis.

Long circulating PEGylated-chitosan nanoparticles of rosuvastatin calcium: Development and in vitro and in vivo evaluations.

The aim of this study was to improve the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics profile of rosuvastatin calcium by formulating long-circulating PEGylated chitosan nanoparticles (NPs). Chitosan was PEGylated by a carbodiimide mediated reaction, using a carboxylic acid derivative of PEG (polyethylene glycol). The NPs were optimised for particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential and drug entrapment efficiency.

Sunscreen creams containing naringenin nanoparticles: Formulation development and in vitro and in vivo evaluations.

Background: The aim of this study was to develop sunscreen creams containing polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) of naringenin for photoprotective and antioxidant effects.

Methods: Polymeric NPs of naringenin were prepared and optimized. The NPs were incorporated into sunscreen creams and evaluated for in vitro and in vivo skin retention.

Preclinical pharmacokinetics and biodistribution studies of asenapine maleate using novel and sensitive RP-HPLC method.

Aim: Asenapine maleate (ASPM) is a newer antipsychotic drug available as a sublingual tablet in the market.

Experimental: To investigate the pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution study of ASPM following oral administration in rats, reversed-phase HPLC method was developed and validated.

Results: ASPM was extracted from plasma and tissue matrix by liquid-liquid extraction technique and analyzed using mobile phase consisted of phosphate buffer pH 3.

In Vivo Photoacoustic Imaging of Anterior Ocular Vasculature: A Random Sample Consensus Approach.

Visualizing ocular vasculature is important in clinical ophthalmology because ocular circulation abnormalities are early signs of ocular diseases. Photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) images the ocular vasculature without using exogenous contrast agents, avoiding associated side effects. Moreover, 3D PAM images can be useful in understanding vessel-related eye disease.

Development and Validation of a Stability-Indicating RP-HPLC Method by a Statistical Optimization Process for the Quantification of Asenapine Maleate in Lipidic Nanoformulations.

A stability-indicating RP-HPLC method was developed for quantification of asenapine maleate (ASPM) in lipid nanoformulations. The proposed method was used to assess intrinsic stability of ASPM by conducting force degradation study. The results indicated no considerable degradation of ASPM on subjecting it to hydrolytic, oxidative, thermal and photolytic stresses.