State-dependent neurovascular modulation induced by transcranial ultrasound stimulation.

Previous studies reported baseline state-dependent effects on neural and hemodynamic responses to transcranial ultrasound stimulation. However, due to neurovascular coupling, neither neural nor hemodynamic baseline alone can fully explain the ultrasound-induced responses. In this study, using a general linear model, we aimed to investigate the roles of both neural and hemodynamic baseline status as well as their interactions in ultrasound-induced responses.

Tailorable biosensors for real-time monitoring of stress distribution in soft biomaterials and living tissues.

Visualizing mechanical stress distribution in soft and live biomaterials is essential for understanding biological processes and improving material design. However, it remains challenging due to their complexity, dynamic nature, and sensitivity requirements, necessitating innovative techniques. Since polysaccharides are common in various biomaterials, a biosensor integrating a Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based tension sensor module and carbohydrate-binding modules (FTSM-CBM) has been designed for real-time monitoring of the stress distribution of these biomaterials.

Propidium Monoazide is Unreliable for Quantitative Live-Dead Molecular Assays.

Propidium monoazide (PMA) is a dye that distinguishes between live and dead cells in molecular assays like the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). It works by cross-linking to the DNA of cells that have compromised membranes or extracellular DNA upon photoactivation, making the DNA inaccessible for amplification. Currently, PMA is used to detect viable pathogens and alleviate systemic bias in the microbiome analysis of samples using 16S rRNA gene sequencing.

Reliable quantification of neural entrainment to rhythmic auditory stimulation: simulation and experimental validation.

Objective: Entrainment has been considered as a potential mechanism underlying the facilitatory effect of rhythmic neural stimulation on neurorehabilitation. The inconsistent effects of brain stimulation on neurorehabilitation found in the literature may be caused by the variability in neural entrainment. To dissect the underlying mechanisms and optimize brain stimulation for improved effectiveness, it is critical to reliably assess the occurrence and the strength of neural entrainment.

A dual-domain network with division residual connection and feature fusion for CBCT scatter correction.

Objective: This study aims to propose a dual-domain network that not only reduces scatter artifacts but also retains structure details in CBCT.

Approach: The proposed network comprises a projection-domain sub-network and an image-domain sub-network. The projection-domain sub-network utilizes a division residual network to amplify the difference between scatter signals and imaging signals, facilitating the learning of scatter signals.

Multimodal large language models address clinical queries in laryngeal cancer surgery: a comparative evaluation of image interpretation across different models.

Background And Objectives: Recent advances in multimodal large language models (MLLMs) have shown promise in medical image interpretation, yet their utility in surgical contexts remains unexplored. This study evaluates six MLLMs' performance in interpreting diverse imaging modalities for laryngeal cancer surgery.

Methods: We analyzed 169 images (X-rays, CT scans, laryngoscopy, and pathology findings) from 50 patients using six state-of-the-art MLLMs.

Comparative Analysis of Machine Learning Algorithms Used for Translating Aptamer-Antigen Binding Kinetic Profiles to Diagnostic Decisions.

Current approaches for classifying biosensor data in diagnostics rely on fixed decision thresholds based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, which can be limited in accuracy for complex and variable signals. To address these limitations, we developed a framework that facilitates the application of machine learning (ML) to diagnostic data for the binary classification of clinical samples, when using real-time electrochemical measurements. The framework was applied to a real-time multimeric aptamer assay (RT-MAp) that captures single-frequency (12.

Continuous Blood Gas Control Based on Active Disturbance Rejection Control During Ex Vivo Porcine Liver Perfusion.

Background: Membrane oxygenators facilitate extracorporeal gas exchange, necessitating the monitoring of blood gas. Recent advances in normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) for ex vivo liver offer solutions to the shortage of donor liver. However, maintaining physiological blood gas levels during prolonged NMP is complex and costly.

Synergistic Intramolecular Charge Transfer Promotes Au Nanoclusters with Enhanced NIR-II Photoluminescence.

Gold nanoclusters (Au NCs) protected by molecular ligands represent a new class of second-generation near-infrared (NIR-II) luminescent materials that have been widely studied. However, the photoluminescence efficiencies of most NIR-II emitting Au NCs in aqueous solution are generally lower than 0.2%, and to fully exploit the advantages of AuNCs in the NIR-II region, improving their photoluminescence efficiency has become an urgent need.

Bioabsorbable magnesium-based bulk metallic glass composite (BMGC) for improved medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy in knee osteoarthritis.

Background And Objective: Osteoarthritis is a widespread and debilitating condition, particularly affecting the medial compartment of knee joint due to varus knee deformities. Medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO) has emerged as an effective treatment, but it comes with challenges like fractures, correction loss, and nonunion, leading to unsatisfactory results in up to 26 % of patients. In response, our study explores the potential of a bioabsorbable magnesium-based bulk metallic glass composite (MgZnCa BMGC) enriched with molybdenum particles as an innovative solution for MOWHTO.

Enhancing diabetic muscle repair through W-GA nanodots: a nanomedicinal approach to ameliorate myopathy in type 2 diabetes.

Objective: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder that significantly impairs muscle regeneration following injuries, contributing to numerous complications and reduced quality of life. There is an urgent need for therapeutic strategies that can enhance muscle regeneration and alleviate these pathological mechanisms. In this study, we evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of W-GA nanodots, which are composed of gallic acid (GA) and tungstate (W6+), on muscle regeneration in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D)-induced muscle injury, with a focus on their anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects.

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for the Treatment of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: A Pilot Study.

Purpose: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a debilitating chronic pain condition characterized by sensory, motor, and autonomic dysfunction with a world-wide prevalence of 26.2 per 100,000 people per year and is 3 to 4 times more prevalent in females. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has shown to be beneficial for pain relief in neuropathic pain and initial evidence in CRPS is promising, but studies are limited.

Integrating deep learning and machine learning for improved CKD-related cortical bone assessment in HRpQCT images: A pilot study.

High resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HRpQCT) offers detailed bone geometry and microarchitecture assessment, including cortical porosity, but assessing chronic kidney disease (CKD) bone images remains challenging. This proof-of-concept study merges deep learning and machine learning to 1) improve automatic segmentation, particularly in cases with severe cortical porosity and trabeculated endosteal surfaces, and 2) maximize image information using machine learning feature extraction to classify CKD-related skeletal abnormalities, surpassing conventional DXA and CT measures. We included 30 individuals (20 non-CKD, 10 stage 3 to 5D CKD) who underwent HRpQCT of the distal and diaphyseal radius and tibia and contributed data to develop and validate four different AI models for each anatomical site.

The Predictive Value of a Nomogram Based on Ultrasound Radiomics, Clinical Factors, and Enhanced Ultrasound Features for Central Lymph Node Metastasis in Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma.

This study aims to establish and validate an ultrasound radiomics nomogram for preoperative prediction of central lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) before operation. A retrospective analysis conducted on ultrasonic images and clinical features derived from 288 PTMC patients, who were divided into training cohorts ( = 201) and validating cohorts ( = 87) in a ratio of 7:3 base on the principle of random allocation. Radiomics features were extracted from the PTMC patients after ultrasonic examination, followed by dimension reduction and characteristic selection to construct the radiomics score (Radscore) using LASSO regression analysis.

SuperResNET: Single molecule network analysis detects changes to clathrin structure by small molecule inhibitors.

Here, we apply SuperResNET network analysis of dSTORM single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) to determine how the clathrin endocytosis inhibitors pitstop 2, dynasore and Latrunculin A alter the morphology of clathrin-coated pits. SuperResNET analysis of HeLa and Cos7 cells identifies: small oligomers (Class I); pits and vesicles (Class II); and larger clusters corresponding to fused pits or clathrin plaques (Class III). Pitstop 2 and dynasore induce distinct homogeneous populations of Class II structures in HeLa cells suggesting that they arrest endocytosis at different stages.

Fully automated in vivo screening system for multi-organ imaging and pharmaceutical evaluation.

Advancements in screening technologies employing small organisms have enabled deep profiling of compounds in vivo. However, current strategies for phenotyping of behaving animals, such as zebrafish, typically involve tedious manipulations. Here, we develop and validate a fully automated in vivo screening system (AISS) that integrates microfluidic technology and computer-vision-based control methods to enable rapid evaluation of biological responses of non-anesthetized zebrafish to molecular gradients.

Tumor-derived extracellular vesicle PD-1 promotes tumor immune evasion via disruption of peripheral T cell homeostasis.

The programmed cell death 1 (PD-1)/PD-1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) axis mediates immune evasion of tumor, and targeting this axis has achieved some clinical benefits. The regulation of PD-1 expression in immune cells has been well studied. However, whether any other potential source of immune cell-expressed PD-1 exists remains unknown.

MRI-based modelling of left atrial flow and coagulation to predict risk of thrombogenesis in atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF), impacting nearly 50 million individuals globally, is a major contributor to ischaemic strokes, predominantly originating from the left atrial appendage (LAA). Current clinical scores like CHA₂DS₂-VASc, while useful, provide limited insight into the pro-thrombotic mechanisms of Virchow's triad-blood stasis, endothelial damage, and hypercoagulability. This study leverages biophysical computational modelling to deepen our understanding of thrombogenesis in AF patients.

Mechanical Wear of Degraded Articular Cartilage.

Purpose: To evaluate the mechanical wear of cartilage with different types of degradation.

Methods: Bovine osteochondral explants were treated with interleukin-1β (IL-1β) to mimic inflammatory conditions, with chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) to specifically remove glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), or with collagenase to degrade the collagen network during 5 days of culture. Viscoelastic properties of cartilage were characterized via indentation.

Asymptomatic female softball pitchers have altered hip morphology and cartilage composition.

Few studies have explored hip morphology and cartilage composition in female athletes or the impact of asymmetric repetitive loading, such as occurs during softball pitching. The current cross-sectional study assessed bilateral bony hip morphology on computed tomography imaging in collegiate-level softball pitchers ('Pitch1', n = 25) and cross-country runners ('Run', n = 13). Magnetic resonance imaging was used to assess cartilage relaxation times in a second cohort of pitchers ('Pitch2', n = 10) and non-athletic controls ('Con', n = 4).

SAA3 deficiency exacerbates intestinal fibrosis in DSS-induced IBD mouse model.

Intestinal fibrosis, as a late-stage complication of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), leads to bowel obstruction and requires surgical intervention, significantly lowering the quality of life of affected patients. SAA3, a highly conserved member of the serum amyloid A (SAA) apolipoprotein family in mice, is synthesized primarily as an acute phase reactant in response to infection, inflammation and trauma. An increasing number of evidence suggests that SAA3 exerts a vital role in the fibrotic process, even though the underlying mechanisms are not yet fully comprehended.

Protocol for a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis for risk factors for lung cancer in individuals with lung nodules identified by low-dose CT screening.

Background: Worldwide, lung cancer (LC) is the second most frequent cancer and the leading cause of cancer related mortality. Low-dose CT (LDCT) screening reduced LC mortality by 20-24% in randomised trials of high-risk populations. A significant proportion of those screened have nodules detected that are found to be benign.

Evaluation of a smartphone-based markerless system to measure lower-limb kinematics in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

OpenCap, a smartphone-based markerless system, offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional marker-based systems for gait analysis. However, its kinematic measurement accuracy must be evaluated before widespread use in clinical practice. This study aimed to evaluate OpenCap for lower-limb joint angle measurements during walking in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) and to compare error metrics between patients and healthy controls.

Effect of head size, head material, and radiation dose on the repeatability of CT-RSA measurements of femoral head penetration.

Background: The risk of early revision of total hip arthroplasty (THA) for polyethylene wear is now low, but there remains a need to perform wear measurements in patients for clinical surveillance. The gold standard of wear measurements has been radiostereometric analysis (RSA), which has limited availability. The use of computed tomography (CT) to perform THA wear measurement was described a decade ago and found to have acceptable accuracy and precision, but high radiation dose was a concern.

Abdominopelvic imaging in the follow-up of testicular germ-cell tumors in adults: recommendations of the Scrotal and Penile Imaging Working Group of the European Society of Urogenital Radiology.

Objectives: The Scrotal and Penile Imaging Working Group (SPIWG) of the European Society of Urogenital Radiology (ESUR) aimed to formulate recommendations on the imaging modalities and minimal technical requirements for abdominopelvic imaging in the follow-up of adult patients treated for testicular germ-cell tumors (TGCT).

Methods: The SPIWG members performed an extensive literature search, reviewed the current clinical practice, and reached a consensus based on the opinions of experts in the field.

Results: Recurrence in patients treated for TGCT mainly occurs in retroperitoneal lymph nodes (LNs).