DLLabelsCT: Annotation tool using deep transfer learning to assist in creating new datasets from abdominal computed tomography scans, case study: Pancreas.

The utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) is expanding significantly within medical research and, to some extent, in clinical practice. Deep learning (DL) applications, which use large convolutional neural networks (CNN), hold considerable potential, especially in optimizing radiological evaluations. However, training DL algorithms to clinical standards requires extensive datasets, and their processing is labor-intensive.

Photon-counting in dual-contrast-enhanced computed tomography: a proof-of-concept quantitative biomechanical assessment of articular cartilage.

This proof-of-concept study explores quantitative imaging of articular cartilage using photon-counting detector computed tomography (PCD-CT) with a dual-contrast agent approach, comparing it to clinical dual-energy CT (DECT). The diffusion of cationic iodinated CA4 + and non-ionic gadolinium-based gadoteridol contrast agents into ex vivo bovine medial tibial plateau cartilage was tracked over 72 h. Continuous maps of the contrast agents' diffusion were created, and correlations with biomechanical indentation parameters (equilibrium and instantaneous moduli, and relaxation time constants) were examined at 28 specific locations.

Imaging phenotype evaluation from digital breast tomosynthesis data: A preliminary study.

Background: Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) has been widely adopted as a supplemental imaging modality for diagnostic evaluation of breast cancer and confirmation studies. In this study, a deep learning-based method for characterizing breast tissue patterns in DBT data is presented.

Methods: A set of 5388 2D image patches was produced from 230 right mediolateral oblique, 259 left mediolateral oblique, 18 right craniocaudal, and 15 left craniocaudal single-breast DBT studies, using slice-wise annotations of abnormalities and normal tissue.

External Focus of Attention Reduces Cartilage Load During Drop Landings.

The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of attentional focus instructions on acute changes in the transverse relaxation time (T2) of the femorotibial cartilage and in cartilage volume during repeated drop-jump landings. Ten healthy females (M = 20.4 ± 0.

Revealing Detailed Cartilage Function Through Nanoparticle Diffusion Imaging: A Computed Tomography & Finite Element Study.

The ability of articular cartilage to withstand significant mechanical stresses during activities, such as walking or running, relies on its distinctive structure. Integrating detailed tissue properties into subject-specific biomechanical models is challenging due to the complexity of analyzing these characteristics. This limitation compromises the accuracy of models in replicating cartilage function and impacts predictive capabilities.

Effects of Bariatric Surgery on Knee Articular Cartilage and Osteoarthritis Symptoms-A 12-Month Follow-Up Using T2 Relaxation Time and WOMAC Osteoarthritis Index.

Background: Obesity is a significant risk factor for osteoarthritis (OA). The most effective treatment for morbid obesity is bariatric surgery.

Purpose: To study the effects of potential surgically induced weight loss on knee articular cartilage and OA symptoms of obese patients over a 12-month follow-up.

Anisotropy of T and T relaxation time in articular cartilage at 3 T.

Purpose: The anisotropy of R and R relaxation rates in articular cartilage contains information about the collagenous structure of the tissue. Here we determine and study the anisotropic and isotropic components of T and T relaxation parameters in articular cartilage with a clinical 3T MRI device. Furthermore, a visual representation of the topographical variation in anisotropy is given via anisotropy mapping.

Real-Time Tissue Classification Using a Novel Optical Needle Probe for Biopsy.

Core needle biopsy is a part of the histopathological process, which is required for cancerous tissue examination. The most common method to guide the needle inside of the body is ultrasound screening, which in greater part is also the only guidance method. Ultrasound screening requires user experience.

If you can make it, you can share it - Perspectives on the first DIY-fair at the European congress of medical physics (ECMP, DUBLIN 2022).

The medical physics and engineering community is known for being active in conjuring do-it-yourself (DIY) -solutions to support their clinical and research work. To facilitate the exchange of solutions and ideas, a DIY-fair was held for the first time at the European Congress of Medical Physics (ECMP) in August 2022 in Dublin, Ireland. Altogether 32 contributions were presented, consisting of software, scripts, 3D-printed customized solutions, devices, gadgets and phantoms.

Regular Running Is Related to the Knee Joint Cartilage Structure in Healthy Adults.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether regular running distance and biomechanics are related to medial central femur cartilage (MCFC) structure.

Methods: The cross-sectional study sample consisted of 1164 runners and nonrunners aged 18-65 yr. Participants completed questionnaires on physical activity and their running history.

Melting of aqueous NaCl solutions in porous materials: shifted phase transition distribution (SIDI) approach for determining NMR cryoporometry pore size distributions.

Nuclear magnetic resonance cryoporometry (NMRC) and differential scanning calorimetry thermoporometry (DSC-TPM) are powerful methods for measuring mesopore size distributions. The methods are based on the fact that, according to the Gibbs-Thomson equation, the melting point depression of a liquid confined to a pore is inversely proportional to the pore size. However, aqueous salt solutions, which inherently exist in a broad range of biological porous materials as well as technological applications such as electrolytes, do not melt at a single temperature.

Deep learning enables time-efficient soft tissue enhancement in CBCT: Proof-of-concept study for dentomaxillofacial applications.

Purpose: The use of iterative and deep learning reconstruction methods, which would allow effective noise reduction, is limited in cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). As a consequence, the visibility of soft tissues is limited with CBCT. The study aimed to improve this issue through time-efficient deep learning enhancement (DLE) methods.

X-ray scatter in projection radiography.

Projection radiography is the most common radiological modality, and radiation safety of it concerns both radiation workers and the public. We measured and generated a series of scattered radiation maps for projection radiography and estimated effective doses of the supporting person during exposure. Measured adult patient protocols included chest posterior-anterior, chest lateral, pelvis anterior-posterior (AP), abdomen AP and bedside chest AP.

Assessment of articular cartilage of ankle joint in stable and unstable unilateral weber type-B/SER-type ankle fractures shortly after trauma using T2 relaxation time.

Background: Early detection of post-traumatic cartilage damage in the ankle joint in magnetic resonance images can be difficult due to disturbances to structures usually appearing over time.

Purpose: To study the articular cartilage of unilateral Weber type-B/SER-type ankle fractures shortly post-trauma using T2 relaxation time.

Material And Methods: Fifty one fractured ankles were gathered from consecutively screened patients, compiled initially for RCT studies, and treated at Oulu University Hospital and classified as stable ( = 28) and unstable fractures ( = 23) based on external-rotation stress test: medial clear space of ≥5 mm was interpreted as unstable.

SPICY: a method for single scan rotating frame relaxometry.

is an NMR relaxation mode that is sensitive to low frequency molecular motions, making it an especially valuable tool in biomolecular research. Here, we introduce a new method, SPICY, for measuring relaxation times. In contrast to conventional experiments, in which the sequence is repeated many times to determine the time, the SPICY sequence allows determination of within a single scan, shortening the experiment time remarkably.

Assessing post-traumatic changes in cartilage using T dispersion parameters.

Degeneration of cartilage can be studied non-invasively with quantitative MRI. A promising parameter for detecting early osteoarthritis in articular cartilage is T, which can be tuned via the amplitude of the spin-lock pulse. By measuring T at several spin-lock amplitudes, the dispersion of T is obtained.

Effects of a 360° virtual counselling environment on patient anxiety and CCTA process time: A randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: This study investigated whether a 360° virtual counselling environment (360°VCE) was more effective at decreasing patients' anxiety than routine standard of care counselling for patients undergoing coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), and if there was any difference in the process times for both of these groups.

Methods: A total of 86 patients underwent CCTA in this randomised controlled trial. Patients were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups.

Machine Learning Prediction of Collagen Fiber Orientation and Proteoglycan Content From Multiparametric Quantitative MRI in Articular Cartilage.

Background: Machine learning models trained with multiparametric quantitative MRIs (qMRIs) have the potential to provide valuable information about the structural composition of articular cartilage.

Purpose: To study the performance and feasibility of machine learning models combined with qMRIs for noninvasive assessment of collagen fiber orientation and proteoglycan content.

Study Type: Retrospective, animal model.

Relaxation anisotropy of quantitative MRI parameters in biological tissues.

Quantitative MR relaxation parameters vary in the sensitivity to the orientation of the tissue in the magnetic field. In this study, the orientation dependence of multiple relaxation parameters was assessed in various tissues. Ex vivo samples of each tissue type were prepared either from bovine knee (tendon, cartilage) or mouse (brain, spinal cord, heart, kidney), and imaged at 9.

Myocardium Assessment by Relaxation along Fictitious Field, Extracellular Volume, Feature Tracking, and Myocardial Strain in Hypertensive Patients with Left Ventricular Hypertrophy.

Background: Previous research has shown impaired global longitudinal strain (GLS) and slightly elevated extracellular volume fraction (ECV) in hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy (HTN LVH). Up to now, only little attention has been paid to interactions between macromolecules and free water in hypertrophied myocardium.

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility of relaxation along a fictitious field with rank 2 (RAFF2) in HTN LVH patients.

Dipolar Relaxation of Water Protons in the Vicinity of a Collagen-like Peptide.

Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging is one of the few available methods for noninvasive diagnosis of degenerative changes in articular cartilage. The clinical use of the imaging data is limited by the lack of a clear association between structural changes at the molecular level and the measured magnetic relaxation times. In anisotropic, collagen-containing tissues, such as articular cartilage, the orientation dependency of nuclear magnetic relaxation can obscure the content of the images.

Three Professional Singers' Vocal Tract Dimensions in Operatic Singing, Kulning, and Edge-A Multiple Case Study Examining Loud Singing.

Objective: A comprehensive understanding of how vocal tract dimensions vary among different types of loud voice productions has not yet been fully formed. This study aims to expand the existing knowledge on the topic.

Methods: Three trained professional singers together practiced the vocal techniques underlying Opera and Kulning singing styles for one hour and, afterwards, phonated using these techniques on vowel [iː] at pitch C5 (523 Hz), while their vocal tracts were scanned via MRI.